They'll Never Understand. // d.h. fanfic

Chapter 25: Surprise.

Nicole's P.O.V.

a week later...

My dad, Cory, Elyse and I are all in a car. "I don't wanna do this... I'm gonna cry my eyes out," I tell my dad.

"I know, but it's your mom's memorial service. I want you to be there," he says. "Plus, I have a surprise."

"..What is this surprise?" I ask.

"You'll find out," Cory says.

"Oh, so you got everyone else in on this but me?" I say, smiling for pretty much the first time in a week.

Everyone starts to smile. I have no clue what they're up to.

The memorial service is in Mansfield, and we're not that far from it.

Once we get there, I get out of the car. I see something outside the funeral home. Well, not really something, but someone. I squint my eyes, to make sure I was seeing correctly. And I was right. The biggest smile ever creeped upon my face.

I notice that Elyse is behind me, and I give her my small purse.

I run up to the front of the funeral home.

"Dan!" I shout as I'm running up to him. I see him smile. He holds out his arms, and I do the same.

I give him the biggest hug ever. "Oh my god, I missed you," I say while crying.

"I'm so happy I can see you," he says, his words muffled into my shoulder. "I love you so much."

"I love you so much more," I say. I kiss him, but not passionately. It was a quick kiss, but I loved it. I turn around, and I see my dad and Cory and Elyse come up to me. "Dad, how did you-"

"I Skyped him using your laptop," he says. I was about to yell at him for that, but he stops me. "He luckily answered and I invited him to the memorial service because I know how much you love him and how much more comfortable you'd be if he was here."

"Dad, you didn't have to do that!" I yell. I hug him. "I love you."

"I love you too, Nicole."

"Oh my god I can't believe you're actually here! I must be dreaming," I say to him.

"Nope, I'm actually here," he says giving me another hug from the side. "There's another surprise waiting for you in the home."

"What the fuck is with all of these surprises?" I whisper.

"Come on, love," he says, grabbing my hand. He brings me into the main room of the funeral home. I don't believe what I'm seeing. More PEOPLE.

"Ashley!" I say. She comes over and gives me a big hug.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for your loss," she says to me. I just continue to hug her. I eventually let go, and I look back up, to see Phil standing right next to her. I give him a big hug as well.

"How did all of this happen?" I say while hugging Phil. I let go of him. "I love all of you so much! Dad, you told everyone to come here?"

"Well, I intended on just telling Dan, but Phil lives with him. And Ashley was over, so I invited them all. They're all your best friends, so I felt like you needed support in this time." He's right. Nobody could ever cheer me up like these three. I can't thank my dad enough for doing all of this for me.

"Thanks so much, Dad," I say with a smile. This is the happiest I've been since my mom passed... I can't believe my dad did this.

Dan and I walk around for a bit, and we talk. "I'm so sorry for your loss," he says to me. I notice him start to tear up.

"I don't know what I'll do without her... I have you and all my friends but I miss her so much already. She was the best mom anyone could ask for. She made me feel safe," I say to Dan. "It's just sad that her life was taken away by something like this."

"I agree. I'll be with you every step of the way," he says. He hugs me again.

I've never felt more safe in anyone else's arms since my mom. I'm never gonna forget my mom. I have my friends, but I want my mom. I would do anything to take her back. But at the same time, I know she's looking down at all of us, and she won't have to suffer anymore.

"Thank you, Dan," I say.

"For what?"

"Making me feel safe."

—

SHIT he's back!!! Along with Phil and Ashley! I hope you guys all enjoyed this chapter. The next chapter will be pretty sad, just a warning. ALSO HOLY SHIT 1K READS!! Thanks so much you guys!!! Love you❤ -Tess

Song: Through the Dark by One Direction