Torn [SHAWN MENDES]

~17~

Taryn sat next to her mother in the first pew of the church, holding her hand tightly as Mariah finished her closing remarks at the lectern. Jules was on her other side, his arm draped around her protectively, which helped her remain strong for Tricia. When he felt her shake, he'd give her shoulder a gentle squeeze or stroke her back.

Tricia was being remarkably strong, but her daughter knew that wouldn't last forever. They'd been distracted by making the arrangements, traveling home, and now the service. Mariah and Debbie were staying with her for several days, and then Taryn was going to step in after that. She could do her paperwork for the bars remotely and her staff could run things in her absence. She'd had a phone session with Amber who said the grief would probably hit all of them like a ton of bricks once normal life resumed.

The ceremony was beautiful and full of a wide range of emotions. Tears were shed when it was acknowledged that Earl was gone too soon, but there was also laughter when those closest to him shared amusing anecdotes, some dating back over fifty years.

When Mariah was done, her brothers retrieved the black urn from the pedestal near the altar and carried it down the aisle while the guitarist EJ hired played Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones. The urn would go home with Patricia later, and eventually Earl's remains would be interred with hers. Until then, he'd be on her bedside table, because she believed his presence might bring more of the lovely dreams she'd recently had about him.

The family members stood and followed EJ and Tom. Taryn continued to hold her mother's hand as Jules walked behind them. She kept her head down for most of the short trip, because seeing the faces of those who loved and respected her stepfather would surely bring on fresh tears. When she reached the last row of pews, her eyes were drawn upward and she locked eyes with an unexpected guest. She gasped, which caused Patricia to follow her daughter's gaze. The widow gave her former son-in-law a small smile and nod as they passed him, showing that she was pleased he'd come to honor her husband.

Shawn couldn't return Tricia's smile, but he tried to hold it together as tears prickled the corners of his eyes. In that moment, he knew that attending was the right decision. A few minutes later, he was standing outside on the church steps in the bright sunshine. The immediate family members had already left for The Good Luck Lounge, which was where he was headed, too.

"Shawn! You're here?!" his mother exclaimed once his family spotted him. "Let me see this sweet baby!"

He handed Piper to his mum and gave his father, Aaliyah, and Jordan hugs before explaining himself. "It was a very last minute decision. As you know, I didn't want to leave Piper, but then yesterday it occurred to me that I could bring her. I chartered a plane and arrived at Pearson about an hour before the ceremony. I wore my suit on the flight, since I knew I'd be cutting it close, and got Piper dressed in the rental car. I decided to sit at the back so that we could step out if she got restless or started squawking."

"But why on earth didn't you text or call to let us know you were coming?" Karen asked as she bounced her darling granddaughter in her arms.

Piper was wearing a navy blue dress, tights, and tiny black shoes for the occasion. It was an outfit Yasmin's mom bought, and for once Shawn was grateful for her overly-formal taste in baby clothes.

He looked down at the steps sheepishly before answering. "I thought you might tell me it was a mistake."

Manny clapped a hand on his son's back. "I think it's good you came. You're staying with us, of course. I hope you stick around for a few days since we could use the time to catch up."

"The kids are going to be so excited to see their cousin," Aaliyah said with a smile. "I'm going to text Micah now!"

"Where are they?" Shawn asked.