147- No Room to Mourn

Third Person

“As we gather here today, please let us bow our heads in God’s good name,” says a priest. Currently in the middle of a ceremony as those who were present were all dressed within their Sunday best. Those present all surrounding that of a coffin as they were slowly lowered into the open ground.

“Oh merciful lord, as you continue to watch over those here before you today, please accept all those in mourning. To accept those in pain as you listen to each of their prayers. While strengthening each of their hopes in Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior.”

“May eternal rest be forever given to those who stumble into the valley with open arms and good graces, amen.”

“Amen”

As the ceremony continues along does the priest move to continue with his speech. Isabella, Lucus, Grant, Tony and Alex each continuing to stand before everyone present. Lucus and his brothers each holding Isabella as she continued to shed tears of sadness.

Upon finishing the service does the priest move to approach Lucus. Lucus moving to speak as he does. “Thank you father, the service was lovely.”

“Always a pleasure. My deepest condolences to you and your men Mr. D’Amico. Hopefully one day we’ll meet under better circumstances that doesn’t involve death.”

Nodding his head does Tony move to speak up.

“How about in a month? It’ll be our wedding day then so that’s got to count for something right?”

Chuckling softly does the priest move to nod his head slowly. “Aye, that it does. I’ll be sure to have my wife reach out to you between now and then to finalize the final details. May God always watch over you and bless each of you deeply.”

Once gone from site do the others move to approach Lucus and his family. Each of those still present each making small talk amongst themselves as they continue to express their condolences. Lucus and his brothers each trying their best to give their attention where needed.

Isabella off talking to the funeral director about laying any and all remaining flowers along the bare ground of the burial plot. The need to fill it with something other than dirt now rising as she attempts to make it look pretty.

Grant soon approaching her as he moves to speak up. “Time to go Agapi Mou (My Love).” Unable to move does Isabella move to continue. Her body on autopilot as she continues to make it look perfect for the one who was just buried.

“Isabella. Time for us to go sweet girl. Everything will be fine. Trust me, you’ll see.”

Attempting to try again do they finally get her to move. Grant now leading her through the now empty cemetery and to where the cars stood waiting for them. The car ride now silent. No one dare speaking even as Isabella began to cry once more. Alex quick to notice the tear as he moved to wipe it away. Alex offering a small smile in turn before moving to kiss her head softly. Isabella enjoying the gesture.

The car eventually arriving back home in which each of them move to exit slowly. Soft sighs soon rising as they do. Each soon moving to enter the house only to pause. Racks upon racks now being pulled in every direction as older maids move to order younger maids as they move to place them accordingly to where they should be.

Isabella now shocked by what she was seeing as she moves to narrow her eyes. “You got to be fucking kidding me! They didn’t…”

Lucus and his brothers now trying their hardest not to laugh as Isabella’s face moves to morph into many different expressions. Her eyes now wide as more and more racks began to appear.

Stomping her foot now in rage does Isabella move to follow the source. Her body now heading straight for the guest wing of the castle. Already knowing who was behind the whole thing. Her eyes soon landing on servants and designers as they each move to scurry within the room.

“WHAT IN GODS NAME IS ALL OF THIS!”

Shouting the words does Isabella move her hands to her hips. A glare now rising as she waits for an answer.

“Isabella dear, oh there you are. I’m so happy your back. Now hurry along, we have so much to do and so little time to do it all in.”

“Don’t you both Isabella me. This is not considered a lot. This is just down right torture. Can’t I at least mourn first!” shouts Isabella her eyes soon spotting Ares. “AND who said you could touch my cat! He’s mine.”

Now making a beeline towards Ares does Isabella move to pet her cat. Ares purring happily as she does. Her eyes still on the pair of women who sat within the room.

“Isabella… watch that tone. Your father and I didn’t raise you to be so disrespectful. Show some respect, otherwise I’ll use a paddle to your ass right here, right now.”

Gaping at the words does Isabella move to apologize. “Sorry mommy. Please don’t spank me, I’ll be good.” With soft smiles now rising does Isabella move to embrace each of the women before her. Women who she considered family. Her mother’s.

“So… how was the funeral? For we all know how fond you were of Isaiah” asks Sophia to her daughter.

“It was… nice. Peaceful even. And while my family and I may not be super religious I know it’s what he wanted” replies Isabella, sorrow now filling her voice as Sophia and Angelica both move to hug their precious daughter. Wanting to give her the support she needed while pushing her to handle other matters as well.

Sophia soon clearing her throat as she does.

“As much as I know how much you hate doing this, this has to be done. Your less than a month away from your wedding and you need to find your dress.”

Groaning her reply back does Isabella move to plead. “Do I really have to mom? Can’t we do anything else besides try on dresses?” begs Isabella, now on the verge of begging upon her hands and knees if it meant getting out of dress shopping.

“NO! Now get to it” barks Sophia, her word law as both women move to watch Isabella. Isabella now sighing dramatically as she moves to do as she’s told. Four grueling hours later does Isabella now find herself still trying on dresses. Not one to find this part of wedding planning fun nor exciting as she continued to try them on.

Now standing within a makeshift dressing room does Isabella move to whine and complain. Her eyes now on her forty third dress of the day.

“Please mom…. No more dresses. I won’t survive this, I swear it. If I’m forced to try another dress on then I swear I’ll shoot myself.”

“Stop complaining. You won’t shoot yourself and you know it”

Currently standing in nothing but a white lace bra and matching panties does Isabella move to address each of the women, unphased by her lack of clothing as she continues to stand her ground.

“But mom….”

“For the last time, NO. Besides, haven’t you heard? We women of the D’Amico clan are indestructible. Not even six bullets can stop me. Now stop whining and start doing, otherwise I’ll summon my sons. And if that happens I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to give you something to do instead. Now hop to it” says Sophia, her tone leaving no room for arguing.

“You wouldn’t dare” growls Isabella, almost as if she was challenging the woman before her.

“Oh, I would. Now get back to dress trying”

Rolling her eyes does Isabella move to go back into her makeshift room. Angelica chuckling at how controlling Sophia was being even after surviving her near death experience. Isabella now dressed in a simple yet elegant white gown. Her breath hitching as her heart began to race. Tears now threatening to fall as she continue to stare at herself within the mirror. Now knowing that she had found her gown.

“Well? Are you dressed yet?”

“Yes… Coming”

Quick to leave the room does Isabella move to approach a small podium. A blush now rising as she moves to stand before each of them. Her eyes never leaving the gown. Isabella currently dressed in a mermaid style gown made of white satin. The dress now hugging each of her curves while giving it that feminine feel. The top of the dress a sweetheart neckline while the back carried pearl shape buttons along the seam. A small train giving the dress the final finishing touch.

“Is that the one my child?” asks Sophia, already knowing it was based on how Isabella reacted to seeing the dress within the mirror.

“Yes… this is exactly what I want.”

Pleased with the dress does Angelica try hard not to cry. Her daughter the most beautiful while Sophia moves to summon a designer. The designer now adding a veil. The veil long while giving it that cathedral length feel. Isabella soon giddy with excitement, happy to have found the dress as she moves to hug each of her mothers once more. Soon placing a kiss along each of their cheeks before moving to give the dress one final twirl.

Isabella quick to change just as Lucus and his brothers each move to enter the room.