Page 79 of Taken from Her
"Look," Lavender said, pointing toward the waterfront where a familiar figure walked with a purposeful stride.
Georgia Darricott, now seventy-seven but still formidable, made her way along the harbor path carrying what appeared to be a covered dish. At her side walked Elena Rodriguez, the community center's new program coordinator, taking notes on whatever wisdom Georgia was dispensing.
"Think she's bringing something for tonight?" Diana asked.
"Georgia's been cooking for three days. Half the community has been assigned dishes, and the other half has been assigned decorating duties." Lavender's smile carried affection for the woman who'd become their unofficial family matriarch. "She's treating this anniversary like a community achievement."
"Isn't it?"
Diana's question surprised them both. Five years ago, she would never have framed personal happiness as community success. But their relationship had become something bigger than just themselves.
"Tonight's going to be emotional," Lavender said, settling closer to Diana.
"Good emotional or overwhelming emotional?"
"Both. Corinne and Joanna are driving from Portland with their kids. Tara's bringing her new partner, and Isabel's flying in from Sacramento where she's launching another startup. They want to thank us publicly for building the networks that saved their lives."
Diana felt something tight in her chest—not anxiety, but the weight of gratitude too large for casual expression. "And your community's planning to thank us for...?"
"For proving that love and service work together instead of being a liability and for creating something sustainable thatmakes everyone stronger." Lavender's hand squeezed Diana's. "For five years of watching you become the most effective police chief Phoenix Ridge has ever had while being openly, happily in love."
"What time do we need to be there?" Diana asked.
"Not until four for setup. The celebration starts at six." Lavender stood, moving toward the shower. "Plenty of time for work and proper preparation."
Diana remained on the couch, finishing her coffee while Saffron claimed her lap and Basil supervised from his windowsill perch among the herbs. Five years of this routine, five years of shared mornings that had become the foundation for everything else they'd built.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Captain Scott:Anniversary congratulations, Chief. The department's proud of what you've accomplished professionally and personally.
Another from Detective Rivers:Five years of watching the best leadership evolution in PRPD history. Thank you for showing us that caring more makes us better officers.
Diana smiled, setting the phone aside. Five years ago, she would have been uncomfortable with her team acknowledging her personal life. Today, their support felt like family celebrating family.
"Diana?" Lavender called from the shower. "Tonight, when people ask us what we've learned in five years together, what do you want to tell them?"
Diana considered the question, listening to water run and the distinct harbor sounds drift through open windows. Five years of partnership had challenged every assumption she'd held about professional distance, emotional control, and the price of caring too much.
"That love doesn't make you weak," she called back. "It makes you brave enough to build something worth protecting."
Lavender's laughter carried over the sound of running water, joy and agreement and the promise of whatever came next.
Diana stood, gathering their coffee mugs to rinse in the sink. The café waited for Lavender's afternoon arrival, the police station continued its innovative work under her leadership, and tonight their community would celebrate five years of proof that the best partnerships enhance everything they touch.
But first, they had a full day of work that had been made meaningful by their shared purpose, professional achievements that mattered more because they were built on personal happiness, and the promise of coming home to each other at the end of it all.
Diana smiled, beginning her own morning preparation. Five years in, and every day still felt like a beginning.
The Phoenix Ridge Community Center buzzed with energy as Diana arrived at three-thirty, earlier than planned but eager to see Lavender's expanded operation in action. What had started as café overflow space five years ago had evolved into a comprehensive resource hub that drew visitors from across the Pacific Northwest.
Diana paused in the main entrance, taking in walls lined with success stories: photos of GED graduates, small business owners who'd received mentorship, and youth who'd found direction through job training programs. A discrete plaque near the door credited funding from the Department of Justice Community Partnership Grant—federal money that had followed academic studies of Lavender's model.
"Chief Marten!" Elena Rodriguez approached with her usual energy, tablet in hand and wearing the confident smile ofsomeone who'd found her calling. "Lavender said you might stop by early. Perfect timing. We're setting up for the youth leadership workshop."
Diana followed Elena through the center, impressed by how seamlessly community programming flowed between spaces. In one room, a financial literacy class for seniors was wrapping up. Another hosted a support group for domestic violence survivors. The main hall was being arranged for tonight's celebration, but also accommodated a teen coding workshop that would continue until setup required the space.
"This is really impressive! What’s the attendance looking like?" Diana asked, her curiosity engaged.
"It’s up forty percent from last year. We're serving people from as far as Crescent City and Humboldt." Elena consulted her tablet with obvious pride. "The waiting list for business mentorship is six months, but Lavender's training new volunteers to expand the capacity."
