Michaela Rose Oliver always hated funerals...

Anytime they had been requested to attend, she had always found some way to not go. But there was no getting around it this time and she knew it. After all, how could anyone skip the funeral of their mother? Holding back tears, she stood alone in front of her mother's casket, noticing that the top was decorated with bright pink roses. Fitting... She brushed away a piece of her short dark brown hair that had blown in her face. It was a warm summer's day, but inside she felt so cold. Beautiful day to do anything else but this...

The previous week had become such a blur to her. She had just arrived home a few days before from studying abroad for her junior year of high school and the three of them were going out to eat to celebrate. They had said they had a surprise for her. Kimberly had been working late that day and was going to meet them at the restaurant. They were just getting ready to leave when the police car pulled into the driveway; the officer's face solemn as he walked up the sidewalk. There had been a car accident, a head-on collision that had thrown Kimberly into the backseat of the car; killing her instantly. She didn't remember much about the moment that she had heard the news, only remembering the color draining from Tommy's face as the reality sunk in, the instant feeling that she had been punched in the stomach and feeling her father holding her close as the two of them sobbed.

And now here they were a week later at the gravesite as they prepared to bury her. The funeral had been quite the event. Most of the people she didn't even know, except for the fact that she knew that several were former Power Rangers. Some she did recognize; her father's friends like Adam and Billy and of course she knew the four previous Rangers that her father served alongside while she was traveling; Ethan, Kira, Trent and Connor. Hearing someone say her name, she watched as Hayley weaved her way through the crowd to pull her into a comforting hug. "I'm so sorry about your mom Michaela..." she said softly as Michaela couldn't fight the tears anymore and sobbed into her shoulder.

From a little ways away, Tommy watched the scene; his heart breaking to see his daughter falling apart. He was about to go over there when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Adam...thanks for coming." Tommy said when he realized who it was.
"No problem man." he replied giving him a hug. "I'm so sorry about Kimberly. How are you two holding up?"
"As well as we can. Some points are harder than others. Michaela's been taking it really hard though. It's been a struggle just to get her to eat anything."
"Well, if there's anything I can do to help you two out..."
"Actually..." Tommy interrupted. "There is something I need to talk to you about. You got a minute?"
"Sure. What's up?"

But he wouldn't tell him there. Leading him to a spot a little distance away, he struggled with how he could possibly tell him what was going on. But Adam was his best friend; and seeing his worried expression, he knew he'd be able to take whatever was thrown at him. He swallowed hard. There was no easy way to say it. So he decided to just come out with it. "I'm pregnant." he said simply.

"Are you kidding me?" Adam shouted, causing a few passerby to look in confusion.
"Not so loud!" Tommy hissed. "You want everyone here to know?"
"Sorry. I didn't mean to..." he said apologetically. "I just can't believe you're doing this again..."
"Well Kimberly wanted..."
"You don't have to explain it to me." Adam interrupted. "If the two of you wanted another baby, then that's great." He was quiet for a moment. "But are you sure you'll be able to do this now without Kimberly? Michaela's almost grown and you're not as young as you used to be. I mean, have you considered possibly...?"
"Absolutely not." he said defensively. "It's Kimberly's. I couldn't possibly get rid of it."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have even suggested that... When did you find out...I mean...how far are you?" he asked after a moment.
"About 9 weeks. We just found out about 4 weeks ago."
"And what does Michaela think about all this?"
Tommy let out a long breath. "She doesn't know anything about it yet."
"Why haven't you told her?"
"We were going to tell her that night at the restaurant. But then everything went crazy. Adam, she's been through so much already. And besides, how do you tell your daughter that you can even get pregnant in the first place, much less already are?"
"You mean you haven't even told her about...?"

Tommy slowly shook his head.
"She's not going to like this Tommy." he said quietly. "You've gotta tell her."
"I am." He insisted. "I just need the right time. Besides, it's still early on. I really want to wait until I'm sure this is going to go through."
"I'm not sure about this..."
"Please Adam," he begged. "just keep it on the down-low for right now. I'll tell her soon. I promise."
"Okay." He agreed. "I won't say anything."
"Thanks."
"No problem." he replied as he clasped Tommy's shoulders. "And like I said, if you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know."
"Thanks man." he said as he then excused himself to walk over to where Michaela still stood.

"Sweetie." he said softly as he drew her into a hug. "We've got to go."
That brought the tears on again. She knew that once they left, the casket would be lowered into the ground and that would be it. "I...I can't leave my mom..." she cried; her brown eyes now red from crying.
Tommy wiped his own eyes, struggling to be strong for her. "I know... But we'll make it through this together. We just have to keep moving forward. It's what your mom would want..."
She took a shaky breath. "Yeah...I know. Just let me do one more thing."

Taking a step closer to the casket, she pressed two fingers to her lips and then placed them on the casket.
"Bye mom..." she whispered. "I'm going to miss you so much." After grabbing a rose from the casket, she then walked back to her father and the two then walked the long path to the vehicles; neither wanting to watch as the casket was lowered into the ground.