Despite everything, there was love in each step of the process.
Rochelle gently brushed Arthur's hair as she stared down at the love of her life. She was no longer crying, but mostly out of exhaustion, dehydration.
There was even love in Irene's actions as she delicately placed the rosemary and evergreen around her father. The fresh scent filled the chapel. She found herself unable to look at her father's face as she did this, but the way she gently grasped his hand, there was love in that touch as well.
Even Celia, who didn't have to be there, stood beside Irene and Rochelle and gently supported them through their grief despite having only known them for a few weeks prior to that.
The three women left the chapel. There was still love.
Commander Lothian helped Rochelle and Celia into the carriage. Before he shut the door, he and Celia silently communicated as she squeezed his hand and nodded at him. Her own silent promise that through the sadness, she was still his.
