In all of her life Jessica had never been to a funeral that she could recall. 

Distant memories of her grandparents before she even finished elementary school, and of a cousin she never knew floated in her mind and she tried to sift through those memories for reference as to how to feel or what to do. But only vague memories of playing with children, and the childish naivety of death was all she could conjure up.

Family and friends mingled together to remember the lost, George gone far too young with so many questions as to what had been happening with him still unanswered. 

The wake was such an odd and simultaneously intimate thing that she wasn't sure she knew how to navigate. After multiple rounds of investigation and questioning, and what seemed to be an extensive holding of his body for the medical examiner, he finally came home and, now, a month later they were allowed to grieve.

Jessica had refused to see him in the open casket, Brad had encouraged her for closures sake but she promptly assured him that she was well aware that George was no longer with them, and she need no more memories to help with that.

"If you want that Jess, okay. I'll be here for you either way. I know you two were close."

Jessica didn't know what to say to his mother.

 She didn't know what to say to his sister, or to anyone else. 

The common phrases and sentiments associated with grief all seemed too fabricated, and not honest enough. The fact George had been arrested due to a conflict with her only a day before his death had also left the family at odds with the matter. So, at the wake, they all stood at opposite ends of the house, avoiding one another tactfully.

After about an hour of finding uncomfortable areas of the house to linger and hold the same glass of wine, floating about the murmur of voices among the established groups, Jessica and Brad found their way to slip out of the house and down the driveway to Brads car, thankful to slip into the sense of security the car provided.

Since that day, Jessica had seen no more of Georges family, and her heart sank as for she had liked them, even though they were not close.

After that a few more weeks past, and they found themselves falling into a gentle routine, constantly supporting one another and rarely apart.

One day, after a busy day at the market, they drove home in a comfortable silence until Jessica found her own anxieties grow from the stray thoughts that raced around her head.

"I don't know what to do," Jessica burst out once they had merged onto the highway," everything is a mess."

Brad glanced over, before drumming his fingers on the steering wheel looking ahead.

He had been put on leave for the past few weeks and was promised to be able to return to duty in a few days' time with a warning. They had spent the majority of their time together, and Jessica found she was more broken over the thought of him returning to work and his own home, when they had found a draw for his things to reside at in Jessica's' home.

May had moved into a cute apartment the week before, and even though Alex still worked for her, he was beginning to spend time away from the farm. She had been so glad that Brad had been there to help her with the market today, as for Alex had asked if leaving early was an option when May was doing a special dinner.

"We will make it through this. Together. I'm not leaving, and Alex and May are still here for you as well."

She blew out a puff of air and ran fingers through her hair," I know. But the whole thing over that Mr. Westfall just has me so. . ."

The past few days had been mostly spent alongside lawyer's advice, and proceedings from a judge. 

It seemed as if Mr. Westfall would not be pinned for anything attached to any of the crimes on the farms, since Brad and his fellow officers had acted without a warrant- despite being allowed onto the premises somehow all evidence linking him to anything had been ignored. Mr. Skinner was currently arrested, as were a handful of others that were accused of harassment and possible destruction of property. 

But their ties to Mr. Westfall were not enough, apparently, to even put a charge on him.

"I can not emphasize how much I agree with you," Brad said as they pulled into the drive," It is the way the law works, and when I saw Bret in that picture.. . I lost my head. I should have never done that. I'm so sorry Jess. . ."

"Don't be sorry! You have done so much, first for this case and all and now here with me being a mess and even with the farm work!"

Brad laughed at that," You mean the mess I made of your chickens?

She found herself not being able to hold back a smile and leaned forward to have her forehead meet his own across the center console," Yes you amazing man. Even when you accidently let out the chickens. I'll make a farmer of you yet."

The kiss they shared was one melded in smiles and light laughter, a still so powerful thing she found despite them having dated for several months now. Jessica put her hand on his own, imagining the years they could form together.

"But," she pulled away after a moment, her cheeks hot and seeing the heat she felt reflected in Brads gaze," I won't be able to when you leave after you go back to work."

He bit his lip sitting back and nodding.

"That was something I wanted to be able to talk to you about," he confessed.

Her heart raced," Oh?"

"Well, with everything that happened Bret had a real wake up call. Has found a job at the local theater. It doesn't pay much, I know, but it's a start. And with that it keeps the kids here and. . . well he is already staying at my place," he turned his thoughtful gaze from the front window back to her own widening eyes," You don't have to say yes but I thought-"

"Yes ! Yes I want you to move in with me!" She slapped a hand to her mouth finding her response far more of an outburst than originally intended.

He chuckled, gently removing his hand and kissing her gently before murmuring," well ma'am. I believe you found yourself a farmhand of an officer."

She laughed and fell back into kissing him, an action she was sure she would never tire of.

Together they made their way into their home, their farm, ready to face any problems that could possibly arise in the future. 

Whatever it came to, they knew now they would never do it alone.

End