Page 43 of Taken from Her (Phoenix Ridge Police Department #4)

D iana 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's only been that long."

Saffron appeared at the foot of the bed, his orange fur now streaked with distinguished white around his muzzle.

At eleven years 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 something meaningful.

"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 Change would 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 carried joggers, dog walkers, and couples moving with the easy confidence of people who felt safe in their neighborhood.

"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 that makes 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."