As Kurt Wallander gazed upon his father's fresh grave, he placed his hands behind his back and thought. It was dull morning. Yes, the sun shone, but there were more clouds than sunshine. It was breezy, and the croaking of the ravens rather annoyed Kurt. He never liked them at all.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when his daughter, Linda, and his wife, Mona, came up to him.

"I'm going to wait in the car," said Linda and left. Kurt knew what she was up to. She purposely left him and Mona alone.

After a period of long silence, Mona spoke up. "It's really sad that he's gone, isn't it?"

"Yes. I do hope he's safe now, wherever he is," replied Kurt. He felt awkward just having a small conversation with his wife.

"Heaven?" She looked at him, as if expecting a reply.

"I pray and hope that it is so."

Then, Mona held his hand. That nearly made Kurt jump.

"I want to talk, Kurt. About what happened. Maybe there's a second chance for the both of us," said Mona.

"You know what happened," said Kurt in frustration. His voice was even a little raised. "You left me" he snapped his fingers "just like that! Without any sufficient reason! Don't think I haven't forgotten about that. 99% percent of the time, it was in my head. It still hurts, you know!"

"I know! I know! And I'm sorry," said Mona defensively. "It was a moment's weakness, leaving you so rashly and without any good reason."

"A moment's weakness that completely shattered my heart!"

"Oh, don't raise your voice, Kurt. See? It's good that we're talking and releasing what's in our minds. Now, they won't burden us."

"The pain may be lessened, but it will never go away."

"Not if I beg you to forgive me. Please, Kurt!" Plea was in Mona's eyes. "I'm sorry. I wished I never did that. I still love you."

"Even if that does happen, it will not make things the way they were."

"I understand, but we could just forgive and forget."

"Easier said than done," said Kurt, pushing her hand away and looking up to the sky. He groaned.

"We must do this for Linda," said Mona. "I know she's all grown up, but it was her heart's desire that we end up together again. Just imagine how happy she would be."

Kurt smiled at the thought of his daughter. He had forgotten about her. Yes, he thought, it would make her jubilant. She had always tried to persuade her parents to get back together.

Kurt looked back at his wife and smiled. Mona smiled, as well. "I suppose there's no harm in making things right."

"What made you change your mind so suddenly?"

"Our daughter. We should focus on her happiness, not ours. Her needs before ours. After all, she still is our baby girl."

Kurt extended his hand out for his wife. She gladly and immediately accepted it. She rested her head on his shoulder.

Back in the car, Linda was looking out the window where she saw her parents together. She looked up to the barely-blue sky and smiled.

"Thank you, grandpa," she whispered. "I knew it was you who did that."

End