Up in Flames (Carlisle Fire)

Epilogue

CHASE CLIMBED off the truck, completely wiped out after spending hours battling a blaze at a warehouse between Carlisle and Mechanicsburg. Every unit from the surrounding communities had been called in to try to bring the structure under control. In the end, with enough unknown chemicals in the building, it had taken hours in the heat and spray before they could get the fire out.

“What has you so excited?” Hayden asked as Chase jumped down off the truck.

“It’s moving day, or at least it was,” Chase answered. They had found a house in the Old Mooreland area of town. It had been built in the forties, with great bones, even if the interior was dated and needed work. There was a nice yard with a fence for Peter, and they had already arranged for the delivery of a play set. Chase intended to assemble it on his next day off.

“Did Jerrod get stuck with all of it?” Hayden asked.

“Pretty much. I got called in just as the truck pulled up at his rental. There isn’t all that much still there, and hopefully the movers were helpful.” He pulled off his gear, completely soaked to the skin with sweat, even with the chill in the fall air. “I’m hoping I can shower and get out of here.” This was supposed to have been his day off, but duty called. He understood that, and so did Jerrod. Still, days like today were unfair.

“Go,” Hayden told him. “Help your man get everything moved.” He smiled as Chase hurried away and upstairs to the living area.

Chase grabbed his bag, showered, and dressed in clean clothes. Then he took off before anyone could find a reason for him to stay.

He made a call and a stop before pulling up in front of the house. The front door stood open, but the truck was nowhere to be found. “You missed all of it,” Jerrod said as he came out the door. “They got everything loaded, unloaded, and brought inside pretty quickly.”

“So it’s all here?”

“Yes. All we have to do is get the last of your stuff out of your apartment in the next week and we’ll be all moved in.” Jerrod slipped his arms around Chase’s neck. “I heard stories about the fire.”

“Yeah, it was bad,” Chase said, hugging Jerrod. “Where’s Peter?”

“Out back,” Jerrod said. “Were you able to get it?” Chase nodded and returned to the car to pick up a box from the floor of the front seat. By the time he returned, Jerrod had called Peter outside. “You’ve been so helpful with this move and everything that Chase and I got you something.”

Chase opened the top of the box, and Peter gasped as a small ginger-striped kitten poked its head out.

Peter screamed with delight before gently lifting the kitten into his arms and holding him to his chest. “Is he really mine?”

“Yes. Your daddy and I arranged to get him for you. But you have to take care of him, feed him, and be gentle with him.”

“Oh, I will.” Peter smiled from ear to ear. “Let’s go inside and I’ll show you the house, and you can sleep in my bed and everything.” He went inside, still talking to the kitten, and Chase stared after him.

“We have the house, the fence, and one kid,” Chase said. “That’s a lot more than I ever expected.” He placed an arm around Jerrod as they headed inside. “I think I have just about everything I ever wanted.”

“Yeah. I suppose anything is possible, and between the two of us, we can do just about anything.”

“Yup. The two of us, Peter, and a cat. Though I still think a dog would be nice,” Chase said as Peter ran out toward them and stopped at the door.

“Daddy, Peaches just peed in the kitchen,” Peter cried.

Chase turned to Jerrod with a half smile. “Okay. Maybe we don’t need the dog.” He kissed Jerrod quickly and then followed him inside.