A/N: Just a quick note and then I'll leave you alone! I'm switching to specific posting schedule. Starting now, I'll be posting a new chapter every Monday by midnight (CST). There is a small chance I might get more than one done a week, but there will be at lease one consistantly each week. Sorry for cutting done on the amount of chapters I'm getting out, but with new life developments, I've got to cut the breakneck 500M sprint down to more of a cross-country long-distance run. For more information, please refer to my profile. :) And now, to your feature presentation...
His sons had become quiet, too quiet. But Da was afraid to turn around and look. This was a part of them that he'd missed out on, the way they grieved and the way they dealt with pain. He knew without asking they dealt with it together and he was happy that they at least had each other.
But a part of him ached deep down as he pulled the car up in front of the church and stopped. "Take 'im inside, Connor. I've got ta find Smecker."
There was a moment of silence before one door opened. A half second later, the second one opened and both shut quietly, as if afraid to disturb the peace. But the moment was hardly peaceful and an inner war raged inside Da as he watched the twins move as one, arms on each other's shoulder, disappearing behind the heavy church door.
It was what he could only assume was his fatherly instinct that made him want to follow them. Want to hold them tightly to him and brush away their tears. He wanted nothing more than to just make everything better for them. But the time for him to do that was long since past and he knew there was a good chance his presence wouldn't be completely welcome at the moment.
So, he shifted into drive and steered the car away from the sidewalk. And he knew he was doing the only thing left to do. He couldn't take away their pain, but he could make sure that they never felt it again, at least not because of their calling. He was going to find a way to get rid of the Saints, once and for all.
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Murphy was quiet and still, and as he headed instantly for their spot near the back of the church, Connor let him go. He needed the prayer, the comfort of ritual. And Connor could only hope that it could be a balm for his pain for the moment. Because he had no idea what to do otherwise.
The red glow of the candles drew Connor away from the middle aisle and he found himself in front of the stand, staring at the flames. So few were lit compared to as he usually saw it. Either that meant that fewer people needed prayers or that fewer people believed in the power of their prayers. Connor reached for the matches.
He lit one for Katie, the flame growing large and smoking slightly before settling down to its normal bobbing height. She had to make it. They couldn't lose her. The pain threatened to suffocate him and he shook his head against it, swallowing hard. He couldn't give into it yet. He could feel later. Right now, his brother needed him. And for that, he knew he needed to put his feelings aside.
Pausing only slightly, he lit the one beside it for Murphy. The wick fought the flame, refusing to be lit at first, but Connor simply held the match there, knowing that with patience it would catch on. Even as he tried to numb himself, he realized that he hurt most for his brother. For the anguish he couldn't shield Murphy from. And he realized that he could no longer even wish to wrap his brother up in cotton any more than he could himself. And this would leave scars on Murphy, scars he couldn't make disappear.
The match had burned down to his fingers and he blew it out with a quick shake. Striking another match, he lit the candle directly above Murphy's. For Da. His thoughts turned to Sara as he set the wick on fire to the candle below Murphy's. He ached for her, for what he knew she was going through. Connor closed his eyes briefly against the tight feeling in his chest as he pictured her terrified and alone in the waiting room. He should be there with her. But he was needed here more. Murph needs me more.
With a second thought, he lit the one below her for Smecker, knowing what the agent would sacrifice for them. And knowing that after everything that had gone on so far, he'd have a lot of work ahead of him to clean-up their mess.
Connor set the second burned out match on the table and felt a hand press against his shoulder. Surprised, he looked up to find a pale Murphy staring at the lit candles in from of them. Their eyes met and Connor slipped his arm around his brother.
"Ye forgot one." Murphy's voice was soft and rough. He moved his hand from Connor's shoulder and with trembling fingers, he struck the match. Connor watched the flame catch the wick of the candle on the other side of the one he'd marked for Murphy.
"Who'd I forget?" He didn't ask how his brother knew which candle was for which person. It seemed like a pointless question to ask. Murphy just knew. He always knew.
Tapping the blackened match against the newly lit candle, Murphy's eyes found his. "For me brother, Connor. For me twin."
Connor found himself in a sudden embrace and he tightened his hold on Murphy. They'd almost died, he realized and was only a little surprised that his brother had felt the pain of it before he did. The horror of it hit him and he knew. They would have burned to death if Katie hadn't come after them. If Katie and Sara hadn't been smart enough and gutsy enough to save them.
Murphy's breath hitched near his ear. "I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it alone, Conn. I need ye ta help me pray. I need ye by me side."
Connor nodded, his head brushing against Murphy's. "Okay. Let's go."
They released their hold on each other and Connor glanced back at the candle stand, his eyes widening. Grabbing Murphy's arm, he nodded toward it. With the addition of Connor's own candle, they'd somehow formed a cross without realizing it. Murphy's candle blazed as the tallest in the middle. Turning to Murphy, he gave him a small smile.
"Now if that's not a fuckin' sign, I don't know what is." Connor pressed his hand on his brother's back and together they moved to their spot near the back of the church.
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Smecker tapped his fingers in rapid motion as he stared at the phone. When were they going to call? Why had he agreed to wait for them to call? Lighting another cigarette, he took a long drag of it hoping it might calm his nerves, even though the first six hadn't worked so far.
Peter had left before Sara's call, hoping to find out more information about where the Saints were being held. He said his cover had been blown, but with all of this focus elsewhere, the truth of who he was might not have made it to everyone. And now, as Smecker tapped the ashes off into an abandoned soda can, he realized that letting Peter leave might not have been a good idea. Enough lives were at risk as it was now.
The phone rang, shattering his forced calm and Smecker grabbed it. "Hello? Sara?"
"I need ye ta meet me in the alley." Da's voice was low and there was a hint of emotion in it that he couldn't quite figure out.
"Pat? Holy shit, how the fuck did you guys get out?"
"Just meet me out in the alley. I'll tell ye what I know."
"I'm coming." Smecker set the phone back into the receiver and pressed his lips together as he stared at it. Something was going on. Something had happened. A tight feeling clenched his stomach as he grabbed his coat and left his office.
The only sign of Da in the alley was the orange ember of a cigarette about halfway down. The ember bobbed in midair and as Smecker got closer, he realized that Da was leaning against a car he'd never seen before. Their eyes met and he lit his own cigarette as he waited for Da to speak.
"It was a trap."
Smecker nodded. "I know. Peter came running in about it over an hour after you three left. Is everybody okay?"
"Fuck, Peter. Ye've got ta get ahold o' Peter. He doesn't know yet."
"Slow down, Pat. What happened?"
"Katie found a way inta help us. But she got caught and distracted the fuckin' man guardin' us ta give us a way ta escape. And he shot her before we could get ta her." Da's hands were shaking as he raised the cigarette to his lips again. Smecker stared at him for a minute.
"Katie's been shot? Is she alright? Where is she?"
"St. Cecilia's. Sara took her in."
"Christ." He rubbed his hand over his face and began to pace. "Is anyone else hurt?"
Da shook his head slowly, flicking his cigarette to the ground and grinding it with his boot. "We're all fine."
"How's Murph?"
"I…I don't really know. I left 'im with Connor."
"Where are they?" Smecker stepped away and glanced down the alley, breathing in the smoke from his cigarette.
"I took 'em ta church. But I need ye ta be with Sara, at the hospital. The lass needs someone with her."
"Okay. And go be with your sons, Pat. They need you. We'll figure out what happened later." He looked pointedly at Da, who nodded in response.
"Aye, we've got ta figure out what fuckin' happened."
"I'll talk to Sara, see if I can ease some details out of her." Smecker put his hand on Da's shoulder and squeezed lightly. "I'll go see what info I can get on Katie as well."
"Thank ye, Paul." Da patted him on the back and turned toward the car. His hand was on the door handle when he glanced back. "And Smecker, if ye get a chance, find a way ta put the Saints away fer good."
Smecker stared at him through the inky darkness, frowning slightly. "Are you sure about that? Maybe you should talk to the boys first, Pat."
"No, I've made the decision fer the lot o' us. Me boys shouldn't have ta live this life. They should be free ta have wives and babies, and actually be around ta see them grown." The car door opened and Da sat down inside, leaning out to glance back at him. "I'd appreciate it, Paul. If ye get the chance ta do it."
Raising his hand in a half wave, Smecker watched the taillights disappear as they turned out of the alleyway. He brought his cigarette to his lips one last time, his eyes on the far brick wall.
They wanted to make the Saints disappear. Well, it wasn't something he was against, as each job tended to leave a sick feeling in his stomach until he heard whether or not the McManuses had made it through. But at the same time they held a purpose in life. Did a point eventually come where the purpose was outweighed by the need for a normal life? When did the McManuses start thinking this way?
Flicking his cigarette onto the concrete beneath him, Smecker ground the ember into the hard surface, leaving only darkness around him. He knew he wasn't exactly in the position to decide whether the Saints came or went, but he couldn't help but wonder if Da's reasoning was what he claimed it to be. Did the Saints want to be done? Or was it just Da who wished for a normal life?
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Sara paced back and forth in the emergency room lobby, clenching her hands into fists and releasing them to the rhythm of her steps. Katie was in surgery. That's all that she'd been told and that little bit of information had the power to make her go crazy.
Katie had to be alright. She had to survive this. Sara raised her hand to her mouth as she fought the images that had been swinging at her for the past hour. What if she lost Katie? She'd only had such a small amount of time to adjust to having her best friend back in her life. But her life had stretched to fit her back in and she knew now that losing Katie would leave a hole. A hole that she wasn't sure even Connor could ever fill.
Connor. She closed her eyes against the sudden rush of pain. Where was he? How were they dealing with all of this? Poor Murphy. She'd said that to Connor once before and had received his laughter as a response. Murph can take care o' himself. He had smiled at her. But Sara wondered if that could still hold true if the worst possible happened. Could Murphy survive without Katie?
As the tears threatened to overwhelm her, Sara shook her head against them. She would not fall apart. Not yet, not in the middle of the emergency room lobby. She'd wait until she hidden in Connor's arms and could muffle her tears against his chest. Nobody else would see her in that state.
To distract herself, Sara moved up to the nurse's desk again, getting yet another stern look from the aging blonde nurse. She offered a smile. "Any updates on my friend yet? Katie Shafer?"
"I know her name by now, Sweetie. But as I told you the last five times, you'll get the news as soon as I do. Now go find a magazine or turn the television on. Do something to pass the time."
Pressing her lips together, Sara nodded and held back a sigh. It the same response she'd gotten each time she'd gone up there. And now, if she held true to the routine, she'd pick up the new People magazine, flip through it without actually being able to concentrate on the pages before giving up finally and pacing again. Christ, I need a distraction.
Her eyes landed on a pale Smecker who came jogging through the entrance at that moment. He moved toward her and put a heavy hand on her shoulder. "How are you doing, Sara?"
"I'm…fine. She's still in surgery." Sara smiled slightly. "Thank God you're here. I'm going nuts here alone."
He offered her a small smile back. "Trust me, I understand. Da thought you might want company."
The lump grew in Sara's throat as she nodded. Moving quickly, she put her arms around Smecker and put her head on his shoulder. After a brief hesitation, he held her loosely, rubbing his hand in small circles on her back.
"They just won't tell me anything. And I don't know if I can stand waiting much longer."
"Well, they might not know anything. But as soon as they do, we'll find out. I'd rather wait and find out the whole story than get bits and pieces and draw the wrong conclusion." He let go of her with one arm, turning and keeping his other arm over her shoulder. "But, I might be able to at least find out when we'll know more."
"How? I've been bugging them constantly and consistently."
Smecker grinned finally and Sara couldn't help but smile too as she saw the cocky glint in his eyes. "Sara, I'm an FBI agent. Information comes to me a hell of a lot easier." He led her up to the nurse's desk again and let go to lean against it, seemingly relaxed. But Sara could see the tension in his shoulders as he smiled.
The nurse looked up at him with renewed interest. "Can I help you, sir?"
"I think you might be able to." He took out his badge and laid it on the counter. "Paul Smecker, FBI. I'm interested in finding out any information you have about Katie Shafer."
Pressing her lips together, the nurse glanced at Sara who simply smiled at her. She then turned her gaze back to Smecker. "I'm afraid I don't know anymore than I've told this young lady. But once I know more, I'll give you that information."
"Well, is there anyway you could at least give us an idea of when she'll be out of surgery. We have more of her family coming soon, and it'll help calm them down to at least have a timeline."
Sara's eyes widened at his words. Peter. She'd forgotten about Peter. God. Peter was going to be upset, to say the least. He and Katie had always been so close, and after she took off, his biggest fear was losing her to a mafia bullet. Hopefully they had more of an idea of how things were when he arrived. Details just might have the power to keep Peter calm.
Nodding shortly, the nurse picked up the phone and pressed a few numbers. She turned away as she put the handset up to her ear. "Cindy, yeah it's Connie out at the receiving desk. Can you give me an estimated ETA of a surgical patient into recovery? Okay, Shafer, Kathleen. She came in a few hours ago. Abdominal GSW." Connie, the nurse, nodded slowly, tapping a pen in her right hand. "Okay, thanks."
Hanging the phone up, she shifted back to face Sara and Smecker. "She's nearly out of surgery. They're just finishing up."
"Thanks, Connie." Smecker gave her a charming smile and Sara felt his hand on her shoulder, directing her away from the desk area.
Once they were seated again, Sara fought the instinct to pick up the People magazine. She didn't need it anymore. Smecker was here. Nerves began to turn in her stomach but she turned to him with a smile. "So, how do I become a federal agent?"
He laughed and just shook his head. "You don't."
"Why not?"
"I'm not letting either you or Katie become one. Too dangerous."
"Gee thanks, Uncle Smecker. Is that really more dangerous than what she's already been doing?"
He glanced sideways at her, patting her knee with his hand. "She'll be fine."
"I don't know if I want to know." The words slipped out before she could stop them and Smecker turned fully toward her. Sara's eyes widened. "I mean, I do. But now that the time has come…"
"It's understandable, Sara. But I'm here with you. We'll find out together."
"What was that about Peter? When was he getting here?"
"Hopefully after we have some news. I had to just leave a message."
"Christ, you didn't tell him this in a message, did you?"
He gave her a long look. "I didn't become a frickin' agent by being stupid. Of course I didn't. I told him to call me back. With everything that's been going on, I think that's enough to get him to call soon." He ran his thumb along the stubble that had started to fill in along his chin and sighed. "You wanna tell me what happened yet?"
Sara was quiet for a moment, closing her eyes against all of the details that had been burned into her mind. "We found out about the trap. Katie knew she could get in as she'd done before. And all I could do was drive the fucking car."
His hand squeezed her knee again. "Because you had the car ready, Katie's chances are much better. I'd say that's pretty important"
"Yeah, well…" Sara trailed off as a white-coated doctor stepped into the waiting room, his eyes wandering the nearly empty room. She stood up quickly and Smecker followed. But his phone rang and he cursed lightly.
Glancing at her, he held up the phone. "It's Peter, Sara. I've got to take it. If you want to, make him wait to tell you."
She nodded and watched Smecker walk away before turning to the doctor. Now that he was here and he had the news, she knew couldn't wait.
"Are you Kathleen's friend? The one that brought her in?"
Sara nodded. "Yeah, how is she?" She gripped her hands together and could feel each beat of her heart throughout her body.
"She got through the surgery just fine. We've got her in recovery now. There was slight damage to the kidney and outer walls of the stomach, but we were able to patch things up fairly well. We'll be transferring her to her room in a few minutes here. She won't be awake yet, but you can visit her one at a time once we get her settled." The doctor's gentle smile got Sara to risk a smile in response.
"So, she's okay?"
"With no unforeseeable difficulties, she'll be fine. In fact, as long as the wound starts to heal normally, she should be able to leave in just a few days."
Sara brought a shaky hand to her mouth and she nodded slowly. "Thank you."
He smiled again and moved away, stopping at the nurse's desk with a few instructions. Sara watched him point over at her and saw the nurse nod in understanding. She'd get to see Katie soon. Katie was going to survive. A numbness settled over her, a void of emotion instead of the tears and happiness she had expected to wash over her.
Smecker moved toward her then, his eyes carefully searched her face. He put his hand on her shoulder again and raised an eyebrow. "Did he tell you anything?"
"She's going to be fine." Sara managed to get out. A slow smile spread across his face.
"Thank God. I only wish I could have told Peter that. But he should be here soon."
"They're going to let us see her soon."
"I'm not going to get much information out of you, yet am I?" He shook his head slowly, the grin still on his face. Sara blinked and looked at him again before laughing.
"Sorry. Surgery went well. She had slight damage to the kidney and the outer walls of the stomach, but they were able to patch things up." She realized she was repeating the doctor's words nearly exactly but didn't care. Katie was okay. She was going to be okay. "That and if she starts healing okay, she'll be out in a few days."
Smecker's arms went around her and he squeezed her tightly for a moment before quickly letting go. "The best possible results then."
"Sara?" Connie was moving toward them and she smiled a little. "Come with me. I'll take you to see her now."
Sara glanced up at Smecker who nodded and pushed her toward the nurse. "Go, I'll wait for Peter."
"Thanks, Uncle Smecker." She managed another smile and forced herself to ignore the shaking in her hands. The nurse led her down a long hallway before pausing outside a door near the end. Checking the name on the chart, she nodded toward the room.
"She's in there, honey."
"Thanks." Sara paused with her hand on the door knob, readying herself for what she might see. Connie nodded at her.
"Just go in. You'll be fine."
"Thanks." She repeated and opened the door slowly. The privacy curtain was blocking the partial view of Katie, only her legs underneath the blanket were able to be seen from the doorway. Taking a deep breath, Sara moved forward and felt the tightness in her chest disappearing.
Katie was pale, save for the large purple bruise on her left cheek. An I.V. ran to her right hand and a few more wires or cords were attached to her. But she looked like Katie and that's all that mattered to Sara.
She felt the tears in the back of her eyes as she moved forward, sitting gently on the edge of the bed and taking Katie's hand. The monitor beeped, startling her and she glanced up to see the brightly colored lights move across the black screen. It was proof that Katie was alive. Proof that she was okay.
"You scared us, Kat." She whispered the words, feeling a few tears work their way out of the corners of her eyes. "But I might just forgive you for it."
She felt calm and joyful at the same time and knew exactly what she needed to do. Murphy, Connor and Da needed to know. She needed to be the one to tell them.
"I'm leaving for a little while, but I'll be back to see you later. I'm going to make sure Murphy's okay. And then I'm going to hold and kiss Connor until next week. I'll let you be the one to kiss Murphy. He might appreciate it more from you." Sara leaned forward and brushed the hair off of Katie's face. She pressed a kiss to her forehead and stood up, setting her hand down gently. "I'll be back, Katie."
Sara turned and moved to the doorway, opening it to find a frantic eyed Peter on the other side. His eyes met hers and she found herself in a tight embrace. "Is she okay?" His voice was thick.
"She's fine, Pete. Just resting. Go see for yourself." Sara stepped back from him and kissed him on the cheek. "Go. I'm going to find the McManuses and update them. But I'll be back here later."
Peter nodded slowly, his eyes focused inside the room. Sara smiled and pushed him inside. "Go, Peter. You'll feel better once you see her." He nodded again without looking at her and moved slowly into the room. She stood outside and watched him pause as Katie came in sight. Rubbing his hand over the back of his head, he sighed heavily. A chair scrapped across the floor and he disappeared behind the curtain.
She shut the door softly and sighed. Peter would need time alone. He might be ready to talk more when she came back. But for now, he needed to be with his sister alone.
Taking Katie's cell phone out, she glanced at it for a moment before putting it back into her coat pocket. It might scare Connor if she called him from Katie's number. Her phone was still missing, so there was only one choice left. She'd find them and tell them in person. And she had a good idea of where to start looking.
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Guilt washed over Peter as he focused on the pale face of his sister. He hadn't been able to stop this. She'd gotten shot because his cover had been blown and she'd had to go in instead. After all this time of trying to save her, he'd failed.
But she was alive. She was alive and once she was healed, he'd be able to smack her upside the head for risking her life like that. And she'd be around to smack him back. The tears began as sharp prickles behind his closed eyelids and he pressed his lips together.
When they'd lost Brett, Katie had been the one to cry. She'd been the one to start the grieving and to struggle in dealing with it. Peter had, on the other hand, been preparing himself for his older brother's death from the day he started working as a mob peon. He had lost Brett on that day, over five years before he committed suicide by cop.
But he could never be prepared for losing Katie. Not even when she took off for the mob. Katie was his big sister, his childhood best friend, and for such a long time, the one who knew him better than anyone else.
How could this happen? How could Katie get shot? The anger that rushed through him had no target yet. He needed to know who did it. He needed to find a way to make it right, to even the score. He now understood Katie's need for vengeance.
Murphy McManus's face came into mind and Peter shook his head against it. He knew he shouldn't blame the man. He couldn't blame the men who had become the Saints, who had worked so hard to do what they thought was right. But this had happened because of them.
He didn't have the details yet, but he knew his sister too well. He had seen the look in her eyes as she has smiled up at Murphy and had teased Connor. They had become her family. So where did that leave him?
It didn't matter, Peter realized as he watched her pale face for some sign that she was coming out of unconsciousness. But she remained still, leaving him alone with the occasional beeping of the machines around them.
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Murphy's head felt heavy, his hands stiff and his knees sore, but he remained where he was. He couldn't stop praying. If he stopped too soon…he shook his head against the thought and felt Connor stir from beside him. Not wanting to explain, Murphy kept his eyes closed and his fingers interlocked together. There was a light sigh from that side but Connor's warmth stayed and he was thankful for that.
The heavy door of the church shut and they both opened their eyes, tensing. But the sight of Da appearing made them realize they were still safe, still hidden behind the walls of the church.
Murphy's eyes were on Da's face as he neared them both, but nothing could be read from the older man's eyes. "Did ye find anythin' out?"
Da shook his head slowly. "No, Smecker goin' ta call."
"Fuck."
"Murph, give the man time ta find somethin' out." Da sighed. He put his hand on Murphy's shoulder but Murphy just looked away. He knew he was being impatient, but the tightness in his chest was threatening to cut off his air. And he knew he couldn't breathe without her. Without knowing if she was still alive. Without knowing if she would still be around for him to tease and to hold and to piss off.
"Murph." The quiet voice came from his other side, where Connor still knelt and he raised his eyes to his twin. "Let's go get some air, have a smoke."
Murphy just shook his head quickly, interlocking his fingers again and leaning them against the pew in front of them. "No, I need ta keep goin'." If he kept praying, maybe he could breathe again.
"Murphy, ye've been at it fer a fuckin' hour already. Ye need a fuckin' break." Connor's words rushed over him and Murphy numbly noticed the absence of 'we' in the sentence. His brother was thinking only of him but even that wasn't enough at the moment. Looking back up at him, Murphy pressed his lips together.
"Please, Conn. Just a little while longer." The words sounded familiar to them both, he knew, as it was something he'd often ask when they were younger; when Connor would get impatient and want to leave and Murphy still wouldn't ready to go. And now, as he had then, Connor simply sighed and nodded slowly.
"Okay, Murph." He pressed his hands together and shifted only slightly beside him. "A little while longer."
Unable to smile his thanks because of the lump in his throat, Murphy nodded in return. He closed his eyes and faced forward, aware only a few seconds later of another warm body moving to kneel beside him. Glancing over, he saw Da there; his eyes squeezed tightly shut and his lips already moving in silent prayer. Maybe, just maybe, the power of prayers from all three of them would be enough to save his Katie.
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Sara eased the door of the church shut behind her, not wanting to disturb anyone who might be inside. Her eyes landed on the three bowed heads in the back of the church and she paused in her movements. She'd never seen them pray, never been able to imagine the sight that was now before her. And she wanted to stop and study them but knew that the news she carried was much more important.
Her steps were light along the carpet runner and she knew the exact moment all three of them realized she was there. Their shoulders tensed and all three heads rose at the same time, eyes widening one by one at the sight of her in front of them. Feeling the emotion welling up, she stepped forward to greet them.
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Murphy felt his heart pause as his eyes landed on Sara, who'd managed to get within a few feet of them. Her face was without emotion and the hair at the back of his neck prickled as he stared.
The three of them stood at the same time, facing her as she hurried toward them. Her sobs were muffled against Connor's torn t-shirt as she threw herself into his arms. His brother's eyes met his own and Murphy felt the world stop, all of his energies building up into a single word statement. "No."
The church was circling around him and the pressure was building in his head. But the cool feeling of Sara's hands on his face pulled him back and her eyes were filled with tears as she stared up at him. "No, Murph. She's going to be fine." She choked on the words before managing to give him a smile.
Murphy pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly and breathing in deeply. He needed to hold her. Needed to hang onto Sara as a connection to Katie.
The pain in his chest had moved into his throat and his eyes burned as he tried to keep calm. But it was when his eyes found Connor's and he saw the tears sparkling at the corners of his brother's eyes that Murphy finally let loose again. He pulled Connor into their embrace with his right arm and held on tightly to them both.
She was okay. His Katie was going to be okay.