Post by adrini on Nov 29, 2013 21:01:35 GMT -5
Di saw the lawyer and relaxed a little. She smiled at Mia who jumped up to be near them. As though by instinct they stepped in font of her, both holding a shoulder. Mia moved to hide behind them.
"It is true you were told to leave the interview?" Adrien asked. The two looked at each other before nodding. "Were you informed of and approved of this visit?"
"We had no idea. The counselor is supposed to notify us if there is any issue." Di motioned for the girl to rejoin the others. Mia ran to the other room.
"Whatever this is about you can talk to the counselor, we keep her fully apprised." Oliver moved to stand closer to his wife.
"She'll just be leaving." Adrien said before the woman could respond. "Good day Mrs. Reed. I'll be in touch." The police chief led the woman out.
"Mia." Di quickly looked behind her, a look of fear in her eyes. She ran to the game room.
"What did you find?" Ollie looked at his advisor.
"Merlyn, I'm sure of it. He knows who Di is, he knows how much Mia means to her." She looked sadly at the two. Di had made it halfway into the main hall before Mia had found her. The woman was hugging her cousin while the girl hung in her arms, Mia was crying. Begging not to have to leave.
"How does the bloodhound factor into this?" He sat down, suddenly wanting a beer.
"First attack. Not the last. I'll scare her away with lawsuits but there will be others." Adrien grinned at the on coming crowd. "We'll be waiting for them."
"The Calvary is here." Thea said. "Is the witch gone?"
"She'd better be." Rose didn't look happy.
"So, vacation?" Di said, Mia curled into her as they sat down on the sofa. She was excited about the earlier location.
"Sadly, no." The police chief walked in.
"This is Stan Anderson, chief of police. He was at my office with some sad news when Ollie called." Adrien sat down.
"I'd hate to add to the last visitor." He said, walking over to the group. "Mr. Queen, Mrs. Queen, Mia. Sarah's remains have been found, we need to know where to bury her."
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Di walked into the side room where Ollie and Thea sat on a sofa while the funeral home hummed with quiet voices. She took a place next to them and leaned back. Ollie took her hand tightly.
"Too many memories?" He asked. She nodded and pulled Thea in. As far as life events went the good were far out numbered by the bad.
Mia was with Rose and Digs, she was talking to several of the officers and their families who had known her when she still lived here. It was another world they weren't part of.
"We're heading out soon." Ollie looked at his watch. "The cars are ready. We should start corralling folks."
In the main room the urn sat on a decorated table, the body had been just bones. Rose was making sure her friend was alright. Mia was talking to a family and nodding at the conversation. Others of the family were around the room keeping an eye on the girl as well.
She saw Dinah and Ollie walk into the room, the personnel behind them. Mia walked over and settled into Dinah's side. Ollie stepped up to speak.
"We'll be heading out in a minute. Those of you protecting the line need to get into position. The rest of us will follow. After the service we have rented the buffet room three at Wilson's, everyone is welcome." He looked at Mia, and she spoke as well.
"I want to thank all of you so much for the support and good wishes. It's made a difficult chapter much easier then it could have been. A loss like this can make anyone feel alone, but today I know that isn't the case. I cant tell you what that means. Thank you again."
Several officers in dress blues, in honor of Mia's father who had been one of theirs, walked out while the staff put the urn in its box and carried it to the main car. Those in company filed out to the cars. The family walked to their car and climbed in.
"What happens now?" Mia looked at the others, they had experience with this. She had been too young to remember much the first time.
"The ceremony, then the burial." Di said softly. "A last chance to say goodbye." Mia buried her head into her cousin.
"Then we have an early lunch and it might be a good idea to do something fun after." Ollie added. "Whatever you want to do. Dwelling tends not to help."
They arrived at the burial site and got out of the car. There were several rows of chairs by the open grave. When they got close Mia saw that Di was leaning into her husband and trying to hide that she was crying. She looked to Adrien who seemed to know what was going on most of the time.
"This funeral is a lot like her mothers." The woman said sadly. "It's bringing back a few memories. Her dad was an officer to. She'll be okay." They sat down and waited for the others. It took a little while for others and the officers to park and make it over. A woman sat down next to her, she didn't notice at first but she was crying also.
The family sat down around her, and she listened numbly as the minister talked about a biblical passage she couldn't care less about. It was unreal, the woman who held her close when her father died was in a ceramic vase. The mother who was so brave, so smart, so beautiful was gone. Senselessly taken away.
Di was holding her hand and looked at her, understanding. Ollie and Thea were sharing a look, they had little use for platitudes themselves. There had been a lot of that, people saying meaningless things to break the silence.
They stood as the box was lowered in to the ground, her father's coffin in view. She quickly grabbed Dinah's hand, and flinched as dirt was thrown into the grave. They were gone, forever now. The world that had been hers was done.
Her new family stood with her as she watched the diggers work. The crew took down the tent and removed the chairs.
"Why don't I feel anything?" She asked Di. The woman didn't look surprised.
"The heart is like any other muscle." She said, looking to make sure it was just them. "It gets fatigued. You've been through alot. It might be a while before you get around to today."
"This isn't the only death you've dealt with." Ollie reminded her. "But they're together again, all the darkness is over for them. No need to worry anymore."
Mia smiled slightly, seeing her guardians hold hands and lean on each other. Ollie was right, they had each other again. They were fine.
The wake was at a local eatery and welcomed by the officers. She actually remembered going there was she was younger. The woman from the service was there briefly but left early. She left a silver bracelet at Mia's seat, it looked expensive. Mia looked at it, curious.
"The woman your father saved." A older officer with salt and pepper hair said when he saw her looking at the piece. "They changed her name and appearance but she wanted to be here for this. It's a thank you."
"I didn't do anything." Mia looked at it. "Why is she thanking me?"
"Your father gave his life for hers. If he hadn't your mother and father might still be here. You would be with them." He smiled sadly.
Mia looked at Thea who was walking over with a plate of chili fries, something Thea knew to be a favorite of hers. Adrien was, as ever, checking her phone for security up dates. Merlyn was going to have to work to get to her with Adrien's focus. Digs was sharing a beer with Roy and Jade. Ollie and Di were talking to a few of the officers, once again being grilled about the school they were sending her to and way they were taking care of her. They were open to whatever suggestions the officers had. They wanted to do the right thing, but they didn't see themselves as parents. They were wrong, they very much were.
"I'm okay." She said, smiling softly. "I'll be fine."
"We know." The officer laughed a little. "If you need us though, let us know. You'll always have family here."
Mia took the fries and soda from Thea. The brunette eagerly looked at her to see if she wanted them. She grinned and set the plate between them, digging in.
"We'll be leaving in about an hour." Thea grinned, relieved. "We know where we're going next."
"Some place fun?" The whole family could use it.
"The Game n' Play." Thea grinned. "A huge arcade with an eating area in it. They're open till midnight."
"Though we'll only be staying till ten or so." Adrien walked up. "Ollie is taking Di to the museum. They need some personal time after everything the past several months have thrown at them. But the rest of us will be there."
"With Di gone one of us can win the games." Rose said dryly, walking over.
Mia put on the bracelet, the past would always be part of her story. She, however, had more story to go.