Alanna stared long and hard at the church building in front of her, noticing the similarities between this one and the one she almost got married in. There was not much to it, other than the fact that nobody wanted to be in the previous church where the incident had happened. Although she was surprised it was being held here at all. He had died in a church where God was present but still couldn't be saved. Maybe they were hoping he rested with the Lord.
It was amusing really because she knew good and well that, that man's deeds didn't warrant him a place in heaven. The thought almost made her cackle, and she caught herself just in time because she had been standing in front of the church long enough for people to start staring. They had started to talk and she smiled bitterly; briefly, barely noticeably and it disappeared as quickly as it came. ''Are you going to be alright, Allie,'' someone called from behind and she turned to the worrisome expression on her best friend's face.
She smiled, genuinely this time, just enough to ease her worries and said, '' You don't need to worry Sia. I'll be fine.'' Sienna stepped out of the car and rounded to come give her a hug. ''I'm sorry you have to go through this alone.'' She squeezed tighter as if by doing so she was giving her a bit of her courage and Alanna hugged back just as tightly.
''No need to apologize. It was strictly by invitation remember? I didn't even think they wanted me to be here,'' her voice waned as she said, knowing very well the reason for her invitation. ''They just want to embarrass you. They know very well that your family wouldn't even stand with you now,'' concern colored her voice and they eased away from the hug. ''I know. They can do their worst.'' Sienna could feel her friend was trying to be brave just for today, just for the hours she was going to spend with those literal demons, and she decided to not say anything negative anymore. Smiling, she nodded silently at her and Alanna's face brightened a little. ''I'll be back before you know it.'' And she was gone.
The minute she stepped inside the church, as if it was practiced synchronization, all eyes turned to her, including that of the priest's and she realized it was the same one that had officiated her wedding. Whispers started flitting throughout the entire room, the air carrying the words straight to her ears. She saw her family in one of the front row seats and they quickly averted their eyes like her gaze scalded them and she smiled again the third time today, the second bitter smile of the day. Steeling her spine, she made her way in front of the church. They had left an entire seat for her, with no other persons sitting near her and she was actually glad at this.
People were supposed to be around her, comforting her, and making sure she was alright but when you had been suspected of murder there wasn't much anyone wanted to do with you. She took her seat and the murmurings quieted down a bit. Eyes were still on her. She felt unnerved and she tried to remain calm and not bolt out of the room. The priest's voice started filtering the room, speaking of the promises of God for those who died in Him.
It was a closed casket funeral or maybe they had decided she wasn't worthy enough to see the man's face before his burial. That was fair because she didn't want to see him either. Their interactions had always been weird. It wasn't embarrassing enough for him that he was marrying a girl who could be his granddaughter, but he was always talking about their wedding night like he could literally not wait for that day and it disgusted her. He was a model figure for all but behind closed doors, that man was anything but a saint. Her eyes momentarily met Astrid's and the murderous intent behind her eyes made her avert her gaze, not in fear but sometimes provocation wasn't a good thing either. She just wanted all this over before they killed her in there.
It was time for the tribute reading and his children went up the podium. They spoke a lot about how good of a father he was and how good of a man he was and blah, blah, blah. That man wasn't a good man, and she was sure to the moon that his children knew that, yet just like their father, they were keeping up appearances in public. Before long they left the church to the cemetery to do the burial service. She stayed behind because she could see nobody wanted her there. She had survived the first phase. Letting out the breath she had been holding for who knows how long, she got up from her seat and made her out of the church.
Sienna was standing by her car, and she gave her a warm smile. No matter what she still had her best friend and she was grateful. How did it go in there,'' she asked. ''Made it out alive.'' Her response made them both laugh, easing a bit of their worries. "The reception next?" Alanna nodded and they sat in the car as it headed to their next destination.