Chapter 8:The Funeral
Paige Family Estate graveyard Surrey, England
The day was overcast and the air was crisp as 23 family members sat in a line in front of four graves two freshly dug. While Father Jackson stood between the coffins containing Elizabeth and Isabella. The rest of the guests sat behind the family.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the lives and say goodbye to Elizabeth Nicole Paige nee Anderson and Isabella Rose Coulter nee Berlusconi nee Rossi. I had the honor of going to school with Elizabeth and Isabella from kindergarten until we graduated high school. We were thick as thieves and when George and Charles joined our group in middle school they fit right in. I was George's best man and he married Elizabeth. I was a groomsman when Isabella married her first husband Alessandro. I was there when their children were born. I witnessed the unbelievable strength of both Isabella and Charles as they stepped up to the plate as they became single parents after they tragically lost their spouses and somehow managed to blend their family. I watched as each of their grandchildren were born. I proceed over the funeral of George and Charles and it is with heavy heart that I am standing before you today. Elizabeth and Isabella were my lifelong best friends and some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Their first love after their families was their friends. They always had time for others . If they were not with family and/or friends they were giving their time to those less fortunate then they were
I think I speak for everyone here when I say that they will be missed. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents Dina and Marcus Anderson and her Husband George Paige. While Isabella is preceded by her parents Maria and Luca Rossi, Her first husband Alessandro Berlusconi, her eldest child and daughter Sofia Isabelle Berlusconi, Her eldest son Edward Luca Coulter Sr and her second husband Charles Edward Coulter. Elizabeth left behind her three children Marisa Dina Coulter nee Paige, Amelia Elizabeth Aino nee Paige and adopted daughter Kristin Anne Paige. Followed by her six grandchildren Mina Marcia Aino, Robin Nicole Paige Coulter, Aria Rose Paige Coulter, Anna Maria Paige Coulter, Lyra Marie Paige Belacqua, and Lex Kayla Paige Belacqua. Isabella leaves behind her four children and daughter in law. Aurora Lucia Berlusconi and Lucille May Berlusconi, Jason Adam Coulter Sr, Annalise Elizabeth Coulter, and her stepson Daichi Chibi Hino nee Coulter. Followed by their eight grandchildren Rei Kiko Hino, Robin Nicole Paige Coulter, Aria Rose Paige Coulter, Anna Maria Paige Coulter, Edward Luca Coulter Jr, Monique Isabell Coulter, Angel Violet Coulter, Jason (Jay) Adam Coulter Jr.
Before we lower the coffins into the ground and tossed our roses on them Elizabeth and Isabella wanted anyone who wanted to come up and say something to have the opportunity to. A Blonde haired gray eyed woman got up and walked the podium.
"For those of you who don't Know me my name is Aurora Berlusconi. My mother was the best mom anyone could ask for. When our father passed away in a car accident when my sister and I were eight I did not know how we would move past our loss. But my mother drew herself up by her bootstraps and carried on. She always put my sister and I first. We need something we got it even if it meant that she went without. I remember when Charles first asked her to date him before she even said yes she sat my sister and I how we felt about it. When they married there was no his or her children there was only their children.
As A teenager when I realized I was gay I was terrified to tell my parents and godparents especially my tradintional mother and godmother. However when I sat them down and told them they did not care. Mother looked me in the eye and said my sweet darling girl you are my child. I carried you for eight months while you and Sofia used my insides for soccer practice. I was by your side through every scraped knee, sickness, you and Sofia were my source of strength after your father died. There is nothing you could ever do that would make me stop loving and supporting you. All I ever wanted for you is for you to find some to love as much as I loved your father and I love you dad. Elizabeth told me you are my goddaughter. I will love you no matter what. As long as they treat you like the precious treasure that you are, I do not care who you love. My dad and my Uncle George walked me down the aisle when I married my wife Lucille and my mother and Aunt Elizabeth cried. We have been happily married for ten years. They were both amazing women and they will be missed. " she said with tears running down her face.
Few more people stood up to talk before Mina came up to talk. "One of my earliest memories of Grandma Elizabeth I was when I was almost five. Robin had just turned two and it was the day that Ari and Anna were born. She came over to where Robin and I were sitting. Then handed Ari to me and helped Robin hold Anna. She looked at us. And said my shining star and my little ballerina these two girls will look up to you. They will want to do whatever you do and I want you to promise that you will always make time for them. You four are Paige girls and Paige girls always stick together. From that day on I was always there for my cousins when they needed me. Every dance recital and concert for Robin, every soccer or basketball game, Ari, every art contest for Anna I was there and vice versa until I moved back to Japan. I would have done the same for Lyra and Lex but they were too young to be involved in anything. This is the most important lesson that Grandma taught me to always stick by and support your family." Mina said through tears.
Robin walked up next. "My Grandma's were the most loving and accepting people you would have ever met. The day of my fathers funeral I was a mess. Now it is no secret that my Father and I were not close and I wasn't torn up about his death. However I was sad because I remembered the few good times we had as a family and there was no chance for me and my siblings to meet the person that mother grew up with. I felt guilty that by helping my mother lie to my father I helped lead to his death. Both my grandma's told me that my parents actions were their own and not my fault. Grandma Isabella and Grandpa Charles warmed up right up to Lyra and Lex. Instead of seeing two little girls who indirectly caused their son's death. They saw two little girls in need of another set of grandparents since their father's parents died years before. They loved Lyra and Lex like their own and that tells you everything you need to know about my grandparents. " Robin finished as she broke down in tears. The coffins were lowered into the ground and one by one the guests came up and tossed their roses while offering their condolences to the family. As they were getting ready to leave the grave site the girls heard the last three voices they expected to hear say
"Hello girls it has been a while.
AN: Isabella and Charles wanted to be buried with George and Elizabeth. They also have a tombstone at the Coulter family Estate. Thanks to my beta reader Aelin