THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 250: EULOGY

Chapter 250: EULOGY

Fay woke up the morning of the funeral, and stark naked, she walked up to her mirror.

As she stood, watching her reflection, she ran a hand through her thick hair.

Her hands went to her eyes next, and stopped when it reached her lips.

With her fingers, she stroked her lips gently, and closed her eyes.

The first image she saw was Ace’s, as she slightly bit her lips.

It drove him crazy whenever she would do that around him.

Crazy how two nights of just letting go, and not thinking about anything other than her immediate happiness, had turned out to not be the greatest choice.

She had fun quite alright, but morning came, and reality set in.

"He’s dead," she muttered, and her eyes shot open.

She watched her reflection as a single tear fell from her eyes.

"The love of my life is dead," she continued, her lips quivering.

The force of the acceptance pushed her behind, and she fell on her bed.

Burying her head on the pillow, she gave into her tears.

Evening came, and Fay began to dress up for the funeral.

After crying all day, she felt practically numb, and unmotivated.

Her eyes went to the black dress on the bed, and she sighed sadly.

So many memories from just an outfit. But the one that stood out the most was the fact she had married Ace in that dress.

She had gotten married in front of his dead grandfather, and other relatives.

A marriage that was supposed to be short, and contractual, had a ripple effect that would be told for generations to come.

She was grateful that Marilyn had preserved the dress for her.

It was the most befitting, considering what was going to go down in a few hours time.

She stepped into the gown, and walked over to her fragrance stash.

The one she used to wear four years ago, she put it on tonight.

For her hair, she let it run wild. It was the way Ace loved it.

Nothing still felt real. She was still deep in disbelief, but there was nothing to be done about it.

She had to go with the flow, and hope to live with the pain in her heart for as long as she lived.

Taking a deep breath, and encouraging herself with a nod of her head, she grabbed her purse, and walked out of the room.

She went straight to Dream’s room, and as she opened the door, she saw Dream watching some cartoons.

Not only was she fully dressed, she even had her shoes on.

Fay didn’t know how to begin. She had told her they would be attending a funeral this evening.

She just didn’t mention it would be one for her father.

"Hey," she called, when the child didn’t bother to check who had come into her room.

"Hey mummy," Dream replied without turning around.

Fay smiled, despite the sadness in her heart, and eyes.

"How did you know it was me?" She asked, going to sit next to her on the bed.

"Your scent," she replied, and Fay nodded.

"Are you ready to leave?"

"I am. I was just waiting for you."

"And do you know whose funeral we’re attending?" She held her breath, right after she asked the question.

For the first time since she walked into the room, Dream took her gaze off the TV, and sent it her way.

"I know it’s supposed to be daddy’s, but I don’t believe he’s gone." She shrugged.

Fay’s heart shattered, as she breathed out.

"You still don’t believe it?" She asked.

"No I don’t. Daddy said he’d be back, and he’ll be back."

Fay didn’t know what to do after hearing such confidence.

She didn’t know if she was supposed to hug the child reassuringly, or just go with her pace.

Whatever the case was, she knew when the realization dawned on her, it would be the biggest crash out she’d ever have to witness.

Thankfully, she planned on being her pillar every step of the way.

"Right," she sniffled, and cleared her throat. "Can we go now?"

"Okay!"

She stood up, and walked to her electronic switches to turn them off.

"All set!" She said, raising her little thumb up.

Fay forced a smile, as she rose to her feet too, and grabbed Dream’s tiny hands into hers.

As they stepped out, Seth Luxe was already waiting for them.

Together, they all walked to the car, and took their seats.

Dream was in their middle, as they all sat in silence.

The car roared to life, and Fay’s head went to the window.

She specifically asked for the blinds to be opened.

In hindsight, she wasn’t sure if it was a smart decision, when the car hit the highway.

Every billboard advertised Ace’s face. They were all talking about his funeral tonight.

She didn’t have the heart to look at Dream, to see if she could see her father’s face littered about.

Her poor baby, she thought. A little too strong for someone her age.

If only she could just be vulnerable. She reproached herself for not telling her more often that it was okay to cry.

Because of how weak she was when all she did was cry, she had decided not to give her child that generic advice.

But now, she absolutely regretted it.

Fay was so deep in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the car had stopped, until she felt a brush across her arm.

She raised her head, and blinked in surprise.

"We’re here," Seth said, holding Dream’s hands, as they had alighted already.

She nodded, and stepped out of the car too.

With Dream in their middle as they held both of her hands, Cade who had come in a different car, led them in through the back entrance.

In silence they walked, until they were shown into the room for the mourning.

Fay, and Dream were shown to a special seat reserved for them.

"You’re here," Gabrielle said, when she saw them.

"Grandma!" Dream screamed in excitement, grabbing everyone’s attention.

Gabrielle smiled weakly, as she lifted Dream into her frail body.

"You don’t have to carry her, you know," Fay protested.

"It’s fine. I’m fine," she gave her a reassuring nod.

The matriarch was rolled into the room in a wheelchair next by Colin.

She was led to the same section where Fay, Dream, and Gabrielle were.

Fay bent to kiss her cheeks on seeing her.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I will be," the matriarch replied.

Fay stepped to the side, as Gabrielle brought Dream towards her, to give her a kiss.

"My sunshine," she stroked Dream’s cheeks lovingly.

The priest arrived, and the funeral proceedings began in earnest.

Thirty minutes later, it was time for the eulogy.

Landon offered to go on first. It was hard for him to do it, whilst hiding the truth. But he knew it would be more believable if he did.

"And that’s going to be my best friend until the day I die," he finished off, and walked back to his seat.

The mother, and siblings were up next. And after that, it was the matriarch.

When everyone was done, it was time for Fay to speak.

She tried to get Dream to go with her, but Dream shook her head defiantly.

"He’s not dead. I won’t do that," she said, causing a cold shudder to run through the spines of everyone around that heard her speak.

Fay let her have her way, and walked up to the podium alone.

"Good evening everyone," she began, trying to keep herself together. "I’m Fay, the mother of Ace’s child. I don’t have much to say. I didn’t really think I’d have to speak. But here I am," she forced a smile, and tightened her first.

Any slight movement, and she knew the floodgates of tears would open.

Her daughter was so strong, and she knew she needed to be even stronger for her.

"Four years ago, I was in this same dress, marrying Ace Atticus. Four years later, and—" her words trailed. "It’s funny how life works. One day, you realize that you’re always going to love someone, and your heart registers that as facts. Then another day, that person you vowed to love forever is gone. Just gone—-" she paused for the umpteenth time, to muster some strength to continue.

From up the pews, behind the door that directly led into the upper side of the room, Ace stood, watching everything going on.

He saw his daughter, and his heart broke for the millionth time.

But nothing prepared him for how shocked he got, when Fay began to speak.

"Grief is the strangest thing. It manifests in the strangest way. It’s completely being fine one minute, and the next, you can feel the walls of the world closing in on you. The beyond, calling you to join the one you’ll miss forever. Grief is avoidance. Grief is physical ailment. Grief is–" she grappled the edge of the altar box, and closed her eyes tightly.

A tear rolled down Ace’s eyes, and it wasn’t just his sentiment alone to bear.

All around, they were all bawling their eyes out.

"Grief is going to be my life, until the day I die. Because that’s the only day I’d stop missing Ace Atticus."

She walked out of the podium, and as her head rose, Ace ducked behind the door.

But not before she felt a cold sensation, that made her pause for a second, and just stare.