She still hadn't said the words he longed to hear and probably wouldn't for some time considering all she was going through, but it was okay. He could be patient.
"What do I say to Grace when I talk to her?" he asked, seeking his mom’s wisdom.
"Just speak from the heart. Let her know how sorry you are for her loss and that you wish you could be here with her."
Boy, do I ever.
He wanted nothing more than to wrap Grace in his arms and never let go.
He talked with his mom for several more minutes then took another fifteen to compose himself before texting Grace.
Damon:My mom told me the news. I'm so sorry, Grace. I wish I could say "I'm here for you," because I want to be, but it feels impossible when I'm so far away.
Damon:I'd love to talk with you when you're ready. Let me know when you'd like me to call.
Hopefully by the time she was ready to talk, he'd know what to say to her.
When Damon finally reentered the office, his CO blocked his path before he made it to his desk.
"Was it the bad news you've been expecting?"
"Yes." Damon couldn't make eye contact.
"Then I don't want to see your face until you start guard duty tomorrow night at twenty-two hundred."
"Sir?" Damon looked at him now, questioning whether he was kidding.
"She wasn't technically related, so you don't get bereavement, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve a breather." He looked at the clock on the wall. "Take the next thirty hours to do what you need to do, then make sure you're ready to work."
"Yes sir." Damon saluted then made a hasty retreat from the building before Kerns changed his mind.
He went straight to the comms center where he could continue what he started the night Grace told him Marisol had pneumonia.
A knock soundedon Grace's back door just as she tucked the last of the leftovers from the luncheon following the funeral into the refrigerator. Damon's aunts had gone above and beyond.
She opened the back door to find Gabe and Paige standing on their shared back porch. They'd put their leftovers away quicker than she had.
"Do you want to come over and..." Paige gave a small shrug. "Watch a movie or something?"
Grace's gaze shifted to her brother.
He gave a small smile and nod, encouraging her to accept Paige's invitation.
The last thing Grace wanted was to be alone, but Gabe and Paige had their own grieving to do. They didn't need her showing up at their place every time her house got too quiet.
"Thanks, but I think I'd like to rest for a while. Maybe later this evening."
Gabe stepped inside and pulled her into his arms. "You don't need to be alone, Gracie. Come over whenever you want."
It wasn't the first hug he'd given her today, and it probably wouldn't be the last. A hug from her brother who shared her grief was comforting, but it wasn't the same as having Damon envelop her in his arms and wipe away her tears. The way he did when her mom collapsed after the wedding. The way he would now, if he wasn't thousands of miles away.
"Thank you," she whispered as she blinked away tears. She couldn't believe she still had any moisture left in her body after all the tears she'd shed over the past ten days.
After Gabe and Paige left, she downed a glass of water. Then she admired the large bouquet of flowers that arrived the day after her mom passed. They were beautiful. Mom would have loved them.
I love them.
It was incredibly thoughtful of Damon to have them delivered. He'd also emailed her a thoughtful letter, citing all the things he'd come to love about her mother in the short time he'd known her, including raising such a beautiful and amazing daughter. To some people, his words might sound cheesy or trite, but she could hear the sincerity of Damon's voice as she read his words. He'd put a lot of effort into the letter, and it touched her.
