Tim pulled his truck into a twenty-four-hour diner a few miles from his house. He and Lucy had just sat down in a corner booth and ordered their food when his phone rang. It was Grey. Tim answered the call and put it on speaker.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Bradford. Chen with you?"
"She is. You're on speaker. What's up?"
"Well, your protection detail's over, for starters. Second, Aaron's funeral is tomorrow. His family's doing a private showing in the morning, and the Department funeral is in the afternoon."
Tim and Lucy exchanged a look. In the madness of the last couple of days, they'd both forgotten about the funeral. "What time is the service?"
"The funeral starts at 1500 hours."
"Yeah, we'll be there."
"I expect nothing less."
Grey hung up just as their food arrived. They were eating in relative silence when she reached across the table and grabbed his hand. Tim was slightly taken aback but squeezed Lucy's hand in response.
"So..." Lucy started.
"Tomorrow's gonna suck," Tim said, rather bluntly. "No matter how many times you go through it, laying a fellow cop to rest is always difficult."
Lucy sniffed and wiped a tear from her eye. Tim reached out with his other hand and cupped her cheek gently. The gesture didn't go unnoticed, judging by the soft smile on her face. Tim slid over and motioned for Lucy to slide over from the other side of the booth. She swung over, and Tim put an arm around her, pulling her close to him.
"I love you," Lucy whispered.
"I love you, too," Tim said. "You know you're stuck with me, right?"
Lucy smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Good. So about tomorrow. Do you want to swing by your place to grab your Class A's in the morning or do you-"
"Definitely in the morning. I...I don't want to be alone tonight."
Tim nodded. "I understand."
Tim woke up before Lucy the next morning. Hoping to clear his head, he decided to go for a run instead of waking her up. He ran until his legs started to burn, unsure of the distance he ran. He slowed his run when his phone started vibrating.
Mass Text:
SGT Grey, Nolan, Harper, Lopez, Lucy, Juarez, Me
SGT Grey: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. If you're receiving this message, I need you at the station by 1pm. Dress Uniforms. More details will be given at the station.
Nolan: I'll be there.
Harper: See you there.
Lopez: I'll be there.
Juarez: *Voice Message*
Lucy: See everyone there.
Tim: Sounds like a plan.
SGT Grey: Excellent.
The morning dragged on, so much so that by the time 1230pm rolled around, Tim, Lucy, Angela, Harper, Nolan, and Celina had all arrived at the station. Sequestering themselves in the briefing room, Lucy was talking to Nolan and Celina, which gave Angela the chance to slide into the empty chair next to Tim.
"Timothy." Angela had a smirk on her face that Tim knew well.
"Lopez?"
"Did you tell her? Or do I need to rip your huevos off?"
Tim narrowed his eyes. "My huevos are staying right where they are, thank you very much."
The smirk on Angela's face turned into a smile. "Well, it's about damn time. I'm happy for you two."
Tim dropped the evil eye just as Grey walked into the briefing room.
"Everybody take a seat. Officer Chen, how's your arm?"
"Healing," Lucy replied bluntly, eliciting a chuckle from the room.
"Alright, settle down. I know you're all wondering why you're here instead of being on your way to the cemetery for Officer Thorsen's funeral." Grey took a breath. "Well...the seven of us are going to be part of Thorsen's Honor Guard."
Nolan's hand shot into the air immediately. "Sir? Just what exactly are we going to be doing?"
"We will be firing the 21-Gun Salute. Sergeant Bradford, you will be in command. Officer Juarez, since you were with Aaron when he passed, you will deliver the End of Watch broadcast. Any questions?"
No hands went up and no questions were asked. All seven officers knew what was being asked of them.
The ride from the station to the cemetery was eerily quiet. The only sound was that of the sirens blaring through the streets. The cemetery itself was even quieter.
Various media outlets, both mainstream and tabloid, along with police and protesters, had already began to file in. With SWAT and Metro assigned to crowd control, the protesters weren't able to get within 500 yards of the service. Rows of chairs were set up in front of the casket, which was draped in an American Flag. Friends, family, and officers, not only from Mid-Wilshire, but all across the LAPD, occupied the seats.
Mama 'nd daddy dressed in black
They folded up that flag
Handed it to dad and started prayin'
Yeah, he went out, 21 guns blazin'
Father Mulcahy, the Mid-Wilshire chaplain, delivered Aaron's eulogy, speaking of his bravery, selflessness, and his dedication to his friends, family, and to the community. As Mulcahy spoke, tears flowed down the faces of many in attendance. as Mulcahy concluded the eulogy, two officers in their dress uniforms stepped up to the casket, and with precise movements, folded the flag into a tight triangle and handing it to the Chief, who then presented the flag to Aaron's parents.
As the casket was being lowered into the ground, a bugler began to play Taps, letting the slow and mournful notes echo through the cemetery.
"Honor Guard, ATTENTION!" Tim's voice echoed clearly through the cemetery. "Port arms! Aim, fire!"
That's one hell of an amen
That's the only way to go
Fightin' the good fight
'Til the good Lord calls you home
The first volley took some in attendance by surprise. "Aim, fire!"
So, be well, my friend
'Til I see you again
"Aim, fire! Order arms!" Tim looked at Celina and nodded.
Celina grabbed her radio and keyed the mic. "7-Adam-15 to Control. Can you raise 7-Adam-7, Officer Aaron Thorsen?"
Four beeps echoed over the radio. "Control to all units. Clear the air and stand by for priority traffic. 7-Adam-7. Control to 7-Adam-7. Officer Thorsen. This is the final call for 7-Adam-7, Officer Aaron Thorsen. End of Watch, May 5th, 2023. Rest in peace, we have it from here. Control is clear."
Yeah, this is our last goodbye
It's a hell of an amen
Hey y'all! Guess who's back with another chapter! Sorry this one took so long, but it was kind of emotional to write, especially the funeral. That was tough. Anyway, reviews are always welcome.