Something I forgot to say at the beginning of my last and first upload. I own nothing.
It was morning; the morning and Tara lay motionless on her bed staring at her ceiling, thoughts coming and going. She couldn't work out what she was feeling or if she was feeling anything. Today was going to be a tough one she thought and there was a strong possibility that it wasn't just this day that she was going to have to face. As she lifted her head off her pillow a heavy sigh escaped and as she took a deep breath her eyes fell to the black dress that was hanging on her wardrobe. She lifted her eyes and shook her head slightly before falling back down on the pillow. She wasn't ready not yet; a couple of more minutes couldn't hurt, right.
Donna was in the kitchen drinking her coffee, as the kids and Op were getting ready. Her thoughts were wondering about what happens next. Tara has said that there no news from Chicago and broached the idea about going back there but there was no way of telling for sure that; that shit was over with and she wasn't okay with her friend doing that that was for certain. Luckily she'd convinced Tara to hold off on making that decision but wasn't sure for how long that could last. The front door opening brought Donna back from her thoughts and smiled at Pinney who had cleaned himself up. 'I thought you'd want to be at the house' he said in a knowing tone. 'I'll take the kids with me, so you and Op can take your time'. Donna nodded 'Thanks pop, I could really do with getting over there. Can you let Op know that I've already headed over there, he's upstairs with the kids'. 'Sure thing sweetheart' he answered as he kissed her forehead as she passed him on her way to the door. She looked back 'You look good pop' she said with a smile as she walked out the door.
As she pulled up outside Tara's there was no car in the driveway and she started to panic. She opened the glove box and took out another set of keys and rushed to the door. She managed to take a breath and decided it'd be best if she knocked first and when there was no answer she lifted her keys and let herself in quietly. As she approached the kitchen she let out a scream as Tara entered the kitchen at the same time from the other hallway causing both to jump and scream at each other. They both stood there for a moment in shock and then started giggling hysterically. 'Jesus Christ Donna what were you thinking, are you trying to give me a heart attack?' Donna smiled at her friend who was more concerned with getting answers that with the fact she was just standing there in her underwear. 'I was thinking no car, no answer.' 'No Tara' Tara answered her friends statement. Donna looked at her and lifting up her arms as she spoke 'look I'm sorry I guess I wasn't thinking'. As Tara embraced Donna in the biggest hug she could the front door opened again and Op walked in smiling at the view in front of him. 'Looks like I got here just in time ' he said with a huge smirk on his face. Both women looked at him 'roll that tongue back in. You couldn't handle both of us' Donna teased as she picked up a cloth and threw it at him. She turned back to Tara 'You need a hand?' Tara nodded and as both women walked towards the bedroom the both heard the thud of Ops boots behind them. Donna looked back at him raising an eyebrow and told him to make some coffee.
The service had ended and there was all these people shaking her hand and offering their condolences. She recognised some but not all and already she had forgotten many of them. She was thankful that Donna and Op had stayed close because she didn't know she could have done it alone. Just then there was gap in-between the people that that were approaching her and she saw him. They locked eyes and he nodded and waved to her. She nodded and half smiled back acknowledging his presence. Shit! Her mind and emotions were going crazy all over again and just then Pinney came to her and embraced her tightly. As Pinney loosened his grip on her and held her by the shoulders 'Its good to see you sweetheart. I'm sorry about your da but you need anything you come to me. Alright'. Tara looked at the old man he'd become over the years she'd been gone and half smiled again this time embracing him again 'You know I will' she answered giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Many hours had passed since they'd been here this morning and the only difference seemed to be the bottles of beer they each had instead of coffee. Donna spoke up 'have you decided what you're going to do?' Tara took a swig of her beer as she looked at her friend and then to Op 'I'm going to stick around. You're right, now's not the time to make such a decision not until I've got my head straight and I know for sure everything's been put to rest' she answered locking eyes with Donna who nodded knowingly. Op took a swig of his beer and as he raised his head he noticed a weird look of exchange between his wife and old friend. He shrugged it off and took another swig of beer. As Donna finished hers 'You going to be okay on your own tonight?' Tara nodded and look to them both 'Go home to you kids and let Pinney go have a few for himself for Christ's sake' half smiling and leading them out. 'Need to get my sleep as I'm back at the hospital tomorrow.' Donna looked at her surprised and shocked but before she could ask Tara cut her off 'We're short staffed and it'll keep me busy'. Tara nodded to Donna to reassure her. She then hugged them both and watched from the porch as they both pulled away in the cool air of the night. She stood there for a few moments taking in a couple of deep breaths. There was something oddly comforting about the stillness and clam of the night before she turned to go back inside.
I was thinking I'd move onto the pilot ep in the next chapter but I've had an idea about adding another sequence to the dynamic before doing so. Let me know what you guys think.