Christmas was fast approaching, and the streets of Miami were shrouded with shoppers and vacationers. The street lamps were decorated with fake green garland and Christmas lights. The shop windows had been painted with scenes of snowman, manger scenes, snowflakes, and Christmas trees. The only thing missing was the real snow. A couple shops had attempted with some fake snow, but it just wasn't the same.
One of those shops was a little diner named, Dudley's Diner. "I just love this time of year. People are so happy and cheerful," said a waitress named Shirley Tonks as she took her customer's order. "What can I get you miss?"
"I'll just have a cup of coffee. I'm not hungry," said the young woman. There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Are you sure? You look like you could use some food. Cheer up honey it's, Christmas!"
The young woman gave a half smile as she played with her necklace that held a pair of wedding rings. "Christmas… it's supposed to be the happiest time of the year that's filled with laughter and good cheer. I still miss him. It's been four years since my husband died."
Shirley looked closer at the woman, and it was then she recognized her. She was the widow of Officer Tim Speedle of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Lauren Speedle. He had been shot in the line of duty. The nightmares of that day constantly replayed in her head over and over again. It was like it had happened yesterday.
Shirley gasped, "Oh honey, I'm so sorry. Officer Speedle was such a good man." She took a seat in the booth a crossed from Lauren. "My fourteen year old daughter had a crush on him-" but she stopped talking when she realized the last thing she said was inappropriate. "I'm sorry…"
Lauren sniffled, "It's okay… I'll just have some coffee, please."
"Let me buy you some dinner, honey. I know your husband wouldn't want to see you like this."
The front door to the diner opened, and a young woman with dirty blonde hair entered. She looked around, and when she spotted Lauren she half walked half ran over to her. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you," said Margaret Lovitt, Lauren's sister. Shirley scooted out of the booth. Margaret took her place.
"Can I get you anything?" Shirley asked Margaret.
"Um, I'll have a glass of water for now, but can I get four… no make it five number threes to go. One with just cheese and ketchup, another one with no cheese but mustard and ketchup, and the rest just as is… oh and instead of a coke can I have a strawberry shake with one of the combos?"
Shirley smiled, "Yes of course. Would you like that order put in now?" Margaret nodded yes. Margaret turned back to her sister, but before she could say anything Lauren spoke.
"Is Mark extra hungry tonight or something? You ordered one extra burger and fries, and I don't think Briar-Rose or Aaron could eat two." Shirley brought their drinks out. Briar-Rose, 4, and Aaron, 6, were her niece and nephew.
Margaret laughed. "He wishes. It's for you. You're coming over for dinner and you're going to eat it. Mark, the kids, and I are having a Christmas movie night. They want you there. You have no choice. Mom and dad are going to be there too." She took a sip of her water then rubbed her belly; Lauren noticed. He sister loved coffee and the only time she didn't order it was when she was pregnant; she decided to wait to say something.
"Eric and I are going to the cemetery when he gets off work," Lauren said looking down into her coffee mug.
Margaret sighed. "Lauren, look at me, please." Lauren slowly looked up at her sister already knowing what she would say. "You need to spend time with your family. Ever since… ever since Tim died you've been… kind of distant. The kids miss you. Mom and dad miss you. Mark and I miss you." She paused for a moment then continued, "but if you must go then go. The food will be waiting for you, and you know we're all here for you."
Tears began to fall down Lauren's face. She began to play with her necklace again. "You don't understand… you don't understand! Tim is my family. He's my husband. He's gone, Maggie. I'll never get to have kids, I'll never have what Tim and I had… you… don't… understand." She put her head in her hands and began to sob.
Before Speed's death, Lauren worked for the Miami-Dade Police Department too. She had been a CSI like her husband. After his death, Lauren couldn't be there anymore. She couldn't even stay in the same house. Margaret and her husband said she could come stay with them and she did, but after awhile it didn't feel right. Mark and Margaret had just welcomed their first child. She stayed a few months after her nephew was born then left feeling like she was crowding the new family.
Not knowing what to do, Lauren called Eric Delko, Speed's best friend and fellow CSI. He gladly offered to let her stay with him, but soon that offer faded when he found out his sister, Marisol was ill with cancer. They both knew it was best she moved out. It broke his heart to let her go.
Finding herself in the same situation she was in several months ago, she turned to the person who knew what it was like to lose someone they loved, Lt. Horatio Caine. When he was a young adult, Horatio saw his mother murdered by his own father, and almost eight years ago he lost his brother, Detective Raymond Caine in an undercover operation gone wrong. He took her in before she could even get her words out; Lauren still lived with him today.
Margaret got up from her side of the booth, and sat down next to her still grieving sister. "You're right. I don't know what it's like, and I would never want to experience what you're going through, but if I did I would want my family there helping me get through it. Mark, Aaron, and Briar-Rose keep asking about you. They miss you. Mom and dad miss you too." She paused a moment before continuing, "I'm not going to stop you from going to the cemetery. I know you wouldn't stop me, but think about coming over. Like I said, it's family movie night. Mom and dad will be there too." Margaret wrapped her arms around her sister and hugged her tight. "I love you," she whispered in Lauren's ear. "Oh and one more thing… we need our holiday photos taken. Briar-Rose is especially excited."
After leaving CSI, Lauren became a full-time photographer. She had always loved photography, and decided to pursue a Bachelor's Degree. "We were hoping you could do that tonight." Margaret smiled hoping she could get her sister to do the same.
"We'll see…" Lauren mumbled. Margaret's heart dropped a little, but knew she shouldn't push her sister into anything she didn't want to do.
Shirley came back out with Margaret's dinner order, and told Lauren the coffee was on her. Lauren thanked her and both sisters scooted out of the booth to stand up. "Well, I'm going to go, I see Eric coming, but please consider what I've told you." She gave Lauren one last hug before leaving.