Your Greatest Mistake

Chapter Twenty Two

Niall's POV

It was the day of her mother's funeral. Four days since her death. Oddly enough, four days of no tears. I was surprised that she didn't cry at all. We have been sleeping in the same bed again, sometimes in my room and sometimes in hers. I woke up and saw the she was already getting ready. She was straightening her hair when she smiled at me.

"Morning." She mumbled.

I came up from behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. I rested my head on her shoulders and she put the straightener down. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and she gave me a small smile which faded into a frown.

"Start getting ready." She said.

"Alright. Are you alright?" I asked.

"I'm fine." She said.

"Okay." I said.

I took a shower and got dressed as fast as I could. She was ready by the time I was. I took a look at her. She was wearing a black dress with a grey cardigan. Her hair was straight and she had a little bit of makeup on. She was wearing black heels that made her legs look stunning. She looked stunning.

"You look beautiful." I whispered in her ear as she grabbed my hand.

She muttered a thank you and lead me out the door. The car ride was quiet but peaceful. When we pulled up to the funeral parlor, her dad and siblings were outside. Lynn looked like she had been crying for four days straight. Austin looked worn out and tired, as did her father. As she stepped out of the car, I silently placed her inhaler in her bag. I made sure to take it just in case. She gave her family hugs. I shook her father's hand, patted Austin on the back, and gave Lynn a hug. We walked in together and we're greeted by many guests. Most were strangers to me and apparently to Riley also. She gave hugs and I gave handshakes to people as they walked in. Her brother seemed to stay by my side the whole time. I always liked her family. They treated me like one of them. We soon took our seats as the service began. Her casket was carried up by her ex husband and her brothers. Her father gave a small speech and began to cry halfway through.

"I'd like to call up my oldest daughter Riley to say a few words about her mother." He said.

She got up, clearly nervous and went behind the podium.

"Hello everyone. Well, as you know my mother's death was a tragic... She made a wrong choice and... It's funny because the last thing she said to me was that I was a disgrace. I'm sorry, I can't do this." She said.

She darted out of the room and I followed behind, reassuring her father that I had this one. I found her outside the funeral parlor sitting on the floor. She had her arms wrapped around her whole body. She was sobbing, finally letting it all out.

"Why didn't she love me?" She cried.

"That's crazy Riley. You know she loved you." I said taking a seat next to her.

"She hated me. She basically neglected me! How could she do this? How could she be selfish? Lynn is a fucking mess and Austin needs therapy for what he saw! Jake will never understand why this happened or where his mommy is!" She yelled.

"She didn't realize what she was doing. She didn't realize the damage she would leave behind." I said.

"And the worst part is that I wasn't there when they found her. She hated me that much that I couldn't be there for my own siblings!" She shouted.

I stood up and picked her up off the ground. I wiped her eyes and cradled her in my arms.

"It's okay to not be okay sometimes Riley. That doesn't make you any less strong then you actually are." I whispered.

"Then why do I feel so bad?" She asked.

She sounded like a little kid, which made me even more upset.

"Hey, don't you dare feel bad for her mistakes." I said.

She hugged me and I grabbed her hand.

"Ready to go back in?" I asked.

She nodded and I wiped her eyes again. She was even beautiful when she cried.