Page 23 of Hot Firefighter

“It’s an honor to see so many faces out in the crowd tonight to celebrate our city’s heroes,” the MC, a tanned man with so much gel in his hair it looks shiny under the stage lights, says into the microphone.

The excited crowd all takes their seats obediently, and I sigh happily as I get off my aching feet. My rounded belly bumps into the table when I try to pull my seat closer, making both Aidan and me laugh.

“Careful, sweetheart,” Aidan chastises lovingly, tugging his seat closer to me. He rests one arm on the back of my chair and the other on my stomach through the velvety red fabric of my dress. It took a hell of a lot of shopping with Janey to find a dress that was both pretty and flatteringandwould fit over the huge baby bump. But I refused to miss this event even at eight and a half months pregnant.

My husband is up for an award for his service as a firefighter, and I’ll be damned before I miss a chance to celebrate how incredible he is.

“Ssh, they’re starting!” I say, excitedly tapping his arm. My husband chuckles but keeps quiet as the MC continues.

“As you all know, we’re here tonight to celebrate our city’s heroes. The men and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe, night and day, every day of the year. I’m sure many of you here have been helped by these selfless souls, and it is important that we recognize them and give back in a show of gratitude,” the shiny-haired man says, sounding genuinely passionate.

Excitement fizzes in my chest as he keeps going. “So, let’s jump right into it, then! I hope you’ve all got a full glass because there’s going to be a lot to cheer to! Now, our first award tonight is a special recognition for a police officer who risked his life to save a family…”

I raise my glass of non-alcoholic fizz as Isaac’s name is announced, and he’s called to the stage to receive his award. Aidan stands, clapping and whooping for his friend, a huge, proud smile on his face. I cheer from where I sit, forever grateful for how he helped me a year ago when my stalker attacked. I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened if Aidan and Isaac hadn’t arrived.

The next award goes to a paramedic, and we cheer loudly again for them. Then, finally, the MC announces the next award. The one I’ve been waiting for.

“Now, this next award recognizes two decades of commitment and dedication to the Fire Brigade. The recipient has gone above and beyond, rising through the ranks in the Eastmont Fire Department to Captain. Well-loved and respected not only by his team, who have nothing but praise and kind words to say about him but also by the community. He has attended countless scenes and calls, from house fires to car wrecks to saving kittens from trees—” the crowd chuckles at that one, but I’m smiling so bright my face hurts “—and I know that the impact he has had on this community is beyond words. For his bravery, commitment, leadership, and determination to make the world a better place, it is my honor to present this award to the one and only…Aidan Allen!”

Cheering doesn’t accurately describe the way I whoop and whistle and clap, screaming at the top of my lungs. Hell, I even jump to my feet despite the way the baby kicks me in the ribs in protest at the sudden movement.

“Your daddy’s the best man ever!” I tell our baby, resting a hand on my bump, watching with tears in my eyes as Aidan winds through the maze of tables up to the stage.

He climbs the short set of stairs and joins the MC in the center of the stage. I cheer so loud that I feel breathless, wanting to make sure he can hear me over the roar of the crowd around me.

That’s my husband!I think, pride filling my chest.That’s my love!

Aidan beams and he takes the glass award from the MC, accepting a friendly handshake before the MC gestures for the microphone.

Finally, the cheers settle down while Aidan takes his place in front of the microphone. I sit down on the edge of my seat and everyone settles in to listen, leaning forward as though permanently pulled in his direction.

“It’s an honor to receive this award and recognition today,” Aidan begins, looking out over the crowd. His eyes find mine and my heart flips, still as enamored with him as I was when we first met. “I would not be here without the incredible team of firefighters I work alongside, my colleagues and friends throughout the years. This award is for them as much as it is for me.”

More cheers erupt from our table where a bunch of his colleagues sit with me, and I grin at them all as they celebrate their captain.

“I have been lucky enough to have many adventures over the twenty-plus years I’ve spent as a firefighter,” Aidan continues, “and hope to have many more before I retire. In fact, the biggest adventure of my life is about to begin.”

Aidan raises his free hand towards me over the audience, his smile soft and full of love. Dammit, I think I’m crying. I can blame it on the pregnancy hormones, right?

“My incredible wife, the love of my life, and about to be the mother of my child. Out of everything I have done with my life, being your husband and the father to our baby is by far the thing I’m proudest of.”

A collectiveawwwripples through the audience, but I’m caught in Aidan’s gaze. “I love you,” I call back, hoping he can hear me even though he’s the one with the microphone.

“I love you, sweetheart,” he murmurs back into the microphone. “Thank you, and I hope you all enjoy your night!”

With that, he steps away, giving the clapping audience a wave and a wide grin. He jogs down the stairs, award in hand, and ignores the people trying to congratulate him to run straight to me. I leap to my feet, squealing as he wraps me up in his arms, lifting me off my feet to spin me around even with my bump between us.

When he sets me down, he strokes his hand over my belly where the baby’s kicking like crazy, leaning down to place a kiss over the movement. Straightening, he pulls me in for a long, burning hot kiss that leaves me panting and star-struck when he finally pulls away.

The rest of the award ceremony passes with cheers and congratulations, and I lean on Aidan as we mingle with others afterward.

“So, you coming out for the afterparty?” Isaac asks.

It’s already late, and I’m tired from the whole making-a-human thing I’ve got going on, but I smile up at Aidan, showing him it’s okay if he wants to go. It’s his night after all, and I want him to be able to celebrate.

But he shakes his head at his friend. “Nah, I’ve got to get my real prize out of her heels and into her slippers,” he says with utter warmth in his voice, squeezing me tighter to his side.

We say our goodbyes while the others plan their after-party antics, then slip into our taxi.

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