Back to the Basics

Chapter 8

The ride to the church was spent in complete silence. Rory sat between Finn and Winston in the back of the limo. The elder Rothschild had not taken his eyes off the floor while Finn sat trembling.

He felt Rory's small hand slip into his own and give a small squeeze. The small gesture meant a lot to Finn. He wasn't completely alone. He felt her retracting her hand, panicking he gripped her hand tightly so she wouldn't let go. He turned to her with wide eyes, his body quivering worse than before. Rory must have comprehended his fear as her grip tightened to match his hold.

The limo pulled up to a large church. Finn kept his eyes on the ground as Rory led him inside. He didn't dare glance at the guests for lifting his head meant seeing mourners dressed entirely in black, which meant he really was at his mother's funeral.

He continued to clutch at Rory's hand throughout the service. He was unable to comprehend the minister as he spoke nor was he able to grasp the eulogy his father gave.

He ignored the fact that his hands were sweating as he followed the pallbearers to the cemetery where his mom was to be buried with Rory's hand enveloped in his.

He watched his mother's coffin lower into the ground. Rory gave his hand a squeeze to remind him she was still there right by his side.

"Goodbye mommy," he whispered.

He thanked the mourners softly after they all offered their sympathies. They complemented his father on the lovely service. This part he had to do alone, without Rory. His hand felt oddly cold. She had disappeared to check on the caterers the moment they arrived back at the house.

The last two people who entered the house were ones he didn't expect to see.

"Finn, buddy," Colin, said gripping his hand. How are you holding up?"

Finn shrugged.

"Colin! Logan!" Rory said appearing at his side. "I didn't think you would make it."

"Well, we did," Logan, said curtly. Finn frowned but said nothing.

"Thank you for calling, Rory," Colin said. "We really appreciated it."

"You two are Finn's best friends, you needed to be here."

Inwardly Finn smiled. Rory really knew him well.

"You should really eat something, Finn, you're quite pale," Rory said concerned. "I'll go get you something."

She made to leave but Finn quickly captured her hand in his. Rory raised an eyebrow. Unnoticed Logan frowned.

"You promised!" he stuttered out his eyes widening.

Smiling softly she assured him, "I'll be right back."

Letting go of her hand he turned back to his friends.

-

The house was silent again. The caterers had cleared all the food and the maids had done the same with the dishes. The guests had all departed except for Logan and Colin whom Rory had the maids prepare rooms for.

It was just after midnight and Finn lay awake listening. Distantly he heard a low tick tock coming from the grandfather clock in his father's office.

When he was younger he remembered hearing his parents' voices at about this same hour as they sat in the living room having a drink before they would retire. Finn remembered how their conversations ranged from the weather, to politics, to books and movies.

Green eyes welled with unshed tears. He would never again hear his mother converse with Winston over trivial subjects. Her melodious laughter would not reverberate through the house. The first tear slipped down his cheek.

As a child Finn would sit for hours with Peyton just listening to her speak. She could talk of unimportant matters and make them seem interesting. The eyes Finn inherited would light up as she spoke.

AS Finn grew older, his mom would reminisce about her own childhood. She would describe the silly mishaps she had unknowingly gotten herself into. It always made him laugh; now though, several more tears fell from his eyes.

A soft knock came at his door startling him. Angrily he swiped his hands across his face as he mentally scolded himself for crying loud enough to be heard. He needed to be strong.

"Finn?" Rory said softly as she stepped into the room. She clearly hadn't been to bed yet as she was still in her black dress.

"I'm fine," he said to her unasked question. Finn knew it was pointless to lie since she saw right through him, but he did anyway.

She sat down next to him and wiped a solitary tear from his cheek before wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "No, you're not," she murmured, "and that's okay."

"But its not," his voice came out choked. "It's—"

Rory's arms tightened as the floodgate opened and he buried his head into her neck. In hushed tones she told him everything would be okay and that he had friends who loved him and who would help him through this. Finn didn't understand how that was possible but was somehow put at ease by her soothing words.

He let out a watery laugh catching Rory by surprise. "How can you be doing this?" he wondered aloud.

"Doing what?"

"Taking care of me," Finn said leaning away from Rory.

Rory chuckled. "I'm your friend, Hun, it's what I am here for."

His eyebrows furrowed. "But you have enough to be worrying about."

It was her turn to look confused. Finn nodded towards her fractured ankle. Realization dawned on her. "At the moment, Finn, your pain is much worse than mine."

"Do you ever worry about yourself?" he asked. For as long as he had known her he had not seen her act selfishly once. He had seen her quiz Colin for his biology final when she had finals of her own to study for. He watched as she consoled Logan after dinner at the Huntzberger's where Logan's family insulted her horrendously, she made sure he knew he wasn't like his family and that it wasn't her fault. Now, here she was comforting him even though just over a week ago she had suffered through a traumatic event.

The corner of her lips tugged upwards in a small smile. "I'll worry about myself later. I promise."

"I don't get it!" his voice rose and he jumped to his feet. "How can you be so calm? How do you do it?"

"Calm down, Finn!" Rory said standing as well.

"I can't!" he told her. "I don't know how."

Rory reached out and pulled him to her, he let her and welcomed the warm embrace. His shoulders shook as once again let his tears flow.

"I can't handle this," he mumbled. "I don't know how."

"I'll help you."

Finn pulled away slightly so he could see her face illuminated by the moonlight. Her eyes were shining with concern and worry for him. Ever so slowly his head inched closer to hers. He heard a sharp intake of breath before his lips connected with hers in a soft kiss, it was over before she could even respond.

This time when he looked into her eyes he saw confusion mixed in with her worry. His own eyes reflected his fear and pain.

"I just want the pain to stop," he whispered as a tear slid down his cheek.

When he leaned down to kiss her, this time, she let him. Slowly they moved toward the bed, his hands carefully unzipping her dress.