CHAPTER ELEVEN
(chapter title – Mark's Memorial)

"What is there to say about Mark?" Roger asked the congregation three months later. "For one thing, he was an amazing dad and an extremely hard worker. He not only cared for himself, but for others as well." Pause. "It breaks my heart to know that he won't be around to see his daughter, Jennifer, or my daughter, Sara, grow up to become beautiful young ladies." He turned around and looked at Mark's coffin and whispered, "I love you and I always will." He then went and sat back down next to Sara on one side and Jennifer on the other. Sara stood up and walked to the front of the stage, carrying her guitar.

"This is a song that I wrote originally for my aunt Angel, but I think Dad deserves it more. It's called Arms of the Angel – here goes." She strummed a chord on her guitar before singing a gentle and flowing melody.

"Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it ok
There's always some reason to feel not good enough

And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
They may be empty and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an Angel fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you
fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies

That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference, escaping one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

In the arms of an Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you
fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
In the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here

You're in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here." Sara sang in the most beautiful voice anyone had ever heard. The sounds of sniffling and crying filled the room instead of applause. Sara went to sit down next to her dad and best friend, instantly burying her head in Roger's shirt and crying.

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After the memorial service, the congregation filed outside to witness the burying of Mark. Roger threw the first pile of dirt onto the wooden coffin and stepped back so that Sara and Jennifer could have a turn. Both girls were crying as they threw a small handful of dirt onto the coffin and stepped back so that they were next to Roger. Roger put both arms around Sara and Jennifer's shoulders as Amazing Grace was played on a flute. That made Sara cry even harder. Roger slowly rubbed Sara's back and drew her close to him, telling her everything would be okay.

After the burial, Roger and Sara stuck around to talk to Mark's family while Maureen and Joanne took Jennifer, Christopher and Tiffany back to their apartment. Roger nodded as Cindy, Mark's sister, came up to him, followed by two little girls no older than five.

"Hey Cin." Roger greeted her, sadly.

"Hey Rog." Cindy had tears in her green-gray eyes. "I'm sorry about what happened to my brother. I knew he meant the world to you."

"Thanks."

"I mean it, Rog. He loved you more than anything." She pulled him into a hug, noticing Sara for the first time.

"Oh my God, Roger! She's beautiful!"

"Thanks. This is my daughter, Sara."

"It's so nice to meet you, Sara. These are my daughters Lindsey and Taylor." Cindy introduced the two girls who had come with her.

"Hi." Lindsey and Taylor said in unison. They looked exactly like Cindy. Roger turned to Sara.

"Do you want to go back to the loft, sweetie?" he asked.

"Yeah." Sara told him, blinking the tears out of her eyes. Roger kissed her cheek and said 'goodbye' to Cindy and her daughters. As they walked to where the car was parked, Sara looked up at the sky – dark clouds were gathering in the east.

"I know, sweetie. He's in heaven now with Collins, Katie, Mimi and Angel. The five of them are probably catching up on old times." Roger's voice startled Sara out of her daydream.

"Daddy, can I ask you something?"

"Anything, sweetheart."

"Why did God take Dad when he did? It wasn't Dad's time."

"I know, sweetie. But now Dad's in a better place – no suffering, no pain." He opened the car door for Sara before getting in the driver's side. She got in and continued to look up at the sky as Roger put the car in 'drive' and drove to the loft in silence.

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They reached the loft fifteen minutes later. As soon as they were inside, Sara ran to her room and closed the door. Musetta was on the couch, waiting for Roger and Sara to come home. Roger walked over to the puppy and scratched her ears absentmindly. He felt the sting of tears in his eyes, but he didn't care. Musetta looked up at him with her large, brown eyes and let out a soft whimper. Roger stood up and went to fill her water bowl with fresh water. As he did, he listened for any sign of life from Sara's room. He didn't hear anything. Putting Musetta's water dish down, he walked to her room and knocked on the door.

"Go away!" she sobbed.

"Sar? It's daddy. Can I come in?"

"No! Go away!"

"Do you need anything?"

"No!"

"Okay. Let me know if you do." Sighing, he walked back over to the couch and sat down. He then buried his face in his hands and cried, not knowing if he would ever stop.

A/N: don't own the lyrics to Arms of the Angel. belongs to respected owner. 'nuff said