Page 2 of Fighting for Family

“Will you talk to the team again?” she asked hopefully. “Maybe they found a clue or something. Maybe Dad can’t reach them.”

“Sweetie, we talked about this,” Catherine said softly. “Sometimes, it’s hard to find a…person in the desert. If your dad lived, he’d have found a way to alert his team. After two months, it’s highly unlikely. Dad explained this to you a long time ago. It’s a chance military people take to keep us all safe.”

Melody hung her head, and tears glistened in her eyes. “I know, Mom. I just wish…”

“Oh, honey, I know,” Catherine said, pulling her tightly against her. “I wish the same thing.”

Carol placed her arms around both. “We all do,” her mom said. “Your dad’s the bravest man I’ve ever known. I know he’d want you to do good in school, have fun with your friends, and help your mom. It’s up to us to keep his memory alive for Grace, Derrick, and this little one. He wouldn’t want you sad. He died doing what he loved. It’s all we can ask for,” Carol reminded them.

“I’m trying, Grandma,” Melody sniffled. “Sometimes, I feel sad. I miss him.”

“It’s all right to miss him. It hurts your heart right now because it’s still fresh. One day, when you’re remembering your dad, you’ll smile and laugh at something crazy he did.”

Melody shook her head. “I don’t want it to hurt. I want my Dad.”

Catherine cried as she held Melody. “I know, sweetheart. I know.”

Jake entered the house and glanced at Catherine and Carol. “Uncle Michael pulled into the driveway. Do you want me to take Melody to school a little later?”

Catherine broke her embrace and wiped her daughter’s tears. “I know how hard this must be for you. I won’t make you go today if you’re feeling sad. It’s all right to take a mental health day once in a while. What do you think Dad would want you to do?”

“He’d tell me to keep going, soldier. We got a job to do,” Melody said, mimicking her dad’s voice.

“What do you want to do?” she asked softly.

Melody took a shaky breath and straightened. “I’ll go to school. I’m gonna do what Dad wanted.”

“Then put your jacket on,” Catherine said, acting as brave as her daughter. “We’ll go about our day, and I’ll see you this afternoon.”

Melody hugged her and then Carol and Jake. “Bye, Mom,” she called as she ran out the door.

“Bye, June Bug,” she called, watching Melody as Michael waved and opened the door for her.

Carol wrapped her arm around her waist and squeezed her gently. “You did good, baby. She’ll get through this all right.”

“I hope so,” Catherine breathed as she closed the door. She only wondered how she’d survive losing Leo.

CHAPTER 2

Kassie entered the kitchen and raced inside, still hearing her daughter crying.

“Mama’s here,” she soothed as she dropped her things and took Tori from his arms, before he left to get changed.

“I already checked,” Chase assured her. “It’s only a bump.”

“See? Daddy says it only needs a kiss,” she said cheerfully. “Shall I kiss it or do you need Boo Boo Bunny?”

“Bunny,” Tori cried as she pointed to her forehead for her mom to kiss it better.

“Oh, you need both, do you? I think you take after Victoria more each day,” she said as she kissed her head and went to the freezer, pulling out the Boo Bunny and handing it to Tori.

The child sniffled and calmed down as Maddie shook her head. “She’s got you wrapped around her little finger,” she said as Kassie sat Tori at her art desk and opened a coloring book. She pulled out a package of glitter crayons and knelt to her level. “Can you draw me a new picture for my office?”

“Yes, Mama,” Tori said, sniffling and holding the cold bunny to her owie.

“Thank you,” Kassie said, fixing her bangs. She turned to find Maddie smiling at her. “What?”

“You remind me of your mama. She’d be proud of you and the life you’ve created here,” Maddie said gently.