Redemption

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The church ceremony ended shortly after the widow's speech, which left everyone to file into their vehicles and drive with the funeral procession to the cemetery. By this time, the storm clouds had dispersed without a drop of rain, leaving only heavy pillows of light-gray cotton to lazily hang above them and block out the sun for the time being.

The cemetery had been just as crowded as the church and more so. Even more people had joined because they hadn't bee allowed in the church. Of course, there had been many reasons why this large group of prayer-givers hadn't been allowed inside. Fire codes were only part, but the real reason was because they were all reporters. They were only looking for their story, but they wouldn't find it there. No one would even pay them a glimpse, leaving them high and dry.

Now, those same reporters had tried to crash the burial. Yet, they were outsmarted. Barricades had been erected to keep the press at bay, but one or two still managed to slip through, unnoticed. One or two didn't matter, though; just as long as they left the grieving family alone. They seemed to behave themselves in the beginning, but who knew how long that would last?

The only speech given at the burial was from the Mayor, himself. He spoke king, heart-felt words to those present at how great of a man Robert Stern really was. Stern had been much younger than the more important man, but they had sparked quite a friendship when Robert made the turnaround. They'd been almost like brothers and respected each other more than anyone knew, until now.

The service ended with one final prayer and a few more kind words from the pastor before the casket was lowered into the ground. It was at that very moment when Danni sprang back to life. A soft sob escaped her as she squeezed Bobby's hand for support. He was surprised when it happened. The emotional wall she had been building up over the past few days was beginning to show some cracks, which meant she would need him for support. He wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulder and hugged her tight. He would be there for her, whenever she needed it.

Fortunately for her, that wall wouldn't crumble just yet. She would remain intact for a few more hours and would only fall apart in the comfort of her own home. For now, she would keep up the strong façade she had perfected as a cop and pretended nothing was wrong.

Of course, there had to be a test of her strength, when she knelt down to speak with Caitlyn and Bobby had wandered off with the rest of his team to explain why he wasn't able to join them in the bullpen. The girl's eyes were filled with sadness, yet they never shed a single tear. Her gaze landed on her tutor, to whom she gave a smile. "Hi," she signed.

"Hey, Little One, how are you?"

Caitlyn shrugged her shoulders before she signed, "I miss my daddy."

Danni nodded and ran her hand over the girl's head in a comforting motion. "I know, but I want you to remember that he loved you very much and he will always be with you."

The girl's brows furrowed in confusion as she looked up at the woman with clouded eyes. "What do you mean?"

The woman gave a smirk as she reiterated what she meant. "I mean, that as long as you feel love for your daddy, he will always be with you. He'll be in your heart and your mind every time you think of him… So, I don't want you to forget about all of the good times you and he had together. Will you do that for me?"

Caitlyn nodded with a smile as she wrapped her arms around the woman's neck in a caring embrace. Danni was more than happy to hug the girl back. Surprisingly, this was what made her feel good. She was getting a reminder of why she'd become a cop in the first place (because she was beginning to question). She's become one to protect families like Caitlyn's. A smile crept to her lips as she pulled away from the girl and smoothed her blond hair back as she looked into her eyes.

"Thank you," she signed with a renewed shimmer in her eyes.

"For what?"

"You've helped me more than you'll ever know." She placed a light kiss on the top of the girl's head before she stood up and went in search of Bobby. She had a lot of explaining to do and she only hoped that she hadn't completely scared him away, yet.