Epilogue

24 Years Later

"Maggie you look so pretty," Eddie gushed as she fastened Maggie's prize locket on her neck. On one side of the locket was a picture of Molly's confirmation with Eddie, Danny, Jack, Sean, and Frank all smiling but on the other was a picture of the man Maggie always knew as her father, Jamie.

"Oh, Mom, stop," Maggie laughed. "How could I look any other way with you fussing over me."

"Well, God willing you'll only get married once," Eddie told her daughter. "I know that was my intention for sure, but life as you know holds many challenges."

"I know that Mom," Maggie replied tucking a loose hair behind Eddie's ear. "Jack and Sean both had this talk with me already, and they both had separate talks with Robert. I think the fear of God is in him now but I saw him earlier, he still showed up."

"Robert loves you very much," Eddie assured Maggie. "Having known true love twice in my life, I can see, and that is why…" Eddie brushed Maggie's hair out of Maggie's face. "Uncle Danny and I gave you our blessing in spite of you both being quite young."

"I'm glad you did, I love Robert and I want to marry him, but I'm glad I have your blessing, Mom."

Eddie pulled Maggie close to her and held her tight. "Hey, what's going on in here?" Danny asked pushing the door to the bride's room open in his tuxedo. "Oh my, you both look so beautiful."

Danny shut his eyes for a moment and remembered the day he married Eddie. It was a very simple ceremony, nothing to this extravagance, but the whole family had attended as they joined their lives. Jack was Danny's best man. While Jack and Sean both felt hurt their parents divorced, they were relieved to see the tension ease. After divorcing Danny, Linda remained close to the family but stopped living in fear of becoming a cop's widow. The boys, in a strange way, had their family back.

Eddie crossed the room to Danny and slid her arms around his waist, "You lie, but I like it," she laughed. "Where is Tommy?"

"He's off with Jack and Sean helping everyone get seated," Danny replied of the son he shared with Eddie. Their boy Thomas was born on the 5th anniversary of Jamie's death. It seemed he was the final blessing on a union that some felt to be wrong and other felt to be fated. He was called Thomas Jameson in Jamie's honor.

"Can I have a minute with her? Danny asked softly. "They are almost ready."

Eddie nodded, "I'm going to check on the boys."

"How you doing Maggie May?" Danny asked putting his arms around her. "I can't believe you are getting married today. You're all grown up."

Maggie smiled, "Happens to everyone. But not everyone has had the gift that you and Mom gave to me growing up. I have known a lot of people, from my friends in school who were military to other cops' kids…When they lost their parent, and there was a remarriage, that parent died all over again, and I know that if Mom married anyone but you, I would never have gotten to know my Dad. You kept him alive for me and I'm so grateful for that. I knew his love through you and through Mom and I know that you'll be on one side of me today as we walk down the aisle, but Daddy is on the other."

Danny fought tears remembering Jamie. It had been incredibly hard to remember his brother at each birthday, each holiday, but for Maggie and for Eddie, Danny chose to bear it and he was so grateful he did.

"Yes, he is, sweetie," Danny replied as the soft pitter patter of rain could be heard on the windows of the church. Danny felt his heart clench as his eyes filled up with tears.

"What is it, Uncle Danny?" Maggie asked not accustomed to seeing Danny cry. Typically, he grieved for his brother in the comfort and seclusion of Eddie's embrace.

"He's watching us right now, Sweetie…and he is wishing he could be here with us," Danny replied. "I was always taught by your great grandpa Henry that…"

"There's holes in the floor of Heaven…and Daddy is watching over all of us always…those are his tears…his happy tears."

Danny kissed Maggie's cheek as Eddie pushed the door open, "It's time, you two," she said with a smile. "I am so proud of you, my girl," Eddie told Maggie. "And more than that, Daddy is proud of you too."

Maggie smiled and kissed her mother's cheek, "He's proud of all of us, we kept his memory alive and he is here with me as sure as if he was alive. Thank you both for that, for giving me a father in Heaven and one here on earth. I would not have had this in any other way."

Eddie knew that was true, and while she and Danny agonized over this, Jamie's memory for Maggie was a key part of their decision.

As the three of them approached the back of the church, the rain continued to pour down outside. Eddie was escorted to her seat by Tommy, then the rest of the bridal party began to walk slowly down the aisle. Seconds later, Danny took Maggie's arm and began to escort her to her new life with Robert, knowing in is heart that he and Eddie has raised her well and prepared her to be a happy, healthy young wife, making them and her father, the angel on her should, incredibly proud.

Thanks to everyone who stuck with this unique and controversial story. I really enjoyed taking these characters out. Perhaps I'll consider doing some spotlight pieces in this universe if there is a call for that. You can PM me with ideas or leave in your reviews. I can't promise to do but I promise to try. Happy Thanksgiving.