Criminal [Book 2]

Chapter Twenty One

It took Jack a good week to calm down after Liam's death. During his grieving time, Beth had planned Liam's funeral with Arianna. It was hard to see her tough husband, pretty broken. It was just a surprise to everyone, they didn't think anyone would die.

Once Jack began to feel a bit better, he was more hands on with helping them with the funeral, as was Noah and Andrew. They knew Liam way better than anyone so they would be able to add the personal touches and make it really special.

On the day of the funeral, Jack was exceptionally upset again. This was the last time he would see his friend in person before they buried him and he had every right to cry again. He and the other boys would be giving a speech for Liam today and Beth had her tissues ready for an emotional time.

"Are you ready for this?" Beth asked Jack as she fixed his tie

"I guess" Jack nodded

"You'll be fine, we shouldn't be too sad, we should be celebrate his life today" Beth said tapping his chest

"I know, I'll be okay babe" Jack nodded

Beth went off to get Angelina ready for today. She looked so cute and Beth knew that if anything would cheer Jack up today, it would be her. Beth put her into her car seat and carried her back to Jack. He was reading over his speech before he noticed them there. He smiled down at Angelina and then at Beth.

"She looks so cute" Jack smiled

"She does, she'll sure cheer everyone up" Beth nodded

"She cheered me up" Jack said "We should get going, you have everything?"

"Yeah, I'll drive" Beth nodded picking up her car keys

They headed out the door and to the car where Beth strapped Angelina into the car and climbed into the car with Jack.

"Thank you for planning most of this" Jack said taking Beth's hand "And being here with me through this, i couldn't have done it alone"

"I love you, Jack, it wasn't a problem at all for me to do this" Beth said

Jack nodded and let go of Beth's hand so she could start the car. When they were on their way, he continued to read over his speech as Angelina made little noises in the back of the car.

As Beth parked up at the venue, she could see he was rather nervous. On their way in, his hand was sweating in Beth's and he was a bit shaky. Beth took Angelina from him so he could calm himself down. He went off to talk to Noah and Andrew who would hopefully help him calm a little so he could give his speech perfectly.

Beth went off with Arianna and took a seat with her in the venue. They were waiting for the boys to come in and take their seats so the ceremony could start. Liam was laying, dressed very smartly in his coffin upfront of the room. The place looked perfect and personal. There were pictures of Liam as a child and with the boys and pictures of him all throughout his life. He would be missed dearly.

When the boys came in and got to their seats next to Arianna and Beth, it began. The man hosting the ceremony, one of Liam's closest friends out with the family began to talk about death and the meaning. He talked about Liam being a hero and how this community had lost someone special but he would always be looking down and looking after them.

When it was Jack's turn, he squeezed Beth's hand and stood up.

Jack talked about meeting Liam and how he had seen Liam as more a father figure than anything else. Most of the ideas came from Liam and he was pretty much a genius.

"I love you brother and everything I do now will be in memory of you, hope I make you proud," Jack said before coming back to sit with Beth.

Jack held Beth's hand tight as he tried to hold back the tears when the other boys gave their speeches. When everyone was finished, the coffin lid was closed and the boys carried his body outside.

They all stood around the coffin as it was lowered in the ground. Everyone threw in flowers before they started putting the dirt back in.

Everyone began to leave but Jack wasn't ready yet and Beth wasn't going to pull him away. Beth stood with Angelina in her arms watching him as he stared down at the pit in the ground. He finally moved with her to the car. Once she strapped Angelina back in, she sat with him.

"He's really gone" Jack nodded

"Good guy gone too early" Beth said

"He was a really good guy" Jack said

"I agree, i was least scared of him at the beginning, he was the least aggressive" Beth nodded

"He wasn't really like that" Jack said "But he's in a better place now"

"That's a good way to look at it" Beth said "You ready to go home and feed your little princess?"

"More than ready" Jack nodded and turned to smile at Angelina

Even though he cried a little, Beth thought he had handled the whole situation very well. He was still smiling and getting through it. He knew he couldn't dwell on it forever and moving forward is what is better for everyone.