Page 66 of Creed

Dear Morgan, you are in our thoughts and prayers at your time of need. Love Chuck and Gena

I looked up at Creed and pointed at the card. “This is from Chuck Norris and his wife.” I whispered and his eyes grew large.

I moved to the next arrangement.

Dear Morgan and Adeline, we were so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet mommy and best friend, Callie. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Rob Lowe and family.

I was lucky to know the few truly nice people in Hollywood. I scanned over several arrangements, and noticed many of them were perennials that could be planted and come back every year. There were even a few fruit trees. I couldn’t imagine how many there were if there was more than I was already seeing. It was when I made it to the memory board I made that I had to pull out my handkerchief. Then, the only thing left to see, was my best friend.

Creed caught me when my legs gave out from under me. I wasn’t expecting a flash of another memory to hit me as soon as I saw her.

My dog died and I was sad. Callie ran into the house and to my room the moment she heard. I cried and she held me in her arms.

“I want to die first. I don’t think I could live a day without you.” I sniffled.

“Maybe we will be like the movie The Notebook. We will cuddle up together when we are like a hundred years old and die together. Its really the only way.” She said.

“Do you promise?” I asked.

“Of course, lets pinky swear.”

I looked down at my beautiful best friend as she laid in the silk lining of her casket. “You broke your promise.” I whispered in a cry. Creed held me up right as I ran my fingers over her beautiful blond hair. “You promised neither of us would go first. You also promised to always protect me from the mean girls.” I broke down and Creed held me tighter. “Why did you choose him over yourself?” It came out in a low whisper. “You look so beautiful.”

Callie’s long blond hair fell over her shoulders in waves. Her neck was covered by a high collar black dress. She was wearing my jewelry, and in her hands that were placed together was a photo of Addie and another one of the two of us together. I wasn’t the one that gave those photos to Mr. Rhys. I honestly wasn’t sure who gave them to him. The finger that usually had a cheap gold plated wedding band on it was bare, and there was no sign of Shane ever existing anywhere in that funeral home. Theflowers that laid across the closed lower half of the casket read: Mother, Daughter, and Best Friend.

“I will do my best to fulfill your last wishes.” I sniffled. “I love you sweetie, and that will never change.” I kissed my fingers and laid them on her cold forehead.

Torment

Creed

I never felt so needed in my life. As Morgan greeted everyone that came to pay their last respects, she leaned against me and tightly held my hand. I wore an earpiece that put me in communication with Drakos, who was keeping watch and giving orders outside. The first of a few announcements I was expecting came, so I had to brace myself. I didn’t believe bikers would be the biggest threat during the funeral, but I did believe a psycho fan, the media, and paparazzi would be a problem.

“Kenny, Allison and Jake Meadows have arrived.”

“10-4” I whispered in my earpiece.

Morgan looked up at me curiously and I leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Your other best friend has arrived with his parents.”

She squeezed my hand. “Are you okay? You don’t have to do this if you’re not ready. I promise I will be okay.”

I lifted her chin to look at me. “I’m not leaving you for any reason.” I made myself clear. She squeezed my hand, and another tear fell from her eye, so I reached up and caught it.

“Thank you.” She whispered.

Within a week of Morgan staying with me, I knew there wasn’t a war I wouldn’t fight to keep her safe. I was already battling over how I was ever going to let her, and Addie leave my home when the time came. At first I wanted Morgan, but with time I had to admit the truth. I didn’t just want her anymore, I needed her. I needed her in my arms, in my bed, and in every aspect of my life. I needed to surround myself with her presence, and I wasn’t going to be able to fight it much longer.

Morgan was grieving and vulnerable. She needed to sort her life and decide what she needed and wanted. I couldn’t force her into needing me, she needed time more than anything. Time wasn’t always something I had to give, but for Morgan, I would make the time.

Morgan continued to thank people for coming while standing in the receiving line. I kept watch as usual, until a familiar pair of eyes that resembled my own came into view. Shit! Of course, Nicole would be visible attending the most talked about funeral services in the media. Fuck!

I squeezed Morgan’s hand. Not to alarm her, but to silently communicate I may have needed her patience and strength in the coming minutes. The most unbelievable moment came when Nicole looked straight at me then looked away. She had no fucking clue that she just looked at her own son. Un fucking believable. As far as I was concerned, I had no relatives left in this world.

Suddenly, Morgan jumped and quickly moved in front of me, like her small frame was going to hide my large one. I had to internally smile at the fact that she was flipped into protective mode…over me.

“Oh Morgan, my sweet girl.” Nicole forced Morgan into a hug that Morgan did not return. Her hand was still squeezing mine behind her, and an anger hit me. I didn’t want my bitch of a mother anywhere near Morgan.

Nicole pulled back and looked Morgan over. “When I heard what happened to you, my inner momma bear came out. I hopped on the first jet to make it here, but it seems you’ve been hiding.”

---