We are all finishing up our dinner and having some drinks when Danny stands up. “I want to make a toast,” he says. Everyone stops talking and looks at him. “I have not been here for almost two years and I can tell how much you all have taken care of my sister-in-law. Her and my nieces have gone through hell and back the last couple years and I’m so happy you have been here to help her through it. I have been introduced to the new man in her life, and as the brother of her first love, I think he would approve very much of what the two of you have. I have not seen a love like this since I saw Jo and Jarrod together last. I’m happy for you Jo, and I damn well bet that my big brother is up there shining down on you two right now. So here is to Jo and Jake, may you be happy, forever. And also to my big brother, I know you are up there looking down on all of us today and every day. We know you love us and it is obvious that you have brought an amazing group of people around to support and help the ones you love the most.” He raises his glass and so does everyone else. Jake puts his arm around me and pulls me close. I’m so happy right now, and I think Danny is right, Jarrod has surrounded the girls and I with people that he knew would love us forever.
~~~~~
“So are you ready for your speech tonight?” Ryan asks me when I walk into the office on Friday morning.
“I don’t know,” I smile. “It is going to be hard, but I know that things are getting easier for us.”
“You girls are doing amazing,” he smiles. “I think you are going to be great with Jake. He loves you more than anything,” he laughs.
“I know. We are lucky to have him.”
“Hey Jo,” Ricky comes into the office.
“Hey,” I smile at him.
“So I was wondering what time the memorial starts tonight.”
“It starts at 4:30. Did you plan on coming?”
“None of us are going to miss it Jo, you know better,” he smiles.
“Ok,” I laugh. I look at my computer and see that Chief wants to have a meeting with us all at 10:00. “So how are we looking on cases?” I ask Ryan after Ricky leaves the room.
“Looking good, Bob and Ricky are working on the last one that we had from NorthSide. That one took a little longer to connect the drug activity I think. Chief gave me one to take a look at but I’m not sure that it is something we should be looking into.”
“Why not?”
“Well, I’m not sure that any of us could really be completely involved in this case.”
“What do you mean?”
“There have been charges brought up against someone that I don’t think any of us can really be straight headed about.”
“Who and what kind of charges?”
“Amber.”
“And what was she charged with?”
“Neglect on her six month old daughter.” My mouth drops open. I cannot believe that.
“You’re not serious right now are you?” He just looks at me and hands me the file. I open it and look inside. Sure enough. Her mom is the one that is pressing charges against her. “Not only neglect but abuse?”
“That’s what it looks like,” he says. “And it is only from about a week ago.”
“Ryan this is not something that I can deal with. I have a restraining order against her I can’t handle a case that she is involved in.” I stand up and go out of the office and down to Chief’s door. It is open and he is sitting at his desk. I knock a little on his door.
“Hey Jo,” he says. “What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you about this,” I set the file on his desk.
“Oh, yeah, I just wanted you to look and see if you can find any holes in the story.”
“Chief I cannot get involved in something that has to do with her. I can’t be neutral on a case that involves her, not with the history that she and I have.”
“That’s fine, I just thought you could have someone on the team look at it.”
“They won’t want to, they were all there the night she tried to fight me at the bar. No one on my team is going to want to see her get away with this. But we can’t look into it with clear heads either.”
“Its fine Jo, I understand.” I puts it on a stack of papers he has sitting by his computer. “So how are you holding up today?”
“I’m ok,” I smile.
“You’re leaving at noon right?”
“Yes, so I can go home and change and get down to talk to Ed.”
“Ok, well I want to have a meeting at 10:00 so in about twenty minutes, does your team have anything to do after that?”
“As of right now that was the only case we had on our desk.”
“Ok, well why don’t you tell everyone to start packing up their paper work and anything that can be carried in bins or boxes, you guys are moving,” he smiles.
“We are what?”
“Moving, to new offices. So you all have your own office instead of shoving you all into four offices,” he smiles.
“Ok,” I say sort of in shock. “I will let them know.” I turn and walk back down the hall to mine and Ryan’s office. “So, Chief just told me to tell everyone to start packing their things. Apparently we are moving.”
“What?” He looks up at me.
“That’s what he just said.”
“Ok,” Ryan laughs. He looks over at me. “Jo, is everything ok?”
“Yes,” I laugh. “I think I am just out of it, or something I don’t know. I am going to go tell everyone what Chief said,” I turn and walk down the hall and stop at everyone’s doors and let them know what our orders are for the day. I am at my desk putting stuff from my drawers into a box when Ryan gets up.
“Meeting time,” he says. I get up and follow him to the board room. The meeting only takes about forty-five minutes. All Chief wanted to tell us is that we are moving to the fourth floor and that we will have it to ourselves just in case we need to expand again. He goes over some files that we got again and then tells us all to have a safe weekend because he is leaving early. My guess is he is also going to be speaking tonight at the memorial. He usually does because he has had such an impact on my life and career. I go back to my office and continue to pack my things and get my desk and cabinets completely emptied by 11:30. I look at my phone and see that I missed a call from Barb. I wonder what she wants, she doesn’t usually call me during the day. I look up and see Danny coming down the hall toward my office on the phone.
“Yes mom, I will tell her, I’m going into her office right now,” he says. “Ok, see you soon, I love you.” He hangs up. “My mom wanted me to tell you to make sure that you don’t bring anything but you and the girls. She doesn’t want you bringing food or anything like that.”
“She’s a wreck isn’t she?”
“Absolutely,” he smiles. “She always gets like this when she is trying to avoid feelings, she finds things to do and people to call to keep her mind off of whatever is bothering her.”
“Yeah, I know. Well, I’m going to head out, I have to go get the girls from school then go home and change and get them ready. I think Jake is picking us up at 3:30 to head to the department.”
“Ok, we will see you there,” he hugs me. “Stay strong,” he kisses my cheek.
“I’m trying,” I smile. I walk out of the station without saying much to anyone because I know that I will see most of them tonight at some point. I have been amazed the last two years by the support I have gotten from the people at this station. Not just my team but everyone. Even squad members that I don’t see much have been there to support me. It’s true what they say, a family can be made up of anyone as long as they care about you.
~~~~~
“Hey Jo,” Ed gives me a hug as Jake, the girls, and I walk into the station.
“Hi,” I smile. “You remember Jake,” I say.
“How could I forget,” he laughs and shakes Jake’s hand, “good to see you again.”
“You too,” Jake says.
“And you might not remember these two beautiful girls,” I sm
ile as I look down at Abby and Lizzy. “This is Lizzy, and this is Abby.”
“Wow, you girls have grown up,” he gets down to their level. “You know what, your Uncle Bobby told me you girls were going to be along tonight, and so I had something special made for you. Why don’t you come in the dining hall with me and take a look?” He smiles. We follow him into the kitchen area and I can see that they have pulled out more tables and chairs for tonight. “I found this on one of the cameras that we have in the fire house here and thought that tonight would be the perfect night to give them to you. I know they are a couple years old, but I thought you should have them,” he hands both girls a picture. It is of them sitting on Jarrod’s lap in one of the trucks. Both girls have big smiles on their faces and he looks so happy. That was taken the summer before he passed away. Both girls get big smiles on their faces and I of course start crying. Jake puts his arm around me and pulls me close. “Sorry Jo,” Ed says.
“Your fine,” I smile. “That is an amazing picture of them. Thank you so much,” I hug him. “I thought maybe today would be a little easier, but I think I was wrong.”
“Well, we are here to remember him as the great man he was,” Ed steps back from me a little bit. “You will get through it,” he smiles. “Here, I have this for you,” he hands me a picture too and this one is of Jake and I from the fundraiser that we did a few weeks ago.
“How did you get this?” I look at him. I can recognize that it is from when I was talking to him about his family but we are both smiling and looking at each other, it is an amazing picture of us.
“Joan took it and sent it to me.”
“She did what?” Jake looks at him. I think he is shocked more so than I am.
“She didn’t want you to know, and I thought tonight would be the perfect night to give it to you. I know that Jarrod will always be a part of your life, but Jake is your new life. And even though you are moving past the things that have happened we still love you here, you are still our family no matter what Jo,” Ed smiles.
“Thanks Ed, that means a lot to me.”
“So everyone should be getting here soon, we have the stage set up out back and everything should be up and running. All Towne Street calls are being routed for the next three hours to the next house, unless it is something they can’t handle, but we should be in the clear until about 7:00.”
“Sounds perfect,” I smile. He turns and walks back toward his office and I just stand there looking at the picture that he gave me. I look extremely happy in it.
“You looked amazing that day,” Jake wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck.
“So did you,” I smile. “That was an interesting day,” I laugh. I remember what happened after we left the fire department before all of our friends got together at the house. That was also the day that I told Jake that I loved him.
“You ok,” he looks at me.
“Yes, I am, just a hard day that’s all.”
“I understand. I’m here for whatever you need.”
“I just need to know that you are here and that you love me Jake that is all I need from you.”
“You got it baby.”
“Mommy, did you see this?” Lizzy walks over to me. “I look a lot younger.”
“Yes, you do,” I smile. “That is a great picture of you, Abby, and daddy though.”
“I like it.” She smiles.
“Good, I’m glad you like it. We will have to hang it in your room someplace where you can see it all the time,” I smile and kiss her cheek.
“Hey Jo,” I hear Luke say as he walks in by us.
“Hey Luke,” I stand up and give him a hug. I see Barb walking behind him. She is a mess. I walk over to her and give her a hug and hold her tight. I see Luke pick up Abby and give her a hug and kiss then Lizzy.
“You talked Lizzy into coming?” Barb asks me shocked.
“Nope, wasn’t me. Jake talked to her,” I smile.
“That is one amazing man you have,” she smiles.
“Yeah, I think I will keep him around for a while,” I laugh. “Where is Danny?”
“He should be here soon, he wanted to stop and get something.”
“Oh, well Ed said everything is set up outside if you want to go out and find a place to sit. I am willing to bet a lot of people are going to start showing up pretty soon.”
“Yeah,” she smiles and grabs my hand. She has always leaned on me for these types of things. In a way I think that is what gets me through days like today, knowing that there is someone that needs me just as much as I need them. We walk out and see the seating and they have a banner and a picture of Jarrod on the stage. I smile when I see it. He was so handsome. I see Lizzy grab Jakes hand and can’t help but smile. She is such a strong little girl, but she sure has leaned on Jake for this. We sit down in the front row and I just sit there looking around. I see people coming and sitting down and don’t pay much attention to anyone but Barb. She is crying already, I really hope I can keep it together. I see Danny come up the aisle and scoot over so he can sit next to her and I move to the chair next to Jake. He puts his arm around me and grabs my hand with his free hand. I feel more confident and stronger with him here. Next thing I know Ed is on the stage asking everyone to be quiet.
“I would like to thank everyone that is here to support the department and families of this great man tonight. First off I want to remind you all about Jarrod Lewis. This man was an amazing person and fought for this station with his whole heart. He put everything he could into being a part of this community and this department. We couldn’t have asked for a better brother to be with us fighting the battles that we did on a daily basis. He never gave up, even with the guys at the station, he was always a fighter, and he wasn’t going to let us go down without a fight. He was a family man, loved his wife and children more than anything. They became a huge part of this family. I stand here today looking down at them and can’t help but to feel pride for how the have handled this. We have gone through this loss together. One big family. Jarrod is the first man that this department has ever lost, and I hope and pray he is the last. They tell you when you take this job that the men on this department with you are going to become your brothers, but you don’t believe it until something like this happens. Losing Jarrod was the worst thing this department could have ever gone through. He had many friends, at the department and outside. He knew many of the community members that are in this area, and he grew up not far from here so many of the families know his family. He was taken from us at too young of an age, but he is now looking down and watching over everyone. I can’t help but feel like this is just the beginning of a chain of amazing events for this family as a station, and his family beyond the station.” He looks at me. I know that I am up next. “Now every year we ask the family if they want to say a few words, and Jo, his wife would like to say a few words to everyone.” I stand up and start toward the stage. Once I am standing I look out and realize there a lot more people here that I thought there would be.
“Hi everyone,” I smile. “Wow, I don’t think I have seen a turn out like this before. I want to thank you all for coming. I apologize ahead of time if I start babbling,” I smile and I hear some people laugh. I glance at Jake and he winks at me and smiles. “I usually sit down and write something for this, but lately I have been doing much better just speaking my mind. You know two years ago when Ed showed up on my door step to tell me that Jarrod was not going to be coming home I was in shock, it took me about a week to come to the realization that I was never going to see my husband again. It hurt, more than I had ever imagined. I think though, that I was feeling more for my girls than for myself. They were still little and where just getting to know their dad, I had many years with him to know who he was. I think in the back of both mine and Jarrod’s minds we always knew that it was a possibility that one of us would not come home one day. I thought of course that my job would be a little more hazardous since I tend to get shot at every now and then, but we bot
h knew it could happen. Never in a million years did I want it to happen, Jarrod was a great guy. I wish my girls could have gotten to know him more. But they have memories of him, a lot of them. And they have me, and many family members and friends to tell them what an amazing man he was,” I pause for a minute. “I stand here today telling each and every one of you don’t overlook the moments that you have with someone, they can be taken away from you in the blink of an eye. We had many plans for the future, but now I am living a new life. I know for a fact that Jarrod is looking down on me and my girls. He is guiding us as to what is the right path for us to follow. He wants us to be happy. In fact about three weeks ago I got a letter that he had written when I was nine months pregnant with our youngest daughter for a just in case this were to happen type thing. He told me in that letter that he loves us, and wants us to be happy. He is sending many new people into our lives and that is making me realize that you can’t live your life without actually living. As much as Jarrod and I hated each other’s career choices we both knew it was what we were meant to do. This is what he was meant to do, and even though he was taken away from the girls and I a lot sooner than I would have liked, I know he died doing what he was born to do, and that was to save lives,” I barely get the last sentence out and I start choking up. I nod to Ed telling him I am done and I hear everyone start clapping. Abby and Lizzy both meet me and the steps of the stage and give me a hug. I just kneel there hugging them for a minute then stand up grab their hands and walk back to our seats. I sit down and Jake puts his arm around me and kisses my cheek.
“I love you, and that was amazing,” he says in my ear. I see Luke go up and start talking but I don’t really pay a lot of attention. I am thinking about what I just said. I meant what I said. And I know now why Jake hates my career so much, he is scared of losing me before he is ready to give me up.
After about an hour of people talking about Jarrod we are all walking to the dinner hall to eat. I get a lot of hugs and a lot of people tell me the loved my speech. I smile and nod, it is all I can really do. I grab some food and go sit by Jake and my parents and the girls. We are sitting there eating when I look around and notice that there are still a lot of people there. I see my team sitting a couple tables over and I see Molly is there with Ryan. I see Annie and Michael down a ways on our table and I also see Mark and Lisa and the girls. I really do have an amazing group of friends and family.
Unexpected Love (Jo's Story) Page 53