Her Last Plea✨

Chapter 57

The graveside service for Delphina wasn't more than a half hour long, but the family and friends were invited to gather in a hall-room near the gravesite for afterwards so that they could give Mike, his children, and  Delphina's parents (along with Cordelia) their condolences.

Tanner Newman, Blake Ziegler and Penelope Parker - children of Charles's and Steven's associates, people Mike, Cordelia and Delphina had been forced to 'befriend' while growing up - were also in attendance along with their parents. Penelope and Blake had been in the same year as Mike and Cordelia at Francesc's, while Tanner was a year older than them (Delphina had been a year younger than Mike and Cordelia). And while Cordelia and Delphina had remained 'friends' with the three, Mike liked to keep a distance from them - for they had turned out to be just as snobbish as their parents.

Penelope and Cordelia took one look at each other and both promptly burst into tears. Tanner and Blake gave Mike handshakes while their parents were offering condolences to Delphina's parents and Mike's father.

Sitting in front of the coffin, as it stood beside it's final resting place, Mike had Ara sitting on his lap and Mira sitting to his left, leaning against him with her arm linked with his. Esther sat to Mira's right, holding Marvin.....that is, until he spotted Hailey standing with her family - minus Layla - behind Mike. Esther looked offended and Hailey tried to look remorseful as Marvin reached for the redheaded woman. But, if it kept him content during the service, Esther gave into her grandson's request and handed him off to Hailey.

Mayor Travis Wilson had offered to officiate the ceremony when he heard of the news, and Mike graciously took him up on the request. The Mayor knew Delphina from various work functions, and it was better than having someone who didn't really know her running the service. His words were heartfelt and genuine as he spoke of Delphina - his secret weapon when planning the parties and galas for various functions . The thought made Mike laugh, the mental image of Delphina running through meetings to discuss the things that could have been needed for a party with the mayor's assistant - a man who could have probably cared less about the importance of centerpieces. Though as Mike thought about how lavish the galas usually were, it made all the more sense as to why it was not only Delphina's favorite party, but how well put together it all was. Mayor Wilson talked about the children and that he was certain she would watch over them as they went through life, noting that their potential for greatness was endless and how they would always carry their mother in their hearts wherever they found themselves.

Cordelia let out a few loud, shrill sobs as she sat between her father and Penelope, letting Penelope hold her as she dabbed her tears with a handkerchief. Ara's lip would quiver and Mira's grasp on Mike's arm would tighten with every sob that slipped from Cordelia's mouth. Despite his strong desire to do so, he resisted the urge to tell his sister-in-law how to grieve. He had yet to determine if she was actually emoting feelings or doing this for attention, but he didn't necessarily care, either. He just wanted this to be over.

At the end of Wilson's speech, he asked that the family come up and say their final goodbyes. Delphina's parents went first, along with Cordelia. Esther had managed to keep it together up to that point, but now she had to be pulled away by Steven who had his wife on one arm, and his now hysterically sobbing older daughter on his other. Mike stood up, gently placing Ara on the ground as Mira stood up with him. He pulled out the letters his children wrote to Delphina and handed them to the girls as he turned to face Hailey.

"Come on," he whispered to Marvin as his voice cracked. "We need to say goodbye to Mommy."

"Mommy bye?" Marvin asked.

Mike nodded, kissing his cheek as Hailey handed him over. Together, the four of them walked up to Delphina, with Mike having to repeatedly remind himself to breathe. He watched as Ara wiped her tears away with a mitten-clad hand, placing her letter in the coffin.