Oleander The Beloved

It was a somber day for Ginger, she wasn't exactly a devout follower of the church but she still liked going so when she saw in the newspaper that Oleander had died in a mysterious way it hurt her little bunny heart. "This is terrible news" what will the fans of Oleanders club do now? she noticed that there was a date for his funeral planned, oh goodness she'll have to line up at the flower shop early to beat the other mourners otherwise they'd be there all day. Should she get the flowers the same as his name? No best not to as they'll probably be plenty of them in droves as she sighed.

She'll figure it out as the date grew closer and closer until she finally was ready to go to the service of the beloved Oleander, Her husband was not a fan of the church or the flirty priest that died so he's not going but then learning how big the entire thing made him change his mind "What if someone tries to seduce you away from me?". His love for her burned strong or was that his greed to monopolize her affection? Unsure nor did she care as she patted his face before taking the bouquet of flowers with her as they were escorted to the funeral service.

They went early as possible and a few others were of same mind since there was a handful ready with their flowers as well, oleander plants along with many other types of flora to show their devotion for the priest. Hubby kept the others away from her and held her in his bunny arms, others were in their doll forms and wiping their eyes as tears were forming "I wonder how it feels to be loved like that" she mumbled making her husband gasp out. "How dare you say that when I love you everyday!" She gave him a cheeky smile and hushed him saying she meant love like a famous person not as a lover which did calm him some but still he was wary as they will double their efforts of it all.

The church doors were slowly opened by a tear stained Mercy, of course they would be after all their dearest friend? co-worker? whatever they were, a close someone died and they were left behind. Ginger couldn't imagine Hubby dying and leaving her all alone, they would of course fight like hell to get to her and maybe have several [in case I die from enemy hands] letters to be sent to her, the accident ones would be different she was sure. Either way they gave soft condolences in passing while following the others inside, more soft words mumbled to the grieving Mercy were given while mourners filed past her.

Bun after bun entered in doll form or not, they all came to see their beloved priest one last time "gosh I didn't expect this guy to be so popular" Hubby whispered as quietly as possible to his wife making her look back at him "Well you're not one for church so you didn't know" they said and patted his head and gave him some attention so he didn't cause any trouble while sorting her own thoughts [Wonder what my funeral will be like? I know Hubby will be beside himself...might cause a lot of trouble, oh then I better not die any time soon but what if it's an accident?] Being at a funeral really brought these morbid thoughts.

Ginger looked over to her husband, how would she feel of he died suddenly? If something that couldn't be avoided took him away from her? She didn't like that thought so they stopped thinking it and instead thought of Oleander and how she'll never hear his sweet voice or ask him for advice about her husband. Oh dear she'll miss him so much she started tearing up a little "What's wrong gingie? Who's upsetting you? tell me, I'll go fix it!" he whispered in a panicked tone. She wiped a tear saying she's just going to miss the departed since they talked to him sometimes after service making him bristle up "Can't I take that place?" she gave a weak laugh.

She rubbed her nose against his, a simple bunny kiss to distract him saying it's different if it's faith based which he backed down on for now but he was glaring at the coffin, she batted at him to behave or he can go back home by himself which finally cemented to be good for her and the entirety of the service. Ginger finally looked over to the coffin at the front of the church where Oleander laid but something was strange, why wasn't it open? Isn't he the type to want everyone to see him no matter what? or, oh no! Did something unsightly happen to him?

Why isn't his coffin open Mercy? She wished she could ask that out loud but then it'd cause chaos and now isn't the time for that or for her since she was mourning harder than any other person in the church. Curiosity still filling up that little noggin of hers made them wrinkle their nose in thought, her tiny button bunny nose twitching away in deep thought when Mercy spoke up "We are gathered here today to honor the life of Oleander, a dear and beloved priest of the church..." and so the eulogy or whatever it was called started. There were soft pauses as she tried not to break down again, it seemed she had practiced this as there were no hiccups in her speech or any stumbling like it was any other bun in the casket but it wasn't, it was Oleander and he was resting peacefully.

Peacefully? Tell her Mercy, why is his casket closed? Why cannot the mourners not see his beloved face one last time? Tell them why he had to die so young while he still had life to live and people to flirt with? Ginger started to cry thinking of all those questions and the fact he was gone. Hubby leaned against her and put an arm around them, can Oleander hear them? Can he hear everyone's cries? All these tears were shed just for him in these terrible frightening times.

Buns going missing, ending up dead, this funeral was just one of many soon to follow making Ginger worry that what if her husband is the next one on the chopping block? so many questions were being brought up and it upset her greatly. She never thought death would be so close to her and especially towards her husband making her cry a little louder now but not louder than the other mourners. Why must this happen to them when all she wants in life is living it day by day but with death now so close at hand she worries, she is worrying a lot now and for her husband but not for herself. Why must it all be so serious instead of a good happy fun time? More questions they can't find an answer too.

Mercy finished her speech and allowed others to now line up and deliver their farewells but to not open the casket, they will be keeping watch over it as they would bury him in privacy, his tombstone was erected and everything. The burial will be a very private affair or so Ginger assumes since they probably want one last final time together as she lined up with the rest to deliver her bouquet of flowers to the dearly departed. Everyone got in a line and began to say their goodbyes in soft spoken voices, this was such a somber line that Ginger was not used to this but seeing how things were going this was just going to be a part of life now.

Lines should make people grumpy or excited, ah well at least her turn was up soonish as they leaned against her husband as he pet her softly while telling her she's holding up really well and that he's going to spoil her once they get home, just some nice and gentle date night stuff. She'll need it as they finally arrived at the front and set the flowers down among the others and softly touched the coffin, they wanted to say something but their mouth oddly felt heavy. Why was it so hard to suddenly speak her feelings? Oh gosh they were now silently crying once more as they covered her face with her small paws "Shh it's ok Ginger, lets go".

Ginger said in a moment and went over to Mercy once again thanking her for the beautiful sermon saying that Oleander would've approved maybe, probably would've used more strippers or something causing her to give a tired smile "Oh yes he'd want that and more but sadly the church can't afford to give everyone a stripper on their lap" They thanked them for coming and the pair left. Hubby asked her if she was doing ok "I...am thinking a lot, if I died so suddenly how would you mourn?" She asked him, this question would have an answer compared to the others while holding his hand she felt him stop causing her to look back.

"Depends...if it's an accident I'd be so very upset, like I would never recover from this possibly? But if someone else got you I'd be getting revenge, burn everything or make them pay in anyway until I can feel like I've done something...but you wouldn't like that would you?" No not really but she patted his head softly "I wouldn't mind if it was a simple revenge if it helps you feel better" they kissed his cheek softly. "Come on let's go home and watch a movie" She pretty much guessed it earlier about what would happen to her husband if he suddenly lost her as they walked back home hand in hand, hoping that maybe tomorrow will be a little less sad for them and the whole city.