The horrible announcement had just fallen. Everyone was now at Claudia's. The latter helped Denise in the first steps so difficult to achieve while the mind is completely lost elsewhere. Claudia felt this way being all the more difficult since Denise and Franck were not together for the moment trying to start overcoming Jeremy's departure. That same evening, Claudia told Denise that she would be sleeping here with Molly. She had struggled to convince her. Denise wanted to go home, that desire to go see the pictures of her son, to go into the house that was also his there were still a few months ago. But fatigue, suffering, tearing her way, she did not really argue and joined Emmalin's room where Molly was sleeping in the portable baby bed. Denise lay down in Emmalin's bed and fell asleep quickly. On her side Claudia accused the blow. Passing photos of her daughters, Amanda, everything came back to her mind. The horrible evening when his daughter was torn off, the announcement made by Michael, the long days and weeks to tear, the pain worsening and after a while the appeasement doing its job. But she realized that all this was and would be in her forever. She did not even know if the pain she felt was that of the loss of Jeremy, that of seeing her friend live this horrible ordeal she had herself experienced, or the pain of the loss of her own daughter still present . She was lost. This situation touched her more than it appeared. She phoned Emmalin. It had to be prevented. She checked that Denise was asleep and she took refuge in the summer lounge where the TV was. She dialed her daughter's number.

E: Hello?
C: Hey my heart.
E: Mom. It gives me pleasure to hear you. I'm sorry I did not send you a message this week but I'm overbooked.
C: It does not matter honey, I understand. The main thing is that you agree well?

Emmalin felt sadness in her mother's way.

E: Ok. How are you?
C: Listen honey, I'm calling you to tell you bad news.
E: It's dad? She asked fear in her stomach.
C: No, no God thank you, your father is well.

Emmalin sighed. She did not expect this news, however.

C: You may not know it, but your father had a very difficult field mission today, as well as the whole division. Unfortunately, not everyone has escaped. Emmalin, Jeremy was killed in action this morning in Afghanistan.

Claudia heard a white man. She tried to stay strong for her daughter. However, she let her grief flow without Emmalin hearing it. Emmalin started to cry.

E: Jeremy? But why?
C: I know my heart. I'm so sorry. I know that Jeremy has always been like a big brother for you. It was important for you and your sister.
E: Do you understand why I hate the army?

Claudia realized that Emmalin's anger was coming out.

C: Do not say that. You love your father more than anything, you can not deny his job. He is part of us, of our life.
E: The army ruined our life mom ... dad would not be military he would have been there every birthday, every Christmas, and Amanda would still be here! And Jeremy too!
C: Honey, you're in pain, just like me and you're angry. I totally understand, but you know what you say you do not think. Without the army I will not have married your father, and I will not have my two daughters. Even if Amanda has left us, you know that with your father we do not regret anything ...

Emmalin collapsed completely on the phone. Claudia was relieved to hear that her daughter was not holding back her emotions. However, seeing her daughter as her broke her heart.

E: I'm sorry mom.
C: Do not apologize you have the right to say your emotions.
E: When will the funeral be held?
C: I do not know my heart yet.
E: I take the first plane tomorrow. I will not be able to go to class anyway.
C: Are you sure the university will allow you?
E: Jeremy was my brother, they do not need to know my life ... I'll be here tomorrow in the afternoon.
C: Okay treasure, I'll pick you up at the airport. I can not wait to see you baby.
E: Me too mom.
C: Will she go?
E: Yes, yes ... I ... I had to go out for dinner with friends, it will do me good. See you tomorrow.
C: All right honey. Good evening to you and try to sleep anyway tonight. I love you very much.
E: I love you too mom. Good night.

They hung up each on their own. Emmalin recovered and looked good in front of his friends at the restaurant. But his mind was elsewhere. For her part, Claudia felt completely emptied. Her emotions became clearer after the few hours that separated her from the announcement made to Denise. She felt a lot of sadness for the disappearance of Jeremy. The pain of her daughter's absence was still there but she knew it was the situation that had put her back in her. She also knew that Michael's absence played a big part in all his feelings. She would have liked him to be there, to take her in his arms, and hold her close. It was different. Roxy, Pamela and Roland tidied up all the outside, bringing in the cakes and drinks in the kitchen. They were in great discussion with Tania under the pergola.

C: Thank you for getting everything back.
P: That's normal, was the least of things. Denise sleeps?
C: Yes. Tania, if you want you can stay here too.
T: I ... thanks but I ... I do not know too much. I am so lost.
Rol: And that's perfectly normal. But I'll be you I'll stay here to sleep. Better not to be alone.
Rox: Roland rightly. You will have time to return to the barracks tomorrow.
Rol: I have to leave you, I'm sorry. I have to get Sarah Elizabeth back.
P: We also have to pick up the kids with Roxy.
C: Go ahead, we call you tomorrow, we see how we organize ourselves.
P: Okay.

They all kissed Claudia before leaving. The latter was left alone with Tania.

C: Come on I'll show you the guest room.
T: I do not even have anything to change for tomorrow.
C: There are some Emmalin stuff left in the cupboards, I'll lend you some clothes.
T: Okay.

Claudia accompanied her to the girl's room, next to the bathroom that was Amanda's and Emmalin's. Claudia heard the water running for several minutes. Tania struggled to fall asleep. Fatigue got the better of her in the late evening. For her part Claudia finished tidying up in the kitchen and went to bed. It was past midnight when she slipped under the sheets. His phone began to vibrate. It was Michael.

C: Michael?
M: Yes honey, it's me.
C: Michael, you can not imagine the happiness of hearing your voice.
M: I know. I was waiting for confirmation that the announcement was made to Denise before calling. How is she ?
C: She fell asleep quickly. She's in Emmalin's room, I wanted her to stay at home that night, just like Tania, Jérémy's fiancée.
M: She must be collapsed too.
C: Yes, totally. But they sleep and I hope they will have a restful night to face tomorrow and the days to come. I'm afraid for Denise, with Molly and Franck who is not ...
M: Claudia!

Michael cut her off.

C: Yes?
M: And how are you?
C: I do not know too much.
M: Claudia Joy ...
C: I felt so many things at the same time at the announcement. It took me a few hours to digest all that. But I know that Denise's pain echoes mine. I realized that the pain of Amanda's loss was still very much alive. And I miss you so much that everything is tenfold.
M: I suspect it. I miss you a lot as well. We loved Jeremy very much, he was like part of the family. Although from my side I was more distant. It is not just any disappearance and it will take time to accept it. Franck is at worst. I worry because he must be on the plane to repatriate Jeremy to the country.
C: Do not worry, we'll be there to welcome him. It's tomorrow that the administrator goes to Denise for all the papers and signatures. I will not leave them alone.
M: Thank you Claudia. Take care of yourself anyway.
C: His will be Michael.
M: Claudia, I'm serious. I know you and I know you'll put everything aside to take care of Denise and Franck not to show them your own sadness, your own sorrow. And when you're done you'll crack and it will not work. So promise me to pay attention to you and to spare you.
C: It's promised.
M: I do not want you to be worse. I know you'll help them as best as you can, but think about you too. I will not tolerate something happening to you.
C: Michael, honey, I promise you. Nothing will happen to me, okay?
M: Okay. I'll leave you you have to be exhausted.

Claudia said nothing but even though she was very tired she would have wanted to talk with Michael for hours. But as promised to Michael, to help Denise she had to be rested and a good night's sleep was the beginning to take care of herself.

C: Yes it's true I am very tired.
M: So sit back, have a good night and it'll be tomorrow.
C: Hum hum ...
M: I'll call you back as soon as possible. I love you Claudia, more than anything.
C: I love you very much too. Pay attention to you.

They hung up. This call was good for Claudia and Michael. This news had really affected both of them. Claudia slept peacefully that night. It did him good. She would need it to spend the next days, and be able to stand for Denise and Franck. But everything was too difficult for Denise, and everything did not go as planned after the funeral of Jeremy. Claudia wanted to help her, but too much to think of Denise, she forgot herself a little. Michael would help him fix that.