Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 15

Annie had settled into her parents house for a few days before Paul could get time from work to drive to Oxford to see her. He called her several time a day but she found that even with speaking to him every day on the phone, she missed his company terribly. 

It had been an eventful first week at with her parents. For a start, she'd finally broken the news of her pregnancy to her parents. Their reaction had surprised her no end. They had been unexpectedly supportive towards her and welcomed the prospect of a grand child. In a few days time, she'd been informed, Anthony's parents were due to arrive in London to make funeral arrangements. Annie hoped she would be considered well enough to attend the funeral itself but  knew the doctor was make the decision. She was still weak from her injuries and tired easily, her growing pregnancy now adding to this. Margaret and Thomas Randles made their visit to see Annie a day after their arrival in Britain. For Annie, it was a meeting she had been dreading.  However, Anthony's parent's greeted her gently and hugged her tight. Understandable they were devastated by the sudden loss of their son. Then, despite the distress it caused all of them, they had begged her for details of the accident and to know how their son had died.

"I'm sorry I made him drive that night." Annie had sobbed. "It was my fault!If we hadn't gone away that weekend, we'd have been at home, safe and sound! I'm so sorry!"

Again they told her not to blame herself but it was still hard not to. Annie then broke the news of her pregnancy to them too. After their initial shock, they were delighted but understandably concerned for her. They begged her to return to the US with them. They want to support both her and the child, the last remaining link with their son. A little glimmer of hope amongst the sadness was how they described it. Deep down Annie knew she couldn't leave the Britain ever again. After everything that had happened lately, she wanted to be close to her parents both before and after the baby arrived. But most of all, she wanted to stay close to Paul. 

"Annie!"

She jumped and looked at her mother. 

"You were miles away love. Did you hear what Margaret said?"

She shook her head slowly, her thoughts about Paul disturbing her. "No. Sorry."

"We're holding Anthony's funeral on Friday," his father explained.

"I hope the doctor will let me come. I'll have to ring him." said Annie, "I'll go and do it now." She stood up.

Antony's father looked confused. 

"I'm sorry Annie, you seem to have misunderstood. The funeral is on Friday but it's in New York. We fly Antony's body home tomorrow."

"No you can't! But what about me? What about my good byes?" She stood up, shocked and bewildered.

"We want Anthony at home with us Annie." said his mother,wiping tears from her eyes  "We've lost our only son. We want him to come home to be with his family."

"And I've lost the father of the baby I'm carrying and the man I was going to marry!We were going to be a family.  Your family! Doesn't that mean anything?"

"I'm sorry Annie. The arrangements have been made. They can't be changed."

In floods of tears, Annie left the room and went up to her bedroom. She was devastated. They were cutting her out of Anthony's funeral and her chance to say a proper good bye! Suddenly all she wanted was Paul! Paul would help her understand their actions. Sitting up, she reached over to the phone and dialed his number. To her disappointment, the call was answered by his housekeeper. Annie left a message for him then hung up. 

It was late and Annie was in bed when the phone rang. Annie snatched it quickly from it's cradle.

"Annie? Hello love. I got your message. I'm sorry it's so late!"

Annie felt tears prick her eyes. She loved the sound of his voice. It was filled with love and concern. It made her feel safe. 

"Oh Paul, it's OK. Thank you for called me back. You must be worn out to be in so late!"

"No, I'm OK Annie, you know that I'm always here for you. Are you OK?"

There was a pause, as she fought back tears.

"Annie, are you still there?"

"Oh Paul, I ......" She began to cry.

"Annie love, what's happened? Talk to me. Please love!"

"I... I can't go to Antony's f..fun...funeral!"

"Why Annie," Paul could her the emotion in her voice, "What's happened?"

Annie poured her heart out to Paul once more, explaining her hurt at feeling like she was being pushed out, that her part in Antony's life didn't seem to matter. Paul soothed her best he could.  Slowly, with Paul's help,  Annie began to understand their actions and rather than feeling pushed out, she saw it from Anthony's parents point of view.

"I still feel that I can't say my good byes properly Paul, not without a funeral."

"Listen Annie love, I can understand what you're saying but  there's something you can do to say your good byes to Anthony in your own private way."

"How?"

Paul described the process. It sounded beautiful.

"Could we do that?" she asked, "Please Paul, would you help? I can't think of anyone more special to me that I would be able to do something so personal with.

After agreeing, Paul made arrangements were made for them to meet the following day. Feeling more settled than she had since talking to Anthony's parents, Annie finally settled down and went to sleep. Once more Paul had come to her rescue. She didn't know what she would do without him in her life.