Page 14 of Fourteen Years

“It's fine.” I said, winking at Becks. “I have to get on shift though. Thanks for dropping these by for me.” I held up the cookies Lucas’ wife and Natasha had made me. “The guys will appreciate these.”

“Just make sure you get at least one before they’re gone this time,” she returned laughing.

Becks was apparently in some sort of baking kick. Lucas chalked it up to the pregnancy and feeling more motherly than usual. They’d started telling people the last couple of days that she was expecting. I was happy for them. Monica had gloated that she knew before anyone else did after Lucas and the doctor.

I waved them off as I turned and looked at the firehouse. Working the night shift was typically quiet. Something felt off tonight though. I wasn’t sure what it was. After being a firefighter for so long you start to develop a sixth sense about these things.

Brushing it off, I walked on in, greeting my coworkers and grabbing a cookie from the bag before placing it in the middle of the table. The men in this firehouse were like bloodhounds on the scent when free food was available. They’d be gone within minutes.

A couple hours later, nearing midnight, my phone went off.

I raised an eyebrow, watching the three dots move across the screen like she was typing. They stopped and disappeared several times before her message finally came through.

Complete silence came over my screen. I really couldn’t believe I’d gone there. It was quicker than I’d intended. I was just so weary of waiting and pining over her. The silence continued and I knew she was in her head.

Well then. That had just happened. Shaking my bangs off of my forehead I sighed, scrubbing my hands over my face. She didn’t seem completely freaked out or opposed. Just hesitant, and I could get that. I was hesitant in some ways to destroy the peace we had.

The fire house’s alarm crashed through the building and everything stopped. I went into work mode as the speaker burst to life with the alert on what had happened. Two car accident. Civilian on scene. No emergency personnel yet. Within seconds myself and the guys were in the truck, sirens blaring and speeding down the streets towards the location. My adrenaline was pumping. This was what I loved about my work. Every call. We’d get there and save lives. I never pictured any other alternative until the situation screamed we were too late.

Jumping out of the truck on my side, my jaw clenched taking in the scene. A truck was sideways on the road with an older gentleman sitting behind the wheel, shaking his head.

I overheard him.

“It was the darndest thing. The car just ran the stop sign and came out of nowhere. I was going sixty, I couldn’t break in time-”

Walking up to the small sports car that was now on its passenger side, I hit my stomach, palms slapping the pavement to peer into the window.

Just to meet the green eyes of my petrified daughter, hanging upside down, staring at me with tears streaming down her face.

“Daddy?” her voice was small and shaking, breathless in her terror. My entire body was clenched, unprepared for this scenario. She was supposed to be home safe in her bed.What the fuck?!

“Don’t move.” I spoke brusquely, my voice calmer than I felt. “What hurts? What happened? Dammit. It’s my daughter!” I yelled at my coworker who had stopped behind me. I met his wide-eyes and he moved, relaying the information.

I wouldn’t be able to handle this as much of a professional and they would have to pick up whatever slack if I broke.

“I’m so sorry.” Lacey was sobbing now.

“Hey. We’re not talking about that right now, baby. We just need to get you out of here.”

My eyes moved past her taking in the unconscious form of the boy she was with.

“Have you all been drinking?” I asked briskly.

“No. I promise. I just wanted to hang out with him. I know I shouldn’t have snuck out. Mom doesn’t know-”

“I know your mother doesn’t know.” I replied. “She thinks you are home, safe in bed, with a headache. Where you should be. Give me a minute.”

Standing and running my fingers through my hair, “FUCK!” I let out, in a quiet yell.

My coworkers got to work pulling out backboards and getting the two kids out of the car. Whoever-the-Fuck-He-Was looked to be about Lacey’s age. Maybe older. I yanked my phone out of my pocket. I hated doing this. Things had calmed down. But her mother needed to know.

“Hello?” Monica’s sleepy voice answered me, becoming more alert as she heard the background noises and sirens. “Trevor? What’s going on?”

“I need you to stay calm, Monica.” I said, somewhat sternly.

“Okay, you’re scaring me.” she whispered now.

“Lacey isn’t in bed. She snuck out. I responded to a car accident and it's her and some boy. She seems fine, but the car tipped sideways. We’re removing them from it now. I’ll ride with her to the hospital. I’m calling Lucas to come get you. I don’t want you driving.”

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