George's POV
Ever since I first told Allison of Kara, she hasn't left my side. She always is either holding my hand, hooked on my leg or being held on my hip. I am the only one who can get her to eat, sleep, and bathe. There was one time when she had lost all contact with me. She screamed and screamed until I grabbed her and picked her up. She immediately silenced when back in my grasp. She rested her head on my shoulder as I went back to discussing the memorial service with my mum.
Miss Judy and my mother basically took over taking care of the memorial service. I truly was blessed they did so much.
The day of the service passed by in a blur. There was media and press everywhere.
Allison was on my hip as I got out of the car to go into the church. I gripped her tight as I pushed through the crowds. I had put a cute little black hat and dark sunglasses on her. She held her arms around my neck and squeezed until we were safely inside. No press was actually allowed inside the church, which was a miracle my mum managed to pull off.
Everyone was already inside, we were the last to arrive. Allison threw a nasty temper tantrum this morning and refused to put on her nice, black dress. By the time I finally managed to calm her down, change her, and get her a sippy cup of chocolate milk, we were already 45 minutes late. But of course, the service wouldn't start without us.
Ever since that morning, my entire body has been numb. After I cried when telling Allison about Kara, I've swallowed all my emotions. I need to be strong for my little girl. She doesn't need to see me lose it.
After the priest talks, he opens the floor for anyone to come up and talk about Kara.
Cynthia stands.
She opens a folded note as she approaches the stand.
She clears her throat.
"It was nearly six years ago that I first met Kara." She begins.
"When I first laid eyes on her, I thought she was the most stunning. When I first spoke with her, I thought she was the most intelligent. When I first saw her interact with George, I thought they couldn't have been a more perfect pair. The love they had was something everyone envies. It was greater than movie love. She was a great wife, mother, and friend. I just can't believe she's already gone. And so young..."
Cynthia wipes the corners of her eyes with a tissue. She takes a shaky breath.
"I miss and love you Kara. We all do. Thank you."
She returned to her seat, John opened an arm for her and she leaned into him as he strokes her arm.
The rest of the group takes their turn talking about Kara. Everyone pretty much says the same thing. After Maureen sits down, Allison looks up at me.
"Can I talk about Mommy?" She asks quietly.
"Of course baby." I say, quite stunned she wanted to say something.
I start to get up with her but she pushes me away.
We all watch as Allison walks up. She's too short for the stand so the priest grabs a fold up chair and helps her stand on it.
"Hi." She says quietly.
We all say hello.
"Everybody is talking about nice things about Mommy and I want to say something."
I find I'm sitting on the edge of my seat.
"I love my mommy. I have the best mommy in the whole wide world. She gives me soup when I was sick. She gives me lots of kisses. My mommy is the beautiful-est most special-est mommy ever... Daddy told me she is up in heaven watching us... Hi Mommy."
She waves to the ceiling. She takes a deep breath before finishing.
"The last night I said goodnight she gives me kisses and says she loves me always... I love you Mommy. I love you always."
She climbs down from the chair and comes over to me. She sits in my lap. I looked around, not a dry eye in the room. Allison's was the only speech that made everybody cry.
"George?" Paul leans over.
"Would you like to say something?"
I know I should. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that it'll be really hard.
I stand.
Allison sits nicely on the bench. I reach my hand back to her but she shakes her head.
I'm in this one alone.
I slowly walk to the stand and clear my throat. I wait silently for a moment, preparing myself, hoping I don't cry.
"It was almost ten years ago I first met Kara. I have spent every day since then loving her with everything I have. I find it immensely unfair a thing like this has happened to a person so beautiful, loving, and wonderful as my precious Kara. She was my best friend. She knew everything about me and I her. This is by far the hardest thing I've had to deal with. And I was there for the death of both Paul's and John's mothers, both of whom I'd grown close to. Losing Kara is like losing part of myself. She took a part of me with her. A part I know I will never get back. I can't change what happened and can only hope for the best for me and Allison in the future."
I take a shaky breath.
"Kara?"
I look up to the ceiling.
"I love you always baby.... Love you always. Thank you."
I wipe my eyes and cover my mouth as I walk back to my seat next to Allison.
"It's okay Daddy." She says, patting my arm as I sit.
I pull her into my lap and hold her tight.
