Molly's Cop (15 page)

"I love Michael, Seamus. He has nothing to prove to me, and I'll say 'yes' when he asks," she informed the man who was an older version of Michael.

Seamus smiled again. "I believe you, Molly, and we'll be pleased to have you become an O'Keefe in name as well as in our hearts." He got to his feet and said, "Thank you for the tea, honey. Now, you finish yours and get on up to bed. It's late."

"I will, Seamus," she replied. "Thank you for caring about me," she added, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. "I don't know what I did to deserve all of you, but I feel blessed each and every day."

"You're a lovely girl, Miss Molly, and we're proud of you." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and then went on up to bed after another warning to her to get some sleep.

Thanksgiving came and once again Mary and Seamus filled their house with family and friends. This time there was no tension between Kathleen and Molly and Kathleen was happy to inform the family that she and Lloyd were going to have another baby! Everyone was elated, but most of all, Lloyd! Since Kathleen hired an assistant she was home more and it felt as though they were a family once again. Daniel also made an announcement that stunned the family, with the exception of his parents. He said that he'd finally figured out what it was he was called to do with his life and admitted he'd felt the call to serve the Church for several years now and was going to become a Priest. His siblings questioned his decision, worried about him, and were even more shocked when he told them this was not a spur of the moment decision, that he was finally admitting what he'd known all along. Seamus finally stepped in and told them that Daniel had discussed this with him and Mary several months earlier and they were convinced it was right for Daniel. Daniel told them of the classes he'd already taken, and the interviews he'd had before being accepted into the Seminary. Finally, he received the well wishes of his siblings, but a lot of teasing, also. Michael teased him about his love life, and Daniel simply grinned and asked, "What love life?" Molly sat back and watched all of this and was thankful she was part of such a loving family. Last year she spent all of Thanksgiving with Gram, and yet feeling all alone. She and Michael visited Gram earlier, but she did not respond at all to them. The O'Keefe house was so full of vibrancy and love that it warmed her heart.

Once the long Thanksgiving weekend was over Molly went back to work, looking forward to the holidays. She helped decorate the office for Christmas, but this year her heart was involved. Her life was absolutely perfect for the first time since Gram became so ill she had to be moved into the home for her own safety. Molly was already picking out gifts to give Michael, his parents, and his siblings and their spouses and children! Her gift list was so large she couldn't believe it, but instead of fretting, she was elated.

It was late in the day when her cell phone rang. It was Ellen, one of Gram's nurses, calling and asking her to come right away. Gram's condition had worsened. Molly immediately called Michael and he said he would be there to pick her up as soon as he could get there. Molly went in to tell her boss she needed to leave early, and Drake immediately offered to drive her since he could see she was very upset. She told him that Michael was on his way, and he put his arm around her and accompanied her downstairs, and gave her strict orders not to come in the next day if she needed to be with her Grandmother.

Molly was surprised when she saw Michael get out of his Pop's truck. Seamus got out, too, just to give her a hug. Michael took Molly's keys and then drove her in her own car to the nursing home. They hurried down the hallway and found that Ellen was in the room with Gram. She came forward and spoke quietly to Molly. "I'm sorry, Molly, but Isabel is failing." She went on to explain what was happening, and told Molly that she was losing her precious Gram.

Michael held Molly's hand as she absorbed the news and then watched with pride as she pulled herself together and went to Gram's bedside and started talking to her of all the wonderful memories she had with Gram, telling her how much she loved her, and letting her know that she would be fine and that it was time for Gram to let go of this world and go to the other side. Michael told Gram again that he loved Molly and planned to ask her to marry him so that he could take care of her for the rest of their lives together. Molly felt tears fill her eyes as she smiled at Michael, and when she looked back at Gram, she could swear she saw a smile on her lips.

To Molly's surprise, both Mary and Seamus came a few minutes later, just to offer their support and love. Molly was positive that Gram was aware of the love surrounding Molly, and she quietly allowed her spirit to leave her body and go to the other side.

Molly cried and Michael held her. Seamus and Mary offered their sympathy and support, too. Ellen couldn't help but shed a few tears, too, and told them how special Isabel was to her. Molly hugged her and thanked her for all the loving care she'd given Gram.

Michael wanted to take care of all the arrangements, but Molly shook her head 'no'. "I have everything planned, Michael," she explained. "Gram and I talked about this before she was so ill she couldn't tell me what she wanted." Michael nodded, and then offered to notify the funeral home. Molly smiled through her tears and thanked him. Mary was holding her hand and Seamus was on her other side, hurting for her. Michael trusted his parents with Molly and he stepped out of the room to make the call. He also called the O'Keefe house, and Rachel answered. He told her what happened, and gave her the task of notifying the siblings. She promised to do so and asked how Molly was doing. Michael could hear the tears in her voice and spent a couple of minutes reassuring her that Molly would be fine. He then called and spoke to Drake Bridges and informed him that Molly lost her Grandmother and wouldn't be in for the rest of the week. Drake was sympathetic and understanding and bluntly asked if he was with Molly because she shouldn't be alone right now. Michael calmly answered Drake's questions and told him he was welcome to come to the O'Keefe house that evening if he wanted to see Molly. Drake promised he would be there, and if Molly needed anything, he wanted to know right away. Michael reassured him that Molly wouldn't need for anything.

Molly felt numb. Michael didn't leave her side, and Mary and Seamus fussed over her as if she was a helpless babe. Kathleen and Lloyd were the first of the older siblings to arrive and she brought crock pots full of food. Bridget had been baking since Rachel told her what happened, and she informed her Mom that she and Kat talked on the phone and planned a late supper for everyone. Molly had food put in front of her and Michael whispered in her ear that it would make Kat and Bridget feel like they were helping her if she ate a few bites. Molly ate even though she really didn't feel hungry.

Drake showed up just as he promised and gave Molly a hug. He reassured her that it was alright for her to take the rest of the week off, and even longer if she felt the need. Molly thanked him, and was surprised when he handed her an envelope. "This is to help with expenses, Molly, and please don't argue with me. I want to help and this is the only thing I can think of to do." She tearfully thanked him and gave him a hug before he left. It wasn't until later that Michael opened the envelope for her and realized that Drake was trying to pay for the funeral for Molly. He was shocked by the man's generosity, but not as shocked as Molly was when she saw the amount on the check.

"I can't accept that, Michael!" she insisted. "It is far too much!"

Seamus decided to add his two cents worth after looking at the check and whistling. "It appears to me that your boss cares a great deal for you, honey."

"It's too much, Seamus!" Molly argued. "Michael, what do you think?"

"I've told you before that I feel Drake has paternal feelings toward you, Molly. If he didn't want to do this, he wouldn't. It is up to you, however, whether or not you accept this money."

"Do you all realize I could be a con artist and take advantage of all of you?" Molly asked with a grin, seeing the humor in the situation. "Seamus and Mary offered to pay for the funeral while you were making calls, Michael. Then you told me not to worry about the funeral expense; you would handle it. Kat and Lloyd offered, too. And now my boss...! Gram and I planned for this because she knew it was inevitable, and that included paying for it with the last money she had. There will be some expense, of course, but I can take care of it myself. You are all so kind to offer, though. You have no idea how much you all mean to me..." She started crying again, and Michael pulled her close to simply hold her.

Michael didn't leave her side through the visitation and the funeral and the dinner at his parents' home afterwards. He held her when she cried; he lifted her spirits as best he could; he assured her that Gram died happy. Molly leaned on Michael and permitted him to be strong for her, but when he tried to get her to take another week off from work, she flat out refused. She told him that Gram would expect her to dry her tears and get on with living. Michael didn't argue, but he made a private call to Drake to ask him to keep an eye on her for him. Drake promised, and Michael knew he was a man of his word.

Molly knew the first few minutes back at work would be awkward, and they were. Her co-workers were quick to offer condolences, even the ones who came to the funeral home to pay their respects. Molly put on a brave smile, but the minute she was alone in her office, she cried. Of course, Drake Bridges came in early and caught her crying. He simply put his hand on her shoulder and offered comfort. Molly pulled herself together and took the envelope he gave her out of her purse and handed it to him. "I want to thank you for this, Mr. Bridges, but I can't accept your money. Gram already paid for everything in advance, and I was able to handle the flowers and the other things on my own," she explained.

"Are you sure, Molly?" he asked. "If I call the funeral home and ask, would I hear the same thing?" he wanted to know.

"Seamus O'Keefe and Michael already did that," she said with a grin. "They both learned it was true, so you can call, too. I am sure that Mr. Jefferson has never had so many people calling him to make sure a funeral was paid for..." She smiled at Drake. "I think it was so kind of you to write this check, and I do appreciate it so much, but I cannot and will not take advantage of you, Mr. Bridges."

"I am going to save this, Molly," he said decisively. "It will go toward your wedding dress and cake when you and Michael get married, and that is final, so do not argue with me on the subject."

"But..."

"No arguments or I will forget you aren't my daughter and turn you over my knee!" he promised, but only the teasing light in his eyes told her he wasn't serious. The humor faded and Drake turned serious. "Molly, I've watched you day in and day out, working so hard, your attitude respectful to one and all. You've given the clients a shoulder to cry on when they needed it. You've known when to shuffle my schedule if someone truly needed to see me immediately. And that was all while you were taking care of your Grandma, and dealing with problems that most young women your age don't have to deal with. You never made excuses when you messed up; you owned your mistake, and did your best to correct it. I admire your work ethic. My clients love you; so do your coworkers, Molly. When Dad comes in, you make him feel like a valuable asset to the firm. He told me that you wouldn't accept anything from him for saying my life..." Drake looked at her and shook his head. "I don't know how he decided the amount I'm worth," he said, shaking his head and grinning.

"That check was for a LOT of money!" Molly said, her eyes wide. "Of course I wouldn't take it."

"I know. Your Gram raised you to be a wonderful person, and if my kids turn out half as well, I will be proud. Molly, I'm not trying to pay you for saving my life; I want to do something special for you because I genuinely feel you have made my life better for knowing you. Will you give me the joy of helping you with your wedding?" he asked.

"Michael hasn't asked me yet," she answered.

"He will," Drake spoke with confidence. "Will you accept this later... for your wedding?"

"If you truly want to do this, I will accept," she tearfully promised.

He nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you, Molly." He looked down at her and said, "Are you sure you're ready to work?"

"Yes." Drake wasted no time in giving her several tasks that needed to be done as soon as possible, and told her that he was thrilled to have her back because the temp who filled in for her was an air head. Molly giggled, and got busy.

Michael was not pleased when six o'clock came and went with no call from Molly. She'd been working late all week and he sensed it was to keep from grieving for her Gram. When she was home, she was short-tempered with him. It was almost time for dinner, and unless she walked in the door soon, his Pop was going to be upset with her for not calling to let Mary know she was 'safe'. Pop hated it when his wife was upset, and every one of his children learned that lesson young in their lives. His cell phone rang, but it wasn't Molly calling. It was work, and he was needed on a crime scene immediately. He apologized to his Ma for leaving, and told her to have Molly call him when she got home. Mary said that she would.

Seamus answered the telephone when Molly finally called after nine o'clock. "Young lady, do you know what time it is? Mother waited dinner for you, and she tried to call." He listened and then said, "I do not want to hear excuses, Molly. We will discuss this when you get home." He hung up the telephone.

"Seamus, Molly is not our daughter, and she is an adult," Mary said softly, trying to calm the big man.

"Molly was told the house rules when she moved in here and she agreed to them, Mary. I'll not be letting her put work before her family."

"She has had a difficult two weeks, darling," Mary implored him to listen to her. "Losing her Gram and going back to work to face a backlog... She is a good girl, and she's been wonderful about calling."