Alex

 

The paramedics were frantically working on James as both Madison and Michelle looked on, cradled within each other’s arms. The shot had been taken in the gut, but we didn’t know what kind of damage had been done. I knew it wasn’t looking good. They had attempted to stabilize him on the scene, then rushed him to the emergency room. We had watched as they sped away in the ambulance and heard it screaming into the night. The homicide unit still needed our statements, and they had waited as long as they could. Finally, Madison and her mother gave their tearful accounts of what had taken place.

As Theo approached us, he held a crying Eden in his arms. My heart bled for them both. I didn’t know what to say to them.

Theo reached out for Madison.

“My God, I’m so sorry. How is he?”

“We don’t know yet. We’re leaving now.”

“I know Alex will take care of you. Let him.”

He embraced her as her tears continued to flow down her face.

Madison turned to me.

“Of course.”

I pulled Theo aside for a brief moment.

“I got word that Steel was let go, that all our stories collaborated. He was the fucking hero here tonight, if you ask me.”

 

***

 

We had spent six hours in the waiting room. One nurse and six cups of coffee later, and there was still no word. I pinched the bridge of my nose, resting my eyes only momentarily. He was in surgery. That’s all we knew.

Once the doctor appeared, I could tell by his expression that the news wasn’t good. We rushed him all at once, eager for news. Unfortunately, the news would come—just not the answers we wanted.

“He had multiple organ failure, and we did all we could do, but he’s gone.” The doctor placed a gentle hand on Michelle’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

I watched helplessly as they each fell apart in their own way. Madison collapsed, sinking to the floor. I reached for her, but my arms were useless in easing her pain. Michelle fell onto the chair, staring into the distance at nothing.

One minute he had been alive dancing, the next he was fighting for his life—Ironically killed by the man he had trained himself, his comrade in arms. Both of them had lost their lives today. Each man had been on the opposite end of the spectrum—one evil, one noble.

What a fucking tragedy. I knew I would be left picking up the pieces of two broken hearts.

 

***

 

When we arrived home, it was almost sunup. My heart went out to the two broken women beside me, who were dazed and in shock. The weight of reality hadn’t truly set in yet. I watched them each trying to process the news. I tried to let them know I was there for them both.

Madison walked her mother to her room, and I followed quietly behind.

“I’m going to stay with her tonight.”

I nodded in understanding, then I started to make the funeral plans for a military burial. I had already told the hospital that the family had waived the autopsy, which was usually performed in a murder case. But there would be no case, only the funeral.

 

***

 

Three days later, we drove away from the burial, the three of us in the back of a limousine, recalling the 21-gun salute, shooting their three volleys. The closing of the flag, which was then presented to Michelle. The moment had been filled with both sorrow and respect.

Madison turned to her mother, who was still quietly weeping.

“It just breaks my heart that there will be many beautiful moments Father will miss—like me marrying Alex, him walking me down the aisle, and seeing his first grandchild.”

I brushed the tears away from her cheeks, not commenting on her choice of words.

“I know, sweetheart.”

“When it came to my father, I won the lottery.”

Madison cried as her mother nodded, acknowledging her words, unable to form words of her own.

I knew her father’s death would weigh heavily on Madison, and her mother, too. I had asked Michelle to stay indefinitely, sell her place, in fact. She had agreed, but I knew it would be in her own time.

I had also arranged for Theo to meet us when we arrived home. He had his own issues to deal with. After much convincing, they would still be going on their honeymoon, a tropical vacation. They had respectfully postponed their departure until tonight.

His car was there when we pulled up. The ladies walked in, searching for him, and Madison fell into his arms.

He held her tight.

“Let me help you, Maddie.”

He took her hand, leading her to the couch, where they sat together. Her mother and I remained close by.

“I’ve been where you are right now. Remember, I lost you the moment I lost both of our parents. I didn’t think I’d survive. There was a dark part of me filled with bitterness and grief, and yes, guilt. It took me a long time to work through it. You will, too.”

She nodded, and her mother did, too.

“Despite everything, you’ll pull through this. You have your mother and Alex, your new family—Eden and myself, and your future happiness to look forward to. Keep in mind that when you look back in memory of your father, he left this world protecting the most treasured piece of his heart. You, Maddie. That’s how much he loved you.”

“I know.”

“So, in the meantime, I brought a gift.” He shrugged. “It might be silly, but hear me out. I brought a tree. It’s called an Autumn Cherry Tree, and it blooms in spring and fall. Huge white blooms. It’s in memory of your father.”

She wrapped her arms around her brother, thanking him as her head rested on his shoulder.

“Wait, there’s more.”

She smiled, and it was significant moment.

“A little birdie told me you liked the swing in our backyard.”

Her intake of breath had her gaze searching for me, and our eyes met.

I shrugged a shoulder.

“There’s a company who will be delivering and setting up the swing tomorrow, and they will also plant the tree in memory of your father. The tree will grow tall and strong, protecting us and shading us as we find peace under its watch. And we will sit and enjoy those moments on the swing.”

“How did you two come up with this beautiful memorial tribute?” Madison asked.

“Because we love you.”

Then we stood, all four of us in each other’s arms, leaning on one another. Time would heal us, and life would go on. There would still be beautiful moments to be shared among us as we looked ahead to the future.