Fifty Shades of Dove and Grenade

The Photographs

A gloomy, overcast sky looms over the parlor, increasing the forlorn feeling churning like butter within me. The cemetery surrounding it supplies an ominous feeling to the location, being a bewildering yet beautiful wasteland of souls.
I gaze up into the stained glass windows, the only colors in the room that weren't black or dark grey. The windows display pictures laying out a story of the death of a beautiful woman. I feel as though I've just lived through the story. The memory paints itself in my brain, soon painting tears streaming onto my tuxedo, the same one from my wedding.
I rest my hand on her coffin, and whisper "I wish it could've been me instead. You didn't deserve this."
My eyes the jolt to Alexander, asleep in his carrier. I pick up the carrier, as black as the room surrounding us, and rest it by the coffin.
"Our son is so handsome, I wish you could've met him." I give Alex a tiny smile, whispering to his mother's coffin.
The parlor remains desolate to just me and Alex, until Jordan, Allissa, and Randi arrive two hours later. They resemble goths the way they've dressed, even Allissa wasn't in her regular pink attire.
Charlie Scene envelopes me into a hug, not even saying hello. While he hugs me, I focus on Allissa holding Randi's hand, oblivious to what's going on.
"Hi, Matthew." Charlie releases me from his hug.
"Hey." I reply coolly.
Suddenly, a loud knock rings throughout the parlor. Randi creeks open the door, revealing Kate's mother and Kyle holding photographs.
"Hi." Randi responds in a meek voice "Come in."
"Thank you, dear." Kate's mother, Debra blushes.
The two set six photographs along the front of her coffin. My attention suddenly focuses to them, I marvel at each one as if it were a famous painting.
The first one showed a five year old version of Kate, sitting at the edge of a pond, dressed in a white sunhat and dress. She resembled Lilly from Pokémon.
The second one showed Kate and another girl that resembled her holding the toddler version of Kyle. All three were dressed in smiles, blonde hair, glistening blue eyes, and red pajamas as they smiled under a Christmas tree.
The third photo displayed Kate in a lavender dress aligned with white flowers, holding hands with a guy in a matching tuxedo. The guy looked oddly familiar.
The fourth photo showed her at her high school graduation, dressed in a yellow robe and cap that blended into her blonde, almost white hair. Her smile could've lighten up anyone's day.
The fifth photo displayed our wedding, we're holding hands and staring gently into each other's eyes. We're so close to each other, we're nearly kissing. I'd give anything just to kiss her again.
The final photo is my favorite. It's a picture of Kate hugging Allissa in a patch of wildflowers, my arms are snaked around Kate's waist. I'm positioned behind her and Allissa, hugging them both on a bright spring day (obviously before our wedding).
Overwhelmed by the memory of Kate, I start to smile for the first time in days. Memories of her flash before my eyes. I'm so grateful for every day I spent with her.
I glance at Debra, who's smiling gently at me.
"Thank you." I whisper lightheartedly.
"No problem, Matthew." She replies "Just know that you're always apart of my family."
"The same to you, Ma'm."
I gaze at the photos and amongst my friends and family, until everyone else arrives, beginning the service.