Chapter 7

The Church was decorated in white and hot pink, with a spillage of white lilies and differently shaded pink roses on top of Cordelia's mahogany coffin. People dressed in black filed into the room one by one dabbing their eyes and sitting side by side soberly, unsurprisingly the front family pew was not filled with grieving parents and family it was lined with the remains of the fang gang, Bella, Illyria and Spike. The rest of the room filled quickly with people Cordelia had helped through her work with Angel investigations, friends she had made through her acting and some of the few ex-cordette's who she still kept in contact with.

Before the service there was a viewing, Spike, Wesley and Gunn refused to go in but Angel wanted to see her one last time and curiosity led Bella to go in with him. She was stunning, even as cold and somber as she looked there was no denying Cordelia was a gorgeous woman despite being comatose for so many months before her death. Somehow her hair was still shiny and bouncy her skin was flawless and her face still full, she looked like she was sleeping and that's exactly what you would think if you could her breathing.

Bella kissed the woman on the head, thanked her for the visions and her new family before squeezing Angel's hand and leaving him alone.

"You have no idea how much this hurts Cordy" he said softly stroking her cheek which now felt even colder than his own.

"It's like every day is a struggle without you, and I'm in this perpetual blackness that I can't get out of"

"I should've told you while I had the chance but Cordelia Chase I love you and I swear I have never and will never love anyone the way I love you. You pulled me out of darkness and gave me something I am so grateful for friendship, complete trust and love that's something not even Buffy could give me...shame I got so tongue tied after you kissed me and wasn't able to tell you before you left" he chuckled sadly

Angel leant down and kissed her softly on the lips

"Goodbye Cordy"

The service was beautiful with Wesley giving a thoughtful eulogy that moved the room to tears, even he broke down a few times during it and was unable to continue. Finally as the coffin was lowered to be sent to the crematorium a slideshow of photos of Cordelia from when she was a child to photos of her and the Fang Gang flashed across the screen with the Scientist by cold play playing over it.

It was a fittingly beautiful and emotional funeral for an amazing woman who deserved nothing less.