Author's Note: Hey guys, it's time for the next update. I just wanna stop and say thank you so much to everyone who's either following or reviewing my story because it lets me know not only that you're reading my work but that you care enough to read it too lol
I also want to stop and make an announcement so you guys won't have to keep asking and wondering when the bomb's going to drop. There are thirteen chapters left until the secret is exposed. A lot of other things are going to happen between this chapter and the secret, so don't stress over Kimberly not knowing the truth. When it does come out, you guys are going to enjoy that chapter, I promise. So for now, let's get on with this chapter so you guys can get closer to that big chapter :).
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers, any of its series, or any of its characters. Also, this plot was inspired by the 2008-2010 storyline of Days of our Lives. However, I do own all made up characters and parts of the plot that I changed or made up myself.
"Amazing Grace"
The sanctuary's murmur of various conversations came to a hushed silence as the priest entered the pulpit and faced the congregation with a sympathetic smile on his face. His eyes moved throughout the congregation as he took in the faces of each and every person in the room. His eyes came to rest on Kimberly, Tommy, and their friends who were seated on the front pew. He smiled genuinely at Kimberly before parting his lips to speak.
"There is no greater pain than the loss of a child." the priest's voice floated through the church. "A child is such an innocent little soul who has no knowledge of the world around them. All that matters to them is the here and the now. They love everyone around them and they can make a friend in a matter of seconds. Our Lord in heaven has a soft spot in his heart for all children of this world. He wraps his arms around them and protects them from harm and danger and he's the one who decides when it's time for that child to be called home, whether it's in the time of infancy or when a human being has reached the age of ninety. We do not know why, but aren't to question why. Perhaps that child has a bigger and better purpose in his kingdom where they can watch over their loved ones from up above.
This can be said about baby Grace Olivia Hart, who was called home to the Lord a few nights ago after succumbing do a vicious case of bacterial meningitis. Grace was a little fighter and she went peacefully with her parents by her side."
Kimberly sniffed at the recalling of the night's events and Tommy managed to weave his hand into hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. Jason placed a hand on her knee for reassurance as well. They were all hurting, but they were going to get Kimberly through this day.
Collin who was seated a few pews back on the opposite aisle saw Kimberly being comforted and snorted in disgust at the display. How dare the priest refer to Tommy and her as the baby's parents? He was her parent regardless of whether Tommy helped raise her or not and he was going to make sure that no one ever forgot that.
"Are you alright sweetheart?" Katherine whispered as she shifted Neveah's position in her arms.
Collin nodded before reaching to stroke his sleeping daughter's cheek lovingly. The two of them then turned back to the pulpit.
"Today, we have gathered here to lay baby Grace to rest so that she may rest peacefully on this earth while her joyful, vibrant little spirit watches over her family from above. We shall begin today's service with words of remembrance for this little girl. Is there anyone who would like to say anything?"
The congregation looked around, curious to see who was going to speak, when Aisha from her seat at the rear of the church.
"I have a song that I would like to sing in honor of little Grace." she said.
The priest nodded and motioned for her to come forward.
Aisha took a deep breath and stepped over crossed legs and purses and out into the middle aisle. She stood firm and folded her hands before dropping them to her midsection and closing her eyes. She then held her head high as a beautiful and familiar song passed through her lips.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Once blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved,
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
As Aisha repeated the first verse of the song, several members of the congregation began to sing along with her. Kimberly managed to choke a few of the words out through her tears as Tommy held her, rocking her comfortingly.
When Aisha finished her song, the congregation applauded her as she walked back to her seat. The priest then called for anyone else who would like to speak on the little girl's behalf.
Trini raised her hand and the priest nodded in response. She grabbed her yellow-covered bible and stood to face the rest of the church. She smiled before looking down at the open book.
"I will be reading a short passage from the book of Ecclesiastics." she spoke loudly for everyone to hear. "There is a season for everything. A time for every occupation under heaven. A time for giving birth, a time for dying…"
Trini continued to read the passage as tears filled the eyes of everyone in the congregation. She'd truly chosen the right passage to read to everyone. When she finished, a few other people stood and said nice things about the little girl who'd passed away.
A few nurses that were at the hospital the night Grace died spoke along with Doctor Jonas who was working mercilessly to try and help the little girl. They all spoke of how strong Grace was and how she managed to smile in spite of all the pain her little body was going through. He also complimented that when she'd finally passed, a faint smile was on her face like she pleased to finally be relieved of the pain she was enduring.
Billy spoke of how Grace's face would light up when anyone would walk into her room. He told stories of playing with her and Jacob while Kimberly and Tommy were away working and how she rarely cried but how she always giggled. She was the most active four-month-old he'd ever met.
Jason spoke of how he was pleased to be the baby's godfather and how he felt she looked up to him and respected him even if she didn't really know how to do so at her young age.
When the priest prepared to speak again, Collin stood from his seat causing a low murmur to erupt in the room. Kimberly began shaking when she spied him moving out into the center aisle.
"What is he doing?" Trini whispered to her friends.
"He'd better not be making a scene." Jason said as his eyes narrowed. "This is supposed to be a sad momentous occasion, not a chance for revenge."
As Collin approached the front of the church, the congregation grew silent before he turned around to face them. He cleared his throat before looking at a stand where Grace's picture was displayed for everyone to see.
"I am here today…to say goodbye to my daughter Grace." He said as he glanced around the room at everyone staring back at him, unsure of what was to happen next. "Those of you who know me know that my family means the world to me. My reason for getting up every day is to ensure that my children are safe. The Lord…he causes us great pain, but it is in his children that we see his finest work."
Katherine smiled at Collin from her seat as tears streamed down her face. He was truly being brave and strong for standing before so many people who thought of him as the scum of the earth. In spite of what people thought of him, he was telling the truth. He would put his life on the line for his children just as she would and that was one of his most admiring qualities. As he stared around at the people seated in the church, she could tell he was suffering and struggling to say what needed to be said. He was shaking just slightly and his eyes were filled with so much anger yet at the same time, an unbelievable amount of pain. He was mourning the loss of a daughter never known and he was going to tell everyone about it.
"Each and every child he creates is so…perfect." he said, the word sounding angelic as it floated off his tongue. "They are so unique, and we love them. We love them before we know them, before we see them, and before we hear them. So on this sad, sad day, Kimberly and Tommy…I trust that you will have some comfort…in the memories you have with my daughter. The first time that she wrapped her fist around your finger and looked into your eyes."
Kimberly and Tommy moved their gaze to the floor at his words. They were so deep and true and that's what hurt them the most.
"But the two of you will always have those memories." he said, his eyes never leaving them as they looked back at him. "I won't. I never even got to hold her, and I…have nothing."
With his final words being said, Collin made his way back to his seat to sit beside his wife. Katherine rubbed his back soothingly and kissed his cheek.
"I'm so proud of you for saying that." she whispered. "It must've been hard."
Collin nodded before looking down at Neveah. "Please, let me hold my daughter."
"Of course." Katherine said without any hesitation before lifting the baby and placing the sleeping girl into her father's arms.
The service continued as the priest gave a brief sermon and said a quick prayer to calm the souls of everyone present. Soon after, an usher walked down the center aisle and placed a basket on the steps beside Grace's picture display while another usher passed baskets of flowers down each row so each member of the audience could take one. Everyone then began stand as they prepared to set their flowers in the basket that would be taken to the gravesite after the service.
Tommy pulled a white rose from the basket and smiled as he passed it on to Kimberly. Kimberly's hands began to tremble as she pulled a pink rose from the basket. Jason watched sadly as Kimberly held the pink rose to her heart. Not only did rose have a connection to Grace, but it definitely had a connection to her. Jason took the basket and peered and side and almost teared up at the sight of the multicolored roses in the basket. Grace was a vibrant-minded child and the florist sent multicolored roses to make the occasion less solemn and a little brighter. Jason pulled a red rose and Trini and Billy proceeded to pull out died yellow and blue roses. The five of them then stood to their feet and watched as their friends and family dropped their colored roses into the basket beside Grace's picture.
When Tommy and Kimberly neared the basket, Kimberly began trembling as she stared at the beautiful flowers spilling from its inside. Tommy grabbed her free hand encouragingly and the two of them approached the basket together to drop their roses inside.
"We'll never forget you Grace." Tommy spoke softly as Kimberly rested her head on the shoulder. Her eyes remained on the multicolored roses in the basket before she smiled sadly through her tears.
"We won't ever forget you sweetheart." She managed to speak. "My sweet baby Grace. My beautiful angel." The two of them then headed back to their seats.
The funeral came to a conclusion after everyone had said their goodbyes with the roses. Soon, everyone was in the graveyard behind the church where a freshly dug grave remained unearthed with no casket inside.
A small, pink headstone had been placed above the rectangular opening with Grace Olivia Hart engraved on its surface. Below it was her date of birth and the date of her death with the words: Forever my angel, sweet amazing Grace.
The sounds of sniffing and crying were all that could be heard as the funeral workers hooked a tiny white casket onto their cranes before slowly lowering Grace's body into the ground. The priest spoke a few words as the casket sunk into the hole, forever gone from sight.
After everyone had left, Kimberly, Tommy, and their three friends stayed behind to stare at the beautiful flowers that surrounded the covered grave. Grace was now gone, but she would never be forgotten.
Author's Note: And so ends another chapter. This chapter made me tear up a little bit while I was writing, so I hope it has the kind of feel that a funeral is supposed to have. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and the next one will be coming to you soon. So, go ahead and leave me a review, and I'll see you guys at the next update. Bye!
