I woke up to see sun shining bright, signalling a start of a brand new day. We were still alive, despite losing many, we must move on. It's what the fallen would have wanted to. I wanted my mother to get a funeral done, even though she no longer had a body. I wanted to give her that much, some closure. The doctors allowed me to leave because I showed incredible signs of improvement. I swung my legs off the bed and made my way to the door.

Walking through the halls, I tried to recollect my thoughts. I found the Virtues in the meeting room as usual. As soon as I entered, they all stood up.

"Maia, we've been thinking," Diligence started.

"Since Valerie passed, we need a ruler. I know this is a lot to ask you and you technically are her daughter, you are a Cohen, so what do you say? Will you take up the role? The leader of the Virtues?" Patience continued.

"I...I should probably think about this before I give you an answer," I replied, exiting the room. 

I took deep breaths to calm myself. I made my way to my room and changed into a white and dress. The funeral would be at noon, so I had ten minutes to make it to the ceremonial hall. I ran out of the room, making my way to the hall, excusing myself.

I pushed open the doors, making everyone look at me, as I made my way to the stage. I sat beside the Virtues, who all wore white and gold. The funeral started, making my thoughts wander off to my mother. Yes, she wasn't the best mother, but she still was my mother. My thoughts occupied me so much that I missed the opening ceremony. Deep in thought, the door opened to show the Sins, including Wrath, who looked beat up, but still significantly better. Whispers and gasps erupted through the crowd. The Virtues and I were in shock, mouths a gap.

They made their way to the front row and sat down, each one of them in a black and red tunic. They sat down, bringing a heavy aura with them. Wrath caught my eye and smiled.

"Miss Sterling, you're speech?" Said the funeral conductor.

I snapper out of my trance and made my way to the stage.

Shit! I left my speech in my room.

I eyed everyone in the large hall, waiting for the daughter of Valerie to say something. I took a deep breath and spoke my heart out.

"I didn't know my mother that well. But from the little I remember as a child, she was the best. I remember fragments, little memories, but beautiful memories. Baking cookies and throwing flour at each other, singing Christmas carols together for our neighbours, taking me out for trick or treating, hugging me when I got nightmares, tending me when I was sick. She was always there for me, at least up until she left. I blamed her for every bad thing that happened to me; everything that went wrong. Then I met her again. I was furious at her. I felt wronged that the Virtues got my mother when I needed her. I guess I was jealous. Jealous of anyone who still had a family. When I saw how she treated the Virtues and everyone here in Heaven, I realised that she is still the same person, the same person who would bake cookies with you, the same person who would be there for you."

I looked over at the Sins, "I've realised that I didn't have the worst life ever. I was being selfish, always thinking my life was the worst, that my life sucked. I was definitely being selfish. I never thought that others could have a life far worse than mine, but I guess I was never taught that. When I saw my mother, I felt disgusted that she was alive all these years, but she still was my mother. I forgave her, but it was too late. I really wished I could have forgiven her sooner, or at least treated her like the mother she was, to me or to the virtues."

I blinked back tears, "all I'm trying to say is that over the years, I've learnt many things on my own, but this experience, this journey taught me more than I could have ever learnt in nineteen years of my life. I've learnt how to forgive and I've learnt that if you love someone, you should tell them and if you're angry at someone, you should forgive them. To Valerie Cohen, my mother, a mother to all of us."

I thanked everyone and made my way off the stage. I sat down and peaked at the Sins. Wrath gave me a thumbs up, assuring me that I didn't well. Kindess patted my hand, smiling at me with tears in her eyes.

***

The funeral ended quickly after that, mainly because I wasn't paying attention. I caught up with the Sins, who were about to leave. I was practically wheezing for breath. I grabbed onto Pride's shoulder, trying to calm myself down.

"Yes, taking in my beauty seems to help right?" He teased.

I punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"What...are you...doing...here?" I wheezed.

"Valerie did so much for us. We came out of respect for her. She is our best friends mother," Gluttony answered.

I smiled at them, thanking them for doing this for me. They left Heaven and I walked back to the palace. I had made my decision.

I'm taking up the job offer.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Authors note:

The book is almost done :(
I'm going to miss it so much!

Question: do you think Maia should take the job?

Lxrxib.