Allison's POV {4 days later}
"Since you are turning 18 in a few weeks, you can keep the house. You'll have to get a job to pay the bills. Your grandmother and grandfather have decided to live with you for a year just to make sure you're stable on your own. Then when you're ready to live on your own, they will go back to their home, with Ryan (her younger brother). Your parents left everything to you, including all of their savings. When you were little, your parents opened a secret bank account in your name. They saved up about 8 thousand for you to have. They must have known with their perpetual travel that something could happen to them. So when you are 25 years old you can official open that account. Is there anything else you want to go over Ms. Jones?"
"No that was all. Thank you, Mr. Fintell." I finally spoke.
The lawyer finally left after being here for about an hour. We have discussed my parents savings and property. I graduate next year with Shawn. We both decided to go to the community college, then live together when my grandparents leave. I might sell the house, I might not. Shawn wants me to keep it for us when we get older. He's so fixed on getting married and having kids some day. It would be wonderful to live an adult life with Shawn. But maybe not until after college....
Getting out of my chair, I walked into the kitchen for a glass of water. When I turned around, Shawn walked into the kitchen. I jumped at his sudden appearance.
"Hey Ali, did I scare you?" Shawn grabbed my face in his ginormous hands and gently leaned in to kiss me.
When he pulled away, I grinned at him. "No, you just startled me a little."
He chuckled and pulled me into his arms. I laid my head on his chest and wrapped my arms around him. I could feel his fingers combing through my hair that was in two braids. I heard the hair ties fall to the ground. Shawn's fingers unwound my hair from their braids. I felt him kiss my forehead.
"I love you so much my Angel." Shawn whispered.
I noticed he's been calling me his angel a lot. Haha guess that's my nickname. I don't have one for him.
I tilted my head so I could see his face. He looked down at me.
"I love you too Shawn." His lips cut off whatever I was going to say next. His lips tasted like apples. Shawn moved his hands from my hair and down my shoulders. My hands curled into his soft brown hair. Shawn's black SnapBack hit the back of my head when his lips ventured down to my jaw.
Black. Black was for the color of death. Death. Death means funerals. Funerals. Shit I need to get ready for the funeral!
"Shawn." I said.
He put his forehead against my shoulder so his mouth was by my ear.
Shawn's warm breath tickled the tiny whimsy hairs curled around my ear.
"Shaaaaawwwwn."
He made a muffled noise against my skin.
"We have to get ready for the funeral."
With those words out of my mouth, he quickly snapped his head up and let his hands drop by his side. Whirling around, I glanced at the stove clock. 1:49pm. We have 40 minutes to get ready and drive to the cemetery. The funeral service starts at 3:00pm.
"Sorry." Shawn's cheeks turned slightly pink. I smiled.
"It's okay, not like I minded it. But we have to get ready so go home. I'll call you when I'm ready."
"You know I can see you when you change right?"
Now my cheeks turned pink.
"Haha you're so adorable." Shawn said, pecked my lips and then walked down the hall and opened the front door.
"Close the shades!" He yelled right before he closed the door.
"Oops" I muttered under my breath.
************
Shawn's POV {at the funeral}
For Ali's parents funeral, she asked me, my parents, and Aaliyah to speak. Anyone who wants to speak can, but she wanted everyone to hear what we have to say about her parents.
Allison clung to me the whole time. Her fingernails digging into the back of my hand. I tried to focus less on me and more on her. To me, this was like loosing an aunt and uncle. But to her, it hurt way more. Ali didn't always have the best relationship with her parents. But I know she regrets every single argument, now that she'll never talk to them again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mom wiping away her tears.
Allison and my mom crying? This is the worst day of my life. It hurts to see my angel cry. But it hurts even more to see my mom cry.
They placed the urns in the graves. I felt Ali's whole body shake. I didn't want to risk looking at her, knowing already that she was crying.
When they had people speak, Ali went first.
I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before she got up to talk.
"Hi, I'm Allison, for those who don't know me. I'm the daughter of Beth and Jack Jones." She took a deep breath.
I could see her hands shaking from here. From public speaking or her parents death, I wasn't sure. I saw her glance towards me. I gave a small smile.
"I didn't have the best relationship with my parents. They were gone all the time and we argued a lot. What teenager doesn't argue with her parents? But now that they're gone, it seems too quiet, too empty. Not just in my house. But everywhere I go. Everywhere that they went. I don't really know what to say....they were good people, good parents, they raised me right? I love them so much and I wish I could have one more goodbye. Thank you all for coming today, I'm glad that all of my parents' friends could come here to celebrate their wonderful life." Ali brushed away a tear, gave the crowd a nod, and walked back towards me.
Ali leaned on my shoulder and I placed my arm around her shoulders.
"Good job Angel. I'm proud of you for going up there." I gave her a kiss on the forehead.
She just sighed and grabbed my hands. Folding her tiny hands into my large ones. We both looked up when her mom's parents introduced themselves.
After their speech, Mr. Jones' parents talked. Then it was my turn.
"I knew them like their were my own parents. I grew up with Allison, she's my better half." The crowd awwwwed and I saw Ali blush.
"Allison is a beautiful, kind woman just like her mother. And she's also stubborn and committed like her father. Mr and Mrs Jones were very good people, I love them as much as I love my own family. I know that their memory will never fade. I miss them so much already, rest in peace Uncle Jack and Aunt Beth."
Careful not to trip, I walked back to my seat next to Allison.
When I sat down, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Ali put a hand on my arm.
No words needed to be said. We both half heartedly smiled at each other. But the pain in Ali's eyes stood out like a sore thumb.
My parents spoke, then Aaliyah.
"I love my Uncle Jack and Aunt Beth as much as I love Allison, and Shawn, and my mom, and my dad. I hope they go to heaven with all the other angels."
Ali smiled when Aaliyah finished her little speech. I have to admit it was kinda cute.
********
Allison's POV {after funeral}
"Shawn?" I asked, as we walked aimlessly around the cemetery.
"Yes, Angel?"
"I think I need some alone time. I'll meet you back at the house tonight?" I said shyly.
Shawn stopped walking and turned towards me.
"Of course. But remember I'll always be here for you. I'll meet you at the house in an hour? Do want me to come pick you up? It might be a long walk." Shawn placed a warm, gently hand on my hip. Drawing me closer to him.
I leaned my face into his chest.
"Yeah I'll call you when I'm ready for you to pick me up." I could feel tears coming already.
This whole time, I've kept the tears in. Except that first day. But since then, I have controlled myself and not cried in front of Shawn. I knew it hurt him to see me so upset.
Shawn carefully tipped my chin up with his finger. I felt his warm lips on mine and it instantly felt familiar and calming. His hand went from cupping my cheek, to my shoulder, then to my mid-back. I felt butterflies and my heart sped up.
"I love you Allison." Shawn said when we both pulled away. He was using my full name, instead of Ali or Angel. That was how I knew he really loved me for me.
We walked away from each other as I cried. Cried for the loss of my parents.