Sand and Water Chapter 10

Eulogy

Disclaimer: I own no one!

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John sat on the balcony of Trish and Chris' fourteenth story apartment. Above him. people were having a passionate argument in what sounded like German. Below him, hardcore rock music was blasting.

The streets of New York were lit with life. Traffic rushed by. Horns beeped. The smell of fresh rain circulated through the breeze.

John was shaken. The scene in the funeral home had been tough. Rhiannon had barely recovered. In fact, she had cried herself to sleep, with John trying to comfort her.

All of a sudden, the music stopped below. John shook his head, trying to adjust to the sudden adjust in sound.

"It's a girl!" a man shouted. Tears spilled from John's eyes. He realized something that shook him up even more than before.

While life had stopped for himself and Rhiannon, life had gone on for the rest of the world.

"I can't do this," he murmured, staring out into the distance. A yellow legal pad and a black ink pen sat on the patio table. He jumped, as the door slid open behind him.

"Daddy?" Rhiannon murmured, walking up to him. She clutched a yellow stuffed bunny. John sighed. Randy had given her the bunny for her fourth birthday.

"Yes, Princess?" he asked. She climbed onto his lap. She set her head on his chest. He cradled her close. Holding her gave him the inspiration he so desperately needed. Then, he began to write.

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Like the day before, the church was crowded. Rhiannon was safely in Chris' arms. She kept her gaze fixed on John.

Needless to say, John was nervous. He had wrestled in front of thousands and yet, he couldn't find the nerve to deliver his husband's eulogy in front of a mere two hundred people.

The priest stepped aside as John made his way to the podium. The church fell silent. Drawing the sheet of paper from his pocket, he faced the crowd and began to read.

Randy has been gone for four days. Each day without him as been harder than the day before. At this point in time, I can't figure out how I'm going to survive tomorrow or the next day. As I sat writing this, our four-year old daughter, Rhiannon climbed into my lap. Staring into her deep blue eyes (A/N- Yes, I stated she had brown eyes but bear with me here!), I realize as long as I have Rhiannon, I have Randy with me. Her eyes, her smile is pure him. Everytime she laughs, it's as if I'm staring at a feminine Randy. Just because he's gone doesn't mean the mere essence of his soul doesn't live on.

I loved him from the first hello. One smile and I was under his enticing spell. Looking at Rhiannon, I see she has his smile.

One laugh and I vowed to make him laugh as much as I could. When Rhiannon laughs, I see she has his laugh, and that adds joy to my broken soul.

Randy will live on. Through stories, through memories but most of all,

Through Rhiannon

Tears welled up in his eyes. He held back a sob that caught in his chest. He couldn't believe he had successfully pulled off the eulogy.

He took his seat in the front of the church. Rhiannon climbed from Chris' lap to his. She settled there.

"Daddy, am I like Papa?" she asked.

More than you know, he thought, shaking his head.

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Chapter 11 is up! It took longer than expected but oh well. I have enjoyed this story and I hope you do, too.

JenLea

Read, Review but most of all... ENJOY!