The morning of the funeral was sunny, a perfect spring day. The warmth and brightness of the sun gave off a decepting cheerfullness. As Liz stared out the window on her way to her granmothers old place, she could almost believe all was well.
She had borrowed one of the Spencers vehicles. She was meeting them at the funeral after she finished up at Audreys. Lucky had wanted to come, but she ahd insisted she do this alone. Besides, he had looked so pale this morning.
She pulled up at Audreys. The house stood, empty befor her. She walked to the front door and opened it.
The house had only been unoccupied for a few days but it already had a musky odour. Liz shivered.
Audreys presence was all over. From hte picture of her and Liz's grandfather on the coffee table, to her jacket hanging in the closet, she was felt. Liz walked up the staircase to her bedroom.
As she stared around the room, it hardly seemed like hers. Had it only been weeks since she moved out? Some of her clothes were still haphazardly strewn around the room.
Liz carried out some empty boxes she had stored in her closet. She was going to take all her stuff now. The reading of the will was after the funeral, and her parents would probably inherit the house. If that happened she most likely wouldn't be able to get back in.
She tossed clothes into the boxes. She picked up a sweater, Gram had given it to her for her last birthday. It was baby blue, cashmere. Liz folded it carefully and stuck it into the box.
She walked around the room, seeing what else she would need. Her art supplies sat on the desk, unused for a month. She picked the up and stuck them in a box delicately. She would haev to start painting again.
She lugged the boxes down the stairs. The house was silent as she looked around. This had been her home. Gram had taken her in when she showed up on her doorstep.
She tried to remember all the moments she had spent with Gram, but they wouldn't come. It was hard to remember even what she looked like. Liz sat down on the couch.
She stared intently at the picture of Audrey and Steve. Her grandparents had been so happy, had a perfect family life. If only her parents would come around.
It's what everyhting seemed to come back to recently. Her parents uncaring ways. Audrey had raised ehr father, why couldn't he be more like her?
She stood up and sighed. She was survivor, she would go on. Liz grabbed the picture from te table to take with her as a rememberance.
Before she closed the dorr fully behind her, Liz whispered into the dark, deserted house, "Goodbye Gram."
********************************************************
Lucky looked anxiously around the church. Where was Elizabeth? Nearly everyone had arrived. Her parents sat near teh front of the church. Caroline was putting on quite a show of grieving fro her mother-in-law, it really was quite disgusting to watch.
He sighed in relief as liz rushed into the church. When she saw him she rushed over and sat down.
"Where were you?" he whispered,"it's about to start."
"Things took a little longer than expected at the house, but I'm here in time. Is everyhting set up?"
Lucky nodded, "Pallbearers are all here. Stefan and my father are even being respectful to each other out of respect fro Audrey. There shouldn't be any fights today."
"Well, thank God for small miracles," she whispered,"are you feeling okay though Lucky? You look pale, just like this morning."
He shrugged it off, "I'm just worn out. I'll be fine as soon as we get home."
"I knew you shouldn't haev come," she hissed," Bobbie said plenty of bedrest but did the immortal Mr.Spencer listen? No."
"I'm fine Liz," he insisted,"now stop worrying about me."
She nodded distractedly, "Have my aprents talked to you."
Lucky shook his head," No. But if looks could kill..."
She sighed,"I ahd a feeling it would be that way."
"By the way, Nik said to tell you that you can speak after the first prayers." Lucky told her.
"Oh yeah," she didn't know what she would say. She ahd been obsessing about this, but she still had no speech prepared.
How was she supposed to convey all her feelings about her grandmother? get up in front up all these people and try to make them understand how wonderful Gram was. Words couldn't describe Audrey.
"You okay with everyhting?" Lucky asked, taking her hand, "You don't have to speak today. Everyone will understand."
Liz shook her head,"No, I'll do it, I have to."
Lucky nodded, understanding. He squeezed her hand in silent support.
THe priest entered,"We are gathered here today to mourn the passing of Audrey Hardy, mother, grandmother and friend. "
The funeral music started and they began to bring in the casket. It was hard for Liz to remain composed as she thought of Audrey lying in there.
Lucky could see she was having a hard time. He put his arm around her shoulder. When she looked up to him with teary eyes in thanks, he pulled her closer.
The priest said some of the standard prayers then Nik motioned for Liz to come up.
She took a deep breath. Lucky gave her a little shove forward when she hesitated.
As she walked to the front of the church she could feel the eyes on her. Not only because she was about to speak about Audrey, but out of curiousity and contempt. It was common knowledge around town by now that Liz was unmarried, 16, and pregnant. She prayed she could get through this. She was not going to break down in front of all these people.
She stood in front of the microphone. Liz took a deep breath and began, "I'd like to thank you all for coming here to honor my grandmother. By all the people here it is abvious she touched many lives like she did mine."
"Gram was an extraordinary lady, she was willing to help out whenever it was needed. She meant a lot to this community. Her work at GH was important to all."
Liz looked out into the audience. She focused in on her parents and sister. Jeff and Caroline were not even paying attention. They were whispering between themselves.
She swallowed,"Gram would appreciate knwoing how much we all loved her. SHe touched all our lives in different ways. In my situation she was my while family. SHe took me in, a bratty grandchild who just showed up on her doorstep one day."
Liz though back to when she was raped, yes Gram had not been great at first, but she'd come to accept the situation and help Liz out so much. "She supported me in any way she could. Gram was understanding."
"Words are not enough to convey to you how great a person my grandmother was, or how much she meant to me. I just hope she knows how much I, and all of you, loved her while she was on this earth."
The tears spilled over. She managed to say, "Thank you." and rna back to her seat.
Lucky put an arm around her. it sheltered her from the pitying glances others threw. Liz heard nothing as the priest preformed the rest of the funeral.
"It's okay Elizabeth," Lucky said soothingly, he smoothed her hair.
"I promised myslef I wouldn't break down," she whispered.
"Liz, it's amazing you got through as much as you did before crying. Audrey would have loved your speech," he said.
Liz sighed, straightening up. "I hope so."
The funeral ended really quite quickly. Liz recieved condolances from people around her.
Jeff and Caroline stalked up to her.
"Nice performance you put on Liz," Caroline hissed,"considering you killed her."
Liz flinched as though her mother had slapped her. tears came to her eyes again, "I assure you mother, I loved Gram. Don't ever doubt that."
"Then why'd you pull the plug on her life?" Jeff's eyes flashed angrily.
Bobbie stepped forward,"Please you two. Liz loved her grandmother. SHe didn't kill Audrey, Audrey was already dead."
Liz's parents glared angrily at her too, "With all due respect Bobbie, stay out of this. It's a family matter."
"No Jeff, I'm not going to stand here and blame Liz when there is no blame to be placed. Or, if you want to be mad at somebody, be amd at me. I advised Liz to take Audrey off life support, just as any medical professional would have done."
Jeff and Caroline completely ignored everyone adn stalked out of the church. Liz sighed, life sucked.
"Are you ready to go?" Lucky asked gently. A little reception was being held at Bobbie's place.
"yeah, sure" Liz said, staring longingly at the doors where her parents left.
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