Page 45 of Taken from Her (Phoenix Ridge Police Department #4)
They moved as a group toward the main hall, where the setup was already underway.
Diana surveyed the scene with deep appreciation: community members were arranging tables while officers from her department strung fairy lights.
Georgia Darricott directed food service with the same authority she brought to everything else.
Mayor Patricia Hendricks consulted about accommodations for visiting officials.
"This is what integration looks like," Lavender said to their visitors. "Not community members working with police, but community members and police working together on shared goals."
Diana spotted Detective Morgan Rivers coordinating security with volunteer organizers, their conversation focused on crowd flow and emergency protocols rather than enforcement and control. The difference was subtle but significant—partnership rather than supervision.
"Chief Marten," Mayor Hendricks approached with her usual political efficiency. "The delegation from Sacramento arrived this morning. They're very interested in our municipal partnership model."
"Which specific elements?" Diana asked.
"Budget integration, shared programming, and policy coordination. They want to know how we've eliminated duplication while improving services." The mayor gestured toward the setup around them. "Tonight's celebration demonstrates better than any presentation."
Erica made more notes. "How do you handle disagreements? Having a personal partnership in professional settings must create conflicts."
Diana and Lavender exchanged another look, this one carrying five years of learning to navigate exactly that challenge.
"We disagree regularly," Lavender said with a smile. "Resource allocation, priority setting, approach differences. But we've learned to separate policy disagreements from personal feelings."
"Do you have an example?" Elena suggested.
"Budget priorities last year," Diana said. "I wanted increased funding for patrol units. Lavender advocated for expanded youth programming."
"How did you resolve it?"
"Data analysis and community input," Lavender replied. "Crime statistics showed most incidents involved people under twenty-five. Youth programming addressed root causes more effectively than increased patrols."
"So you changed your position?" Erica asked Diana.
"I integrated her perspective with my analysis and recognized she was right." Diana's admission came without defensiveness. "Having a personal partnership means trusting each other's expertise rather than defending our own positions."
Clark captured the conversation, but Diana barely noticed the camera. Speaking about their relationship in professional terms felt natural now, validation of how completely they'd integrated personal and public life.
"The anniversary celebration tonight," Erica said, "how significant is it for community development?"
"It's recognition that personal partnerships can serve community good," Elena answered.
"Plus," Julia added with a grin, "it's a really good party."
The group laughed, tension easing as the formal interview shifted toward friendly conversation. Around them, the anniversary setup continued with the easy coordination that came from people who knew each other well.
Diana felt the familiar satisfaction of watching their model work in real time—not theory or academic study, but lived reality that made Phoenix Ridge stronger, safer, and more connected.
In three hours, they'd celebrate five years of proving that the best partnerships enhance everything they touch.
But right now, Diana was content to witness another afternoon of ordinary excellence, community and law enforcement working together because they'd learned to trust each other completely.
The Phoenix Ridge Community Center had been transformed.
Soft lighting strung between support beams created an intimate atmosphere while candles on every table cast warm shadows across walls displaying five years of photos documenting Diana and Lavender's journey together.
The scent of Georgia's famous lavender cake mixed with coffee, while conversations flowed between tables where police colleagues sat beside community activists, city officials shared stories with café regulars, and families celebrated alongside Phoenix Ridge's chosen family.
Diana stood near the memorial wall, watching their world celebrate in the transformed space.
Captain Julia Scott chatted with Detective Morgan Rivers near the dessert table, both wearing civilian clothes but carrying themselves with the confidence that came from meaningful work.
Dr. Hassan introduced her teenage daughter to Mayor Hendricks and three city council members.
Georgia Darricott held a small group captive near the dessert table, sharing her experience with Elena Rodriguez and two new volunteers who clearly understood they were receiving valuable education.
"Is it overwhelming?" Lavender asked, appearing beside Diana with two glasses of wine.
"No, it’s perfect," Diana replied, accepting her glass. "I never imagined wanting this much attention on my personal life. Tonight, it feels like celebrating with my chosen family."
Across the room, the main door opened to admit three figures that made Diana's chest tighten with emotion.
Tara Brymer entered first, her environmental science teacher's confidence grew by five years of healing.
Isabel followed, her tech-founder efficiency softened by genuine warmth, and Joanna completed their group, her swimmer's posture carrying hard-won strength.
"They came," Lavender said softly.
Tara approached first, her embrace full of gratitude. "We wouldn't miss this. You two saved our lives, but more than that, you created something that makes sure it never happens to anyone else."
Isabel joined them. "The safety networks you built and the police-community cooperation have been replicated in Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle. You've saved lives far beyond Phoenix Ridge."
Joanna walked up to the small group. "Corinne wanted to be here, but the kids have a tournament. She sends her love and says to tell you that watching you two prove love and service complement each other has been healing for our whole family."
Diana felt tears threaten. These women represented not just professional success, but personal validation that caring deeply made her better at protecting others, not worse.
"Thank you for building this," Tara continued, gesturing toward the celebration around them. "Not just the networks or the programs, but the proof that authentic partnerships create stronger communities."
Elena approached the small group with her tablet and warm smile. "Ready for the program? We have some special presentations planned."
The crowd settled as Elena took the microphone, her voice carrying across the room with practiced ease.
"Five years ago, Chief Diana Marten walked into Lavender's Café seeking community cooperation for a difficult investigation.
Tonight, we celebrate how that professional partnership became personal love, and how both have enhanced everything we've accomplished together. "
Applause filled the room, but Diana barely heard it. She was focused on Lavender beside her, silver hair catching candlelight, confidence radiating from her aura.
"We have presentations from several community groups," Elena continued, "but first, let's hear from the partnership that started it all."
Diana found herself guided toward the front of the room with Lavender, facing an audience that represented every aspect of their shared life. Her hand found Lavender's automatically.
"Five years ago," Diana began, her voice carrying easily across the space, "I believed that emotional distance was necessary for professional effectiveness. That caring too much would compromise my judgment and make me weak when people needed me to be strong."
She paused, looking at faces that had become family. "Lavender taught me that the opposite was true. That emotional investment was the key all along. That caring more deeply makes you better at protecting others, not worse."
"And Diana taught me," Lavender continued seamlessly, "that institutional resources and community networks could enhance each other instead of competing. That police protection and community care could work together to create something neither could achieve alone."
"Together," Diana said, "we've proven that the best partnerships don't require choosing between personal happiness and professional service. They prove that both can strengthen each other when built on trust, respect, and shared commitment to something larger than ourselves."
The applause was warm from recognition rather than politeness. Diana saw Julia Scott beaming with pride, Georgia Darricott nodding her approval, and Dr. Hassan smiling beside her daughter who was taking notes for a school project about community leadership.
Elena returned to the microphone. "We have recognitions from several organizations, but I want to start with something special. Tara, Isabel, and Joanna have prepared a presentation about the impact of community safety networks."
The three women joined Elena at the front, their presence creating a powerful visual reminder of why community protection mattered.
"Five years ago, we were statistics," Isabel said, her voice steady despite the emotion underneath. "We were reduced to missing persons cases and were victims of a trafficking network that threatened an entire community."
"Today," Tara continued, "we're here because two women proved that caring about people—personally and professionally—creates the kind of protection that actually works."