Sunflower

Chapter Fifty-Three: The Thin Blue Line

"I'm done putting this dress on for a while," Mom said brushing the black dress flat. 

I sat on the edge of my bed holding my dad's badge rubbing a small smear on it with my thumb. My dad handed me the small black piece of fabric with a thin blue line through it to place over his badge.

"Coco," My dad said quietly. I stood up clipping the badge on his uniform, "You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah," I nodded softly. I stepped back looking at my dad in his full ceremony uniform, and a few tears crowded my eyes. 

"Hey," He put his hand on my cheek and wiped the falling tear, "I love you." 

"I love you too." 

"Hey, Kitty," Reeves said as I walked downstairs. 

"Hi," I said with a shaky sigh.

Seeing Finn we both went to hug each other. Not that we need to say another, or anything even needed to be said. We were thinking the same thing... It could have been either one of our dad's funerals we were getting ready for. 

Meeting Reyes and Kogin in Seattle before the precession through the city to the church. 

Even Moses had a saddened look on his face. I knew dogs had a way of sensing things but Moses laid on the floor looking tired and worn out, "Hey, baby," I knelt down to pet his head as he stood up putting his head on my shoulder, "Oh hi." 

Eddie smiled from where he stood wearing the identical uniform as my dad was, "Time to go."

"Come on baby it's time to go," Kaleo reached his hand down to Kova where she sat on the floor of the kitchen. 

"I don't wanna go."

Kaleo kneeled down to her, "Baby, I know you don't wanna cause you feel like if you don't... it won't be true. But Honey, I know it hurts, and I know it's sucks, but we're gonna make it alright?" She nodded slowly standing up from where she sat.

Kaleo was busy with most of his guard duties and couldn't pay the attention to Kova much, "Reeves," Kova tugged on his hand, "I wanna go home." 

He picked her up, "I know kitty just a few more minutes alright?" She nodded laying her head down trying to stay warm out in the cold January weather. Tears clouded her eyes seeing her grandparent's photo next to the casket as they lowered them.  

Kaleo's mind seemed to not be in a good state as they finished up the funeral so Reeves and Eddie helped with the ending of saying goodbyes and thanks for coming while Kaleo sat in front of the two graves. 

"Daddy?" Kova walked up to him as Reeves put his hand on his back.

"We're gonna head home, Let us know if you need anything."

"It's almost too fitting for it to be raining," Reyes said quickly as he drove through the procession with his lights on. 

I looked over, "Hey Max...?" 

"Uh oh... What's up kitty?" 

"Have you ever thought about what would've happened if something else had or hadn't happened?" 

"Yes, all the time but does this have to do with something else?" 

"Do you ever think about what would have happened if there hadn't been a schedule mix up and never rode with my dad... or how different my life would be If my dad had never talked to Eddie at the hospital."

"Or if...?" 

"Or if my dad had died that day." 

Reyes took a deep breath, before reaching over and grabbing my hand, "Nothing can kill your dad. He's literally superman," He laughed a little.