The Heartbreaker's Home

Chapter 16

"Kelsey?"

Seated in the funeral parlor as Seeley settled everything for the service, I hadn't moved since I had met the scene on our driveway just after lunch. It was almost dinnertime, yet my chest hurt and my stomach felt hollow. The voice was familiar, a baritone that made me look up. Yet one look upon the face which was so dear and could provide so much comfort to me, and my bottom lip trembled again.

Declan wasted no time in dropping into the seat next to me, immediately gathering me in his arms. I instinctively tucked my head in his chest, as I felt the sobs rise again. He soothingly rubbed my back, holding me close. "Oh Kay, I'm so sorry baby."

I couldn't respond in words. How do you replace that hollow feeling in your chest? Does it ever go away? In that brief time, our argument yesterday seemed so inconsequential when I had just lost one of the most important people in my life. The back of my mind marvelled at how one person could cause me so much uncertainty and grief in my life, yet the same person was able to provide me the soothing balm in the midst of preparing for my father's funeral. For that moment, it felt as if everything would be alright so long as Declan kept his tight hold on me.

"Declan?"

Faintly, I heard Seeley's voice drawing nearer, and felt Declan turn to look up at my brother, yet never once loosening his hold around me, as if his warmth would protect me from everything else.

"Do you mind bringing Kelsey home first? I'll have to finish up here, but it'll be late before I can return, and she's been really tired today."

"Of course." Declan responded. As my brother's footsteps faded back into the undertaker's office, I felt my boyfriend's hand stroke the top of my head, before his voice came in a whisper. "Do you want to go yet, baby?"

With a whimper, I nodded, and was about to swing my feet off his lap to step on the ground. I never expected however, for him to slip his arms under my knees, keeping the other behind my back before he proceeded to pick me up bridal style, tucking me close to his chest. "Hush." he murmured before I could voice my surprise. "Don't open your eyes. I'll bring you home safely."

---

When I woke up, the dim streetlight filtered through my blinds, giving a slight glow, enough for me to identify the objects around my room as I blearily opened my eyes. How many hours had I slept? Last I remembered was Declan depositing me in the passenger seat of his car, before I had fallen asleep from pure exhaustion from crying and having to rush around to get Dad and Seeley's stuff so he wouldn't have to worry as he sorted out the funeral arrangements.

At that thought, it was as if my chest was stabbed by a large pike of wood again, at the reminder that I would no longer feel my dad's warm hugs, nor his baritone voice reminding me to eat and be careful.

A whimper escaped my lips before I could stop it, and only then did I feel a body next to mine shift, and noticed that an arm had been draped across my waist. 

"Kay?"

His voice was confused, scratchy from sleep, but I would recognize Declan's voice anywhere. I felt him push himself up, and the next thing I knew, I had rolled to my back and he hovered over me, attentive and tender eyes peering at mine, as if if he looked deep and long enough, he would be able to decipher exactly what I was feeling at the time. Words failed me. What does one say? It was common to ask after one's wellbeing after a death of a loved one. Heck, I would do it. Declan's silence unnerved me just as much as it comforted me.

He brushed the back of his fingers against my cheek, before a soft smile appeared on his lips. "Hungry?"

"What time is it?" I asked hoarsely.