The Funeral

Rosella’s POV.

Two weeks later.

Two weeks have gone by and I am still getting used to it. I haven’t been to work and I gave slept probably in over a week. Ben is on my mind every day of every hour. The autopsy took forever which is why the funeral only took place today. I don’t know who made the arrangements but what I do know is that the funeral will take place today in Canada. I fought against it but he lived his life there and his family is there.

“You can do this, Rose.”

I locked my room. I have been here for a week. I haven't seen my family nor my friends since the news broke out. I needed time to myself. I need to be who I am every day. Ben wasn’t with me twenty-four-seven but he was still there now, I have to live with the fact that I will never see him again.

I skipped the whole funeral, I am only going to the gravesite. I need to say goodbye for the last time. I took a taxi to the site. I was last to arrive. The preacher was still praying as I neared the site.

I stood in front looking down at the grave. Well Benny boy. This is it, I guess. I always thought you were going to be my forever. I thought we were going to break up and get back together because you're my true love. I thought alot of thing but I never thought you would leave me like this. I love you, you know that right. You remember how I would come to your house after gyming and you would make fun of me…I going to miss that. Remember how you chased me with a spider and comforted me with your spider killer hands? Remember us, Ben, because I will. Where ever you are, please remember us. If I could have one more day with you, I would cherish every memory. I would memorize your face, body, touch, and smell. I wasn’t prepared for this Ben…How could you leave without a goodbye, how could you break my heart? How could you? Why did you have to leave, Ben? Why?. Benjamin…My Benny boy, if you can hear me

“Rose?”

I love you so very much. I love you…forever and after.

“Rose?”

I cleaned my face and turned to face a very pregnant female. She was glowing in her pregnancy. We were the only two left at the grave. “Yes?” I asked.

“Hi.” she waved her hand at me. “I’m Jessie.”

Jessie? Why does that name ring a bell?

“Jessie?” I said out loud and she nodded. “Oh, the best friend, Jessie James? JJ?”

She laughed. “That’s me.” I smiled at her. “I…I am sorry for your lost, Rose but there is something you should know about Benjamin and I want you to hear it from me.” I gave her a strange look. “Ben had his papers set up differently. His will had to be read the day after his death but I couldn’t find you and I had to plan the funeral so I waited it out. Rose, you have to know, he loved you.”

That brought a tear to my eyes. “Thank you.” I wiped away the tear. “Does this only involve me and you?”

“Yes and frankly you gonna hate Benjamin after this.”

*

She took me to her house. The lawyer is set to come in the afternoon. She had a lot of memories of Ben and her and what had me going crazy was the fact that Ben was wearing a wedding ring in all of the photos. I met Ben and he wasn’t wearing a ring nor did he ever mention being married.

She set the coffee down in from of me. “I am no longer known as Jessie James. I am now Jessie McKinney.” What? “Benjamin and I grew up together and he was the brother I always wanted and the best friend I had.”

“Is..is that his child?” I asked.

She laughed. “No. You see, my mother was lost after my father so when she eventually remarried, my life became hell. My home became a house, a place where I rested and Ben’s house…well that was home.” She smiled to herself. “He loved you don’t doubt that. The love he had for you, could compare to no other.”

“Look Jessie, what is this? Why are you telling me this? I lost someone I loved and you telling me he was married?”

“Rose, my mother died because of an OD and my stepfather then sold me to pay his debt. I was lucky because Ben brought me. His parents got us married and for a few months, it was awkward and then we tried as husband and wife but I loved him as my friend, you know. So we moved away from people who knew us and started fresh. Our marriage, if you can call it that, didn’t work.” she finally met my eyes. “We couldn’t separate from each other because if we did, I don’t want to talk about it.” She gave me a sad smile. “I need you to know that legally I was his wife but if the law didn’t count, you’ll have more power over his belongings than me. We decided on an open relationship and when he met you, we started researching ways to part from each other.” she paused.

“What about the baby’s father?”

“Leo? He knows.” She smiled. “I love him with my whole heart. And now that I am a window, I can finally marry him.”

That was harsh. It felt like she couldn’t wait for Ben to die. I couldn’t be angry at the discovery. Ben saved this poor unfortunate soul and if he was my hero, I could just imagine what he must be for her. Before I could reply, the doorbell rang.

“That’s the lawyer.” she went to open the door.

Ben had a whole other world. He was so calm yet he bared a horrible situation. He knew I wouldn’t be with him if he was married. Open relationship or not, I would always be the second lady and it was proved because Ben never had time for me. He never had time for us up until his last day with me.

“Ms. Bell.” The elderly guy greeted.

“Attorney.” I shook his hand.

“Ms. Bell, I don’t have much time but I will explain Mr. McKinney's documents. According to the law, he is wedded to Mrs McKinney. I’ll play the video and then you and Mrs Jessie can have the documents.

*

My babies. Ben’s voice rang through the room. Just hearing his voice brought tears to my eyes. Rose, my beauty. Beauty, you probably hate me. I was a married man and I had you in my life. I believe fate sent me a beauty like yourself. I love you and I know no matter what you did in life, I would still love you.

I remember little Rose coming into a big company, all lost and alone. You gave me a hard time but it was worth the wait. Baby, your my everything and if I wasn’t married, you’ll have my surname by now.

Anyway Rose, you met my sweet beautiful wife, Jessie. She is my best friend, sister, wife. he laughed. I love her. Jessie, enjoy Leandro. I am no longer there for you but you are free.

I have…

“Benny boy! I brought breakfast.” I heard my voice.

“Babe, I’m busy.”

“You always busy. I going to shower and you better be done.”

“Love you, beauty.”

“You better, You lucky I love you too.”

“Forever and after.” He whispered.

“He didn’t want to take a different video.” The lawyer said. “He said that taking a different video would be like cutting out perfection.”

“I came from gym. He lived close to where I go to the gym. So our arrangement was when I go, I would breakfast by him and go to work together. That morning was a Rose day and I was angry because I had my periods.”

They smiled and the lawyer pressed play. I have divided my things between you. Jessie, you can have our house and sell my apartment in Los Angeles. Everything I have goes to you, Jessie.

Beauty, You can go through the apartment and take everything you want and babe, I leave you my heart and pride. Take my baby and think of me. I love you girls

Until we meet again my loves.