A/N – Well, I'm still alive and it's wonderful! You know why? Because now I can update… ;) Enjoy and review. One more chapter left, I think! This one's a little different. It switches point of view and I hope you like it…

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Chapter Fifteen – Final Farewell

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Tom's PoV

It's been a week. Seven long days. I'm still half-expecting her to walk through the door to my apartment and say it's been one big prank. I'd definitely give up my crown as Prank King if it meant she was back.

But she's not coming back. Her funeral is today. Can I handle that? Probably not. Seeing her face done up in fake makeup to make it seem like she was happy, even in death. Well, I have a tough time believing that she's happy. She died angry with me.

And that's what hurts more than anything. That I never got to say goodbye. That I never got to say sorry. That she never knew I was coming back to be with her. That she never knew I loved her more than life itself and wanted to spend the rest of it with her.

She'll never hear those words I wanted to tell her more than anything. She'll never hear those words she wanted to hear more than any others.

"I love you, Jude." Straightening my tie, I wipe my eyes for what I know won't be the last time today. I look up at the cathedral looming before me, sighing.

It's now or never.

I step inside the oak double doors and take my place in the back row, hidden from prying eyes.

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Kwest's PoV

I've been badgering Tom to get out and try to deal with this with his friends. I know he's feeling guilty and he wishes she were still alive, but what's that going to change? He doesn't realize that Jude would have wanted him to go out and be happy.

But for the first time since he's locked himself in the confines of his apartment, I'm glad he's there. That sicko who took pictures of Jude went through with it. Countless pictures of her have been spread around Toronto.

For the most part, the newsstands have been pulling them. Maybe they have a heart, or maybe it was Sadie screaming that if they sell the magazines, she'll rip their face off. Just one of life's little mysteries.

The pictures are plastered all over the internet, but lucky for us, Tom never goes on the internet and both her parents are AWOL. Sadie's a little angry—okay, she's livid—that neither of her parents could be reached for the funeral, but what are you gonna do?

I'm just trying to be here for Sadie. I can tell her heart is broken, even if she won't talk about. So I just hold her at night and help her plan this funeral. I think she'll be okay. But who can tell with these things.

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Sadie's PoV

Kwest is my rock. I don't know what I'd do without him. He tells me everything I need to hear when I need to hear it. And the best part? He actually means it. I'm so glad he's around. He helped me plan this whole funeral and he really wants to be there for me afterwards.

You know who's not gonna be at her funeral? Her parents. Mom's god knows where in Europe with Don and Dad's on some business call with Yvette in Africa. Lady Luck was never a family friend of the Harrison's.

But I'm kinda glad they aren't here. Dad would've had a heart attack if he saw the pictures of Jude. I'm just happy she wasn't here to see them either. She couldn't have taken it. At least now, she rest in peace not knowing.

And that's the way it should be right? Living in your own happy little world, not knowing? If she had stayed like that, we wouldn't be here right now.

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Portia's PoV

Darius was the one who called me. My brother. He hasn't talked to me since I left G Major to be with Brigitte. He told me Jude had passed away.

Now I'm on my way back to Toronto—Brige in tow. She wants to see Tommy. With Jude gone, would he be willing to pick up where he had left off?

Hey, what can I say? It's not what I wanted. Sure, I had always hoped Jude would be out of the picture. With her in Tom's life, I could never have my perfect family. But this is certainly not how I wanted it to go down.

I wanted to her to be happy. I wanted her to find love and to live a full life. I just wanted it to be without Tommy.

Guess you really have to be careful what you wish for, huh?

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Tom's PoV

The priest talked about Jude like he knew her. Who was he kidding? He didn't know how, if she was truly happy, her smile would stretch from one side of her face to the other. And if she was only smiling to please someone, she would lick her lips and then smile with her mouth closed.

The priest didn't know how when she cried, she was the most beautiful creature alive. He didn't know how when she felt something, everyone knew. He didn't know she looked most peaceful when she was singing a song she believed in—not when she was dolled up lying in a coffin.

She would have hated the service. It was all so fake. She would have wanted everyone to meet outside. She would've wanted a song playing in the background—maybe a Joe Strummer's guitar solo. She would have wanted her parents here—at least her dad.

Portia found me on the way to the cemetery. I barely gave her a second glance, but then I saw Brigitte hiding behind her, a sad look in her eyes and my heart broke. Portia asked me if I had changed my mind—if I could come back and be a father.

Looking at Brigitte, I realized that even if that girl was my daughter, I could never be her father. I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Portia. I can't. Not without her." She nodded her understanding, wiping a stray tear from her eyes. Without another word, she picked up Brigitte and carried her off, the two of them disappearing in the crowd.

As we gathered around her grave, it all seemed so real. For the first time since the doctor had uttered those dreaded words, it all seemed real. My chest felt heavy and my stomach was through the floor. And for the first time in weeks, it felt like nothing was ever going to get better.

I looked up and watched them lower her coffin in the ground, a sad trumpet sounding in the distance. I squinted, hoping the fresh tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes would wait until I was alone.

But who am I kidding? I am alone.

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A/N – Okay. Is anyone gonna cry when this is over? I know I will. Heck, I'm crying just writing this chapter. The epilogue is next...Go ahead and read it.