The morning of Mark and Kathrine's funeral was a bright and sunny day. Birds were singing and there was a soft breeze coming off the bay, sweeping across the cemetery behind St. Cristina's cathedral. In side was much the opposite.
Inside the cathedral a sad funeral march was playing as people filed past the caskets at the front of the church. So many people had shown up to pay their respects, Alison was overwhelmed. She never knew her parents where that popular. Owners of charity groups, the San Diego Chief of Police, and plenty of other important people showed up. Alison was dumbfounded when the President of the United States' secretary showed up to give his condolences to Sam, and tell Jack that 'Henry' wanted to see him as soon as he was off leave. Jack and the president knew each other on a first name basis? Now Alison really wanted to know what her aunt and soon-to-be uncle did for the military.
Throughout the service Sam had watched Alison fidget, and she was unsure why until she heard Father Peters call her up to the pulpit. Alison took a deep breath and walked up the stairs with her head held high and her back straight.
"Good after noon everyone. Firstly I wish to say thank you for all of the support that myself and my family have received at this time." Sam watched Alison inhale a shaky breath before continuing. "From an early age my mom taught me that the people we love never actually die as long as we keep them close to our hearts. Last night I was wondering what I was going to say up here, when by chance I found a song on YouTube, that expressed exactly what my mom would say if she were here. The song is called With You In Your Dreams, and I know that my mom and dad will always be with me in my dreams." Alison looked up to the person working the audio system in the balcony and nodded. Slowly light piano chords fleeted through the air.
If I'm gone when you wake up
Please don't cry
And if I'm gone when you wake upIt's not goodbye
Don't look back at this time as a time
Of heartbreak and distress
Remember me, remember me
'Cause I'll be with you in your dreams
I'll be with you
But If I'm gone when you wake up
Please don't cry
And if I'm gone when you wake up
Don't ask why
Don't look back at this time
As a time of heartbreak and distress
Remember me, remember me
'Cause I'll be with you in your dreams
Oh oh
Don't cry, I'm with you
Don't cry, I'm by your side
Don't cry, I'm with you
Don't cry,I'm by your side
And though my flesh is gone, whoa
I'll still be with you at all times
And although my body's gone, oh
I'll be there to comfort you at all times
But If I'm gone when you wake up
Please don't cry
And if I'm gone when you wake up
Don't ask why
Don't look back at this time
As a time of heartbreak and distress
Remember me, remember me
'Cause I'll be with you
I'll be with you in your dreams
Oh, I'll be with you
I'll be with you in your dreams
I'll be with you
I'll be with you
I don't want you to cry and weep,
I want you to go on living your life
I'm not sleeping an endless sleep,
'Cause in your heart
You have all of our good times, all of our good times
And if I'm gone when you wake up
Don't ask why
Don't look back at this time
As a time of heartbreak and distress
Remember me, remember me
'Cause I'll be with you in your dreams
I'll be with you in your dreams
I'll be with you
I'll be with you
I'll be with you in your dreams
I'll be with you in your dreams...
By the end of the song almost everyone in the sanctuary was in tears, slowly Alison walked back down to her seat and into the waiting arms of her Aunt Sam. The rest of the ceremony passed by relatively fast. It wasn't until Sam and Grandpa Jerry got up to help carry out her parents caskets. As soon as her parents bodies were lifted in their final resting beds Alison started sobbing. Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulders and Teal'c was holding a now sleeping Jenna in his arms, and Charlie was sleeping peacefully in his car seat being carried by Daniel, as they followed Alison's Grandmother out the doors of the church and around the building to the private cemetery. Alison didn't bother watching as her parents were lowered into the ground, she simply buried her face into Jack's chest where he held her tight.
After everyone had left Jerome and Tabitha walked up to Alison.
"Ali, Grandma and I want to let you know that if you want, you can stay with us here in San Diego instead of having to move to Colorado in your Junior year, I'm sure Sam would understand if you wanted to be with your friends for your last year of high school." Jerome said.
"Thanks grandpa, I'll think about it and let you know, ok" Jerome nodded and kissed his granddaughter on the forehead before he walked away with his wife. Ali thought about the proposition at hand for a moment. No, she didn't want to stay here, everywhere held memories of her and her parents. Now Ali needed a new setting, otherwise she was sure that she would lose her mind. Jack walked over to Ali and put his hand on Ali's shoulder. Ali looked at him quickly and gave him a minuscule smile.
"Hey Jack… Umm, can we go home yet? I really don't want to be here right now." Ali said the last part with shame in her eyes.
"It's ok Ali. Let me go talk to Carter and see if there's anything else she needs to do before we can go." Jack kissed Ali's forehead gently before turning around to go and talk to Sam who was speaking with Father Peters.
"Hey Sam, sorry about interrupting, but can we talk for a moment?"
"Sure. Excuse me Father." Sam stepped away from the elderly priest and turned to Jack. "What is it?"
"Ali was wondering if we could leave, I think she doesn't want to be here any longer than necessary." Jack said quietly. Sam looked over at her niece who was standing awkwardly in a crowd of people, her arms wrapped around herself as if she was afraid of falling apart.
"Yeah, I think we should get going too. Father it was nice meeting you, but I think it's time to get the girls home." Sam smiled slightly.
"Yes I agree, I've known Alison for her entire life, she's going to be a handful for you. She tends to draw into herself when things are tough. Don't let her." Sam nodded and walked back to her family.
"Come on, let's go home."
A thousand apologies, it was much harder to write this chapter than I thought it would be. The song is With you in your dreams by Hanson, it was the song that was recently played at a friend of mines funeral and so I believe it was the best way to convey my thoughts in this chapter.
I hope to be finishing this story up soon so I can start on the sequel.
As always constructive criticism is insurmoutably appreciated