Ed saw to it that the arrangements were taken care of. The Palmer's had agreed to have Eddie's tumors donated for scientific research. They would not have his body back for at least five days and his funeral was scheduled for exactly seven days after. There would be a small service for family only as soon as they had the body back. Ed had purchased Jimmy and Breena burial plots for their wedding. He had relocated the plots to ensure that Eddie could be buried along side his parents. The arrangements were made. All Jimmy and Breena had to do was mourn.
Jimmy was as furious as he was heartbroken. His son was dead and that was the worst pain he had ever endured. His family did not even get a chance to say goodbye because Breena could not handle it. He knew that she was in hell right now but this was not any easier for him. He hated that Ed got to say goodbye and even be present at the death. When his family did not even get to say goodbye. He knew that Breena just saw them as co-workers. Maybe that was true but they were the closest thing Jimmy had to a father and siblings. Shouldn't they have the same rights as Ed?
Breena had her head buried in her son's pillow. The medical supply company would be by to collect everything in the morning. It was awful selfish if you think about it. How dare they just swoop in and take everything? She had just lost her child. Didn't she deserve some time?
Jimmy was broken. He could not believe that it had really happened. How could his son be gone? How could he really be dead? Everything was supposed to be fine. That last trial was supposed to work and it did work. Things were finally getting back to normal and then it came back. They were told nothing could be done but still Jimmy held onto hope. There were miracles and surprises every day. How often did you hear about a person at death's door who was suddenly cured. Why couldn't that be Eddie? Why did the cancer have to win? Why did his life have to fall apart? Why did Breena not see his needs? Why did he care so much about something so trivial at a time like this?
Tony and Ziva had been at work when they got the news. Jimmy only had the energy to call Ducky and Breena was too devastated to even get out of bed. The DiNozzos found themselves clinging to each other in the break-room. Tony was devastated. He hated that he never got the chance to say goodbye. He respected the Palmer's privacy but he still wished that he had been given that chance. Of course he knew it was not about him. It was about the Palmers but he still wished that he could do more. Even if they did not want guests he could have sent over food or offered to take Tori for a while. He knew that Ed was keeping her but she got along well with Tali.
"I feel like there is more that we should have done." Tony commented.
"Ducky was saying that Breena really did not want any visitors." Ziva explained.
"Well we could have had something delivered or sent them money." Tony replied.
"I remember my parents after Tali was killed. When a grieving parent requests privacy even not visiting can be too much." Ziva explained.
"Still I just feel like there was something I could have done." Tony sighed.
"There was nothing we could have done and there is nothing we can do now. Just drop it." Ziva insisted.
"Ziva are you alright?" Tony questioned.
"I am just tired." Ziva explained.
"Baby keeping you up already?" Tony asked.
"The baby, Tali, the twins, the Palmer's, nuclear war, loose dogs, cancer, car accidents. My mind raced all night. It's funny I heard about that happening to pregnant woman but it never happened with Tali. Eddie was sick then too as I recall and the prognosis was pretty grim. Every pregnancy is different I suppose." Ziva explained.
Jimmy and Breena were in the same room for the first time since Eddie's body had been taken. Ed had finally brought Breena up to bed when he came over to get something for Tori. Jimmy was lying awake and Breena was pacing around the room.
"I do not want them to come to the private service. That is for family only." Breena declared
"Whose them?" Jimmy questioned.
"Your co-workers! I don't want them around!" Breena snapped.
"If you don't want Abby there just say." Jimmy hissed.
"Of course I don't want Abby to come! I don't want any of them to be there! They are not family! They are not close friends! They are co-workers!" Breena screamed.
"They actually are my family and my friends!" Jimmy snapped back.
"Well I do not care! They are not my family and they are not your family either!" Breena bellowed.
"They are the closest thing I have!" Jimmy shouted.
"So Tori and I don't count?! Eddie did not count?! Our unborn child does not count?!" Breena demanded.
"I never said that! They were my family before I met you! Before any of our children ever existed! They have been my family for years! I don't have any living siblings and both my parents are dead too! They are all I had!" Jimmy cried.
"Well you have us now so it's time to cut the cord!" Breena demanded.
Jimmy went back downstairs and curled up on the couch. He could not take his eyes of the hospital bed. He could not wait until that cursed bed was gone. It was the thing he hated most in the world. It was a constant reminder of his son's illness. If he could have he would have had everything hauled away that afternoon. Unfortunately Breena had insisted they keep it. He hated to admit it but he kind of hated her right now.
A/N: Will the Palmer's survive this ordeal? New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.