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By two o’clock, Caitlyn decided it was time to go. Despite the entire department dedicating the entire day celebrating her tenure as sheriff and the reluctance to leave nagging the back of her head, she knew better. The building grew sparsely populated as well-wishers went on with their lives and her officers checked out for duty. All that remained of the party were sparkling decorations, leftover slices of cake, and a few enforcers in silly party hats. Wading through the chaos, Caitlyn entered her office for the last time.
It was hardly recognizable now. Without the mountains of paperwork and files, her old desk felt much larger than she remembered. The artisan bookshelves that used to proudly display prestigious awards, countless pictures, and cherished memorabilia were now picked clean, ready for their next owner. Even the corner once covered by Vi’s tidy pile of junk - that Caitlyn refused to have cleaned - sparkled in the afternoon light. Caitlyn couldn’t imagine a time when her office was this barren. Her first day here had been so long, long ago. She gave the room one final look of appreciation before closing the door behind her.
*
When she was younger, Caitlyn could’ve never imagined what the Bridge of Progress would become. She bore witness, and regrettably participated, in many ugly conflicts between Piltover and the Zaun. But today, the bridge was a beacon of unity and hope for all. True progress.
The dozens of colorful, attractive stands drew in people of all shapes and sizes. Jericho’s diner was packed with hungry customers, telling jokes and sharing drinks. Children ate sweet treats and danced to songs played by street musicians wielding the next innovation instruments. A group of patrolling enforcers pleasantly strolled by, occasionally stopping to say hello to familiar faces.
As per usual, Caitlyn garnered some attention as she walked through the bridge. Citizens tipped their hats out of respect. Kids stared - mostly at her eyepatch - and some even saluted her. She shook hands and made polite greetings. It put a smile on her face to see friends gathering, children playing, and businesses booming from both sides of the city.
*
Ever since the first time Caitlyn entered the Tree Sanctuary, it always took her breath away. Her first visit here was under less-than-pleasant circumstances, but she never lost the chance to appreciate its wonder in contrast to its darker surroundings. The twinkling sun protruded through the Tree’s lush leaves. Its hearty trunk and sturdy branches stood healthier than ever, providing shelter and shade for all. At the very center, wrapped by the Tree’s roots, resided an old mural.
Caitlyn stopped in front of it. The original paint had been long replaced but she could still make out the image of Vi as a teenager. There was no lip scar or face tattoo but this Vi had the same radiant pink hair, adorable freckles, and confident look in her eyes. Caitlyn raised her hand to touch the worn plaster. A warm feeling bounced around her heart.
Curious faces and voices perked up at the sight of their favorite topsider. A shout from high up in the Tree grabbed her attention. Caitlyn squinted her one good eye against the sun’s glare and she could see Ekko’s white hair flying around as he waved at her from above. Caitlyn waved back before continuing further into the Sanctuary.
A small alcove was tucked neatly behind the Tree. Like the Tree, the sun’s rays managed to find their way down to these depths and spawned a serene, grassy field. Gentle indigo flowers blossomed all throughout and in the center was a polished stone, no taller than her waist. The grass let out gentle hisses as Caitlyn tread towards it. She laid her hands on top of its smooth surface.
“Hello Vi,” Caitlyn said aloud. “It’s my retirement day.”
There was no response, but that was acceptable. She didn’t expect one.
“Jayce brought brownies for the party. I think you would’ve liked making fun of his white hairs,” she continued with a small grin.
She eased herself down on the grass. Her fingers danced around the face of the gravestone before settling on the letter ‘V’ engraved into it.
“I’ve been thinking about the day Father passed,” she began. “I remember us having tea that morning when the phone rang. You answered it. Gods, that look you gave me still haunts me. But in that single moment, my life was so different, so quickly. Just like that, everything changed.”
Caitlyn waited for a reply that she knew would never come.
“I don’t think you let me go twenty minutes without a hug that day. You held me together.”
Caitlyn rested her head against the stone. The smooth black marble was warm against her cheek from baking in the sun but it only left her heart craving more.
“Tomorrow, for the first time in thirty years, I won’t be an enforcer. Everything is changing again. And all I want is for you to hold me one more time.”
She closed her eye and passed the time with her wife.
*
“Mother?”
Caitlyn’s eye slowly fluttered open. Standing several feet away from her was a tall woman with lilac hair in her mid-twenties. Her white Academy uniform gleamed underneath the afternoon sun.
Caitlyn smiled fondly at the sight of her daughter.
“Hello Cass. How’d you find me?”
Cass walked over to her mother and knelt beside her. She wrapped her hands around Caitlyn’s.
“You weren’t home and the office said you left hours ago,” Cass said.
Caitlyn interlaced her fingers with Cass’s.
“My little detective,” she cooed, placing a kiss on top of her daughter’s head.
The pair sat there quietly, looking at the memorial of their loved one.
“I’m sorry I missed your party,” Cass finally said in a low voice. “I should’ve left with Uncle Jayce.”
Caitlyn shook her head. “It’s better that you’re with me here. I missed your mother.”
“Me too.”
The two returned to comfortable silence. Their unspoken feelings passed between their held hands.
*
As the sun began to set and the streetlights blinked to life, Caitlyn decided it was time to go. She looked back at the Tree and watched families hug and kiss, reuniting after a long day’s labor. Caitlyn turned to her daughter, sleeping peacefully on the field, and placed a hand on her cheek.
Cass beamed and leaned into her mother’s intimate touch. She blinked the sleep away and opened her eyes.
“Dinner?” she asked.
“Let’s go see what Jericho has cooked up for us,” Caitlyn said.
Cass mimed gagging. “You know I didn’t get either of your genes for digesting that slop.”
“Cassandra Kiramman, be nice!” Caitlyn teased, poking her daughter in the stomach.
Cass giggled and rolled away in the grass before standing up. She helped Caitlyn up to her feet. Caitlyn brought three fingers to her lips and pressed the kiss on Vi’s gravestone. Cass gave the stone a fist bump, like the ones she used to share with her mom. Arm-in-arm, the two left - but not for the last time.