Chapter 78-79 - Former CIA, Now LAPD

Chapter 78 – When the Belt Comes Off

April 3, 2019 – 11:32 AM

The Nickel Diner – Downtown Los Angeles

The small, retro-style diner was known for its savory waffles, strong coffee, and "no personal questions between 7 AM and 10 AM" policy.

Athena Grant sat at one of the tables in the back, her coffee already half-finished. She wore dark jeans, a burgundy blouse, and reading glasses. Mike Edwards arrived with his usual quiet gait, khaki pants, a light blue shirt rolled up at the cuffs. His face bore a look Athena recognized immediately: a heaviness that didn't come from physical fatigue.

"You were three minutes late. That's practically an alien abduction by your standards."

Mike smiled, pulling out his chair.

"I got distracted choosing how to say something that doesn't have a classy way to say it."

Athena set down her spoon carefully. Now, attentive.

"This is serious."

"Yes."

A brief silence.

"After the wedding… I'm leaving the LAPD."

The sentence hung in the air, like glass about to fall.

Athena stared at him, unblinking for three seconds.

"Are you… going to ask for leave?"

"No. I'm going to ask for leave. Permanent. With a full report and respect for everything we've been through."

She crossed her arms, leaning against the backrest.

"Are you sure about that?"

"For the first time in my life, yes. I've always been defined by my mission. By my uniform. By my silence. Now… I want to be defined by my presence. By my choice. By the one I love."

Athena took another sip, as if needing something to hold back her emotion.

"Is it for her?"

"It's for me. With her."

She nodded slowly.

"You know I'll miss it. Patrolling with you was one of my best years in the department."

Mike took the sugar packet. He opened it slowly, but didn't use it.

"You taught me how to experience the city with empathetic eyes. How to listen before acting. How to hold a gun with one hand... and your soul with the other."

Athena smiled, her eyes slightly watering.

"You showed me that even those raised to operate in the shadows... can shine in the light."

Mike touched her hand.

"We'll see each other again. It's not goodbye. It's just... another page."

Athena squeezed his hand.

"You have my blessing. And my pride."

2:00 PM – LAPD, Western Division – Office of Captain Elaine Maynard

Captain Maynard was a woman with a firm posture and a measured tone. She was reading a report when Mike knocked on the door and entered. He was in uniform, having gone to the unit for a final internal procedure record.

"Edwards. Do you need five minutes or fifteen?"

"Fifteen is better."

She closed the folder. She crossed her arms.

"Talk to me."

Mike stood, his posture straight but not rigid. He took a deep breath.

"Captain. After my wedding, I will officially resign from the LAPD."

She showed no surprise. She simply observed.

"Reason?"

"A combination of personal factors. Alignment with my civilian life. With my partner. With what I've built."

"Do you have any disciplinary or medical issues?"

"None."

She stood. Walked to the window.

"You were one of the best officers I've ever seen walk through that door. And yes, I knew it was only a matter of time. Officers like you don't stay in open operations for long. But I confess I waited a few more years."

Mike smiled.

"I've waited my whole life to choose this lightly. Now the time has come."

She turned.

"And what do you intend to do?"

"Be present. With her. With whatever comes. Maybe security consulting. Maybe nothing for a while."

She approached and held out her hand.

"You leave with honor. With a clean slate. And with open doors."

He shook her hand firmly.

"Thank you for trusting me with a uniform. And for not questioning when I say it's time."

She looked at him.

"This uniform respects you. And will always recognize you. Even from the outside."

4:30 PM – LAPD Parking Lot

Mike left the building with his badge still hanging around his neck. The afternoon sun cast golden reflections on the police cars' bodywork.

Athena waited for him, leaning against patrol car 12-A-27, the same one they'd shared for months.

"So?"

"Official."

"And now?"

"Now... I'll just be Mike. That's all."

Athena smiled.

"Then be it. But know this: that passenger seat... will miss you."

Mike smiled back.

"And I'll miss him."

They hugged. Tight. Long.

Chapter 79 – The Uniform That Stayed in the Closet

April 6, 2019 – 3:12 PM

Hidden Hills – Kris Jenner's Private Garden

The garden was laid out with elegant simplicity. Rows of light wood chairs with white cushions. Arrangements of lavender, eucalyptus, and white orchids floated in hanging vases. The altar, set under a pergola with flowing fabric, was set against a backdrop of the clear California sky.

Mike Edwards, in a fitted dark blue suit, without insignia or holster, stood beside Athena Grant, who wore a dark burgundy dress, elegant, without ostentation. Her face was serious—but her eyes sparkled.

"Are you nervous?" she asked, adjusting the lapel of his suit jacket.

"It's not nervousness. It's awareness. Of everything that brought me here."

— "Well, that all included explosions, kidnappings, multiple assault rifles, and a few freezing early mornings in the squad car seat."

Mike laughed, but soon returned to restrained silence.

— "And now... this. Love. No code. No contingency plan."

Athena paused for a second, assessing him.

— "You're ready."

Mike nodded.

— "Because she's my peace. And I... I'm finally home to someone."

3:30 PM – Guests Arrive

The chairs began to fill.

In the front row, Kris Jenner, elegant in a cream dress, sat next to Corey Gamble, Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, Kylie, and Hailey Bieber. North, Stormi, and Penelope occupied the children's seats in front, all with small flower crowns in their hair.

Bobby Nash, captain of the 118, arrived alongside Hen, Chimney, Buck, and Eddie Diaz—all dressed in refined casual attire and smiling.

Tim Bradford looked impeccable, alongside Angela Lopez, Lucy Chen, Jackson West, and John Nolan, who watched everything with watchful eyes and a light heart.

"I've never seen a wedding so... royal," Jackson said.

"That's Mike. He never does anything halfway. And he never overdoes it when it doesn't matter," Lucy replied.

Tim, with his dry half-smile:

"I bet he still has the evacuation protocol in mind."

Angela, laughing:

"But for once, he won't use it."

3:48 PM – The Beginning

The music started playing. It wasn't a classical march. It was an instrumental version of "Sea of Love," the song Mike had heard on the couch with Kendall for the first time.

Kendall Jenner walked down the lavender-lined path in a minimalist, light, plain white dress, free of lace and sparkles. Her hair was half-down, with a small jasmine arrangement at her side. She walked slowly, holding a small bouquet. She looked at him with the kind of expression that can't be constructed it only exists when everything inside a person is at peace.

Mike looked at her like someone watching the sun rise in a safe field after years of war.

Athena stepped back discreetly. Mike extended his hand. Kendall took it.

The officiant, a friend of Kris's family, spoke calmly and sincerely. There was no pomp. There was intention.

Wedding Dialogue

"Michael Jonathan Edwards. Do you choose Kendall Nicole Jenner as your partner, your equal, your home, your love, and your peace?"

Mike looked into her eyes. His voice was firm, without hesitation.

— "Yes. I choose. And I've chosen you every day before this. And I will choose every day after."

— "Kendall Nicole Jenner. Do you choose Michael Jonathan Edwards as your partner, your home, your friend, and the father of your future family?"

She squeezed his hand, her eyes already shining.

— "Yes. Because he taught me silence. He gave me grounding. He gave me back my love without making a sound."

Rings

Stormi, sweet in her white dress, carried the rings in a small wooden box. Mike bent down to receive it.

— "Thank you, Special Agent Stormi."

She smiled.

Mike placed the ring on Kendall's finger.

— "I'm a civilian now. But my commitment is permanent."

Kendall placed the ring on him.

— "You've always been mine. Even before we knew it."

"You can kiss."

The kiss was brief, calm, intimate—like everything they had built.

The applause was sincere. The tears were discreet. The expressions were those of someone who understands that true love doesn't need to be shouted just felt.

Reception – Center Table

Athena, now lighter, sat between Bobby and Kim. Chimney laughed at something Buck was telling Kourtney.

Eddie was in a calm conversation with Corey about his time serving in the Middle East.

Tim watched Mike from afar. Then he leaned in closer.

"I never imagined you wearing a tie. But I admit it works."

"And I never imagined you smiling in public. It seems we've both evolved."

They shook hands. Respectfully.

Kendall later kicked off her shoes and danced with Stormi and North to smooth jazz. Mike watched her, a glass of wine in his hand, Athena at his side.

— "You did it, Mike."

— "What?"

— "Making life work. Without losing who you were."

Mike looked around.

— "Because now… I know who I am. Not because of what I do. But because of who I love."

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Chapter 32 - Chapter 78-79