by Rayne O'Gara
“Shit!” The alarm starts going off signaling a fire. The four of us race over to the lockers and start to gear up. Hurrying with the rest of them, I strap in and am on the truck first. Quickly followed by my teammates I hear Roman over the bell.
“NO!”
Oh, no. Oh God no. Please let me for once be wrong. I close my eyes and start praying harder. Roman thumps down in the truck next to me; stopping my prayers, I look at his face.
“Fucking drive! Now!!” Roman yells at our driver, Rowdy, who, not missing a beat, blares the sirens and flashes the lights as he pulls out of the garage and takes a left. Still looking at Roman, I wait for him to look at me.
“Tell me I was wrong, Rome. Tell me I was wrong,” I beg him.
“Detective Ariea called it in five minutes ago,” is all he would say.
No, no, no. It’s not going down like this.
“Drive faster!” I snarl at Rowdy. “We have to get there now!”
Everyone in the truck knew where we were going. Everything was quiet except for the blaring sirens, no one said a word. Looking back at my best friend, I see his body tense and his eyes are screwed closed tightly with his stark white knuckles gripping his knees. This is the longest ten minutes of my life. Reaching out, I lay a shaking hand on his bulging arm making his eyes snap open to glare at me. Focusing on me his eyes cloud over with pain.
“I never told her, Alex…never said anything. She doesn’t know,” Roman confesses brokenly. “I know, brother. Me too. First thing we say to her when we see her. Very first thing.”
Roman nods at me and I feel the truck start slowing down. Thank fuck! Before it can stop completely Roman and I are out of the screaming red beast, running for the door. I slow down and let Rome get ahead of me.
“Rome! Door!” I shout and with a grunt, he picks up speed, leans in with his shoulder, and hits the door full force splintering the wood with a loud crack. Kicking away the extra pieces, we stumble through the door and rush into the living room. We don’t see a lot of smoke on the first floor but as soon as we hit the stairs layer after layer clogs our masks sending the oxygen tank into overdrive. We both push into Cait’s room and dive for the bed. So much smoke I have to use my hands to try to bump into a body part. There! An arm. Pulling her across the bed, I finally have her in my arms.
“I got her, find the fire!” I yell to Rome in our helmet mics. Picking her up and holding her against my chest tightly, I rush down the stairs and out into the clean fresh air outside. The first responder EMTs have arrived, thank God! I stumble a little down her porch steps and run as fast as I can to the awaiting EMTs.
“Found the fire. Box spring, guest bedroom. Half the room’s gone up. Need hose immediately,” Roman’s voices barks through the comm.
“Rome, get down here now!” I shout at him. Cait’s not moving.
As gently as I can I lay her down on the stretcher provided by Martin, the EMT, I rip off my helmet and mask.
“Come on, sweetness. Come on, Cait,” I tell her frantically. Willing her to live. I feel Roman’s presence before seeing him so I look up and watch him rip off his own mask and helmet and fall to his knees beside the prone body of the woman we love.
“Hey, baby. We’re here. Come on, baby. Breathe for us. Please, Cait.”
Impatient, restless, tense moments go by while Martin works.
“Yes!” Roman shouts and I she her chest rise and fall with very short pants. Martin places an oxygen mask over her beautiful face and then lifts the gurney up and into the back of the ambulance.
“Is one of you going?” he asks us.
“Hold on,” I say to him before finding my sergeant in the scramble. Motioning him over, he quickly takes in the scene and before anything is said, gives me a nod.
“One of you go with her, the other will meet you in Austin when clean up and recovery is done.”
“Go, Alex. I’ll stay. Be good company for her,” Roman says before turning away and returning into the smoky house.
“Alright, you heard him, O’Fallen! Get goin’! Take care of ya’lls girl.”
Not needing to hear him say it twice, I jump up into the back of the ambulance and shut the door. Settling down at Cait’s side, I grabbed one of her pale limp hands and yell to the driver, “Let’s move!” before squeezing her hand lightly.
“How fast can you make this rattle trap go?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Roman…
Three hours. Three fucking hours! That’s how long it took us to get done with Recovery and Clean Up. Back at the station house I finally get to leave. Quickly stripping off my gear, I cram it back into my locker. I don’t really care how it’s in there, so long as it is in. Snatching up an empty trash bag, I grab my duffel bag with my change of clothes and head to Alex’s locker. With his duffel slung over my back along with mine, I run out of the firehouse into pouring down rain. Great. Just fucking great.
I start the truck with a roar and slam the gearshift into drive. With Alex not having his cell with him, the only way I can find out any information is to call the hospital directly. The problem with that is if she’s still in the ER they won’t tell me anything except that she’s still fucking in there. She better be okay. She has to be. The time we were given was too short. I need more with her and Alex. I need a lifetime.
The thirty minute drive ends up taking me almost an hour, damn slow rain drivers, but I reach my goal and park in an empty space right next to the emergency entrance. Barely remembering to unsnap my seat restraint, I barrel out of the truck pulling the duffels along with me. Once my feet hit pavement I am off at a run toward the sliding automatic doors.
I get through the doors only a little damp. Thank you God, the rain had slowed down, and I search for Alex’s tall figure. Noticing him pacing in the far corner of the waiting room, I yell out to him.
“Alex!”
At his name his head snaps over in my direction. As I get closer to him, I see the worry lines and the stress showing on his youthful face.
“No word yet?” I ask.
“No, none. It’s like pullin’ fuckin' teeth in here and its pissin’ me off,” he viscously whispers, his vocal tones deeper and slower.
“This is hell. We’re in hell,” I say, shaking my head. Remembering the bags on my back, I slid them down and let them thump to the floor. The noise causes some attention from some attendees in the waiting room but I ignore the snickers. I honestly cannot bring myself to give a flying fuck what they think in this moment.
“Here’s your duffel. Take off your gear and I will put them in the bag,” I tell him as I pick up his heavy discarded jacket and shove it down to the bottom of the heavy duty trash bag. Slowly he takes everything off handing me the items one by one to toss in the bag. Unzipping his duffel he reaches in and pulls out his boots and continues to sit and pull them on still silence.
I sit down next to him and cradle my head in my hands trying to settle the turmoil swirling inside me. I never thought I could fall this hard so fast. A piece of my soul is back there somewhere and I am dying just sitting here waiting.
“I called Rob. Sofie needs to be here,” Alex whispers to me.
“Good decision,” I agree with him. Trying to lighten the mood, I smile at him. “If she found out later from our Cait and we didn’t call her…she’d have our balls.”
That at least got a snort from him. He lifts his head and looks at me, cracks a smile that flashes that dimple women go crazy for. I can see a glimmer of hope in his eyes and I rest my hand on his tense shoulder.
“The family of Caitriona Douglass?” a surly man in a white doctor’s coat asks the waiting room.
“Us. Over here,” I answer, standing up with Alex on my heels. “How is she? What’s going on?” Alex and I ask together as we reach him.
Eyes wide he looks us both up and down. “You are both family?” he asks quizzingly.
“I’m her fiancé,” Alex answers quickly, beating me to the punch.
�
�Then you would be her…?” the doctor asks, glaring at me. Well if it works don’t fix it. “Her other fiancé,” I say straight-faced, looking directly in his eyes.
His face turns a little red and he starts sputtering incoherently. I ball up my fist making my arm tense, ready to make him start talking…my way.
“What in the hell is going on?!” Sofie shrieks as she jogs over to us dragging Rob behind her.
Getting himself under control the doctor looks at Sofie. “These two gentlemen were just saying they were both Miss Douglass’ fiancés.”
I watch as Sofie rolls her eyes at the windbag. “Oh for Pete’s sake! Cait is my sister and she is dating both of these men. They are in an open ménage relationship. Get over it and tell us what the fuck is going on with our loved one!”
“Well…um well, Miss Douglass has severe smoke inhalation and has not woken up yet. She was given an IV and moved to the Burn Unit for further observation. I should not need to explain to you the seriousness this condition is, do I?”
Okay, this guy is grating on my nerves. I just growl out my response to him, not bothering with words. The windbag gets it.
“Can we see her?” Sofie asks, calming down the situation.
“If the head nurse in the BU allows. Floor four. Just follow the green lines as soon as you leave the elevator.” He answers her in a snobbish tone making my fist clench again.
“Thank you, Doctor.” Sofie shakes his hand as the rest of us stomp over to the elevator.
“Here, boys, you might need these,” Rob says as he hands us our duffels. I had completely forgotten them.
“Thanks, Rob.” I say as the elevator dings and the doors open to let us in to take a ride to level four.
The good size elevator is made much smaller by two giant firefighters, let alone Alex and Sofie trying to get in. Hope no one else needs in. Reaching the right floor with no interruptions, my stomach drops as the elevator jerks to a stop. I hate these things. A mad scramble has us leaving the box on cables and following the green lines. We make short work of the line, quickly finding our way. I think a silent vote between us men left Sofie as the head speaker.
“Yes, she is in room 5113. Only one person at a time please. The others can wait right around the corner, there, in the waiting room.” She motioned over to the right with her hand and we all shuffled into the waiting room.
“Sofie,” I hear Alex whisper. “You wanna go first?”
“Really? Are you guys sure?” Nods from all three of us answer her. Smiling her thanks she turns on her heel and walks around the corner toward Cait’s room.
“She’s gonna be okay, Rome,” Alex says, looking directly at me.
Hearing those word come from his mouth right now is the best thing in the world. With a sigh of relief my body relaxes and I rest my head against the hard concrete wall behind me and close my eyes.
A few minutes later I open my eyes to see Sofie walking back in the waiting room with tear tracks down her face. Walking over to her husband, she nods her head and gives him a quick kiss on the mouth. Damn, I can’t wait to taste Cait’s mouth again. It’s all I would touch if it meant she would be okay.
“Roman? Alex? The nurse said visiting hours are almost over but she assured me they would let you both have your turns. We are going to head home but I will be back in the morning. Rob said you guys already requested time off?” At our nods she continues, “Good, then I will see you guys in the morning. To try get some sleep tonight, okay? She is going to be fine,” Sofie assures us before giving us each a kiss on our cheeks, then walks away under the protection of her husband’s arm.
“Your turn, Alex,” I say.
“No, man, I rode with her, you had to stay behind. You go.”
“Dammit, man, just go so I can pull myself together okay,” I say, almost begging.
“All right, I’ll see you in a bit,” he says in farewell, making his way to our woman.
Sleep? She wants us to sleep? Not fucking likely. I don’t think I will ever sleep again. At least not without a very thorough search of doors, windows, alarm system, and smoke detectors on a nightly basis anywhere Caitriona may be sleeping. Anywhere? No, fuck that. Our home, our bed. I’m never letting her out of my sight again.
“You’re up my man.”
“Already?” I ask shocked.
“Yeah, only five minutes a piece,” he answers. “I’ll be right here when you’re done.”
“Okay.”
Walking down the bright hallway, my hands start shaking as the numbers climb closer to her room number. Stopping in front of 5113, I take in a full deep breath and let it go before I open the door.
My Cait. She is laying so still on the hospital bed with cords and IVs and an oxygen mask over her lower face. I hate this. I never want to see her hurt or in pain. Walking over to her bedside I sit down in the offered chair sliding it across the linoleum floor trying to get as close as I can to her. Even sitting down I am tall enough to look down at her and hold her hand comfortably.
“Cait, baby. Please wake up soon,” I whisper to her. “I love you so much. I should have told you sooner, I’m a fucking idiot I know, and I’ll be happy with you calling me that for the rest of our lives. I want everything with you, baby. Come back soon, okay?”
I wipe the gathered tears in my eyes with my free hand not cling to Cait’s and bend down and brush a kiss across her forehead and feel a light pressure grip my hand. With a triumphant smile, I squeeze back. She is going to make it.
*****
Cait…
What in the hell happened? is the first thing that comes to my mind, right before the pain engulfing my lungs. Choking, I sputter, trying to gain a breath of air. Panicking, I fight off hands that are holding me down. I need to breathe. Why won’t you let me breath! I scream at the unseen hand not able to get a sound out of my mouth.
“Shhh, Shhh, baby, its okay.” Wait…I know that voice. Dark, deep, and raspy. Sounds different in my memories, rougher, but still I remember it.
“Just relax, sweetness. You’re all right. We have you. You’re safe.” Mmmm. I know that voice too. My body stops fighting and relaxes as much as it can. It burns so bad but I am able to take small gasp-like breaths. I don’t feel so suffocated. There is a squeeze against my left hand, then another to my right. Ah. Roman. Alex. They are here. I’m okay if they are here.
“Can you open your eyes for us, baby?”
“Come on…let us see those beautiful eyes.”
Why do they keep whispering? Flashes of last night pierce my brain. Roman between my thighs, Alex pumping inside of me. Why are they here? Surely I didn’t sleep through the entire day!?
Without opening my eyes I try to ask them what’s going on but all I do is wheeze. Then the gasping and burning all over again.
“No. Don’t try to talk. Open up your eyes and we will give you some nice cold water. Does that sound good, sweetness?” Alex asks.
Yes. Oh yes. Water. Cracking open my eyes the harsh light burns my retinas and I turn away. Too much. Hurts too much.
“Get the lights, Rome,” Alex hisses and then an instant relief from the harsh light. I try again to open my eyes. Shapes and dull colors is all I can make out at first. Then they become clearer and focus on Alex leaning over me. His huge smile with the flashing dimple is the first thing I see when my eyes open fully. What a wonderful sight to wake up too. But…where’s?
Feeling a light tickle against my arm I try to turn my head at the sensation. Why do I feel like I’m lined with lead?
“There she is. Good morning, baby.” Finally able to get my head turned, I take in Roman. He looks worn out and ragged. Dark circles are under his eyes but his smile is radiant, beaming at me. I look from one to the other, noticing the same fatigue and worn down look of them. I want to ask what happened but it hurts so very much to talk.
“Here,” Alex says softly. “Sip some of this.”
Oh God. The cold healing liquid feels so good. I want more! Alex starts to
take it away from me and I get out a hoarse “No!” before struggling in another fit of coughs and wheezes.
“Just a little at a time, don’t gulp it,” Roman commands.
Taking just one more sip, I lean back and take in my surroundings. White walls. White floors. Curtin hanging from the ceiling. Oh damn. Looking down I see the IV sticking out of my hand and follow the lines back up to the hook, catching a glimpse of the beeping monitor. Why can’t I hear it? Oh who cares about that! Why am I in a hospital!
“What happened?” I croak out. It’s getting easier to talk.
“Oh, we don’t have to talk about it now, sweetness. Just rest and we can…”
“Why am I in a hospital, Alex?” I snap out at him, raspy and hoarse.
“The arsonist. He set fire to your house, you took in a lot of smoke, baby,” Roman grumbles, wincing away from me while explaining.
Oh my God. He set my house on. Fire!? “My house?” I ask, not able to focus on the main issue. I don’t have the strength to freak out right now.
“Minimal damage. Guest rooms totaled but it can be fixed. We had an estimate done, they said they could get it done in a couple of months. You won’t be able to stay there while it gets fixed though,” Alex answers.
My home. Its okay, it will be renovated but still beautiful. Thank God the whole thing didn’t go up. My brain fully catching on to what Alex said I raise an eyebrow at him.
“You already have an estimate? How long was I out for?!”
“Two days,” Roman whispers, staring at me intensely. “A lifetime, baby. Don’t ever do that to us again. My heart can’t take it.”
Widening my eyes at his confession, my brain short circuits. “Okay,” I whisper. I mean what I am I supposed to say to that? Looking back at Alex I wait for more information. When none is forthcoming, I roll my eyes at him.
“Why my house? Did Luc catch him? Who the fuck is he!?” I ask exasperated, escalating to a yell. Well. As much as a yell I could get. Reaching out, I take the little white Styrofoam cup and take another sip of the cool water.
