Beautiful Things//O2l/Kian Lawley By Emily

Chapter Six: Funeral

Even though the sun was out the world seemed dark. A week after my father passed away a funeral was held. Lots of people showed up. He was a well known man gaining lots of friends as he traveled the country.
Even though he was a good man he had a darkness no one knew about. For the last few years of his life a slowly built a gambling addiction. It started when I was twelve progressively getting worse as the years went on. But now it doesn't matter. I would do anything to have him back, even with his flaws.
We all stood around his coffin as the summer breeze rustles the tree leaves. I couldn't help but lose it. I held Kian tight who gazed at the coffin sadly. My mom stood on the other side of the coffin crying uncontrollably. People hugged her and tried to calm her down but there was nothing that could be done. After the preacher finished talking and praying he asked anyone if they want to say anything. A few people went up my mom not among them. They all had amazing things to say making it even harder to control the crying.
"Anyone else?" The preacher asked looking around. I looked around suddenly feeling my feet move, without thinking I walked forward gaining everyone's attention.
"Um, I would like to say something" I said quietly. Everyone regarded my silently but the preacher nodded. I suddenly felt nervous not knowing what to say. I looked at Kian who gave me a small nod encouraging me to talk. I took a deep breath.
"When I was little my father wasn't around much, not because he didn't want to be but because he was always traveling to other places and bringing back amazing stories. He would always tell me about the people he met and the land he had lived on using every detail you could imagine, he was unique like that. As I grew up he traveled less and less making more time for family and less time for himself. He would stay home when I was sick, cooking me food and playing with me. He was still the same amazing man but I never saw that same light anymore. What has happened is terrible, no one saw it coming and maybe if he hadn't been so stubborn about going to the doctor they could have fought the tumor in time. But now he has a chance to visit a new place and create a new story," I stopped taking a breath "To share with us one day."
They regarded me quietly, most crying but smiling, my mom had stopped crying staring at me sadly, I could tell she was reliving memories. I walked back over to Kian and he pulled me into a huge hug stroking my hair.
The sun shined down on the coffin making the whole thing seem unreal like a movie scene. One by one we slowly walked up to the coffin placing soft white roses on top. Then we said one more prayer lowering him slowly into the ground.
After the burial people slowly start to leave but I couldn't move. I stared at the freshly packed down ground realizing how fast life can change. One day he was here and the next, like he never existed. Kian walks up behind me hugging me to his chest.
"Lex, everyone is leaving." He said gently. I nod looking from Kian to the ground taking a deep breath.
"Goodbye daddy." I said quietly before slowly turning and walking away.
On the way to the car my mom stopped us. Her blonde hair was up in a tight bun and her make up was gone now that she has been crying "Lexy wait!" She called as she walked up. I regarded her sadly and she pulled me into a hug breathing deeply. I pulled away looking at how much she has changed. Her hair once light now has streaks of grey and she looks tired, as if she hasn't slept in days. "I'm sorry mom." I said not really knowing what else to say. She shook her head tears coming to her eyes.
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about the money and the fight. I'm sorry you didn't get to see your father before he passed." She looked down at the ground wiping her eyes.
"It's okay mom it's in the past." I said not wanting to go into it. She looked up her eyes moving to Kian. She looked back and forth between us smiling a little.
"Then shall we talk about the future?" She said stepping forward to shake Kian's hand.
"Mom this is Kian my boyfriend." I said linking arms with him. She stood there smiling for a few seconds before speaking. "Alexis, I'm glad your happy, maybe now I can sleep easily." She kissed my cheek stepping backwards. "I have to go work out some legal things now." She said staring directly at me. I knew she was talking about dad's gambling debt. She turned to leave pausing for a second. "I love you darling." She said not glancing back behind her.
"I love you too mom." I said turning and walking to the car.
We got in the car driving in silence for a few minutes until I spoke. "Where is your family?" I asked hoping I wasn't bringing up bad memories.
"I don't see them much anymore, I have four siblings and my parents are still alive. After I moved out they sort of stopped talking to me, I still talk to my siblings once and a while but O2L is my family now." He said glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. I watched him quietly for a second, "Do you miss them?" I asked.
"Ya" he said smiling a little. I nodded looking out the window at the trees. I watched out the window for a while before slowly drifting to sleep.