Hello readers! Thank you to those who read and reviewed, I appreciate it. Please leave a review if you like the idea, I really wanna hear what you have to say! Thank you, and enjoy!

-Jen

In the days following the news that her father was dead, Miley said very little, did very little, and functioned very little. She was released from the hospital two days after she came to, and was brought home by her grandmothers and godmother. All three were staying in the house, caring for Miley and Jackson, and making arrangements. They hadn't wanted to plan anything without knowing when Miley would be awake, but once they started, everything happened so fast.

In between making sure Miley was eating and bathing, her grandmothers planned the wake and funeral. Two days after being released from the hospital, the wake took place. Finally taking it upon herself, Miley showered. After getting out, she let her hair dry into its natural waves, how her father had always preferred it, and put on very little makeup. She pulled on black pantyhose, and slid into a simple black dress and black heels. As she left her room, Jackson was leaving his, in a suit and tie.

They both stopped, looking at each other, and Miley slowly went over, letting herself fall against him as she cried. Her brother wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as he cried with her. The siblings were soon joined by Ruby, who wrapped her arms around both of them.

"I'm so sorry, kids," She sighed, "Loosing one parent is hard enough, never mind two."

They soon had to clean up, and then they were in the car.

They were, of course, the first ones to the funeral home, and together, they walked into the softly lit room. Both Miley and Jackson had agreed on having a closed casket, so the whole thing was surrounded by baskets of flowers, with different ribbons stating things like 'son' and 'brother' and 'husband'. There was a picture of Susan off tot he side. The biggest flower arrangement, right on top of the casket declared 'father'.

They approached it together, stopping right in front of it. At the same time, they kneeled down onto the prayer bench, holding hands tightly, their free hands reaching up to gently rest on the casket.

In her head, Miley tried to tell him everything she'd never gotten the chance to. She begged for forgiveness, promised him she'd make him proud again, and asked for a sign that he was ok.

They were given as much time as they needed, and when they told the attendant they were ready, they were joined by Ruthie, Ruby, and Dolly.

"You guys ok?" Ruby asked gently, taking Miley's hand, gently brushing her hair back. "I know it's a stupid question," She added quickly.

"What she means is, are you ready?" Dolly said gently.

"As we'll ever be." Jackson said for both of them. They were both remembering six years ago, when together with their dad and Ruby, they'd accepted condolence after condolence from those who came to pay respects to their mother. What had been different then, for Miley anyways, was that she'd stood, clinging to her father, tears running down her face the whole time.

Now she was older, and had no daddy to hold her. Dolly and Ruby went to tell everyone waiting they were ready, and Ruthie pulled both of her grandchildren into her embrace. "It'll be ok, kids," She said, "We're gunna get through this, you understand?"

Their uncle came first, their dad's twin, hugging his mother, then his niece and nephew. Everyone began coming in, offering condolences to Miley, Jackson, and Ruthie who waited right in front, then going to find the extended family. They accepted hugs from neighbors, their dad's coworkers, random peoples from the neighborhood, and extended family that had flown in from Tennessee.

Many people from school, classmates and their family's stopped in, including, of course, Lily and Oliver with their families. Once their, her friends stood close by, being the constant support she needed, as she honestly felt like she was about to loose it.

About an hour after it had all began, she couldn't take it anymore.

"I need to take a break," She finally said to her grandmother and Jackson, "I'll be back," She muttered, before moving out of there as fast as she could. once out of the room everyone had been in, away from the crowds of people, she leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths. Lily soon caught up to her, wearing an outfit similar, and gently wrapped her arms around her best friend.

Miley let her head fall to her shoulder, and softly cried, "I didn't think I'd have to do this again so soon."

"I know honey," Lily said softly, "I'm so sorry." She helped her to a nearby chair, and left to get Miley some water, and that was when Ruby came over.

"Miley sweetie," She said, "You holding up ok?"

"I couldn't do it anymore. I needed a break." She muttered. "It's not fair, grandma."

"I know, baby. But he's in a better place now, with your mama." She reminded her.

"I wish they were both here." Miley murmured bitterly.

"Honey, there's some people I want you to meet," Ruby said, motioning to someone, "Honey this is Ella and Byron Montgomery, you uh...aunt and uncle." She said, putting her hand on the shoulder of Ella. Both were smiling nervously, and were looking at her strangely. Two kids stood a few feet behind them.

Miley stood, shaking their hands, accepting their condolences, the asked, "Aunt and uncle how?"

"Ella is my daughter," Ruby said, "Your mother's twin, actually."

Miley's eyes widened. "Mom never said she had a twin."

"Her and Ella had a falling out shortly after you were born," Ruby said in explanation, "But the past is the past. And these are your cousins, Aria and Mike."

Miley greeted them as well. The girl, Aria, looked at her in a strange way, and when she shook her hand, Miley felt something, like some weird connection between them, but she shook it off as Lily came up, handing her the paper cup of water. "Miles, Jake's here, he just pulled up." She said, putting her phone back in her clutch. Miley's iPhone had been destroyed in the accident. Jackson ordered her a new one, he said, but it would take a few days because it was specially made to receive Miley's number and Hannah's number.

Jake had been away and couldn't make it back until now. Miley had barley talked to him, since she'd really barley spoken to anyone, but now, she longed for him. She wanted him to hold her, tell her everything would be ok again, even though she knew it wasn't.

She saw the door to the building open, and Jake stepped in with a body guard, and Miley excused herself. He looked around, and then saw her coming over, and ran to meet her, dressed in a suit. She buried her face against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Baby I'm so sorry," He said softly, rubbing her back, kissing the top of her head. "Are you alright?" He asked urgently, gently pushing her a little bit away so he could look at her. While one arm remained around her waist, they all saw he gently rested a hand on her stomach.

"Fine, physically," She said, giving him a look that seemed to have hidden meaning.

He nodded, looking relieved, and pulled her close once again. "It's going to be ok," He promised, "I'll help you through this."

"Miley, Jackson's asking for you to come back," Oliver said gently, coming out of the room where everyone was.

Miley stayed in Jake's arm for a bit longer, before nodding.

"I'll go with you," Jake said, taking her hand. Miley and Jake led the way back in, Lily, Oliver, Ruby, and the Montgomery's following. Miley took her place with her brother and grandmother again, Jake leaving her a moment to give Jackson a guy hug, and then Ruthie a real hug.

"Mrs. Stewart, I'm so sorry," He said to Miley's grandmother. "He was a great man."

Ruthie accepted the hug, and smiled sadly. "Thank you, Jake. You make sure you take good care of our Miley, cause he can do worse to you now than he ever could before."

"Of course," Jake promised, before returning to Miley's side.

More and more people came through, so many tat their faces blurred together as person after person Miley barley knew passed by. Towards the end of the wake, though, Jackson nudged Miley. "Miles, isn't that Jason?"

Miley's brow furrowed, and she looked up. "Oh my god, it is," She muttered, then added, "Jess is here too!"

Jessica and Jason, two people she'd known basically her whole life approached her, Jessica now in the lead. "Miley, sweetie," Jessica DiLaurentis said, holding her arms out and embracing Miley, "I'm so sorry, darling, we came out as soon as we heard."

Miley felt comforted in Jess' embrace. She'd been like a second mother to her since she was a small toddler, and her hugs were familiar.

After Jess let go, Miley slid into Jason's hug. "I'm so sorry, kid," He said, more quiet than Miley'd ever heard him. "Life just won't give you a break, huh?"

"Mrs. DiLaurentis?"

The blond woman turned, and looked somewhat puzzled but smiled, "Aria! I never thought I'd see you here."

"Same here," Aria said. "You know my...cousin?"

"Cousin?" Jessica said, "Well, it is a small world. I've known Miley since she was a baby. Her and Ali were inseparable growing up, like sisters."

"How do you know each other?" Miley asked, standing beside Jason still, his arm around her shoulder.

"Ali befriended Aria and three other girls when we moved to Rosewood," Jessica said, "They all became quite close."

"Oh...it really is a small world." Miley said, but then moved on, "Where is Ali, Jess? Isn't she here, didn't she come?"

Jessica's face fell, she looked at Miley sadly. Aria looked at her, confused. They were like sisters, but she didn't know Ali was...gone?

"He never told you," Jessica whispered.

"Told me what?" Miley asked, confused.

"I called your father when it happened, sweetie, and he asked me to let him tell you at the right time." She said softly, "He said you were in a tough place, and he wanted to do it at the right moment."

"Tell me what, Jess, you're scaring me!" Miley demanded. She looked up at Jason, who was avoiding her gaze.

"Sweetie, about a year ago Ali went missing," Jess said gently.

Ruby stepped forward, putting a hand on Miley's shoulder. "Jessica, maybe this isn't the best time to tell her this."

"What happened," Miley demanded, "I thought she just got mad at me, she was in one of her moods and that's why she stopped talking to me!" She exclaimed, near tears. "Where is she, where's Ali, she has to be here," Miley said, beginning to cry, "I need her!" Jake had taken over for Jason, and was trying to calm her down, trying to tell her it was ok

Lily stepped up to Miley's side, putting an arm around her, "Miley calm down," She said gently.

"Where is she?" Miley shouted, attracting the attention of everyone in the room.

Now in tears herself, Jessica reached out and took Miley's hands, holding them tightly. "They just recently found her...her body, Miley. She was murdered."

Miley paled, her breathing grew ragged, and she almost collapsed. "No!" She shouted, "No, he would have told me, he...he...she can't be gone!" Miley said, pulling away from Jake and Lily. "Ali, this isn't funny!" She shouted, "I need you, this isn't funny!"

"Miley, it's not a joke," Jessica said, wrapping her arms around her, trying to get her to calm down. "I wish it was too, but she's gone."

Miley stopped trying to fight her and gave out against her, sobbing. "Not her too," She sobbed, "I can't have lost both of them."

The family had quietly thanked everyone, and ended the wake, so now only Ruthie, Ruby, Jackson, Dolly, the Montgomery's, Lily, Oliver, Jake, and the DiLaurentis' remained.

Ella and Byron looked at each other, then back at the daughter they barley knew. First her dad, the one parent she knew that she had left died, then she found out her best friend of her whole life had been murdered. Her life was being ripped up piece by piece...and very soon, they were just going to have to rip it more