Set in the summer of 2027

CHAPTER 1:

Six days had passed since Aubrey's father had died. On the afternoon of July 23rd, Aubrey's family, the Bellas, and many military veterans had gathered at a church in Paramus for a memorial service. Mike's casket was covered with an American flag, symbolizing his role as a General in the Army.

"My fellow Bellas, friends, beloved family, we are gathered here today to mourn the loss of my father, General Mike Posen. To me, he was more than just someone who rose up through the ranks to become a General in the Army; he was also my inspiration. He was someone I always looked up to, and he was there for me when I lost my mom years ago," Aubrey said, starting to cry on her husband's shoulder.

After Aubrey took a moment to stop crying, each of the Bellas in attendance stood in line to give her and Chad a hug as well as offer their condolences. The couple thanked each one of them.


After the memorial service and a small reception, everyone got into their vehicles and followed the procession to the local military cemetery. Aubrey looked around at the people who paid their last respects. She didn't know what she would have done without her family and the Bellas. Even the day seemed to be sad, with the skies filled with gray clouds crying tears from heaven. She caught the whipping movement of the flag nearby. He'd given a large part of his life in service to his country, and she knew he was smiling down on them as the ceremony progressed.

A small hand slipped inside hers, and she glanced down at Finn beside her. This touching moment sparked memories of Aubrey's dad. She remembered the recent camping trip the family had gone on, how her dad took Finn fishing, and the smile on her son's face at the memories they were making.

The soldiers fired their rifles in the sky for the customary three-rifle volley. The honor guard officer folded up the American flag on Mike's casket, handing it to Aubrey along with three casings. The officer who handed Aubrey the flag also gave her a salute. Before the family left, she tearfully set a lone flower on her father's casket and said her final parting words, "Goodbye, Dad. I love you and miss you already."

The family and the Bellas took a moment to say their final goodbyes before leaving the cemetery.