by Cass Sellars
Richard sat stoically as Allen held a sleeping Olivia. He brushed a hand over Parker’s knee. “I can’t believe we’re at one of these things. Kind of strange, huh?”
“They’re really happy you could come, it means a lot.” Parker leaned a cheek on her friend’s shoulder.
“Next, I would like to introduce a member of our community who went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure justice was served. She continues to serve the justice community in Silver Lake despite her significant personal risk and sacrifice. This individual deserves our highest praise and deepest thanks for her contribution. Recipient of the Silver Lake Medal of Honor, please welcome Sydney Hyatt, president of Digital Reconstruction and Independent Forensic Technology.”
Sydney straightened from her seat and strode confidently up the stairs to shake the chief’s hand. She stood behind the podium and found Parker in the audience, sending her a silent message.
“That was certainly a grand introduction for a small contribution. I know that the minor role I played is something that each one of us would do for a friend. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to help find justice for our friend, who also turned out to be our hero. I also want to be sure to mention Darcy Dean and Taylor Westin, whose help was invaluable.”
“Of course,” Sydney continued, “I can’t accept any of this without also thanking the person who believes in me no matter what. Parker cheers me on every day and is the most important reason that I get up every morning.” Syd paused.
“We have a great community here and the best part is when you get a chance to help. We owe all of this to Sandy Curran for showing us how it’s done. Thank you.”
Sydney jogged down the steps and toward her seat.
Mia stood to hug Sydney. “Thank you from both of us.” Syd planted a sincere kiss on Mia’s cheek before reclaiming her chair.
“Finally”—the chief straightened his tie and bent the microphone closer to his mouth—“this is not a customary announcement at one of these events, but as you all know, this has been an unusual year for our community, so here we are.” He pushed an index card onto the podium but began to speak without looking at it.
“After taking on an immense investigation with no support, this individual spent every spare moment making sure that a fallen officer would have justice, her department its dignity, and her profession the sense of honor she believes at her core. The department would like to make a special presentation. Along with the much deserved Medal of Honor, please help me announce the latest promotion on the Silver Lake Police Department, Lieutenant Mackenzie Renee Foster.”
Jenny leapt to her feet along with the entire assembly. Mack fought the blush she felt rising in her cheeks and strode to the dais with Jenny following close behind. The chief held the medal and firmly gripped Mack’s hand as they posed for a photograph. He turned to a beaming Jenny and placed a brass bar in her fingers. At his nod, Jenny stepped to her wife and pinned it to Mack’s dress uniform. Jenny put both her hands to the new lieutenant’s cheeks and kissed her to the sound of renewed applause. Tears uncharacteristically filled Mack’s eyes and she rigidly stood behind the podium.
She adjusted the microphone unnecessarily and stood quietly for a moment, as if sorting through words she could say without being swept under by the emotional tide. She took a deep breath and looked appreciatively at Mark Cash.
“Thank you, Chief. It’s an understatement to say we’re very lucky to have you. Most of all, thank you to Sandy.” She grazed her teeth across her lip, “The irony is that the only reason I’m standing here is because Sandy Curran isn’t. I hope, one day, I can be the officer she always was.” She gripped Jenny’s hand tightly and stepped off the stage.
* * *
“I would never believe that I would one day be on vacation with Darcy Dean and some random woman from one of Mack’s cases.” Sydney Hyatt strolled into the blue waters of Sunset Key. Her aqua blue board shorts and sports top didn’t hide the fading scar along her rib cage or behind her ear but Sydney had come to view the battle wounds as a visual aid to a pretty interesting story.
Jenny and Allen sat with Olivia on the sand and Richard took off for a run. Syd watched as Mack lugged bags of sandwiches and a cooler, which she wedged under their umbrella. Darcy lay on a towel near Taylor who was reclining on a folding chair, reading a paperback. Syd marveled that four couples had managed a simultaneous vacation, if only for five days.
“Reality is much more astounding than fiction, my love. I think we can all agree on that.” Parker held firmly to Sydney as the water pulsed around them.
Syd said quietly, “Do you still feel like this is enough for you? Us?”
Parker looked at Sydney sideways, managing to stifle a smile at her nervous tone. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, like Mack and Jenny. Do you need that?” Sydney angled to watch them pull a bucket up to reveal a sand castle. Olivia, oblivious to the effort, smashed a pudgy fist delightedly into the wet pile.
“Ah.” Parker rested her forehead against the heated skin at Sydney’s chest. “You mean do I need to be legally married and have a plethora of your babies?”
“Well, I’m not sure how many is in a plethora, but yes, that’s what I mean.” Sydney focused with uncertainty on Parker’s amused expression.
Parker locked her legs around Sydney as the building surf pounded against them. Parker couldn’t hold her tightly enough. She once again felt the terror that had found her the night she thought she lost her, until she’d forced herself back to the present and the spell created from sun block, palm trees, and piña coladas.
“If you remember,” Parker continued, “I had the wedding, for a relationship that will never come close to being as right as this one is. I’m more than happy to be part of Olivia’s life but I don’t feel compelled to have one of my own…of our own.” She kissed Sydney gently as a wave crashed loudly onto the shore. “To be honest, I want nothing to ever be different or to alter this. I would be too afraid to change anything we have. I was married to you the moment you kissed me and will be your wife, your partner, and whatever else, until I take my last breath. So, no, I don’t need that. I only need you.”
“Wow. I guess I needed to hear you say that.” Sydney stared at Parker, “You are mine always. Everything I have belongs to you. All I care about is your heart.” Parker felt Sydney’s mouth suddenly on hers and wound her arms securely around her neck. She gasped at the heat that could engulf them in any place, as if they walked in a solitary space constructed solely for the two of them.
“Didn’t you say there would be a lot of sex and massages on our vacation?” Parker joked trying to ward off the primal need for her lover that gripped her.
Syd held her tightly against her, pushing her fingertips a little too hard into her flesh. “Well actually, you suggested it and I did agree. I’ve devised a two-for-one special back at our cabana. You game?” Syd glanced her fingers possessively across Parker’s thighs, making her gasp into Sydney’s neck.
Parker held on to the life she would never take for granted. “So much.”
Syd walked with Parker toward the sand. “Don’t let go.”
About the Author
Cass Sellars is a certified fraud examiner and criminal justice professional. She has led white-collar criminal, corporate and financial fraud, and theft investigations. Formerly an editor of a small magazine, a creative journalist, and a public speaker, she’s always been a writer at heart. The Lightning Series has allowed her to explore the world of romantic-suspense fiction.
After life-changing experiences as a victim of corrupt “justice,” she felt compelled to write about powerful lesbian characters that have the opportunity to fight for those who have been victims and seek justice where money and politics are not always the only winning assets.
Sellars grew up in the Midwest and in Great Britain, but spent much of her adult life on the East Coast. She currently lives with her wife near San Francisco. She dabbles
in interior design, event planning, singing, travel, and women’s music and works at being a vital part of the lesbian and creative communities.
Cass can be reached via her website: www.casssellarsauthor.com.
Other Cass Sellars Titles Available Via Amazon
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