Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize, I'm just playing in the brilliant Aaron Korsch's world.
Chapter 1: Introduction
It's not surprising, the room filled to the room with mourners. The men who brought these people together blessed the world with so much light and laughter, touching every life they encountered. No one was left untouched. They were a bit like a whirlwind like that. But this was wrong. This wasn't what they wanted, and it definitely wouldn't be how they would want to be remembered.
Looking up, I see their oldest friend, Donna, her hair more grey than red, still full of life despite her age. Meeting eyes, I know she agrees and supports what I'm about to do. With a deep sigh, I fill myself with an air of confidence and briskly walked to the front of the room, standing between the two large tables of mementos brought by the mourners. What I lack in height, I more than make up in presence and it's not long before the room has gone eerily silent.
"Hello everyone. I know I've spoken to many of you in the past week, and there's many of you I've never met. For those of you who I have never had the honor of meeting, I apologize and let me introduce myself. My name is Olivia Ross Specter, the oldest child to the handsome men we're all here celebrating today.
My parents weren't like other parents. They taught me about safe habits on the city by teaching me jaywalking laws, socialized me as a child by bringing me to the courthouse, and loved their kids more than I can express in words. They loved each other in such a way that it was felt across the room, igniting the space with happiness and warmth.
This has been difficult for my family, those of us united by blood," I said making eye contact with my sister and brother, "and those united by loyalty." A light head nod to Donna and her husband who wore watery smiles. This is hard, not because of their loss, but because of the loss of the future. We'll never have daddy's burnt pancakes and never see papa light up when we open birthday presents again. They'll never see their grandkids grow up and they'll never see the impact of their legacy. I know right now they're looking down, papa with a big old smirk at how many people are cramped in this room today, and even in the standing room only areas in the hallways. He always did love to be the center of attention. But he never minded sharing the spotlight with daddy. Not once."
Seeing the chuckles go around the room I continued, "I apologize to anyone who came today expecting a traditional mourning service because you won't be getting it. My fathers were full of life and are rolling around somewhere upstairs that there are people in poorly fitted suits crying over their death instead of celebrating their life. We'll proceed with a moment of silence for mourning, and then...then we celebrate life."
I bowed my head, indicating to everyone else to do the same. With my eyes closed, I could hear papa's voice, "silence as an adult is peaceful, silence as an adult with kids means trouble!" The quote was almost always followed by him finding me or my siblings getting into mischief or general destruction. Smiling at the memory, I lifted my head.
"Thank you all again so much for coming out today. As we proceed through the day, I'm going to leave this microphone here for anyone to share any comments, memories, and stories they would like to share about our fathers and their lives and love. In proper Specter fashion, there will be whiskey coming around to enjoy and a cab queue for anyone choosing to imbibe. Our only request is that all statements be positive or happy in some way." I began to step away before pivoting back, "and for the love of God, please stop sending flowers. If you must send condolence gifts, whiskey and vinyls will do just fine." A hearty round of laughter broke out around the room as I walked to my brother and sister.
Approaching them with a bashful smile, nervous as I hadn't cleared this change of plans with them. I was embraced in a group hug before I knew it, and with my head nestled between their heads, I let out the watery sigh I'd been holding since stepping away and meeting their eyes once more. "You guys sure you're ok with this?"
Before they could reply, I feel Donna whirl me into a hug and answer for them. "It's perfect. Exactly what they would have wanted."
Next chapter: We start to hear from the crowd. I already have some life milestones and speakers in mind, but am totally open to suggestions or requests from review!.
AN: For those wondering, all of the siblings will get more face time in soon, I just want to develop everyone properly and not just throw them all out at once. Like Olivia mentioned in her monologue, it's meant to be a happy story so besides this chapter there will be minimum angst moving forward!