Chapter Twenty-Six
Two days later, Gunn and Erik stood outside a small, non-denominational chapel talking quietly as mourners filed slowly into the sanctuary. The shock and sadness on their faces was mirrored in everyone they passed, an eclectic group of the best kind of people the world had to offer. A smile ghosted across Erik's face as he thought about how pissed off Angela would be, seeing everyone so morose. 'C'mon, people! Laugh! Share a story about something stupid I did with you! Retell a joke I told you that made you double over in laughter….don't be sad, celebrate my life!' Angela's voice nagged at him as he watched Booth lead Brennan over to the front pew, passing by Billy, who was quietly playing 'The Sky is Crying' on his guitar as he sat facing his daughter's coffin. Erik stood silently, fascinated, as Booth laid a hand on Billy's shoulder and squeezed softly as the legendary rocker looked up into Booth's eyes and nodded. Brennan leaned to kiss Billy, who stopped playing for a moment and grasped Brennan's hand, saying something softly in her ear. Brennan nodded, then moved to embrace Billy, both holding tight for a moment as Booth rubbed soft circles on Brennan's back.
Erik's attention was diverted by the sight of a young man with unkempt hair and wearing an ill-fitting suit entering the sanctuary with what looked to be a guard by his side. He felt Gunn lean into him to whisper in his ear. "That must be Zack." Erik nodded and watched as Zack walked slowly down the aisle towards the casket, stopping a few feet away with a pained look on his face. The guard patted his back and moved to take a seat a few rows back, leaving Zack to pay his respects in peace. Suddenly, the door to the pastor's room opened and Hodgins stepped out, wearing a muted charcoal suit with a loud, multi-colored tie. He crossed immediately to Zack, who embraced him awkwardly at first, then with an almost desperate grip. The two men stood in the middle of the aisle, holding each other for a few moments before Hodgins broke the embrace and led Zack to Angela. They each kept an arm around the other as they stood in front of the coffin, Zack swaying slightly. Hodgins nodded to his friend, and then led him over to the first row where Booth and Brennan stood. Brennan stood and hugged Zack tightly, then released him as Booth placed a hand on his shoulder and patted him softly. Zack nodded at Booth and wiped his nose, then settled next to Brennan on the pew.
Erik turned to tell Gunn that is was time they headed inside when he saw something had drawn Gunn's attention away from the chapel. Daisy moved slowly up towards the ramp to the church, pushing Sweets in a wheelchair. Gunn rushed down to take over for her, grabbing the handles and chauffeuring Sweets up the low rising ramp.
"Lance! I'm glad to see you!" Erik reached over to shake Sweets hand. "But I can't believe they let you out of the hospital so soon."
"They didn't." Daisy huffed, still a little miffed. Sweets gave her a look. "Lance, I understand. I do. But as sad as I am about Angela, I couldn't survive it if something else happened to you!"
"I'm fine, Daisy. We'll go back to the hospital right after, I promise." Sweets looked down at his lap, picking at the fabric of his suit pants. "I just need to be here now. Please let it go."
Gunn and Erik shared a glance but stayed quiet as Daisy ran a hand over Sweets' shoulder and nodded quietly. "I'm sorry, Lance."
"Don't be, Daisy." He looked over his shoulder at Gunn. "Let's get in there." Gunn nodded and began pushing him into the sanctuary.
Inside, Billy had resumed his gentle guitar playing while the pews began to fill rapidly. Brennan turned from where she was listening to Booth speaking quietly to Zack, looking at the mourners filing in as if she were looking from someone specifically. A familiar face brought her out of her reverie and she quickly stood to greet the new arrival.
"Dr. Goodman." She said, reaching to take his hand and nodding to his wife beside him.
Daniel took Brennan into a gentle hug, murmuring softly in her ear. "I am so, so sorry, Temperance." His wife, Elaine, patted her on the back as she passed, taking a seat in the closest pew. He drew back and looked her in the eye. "Are you alright?"
Shaking her head, Brennan took his hand and led him to the first pew. "Not now. Someday soon, I hope." As she reached her seat, Booth and Zack, seeing Daniel, both stood and greeted him.
"Dr. Goodman. It's good to see you. I just wish the circumstances were different." Booth said as he grasped the older man's hand.
"Agent Booth, you're looking well." Daniel nodded and turned to Zack. "Dr. Addy. I am pleased to see you were able to be here."
At a loss as to what was appropriate to say, Zack only dipped his head in acknowledgement. Goodman moved down the pew, shaking hands with the few others he knew in attendance, and then looked behind him at where Hodgins stood next to the casket. "If you'll all excuse me? Temperance." Brennan nodded and sank back down into her seat, watching as Daniel moved to embrace Hodgins, speaking softly for a few minutes. He then moved to the front of the casket, head bowed, lips moving softly and quietly as he prayed. He laid one hand on top of the casket for a moment, then turned and sat down next to his wife a few seats back.
Brennan turned to the front and watched with an aching heart as a human tableau of Angela's life passed slowly by her coffin. Former girlfriend Roxy Lyon was one of the few Brennan actually recognized, but all seemed to be just as devastated as those gathered in the designated family area at the front of the sanctuary. Sid slowed long enough to cross himself and knock on the glossy oak with a muttered 'Buona notte, innamorato' under his breath as he passed. Closing her eyes for a moment, Brennan tried to relax and center all her thoughts on Angela and the eulogy she was about to give for her best friend. She reached over and grabbed Booth's hand, using him as an anchor as she mentally prepared herself for the hardest single thing she would ever have to do.