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There was no other word for it

Kate felt Tullys hand close over hers, squeeze gently When Marah walked offstage, to a standing ovation, Kates heart swelled with pride She leaned against Tully and whispered, "Now I knohy I gave her your middle name "

Tully turned to her "Why?"

Kate tried to smile, but couldnt It took alh voice to say, "Because shes the best of both of us "

The end caht With everyone she loved standing around her bed, she said goodbye to the to each of them Then, as rain hit theand darkness fell, she closed her eyes for the last time

Kates last To Do list concerned her funeral and Tully followed it to the letter The Catholic church on the island was filled with photographs and flowers and friends Not surprisingly, Kate had chosen Tullys favorite flowers rather than her own

For days Tully focused on nothing else She handled the details and took care of everything while the Ryans and the Mularkeys sat together on the beach, holding hands and occasionally re to talk

Tully prepared herself for the day, as well, re herself that she was a professional; she could s

But when the time came, and they actually pulled up in front of the church, she panicked "I cant do this," she said

Johnny reached for her hand She waited for co words, but he had none

While they sat there in silence, with the kids in the backseat, all of the at the church, the Mularkeys pulled up beside them and parked

It was ti for strength in nu of mourners and up the massive stone church steps and into the church

"Were in the left front row," Mrs M said, sidling close

Tully looked down at Marah, as crying quietly, and the sight broke her

She wanted to cohter, tell her it would be okay, but they both knew better than that "She loved you so limpse of their future then Theyd be friends soive her the journal and theyd share the stories of who her ether and bring Kate back for a few precious moments