Torn

38.

     The evening air was cool as we got out of the car.  We had decided on an evening service, due to family having to travel from quite some distance to make it.  The front door was held open for us as we approached the large, gray stone building.  The funeral parlor  was filled with beautiful flowers.  Their scent filled the air.  The casket lay at the front of the room, open for us to pay our last respects.  

     Our last respects.  So final, so forever.

     I felt my head beginning to spin.  My knees buckled and I couldn't move.  I had promised her that everything would be fine.  I had let her down.  I knew that this was my last chance to say goodbye to her and the love that I would never find again.  My porcelain.  My ever after....

     I couldn't move.  I had promised her that we would be together forever.  Through our ups and downs I had always loved her.  Some people would call me a fool, or stupid or whatever.  But deep down in my heart I knew that I loved her, and that I always would.  You know that saying, to err is human but forgiveness is divine?  No matter what I loved her.  For ever after she would be my home.  And there's no place like, home.

     I took a deep breath and started the long walk towards the front.  Her favourite song, "Broken" By Amy Lee and Seether, started playing softly throughout the room.  Tears brimmed in my eyes, threatening to spill over at any second.  I reached the front and there she lay, as beautiful as ever.  She looked so peaceful that she could have been mistaken for sleeping.  Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I willed her to wake up.  I wanted her to hold me in her arms and tell me that all of this had been nothing more than a horrible nightmare.  

     I closed my eyes in a vain attempt to compose myself, but to no avail.  My tears would not stop.  I had never been as close to anyone as I was  to Mila.  She was my world and she was taken from me.  I leaned over and gave her a final kiss goodbye.  

     "I love you baby.  I thought that we would be together forever.  It looks like forever wasn't long enough."

     I took a step back.  I felt a hand slip into mine.  I turned to see Hannah beside me, sobbing as well.  She embraced me in a gigantic hug.  I sobbed for what seemed like a lifetime.  I pulled away after a few moments and looked at Hannah.  She looked horrible, which under the circumstances was to be expected.  She clutched my hand so hard that it hurt.  I swear that girl had the strength of a thousand men.  It felt as though my hand might break.

     "Life is too short."  She said simply.  She glanced over her shoulder at Mike.  "I realize that now.  Hopefully it isn't too late."

     I gave her a half smile.  "He loves you more than you will ever know."

     She looked up into my eyes and offered a small smile in return.  "She loved you so much.  Take care of that baby boy Josh.  She will live on in her son."  With that being said, Hannah kissed me softly on the cheek and headed back down the isle to take her seat.  Mike moved aside to let her sit with him.  She paused a second and looked into his eyes, then quietly took her seat.  Mike moved aside to let her sit with him.  She smiled and took his hand.  He smiled as he slipped his hand into hers.

     I took one final look at Mila.  She was my everything.  My porcelain, my ever after, my home... and here's no place like home.  

     This was it.  I blew her a final kiss, but not just any kiss, a french kiss, because hell, I had to do us.  I braced myself as I turned towards my seat to join the rest of the mourners.

     The minister took his place at the front and began.  

     I held my breath, and said my goodbye and let her go quietly into the night.

The End.