CW chapter contains minor character death, discussion of self-harm
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A week and a half later Skye was in her room putting on a black dress. She zipped up the side and looked in the full-length mirror. The dress hit her just below the knee. She fixed the collar that was folding in on itself. She had never been to a funeral before but Tucker asked her to go with him and she couldn't even fathom saying no. Skye was heartbroken for him. When he showed up a couple of days after he had told her that she was dying Skye could tell by the look on his face that it had happened. And when she hugged him he completely broke down. He had spent three days after that at the compound. Skye had insisted that he shouldn't be alone and her dad agreed.
There was a knock on Skye's bedroom door as she was finishing putting her hair in a ponytail.
"Yes?" Skye said.
Steve opened the door.
"Tucker is here," he told her.
Skye grabbed a pair of flat black shoes and a coat from her closet. She then grabbed her purse and went to the living room, where Tucker was waiting.
She slipped her shoes on and coat. "How are you doing?" she asked softly.
"I don't know. Just ready to get this day over with," Tucker said. "I understand the purpose but I don't like funerals."
Skye nodded. "Well let's go and get it over with then."
The two went. Tucker drove towards the location. Everyone at the compound wanted to go, but they all knew that if too many people showed up, it would cause a scene and take the focus off why they were there. A few flower arrangements had been sent with their condolences.
"You ever been to a funeral?" Tucker asked Skye.
"No," Skye said. "You've been to your parents I know that. Anyone else?"
"No," Tucker said.
When they got there Tucker parked at took a breath.
Skye looked at him. "I'm here. And you will get through this."
Tucker nodded and they both got out and went inside the church. Skye took Tucker's hand and squeezed it.
They both went and gave their condolences to the family before taking the two empty seats next to Lizzy.
Soon after Tucker looked up to see his uncle and Carly coming into the room.
Skye could feel his tension rise and followed his gaze. She took a breath and let it out slowly.
Tucker looked at her and whispered. "If you want to leave the room. I won't hold it against you."
"I'm not going anywhere," she told him squeezing his hand. "If I can't handle her in this situation then I am not the person I want to be."
Tucker nodded.
When his uncle and cousin started to walk towards them both stood up.
Tucker's uncle hugged him before looking at Skye. "Good to see you. Bad situation but good to see you."
Skye smiled a little and nodded.
"I'm sorry Tucker," Carly said.
"Thanks," Tucker said.
Carly nodded a hello to Skye and Skye returned the gesture before the two walked away.
Skye and Tucker sat back down. And Skye let out a breath she had been holding as she felt the tension from Tucker relax as well.
After the church service, they all got up and headed toward the cemetery attached.
Skye held Tucker's hand the entire time and when the burial was done they headed back to his car and started for the compound.
"Skye. Thank you," Tucker said.
"For being there? Of course," Skye said.
"Yes. But also for putting your feelings aside," Tucker said.
Skye shrugged, "wasn't that hard in there. Even she isn't stupid enough to cause a scene in there."
"Maybe not. Either way. Thank you," Tucker said.
"Of course," Skye said. "How are you feeling now?"
"Sad," Tucker said. "I didn't get to raise her but she was my flesh and blood."
"Yeah I know," Skye said. "You are allowed to be sad."
"I know," Tucker said.
When they got to the compound Skye noticed a car she didn't recognize.
Tucker followed her gaze.
"Hrm," Tucker said.
"What?" Skye asked.
"That's my uncle's car," Tucker said.
"Oh," Skye said as they both got out.
Carly got out of the passenger seat.
Skye took a breath.
"If you don't want to talk to you I'll make her go," Tucker said.
Skye shook her head and zipped up her coat before walking the few steps to bridge the gap between her and Carly.
"Hi," Skye said.
"Hi," Carly said.
"What can I do for you?" Skye asked.
Carly reached into her pocket and pulled out a small jewelry pouch and held it out to her.
"What is this?" Skye asked taking it from her and taking out a bracelet.
Carly looked at Tucker. "I think you can take it from here?"
"I thought that was lost," Tucker said.
"Yeah. No. My mom took it after they passed. She told you it was lost because she felt she deserved it. That it should have gone to me. But that wasn't the intent. I know," Carly said.
Skye looked at Tucker.
"That belonged to my mother. It was an heirloom passed down from oldest daughter to oldest daughter. It was my dad's mom's and she didn't have any daughters. And she decided to give it to my mom when my parents married. My dad was the older of the two sons so she felt it made the most sense. And if my parents had a daughter it would have gone to her but only had me," Tucker said. "It was willed to me. But it was declared lost and yeah," Tucker said.
"I knew she had it. And I wanted it. I did. I mean it's beautiful and yeah worth a lot. But it's not mine. It's his. And I have a feeling it will be given to you at some point anyway," Carly said.
"This is your peace offering? So to speak?" Skye asked.
"Part of it," Carly said. "Skye. I can't expect you to believe a damn thing I say. But I am so sorry for the way I treated you. For the havoc I caused in your life. I was angry. Tucker wouldn't know. But after he was removed from the house things. . . got. . . harder at home and I just wanted him back there so they would at least act happy. And I saw you as a block in that. And I took my anger out on you."
"I'm sorry things at home were hard for you," Skye said.
Carly nodded. "The second part to my peace offering. I'm leaving the school. I need a fresh start."
"Could that have anything to do with the fact that the whole school hates you for outing someone?" Skye asked.
Carly let out a breath.
"Yeah. I know the drama," Skye said.
"Of course. Your friends would have kept you caught up," Carly said.
"Thank you. But I don't plan to go back to a school where the Dean would take money and kick me out," Skye said.
"So. That's not what happened," Carly said. "And there is going to be a new Dean. Cause he has been let go pending investigation."
"Investigation into what?" Skye asked.
"I saw him. With a student. That is why I used to blackmail him into kicking you out," Carly said.
Skye's jaw dropped open.
"It's not public knowledge yet. I told the police what I saw and they spoke to the board of directors of the school and yeah he's fired. But they have to investigate first," Carly said
"Wow," Skye said.
"So. Um. I'm going to a boarding school in Switzerland and if you want to go back you won't have to deal with that Dean," Carly said.
"Good to know," Skye said. "And I accept your apology."
Carly nodded.
"Good luck with the new school," Skye said.
Carly smiled, "thanks," she said before she went and got back into the passenger seat of the car.
Skye slipped the bracelet back into the pouch and held it out to Tucker. "If you ever want to give it to me. You do it. I get the reason she did it this way. But it should come from you."
Tucker took the pouch and took the bracelet out. He put the pouch in his chest pocket and gently took her left wrist.
Skye flinched.
Tucker stopped and looked at her confused.
Skye looked down.
Tucker flipped her wrist over and saw the three faint lines. He let out a breath as he put the bracelet back in the bag and his pocket. "Look at me and, tell me when it started again."
"Tuck," she said softly.
Tucker reached up and gently lifted her chin to force her to make eye contact. "That's not an answer to the question. I'm not angry. Just tell me please," Tucker said.
"When I thought you had cheated on me with Lizzy," Skye said. "I only did it once. Um. I got in my head thinking something was wrong with me for you having chosen her and I wanted to feel anything but the heartbreak," her eyes filled with tears.
Tucker pulled her into a hug. "Never again Skye. You will talk to me. You will talk to someone. But you can not do this to yourself. You are so good. You don't cause yourself pain like this again. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she said softly.
"Promise me," Tucker said breaking the hug and making eye contact with her.
"Promise," Skye said looking him in the eyes.
Tucker hugged her again.
"I'm sorry," Skye said.
"No. I'm sorry for not realizing it sooner," Tucker said.
"You have had a lot on your mind," Skye said.
"Did you plan to tell me once things settled?" Tucker asked.
"No," she admitted.
Tucker nodded. "Come on lets go inside."
Skye went with him inside.
"Hi. How was it?" Pepper asked when they went into the kitchen.
"Sad. But okay," Tucker said.
"You are staying for dinner," Pepper said. It wasn't a request it was an order.
"Okay. Thank you," Tucker said. "Smells good."
"It's chili," Pepper said.
"Hey that's my favorite," Tucker said.
"What a coincidence," Pepper said with a small smile.
Tucker looked at Skye who was biting her lip to keep from giggling.
"You told her?" Tucker asked
"She asked. I wasn't going to lie," Skye said.
Tucker nodded and kissed her cheek.
"Come on. I think I have a pair of your sweats and a T-shirt you might be more comfortable in," Skye said.
"I knew a pair of my sweats went missing," he said.
Skye giggled and led him to her room and found the sweats and a t-shirt she had stolen from him and handed them to him.
He shook his head and went into her bathroom to change. Skye also changed into comfortable clothes and hung up the dress.
Tucker came out, neatly putting his suit on the chair in the room and sitting on her bed. Skye opened the door a little before going and curling up on the bed with him.
Tucker wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you for everything, Skye."
"Thanking me for being there for you the same way you have always been for me?" Skye asked with a small smile.
"Yes," Tucker said.
"You're welcome. And thank you," Skye said.
Tucker nodded and closed his eyes.
Skye closed her eyes as well.