Everyone loves a funeral (Aly, Completely Open to Anyone)

[ghost-within.livejournal.com]

Even as it was happening, Peter's funeral seemed so beyond surreal. The chapel at the hospital was full fit to burst with people who had come to mourn the loss of Peter Kemp. Stuart was officiating and despite his years in the clergy, he found that it was impossible to come up with the right words to say. So instead he borrowed Peter's words, opting to read passages from Peter's journals about the importance of love and family, artfully leaving out all mentions of angels or demons or anything else supernatural. People were allowed to say a few words, and those that were able to got up and shared memories or feelings or thoughts. Deirdre went on for nearly 20 minutes because that's what Deirdre did. No one minded. They were focused on Peter, resting in front of them like he was asleep. He was dressed in the suit he'd been married in to cover up his scars, and his hands were folded lightly across his chest. His first journal rested beneath them. It seemed only fitting that he be interred with it.

After the service, everyone relocated to the mausoleum that Aly had purchased. It was a large stone building with ornate iron work and a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling. And it was theirs now, it belonged to the family. Aly had placed some vases in the corners that had belonged to Louise. Flowers were placed in them, and Peter rested in the middle so people could see him one last time before he was lifted up and slid into his place in the top row. It was very informal, because that's how Peter would have liked it. Aly was hanging back, not yet ready to say goodbye. She let other people see him first. She knew how very important her husband was to...well...everyone. Instead of crowding, she leaned against the outside of the mausoleum, holding baby Thomas who was strangely still, and she cried softly as she stared up at the cloudy sky.

Comments

[angels-facade.livejournal.com]

"What?! No! No, Alessa..." Shit. Kat sighed and she kissed Alessa's head again. "We just...thought he'd get better. I didn't want to talk about it...I...god I'm sorry..."

[gonetoground.livejournal.com]

"It's okay," Alessa said, leaning into Kat's kiss. "I just... I'd hate for Peter to think I didn't care. I made him a painting, but... he's not going to see it, so..." She trailed off, and let out a ragged sigh.

[angels-facade.livejournal.com]

"He knows you care, Baby." Kat said soothingly. "And...Alessa, he can see it. He'll know. I believe that. He's watching right now. He's with Bianca and they can take care of each other." Kat bit her lip and willed herself not to cry.

[gonetoground.livejournal.com]

Alessa wasn't so sure. She'd never believed in God or Heaven. They were alien concepts to her. She believed in the soul, but not necessarily that it went somewhere else when you died. Rather, she thought of it as something that persisted in the things one created in life, like her art or Peter's hospital. She appreciated that Kat wanted to comfort her though, and was glad that her beliefs brought her some sort of solace. Gently, she stroked Kat's cheek, and leaned down to kiss her. When their lips met, Alessa's tears began to flow, and she broke off to bury her face in Kat's bright pink hair.

[angels-facade.livejournal.com]

"I know, Baby." Kat buried her face in Alessa's hair too, but she didn't cry anymore. She was there when it had happened. She'd seen Peter die. She had cried enough.