The Return

Chapter Nine

Sam slowly awakened the next day, still rather groggy. She groaned and sat up, looking around. Sam realized that she had lost her eye, so she could only see things on her right. "You're awake, thats good." The sleepy voice of Jamie came out of nowhere, Sam looking towards her. "Jamie...? Is that you? You're in the area I can't see..." Sam says and Jamie moves to her right side, then they gently hug. "How do you feel?" Jamie asks and cups Sams cheek. "I feel like crap and a couple ounces lighter..." Sam says nuzzles into her hand, kissing it softly. "I just need to know if my mom is okay." She looks up Jamie, tilting her head at Jamies forlorn look. "Sam...your mom..." She begins to say, then Sam chuckles softly. "No, just no." She says, but Jamie's face doesn't change. "No...s-she can't be. She just can't be..." Sam says and wipes away welling tears. Just then, Janet comes in with clothes in her arms. Sam looks up at her, tilting her head. "I got you cleared early, you're leaving today." Sam sits up more, a little confused. "Don't they usually keep injuries like this in the hospital for at least a month?" Sam says and Janet comes over, shaking her head. "When the cheif of police says someone is clear, they're clear." She says and with the help of Jamie, they get Sam dressed.

One week later

Sam sat in the first row, Jamie by her side and holding her hand with entwined fingers. She wiped away tears with her free hand and Janet put her hand on Sams shoulder. This was a ceremony for Bill, Lin and Katie, but this was for Lin. The time came for someone to step up and talk, so Sam got up and stepped up next to the casket. She turned around and faced the small crowd, consisting of Jacobs family, Jamie, Janet, Linda, James,  Damien and Alice. James was in full military fatigues with his medals and a baretta, Damien was in a business suit and the man he had fallen for standing off to the side some with John and baby Jason. "Mom, I don't think I can tell you how much I love you. You were there every moment I needed you, and you always told me dad was there in spirit. You always told me how much of a hero he was, taking beatings after beatings. Even after being attacked and almost killed twice, he still stuck his neck out for his friends. When I was young, I always wanted to be just like him, and I still do...I love you mom..." She finishes with a soft sob and walks back to her seat, sitting down with Jamie.

It was a few hours later, the dirt on Lins grave was fresh. Sam stood at the foot of it, tears dripping from her face onto the ground. Jamie and Janet watch from a distance as Sam looks at the tombstones that read;

"Jacob N. Metzger,

Loving child, brother, cousin,
Devoted boyfriend

2002-2022" ,

"Lin Diaz-Rivera,

Loving child, sister, cousin, loving girlfriend and devoted mother

2001-2042"

Sam took a few moments to turn away from the grave and walk to Janet and Jamie. "Is it...okay if I come live with you guys? Without mom...theres not much left for me back in Colorado..." Sam says and Janet nods, Jamie going to her side and locking their arms together. "I'll make arrangements to bring your stuff here." Janet says, Sam replying with a silent nod. They walk off into the sunset, which is signifying the true end to this long lasting story.

James went on to be a fantastic soldier, becoming a general and taking over operations of the US naval academy. He died in 2057 from an ambush in the Middle East, leaving behind a wife and two children.

Damien had a blossoming pharmaceutical company he started with his husband, which quickly gained popularity for their surprisingly efficient and cheap medicine. He died peacefully in his sleep in 2071.

Linda went on to raise two children her and Katie had adopted before Katies untimely demise. Linda always took pride in her children, even when they were a pain in the neck. She died surrounded by loved ones in 2070.

Janet retired from the police force shortly after the events of that year ended, passing the chief of police position onto her successor. She passed away shortly before James had. Her, Bill and James share a group of graves.

Alice raised Jason alongside her now husband John. Alice had resverved the maid of honor spot for Lin, so they a picture of her and Jacob in the spot where she would have sat. Sam was one of her bridesmaids, being the one who carried the picture. She passed away in 2098 peacefully.

Sam and Jamie went on to marry five years later, moving to Maine to live a great life with their adopted son. Sam and Jamie still made trips down to Maryland to visit Jacob and Lins graves, visiting the other decedents of the Metzger bloodline who had remained. They passed away in each others embrace in 2102. What was their sons name? I think I'll leave you to find that out.