BFourteen days later...../B

There was not a cloud in the sky as a large group of family and friends gathered around the casket that rested on the green lawn on the McMahon estate. That's where the family had decided to bury Vince, he loved it here, it was surrounded by green trees and blossoming flower beds. It's where he always came when he needed time to think.

The priest's words kept ringing in her ears, she couldn't believe she was here. Linda could not bring herself to comfort her children or any other member of the family. Her eyes glanced around at everyone from behind the sunglasses she was wearing. Shane who was standing beside her and had his arm around his mother, whilst trying to comfort Marissa, who was sobbing. Stephanie was the other side and was leaning on Paul, trying her best not to break down. Rod, Vince's brother, and his wife Sandra, who were obviously distressed. Linda looked down at the casket.

"...... and as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we remember everything that Vincent Kennedy McMahon was. The loyal, loving husband to Linda, for over 35 years, loving father to his son Shane and daughter Stephanie, faithful friend to many and so much more..."

Linda closed her eyes and let the silent tears fall, she fought every urge to turn and run, she couldn't do that though, Vince would never have done it. He'd face up to it. That was the problem though, she didn't want to face up to it, she didn't want to be here, she didn't want to believe that Vince was gone forever. Surprisingly, at the moment, Linda didn't crave revenge for the brutal killing of Vince, she was too consumed at the sense of loss and grief she felt. Linda was numb from head to toe, she just wanted him back.

She raised her head and looked around, the was someone over in the far distance that was looking at the crowd, she assumed it must have been the gardener or another member of the staff, it never occured that it could have been a stranger, so she didn't take much notice.

Shawn was asked to read the first of three eulogies. It was short but very emotional. Never before had Linda seen so many grown men crying, the likes of Kevin Nash, Glen, Mark, Paul and virtually everyone else on the WWE's roster was in tears.

Many other people had also put in an appearence. Eric Bischoff for one, he was heard saying he never liked Vince as a person, but admired and respected his work ethic. Members of the divided Hart family came seperately. Even Bret was there, they might not have always gotten along, especially in recent years but he owed Vince McMahon a lot, after all he did help make the Hitman a legend. Bret just wanted to pay his final respects to a legendary promoter, who helped change the course of sports- entertainment.

Shane read the second of the eulogies.

Linda looked at her son as he stood on the podium talking, recalling memories of Vince. She remembered after Shane was born and Linda handed him to Vince, Vince looked down at him and had said, 'You're my son.' Vince had started to cry. Linda remembered it like it was yesterday.

"And now, I'll read a poem called "Remember" by Christina Rossetti. Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad."

Silently Shane came down off the podium and sat down beside Linda, the priest read a short sermon and then it was Linda's turn.

She took a deep breath and slowly got up, not sure if her legs would support her weight. Linda walked slowly towards the podium, not taking her eyes off Vince's casket and the white lillies that layed on top. The priest smilied encouragingly at her.

Linda stepped up onto the podium and turned round to face her audience. Never before had she seen so many people united in grief, all of them are here for Vince, she thought. The WWE had shut down the business for the day, so that everyone could attend the funeral. Every single member of the WWE's roster was there, every crew member and everyone from WWE HQ. Linda noticed some old school friends of theirs, from their days down in Carolina. University friends and some celebrities, who Vince had befriended in his later years.

Linda swallowed the lump in her throat and began to speak, glad that she had the sunglasses to hide the true devastation in her eyes.

"We are all grateful for the enormous amount of support we have recieved over the last two weeks. Hundreds of friends have written to us and literally millions of members of the public who loved Vince and invited him into their homes every week have written kind words of support. I recieved one letter from a woman who had lost her own husband in a similar way, to the way I've lost Vince. She included a poem, which I have drawn great strength from, I'd like to read it to you."

Linda unfolded the piece of crisp white paper and smoothed it out, she took a deep breath and began to read;

"It was a sudden parting, too bitter to forget Those who loved you dearly are the ones who can't forget. We often think of you and think of how you died To think you could not say goodbye before you closed your eyes. Your life was one of kindly deeds, a helping hand for other's needs Sincere and true in heart and mind, beautiful memories are left behind. Our family chain is broken, nothing seems the same But as God calls us one by one, the links shall join again. Two tired eyes are sleeping, two willing hands are still The one who worked so hard for us is resting at God's will."

Linda looked at Stephanie who had broken down and was sobbing into Paul's chest. Linda wiped away her own tears and folded the piece of paper back up.

"Vince was a good, kind man, although he was not often portrayed like that. The media had ripped Vince's character to shreads, they said he was evil and inhumane, even in death they are still writing those things about him. The ones who matter know who Vince was, I knew Vince McMahon, the husband, the man who cried on our wedding day, the man who cried when he held his newborn children in his arms for the first time. Our children know Vince McMahon, the father, and know he would have done anything for them. Vince wasn't an angel and I'm not trying to pretend he was, he didn't enjoy hurting people, he just wanted to do what was best for business and for his family. and if he stood on anyones toes, he felt so guilty for it, I can't tell you the number of times he cried in my arms over actions that had hurt other people." Linda took a deep breath, gulped and bravely continued. He loved the WWE and he took pride in it, when we first brought it off his father Vince had the vision, he build it to up to where it is today, the WWE brand is recognised throughout the world. At times both Vince and I thought that it would never happen, however he never gave up, when I just wanted to pack the whole thing in, Vince kept me going, he kept that vision alive. He loved this company and he loved everyone in it, past and present.

Our marriage wasn't always a happy one, we both did things that hurt each other but no matter what we did, never, not once..."

Linda swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to hold back the tears.

"Not once, did we stop loving each other. He was the best husband a woman could ask for but now, I'm on my own...."

Linda looked at the casket.

"That team's broken apart and I have to carry on by myself, without him, because that's what Vince would want. Bye Vince, I love you."

Linda crumbled, Shane and Stephanie came running up to her and guided her back to the seat.

They commited Vince's body to the ground and everyone came inside for the the wake.