:: Grasping onto Jax's hand, she held on tightly as she took her seat. The minister stood tall for a few minutes, allowing the soft murmurs of the crowd to subside. And then the service began... ::
Minister: "We are gathered here to pay last respects to Alan James Quartermaine Jr, AJ. A son, brother, cousin, father, and friend. We are stunned by his death, but find comfort in knowing that AJ has moved on. He's in a better place now."
:: Pausing for a moment, the minister looked down at the Quartermaine family which lined the first row of pews. ::
Minister: "On behalf of the family, Alexis Quartermaine, AJ's younger sister, would now like to say a few words in memory of her beloved brother."
:: Parting her dry lips, Alexis stared blankly at the large portrait of AJ that was placed aside of his coffin. Gripping Jax's hand, Alexis soon stood from the pew and slowly made her way up to the podium--her heals the only sound that could be heard in the entire building. Rounding the podium, she looked to Helena who seemed relatively calm at the fact the family nominated her to speak on behalf of AJ. ::
:: Unfolding a cream colored piece of paper, Alexis looked down at the words that she had written just a few hours prior to the funeral. The words were cold....with no emotion. She wrote what she thought she HAD to write. What she thought her family would want her to write. As she lifted her eyes from the piece of paper, Alexis slowly began to crumple it into a little ball--the sound of the paper crushing within her hand echoing throughout the church. ::
"I spent a long time putting these words together. They're all about a wonderful man on the verge of a brilliant life.....The only problem is...he never existed. So, I'm about to tell you all about the real AJ Quartermaine."
:: Gripping the ball of paper within her hand, she rested both hands on the cool wooden surface of the podium before continuing on. ::
"AJ was complicated. He could be a real pain. He made some serious mistakes, as we all have. But I have to admit that he was a first-rate partner in crime....as I’m sure a lot of you here know who are familiar with our various escapades. But despite all of that conniving, there were really only one things that AJ wanted in this life--to be a Quartermaine.....He wanted your love, your respect, your approval. And who knows, had he lived, he might just have turned out to be that son that you all wanted. I know he never stopped trying."
:: Pausing Alexis looked down away from the crowd of people. Her hands were shaking slightly, but fortunately for her, they were hidden from sight. ::
"AJ was a drunk."
:: Shaking her head. ::
"He certainly wasn't alone in that. Like a lot of members of this family, he struggled with the disease. Sometimes he won.....Other days he drank. But he never, EVER judged anyone for having the disease of addiction. In fact, the only person that AJ ever seemed to criticize, and sometimes too harshly, was himself."
:: Alexis' voice began to crack, indicating she was becoming emotional. ::
"AJ just wanted to be a good son. But overall he wanted respect. He certainly never stopped scheming of ways to do so, partly to impress you, Edward....partly to carry on the Quartermaine name. But mostly, AJ just wanted to be a good son...nephew.....brother."
:: A visible tear could be seen dropping from her blue eyes and down her cheek. Yet Alexis stayed composed. ::
"I know that AJ made some terrible choices in his life...and I think the choice that he probably regretted the most was that night that he drove drunk with his brother in the car. That was a terrible price that Jason paid, and AJ just walked away without a scratch."
:: Mostly all of the Port Charles citizens knew what Alexis was talking about.....but for those who had accompanied her today, were gaining great knowledge to who Alexis was, and who were family was. Jason suffered brain damage after AJ crashed his car into a tree....Jason was unable to remember his past, thus changing him entirely. He was distant from the family; never really accepting the fact he was a Quartermaine–wanting to live a different life. AJ felt utterly responsible for this entire ordeal...and never forgave himself. ::
"But, you know, I really think AJ never really walked away from that crash at all. I just--I really pray and hope that he has now..."
:: Alexis' eyes were glazed over with tears as she looked down upon her family. Emily was quietly crying, Dillon was in a daze, Edward looked guilt stricken....and Helena. Helena sat there without a hint of emotion to her. Looking back up at the crowd, Alexis put her finger up indicating she had one last thing to say. Her voice still cracking...still pain stricken. ::
"Oh. One more thing. He loved you, despite all the mistakes made on both sides. He really loved you more than you could know.....He'd really want me to tell you that."
:: Lifting her eyes up toward the ceiling, she tried to prevent her tears from falling...but couldn't. Lowering her head, her blonde locks shielded her face...Staying up at the podium for a few more seconds, she finally made her way around and back down to her seat. Eyeing Morgan, Alison, and Cameron before she sat down.....she just realized they learn a whole new side of Alexis. Witnessed a whole new side of Alexis. Turning, she soon sat, taking Jax's hand once again. The church was silent. ::