Author's Note: I was expecting the scene at the end of this chapter to be limited to this chapter. Then I was writing it and sometimes the characters surprise even me. Wrestled with it, giving the messiness of the timing that might happen. I started writing it to see where it would go compared to what I was originally thinking and it's seems to have stuck. It opened more of an opportunity for a longer scenes with Kellie and her kids. Those scenes have felt few and far between as the story hasn't necessarily lent it self as well to those moments as much as previous stories. Enjoy!
"Come on, Monica," Ned said, gently leading her away from the commotion as Sonny left.
"You okay, Sis?" Dante asked Kellie.
"The kids, did they," Kellie replied, looking back to the sanctuary, "Are they?"
"Didn't see a thing," Lorenzo said, "They're too busy playing with their cousins."
Kellie saw Sage and Milo's two older kids, Mateo and Clare with Jared, Jamie, and Alyssa. Kelsey was on the floor with Rafael, their youngest.
Kellie breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry, he got in," Lorenzo said, "I thought I made it clear he wasn't to be allowed in. It won't happen again."
"I just wish he could have listened and stayed away just this once," Kellie said. Her voice dropped off and Lorenzo and Dante watched her seem to struggle internally.
"I can't do this," Kellie said and bolted out of the church.
Olivia was coming in as Kellie rushed out.
"I got her," Olivia said.
Dante nodded.
Olivia found Kellie had made her way to the back lot of the church.
Kellie was looking up at the sky, taking several deep breathe.
"Hey, what's going on?" Olivia asked, wrapping Kellie in a hug.
"I thought I had everything together to be able to get through Charles's funeral today," Kellie said, "But I don't think I can. I'm not ready for this."
"Listen to me, and I want you to listen to me good," Olivia said, "I don't care how many things you've told yourself to expect and think you were prepared for. But losing the first decent parental figure you ever had, the one that has been with you through some of your darkest times, your biggest heartbreaks, nothing could have prepared you for that. Even if he'd lived to be ninety and died peacefully in his sleep. You were never going to be ready for that."
"I can't even keep it together for my kids," Kellie said, "I let Sonny get to me when he showed up. I'm just glad they didn't see any of that. But they could have."
"I will definitely be having words with your father for showing up today," Olivia said, "I'm sorry that today of all days, he was well being Sonny in all the worst ways. But the kids didn't see any of that. You just needed a moment after all of that. There is nothing wrong with that. You're going to go back in the church, maybe you have it together and maybe you don't. But its going to be okay, because we're here for you, here for the kids."
Kellie nodded.
"There's one more thing, you should remember before you go back into that church," Olivia said, "Maybe you've thought about this already, but in case you hadn't….losing Charles after losing Tyler was always going to be harder. You didn't just lose Charles, but you also lost a huge connection to Tyler for you and the kids."
"I try not to think about that," Kellie said, "Especially for the kids and the stories about their dad only Charles would be able to tell them. And it's not like I haven't moved on."
"I know you and Jason have your own family and a life together now, but it didn't doesn't change what you felt for Tyler or how big that loss was," Olivia said, "I just think you should acknowledge that and maybe it might make it easier to get through today."
Kellie shook her head, unsure of what to say or do next.
"I know, Baby Girl," Olivia said, wiping tears from Kellie's face.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Jason said, "But the pastor was looking for you to start the service."
"I'll be there in a moment," Kellie said.
"I'll let the pastor know," Olivia said, leaving Jason with Kellie.
"Dammit, Jason," Kellie said, looking back at the church, "I don't…"
Kellie collapsed against Jason sobbing. Jason just held her.
Once Kellie quieted, Jason whispered, "I hate to say this, but…"
"I can't avoid this forever," Kellie said, "I just don't know how I'm supposed to get through this."
Jason grabbed Kellie's hand, "Just one moment at a time, okay. Lean on me when you need to."
Kellie nodded. She and Jason held hands as they walked to the front of the church and came back in the doors.
Monica was waiting in the foyer with Milo, Sage, and the pastor.
"I'd ask if you're ready," Monica said to Kellie, "But I don't think either of us really are."
"No," Kellie said.
"Where's Max?" Sage asked.
"I'm here," Max said, hurriedly joining them.
Max nodded at Jason which did not go unnoticed by Kellie. Kellie looked at Jason questioningly, but decided not to ask.
"If we're ready," the pastor said, "Is this all the family that will be walking in?"
"Yes," Kellie said, "The kids are already situated in the pews."
"It's a security issue," Milo said, awkwardly.
"Of course," the pastor said, trying to smooth things over, "Shall we?"
The group went to line up.
"I'd be more than happy to escort you, Mrs. Quartermaine," Max offered. Monica quietly accepted and they followed the pastor into the sanctuary.
Somewhere near Sonny's Car
Trent slowly came to as Frank said, "It's about time you woke up."
Trent tried sit up but his head ached.
"Take it easy," Frank said, "Do you know where the boss is?"
"He was just ahead of me," Trent said, groaning "When someone whacked me upside the head."
"We haven't found any sign of him, "said Frank.
Port Charles Cemetery
"Did you bring the smore supplies?" Jamie asked after the burial service.
"I got you covered," Sage said, holding the supplies, "Why don't you and Jared help Mateo set out the blankets?"
"Are you sure you won't stay, Monica?" Kellie asked, "You are more than welcome to stay."
"It's about time I got home," Monica said, "And this was really Charles and Tyler's tradition with the kids, smores and backyard campouts. But I do appreciate the invitation."
"I'll walk you to your car," Jason said to Monica.
Jason walked Monica to the car as Kellie, Sage, and the kids laid out the blankets and started getting the smore supplies out.
Monica hugged Jason when they got to the car.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Jason asked, "I could go with you, keep you company for a bit if you'd like. Kellie would understand."
"No, go be with your family," Monica said, "I'm frankly exhausted after today. I want nothing more to go home, take a bath, and have a glass of wine."
"I really am sorry about Charles," Jason said, "I should have…I don't know what I should have done but I should have done something to keep this from happening."
"I'm going to stop you right there, Jason," Monica said, "I blame the person who shot Charles, whoever likely hired him, and Sonny. Not you, not Kellie. Before you defend Sonny, don't. I don't care that he lost his memory and might be struggling. He's supposedly the most feared mob boss on the east coast, but I certainly don't see him acting like it. Nevermind that he chose a violent way of life and brought you into it. He has apparently failed at running the business enough to put a target on his own daughter's back when she at least last I knew wasn't actively involved in the business. My god, Jason, she was on the island away from all of when Sonny's enemies came after her. No one's sure if Cyrus was responsible for the sniper or not or if it was someone else and he was just there at the same time."
"I know, I wish had more answers for you," Jason said.
"I don't mean to take out my frustrations on you," Monica said, "You've had a lot on your plate, I don't want to add to it."
"I can take whatever you need to get off your chest," Jason said, "And…just so you know, I wasn't going to defend Sonny. Not this time."
"Well, it's about time," Monica said, sensing that maybe Jason really meant it, "Anyway, you should get back to your wife and kids. I think they could probably use you right about now."
"If you need anything," Jason said, "Just say the word."
Monica hugged Jason again.
When Jason returned to the cemetery, Jared, Jamie, and Alyssa had put together two smores they laid beside Tyler and Charles graves. The rest of the kids were putting together their smores and sprawled all over the blankets.
Max walked over to Jason, "I'll go check on that thing we talked about."
Jason nodded. Max started to sneak away when Alyssa marched over and handed him a smore.
"You're not going anywhere," Alyssa said, grabbing his other hand, "Your Soprano business can wait. Smores first."
"Uh…" Max stuttered as Alyssa yanked his arm to drag him.
"You're Grandpa's nephew and that means you're family," Alyssa said, "which also means you are staying for smores."
Max looked at Jason unsure of what to do.
"Daddy Jason," Alyssa whined, "Tell Max he can…"
Alyssa stopped and her eyes filled up with tears. Then she bolted. Kellie ran after her.
When Kellie caught up to Alyssa, she found Dev had blocked her from running off any further.
Dev was trying to make out what Alyssa was saying amidst her sobs.
"Thank you," Kellie mouthed to Dev as she crouched to Alyssa's height.
"I'm here, Baby Girl," Kellie said, to Alyssa. Alyssa launched into Kellie's arms. Dev moved away but kept an eye on them.
"Everything's okay," Kellie said, comforting her.
"No, it's not," Alyssa wailed, "I don't want to forget my real daddy."
"You won't," Kellie said, "Are you upset because you called Jason, Daddy Jason?"
"I didn't mean to," Alyssa said, "I don't know why I said it."
"Alyssa," Kellie said, "Your daddy is always going to be your dad even from heaven. But when he and I knew that he wasn't going to recover from his leukemia and that he wouldn't be around to see you, Jamie, and Jared grow up, we talked about what the future might look like for you kids. Your daddy knew that I might get married again to someone that you kids might see as another father figure."
"So you don't think Daddy or Grandpa Charles would be mad at me for calling Jason, Daddy Jason?" Alyssa asked.
"No, they wouldn't, I think they'd be glad you felt comfortable enough with Jason to think of him that way," Kellie said, "But only if you want to and if Jason's okay with it."
"What if I'm not sure?" Alyssa asked, "I didn't even know I was going to say it."
"You don't have to be sure, you think about it," Kellie said, "Talk about it with me and with Jason. You can change your mind if you ultimately decide you don't feel comfortable with that."