Just a quick note i fortgot in the last chapter. If you didn't recognize the song at the end of the chapter it was "Heaven Was Needing a Hero" by Jo Dee Messina
Slowly the funeral home began to fill with those who loved AJ most. In the front row Marissa sat as straight up as possible trying to show that she was in control of her emotions. On one side of her sat Krystal who kept dabbing her eyes as a new memory of her Grandson would bring a fresh round of tears. On the other side was Bianca who had been by her side since the whole tragedy began. Always there comforting her always reminding her that she loved her. Next to Bianca was Miranda. The little girl that had quickly given Marissa was she so desperately needed today, the hug of a child.
Marissa's new family surrounded her as well. Kendall, Zach, and Erica had joined them in the front row ready to offer any support the young mother would need. Behind her was Jackson who's arm was wrapped around Greenlee's shoulder. Ryan sat next to her his hand tightly holding on to hers. His other hand resting on his own child's leg. Leo and David had joined them. Marissa was grateful to have her father there supporting her but more grateful he had promised her to make this day about her son.
The room was filled with people who wanted to celebrate the young boy that had touched so many lives, The Martins had offered condolences before taking their seats. Angie and Jesse Hubbard had spent a few moments with her praying for her and her son before joining their own family. AJ's classmates had come along with their parents wanting to say goodbye to their friend. Finally moments before the service was to start Adam Chandler walked in holding Brooke's hand. Behind him Colby was joined by her mother both trying their hardest not to cry. The last guest to arrive was JR Chandler who thanks to his father was sober and had lost that anger in his eyes he only felt the desperate pain of losing his son.
As Marissa turned to see her Ex-Husband enter the room she held her breath praying he wouldn't make a scene. She felt Jackson's hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry honey if JR try's anything Tad, Jesse and I will get him out of here before he has a chance."
JR was in his own world as the people stared back at him. He knew he was surrounded by people's hateful glances but all he could see was the small casket in the front of the room. As his father sat down with Brooke JR slowly made his way towards the front of the room. He paid no attention to Tad as he stood up almost daring JR to say something to Marissa. He only walked past the man he also called 'Dad' and made his way to his son. He knelt down in front of the casket the same way that Marissa had done only an hour before. He held back a sob as he looked down at his son lying motionless beneath him.
JR brought his head down closer to his son's whispering softly in his hear, "I'm so sorry son. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. That I disappointed you. You were such a good boy better than your old man ever was or could have ever hoped to be. You were the Chandler that finally would have brought honor to our family. Your Grandpa and I we tried to be good men but it wasn't in us not like you son. You had the loyalty and passion of a Chandler but the love and compassion of your mother."
With those simple words to his beloved son JR backed away from the casket and turned back to the audience. He held in the tears that he so desperately needed to release not wanting these people to see his weaknesses. He headed back to the last row to join his family. Before he could get there he stopped in front of Marissa.
He placed his hand gently on top of her knee and looked in to her eyes seeing her hate and disgust for him, "Marissa I promise you I'm not here to make scene. Today is about our son." He stood up and joined his father.
The funeral home filled over capacity as it seemed all of Pine Valley was in attendance. JR had given his seat up for one of AJ's classmates and now stood silently in the back of the room. He could hear the voice of the Minister addressing the crowd but the only thing his mind could process was that it was his son laying in the coffin. Now without the alcohol dictating his thoughts he knew he was the one that put him there. The alcohol allowed him to put the blame on Bianca on Marissa on his father on anyone else but himself. But now the truth was right in front of him, his anger had killed his son.
"When we lose someone we love we tell our selves everything we can think of to make the pain hurt a little less. 'They lived a good life.' Or 'It was there time' but when it's a child there are no words to express the sorrow we feel there are no platitudes we can say or hear to deaden the pain. We can only cling tight to the people we love and pray to God for the strength to live on for them." The minister stood before the crowd expressing everything they were all feeling. He stood before them telling them it was ok to not have the answers or to even blame God. As he finished up the service he opened up the floor for people to come and give their own thoughts.
The room stood quiet as they all sat stiff in their chairs. Memories of AJ Chandler's short life flashed through their minds like moving pictures. They wanted to stand up and tell everyone how AJ touched their lives how in such a short time he made them all better but instead that sat in their seats afraid of losing all composure.
The sound of a pair of Mary Jane's clicking on the floor echoed through the room. They all looked up to see the petite brunette girl standing bravely in front of the crowd. Bianca had felt her daughter pull herself off the chair and proudly watched her stand now before her family and friends.
Miranda pulled the paper out of her pocket and looked at Marissa and her Mother, "AJ was my birthday twin. We grew up together even when we lived in different countries my Mommy said we would talk to each other on the phone. When Mommy moved Gabby and I back to Pine Valley AJ and were best friends. We were in the same class at school and when people made fun of me because of who my Mommy loved AJ stood up for me. He wouldn't let anyone hurt me.
AJ was always more like a brother to me even though I was a little bit older than him. He always hated when I rubbed it in his face that I was older." In spite of themselves people laughed at her innocent words.
"AJ's Mommy Marissa told me it was ok to laugh that it didn't mean we missed AJ any less. When Mommy and Marissa told me that AJ was in heaven with his Mommy Babe I was really mad and I was really really sad. But we have to remember AJ and all the fun times we had with AJ. Like playing sports or playing on the playground or even the last time I saw AJ when we all dressed up like the Wizard of Oz. I know that AJ is happy up in heaven and he misses us but he would want us to be happy. And he would want Mommy, Gabby, and I to be a family with Marissa.
The night that AJ was hurt he and I did something we weren't supposed to do. We snuck into Mommy and Marissa's room and I showed him Mommy's keepsake box. Inside of it she had pictures of me as a baby and pictures of Gabby. She had pictures of Erica and Aunty Kendall and Uncle Zach. There was a picture of Grandpa Jack and Greenlee. She had lots of memories in her box. AJ found this piece of paper and he told me he wanted me to sing this song for him. I remember telling him he was silly that it was a sad song."
Miranda took a deep breath and looked down at the paper. Like her mother she had a sweet innocent voice that cut through a person's sou.
Oh we never know where life will take us,I know it's just a ride on the wheel. And we never know when death will shake us. And we wonder how it will feel."
As Miranda began singing the same song Bianca had sung at Leo's funeral Greenlee let out a soft gasp. She instinctively leaned forward placing her hand on her cousin's shoulder.
"So goodbye my friend. I know I'll never see you again. But the time together through all the yearsWill take away these tears. It's OK now...Goodbye my friend."
Bianca felt Greenlee's hand on her shoulder. The tears flowed freely from her eyes as her sweet daughter sang for her best friend the same way she had all those years ago.
"I see a lot of things that make me crazy. And I guess I held on to you. I could of run away and left. Well, maybe...But it wasn't time we both knew."
JR stared in awe at the little girl he had once considered his own. He had held this child in his arms protecting her keeping her safe. Now she stood before an audience of adults telling them it was ok to cry or be angry it was even ok to laugh. JR let the tears flow freely as he thought of the things his son would never do with his best friend.
"So goodbye my friend. I know I'll never see you again. But the love you gave me through all the years. Will take away these tears. I'm OK now...Goodbye my friend"
As Miranda continued to sing people began to stand and walk past AJ saying their last goodbyes. As they passed in front of Marissa they leaned forward giving the grieving mother a tight embrace.
"Life's so fragile and love's so pure. We can't hold on but we try. We watch how quickly it disappears. And we never know why."
As Miranda joined her mother and Marissa the coffin was slowly closed as the minister motioned for the ushers to come forward. Tad, Jake, Jackson, and Leo all stood to carry the young boy out to his final resting place. As Jake made his way forward he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see JR standing there. No words needed to be exchanged Jake knew what JR wanted. Jake moved to the side allowing JR to take his place at AJ's side. Everyone followed the men outside as Miranda's voice echoed through the halls.
"But I'm OK now. Goodbye my friend. You can go nowGoodbye my friend."