Page 28 of Through the Fire

Hopping out of my work truck, I headed into the station and straight for my office. My crew began unpacking the engines and handling their personal tasks before our shift change. I turned the corner and paused when I walked into the common area.

Island, Shyla, Jayce, and the rest of my station stood there waiting for me. She helped Shyla hold a cake that was lit with candles. Jayce held a handful of strings that were attached to celebratory balloons. The word “captain” was spelled out in gold letter balloons across the common area.They knew…

I clenched my fists as I walked closer. Bending down so I was at eye level with Shy Shy, I read the cake. It saidCongratulations Captain Troyin white icing. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I expected this promotion to be swept under the rug like majority of my accolades in life. To be celebrated had me emotional. For the first time, I felt like I really mattered to someone.

I fought back tears, but it was useless. This was all I ever wanted. Slowly lifting my head, I found Island knowing she was responsible.

“Thank you, baby.”

She smiled widely. “You deserve it and so much more. You’ve worked hard and given this community all of you for fifteen years. This is long overdue, honey.” Leaning forward, she placed a kiss on my lips. “Congratulations, Captain Troy.”

I’d never felt joy like this as I greeted everyone who was here. Jayce teased me a little for crying, but I couldn’t give two fucks. This was the happiest I’d ever been. I was learning that I could have it all—a successful career, a woman who genuinely loved me, a perfect daughter who deserved all the spoiling this world had to offer. While the fear of failure was still there, it dulled when compared to moments like these when my village showed up for me just to show they cared. I was so blessed, and all the suffering I went through was worth arriving at this moment.

We had a good time eating pizza and cake while everyone shared their favorite moments with me. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. With Shy Shy on my lap and Island beside me holding my hand, I felt on top of the world. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was damn near close enough. That was worth waking up for every day. Lifting Island’s hand to my lips I kissed her knuckles. Her cheeks lit up like a rose garden, looking as beautiful as ever.

“Thank you for seeing me,” I whispered.

She leaned closer and grinned. “You were willing to go through the fire with me. It was only right I hold your hand and do the same.”

We shared a kiss that sealed our fate. No matter what walls sprouted before us, we had the strength to break them and always come back to this peace… this love… this destiny…

Standing in the mirror, I erased invisible wrinkles from my outfit for the evening. I was wearing a cropped white top with dangling rhinestones and fitted, ripped blue jeans with red heels. My hair was curled to perfection thanks to my trip to the salon and flowed down my back, but I wore a red New York Yankees baseball cap with roses on it. I added a black, cropped leather jacket for drama, and the look was eating.

Getting ready had to be one of my favorite things about being a girl. My makeup was tea as I applied a layer of gloss over my lip combo of the night. Going to the top of my dresser, I fished through my perfume collection for the perfect layering combo. I wanted to smell like the most vanilla cookie my man ever came across. Once I was satisfied with what I put together, there was nothing left to do but wait for the man of my dreams to arrive.

On cue, I heard the chime of the doorbell. Grabbing my phone from off the bed, I stuffed it in my purse then walked to the front of the house. I was a mixture of nerves and excitement the closer I got to the door. I couldn’t believe it was going to be our first official date, even though it felt as if we’d skipped some steps.

I was practically living at his house, or they were over at mine. My spare room had quickly become a space for Shyla to escape into. I loved helping her decorate it and buy new things to personalize the space. She’d come in and easily filled a hole in my heart. I always wanted to be a mother. I may not have birthed Shyla from my womb, but I loved her all the same. If I never got pregnant with my own child, she would be enough for me.

I pulled the door open and gasped in surprise. Shyheim stood there looking like the perfect storm. His presence threatened to swallow me whole, and I couldn’t fight it. His curly hair was freshly tapered to perfection. He wore a black and red button-up Dior shirt with light-washed jeans and Alexander McQueen sneakers with the red bottom. His jewelry was minimal, but the gold against his brown skin warmed my core all the same. When he smiled, exposing a mouth full of golds, I saw no flaws, and my heartbeat jumped into my throat.

“Keep looking at me like that, and tonight might be the night,” he warned in a low tone.

“The night that what?”

He stepped closer and placed a finger under my chin to tilt my head back.

“We make our baby.”

My eyes drifted to his lips as I imagined them dragging across my skin. When he looked and smelled this good, he could do anything to me. I sighed in appreciation of the man in front of me as the compliments began to flow out of him like a well that never dried.

“You are so beautiful, Island. Damn, I’m blessed.”

He swooped in quickly, wrapping his arms around my waist. I was lifted in the air then swirled in a circle. My laugh chimed outside of me as I allowed his joy to wash over every inch of my skin. As he placed me on my feet he began singing,

“And if they sold your picture in the mall, I’d buy ’em all. Put ’em on my wall.”

He cupped my chin then pulled me toward him like my lips belonged to him. In many ways, they did because I loved that comforting and sedating home I’d found there. After the burst of love that oozed through me when we connected, I knew it was the truth. I’d spend every moment savoring his soft, plush lips if I could. I literally never got enough of his tender kisses.

“Are you ready for our date, Izzy?”

I nodded, unable to use my words. He tended to make me forget how to speak when he was around and showering me with his affection. He took my hand then led me out the door. Taking my keys from me, he locked the door then walked me straight to his passenger-side door.

When he opened the door, three bouquets of roses waited for me. I fanned my eyes, trying to keep my tears from falling.

“You are too sweet.”

He wrapped his arms around me from behind.

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