Chapter 10

* * *

ALEC

“Sup ladiesss…”Alec said cheerfully, walking into the fire station two days later and making a beeline for the coffee pot. “I know Lance was moving, but how was your break, Colton?”

“Oh, you know, usual kid stuff…” the other man chuckled and looked at him. “What’s your deal? New magazine, or did you finally meet a girl?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Alec grinned. “I don’t kiss and tell, ya freak.”

“Whatever,” Justin interjected, walking past them both to fill his coffee cup and then glared at them. “Which one of you finished this off and didn’t make another pot? And yes - you do kiss and tell, Big Mouth. You tell A LOT of things that you shouldn’t.”

“Like, who emptied the coffee pot and didn’t fill it?”

“Yes! Spill it, was it you?”

“Nope.”

“Nope, it wasn’t you – or ‘nope, you don’t know who it was’?”

“Just ‘nope’ – because I’m not telling when it’s important.”

“It’s coffee, twerp.”

“Coffee is its own natural food group. The stuff is a bean, and beans are legumes - which are fibrous, nutritious, salt-of-the-earth sustenance that can…”

“I’m sorry I asked,” Justin muttered walking off after he pushed the ‘On’ button on the coffee maker. “Don’t touch that – I’ll be back, and you’ll still be sprouting all the wonders of legumes.”

“Coffee makes you poo, bro…” Alec volunteered in a sing-song voice – only to get shot the finger just before Justin walked around the corner. “Love you, Daddy.” – And saw the arm outstretch in the open doorway with another finger.

“I’m number one,” Alec bragged to Colton, who was chuckling and pouring some of the fresh coffee in his cup silently before anyone saw him. The coffee maker was hissing as the drops coming out of the basket were falling onto the burner. He shoved his mug underneath to catch those precious drops of ‘bean juice,’ pointing at the inside that was currently being filled, indicating he wanted to be topped off as well.

Lance was walking up, rubbing his head and yawning widely.

“Dude, hit me up too.”

“I’m first.”

“Justin is gonna be maaaad…”

“Make another pot.”

“You do it.”

“You were here first.”

“I don’t need to make a pot; I got my cup, and there was coffee left.”

“Don’t be that way…”

“The man has a point,” Alec grinned, walking off with Colton. “There was coffee left when I got my cup, too.”

“I hate you guys…” Lance hollered from behind them as they looked at each other and laughed – only to see Justin coming. Both men glanced quickly in alarm and started up the stairs in a sprint, trying not to spill their cups of coffee, only to hear Justin’s voice holler from the engine bay.

“SERIOUSLY, CORTES?!”

“It wasn’t me!”

“He better not snitch,” Colton grimaced. “Justin’s not in a great mood this morning, and Chad texted. He’s running behind. Maya’s car wouldn’t start.”

“Uh oh.”

“Yup. Shall we take one for the team and cover for the man?”

“Absolutely.”

The two men bumped knuckles – and Alec hesitated, pulling a stuffed mouse from his shirt pocket and dangling it between the two of them.

“If I’m gonna get yelled at, let’s at least have a little fun.”

“You are either seriously messed up or…”

“Let’s go with the ‘or’ and not talk about it, okay?” Alec interrupted, wanting to keep his relationship with Willow private.

“You got it, bro – but if you ever need to talk.”

Alec nodded and then cupped his hand to his mouth, yelling loud enough that he heard the fire chief laughing from his office below where they were standing.

“Ohhhh my Dear Department Daaaaddy? I did a boo-boo…” – and he flung the mouse into the engine bay where the two bright red fire trucks were waiting. Lance’s scream could be heard a mile away, along with Justin’s cackling laughter.

Chad bolted in the front door and looked up at them, then turned toward the commotion in the distance.

“What’d I miss,” he said breathlessly.

“Lance just messed his knickers, Justin’s looking for you, there’s no coffee, and you owe us both a solid, bro,” Colton grinned. “We’re about to get reamed as soon as he stops laughing.”

The two men tapped their coffee mugs together in solidarity, standing there on the stairs, waiting for the poop to hit the fan.

“Lance, quit screaming,” Justin snapped, coming around the corner and looking at the trio. “Chad, get the truck ready. Where have you been?” – and his head swung toward the two men waiting.

Alec took a sip of his coffee while Colton counted under his breath.

“Three, two, one…”

“AND YOU TWO KNUCKLEHEADS DON’T EVER LISTEN…” Justin snapped hotly, glaring at them and pointing. “That is MY coffee you are drinking, and while the mouse was a nice touch? I now have a headache combined with my significant lack of caffeine.”

“I think he’s backed up,” Alec whispered loudly – and Colton choked on his coffee, spraying it in front of him and all over the stairs. “Dude, there are some sore throat lozenges in the med cabinet ‘cause you are starting to sound a little hoarse – and I think there is some Ex-Lax, too, if that will help you. It’s the little chocolatey squares, so I wouldn’t eat more than one or you are on your own while we are on a call…”

Justin’s mouth dropped open.

Chad just stood there, his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing.

Colton was still coughing and trying to catch his breath – as Lance’s shriek pierced the silence, followed by another yell.

“WHO PUT A MOUSE IN MY BOOT?!”

“Wasn’t me this time,” Alec admitted, looking at Colton and Chad warily – only to hear the chief laughing again as he shut his office door. “I really like that dude, you know?”

“I do, too,” Colton grinned.

“Same,” Chad chuckled and gave Justin a look. “I’m gonna get the truck ready, now – and start another pot of coffee.”

“I guess I’m gonna quit drinking coffee at this rate,” Justin muttered, walking off and rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.

Alec looked at Colton.

“You okay, bro?”

“Seriously, your mouth is something else.”

“I love that man - and he’s so easy to rile up.”

“Which one? Justin or Lance?”

“Both of them. I’m gonna get Justin a big, insulated Thermos so my man can have his coffee whenever he wants. Oh, and there’s a mouse in Lance’s helmet, too. Poor guy. Maybe we should go rescue him before he needs therapy?”

A shriek pierced the air, followed by more laughter.

Colton and Alec looked at each other – and shrugged.

“Too late,” Colton chuckled. “Let’s get to work.”

* * *

An hourlater (and several apologies combined with cups of coffee for Justin), things were in a much better mood around the truck. Apparently, his son, Ollie, was already teething, and it was really messing with him badly. He slept the last two nights in the recliner, holding his son against his chest trying to comfort him.

Lance talked about his engagement and gushed about how nervous he’d been. They all laughed at his string of text messages, teasing him about the panicked reaction at first compared to how calm he was now.

“What about you?” Chad asked, looking in the mirror at him. “You’ve been awfully quiet, Alec.”

“Which is not like you,” Justin added, looking over his shoulder and grinning at him.

For a moment, Alec felt panic. He really didn’t want to discuss the thoughts rolling around in his head regarding his future, what was happening with Willow, or the fact that he was actually striking up a relationship with his ex-girlfriend again. Man, he always got so frustrated with friends who went back to their exes and here he was doing the same.

It wasn’t a bad feeling either.

“Well…” Alec began and let out his breath as the radio in the truck went off.

Motor Vehicle Accident with Injury

“Lights, sirens, action, fellas…” Chad announced, flipping the switches on the console as he sped up. Justin grabbed the radio and announced that they would be responding.

Lance was looking at him.

“So?” he asked Alec pointedly. “Things blow up or go okay?”

Alec simply gave him a thumbs-up.

“Fair enough.”

The truck was coming to a stop, and they were on the move. Climbing out of the truck, Lance was already heading toward the plug as Alec was pulling the hoses off the truck. Colton was helping lay out the lines as Justin passed the truck, waving people back and barking out orders. A sedan and a minivan had collided – and the sedan was smoking from under the hood. The ambulance was pulling up in the distance and Eileen was running toward the car to check the status of the occupants. Stephanie was coming up behind her with a kit.

“Where are we?!” Justin hollered. “Let’s move, fellas.”

Alec was heading toward the car – and hesitated as a pair of frightened eyes stared at him with a very downturned expression. The little pouting lip was wobbling, and his heart melted. His mother’s words haunted him at that moment.

Family and legacy…

Your father was so proud of his son.

I want you to have those moments, to hold your own child…

He swallowed nervously and looked at Eileen, the paramedic on site. She pressed her lips together firmly and pointed, giving him a thumbs-down. His mother was not doing well now. Sliding open the minivan door, he smiled at the tiny boy who looked to be under two or three years old.

“Beckett!” Justin barked – and then hesitated as Alec was pulling the boy from the car seat. “Never mind… keep going.”

The boy stared at him with frightened eyes and kept looking back at the vehicle. Alec turned his face back toward him and cupped his face with his glove before biting on the finger and yanking it off as the child smiled briefly and then stared at him again.

“Hey buddy, I’m here for you.”

“Mama?”

“Your mama is seeing someone about an ‘owie,’” he said gently. “Do you see my fingers? Huh, sweetie? Can you grab my finger?”

The boy gave him a nervous smile and grabbed his pointer finger.

“Now squeeze it for me, okay?” Alec instructed, and then made an exaggerated face, causing the child to chuckle as he squeezed. “Owww, you gotta let go now, okay? See? Look at you so big and strong.”

“Mama owie?”

“Mama,” Alec began looking at Eileen working on the woman. “Mama still has an owie, but you and me are going to wait right here for a moment until the police get here. You’re going to like them. I know some of those guys, and they are super-nice, plus they have little kids just like you.”

“Dat?” the little boy asked, touching his mask.

“That’s my face mask to protect me. Do you see my nose?”

“Nose?” the child said, pointing at his own… and shoving part of his finger inside one nostril. Alec chuckled and pulled it away, grinning.

“You’ve got big ol’ hazel eyes like my friend, buddy…” Alec whispered, speaking aloud subconsciously, feeling something in his heart turn over as he realized what he’d said aloud. “Yeah, my girl has big eyes like you, and I like how she looks at me – but that is our secret. Okay?”

“BECKETT!”

Alec heard Justin yell his name and looked over. The police had arrived on site and recognized one of the officers walking toward him. “Let’s go meet Officer Luka, big fella. He’s really funny like me but his nose is bigger and not as good lookin’ as me – but that’s our secret.”

Eileen passed him with the gurney.

“We’re heading to Tyler Memorial – the husband is on the way.”

“Gotcha.”

“Hey there, Beckett. I hear you found a little munchkin?” Officer Luka began easily. He smiled, clapped his hands at the child, and held them out in front of him, and the little boy dove toward him, smiling and putting his finger in his mouth. “Do you have a name?”

“He hasn’t said yet. He keeps asking about his mother.”

“I’ve got it from here, and Justin got a hold of the father. The woman had her cell phone in the cupholder with her ‘ICE’ set up. It’s such a help when their ‘in case of emergency’ contact is set up. It sure makes my life easier.”

“Yeah, I guess it does,” Alec said quietly, a little surprised at the thoughts in his mind right now. Nodding, he moved away from the minivan and took up his spot working with Lance – only to see a man out of the corner of his eye, run forward, grabbing the boy and hugging him, crying painfully.

He really wanted to hear Willow’s voice right now, which surprised him. Usually, when he had a bad moment, he would talk to his mom when he got home – or end up having a few beers and hiding away for a bit to let himself ‘heal.’

When they finally got back to the truck, Alec pulled out his phone and texted Willow.

Hey – hope you are having a good day.

I had fun planting the flowers, and a few kisses on my girl.

Surprised, he saw three dots appear on his screen, indicating that she was texting him back.

Honestly – it’s been a little slow, and I’m kinda glad. It means people are behaving themselves.

Or someone is behind at the processing desk.

He chuckled, imagining her rolling her eyes, and his soul already felt lighter. Sometimes, these things never bothered him, and other moments, it left him feeling gutted. Maybe it was because the kid’s eyes made him think of Willow, or perhaps it was because his mom was so pushy about kids and emotional lately, but for the first time in forever, he was thinking about the future again and what it would look like. Admittedly, he was very gun-shy regarding the ‘M’ word because it blew up in his face before, but he did want a family someday, the whole picket fence, everything.

Um, do you wanna do something stupid and domestic the next time I’m off?

My two favorite things

It’s really domestic and silly…

(last warning)

I’m in!

I have to make something for a fundraiser that I volunteered for several months ago, and well, I need to make a pot of chili. I don’t do the cooking at the station, so I’m kinda planning to follow a recipe online and winging it.

I’ll get the ingredients and corn chips (‘cause I’m having some!) Chili date night – and charity work together? I’m definitely on board with this, and I think it’s great.

You don’t mind? I mean, it would keep things quiet for us

Then I guess you don’t want me to bring you something to the station?

Wait! You wanna come by and see me?

I thought about it.

Come by and text when you get here.

Alec heard the alert go off just as the engine was starting to back into the station – and all five men groaned in awareness, listening for the location of their next run.

I gotta go – got another call.

Be careful!

Thanks!

“Are you done gawking at your phone and smiling like a dork?” Lance asked bluntly, causing Colton to chuckle from his seat knowingly. Alec just made a mocking face, shoving his cell phone into his shirt pocket before adjusting his gear. “Actually, I’m happy for you two.”

“Oh?” Colton perked up questioningly.

“It’s nothing,” Alec grumbled, wanting to keep his private life quiet in case things backfired.

“Wait a second… Are you dating someone?” Chad asked bluntly, quickly spinning the wheel of the truck to get them to make a sharp right toward their destination.

“No, guys – I’m just talking to somebody, and I don’t know if it’s going anywhere,” he fibbed easily because admitting it would come with a lot of questions, teasing, and then if things went south…?

Yeah, he was keeping quiet about their budding relationship.

* * *

Hours later,Alec had just gotten out of the shower when he heard his phone go off. Jerking on his clothing quickly, he ran down the stairs in a rush to see Willow walking up towards the station. She looked slightly intimidated and a little nervous.

“I got this,” Lance blurted out, before taunting him. “Ohhh Romeooooo, your lady love is here…”

“Keep going, buddy. The mice only get bigger and meaner looking from here,” Alec retorted and saw Lance’s face fall before he laughed easily, pushing open the front door to welcome Willow. Alec had just made it to the bottom step when she entered the building, and he heard a slow whistle from nearby, causing the three of them to look over.

Chad moved to hold the newspaper in front of his face, smirking.

The chief was suddenly very busy looking for something in the cabinets – but not Justin. Alec almost visibly winced at the knowing grin plastered over the other man’s face.

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t the Honorable Judge Rushman, I presume? How’s it going, your Honor? Are you slumming with the common folk or are you here to see someone?” and then Justin got this mocking surprised look on his face. “You aren’t here to see our last – and very single – ‘flirt’ of the team, are you? Surely you didn’t buy into that stupid nickname like all the other women in…”

“Enough, Justin…”

“That’s Captain Dailey, Beckett.”

“Can I just call ya’ ‘Captain D’s’ like the fast-food place…”

“Deez nuts!” Chad, Lance, and Colton chimed in together in unison – making Willow laugh uncomfortably as Alec grinned.

“No. You cannot,” Justin replied in a flat voice, grimacing.

“Could I see you outside for a moment, Alec?” Willow said quietly, taking his hand. Alec turned and stuck out his tongue at Lance, who playfully tried to grab it – causing the two of them to laugh as Alec dodged him.

“Dude, that’s messed up!”

“Don’t stick your tongue out at me…”

The two men bickered before Alec and Willow were out the door – and alone. She looked a little wary and immediately dropped his hand.

“I didn’t mean to create a scene. I just thought it would be nice to come by and see you for a moment,” she began, standing there looking so alone… and he felt this urge to comfort her.

“I’m glad to see you,” he said softly, reaching out to cup her cheek. “I had a really nice time the other day, and this helps break up my day.”

“Mine too.”

“Does it bother you if the guys know?” he asked warily, knowing it was going to be hard to explain this impromptu visit – but he couldn’t tell her ‘no’ either.

“Do you mind?” she asked, looking just as worried as he was.

“Actually, I don’t think I do. I mean, I still worry this is all so surreal and that something is going to happen – but that’s on me. I’m trying…”

“I know,” she smiled gently, obviously relaxing at his answer. She laid a hand on his chest, looking up at him with those beautiful eyes, and he felt his heart turn over, wondering if she could feel it under her fingertips. “I wish I could give you some comfort or wipe away your worries.”

“I’m just feeling a little unsettled right now.”

“Is everything all right?”

Alec didn’t answer. He closed his eyes and hung his head slightly, thinking about that child with the brown hair and large hazel eyes. This was crazy. Things were so ‘weird’ between them… and every part of him wanted to believe in this, but he really was scared to get his heart broken again someday – and hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” Willow asked in a hushed voice, moving her hand to touch his cheek. “If you need to talk – I’m here.”

That brief phrase, ‘I’m here,’ was what he told the boy earlier today. While he had never really thought of himself as a ‘family man,’ his mother’s words kept ringing in his mind along with flashes of that child’s innocent face, making him wonder what theirs would look like. Life could change in an instant, seeing that man holding his son once more.

“Alec?”

“Do you ever have days where you think that everything is happening or lining up because now is your time for something to unfold?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like every time you turn around, someone says something, or you see an indicator of a path you should take, or you start thinking weird things you never imagined before – but all of it becomes related. Everything is coming together in this weird focus, creating a picture that you never realized was missing or blurry before.”

He looked at her and made a nervous sound in his throat, feeling her touch his cheek once more with such open understanding and acceptance. She was always like that – and even when they broke up, while it had been bad – it was also the ‘gentlest’ break-up ever recorded.

“I feel like my whole future is plopped in the optometrist’s chair, and they keep flipping those goofy little lenses in front of me. Like the Big Man Upstairs is asking me, ‘Is this better, or can you see this clearer? How about now?’ – and I never imagined I might need glasses,” he hesitated and looked at her. “But if I let Him gimme a prescription, I might actually realize just how beautiful life is. Does that make any sense at all or am I being completely Looney-Tunes?”

“You have such a way with words,” she chuckled – and leaned up to kiss him. “I like it.”

“I like this,” he admitted emotionally against her lips, kissing her once more. “Did you get lots of peppers for the chili?”

“I remembered you like spicy food.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m going to have to go, though,” she whispered regretfully. “I’ve got ice cream in the car for us too. I thought we could have a little something to cool our mouths after we sample the chili.”

Alec smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.

“Perfect.”

“And Alec?” she began, letting her hand fall as she stepped out of his embrace and looked at him. “It’s okay to let go and give up control to Him. Things happen the way they are supposed to, no matter how much we question or struggle. That’s why I’m not panicking over the election this fall. I’ll either win the county seat, or I won’t; but that doesn’t mean I can’t give it my all. Either way, there’s a plan for me – and I take comfort in that.”

He smiled at her and nodded.

“You’re right.”

“Be safe, okay?”

“Hey, Willow?” Alec began as she walked back to her car. She stopped and turned to look at him, waiting. “Do you wanna go with me to the chili fundraiser… like a real date – in public?”

The smile on her face was brilliant.

“I would love that.”

“Sounds good,” he grinned happily. “Let’s not make the chili too spicy. Remember if it burns going in…”

“It burns coming out,” they finished in unison, laughing together, as Willow shook her head, pointing at him.

“You are something…”

“An undefined Wonder of the World?”

“Sure, we’ll go with that.”

“Text me when you get home… okay?”

“Will do,” she promised, sliding into the seat of her car and starting the vehicle. He stood there until she pulled out of the parking lot of the fire station – and then noticed Lance off in the distance, kissing and hugging his new girlfriend.

“Maybe there’s something in the water…?” Alec muttered, chuckling and turning back toward the fire station – only to see three other smiling faces watching him. “Wipe those smiles off your faces.”

“You and the judge?”

“Really?”

“To quote Austin from the other engine,” Justin sang, standing up with the other guys as they all began to mimic a dirty song while wiggling their hips and butts. “Bow chicka wow-wow…”

“Or brown chicken, brown cow…” and all three men laughed, before bumping their knuckles together and looking at him.

“Leave it alone,” Alec frowned, walking off.

They looked so happy that he was dating someone – and it wasn’t like he hadn’t dated before, but this time was different. If he could feel it and they could see it, then hopefully, he wouldn’t end up picking up the pieces.

He sighed heavily, walking up the stairs to take a nap while he could.

Someday, I’m gonna have to trust her…

* * *

A few dayslater and with another three-day shift under his belt, Alec watched emotionally as his buddy, Lance, said his vows and married his shockingly recent girlfriend in a rushed ceremony at the justice of the peace.

Ever since the fire where Colton rescued Blythe, Lance had been different – more focused on his girlfriend, a relationship, and having someone in his life. It wasn’t the old ‘Party Lance’ anymore who always used to beg him to go out. No, this man was changed – calmer, happier, more settled, and it was because Lance had finally found his home in the woman with short, dark hair smiling up at him.

The groom had a dopey, love-sick look on his face, and he pulled his new bride close to him, spun her around, and dipped her backward, almost like something Fred Astaire would have done in one of those old black and white movies. Blythe burst out laughing, obviously delighted at the romantic move from his friend. Alec couldn’t believe this was the same guy – yet at the same time, he was making notes in his head.

Watching the two lovers whisper to each other privately before kissing made him think of Willow. She was probably in a courtroom somewhere in the building. Maybe since he was off work, he would track her down and watch her in action, laying down justice like some regal angel of the court system.

Or maybe not.

He wasn’t sure he wanted Willow to get the wrong idea and froze as he heard the new Mrs. Cortes speaking to his buddy, Lance, as they walked over.

“Waiting on you.”

Was Willow waiting on him, too? Was she giving him the space that he needed because he kept pulling back and retreating because he was afraid? What would it look like if he stood tall or took a step toward her? Sure, she said all the right things, claiming she’d always cared for him, but what if the problem was him… again.

Yeah, he needed to think.