Forbidden Love

Chapter 3-Funeral

Emily POV
I stayed with Edward for two days. Detectives Gordon and Bullock were able to find my aunt in Virginia touring with the circus. She was coming back to Gotham with the circus that same day. I had just gotten out of the shower, and I was beginning to make some coffee for myself since Edward left early for work. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. I went to open it, and there stood a woman with long curly blonde hair. She was wearing a black dress. 

"Is your name Emily?" She asked me. 

"Yes. How can I help you?" I respond. 

"Well, I'm here to help you. I'm Barbara Kean. Jim Gordon's fiancee." My brain suddenly clicked. She was going to help me get ready. 

"Oh, yes. Come in, please." She walked in, carrying a black dress and what looked like hair products. 

"Um, Ms. Kean-" I started to say before being interrupted. 

"Please, call me Barbara." 

I nod my head and say, 

"Barbara, it's my parent's funeral, and I don't want to look too prettied up. I'm sorry if you came all this way for nothing." 

Barbara looks at me and replies, 

"I'll do your hair and light makeup. I even have your black dress for the funeral. It won't be a bother." 

I sighed and nodded my consent. Barbara then plugged in the hairdryer and brushed and dried my hair. This felt...odd to me since I usually do things for myself. 

"Um... Barbara? I normally do this myself. You can help yourself to some coffee if you want." I say to Barbara. 

Barbara looked somewhat offended but replied with, "Oh alrighty. I'll pop into the kitchen." 

She left me to my own devices. Literally.

30 Minutes Later
I finished getting ready and stepped out of the bathroom. Barbara was finishing her coffee and looked up at me. 

"Are you ready to leave?" Barbara asks me. 

I grab my purse and nod, yes. Barbara opens the door, and there stands Jim Gordon. 

"We have the escort waiting downstairs. Come on, Emily." Jim tells me. 

I sighed softly and walked towards Jim. Barbara looks at me and says, 

"Hey, if it makes you feel better, grab onto mine or Jim's hand. It's okay to feel sad."

 I take her advice, but I want to be alone at the moment. I'm an orphan now. I need to learn how to survive. The three of us head downstairs and into a limo. We are followed by a procession of police cars and the hearse. Tears stroll down my face as I see people lining up outside the cemetery. It doesn't take long to get to the cemetery, but I am not counting the minutes. As I exited the car, I was approached by Edward. 

"Hi, Emily. I-I wanted to be here to support you. If you don't mind?" 

"No, I don't mind," I reply. 

He extended his arm, and I took it. He escorted me to my parent's grave. The priest gave his sermon, and people started to leave roses on both my parent's caskets. The funeral ended, and I went with Jim and Barbara.

One Hour Later
After the funeral, there was a small get-together at one of the banquet halls close to the cemetery. People were coming up to me, offering their condolences, and some even handed me money in envelopes. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon when their get-together ended. As I and several others were cleaning up, a man showed up, wanting to speak with me alone. It was our family attorney, Mr. Andrew Tapper. The attorney stated that I could not inherit any money or the house until I turned 18—one more year. I finish school in a month, and then I leave for college. I was a pretty smart girl and had good grades. Maybe I could get a small job at the circus even if I have to pick up elephant dung. I didn't care. I want my parents back—my family. 

My thoughts were interrupted with Jim Gordon saying, 

"We're here." 

I step out of the car and look at my surroundings. I was finally here: Haly's Circus.