Part 13

The next day, Toby met up at the house around eight. The funeral was going to be held at nine. As everyone got ready, Toby waited outside for CJ.

"Hey, sorry it took so long," CJ said as she walked out.

"It's fine," Toby said softly.

"You look good."

"It's the only suit I brought," Toby and CJ both found themselves looking up or down instead of at each other.

"Hey, sorry. Julie was having problems with her dress," Alex ran out.

"Is it because she's eight months pregnant?" CJ said sarcastically.

"That could be a possibility," Alex nodded. "Good morning Toby." He said while shaking his hand.

"Good morning."

"Did you two make up yet?"

"Nothing happened!" CJ snapped.

"Okay, it's time, everyone. Lets go," Anna came out. "I'm riding with Toby and CJ, the rest of you fend for yourselves," She said while walking up to the car.

"Thanks a lot, mom," Brian and Michael moaned as they got in Alex's car.

"I'm driving," Anna took the keys from Toby and got in the car. "I want you two in the back."

"Mom…"

"Today is not a day to anger me," Anna warned as both CJ and Toby quickly slid in the back. "While we're driving to the church, I want us to have a little chat."

"Mom, this isn't the time…"

"Claudia Jean Cregg, not now. I want to know what's up with you two."

"Nothing," They both said.

"Then why won't you talk?"

"We're talking," CJ said. "We talked this morning…"

"About today. Not about that night."

"You told her?" Toby snapped at CJ.

"What? Don't snap at me. Alex told her."

"Alex knows?" Toby tossed his arms up in the air.

"So what, he knows everything," CJ defended.

"So, you want to spill it Toby, or do I have to pull this car around?"

"I'll make you both a deal," Toby said calmly.

"Okay," Anna and CJ said together.

"After today, I'll talk to CJ about it. But right now, we keep our heads in one place."

"But I won't know what will be said," Anna whined.

"I'm sure CJ will tell you right after," Toby said sarcastically.

"I want you both to know I had a talk with my husband last night. I told him what was going on around here. I know he's listening to me. And he is upset that you two are fighting, especially on the day of his funeral."

"We're not fighting," Toby said.

"He loved you like a son Toby. I don't want you ever to forget that. He expects you to watch over Claudia, even now that he's gone," Anna wiped away the tears.

"Mom, why are you worrying about this so much," CJ asked while rubbing her mom's back.

"Because I want you two to be happy. Being with your father made me happy every day. And it took me too long to find him. I don't want you two to have to wait forever. You should have that happiness now when you're young."

"But we're not young," CJ pointed out.

"You're younger then I am," Anna snapped. "Love can be the one thing that keeps you going. It can be the one thing that makes everything around you better. Even though your father was sick, the love we had made him feel good. And we lived every moment to our advantage. He waited until he thought it was time to go. And he went, peacefully and lovingly," Anna said. "Every minute counts in this life. Take it and grab onto it for dear life. Because it will let you live the way you want too."

After Anna speech, CJ and Toby sat in the back in silence. Both looking out the window, taking in everything she just said. She had lived through it all, and she knew how to go on. Maybe they should take the time and follow what she started.

TBC