The day of Marie's funeral was cloudy and overcast although no rain was expected.

Mox sat silently next to Roman in the back of Roman's limousine as McIntyre expertly drove them to the cemetery. Blue eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, Mox stared out the window. He'd forced himself to eat a slice of toast for breakfast and was hoping he'd be able to keep it down. His stomach was churning…

As they reached the entrance to the cemetery, McIntyre slowed down and lowered the driver's side window. A man leaned down and spoke a few words before backing away.

Mox glanced at the men standing at the entrance, then turned to Roman. "Who are they?"

"Guards to make sure Leah doesn't show up," Roman casually explained. "They volunteered and will do whatever's necessary to keep her out." He smirked. "I told them I'd fix any…legal problems."

Mox turned his head to look out the back window. "Why'd they volunteer?"

"They were part of Ali's crew," Roman explained. "Joe killed Ali. But you eliminated Joe." He saw the confusion on Mox's face and inwardly sighed. "They felt they owed you, and this is a way to pay that debt."

Mox started to say something, then closed his mouth. He felt the car slowing down and took several deep breaths.

"C'mon. We'll get through this." Roman's voice was soft and comforting. "Just remember, anything you want changed, we'll change it."

When Mox exited the limousine, he wasn't surprised to see people waiting for them. But he was surprised when Roman's wife approached with a sad smile on her face. Before Mox could say anything, she gently kissed him on the cheek.

"That's from your niece," Galina explained. "She's got a bad cold and understood she couldn't fly."

"She'll be okay, though…right?" Mox asked.

Galina chuckled. "She will. I'm not sure about Dwayne, however. He promised her all the popsicles and yogurt she wanted plus Disney movies 24/7."

Behind them, Roman snickered; and even Mox smiled. He patted Galina's arm then walked to where Kendrick and Ryder stood.

"Thanks for coming," Mox quietly spoke. "You…uh…you didn't have to come, you know."

"Yeah, we did," Kendrick gently corrected.

Mox nodded, then walked to the man he wanted to see. He stopped in front of Jericho and held out his hand.

Jericho, wearing sunglasses of his own, slowly took Mox's hand and shook it.

"Thank you," Mox quietly spoke. "Roman said you were the one who found out about…my…my sister. Found her picture for me. And went to Chicago and arranged all this. I owe you a debt."

After a few seconds, Jericho nodded. "You're welcome."

"Mox?"

Mox released Jericho's hand and turned to see Seth with an older man.

"Jon Moxley, meet Pastor Brian James," Seth introduced. "He conducted my Uncle John's funeral."

Pastor James held out his hand. "Hello, Mr. Moxley. We'll begin whenever you're ready. Is there anything in particular that you would like me to say?"

Mox shook his head as he shook the man's hand. "Just don't mention our parents…in any way," he replied in a guttural voice.

"I understand," Pastor James quietly acknowledged. He nodded to Seth then walked back to the gravesite.

Concerned, Seth stepped closer. "Mox, take deep breaths," he quietly urged. "If you need to take a break, we can all wait."

Mox shook his head as he felt a familiar comforting hand on his back. Roman….Roman was with him. He heard a familiar voice offer to provide water. Regal…Regal had said he would come. He felt someone move Seth away, then felt gentle hands on his cheeks.

"Let it out, Jon. It's okay to cry."

Galina…who'd accepted him as part of Roman's life and family with easy grace and patience.

"I can't…can't do that," Mox finally whispered.

"Then just relax," Galina suggested. "You're safe…with family."

After a few moments, Mox took a deep breath and looked around. Pastor James stood quietly speaking with Paul Bearer. McIntyre stood by the limousine, keeping an eye on the surrounding area. Black stood with a hand on the back of his wife as she softly spoke with Jericho. Ryder and Kendrick stood to one side murmuring to each other. Naomi stood flanked by the twins, tissues in her hand.

"Oh…" Seth groaned.

Mox, Roman, and Galina turned to stare at him.

"Oh…" Obviously struggling to find words that wouldn't be considered inappropriate to the occasion, he finally closed his eyes and shook his head.

A car had pulled up behind Regal's Lexus, and two women got out.

Nikki and Alexa.

"Mox, I swear I didn't know," Seth swore.

Mox was grateful the dark sunglasses hid his eyes. He slowly smiled and patted Seth's arm. "It's okay. Tell Nikki that I'm not mad." He resolutely turned and walked towards the gravesite.

Alexa walked to join Regal who managed to look polite, resigned and reproachful all at the same time.

Nikki hesitantly approached Seth. "I couldn't tell her no," she whispered when Seth put an arm around her.

From Nikki's guilty look, Seth didn't have to think very hard as to how Alexa had found out about the funeral. "Mox said he's not mad," he muttered as they followed the others to the gravesite. He was amused to see Nikki cautiously glancing at Mox.

Pastor James carefully studied the people now gathering around the gravesite…especially the man he knew to be the child's brother. He quickly changed his mind about what to say and took a deep breath.

"We are here today to lay this child of God to rest among her family. Both those who have departed from this world and those who are here today." Pastor James saw the grieving brother raise his head and stare at him. Although he couldn't see the man's eyes behind the dark sunglasses, he saw an expression of surprise on his face.

"The loss of such a young one is difficult to bear and even more difficult to understand," he continued. "What would this child have accomplished? What person would she have been? What we do know is that she would be surrounded by loving family members. As she is surrounded by them today."

"When I was a young man, just beginning my work for the Lord, an old man of the Roman Catholic faith told me that funerals are not only for the dead, but also for the living. So, while we stand here today, grieving for the loss of this child, we are also here to support and grieve with her brother…and allow him to take whatever comfort we can provide to him."

Mox bit his lower lip even as he felt Roman's hand on his arm…Galina leaning against his shoulder…and the hand he knew was Seth's gently wrapped around his wrist. He heard muffling sobbing that came from not only the women standing with him but more than a few of the men.

"Whatever your faith is or is not, let us bow our heads for a few moments of respectful silence." Pastor James bowed his head. Almost a minute passed before he quietly spoke again. "Marie's brother has brought her home to be with family. May she rest in peace. Amen."

He walked to Mox and gently spoke, "Take as long here as you need. If you wish to ever talk with me, Seth has my contact information."

Mox swallowed and nodded. He heard the Pastor say a few murmured words to Seth. Taking a couple of deep breaths, he spoke, "Give me a few minutes alone, okay?"

"As long as you want," Roman softly spoke, gently patting his arm before walking away with his wife.

Seth squeezed Mox's wrist once, then put his arm around a crying Nikki and walked away.

Mox sighed as he felt the crowd of people move away. He took a step forward and hesitantly put a hand on the small pure white coffin. He looked at the flowers on top of the coffin and only recognized yellow roses. Then he pulled his hand away.

"I wish I could remember you," he whispered. "I must have played with you…some little game even if you were just a baby…just one small memory…" His eyes flickered towards the tombstone and read his sister's name and dates of birth and death. Then below that, the words "Beloved Sister of Jon".

Beloved Sister of Jon.

Beloved Sister…

Beloved…

Arms slowly slid around his waist and he smelled a familiar perfume.

"It's okay. I've got you."

Alexa.

"You're not in prison any more. You can cry, and no one will think you're weak. We're all crying."

Mox opened his eyes and stared into her tear-filled eyes. "You didn't know her," he whispered.

"We know you."

Mox put a hand on the coffin again, then gently patted it. "Sika and Patricia would've been your parents…just like they became mine. They'll watch out for you now." Forcing back a shudder, he turned away. He took a few steps then stopped.

"Don't leave me," he whispered. "I'm a rat bastard for even asking…after the way I've treated you…but…please stay with me…just for a while."

Alexa gently squeezed his hand. "I'll stay as long as you want me to stay," she quietly promised.

Forever…I want you to stay with me forever…

Neither Roman nor Galina said a word as Alexa joined them in the limousine. But Galina smiled at Alexa when she saw Jon put his head on her shoulder.

As the limousine pulled away, Seth watched the others slowly walked towards their parked cars. He pulled Nikki closer to him as she sobbed. "Give me your keys," he quietly asked. "You can't drive like this." When he had the keys, he motioned to Kendrick and Ryder. "Can one of you drive her car to my place? Rollins Bookstore. There are designated parking spaces for Owner and Employees. Park her car in one of the Owner spaces and leave the keys in the bookstore?"

"Sure thing," Ryder promised, taking the keys. "Thanks for taking care of her."

Seth smiled and nodded. "Always."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mox never remembered the ride back to Roman's house. He vaguely remembered being helped to his bedroom, and Roman helping him change into sweatpants and a t-shirt before putting him into bed.

For some reason, he wasn't surprised when Alexa, wearing one of his t-shirts, laid down next to him as the bedroom door gently closed.

"You stayed," Mox whispered, staring into her eyes.

"I stayed," Alexa quietly replied, putting a hand on his arm.

Mox spent a few seconds just looking at her. "I…I never stopped loving you. Every day…every single fucking day."

Alexa gently smiled. "I never stopped loving you. No matter how hard I tried to be angry."

"I'm sorry. I was so scared when you were…taken away. I..I just wanted you to be safe," Mox explained.

"I know. I understand." Alexa took a deep breath. "But you can't make decisions for me. About my life. Any more than I can make decisions for you."

"I screwed up," Mox shakily admitted. "Screwed up so bad. And all I can say is I'm sorry, Alexa…so damned fucking sorry." He closed his eyes to prevent tears from falling.

"It's okay," Alexa murmured, gently stroking his cheek. "We'll talk about it later."

"You want a later? With me?" Mox whispered.

"I've always wanted a later with you, Mox," Alexa admitted.

Mox slowly opened his eyes. "Jon."

Alexa widely smiled. "Jon." She continued to stroke his cheek.

Mox felt exhaustion creeping up on him and tiredly closed his eyes. "What were those flowers…on her…coffin?"

"Roses and babies breath."

"Babies breath…for my baby sister…"

Mox finally broke down.