Erin walked in, holding a sleeping Nikki. She handed Nikki to Mary, and let her coddle the baby for a while. "You're a good mom" Mary says quietly to Erin.
"Well, I learned from the best" stated Erin matter of fact. Her mother then hands her an envelope, she opens it carefully and starts to read.
Dearest Erin,
My only daughter, my princess, my best friend. I'm proud, so proud of the woman you have become. Your strong, independent, smart and beautiful. I know things are hard, with a new marriage, baby, and law school, but if anyone can do it, it's you. Teach Nikki all the things I would have helped teach her. How to bake, cook, how to love someone, how to forgive. Tell her about me when she is older, tell her how happy I was to be a grandma, and how every time I held her, I felt pure love flowing from her to me. Please Erin, help Daddy keep this house running. Keep having Sunday dinners, you kids need to regroup with your daddy and with each other at least once a week. Watch over your brothers. They will need you. As you grow up, don't ever lose contact with your family. Without family, there is nothing. Please Erin, do this for me. Watch over Jamie, make sure he does well in school. His pure heart is not made to enforce the law. He is too kind. He would get hurt. I don't want my baby getting hurt. He needs to stay out of the family business. Please with your fight on justice, stay on the right side of things. Don't let your job cause any issues with your brothers and dad. Especially Danny, his passion for his job takes over. I love you Erin. And I know you will do greatness. I wish I would be here to help you along the way but I cant. I will always be watching you, and I am so incredibly proud of you, know that much is true. Thank you for being my daughter and my friend.
Love,
Mom
Erin looked at her mom with tears in her eyes. "I promise mama, I promise to take care of the boys. Nikki will know so much about you. Ill do everything you asked. Just don't leave yet mama." She falls on the bed crying. Mary reaches a hand out and rubs Erin's back, trying her the only way she can.
"I know you will baby." She whispers with a smile on her face.