The Untouchable

Chapter 35

The family stood in silence as they watched Vivian's coffin ease into the grave. Allen squeezed Lilly tight to him as she held a sleeping Chloe. Marcus stood in a daze as he watched it sink. "She was too young. Too young to die. Chloe will never know her mother. Her beautiful eccentric mother."

Lilly turned her tear soaked face towards Marcus. She then turned her head up to Allen. He lightly kissed her on the forehead. Michael, his younger brother stood on the other side of his father as he sobbed. The house was full of guest. Allen tried to make small talk, but he longed for solitude. Lilly had placed Chloe down for her nap. She stared outside to her father who was now sitting on the garden steps in the rain. She couldn't imagine what he was feeling right now, but imagined if the love of her life was ripped from her without warning. She burst into tears as she pictured Allen on the  morgue table. Allen eased over to comfort her. His eyes cut to his soaked father and took his leave to retrieve him.

Marcus was shaking from exhaustion and cold as his son helped him up, "My son."

"Come on pop. Let's get you dry." Allen eased his arm over his shoulder.

Marcus didn't say another word as Allen laid out dry clothes and tucked him in after he had changed. "I.. I don't want to close my eyes. All I see is her cold face on that table."

Allen sat on his fathers bedside, "Mother wants you to stay strong. I can't imagine how bad you hurt right now. Losing the only person that understood you, but please don't give up on us."

Marcus closed his eyes as he sobbed, "Will this hole ever go away?"

"I don't know Pop, I feel it too." Allen patted his fathers hand. He watched as Marcus's eyes finally eased shut as he feel asleep.

As Allen walked past Lilly's door, he caught her lying on her bed with her mothers scarf pressed against her nose. He crossed his arms as he leaned into the doorway as he watched.

Lilly slightly chuckled as she she noticed him and signed, "It smells like her."

Allen sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead.

"This is all my fault." Lilly signed.

"Why would you say that?" Allen tip her head up.

"I found this." Lilly pulled the warning picture from under her pillow.

Allen leaned away and swallowed a lump in his throat, "So you know about  Luciano?"

Lilly nodded.

"We were going to tell you, I promise. Father said."

Lilly stopped his as she held up her hand, "I know, but since your family has protected me, now she is dead. It's my fault."

"Your not running away again." Allen's eyes were cold.Lilly shook her head as Allen's temper flared, "If you want to see it that way, so be it. So if it is your fault, you owe her now. You will do what is right and stay with your family. Don't let her die in vain Lilly. Don't disappoint her."

Lilly was in shock. He was right, she was tired of being afraid and weak. She was taking control of her fear. She was going to find who did this to her mother, and make them pay in the end.