Hello everyone! Here's is the next exciting (and emotional) chapter.
Enjoy.
Just a quick note for something early on in the chapter: Covers are police hats.
As for brendwilliamsmc: I'm so glad you loved it! But, Emily's journey is far from over. I have much more turmoil planned.
-Three months later-
John slowly drove his unit down the street, following the rest of the police motorcade. Dorian sat next to him, silent. They were both dressed in their formal uniforms, complete with the tight belts and black covers. It felt weird to them without having Emily in the car.
Several other units were in front and back of them; police on motorcycles flanked them as well. Captain Maldonado was in the first unit, all dressed up in her black uniform with pins and badges of her bravery.
The family in mourning clutched tissues to their cheeks, the men trying not to fall apart at the seams. The casket was plain brown wood, glossy and pristine. The body inside didn't stir, didn't awake from a long sleep, much to the despair of everyone.
After the depressing parade, everyone gathered at the graveyard. It was a national one, for soldiers and police officers and the like. The city mayor made a few remarks, the deceased's mother painfully commented, and Officer Jason Tate said the eulogy.
John stood next to Dorian and Nick. Rudy and Maldonado, as well as Detective Paul, stood in their row as well.
John wanted to see Emily again. He craned his neck and looked beyond the casket.
Seven officers from the honor guard stood at the ready, their rifles at their sides. Emily stood at the beginning of the line, the honor guard facing perpendicular to her. She held a ceremonial sword at her side. She was wearing a black uniform, a black skirt that reached her knees. She had a bowler-esque hat and clean white gloves on.
Someone nodded towards her and Emily raised the sword, facing the honor guards.
"Ready!" Emily yelled.
The honor guards pointed their rifles upward.
"Aim!" Emily yelled.
The honor guards pointed their rifles outward.
"Fire!" Emily yelled.
The honor guards fired their rifles.
"Ready!" Emily said again. "Aim! … Fire!"
The honor guards fired their rifles.
"Ready! … Aim! … Fire!" Emily finished.
The honor guards fired their rifles for the last time.
"Present, arms!" Emily ordered, lowering the sword. "Order, arms! Port, arms! Right face!" The honor guards followed Emily's commands.
Five drones flew overhead.
"Forward march!" Emily yelled. They all departed.
Then officers came forward and removed the casket, where they proceeded to place it in a tomb. "Amazing Grace" started to play.
As the song finished, almost simultaneously, a breath was let out of the crowd. The ceremony was over, the grieving had lessened for some, the closure gained was a relaxing mystery.
Emily made her way back over to John, Nick, Dorian, and Jason.
"Hey." John spoke first.
Emily sniffed. "Hi."
"How are you doing?" Dorian asked.
"Fine." Emily answered plainly. "That was a nice eulogy, Jace."
Jason nodded, rubbing his nose. "Thanks."
Nick thought he might have seen someone in the distance, but ignored them. "Emily, should we get going?" He asked. A solitary taxi left the area.
"What? Why?" Emily looked around to see what Nick had been spooked by.
Emily froze.
There was one person, standing in the distance, alone. They were late, as they always have been in the past. That person was supposed to be long forgotten, neglected, and hated. They lifted a hand, beckoning Emily to come. Anger boiled within Emily. Why should they return back into her life after what they've done? Emily's hands shook in clenched fists.
"Em," John started, putting a hand on Emily's shoulder, "do you want to leave?" He asked.
Emily shook her head and pushed John's hand away. "I'll be right back." She started to walk away.
"Emily!" Nick desperately called after her.
Emily held up a hand without looking back. Nick stopped moving. She kept walking towards the person in the distance.
"Holy shit, we're in trouble." Nick muttered. Jason looked at Nick with agreement in his eyes.
Emily made her way across the grass in her uncomfortable heels. The person she was approaching pulled their black jacket tighter around their body. They shifted uncomfortably, unsure if they had made the right decision.
Emily stopped directly in front of them.
"Emily." They spoke in a shaky breath. They had been crying, not from the funeral, but from the situation they found themselves in. "Emily, I hope you can forgive me." They cried again but made no sounds.
Emily did the opposite of what everyone else expected. The opposite of what she expected herself.
Emily pulled the person in for a hug, embracing them tightly. "I've missed you, Peyton." Emily said quietly. The world that was crashing around her pieced itself back together.
Peyton burst into tears. "I love you, Emily. Don't ever forget that. I loved you even when I left." She smiled a little, getting much needed pressure off of her chest.
Emily eventually let go of her. She turned to see her party of friends cautiously approaching. Emily waved Nick forward, who approached Peyton with a look of disbelief on his face.
"Hi, Peyton." Nick nodded towards her.
"Hi, Nick." Peyton nodded back, wiping her face dry.
"What's going on?" Nick asked Emily.
"It's all okay." Emily smiled, wiping away her tears.
"It's all okay?" Nick asked, skeptical.
"It's all okay." Emily answered.
"It's all okay." Peyton echoed.
"It's all okay." Nick confirmed.
The two women nodded.
Nick pulled both of them into his arms. "The family's back together." He let out a sigh of relief.
"Family?" John asked from afar.
Emily broke away and Nick dropped his arms. "John, Dorian, this is Peyton Clark. My sister."
"Sister?" John asked.
Emily nodded. "Peyton, this is my boyfriend, John Kennex."
"It's nice to meet you." Peyton held out a hand and John shook it.
"This is my partner, Dorian." Emily introduced.
"Hi." Peyton shook Dorian's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you." Dorian smiled. There was something about Peyton that Dorian couldn't shake off.
Nick, Peyton, and Emily all had their differences, but all were similar as well. Peyton had Emily's bright green eyes, but Nick's dark brown hair. She nose gently sloped like Emily's but her mouth curved like Nick's. Peyton was the shortest between the three yet commanded a bigger presence.
Dorian didn't know what it was, but he was drawn to her.
As the sad day drew to a close, Jason hugged Emily, shook hands with John, Dorian, Nick, and Peyton, and then left, returning to the motorcade. John kissed Emily goodbye and left with Dorian, who let one last look linger on Peyton. Both of them drove away in their unit, driving in the procession through town.
Emily, Peyton, and Nick were the only ones left.
"Do you want to get dinner?" Nick offered.
"That would be great." Peyton agreed as Emily nodded.
"I'll get the car." Nick turned and left.
"Why did you come back?" Emily asked the question Peyton knew was coming.
"I wanted to undo all the wrongs I had done." Peyton quietly answered.
"Alright." Emily replied.
"Hey." Peyton softly spoke up. "I'm sorry about Benjamin. I know he was like another brother to you."
"Yeah." Emily looked towards the sky. "I'm sorry, too."
Wow, so many plot twists in one chapter! Please review to ensure I update in a timely manner.
As for that note I was talking about, I was thinking of putting together something different altogether. Here goes: I was going to have Emily and John sit down for an interview about their relationship and answer questions that YOU give! That's right! An AU where you guys are basically in control! Just review or PM me with questions you want Emily and/or John to answer! (I will not put this chapter up until I get at least 15 questions from at least 5 different people.)
Thanks!
