Epilogue
Kate
Heat waves rise off the tarmac at the station, radiating off the pavement and increasing the temperature by at least twenty degrees, and I swipe away a trickle of sweat before it has a chance to disappear under the neckline of my shirt.
The cooling rags we keep plunging into the bucket of ice water are only a temporary reprieve from the muggy late-summer Georgia temps, and they do fuck all to combat the sensation of breathing through a straw.
Little Charlie squeals in delight as she sprays the half-inch nozzle Cal set up just for her, the mist wafting off the spray pattern providing an ounce of sweet relief.
“Family Day is so much fun, even if it is hotter than four hundred hells.” Jules smiles as she watches Cal instruct the little girl how to change the water flow pattern.
The station has been abuzz with activity as crews from different stations drop by throughout the afternoon. But finally, it’s slowed to only our closest friends and family.
“Are you happy to be riding with Leo again?” Maggie asks as she joins us at the picnic table. Her platter of cookies has long since been demolished by the hungry crews, but she picks at the crumbs anyway, wearing a look of pride on her face.
“Yeah, it’s been nice,” I admit. My cheeks hurt from the constant grin I’ve been wearing all day.
“Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy riding the engine, but I think being a medic is my calling, rather than being a firefighter.
It’s an added bonus that the crew is back together again.
It only took a few weeks of Leo crawling all over his partner before Deputy Chief moved the poor kid and reassigned the Titanic crew. ”
Vaughn walks by carrying a tray laden with fresh burgers, dropping a kiss on my head as he passes. I sneak a quick thigh grab and then admire his ass as he joins Cal and Jackson at the grill.
This has been one of my favorite new traditions. Every week, our friends get together, whether or not we’re at the station, to have family dinner. Often, it’s a cookout, and everyone is invited. It’s low-key and fills me with the best kind of joy.
Sirens blare in the distance, interrupting my happy, blissful moment, the shrill wail growing louder and louder.
It’s not unusual to hear another crew en route, but this is our zone.
I glance toward the street in time to catch Dex’s brand-new Explorer scream by at a speed that means shit’s hit the fan somewhere.
“Uh, guys, did we miss a call?” I push up from the table.
“I didn’t hear—”
Tones drop, and the four of us lurch into action while our partners step out of the way.
They’ll hang back and make sure we have a meal ready whenever we get back from this call.
I miss the address as I stop to give Vaughn a quick parting kiss but decide it’s okay because Leo’s behind the wheel today.
He’ll get us where we’re needed.
As my partner sprints around the hood of the bus, though, I catch the wide-eyed terror on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I manage as he throws the bus in gear and races out of the station faster than any call I think we’ve ever run. I’ve never seen my partner white-knuckle the steering wheel like this.
“Kate.” Holy shit. That’s anguish I hear in his tone. “It’s Cassidy.”
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