I apologise for taking absolutely forever to update this story. If you want to blame anyone, I blame Jayne and The West Wing for distracting me.

Thanks to Jayne for listening to me rant forever about wanting to finish this story but not having the energy, and to Zoe, for “encouraging” me to do it ;)

Anyway, please read and review. I’d love to know what you thought of the epilogue.

Facing It Alone: Epilogue

Jordan quietly made her way over to Danny, careful not to startle him. “Are you ready?” She asked gently, straightening his navy blue silk tie and running her hands down the front of his black suit jacket.

Danny’s eyes fell on the picture hanging on the wall in front of them. It was taken a couple of years ago at one of the shows' wrap parties. He carefully lifted the frame off of the picture hook and traced a finger lightly over the dusty glass. His arm was thrown haphazardly over Matt’s shoulder, while his free arm snaked around Jordan’s waist. Matt was tightly gripping Harriet’s hand and they were both laughing hysterically, neither of them was looking at the camera. The rest of the cast and crew surrounded the happy foursome.

That evening was still fresh in his mind, it had taken them so long to organise that damn photo, so that everybody was in it. Danny smiled warmly at the memory of that night.

“Not really.” He muttered, as he turned to face his wife. “I can’t believe this is actually happening.”

Jordan reached for Danny’s hand and loosely entwined their fingers, before resting her forehead against his. “I know, baby.”

“You don’t know, you say you do, but you don’t. This studio, this was his life; this is what he lived for. How the hell am I going to be able to come to work every day without him being here?”

“I’m sorry.” Jordan whispered as she backed away, unsure if he needed a little space.

Danny took a deep breath as he reached for Jordan's hands. “No, God, I’m the one that should be apologising. It’s just I… I don’t know how to handle this; I should be able to handle this.”

“Babe, listen to me.” Jordan whispered, as she pulled Danny’s face towards her, so that they were now looking directly at one and other. “Nobody can prepare themselves to lose someone they care so much about.”

“I know… But this wasn’t how it was supposed to be. We’re a team, how can we carry on and continue, when one of the most important people in keeping that team together is gone?”

“Do you have your speech?” Jordan asked, as she used her thumb to gently wipe away a solitary tear that had escaped and was now sliding slowly down his cheek.

Danny patted the breast pocket of his crisp white oxford shirt. “Yeah, it’s all ready to go.”

“Okay, will you be all right here? I should really go and check to make sure everybody’s ready to go.”

Danny smiled warmly at her. “Yeah, I’ll be fine, go.” He said, as he nodded towards the door.

“’Kay, love you.” Jordan told him, as she picked up her long grey cashmere jacket that was draped over a nearby chair.

XxXxX

Jordan quickly made her way downstairs.

“Jordan!” Tom called from the writer’s room. “Have you seen, Danny?” he asked, as he ran out to greet her, struggling with his tie in the process.

“He’s upstairs.” She informed him, as she pushed his hands away to finish tying the knot, he’d done such a good job of ruining.

Tom stuttered slightly. “I don’t know whether or not I should, you know… Should I go and see if he’s okay?”

“You’re a sweet guy, Tom.” Jordan smiled, as she straightened his collar. “I think he just needs some time on his own before the service.”

A sad smile crossed Tom’s face. “Yeah. What about the others?” He asked.

“I was just about to check and make sure everybody is ready to go.” Jordan said, as she turned to walk out of the room.

“I’ll be down in a minute.” Tom assured her as he finished getting himself ready.

XxXxX

Jordan weaved her way through the crowd of people that had gathered at the studio to pay their last respects. The funeral was for close friends and family only, so Studio 60 for many people was the ideal place for them to say goodbye. It was somewhere where people had felt close to him, where he’d spent so many hours of his life, somewhere he considered home.

“Jordan!” Simon called, as he made his way over to her through the mass of people. “The cars are here and everyone is ready to go.” He explained. “You, Rebecca and Danny are sharing a car with me and Tom. I’ve just seen them go outside, you ready?” He asked, holding his arm out for her.

She smiled weakly at him. “Yeah. I’m ready.”

XxXxX

The weather was awful and the drive to the funeral home seemed to take forever.

“It’s starting to rain.” Tom announced, as he stared out at the angry sky above.

Danny sighed softly, laying his head against the back of the chair and pressing his nasal bridge with his thumb and his forefinger. “I still don’t quite believe this is happening, you know? It doesn’t feel real yet.” He explained simply.

“Yeah…” Muttered Simon, who was just as lost in his thoughts as everybody else in the car was. He thought about how cruel this was, how he was too young to die and how he still had so much in his life to achieve. He couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. Had he been a good friend? Sure he’d said some things to him in the past, but he must have known he hadn’t meant them, right?

When they pulled up to the funeral home, Tom jumped out of the car and quickly ran around to open the door for Danny, Jordan and Rebecca. Jordan smiled warmly at him as he opened his umbrella and offered it to them.

“You’re a sweet guy, Tom.”

“You’ve told me that twice today.” He said softly.”

Jordan smiled and linked arms with Danny. “Yeah? Well don’t get too used to it.” She said, as she turned and began walking towards the rest of the guests who had already arrived.

XxXxX

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations…” The sound of people reading Psalm 90 filled the room. “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God…”

“Jeannie Whatley would now like to read a poem, would you like to come up to the front, Jeannie? ” The minister asked.

Jeannie made her way to the front of the hall, nervously clearing her throat before she began to read the poem she’d penned.

“I'm writing this from heaven, where I stay with God above.
Where there's no more tears or sadness, there's just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy, because I am out of sight, remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
And I will stay beside you, every day, week and year.
And when you're sad I'll still be there to wipe away your tears.
When you think of my life on earth and all those living years, because you’re only human their bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain, remember there wouldn't be flowers unless we first had rain.
I wish I could tell you of all what God has planned, but even if I were able to, you wouldn't understand.
When you’re going down the street and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps and only half a step behind.
And if you feel a gentle breeze or wind upon your face, remember it's only me with a loving and soft embrace.”

By the time Jeannie had finished reading her poem, everybody was in tears.

“Thank you, Jeannie, that was lovely.” The minister said kindly. “Who else would like to read something?”

Harriet raised her hand and waited until she was called to the front.

“This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, saying goodbye to somebody I love is never easy.” Harriet stuttered slightly. “You never get used to losing somebody you adore. Over time, things get easier, but you never get over them. I just want to say that you may have been taken from us, but rest assured, you will forever be missed and never forgotten. As you all know, I am a strong believer in life after death and this has given me a small amount of comfort, knowing that he is now in a better place. Sleep well, sweet man.”

As Harriet finished, she looked up and crossed her heart before leaving the podium.

“Anybody else?” The minister asked.

“Urm, I’d like to say something.” Danny hesitated, before he stood up and walked to the platform at the front of the hall.

“I’m not much of a writer, I tend to leave that up to, Matty.” He smiled, as he pointed out into the congregation.

“That’s because you’re crap at it.” Matt laughed, as he bounced the squirming little girl on his knee.

“That’s true… But I wrote something anyway.” Danny explained. Laughing anxiously, he began. “Cal…I wrote your name in the sky but the wind blew it away. I wrote your name in the sand but the waves washed it away. I wrote your name in my heart and forever it will stay.” Once he’d finished, he folded his speech back up and placed in back in his pocket.“We'll see you up there one day, Cal and until we do, eat 'em up.”

XxXxX

Once the service had finished, and they were walking back from the gravesite, Danny wrapped his wool coat tightly around himself and made his way over to Matt, who had a screaming Alexis in his arms.

“Come on, Lexie.” Matt soothed, as he gently rubbed the little girl’s back. “Will you stop crying for Daddy?” He asked, as he moved her from one hip to the other.

The more Matt tried to sooth her, Alexis’s cries got louder.

“Babe?” Matt called over to Harriet. “Can you take her from me? I think she’s hungry.” He asked, as he handed the wriggling infant over to her mom. Matt watched in awe as the child he was never supposed to be able to have hungrily latched on to the bottle Harriet was holding out for her.

Danny smiled warmly at the expression on his friend’s face. “That little girl is nothing short of a miracle, huh?” He said, as he stuffed his hands in his suit pockets.

Matt’s face lit up at the mention of his daughter. “It’s something neither Harriet or I can understand, you know? They were so adamant that after the chemo I wouldn’t be able to have any children. I guess we were lucky with Alexis.”

“I still can’t believe this is happening.” Danny sighed. “This time last year, I honestly thought I’d be here, saying goodbye to you.”

Matt subconsciously kicked the gravel underneath his feet. “You and me both.” He muttered. “Did you know the kid driving the car was only sixteen?” Matt explained. “Apparently he’d stolen his dad’s car, gone out and got drunk.” He finished bitterly.

“Are you kidding?” Danny asked, disgust evident in his voice.

“Dadddddy!” Rebecca yelled, as she threw her arms up at Danny to be picked up.

“What have I told you about yelling?” He asked the three year old in his arms.

Rebecca rolled her little brown eyes. “That I mustn’t do it.” She explained.

“That’s right.” Danny smiled, as he kissed her forehead.

“Daddy, What is heaven like?” Rebecca asked, as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Danny shared a look with Matt before turning back to his daughter. “Uh, well honey, it's where very good people go to rest.”

Rebecca thought about that for a moment. “Is that where the angels live?”

“Yeah, that's right.”

“So, Uncle Cal is living with the angels now?”

“Yes, honey.”

“I bet it's nice there.” She stated. “But I'm going to really miss him.”

Danny smiled sadly but was glad for the innocence that she still had. “Me too baby...”

She kissed his cheek softly before wriggling out of his arms to her feet then running off to catch up with her Mom and Aunt Harriet.

Matt slapped Danny on the back lightly, both of them sharing a look before they followed her to join their families.

The End!

Please Review. I’d love to know what you all think.