Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Preparations were made for Nathan’s funeral service. It was held in a church. The whole atmosphere was gloomy and in a mourning mood, as everyone was dressed in black. It was hard to believe that Nathan was dead. Family and friends went to the pulpit one after another to recount their experiences with Nathan when he was alive.

Rebecca and Michelle broke down in tears while giving their speech. It’s still impossible for them to come to terms with the fact that they will never see Nathan again.

After the funeral service, his body was taken to the cemetery to be buried.

Michelle watched as the coffin was slowly lowered six feet under. She was numb, she couldn’t move or do anything else. She recalled how Nathan was fond of her during their time of friendship.

How he always made her flushed with his compliments. He was always there for her when she needed a shoulder to cry on. He was always concerned about how she felt and always wanted to make her happy.

She remembered how sweet he was when they started dating. He loved PDA’S as well as cuddles. The night he proposed was one of the best nights she had spent with him.

He was a loving father to Sandra even before she was born. He was always worried about the kind of things she would like and the kind of toys she would like to play with. He was willing to give her a perfect life when she grows up. The night they fought was one Michelle would never forget. She cursed herself everyday for letting her anger get the best of her. They would’ve still been happy and Nathan would be alive.

She remembered the night she broke up with him. How she didn’t want to listen to him no matter how hard he begged her to. She felt even more guilty. It was all her fault, only hers. She would never stop blaming herself for Nathan’s death.

Her legs were slowly giving out, as she suddenly felt weak. She went down on her knees and buried her face in her hands, breaking down in tears. Leah stood beside her daughter, with a crying Sandra in her arms. She comforted Michelle as she cried.

Derek couldn’t bear to see Michelle and his little niece this hurt. Sandra was still a baby, but she could feel that something sad was happening. He was holding in his tears, he shouldn’t cry. Nathan wouldn’t be happy if he did because, he always believed that someone needed to be strong for the family and that was up to him now.

Mr. Howard was holding his crying wife, Rebecca.

Derek walked towards Michelle and lifted her off the ground. He took his niece from Leah’s arm and walked them to the car so they could both calm down. He hated seeing his little niece in tears, so he cradled her until she stopped crying.

Michelle was seated in the car, silently crying as she stared into nothing. Her expression was blank.

The crowd reduced in number after the body was buried.

Derek noticed his parents and Leah coming to meet them.

After saying goodbye to Leah, Mr. and Mrs. Howard left. Derek drove Michelle and her mom home.

#

Michelle moved back to her and Nathan’s house. Leah wasn’t happy about it because, she knew her daughter was hurting herself more by moving back there.

Michelle was constantly having memories of the moments she shared with Nathan. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. She could only sleep at night if she held his shirt close to her, inhaling his scent. She had visited his graveside to drop flowers on many occasions.

Derek has also been of great help to her. He visited her almost everyday to check on her and his niece. He wanted to be there for his niece since Nathan is no more. He knew how much Sandra needed a male figure in her life. He was willing to be that father figure to her. He sometimes took Sandra to his parents. They also visited on several occasions to check on her and Michelle.

Michelle couldn’t take the pain anymore. She decided she would move out of Washington with her daughter. She told her mom about it, Leah supported her decision, saying it was the best thing to do even though she wasn’t happy with the fact that she won’t be seeing more of her daughter and granddaughter like she used to. She understood that Michelle needed to recover from her trauma. The more she remained in Washington, the more difficult it would be for her to get over everything.

#

Michelle was packing her things from Nathan’s house when Rebecca walked in. She wanted to see her granddaughter, but noticed that Michelle was packing. She became confused

“What is going on here?” she asked

Michelle was quite surprised to see Rebecca. She didn’t hear her come in.

“I’m leaving” Michelle replied

“Leaving?... But you’re quite comfortable here”

“You don’t understand… I'm leaving Washington. I can’t stay here anymore… the memories are too much”

“You can’t leave. You’re needed here” Rebecca protested

“I don’t think so… besides, you've always wanted me out of your family’s life. I don’t want to be a nightmare you have to see everyday” Michelle stated

“No Michelle, you can’t do this… you can’t take my granddaughter away from me… she is the only memory I have of Nathan” Rebecca said almost in tears.

Michelle wasn’t taking Sandra away from her family. She only wants to get pass this phase.

“I know that Mrs. Howard. I’m not taking Sandra away from you… I just need some time to myself, and… I don’t want to be a leech or a gold-digger to your family” Michelle said, remembering how Rebecca had thrown those words at her.

Rebecca knew the words Michelle just said had been hers, but she regrets it now, after realizing how wrong she was, and knowing that her granddaughter was now involved and would soon be separated from her.

She wanted to watch Sandra grow and give her all the love and support she needs. She had always wanted a female child, but didn’t have the privilege of having one.

“You need to think about this” Rebecca persuaded

“I already have, and… moving far away from here is my decision” Michelle said, not backing down on her decision.

With Michelle’s final word, Rebecca immediately left the house. She asked her chauffeur to take her to Derek’s office.

#

Derek had asked his father to take a break from work for a while, so for now, he handles the company’s affairs in the absence of his father.

Rebecca arrived at the company’s building and hurriedly went inside. She got in the elevator and clicked on the fortieth floor. As the elevator went up, Rebecca wished it could go faster as she was impatient and didn’t want to waste any minute.

The elevator stopped on the fortieth floor, Rebecca hurriedly got out of it as soon as the doors open. She went straight to Derek’s office, not bothering to ask if he was in a meeting. Her granddaughter was more important to her right now.

Derek was going through some documents when the door to his office burst open. It was his mother, she looked really worried. He wondered what had happened that had gotten her like this.

Rebecca sat on the chair across Derek’s desk. Derek dropped the documents, prepared to hear what it was his mom had come to say.

“Are you seeing anyone?” Rebecca suddenly asked, taking Derek by surprise.

He wasn’t expecting that kind of question. He suddenly felt anger inside. Why was she asking such question?

“Why do you care?... you chased the woman I loved out of my life… do you want to know if I found another, so you can make her life miserable too?” he angrily replied before turning back to the documents he was previously going through.

“I’ll take that as a ‘no’ ” Rebecca muttered to herself

Derek didn’t bother anymore to know whatever it is she had to say. He was busy and needed to work.

“What about Michelle?... Do you still love her?” Rebecca suddenly questioned, making Derek drop the documents once again.

“What’s this about?”

“Michelle is moving out of Washington. I don’t want to lose my granddaughter… I know you still love her, Derek. Go talk to her… please, make her stay” his mom pleaded.

He should’ve known better. She was only asking because of her selfish reasons.

Michelle leaving was a surprise to him. He didn’t imagine she would make such a decision. She never told him anything about it.

“Think about it, Derek… if she leaves and returns with someone else, that person will be a father to Sandra… I don’t want that… I don’t want my granddaughter calling some random man her father… I want her to be with us, her family… please Derek” Rebecca pleaded.

Derek can’t imagine losing Michelle to someone else, neither could he imagine Sandra calling someone else her father. He wants to be her father. No one would love her the way he did.

He had wanted to tell Michelle about his adoption plans, but he was waiting for the right time. He didn’t think she would move out of Washington.

“Oh, she isn’t a gold digger anymore?” he asked, making Rebecca’s face drop in shame.

“You’ve done nothing but make her life miserable, and now you want her around?... Don’t be selfish for once and let her do what she wants… as you can see, I'm really busy”

“Baby, please. You have to…”

“Mom!” he yelled, making Rebecca even more sad.

She left his office in tears.