Chapter 6: The funeral
"Don't take life seriously because you can't come out of it alive."
-Warren Miller
Walking up to the church that she had spent almost every Sunday morning for almost sixteen years was almost surreal for Maria. She held Zoe on her hip and held Paige's hand. Adam carried Alexis and the twins and Kate walked in front of them.
"Adam, I'm not sure I'm ready for this." Maria said. "I don't think I can say goodbye." Maria stopped and pit Zoe on the ground and took her hand.
Adam stopped too he turned to face his step-daughter. "You're stronger than you think baby girl. You and your mother are the strongest and most stubborn people that I have ever met. And I'm better for it. I loved her with all of my heart. I wish we had more time, but the simple answer is we don't. I'll always love her but you know she doesn't want to be mourned." Adam gave her a hug that was awkward with Alexis in his arms. Just then a good-looking blonde ban stepped out of the doors of the church. Maria looked up and when she recognized the man she dropped the girls' hands and ran to him.
"Daddy! Oh daddy thank god you're here." She launched into his arms and gave him a hug. Her daddy smiled and patted her head and smoothed he blonde curls like she was five instead of twenty-four. Her father and mother had reconciled their differences four years ago and become friends. He was a wonderful grandfather to Maria's daughters and a wonderful father to herself and his other children; fifteen year old Sadie, nine year old Samantha, seven year old Robbie, and three year old Alissa. Sam and his wife of sixteen years, Megan, lived in Georgia.
By the time Maria let him go out of his bear hug Adam and the kids had joined them. They all said his and went into the church. It was still empty except for Sam's wife and their kids. Meg took the girls over to the corner where hers were playing with dolls and toys. Robbie and Josh being the only boys tended to stick together in this setting with all the girls. They were playing a game involving imaginary horses and camels when 15 year old Sadie walked over to her.
"Hey sweetie" Maria said hugging her. Not long after that Amy's two sisters Jodie and Angela showed up without their husbands and kids. Amy's brother Jon would probably be late. Hugs and kisses went around again and everybody got settled as the doors opened again. Max and Liz had arrived with their kids and Maria made introductions. Liz hugged Jodie and said
"Aunt Jodie, It's been a long time." Max who had never met Maria's aunts introduced himself. Sadie took the two older boys over to where the others were playing and Maria pointed out all the kids and where they had come from for L:iz. Isabel and her husband Jesse were the next to show up with Hannah. Liz and Max's parents followed. This time Jodie introduces the pack as Maria got a hug and kiss from Nancy Parker. Alex's parents showed up next and Maria wished Alex could have been here. When Jim Valenti got there Maria wanted to laugh at the irony of it all. The three men that Amy Deluca had loved at one time or another were all there. Sam, Jim, and Adam. The church was starting to fill up with old friends and neighbors when Michael arrived. He came over and shook Adam's hand and gave Maria a quick peck on the cheek.
"How are you holding up?" He whispered in her ear.
"I'll survive." Maria told him "I always do" Adam had just settled all of her kids on the bench next to her when Kyle Valenti arrived. Kyle was the only one of her old friends that she kept in touch with. When Zoe saw him she jumped up out of her seat and ran to Kyle.
"Uncle Kyle! You came." She shouted.
"Of course Angel. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He came over and sat down next to Maria with Zoe on his lap and said his hellos to all the kids. Maria looked over at where Michael was sitting and saw that he was turned to face her. There was jealously written all over his face. Before she could say anything the ceremony started.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to say goodbye to a dear friend, mother, sister, grandmother, and wife. We shall start with a prayer:
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside still waters
He restoreth my soul;
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake.
Yea, theogh I walk through the vally of the shaddow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.'
"Please stand" The minister asked of them.
" I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the lord
Whoever has faith in me shall have life,
even though he die.
And everyone who has life,
and has committed himself to me in faith
shall not die forever...."
Maria's mind faded out as the minister continued. This was so surreal Maria hand thought, in some what childish terms, that her mother would live forever. Maria would remember the day Amy Deluca Died for the rest of her life.
FLASHBACK
Maria sat in the big bed room at the house her mother and her new family had lived for almost six years. Amy Deluca laid in the middle of the huge bed looking pale and weak. She had refused to spend her last days at a hospital. She told her husband earlier that day that she needed Maria to bring the girls over to say goodbye.
"This is the day" Maria told her husband. "I don't know how I know but I do." Maybe it was the same part of her that had known that when she was pregnant with her oldest daughter that it would be a girl. And that she would be born an month and a half early. Or that she dad known into her second month of her other pregnancy that she would be having twins. A boy and a girl. She told her husband and daughter. Two months later the doctor told her she was carrying twins. Four months after that she had Josh and Jessica. Call it women's intuition or whatever you wanted Amy Deluca knew that the day had come where she would die. Amy gave her granddaughters kisses and hugs and the older ones cried. They knew what happened when somebody died. Poor Kate had just lost her Mommy and now her grammy was going to heaven too.
"When you see Mommy in Heaven tell her I miss her very much and I love her." Kate told her Grammy.
"I promise" Amy told her. Maria's friend Savannah came to pick up the kids and now they were alone. Maria sat in the chair beside the bed as Adam got up to get them drinks. Amy had insisted that she wanted champagne.
"Come here baby," Amy said motioning for Maria to join her on the bed.
"It's going to be alright you know. I promise. Everybody has to go sometime. My mission on this earth is complete." Amy hugged Maria to her. In the deepest part of her heart, where she would never admit she was scared. Not to die, but to leave her babies. Especially Maria who needed her so much right now. She turned Maria's face toward hers and looked into her eyes.
"I believe Joan Borysenko said it best; 'The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live.' We all knew this time was coming."
"I know." Maria told her "But how am I suposto live without you. You are my mommy"Maria buried her head into her moms shoulder. Just then Adam walked back in with three flutes of champagne. They all toasted to life. When they were done Maria sat on the bed next to Amy and Adam sat on the chair on her other side. Each held one of her hands.
"Maria," Amy spoke.
"Do you remember that song that I used to sing to you when you were little?" Maria nodded. "Will you sing it to me now" Maria nodded again and began to sing. She held tightly to her mother's hand.
"The journey home
Is never too long
Your heart arrives before the train
The journey home
Is never too long
Some yesterdays always remain
I'm going back to where my heart was light
When my pillow was a ship I sailed through the night
The journey home
Is never too long
When open arms are waiting there
The journey home
Is never too long
There's room to love and room to spare
I want to feel the way that I did then
I'll think my wishes through before I wish again
Not every road you come across
Is one you have to take
No, sometimes standing still can be
The best move you ever make
The journey home
Is never too long
One helps to heal the deepest pain
The journey home
Is never too long
Your heart arrives before the train."
As Maria sang Amy laid her head back. With her husband and daughter sitting on either side of her she closed her eyes and took the Journey home. As her grip on her daughters hand slackened Maria knew that her mother had gone. She kissed her mom's cheek and whispered in her ear,
"Have a safe Journey"
******
Maria came back to the present just as the minister finished the ceremony. As the body of her mother was carried out of the church the minister's words continued.
"Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb.
The Son of Righteousness is gloriously risen, giving light to those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.
The Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace, having taken away the sin of the world.
Christ will open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in his name, saying, Come, O blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you.
Into paradise may the angels lead thee; and at thy coming may he martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem."
The people filed out of the church. Maria and the family followed the casket in a limo to the church. Amy would be buried next to Christopher who had been brought here by Kyle and buried in the middle of the night. Today his grave would be covered for the ceremony. The minister stood by the casket that would be lowered into the ground. Maria and her step-dad and the girls and the twins sat in the front row. Sam sat behind Maria with his hand on his daughter's shoulder. As the casket was lowered into the ground maria clutched her father and Adam's hands and concentrated on the minister's words.
"In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God, our sister Amelia; and we commit her body to its final resting place; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless, her and keep her, the Lord make his face to shine upon her and be gracious unto her, the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace. Amen."
The minister motioned Maria and Adam to step up to where the casket had been lowered into the ground. They each picked up a handful of dirt and tossed it into the grave and whispered "Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust." They stood off to the side as mourners stood and were given roses to toss into the grave.
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen"
Just as the ceremony ended Adam got a call on his cell phone. He took it to a quiet place while Maria thanked everybody for being here and shook there hands. Jessica stood off to the side and sand Amazing Grace in a clear sweet voice. Maria was just about to collect her kids when Adam came back only to pull her over to where he was before.
"That was from Rachael" He told her mentioning Maria's friend and a lawyer.
"The judge just granted Joe bail until his trial. They set him free twenty minutes ago"
_______________________________________________________
Disclamer: I don't own Roswell or any of it's characters.
Note: The song a is "The Journey Home" Sung By: Sarah Brightman.
Note 2: Yes it's finally a long one. I finally sat down for about two hours and just wrote.
Note to kiki()- You'll find out everything. All in good time.
"Don't take life seriously because you can't come out of it alive."
-Warren Miller
Walking up to the church that she had spent almost every Sunday morning for almost sixteen years was almost surreal for Maria. She held Zoe on her hip and held Paige's hand. Adam carried Alexis and the twins and Kate walked in front of them.
"Adam, I'm not sure I'm ready for this." Maria said. "I don't think I can say goodbye." Maria stopped and pit Zoe on the ground and took her hand.
Adam stopped too he turned to face his step-daughter. "You're stronger than you think baby girl. You and your mother are the strongest and most stubborn people that I have ever met. And I'm better for it. I loved her with all of my heart. I wish we had more time, but the simple answer is we don't. I'll always love her but you know she doesn't want to be mourned." Adam gave her a hug that was awkward with Alexis in his arms. Just then a good-looking blonde ban stepped out of the doors of the church. Maria looked up and when she recognized the man she dropped the girls' hands and ran to him.
"Daddy! Oh daddy thank god you're here." She launched into his arms and gave him a hug. Her daddy smiled and patted her head and smoothed he blonde curls like she was five instead of twenty-four. Her father and mother had reconciled their differences four years ago and become friends. He was a wonderful grandfather to Maria's daughters and a wonderful father to herself and his other children; fifteen year old Sadie, nine year old Samantha, seven year old Robbie, and three year old Alissa. Sam and his wife of sixteen years, Megan, lived in Georgia.
By the time Maria let him go out of his bear hug Adam and the kids had joined them. They all said his and went into the church. It was still empty except for Sam's wife and their kids. Meg took the girls over to the corner where hers were playing with dolls and toys. Robbie and Josh being the only boys tended to stick together in this setting with all the girls. They were playing a game involving imaginary horses and camels when 15 year old Sadie walked over to her.
"Hey sweetie" Maria said hugging her. Not long after that Amy's two sisters Jodie and Angela showed up without their husbands and kids. Amy's brother Jon would probably be late. Hugs and kisses went around again and everybody got settled as the doors opened again. Max and Liz had arrived with their kids and Maria made introductions. Liz hugged Jodie and said
"Aunt Jodie, It's been a long time." Max who had never met Maria's aunts introduced himself. Sadie took the two older boys over to where the others were playing and Maria pointed out all the kids and where they had come from for L:iz. Isabel and her husband Jesse were the next to show up with Hannah. Liz and Max's parents followed. This time Jodie introduces the pack as Maria got a hug and kiss from Nancy Parker. Alex's parents showed up next and Maria wished Alex could have been here. When Jim Valenti got there Maria wanted to laugh at the irony of it all. The three men that Amy Deluca had loved at one time or another were all there. Sam, Jim, and Adam. The church was starting to fill up with old friends and neighbors when Michael arrived. He came over and shook Adam's hand and gave Maria a quick peck on the cheek.
"How are you holding up?" He whispered in her ear.
"I'll survive." Maria told him "I always do" Adam had just settled all of her kids on the bench next to her when Kyle Valenti arrived. Kyle was the only one of her old friends that she kept in touch with. When Zoe saw him she jumped up out of her seat and ran to Kyle.
"Uncle Kyle! You came." She shouted.
"Of course Angel. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He came over and sat down next to Maria with Zoe on his lap and said his hellos to all the kids. Maria looked over at where Michael was sitting and saw that he was turned to face her. There was jealously written all over his face. Before she could say anything the ceremony started.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to say goodbye to a dear friend, mother, sister, grandmother, and wife. We shall start with a prayer:
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside still waters
He restoreth my soul;
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake.
Yea, theogh I walk through the vally of the shaddow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.'
"Please stand" The minister asked of them.
" I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the lord
Whoever has faith in me shall have life,
even though he die.
And everyone who has life,
and has committed himself to me in faith
shall not die forever...."
Maria's mind faded out as the minister continued. This was so surreal Maria hand thought, in some what childish terms, that her mother would live forever. Maria would remember the day Amy Deluca Died for the rest of her life.
FLASHBACK
Maria sat in the big bed room at the house her mother and her new family had lived for almost six years. Amy Deluca laid in the middle of the huge bed looking pale and weak. She had refused to spend her last days at a hospital. She told her husband earlier that day that she needed Maria to bring the girls over to say goodbye.
"This is the day" Maria told her husband. "I don't know how I know but I do." Maybe it was the same part of her that had known that when she was pregnant with her oldest daughter that it would be a girl. And that she would be born an month and a half early. Or that she dad known into her second month of her other pregnancy that she would be having twins. A boy and a girl. She told her husband and daughter. Two months later the doctor told her she was carrying twins. Four months after that she had Josh and Jessica. Call it women's intuition or whatever you wanted Amy Deluca knew that the day had come where she would die. Amy gave her granddaughters kisses and hugs and the older ones cried. They knew what happened when somebody died. Poor Kate had just lost her Mommy and now her grammy was going to heaven too.
"When you see Mommy in Heaven tell her I miss her very much and I love her." Kate told her Grammy.
"I promise" Amy told her. Maria's friend Savannah came to pick up the kids and now they were alone. Maria sat in the chair beside the bed as Adam got up to get them drinks. Amy had insisted that she wanted champagne.
"Come here baby," Amy said motioning for Maria to join her on the bed.
"It's going to be alright you know. I promise. Everybody has to go sometime. My mission on this earth is complete." Amy hugged Maria to her. In the deepest part of her heart, where she would never admit she was scared. Not to die, but to leave her babies. Especially Maria who needed her so much right now. She turned Maria's face toward hers and looked into her eyes.
"I believe Joan Borysenko said it best; 'The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live.' We all knew this time was coming."
"I know." Maria told her "But how am I suposto live without you. You are my mommy"Maria buried her head into her moms shoulder. Just then Adam walked back in with three flutes of champagne. They all toasted to life. When they were done Maria sat on the bed next to Amy and Adam sat on the chair on her other side. Each held one of her hands.
"Maria," Amy spoke.
"Do you remember that song that I used to sing to you when you were little?" Maria nodded. "Will you sing it to me now" Maria nodded again and began to sing. She held tightly to her mother's hand.
"The journey home
Is never too long
Your heart arrives before the train
The journey home
Is never too long
Some yesterdays always remain
I'm going back to where my heart was light
When my pillow was a ship I sailed through the night
The journey home
Is never too long
When open arms are waiting there
The journey home
Is never too long
There's room to love and room to spare
I want to feel the way that I did then
I'll think my wishes through before I wish again
Not every road you come across
Is one you have to take
No, sometimes standing still can be
The best move you ever make
The journey home
Is never too long
One helps to heal the deepest pain
The journey home
Is never too long
Your heart arrives before the train."
As Maria sang Amy laid her head back. With her husband and daughter sitting on either side of her she closed her eyes and took the Journey home. As her grip on her daughters hand slackened Maria knew that her mother had gone. She kissed her mom's cheek and whispered in her ear,
"Have a safe Journey"
******
Maria came back to the present just as the minister finished the ceremony. As the body of her mother was carried out of the church the minister's words continued.
"Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb.
The Son of Righteousness is gloriously risen, giving light to those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.
The Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace, having taken away the sin of the world.
Christ will open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in his name, saying, Come, O blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you.
Into paradise may the angels lead thee; and at thy coming may he martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem."
The people filed out of the church. Maria and the family followed the casket in a limo to the church. Amy would be buried next to Christopher who had been brought here by Kyle and buried in the middle of the night. Today his grave would be covered for the ceremony. The minister stood by the casket that would be lowered into the ground. Maria and her step-dad and the girls and the twins sat in the front row. Sam sat behind Maria with his hand on his daughter's shoulder. As the casket was lowered into the ground maria clutched her father and Adam's hands and concentrated on the minister's words.
"In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God, our sister Amelia; and we commit her body to its final resting place; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless, her and keep her, the Lord make his face to shine upon her and be gracious unto her, the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace. Amen."
The minister motioned Maria and Adam to step up to where the casket had been lowered into the ground. They each picked up a handful of dirt and tossed it into the grave and whispered "Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust." They stood off to the side as mourners stood and were given roses to toss into the grave.
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen"
Just as the ceremony ended Adam got a call on his cell phone. He took it to a quiet place while Maria thanked everybody for being here and shook there hands. Jessica stood off to the side and sand Amazing Grace in a clear sweet voice. Maria was just about to collect her kids when Adam came back only to pull her over to where he was before.
"That was from Rachael" He told her mentioning Maria's friend and a lawyer.
"The judge just granted Joe bail until his trial. They set him free twenty minutes ago"
_______________________________________________________
Disclamer: I don't own Roswell or any of it's characters.
Note: The song a is "The Journey Home" Sung By: Sarah Brightman.
Note 2: Yes it's finally a long one. I finally sat down for about two hours and just wrote.
Note to kiki()- You'll find out everything. All in good time.
