Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Gabbi
The room was filled with applause, but all I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat.
I stood in the grand hall of City Hall, surrounded by people in elegant suits and polished uniforms, their faces beaming with admiration.
Large chandeliers cast a warm glow over the space, the golden hue reflecting off the medals and badges of honor pinned to various lapels.
Reporters lined the back wall, cameras flashing as the mayor stood at the podium, speaking into the microphone about bravery, heroism, and sacrifice.
I should have felt honored. Grateful, even. Instead, I felt out of place.
Beside me, Bobby stood tall in his dress uniform, the sharp navy-blue fabric fitting him perfectly. His fire department badge glinted under the lights, and the way he held himself—steady, strong, completely in control—made it clear that he deserved to be here. He was the hero.
Me? I was just a journalist who got in too deep.
Liam was seated in the front row, his dark eyes focused on the stage, his expression unreadable. I knew he was proud of Bobby, but I also knew that ceremonies like this didn’t erase what he had been through. If anything, they were just another reminder of everything he had lost.
The mayor cleared his throat, glancing down at the paper in his hands.
"Tonight, we recognize two individuals whose courage and determination led to the rescue of multiple kidnapped children, including six who had been missing for years.
Their bravery in the face of danger is something that cannot be overstated.
" He looked toward Bobby. "Firefighter Bobby Norman, please step forward. "
Bobby inhaled slowly before moving toward the stage. The room erupted into applause, and Liam clapped a little harder than I expected. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
The fire chief stepped forward, a polished gold medal resting on a velvet cushion. He pinned it to Bobby’s chest with a solemn nod. "For extraordinary bravery and selflessness, we honor you with the Medal of Valor."
Bobby nodded once, shaking hands with the mayor before stepping back. His expression remained unreadable, but I knew him well enough to catch the tightness in his jaw. He didn’t like the attention. He never had.
The mayor turned back toward the audience. "And now, we would like to recognize someone whose dedication to truth and justice played a crucial role in uncovering one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the city. Investigative journalist Gabbi Mason, please step forward."
A fresh wave of applause filled the hall. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to move.
Walking onto the stage felt surreal. Every step felt heavier than the last, my pulse quickening as I reached the podium.
The mayor smiled at me as he held out a small plaque, my name engraved in gold lettering beneath the words "For Outstanding Investigative Journalism & Bravery in the Line of Duty. "
Bravery. The word felt foreign in relation to me.
Bobby had run into burning buildings. He had fought armed men, risking everything to save those kids. I had played a role, yes, but in the end, it had been him. I had barely saved myself.
I took the plaque with a small nod, murmuring a quiet “Thank you,” before turning to the microphone.
The mayor gestured for me to speak, and for a split second, I considered keeping it short.
But then I looked out at the crowd—at Liam, at Bobby, at the families of the children who had been rescued—and I knew I had something to say.
I took a slow breath, steadying myself.
"I don’t feel like a hero," I admitted, my voice clear but soft. "I don’t think I ever will. The real heroes are the ones who survived. The boys who endured things no one should ever have to face and still found the strength to hope. To fight. To keep going."
A murmur spread through the crowd, but I didn’t let myself hesitate.
"I didn’t do this alone. I couldn’t have.
Bobby Norman is the reason those children were saved.
Without him, none of this would have been possible.
" I glanced at him, meeting his gaze, and something flickered in his eyes—something soft, proud. "And to the families who never stopped searching, who never gave up hope, you’re the reason we’re standing here today. "
Silence filled the room for a beat before applause erupted.
I exhaled, stepping back from the microphone.
The ceremony wrapped up soon after, officials thanking various departments, the crowd eventually breaking into smaller groups as people mingled. I barely heard any of it. My mind was still processing, my fingers tracing the engraved letters on the plaque absently.
"You okay?"
I turned to see Bobby standing beside me, his expression unreadable but his eyes full of something quiet and steady.
I let out a small, dry laugh. "I don’t know. It feels... weird."
He smirked. "You get used to it."
I arched a brow. "Do you?"
His smirk softened into something more sincere. "No. But you learn to live with it."
I studied him for a moment before glancing down at my award. "I just... I don’t feel like I deserve it."
Bobby sighed, shaking his head before taking a step closer. "Gabbi, you saved lives. That’s what heroes do."
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words settle into my chest.
From across the room, Liam called out, "Are we leaving soon? This is boring."
Bobby snorted. "Yeah, yeah, we’re leaving."
We made our way outside, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I let out a slow breath. The city lights stretched out in front of us, a reminder that life kept moving forward, no matter how much had changed.
Bobby’s hand found my waist as we walked, pulling me close, and I didn’t resist. His touch was warm, grounding.
At home, I set the plaque on the coffee table, staring at it for a long moment. Bobby stepped up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"You really don’t think you deserve it?" he murmured.
I leaned into him, tracing my fingers over the engraving one more time.
"I don’t know," I admitted. "But I’m proud of us."
Bobby pressed a slow kiss to my shoulder. "Me too."