The Maison Series: Book 1

Untitled Part 7

*too lazy to re-write chapter now*

"You ready for today?" Ray's expression was heavily traced with worry. Niko gave a weak nod and got dressed into the black knee-high dress for her mother's funeral. She sighed and sat down on the bed when Ray had left.

"Joey. Take me with you." she said into the quiet room. Niko's tears ran when he hadn't appeared like she had hoped. She layed on her stomach in the bed and cried all her pain and misery into the pillow that had been too close to her. A hand on her shoulder gently rubbed in an effort to calm her down.

"Come on, sweetie. It's time." Ray's tone was subtle and soothing. Niko got up and hugged him tightly to her.

"Alright then." her voice was almost inaudible and she hadn't recognized it as her own. The drive to the site was a quiet, gloomy experience and no one had the confidence to say something to her.

"Your mother was such a sweet person, dearie, I'm terribly sorry for your loss." old Mr. Bens had stopped by with flowers.

"Thank you for coming and the flowers are absolutely beautiful, Mr. B, you didn't have to." Niko smiled at the elderly man with politeness.

"Yes yes. I have to go now, but stay strong. You're a beautiful young woman, just like Randy had been. Take care." he gave her a quick peck on the cheek and walked outside to a car with his cane.

"Ray, I'm gonna go in and see her one more time. I'll be out after I use the bathroom." she said.

"Alright, I'll wait here for you." he kissed her forehead and watched as she left into the viewing room.

"Well, Mama, I guess it's just me now. I was hoping you'd be there for my first everything. Well, most of my firsts. Like my high school graduation, my first engagement, and a special mother and daughter dance at my wedding. It seems like just yesterday you taught me to ride a bike two years after dad died. But you're with him now," she paused and drew in a breath with tears. "And I hope you two are happier now that you're together again. It's so quiet and small in the house now. I also got you that new perfume you had wanted when you saw it on the commercials." Niko placed a small turquoise bottle filled with the beautiful aroma from the sample her mother had tried.

"It's Forever Sweet, just like you wanted." a tear landed on her mother's cold pale cheek and Niko gently wiped it away. She sprayed a bit just over her mother's clothes to bring a hint of comfort to her with the scent.

"You always were and always will be my hero along with dad. Mama, I love you. With all my heart and even more. You were my special face to smile at, to love more than anything, until Ray came in. But besides that, I love you and I always will. Rest in sweet peace, Mama. You deserve it." her final words were followed with a kiss on the body's stiff cheek. Niko wiped her eyes and sat in a corner before quietly beginning to cry. She was surprised she still had tears to shed after all that had taken place. She didn't care how wrinkled her dress was. She would've faced the burning gates of Hell to get her mom back. She would've given her life for her mom's in less than a heartbeat. Niko pulled off the black high heels and pulled her dress up a bit to hug her knees.

"Niko?" Ray's voice filled the depressing chamber's empty space.

"I'm over h-here." her sobbing had turned to hiccups which had led to her stammering.

"Oh baby, look at you." Ray pulled her off the floor and wiped her tears away with a tissue and he had handed her the box of Kleenex he had found. Leo, Matt, and four other men came in and Niko gently kissed her mom one last time before closing the coffin's lid so the six could carry it outside to the burial site. Niko leaned on Ray slightly as she followed behind them. Everyone gave her small smiles to show their condolences of her loss. She bowed her head briefly to them before taking a seat in the front.

"On this day, we wish for our loving Father up in Heaven to recognize his beloved daughter being brought home. Randelle Anne Cantora was a bright and caring woman. Cherished wife and beloved mother. Let us now bow our heads in this time of mourning to show our respects as we pray silently for this Heaven-bound soul." everyone closed their eyes and bowed their heads, praying silently. The ceremony had proceeded and Niko cried the last of her tears as her mother's light purple coffin was slowly placed into the hole and covered with a green cloth to be filled with fresh dirt later. Niko couldn't stand anything any longer and simply passed out from grief and exhaustion of crying.

"No one bother her. Give her as much time and space as she needs." Ray told them as he carefully placed her on the couch and took her shoes off.

"Ray, is NiNi gonna be otay?" Tyler asked.

"She'll be fine. Just no playing ooga-booga with her for a little bit. She needs a lot of nap time." he looked for the right words to use to explain to the two twins who had turned five last month. They both climbed onto the couch and layed comfortably next to Niko on either side of her and they both fell asleep and Ray didn't want to risk waking Niko by moving them off her.

"Here." Leo handed Ray a beer.

"Thanks." Ray opened it and took a drink.

"You gonna watch her all night?" he asked.

"Yeah. I wanna be there for when she wakes up." he said, taking sips from the can often.

"I'll take the first half the night, you go sleep." Leo offered.

"Thanks, bro. Wake me up if she wakes up." Ray finished the last of his beer before going up the stairs. Leo sat back and sighed.

"Niko, I feel so sorry for you. It must be terrible what you're going through, but I know you'll make it because that's how you are. You're so stubborn I bet you could even make the devil back down." he chuckled softly at his words and went to get another beer. He came back and watched her the whole night so Ray could get some long needed rest. Leo called it done and fell asleep at 12:30 A.M.