The Law of Love ~ #Wattys2015

Chapter 14

After Marian's passing, the family left the hospital and went back to Kristin and Andrew's home. Regina stayed in a guest room there and did much of the caring for Roland while the family mourned over their loss. She offered to help Kristin organize the details of the funeral, and Kristin gladly accepted the help. The family had already taken care of most of the details previously, for they knew this day would come and they knew it was better to take care of them in advance than to wait until the day Marian died. Regina called the funeral home to inform them of Marian's passing and to schedule the funeral for that Friday.

The family was still in shock. Throughout Marian's entire illness, the family tried to prepare themselves for what they knew would come; nonetheless, nothing could've prepared them enough to face the death of someone so close.

Regina struggled within her own head as she watched the family grieve. Memories of her parents and their death flooded her mind and she couldn't get them out. Every night, when she was alone, she let her emotions go. She knew if she kept them bottled up, they'd eventually come bursting out at some point. So at night, she let herself drain the tears she was holding back that way she'd be less likely to cry in front of the family the next day. She needed to be strong for them, especially Robin. Robin had been her rock these past two months, and now it was her turn to return the favor.

The funeral was held at 1pm on Friday afternoon. The family was on edge and could barely fathom that they were about to bury Marian. They all piled into a limo and drove to the cemetery, with the casket in the car preceding them. Regina held onto Robin's hand and gave it gentle, reassuring squeezes here and there with a loving smile to go along with it. Though they were small gestures, and though it was an extremely tough day for him, Robin was grateful for Regina's actions. At times he'd give her a small grin in response, but very soon after, his face contorted into a frown again. Grief and pain evident in his features and in his body language.

When the limo reached its destination, the family filed out slowly and stood staring into the distance. Kristin held Roland in one arm, and clang onto Andrew with her other arm. Tears streamed down both of their faces. Robin had his arm around Regina's waist, and Regina wrapped both of hers around him, holding him closely to her. Her head buried in his neck as she breathed him in.

After a few seconds, Regina felt something wet drip onto her forehead. She tilted her head to see Robin's face scrunched up as if he was trying to force himself to stop crying, but failing horribly. She brought her hand to his cheek and softly wiped the tear drops away. She kissed his jaw and then his lips. When she pulled away, she saw his eyes. They looked as if they had been glazed over. Robin was so out of it, and so grieved that he couldn't even function. Regina moved so she was standing in front of him, still close, but now facing him instead being off to his side.

She stood on her toes and brought her hands to his face.

"Robin," she whispered. She got no reply. "Robin, look at me." Still no reply. "Robin look into my eyes. Look at me," she repeated. Finally she saw his eyes blink and shift to meet hers.

Piercing blue eyes were now staring into chocolate brown. Where before Robin was staring out into the cemetery, now he is staring into the eyes of his one true love. Both parties mesmerized by the other; completely captivated by each other, forgetting the circumstances of the day and the heartache that it brings.

"We'll get through this; together," she encouraged him.

"How can I be sure of that when right now? My heart feels like it's gone. I feel like I can't live or breathe or do anything," he cried.

She grabbed his hand and placed it over her heart. "Well if yours isn't functioning, use mine. Use my heart for the both of us. Live and breathe through me, with me," Regina replied.