Be Alright ~Keaton Stromberg~

Chapter 9-The Funeral

"Theodore Quinn." I shut my eyes and squeezed Keaton's hand so hard I don't think he had any blood left in his hand. He looked devastated. I looked over to Uncle Ted and he was white as a ghost. Being only about 21 or 22 and now a legal guardian of a 16 year old.

"If there is any issues with this they can be addressed in court." The lawyer then looked over at the Stromberg's and me. "As long as it is alright with Loraine Cora may continue living with them for a few days till Mr. Quinn has everything figured out.

With that everyone got up and started to leave the room. I felt like I was in the middle of a dream that I couldn't wake up from. Keaton still holding my hand led me over to my grandparents. They smiled at me and wished me the best. I didn't know them very well and the both had flown down for the funeral that was planned for tomorrow.

We then got to Ted. He looked not only like he had seen a ghost but also like he was a ghost. He pulled me into a hug forcing me to release my tightly gripped hand from Keaton's.

"It'll be alright kid." He said ruffling my hair. "This your boyfriend?" He questioned towards Keaton. I looked and Keats he almost looked happy about the question. "No he is just my best friend." I said, though I wish it were different.

~~~~~

Once we got home, or to the Stromberg's house I made my way to Keaton's room. I dropped on his bed and cried. I didn't want to leave. I knew Ted lived Oregon. That seemed so far from the only place I knew Callifornia.

I felt like a complete emotional wreck. I heard a soft knock on the door. I didn't reply and so within seconds Keaton emerged from the door. "I'm so sorry Keaton, I need to stop crying and stuff I'm making it really hard on your family." I finished and looked at Keaton. "You never have to apologize and my mom is putting in a request for a court date for your custody order to be changed." With that I smiled. He was seated beside me and he leaned over to me and wiped the tears that were on my face.

...

I was awoken by Keaton's soft voice telling me we needed to leave in an hour to finish everything we needed for the funeral later that day. They had an invite out at my school and anyone that wanted to come could skip school.

I jumped out of bed mentally preparing myself for the day as I showered and in shorts and a tank top ran downstairs.

"Hey how are you doing?" Drew asked sincerely. "Good I think" I smiled at him. I went into the freezer and grabbed a couple mini pizzas and put them in the toaster oven.

"Very nutritious" Wes winked at me and pulled me into a hug. "You know since the day you were born your Mom let me and Drew hold you" he stopped. "I knew you were my little sister maybe not biologically but you know what I'm saying." He smiled at me and I almost cried. "I love you so much" I said. "You to and I am always here for you." With that he turned and headed upstairs to get ready.

After I finished my breakfast I headed upstairs to find Keaton sitting on his bed. "Hey" he said sweetly. "Hi, I was just going to grab some stuff to get ready if that's alright?" I questioned. "Of course" he said. "And I will be their for you today if you need me" he said reaching for my hand. Butterflies erupted in my stomach. I squeezed it in acknowledgement. "Just don't let go of my hand and I will be alright."

Keaton's POV

"Just don't let go of my hand and I will be alright," she said. I loved her, I really did but I don't know when to tell her. It had to be soon since it was now Friday and she was leaving for Oregon Sunday.

It was slightly awkward a limo had come to pick Cora up for the funeral and inside where her Grandparents, Uncle, and some close family friends including my mom. I had said I would ride with Drew and Wes but Cora insisted she wanted me with her the whole time.

The people inside where crying and talking about memories and Cora was so white she looked like she was going to faint. I squeezed her hand about five times in a row before color started to seep it way back to her face.

Once we got to the church we all got out and I led Cora into the building. Almost everyone was already seated but we made our way down the aisle to the front. I saw a group of school friends including Beth who was quite protective of me and we usually flirt back and forth.

Beth glared at poor Cora who saw her and looked at the floor she tried to let go of my hand but I held it and shook my head. "Everything will be alright," I said.

The service was beautiful and I cried just about as much as Cora. Before I knew it, it was time to go say goodbye to the Quinn's before they were taken over to the graveyard.

Cora was the last to go to the room to say goodbye. I had previously asked if she wanted to do it alone but she immediately begged me to come. Of course I could not say no to those beautiful green eyes.

There we were standing in front of two people I loved like family.

"Mom" Cora tried to say between sobs. "I love you so much and life will never be as good as it was when you were alive." I let go of her hand so she could lean down and kiss her on the forehead. She pulled a piece of papter and set it in her moms hand. She did the same with her father and then looked to me waiting for me to say something.

Cora's POV

I looked to Keaton waiting for him to say something. I knew he was mentally fighting for the right thing to say. He stood in front of my soul-less parents.

"I know you love Cocoa more then anything in the world." I chocked and he quickly grabbed my hand, which helped. "I promise to take care of her no matter what." Now he was looking me in the eye. "I love you." I wanted to kiss him so bad but because of the circumstances I smiled at him and replied with barley audible. "I love you," and I meant it, more then he realized.

We walked downstairs and many hugs and cards greeted me. I was glad to Marti who I hadn't seen since Monday. "The principal told the whole school in a assembly on Tuesday." Tamara explained. "I'm so sorry" she said and I hugged her super tight.

I watched as my parents inside matching boxes with the lingering scent of death were lowered into the ground. The pastor said a few words then people started to file out of the graveyard. By the end it was just Keaton, me, Wes, Drew, and their mom. Drew wasn't biologically related to the boys but everyone just placed him as a Stromberg.

It had been quite for about 10 minutes before I pulled a knife out of my pocket. Keaton noticed and yelped "COCOA NO" a tear ran down his cheek

This cause me to laugh. "Its alright I'm not gonna kill myself don't worry." I let go of his hand and walked over to the tombstone that shared their names.

It said in loving memory of The Quinn's. I looked at it and sighed. I pushed the knife onto the side of the stone opposite to the writing "I love you now and forever ~ Cocoa"

I walked back over to the boys. Keaton took my hand and leaned down so that he was just talking to me. "Its perfect now" I smiled at that and we headed back to Drew's car.