It was the morning of the funeral. Hope had spent all of yesterday cleaning the house spotless. She had taken total inventory of the kitchen, writing a list of everything they needed, had swept, mopped, and polished the hardwood in the kitchen, laundry room and living room, dusted, cleaned both bathrooms, and done all the laundry in the house. It had taken her all day and she was gladly exhausted after the four of them had ordered in from the Grill.

"Hope, can you zip up my dress?" Elena asked as she walked into the room. Her dress was black, knee length, with a Peter Pan collar and cap sleeves. The sleeves and the hem of her dress were both trimmed in cream lace. She wore black pantyhose and black pumps, with a long pearl necklace and matching pearl earnings. Hope, as always, felt self conscious in what she was wearing. She wore a very loose, long sleeved, black knee length dress. The dress had a scoop neckline, the skirt had a black lace overlay starting by the natural waist. She wore a white woven belt at her natural waist and also had on black pantyhose. She wore black kitten heals, no makeup, and no jewelry. Elena could see that Hope had indeed lost weight, her waist nipping in more than it used to, her shape more womanly.

"You look nice, Hope." Elena murmured, knowing that Hope would blush and refuse the compliment, which she did exactly that.

"Please, don't be silly. Are you ready?" Hope took one last look in the mirror, grimaced, and ushered Elena out and down the stairs to a waiting Jeremy and Jenna, who was dressed similarly to the girls wearing a black shift dress, a black cardigan, and black pumps. Jeremy wore black slacks, a black button down and a black tie. He was currently trying to untie it and Hope chuckled softly before fixing it for him.

"Thanks Hope." She nodded and the four of them left, a sadness shared between them. They pulled up to the church and all took deep breaths before getting out of the car and heading up the steps, all drawing strength from Hope.

The church was beautiful, with pale pink and white flower arrangements set up all over the altar and next to the caskets. They made their way up to the front pew, trying as hard as they could to keep themselves together. She was sitting down and waiting for every one to sit down for the service to start.

"You look more beautiful each time I see you, Hope." A man said from the end of the pew. She dared not hope as she turned and tears flooded to her eyes as her gaze landed on her father; Jonathon Gilbert.

"Dad." She stood up and hugged him. For everyone that knows Jon Gilbert, they know that he has a nonchalant attitude towards everything but his daughter. He cared for her, deeply, and he believed she was the best thing to ever happen to him. They both knew that their relationship was a little bit unconventional, at best, and that it was hard on them during holidays, but she knew that he meant well...most of the times.

"Hope...we need to talk." He whispered in her ear urgently, but before he could pull her away the service started. They sat together, her hand in his, and listened as the pastor spoke about Miranda and Grayson Gilbert.

The service passed in a blur as Hope sat their, her eyes not quite able to completely focus around the tears that poured down her cheeks. She watched as people from the town council spoke about her aunt and uncle, and while her father spoke, and then while Elena collapsed and was not able to get a word out. She hurried to the podium and wrapped her cousin in a hug. She led her to the pew and held on to her as the service came to a close. Her dad, Jeremy, Matt, Bill Forbes, Mayor and Tyler Lockwood, Logan Fell and another handful of men gathered around the caskets and carried the two out of the church into the hearse. Hope, Elena, and Jenna followed in Jenna's car to the cemetery where the two greatest people she had ever known were laid to rest. They each dumped a handful of dirt on them and walked back to the car without a word to each other, or anybody else.

People began to arrive right after they got home, cars lining the streets up and down as far as the eye can see. Hope laid out appetizer trays all along the table and kitchen counters, setting out bottles of water and napkins along with paper plates and plastic ware.

"Hope." She turned to see Bonnie, Tyler and Matt. She gave Tyler a one armed hug and held Bonnie in a longer embrace. She wasn't very close to her, but they had had their moments in the past. She gave Matt a hug that lasted longer than the one she gave Bonnie, and she couldn't help that her face had come away a little red.

"How are you holding up?" Bonnie asked, her voice laced with sincerity. Hope nodded and couldn't help but notice Matt's hand at her lower back. She stepped away nonchalantly to grab a bottle of water and hand it to Bonnie. Their hands touched and Hope could almost feel the worry Bonnie was feeling.

"Bonnie, we're all going to be fine, please don't worry." Bonnie gave her a small smile and took a sip of the water.

"You always did know how to read me." The girls gave each other warm grins before Tyler and Bonnie went to see how Elena was doing. She was feeling very sad, at that moment. So heartbreakingly sad, and it rolled off of Matt in waves.

"Matt are you okay?" Hope saw the look in his eyes as he shook his head once and led her to the laundry room, the only empty room in the house. He locked the door after it was closed and he took one look at her before the tears fell from his baby blue eyes.

"Elena?" She could only guess. He nodded as she gathered him into her arms and held him while she cried. His tears soaked her shoulder and she wrapped her arms a little tighter around his waist, his arms around her shoulders. He clung to her as he tried to make sense of his swirling emotions. He was confused as to why his heart gave a little flutter when Hope had hugged him, or how he was so aware of the waterfall scent of her shampoo and her fruity/floral perfume. He had always taken notice of Hope, and that she was a little bigger, but he had always thought her beautiful. He was heartbroken over Elena, but he was glad to have this girl to help him over it.

"Hope, I'm glad you're here." He whispered to her as she released him from their embrace. His heavenly cologne was making her a little weak in the knee. She couldn't help but realize just how grown up Matt has become, how tall he was and how wide his shoulders were; his gentle strength just emanated from him, surrounding him in this warm glow.

"I'm glad I'm here too Matt."