Updated with feedback from my better half, who finally read this. Married 30 years and apparently I can still surprise him!
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Chapter 10: Epilogue
Monday morning, Marty stood by the side of the grave, not really listening to the words of the preacher that the funeral home had provided. He had decided to have Janie cremated and buried with his mom. He figured they could keep each other company. He looked at the small grave stone bearing his mom's name and now Janie's. Burying his mom all those years ago had taken every bit of money they had had, even with some help from the state. There hadn't been anything left over for any kind of marker. He had saved every penny, from every part time job he could get until he could afford the stone that now graced her, their, grave.
He looked around him, still surprised at the number of people who had shown up. His team from NCIS was there along with some of the other agents and staff who he had always made a point of saying hello to. Bates was there from LAPD along with Versey and several other detectives and beat cops. Versey, now that was a shock. Stan and Cheryl had flown down for the funeral but had left Krissy at home with Cheryl's parents. They were going to take the rest of the week as a second honeymoon. Anyone who wanted to was going out for drinks afterwards. Not surprisingly, the Shuler's had fit right in with his NCIS team, after a little posturing from Sam and Callen when Stan let it slip that his Lieutenant had all but offered Marty a job. He had decided to take the full two week vacation that had been granted to him. While he had agreed to go back to NCIS, he had still wanted some free time to clear his head.
As promised, he had texted Stan a picture of Monty and him, along with Abu, for Krissy. Stan had told him that his little girl had insisted on him printing it and putting it in a frame. It now sat on the table beside her bed. That seemed appropriate as the picture of Krissy and him during story time had also made it into a frame and would sit on his desk once he returned to the Mission, next to his picture of Monty. He felt more centered now than he could ever remember. Maybe, one of these days, he would take Hetty up on her offer to become a full-fledged agent.
He turned back to the grave when the preacher finished and they began to fill in the grave. He sighed deeply and was surprised when a hand slipped into his. He looked over to see that it was Kensi. "How you holding up, partner?" she asked softly.
He squeezed her hand and said "Doing better all the time, partner."
He would always miss Janie but he hoped wherever she was, she was happier now.