Chapter 31
Mark
Mark stepped through his front door, the wood floor creaking under his boots, the faint scent of his cologne mingling with the house’s warmth. Exhaustion from the Tokyo flight tugged at his limbs, but it vanished the moment Ethan appeared, his eyes red, face crumpling with relief. He dropped his bag, arms opening wide, and Ethan melted into him, his body trembling as he pressed himself tight against his chest.
“I’m so glad your home,” Ethan murmured.
Wrapping him snugly, his chin resting on Ethan’s head. “I’ve got you.”
Ethan’s breath hitched, warm and uneven against his neck, and he held him tighter, running a hand down his back to steady them both. Voices murmured softly from the family room, and he eased back just enough to look into Ethan’s eyes, keeping an arm draped around his shoulders. “Let’s go check on your folks together,” he said, his voice gentle but firm, guiding him forward.
The family room hummed with the sounds of the television as they stepped in. Martha sat on the couch, frail and pale in a dress that he knew was from Linda, Joseph was beside her, his face lined with exhaustion. Linda stood nearby, arms crossed, her gaze softening on his arrival. He moved forward, offering a warm smile. “Martha, Joseph, I’m really glad you’re here with me,” he said, his tone rich with compassion.
Martha rose unsteadily, wrapping her thin arms around his waist in a hug that trembled with gratitude. “Oh, Mark, thank you so much for all of this,” she whispered, her voice thick with tears. “I don’t know what we’d have done without you.”
He returned the hug, gentle yet solid, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. “You don’t have to worry about a thing, Martha. I’m happy to do anything I can for you and your family.” Joseph stood next, extending his hand, and he shook it firmly, meeting his weary eyes. “Joseph, I’m glad to see you too. You’re both welcome and safe here.”
Linda stepped up, giving him a quick, warm hug, her smile tight but genuine. “Give me a hug” she said, pulling back. “Thank you for taking care of my them.”
He nodded, turning to face them all, his tone steady and resolute. “I want you all to know you’re staying here as my guests for as long as you need,” he said, pausing to let it sink in. “Martha, Linda told me recently about how you worked at Pacific Edge in the Dallas office as your first job out of high school thirty years ago, before you met Joseph. That’s where you two became friends, right?”
Martha’s eyes widened slightly, a faint nod breaking through her haze, and Linda smiled, soft and knowing.
He continued, his voice warm with conviction. “Once you’re part of Pacific Edge, you’re always family. So please don’t worry, Martha, all the resources Pacific Edge has to offer are at your family’s disposal now. We’ll make sure you’re okay, all of you.”
Martha’s lips trembled, fresh tears spilling as she pressed a hand to her chest, her guilt flickering beneath her gratitude. “I started that fire,” she whispered, voice breaking. “It’s my fault we lost everything.”
He shook his head gently, stepping closer to rest a hand on her arm. “No, Martha, accidents happen. You’re not to blame for this, and we’re going to take care of it together. The only thing that matters is that you and your family is safe and unharmed.”
Joseph’s jaw tightened, gratitude and relief softened his gaze, and he squeezed Martha’s shoulder, echoing the sentiment silently. Linda’s nod was firm, her presence a steady support, and Martha leaned into his touch, her tears slowing as his words sank in.
He squeezed Ethan’s shoulder once more, guiding him toward the living room. “Come on, let’s sit for a minute and talk,” he said softly, keeping his tone low and comforting.
The plush couch sank beneath them as he settled in, Ethan climbing into his arms, legs curling against his side. His warmth seeped into him, a lifeline after the chaos, and he wrapped an arm around Ethan’s back, pulling him close until his head rested on his shoulder. Ethan’s breath brushed hot against his neck, shaky but grounding.
“Diana ran back to the office earlier,” Ethan said, his voice rough with fatigue. “She’s been working on our homeowner’s insurance policy all morning.”
He nodded, his fingers tracing soothing circles on Ethan’s arm. “I’m glad she’s handling that. She’s good at taking charge.”
Ethan lifted his head, blue eyes locking with his, raw and vulnerable. “Mark, I can’t thank you enough for helping us through this,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “It means everything.”
“Ethan, I’d do anything for you and your family,” he replied, his chest tightening with sadness for them. “You don’t ever have to thank me for that.”
“You’re my Guardian Angel.” Ethan swallowed hard, his voice dropping lower. “We went to the house today, and it’s bad. The garage and kitchen are completely gone, just a shell now. Sean and I got in, smoke damage is awful everywhere. My parents’ bedroom door was closed when the fire started, so I managed to grab a couple suitcases of their clothes and some personal stuff. I got my work uniforms, some clothes, and Ranger’s kennel from my room.”
He listened, his heart sinking as Ethan recounted the ruin, and he nodded slowly, letting it sink in. “That was nice of the fire department to have someone board up the windows and holes in the structure.”
“Yeah,” Ethan said, rubbing his face. “Sean’s a good man, we have worked together on some search and rescue operations with Ranger. All the first responders last night were incredible. My Sergeant is great. He told me to take whatever time I need off right now. There’s no power in the house, though. My trucks still loaded with what we salvaged, and I need to figure out storage.”
“No, you don’t,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “Bring it all into the garage. Until further notice, Ethan, this is your home, your family’s home.”
Ethan’s face twisted, tears spilling fast, and he broke, sobbing into his arms with a raw, wrenching sound. His body shook hard, fingers clutching his shirt, and he tightened his hold, pulling him in until there was no space between them, his chin pressing into Ethan’s hair. “Mark,” Ethan choked out, his voice breaking, “what did I ever do to deserve someone like you?”
He rocked him gently, his voice soft and unwavering. “You don’t have to do anything to deserve me—I’m here because I want to be because I care for you. You’ve done a pretty good job of saving me lately. Please allow me to return the favor.”
The front door swung open, and Diana stepped inside, her sharp heels tapping against the wood floor. She took a moment, offering warm hugs to Martha and Joseph and a reassuring squeeze to Ethan’s shoulder.
“How are you all holding up?” she asked gently, her voice full of genuine care.
She chatted briefly with Linda, sharing a lighthearted remark to ease the tension before finally setting her bright red planner down on the coffee table with a solid thump. As the papers rustled, she glanced around the room, her eyes bright with purpose.
“I know it’s been a long day, but would you like an update on everything we’ve got in motion?” Her tone was steady, reassuring—she wasn’t just here to deliver news; she was here to carry some of their burden with them.
Mark leaned forward, hands clasped as she began. “We’ve already contacted your insurance company and filed a claim. I got off the phone with them this morning, and they’ve scheduled an adjuster to come out tomorrow to assess the full extent of the damage.”
Martha exhaled softly, and he nodded, grateful for her efficiency. Diana continued, flipping a page. “Sean’s been a rock out there. He made sure all the broken windows and openings are boarded up tight, so the house is secure against any weather damage or theft until we get this sorted.”
Ethan shifted, his knee brushing his, and Diana glanced at him. “Ethan, Joseph, I know you went in with Sean today. You did an incredible job gathering up all your important documents, your passports, precious keepsakes, and personal items from the areas the fire didn’t touch.”
Joseph nodded, his voice low but steady. “We got what we could, thanks to Sean.”
She smiled briefly, then pressed on. “Good work. All your utilities have been turned off as of this afternoon, and we’ve arranged for a crew to come in and take extensive photos and videos of every inch of the property. That’s already underway, so we’ve got a solid record of everything.”
He watched her, awe creeping in at her command, and she flipped another page, her tone unwavering. “We’ve also hired a top-notch fire damage restoration company from Bend. They’re set to come in soon and assess the structural integrity of the house, start removing all that water from the firefighting efforts, and begin smoke remediation. They’ll pack up everything that’s not damaged, work on restoring what they can, and I’ve already secured a safe storage space for your belongings until they can go back into the house.”
Martha’s eyes welled up, her hand trembling as she pressed it to her mouth, and Joseph wrapped an arm around her, his gratitude silent but clear. Linda’s jaw dropped slightly, and Ethan’s breath caught beside him, his shock palpable. He reached over, squeezing Ethan’s hand, feeling the weight of their relief.
Diana softened, leaning toward Martha. “Linda’s been telling me stories about what a firecracker you were when you worked at the firm in Dallas, Martha. I can’t wait to sit down with you and hear all about how you dealt with those big egos of the lawyers there.”
Mark feigned a wounded look, clutching his chest. “Hey now, I resemble that remark,” he said, drawing a laugh from her and a shaky smile from Martha.
Diana’s gaze sharpened, compassionate yet firm. “We’re going to do everything we can to mitigate moisture and avoid mold growth in that house. With your compromised immune system, Martha, we’re not taking any chances. We’ll make sure it’s completely safe before you step back in front of there.”
Ethan’s grip tightened on Mark’s hand, his voice trembling with disbelief. “I don’t know how I can ever repay all of you for helping my family like this. It’s overwhelming.”
Mark turned to him, his throat tight with emotion, and squeezed his hand back. “Ethan, you don’t owe us a thing. We’re all here because we care for your family. We’ll get through this together, I promise you that.”
Linda stood, her voice warm and steady, pulling the room together.
“Martha, I’ve known you for three decades. You moved to Brookings because of our friendship, and you’ve been a part of my family ever since. You’re part of the Pacific Edge family too. Over the years, you’ve done so many kind things for me, for this whole community. Joseph, you’ve kept cars running in this town longer than they had any right to, always at a modest cost to your neighbors and customers. And Ethan, my wonderful Godson, you’re one of our guardians here, keeping us safe. We’re rallying around all of you now because you’ve always been there for us, every single one of you.”
Martha sobbed softly, leaning into Joseph, and he felt his own eyes sting, Linda’s words weaving a bond he hadn’t expected. Diana closed her planner, her smile fierce and proud, and Ethan’s head dropped to Mark’s shoulder, a quiet shudder running through him.
The tension broke, their gratitude clashing with the day’s chaos, and he pulled Ethan closer, his arm wrapping around his shoulders. Diana’s efficiency had turned despair into a plan, Linda’s words forging them into a unit, and his promise sealed it, a turning point of trust and strength.
He locked eyes with Ethan, their hands clasped tight, Diana’s planner a testament to their fight laid out on the table. The room pulsed with a fierce unity, Martha’s tearful nod meeting Linda’s steady gaze, Joseph’s quiet strength anchoring them all. A fragile hope rose from the ashes, glowing in his chest, tethering them together in love and resolve, a vow to rebuild stronger than ever.
The tension in the room had finally started to ease. The weight of uncertainty had lifted, even if just a little, replaced by something steadier, hope. The conversation shifted toward lighter topics, and the warmth of shared support filled the space.
Linda, ever perceptive, turned to Martha with a knowing smile. “Honey, we got some hungry people here. What are we going to do about that?”
For the first time all day, something flickered in Martha’s eyes, a spark of fierce determination that had nothing to do with loss or worry. She straightened, her chin lifting slightly as she clapped her hands together. “Well, we sure as hell aren’t going to let them starve.”
Linda grinned, looping her arm through Martha’s as they made their way toward the kitchen. It was exactly what she had intended—a distraction, something familiar, something that Martha could control. The sound of cabinets opening and pots clattering soon followed, and a hint of normalcy began to settle over the house.
“No fires Ma.” Ethan grinned.
The room went silent, and everyone turned to look at him.
“What, too soon?”
Martha laughed, and Joseph hit Ethan in the back of the head playfully.
Mark exhaled slowly, sinking back onto the couch and rubbing a hand over his face. The exhaustion in his posture was impossible to miss.
Ethan, ever observant, nudged him. “Go take a nap before dinner,” he said, his tone firm but gentle.
Mark let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “I’m fine.”
Ethan raised a brow. “You look like you’ve been in court for three days straight without a break. Go.”
Mark glanced toward the kitchen, where the scent of sautéing onions was already beginning to fill the air. The laughter of two old friends echoed softly from the other room.
Maybe, just this once, he could let someone else take the reins.
With a low sigh, he pushed himself up. “Wake me when it’s ready,” he muttered, heading to the spare bedroom.
Ethan watched him go, shaking his head with a smile.