Page 167 of Burn

Outside the equipment room, Finn’s standing there, smiling, a flush to his innocent cheeks. “Sorry, I need batteries.” And then he holds up a radio.

Caleb brushes past him, knocking his shoulder. “Kid, batteries aren’t in the equipment room.”

With the way Finn’s smiling, I think he knew that. The fucker was listening. I guess that’s what we get for having sex here, but when you have a newborn baby and you’ve just been cleared for sex again, you do it when you can. At the firehouse if need be.

Finn nods playfully to me. “You don’t happen to have a sister, do you?”

I laugh. “Nope. Only child.”

I take my time moving through the firehouse and find Owen holding Emerson in the apparatus bays. I know what you’re thinking, you left your kid with Owen while you went and fucked your husband?

Not exactly. I left my baby with Jacey who was also visiting the firehouse with me, and she must have handed her over to him.

“This kid loves me,” Owen remarks, holding her to his chest as she sleeps in his arms.

“Don’t fool yourself.” To my left, I notice Caleb standing next to the trucks, smiling. “She likes everyone.”

“Not true.” Caleb bumps my shoulder with his when he comes to stand next to me. “I’m her favorite.”

I laugh, winking at him. “That’s probably true.” And then I whisper, “You’re my favorite too.”

Cap approaches us but his stare’s directed at Caleb. “What were you doing in there?”

Caleb shrugs casually. “Showing Mila where we keep the equipment.”

“Uh huh, you mean your equipment?”

Laughter erupts throughout the apparatus bay only to be silenced by a group of kids eagerly standing outside as one in particular makes his way to Caleb.

The moment Caleb spots the boy at his feet, he drops to his knees beside him.

Be still my heart. This my friends is what Salt-N-Pepa was talking about when they wrote the song, “Whatta Man.” I’m sure of it. They wrote it about Caleb Ryan.

Bending down, he hauls the boy off his feet and into a massive hug. “Hey, little buddy. How have you been?”

It’s not the first time Jensen has come by the station. He’s the little boy Evan saved in that apartment fire. The two-year-old he handed to Caleb right before the explosion.

Since Evan’s funeral, the boy’s mother has been bringing him by the station every month to see the boys of Ladder 10. Today he brought his pre-school class with him.

Every time I see Jensen and Caleb together, I think about the fireman’s prayer they read at Evan’s funeral.“When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child before it is too late.”

Evan saved Jensen, just like Heath saved Caleb. For that reason, Jensen and Caleb have an unspeakable bond with one another. I don’t ask about it, it’s between them and it’s exactly how it should be, just like his relationship with Jacey. I’ll never be jealous of their bond. It’s theirs and always will be.

“Can you show my friends what you wear in a fire?” Jensen asks Caleb when Owen hands Emerson over to me.

I take my sleeping baby in my arms, kissing her precious soft skin as I watch my husband interact with the kids.

Jacey comes to stand beside me, Caleb moving past us toward his gear. “I cry every time this kid comes in here.”

Tears sting my eyes and I have to blink back the emotion surfacing. “I know what you mean.”

Caleb talking to the kids draws my attention when he’s got his gear on in forty-five seconds from the time he started putting it on. “We only have one minute to get our gear on.” He reaches for his SCBA pack. “Do you guys have backpacks at school?”

They all nod eagerly, Jensen especially beaming with pride. “I do!”

“Well these are like carrying backpacks but instead of pencils and books, we carry air so we can breathe through all the smoke.” He pats the tank on his back and reaches for his mask. “Who here weighs forty pounds?”

“I do.” A little boy says, next to Jensen.

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