Murder at the McMasters' Residence

Chapter 18

The Victorian church stood mountain high before me. Grey clouds hovered in the skies. Thunder roared and the wind murmured around us. Droplets of rain leaked from the clouds. Pierce held a black umbrella over our heads and I made my way into the glorious church. 

Carol put her arms on the lower part of my back and escorted me to the front of the church. I held my head down trying very hard not to look but there it he was in the corner of my eyes. I sat down, eyes filled with tears but I fought to keep it together.

However, I couldn't as soon as his little eyes met mine. It was like looking into his father's. For the past few days, I've been a strong parent but it has finally dawned on me that I'm something I never wanted to be as an adult; a single parent.

And a widow at that.

The thought of doing all of this by myself has suddenly started to rest heavily on my mind. My limbs became weak and my breath short. 

I placed the baby in Carol's lap and tried to breathe but everything seemed to be closing in around me. This black Vivienne Westwood felt like cling wrap around my body. The black veiled hat I wore was cutting off my air supply. Then the room began to spin and became dark. I held my head down and before you know it I was hyperventilating at the front of the church.

Pierce raised me to my feet and there it was before me.

His casket.

His lifeless body.

Right before me.

Sylvester, my love.

A sob escaped from my lips, echoing in the church. 

I put my hand to my mouth to prevent my cries from bouncing off the walls and further drawing attention to myself but Pierce stopped walking.

I really wanted to just run out of the church but Pierce held onto me firmly.

"Let it go," he whispered.

I sniffled into the black gloves I wore, trying very hard to keep it in.

Pierced sighed, "It's okay, Aria. You've been very strong. It's okay to let go."

At this point, I was blinded by tears and I just let it go.

I cried into Pierce's arms as he cradled me. Syl's body still in sight. 

I wish there was some way to turn back the hands of time and do this all over again  to prevent this but I couldn't.

Or at least a chance to say goodbye properly.

I wanted him to meet our son.

The thought of my child growing up without knowing his father hurt me to the core. I sobbed even louder in Pierce's arms.

I pulled away from Pierce and walked towards Syl's casket. Pierce tried to stop me but I resisted. 

I had to say goodbye one last time to him.

I touched his hand and closed my eyes. 

I never dreamed of this day where we would separate this way. I never dreamed of us separating at all. I wanted us to grow old and die together. I don't know how to do this without you but I know you'd want me to do this, especially for the sake of our son. 

My first real love. 

This saddens me deeply to know that you will no longer be here to share precious moments by you'll always be in my heart.

The priest called for the immediate family to join me so he could say a quick prayer before the sermon. Pierce and Carol joined the priest and I. She handed me the baby who beamed when he saw me which seemed to mend my broken heart. I looked into his dreamy eyes and managed to smile.

"What's the little one's name?" the priest asked me, touching the baby's head.

I continued to look at my baby.

"Well, she hasn't decided yet b-" Carol started.

"Sylvester," I interrupted, still looking at my baby boy. "His name is Sylvester."

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A letter to my love, Syl

I will always think of you.

Today, tomorrow, the days before that and the days to come. 

I will think of you in silence and reflect on the memories we shared.

I will raise our son to be the man you were.

And although all I have of you are memories and framed pictures, I will always see a part of you in our baby boy.

God has you in his keeping, 

I have you in my heart.

The End.