"Judith will be playing the piano when the family and friends take their seats, I will be playing the bells. Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring. I know the song is played at weddings a lot, but this was Ingrid's wish. Judith won't miss a note, pray I don't. Midway is when you and I sing Sweet By and By, Kenny. She always loved our special arrangement. You will play the piano, just the cords. We'll use the tape and harmonize with our own voices."

The last song will be Springtime in Heaven."

Ken pulled her close. "I don't know if I can get through it without you beside me, Mickey. Will you wear the dress Aunt Lena had, the one with the pastel colors and stand beside me? Ingrid loved that dress. Hold a bouquet of flowers? Can you sing if I break up?"

"You won't. Just focus on your memories on Ingrid. Don't look at any of the family. You are doing the song for one person, Ingrid. And for Lena, too."

They went back to practice before getting dressed. Mickey wore a simple black dress, hat and gloves. She put the pastel dress in a garment bag and took her pink shoes. The flowers she had gathered she put carefully in a box. Ken opted for a black jacket and pants, with a green shirt. Starsky would have whistled if it had not made his partner nervous. He had to admit Mickey looked good as well. He had opted for simple black shirt and pants. They arrived at the church early, as did Judith, to be ready to perform.

The service was set for four o'clock in the beautiful and elegant Lutheran Church the Hutchinson family was instrumental in founding and attending. Mickey, Ken, and Judith sat to the side. Judith smiled and kissed her brother and little sister. The white ivory casket drew the eyes of the three again and again. Ken and Mickey had to brush tears from their eyes. When the doors were ready to be opened, Judith went to the piano and Mickey to the bells. They began the beautiful melody of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. Mickey was wishing she had learned the harp, Ingrid's favorite instrument. Ken sat silently, keeping his eyes on his little sister, proud she was able to get through the song without a single mistake. After the family and friends were seated, Mickey went to sit by Kenny and Judith joined her husband and children. The preacher, Donald Longmire, opened the service with descriptions of Ingrid Hutchinson, her life, her giving, her grace and kindness.

All too soon, Preacher Longmire stepped back, stating Mrs. Ingrid Hutchinson had requested her grandson and granddaughter do their special version of the beautiful hymn, Sweet By and By. They were able to match their voices to the tape, Ken played the chords, and it was beautiful. Mickey sat back down with a sigh. Her part was over. She quietly made her way to the ladies' room, to make the quick change to the floral pastel dress and pink shoes and picked up the floral bouquet. She then quietly sat down beside Ken, watching him breathe too rapidly and biting his lower lip. She squeezed his hand and he tried to control his breaths.

Preacher Longmire had known the Hutchinson families and especially Carlton and Ingrid for years. He finished the service eloquently and turned his brown eyes to the side. "Mrs. Ingrid Hutchinson has requested that her grandson, Kenneth play and sing a song he wrote specifically for her. Kenneth."

Starsky found himself leaning forward anxiously and Mickey rose to stand near Ken and gave him an encouraging smile. For Ingrid. It was a simple song, with a simple guitar melody, but even more special for the beautiful tenor voice of Kenneth. He looked around for a moment, the turned his eyes towards the ivory casket. "For Ingrid," he said simply, took a deep breath and played and sang.

Springtime in Heaven

The coldness and the darkness

Send a shiver through my soul

I'd forgotten all the good times

And my life without control

I try to go on without you

But no one can take your place

But's it's springtime in Heaven

Now you're in our Savior's grace.

I have no way to thank you

For all you meant to me

The times you saved my life

And with it my sanity.

But I'm trudging through the winter

My body shivering from the cold

But it's Springtime in Heaven

You're are there I surely know.

But it's Springtime in Heaven

You're not plodding through the snow.

You never liked the winter

The cold wind and leafless trees

The hotness of the summer

Making it hard to breathe

Fall stays only for a moment

It's beauty there to tease

But springtime is your season

You can hear the angels sing

A rainbow hue of colors

Butterflies so wondrous free

You're in Springtime in Heaven

And please say a prayer for me

You're in Springtime in Heaven

Forever hear the angels sing."

Ken stopped his guitar, then slowed down as his voice hit the high notes.

"You're in Springtime in Heaven

And please wait there for me."

Mickey took Ken's hand as he laid the guitar down and walked over to place the flowers on the casket. You could have heard a pin drop in the congregation. Many eyes were misty, many handkerchiefs were raised to teary eyes.

Preacher Longmire had to clear his throat, saying, "That was wonderful, Kenneth, no wonder your grandmother requested it."

Starsky felt his eyes sting, he had never known just how well his partner sang and played, and the thought of him writing the song amazed him.

One of the most dreaded part of the funeral was the procession of first the friends, and then the families who crossed to the casket where the stately lady lay. Mickey and Kenny went last, and both stood, hand in hand, giving their silent goodbyes. Both bent to kiss her. "Thank you for making my life so much better, Ingrid." Mickey put the flowers into the casket. Kenneth's tears fell on her face. "I wouldn't be who I am without you. There is no way to thank you." Both stepped back as the pallbearers, grandsons of Ingrid carried her white casket.

Again, Mickey and Ken held back until Starsky came up, hugging both tightly and took a hand from each, guiding them to the door. He saw Red standing at attention, and a couple of other men he felt were cops.

The graveyard service was brief and there was a sea of Hutchinsons and friends. Ken and Mickey stayed behind again, though several of the family came by to talk and hug them and get a promise they would come to the dinner at Ingrid's house. When everyone left but Ken, Mickey, Starsky, Red and again the two watchful men, Ken and Mickey collapsed, sobbing in each other's arms.

Starsky could only watch helplessly, and Red stepped back to give them more privacy.

After a few minutes, both wiped their tears. "Goodbye, dearest mother," Mickey said softly. "I will strive to be everything you expected of me."

"Goodbye, dearest Ingrid, the best mother anyone could ask for. I will try to live up to your ideals."

Arm in arm, they walked towards the gate.