The service wasn't long, Liam gave a short speech and then some woman who Sawyer had never seen before, presumably an aunt read a reading, and the priest also said a few things. Sawyer was distracted at one point, by a woman with blonde hair sitting next to a man with dark curly hair. But he looked away quickly concentrating once again.

When they moved outside to lower the casket that's when the Littleton family's tears started to fall. The little girl was first. He noticed her quivering chin out of the corner of his eye. Claire scooped her up immediately and she started to cry, deep choky tears. He saw a certain wetness on Claire's face too. Aaron looked at his Mother and his Sister stone-faced but then when they actually started to lower the casket his face crumpled. "Oh come here, baby" Claire whispered and brought him against her side. He buried his face in the soft fabric of her black dress.

Sawyer was relieved when it was over. He was quickly realizing this was a big mistake. He was about to slip out the door when he heard someone call his name, "Shit" he mumbled under his breath as he turned around face to face with one of his Island rivals. "Sayid" he greeted, his lips falling into smirk territory. "Sticks" he acknowledged the blonde woman next to him wearing a black tailored suit. He let his gaze linger on her long, tanned legs.

"Unbelievable. We're at a funeral" Shannon reminded him with a roll of her eyes.

"Charlie would have wanted this" Sawyer said in mock seriousness.

Sayid heaved a sigh "Anyways, we came over because we want to invite you to our wedding. Its next month. "

Sawyer looked incredulous. "Uh why?" he enquired skeptically.

"Because even though you're a pain in the ass, we both want you to be there. We want all the islanders to be there, expect obviously Kate. Since she's locked up"

Sayid saw Sawyer flinch at the mention of Kate's name and shot him an apologetic glance which just pissed Sawyer off. He hated being pitied.

"Actually folks, Sorry I can't make it. I got plans that day" Was his response, as he fumbled in his pocket for a cigarette. Realizing he left them in his jeans he muttered "shit" under his breath.

"You're such a dumb shit, we didn't even tell you when the day was" Shannon snorted, shaking her head.

"Incase you haven't noticed sweet cheeks, we're at a funeral" he said imitating her.

"Hey Shan" a new voice was mixed in and he watched Claire walk past him and embrace the other blonde and then her fiancée. She glanced at Sawyer. "So are you going to the wedding or what?" she asked.

"Yeah he's going" Shannon answered and opened up her purse, taking out a pack of cigarettes and shaking one out. She leaned forward put it in Sawyer's mouth then lit it with a hot pink bic lighter she also withdrew from her purse. "You owe me" she said in Sawyer's direction.

A nod was his only response as he took a puff of the cigarette, held it for a moment and then exhaled.

"How are you holding up sweetie?" Shannon asked Claire, getting a cigarette for her and offered the pack to Claire; she only shook her head no.

"I'm doing well, it's the kids that I worry about" Claire said heaving a sigh. "And I broke up with Chad the week before the car accident so Aaron lost both of his male role models"

"Aw, what happened with Chad?" was Shannon's next question.

"He was getting a little possessive" Claire said and shot Shannon if-you-know-what-I-mean looks.

Sawyer glanced at Sayid who seemed to have removed himself from the conversation and was studying the church silently.

Shannon seemed to notice this and just nodded "Well we should get going, call me if you need anything" She kissed Claire on the cheek and then awkwardly pat Sawyer on the shoulder while Sayid said goodbye to Claire. He was whispering something in her ear, and she smiled and thanked him.

Sawyer and Claire stood awkwardly beside each other as they watched Shannon and Sayid go.

"Well I think I'm going to head out too" Sawyer said glancing at Claire.

"Not so fast, Cowboy" Claire said and gave Sawyer a look which stopped him dead in his traps. "I want you go come over for dinner on Friday night, okay" she said, it was more of a statement then a request like it was already written in stone.

"Uhh, I don't know" he said hesitantly, he really wanted to make his getaway. Seeing these people brought back too many memories that he had tried to forget. He thought he was successful until now.

"Please, I really want Aaron and Layla to meet you" Claire said and when this didn't look like it changed his mind "I'll make waffles" she teased.

He turned bright crimson and muttered "Jesus Christ" under his breath which caused Claire to start giggling.

"You're blushing" she said brushing a tear of mirth away from her eyes.

"It's just hot out" he said defensively.

"Sawyer, it's May in Australia, it's not that hot" she reminded him. When he didn't respond she hugged him again and said in his ear "Seven o'clock, don't be late" and then kissed his cheek "thank you for coming, Sawyer" she added before smiling at him and turning on her heal to talk to some other relative.

He followed suit heading towards his pick up truck, the same rusted one the kids teased him about at the library. He climbed in and drove away as fast as he could.

Now he had two commitments he couldn't get out of in fear of disappointing a grieving woman.

He needed a drink, and he needed one fast.