Chapter 30
Ollie
Run Your Mouth by Gavin Adcock
Ihaven’t been to work in five days, and it’s the longest stretch I’ve taken off since I joined the department.
I love my job and didn’t really take much vacation.
But now I love every moment just soaking up time with Ellie and our new little family.
Every single guy at the station made a big deal out of me getting Ellie.
And the support, encouragement, and love I’ve received have blown me away.
They covered my shifts without complaint. High fives and back slaps. A couple of jokes about me having a baby now. Someone taped a handwritten sign to my locker that says “CONGRATS” in red marker, and I left it there because I love it.
They dropped off a tiny firefighter onesie that looks like turnout gear and a baby fire helmet that’s so small it makes my chest ache. I stare at it for a minute longer than I should. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
I tuck it into the bag and grin. Can’t wait to show Poppy.
This is everything I never knew I wanted at the most inconvenient but most perfect moment in my life.
But isn’t that how life works? It happens, and you roll with it.
Celebrate the good and survive the bad. This time it’s feeling pretty good.
Poppy laughs when I pull the little firefighter outfit out later. Ellie’s on the bed between us, freshly changed and blinking up at the ceiling like she’s trying to figure out how all of this happened. Me, too, kid. Me too.
“Oh my God,” Poppy says. “That’s ridiculously cute. I need a picture of you wearing your gear, holding her in that.”
“I know,” I say. “She’s wearing it.”
Ellie’s a good baby. It’s like she’s already decided we’re her people and this is just what life looks like now.
We take her to her well-baby appointment together. I hold the diaper bag and Ellie. Poppy handles the paperwork. Ellie sleeps through most of it, only fussing when the doctor checks her reflexes.
“She’s perfect,” the doctor says. “Good job, Mom and Dad.”
Poppy looks at me and softens, and neither of us corrects her. Because we’re both loving this even though it’s been exhausting and hard.
After the doctor’s appointment, we meet Weston at Harvest and Honey for lunch and to catch up. The place smells like espresso and pastries and something sweet baking in the back. Weston stands up the second he sees Ellie, eyes softening in a way I’ve never seen before.
“Hey,” he says quietly, like he doesn’t want to spook her.
“Do you want to hold her?” Poppy asks. “She won’t break.”
Weston grins. “Sure, I don’t think I’ve ever held a baby, but okay.”
Weston takes her, and I show him how to hold her neck, and he holds her, softening. “She’s perfect,” he tells us.
He peers at her. “She’s smaller than I expected.”
Poppy peers over his shoulder. “She looks like she’s thinking about something.”
Weston reaches out one finger, and Ellie curls her hand around it instantly.
His breath leaves him in a rush.
“Oh,” he says. “Oh wow.”
Poppy laughs. “You’re done. You’re gonna need one of your own.”
Weston clears his throat. “I’m fine.”
He’s not fine. None of us are. Ellie has brought more joy to all of us than we ever could have imagined.
We sit together, pulled together at one of the long tables. Ellie sleeps through most of it, tucked against my chest in the carrier, her weight warm and steady.
Poppy keeps glancing at her like she’s afraid she’ll disappear.
Weston raises his coffee. “To Ollie and Poppy. That baby and Owen are lucky to have you two as parents.”
The conversation drifts, as it always does, to ranch stuff. Music stuff with Walker and Violet, and firehouse gossip. Weston updates us on all the legal things with Owen and Ellie. Ellie starts to fuss and I check her over.
“She’s good,” Poppy says, stroking her back.
I check anyway, and she’s fine.
Weston watches me and smiles. “You’re different now.”
“Am I?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says. “You’re more serious.”
I snort. “That’s not true.”
Weston tilts his head. “You are, though. Like you’ve got something to be happy about now. Being a family man looks good on you.”
I look down at Ellie, at the way her cheek presses into my shirt, her tiny breaths puffing against my skin. Then I look over at Poppy, who is just as present with me, by my side. Taking on an additional motherhood role without even hesitating.
“Yeah,” I admit. “It feels pretty good.”
Poppy’s hand reaches mine, and she squeezes.
Weston shifts in his seat. He watches Poppy for a second, the way she leans in to kiss Ellie’s head without thinking.
Then he looks back at me. “You’re kinda making me want one,” he says.
I choke on my drink.
Poppy loses it. “Oh my gosh, really?”
Weston smirks. “I didn’t say now. Just someday.”
Ellie stirs and opens her eyes, blinking up at all of us.
By the time we stand to leave, Weston’s hovering when I lift Ellie back into the carrier.
“If you need anything,” he says. “Anything at all, I’ve got you.”
“I know,” I tell him. "Thanks, man.”
As we walk out into the bold but bright afternoon sun, Ellie tucked into her car seat, Poppy’s hand warm in mine, it hits me all at once.
I’m off work. The world can wait. I’ve got everything I need right here. My family. Poppy, Owen, and Ellie.
The Black Dog is loud in a good way. It’s what we needed tonight.
No chaos, just life. Music from the speakers, the sound of pool balls cracking together, laughter, and happy chatter bouncing off the walls.
It smells like beer, fried food, and something sweet Momma Mary, the cook, baked earlier that she swears is to test, but always ends up on our table.
Poppy and I haven’t been out like this in weeks. We’ve been getting to know Ellie, newly married life, and our new home together. Life really said, “Hold my beer,” and put us on a roller coaster.
Mack’s got Owen and Ellie back at the apartment.
Ellie went down easily and will probably sleep for 2-3 hours.
Owen’s perfectly happy and already sent me a picture of a Minecraft castle he’s building while eating pizza, like he’s living his best life with Mack.
We’re only a few blocks away, yet close enough if they need us.
We could be there in five minutes. Poppy and I needed this night out together.
I keep checking my phone anyway.
“She’s still asleep,” Poppy murmurs, leaning into my side. “You’ve checked four times.”
“Five,” I correct. But who’s counting? Mack’s been a great babysitter, and she knows what she’s doing, but Ellie’s just so new.
Poppy smiles and presses her cheek into my shoulder, warm and solid and exactly where she belongs. It feels good to be here like this. Eating dinner. Having a drink. Doing grown-up things with her tucked into me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Violet slides a basket of cheese fries onto the table. “Eat,” she orders. “You look like you forgot how.”
“I know how,” I say, snatching a fry, taking a bite. “These are good.”
“You forget how to be a human when you live with babies,” Maggie says, sipping her drink. “You get so consumed with everything they need, you forget what you need.”
Walker’s at the pool table with Jack and Cami. Jack lines up a shot and laughs at something Cami says. Jack’s talking trash like it’s his job. Cami leans against the table, beer in hand, laughing every time Walker misses on purpose.
Violet catches my eye. “You ever need a weekend away, we’ll keep Ellie. We’ve been thinking about going on a baby moon to Coconut Beach.”
I don’t disagree. I would love a weekend away with Poppy. Just not now with Ellie, so new. “Well, if you want us to look after Mack, just let us know.”
She smiles. “We might just take you up on that. Look at us trading babysitting.”
Jack looks over and laughs. “You have the babysitter, Violet.”
I laugh. “She is a good babysitter. She sends updates every twenty minutes because I think she’s tired of me asking.”
Poppy chokes on her drink. “I’m guilty of it too, now.”
“I don’t mean to,” I mutter. “I just miss them.”
Walker raises his glass. “To Ollie and Poppy. New helicopter parents.”
Jack nods solemnly. “It’s happening.”
Violet smiles at me, genuine and warm. “It’s sweet.”
That quiets me faster than anything else. “It’ll be your turn here, soon.”
We eat and drink. Someone puts on a song everyone knows, and Maggie turns it up just enough. Walker and Jack argue over pool rules. Violet beats both of them without trying. Cami steals Jack’s fries, and he lets her.
At some point, Poppy shifts and curls closer, her arm sliding around my waist. I kiss the top of her head without thinking.
This is what it’s supposed to feel like.
I check my phone again. A picture pops up. Owen grinning, controller in hand, Bandit curled up next to him. Ellie’s bassinet in the background still sleeping.
Mack texts: All good here. She’s still snoozing.
I exhale with relief.
Poppy tilts her face up. “See. Everything’s fine.”
“Yeah,” I say.
And for once, I actually believe it.
I glance around, and Maggie is laughing with someone at the bar with Violet. Walker is lining up another shot. Jack is leaning in to my sister and grinning like the lovesick idiots they are.
Real family right here.
Poppy squeezes my hand. “You happy?”
I don’t hesitate. “Yeah.” I really am. “Are you happy, baby?”
She leans her head onto my shoulder. “Very happy. But very tired.”
I spot him the second he walks up to the bar, and my stomach tightens.
Poppy stiffens beside me, her shoulder brushing mine like she’s grounding herself without even thinking about it.
I set my beer down slowly and keep my eyes on him.
Toddy has lain low since he got charges and trouble.
I have kept an eye out for him, but Weston told us that he got fired and has been looking at out-of-town jobs.
I pity the town that hires him, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him gone.
Violet’s behind the bar. She’s calm and professional and not in the mood for bullshit. None of us are. The night has been going so well, no one wants him here to ruin it. Because there’s no way he’s here to do anything but stir up shit.
Toddy plants himself on a barstool and leans forward. “What? Can’t even smile?”
Violet doesn’t blink, just looks at him like he’s a bug she’d like to squish. “What can I get you?”
He chuckles like he thinks that’s charming. “Wow. That bad of a day, huh. You can’t even be friendly.”
Her voice stays cool. “Nope.”
He turns his head and locks eyes with Poppy. “Can’t even say hello?”
Before I can move, Cami straightens from her stool like she’s been activated by divine rage.
“Oh my God,” she says brightly. “Forgive us, Captain Shit Muffin. None of us realized we were in the presence of such royalty.”
The bar goes quiet in that slow, delicious way. Oh, this is going to be good.
“The balls on you,” Cami continues. “She doesn’t owe you shit. No woman does. Why do you assume everyone owes you anything? No one owes you shit, and you don’t deserve shit.”
Toddy scoffs. “Excuse me?”
“You know what person responding to you would be good for you?” Cami says, tilting her head. “A therapist. Book an appointment. Learn how to treat people. Stop abusing children.”
Toddy’s face turns red. “It’s COACH Toddy. And I don’t abuse anyone.”
Violet finally looks up, eyes sharp. “Coach Toddler, let me tell you a little something about our bar.” She sets the glass down with care.
“It’s ours, which means we can do whatever we want.
And we don’t serve child abusers or people who enjoy humiliating kids.
Or people who push others around. And that’s what you do. ”
“I don’t do that,” Toddy snaps. “And you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Cami gasps dramatically and drops her voice into the most exaggerated baby tone I’ve ever heard. “Look how consistent you are, Coach Tooty,” she coos. “Always condescending, always in denial.”
Violet doesn’t miss a beat. She smiles sweetly, voice dropping to a baby voice, too. “Coach Tooty, you’re so passionate. So loud. It must be so exhausting.”
I bite my lip. Hard. My chest shakes with laughter.
Walker has both hands over his mouth, shoulders shaking. Jack’s bent over the pool table like he might pass out from holding in laughter. I’m not doing much better.
Toddy looks like he’s about to explode with rage.
“Stop talking to me like that,” he snaps as he looks back and forth between them in shock.
Cami nods seriously. “Aww. He doesn’t like it, guys.”
Violet tilts her head again. “Funny how that works.”
Toddy’s fists clench. He looks around like he’s waiting for backup. He finds none. Half the bar is watching and holding back laughter, some not holding it back at all. Maggie appeared at the counter with her arms crossed, looking amused. Poppy’s tucked into my side, steady and strong.
“This place is a joke,” he spits.
“No,” Violet says. “You are. Move away. You’re not welcome here in Bridger Falls.”
That’s all it takes. Toddy turns and storms for the door, muttering under his breath, shoulders tight with rage. The door slams behind him hard enough to rattle the windows.
There’s a beat of silence. Then I lose it. “Oh my God.” I practically wheeze with laughter. “Captain Shit Muffin. I’m stealing that one, Cami.”
Jack wipes his eyes, shaking with laughter. “Coach Tooty.”
I shake my head, laughing despite myself. “I can’t believe none of us went to jail just now. We all hate that guy.”
Cami grins and lifts her drink. “No one messes with Owen. He’s going to love this story.”
Violet clinks her glass with Cami’s. “Especially when men are being assholes.”
Poppy leans into me, her mouth at my ear. “Thank you for not throwing a punch.”
I kiss her temple. “I didn’t have to. They handled it.”
“Thank you for not welding his truck door shut.” I grin.
“Who says I haven’t?”
“You haven’t had time,” I say with a laugh.
She shrugs. “You’re right.”
I’ve never been prouder to be surrounded by these people.