Day 9: It was not a dark and stormy night.
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Post-Loss.
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The day the Marshals tell her is cool and sunny. There is no rain. There are no clouds. It is, by all accounts, a good day.
It is not what her mother deserves.
Then again, her mother didn't deserve any of the things that happened to her in the last eight months.
Alex sighs and puts her head in her hands. Her hair – dyed brown as a precaution – falls around her face like a shade. A single tear slips from her eyes. "How?" she asks, her voice breaking.
"Heart attack," the Marshal says. He avoids looking at Alex – Emily – because he knows the pain she is feeling. If he looks at her, he'll break down too.
"Was she in any pain?"
The Marshal shakes his head. "The doctor said she was asleep and wouldn't have felt a thing."
"Good." Alex nods. "That's good. Does Olivia know? My mother took her in like one of her own. Olivia would want to know."
"Her Captain informed her last night. She said she'll take care of the arrangements."
"Will I be allowed to go?"
"I'm sorry, Emily; it's too dangerous."
Alex nods. "I figured."
"I'm sorry, Emily."
Alex looks up and gives the Marshal a small smile. "I shouldn't have asked."
"I know it's against protocol," the Marshal says, "but I have something for you." He stands up and reaches into his jacket. Pulling out a purple, greeting card-sized envelope, he says, "Keep it hidden."
Alex nods. "What is it?"
The Marshal just shrugs. "I'll check in with you later this week." He leaves without another word.
Alex opens the envelope and pulls out the simple card. It is white with a cartoon heart on the front. She chuckles and opens it. A picture flutters to the ground, but Alex's eyes catch the words first.
"How long?" was a promise, Al. I'll wait forever.
Alex blinks back the tears in her eyes and picks up the fallen picture. It is of her and Olivia at Munch's New Year party. The clock in the background reads midnight, and she and Olivia are looking at each other with goofy grins on their faces.
Alex smiles. "I'll wait too, Liv. I'll wait too."
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