The Sergeant's Daughter

Chapter Four

My heart sank, my eyes filled with tears, and my stomach got all queasy. Alaska immediately noticing my change in mood got up from where she was laying and was quickly by my side. "Killed? When? How?" I questioned. Everyone just looked at me and was quite. "Dad! Say something!" I yelled. "Jordan." My dad started to say. "Tell me my brother is alive! Tell me that's he ok!" I cried. Tears rolled down my face. My dad passed Henry off to Erin who was crying herself. He grabbed me and hugged me tight. "Please, dad. Tell me he's alright." I begged. I didn't even notice but it was only us and Erin and Henry in the room. I felt my body fall to the floor, tears fell from my face, and I felt Alaska nosed nuzzle my arm. My dad sat beside me on the floor and hug me tight. "It's going to alright." We sat on the floor what seemed like for hours. I didn't want to move. My world has been flipped. My only brother...dead. He's gone. My dad's voice broke the silence, "I may not have been the best father at times and I've made my mistakes but I'm so proud of you guys." I looked up at him. "My only son and one of my daughters served this country and my other daughter is serving this city. I couldn't be more grateful." He continued. I started rubbing Alaska's fur. "How did it happen?" I asked. "He was helping a friend with a situation and he got shot." He replied. "My hero. Always helping the next person." I said.

Dad let Antonio lead the investigation while he came home with me. Henry was laying down on his play mat while Roscoe laid close by. Dad and I sat on the couch while Alaska laid by my feet. "I'm sure you don't feel like it today but tomorrow I can help you unpack and we can take Henry to the zoo." He spoke quietly. I watched Henry play. "That sounds like a good idea." He patted my knee, "We are gonna get through this kiddo." I looked at my dad with tear filled eyes. "Are we?" He shook his head, "Yes we are gonna get through this."

I gathered some things for me, the dogs, and Henry to spend the night at Dad's. Right now I just wanted to be with him. I called Elena and Tommy to tell them what was going on. They understood and would stay in town for the next week. I was grateful for them. They was always there when I needed them and they were understanding people. They never let me down.

Dad cooked my favorite meal for Dinner. Erin would come over as soon as she wrapped up her paperwork at work. It felt nice to be back home, to be around Dad and Erin, even though Justin and Mom wasn't here. I felt at home. It was nice. I missed this. "Hey! Where is everyone?" Erin voice echoed. "In the kitchen!" Dad yelled back. She came in the kitchen where the rest of us was. Roscoe wagged over to her. "Hey handsome! What's your name?" She asked kneeling down. "That's Roscoe. I adopted him from a shelter back in South Carolina." I said. "How did the case go?" Dad asked Erin. "Just your usual drug deal gone bad." She replied. "Not a surprise there." He mumbled.

After Dinner we sat in the living room watching tv. Dad and Erin played in the flour with Henry. I watched and smiled. I wanted this to happen for so long. It finally did.