A special shout out to Vanillastar! Who is Amazingly Awesome and has helped me out a lot!
Hope I don't disappoint you!
Far warning there will be Allison bashing in this one. So for all Allison fans…I'm sorry. And FYI there will be NO Allison and Isaac pairing in this story. I LOVE the show and I can't wait to see what the writers have in stored for the couple but for this story….No. They will just be friends; sort of. But that's later….
I own thing!
Ava POV
"Derek, what's going on?" I asked as I walked down to join the others.
I stopped mid-step when I saw the person that was causing the utter silence from the inter room.
"I wanted to see how Boyd was doing." said Allison from the door way.
"Get the hell out of here!" I shouted as I walked towards her.
"Ava, she just came here to talk." said Scott defending her.
"Not today she's not; or any day for that matter." I yelled at Scott. Turning back towards Allison, "You have no right coming here." I shouted.
"I'm sorry about Erica." whispered Allison.
"Don't you dare say her name." I stuttered out.
"Ava." said Scott.
"Get her out of here or I swear to the Goddess; I will hurt her!" I shouted and turned away before I did some thing I'd regret, though at this point I won't regret hurting her but I would for Scott's sake.
"Ava…." started Allison.
"Get out!" I shouted.
"Maybe you should go Allison. Today is hard enough as it is." Stiles said coming to my rescue.
Allison looked around for support but finding none other then from Scott, nodded and left.
"I am sorry, Ava." said Allison over her shoulder.
That did it; I had had enough, I started to go after her but Isaac's arms wrapped around my middle to stop me. "Let her go." He whispered.
I turned so that my head could rest on his chest, breathing in his scent I closed my eyes to calm down.
"We have to decide what we are going to do." said Derek.
I opened my eyes to look at him but stayed where I was, "Yeah we do." I whispered.
"What do you mean?" asked Scott.
"What do we do with the body?" asked Derek as he gazed over at the broken wall.
"Ava?" asked Stiles questioningly.
"We give her the burial she deserves." I said at I too looked at the broken wall.
"Shouldn't her mom know?" asked Scott.
I moved away from Isaac and turned towards the bed to Boyd and Cora. Moving to sit between them I placed my hands on their chests, "It would rise to many questions for Boyd." I said and closed my eyes.
"Ava….." growled out Isaac.
"Just giving them a boost, Babe. Pull me out in eight." I said and started my chant.
I felt my magic going in to Boyd and Cora, I hadn't healed two people at once in a long time. I could feel my body start to sway; just as I was about to be pulled under my body was pulled from the bed.
"I got you, baby. I gotcha." Isaac whispered as he carried to me to the chair. Stiles handed me a soda and some crackers.
"Thanks." I smiled and took a sip.
"They're heartbeats are stronger." said Derek as he stepped away from the bed.
"Our girl knows what she's doing." said Stiles with a smirk.
Isaac let out a growl.
"Ava's right. If Erica's body is found then the police are going to question Boyd. That's attention we don't need." said Derek as he joined us at the table.
"So we just bury her ourselves?" asked Scott.
"I have some experience in that department." said Isaac as he rubbed my back.
"Where should we….." Stiles asked trailing off.
"My family's plot, out by the house." said Derek.
We all looked at him, "She's pack. She's family." stated Derek.
I stood up slowly and walked over to him. We shared a look but Derek was the first to open his arms. I felt the tears start to fall as we hugged each other. Scott, Stiles, and Isaac all stayed silent.
"Ok." I whispered.
….
"Isaac and I will go get every thing ready." said Derek as he started to get his things together.
"Maybe Stiles or Scott should go with you." said Isaac as he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
I moved so that I was facing him, "I need to get Erica ready." I said looking him in the eye. I couldn't bring myself to say the body.
"I could help." said Isaac.
"I need to do this myself; besides….I need you to…. I want to best spot for her." I said looking down that my feet.
"She will." Isaac whispered as he placed his hand under my chin so I'd look him in the eye.
"Thank you." I whispered and leaned up for a kiss.
It was short and sweet but his soft lips were reminder that we were both still here, together. But now wasn't the time for us; it was time to say goodbye to my best friend.
Isaac sighed as he reluctantly let me go and followed Derek out the door.
"Scott, I need you to go the flower store and see if they have any spring green cultivar, green hydrangea, and white roses. I want a dozen or so of each." I said and handing Scott my credit card.
"Why green?" asked Stiles.
"Green is the sign of Mother Earth. We are giving Erica back to her." I stated.
Stiles and Scott both just nodded.
"If either of you have a red or black shirt to wear later, that would be great." I whispered. "Stiles, I need white candles and linen. And could you stop at my house? Under my bed is a large wooden box, can you bring it to me?" I asked.
"Got it." stated Stiles as he and Scott headed out.
Turning Stiles asked, "You going to be ok?"
"As ok as one can be when they are saying goodbye to a loved one." I said.
Stiles only nodded and left with Scott.
Once I knew I was alone, or as alone as one could be with two werewolves sleeping in a bed next to you; I went to see Erica. Kneeling down I unwrapped the blanket from her face and smoothed her hair back. "You were a real bitch when we first met. But teaching you to dance gave me the chance to see the real you, not the front you gave off. I have friends that I have known for most of my life, who know about me but don't know how it is to be different. You did. You knew me better then most." I whispered as tears started to fall once again. I stayed like that with her, my back against the wall humming, just wanting to be close to her.
"Ava! We got them!" shouted Stiles as he and Scott came in the door.
I shot up and hushed him, "Boyd and Cora are still healing! They need to rest!" I said quietly.
Stiles had to good sense to look sheepish. "We got them." He said again holding up bags.
"We also have the box." said Scott as he hand it to me.
My hands softly ran over the carvings. "What is it?" asked Stiles.
"My mother's robes." I stated.
"Robes?" asked Stiles.
"In Wicca, witches wear robes for special circles, special events, or even just special spells. They ground you to the earth, nothing separates you." I said as I placed the box on the table.
"What do you mean nothing separates you?" asked Stiles.
"It means she'll be naked under the robe." Scott stated as he blushed.
"Really?" shouted Stiles. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the linen.
"I need to disrobe her." I stated as I walked back over to the body.
"She's not going to wear any thing either?" asked Stiles.
"The linen will be the only barrier between her and the earth." I said back.
The guys stayed where they were as I struggled with Erica's clothes but I finally got her wrapped up.
"She looks like a mummy." stated Stiles as he came to see what was taking me so long.
I glared at him, "That's how she's supposed to be." I said back.
Stiles held up his hands in surrender.
"I need to go get the burial site ready." I said standing up just as Isaac and Derek walked in.
"We're all set." said Isaac as we joined him near the table.
I nodded, "Thank you. I just need to get some things ready, give me about an hour." I said as I grabbed the box from the table.
"Can you guys help put the bags in the car?" I asked as I walked towards the door.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Isaac asked.
I shook my head, "I need to do this alone." I stated.
Isaac looked like he wanted to argue but he knew today wasn't the day to do it.
"One hour." He stated as the last of the bags were loaded in the car.
"See you then." I said and got in the car.
I found the playlist Erica had made me, full of her favorite songs. Pressing play I listened to Taylor Swift's Safe and Sound song. It brought tears to my eyes but I didn't have the heart to change it. I drove out to the burnt house finding the plot not to far off.
I grabbed to bags of flowers first, I saw the boys had dug a hole close to the other tombstones but still off on its own, it had a good view of the woods. I took out the hydrangeas and some roses; placing them together I made bouquets and lined the grave with them, leaving a larger one off to the side.
I went around to each tombstone and placed a spring green cultivar on each, sending up a silent prayer that Derek's family/pack out look out for Erica and welcome her. Scott had gotten more then enough roses, I would have to thank him for that later, and I put them on top of the hood of my car.
After finishing with the flowers I went back to the car, as I glanced at the wooden box I flashed back to when I would sit in my mother's room, on her bed and watch her get ready. The hair was always down, no make-up; you had to be washed clean. The last thing she did was put on the robe. It looked beautiful on her; it had been the family for generations. When I turned eighteen it was to become mine, I just got it a few years to soon.
I hadn't put on any make-up so that was already done; I found a brush in my bag and ran it through my hair till it flowed smoothly. I removed every thing from my body and went to open the box. The hooded robe was green with black designs. The back had the tree of life covering it; the front had a pentagram and the triple Goddess symbol. It was the single most beautiful thing I now owned. Putting it on, I felt powerful; like I could take on the world. I hadn't worn it sense my mother's funeral. "No more funerals." I whispered as I buttoned the top button.
I left the hood down, now wasn't the time.
Looking at my car's clock I noticed that it nearly time for the guys to arrive. I turned the car off and started to light the candles at I had placed within the flowers. Looking back into the woods I decided to take a breather, with a candle to light the way I walked into the trees. I smiled for the first time that day, the woods made me feel centered.
Isaac POV
"Time to go." sighed Derek as he came out of the bathroom, now dressed in black as Ava had requested.
"Do you think we should try to wake up Boyd?" I asked.
"Ava said she'd take him out there after he recovered. Right now he needs his rest." stated Stiles.
I tried not to growl, it seemed that Ava and Stiles talked an offal lot.
Scott moved to pick up Erica's body.
"I got her." Derek said just before he could.
Scott nodded knowingly and backed off.
Derek picked up Erica and the four of us, all dressed in black, left the loft and drove out to the woods.
Pulling up to the grave site I took in the flowers and candles, if they weren't surrounding an empty grave they would have been beautiful.
"Where's Ava?" asked Stiles.
All four of us started looking around.
"There she is." said Derek.
Turning to where he was looking, I lost my breath.
Emerging out of the woods was my mate, clothed in a green hooded robe with black designs; she carried a lit candle, making her face glow underneath the hood.
"Can you bring her here?" Ava asked as she stood in front of the grave.
Derek gently grabbed Erica and placed her in the grave. Ava placed a large bouquet on top of the linen.
"Stiles, can you grab the roses off my car please?" asked Ava.
Stiles did and then joined us at the grave.
"Please, each take a flower. Derek, please stand at the top of grave, Stiles the right, Isaac left, and Scott the bottom. You each have an item in front of where you stand, please do not pick them up." instructed Ava.
We all did as asked.
Looking down I noticed a bowl full of water in front of me, Scott had an unlit candle, Stiles; an empty bowl, and Derek had a bowl full of dirt.
Ava had sent out a text earlier that stated that she wished to do things her way, we had all agreed. All four of us remained silent, letting her lead us.
Still holding the candle Ava came to stand beside me.
"Hale to the West!
As teh sun sets
so our frined has left us
the water of our tears like the salt water of the sea, and
life the water of our mother's womb, blesses this Circle."
She moved passed me and lit the candle before Scott, moving to stand beside him, her voice called out;
"Praise to the South!
As life is a day
So our friend has passed into the night
The fire of our life, the memories and courage, the
Strength given to us by our friend blesses this Circle."
She moved to stand beside Stiles
"Glory to the East:
As all that falls shall rise again
So our friend will be reborn
The air we breathe, this treasure of our life, the
Compassionate caring we give each other blesses this Circle."
Finally she moved to stand by Derek.
"Mighty North:
As the Earth forms us
So our friend shall return to the earth
Our Mother feeds us and clothes us. She gives us
Everything and in the end she takes our bodies back.
And Earth blesses this Circle."
"Bless it be." whispered Stiles.
I watched as Ava moved her hand to give Stiles's hand a squeeze. It remained there, I bowed my head.
"Oh Goddess
There is great sadness
A cherished one has gone
Emptiness engulfs us
Loss languishes within
Help us bear this grief
Accompany their spirit
Comfort we who grieve
Let us rejoice in their life
May their essence be recorded
In the Great Book of Shadows
Renew our remembrance with joy." Rang out Ava's voice.
"Bless it be." Stiles said again.
"Bless it be." Both Derek and Scott called out.
"Bless it be." I whispered.
"You were my sister, not by blood but by choice. I pray that the Goddess takes you into her awaiting arms and keeps you safe. I love you, Erica. Goodbye my sister." Ava said. I looked up to see tears falling down her face. I wanted to go to her but I knew that I had to stay in place she put me.
"I chose you because I knew how strong your mind was and that your body just needed to catch up. Given the chance you could be strong and brave. And you were. You were my pack sister, a sister of choice. May you be at peace." Derek said with his head bowed.
I watched as Ava gave Stiles's hand another squeeze then slowly let go, moving so that the candle was now in her left she moved to take Derek's hand. To say I was surprised would be an understatement when Derek fiercely held on to her.
"Erica, you and I had our battles but we were always there for each other. You told me when I was being stupid and when to knock it off. You helped me. You helped center me. You were my pack sister and my mate's sister. You well forever be remembered." I said.
I looked up to see if what I said was alright and received a small smile from Ava, it was all I needed.
"You were a strong women to say the least, never one to back down from a fight. Strong minded and fiercely protective. I may not have been apart of your pack, but I considered you part of mine. Pack sister by choice. Peace be with you." said Scott.
"Passionate, strong willed, smart, crazy, and what a body. You helped make this group a family, a sister to us all. You made us think. Made us remember what was important. We are better people thanks to knowing you. Watch out for us would ya? Never hurts to have a guardian angel. You will forever be with us." said Stiles as he threw in his rose. The rest of us followed shortly after.
Ava softly blew out her candle and removed her hood.
"Bless it be." She said and we all repeated.
Ava nodded to us and we all moved at once, Derek and Scott went to the shovels. Stiles patted Ava's arm and took the candle from her. She gave him a small smile and then turned to me.
"You ok?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around her.
"I can't be here for this." She whispered as Derek and Scott moved to put dirt on Erica's body.
I nodded, grabbed her hand and moved to her car.
"We're going to head out." I said as I helped Ava into the passenger seat, knowing that she was both physical and emotionally drained.
All three of the guys nodded.
"Take me home." Ava whispered as she leaned her head against the window.
I grabbed a hold of her hand as I drove, she squeezed it tightly.
We drove in silence the inter way, each in our own thoughts.
"Your uncle home yet?" I asked as we pulled into the drive way.
"Tomorrow night." Ava said as she unbuckled.
I nodded as I got out as well.
Ava opened the door and quickly went in, "I'm going to take a shower. There should be a frozen pizza or some thing in the fridge." She called out as she wandered up the stairs.
Taking that as a hint I quickly put a pizza in the oven and went upstairs to change. Ava had stolen enough of my clothes that I knew there was at least a shirt and shorts here that I could borrow, she wouldn't let me take them back.
The shower was still going when the timer went off for pizza. Placing the now cut pizza on some plates I took them back upstairs and laid down on the bed to wait.
Ava emerged shortly after in one of my old t-shirts and a pair of PJ pants. "Movie?" she asked looking at me.
"No chick flicks!" I said trying to get a smile out of her.
She only rolled her eyes and moved to her small selection that she kept upstairs.
"King Arthur?" she asked holding up the roman movie that she loved.
I smiled and nodded, "But only if you eat some thing!" I stated knowing that she hadn't had any thing besides crackers today.
Ava nodded and put the movie in, moving to sit beside me on the bed she picked up a slice and took a bite, "Happy?" she asked.
"Extremely!" I said back as I pressed play.
I watched her eat one full slice and then push the plate away.
"Ava." I growled out.
"Not tonight Isaac, tomorrow I'll eat more. Right now I just want you to hold me." Ava said moving to get a blanket to cover us and laid down within my arms.
"Ok. But tomorrow you are eating a whole pizza!" I said wrapping her up tighter.
"Deal." Ava said back as she rested her head on my chest.
"I'm so glad to have you. I don't know what I would do without you." She whispered.
"Same here." I said back placing a kiss on top of her head.
Just as Arthur and his knights were about to sit at the round table I could feel the change in her breathing, she had fallen asleep.
"I love you." I whispered as I placed another kiss on top of her head. "Always and Forever."
SO? How was it? Was it ok? I wrote, erased, and wrote again so many things. I really wanted Erica's furnal to be important. Each person getting to say goodbye. I had to throw in a Little hummer with Stiles's speech! LOL
I don't remember what they did with Erica's body on the show, Boyd was a facter for me so I hope I did ok.
PLEASE let me know and Review! Please?!
*********I looked it up and in Wicca green is the sign for Mother Earth. White represents death and rebirth.
The priestess is to wear green and black while her assistants wear red or black.
A WICCAN FUNERAL RITUAL (North, South, East and West) by Maphis (Samuel Wagar)
The Burial rights (funeral prayer)
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