~ongoing~ ~unedited~
After eleven year old Parker is faced with her stepfather's death, she has to move in with her five older brothers. Her newly discovered family has secrets they are hiding from Parker, but Parker is keeping secrets of her own...
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It has been a week now since Parker's death, her funeral is today. Everyday without her here with us is unexplainably painful. So much so I fear I may never have the words to describe it.
A part of me still expects her hugs after school. She would always be a little drained after learning for eight hours but as soon as she would arrive home, a burst of energy ignited in her and she would lunge for the nearest brother, tackling them into one of her famous hugs.
She made hugs a daily occurrence, and now, I doubt I can be hugged by anyone else ever again. No such thing could ever amount to her displays of affection. They were so innocent, so pure. Looking back now, I wish I held her just a little longer.
It is silent now as I enter the limousine alongside my brothers. We are all dressed accordingly in our nicest black suits and the only sound heard is the light patter of rain, which I feel is fitting for today's events.
We are heading further upstate New York, where our family's graveyard resides. I took the liberty of moving our mother's final resting place there. At least now, they can be together again.
The jingle of metal pulls me away from my thoughts and I turn to see the last person entering the limo. Ares enters, but behind him trails the dog from his studio.
We have all been mourning in our own ways. For Ares that looks like taking care of that dog.
When the dog eats, Ares eats. When the dog goes outside, Ares goes outside. In a way it works, and that is why I have given up on forbidding the dog in the house. It seems the only way Ares will remember to take care of himself is if he is taking care of the dog. Ares is losing himself over Parker's death, I fear the dog is the only thing still holding him together.
Now, having the dog in the limo is pushing it, but I know Parker would have wanted him to say goodbye as well. I can still vividly imagine her scolding me, saying something along the lines of he has feelings too. I dread the day her face fades from my memory, the day I can no longer so vividly imagine her - her appearance, her personality, her voice.
After the dog lays down beside our feet, I motion for the driver to begin the journey.
I am unsure how much time passes before we arrive, being too caught up in my thoughts. I keep thinking about all the things I could have done differently. Maybe then, Parker would still be alive distracting me from work. How I wish she could still pull me from my endless meetings.
It is not until I hear the familiar sound of Ravi's collar do I recognize everyone leaving the vehicle. I hum in approval at the scenery in front of me. Tulips of every color as far as the eye can see surround our family's graveyard. I made sure to hire only the best gardeners to achieve this look I had envisioned for my sorellina's final resting place.
I am the last to reach Parker's grave as all the other guests have already arrived. Our family graveyard is kept secret as we do not want anyone defacing the property. Only twelve people total are in attendance. My brothers and I account for five, the Martinez family accounts for five as well. Their mother and father are in attendance, having flown from Spain for Reid's funeral a few days ago. Lastly, Remo, Milo and Maria asked for permission to come and pay their respects.
