Disclaimer: The characters are property of Janet Evanovich and I am not making any money from this story. The story line is mine.

The Upside of Down

Part Three

By, Elissahara30

I sat up slowly and put my head in my hands. I was going crazy, and somehow I couldn't dredge up the will power to care. I wondered if I lay back down and tried to sleep, would I wake back up in that hospital room. To that place where Ranger was still alive. Could one sleep away their whole life just to escape the bitterness of reality?

I heard a knock on my door before my mother opened it, "Someone by the name of Tank is on the phone for you. Are you up to taking any phone calls?"

I turned my head and looked at my mom. I really wasn't up to anything, but this was Tank and he wouldn't have called unless it was important. "Yeah, I'll take his call."

My mother walked into the room and handed me a cordless phone. I thank her quietly and said into the phone, "Hi, Tank."

"Ms. Plum I wanted to inform you that Ranger's funeral will be at 1:00 pm today." Oh, god his funeral.

I drew in an unsteady breath, "Isn't it too soon for a funeral?" I don't know if I could face that. Hell, who was I kidding, I just didn't want to say goodbye.

"Julie's parents want to take her home, so Ranger's family thought it was important to have his funeral before they go." I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the headboard. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks. Poor Julie. She never really got to know what an amazing man her father really was. It wasn't fair, why did life have to be so unfucking fair sometimes.

"I'll be there." I said softly, trying to keep my voice from wavering. I hung up the phone and looked up at the ceiling. Now if I could just remember what it was like to breathe on my own, without having to remind myself to do it, maybe I could get through this day.

I stood in my parent's bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. You would think I was ready for a date instead of a funeral. I don't think my hair had ever looked this good, and the dress was sexy elegant, not sexy smutty. It was a long spaghetti strap dress, which had a black wraparound. I wanted to look beautiful for Ranger. I wore simple understated black pumps, and had a small black clutch purse. I made sure I had plenty of tissues. I was going to need them. I exited the bathroom and made my way down the stairs. My father waited for me, he was going to take me to the funeral. Joe wanted to take me, but I just didn't feel right going with him.

I was surprised and pleased to see that my father had dressed nicely, I knew out of respect for me. The gesture really touched my heart. "Are you ready?" he asked me.

I shook my head yes, and he escorted me out the front door to his Buick, that was waiting for us in front of the house. We drove saliently to the cemetery; it was a grave side service. I guess Ranger hadn't wanted a large funeral.

We arrived at the cemetery and I just stood on the paved road, staring at the small group of people gathered. I felt like I was cemented to that spot. I didn't want to walk any further. My father calmly took my hand and led me to the grave site. It was odd; my parent's were treating me like I was made china.

I stood back from the group, hoping no one would pay me any particular attention. Tank surprised me when he led me to one of the chairs by the grave site. I started to protest, but he just looked at me. So, I gave up. He sat me down, and my father stood behind me.

Other people took position around the gravesite and there was some that I assumed where Ranger's family. I had often wondered about his family, and this was not the way I wanted to meet them.

The group quieted to a deep hush, as the priest stood and recited the Lord's Prayer. My eyes filled with tears, I was horrid at funerals, yet this was a thousand times worse. This was for someone I had loved.

I couldn't help but think about the last gravesite funeral I had attended. It had been Mama Mac's funeral and I had been there with Ranger. He had held me as I sobbed my heart out for a woman I didn't know or like. He thought it was funny, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was here with me today.

As the service went on my quite tears turned into painful racking sobs and my father came around the chair and crouched down so he could hold me. I cried so hard, I was starting the get a head ache, but I couldn't stop.

When the ceremony ended I continued to softly cry in my fathers arms. I felt a small hand touch my face, and I turned and looked into the sad eyes of Julie. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"Oh, baby, I'm the one who should be sorry." I said to her and I reached out my arms and she hugged me so tight. And for a little while we cried together, I was reluctant to let her go, but I had too. I looked up and met the eyes of Julie's mother, and she seemed to understand my pain. Rachel may not have loved Ranger, yet she grieved the loss of the man who gave her, her daughter. I there as sat as one by one, I met Ranger's family. I had been so curious about all these people, and now the only thought that was running though my mind was, I'd gladly give up ever meeting them only to have him back.

TBC . . . .

A/N: More to come.