Open Case File [COMPLETED]

The Funeral (Part 6)

👆You see that title! That means this isn't going to be a happy chapter, so don't read it!

If you're masochistic then fine, read away. But don't blame me for the tears.

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Donovan couldn't breathe. He stood frozen in front of the bathroom sink. Somehow he'd forgotten how to breathe. He knew he should move, back away from the sink, but he couldn't do anything. He remained frozen staring at her toothbrush. There was a spot of toothpaste still clinging to the bristles.

"Donny."

Brock spoke right behind him. Even though he hadn't registered Brock walking into the bathroom, Donovan didn't startle. How could he when he felt hollowed out? Brock placed a comforting hand on Donovan's shoulder.

"Need help with that?" he said.

Donovan blinked but didn't respond. He barely did anything lately. He didn't even cry. 

Gently, Brock turned Donovan so they stood face to face. But still, Donovan stared at the toothbrush as Brock tied Donovan's tie. He should throw out the toothbrush. That's what people did, right? When they knew someone was...

He swallowed, tried to breathe again but it felt impossible.

"Let's go," Brock said, guiding Donovan out of the bathroom.

As they entered the living room, Link and Maddy stood. They both wore matching masks of worry and grief. Maddy held Harrison.

"We helped Kennedy get dressed but she didn't want to put on her shoes," Link said.

Without a word, Donovan knelt before his daughter. Looking at her face felt like a stab to his heart. She resembled Carter so much that at times he couldn't bear it.

Kennedy watched him with Carter's blue eyes as he picked up one shoe and slid it onto her foot. Finished, he lifted Kennedy into his arms. She hugged his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. He held her close afraid she might slip away.

When Donovan faced Link, Maddy, and Brock, they all watched him cautiously like a single word might break him. He didn't know how they couldn't understand that he wouldn't break because he was already shattered inside. 

"Okay," Brock said, cracking the heavy silence. "Let's get going."

Solemnly, the group left the apartment and loaded into two cars. Donovan sat in the back of Brock's SUV holding onto Kennedy's hand. She leaned against him, clinging to a stuffed bunny.

When Brock pulled into the Arlington cemetery, Donovan couldn't move. He couldn't do it. He knew so many would be there, waiting. Wanting to say good-

He couldn't do it.

Brock opened Donovan's door, his quiet gaze understanding. He said nothing. He didn't urge Donovan to get out. Didn't try to help him. Instead, he stood letting Donovan know he was there.

Eventually, more cars pulled into the parking lot and Donovan unbuckled himself and Kennedy. He carried her through the rows of the fallen.

Overhead the sky was a brilliant blue and the breeze tinted with warmth. Donovan didn't understand how the day could be so heartless.

When they spotted a crowd in black waiting beneath a swaying tree, Donovan paused. He couldn't make his feet keep going. Even his heart faltered. He gripped Kennedy closer, crushing the bunny between them. He couldn't do it. He couldn't say...

His mother broke away from the group and crossed over to him. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to see her grief. Didn't want to see her red eyes. Didn't want to see her mourn for her first daughter.