A/N: Just so you guys know, this is all taking place the same date as in real life now, just in 2011. So the funeral happened on November 24, 2011, for example. Because that's the day this was supposed to be uploaded. (I'll explain what happened below.)
This night, walk the dead
In a solitary style
And crash the cemetery gates
In the dress your husband hates
Way down, mark the grave
Where the search lights find us
Drinking by the mausoleum door
And they found you on the bathroom floor
I jumped slightly. That was a very unexpected action.
"Um... Sebastian? You two know each other?"
"As much as it displeases me to say so, yes, we have met before."
"When?"
"It was with my last master."
"Hmm." I looked back at my father. He was distracted by the police, and did not see us. November, however, was staring at me. Catching her eye, I shrugged.
"Now, Grell, if you would kindly leave us be. I'm sure you have work to do, and, frankly, I have no desire to be within ten feet of you."
"Wow, way to be rude, Sebastian," I commented. I was slightly shocked. Sebastian was always so polite with everyone. It was his butler aesthetics.
He glanced at me and smirked.
"Come along, Miss December."
"Alright. Bye, Grell."
"Ta-ta, darling. And a million kisses to you, Sebby!" he spoke after us, forming a heart with his hands.
"Wow."
"I know," Sebastian grimaced.
I watched November as she sat in the car. It was a week later- the day of Shelly's funeral. I couldn't concentrate on anything. November seemed to be in a coma, except she was awake. I looked out the window. We were all quiet. The church loomed in front of us. A minute later, we were walking through the doors and into hell. People flocked to us, embracing us and whispering words of apology. I hated it. All I wanted was to be left alone, and to put this out of my mind as fast as I could.
I backed out of the crowd and sat on the front steps. The priest past by, going in the church, and smiled sadly at me. I know it's rude, but I looked away. I studied the grass on the side of the steps. I felt awkward, as I always did when sitting in range of this building. My father and Shelly were Catholic. I wasn't sure about November. I certainly didn't follow this religion, or any religion, for that matter. I didn't even know if I believed in God. Every Sunday, however, I found myself sitting in the wooden seats. The people were always welcoming; I still felt shunned.
I heard someone sit down beside me, their warm body bringing heat to my cold one.
"You really miss her, don't you?" Sebastian. Of course.
I turned and looked at him. "Of course I do! She was my mother." I didn't count the woman who gave birth to me as anything. I bit my lip, fighting the tears. I would not let him see me cry, see me weak.
He lifted my chin. I gazed into his searching eyes. "You know, you don't always have to be strong." He brushed some hair behind my ear.
I looked away. "Yes, I do," I murmured, too low for anyone to hear me, but I know he did.
"Why?"
I looked back at him.
"Because..."
"Because?"
Luckily, Dad and November came and sat with us, saving me from having to answer. November held Toby in her lap. The service started.
Several times I saw my sister dab her eyes with a Kleenex. My dad got up and spoke to the people. I didn't hear a word he said, or any word spoken during the funeral, for that matter.
It all seemed so wrong; Shelly was such a vivacious person. She had such a vibrant personality... and this was so dull, so dark. Nothing like she would have wanted. It was almost disrespectful. I stared at the casket, revealing her cleaned up body. She was dressed in a plain white dress. I'd been thinking about this since we'd started planning the funeral. That's why I had a plan.
I heard the priest ask if anyone wanted to come up say anything. I murmured Sebastian's name, then stood up.
Back home, off the run
Singing songs that make you slit your wrists
It isn't that much fun
Staring down a loaded gun
So I won't stop dying,
Won't stop lying
If you want I'll keep on crying
Did you get what you deserve?
Is this what you always want me for?
You see, while I could have asked to do a speech as part of the service, I chose not to. I told no one except Sebastian what I was going to do, so I would have the time I needed to do what I was about to do, and to have time for it to settle in people's minds.
In fact, I hadn't planned at all what I was going to say. Oh well, as they say, the shit was about to hit the fan.
I faced the crowd, most of which was sniffling, all of which were wearing black. Nope, not at all how Shelly would have wanted it.
"So... hello everybody. As most of you know, I am Stephen's* daughter, Shelly's stepdaughter. Also, as just about everyone knows, I just moved here a few months ago. While I didn't know her for very long, I got to know Shelly very well. She was a true mother to me. And I know this is not what she would have wanted... this- this... deadness! She was such a bright person! So full of life. She said hi to stranger's on the street. Helped anyone and everyone who needed it. She will be missed. We all know that. So, when you come up, don't talk about that. Talk about the good times, the fun times. Celebrate her life, don't mourn her death!"
My father and November were staring at me wide-eyed, but I couldn't think about them. This was my good-bye.
By now, Sebastian was there, standing just outside the door. I hopped down from the small stage, and walked down the aisle. I took the basked of brightly colored flowers from Sebastian's hands, and walked to Shelly's casket. I began my work spreading the flowers around her, taking time to weave some in her hair. I bent and kissed her forehead.
"You were an angel in life, Shelly, and you are one in death."
I heard Sebastian speaking behind me. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. "
A lone tear streaked down my face, and I wondered idly how Sebastian could say that.
Suddenly, I heard a clap. Then another. And another. Soon, the whole room was clapping. I blushed, and went to sit with my family.
It took a minute for things to settle down; then the priest asked again if anyone else wanted to come up. Six people did, all sharing happy memories of Shelly. Then, the service was finally over.
I stepped outside into the cold November air. Sebastian was soon beside me.
"That was a beautiful thing you did, my mistress."
"Hmm."
"It left a dramatic affect on everyone there."
"Yeah. Say, Sebastian?"
"Yes, December?"
"How were you able to say that psalm, when you couldn't even come in the church?"
He smirked. "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."**
I considered this as I stepped into the car, missing the redhead that was watching from behind the car next to us.
When will I miss you?
When will I miss you so far?
And the collision of your kiss
That made it so hard
Made it so hard
Way down, way down...
Way down
A/N: So FanFiction wouldn't let me upload this yesterday, don't know why, but it's up today. It sucked writing this chapter, because I would get thinking about how amazing Shelly was, and then suddenly be like "Oh yeah, she's dead, I'm writing her funeral..." and then get all depressed. The song is Cemetery Drive by My Chemical Romance. (Love them!)
*I can't remember if I ever gave her dad a name, or what it was if I did, so, right now, it's Stephen.
**The first person to guess what this is from gets a virtual cookie. (All rights go to person this belongs to.)
So it seems that December got pretty passionate during her speech. It almost seems out of character for her, but I don't want it to be. It's part of who she is. She's more than just pain and depression.
