Carina and her bambina ( a marina story )

Coming to an end

Gabriella's POV

It has been 2 weeks since uncle Andrew died and almost a week since mama came out of the hospital, I have cried every single day, maybe even every hour, I thought the pain of losing him would slowly get better, but it's doesn't, it just continues to grow. I just don't feel like me any more. I'm just filled with anger, rage and sadness, I can't remember ever feeling like this before. I just want to shut everyone out of my life, lock myself in my room, eat junk food and binge watch all my favourite tv shows until the pain goes, which doesn't seem like it will be happening anytime soon.

The thing is though, I'm more worried about mama than anything else right now, she has been out of the hospital a week, and not once have I seen her get out of bed, except to use the bathroom, our only communication is through texting, I don't want to go into her room because I don't want to make her upset more than she already is, she is shutting both me and mom out and neither of us know what to do. But today is the day she has to get up, today is the day of the funeral.........

It was 8am when I rolled onto my side to turn off my alarm, although I didn't really need it because I have not slept in what feels like 3 days. I didn't sleep at all last night, I was thinking about what's going to happen today, I've never been to a funeral, I don't know what they are like, and i have to do a speech, I'm no good at writing and especially when I have to read it out loud to loads of people who loved him.

"Knock knock" mom said as she opened the door. "It's time to get up honey" "I know mom, I'm already awake..........mom" i said "can you please do my hair for me" I asked, and with that she nodded her head and she came to sit on my bed picking up a head brush on the way.

For the past 2 weeks this house has been full of sadness but not today, today it's going to be full of people celebrating life. "Has mama got up yet?" I asked worried about wether or not she would even get up in order to go to her own brothers funeral. "She has baby, she's up and she's dressed, she's still really upset and she need both of us to be right by her side today, do you think you can do that for her ?" "Of course, she's my mama, we have lost too many family members, I'm going to be there for her, and I've got my speech all ready, I think she is going to love it" I smile as I get up to put a little make up on and change into my black dress.

Maya's POV

I am extremely proud of Gabriella, she has handled this so well, well I mean she has been putting on a brave face but I can see right past her, she is just like her mama, these last 2 weeks have been about them, giving them space but also being there for them when they need it, I took a leave from work just so I was there in case anything happened.

As we followed the coffin down the aisle, tears were pouring out of my eyes, i haven't know Andrew too long but he became like a brother to me, he was family and I loved him.

We took our seats on the front row as the ceremony was about to begin, the hall was filled with all of andrews friends, family and colleagues who adored him.

"And as we conclude the ceremony I believe Andrea's sister and niece would like to say a few words" the person leading the ceremony said. Carina slowly started to stand up and walk to the front, she got out her piece of paper and placed it in front of her. I could sense something was off, her eyes were so dark as we just stood up there still, not saying a word. I was about to get up but before I could, Gabriella stood up and walked gracefully to the front.

"Hi everyone, I'm sure most of you know who I am, but for the ones that don't, I am Andrews niece, Gabriella, or as he liked to call me, his kiddo. Andrew absolutely adored Seattle, I remember the first day he was here, although I was only 5, he would send text messages through my mamas phone to me, he was barely off plane when he started sending me pictures of the space needle, and trust me the pictures did not stop there, every time he saw something new, I would get a picture. I loved scrolling though them all wondering when I could go to America. And then his first day at the hospital, omg I got so many pictures my camera was full. And yes Dr Bailey you were in one of them. And then after 5 years I finally got to see the best uncle in the world ever again. When I tell you I was over moon, I literally was. He had not changed one little bit, he was still the same person little 5 year old me remembered. And that is the person I will remember for the rest of my life, how he always made fun of me when I wore ripped jeans, asking if I got my half off since half of the material was missing. And you think you have heard 'dad' joking, but you probably haven't heard uncle Andrea jokes, they were so bad that it was almost kind of embarrassing. And then there were the days that mama was working and he took me to all the cool places, to my first theme park and when he took me on his motorcycle which my mums still don't know about. 13 years of my life was not long enough living with Andrew, his death has been not just heart breaking to me and family but to the people around us, Andrew was not just an ordinary person, he always went above and beyond, and that's why I wrote down speech after speech making sure it was perfect, until I realised that a perfect speech does not just come from the opinions and experiences from one person but from those who have experienced life with him, been there for his ups and downs. That's why I wanted to honour life with something special, something where everyone has a voice. I miss you uncle Deluca, this is for you"

I was in ore in what Gabriella just did for carina, she didn't just let her stand up there and freeze, she went up and spoke, loud and clear, it was a perfect speech. As she was stood up there I could see her gripping carinas hand so tightly, tears pouring down her face. But for what she had planned I had no idea about, and apparently half of the room didn't.

Once she finished her speech, Gabriella and carina hugged and she lead her back to their seats, I held both of their hands tightly and the lights dimmed and something started to play on the screen.

One after the other, after the other, videos of andrews friends started to talk, honouring Andrew in the sweetest most kindest way possible, some talked about memories with Andrew, some about how they will miss him and some just about him as a person, there was not one dry eye in the room. As the videos came to an end, some of andrews favourite music started to play as photos from his life was projected onto the screen.

Carina's POV

I have the most perfect daughter ever, as soon as I stepped foot on that stage, I froze, it was like my body was paralysed, but Gabriella, she saved me, her speech was just wow. And then her tribute to my sweet baby brother was just so thoughtful. I'm so thankful he had that much of an influence on her to become who she is and to who I hope she becomes, I am so thankful for my family, God keeps taking them away from me and throwing curve balls in there at every possible opportunity. But today, I'm going to start living life again, just how Andrew would want me too. I am going to honour his death.

"I'll see you soon Andrew" I whispered under my breath as the video was coming to an end