The funeral took place in NY and Jess was dreading going in but Daniella was so very happy to see her and embrace her.
"You are here!"
Jess embrace her and said.
"Of course your parents were everything to me growing up."
Jughead embrace Joanna.
"So very sorry for your loss."
Joanna smiled.
"Thank you I know that this news made you worry for Jess."
Everyone from Riverdale flew in for the service as John was well known along with Emily.
Jess was nervous as she knew her uncle was a well known music producer, but wasn't expecting so many well known artist that he worked with showing up and pay respect she was blown away. She whispered to Jug.
"I'm saying my eulogy in front of these musicians. Wow!"
Jughead said.
"Just breathe we are all here for support."
So the service starts and after a few hymns and bible verses, Daniella was first.
"My parents were everything from the very beginning, the first thing they had instilled in me was Family first. At the time I knew how important it was, but I couldn't understand why until I was older."
Daniella look up at Jess as Jess held Jughead close bracing herself of how it was going to be bring up.
"My father had never stopped mourning the loss of my Aunt Emily, My Godmommy My cousin Jess, who is here Emily was her mother. From the time Aunt Emily has passed everything changed over time he was not as bubbly as he was."
Jess then thought.
I'm good nothing major yet to break down.
Then a beautiful photo of them came on the screen from Emily's wedding and Jess could see in John's eyes how happy he was to be supporting his baby sister on her wedding day. For the first time Jess finally saw and understood how much John has changed just like her father. Daniella continues.
"I think Jess and I both agreed that since her mom had passed away, Dad lost that smile and the twinkle in his eyes like that photo up there."
Jess definitely choked up in that agreement and Archie came to check on her.
"You ok?" He whispered.
Jess eyes watered as she looked at her brother as she felt broken for her beloved Uncle.
She whispered.
"I never realized how much my uncle has changed over time until I see the difference in my mom's wedding photo."
Archie hugged her.
Daniella continues.
"Over time mom and I had noticed that every time Jess had visited us, Daddy will light up as if Emily was here and soon as she leave, his eyes will dimmed not one twinkle. Despite the fact that he had carried all of this, he was a dedicated father to me and an incredible Uncle to Jess. My mom was a dedicated mother and Aunt to Jess and I. Her first priority was to make sure that we were fed with love and care. Mom and dad I love you and I know that you are with Aunt Emily and Uncle Matthew. Uncle Matt and Aunt Emily, I will care for your baby girl no matter what. Family is always first. Rest until we meet again."
Everyone gave her a standing ovation. After a few more bible verses it was Jessica turn and Jughead wheels her up as she head up, she held Archie's hand as she was thankful for him and Veronica as well as everyone who showed up from Riverdale for being here. She gets up to the pulpit as she hug Daniella for a long time knowing Daniella was thankful to have Jess there. Then she wheeled up to the pulpit with Jug's help.
"Good evening,
My aunt and uncle were everything to me growing up. They were always welcoming and helped me with homework and all. The best memories that I have with them was singing so many songs in the studio as my parents love to sing. They were there as I had lost both of my parents and helped when I needed them whether it was school or just in general. I am grateful that they were there when my husband and I got married 16 years ago as I had asked Uncle John along with my grandmother in my father's side and my brother, Archie from my Godparents side to give me away as I had a piece of my parents and my Godfather with me."
She teared up.
"Looking back I knew Uncle John was grieving, but I never realized how huge the impact of my mom passing away truly affected him until moment before when Daniella pulled up the photo on my parents wedding day. Just like my own father who was deeply in grief and carried that pain until he had passed. For the first time today, I saw the twinkle in my Uncle's eyes within that loving sibling picture. In person every time I see them as I would visit with them, the twinkle were there but whenever I went home they were dimmed. I know deep down Daniella and Joanna tried everything to overcome this pain of his, as I tried with my dear father and there was nothing I could to do help it."
She ended it as Jughead and Daniella comfort her as tears streamed down her eyes.
"I pray that Uncle John is at peace as he reunite with his sister that he loved so dearly. I hope Aunt Joanna is happy to be back with everyone as she admits to me over the years as I have lost so many of my family members that it was not fair to watch me lose so many love ones especially those who she was really close with. Take care of them, Heavenly Father till we meet again."
There was a standing ovation as Jess wheeled towards the coffins and gently sobbed placing two roses and prayed as Daniella and Jughead stayed with her either side knowing that she was having a tough time with this loss because they were a part of her mother.
"I loved you both so much."
She whispered.
Then she decided to go back to her spot and parked her chair. FP, Gladys, Jellybean, Alice, Veronica, Mary and Archie came over to comfort her and compliment on her eulogy.
Then a lot of celebrities spoke of John and how he was great to work with. Daniella was excited for Jess reaction by one of the country trio Jess love and it was about to be in full circle. The priest said.
"Please welcome Rascal Flatts."
Daniella smiled and turned to Jess as she sees Jess stunned as she checked her program, everyone knew from the program but it wasn't written on Jess. Daniella was aware of the story. Jess thought back on the night that she leave for Riverdale from NY she gets on the bus and I'm Movin On came on as it signifies a new journey for her. She was blown away to see them up there.
"Hi we are Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney. We had worked with John Johnson for so many years and he was great to be with. He always spoke of his dedicated family especially his niece, Jessica. One of our song was inspired by her that John had written on the Still Feels Good album."
Jess was shocked as Daniella came over and hugged her.
"Surprise!"
Jess slowly smiled but still grieving and asked Dani.
"Which song I have the album?"
Dani said.
"No Rein!"
Jess placed her headset and listened to it.
She left that loser in a dust cloud
Heart in his hand, chin on the ground
Cried her last tear for that clown
She can see a little clearer now
She said, "Oh, oh, I gotta go and find me"
Oh, oh she found the strength to break free
[CHORUS]
Like a painted wild mustang
Flyin' out across the open range
Finally gets to live her life that way
No fear, no fences, nobody-no reins
No reins
All she's ever felt is held back
She says, "It's kinda nice to hear myself laugh"
She's gonna do a lot more of that
She's makin' plans and makin' tracks
She said, "Oh, oh I gotta go and find me"
Oh, oh she found the strength to break free
[Repeat Chorus]
Oh, oh she's learnin' how to let go
Oh, oh whichever way the wind blows
Oh, oh she's learnin' how to let go
[Repeat Chorus Twice]
No reins
So Daniella explains everything. John knew about Jess's relationship with Josh through Grandma Marie first and then eventually Fred with everything happened through court and all till Josh's death. When she told him about her life in Riverdale making friends and restarting her life, this what pushed him to do this song and the guys in Rascal Flatts knew the story behind it.
"Wow that crazy."
Then the boys came over to her.
"Nice to meet you finally." Joe Don says.
Jess smiled keeping it professional, knowing Uncle John would be proud but everyone knows Jess knew inside she is fangirling. She admitted in tears.
"You are definitely my favorite bands. This is a full circle moment for me um the night I left NY, your song started to play on the bus and the song signifies my new journey to Riverdale."
Gary said.
"I'm Movin On?"
Jess sang the last line in tune.
"I'm Movin On."
Jay said.
"Nicely sung! We know your story through John and he sent us a video of you singing a lot of our songs and your version of I'm Movin On has truly moved us and we felt the emotions knowing the story and how it must have been hard for you to leave your love ones."
Jess said.
"It was. Leaving my grandmother, Daniella, John, Joanna and Marie whooo I had to do what was right for me knowing my parents especially my father kept on saying Go find Fred, Archie and Mary initially he wanted to see my godfather one last time as he was very sick and they were the best of friends throughout school. Then after my father passed it was my grandmother who raised me from age 5 through 14 she initiated me to start a new life and be happy with the Andrews family that point in time one: I didn't know who Archie was as my dad didn't mention that it was my Godparents son as he was so busy with work when Archie was born all I had heard was I'm a godfather! Mom is a godmother. But didn't elaborate. I was 4 going on 5. 2: when my father passed, the funeral director was so not helpful when my dad has a request to have my Godfather to come to the funeral so I decided to prove to the director that I will bring my godfather at this deadline."
Gary said.
"Did you?"
Jess said.
"Yes but it was a lengthy process up to that point. I enrolled back to the high school where my parents had met and where I was born-I made friends with Archie and we are best friends. I never asked him once asked him anything about being Fred's son until Archie found photo of his dad and I and that when everything clicked sort of I said to Archie, wait my dad best friends with Fred Andrews. He said my dad is Fred Andrews, I'm Fred son. Then it truly clicked once my dad's voice hit me with Go find Fred, Archie and Mary Then I found my godparents."
The guys were speechless. Joe Don asked.
"How did you forget about being born at the school?"
She sighed.
"My dad said that he try not to think about the high school days because of my mom everything reminded him of my mom. So he somehow blocked it out. Until I was reminded from the person who enrolled me and everything started to make sense that I was well known at Riverdale High."
Everything made sense. In the end she got a selfie with them.
Princessserpent: full circle oh my goodness!