CHAPTER 21 (Part Two)

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A/N: You'll know when to watch the video. But in case you don't it's when Scarlett goes to sing the song.

Also, I know a lot of people didn't like it when in TAATR Radiance could sing, but I just wanted to put it out there, that technically Scarlett can't she just thought it would be an important tribute to Kaiden.

That's all I have to say so...

Happy reading!

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"Oh gosh, I am so sorry." 

And the pity begins. 

"How are you feeling?" 

The words barely register in my head as I tune myself out to my surroundings. All I know is that I'm at Kaiden's funeral and his parents and Cade are standing next to me. I vaguely hear Trisha reply as Brandon comforts her.

"Thank you all for coming and under such unfortunate circumstances." The funeral director speaks and everyone begins to quieten as the funeral service commences. 

I'm lead to sit at the front of the room, the closest to the coffin and I almost burst into tears. I can't believe he is really gone. He would have been such an amazing father. I bring a crumpled tissue to my eyes and dab as they begin to water with unshed tears. 

I reach my arm out, desperately seeking the comfort I need right now. Like a prayer, fingers intertwine with mine and clasp my hand in a firm yet gentle grip. Cade squeezes my hand as I silent reassurance that he's here and not going anywhere. 

As the funeral progresses people are called upon to speak. "We will now have Kaiden's fiancé come to the podium and speak." 

On shaky legs I make my way to the podium, disentangling my fingers from Cade's. 

"Thank you all for coming. Kaiden would of been so happy to know that he had so many people who loved him." I pause and take a sharp breath. "Kaiden Williams was such a good man to not only to me, but to so many people. I remember the day we met so vividly. I ran away from my pack and trespassed on his land and his brother, Daxton, brought me to him. Immediately we had a connection. He didn't care that I had trespassed, he just wanted to provide me with a home and happiness. He gave me so much more than that though. He gave me a tiny little life." I murmur, rubbing my belly. "So, to commemorate him, I would like to sing a song in his owner. I'm not that great of a singer so bear with me."

I clear my throat as Daxton comes to the stage and hops onto the piano. When he silently nods I begin to sing softly. 

"Go in peace,

Go in kindness. 

Go in love,

Go in faith. 

Leave the day,

The day behind us.

Day is done, 

Go in grace.

Let us go, 

Into the dark.  

Not afraid,

Not alone. 

Let us hope,

By some good pleasure. 

Safely to,

Arrive at home." 

Once I have finished many people have tears in their eyes and I bow before taking my seat. The funereal director once again takes to the podium and starts to wrap up the service. 

"Actually! I have something I'd like to say." 

(Cade's POV)

I don't know what caused me to do it, but I knew that I needed to. As I walk up to the podium I begin to speak. 

"There are a lot of things I wish I could say to Kaiden that I never got the chance to say in person. I wish I could thank him for taking such good care of Scarlett when I was too coward to do so. I wish I could apologise for how I treated him when we first met, letting jealousy get the better of me and lashing out. But the main thing I wish I could do now that he is no longer here, is thank him for standing by my side and helping my pack and I with the fight against the rogues. He risked his life for the many and I will forever be grateful for such a man. Rest in peace, mate. You will be missed." 

I walk over to Scarlett and hold out my hand and she immediately leaps up and pulls me into her arms. "Thank you so much for that. Kaiden would of been so happy to hear you say those things about him. Thank you." She kisses my cheek than walks to flower rose petals over his casket.

Trisha gives me a tender kiss on the cheek before following Scarlett. Brandon pauses, looks at me thoughtfully, then gives me an approving pat on the back before walking off. No words needed. 

I stand in the same spot until everyone has gone up to Kaiden and it's my turn. Slowly and purposefully I walk up to his casket. It saddens me that something so tragic had to happen in order for me to see how wrong I was about him. 

"I promise I'll stop being a coward. I'm going to take a chance. I'll take care of her. Both of them. I promise." As I say the final words its like his presence is with me and he's saying, "That's all I could ever ask."

***

It's been a week since the funeral and to say things have been better would be the truth, but things were still hard for certain people especially.

I continued to make the pancakes the way Scarlett liked them (with blueberries) as I hummed to myself an unfamiliar tune.

While letting it sit for a few seconds I grab two plates, put some orange juice in a glass for Scarlett and some coffee for myself I finish plating up the food.

I'm not surprised when I find the room empty of anyone and the bedroom window open. It had almost become a ritual over the past few days. Scarlett would escape for air and then I would go find her to bring her back before she did anything overkill. I should have known the food would be to go.

I head back downstairs and pack all the food and drinks into a picnic basket making sure to wrap the pancakes with alfoil to keep it warm on the trip. I also pack some whipped cream and strawberries. 

Walking out of the house at a steady pace I head to the place I know she will be. It had become her favourite spot since returning this year.

When I reach the clearing I take a deep breath preparing for anything. Both times I've found her here she'd been bawling her eyes out which wasn't good for the baby.

After walking through the final trees before the lake opens up to me I immediately notice Scarlett sitting by the edge of the lake, her feet shoeless and covered by the water.

Setting the basket down at the halfway point between the end of the trees and her I continue forward. Without saying anything, I settle beside her and we watch as the water ripples every few seconds when a leaf falls.

For what feels like hours, but was most likely only minutes we sat in silence. Then suddenly, the silence was broken.

"I miss him." Scarlett whispers, continuing to look at the water.

"I know." I murmur as a reply. "But you gotta live for him and for Little One."

"When did you get so wise?" She laughs and I smile. Because I haven't heard her laugh since Kaiden passed.

"When you walked into my life and forgave me for my mistakes." I say, seriously.

"Who said I gave you my forgiveness?" She nudges me with her shoulder, raising a brow as she turns to face me.

"You didn't have to. You wouldn't still be here if you hadn't. You could have gone back to Kaiden's pack, Hell, even to your brothers and parents once all the funeral stuff finished. But you stayed with me. Actions speak louder than words."

"Actions speak louder than words? Wow. You really have gotten wise." She pauses. "But, yeah, I guess I have forgiven you. Especially after all you've done for me lately." Scarlett leans her head down to rest it on my shoulder and I put my are around her own, pulling her closer.

(Scar's POV)

For a few more minutes we sit like that, then he suddenly gets up and pulls me towards a picnic basket. He opens up the basket and pulls out a rug to sit on. He places everything onto the rug including a bottle of orange juice, a travel mug which I can only assume is filled with coffee and a plate of something covered in alfoil. There is also whipped cream and sliced strawberries.

He sits down and than pulls me by the hand, causing me to land in between his legs with my back against his chest. I'm about to get up and move, but he pulls me up closer and tells me to stay and I settle back into his chest, relaxing.

He removes the alfoil from the plate revealing blueberry pancakes, my favourite breakfast treat food. I turn my head and smile at him and he returns it.

He places 2 on a plate for me and 4 on a plate for him, leaving a few spare. "Whipped cream and strawberries, Madam?" He asks in a posh accent and I'm surprised he didn't bow, because at this point it wouldn't have surprised me.

"Why, yes, kind Sir. You know me so well." I reply with just as much poshness.

And so we eat our blueberry pancakes topped with whipped cream and strawberries while having little conversations and I feel the happiest I have been since Kaiden's passing.

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Hi, Lovelies.

Hope you enjoyed the second part of the chapter.

I don't know when I'll be updating, but I'll do so when I can.

I'd love to get your feedback so you know what to do!

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XOXO, Em. :)