Life As We Know It

Chapter 10: Meaning With Meanings

The Funeral

A week ago they were all sitting in the dining room cutting Cassie's birthday cake. A week ago Sarah and Jason were happily planning they daughter's second birthday party. A week later, they are no longer here and they we being laid to rest, together.

It still felt surreal. Neither Finn nor Rachel we're sleeping well or coping as they should and it helped that Carole and Burt we're there to support them. However, Burt and Carole had to return home and once again, they'd be left on their own.

Cassie was doing well but by the second night she wasn't sleeping well and was very clingy when it came to Rachel or Finn. Tangled no longer comforted her as much as it once did and no matter how much Finn or Rachel tried to offer her new strategies, nothing worked.

The stress and events of the last four days put together were taking their toll on them and it was beginning to show to a point where they both opted to avoid each other to avoid bickering over the smallest of things.

However tough the last few days had become, the emotional ceremony brought them together making them realise just how important it was for them to stick together and be strong for Cassie's sake. They stuck beside each other throughout the whole ceremony making sure they were there to support one another. Both Jason and Sarah's parents had made it down too and seeing them made those feelings worse.

After the funeral everyone returned to Sarah and Jason's, which was now to officially become Finn and Rachel's home.

They both sat with Cassie and their families, friends and neighbours around them in the lounge area, a room buzzing with the soft sounds of conversations yet an atmosphere of sadness.

Over the last few days Kurt, Santana, Blaine and Sugar made daily visits, offering to help with arrangements. Without their help, Finn and Rachel would have been far more stressed on this daunting day. To make matters worse, Emily was also in attendance today meaning that Rachel and Finn had to do their couple thing, something that the neighbours had picked up on.

'I hear Cassie is going to be living with them here. They're our new neighbours' Mercedes whispered to Quinn as she battled one of her own kids in her lap.

'Noah said they weren't an item' Quinn furrowed her eyebrows, slightly confused 'Unless they'll be living together but aren't in a relationship. That will be tough'.

'No, I got the impression that they were together last weekend.' Brittany added as she watched Finn and Rachel with Cassie.

'They make a sweet couple; they'll be the best people to look after that little girl. From what Sarah told me they're like a second set of parents to Cassie.' Quinn said sadly.

'I still don't believe they're gone. How things change within a week' Brittany trailed off. None of the women realising Santana was stood by listening.

'Are you ladies fine or do you need anything' she asked them with a hint of sternness in her voice. 'I'm going to need you ladies to rally in support of my girl Rachel over there.' Santana began so she can get the most important aspect of this irrelevant conversation in 'Her and Finn are taking in a lot and they'll need all the support they can get. It's not easy planning a wedding and have all this thrown in and then unexpected responsibility of a child.' The three other women listened intently, Tina coming over to join the group too.

'I know this neighbourhood is tightknit so I expect them to be looked after.' It almost sounded like a threat.

Apparently the only part Brittany caught was the fact that Rachel and Finn were getting married which also came as a surprise to Tina who was a close friend. Realising that Tina could let the pin drop Santana called her to a side to explain what was happening, leaving the three ladies to continue with their gossip.