Part 14
After the service, everyone went over to the cemetery for the burial. CJ's father had asked for a small funeral, nothing fancy. The only people that had come were close family members. As everyone walked out to the burial site, Toby walked up to CJ's side and took her hand. She looked over slowly and smiled weakly. For the first time, it was finally sinking in. CJ squeezed his hand tighter as everyone said his or her goodbyes. CJ felt the tears stream down her face, but as she looked around, she knew she wasn't the only one. She even saw the tears fall from Toby's eyes. It was the only time after his own father died that he cried real tears.
"Go on," Toby whispered into her ear. CJ nodded and walked over to the casket. She put the red rose she was holding on top of it and bent down. She kissed the top on the casket and told her father that she loved him. As she backed away, she felt Toby grab hold of her. She looked over at him. "I have you." He whispered again. CJ smiled weakly again as she wrapped her arms around him and cried. He moved them both away so Anna could say goodbye as well. As the burial concluded, everyone walked back to his or her car. Anna was walking with her boys, and CJ was still with Toby.
"That was lovely mom," Brain said while kissing Anna on the cheek.
"I think he liked it," She nodded. "Claudia," Anna walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her.
"It was lovely mom," CJ cried out.
"Yes, it was," Anna looked into CJ's eyes. "Remember, he's still watching you," Anna said while wiping away CJ's tears.
"I know," CJ nodded. "I'm just not ready to say goodbye yet."
"I know. But remember, he went to a better place. He's in no more pain," Anna said while hugging her.
"I know."
"I miss him too, honey. But I know for a fact he was ready to go."
"Really?"
"He told me the night before he died that he was ready. So I know he's happy right now."
"She's right Claudia," Michael smiled.
"Yeah," Alex agreed.
"Now, lets all go home and get some food," Anna said. "Toby, I'll even let you drive." She handed him the keys.
"Thank you," He smiled as everyone got in his or her car.
"I'm very proud of you," Toby whispered to CJ.
"For what?" She looked at him in shock.
"Everything," He smiled and helped her into the car.
At the house, more family showed up. In less then an hour, all the food was gone. Anna gave up and told everyone to fend for themselves if they got hungry. Toby was talking with one of CJ's uncles when he noticed CJ walk outside. He excused himself and walked after her, not noticing that everyone in the room were watching him.
"Hey," He said while walking out to the swings where CJ was.
"Hey," She smiled up at him as he sat in the swing next to her.
"I wanted to apologize…"
"It's fine," She stopped him. "I understand."
"You don't know what I was going to say," He said.
"That's the beauty of our relationship," She smirked.
"CJ…"
"Toby, honestly, it's fine."
"I should have stayed," He blurted out.
"What?"
"In the car. I should have stayed."
"You didn't want to. It was fine."
"Can you stop saying that please?" Toby asked while looking at her.
"Saying what?"
"That it's fine. It's not."
"Toby…" CJ started but stopped after Toby grabbed her swing and pulled her close to him.
"Do you have any idea how much I wanted to kiss you that night?"
"You didn't," She whispered.
"Yes, I did. But it scared me because it was the first time I got that close to you and didn't start laughing. When we laugh, it relieves the tension. I wasn't even close to laughing that night," He said.
"I was scared too."
"After Andi, I swore I was done with this. That the one for me just wasn't out there," He looked into her eyes. He leaned in closer and gently kissed her lips. When he pulled away, he brushed her hair back. "But maybe that one person has been in front of me the whole time," He whispered.
"I've spent my whole life learning to remember everything my parents taught me about life. But maybe it's time to start learning on my own."
"Or with the person you love," Toby whispered back. "Love can be the greatest gift Claudia. Maybe this can be the one consistency that teaches us something about life."
"What if it doesn't?"
"Then we can't say that we didn't try," Toby kissed CJ again. "We have to at least try."
"Yes," She smiled.
"Yes," He smiled back. "I love you."
"I love you too," She leaned forward and kissed him as everyone in the house stared out the window with smiling faces.
"You did it," Anna looked up at the sky. She knew her husband was smiling tonight.
The End