Chapter 25! We finally reached the final chapter of Already Gone!
Another huge thanks to everyone who's been reviewing, I am so grateful to all of you guys!
As I said before, I will be posting a 5- 10 chapter epilogue shortly! :) There will be a preview at the bottom of this chapter.
25: Tonight, I Wanna Cry
EVE POV
The day had finally come, the day we had all been dreading since nearly a year ago when we found out Leanne had cancer.
Everyday we had all woken up with the image of what today would be like, then we would push the thought aside and try to maintain somewhat of a regular day.
I had taken it upon myself to plan this whole event, I figured I would be the best one to do it. I tried to make it as perfect as possible, I planned every little detail. From the flowers, to the pictures that would be shown, to the little things like the arrangement of the seats. I guess keeping myself busy was somewhat of a comfort.
I ran a hand over my stomach, it wasn't quite a bump yet. But it was starting to show. I stared at myself in the mirror. Dressed in a simple black dress, black pumps and my hair flowing loosely down my shoulders. I didn't feel like leaving the house at all, with all the morning sickness, and the empty feeling in my chest that had been there for nearly a week.
I swallowed hard when I remembered the fact that everyone would be at the funeral today. All the superstars from both rosters, what little family Leanne had, not to mention the fact that today would be the first time I'd see John since that night at the hospital.
"You almost done baby?" Matt stood in the doorway, dressed in his suit. His hair tied back and a small smile plastered on his handsome features.
"Yeah.." I muttered and sighed "Matt...I dunno how I'm going to do this..." I gestured to the pile of index cards on dresser top. Matt came over and wrapped an arm around me
"I know sweetheart, but Leanne wanted you to speak at her f-" Matt's voice caught for a second "funeral..you were her best friend-"
"I am her best friend." I corrected sternly and flipped through the cards again "There's gonna be so much crying Matt..."
"I know Hun, but we need to get through this okay? John's gonna need us more than ever..." He kissed the top of my head "after today we can start getting ready for this little one." He patted my stomach gently and smiled.
I laughed "okay...let's do this..."
RANDY POV
I sighed as I walked into the church, I sat down on one of the seats and exhaled deeply. I tried not to make eye contact with anyone as they walked in. For fear that I would have to deal with someone's crying- Not that I was trying to be this cold jerk with no heart. But because I was struggling to keep myself together as it was.
"Randy...?" I turned around in my seat and relaxed a little "Hey Chris..."
"You okay..." He asked quietly
"Under the circumstances I guess I'm fine.." I shrugged and ran a hand through my short hair.
"Wheres Sam and Alanna?"
"Their at home..I didn't think bringing Alanna here would be a such a great idea...And Sam isn't a huge fan of these kind of things...I'd rather Alanna remember Leanne as she was...and not like...that.." I motioned to the black coffin a few feet ahead of me. I cleared my throat and settled back into my seat.
"Yeah I know what you mean... I didn't bring Cheyenne or Sierra...Unfortunately Ash insisted on coming" Chris said and pointed to the left. I turned to see Jessica talking with Stephanie and Ash standing there beside her. "The girls are with grandma. Jess begged me not to let Ash come but he wouldn't have let me leave" Chris chuckled lightly. I smiled back and waved as Ash walked towards me.
"Hey there little man" I said and ruffled his hair
"Hi Uncle Randy..." He grinned and sat beside his Dad. "Is Alanna here?"
I shook my head "Sorry Bud, Alanna is at home with her mommy. But you can come and play with her later if you're allowed."
Ash looked at Chris almost on cue "Can I Daddy?"
"Alright, but we'll have to get you out of this suit first. You look almost as uncomfortable as Uncle Adam over there" Chris motioned to the Blond Haired Man a few rows ahead of us.
"Okay..and Uncle Randy?"
"Yeah Bud?" I answered
"Don't be too sad about Aunt Leanne. She's okay now. She's not sick anymore and she's with her mommy and daddy now right?" He spoke so clearly and confidently.
"Yeah she is..." Chris's voice broke slightly but he covered it up with a cough. "Go and say hi to Uncle Hunter okay?"
"Okay Daddy...Bye Uncle Randy!"
"Bye Ash..." I kept my eyes down and blinked back the tears starting to form. "Smart Boy Irvine..."
"Thanks..I don't know where he got that logic from..definitely not from me.." Chris chuckled "Oh I was gonna ask you. How's John doing?..."
I had to think before answering "A lot better than before...He should be here soon I guess..."
EVE POV
Matt and I pulled up at the church, I looked up and saw that the sky was gray. It looked like It had been raining and as if it would start again at any second.
I guess the sky had been crying too...
I linked arms with Matt and walked slowly into the church. I saw that a lot of people had already arrived. Most of them we're already seated. My chest tightened when I saw that some people were already in tears.
"Hey Randy" I smiled and gave the Legend Killer a hug.
"Hey Eve...Matt" He smiled and motioned for us to sit down.
"John here yet?" Matt asked quietly. Randy shook his head and sighed "Not yet..he'll be here in a few minutes I just talked to him. I hope he'll handle this okay.."
"Is he bringing Leah with him?" I asked
"No. She's with his dad. She's barely a week old..she doesn't need to see this.." I said
"You ready?" Randy pointed to the index cards in my hands
"As I'll ever be..." I muttered "either of you gonna say anything?"
Matt and Randy looked at each other uneasily. "I don't know yet...I don't know if I'll be able too..." Matt answered honestly. I nodded "Randy?"
The Blue Eyed Man looked thoughtful "I think maybe I should...right?"
"I think Leanne would like that.."
We all turned around to face the rainbow haired man before us. "Jeff...you came.." Matt said astonished. "I mean you said you couldn't-"
"I know. But I figured It wouldn't be right if I didn't" Jeff shrugged and took in a deep breath. "I just saw John pull in.."
"God I hope he's okay..." I said hopefully.
"Are you gonna say anything Jeff?" Randy asked
Jeff stood there for a second "No"
I blinked a few times "okay that was pretty blunt"
"Well that's my answer.." The rainbow haired man said sharply.
I opened my mouth to snap at him for being so rude until I was cut off. "Uh Guys..." Matt looked towards the door as the man everyone had been talking about shuffled in.
I have to say, he looked pretty good in that suit. His hands shoved into his pockets as he walked past a few people who looked at him sympathetically. He smiled at all of them and thanked them for coming and assured them that he was okay.
Randy immediately trailed close behind him and put a hand on his shoulder "H-Hey John..."
He looked up, his eyes a little red. "Hey Randy..thanks for coming man.."
"Hey you know I wouldn't miss this.." The younger man chuckled lightly. "You holding up okay?"
The Champ shrugged "So far So good...I just can't believe this is it..you know?"
Randy nodded in agreement "I know man...I know.."
NO POV
Silence filled the room as the preacher stepped towards the podium. He took in a deep breath.
"We are all here today to celebrate the life of Leanne Jasmine Ryder-Cena" He started off. "Though her life lasted only 25 short years, She lived every moment to the fullest. She married and was a wonderful wife. She also gave birth to a beautiful little baby girl named Leah Mackenzie Ruby'
As soon as Leah's name passed through the preacher's lips. John's face crumpled. He composed himself quickly.
"Leanne was a loving wife, mother, sister, friend, colleague..." as the preacher spoke. Everyone's eyes welled up with tears. Leanne had been apart of all of our lives one way or another.
"Now I understand that a few of Leanne's close friends would like to say a few words." The preacher stepped aside.
Eve slowly rose from her seat. Matt gave her a smile as she walked up the stairs approaching the podium. She looked out to the sullen faces of her peers and opened her mouth to begin.
"First off I want to begin by thanking you guys for coming today. I know Leanne would've been so grateful for all of you showing up for her. I'm probably not the best person to be doing this, I mean I've only known Leanne for 3 years. I'm sure most of you have known her a lot longer than that. But in those 3 short years Leanne did more for me than I could've ever imagined. She trained me, gave me great advice and not to mention the fact that she introduced me to the love of my life" Eve gave a small smile to the man sitting in front of her. She swallowed hard and continued
"The one thing that stood out the most about Leanne was her selflessness, she never asked for anything and yet she would give anything to help someone in need." Eve's eyes welled up as she started again "And the thing that shocked me was when she found out she was pregnant with Leah-" Eve's voice caught, John looked away almost instantly
"She was scared, terrified thinking she didn't deserve to be a mother. She thought the cancer was her fault. She spent nights crying in my arms blaming and cursing herself for that." Eve's words sent shock waves down the group. Everyone in tears.
"After a while, she stopped crying and accepted things. And even though she knew she wouldn't be there forever. She swore to give Leah everything she had for whatever time she had left. And that's exactly what she did. Up until her last breath that was her goal." Eve wiped her eyes
"I know Leanne would hate the fact that I'm standing up here crying like a baby, but I really can't help it. The only thing I can hope for is that when this little one is born" Eve placed a hand on her stomach "That I can be half as strong as she was..."
As Eve walked back to her seat, everyone in the room was thinking the same thing.
What was going to happen now?
The End! :(
I can;t believe Already Gone has finished,
I wanna take this time to thank EVERYONE for reading and reviewing! It has made me want to update was quick as possible and I can't even explain how grateful I am!
Now, I promised to put up an epilogue, it will be up shortly but here's a little summary...
Because Of You
Summary: A month later, their lives we're falling apart. Jeff's world was filled with guilt, Randy's relationship with his wife was hanging in the balance. Matt and Eve's life is shattered by a sudden tragic event. And John? He's struggling just to keep it together..