26. Zoey

26

ZOEY

I t'd been a week already. She spent most of the time with her parents and colleagues, who never stopped dropping by to see her. No matter how much she reminded them that she was better now, they still wouldn't stop with the gifts.

Zoey stood at the city hall's entrance, taking in the event's grandeur.

The room was filled with people dressed in their finest, the soft hum of conversations blending with the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter. The walls were draped in deep red and gold tapestries , giving the entire room a warm, almost festive feel.

The town organized the event to honor the bravery and dedication of firefighters and emergency responders, and tonight, Zoey and Lux will be among those recognized. Zoey felt a mix of pride and nervousness bubbling up inside her as she glanced around the room, searching for a familiar face.

She spotted Lux standing a few feet away in full best uniform. She was so striking looking and conversing with a tall man who looked like her. There was no mistaking the resemblance—the same strong jawline and intense blue eyes. Zoey knew instantly that this had to be Lux's father.

Zoey observed their interaction, noting the ease with which they spoke and how Lux's eyes softened when she looked at him. It was clear that they shared a deep bond, one built on years of love and mutual respect. Zoey felt a pang of something she couldn't quite name—perhaps a mix of admiration and longing—watching them together.

As if sensing Zoey's gaze, Lux turned and caught her eye. A smile spread across Lux's face, and she waved Zoey over.

Zoey made her way through the crowd of people, her heart beating a little faster as she approached Lux and her father. When she reached them, Lux's father turned to face her, his expression warm and welcoming.

"Dad, this is Zoey," Lux said. "Zoey, this is my father, Robert Valentine."

Zoey extended her hand, her smile a little shy. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Valentine."

Robert Valentine took her hand firmly, his smile reaching his eyes.

Lux's sharp blue gaze met Zoey's eyes and Zoey saw all the warmth of love in her eyes and she liked it.

Before she could find her voice to say anything else, the sound of a microphone being tapped filled the room, drawing everyone's attention to the stage at the front of the hall, the legendary Phoenix Ridge Fire Chief Becky Thompson stood there, her presence commanding and authoritative, yet there was a warmth in her eyes as she looked out over the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the chief began, her voice carrying easily across the room, "tonight, we are here to honor the bravery and dedication of those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. We have faced many challenges this year, but our team has remained strong, committed, and unwavering in their resolve."

Zoey felt a surge of pride as she listened to the chief's words, knowing that she and Lux were part of that team. It was humbling to be recognized for something that had become integral to her identity.

The chief continued, her voice steady and filled with conviction. "Tonight, we want to pay special tribute to two of our own who showed extraordinary courage by putting their own lives at risk to save civilians and then determination to survive in the face of overwhelming odds when they were trapped by the forest fire. Lieutenant Zoey Knight and Chief Pilot Lux Valentine, please join me on stage."

Zoey's heart skipped a beat as she heard her name. She glanced at Lux, who gave her an encouraging nod. Together, they made their way through the crowd, the significance of the moment settling over them.

As they stepped onto the stage, the applause was deafening and echoed off the hall's walls. Zoey felt a rush of pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of accomplishment. But more than that, she felt an overwhelming sense of connection to Lux, who stood beside her, a steady presence amid the chaos.

Becky handed them each a small, metal plaque. "Zoey Knight and Lux Valentine, for your bravery, dedication, and unwavering commitment to saving lives, we honor you tonight. You are a testament to the strength and resilience of this team, and we are proud to have you with us."

Zoey felt a lump rise in her throat as she accepted the plaque. She glanced at Lux, who looked at her with a mixture of pride and something deeper, unspoken but understood.

They stepped off the stage, the applause still ringing in their ears, and Zoey found herself gravitating toward Lux. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she needed to express, but the words seemed to elude her.

Lux seemed to sense Zoey's thoughts, and she reached out, taking Zoey's hand in hers.

Zoey felt a deep sense of contentment as they walked through the crowd to return to their seats for the rest of the event. They had made it through the fire, fear, and uncertainty, and they came out stronger on the other side. And as long as she had Lux by her side, Zoey knew they could face whatever came next.

After the ceremony, everyone lingered to talk. Zoey glanced at Lux, standing a few feet away, conversing with some of their colleagues. The warmth of the event still lingered in the air, and the memory of receiving their awards felt surreal. But something else on Zoey's mind had been brewing since they had made it back from the mountain.

The moment felt right. She'd been holding back, unsure of how Lux might react, but Zoey knew she had to leap. She approached Lux, her heart beating a little faster with each step.

"Lux," Zoey said.

Lux turned. "Hey, what's up?"

Zoey hesitated for a second. "I was thinking…now that everything's calmed down a bit, maybe we could, you know, go out sometime? Like, on a proper date."

Lux's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across her face, but then she smiled. "I'd like that."

Zoey exhaled the breath she'd been holding. "Great. How about tonight?"

"Tonight sounds perfect."

---

Later that evening, Zoey stood outside a fancy restaurant, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She'd chosen the place carefully, wanting everything to be just right for their first official date. The soft glow of the lights from the restaurant's windows cast a warm hue over the entrance, and the quiet hum of conversation floated through the air.

Zoey adjusted the collar of her jacket, glancing down the street for any sign of Lux. She didn't have to wait long. Lux soon appeared, walking toward her with that same confident stride Zoey had come to admire. She looked stunning, her outfit simple yet elegant, and the sight of her made Zoey's breath catch in her throat.

"Hey," Zoey greeted.

"Hey yourself," Lux replied. "You look great."

"So do you," Zoey said, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Ready to head in?"

Lux nodded. The interior was cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and plush seating offering privacy. A waiter led them to a table near the back, away from the bustle of the main dining area.

As they sat down, Zoey glanced at Lux, taking in the way the candlelight danced across her features. Zoey couldn't take her eyes off Lux as they settled into their seats. The soft glow of the candlelight made Lux's features even more striking, and Zoey felt that familiar flutter in her chest.

"It's strange, isn't it?" Lux said, her voice low and intimate. "How much I missed you even though we were only apart for a few days."

Zoey smiled. "I know what you mean. I kept thinking about you the whole time. Even in the hospital, all I could think about was when I'd see you again."

Lux's gaze softened as she reached across the table, her fingers brushing lightly against Zoey's hand. "It's like we went through all that just to end up here, in this moment."

Zoey's breath hitched at the touch, and she turned her hand over, lacing her fingers with Lux's. The connection between them felt electric, charged with the tension of everything they'd been through and the feelings they were finally allowing themselves to explore.

"You have no idea how much I missed you," Zoey whispered.

Lux's thumb traced small circles on the back of Zoey's hand. "I think I have some idea," she said, her tone playful.

Zoey's pulse quickened as she leaned in closer, the space between them shrinking. The restaurant around them seemed to fade away, leaving the two in a bubble of shared emotion and anticipation.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you," Zoey admitted, her eyes locked on Lux's lips.

Lux's smile was slow and warm. "I couldn't stop thinking about you either," she said softly. "And now that we're here, I don't want to think about anything else."

Zoey's breath caught as Lux's hand tightened around hers, and for a moment, the world outside their little corner of the restaurant ceased to exist.

"That sounded so sweet," Lux said. "You're a keeper."

Zoey backed off somewhat. Lux squinted.

"I shouldn't have said that," Lux said. I?—"

"It's not that," Zoey replied. "It's just the last person who said that to me was…well, my ex."

Lux's expression softened. "You don't have to if you're not ready."

"No, I want to," Zoey said. "We were together for a few years. It started great, but I got so consumed with firefighting. I thought I could balance it all, but I couldn't. And then after the accident—the one I told you about, with the child—I just…shut down."

Lux squeezed her hand gently. "That's a lot to carry."

Zoey nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I tried to make it work, but I wasn't present anymore, not for her or anyone. The guilt, the grief—it was all too much. She deserved better than that, better than me."

Lux leaned in closer, her voice soft but firm. "You're not that person anymore, Zoey. What happened wasn't your fault, and you've done everything possible to move forward. You deserve happiness too."

As the evening wore on, the conversation grew quieter and more intimate.

"I guess we should probably focus on enjoying tonight, huh?" Zoey said.

Lux chuckled. "Yeah, I think we've earned a little fun."

Just then, the waiter approached with their meals, setting the plates down with a flourish. The delicious aroma filled the air, making Zoey's stomach growl in anticipation.

"Looks amazing," Zoey said, her eyes widening as she took in the beautifully plated dishes.

Lux grinned, picking up her fork. "I think it's time to dig in."

They both began to eat, the conversation shifting to lighter topics: favorite foods, funny stories from their childhoods, and plans for the future.

"My place?" Zoey suggested that the second they were done eating.

Lux's eyes met Zoey's, and for a moment, neither spoke. Then Lux nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that."