Fly High and Go Far

PHOENIX-Chapter Nine: A Good Song Never Dies by Saint Motel

The next time Sam had to do anything for her career was putting on her ceremonial dress blues for her father's funeral that was held a couple of days after his passing. Sam put her cover on her head and straightened out her jacket, staring at herself in the mirror. She had received word the day before that Phoenix was released on good health from the hospital, only sporting bruises. Bob was also released and was cleared for duties. So there was one less thing off of her mind.
Walking into the living room, being practically a spitting image of her father, made her father stare as if she had been missing for years. They all stood around in black suits and black dresses, leaving Sammy, the only remaining military member of the Kazansky household, dressed in Navy blue.
Being escorted to the cemetery by the Navy was something Sam never thought of experiencing. For once, not having to drive was great. But, the circumstances kept her from enjoying the peace of riding in the backseat.
Upon arrival, Sam got out of the car with a valet holding the door open for her. She walked up and greeted and saluted the admirals and their families. After spending a solid chunk of time saying her hellos and receiving condolences, she found Maverick.
"Uncle Pete," she jogged your to him. He looked at her and shook her hand. "I need to give you something." She said, taking a pair of flight wings out of her pocket. Maverick looked down at it confused.
"What is this?" He asked.
"Those are mine from when I got pinned at flight school. My dad gave those to me," Sam explained.
"Sam, I can't take these," he pushed her hand back. "You need those." He looked at her uniform and noticed she had another set of wings on her uniform.  Sam pointed to the set on her uniform.
"This was my dad's set when he graduated flight school all those years ago," Sam said. "So please take this set so my dad will have a piece of me with him." Maverick nodded and smiled gently, taking the wings from Sam.
  "Alright, kid.  Just for you and Ice."

  The ceremony went on perfectly, which is a weird way to describe a funeral.  But nothing went wrong.  Sam watched Maverick pound her wings into her father's coffin, sending a shiver through up her spine and then caused her to start crying. 
  Her family stayed behind to talk to everyone, but Sam stood in front of her father's headstone after they put the dirt back in its spot.  She stared at the headstone, reading his name over and over again.  It wasn't true.  Nothing felt real.  She felt like disassociating.  But a gentle hand on hers caught her off guard and brought her back.
  "Hey Sam," Trace said softly.  Sam looked over and saw Phoenix standing there, looking down at the headstone too.
  "Hi, Tasha," Sam whispered back, hiding the fact that one little mess up and her tears would start up again.
  "I'm sorry about your Dad.  I really am.  He's done a lot for us," Phoenix talked to Sam, trying to show sympathy and reassurance that she wasn't alone.  "He was a good man.  I never got to meet him, but I know that you were a spitting image of him."
  "Everyone tells me that," Sam chuckled for a quick second and then looked at Trace.  "How are you doing?"
  "I'm sore, but that's about it.  I'm fairly lucky to not have any broken bones," Phoenix answered.  "Do you need someone tonight?"
  Sam looked at Phoenix and smiled before nodding slowly.  Phoenix wrapped an arm around Sam and rubbed her arm gently.
  "I don't know what I'm going to do without my dad, Tasha," Sam whispered.  "He was my backbone for everything.  And now he's gone."
  "But he isn't gone.  Part of you is him.  Everyone knows your name.  They see him in you," Phoenix turned Sam and turned to face her.  "Even though you're not Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, you are his child.  You are Samantha "Echo" Kazansky.  And last I heard, you're still getting your promotion."
  "Yeah, I know.  I know.  I've just never braved the Navy without him," Sam replied.
  "Isn't a certain Captain also your uncle?" Phoenix asked.
  "Maverick? Yeah, why?"
  "Use him if you need anything?" Phoenix asked.  Sam shook her head laughing.
  "Every admiral in the Navy hates him because he doesn't know when to quit," Sam said.  "But I guess I could always do that." Sam was 100% joking, but she also knew that if she did need anything, her Uncle Pete would be right there.  After all, he and her father were close friends and did everything together.  Phoenix walked Sam back to everyone before they all headed off their separate ways.