The funeral procession which awaited Dan's return was nothing short of marvelous. The local VFW had arranged the whole thing. It was a surprise to see all the people who lined the streets to show their respects until his funeral ceremony at the high school gymnasium. Sheriff squad cars led the procession and our two ladder trucks held a huge American flag between their fully extended ladders when the motorcade slowly passed through the main intersection in town. Kayla no longer hid her pregnancy and looked radiant even in a totally black widow's outfit, periodically rubbing her stomach. Dan's final resting place will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
Stephanie decided on her own, since there was so much tragedy in the family this year, everyone should come home for Christmas. I balked at first since Christmas Eve was my duty day, and I was secretly planning on taking a mini-retreat with my church group to solidify my decision of retiring or not. However, since everyone thought Stephanie had a great idea, I put my plans on hold and started to get into the Christmas spirit. Katrina and Meredith arrived on the 21st, and stopped in at the station to let me know they were here. They both were going to return to Miami on the second. Ken, Stephanie and their daughter Julie, and Kayla with Trenton and Trevor would be there on Christmas Eve. Dan's parents were going to stop in on Christmas day for Christmas cheer. When I got home the next morning, Katrina was making breakfast, coffee already made. She was fully dressed wearing jeans, shirt, socks and shoes. I gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"Morning Treen." I said into her fiery red hair as I placed a kiss on top of it.
"Morning dad." She responded. "Have a cup of coffee and a seat. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes." I poured myself a cup, looking at her out of the corner of my eye. She caught me. "What?" she smiled.
"Nothing." I said to her. I turned with my coffee mug in my hand and took a sip out of it while looking at her. She had that 'I just got laid' look on her face.
Katrina looked at me again and smiled. "What is it?" I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head at her. "Don't give me that look dad." She said as she pointed the spatula at me. "What's up with you?"
"Really it's nothing." I replied as I took another sip out of my coffee. "Just glad to see you and have you here. I haven't seen you since Dan's funeral." I gave her another kiss on her exposed cheek and took my seat at the table. "Where's Meredith this morning?"
"She's upstairs doing some work on the computer." Katrina replied while pushing around the scrambled eggs in the pan. "We took the master bedroom again. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not." I replied looking her over. "Put the bed to use."
"Dad!" Katrina gasped. "I can't believe you just said that!"
"That's not what I meant." I said laughing at her. "I don't sleep in it anymore. You two can sleep in the bed. I'm used to sleeping in the recliner."
"Oh. My bad." Katrina laughed as she put some scrambled eggs on a plate and brought it to me. "Duh. Where is my mind this morning?" she finished with a laugh setting the plate in front of me.
"Yeah Elmer." I slyly said deciding to spar with her a little. "Where is your mind this morning? Don't tell me you did more than sleep in it last night."
Katrina slowly turned her head at me while putting scrambled eggs on another plate. She gave me her little smile. "I wasn't Elmer last night dad." She winked. "Or this morning." She finished with a giggle.
I fake gasped at her. "Didn't I just tell you not to tell me that?"
She laughed as she sat down with her plate. "I couldn't resist."
Katrina and I ate breakfast together after she explained Meredith didn't want any this morning. We talked about projects she was working on and what she planned on getting everyone for Christmas. "Don't tell Meredith..." she whispered to me. "...I'm getting her a wedding ring." I raised an eyebrow at her and stopped chewing on my breakfast sausage. "What!" She looked at me surprised. "It's illegal for us to marry, but I can still get her a ring." I forked the remaining eggs into my mouth. She dropped her fork on the plate and crossed her arms. "I love her dad. She makes me feel special."
I finished chewing and swallowed. Katrina scowled at me. "I'm sorry Trina. I didn't mean to react like that. I'm just surprised. That's all. I know you love her. You both have been together a long time, and I've accepted her as more than just your friend. If she makes you happy, then I'm happy." I got up from my chair to take my empty plate to the sink. I leaned down to kiss her on her fiery red hair. "Honest. Make sure it's a very pretty ring." I kissed her again. "I love you no matter what, and I love her for making you feel special. You deserve it."
Katrina unfolded her arms and reached up to hug me around my neck. "Thank you dad." She whispered and placed a kiss on my cheek. "You have no idea how much it means to me that you love her too." She let me go and I took my plate to the sink. She reached around me and put her plate in the sink as well, then hugged me from behind. "Can you do me a small favor though dad?" I held her hands against my chest and leaned back into her.
"Of course Treen." I softly said. "How much do you need?"
"I don't need to borrow any money dad." She lightly laughed into my back. "Will you...please come up with a pet name for her? She doesn't think you like her because you don't have a pet name for her."
I turned around to hug her and kissed her forehead. "She knows I like her." I chuckled. "We've talked."
"I know." Katrina sighed, glanced down at my crotch for a second, then back at me. "She told me everything." She gave me her little smile again.
"Everything?" I asked her and Katrina nodded her head yes. "Even what we talked about?" She nodded her head yes again.