Page 71 of The Devil in Blue Jeans
“I’m only perfect, because ofyou,” he said, tucking her hair behind her year. “To be what you deserve.” And as he slid his mouth across hers, he vowed to make sure she never forgot that.
Twenty-Three
Three days later, after spending all those days in Phoenix with Jaxon at her side, Charly approached the small white church set back from the road. Dressed in a little black dress that she’d picked up from a shop downtown, she glanced next to her at Jaxon, and smiled. He wore a proper black suit with a white dress shirt and black tie. He looked...striking. Fancy looked good on him.
“Charly,” her mother called. “Jaxon.”
She turned, catching her mom and dad approaching from the parking lot, both dressed in black attire.
When her mother reached her, she took Charly into a warm hug, and then offered the same affection to Jaxon. While the past days were filled with sadness, as they went over to Marcel’s parents’ house to comfort them after they had taken Marcel off life support, and he passed away, the days were also full of life. Her parents had gotten to know Jaxon and it was glaringly obvious he won them over. Jaxon talked sports with her father, and everything else with her mother, bringing her flowers or wine to any visit they had.
In the midst of it all, Jaxon got a glimpse into Charly’s former life in Phoenix. Her old house and her old bar. Every little corner that she had visited told its own story of her past life. Somehow sharing this all with him felt like the closure she needed to leave Phoenix forever and never look back.
As her father shook Jaxon’s hand, her mother asked her, “Are you ready for this?”
Charly nodded. “Yes, I’m ready to say goodbye.” To Marcel. To Phoenix. To her old life.
Her mom gave her a reassuring smile, squeezed Charly’s hand tight, and then stepped away as her father embraced Charly before heading toward the church.
Charly blew out slowly as Jaxon slipped his fingers through hers, holding her hand tight, as they followed in behind her parents moving up the church’s steps. The choir, positioned in the loft above, sang beautifully into the air.
The church was breathtaking. The walls were built with durable stone. Sunlight poured in through stained glass windows, casting an array of colors that sparkled off the polished wood benches and marble flooring. Flickering candles surrounded the front, offering a soft glow, reminding Charly light could always be found in darkness.
She squeezed Jaxon’s hand as she caught sight of the urn containing Marcel’s ashes at the front of the church, adorned with floral arrangements. He held her hand as firm as ever, and they took their seats behind Marcel’s parents and Mia, where they’d asked them to sit. Hannah sat next to Mia, her head down, her shoulders shaking with her quiet sobs.
Charly breathed in deeply and out just as slow, shutting her eyes. The sadness surrounded her was near suffocating, but she held on to Jaxon’s hand, her anchor in this storm.
She opened her eyes as the clergyman, draped in flowing robes, came forward after all the mourners took their seats. He stood at the podium. His voice steady and gentle filled the room as he welcomed Marcel’s family and friends to the service.
Marcel’s loved ones began stepping forward, offering eulogies and sharing memories, their voices filled with both sadness and joy. The last person to speak was Hannah, and she spoke of her love with Marcel and the profound impact Marcel had on her life. Charly could feel the gazes burning into the back of her head, but this moment belonged to Hannah, not her. She no longer had Marcel’s heart.
With Jaxon’s hand holding hers, Charly only felt sadness for Hannah that this love she shared with Marcel was now gone.
When Hannah returned to the pew, the clergyman stepped forward to the podium again, and said, “Though our hearts are heavy with grief, let us take comfort in the fond memories we have of Marcel—the laughter, stories and love that continue to live within us. As we pay final tribute, it is important to recognize that even though Marcel’s physical body may no longer be here, Marcel’s spirit will never die. The memory of Marcel should bring us solace and motivation to live our lives to the fullest.”
...and motivation to live our lives to the fullest, had stayed with Charly for the remainder of the service, echoing in her ears.
As the family, and Hannah, left the church, she followed Jaxon out behind her parents and headed outside to where the family waited to greet the crowd.
Jaxon went ahead of her, saying gently to Marcel’s mother, “I’m deeply sorry for your loss,” before he moved on to his father.
Charly stepped in front of June, who always put on a strong face. She took Charly into her arms, but her trembling body revealed her unbearable pain. “Thank you for being here. It’s more than anyone could have asked of you.”
“I wanted to be here,” Charly said, holding her as tight as she could muster. “I am so, so sorry.”
“I am sorry too,” June said. She kissed Charly’s cheek. “Be happy, Charly. Marcel would want that for you.”
“Thank you,” Charly said, her voice shaking, but she refused to let any more tears fall. She turned to Ron and hugged him.
He said softly, “Be well, my dear.”
“You as well,” she said, squeezing him one last time. When she moved into Mia’s arms, she said, “Don’t be a stranger. You’re always welcome to visit us in Timber Falls.”
“I’ll make sure to take a trip out soon,” Mia said, leaning away with tears streaming down her face. “No matter what happened, you’re always my friend.”
“And you are mine,” Charly said, squeezing Mia’s arms.
As she let go of Mia, walking away from the family she thought would be part of every holiday, she caught sight of Jaxon and confidently walked away from her past to step happily into her bright future.
