𝐈 𝐁𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐆𝐒

𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐭𝐰𝐨

|| 28th August 2013

♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎♥︎

Today was the day of Dan's funeral. The whole thing felt surreal, Gabby hadn't even got over the fact that Dan was dead, and despite absolutely loathing him, she still felt a form of grief. The air felt heavy, and the sound of quiet sobbing wafted through the cemetery as friends and family gathered to pay their respects. Gabby tried to remain composed, but the sight of the coffin being lowered into the ground sent a pang of pain through her heart. Despite her complex feelings towards Dan, the realization that he was truly gone hit her hard.

After the funeral had finished, Gabby stumbled over to Dan's mother, her face pale. "Marie, I'm so..." Gabby stammered, being stopped by a hand meeting the side of her face, sending her practically flying backwards.

The sudden strike startled Gabby, her hand instinctively reaching up to her now-reddening cheek as she stared back at Marie, disbelief etched across her face. Marie's eyes were filled with a mixture of grief, anger, and sorrow, and the pain she was feeling seemed to explode in that instant.

"How could you make Dan think that those twins were his?!" she suddenly screamed out, staring at the blonde in disbelief. "3 kids before you're even twenty years old? You're just a slapper, Gabrielle. I want you to stay away from my family!"

Shock coursed through Gabrielle as she listened to Marie's rant. Her heart dropped, and a mix of regret and defensiveness welled up inside her. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out, her mind spinning with how to handle this unexpected confrontation.

"You're the reason he got back on the drugs, you know that? Because of you, my son is dead!" she yelled angrily before Chris and Jase make their way over to the commotion. "I absolutely adored you, I loved how you were able to look after Connie all on your own at 17...and now, I just absolutely hate you."

Gabrielle stood there, stunned and speechless, as the weight of Marie's words sank in. The accusation of being the reason for Dan's relapse stung deeply, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed. She tried to think of a response, but the words caught in her throat, silenced by the rawness of the moment.

Chris and Jase stepped up, their faces etched with concern as they reached Gabby. Jase wrapped his arm around her, his presence a lifeline of support in the face of Marie's anger. Chris spoke up, his voice firm yet tinged with sadness. "That's enough, mum" he said quietly, attempting to intervene on behalf of Gabby.

"I am sorry." Gabby choked, trying not to cry. "I am so sorry." silence fell between them, broken only by the distant sounds of birds in the trees and the faraway chatter of mourners in the cemetery. Gabby's apology hung in the air, heavy with regret and remorse. The weight of her words and the gravity of the situation settled over them all, leaving a bitter taste in the air.

Gabby just looked down and left, Fatboy going after her. She sat down on a nearby bench and just sobbed, covering her face in embarrassment. She knew exactly how Marie was feeling, because she knew how it felt to lose a child. Being in Marie's exact shoes 3 months ago tore Gabby apart and she started to feel all those emotions she had for Mika all over again.

Fatboy followed her, his heart aching for her pain. As she sat down on the bench, tears streaming down her cheeks, he gently sat beside her, his hand reaching out to soothe her back. He didn't say anything, simply offering his silent presence as a source of comfort and understanding.

"We were in her shoes not even 4 months ago, I know exactly how she feels and it hurts because I genuinely love Marie so much, she was so nice to me...and I've ruined it" Gabby sobbed, staring up at Fatboy with mascara streaks trailing down her cheeks