Chapter 98: Mary
*The most important thing will always be the people in this room. Salute, mi familia! – Dominic Toretto, Fast Five*
Reese walked down the hall and passed Dean’s room knowing that she would not be there. Just as expected, she was curled around JD in his bed. Completely against the rules, Monster was also on the bed. JD opened his brown eyes and met the older man’s light green ones.
Quietly, he moved into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached over and brushed some hair out of Dean’s face before stroking Monster’s head.
“When did she finally go to sleep?” Reese whispered.
“Maybe a few hours ago.” JD whispered back and then soothed Dean as she moved in her sleep.
“The princess club is coming over in a little bit.” Reese said softly. “I’m going to tell them upstairs. She doesn’t need to come up if she doesn’t want to.”
JD nodded as the other man stood up and kissed his niece on her head before walking out. He had dreaded telling Dean that her mother was dead. Now he had to do it again and tell the princesses that they were down one member. The original reason for the club, the single mom who needed a support system.
They had all rallied for Mary, helped her through colic and potty training. Ear infections and schoolyard bullies. Art shows, swimming competitions and movie marathons.
They had sleepovers, parties and holidays. Not just for the kids. The adults had their own parties and sleepovers. When Nicole went through her divorce last year, they all gathered in the large formal living room and had a divorce party.
Now they were gathered in the same room and waited for Reese to tell them why.
They could all tell that something was wrong, but no one knew what. The last time that Reese had gathered them all like this was to tell them that Mary’s tour was extended by six months and that she would be the D. I. C. in Kafr Amma in Syria.
She had avoided the area for as long as possible. But she couldn’t do it forever. Especially with the civil war now in its second decade. It was not the first war zone that Mary had gone to. In her career as a trauma doctor and volunteering to assist those who needed it, she knew it would not be her last either.
The formal living room was packed with extra chairs and a few people sitting on the floor. He was surrounded by the family that he had made. His mother and father had brought them together through their many marriages and divorces. But they had remained in contact with one another. And when Mary had needed help, these were the ones that answered his call.
Now he was going to ask them for another favor. Ask them to help him to raise his sister’s daughter. Their fellow princess.
Reese had relied on the ever-efficient Willow and Shelby to quickly arrange childcare for all the younger girls. Surrounded by all his princesses and their partners, with Helen by his side, he said words that he never wanted to say again.
“I’m sure you’ve all seen the news story about the hospital that was attacked in Syria.” Reese said.
It was the first thing that he had seen on the news this morning. The attack, the twelve that were killed and the fact that tree were Americans. The names had not yet been released and he was grateful.
There was a murmur around the room as they all quietly agreed that they had heard about the attack.
“Have you heard from Mary?” Victoria asked, causing the room to fall silent.
Reese closed her eyes and took a deep breath as he held Helen close to him. He tried several times to speak but the words did not form this time. One by one, they understood what he was having such a hard time saying.
The room slowly filled with soft cries and sad sobs. Husbands and boyfriends offered comfort as they also began to grieve.
“Do we know any details about when her body will be returned?” Michelle finally asked.
Reese shook his head. “I have an appointment at the state department later today. We no longer have an active embassy in Syria and will have to rely on an ally to make the arrangements.”
“How’s… how’s Dean doing?” Yulia asked.
“She’s clinging to JD.” Helen said. “He said that she didn’t get to sleep until early this morning. Bunny prescribed her some antidepressants.”
“Is that healthy? She needs to grieve.” Colleen pointed out.
“They are mild.” Bunny said as she entered the room. “Nothing to take anything away, just enough to help her not to cry all the time. I’m going to start therapy with her tomorrow. But she’s going to need you all. When she needs you, but right now, she needs space.”
“She’s …” Helen let out a deep sigh. “She’s only talking to JD right now. That’s a lot for two kids to go through together.”
“JD and I have been texting.” Bunny admitted. “I stopped downstairs and she’s still sleeping. That’s probably the best for her right now.”
“What can we do?” Daphne asked.
“If she reaches out to you, be there for her.” Bunny suggested. “Let her know that you’re here for her. I know we’re all grieving, but” she smiled at Helen, “our main focus is Dean.”
“What about JD?” Gina asked. “This has got to be a lot for him too.”
Helen nodded. “It is. He’s got a great group of friends and brothers. Jaxon and Ty are doing what they can. I’ve checked him out of school for a while.”
“Dean is out for emergency whatever they called it.” Reese added. “I’ve hired a part-time tutor for them to make sure that they stay up to date on everything.”
“The main thing, is to just be there for Dean.” Helen said. “And each other.”
“Always.” Victoria said. “That’s never a question.”
“Have you told Cheryl?” Khloe asked.
“No, I told her to call me after her classes.” Reese dreaded having to go through this again. “Don’t say anything in your group chat or anything until I talk to her.”
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