Page 31 of Redemption

This ismy last shift until what's considered my weekend. I'm looking forward to it since this week has been so busy. We're planning on having a cookout tomorrow with the family. It's been a while since all of us have gotten together.

Raven and I are cruising through the last leg of our shift when a call comes in—domestic violence reported on Elm Street. Raven glances at me, and we both instinctively know this won't be an easy one. The mood in the car shifts as we head toward the address, sirens blaring.

As soon as we arrive, the scene is tense. A neighbor stands outside, wringing their hands, eyes wide with worry. Inside, raised voices pierce through the thin walls. Raven and I exchange a knowing glance before stepping inside.

The chaos is immediate. A man stands in the living room, anger etched into every line of his face. The woman nearby holds a trembling hand to her cheek, tears pooling in her eyes. It's a scene I've witnessed too many times, yet it never grows easier.

Raven approaches the woman gently, asking her if she's okay, guiding her to a quiet corner to talk. Her voice is calm, reassuring. It's one of Raven's strengths in situations like this. I step toward the man, speaking with a firmness and calm I'vehoned over the years. It's all about de-escalation, finding a way to diffuse the anger simmering beneath the surface.

In time, the storm passes. We've managed to create some distance, to carve out a moment of peace amid the turmoil. The woman agrees to press charges, and we accompany her as she gathers a few belongings. Her gratitude is quiet, a soft nod and a whispered "thank you."

As we head back to the precinct, the adrenaline starts to fade, leaving a tiredness in its wake. Raven rests her head against the seat's headrest, eyes closed. I know we're both running on fumes, looking forward to the end of our shift.

Finally, the day is done. I drive home through the quiet streets, and the night's earlier tension fades as I pull into the driveway. The lights in the house spill warmth onto the lawn, and I feel a wave of gratitude as I step inside.

My wife is in the kitchen, humming softly as she finishes washing dishes. She looks up, smiling, and I pull her into an embrace. Holding her close, I'm thankful for the life we've built together, for the peace that fills our home. It’s a stark contrast to the chaos of the night, and a reminder of what truly matters.

For a moment, I just hold on, savoring the simplicity and the love that fills the spaces between us.

“Hey,” Ruby says, pulling back slightly to look up at me. “How was your night?”

I exhale, feeling the weight of the evening begin to dissipate. “Not the easiest. We had a domestic violence call. Never easy walking into a situation like that.”

Ruby’s eyes soften with understanding. “I’m glad you and Raven are there to help people in those situations. Must be hard, though.”

“It is,” I admit. “But it makes me appreciate what we have. I’m so thankful we’ve always seen eye to eye, you know? We’ve never been the type to fight, really.”

She knows what I mean. After years in the force, I’ve seen what anger and resentment can do to relationships. We're lucky—we’ve managed to keep those things at bay.

I loosen my hold on her, feeling the stress unwind from my muscles. She goes back to drying the dishes, and I grab a towel to help. We work together smoothly, a practiced rhythm that feels comforting.

“I’ve been thinking about the cookout tomorrow,” Ruby says. “It’ll be nice to have everyone over.”

“I can’t wait,” I reply, feeling a sense of anticipation. “It’ll be great to just relax and be with family.”

“You’ve earned it.” She grins, nudging me playfully with her shoulder.

As we finish up in the kitchen, I think about how we’ve always managed to communicate. It’s something we’ve both been intentional about. Seeing so many couples at their breaking point has only reinforced my commitment to that.

I’ve often confided in Ruby about the things I see at work. She listens, providing a balance to the chaos I sometimes find myself in. It’s a gift, really, to have such a stable, understanding partner.

Later, as we settle into bed, I let out a sigh of contentment. Ruby curls up next to me, her warmth soothing. The darkness seals us in, a cocoon of safety that I never take for granted.

“Thank you,” I whisper, suddenly feeling the need to express it. “For everything, babe.”

She snuggles closer. “Always.”

The quietness wraps around us like a promise.

CHAPTER THIRTY

RUBY

"Levi,grab that, and bring it outside for me." I point to a platter holding hamburgers already patted out, and bunch of hot dogs ready to be put on the grill. "Is this good?" I ask Caleb as he stands next to Mason.

"Yeah, we might need some more hot dogs. Most of the kids want those, but this should be a good start."

"Alright, I'll get a few more packs from the freezer," I say, heading back into the house. The sound of laughter and chatter drifts through the open doors as I make my way to the kitchen. I grab the frozen hot dogs and head back outside, where the grill is already sizzling.

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