Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Six Months Later
Rubbing his face, Matt stumbled toward the mess hall. He had spent the better part of the day going around to local schools. The whole point was to represent firefighters and show off a little. Honestly, Matt loved it, and he loved the delight he saw on the young kids' faces as they listened to him talk about his job, always with a dozen questions each. It was also a little draining, and he’d been looking forward to having a chance to rest for the remainder of his shift.
That was until he got the text from Chief Irons as he drove back, informing him there was a meeting for everyone at the station.
He stepped into the Mess Hall and stopped short at the sudden burst of color. Green and purple banners, with gold writing spelling out ‘congratulations,’ hung from the ceiling. Streamers with the same color combination and balloons in every color of the rainbow bounced along the ceiling.
At the center of the room stood a bemused Elias and a pleased Cade.
“What the hell?” Matt proclaimed, looking around.
Davis and Keith sat next to one another, and so was the newest recruit, Marshall. Matt had expected an older man when he’d heard the name, but Marshall was a bright-eyed man in his early twenties. He was as quick with a smile as Cade though far quicker with a clever comment. The young man was still technically in training, but Matt didn’t think it would be long until he phased out of it.
It was Chief Irons who grabbed his attention. The broad, squat man wore a party hat and didn’t look too happy.
Cade frowned at him. “Your language has gotten worse since you met that Marine.”
“He’s a cop now,” Matt reminded him. “And fuck you very much.”
“See?” Cade said, pointing an accusing finger toward him.
Matt shrugged. “I’m tired, give me a break.”
Before Cade could finish, Matt heard a familiar voice behind him. “And why am I being called in?”
Matt turned to face Ethan, who, much to Matt’s delight, was still dressed in his uniform. Matt had never had a thing for men in uniform before, but he would be the first to admit that seeing Ethan in his was a quick way to grab his interest. And if he weren’t careful, it would grab his interest in a way that wouldn’t be appropriate in public.
“I’m just as confused as you,” Matt told him, unable to help looking him over.
Ethan’s eyes twinkled knowingly. “Hey, you.”
“Hey,” Matt replied simply, not caring how ridiculous he sounded.
Cade cleared his throat. “If you two are done. Elias and I have an announcement.”
Matt turned, and Ethan stepped to his side, wrapping an arm around his waist. Force of habit brought Matt’s head around to see Keith noticing the gesture. The man’s face was completely blank, and when he saw Matt looking, he glanced away to focus on Cade.
Elias rolled his eyes. “I beat Cade to the punch and proposed. We’re getting married next year.”
“Bastard,” Cade muttered. “If I’d had more time, I would have beaten you.”
Matt’s eyes widened. “You’re getting married?”
“That is what he said,” Cade said dryly.
“Nice,” Marshall called out.
“Hey, congrats, you two,” Davis told them.
“Took long enough,” Keith muttered.
Unlike some people in the room, Matt didn’t look at Keith when he spoke. The man was still uncomfortable with everything related to gay men but no longer hateful. It had only been half a year, and Matt was willing to give Keith time. After all, he had spent over two decades hanging on to his hatred. That sort of thing wasn’t unwritten overnight.
Yet, there were attempts. He didn’t look furious when he saw Ethan and Matt show signs of affection, mild as they were. He had been kinder to Matt, or at least not as hostile. And now he was making a joke about two men getting married at the expense of the people rather than their sexuality.
Progress was progress, however slow it might seem.
Matt reached out, taking Cade and Elias’s hands in each of his. “Keith is right, it’s about time.”
“That’s what I told him,” Elias said seriously, though his dark eyes sparkled with happiness.
“He said it in his proposal,” Cade said.
“Good,” Matt said, glancing at Ethan, still hanging by the doorway, beaming. “Because it’s the truth.”
“Can we get to the cake so I can get this ridiculous thing off?” Chief Irons barked, gesturing to the hat.
Matt retreated as everyone swarmed at the promise of cake. He ducked into the hall, and Ethan was close on his heels. The kiss he received when they were out of sight wasn’t the passionate, need-filled press that Matt might have expected. It was sweet, gentle, and he would swear there was an ache behind it.
“One day,” Matt promised suddenly, not thinking about what he was saying.
Ethan smiled, that knowing, warm smile he did so well. “You and me?”
“God, yes,” Matt breathed, pulling him closer.