Chapter 8: The Last Goodbyes

(A week later)

Today, Rhea and CJ would be buried together.

Everyone gathered at the church, as the funeral started.

TJ asked Ricky to give the eulogy, because TJ would be an emotional wreck if he had gone up to speak.

TJ held his daughter, as Ricky began talking.

"It is with great sadness that I stand in front of you today to celebrate the life of our friend. Rhea's life was taken away from us too soon and it is hard to understand why tragic things like this happen to such good people. However, this is a question without an answer and we should not dwell on the loss of our dear friend, wife, mother, daughter and sister. Today let's celebrate her life and remember all of the remarkable things Rhea accomplished and how wonderful her life was. I met Rhea through TJ when he was in Motionless In White. Rhea was incredibly responsible, intelligent and caring. I knew that I could trust her with anything and I respected her more than words can say. After TJ found out he was going to be a dad, he called me, Ryan, & Chris and told us and we could tell he was incredibly overjoyed. And after he found out it was twins and he would have a son, all of us congratulated him. I can now tell having kids has changed TJ for the better. Even thought I didn't get to meet the little boy, Ashley has a great father to look up to. It is incredibly sad that Rhea's life ended so soon and I cannot put into words how much we will miss her. Rhea to me was a positive person and would not want us to be sad today. If she were here she would tell us to cheer up, smile and remember all of the great memories we all shared. Like this one time, she helped me, Chris, and Angelo pull a prank on Ryan. While he was asleep, Rhea drew on his face, Chris put shaving cream on his hand and woke him up. Then I lured him outside and when we were near where Angelo was, Angelo poured a bucket of ice cold water over him. He was pissed, and wouldn't talk to anybody except TJ for a week. Even though Rhea may be gone, her memory will live on in all of us forever. Rhea I appreciate your friendship and will never forget you. And to sweet little CJ, even though I didn't meet you, you will forever be in our hearts."

After Ricky was done, Chris stood up (he was shedding a few tears of his own) and said how Rhea had so much compassion and shared his favorite memory. When Chris lost a friend that he knew growing up, Rhea was there to cheer him up and told him she went through the same thing when she was 18.

One by one, everybody said their goodbyes.

It finally came down to TJ, and he was already shaking. He handed his daughter to Nikki Misery and went up to the podium.

"I've known Rhea since high school," He cleared his throat as the tears started to fall.

Craig, Thrasher, and Robert walked up and placed a comforting hand on him.

"She was the love of my life. We laughed together, cried together, had a few disagreements but we always found our way to each other. When she told me she was pregnant, I was ecstatic. When the twins were born, my love for Rhea grew. CJ was an incredible little boy. He just last week said his Uncle Thrasher's name for the first time. And now, Ashley my beautiful, incredible, sweet daughter," He was crying even harder when he looked at her, "I know you don't understand me right now, but I will spend everyday of your life being the best dad I can. I also vow to you that you will never forget your mom & brother. I love you with every fiber of my being."

He turned around and gave each of the guys a hug.

Rhea's favorite song, "Ghost In The Mirror", began to play as TJ, Robert, Craig, Thrasher, Chris, & Ricky started to carry the casket that held two bodies out to the hearse.

The guys loaded the casket in the back, and TJ shut the door. He gave one last kiss before letting the driver know it was time to leave.

(Ten minutes later)

Everyone arrived at the cemetery, and there was not one dry eye.

As the casket was being lowered, everyone dropped a rose.

TJ started to have flashbacks of all the memories him and Rhea shared. It will not be the same, but TJ has to stay strong for Ashley.

-The End-