That night I couldn't sleep even with James lying next to me. I didn't want to wake him so I went and sat down stairs and put the TV on. I must have fallen asleep because I woke up and the TV was still on and Lilly, Casper and Jessie were sat on the floor watching a film.
"Morning guys." I said they jumped in shock at the sound of my voice.
"Morning mum." They said
"Sleep well?" I asked
"Yeah thanks." They said
"Good to hear. Is James up yet?" I asked sitting up
"Yeah he's in the kitchen making a cup of tea." Lilly said
"Thanks." I said standing up and heading into the kitchen
"Morning James." I said
"Morning Rhi." He said
"Sleep okay?" I asked
"Yeah. It was weird when I woke up and you weren't there as I was sure when I fell asleep you were there." James said smiling
"You ready for today?" James asked
"Nope." I said
"it's going to be fine." James said
"I'm sure it will be." I said
We all got showered and ready for the funeral. Then just as we were putting our shoes on mum the boys and grandad arrived.
"Hey." I said letting them in.
"Hey." They said
"All ready?" Edward said
"Yeah. I think so." I said mum and grandad were both really quiet and didn't say much.
"Come on then......where are the kids?" Edward asked
"In the living room." I said
"Okay. Shall we get going?" Joseph said
"Yeah." Edward said
"Okay." I said
"Kids." I said walking into the living room
"Yeah." Lilly said looking up at me
"It's time to go." I said in a quiet voice.
"Okay." They said and immediately they got up turned the TV off and followed me out of the living room
"We're ready." I said
"Good. Come on then." Edward said
James appeared next to me and said "You alright Rhianne?"
"Yeah I'm fine." I said but I took hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.
Me, the kids and James piled into mum's car and Edward, Joseph and Grandad got in Edwards car.
In the 2 cars we headed back to Tod and to the church that was in the centre of the little town. We arrived and many relatives that I haven't seen since I was a teenager were there.
"Rhianne?" said my uncle Andrew. He was my grandads brother. I wasn't surprised to see him here he got on well with my grandma and grandad.
"Uncle Andrew." I said giving him a hug, he looked over my shoulder and saw James, Lilly, Casper and Jessie.
"Your children?" He said letting go of me and looking from James to me
"yeah, this is my eldest Lilly 13, Casper 9, and Jessie 7. At home there is also Grace, 4 and Blake nearly 2, on the 9th September." I said
"Who are the youngest at home with?" Uncle Andrew asked
"My husband Connor." I said Uncle Andrew looked confused.
"This is my best friend James. He's come along for support. I didn't want to face this alone and I didn't want to bring the younger ones." I said
"fair enough." Uncle Andrew said
Just then my auntie Sandie appeared next to my uncle Andrew she saw me and threw her arms around me. She started to cry her tears soaking through my white blouse.
I didn't say anything. Thinking it best that I don't say anything.
"Hello." I said
"Hello." She said letting go of me and wiping her eyes
The last time I had seen my Auntie Sandie was just after Grace had arrived with us.
"You okay." I asked expecting her to say no
"I don't know." She said
I didn't say anything
"Rhianne we have to take our seats." Edward said coming over to me.
"Okay." I said
Together me, the kids and James followed Edward to our seats. We sat down James sat next to me he put his hand on my leg. I rested my hand on his.
It was a long and painful funeral. Something when it was over I was glad to get away from. We headed to where grandma was being buried and then headed to a pub close by for drink and food.
Me, James and the kids didn't stick around very long. The kids were very tired and our train home was rather early the following morning.
Opposite where my grandma and grandad used to live was where the son of a close friend of them now lived. I had asked him and his family if they wouldn't mind tending to the house until I worked out what to do with it. After reading grandma's letter last night I had decided not to sell it but to do it up and to rent it out. I had decided that I would spend some time here doing it up and making it look better.
We got home at lunch time the following day. Connor was just putting Blake down for his nap when we arrived back. Lilly, Jessie and Casper were going back to school on Monday I didn't have the heart to send them to school tomorrow and as it was only Friday I didn't think it mattered that much.
"Hello." Connor said when we walked through the door.
"Hello." I said
"Kids go put the TV on." Connor said
"Okay." They said and they walked past Connor to the living room
"Come here." Connor said holding out his arms
I walked over to him tears again running down my face.
"it's okay." Connor said
We stood there for a couple of minutes then James said "See you later guys."
"See you later James. Thanks for coming with me." I said going over to him and hugging him.
"Any time." James said
James smiled then left.
"How was it?" Con asked when we had put the kids to bed that night
"Alright." I said
"Not really much else to say I guess." Con said
"Not really." I said resting my head on his shoulder.
YOU ARE READING
The High Life. The final stretch
FanfictionAfter finishing i'm a celebrity and finding out that my best friend is going to have a baby what does life have in store for me and Connor and our family.
