The Start Of Something New (WSSME Sequel)

Chapter 12

Even though I've told Daniella multiple times that I'd be ok, nothing prepared me for this moment.

I lost my mom very early on in my life, and even though I feel for her every day, I didn't have to go through the pain of actually seeing her vanish from my life, or at least I don't remember it.

But I never acknowledged the pain my dad must have gone through, losing the love of his life and having to raise a carbon copy of her by himself.

Or the pain Daniella feels every time her dad is mentioned, even though she tries her best to hide it, denying it even from herself.

And Soph that never actually got to meet her father.

We've all lost someone, be it by death, distance or betrayal.

"Are you ok, baby?" Daniella asks, rubbing my arm gently as we wait for the funeral service to start. I simply nod my head. "It's ok if you want to go out for some fresh air."

"No," I hold her hand, giving it a light squeeze. "I'm fine, don't worry."

"I'll always worry about you," she says, a sad smile on her lips.

I don't have time to answer her, the service begins, his casket is brought inside and then to the place of burial. Closed, his choice, and I somehow find myself feeling relieved that the last image I'll have of him isn't one where he's dead.

The service passed much like a blur, and all I could remember and feel was Daniella's hand in mine and her words of comfort whispered into my ears.

"He died as a happy man," Lucia says, standing by my side, resting a hand on my shoulder. "And we will remember him as such."

I smile, a genuine one, even though small. "Thank you, Lucia, for staying with him till his last moment."

"He would have done the same for me."

I simply nod, not wanting the tears to come back.

After all the condolences, flowers, and prayers, Daniella and I were the last to stay.

"I never got to say goodbye..."

"You don't have to," she says softly, holding my chin so I could look up at her. "You told me yourself that his memory would always live within you... Anna, we say goodbye to forget — an ex-lover, a bad friend, a toxic family member — some people are not meant to be forgotten."

"You're right," I say, wiping the tears that have been accumulating in my face.

"Do you want to stay for a while longer?"

I shake my head, giving Ed's grave one last sad look before grabbing Daniella's hand with both of mine pulling her to the exit path. "I think your mom wants some alone time with him," I say, nodding my head to where she stood, talking to the priest. "And, you should spend some time with her, I'll be fine."

"I'll drop you off at your house or at one of your friends, and pick her up afterwards, does that sound good?"

"Yes, Ray-bae."

"No, settle with just one, you call me something different every single day and it gets worse every time," she groans.

"I'll settle with Ray-bae."

"Couldn't you have thought of a less sappy one?"

"You call me baby, don't you think that's sappy?"

"I call you that because you like it," she rolls her eyes as we walk hand in hand to the parking lot.

"Only because I like it?"

"Because I like it that you like it," she murmurs with a small smirk, a shy-bold that I find extremely cute.