~unknown POV~

I watched them carry out the casket, a name engraved on the side. Everyone was in black and the two men in front of me were crying. They had their arms wrapped around each other, and they were emitting sniffling noises. They had long hair and beautiful tan skin. I wrapped my arm around the girl standing next to me, a ring glinting on her finger. We were getting married next week. I felt arms around my leg, and I lifted my young daughter onto my hip. She was three, and I was marrying her mother. A late wedding, I know, but we never really got the chance, raising young Marie. She had light blonde hair, just like her mum.

'Daddy, why are we here?' She asked.

'Shh,' I whispered back a her 'This was one of Daddy's old friends. They've gone to heaven now.'

'Oh,' she said softly. It was a gloomy day, the sun struggling to shine through the dense cloud cover. It gave off a grave mood. The coffin was to be placed under a shady tree. I wrapped an arm around my wife-to-be. I watched the procession, not a single tear tracing the contours of my cheeks. The couple in front of us continued sobbing. The funeral march played on the piano by someone named Dave Yaden. I didn't know who it was, but he shoulder length honey-brown hair. He played the piano beautifully.

The man with hair longer than his companion looked up when the casket passed. He reached a hand out and came within centimeters of touching the sides. It was an open casket, but the carriers had it held high so that no one could look inside. He mumbled a name under his breath and turned away. Strong arms enveloped him and rocked him side to side, making comforting noises. Marie, ever compassionate, went up and hugged his leg.

'I'm sorry,' she said. He looked down at her and hissed through his teeth,

'Go.' His brown eyes had turned cold and they flickered up and met mine.

'Ignore him.' The taller one whispered.

'But... He's the reason.' He replied. Tears were still making their way over his laugh lined cheeks.

There weren't many guests at the funeral. There were a lot of heavily tattooed guys though and quite a lot of gingers. The casket was placed on the ground next to the grave. One of the casket carriers turned around.

'We now ask friends and family to say a few words.' He had a deep voice, and he was very tall. He walked over to one of the gingers, embracing him while he sniffed into his shoulder. The sun came through a part in the clouds and a shiny substance could be seen on his cheek thanks to the glittering reflection.

The couple in front of us came up, unfolding a piece of paper, thanking the coffin bearers.

The shorter man took a basket off the ground, filled with gifts.

'Um.. Hi.' He started, trying to give a weak smile. It slowly turned into tears.

'As you know, my.. My name is V-Vic Fuentes. I would like to thank you for attending my... Brother Mike's funeral.'

His words did nothing for me. I looked at him sympathetically. He just glared at me, obvious dislike for me being his only other emotion than sadness. The guy next to him rubbed between his shoulder blades.

'It is with our utmost sadness that Mike was snatched from us so young. He was only thirty. I would like to ask Jaime to...' He broke off, shoving the paper at Jaime. He then sat cross legged on the ground and stroked his brothers cheek.

'Mikey...' He murmured. Two people who I assumed were his parents came running out of the crowd. They went to him and hugged him. They too started touching Mike. I could only imagine how cold his skin was. How they didn't feel the warmth project from him, his heart beating at his neck letting them know he was alive. His eyes were closed. A fairly new tattoo was inked into his skin. He was wearing a white v neck tattoo shirt, which proudly showed off his different markings. In the middle of his chest was my name. Tony.

'I'm going to take Marie away from this... She doesn't need to see a dead man.' Stephanie kissed my cheek and walked away, hand in hand with the young spirit.

Jaime cleared his throat and began to shakily read the writing.

'It is with great sorrow that the day of Mike's passing ended. It was two days after his thirtieth birthday. He was found by his brother on the side of a road, his new tattoo,' he waved in the general direction of it while Vic traced it with his fingers. 'Still showing red. He had ink poisoning... Coupled with too much alcohol and drugs.' Jaime finished reading the more official part of the ceremony. 'We will now pay our final respects to this brilliant drummer. May he rest in peace and be remembered as a great friend, a loving brother and son and a fantastic drummer.' Jaime's voiced cracked as he read the last few words.

~Another unknown POV~

Jaime motioned Tony up while the tall tattooed man walked stiffly to the front. Jaime studied him carefully. Not a single tear track had been made. He passed Tony a single white rose.

'I know you don't fucking remember, but please, do this for Mike.' Tony took it and placed it between Mike's clasped hands. Vic glared at him while his parents told him off. A few more people came up and said a few words then they dispersed to the small buffet a few meters away, leaving the grieving family and close friends in peace. Tony made a move as to go with them, when a hand reached out and grabbed him. It was Vic's mother. Jaime's hand was just about to grab his arm too. Vic's father had walked off too. He would grieve by himself later.

'Please stay Tony.' She pleaded. 'It would have meant so much to him.'

'I don't know him.' He whispered, releasing himself of her grip. 'I'm sorry,'

'Thats right, Tony. Go off to your little whore.' Vic spat. 'Marie isn't even yours! She's just using you. You don't remember Mike because she doesn't want you to. Please Tony. Just fucking remember him! Just once more. Just today. Give him the respect he deserves.' Vic pushed Tony back, so that he stumbled. Vivian went to Vic and walked off, trying to calm him down. Tony looked at Jaime.

'I've never met Mike. An invitation turned up on my doorstep yesterday.' He said. Jaime sighed.

'I know. I was the one who put it there. You better get back to Steph and Marie. It was nice knowing you Tony.' Jaime embraced Tony while he just stood there, shocked. Absolute strangers don't usually come up and hug him. Tony walked off to Stephanie and Marie, picking up Stephanie's daughter and kissing her cheek. Jaime looked down at the casket. The perfectly white rose had gone a bit brown.

Mike's ghost hovered above the scene. Rain started falling from the sky as his own fell. He saw his one true love, Tony, being snatched away by Stephanie. He looked at his brother and mother. They were both crying. Guests were milling around, looking anywhere but at the body he had once inhabited. They had glasses of wine is his hands. Jaime still stood next to the casket, the gifts at his feet. He turned and started arranging them. Drumsticks, a bottle of whiskey, a SnapBack and his very first CD were among what went into the coffin with him. The rose had almost turned completely brown. He saw Tony turn around and look at it. A single tear ran down his cheek. Sadness, for a man he never thought he knew. He was grieving, though he never registered Mike in his brain. A strong force tugged at Mike's stomach and he traced the bleeding tattoo on his chest. He touched the rose, which turned back to a pristine white. Tony noticed and he stared at the empty space Mike was inhabiting. Jaime leant over and kissed his forehead, and Mike felt it, though it was faint.

~Tony's POV~

I stared at the space next to the coffin. Something faint, like a dream, came to me. Me with this stranger, me presenting with a single white rose, down on one knee. Surely it was an over active imagination, but I felt a deeper connection in the pit of my stomach. I felt a tear rolled down my cheek and I walked away, the dream disappearing from my mind. Marie danced around my legs, while Stephanie talked about moving. I just nodded. This was my happy family now.

Notes

Title cred: If I'm James Dean, Then You're Audrey Hepburn - Sleeping With Sirens

Do not feel obliged to read the next chapter. It is the epilogue. If you need closure - read on. If you are happy with the ending (which I'm sure most of you aren't) - no need to read!

Comment, please?