Page 78 of Taken from Her
But here, in this floating home surrounded by cats and morning light and the scent of coffee that tasted like belonging, they began the next chapter of everything they'd chosen to build together.
FIVE YEARS LATER
Diana woke three minutes before the alarm, her internal clock still calibrated by years of discipline despite the softened edges five years of shared mornings had brought to her routine. Beside her, Lavender stirred in the expanded bed they'd installed when the houseboat renovation created space for two people to live comfortably.
Morning light streamed through larger windows that faced the community, revealing walls that documented their journey together. Photos from their first community workshop hung beside commendations for Diana's innovative policing methods. Lavender's environmental advocacy awards shared space with Diana's leadership recognition from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
"Anniversary day," Lavender murmured against Diana's shoulder, voice still rough with sleep.
"Five years." Diana's hand found Lavender's, fingers interlacing automatically. "Hard to believe it's been that long."
"Hard to believe it'sonlybeen that long."
Saffron appeared at the foot of the bed, his orange fur now streaked with distinguished white around his muzzle. At elevenyears old, he'd grown from energetic supervisor to dignified elder, though his purr remained as commanding as ever. Basil, slightly younger but equally gray, stretched across the reading nook they'd expanded to fit Diana's case files and Lavender's community planning materials.
"I’ll make us some coffee," Diana said as she moved to sit up.
"I'll make it. Today's special." Lavender pressed a kiss to Diana's temple before padding toward the galley in bare feet, her movements carrying the easy confidence five years of partnership had created.
Diana remained in bed for a moment, absorbing the familiar sounds of Lavender moving through their shared space. The houseboat had been transformed over five years of careful renovation—still floating, still bohemian, but expanded to accommodate two careers, two sets of needs, and the reality that they'd built something permanent together.
The galley now featured a proper coffee station with Diana's espresso machine alongside Lavender's French press. The main living area flowed between Diana's workspace, where tactical maps lived beside community resource lists, and Lavender's planning corner, where café schedules mixed with advocacy campaign materials—their personal mementos now integrated into their shared life.
"How's your schedule today?" Diana asked, joining Lavender at the coffee station where two mugs waited: Diana's strong black blend steaming beside Lavender's vanilla lavender creation.
"There’s a community center staff meeting at nine, lunch with the Phoenix Ridge Tourism Board about our inclusive business certification program, then setup for tonight's celebration." Lavender handed Diana her mug, their morning ritual unchanged despite everything that had evolved around it. "You?"
"Department briefing on the Portland partnership program, conference call with Seattle about implementing our community liaison model, then early release so I can help with setup." Diana sipped her coffee, tasting five years of mornings that had started exactly like this. "Julia's handling the evening patrol coordination."
Captain Julia Scott had been promoted two years ago, her advancement partly due to skills she'd developed under Diana's mentorship. The department's leadership development program now specifically focused on emotional intelligence alongside tactical training—one of many changes that had grown from Diana's integrated approach to policing.
"How many departments are studying the Phoenix Ridge model now?" Lavender asked, settling beside Diana in the expanded seating area.
"Twelve are now implementing full programs, and another twenty-three are in various planning stages." Diana's voice carried satisfaction she'd learned to express rather than suppress. "Portland's seeing a twenty percent improvement in community trust metrics after just six months."
"And what about your conference presentation next month?"
"I’m giving a keynote address to the National Community Policing Association. 'Emotional Intelligence in Law Enforcement: How Personal Growth Enhances Professional Effectiveness.'" Diana smiled. "Five years ago, I would never have imagined giving that speech."
Lavender's hand found hers. "Five years ago, you wouldn't have believed that caring more could make you better at your job."
"Five years ago, I wouldn't have believed a lot of things." Diana studied Lavender's face, noting the silver threading through her hair, the laugh lines that had deepened around her eyes, and the confidence that came from building somethingmeaningful. "Like community organizing inspiring federal policy recommendations."
Lavender's consulting work had expanded beyond Phoenix Ridge after other LGBTQ+ communities began studying her model for creating inclusive spaces and safety networks. Her testimony before the House Subcommittee on Civil Rights had helped shape federal funding for community-based violence prevention programs.
"Or that café ownership could lead to a book deal," Diana added.
Community Sanctuary: Building Inclusive Spaces for Social Changewould be published next spring, co-authored with Dr. Hassan and two other community organizers who'd visited Phoenix Ridge to study Lavender's approach.
"Or that falling in love would make us both better at everything we do," Lavender said softly.
Diana leaned closer, breathing in the scent of vanilla and herbs that had become home. "Best career development decision I ever made."
"Falling in love with me was a career decision?"
"Letting myself fall in love with you was the decision that changed everything else." Diana's voice carried certainty that five years had only strengthened. "Professional excellence, community connection, understanding what protection actually means—all of it became possible because you taught me that emotional investment sharpens my judgment, not compromises it."
Outside their windows, Phoenix Ridge came alive with morning activity. The harbor bustled with fishing boats and pleasure craft, and also with the water taxi that now connected their floating community to downtown businesses. The coastal walking path they could see from their expanded deck carriedjoggers, dog walkers, and couples moving with the easy confidence of people who felt safe in their neighborhood.
