Social Distancing 4
Today was the funeral. After a few sessions of therapy from Dr. Zuzy, it was decided that it was time to spread the ashes of the two babies they had lost.
"It's time to let go." Said the therapist. "Set them free. Moving on doesn't mean forgetting, it means that you're strong enough to let the past be in the past."
After they were born, Ned decided to have them cremated and kept their remains in his office. That was 7 years before.
It was time to move on.
"Come on, girls, it's time." Sally said as she opened the door to the girls' bedroom and opened the curtains to let the light in. The summer sun shone through the room and awoke the girls. They groaned, but got up.
Today was a very important day for their mom and dad.
"Up and at 'em, boys!" Ned said as he came into the boys' room. JoJo rubbed his eyes and groggily got up to get ready as his dad picked up the tiny toddler in the crib.
"Da-da." J. J. said as he was laid on the changing table to be dressed. Sally found a nice suit online for her youngest. It was a three piece dark blue suit, which Ned slipped onto his child.
"Now let's fix your hair." Ned said as J. J. sat up. He took a comb and smoothed down the duck tail that accumulated at the back of J. J.'s neck, which he got from his brother.
As soon as Ned smoothed it down, it poofed back up.
BOING!
"Oh, well." The mayor said as he scooped up J. J.
JoJo straightened his tie and smoothed down his bangs with a brush.
"Snazzy." Ned said.
"Anything for my little brothers." JoJo said. He said it with sympathy. He wanted to be a good support for his parents.
Breakfast came and went without any mishaps where the girls had to change their dresses. They made sure of that. Good thing J. J. wore a bib over his suit when he drank his bottle, as he tended to dribble.
Later that morning, the whole family made their way in the family bus to the edge of the city. Ned's hands were on the wheel, and Sally's hands were on the two little urns.
Besides some idle chatter, the bus ride was silent.
Ned parked the bus on the outskirts of town. He saw that friends, family and acquaintances were already there, waiting for them.
Whoville beach overlooked the ocean and in the distance, Whoville Island was in sight at the right, Who York on the left.
Usually, Ned only came here to catch a ferry to either district for business purposes, but not today.
Sally attached the pearl necklace Ned had given her after the babies were cremated around her slender neck.
She breathed deeply, sighed, then said "okay".
"Good morning, Mrs. Mayor." Pastor LaWho held out his hand to help Sally from the bus. "Fine day for spreading ashes."
"Yes, so it is." She said, helping her children out of the bus.
As soon as everyone was seated, the funeral began.
"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the ceremony of life for Jacob Nicholas McDodd and Joshua Stewart McDodd, two babies who tragically never got the chance to live life. My name is Pastor LaWho, and I've been asked to perform the funeral for these two innocent souls."
The pastor took out the Seuss Bible and began reading scriptures, saying that the babies were in a better place, that their lives were cut short before entering the world, and how heartbreaking it was for the mayor and his wife.
Ned held Sally's hand to keep her from losing it, as she shook with tears coming. He didn't want her to drop the urns.
"Would anyone like to say a few words about the deceased?" Pastor LaWho asked.
Marty and Lucy talked about how they comforted their friends during their time of grief, Ned and Sally's parents talking about how difficult it was to not have the honor of being the babies' grandparents, Jed and Isabella talked about moving on after death.
Surprisingly, JoJo spoke up. He made it to the front and began to speak.
"I love my sisters and I've always wanted brothers, and even though I've never met them, I do care for these two little boys. And I believe that they loved us so much, that they gave us a little miracle, my brother, J. J.!" He held up his little brother, who squealed with delight.
"Aww!" Everyone said.
"We shouldn't be sad and wish that Jacob and Joshua were here, we should celebrate their lives, and that's why we've gathered here on this fine day. These babies brought all of us closer together and made us all happy that we could all spread their ashes together, as a family."
Ned clapped the loudest at the wisdom his son spewed. No doubt about it, that boy really stepped up when he became a brother to a little boy.
It was Ned and Sally's turn.
"My sons were wanted children, just like all of our children, and their lives were cut short so soon. No who knew why their hearts stopped beating. My best guess was that Seuss needed two little angels in His kingdom. However the case, this was was 7 years too late. Better late than never, some would say. No matter. Today is a day of letting go, to move on, to be free. Thank you." Ned said as he held his wife close.
Sally opened her mouth, forcing words to come out.
"I was so happy when I found out that I was having twin boys, and...I blamed myself for what happened. I hated myself for thinking it was my fault they died. I would've done anything to keep them safe. But my husband was at my side the whole way through, reassuring me that there wasn't anything I could've done, that such things happen." She took a deep breath. "A mother's intuition is real, and I still don't know what happened when my babies stopped moving inside me. I guess it wasn't their time. I'd like to think they went peacefully." She shuddered. "Whatever the case may be, I'm sure Jacob and Joshua, my sweet babies, would be happy to know that they are surrounded by Whos who love them. Even though they aren't here with us, they will always be my little babies. Thank you."
Everyone clapped, as what Sally said was very touching, and so brave to admit her feelings. Sally felt on fire as she stood to the side by her husband.
"And now, if we are ready..." Pastor LaWho asked.
Sally handed Ned Joshua's urn and she carried Jacob's to the edge of the cliff.
Sally kissed her babies' urns before she and her husband took the lids off.
With a heavy heart, and a handful of her child in ash form, Sally whispered.
"Until we meet again, my sweeties."
She kissed her hand, before letting go.
As she opened her hand, the wind blew the ashes into the sky. Ned and Sally watched as the ashes of their twin boys danced across the beautiful morning sky, as if they were playing a game of chase before disappearing into Heaven.
Sally put down her urn and began to sob.
Ned embraced his wife and stroked her hair as she wept.
Two little angelic figures came up from the urns, their faint, delicate wings carrying them above the ground.
It was Jacob and Joshua. They flew to their Mommy and Daddy, oblivious to why they were sad. Jacob saw his Mommy's tear and went to wipe it, as if to say "don't cry, Mommy." Joshua climbed up Ned's shoulder, as if to say "here I am, Daddy."
Sally felt her tear being wiped and she opened her eyes, seeing a little butterfly near her cheek. Ned turned his head to see what was touching his shoulder, and saw another little butterfly perched on his shoulder.
"Jacob?" Sally asked.
"Joshua?" Ned asked as well.
Jacob and Joshua kissed their Mommy and Daddy on the noses before they flew away into the sky.
Ned and Sally watched in amazement as the two butterflies flew off.
And they both smiled, their hearts feeling much lighter.
As Ned stroked his wife's shoulder, he admired the beautiful scene of acceptance and letting go.
The Whoronavirus was a thing of the past, and his son's were now angels in Seuss' heaven.
He breathed in the fresh air.
Today was a new day.
The end.