Epilogue

EPILOGUE

HALLIE

H allie strides through the familiar doors of Fire Station 3, her chest swelling with pride and anticipation as she returns to work after months of grueling recovery. Kaia had been there every step of the way, of course. The lieutenant smiles at the thought of her sexy, live-in nurse, of the gentle pressure of Kaia's hands guiding Hallie through physical therapy exercises, the soft brush of her lips against Hallie's forehead as she soothed her through the pain and frustration.

When she eventually pauses outside the captain's office door, Hallie takes a deep breath to center herself before raising her fist to knock. The gruff, "Come in!" that answers sends a jolt down her spine, the nerves creeping in. She has spent weeks being anxious about this first meeting back at work, knowing that Captain Hewitt had suspected she and Kaia had been involved for a while before the train crash.

As Hallie enters the office, her breath catches in surprise to find not only Captain Hewitt but also the district fire chief, Curt Walters, waiting for her. She feels her pulse quicken, palms growing damp as she tries to read their stoic expressions. This is highly unusual.

"Lieutenant Hunter," the Chief Walters greets her, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Damn good to see you back. Have a seat."

Hallie sinks into a chair, her mind racing with possibilities—good and bad—as Hewitt leans forward, hands clasped on his desk.

"Hunter, we asked you here today because, frankly, we've been blown away by the caliber of firefighters your Probationary Field Training program has produced." The captain's voice is filled with unabashed admiration, making Hallie's cheeks warm.

Chief Walters nods vigorously, his gaze intent on Hallie's face. "I've been keeping tabs on this rookie class. Their teamwork, discipline, technical skills—it's outstanding on all fronts. All thanks to your formidable leadership."

Hallie blinks rapidly, overwhelmed by the unexpected praise. She feels a lump form in her throat, this is the validation she's worked so tirelessly for all these years.

"Thank you," she manages, fighting to keep her voice steady. "I gave it everything I had."

A beat of silence follows as the chief exchanges a loaded glance with Hewitt. Hallie barely remembers to take a breath, apprehension bearing down on her in the dimly lit office.

"Well, Hunter," Chief Walters begins, leaning forward in his seat, "we didn't just call you in here to blow smoke up your ass. We have an opportunity we think you're ready for, if you want it."

Hallie's blood is roaring in her ears, her mind tripping over itself trying to grasp what the chief might be saying.

Captain Hewitt's face splits into a wide grin. "Congratulations, Captain Hunter. The promotion is yours; you've damn well earned it."

The world seems to stop spinning for a moment, Hallie's breath seizing in her lungs as the title registers.

Captain Hunter.

After years of pouring her blood, sweat, and tears into this department, into this job. After fighting tooth and nail to prove her worth in a constant swarm of skeptical men… This is really happening.

Speechless, all Hallie can do is nod, a disbelieving laugh bubbling up from her chest as Hewitt and Chief Walters both chuckle at her stunned reaction.

"Now, normally we'd be falling over ourselves to keep a leader of your reputation in this district," Fire Chief Walters continues, his expression turning pensive. "I've got open positions across multiple departments that would kill to have you."

He leans forward then, an almost conspiratorial gleam in his eye that sets Hallie's brain buzzing with curiosity. "But something tells me you might be interested in another opportunity, a little further afield."

Hallie tilts her head, intrigue warring with the elation still simmering in her veins. "Further afield, Sir?"

The chief shares another meaningful look with Hewitt, "Have you heard of Phoenix Ridge? Busy town, about an hour across the state line."

Hallie shakes her head, her brows furrowing as she tries to place the name. It's not ringing any bells. Why would the chief be talking about a job in another state when he just said there are open captain positions closer to home?

The chief's grin widens. "Well, turns out they've got a real trailblazing fire department over there. First in the country to be all female, top to bottom."

Hallie thinks her heart might actually have stopped in her chest. An all-female department? She'd never heard of such a thing.

"Their chief has caught wind of your achievements through the grapevine," Chief Walters continues. "She thinks you'd make a great addition to the department, if you're interested."

Hallie sinks back in her chair, mind reeling as she tries to wrap her head around the whole thing. To have the opportunity to lead a team of women who understand the challenges and triumphs of making it in this field. To shape the future of a department that values their skill and dedication above all else. She'd pack a bag right this minute.

A shuddering breath escapes Hallie's lips, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she meets the chief's patient gaze. "I'm definitely interested, Sir," she manages, voice thick with barely restrained emotion. "This… this sounds like an incredible opportunity."

Captain Hewitt claps his hands together. "You deserve it, Hunter. You've more than earned a command of your own. You'll be sorely missed, but I know you'll do great things over there. Montgomery too, of course."

Chief Walters nods. "I'll put you in touch with the Phoenix Ridge brass. If you decide it's the right move for you, just say the word and the job is yours."

Hallie rises on shaky legs, her heart fuller than she ever thought possible as she shakes the chief's hand, then Hewitt's. She thanks them profusely, practically floating out of the office on a cloud of euphoria.

That evening, Hallie sits on the couch, her thoughts a million miles away as she waits for Kaia to get home from a call out. She chuckles at the memory of getting her text as she left the station.

You can head home without me.

I have to go save another damn cat.

Art says he'll get me a badge when I reach double digits.

The jingle of keys in the lock snaps her out of her musing, and she looks up just in time to see Kaia burst through the door, an easy smile on her face.

"Hey, you, how was your first day back?" Kaia asks, making a beeline for Hallie and pulling her into a fierce kiss. "I missed you out there, could have used your cat-charming abilities."

Hallie smiles against Kaia's lips, savoring the sweet familiarity of her touch before pulling back slightly, her expression turning serious.

"It was good. Really good, actually," she begins, taking Kaia's hands in her own. "I need to talk to you about something pretty big."

Kaia's brow furrows as she settles onto the couch. "What's going on? Is everything okay?"

Hallie takes a deep breath, searching for the right words to convey the sheer magnitude of what happened in her meeting this morning. Slowly, haltingly, she recounts her conversation with Chief Walters and Hewitt, watching as Kaia's expression morphs from worry to shock to pure joy.

"Captain Hunter!" Kaia exclaims, leaping to her feet and pulling Hallie up with her, into a bone-crushing hug. "Fuck, I'm so proud of you! You deserve this more than anyone."

Hallie laughs, her heart full to bursting as she clings to Kaia, relishing the feeling of her strong arms wrapped around her. "Thanks, baby. But there's more..."

She pulls back slightly, cupping Kaia's face in her hands as she explains the chief's recommendation of the captain position at the Phoenix Ridge Fire Department. As she speaks, Hallie watches Kaia's face closely, trying to gauge her reaction as the offer dawns on her. To her surprise, Kaia's eyes light up with what looks like yearning, a wistful smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"An all-female department? Are you kidding?" Kaia eventually responds, her voice soft with wonder. "Hallie, that sounds like a dream come true."

Hallie barely gives herself a second to hope before double checking that Kaia's actually on board with the whole idea. "You really think so? It would be a big change, moving to a new town, joining a new station. I know you've only just started to find your groove with the crew here..."

But Kaia is already shaking her head. "Babe, I love our squad. I really do. But if I'm being honest... the idea of spending the rest of my career fighting to compete with men who will always see me as lesser? That sounds more exhausting than it's worth."

Hallie can't help but chuckle, she knows that feeling perhaps better than anyone.

"I want to be judged on my skills, my dedication. Not my gender," Kaia continues. "If you really want this, if you think it could be a good move for us, then I'm all in."

Hallie feels the threat of tears prick at her eyes, emotion welling up in her throat as Kaia's words sink in. Her unwavering support. The willingness to uproot her life and start anew. Hallie never thought she could be so lucky to have such a partner.

"I love you so much," she whispers fiercely, pulling Kaia in for a searing kiss that leaves them both breathless. "Let's do it. Let's start over somewhere new, you and me."

As the night wears on and they start to make plans, Hallie feels a sense of overwhelming peace settle deep in her bones. She thinks of how far they've come, from that first charged meeting in the station to the heartbreak and catastrophe they've had to overcome to get here.

Curled up in bed later that night, Kaia's head resting on her chest, Hallie lets her mind wander to the future that stretches out before them both. She imagines they might have a life like her parents, madly in love and fiercely dedicated to their careers until the day they decide to retire together.

As she drifts off to sleep, Hallie sends up a silent prayer of gratitude for the twists and turns of fate that have led them to this moment. For the love that has seen them through the darkest of times, and the bright future that awaits them on the other side.

And as Hallie tightens her arms around Kaia, breathing in the sweet scent of her wild curls, she knows that there is nowhere else she would rather be. No one else she would rather face the world with.

This is their next chapter, and Hallie can't wait to see where it leads them. Together.