Page 117 of Reaper's Rival

I sat up, watching her. Why was she acting weird?

“Nah, I don’t. I thought I would spend the day with you. Or maybe we could go to jewelers and get a ring for that finger of yours.”

She was silent again.

“Abby?”

“Um, I can’t.” She fiddled with her fingers.

“Why?”

She sighed and reached for her bedside table, opening the drawer and pulling out a folder. She placed it on her lap.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“The reason I can’t do anything with you today.” She opened it up, and a booklet of tiny coffins was the first thing I saw. “I have to organize the funeral for Matthew.”

My mouth opened. My mouth closed. What the fuck did I say to that?

“See, I didn’t want to tell you and upset you.” She sighed and closed the folder.

“So you were planning on doing this by yourself?” I finally strung a few words together.

“Yes, who else would do it?”

I took the folder off her lap and opened it. “Or maybe I could help.”

“You... you would do that?” She looked at me, completely and utterly surprised.

“He was our son and like I said, I had no plans for the day.” It hurt to look at the tiny coffins, and the thought of my son at a funeral house just punched me right in the guts.

Her hand fell on mine. “Thank you. To be honest, I’ve been putting it off, and the funeral director wanted answers today.”

“Then we will give the answers. Together.” I kissed the top of her forehead, and she curled back into my side. I threw one arm around her and held her tight.

Chapter 31

Abby

Kade was holding my hand when we walked into the lounge room. Dad was sitting at the dining table and Kim was in the kitchen.

“Well, look who’s made up.” Kim crossed her arms and smiled at me.

“We were never fighting.” I glanced at Dad, who was staring at me again. It was like he was waiting for me to crack.

I leaned back against Reaper’s chest and he wrapped an arm around me. I felt safe in his arms, and for the first time in days, I felt whole again.

“Um, we’re heading out for the day.” I glanced between Dad and Kim. “So will you be alright?”

“Yeah, we will be alright. What have you two got planned for the day?” Kim poured her cup of tea and went and sat at the dining table.

“Um, we’re going to plan Matthew’s funeral. The funeral director has been on my back about it over the last couple of days and decisions have to be made, so today we are doing that.”

The room went silent. Then after a few minutes passed, Dad stood up.

“You alright, little one? You sure you can do this?” He placed a hand on my shoulder, and I nodded my head.

“Yeah Dad, it has to be done.”

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