After the initial viewing by loved ones ended, the funeral staff assisted the family in their viewing process. Heading was Gigi, who had Derrick on her arm for support. Following close behind was Mr. And Mrs. Davis who each held in their right hand a single red rose that they placed in Jes casket. Tanya and Cupid walked behind the Davis.
Tanya cried softly as they approached the casket. Cupid held her hand for support
as she stood over Jes and looked at her for a moment. Tanya leaned over
and whispered I love you as she began to cry more. CJ walked with
Sister Hemp, who had begun to sing the gospel song Walk Around
Heaven All Day. The funeral staff looked over at the podium to see if
Gwen was able to view Jes' body. Brandon whispered to Gwen that it
was time. Gwen, with Brandon's help stood to her feet and began in the
direction of the casket.
Gwen walked slowly hoping that she would
awaken before she reached the end of her walk. She stood over Jes' body
and cried as she looked and faced the reality of her loss again. Brandon
stood strong for Gwen as his tears began to fall silently. He quickly
motioned for the usher to bring fresh tissue so that he could maintain
his mask of strength for Gwen. As he dried his face, Gwen leaned over to
kiss Jes goodbye. As she straightened her body, she noticed her tears
had reached Jes' face. Gwen took her tissue and dabbed Jes' face to
make her beautiful again.
After several minutes, the funeral staff
motioned to Brandon to remove Gwen so that the procession could
continue. Pastor Brothers gave the final remarks and Lionel Richie
fulfilled Jes' final request. While the song played, the pallbearers
prepared to remove the body from the church and make the drive to the
cemetery for burial.
"Baby," Charles said as he took Michelle's hands in his, "this is the
greatest day of my life. I can't believe that I am going to be a father."
Michelle smiled as tears began to flow slowly down Charles' face.
"I can see it now, me and my son at the little league baseball games.
Or better yet, me and my daughter at her first dance recital or girls-scout
campfire. This is going to be wonderful," Charles continued as Michelle
looked on in silence. "What would be a good name?" Charles continued
as he became overwhelmed with his new reality. "What do I mean what
would be a good name. If it's a boy, he will have to be a junior. I've
always wanted to call my son CJ. Charles Junior has a nice ring to it,
don't you think baby?" Charles asked Michelle who was sitting on the
sofa listening to him with an uncertain smile on her face.
"Whatever you want baby. Whatever you say is fine with me."
"No," Charles said as he sat next to Michelle. "This has to be a
decision that we both make. From now on we are making decisions for
our child, so that means that we have to think our ideas through
completely. I love you so much. I promise to be by your side through it
all and when it's over I promise you a new beginning. When the novelty
of the new beginning wears off, then I promise you to never let the end
come. Only you and death can separate me from you."
Michelle sat not knowing what to say, so she said nothing. She
looked deeply into Charles eyes for a moment before slowly guiding his
face to hers and kissing him.
"Thank you," she said as their lips parted. "Thank you for loving me
so much."
"You make it easy to love you. You know baby, about eight months
ago, I would have never thought about being in love, let alone being a
father, but here I am, already one and about to be the other. Jones is
never going to believe this."