"She looked so peaceful, it was kind of strange, I imagined that she would look shocked, but she looked kind of happy, even serene,"   Linette said through the sobs and Gregory squeezed her shoulder from the backseat.

"I was also surprised by that, it is as if she's trying to tell us that she is happy where she is." Linette's aunt answered. "I've ordered us some pizza, Gregory please join us?" She said as she stopped in their driveway.

"Thank you, I will, I'm kind of hungry." He answered as he opened the door for Linette and took her hand in his.

"I'm so glad you are here for Linette, we are not good companions to anyone at this time, all we do is crying." Linette's aunt Thea said as Linette went to the bathroom to wash her face. "I think you are a God sent angel for Linette.  Luckily the worst of the arrangements are in place, I need to get the death certificate for the insurance and see Father John in order to hear if he will be available for the funeral service on Friday at eleven, then I can notify everybody.

"I'm glad for you that this hard part is done and that she looks peaceful, it will stay in your memory for the rest of your life," Gregory said as Linette sat down next to him.

Thea ran her eyes over the list that Father John gave her. "After my visit to Father John this afternoon, I will do the notice in the paper and let the family and friends know tomorrow. Then we have to order the flowers.  Will you help me with the list Linette?  We still have to decide on the colors of the flowers."

"Pink and white." Linette said, "that was mom's favorite colors."

Same as yours Gregory thought with a smile.

They ate their pizza in silence, each of them busy with their own thoughts.

"Aunt Thea, when will Christa be back?" Linette asked.

"She will be home on Thursday night, her boyfriend took her to meet his parents.  I hope she is okay after that, I suppose no news is good news."  She answered with a shrug of her shoulders.

"I think she will be, he's a nice guy from what I've seen and she is head over heels for him, that's why I don't see her anymore, she's always with him," Linette said as a smile quivered on the corners of her mouth.

"Well if you're ready, we can leave now to see Father John,"  Thea said as she cleared the table.

Gregory pulled Linette into a side hug and asked: "Are you okay?" She smiled back at him and nodded.

"I've got my best friend at my side through the most difficult times of the day and a pink pony to cuddle at night.  Thank you so much for just being here."  She said, leaning towards him for another hug before they got into her aunt's car.

While Father John and aunt Thea were discussing the funeral arrangements Gregory and Linette went to the bench where they first met.

"It is so peaceful here," Linette said. "Maybe this is how my mom felt that last moment, the moment that gave her that peaceful expression."

Gregory squeezed her hand.