Henrik adjusted his tie as he looked down at Roxanna. Her all black ensemble seemed so at odds with her personality, and he longed to embrace her, to hide her away from the concerned looks of those gathered to honor Callum MacMillan's life. As if she could feel his eyes on her, Roxanna glanced up and gave him a tight smile before adjusting the veil on her hat so that it more fully covered her eyes. "I think I'm going to faint," she murmured as they began to follow the casket up the aisle of the church.

"Just hold on to me all the tighter," he whispered back. "I'll keep you upright until we're seated." She gave him a small nod before taking a shuffling step closer to him, clinging to his arm as they slowly made their way to the front of the church. It was disconcerting to him, to feel every eye in the sanctuary focused on them, but since they were the only remaining family, they were the only ones moving at the moment. Drawing in a deep breath, he straightened his shoulders all the more, desperate to put on a good front and not break down in front of all gathered. That would be for later, when they were alone in Callum's house, packing away the last of the things they were bringing back to Sunderland.

Finally, they reached the front, and he led Roxanna into the front pew, helping her to sit down, and then she took hold of his hand, threading their fingers together as she rested her head against his upper arm. Henrik made certain to keep his posture as perfect as possible, knowing that all eyes were on them, and desperately wanting to be found enough for Roxanna. These people, while not family, had known his fiancé since she was a child, and he didn't want to be found lacking in any way. The pastor gave them a small nod as he approached the lectern, and Henrik tried not to react as Roxanna gripped his hand even tighter.

The funeral service seemed to pass by so quickly, even though there was music and speaking and a sermon. Henrik found his attention divided between Roxanna and what was going on around him, though he was touched to hear his name mentioned in the eulogy that Callum's best friend gave. And then, the pallbearers were leading the casket from the sanctuary, and he and Roxanna got to their feet once more, following after it. He helped her into her coat before shrugging into his, and then they were led by the pastor out into the churchyard and over to the graveside. Roxanna weaved a bit on her feet as they came to a stop, and Henrik immediately wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her steady as the others gathered around the open grave.

"We are gathered here to commit Callum's body to the ground. But we who have faith know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. We were born of dust, and to dust we return." The pastor stepped away from the open grave, and Henrik watched as they lowered the casket into the hole, feeling a wave of sadness wash over him as the casket went lower and lower, the first tears rolling down his face as Roxanna turned into him, her shoulders heaving from her sobs.

Once that was completed, the pastor started to say a prayer, and Henrik stared off into the distance as he listened to the man give a blessing to him and Roxanna, asking that God look after them as they moved forward in their life without Callum. The blessing was kind, and he took that to heart, rather than focusing on the fact that he wasn't religious. That was Roxanna's domain, and it suited her. Finally, the prayer came to an end, and then he was being handed a small shovel. Roxanna drew in a sharp breath as they both realized that they hadn't thought about this aspect of the service, and he slowly disentangled himself from her before taking hold of the shovel and picking up a small amount of dirt. The sound of it striking the casket echoed in his soul, and he took a deep breath before placing another small shovelful into the grave.

He gave the shovel to Roxanna and watched her carefully place a few shovels of dirt into the grave before her knees buckled. In an instant, he was at her side, helping her to stand once more. Again, she turned into him, burying her face in his chest as she wept. Henrik led her a few steps from the graveside, and then the people who had gathered outside with them came up and gave their condolences before slowly dispersing. Eventually, they were alone, and Henrik brought a shivering, shaking, Roxanna back into the church, knowing they needed to warm up before they left.

"I feel heartsick," Roxanna chattered out, and he pressed his lips to the crown of her head before nodding. "I don't want to leave him there. He'll be cold, Henrik."

"Darling, your faith tells you that it's just his body in that grave, that his spirit, his soul, is with God. He can no longer feel cold or hot or anything like that." He kissed her once more before rocking them back and forth. "Do you want to get something to eat, or just head right back to the house?"

"I would like to go back to the house, but I know that I should eat something. Other than the coffee this morning, well, I haven't felt like eating. So perhaps we should head to my favourite café before heading back?"

"Whatever you wish, darling," he murmured before kissing her delicately. She sighed against his lips and then they made their way out their car. On the bonnet was a bouquet of calla lilies, deep purple, almost black, in colour, and tied with a cream white bow. "Roxanna?"

"I don't know. Everyone seemed to be fine with our request for no flowers, for that money to instead be used as donations to the British Heart Foundation." She picked up the bouquet, and Henrik watched a small cream envelope fall onto the ground. He bent to pick it up, recognizing the writing on the front in an instant. "Henrik?"

"Did you see John at the service at all?" he asked as he slipped his thumbnail beneath the flap of the envelope, breaking the seal and pulling out a small card. Roxanna shook her head slowly as she hugged the flowers tight to her chest. Henrik gave her a sad smile as he opened the card, reading the words John had scrawled there.

I didn't want to interrupt your mourning with my presence, but I wanted to let you both know how sorry I am for your loss. I wish that things could be easier between us, because we had been such great friends. Just know that my thoughts are with you, and if you ever need anything, do not hesitate to reach out to me. Yours, John

The sentiment was kind, but he still wondered what John was hoping to gain by being so nice to him and Roxanna. And he hated that their friendship had devolved into this quagmire of bitter, hurt, feelings. "What did he want, Henrik?"

"Just to wish us well. And that if we need anything, we can reach out to him. Which is kind, but…"

"I don't know if we'll take him up on that. Though it was sweet of him to come to the funeral, even if we didn't see him here." He nodded and handed her the card before giving her a soft kiss, wishing that he could easily take away the grief she was feeling over losing her father so soon after losing the baby.