Page 76 of Taken from Her
"Is that overwhelming?" Julia asked, studying Diana's expression.
Diana looked at Lavender, some silent communication passing between them. "It's motivating. We've proven something important about how personal and professional can enrich and nurture each other instead of competing."
"And we want to keep building on it," Lavender added. "Together."
The word carried weight beyond professional partnership, and everyone in the room understood the implication. Diana and Lavender weren't just collaborating on community policing; they were building a life together that served their individual purposes and their shared commitment to Phoenix Ridge.
"Well then," Georgia said with satisfaction, "I believe congratulations are in order. For successful rescue operations, effective community collaboration, and the wisdom to recognize that love and service build on each other."
Julia raised her coffee cup in an impromptu toast. "To partnerships that make everyone stronger."
"To community leaders who trust each other enough to build something new," Michelle added.
"To the future of Phoenix Ridge," Morgan contributed.
"And to love that serves something larger than itself," Sam said.
As everyone echoed the toast, Lavender felt community acceptance settle around their relationship like a warm embrace. Not just tolerance for their personal connection, but celebration of what they'd created together and excitement about what they might build next.
After their visitors left, Diana and Lavender sat in comfortable silence, processing the evening's validation.
"How does it feel?" Lavender asked eventually.
"Like coming home," Diana replied. "Like everything I've worked for finally makes sense because it's connected to everything you've worked for."
"We don't have to choose between loving each other and serving our communities."
"Because doing both makes us better at everything." Diana leaned over to kiss Lavender's forehead. "Ready to go home tomorrow and start building whatever comes next?"
"More than ready."
The morning discharge process took longer than expected. Dr. Hassan insisted on final blood work, neurological assessments, and detailed instructions for trauma recovery that Diana wrote down with meticulous attention. Nursing staff provided contact information for counseling resources, follow-up appointment schedules, and gentle reminders about the importance of rest during emotional processing.
"Call immediately if you experience any concerning symptoms," Dr. Hassan said, handing Lavender a folder of medical documentation. "Physical or psychological. Trauma recovery isn't linear, and asking for help demonstrates strength, not weakness."
"Thank you," Lavender said, meaning it completely. "For everything. The medical care, the understanding about Diana staying overnight, and the way you treated us like family."
"Youarefamily. Phoenix Ridge takes care of its own." Dr. Hassan's smile was warm. "Now go home and heal together."
Diana carried the small bag of belongings that had accumulated during Lavender's hospital stay: flowers from community members, cards from well-wishers, and the change of clothes Julia had brought from the houseboat. Everything felt lighter somehow, as if the weight of crisis had lifted along with Lavender's medical clearance.
The hospital corridor buzzed with normal morning activity, but staff members nodded respectfully as they passed. Word had spread about the trafficking bust, the successful rescue, and the collaborative approach that had made it possible. Lavender caught fragments of conversation—"community policing," "partnership model," "innovative leadership"—that suggested their work was already influencing how Phoenix Ridge thought about public safety.
"There’s a media van in the parking lot," Diana observed as they approached the main exit.
"How do you want to handle that?"
"We’ll give a brief statement with minimal details and keep the emphasis on community collaboration," Diana replied, falling into professional mode. "Nothing that compromises the federal investigation or exploits what you've been through."
They paused outside the automatic doors, gathering themselves for whatever attention waited beyond the hospital walls. Through the glass, Lavender could see news crews setting up equipment, photographers checking their cameras, and reporters consulting notes that probably contained more speculation than fact.
"Ready?" Diana asked.
"With you? Always."
The media attention was brief but intense. Diana provided a professional statement about successful law enforcement collaboration while Lavender thanked the community for their support during her recovery. Questions about their personal relationship were deflected with polite but firm boundaries about privacy.
"Chief Marten, is it true that community consultation was essential to solving this case?" a reporter from thePhoenix Ridge Tribuneasked.
