Disclaimer - I don't own the rights to anything. It's sad how true that statement is.
For the TV series universe, but I suppose it does fit for the book universe as well.
For my claim of Chisty at the livejournal community fanfic100.
-----
Neil stared at the trunk pushed in the far corner of the room, taunting his soul in silence. He had thought of finding a quilt to spread it across, to block his eyes from landing on it. Alas he knew a multi colored, handed sewn quilt couldn't stop the memories. It was hard believe her entire life, their entire life together was in that trunk. Dresses, letters, knit knacks collected over the years. At least the happy years, when they both commucated with each other, when he still laughed, and to her the world wasn't as grim and unfair as she complained about.
The funeral was exactly one week ago, it had been weeks since the storm, weeks since the endless searching parties, many in the cove leaned a hand and those unable to search gave support in other ways, and weeks since a few belongings of hers were discovered clinging to a lose branch in the flowing river.
Neil couldn't accept the reality she was gone, couldn't face the idea he might be responsible for it all. Alice's attempt of ensurance that it was God's will had only made it worse. How was that suppose to make him feel better? That's why he couldn't believe it God, more than other reason - the fact that such a loving and caring God destroyed the lives of such decent and good people. Like his wife.
Than he was ready to let go of hope that Margaret would walk in the front door of their cabin, with a funny tale of where she had been this entire time. He allowed Alice to arrange for the funeral, he had knew she needed to say goodbye to her daughter she was ready to move on with life and throw herself full speed into the mission work.
Earlier today he gathered all the belongings, now ready to move on with life, his people needed him to alert, aware, not locked in the darkness that had become his friend. Still he wished he knew how to block the memories, that he could find the right words to say good bye and I am sorry.