Welcome to chapter 10 – the funeral. Think I might need to hand out extra tissues for this one? Dunno, let me know.
Thanks to all who've read and reviewed, of course!
money makes me smile: I'm glad you enjoyed that one. Have this one to keep you going. :-)
:-D: Alright, I will! Here's one for you now.
TB fan: Um, thanks. I think? But I do thank you for your honesty :-)
Cutiepie2191: Thanks for the little comment. You'll just have to, what's the phrase I like? Wait and see I'm afraid. :-)
Heaven Needed You
By CaptainPhoenixSparrow
Inspired by B-Witched's "It Was Our Day". Set from the point of view of Virgil Tracy
I barely heard a word throughout the service. I just felt like I couldn't focus. I stood beside John watching but not really taking anything in. Clasped tightly in my hand was Scott's uniform hat and a single rose.
I knew Angela was talking, saying things about Scott's life and reading passages from the bible in her hand, but all I could see was the plaque on the top of the coffin. I kept reading and re-reading the small passage to myself.
Scott Tracy
4th April 2039 – 24th July 2068
As much as a father will miss his son
As much as a man will miss his brother
As much as Scott Tracy will be missed by his friends
Heaven called to him and he answered
"Virgil?"
I looked up, realising I was being spoken to. "I'm sorry," I said, wiping at my eyes as I realised tears had made their way through to the surface.
"Would you still like to speak?" Angela asked, kindly.
I nodded. I needed to. I stepped forward to take the place Angela had been stood in moments before.
"Scott is… Scott was not only my brother, but my best friend, and I know that John, Gordon and Alan respected him and looked to him for guidance. I only hope I can be there for you like he was for us." I took a deep breath and continued.
"Scott Tracy was not even thirty years old when he died. But in that time he accomplished things many will only dream of – or hear about on news reports. He studied at two different universities and gained outstanding achievements. He enrolled in the US Air Force and was decorated for his bravery. He was smart, strong, confident and determined and all this helped him to save hundreds of people during his service with International Rescue.
"Scott gave his life while saving another who would not have made it otherwise. And that's what my brother was so passionate about. He loved the idea that we could make a difference. He may have gone, but he is still there, watching over us, guiding us and protecting us."
I looked down at the coffin before me again, brushed away the tears that were threatening to re-emerge, then approached it. Crouching down, I placed the folded-flat hat and the rose on top of the coffin, just beneath the plaque. "'As much as a man will miss his brother'," I whispered softly, reading from the plaque again, "I know you will watch over us."
Standing up and returning to my place beside John, we watched in silence as the coffin was slowly lowered into the ground.
"We'll join our hands again one day. Trade stories before night and talk of the times we had. We'll be together again someday and watch over the stars at night. We'll laugh at the fun we had."
It was at this point that a small crack in the dark clouds above formed, allowing a thin shaft of sunlight to penetrate. The bright light shone over the plaque, causing its polished surface to gleam as the clouds spread further apart.
I looked up to see the blue sky being revealed and I couldn't help but smile. It was as though the weather understood that as sad as we all felt, we wanted today to be special for Scott.
The growing sun warmed my face as the coffin came to a stop.
I watched as Angela finished her sermon and bowed my head for her final prayer.