"A Funeral to Remember"

Two days had passed since Emma's death, and Ashley was a mess. She hadn't been eating, sleeping, or speaking much. Her once radiant skin had turned pale, and her eyes had lost their sparkle. Alev had been by her side every step of the way, trying to comfort her, but it seemed like nothing could ease her pain. The day of the funeral had finally arrived, and Ashley was barely holding on. She had been adamant about every detail, making sure that Emma's sendoff was special. She had spent hours searching for the perfect casket, and had finally found a beautiful pink and white one that she knew Emma would have loved. As she stood in front of the mirror, Ashley barely recognized the person staring back at her. Her hair was dull and lifeless, and her eyes were sunken. She looked like a shadow of her former self. Alev came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You look beautiful, Ashley," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. Ashley shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "I don't feel beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Alev turned her around, holding her close. "You don't have to feel beautiful today, Ashley. Today is about Emma, not about you or me. It's about celebrating her life and saying goodbye." Ashley nodded, taking a deep breath. She knew Alev was right. She needed to be strong for Emma's sake. As they made their way to the funeral home, Ashley's heart was heavy with grief. She saw all the familiar faces, people she had known for years, all come to pay their respects to Emma. The funeral home was filled with pink and white flowers, a sea of color that Ashley had specifically requested. The casket, a beautiful pink and white one with a delicate lace trim, was at the front of the room. Ashley had spent hours making sure every detail was perfect, from the music to the readings, and even the food that would be served after the service. As they took their seats, Ashley felt a sense of calm wash over her. She knew that she had done everything she could to make this day special for Emma. The service began, and Ashley listened as friends and family shared stories about Emma's life. She heard about her bright smile, her infectious laugh, and her kind heart. As the eulogies came to an end, Ashley stood up, her heart heavy with grief. She looked at the casket, and for a moment, she felt like she was going to collapse. But Alev was by her side, holding her up, and she took a deep breath, finding the strength to get through this. The minister began to speak, his words a gentle reminder of the pain and the grief that they were all feeling. Ashley listened, her eyes fixed on the casket, as the reality of what was happening sunk in. Emma was really gone, and she would never come back. As the service came to a close, Ashley felt a sense of numbness wash over her. She knew that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey, but for now, she just had to take it one step at a time. She looked at Alev, and he nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. Together, they walked up to the casket, and Ashley placed a small pink rose on top of it. She whispered a final goodbye to her daughter, her heart breaking into a million pieces. As they walked out of the funeral home, Ashley knew that she would never be the same again, but she also knew that she would always carry Emma's memory with her.