Marcie drove us to where Missy's was first. For those who knew, Missy lost her battle before Mitch lost his. The month between, I grieved. However, I still checked on Marcie and Mitch every day until it was Mitch's turn.
We stepped out of the car. Before I could do anything, I saw that Marcie had something in her hand. She looked at me and smiled before she walked forward. The turquoise vase I brought to her site a while ago was filled with flowers already. Marcie placed the new vase next to the first one. She took a few flowers from the first and set them inside before she talked to Missy. Per our custom, I didn't approach as they talked. She talked to the stone for a few moments before she kissed her hand and ran it over the stone. She walked back to me smiling, tears in her eyes. I was about to step forward before Marcie stopped me. She looked me in the face.
"One of the things Missy and I always talked about was the fact you were loyal to her. She talked about the fact you would always be there for her. The motivation to work your butt off was because you wanted to make sure she was taken care of. The difference was that Missy never felt trapped because of it. She never felt like you were doing it to prove something to her. You did it because you wanted to make sure your Queen was taken care of, but you never dissuaded her from being her. You said yourself that when your house was being built, you only had two requirements and that Missy designed everything else. Throughout our relationship, you never tried to muscle in on me unless I allowed you to. You always treated me with respect and allowed me to make my own choices. You also never tried to talk me out of any ideas even when they sounded fantastic. When I wanted to marry you at a smaller ceremony because of June visiting, you could have said that it couldn't be done. Instead, you rallied the troops, and it was wonderful. You believed in her. You believe in me. That Leo Charles is the best gift you have given me."
There was another long, passionate kiss. She then pointed me towards Missy's stone.
The conversation I had with Missy was the usual one. I told her I missed her. I told her Marcie was taking care of me and keeping me going just like she wanted. I told her I loved her. I kissed my hand and ran it over the stone before I stood and walked back towards Marcie.