co-written by RatedrKjErIcHo


Holly stood at the back of the ceremony room that held both her parents' caskets. She didn't go near the front or even look at it. She was afraid. Afraid if she did, then this wouldn't be just a nightmare. But she knew that soon, she'd be sitting on the front row with Alex on one side and Randy on the other supporting her. Holding her while she cried and said a silent goodbye she couldn't put into words.

She felt someone come up beside her and saw Randy and Amber with Dena, Ted and Alex. "It's time." Randy said to her.

She nodded as Alex took her hand. The music played and they walked down toward the caskets. The congregation stood as they walked. They sat down on the front row with Amber and Ted first, then Dena and Randy and then Holly and Alex.

The officiant took the podium. "Death is a part of life. Each person is here for a time to touch the lives of those around them. Bob and Elaine Orton were loving people. Bob was a police officer protecting and serving this city. Elaine was the constant homemaker. Together they raised three children: Randy, Amber and Holly. I remember when Elaine would bring the kids to church every Sunday. She would always say they were light of her life and she couldn't imagine her life without her babies even when Randy was playing pranks on the choir, Amber was kissing all the boys and Holly was hiding in the nursery from everyone."

Holly sobbed and Alex reached over and took her hand. "Bob and Elaine loved their children and only wanted the best for them." Amber closed her eyes and cried. She remembered the first time she'd ever fought with her mother. It was because she'd wanted to go to the movies with her friends. Elaine had told her she was too young to be going out with a boy. Even though she hadn't mentioned a boy, her mother had known.

"Not only were Bob and Elaine great parents, they were pillars of the community. Never ones to turn someone away. They would help anyone who needed it. Bob made his living helping people. He once told me that he couldn't imagine doing anything else because he wasn't only helping the community and city, he was making it safe for his children and his future grandchildren. They will always be remembered as the wonderful people they were."

Randy held Holly's hand while Dena held his. He had to be strong today for them. He looked at his parents' caskets. He had been asked if he would say the eulogy. He agreed because he knew his sisters would be too upset to say anything.

"Now, their only son and eldest child, Randy, will say a few words."

Randy took the stage and unfolded the piece of paper where he'd written down the few remarks."My parents were always an example of kindness and love. We never had to wonder if they loved us or if they loved each other. They loved everyone they met. They instilled those values in us and gave the community examples that people still cared about one another. Their marriage was an example of how love, true love was supposed to be. And it is an example of how I value my marriage and how my sisters, when they do get married will value their marriages too. There is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled." He folded the paper and took his seat between Dena and Holly.

"Thank you, Randy." The preacher said. "Now a prayer. Our heavenly father, we call upon you to take care of Bob and Elaine as they join your kingdom. While they will be missed here on earth, we know they are indeed in a better place. Watch over their children as they deal with this tremendous loss. Amen."

"Amen." The congregation said.

"Now, burial will follow in Stone Ridge Cemetery."

Holly sobbed and Alex put his arm around her as the caskets were wheeled by. He couldn't help but think about what John said. Ask her to marry him now. He sighed as he held her. He wanted to marry her but this wasn't the way he wanted to ask her. He helped her up as the family followed the caskets. Alex helped her into the family car along with Randy, Dena, Amber and Ted. Two police cars led the way and the hearse. As an officer, Bob was going to have a military type ceremony at the cemetery.

Everyone filed out of the car but Holly who sat there for a minute blankly staring into space. Alex motioned for the others to go ahead and Randy nodded, thankful that he was there. Alex wrapped his arms around Holly and let her lay her head over on his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head and sat there holding her letting her cry. He felt the ring in his pocket and took a breath before he pulled it out."This whole thing has really made me do a lot of thinking. About us and life in general. And I've realized that life is too short not to take chances. So I'm going to take one right now. I love you Holly Ann Orton. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

Holly moved to look up at him. "What?" she said through her tears.

"I love you and I want nothing more than to marry you. I know this is probably the worst time to ask you but I just didn't want to wait."

Holly sat there. She looked to where her family was waiting to bury her parents. The two people she counted on were gone. Even thought she had Randy and Amber, she felt alone. She looked to Alex who was asking her to spend forever with him.

"Yes." She said softly.

He couldn't help but smile and slid the ring on. He kissed her. "Come on, I will help you say goodbye." He said as he hugged her. She nodded and let him lead her to where everyone was. She took her place by Randy as the ceremony began.

Randy took her hand in his and Amber's in the other. The three of them stood as the music played. Amber looked over at Holly as she brushed some hair out of her face. She saw the sunlight glint off the stone in the ring on Holly's finger and she closed her eyes. She wasn't going to talk to her about it now. This wasn't the time. This wasn't the place. But deep down in the pit of her stomach, something didn't feel right.

"Our heavenly father, we laid to rest our brother and sister. May they live forever in your kingdom." The preacher said. "Randy, Holly, and Amber if you each would get a handful of dirt and throw it on the caskets."

Randy went first followed by his sisters. Once they had done that, they took their places once again. The workers began lowering the caskets into the ground. Randy placed an arm around both his sisters as they cried.

Their parents were laid to rest and now they were going to have to move on with their lives without them. Everyone headed to the house for the receiving. Amber, Randy, Holly, Ted, Dena and Alex headed back to the family cars which would take them back to the funeral home and they would go to the house from there. The final step in saying goodbye to their parents.

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