Chapter 105" Homecoming
*Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can’t explain how broken your heart is. – Unknown*
Dean stepped out of her room wearing a long-sleeved boat neck black dress that went to her knees. The bodice was fitted and flared slightly at the hips with a few discreet pleats. Instead of her high heels, she wore simple black kitten heels and matte black tights.
The only jewelry that she wore was her golden crowned D and simple gold studs. She had braided her hair with a simple black band at the end. Light makeup covered up her blotchy skin from crying. Although Helen had gotten her waterproof mascara, Dean opted to just use the foundation and powder.
She smiled at JD who stood in the hall waiting for her. He wore a black three-piece suit with a white shirt and dark gray tie. His short hair was styled with a little swoop on his left side. Monster sat next to him with a black leather and gold chain leash and collar.
“I’m not ready.” Dean whispered as her lips trembled.
He stepped closer and hugged her close to him. “I’m here, baby.”
Dean clutched his jacket in her hands, drawing on his strength. He glanced over as a hand took the leash from him. Helen smiled at him before walking Monster outside where the limo was waiting.
“I’m not going anywhere.” JD whispered.
‘Even if I’m a bitch again?”
“Hell yeah.” He kissed her hair. “I’m here for it all.”
She moved back slightly and then pressed up on her toes and kissed him. He cupped the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. Her arms slid around his neck, and she leaned into him.
Reluctantly, he pulled back and gave her a light kiss. “I’m right here with you.”
“JD, I …”
“I know.” He grinned at her.
With a supportive arm around her shoulders and her arm around his waist, they walked out towards the driveway. Reese stood leaning against the limo with Helen in his arms. Monster lay on the ground with his Frankenstein toy in his mouth.
Reese also wore a black three-piece suit with his Navy tie. Helen wore a vintage style black tea-length dress. She also wore kitten heels and black tights. The driver stood at the other end of the car with his driver’s cap on and a formal double-breasted uniform.
Reese gave her a small smile and held his arm out for her. “Come here, princess.”
Dean moved into his light embrace but linked her fingers with JD’s. Helen stepped away hugged her youngest son. He wrapped his free arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
“I love you, mom.” He murmured softly.
“I love you, too.” She whispered back around the lump in her throat.
The ride to the airport was silent, punctuated only by the occasional sniffle. Dean sat across from Reese and Helen curled into JD’s side with Monster on his other side. His big head lay on JD’s lap, and he would occasionally nudge Dean’s hand with a little whimper.
“Sir?” the driver said as they turned into the municipal airport.
Reese looked out the window and saw two firetrucks with firefighters in formal uniforms standing beside them. the bright red one was from the Morgan City Fire Department and the yellow one from the United States Parks Services. Along with them were two ambulances, also lined with paramedics in formal uniforms.
He wasn’t sure who had arranged this, but he was so glad that someone thought about it. As they pulled up to where the attendant was directing them, he saw the honor guard with the US flag, state flag and the Doctors Without Borders flag.
“Dean.” Reese said around the lump in his throat.
They all looked in the direction that he was looking. JD kissed the top of her head, unable to hold back his own tears. Her own tears flowed freely, and her body shook with heart-wrenching sobs. As the car came to a stop, Helen moved across the small space and hugged the young woman. JD wrapped his arms around both women.
Reese gave Helen a questioning look and then motioned to the door. She nodded, letting him know that they would be out when Dean was ready.
With a gentle caress of Dean’s back, Reese stepped out into the bright morning light. Quietly, he shut the door behind him.
“Sir?” the driver asked again. He stood next to the open driver’s door with a confused look on his face.
“Close the door, please.” Reese said and the man complied quietly. “I doubt that you got many details.”
“No, sir. I received your address and time to arrive and then everything else is on your schedule.”
Reese nodded. “We’re picking up my sister. My niece’s mom.”
“Where’s she flying in from?” the man asked.
“Syria.” Reese answered quietly as the black hearse pulled up. The driver saw it and gave a soft “oh” before he composed himself. “Yeah.”
One of the airport employees approached them. “Sir, the plane is on final approach.”
“Thank you.” Reese said as he turned back to the limo. Opening the door, he squatted down and looked inside. “The plane is on its way in.”
Helen kissed both kids on their heads before getting out and taking Monster with her.
“Come on, baby.” JD coaxed gently and they also stepped out of the car. Dean continued to hold onto JD as they watched the plane land. The fire trucks created a water arch over the plane as the firefighters saluted.
It dawned on Reese that he hadn’t thought about pallbearers. But he could only smile as he saw eight shirtless dancers from the Cowboy Cabaret approach the plane. They all wore skintight jeans, boots and red bandanas tied around their necks. It took a few minutes for them to get the casket out and on the small cart.
The front door to the plane opened and Cheryl walked down the short steps. One of the cowboys held out his hand and helped her onto the tarmac. They spoke for a moment and then he joined the other cowboys. With what looked like very practiced moves, they lifted the casket onto their shoulders and walked towards the hearse.
Behind the hearse they sat her on the cart that the funeral home had waiting for them. One of the cowboys approached the family.
“Miss Reese?” He offered a hand to Dean.
She shook her head and gripped JD’s jacket even tighter.
“I’m here, baby.” JD told her and then they slowly walked over to the casket.
She swore she was going to be strong. She said she could do this. She was strong enough. She had Reese and Helen with her. JD was there.
When her fingers touched the casket, it all broke.
If JD had not been there, she would have fallen to her knees. He wrapped an arm around her waist to support her. Laying her head on the plain wooden casket, she sobbed out “Mommy” just like when she was little.
Cheryl slipped an arm around her dad’s waist, and he hugged her close.
“Thank you.” He whispered.
“There’s got to be some advantages to being an archeologist. I can’t use a whip and don’t get to fight Nazi’s.” Cheryl said. “I had some friends in Prague that helped.”
“Did you do all this?” Helen asked.
“That would be Waylon. Except the cowboys.”
“Michele.” Reese grinned. “Those two loved their cabaret nights.”
Dean shifted a little bit and nearly fell to the ground. JD scooped her up and carried her back to the limo. The driver opened the back door for him, and they slid inside the darkness for privacy.
“We’ll give them a few minutes.” Reese said and nodded for the casket to be loaded into the hearse.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
