43. Chapter 43
Kylie
Fall is showing itself from its best side today. The sky is a clear blue, with the occasional small cloud passing by, a soft breeze blows through the red and golden tree branches, sending leaves to the wet ground. A last hurrah before the winter.
It took a little time to put everything together, but today it's finally time to reunite Elizabeth and Nicholas O'Brien. Nic bought a casket for Elizabeth, simple yet beautiful.
I brought a bouquet to put on it in nice fall-reminiscent oranges. Kieran and Lauren, are the ones paying for the funeral itself. And lastly, everyone who took part in the betting pool came together to purchase a new headstone with both of their names.
The priest was already here to give a little eulogy and send her soul off toward heaven. I feel her linger, an ever-so-slight tickle on the back of my neck, right at the base of my hair. The same feeling I have at home, of being watched, of someone or something else present.
All of Wayward Hollow is here. Once Erik announced the bones’ identity, they all insisted on paying their respects.
Erik is standing next to me, my hand firmly in his. Henry and Nic are to our right, also holding hands. Lauren has her arm linked with Caleb's, her cheek resting against his shoulder. And Kieran and Bobby are on the other side of me.
"I want to say a few words." Bobby steps forward and puts his hand on the casket. "Elizabeth, you might have never met us, but your existence is fundamental for our town. It has brought so much joy and created so many wonderful memories."
Kieran takes his place next to him, though he keeps his hands to himself. "We're so sorry you were kept apart from your husband. I hope you now find the peace you deserve."
Erik squeezes my hand. All of us watch as they slowly lower the casket into the ground.
"Do any one of you want to sprinkle the first bit of earth?" one of the guys from the funeral institute asks. All heads turn to me.
"Yeah." I swallow around the lump in my throat. "I think I do."
It seems fitting. My dog unearthed her, and I get to return her to it.
The ground squelches under my shoes as I walk to the pile of earth. Someone hands me a small shovel, and I scoop up a little bit of it, then gently sprinkle it atop her casket in the ground.
"Goodbye, Elizabeth," I mumble so softly only I can hear it, though I'm convinced she can too. "Even though it was nice and only a little terrifying to meet you, we both know you belong here and not in my hobby room. Rest in peace, girlie, I think I’m going to miss you. A little."
The wind picks up around us, making my hair flutter into my face, and I can't help but think of it as her final goodbye.
Erik goes after me, taking the small shovel out of my hand and sprinkling some earth down on her casket too. He also mumbles something, but I can't hear it.
One by one, everyone pays their respects. Even Caleb, who doesn't seem to believe in this stuff at all. In all of us, there’s a profound respect for the people who created this town we get to call our new home.
"Do you guys feel it too?" Kieran asks in a whisper as we slowly make our way back to our cars.
"What?" Lauren asks over her shoulder.
"I don't know how to describe it. My heart is all warm and fuzzy and shit." He pats his chest. "Like we did something really meaningful today."
"I feel it," I confess with a nod.
"Me too," Caleb, of all people, gruffly agrees.
"I just hope it worked," Lauren mumbles, hugging his arm to her chest. "And they are finally reunited."
"I have a feeling they are," I declare. Erik squeezes my hand. "But if you want to check for yourselves, you're all invited to my place. Either we can celebrate her funeral with Elizabeth herself, or we can celebrate her soul being in a better place."
It's weird to have so many people in my home. I'm not entirely sure if I like it.
Having any of them over individually, or even with their significant others?
No problem at all. But truth be told, my house might be on the bigger side, but it feels too small to host six other people plus their dogs.
And everyone is talking over each other, which makes every conversation even louder.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to find out if I still have a ghost roommate. So far, no doors have slammed shut. As an experiment, I leave one of my cupboard doors open. Elizabeth was kind of a cleanliness freak and used to close them.
Not today. Or ever again, if my gut feeling proves correct.
"You okay?" Nic appears beside me and puts her hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I clear my throat. "Is it weird that I’m a little sad she's gone?"
"No." Nic immediately shakes her head. "If Chaos left me, I'd be devastated. As scary as it was in the beginning, I've gotten used to the little menace."
"It’s exactly how I feel about her. Like, every time she slammed a door or a cupboard shut, I'd panic. But now, knowing she won't do it anymore, is sad.” Maybe I'm even going to miss her.
"You can always get yourself more pets if you want company."
Erik appears next to me and puts his arm around my shoulder.
"Speaking of," I turn to him, "you should totally get a dog. You know, a police dog that can attack perps for you and all."
"I can count the number of times I would have needed that on one hand." Erik shakes with a chuckle. "We can’t even get new computers; I doubt anyone would give me funds for a police dog."
"Then as an emotional support animal," Nic proposes and cocks her head.
"I'm pretty sure any officer would lose their job if they needed an emotional support animal at work."
"Party pooper.” Nic rolls her eyes. “Anyway. To switch to more pleasant topics of conversation, are you two coming over for Thanksgiving?"
"Yes," I immediately declare, and Erik nods.
"Do you mind if Aunt Molly comes too?"
"Oh no, not at all. The more the merrier." Nic nods enthusiastically. "Lauren and I are doing the turkey and two or three sides. It would be lovely if you could bring something too. Maybe mac and cheese or dessert."
"I can do dessert,” I declare.
"Perfect." She shoots me a grin.
"Dick, no!" Kieran says very sternly, very loudly, catching all of our attention. "Leave the nice pillow alone."
"Oh no." I shoot the two of them an apologetic look and hurry to the living room.
"I said no," Kieran hisses and tries to pry his dog's mouth open, but he seems to think they’re playing a game.
What a chaotic group I found over here. But I wouldn't trade these guys for the world.