Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 58: Grief

It's been 3 days since Hope witnessed the death of Rafael.

Her family members all travelled to Mystic Falls to support her, and be present with her today:
the day of his funeral.

The Mikaelson family arranged the ceremony, knowing that Hope would need some sort of service and commemoration for him.
It will be a small graveside gathering, just close friends of the deceased plus the Mikaelson's, Raf's only true family.

All of Hope's friends at the Salvatore School have been giving her the space she needs, though it hasn't been easy to remain at a distance.

The Mikaelson family has been trying to keep them all informed about Hope, updating them by mainly communicating with either Alaric, Caroline, or Josie.

Every update so far, though, has been the same.

Hope has been...distant.

Keeping to herself, not talking with anyone unless she's addressed by her family.

Currently, Hope stands in front of her mirror, looking over her curled hair and black dress, and there's a soft knock at her door.

She averts her eyes toward the noise in the reflection of the mirror to see Rebekah leaning against the doorframe, glancing over to a folded piece of paper on Hope's dresser.

The eulogy.

Raf's friends from Mystic Falls High thought Hope would be the right person to give the eulogy, since she knew him the best out of anyone.

"You know, if you don't think you can give this speech—"

"It's the right thing to do...He's family."

Rebekah purses her lips together, nodding slowly, "Freya, Davina, and Vincent left early to cast a barrier spell in the cemetery. No unwanted guests will be able to enter."

"Thank you...We should probably get going then. I don't want to keep everybody waiting."

"You take all the time you need, little one."

Hope sighs, tearing her eyes from the reflection to look down at Raf's Mikaelson pocket knife in her hands, "It still doesn't feel real. How do I give a eulogy for someone when he's still alive in my head?"

They say grief occurs in 5 stages.
First, there's denial...

Rebekah steps forward, placing her hands on each of Hope's shoulders, "Sweetheart, if your memory of him wasn't alive, a tribute would be meaningless."

Hope knows she's right.

She sets down the pocket knife, turning to face her aunt, "I'm ready."

———————

When they arrive at the cemetery, Marcel gets out of the car first, offering to escort Rebekah and Hope, one on each arm.

When Hope looks up, she can see the closed casket, MG, Cleo, Kaleb, Wade, Jed, and a few other werewolves all standing together.
She sees Landon, Maya and Ethan standing together.
Her family members who arrived earlier, standing together, slightly set apart from the larger group. They all wear either sunglasses or a black veil, tilting their heads down to not draw too much attention to themselves.
She sees Dr. Saltzman, Caroline, Lizzie and Josie, who keeps her eyes trained to Hope the entire time as she approaches.

Even without being able to see Hope's eyes through her sunglasses, Josie knows they're tear-filled, and she knows Hope purposefully avoids looking at the casket.

Hope releases her hold on Marcel's arm as she goes to hug each of her friends from Mystic Falls, then on to Salvatore School friends, then the Saltzman's.