Okay this is quite a long one to make sure you're sitting comfortably.
Thank you again to 'Doctor Addison Montgomery' for reviewing :)
I don't own any of the songs or poems.
First song ~ My Way by Frank Sinatra. Second Song ~ Father's Love by Bob Carlisle.
Third Song ~ When I Get To Where I'm Going by Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton.
First poem ~ I Love My Dad by Diana Doyle.Second poem ~ Love For My Daughters by Debra L. Cash.
Enjoy! :)
After the ambulances left the scene of the incident and the area had been cleared of nosy onlookers trying to find out what had happened, Chief Superintendant Eddy Roberts drove Smithy's car to the hospital so he could check up on him and Rebecca. DI Morell accompanied Inspector Gold to the hospital so they could check on Cameron and Gabriel. Rebecca was being checked on one of the wards which Cameron and Smithy were also on but Gabriel had been given a room of his own as he was a criminal. Two armed S019 officers stayed inside the room with him while another two guarded outside to stop anyone going in or out. Smithy, Rebecca, Yvonne, Cameron and Gabriel were given the all clear and a police van turned up to ship Gabriel back off to Barton Street where he would stay the night until he was stripped of bail the following day and held in Canley prison until his court trial. When Eddy arrived at the hospital, he found his niece sitting by the reception on her ward waiting to be given some medication from the doctor which would help her deal with the grieving process she'd encounter when reality hit her. Smithy had already been discharged and was sitting on a grey chair next to Rebecca while Yvonne was sat the other side on a matching chair. Rebecca had asked to see her Dad but the doctor declined, saying that she wasn't able to until tests and the post-mortem had been carried out. A few minutes the doctor returned with a paper bag containing the medication and a discharge form for Rebecca to sign. Eddy told Rebecca that she was to stay with him at his pent house so he could keep an eye on her, which Rebecca agreed to but then remembered and explained that a handful of her stuff was still at Cameron's. As if he knew he was being talked about, Cameron turned the corner and stared at the four officers. Feeling awkward but not wanting to be rude, the Chief Super asked
"Have you got a lift home PC Tait?"
Cameron glanced at Rebecca but she made a point of not looking at him. So, shaking his head, Cameron replied
"No Sir but it's ok; I'll grab a cab or something"
Rebecca shuffled past Cameron and through the doors behind him. Yvonne headed towards the door but stopped by Cameron, stating
"She's already grieving. Don't take it personally" before jogging to catch up with Rebecca.
Eddy and Smithy exchanged a look with each other and realised they thought the same thing. Smithy nodded and Eddy spoke to Cameron saying
"Come on. We're taking you home, whether Rebecca likes it or not" and the three men walked out of the hospital together.
Twenty minutes later, Smithy pulled up and parked outside Cameron's flat. Pulling out his keys, Cameron stepped out of the car and walked towards his front door, followed by Rebecca and Yvonne. Once inside, Rebecca went into the room she'd been staying in and packed up all her stuff, not saying a single word to Cameron, who sat himself in the living area and was glad when Yvonne chatted to him.
"Cam, Bec's just lost her Dad so she's grieving. She knows it wasn't really your fault" Yvonne reassured her friend.
Cameron explained to Yvonne that he understood why Rebecca blamed him and asked Yvonne to let their friend know that he was going to be there for her whenever she needed to talk. Once Rebecca was finished packing, she left the room and headed for the door, calling Yvonne over on the way. Yvonne waved goodbye to Cameron but Rebecca remained silent. Jumping back in the car, the next stop was Yvonne's house. On the way, a plan was made. Rebecca would be automatically given a few weeks off on compassionate leave due to the loss of her Dad. Once the post-mortem came back and George's body was released, the time off from work would let Rebecca organise her Dad's funeral. Yvonne had a week's holiday coming up so she decided that she'd spend the week at Eddy's penthouse to keep Rebecca company. As Eddy was the Chief Superintendant he would be spending most of his time at New Scotland Yard and he didn't want Rebecca being alone at this difficult time. Yvonne was dropped off at her friend and informed Rebecca she'd ring her later that night. As Smithy drove to the Chief Super's pad, he was fully aware that Rebecca was silent and staring out of the window as if in her own little world. He felt so sorry for her and was so angry that once again, Gabriel had taken away someone who meant to much to Rebecca. First, he kills her sister, then her Dad. As if that wasn't bad enough, Smithy still had the whole 'baby/fake DNA result' thing going round in his head but thought it was best he didn't ask Rebecca anything else about it until after her Dad's funeral.
Eddy Roberts' alarm started beeping at 5am and as usual, he got straight up. As he left his bedroom and headed into the living room, Eddy was startled by the figure standing by the huge window.
"Rebecca?" Eddy asked, even though he knew it was his niece.
Without turning around, Rebecca replied to her Uncle.
"Sorry I was on my way to the loo but, I wanted to look out at the river. That's the spot where...where Gabriel drove into the water"
Eddy walked over to the window and stood next to his niece.
"Bec I'm sorry. This was a bad idea. I was so concentrated on not letting you be alone that, it didn't click that this is probably the worst place for you to stay. When I go into work, I'll get the keys for one of the MI5 pent houses the other side of the river. It's the third row of apartments so you can't actually see the Thames from there, just some of the London scenery. You and Yvonne can stay there and I'll pop over every evening to see how you are. Is that alright darling?"
Rebecca nodded and thanked her Uncle before closing the curtains so the Thames could no longer been seen through her dry blue eyes. Even though her Dad had only died the previous day, Rebecca was yet to shed a single tear. People deal with grief in different ways so Eddy wasn't that worried at the moment. Once Eddy left for work, Rebecca snuggled up on the large corner sofa. Yvonne was due to turn up at 11am so until then, Rebecca slept.
"Hey babe, how you feeling?" Yvonne asked as Rebecca opened the pent house door.
After leading her friend inside, Rebecca explained to Yvonne that they'd both be staying in one of the MI5 pent houses where the Thames wasn't visible. Yvonne encouraged Rebecca to get showered and changed so that they could go out into London to grab a bite to eat. They had a great day shopping and visiting places that usually only tourists would go to such as Madam Tussauds and the London Eye. Rebecca actually cheered up a little thanks to her good friend Yvonne but as they laid in bed that night, poor Rebecca started having nightmares and flashbacks of the horrible time in the water.
The following day, Rebecca had a phone call from the hospital as her Dad's post-mortem and death notes were released. George Young had died of a stroke which he must have suffered as soon as the car hit the water because by the time Cameron had jumped in and swam down to the car, George as already clearly unconscious. Even though the doctor explained the results to Rebecca, she still partly blamed Cameron as he should have rescued her Dad before her. It was in no way Cameron's fault but as Yvonne explained to him, Rebecca was grieving and just needed someone to blame as well as Gabriel.
The following Monday, ten days after his death, George Young's funeral was held. The night before, Rebecca and Yvonne had stayed in Eddy's pent house so when Rebecca woke up in the morning, the first thing she did was look out of the window at the area where it happened. Across the edge of the Thames, flowers had been lovingly laid. Even though she wasn't sure who put them there, Rebecca was grateful. Eddy got into the car and drove himself and the two girls over to George Young's house where the hearse was leaving from. At 10:30am, the hearse carrying George's body arrived and everyone in the street came out of their houses to pay respect to their dear neighbour. In white and yellow lilies, the word 'Dad' was spelt out and placed on top of the coffin for everyone to see.
Rebecca had asked Yvonne if she would sit in the funeral car with her which she agreed to so the girls and Eddy silently stepped into the car and drove off down the road behind the hoarse.
Twenty minutes later the two cars arrived at St Mary's Church where everyone was already waiting inside. Six of Rebecca and Eddy's cousins were waiting outside as they were pallbearers and were going to carry the coffin in. When everyone was in position, someone inside pressed the play button on a CD player so the song that Rebecca and Eddy chose could be heard. Walking behind the funeral director, George's coffin was carried in followed closely by Rebecca, Eddy and a group of cousins.
'And now the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend I'll say it clear
I'll state my case of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full
I travelled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Regrets I've had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Yes there were times I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all
And I stood tall and did it my way'
The music continued to play while the coffin was lowered onto a trolley at the front of the church. The 'Dad' flowers were delicately placed on top as well as a photo of George which was taken by Rebecca just a few weeks before.
'I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way'
Everyone kept standing until George Young's favourite song came to an end.
'For what is a man what has he got
If not himself then he has not
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Yes it was my way'
Everyone was seated as a Reverend walked to a wooden stand at the front, smiling sympathetically at Rebecca and Eddy sat in the front row.
"Hello. My name is Reverend Brian Watkins. On behalf of the family, I would like to thank all of you for coming today. I'm honoured to stand before you to conduct this service. When someone we love dies unexpectedly, there is a tremendous amount of shock. When a family member or friend is suddenly no longer with us, it can trigger very strong reactions, emotions, and questions. We are here today to find comfort in the truth of Scripture, and especially to surround Rebecca and Eddy with our love, our faith, and our prayers. George Young was a great man who loved seeing other people happy and most of all, loved his beloved family. He was a loyal Husband to the late Cree, a great Brother-in-law to Edward and a loving Father to Rebecca and the late Kerry. George had a number of health related problems in the last few years of his life but he would always pull through with a smile on his face. He would be back on his feet in record time"
The Reverend carried on telling the room a few things about George and read a few passages from the Holy Bible.
"Could everyone please stand to sing our first song, The Lord is my Shepherd"
Everyone stood and sang the well known song before re-taking their seats.
"Okay, George's daughter Rebecca would like to read a poem" explained the Reverend as Rebecca stood up and made her way up to the front.
Rebecca turned around to face everyone. She caught eyes with Yvonne first and they shared a smile before Smithy caught her eye. As he looked deep into her eyes, Smithy could almost feel her pain.
"This poem is for my Dad" Rebecca stated before taking a very deep breath.
"I love you Dad with all my heart
And hate that we should be apart
Our love is a bond that can't be broken
You may be gone, but never forgotten
I remember the day you went away
The pain in my heart is every beat
But I know that eventually, one day
We will, once again meet"
Rebecca looked at her Uncle in the front row who gave her a reassuring nod.
"The loss is something I can't describe
I'm really going to miss you
One day I'll be back by your side
So I can hug and kiss you
There are no words to tell you,
Just what I'm feeling inside..."
Rebecca bit her lip as she felt the tears building up.
"The shock, the hurt, the anger
One day, will gradually subside
Things will never again be the same..."
Rebecca's voice suddenly changed and tears started rolling down her face. She stopped reading the poem and Eddy rushed up to stand next to her. Taking her Uncle's hand, Rebecca read the rest of the poem.
"And though I'm hurting quite bad
I will smile whenever I hear your name
And be so proud to remember...my Dad.
Sleep well darling Dad, forever in my heart and my thoughts"
Together, Rebecca and Eddy walked back to their seats. The majority of the people in the church were already in tears and tissues were being passed around.
"Thank you for reading that beautiful poem Rebecca, your Dad would be proud of you" the Reverend told Rebecca before he read some more from the Bible.
"Please could you stand for our second song, Amazing Grace"
Everyone stood up for the second song and it was sung so beautifully. Once it was finished, everyone sat back down as Reverend Watkins spoke into the microphone again.
"Okay now, George's brother-in-law Edward Roberts has something to share"
Rebecca watched curiously as her Uncle made his way to the front. She had no idea what was about to happen.
"Hi. Me and George weren't just brother-in-laws, we were also best friends. Two years ago, George suffered a heart attack and, even though he made it through, it scared him. That's when he confided in me and ordered me that, if anything were to happen to him, then I'd have to read a certain poem at his funeral and play a slideshow of photos over a certain song. George chose both the poem and song before we sadly lost Kerry so, they are for both his daughters, Rebecca and Kerry"
Rebecca couldn't believe that her Dad had organised this for his own funeral and once again, started to cry for only the second time since he died.
"The poem is called 'Love For My Daughters.
My beautiful daughters, I was blessed with two of you...
You will never know how proud I am of all the things you do.
You both came into my world, so tiny and so small...
And I was in awe at the wonder of it all.
Then you placed your little hands in mine...
There was no denying, my heart was yours 'til the end of time.
I have watched you both throughout the years, laugh, cry and grow...
And it is difficult to know, that someday I will have to let you both go.
I just can't imagine, a day of my life without either of you...
Because you're both a part of me and my love for you is true.
So just remember, no matter how old you are or where you may be...
There's someone who needs you and loves you...and that someone is me!"
Rebecca wiped the tears from her eyes and as she turned around to look at Yvonne, she realised she was also crying. Even Smithy was crying and that seemed to upset Rebecca even more.
"Okay now, if you could all look at the screen, this is the slideshow that George made himself. I edited it a little just to add some more recent photos. Thank you"
"Three feet tall and full of questions
You must have thought I was the smartest man alive
I didn't always have the answers
To every little how and where and why
Like Daddy, why's the sky so blue today?
Does Jesus really hear me when I pray?
When I grow up, will I be just like you?
Will I be tall and strong and brave?"
"There is no power on earth like your fathers' love
So big and so strong as your father's love
A promise that's sacred, a promise from heaven above
No matter where you go... always know
You can depend on your father's love"
A number of different photos appeared on the screen. There were baby ones of Kerry, baby photos of Rebecca, photos of the two girls together, ones of them with their mum, with their Dad, with their Uncle Eddy, even some of Kerry with Smithy and many many more. There were hundreds and they ranged from birth to the most recent ones which Rebecca noticed, were taking a few days before Kerry died.
"Especially when it's cold, especially when you're lonely
When your little heart is lost trying to find its way
I know the world is always changing
But, remember son, that some things never change
And even when my life on earth is through
There will still be a part of me in you
'Cause some things are forever
Nothing's ever gonna take my love from you
There is no power on earth like your father's love
So big and so strong as your father's love
A promise that's sacred, a promise from heaven above
Did I hug enough, did I care enough
When you most needed me,
Was I there enough
Enough to make you feel the power of
Your father's love"
By the time the song and slide show had finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the church. The Reverend once again stood up and talked but not before he gave a sympathetic smile to both Rebecca and Eddy. He explained to everyone that it was now time to head outside to the graveyard and asked everyone to stand before pressing play on the CD player. The pallbearers made their way to the front, picking up the coffin together while the funeral director and his junior walked in front of the coffin, holding the flowers and George's photo. Rebecca, Eddy and the cousins walked behind the coffin as another of George's favourite song played out to the church.
"When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.
I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
I'm gonna walk with my granddaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.
So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.
But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Oh, when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going"