The rest of the week flew by fast, and soon it was Friday.
On that day, Winston, Rhonda and Gerald arrived at the Stantz household to pick up Ray, Jenny and Andrew.
After dropping the kids off at school, Winston drove Ray and Jenny to the airport, to fly out for the funeral in Wisconsin.
Winston told them that he'll call if there's anything wrong, he'll make sure that Andrew takes his medication, and for Ray and Jenny to have a safe flight.
Ray and Jenny thanked Winston once again before entering the airport.
The flight only took a little over an hour from New York City, to their destination.
Once they arrived, Ray rented a car for him and Jenny, then drove to the hotel, where they had reservations.
After getting settled into their room, Jenny got in contact with Nicole's cousin to her know that they arrived for the service, which was going to take place the following day.
Ray then got in touch with Winston to let him know that he and Jenny arrived in town as well.
The next day, Jenny and Ray attended the funeral.
Throughout the service, family and friends came up to say a few words about the departed.
Jenny got up at one point to talk about her friendship with Nicole, how she helped Jenny get through after her father's death from cancer, how she introduced her to Mitch at a party and a funny story that happened on Nicole and Mitch's wedding day, which Jenny was the maid of honor at the event.
Of course, she did start crying towards the end of her story, and once Jenny returned to her seat, Ray wrapped his arm around her.
"Are you OK?" he asked.
Jenny nodded.
After the funeral, Jenny met up with a few of her and Nicole's former college room mates.
"Such a tragedy about Nicole and Mitch," said one of the friends named Anna.
"My heart just breaks for poor Kylie," Jenny added.
"I'm surprised she didn't get up to say anything at the service," said another friend named Lucy.
"She's overwhelmed I think.
To loss both parents at such a young age," said another friend named Tess.
"There she is over there."
Jenny looked to see a young girl, who looked about the ages between 11-14, wearing a black dress that made her long blonde hair stand out, standing in front of the coffins.
"I'm going to talk to her," said Jenny.
She and Ray then made their way to Kylie.
Jenny tapped her lightly on the shoulder and said, "Kylie."
Kylie turned around.
""Aunt" Jenny," she said.
"Hi sweetheart, said Jenny, giving her a hug, How are you holding up?"
Kylie let go of Jenny and said, "I feel numb.
That's all I feel."
"I understand honey.
You remember my husband Ray."
"Kind of.
It's nice to see you again."
"Same here.
I can understand what you're going through Kylie, I loss both my parents at a young age to," said Ray.
"Is there anything we can do for you?" Jenny asked.
"I kind of want to be on my own, if you don't mind," Kylie answered.
"OK Kylie.
We're here if you need us."
"Thank you."
Kylie then headed off in another direction.
Once Kylie left, a cousin of Nicole's, Deborah approached Jenny and Ray.
"Don't feel bad about Kylie shutting you out.
She's been like this since getting the news of her parents' deaths, said Deborah, She was always such a bubbly girl, but now she's withdrawn
She hasn't even cried at all."
"Not once?" asked Ray.
"Not at all."
"What's going to happen to Kylie now?" asked Jenny.
"Well, since Nicole and Mitch were both only children, and his parents are both deseased, Kylie's going to live with Beverly, Nicole's mother," Deborah answered.
Jenny's heart was broken.
Not just by the loss of her best friend and husband, but the fate of their daughter as well, who stood alone, looking out the chapel window, to the two open graves, reserved for her parents.
Eventually, time moved on after that chilly day at the funeral.
Winter turned into spring, and then became summer.
A lot of time had also passed for the Stantz family.
Ray took Andrew and his scout troop on a retreat, the book store suffered slight water damage when a malfunctioning sprinkle went off, while the family was away visiting Jenny's mother, who had completely recovered in Kentucky, but was taken care of, attended the high school graduation of Grace and Winston's niece and nephew Christopher and Jessica, and Jenny's photography business was in high demand for events, ie weddings, including Ray's own nephew, who was getting married that very summer.
Still, despite a busy schedule, Jenny couldn't help but think about how Kylie was doing ever now and then.
In fact, it was on the very afternoon, when the Stantz had just walked through the door of the house, coming back from the wedding, when the phone rang.
"I'll get it," said Ray, as made his way to the phone and answered it.
"Hello.
No, this is her husband.
Yes, she is, I'll get her for you.
You're welcome."
Ray called out, "Jenny, it's Deborah.
Nicole's cousin, we met at the funeral."
Jenny was giving Andrew a hand taking Hugo out of his cat crate, when Ray told her who was on the phone.
She took the phone and went into the kitchen to talk in private.
Ray was in the bedroom, emptying out the suitcases, when Jenny walked in.
"Is everything OK?" he asked.
"No really?" Jenny answered.
"What's wrong?"
"Kylie has to go into foster care."
"Why?
What happened?
I thought her grandmother was taking her in."
"Nicole's mother Beverly became too overwhelmed grieving over the loss of her only child and taking care of a grief stricken pre-teen grandchild and became ill.
"When did all this happen?"
"One month after the funeral.
Since then, Kylie has been staying with all different family members, including Deborah's.
They tried to make Kylie feel at home, but she only withdraws more.
Basically Kylie just keeps to herself, and reads."
"What's wrong with reading?"
"She's become obessed with reading about ghosts, and the paranormal world.
Actually, she was always into it, ever since Mitch had a job assignment in Mexico and Kylie became fascinated with "The Day Of The Dead."
But since her parents died, that's all she's into.
Deborah found a copy of Tobin's Spirit Guide in her room.
With the loss of Nicole and Mitch, along with Kylie's change of mood, it's becoming too much on the family.
The poor girl.
She needs someone to be there for her, someone to understand her."
"And that's us," Ray spoke.
"Ray I..I don't understand what you mean."
"We'll take her.
I knew you were thinking about it."
"Yes, but Ray, are you sure?"
Ray approached Jenny, took her hands in his and said, "Jenny, this was your best friend.
And we always did talk about fostering and adopting kids."
"Yes, but that was before we had Andrew and when I told you I didn't think I would ever have children."
Jenny was referring into a serious health situation she went through as a child, and while the medication she was given saved her life, it would prevent her from being able to have children of her own.
However, eight years ago, Andrew "their miracle" baby was born.
"Ray, that would be wonderful if we can bring Kylie to our home, but are you sure you want to?"
"Only if you do," Ray replied.
"I do."
"OK then, let's do it.
Let's get Kylie and bring her here with us."
"Thank you."
Ray and Jenny then embraced.
