Finality

Something about funeral homes never sat right with Kurt. Maybe it was the overpowering aroma of the flowers or the sickly sweetness of the vanilla air freshener that they used to mask the stench of embalming fluid, but whatever it was, he decided to put away his discomfort for one day.

For his friend.

As the small group of mutants walked through the door, they were greeted by a mass of people, all wearing black and teary-eyed. Some of the women had mascara running down their faces. While Scott, Jean, Kitty, and Professor Ororo all went their own directions, Kurt pushed past the crowd of mourners, looking for one specific person. It was hard to spot her in the seat of black-clad people. He walked through the foyer and into the main chapel. As he weaved his way up the aisle and toward where the casket was, his eyes went to the colorful stain glass windows that lined the walls, each one depicting a scene form the Bible's New Testament.

The closer he got to the sleek grey casket that was closed that had a bouquet of red and white roses on top, he noticed her. A very dear friend of his from school, her normally bright eyes dimmed and ringed heavily with dark purple bags. She looked beyond exhausted and depressed beyond belief. She, unlike the rest of the women around him, wore a simple black ensemble with a black and red shawl wrapped tightly around herself. Her thick curly hair that normally was tied up had been let loose over shoulder in a wave of curly tangles, looking as if there had been given a half-hearted attempt at grooming. And unlike the other mourners, who were all interacting with each other and laughing about the good times, she sat by herself, staring blankly at the casket as tears ran down her face.

He silently closed the last few steps between them, sitting down next to the girl and wrapping his arms around her in comfort.

"How are you, Grace?" He asked.

Of course, he knew the answer. The young girl was heartbroken, devastated beyond all cognition or belief. Losing your grandmother suddenly and then your grandfather naught three weeks later would do that to anyone.

Grace sniffled, shrugging as she said in a soft, tired voice, "Okay, I guess."

Hesitantly, almost as though she was unsure, she laid her head on his shoulder. Tears continued to stream down as the slideshow of pictures flashed on the screens, showing an old man that looked like he had the energy of a puppy throughout his life as soft, traditional hymns were played over the speakers. Kurt rubbed his friend's shoulder in soothing motions as she sobbed, quietly hiccupping to keep the noise down.

"I know you've probably heard it so many times already, but it's gonna be okay. If there's anything that we can do…..."

"Can you bring them back?" She asked softly through tears.

Kurt sighed, his embrace growing a little. The tow stayed like that until the service began. He excused himself as Grace's family began to file into the first two rows. The teleporter scanned the crowd until he found his friends, joining them in the pew that sat behind the reserved.

"How is she?" Scott asked.

"As you'd expect." Kurt whispered. All of their faces creased in sadness. The two were gently shushed by Ororo as an old timey-looking, southern preacher stepped up behind the pulpit and the music faded out. The preacher looked a little teary-eyed and choked up himself, as apparently Grace's grandparents were very active in their church community and everyone here was a member. It made sense, since Grace was accompanied by her parents and three siblings and only took up a few seats on the front pew while the rest of the church was packed.

"Good afternoon, everyone." The southern paster greeted, his Texas drawl not as thick as Rouge's and definitely a strange thing to hear in Bayville, New England. The crowed mumbled a response. "I wanna thank ya'll for comin'. I know the family really appreciate it and I know that they're in your prayers. Before we begin, I want to say a quick prayer. If you could all bow your heads with me."

The service didn't go on that long. After the opening prayer, the pastor read from the obituary that had been handed out at the door, said a short sermon and they sang a few hymns. Kurt kept his eyes on his friend the entire time, watching her and her little sister hold tightly to each other in comfort and grief. When they sang hymns, Grace stood with them but all she did was sob.

When it was time to move out to the burial site, the pastor gestured for the pallbearers to lift the casket. As the somber group of men, which included Grace's brothers, all with white roses pinned ot their lapel filed out with the casket, the family shuffled out from their pew and followed closely. The rest of the crowd, Kurt and the others included, watched with sympathy in their eyes. But the family didn't see it, as all of their eyes were lowered, as though focusing on making it out the door without crumbling. Kurt spotted Grace with her mother's arm around her, both of their faces red and tear-stained. When the family had crossed the threshold and out the door, the other mourners left the pews and towards the door.

"That was a nice service." Jean said as they entered the sunny, but cold outdoors.

"Indeed." Ororo said. The weather witch's eyes went to Kurt, who watched Grace pile into one of many vehicles as the casket was loaded into the white hearse. Her heart tightened. "Kurt? Will you be alright?"

The teleporter didn't seem to hear her, so when Jean touched his shoulder gently, and Ororo repeated the question.

"Ja. I'll be back by supper, Fraulein Storm."

"You need anything, don't hesitate to call." Scott said with a sublet tap on the side of his head. Kurt nodded solemnly before dashing off, looking for a ride to the cemetery.

When he arrived, he moved and stood at the back of the crowd. Listening to the quiet sobs all around him respectively, Kurt zeroed in on Grace. The grave side service was short and sweet, with the orator and pallbearers coming around to shake hands with the family. Once they were all dismissed, everyone left the shade of the velvet tent, with the exception of Grace. She sat in her chair, looking at the coffin with the same blank expression on her face and tears streaming down her cheeks. Kurt sat down in one of the chairs. And when a particularly strong wind blew by, carrying a heavy chill and Grace shivered, Kurt removed his outer jacket and placed it on her shoulder.

"Why is death so…so final?"

"I don't know," Kurt admitted.

She shivered, but not from the cold. "I'm so angry. Angry at the hospital for not doing enough…..angry at myself for not taking time off to visit or call them…..angry…angry at God for taking them both…."

Kurt held her as she sobbed again. "Please don't be angry at God."

"They were both people of God. Good Christians. Good people." She choked out. "Why did He take them! Why nto any of the many bad people in the world?! Magneto, Kim Jong Un, anyone?!"

"Sometimes…..God wants a couple of stars to put up in the sky." Kurt said after she had started to sob for a couple of minutes. "He just decided to have your grandparents, since they shone brightest."

"I want them back." She sobbed. "I don't want them in the night sky, nor do I want their spirit to be watching over me. I want them back at their house, where they always had something waiting for us to eat and bear-hugs and laughter….Oh God, why?!"

Kurt held her tighter as she started to pound his chest in grieving anger. She sobbed heavily, and Kurt kept himself patient until she was all tuckered out. His eyes connected with who he suspected was Grace's mother, watching her sob hysterically into Kurt's chest.

"'Let the peace of Christ, the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him, be the controlling factor in your hearts, deciding and settling questions that arise. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body of believers. And be thankful to God always'." He muttered softly. Grace's sobbing had quieted down as did her breathing.

An idea came to him.

"Here." He briefly pulled away from his friend to remove his rosary from around his neck. He pressed it into her hand. "I want you to have this."

She looked at the rosary with startled eyes before trying to give it back, stammering, "N-no, I couldn't! R-really."

"I want you to." He insisted again. "Maybe it'll help the grieving process. To help remind you that…that death is not final for anyone that believes."

She gave him a watery smile, glancing down at the necklace before placing it around her neck. Once the beads settled, Grace gingerly touched the cross. "Thank you, Kurt."

Kurt held her closer. "You're welcome."