I'm preparing to complete this story. It will have at least 9-10 chapters of this story. It will follow Mila after the death of her daughter and how Mila will cope with other children and learn how to live life afterward. (I'm writing out Peter as I was considering to start a love story, but given the circumstances to the story, I'm going to keep the story as a crime story without the romance. I am planning to end the story soon, so I'm wrapping up.)
The coffin is fair-sized and cherry-colored. It is perfectly polished with cushioned and silky lining. It looks quite inviting. It is good to know that my daughter is resting in a comfortable place. The funeral is held inside of a small church, everyone sits silently in the rows, all dressed in appropriate dark attire.
I stare down at Alessa's body. She looks so peaceful, dressed in a sparkling blue dress and matching shoes, her dark hair curled and brushed. It almost looks like she is in deep slumber. I do not take the triplets to see Alessa's corpse. I'm not sure why. The children are starting to talk, with Selyse being able to form complete sentences. They will ask me questions about Alessa and I don't think I'll be able to explain to them without breaking down.
She's dead. I can't keep thinking of all of the articles I have read for two weeks straight. The coroner has already confirmed her cause of death. Asphyxiation. She's dead. She is dead. I couldn't believe it. It seemed so unfathomable to me. It did not make sense.
I find myself gazing down at Alessa for an undefined amount of hours. My soul floats out of my body, rendering me to a paralyzed statue. I only snap out of this stupor when Dad places a warm hand on my shoulder.
"She is in a better place." Dad's eyes are puffy, his skin reddish. "She is looking down at us from Heaven."
I say nothing as I have nothing to say. I reach a hand towards Alessa, tracing my fingers on her soft skin. My warm fingers contrast her cold skin. I simply want to see her beautiful blue eyes one more time. I want to see the cherubic sparkle that she possessed. See her bubbly smile. Anything that resembled life.
But I know that will never happen.
Dad has to escort me back to my seat as I feel my emotions overwhelm me.
"Mama?" Selyse pulls at my black dress as I sit in the row. My triplets are sitting close to me, Selyse is on my right, Watson is on my left, and Hope sitting next to him. Her little hand is reaching for my purse because she knows I have a pack of Hershey bars in there. "I want some chocolate!" She squeaks. Selyse is only one year old and unaffected by death. A little innocent light with so much ebullience. She possesses the innocence I yearn for.
I personally did not want an explosive tantrum out of Selyse, so I hand her one piece of chocolate. Selyse's eyes flash with jubilant delight and she jams the chocolate into her mouth, relishing every bite.
"Honey?" I turn my head behind me to see Nancy holding little Ellie in her arms. Nancy is weeping softly to herself, little Ellie is sitting quietly in her lap, visibly confused to the emotional environment.
I force out a small smile to Ellie. She, fortunately, looks almost nothing like her biological mother with her strawberry blonde curls, her button nose, round face, and a fair complexion. The only part of Amanda she did have was her brown eyes. It's hard to believe that she is the daughter of two psychopathic murderers. I can only hope that Nancy and Dad will be able to tactfully explain to her about her parentage when she's older.
The burial is long and hard to watch. The bittersweet music of "Amazing Grace," plays in the studio. Relatives giving their heartfelt eulogies. I'm inconsolable, sobbing unceasingly. Releasing out all of my emotions like a broken faucet.
I hold Watson in my arms, his little arms wrapped around my neck. Selyse presses on her head on my side and Hope is staring at me full of confusion.
Nancy approaches me when the burial concludes. She embraces me lovingly, rustling my hair and planting a soft kiss on my cheek. "It is alright, it is alright," Nancy whispers in my ear. "We will help you no matter what. I promise you. We will come by your penthouse, we will help you get to work."
I shake my head vehemently. "No! No!" I have already made up my mind. I'm leaving. I'm leaving Seattle, I have already quit my job two days ago. Mr. Hamming was understanding of my situation and bid me a kind farewell.
"I'm leaving! I'm leaving!" I bawl.
Nancy arches an eyebrow. "Oh! Well.." Her voice falters. "Where?"
I can't form a coherent sentence. "ANYTHING! ANYWHERE! DOESN'T MATTER! ANYWHERE?" I wail.
Nancy flinches abruptly from the intensity of my voice. "Mila, Mimi, please. Calm down." She whispers gently. Her voice is tender and compassionate, sending warmth down my icy veins.
"I'm leaving! I can't leave here anymore! I can't." I weep.
Nancy smiles faintly. "Tell us where and we will help you." She encourages me.
I sniffle loudly. "Thank you! Thank you!" I whisper brokenly. "I'm planning on moving away from the state of Washington. I want to start anew and give the triplets a prospective childhood.
I have decided to move to a place that is familiar. Littleton, Colorado. The same town that I used to live with my Mother before she died. I remember Littleton as idyllic and affluent, so I'm glad to finally return to it. I know that the triplets will love it there. I have already packed up all of my belongings to move away. I have moved out of my previous apartment and all of the boxes are in my SUV.
"I'm going to Colorado. Returning back home. Seattle was never home to me." I admit.
Nancy nods understandably. "I understand, honey. Me and your Father are planning to move away as well. Your father has finally retired and we are planning to move to a more idyllic environment."
I hear the high pitched giggle of Ellie ringing in the dismal air. Dad is holding her, bouncing the giggling little girl up and down.
"What about work?" Nancy probes me.
I somewhat have a plan for that. I've been actively searching for secretary positions, but I haven't received a call yet. "Don't worry, Nancy. I have everything under control. I just need to go away."
Nancy nods and gives me a light kiss on the cheek. "I love you, sweetheart."
"Thank you." I sniffle.
I simply listen to Nancy as my patience floats within me. Nancy smiles faintly at me. "Well I know a person that can help you."
Nancy promptly shows me a photo of a man named Christopher Dugard. He looks to be in his mid-40s, well dressed, dark-haired, broad-shouldered, and big green eyes. "He can help you, he's one of your father's friends. He owns multiple businesses and will happily give you money. He owns a successful publishing business and fashion business."
I smile at Nancy. "Thank you." I know that I will need all of the help I can get.
Next chapter will come soon. Since I'm finishing this story, the updates will come sooner. I'm planning on focusing on finishing this story before updating any other stories. In the next chapter, Mila must find income for her new life in a different state. Still grieving her child, Mila must do whatever she can to provide for her surviving children.
