“Whoa, there.” I put my hands on Alex’s shoulders as I reached the top step, helping her regain her balance. “You okay?” Nodding mutely, she shoved her hands in the pockets of her black trench coat. I looked at Josh.

“She won’t come in,” he told me. “I’ve been trying to get her inside ever since we got here. I know it’s hard, but she has to come in.” I nodded understandingly as Shayna went up and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Josh and Alex had left the house first, Shayna and I following about a half hour later in my car. The two of us had been walking up the steps just as Alex had lost her balance on the steps.

“Can I talk to her?” I asked, laying a hand on my fiance’s shoulder. Josh nodded.

“We’ll be inside,” he said. “People should start arriving in about fifteen minutes.” Smiling weakly at me, the two of them went inside. I walked around to Alex’s front.

“Baby?” I said. Her eyes stayed focused on the ground. “Alex, c’mon. Talk to me.”

“I can’t do it,” she whispered. “I don’t want to go in there. I can’t handle seeing him laying there in a casket. Not moving. I can’t see him like that.” A tear drop fell from her eyes, landing on my hand.

“Ssh, baby, c’mere.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “Honey, I know this is hard for you, but think of Josh for a moment. If you don’t go in there with him, how do you think he’s gonna feel? He can’t do this alone.” I loosened my arms around her, unwrapping one from around her waist and putting my hand under her chin, tilting her head up so she was looking at me. “The two of you can get through this together. You’ll have everyone of us there with you.” Alex squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing hard. When she opened her eyes, they had a little more color to them, perhaps come confidence.

"Do you really think I can get through this?” she asked, softly. I nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face and taking her hand in mine. “C’mon. Let’s go in.” I kissed her forehead.

“That’s my girl.”