Dearly beloved are you listening?

Black was all that was around; Men in black suits with black ties; Women in black dresses with black shoes and black hats. In a church near Helen's home her funeral took place. Georgia sat with Kirsten, who was holding her hand, in the front row. Behind her were here brothers and her dad. Elaine, Lesley and Mary sat on the other side of the church also on the second row. Helen's mother, father, sister and her in-laws sat in the front row. Behind them were all of Helen's other friends and colleagues.

As the eulogies were read Georgia quietly sobbed. Seth leant forward and put a comforting hand on his baby sister's shoulder.

Helen's sister read first. "Death is a part of life. No one escapes its clutches and no one long escape-"

"The harsh reality with the loss of someone dear." Martin, Helen's close friend continued.

"Especially when it is sudden." Helen's mother finished.

Then Helen's closest friends read. First Lesley, then Mary then Elaine.

"Like any other kind of love, friendship can be lost within our lives-"

"-due to neglect or anger or, sometimes, simply circumstances."

"However it is lost we often lose a part of ourselves that can never quite be recovered."

The guests stood as Helen was carried away by her father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, Martin and 2 other young men. Georgia shed tears as she watched her best friend being taken from her for good. There were no chances to hug her or apologise or say the things she wanted to say anymore. It wasn't easy but Georgia was doing her best in this time when she had to say goodbye. This was it. The end.

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say
And now it's too late to hold you
'Cause you've flown away
So far away

Never had I imagined
Living without your smile
Feeling and knowing you hear me
It keeps me alive
Alive

And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together

One sweet day

Darling, I never showed you
Assumed you'd always be there
I took your presence for granted
But I always cared
And I miss the love we shared

And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Although the sun will never shine the same
I'll always look to a brighter day
Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
You will always listen as I pray

And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say

At The Wake Lesley, Elaine and Mary sat in complete silence. All had a glass of wine in their hand. "Screw it; I'm taking a smoke." Mary said grabbing her handbag and leaving the group. She bumped into a woman on her way out that was beside Kirsten. That woman slightly stumbled into Kirsten. "Sorry." The woman apologised. Kirsten shook her head and smiled.

She had just been standing with a glass of orange in her hand watching her daughter with care. Georgia sat by herself at a table thinking long and hard while everyone else drank, ate and mingled.

"The food is wonderful here." The woman said and Kirsten smiled. "Did you make it?"

Kirsten grinned and smirked slightly. "The only thing I make in the kitchen is a mess. And several little fires." The woman laughed and moved on.

Kirsten walked over to Georgia and sat down beside her, putting her glass on the table and sitting sideways on the chair – like Georgia was – to face her daughter. "Hey sweetie." She said softly. "How you holding up?"

"Ok I guess…" Georgia said. "It's so confusing and weird…When I came to the OC I left the world of black and white, and now everything is grey."

Kirsten paused for a moment. "Sweetie I know things seem all hazy right now but things will get better. I promise."

"What's going to happen to me?" Georgia asked looking up to Kirsten.

"Are you sure you want to talk about this now?" Kirsten asked.

"I can't think about anything else. If I do…I don't wanna break down here."

Kirsten sighed. "Well I spoke to Helen's lawyer and in her will…she said she wants you to be with us."

Georgia smiled. "She never was one for slow moves."

Kirsten stroked Georgia's wrists with both her hands. "But you don't have to if you don't want to. Everyone wants you. Your aunt and uncles want you. Sandy and I want you too but …we want you to be happy more." Kirsten spoke truthfully but she hoped Georgia would say that she would be happier with them.

"I want to be happy too." Georgia said she grabbed onto her mothers hands. "I want to live with you and Sandy."

Kirsten smiled and lifted her head. "You do?"

Georgia gave a soft smile and nodded. "Yeah…This morning I had a thought; what if I had never met you? And that frightened me more than any of this has." Georgia said eye-ing around the guests at The Wake.

Kirsten leant forward out of her chair, so she was crouching in front of Georgia. She kissed her forehead then hugged her and Georgia tightly hugged her back. A few tears fell from Georgia's eyes and Kirsten could feel the shoulder of her dress dampening.

"I miss her so much."

"I know sweetie." Kirsten rubbed her back and pulled her closer. "I know…" Kirsten told Georgia if she wanted to talk about what will be, she could come and sit with her, and cry on her shoulder. That was ok because she was her friend and her mother and she would always listen and she would always be there.

Later on…

"Hey princess." Sandy said patting Georgia's head from behind. He stood at the back of his wife. "How you doing?"

Kirsten stood up and took Georgia's hand, swayed her in front of her and lightly pushed her towards Sandy. "Guess who wants to be become a permanent Casa ye Cohen lodger?" Kirsten said.

Sandy raised his eyebrows and looked down at his little princess who stood below him smiling up at him sweetly and happily. "Really?"

Georgia nodded her smile dropping and her eyes closing. She fell forward into him, resting her weight on his chest. "You tired princess?"

"Mm-hmm. Very sleepy." She said drainily.

Sandy lightly wrapped his arms around her. "We've rented a room out upstairs. Do you wanna go have a lie down?"

Georgia shook her head in his chest. "No. I'll go get some fresh air or something." She mumbled.

By this time Kirsten had already been distracted and walked away. "Sandy? We can come on holiday here can't we?"

"Of course. Anytime you want." Sandy said, brushing the hair of Georgia's face.

Georgia slid her hand up to Sandy's heart. "It's good to know the ones you love will always be in your heart. And since I'm lucky, only a plane ride away." Sandy smiled.

"You're friends can come out to the OC anytime they want as well."

"That's good to hear." Georgia said.

Matthew and Steph watched feebly from a distance. "We're gonna have to let her go aren't we?" Matthew said to Steph.

As he awaited her answer they watched as Georgia said to Sandy "I love you Dad." while embracing him in a very very tight hug. "I think she's already gone." Steph said.

Kellie, Steph and Matthew sat outside in the park. "This sucks! I can't believe we have to say goodbye to her again!" Steph said.

"Maybe this is a good thing." Matthew said swaying on a swing.

"How can this be good Matthew?" Steph asked frustratedly pacing about. "We may never see our best friend again. You may never see your girlfriend again."

"Georgia isn't my girlfriend."

"And now she never will be." Steph said.

Kellie sighed. "Look, Steph, you're so caught up in the past that you expect Georgia to be the same person she has always been. Even if she stayed here she won't be the same. She'll miss her brothers and her mum and her dad and the beach and the sun and the fit surfers and why don't I live in California?" Kellie asked losing her trail of thought. "Anyway, the past is like an anchor holding us back, you have to let go of who you are to become who you will be."

Matthew nodded impressed. "Georgia has to let go of Helen in order to move on with her life."

"Yes." Kellie said. She walked over to Steph. "But that doesn't mean she's letting go of us." Steph looked at her friend. "She called us everyday while she was with the Cohens and that wont change. And you kept saying yourself how nice Kirsten is." Steph smiled. It was true. She did keep going on about how gentle and caring Kirsten was. "Georgia needs this. Everyone needs a family. The Cohens are hers."

Steph nodded and was about to hug Kellie when a voice rang over to them.

"Hey guys." Georgia said softly. "I um, I need to tell you something." They all stood in a scattered line in front of her. "I'm moving back to California. For good."

Matthew nodded. "We figured."

Steph smiled at Georgia then wrapped her in a hug. "We'll miss you. And you better call everyday." Steph said. Georgia was surprised. She pulled back. "Wait y-you're not mad?"

Steph shrugged. "Nah. The past is like an anchor holding us back, you have to let go of who you are to become who you will be." Georgia smiled amazed and Kellie rolled her eyes. "Wow thanks you guys. That means a lot."

Matthew still sat on the swing and Georgia joined him, sitting on his lap. Kellie and Steph sat on the two swings beside them.

"Next time I promise I'll stay a little longer." Georgia said.

"You'd better." Matthew said

"You guys can come any time you like. You have to see our house; it's immense!" Georgia grinned.

"What's it like living with two brothers?" Steph asked. "You always wanted a baby sister."

Kellie grunted. "Ugh! You do not want younger brothers or sisters. I have 3 sisters and a brother and its hell. I hate children!"

They all laughed. "It's even funnier that your mum owns a nursery." Matthew said.

"Well ya know it never dawned on me what I was missing until I had a glimpse of what I never knew." Georgia said. "I can always count on Seth and Ryan for anything."

"And a dad. Sandy seems way cooler than my dad." Kellie said.

Georgia laughed. "Not at all controlling."

"Lucky." Steph smiled.

"Yup. I run my life the way I want it and I'll knock down all the obstacles in my way and no one can stop me. Not even my father."

Matthew pushed her off his lap. "Let's not get dramatic ok? This is not some cheesy teenage drama."

Georgia laughed. Matthew hoped off the swing he was on letting Georgia on and he started to push her.

"Wow." Kellie said. "Look how much weight Mr Jenkins has put on."

"That's an ass and a half." Steph said.

Matthew shivered. "Minging. Look at that flab jingle."

"Fact; you are what you eat. And he clearly went and devoured a big fat guy didn't he?" They all laughed. Georgia sighed. "Oh this is just what Helen would have wanted."

"What's that?"

"Fun at her funeral. How class was it when my aunt stubbed her toe as she went up to read the eulogy."

Matthew laughed. "That would only happen to your aunt."

There was a silence for about a minute. No one new what to say which had never h happened to them before. They were all thinking how much they were gonna miss this. Having a laugh together. "Look" Georgia started. "It would be childish of us to deny that our lives were changing. But just for the next two days, none of us are going anywhere, so let's just enjoy that."

Matthew pushed her way high into the sky on the swing. "Ok!"

"Ahhh! Matty!" Georgia screamed.

Georgia, Matthew, Steph and Kellie walked back in The Wake and they seemed to have walked into a riot. Helen's family and friends were shouting angrily at the Cohens; saying they were trying to steal Georgia away from them. They were arguing back as much as they could but there were so many people against them. Georgia could tell Ryan was about to blow.

Georgia humphed disappointed. She stormed through the riot and climbed up onto a table stomping her foot to try get everyone's attention. "Excuse me!" She shouted. "Hello!" No one heard her. "Would you all just SHUT UP!" The crowd heard her and silenced.

Georgia turned to her grandmother and grandfather in particular but the rest of the anti-Cohens too, glaring furiously. "Did it ever occur to you people that I actually want to live with the Cohens?" There was an awkward silence. "And it's what Helen wanted to; it was in her will." They all exchanged embarrassed and tensed looks.

"Look over the last…while or so… I've got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exciting" She looked at the Cohens. "Those that are old and familiar" She smiled at her friends "Those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back." Georgia paused catching her breath. "But the most thrilling, challenging and important relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just wonderful." She grinned mischievously and the crowd all smiled.

She became sincere again. "It's hard to find those people who love you for who you are. I found four of them."

Seth and Ryan turned to each other and smiled. So did Sandy and Kirsten. Georgia's grandmother nodded. "Alright Georgia." She said. "We get it." She said smiling and feeling embarrassed. She turned to Kirsten. She offered her hand and Kirsten shook it willingly. "Take good care of her."

"I promise." Kirsten said.

She then spun her chair around to Georgia. "And you child better call and write every week. I don't wanna be one of those Grandmothers who only knows you haven't kicked the bucket yet from the Christmas and Birthday cards you send me." Georgia stepped down off the table.

"I promise Grandma. Every week."

"And you'll see her every holiday." Sandy said.

When it was finally over the Cohens; all 5 Cohens, the complete set together; were being driven home in a small limo. Georgia was lying sideways on the side seat of the limo over Sandy and Kirsten. She changed in the hotel into some jeans and a t-shirt. In the limo she kicked off her Converse. Her legs lay across her dad's lap and her back was rested against her mum's side.

Georgia was in much higher spirits by night time than before. At around 7 o'clock her exhaustion and heartache took over. Sandy carried her up to the room he had kept aside for her. She lay against him and cried for a while and then she slept for about an hour or so. After her nap she woke up feeling brighter and bubblier. In the limo she was messing about with her brothers who sat opposite her. Somewhere they had found a cricket-ball-sized softball. They threw it back and forth between them in the limo.

Seth dropped it clumsily and Georgia shouted "D!" at him.

"What?" Seth asked.

"D for DONKEY. You know the game…you drop it once you get a D twice an O…" Georgia explained lazily.

"Let's see what videos this limo has here." Ryan said picking up a bundle from beside the TV screen. "Uh The 2003 Open Weight Judo Championships?"

"You know as much as I do like to watch 400 pound men roll around and attempt to lift each other off the ground, I think we should pass." Sandy said mockingly.

Ryan put that box down. "Historical Memories of 1971."

"Oh that is personally my personal favourite." Georgia said sarcastically.

"And Balamory." Ryan said with confusion. Georgia flopped her hand and Seth sighed. "No good films then."

"There's a CD player." Kirsten said. "You wanna put a CD on?"

"Better idea." Georgia said. "Seth I've got my ipod and the plug thingy in that bag there…yeah just plug it in and pass me my ipod…thanks…" Georgia switched on her ipod and scrolled through. "Right what shall we listen to?" She asked.

"Ummm…" Kirsten thought peering over her shoulder to see what she was selecting. "Not something sad." Georgia said.

"Not something musical." Kirsten said.

"Not something 'Idol'" Sandy said.

"Not something SOAD." Seth said.

"Not something punk, metal or indie rock." Ryan said stropily.

"Fine." Georgia said with a grin. "Pure rock it is then."

She clicked and when Kirsten saw the name of the song she smiled. "Good choice." She said.

She could tell the rest of her family agreed when they nodded their heads and formed lines of smiles when they heard the light strumming of Billy Joe strumming the intro for 'Time of Your Life'.

"You know what's weird?" Georgia said. "In a year Seth and Ryan might not be here. They could have moved out; be at college."

"They will be at college." Sandy insisted.

"No, no, no." Kirsten said. "As long as the rent's free and he's fed Seth won't ever be moving out." Kirsten said with a grin.

"I'd go anywhere to get away from you two." Seth said.

"Hey!" Kirsten said taking the ball from Georgia and chucking it at Seth hard; it hit him on the chest and he moaned. "Ow!"

"There'd only be three of us." Georgia said smiling. "I could have you all to myself." She said baby-ishly. Kirsten tugged on her daughter, pulled her closer and kissed her temple.

"The special three." Sandy said.

"So we're not special?" Seth said outraged being very melodramatic.

"Hey look there's champagne…" Seth said with a hopeful grin. Kirsten looked at him and smiled.

"A toast" Sandy said raising his glass "to the perfect moment" he looked to Kirsten and smiled "with the perfect woman" Seth rolled his eyes. "and the perfect family."

Clink.

--------------------------------

I hope this chapter was ok. Wrote half of it with a huge hangover. Anyways I remember seeing Ryan has a System of a Down poster in his old room –which is metal btw!- so just thought I would put that in cos I really couldn't decide what kind of music Ryan would listen to.

Also Georgia's speech about relationships I tagged from Sex and the City (which I do not own as much as I would like to own their closets.)I thought it fitted perfectly.

Please review! Only one chapter left! xoxo