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“Smart man…” Justin laughed. “You’re gonna make it as a dad and husband, brother.”
“I’m learning.”
Alec and Lance were glaring daggers at the three men who were chuckling and laughing easily together.
“C’mon, and let’s head in to where Maya and Faith are waiting,” Chad offered, grinning. “I, for one, want to kiss my bride and rub that big baby belly…”
“Are you two done pouting over there?” Justin said bluntly.
“I’ll be good, Daddy,” Alec retorted glumly.
“I’ll eat the cake and sing its praises,” Lance volunteered and then looked at Alec. “You feeling okay, Justin?”
“Yeah, why?”
“When a girl calls you ‘Daddy’ – you’re supposed to moan…”
The entire cab of the fire truck was filled with laughter as Alec launched himself at the other man, wrestling and chuckling at the playful jab given so easily between friends. It certainly broke up the tense atmosphere, Colton realized, narrowly avoiding a boot to the stomach as they continued goofing off.
“Come on, Daddy,” Justin prompted Chad, so they would all exit the truck – and then it happened.
“Mmmm yeaaaah…!”
Chad let out a big, fake moan that rivaled any dirty film star, causing a moment of silence before they all started laughing uproariously. The unexpected sound of it coming from a very sedate, quiet, polite-looking man had them all giggling like children and laughing once more together.
The engineer’s face was beet red as Justin wrapped an arm around his neck, rubbing his hair playfully. Lance and Alec were giving suggestions on how to get his moan to sound more appropriate – suggesting a slap on the rump to follow up such a moment, while Colton just shook his head, chuckling as they filed into the fire station as a team, finally.
They were all growing together, finding their footing, and Colton saw the fire chief standing in the distance watching them walk in. Reese had been right to bring on Justin because somehow this man knew how to bring them all together as a unit, and he realized that he could learn a lot from his new captain – and the fire chief.
Faith and Maya were sitting at the table, talking together, patiently waiting for the truck to arrive and realized that this was indeed what being a team, a family meant. The two women were bonding, just like the men in the truck. Justin’s quiet strength was finding a way to bring them all together, and he couldn’t wait to introduce Eris and Zane someday. He watched enviously as both men greeted their wives happily, grateful for the break in routine.
Only to see a car pull into the parking lot in the distance, and he felt a bubble of joy surge within him.
“I’ll be right back,” he blurted out, halfway out the front door and jogging across the parking lot.
The sun hadn’t set yet and was low on the horizon, the breeze light, and he could smell someone smoking brisket off in the distance; that heavy, rich, scent that there was no mistaking. He hoped it covered his own – because he was covered in sweat and planned on getting a shower before lying down to take a nap while he could.
Eris opened the driver’s door and looked almost startled at being caught in the act of coming by the station – and heard Zane’s holler of excitement.
“Dadddeeee! I right ‘ere!”
“Hey,” Colton said simply, trying to be evasive and aloof, not sure if something was wrong or if he was making this out to be more than it was. “Is everything okay?”
“Um,” Eris began, looking distinctly nervous and looking away as she moved to open the passenger side door to get Zane out of his booster seat – and Colton stepped forward.
“I’m really glad to see you,” he whispered softly, looking at her. “It’s okay, you know, if you maybe wanted to see me too.”
They stood there, looking at each other, and he didn’t even care in the slightest that he was filthy. No, there were so many emotions within him at just the sight of them— his unexpected and precious family. Her eyes were searching his, and it nearly broke his heart to see the fear, trepidation, and gentle hope in those depths he longed to look at him differently.
There had been so many hurt feelings, so much time had passed; but heaven help him – he still loved her.
“And if you are scared to admit it,” he smiled tenderly. “It’s okay – because I want you to know that this visit means a lot to me.”
“Daddeeee… Pick me up!” Zane ordered from the car, where he was scrambling to pull at his arm and jump down. He scooped up his son and put him on his shoulders playfully.
“Do you want to come in and meet everyone?”
“You’re not embarrassed about us?” she whispered.
