A/N: So...it's gotta be Sunday somewhere, right? Yeah, sorry, this is an extremely late update...but it's an update that will hopefully be read tomorrow.
My quota wasn't met...but I understand since it's the holidays and all. Thanks to my 2 and a half reviews (the half comes from KShade on 'Raining Fire,' so thanks for that too even though it wasn't for here =D) and to the one person who voted on my poll...it's the reason Henry's in here at all.
I'm also willing to do it again, since it was the holidays...just the rules have changed. If I get at least 7 reviews by next Sunday, then I'll throw in that bonus piece still...either the JC/Kalona meeting or a moment between JC and Skylar, just tell me which one you want to see in the review.
Disclaimer/Warning: Nope, don't own HoN, just this plot and anything else you don't recognize. Don't own 'If I Die Young' since that's by The Band Perry (yeah...kinda cheesy but it works well) and I don't own 'Only If For a Night,' which is the song at the end. That's Florence + The Machine, and it's a pretty kickass song, just saying. Also, warning...this is being posted at 3 in the morning, I'm having a fight with fanfic, and it is not proofread, so any grammar/spelling issues are because of that.
JC's POV
I don't really know how long I was asleep on the kitchen table, but I know I woke up by snorting myself awake. Yes, it's as unattractive as it sounds, but I was thankful because I was having another weird ass dream that I wanted to wake up from anyway. I really didn't know what happened in this dream, but I was freaked out…again. Seriously, if I were keeping score it'd be something along the lines of dreams: 20 billion, JC: 0. Fuck you, dreams.
Anyway, I snorted myself awake on the kitchen table and looked around the room. I didn't remember what the dream really was, but the one thought that was going through my mind was that he knew who I was. I couldn't say who 'he' was exactly, because I didn't have a damn clue…nor could I say why him knowing who I am was a bad thing, but according to every ounce of my being…it was. I pushed these thoughts aside as I heard shuffling coming from one of the tunnels. Damien emerged a moment later, puffy eyed and red nosed.
"JC, what are you doing here?" he asked, apparently surprised that I was here. Granted, I would be surprised too if a Spirit vampyre was unexpectedly sleeping on my kitchen table.
"I…it doesn't matter, it's a long story," I said and chuckled a bit, "I'm just waiting for Zo to wake up now since we have to go to the funeral," I explained and looked him over, "what's wrong, honey?" I asked.
Damien sighed sadly and started moving around the kitchen a bit, apparently intent on making some warm beverage in the microwave (there's a microwave in here?) I waited patiently, so when he sat down next to me and handed me a mug of tea as well, I smiled gratefully and took a sip.
"I had a bad dream," he finally answered after a long moment of staring at his own drink, "I had a dream about the night Jack died again."
"Aw, Damien," I muttered and put my arms around him in an attempt at a hug, "I'm sorry. Spirit, please, help with Air to comfort him," I whispered and watched as the element settled around him, "I know it won't do a lot, but it should help a bit."
"Thanks," he said and relaxed a bit, "I'm just so tired of having these dreams, they're so horrible."
Boy could I ever relate to that, but I didn't say anything about it. "Eventually, they do go away, it does get easier," I promised.
"How can you be so sure?"
"I've been through it before," I said and smiled sadly, "right now, you just gotta know that we're all here for you in whatever way you need, even Jack."
"Even Jack?" he asked.
I sighed and nodded, "He's watching over you and all of us. I just know that," I answered. I didn't exactly get that feeling of being punched in the stomach like before when this subject was brought up, but I still figured it best not to speak about it, even to Damien sadly.
He seemed to think about what I said for a while before nodding. "Thank you JC, that means a lot," he said and seemed relieved quite a bit.
"Anytime," I nodded and turned my head back to see Zoey coming into the kitchen. "Hey cuz," I said to her.
"JC, Damien, is everything alright?" she asked and looked between us.
"Now, yeah," Damien nodded, "I'll leave you two alone now. Thanks again, JC," he added and got up, going back towards what I presumed was his room.
"What was that all about?" Z asked once he was.
"Jack," I answered with a sigh and got up, looking at my cousin. She understood instantly, "on a different subject though, I've been here all night for reasons not really important and I don't have any fitting clothes here for a Catholic funeral, and since you're already dressed, can I borrow something?" I asked.
"Yeah, follow me. Why were you here all night, and did you seriously sleep on the kitchen table again?" my cousin asked as I followed her back to her room.
"Let's just say I walked in on Gwen and Maggie…and that's as far as that comment is going. And yes, I did, I didn't want to bug anyone," I answered.
"You could've came in and asked me," Zoey rolled her eyes.
"That's not how I roll, you know that," I joked and followed after her into the room. Stark was still zonked out on the bed, not having a clue what was going on around him. I then watched as my cousin went over to a small pile of clothes and pulled out a simple black dress.
"For some reason, I have this and the heels here. They both should fit," she whispered to me and handed them over, "put them on and meet me at the car, it's a block down the street," she added and then brushed past me, presumably to her bug.
So what, I was just supposed to change in their room? Looking around, apparently so. I glanced back to Stark again, who snored softly and I had to choke back a giggle. My cousin's Guardian snored…oh the blackmail I had now. Ok, get serious, you need to change and leave!
Sighing, I listened to my mind and turned my back to the bed and Stark. After sending a silent prayer to Nyx for the boy to not wake up (I already went through this with Gwen…I did not need to go through it with Stark) and grabbing my concealer out of my pocket, I quickly shed of my shirt and jeans and slipped the dress on over my head. After that was done, I fashioned the heels on and proceeded to clack my way through the tunnels. Seriously, how do girls walk in heels without making noise? It was amazing enough they could walk in them alone! Oh, yeah, I don't do heels well at all, I just don't have that grace and skill.
Coming back into the kitchen, I noticed Quinn under the table looking up at me. "Should I go too?" she asked curiously.
"That probably wouldn't end well…I can't see how a dog at a funeral would be justified since I'm not blind," I sighed. Honestly, I wanted her to go…but I knew better than that.
"Good point," Quinn conceded, "well, good luck."
"Thanks," I nodded, "behave for everyone here until I get back," I added and went down the opposite side to leave. After getting up the ladder with only minor difficulty (heels and ladders would normally equate to hell), I scrambled down the street to find Zoey in her bug in a parking lot. And she was in the passenger's side too.
"So I take it you want me to drive?" I asked as I got in, noticing the keys already in the ignition.
"I just…don't trust myself to drive right now," Zoey admitted quietly. I could understand and accept that.
"Fair enough," I agreed and started the car before handing her the concealer, "you may want this."
My cousin took it, but then set it to the side, "I don't want to cover my Marks…I'd rather be at the funeral as I am, and you should be that way to."
I couldn't say that I wasn't surprised…but hell, I'd do it anyway. "Alright, just don't let me forget that when we come back," I said and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road, "I'm going to need directions," I added.
That was basically our car ride. Zoey just gave me directions to the church and that was it, otherwise the atmosphere was quiet, sad, and a bit tense. We finally got to our destination, and after squeezing the bug between two, huge SUVs (why does everyone and their mother drive these things?), we were walking into the church.
"Are you going to be okay with this?" I asked quietly before we went in.
Zoey took a deep breath and closed her eyes. I momentarily felt sadness and fear rush through me and realized that was the Charge bond, but it was over. "I'll be okay," she whispered and I followed her into the church.
People were already sitting in pews, so when we walked through it was like one of those awkward scenes in a movie where everyone stares at the person who comes in…that's exactly what happened. Everyone in the pews (who the majority I did not recognize because they weren't even remotely family) turned to look at us, and that froze my cousin.
"Keep walking," I told her, seeing Grandma Redbird and her siblings ahead, "of the two of us here…I'm the weird one," I said and, just to be defiant to everyone, brushed the hair away from my Mark with my tattooed wrist. Yeah, I'm different and I'm damn proud of it!
I let out a sigh of relief when we sat down with Grandma Redbird and the rest of my cousins. The older woman smiled at both of us and enveloped Zo in a hug, "hello, u-we-tsi-a-ge-yv, it is so good to see you again…though not under these circumstances," she mumbled.
While Zoey and her grandmother were greeting each other, I looked around the church. I did not recognize 89% of them. What had John done to this family? I sighed before meeting my cousins' eyes. For once, Hanna didn't have her nose buried in some electronic device and Kevin didn't have his video games. Both looked sad and tired and…surprised since their wide eyes were on me.
Ok, yeah, I was different and proud, but not with my family staring. I smiled slightly at them and spoke the only thing that came to mind, "it's been a while." They only nodded in response. "I'm sorry it had to come about this way," I added and they both looked down and nodded again. I sighed again and looked down, how uncomfortable could this get?
"How did you get through it?" I looked up to meet Hanna's watery eyes, "I mean, you went through this before…I just thought I'd asked."
I nodded, "time. Time was the only thing that got me through the loss, time and acceptance," I answered.
"Always wise," Grandma Redbird smiled at me and then hugged me too, "it is good to see you, wa-ya," she said and pulled back, gently tracing the Marks on my forehead, "another one blessed by Nyx," she breathed.
I smiled a little bit, "it's a long story." She also called me wa-ya because it meant wolf in Cherokee. Since my favorite animal has been the wolf from a very young age and I often times pretended to be a wolf when I was younger, she called me by the animal. The irony in the name was prevalent to a few of us now.
Nothing else was said since the priest came in and the service started. We all sat back in the pew and listened, and my Goddess was it ever uncomfortable! I have nothing against the Catholic faith, my father was a devout Catholic and at a time, so was I, but the service was just so wrong for this family and for Aunt Linda! I could hardly contain myself from shouting half way through it. The only thing that kept me from doing so was Zoey and her siblings, Grandma Redbird who was able to sit through it politely, and my father.
Yeah, I found my dad…and he found me…and confusion was written all over his face. I was going to have a lot of explaining to do by the time the reception came. Oh, and I also found John, and that was less than pleasant. Any chance he got when those "friends" of his weren't trying to console him, he turned to glare at Zoey…and then me. And I mean absolutely no disrespect to the dead, but if looks could kill, this would be my funeral.
But anyway, I sat through the funeral with little comment, even though there was so much to say. Aunt Linda was Cherokee, Grandma Redbird should have planned this funeral, Zoey, Kevin, and Hanna should have been a huge part of it. None of this should have been done by John…something I had to restrain myself from saying when he got up to give the eulogy. He had absolutely no right to be up there giving that.
Zoey and her siblings were sobbing, and I was slightly glad we were there, even though I was fuming, because I think it helped them with all the crap going on. Grandma Redbird was comforting Zo and I had somehow found myself in the grasp of a crying Hanna. I didn't mind, I believed my older cousin to still be cool even with what she turned into in high school.
The funeral was long (as a lot of Catholic funerals were) and when the time came for the funeral procession, I kinda had to wrench my neck out of Hanna's grasp to watch. Dad was one of the pallbearers, as was John (ugh), and a few other guys I didn't recognize. I heard the opening notes to 'Amazing Grace' start playing on an organ and only sighed again. It wasn't right…nothing of this funeral was right!
"This isn't right," Zoey muttered and shook her head, "this isn't right…she wouldn't want this. Not my mom, not my real mom."
I looked down at her other two siblings. They both heard her and nodded in silent agreement, even Grandma Redbird, who had been especially respectful throughout the whole thing, agreed. I turned to look around, some patrons seemed pleased, others looked uncomfortable. Even my father was uncomfortable with this being played for her.
This couldn't happen. It simply could not happen. This was Aunt Linda's funeral, not what John wanted to put on as a show for his friends and fellow People of Faith, and I was going to stop it if it was the last thing I did. "Nyx give me strength," I whispered quietly before standing up. Everyone in the pew looked at me in question, I just gave them a small smile and walked to the end of the pew.
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song (uh oh, uh oh)
Ok, cliché, yeah, I know and I didn't really give a shit. This was better than anything else that could happen. I managed to get that in before the opening words to 'Amazing Grace'. People were in surprise and muttering as many of the guests turned back to look at me. A lot of them were just confused, but I caught the eye of John and my dad, if looks could kill I'd be dead and buried six feet under the way John had it, Dad just smiled and gave me a slight nod. Good, so long as he approved I'd continue.
Nyx make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my daughter
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even gray but she buries her baby
Call it personal liberty, but yeah, I changed it a bit. I squeezed Zoey's hand and gently placed my other on Grandma Redbird's shoulder. The music to 'Amazing Grace' had stopped now and all eyes were on me…though hopefully not for very long. The funeral procession should be starting, and I flicked my eyes to notice the pallbearers were getting ready for that. Good, they weren't dense.
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life
Well I've had just enough time
By now, my cousins were singing with me, as well as a few other patrons to the funeral. The real patrons, the ones who knew Aunt Linda for who and what she was before John.
And I'll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger
I've never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
There's a boy here in town says he'll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
And they were marching through as I sang. The pall-bearers were carrying the casket down the aisle. When they passed by our pew, I caught my father's eye and he smiled at me with the slightest hint of a nod. I'd done right this time, that was all that counted.
So put on your best boys, and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I've been singing
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
Uh oh, the ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need them oh
The sharp knife of a short life
Well I've had just enough time
So put on your best boys
And I'll wear my pearls
People were filing out. Some of them stayed for the whole thing and listened, others just seemed disgusted and left. Good riddance to them. "Very wise indeed, wa-ya," Grandma Redbird shook me out of my thoughts by hugging me, "thank you."
"She's my family too," I said and hugged her back for a moment, "it just wasn't right. Zoey," I said quietly to my cousin, "we should probably be going…need to get our little flag for the car and all that," I said.
She nodded, "I'll see you guys at the burial and reception," she told her siblings then followed me out to the bug.
I fastened the funeral flag to the car and was about to get in when Zo came and hugged me. "Thank you, JC," she said. Ok really, why was everyone thanking me?
"We're family," I gave the same answer, "now c'mon, we need to get going," I added and we both got into the car. I joined towards the back of the procession and just followed the line. Again, I wasn't quite sure where we were going, but Z didn't need to give me directions, which left her to her thoughts. She looked troubled, and I felt bad, so I attempted to see what was going on in that soul of hers. Surprisingly enough, it worked (I really didn't expect to be able to do that on whim), but her emotions and thoughts were so muddled.
"We'll get through this, all of this, I promise that," I said and let it rattle around in the silence that fell again. Zoey just looked at me in surprise before nodding and going back to looking out the window.
Zoey's POV
My thoughts were everywhere. The funeral could have gone a lot better than what it did. My mom was not Catholic, she was Cherokee like me and Grandma, John got everything so backwards and wrong that it was a bunch of bullpoopie. But JC doing what she did made things better, and in her words, "it took balls."
The burial was not very long, and if anything it just mad things final. Watching the casket with my mom inside of it being lowered into the ground hurt. It hurt a lot because it made it all the more real, there was no turning back after that. My mother was dead and gone, and knowing that brought me to tears again.
JC, standing next to me at the burial, grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently, "she's with my mom and Daniel and Nyx, she'll be okay." The truth in those words was what kept me going.
The reception was where the fun really began. It was held at some hall that John had picked out (of course) and it fit and sat everyone. We got there a bit late because I wanted to stay another couple of minutes at the cemetery to say goodbye, my cousin obliged and gave me some space. When we did get to the reception, the majority of the people were already seated and some of them were eating. The step-loser, however, was still waiting by the door.
"What are you doing here?" he asked the moment we walked through the door.
"She's my mother, John, I'm going to be here," I responded wearily. I really did not want to deal with him too.
"While I do question why such a bad child as yourself is in a house of God, it was not you who I was talking to," John said and glared at my cousin.
"Watch it," JC growled, "I'm blood related to the family here, which is a hell of a lot more than you can say."
"She was my wife you evil spawn of Satan!" he exclaimed.
"And she was my aunt you hypocritical Catholic bastard," she spat back and shouldered her way around him. I followed after her, ignoring the daggers we were both receiving from the step-loser.
I had found Grandma and Hanna and Kevin sitting at a nearby table and went to go sit with them when Jen hesitated to follow. "What's wrong?" I asked and looked back to her.
She swallowed, "nothing…I just really want to talk to Dad, that's all," she answered and then began following me.
"Go," I said, "it's a funeral reception. I should be fine with my family for 15 minutes while you reunite with yours."
JC looked relieved, "thanks, I'll be back soon," she told me and went off to go find and probably explain to her father just exactly what was going on with her Mark.
I went and sat down with my siblings and Grandma. They offered me food, but I really wasn't hungry. Actually, all I wanted to do was go back to the tunnels and sleep this whole day off, preferably in the arms of Stark. Obviously, that couldn't happen…but I could always wish it.
"So why did John stop you?" Hanna asked, trying to start some conversation.
"He doesn't want me or JC here," I answered simply. It shouldn't surprise them, "I'm a bad child and JC's a spawn of Satan."
"Why didn't you cover your Marks up? It probably wouldn't have causes such a mess if you did, especially with our cousin," Kevin asked, glancing at Jen who was talking with Uncle Pete, "why is her Mark like that?"
"It wouldn't have made a difference, John knows I'm a fledgling and JC is still the 'other man's family,' so there wasn't a point," I sighed, "and it's a long story why her Mark is purple. How are you guys doing?" I asked to change the subject. I was already dealing with my mom's funeral…I didn't want to think about the House of Night stuff too.
Kevin and Hanna launched into what they're lives were like after my Marking. I was surprised they even noticed my absence. I mean, we all used to be close when we were younger…then John came into our lives and ruined that too. Other than the crap they had with John and Mom's death, they were doing alright, and I was happy to hear it.
Our conversation took a turn to a bad direction when my sister noticed something. "Zoey," she mumbled and pointed behind me, "is that…?" she trailed off. I looked back to where she was pointing and…oh my Goddess!
"Yes," I breathed, "yeah…it's him."
"Who, who is him?" Kevin asked, looking at the man my sister and I were looking at. He wouldn't remember, he was incredibly young when it all happened. Hell, I could hardly remember, but there wasn't a doubt in my mind that was my father.
"He is no one, u-we-tsi," Grandma answered and put her hand on his, "he is no one of any importance, at least."
"Hanna, I don't…" I went to look at my sister, but she was already up and approaching him. Feeling about a thousand different emotions, I pushed them back and got up to followed after her. This wasn't going to turn out well.
My sister and I walked over to stand in front of him, which only got more awkward as time went on. None of us said anything, Hanna and I were waiting for him to speak first and he was waiting for us…though I did notice his eyes lingered on my Mark way longer than I would have liked.
Finally, he started the conversation, "my girls…"
"Henry?" I looked back to find Uncle Pete and JC walking over to us as well. That was the distraction and conversation starter we needed.
"Peter," my father nodded to him and looked at his niece, "Jennifer, you look so much like your father except for those eyes. Those eyes are Anna's, definitely Anna's…and the Mark…"
"Is a blessing from Nyx," JC cut him off brusquely and crossed her arms, "what are you doing here, Henry? You leave for what…14 years and decide to come back now, at a funeral of all things?"
Henry let out a slight, nervous chuckle, "and hotheaded and protective. You're more like your mother than you think."
"I know damn straight how I'm like my mother. Answer my question," she ordered. Uncle Pete placed a hand on her shoulder, either to calm her down or give her a warning…or both. Either way, my cousin let out an audible breath and relaxed just the slightest. She was making a bigger commotion than we were, probably because Hanna and I didn't know what to feel yet, and because this was her family. For as long as I could remember, Jenny was family-oriented and protective, anyone that hurt her family she hated, whether they had an explanation for it or not and whether it was accidental or not. There was that side showing.
"Actually, I would like an answer to that question as well," I agreed finally. I didn't trust him, and quite frankly I didn't want him here, he was my father by blood and that was it. I think JC picked up on that fact quickly.
"This is my wife's funeral, no matter how long we were apart. I want to be here for her and I want to be here for my kids," Henry answered, looking at me and my sister.
"Your kids?" Hanna asked, "you've been gone for 14 years and you think you have any right to call us your kids! Kevin doesn't even know who you are…and he doesn't need to know now! You have no right to be here, absolutely no right!" she yelled. Unlike JC, Hanna was hotheaded and hurt…ok, not that much of a difference.
"She's right, you know," I agreed, much more calm. Hell, I dealt with Neferet and all that crap going on in my life, there was no need to get worked up over my father coming back. "You shouldn't be here, how did you even know about this funeral? You weren't at Grandma Montgomery's funeral and you weren't at Aunt Anna and Daniel's either…so why now? Why do you appear now?" I asked, feeling a bit of a boost in bravery from Spirit.
I snuck a glance at JC and Uncle Pete, who were thankfully keeping their mouths shut. Don't get me wrong, I loved that they were here to help us, but this was something Hanna and I needed to do. Still, Jen was fuming to the point I thought I saw smoke coming out of her nostrils and my uncle…calm, cool, and always collected Uncle Pete looked pissed.
"I really am back here for you guys. I didn't know if your mother remarried or not, and if he would want you or not," Henry started. He made it sound like we were just some possessions, not human beings, or in my case a vampyre. "I want to be here for you guys, you need one parent around. Though I admit, I didn't expect to have this kind of welcome home," he explained.
"What the hell did you expect us to do? Celebrate because our long-lost father who ran out on us was back?" Hanna asked, "sorry to tell you Henry, but you aren't going to get that sort of thing…not from us."
"And we have Grandma Redbird," I told him bluntly, "we don't need you around because we have her. Now, you really should leave."
"I really don't think you have a right to tell me to leave," Henry started.
"Like hell they do!" JC exclaimed and stepped right into his face, "unless my father has anything to say to you, then you really should leave before things go bad," she warned, her voice dropping three levels quieter. Her hands were clenched into fists…she was serious.
"Everything I ever had to say to him I said three days after he left," Uncle Pete responded, "go Henry, because I can't and won't stop my daughter from doing what she wants to you."
"Get out," my cousin ground out through her teeth. Henry hesitated only a moment before sighing, turning around, and walking out of the reception…and out of our lives once again.
And that was a cue for John to come over. "That man had no right to come to this funeral!" he shouted loudly, probably to make a point to his friends.
"Glad to know you had the guts to tell him," Uncle Pete muttered sardonically (another Damien word) and rolled his eyes before giving JC's shoulder a squeeze and walking away. Huh, apparently he didn't like the step-loser either.
"The other man, he left Linda and had no right," John stated again, choosing to ignore my uncle.
"You are such a hypocritical bastard," JC let out a dark laugh, "but I actually agree with you."
"How is it hypocritical, you child of evil?" he asked back and glared. Goddess, I swear it was almost like they were using pet names with each other…ew, weird place to go, mind!
"Oh please," she rolled her eyes, "I'm young John, not stupid. The blonde bimbo over there, the one someone mentioned was your secretary, please! Like you haven't been doing her for months. The other man shouldn't be here, but he has better reason than the other woman."
The step-loser was actually flustered. Hell, so were me and Hanna! His secretary…was she being serious? By the look in Jen's eyes and on her face, she was. Oh my Goddess, this was so weird and so gross! Bleh! And Mom...oh my Goddess, if she found out... "You would say that, you have to defend him," he sneered the word, "because you're blood related. I can see the similarities."
Oh crap. That had to have been the worst possible thing to say to her…and John was going to find out very quickly. JC's entire stance became deadly, just for an instant, and then…bam! Her fist met with John's face. Even though I knew it was coming, I had to cover my mouth to keep from giggling…what, he deserved it! "I am nothing, NOTHING like Henry," she snarled and hit him again, "absolutely nothing!"
It didn't go any further. Two of John's friends came up and restrained my cousin, literally throwing her out of the reception based on his request. I was surprised, and it took Hanna to get me out of it. "I always knew she was feisty," she muttered and shook her head, "but wow."
I nodded and went towards the entrance to go talk to her. John attempted to stop me, "if you go after her…you're no better than she is. Are you really going to do that to your own mother?" he asked.
"My mother, my real mother, would want me to…so don't you dare pretend to know what she would want," I told him and stormed out the door.
JC's POV
Ok, admittedly, that was really stupid. I knew that directly after the second punch, and that was why I didn't fight the people who restrained me…though I really wanted to. I had just lost my cool and punched someone at my aunt's funeral! What in the hell was wrong with me?
I let out a groan when my ass connected with the cement sidewalk because, yes, for some reason those two idiots that directed me out decided it would be cool to literally throw me out of the funeral. The groan wasn't because it hurt (even though yes…being thrown onto pavement did, in fact hurt) but because I was such an idiot. I let out another groan and squinted my eyes at the clear sky. The sun was not pleasant either, but I would deal. What I needed to do was let out the rest of my frustrations, those directed to Henry and John and now myself. I mean, I just got kicked out of a funeral!
"Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck, fuck, fuck!" I screamed to nothing in particular. And hey, don't knock it 'til you try it…because after doing that, I did feel a good bit better. I still felt like an idiot, but I felt better.
"JC Redbird," I looked up to see Zoey coming out, shaking her head, "of all the people, I would think you over everyone else wouldn't have such a potty mouth!" she exclaimed and I snorted, "especially when your father is still inside!"
"At this exact moment, Z," I stated, "I simply do not give a flying shit. That was, ugh, that was so stupid and irresponsible of me!" I said, and Goddess did I ever feel bad. I got kicked out of a funeral because I caused a ruckus, and it was Zoey's mom's funeral. That…and I wasn't thinking about the fact that I might not be able to be in there with her for the rest of the time. You are an idiot, JC, a complete idiot.
"Yeah, I'll agree to that," she smirked, "but it wasn't unwarranted. What John said, saying you were similar to Henry…that was way out of line and based on nothing."
"Don't try to justify it, it was just stupid and reckless," I sighed and rubbed at my forehead, "I just…lost my cool. Between Henry showing up, and John, and the remaining feelings from having to explain to Dad, it was like system overload. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to destroy that or get kicked out," I said and looked to my cousin.
"It's alright. And just wait until you have to tell everyone that you got kicked out of a funeral," Z joked and I smiled a bit. Inwardly, I really didn't want anyone to know that I managed to get myself kicked out of a funeral, "but what do you mean about the remaining feelings, did Uncle Pete not take it well?"
"He took it like a champ," I said, "which was really surprising. It didn't make it any less nerve wracking, however."
"Then, understandable," Zoey smiled, "c'mon…let's go back in there," she added and offered a hand.
"Z, I just got kicked out of there. Or thrown out is more like it…literally," I sighed but took her hand then brushed myself off.
"Yeah, but you're with me. No one can tell me that you shouldn't be there," she answered like it was nothing. Alright then, I'd follow after her back into the lion's den.
Surprisingly, however, it didn't go that bad. I mean, everyone knew what just happened and what I did and were giving me leery looks, but they left me alone…the people I wanted to be left alone from anyway (if that makes any sense). I spent the rest of the reception with Z, Hanna, Kevin, and Grandma Redbird and occasionally Dad. Apparently, because he was an adult, he had to socialize with the others even though he didn't like them much either. Truth was, he was secretly proud of me…and after I saw that I gave John a black eye, I was twistedly proud too. That was probably wrong to think, especially at a funeral, but oh well. I got my point across, and people left me and Zoey and her siblings alone, that was all I needed.
So the rest of the day went pretty well, except for Zoey. I could just tell her emotions and thoughts were everywhere, and that was going to have to come out relatively soon. It actually happened in the car on the way home (we got to leave relatively easily…after a pretty depressing goodbye from my dad and a promise from Grandma Redbird to call later).
I was driving home with my cousin slumped in the passenger's seat, staring out the window. Her mind was going a mile a minute, both her face and our bond told me that. I wasn't going to push matters though, because that could easily result badly, especially when the thoughts focused on Henry, John, and death. Not a good combo in any way you think about it.
"JC?" I glanced at Zoey for a moment and hummed a questioning sound, "can I ask you a favor?" she asked.
"Go ahead, cuz," I nodded.
"It sounds stupid…and childish, but I felt almost relieved when you sang at the funeral. Would you mind doing it again?" Zoey asked. Goddess, she sounded like a sad, troubled child…it damn near broke my heart. It was crap that she had to go through this, and then have Henry and John to deal with on top of the funeral.
Spirit, please come to me and help Z out. "Of course," I agreed and sighed, thinking about my song choice for a second. "And I had a dream about my old school. And she was there all pink and gold and glittering. I threw my arms around her legs, came to weeping, came to weeping. And I heard your voice as clear as day, and you told me I should concentrate. It was all so strange, and so surreal, that a ghost should be so practical."
My cousin was out in a minute…but that was okay, I expected she would be. I continued singing quietly as I drove back to the tunnels and parked the bug where it initially started, then realized my dilemma. Zoey was asleep in the passenger's seat, and she looked so peaceful and content that, after the day she had, I didn't want to wake her. I was also a block from the tunnels. Now, this wouldn't be a problem if I was in normal clothes, I would just pick her up and carry her. However, I was in heels and a dress…that sure as hell wasn't going to happen when I could hardly walk by myself in heels (granted, I had proven that I could throw a punch).
It was almost dark though, and as I caught sight of my arm, I realized Stark was probably still around. So, grabbing Z's phone, which was on the dash with my concealer (I grabbed that too), I pulled up his contact and called…hoping that his phone got service in the tunnels wherever he was. I was in luck.
"Zoey? Are you okay?" Stark answered immediately.
"JC, and she's fine," I said quietly, "just asleep in the car and I could really use some help. Can you meet me half way for the block?" I asked.
"It's night…so sure I guess, why do you need help?" he asked, though I could hear him getting up and moving around.
"I don't want to wake her…and I don't think I'll make a block carrying her with what I'm in. I also really don't feel like starting the bug again," I admitted. I didn't want to drive anymore.
"Fair enough, meet you in five then," Stark agreed and hung up.
"Geeze, no goodbye even," I chuckled and closed the phone. Well, I promised to meet him half way…probably shouldn't have done that, but I better suck it up. Sighing, I unbuckled myself and got out of the car, going around to the other side and opening the other side. Z was still out, and not wanting to wake her, I awkwardly and carefully unbuckled her and managed to get a bridal style hold on her. This was going to be fun!
Shutting the door with my hip, I let out a grunt and started walking that half a block. It was probably a weird sight to see if anyone saw it, but oh well. It was also pretty hard; Zoey wasn't necessarily heavy, but…well, I dare you to try and carry someone in a set of heels! I was relieved when Stark came walking up and easily took her from me.
"I gotta admit, it's a pretty good feat when you can carry her for half a block in heels, especially for the stick you look like," he said once we started going back.
"Thanks," I rolled my eyes, "I got muscle to me…you just can't see it."
"Sure," Stark agreed sarcastically and paused, "everyone else has already gone to school for the night…what should we do with her?" he asked.
"Let her sleep," I sighed, "it was one hell of a day. I'll deal with it when I get there," I answered.
"You sure you want to go? You look like you could use a good day and a half of sleep too," he added, looking me over.
"Couldn't we all?" I asked rhetorically, "I'll be fine…I was an AP student, I know how to handle lack of sleep."
"Are you sure…we could get you a bed…"
"Stark, I'll be fine," I cut him off as I opened the basement door for him, "I don't need a bed, I just need to get back." I walked in after him and heard tags jangling. Quinn appeared from the shadows a moment later, apparently waiting for me.
"If you say so," he shrugged weakly since he was still holding my cousin and all.
"I do say so. Now go lay Z down and I'll hear from you or her later, alright?" I asked.
"If you say so, Priestess," Stark joked and turned away, carefully going down the ladder into the tunnels.
I let out a sigh and watched them go down. I couldn't help but to think that those two needed so much more than what they had. We all did, we were just teenagers, hardly ready or right for what we needed to do.
"And the only solution was to stand and fight. And my body was bruised and I was set alight. But you came over me like some holy rite, and although I was burning, you're the only light," I sang out into the basement. I allowed the words to echo around the basement and allowed the meaning to wash over me before I sighed, shook my head, and stepped out of the basement with Quinn by my side. I'd get my clothes later.