Saved By The Firefighter
Chapter 42

Ben's Point of View

I walk into work, feeling like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. Waking this morning feeling the softness of Lucy in my arms was heavenly. Her giggle when she felt my morning glory poking into her back as I spooned her was infectious, and only made the hard situation, harder. Her reluctance to kiss me, until she had disappeared into the bathroom, fearful of 'morning breath'. It was just perfect. As I left for work, I gave her one instruction. To move her kit from the guest room, into our bedroom, because that is what it now is, 'Our' room. Davey is sat in his normal position, scanning the Sunderland Echo, damn, he did not have a copy yesterday, and as much as I would deny it if asked whether I believed that was the reason the day had gone to hell in a handcuff, I cannot help the small sense of relief that he is reading the thing this morning.

"How is Kathline and Andy?" I ask him.

"Andy is a trooper mate. He is in tons of pain, but is being a brave soldier, as his mother calls him. Kathline, she is okay, baring up. I dropped off some clothes for her, this morning. Andy's op isn't going to be for a few days, so I asked the boss, rather than have today as compassionate leave, if I can have that day. He told me to work this morning, then head out to the hospital, then take the day of the op as well." Davey shrugs.

He pretends he isn't bothered, but I can see the flash of gratitude in his eyes. That is one thing about Webber, the man is firm when he needs to be, but is more than fair when it comes to things like this. He understands family comes first, after, as he put it, he f****d up his relationship with his ex-wife and kids because he put the job first. He has a young grandson now, and dotes on the kid, making up for the mistakes he made in the past. "That's good." I smile, then head over to the locker, and place my kit in there.

I look at the door inside, I have no memories or pictures hung like most of the guys do, and I take a look at the picture I had snapped of Lucy asleep this morning on my phone. Damn, she looks so beautiful, she never fails to take my breath away. I determine to send off the picture, and the one of her and I together at Lumley Castle, printed off so I can have them in the door of my locker.

I grab shutting the door, I walk back down towards the common room, as Yellow Watch make their way out the door. After yesterday, the usual banter between the Watches is quiet, and I let out a small sigh.

Josie stands, her hands on her hips, glaring at Headache as he rants at Wayne telling him it is a 'Tap, not a faucet'. She is obviously pissed off that Headache refuses to let Wayne's Americanisms go.

"Headache, leave him alone," Josie tells him, sounding like a pissed off primary school teacher.

"Aye Headache, go take a f*****g pain pill will you," Davey shouts.

I am not sure what I have missed, but obviously both Josie and Davey feel like Headache is going too far with his rant to Wayne.

Twinkle walks in, looking more than a little bit pissed off.

"What's up with your face Twinkle?" Davey shouts over.

"Sorry Ben, but your mother had really upset my wife," he states.

I let out a sigh, I am about to say something in the mother's defence, but Davey responds, after all the whole team love my Mam.

"The bigger question is what the f**k did your 'Mrs.' say to make Joanne call out her bullshit," Davey shouts over.

I turn to Twinkle and look at him.

"Look, they had words yesterday, because your wife was bitch-moaning and complaining about the Family Fun Day, then when Mam referred to you as 'Twinkle' your wife kicked off and slammed the phone down," I state, then sit down.

"Yeah, she is kicking off at me, not wanting to come, and saying I should not want to come either, now she is saying she is not coming because Joanne will be there." Twinkle sighs shaking his head.

"Tell her to grow the f**k up," Josie shouts across.

The whole place sits in stunned silence, it is not like Josie to get involved in this s**t, she is more like the peacemaker, not one to add fuel to the fire.

"You know, I think it is not just this place and my job she hates, I think it is me," Twinkle sighs out, looking despondent.

Nobody says a word, because honestly, with the amount of arguing those two do, he is probably right.

Station Officer Webber walks into the room, clearing his throat to command our attention.

"Okay, so news in from the Arson Squad. No surprise but it is confirmed, the fire was deliberately set. Someone had placed accelerant into the kitchen, then lit a match from the far side of the building. The police are on site, however, as always, we have to be careful in case of more attacks. The family Fun Day, is going to proceed as planned, and I want to remind you all that I need who is manning what, on my desk by end of the shift."

With that he turns and goes back towards his office. A hum echoes around the community room, we all knew it was going to be confirmed, but it doesn't lessen the sting of the word 'arson' nonetheless.

I head down to the garage, and make a start on checking the engine, making sure everything is where it should be, before I give it a good wash down both inside and out. I welcome the mundane task, helping me to put thoughts of arson out of my mind, and focus on far happier thoughts about Lucy.

I find myself wondering how her day is going, if the deal she had talked about last night has come in, also planning a date night for Monday when she is finished work. It cannot be a late one, as Lucy will have work on Tuesday, but I have all day to prepare for it. If the weather is good again, I am thinking of taking a walk up to Whitburn, around the cliffs, and prepare a picnic in one of the small inlets, I am sure she will love it.

I continue to polish the engine, as Twinkle approaches, I could do without his interruption. This thing with his wife and the mother is annoying.

"Hey Ben, sorry for being off this morning. I had no sleep, after the fire, and as the Mrs. was in one of her moods, it was not a good night." Twinkle apologises.

I nod my understanding, not really replying, the whole thing is just annoying. Of course, I defend my mother, and we all know what Twinkles wife is like. I feel sorry for the poor bloke because it cannot be easy living with the woman.

Finished with the engine I return to the common room, and get some food, before embarking on a game of scrabble with Josie. Today is long, it is quiet, and although I do not want a day like yesterday to happen anytime soon, I find myself wondering if any shout will come in to break the monotony.

"So, you are with Maxwell then?" I question Josie.

She smiles a little before looking up at me.

"He is not quite the arsehole I thought he was. But it is early days, we shall see." Josie shrugs slightly.

"So how did that happen?" I ask.

Josie lets out a little giggle.

"I blame your mother, she put changing room s*x in my head." She giggles slightly.

Okay, I know I asked, but that is a little bit of too much information.

"Okay, I really don't want to know." I chuckle at her.

"How is Lucy?" Josie asks.

"Great, really great. She is enjoying work. Told me Anders was pacing the floor when news came out about the fire yesterday." I smile at the girl who is like a little sister to me.

"Yeah, he turned up at my house, all hell-and-brimstone, wanting to know if I was okay." Josie laughed.

"Did that annoy you?" I ask, knowing Josie is fiercely independent.

"Yes, but also turned me on," Josie whispered.

"Again, too much information." I laugh at her.

"Right, I am heading over to the hospital," Davey announces, standing up from his spot.

"Oh, I baked Andy a cake, it is in the fridge," Josie shouts over to him.

"Where is mine?" Davey chuckles at her.

"There are three of them, one for Kathline as well." Josie laughs light heartedly, shaking her head.

The afternoon drags on, I did not realise just how much I would miss texting Lucy during our down times, but we set to work on sorting out the banners and stuff for Sunday, given it is so quiet. I am just helping Josie hang up the banners when my phone pings in my pocket. Reaching in, I see Lucy has text, and looking at the time, realise it has just gone 5pm, only an hour to go till I get home and spend the evening on the couch snuggling with my girl.

Lucy - Hi, sorry I will not be home until later tonight. Had a message from Cal, s**t has hit the fan so going to pop over and make sure the kids and him are okay xxx

Ben - Why what has happened?

Lucy - Samantha has left, gone to live with her friends. She has left the kids without even saying goodbye, the little ones are confused. Xxx

Ben - Do you want me to pick you up when you are finished work?

Lucy-Would you not mind? That would be great. Xxx

Ben-Do not mind at all. Hope he is okay. He and the Kids are better off without her. xxx

Lucy Thanks, and I know. Xxx

I pull up outside Callum's house, knocking on the door, Lucy opens it. The place is a lot cleaner and tidier than the last time I was here. The kids are all dressed their little faces clean, and hairs brushed. "Hey babe, how was your day?" I ask her.

"Great, my deal came in, and I got another big one as well, from a client I had previously worked with. Anders is really happy. If I keep this up, I will hit the target by end of next week, which means I will soon have the deposit for a house." She grins up at me.

My stomach sinks, after last night, and her moving into my room, I thought she would be happy to stay with me. I bend down to talk to the kids, to try and hide my utter disappointment but Lucy frowns at me, a questioning look on her face.

"Hey Ben," Cal states as he comes out of the kitchen, two small plates of meat, potatoes and vegetables in his hands as he sets them down on the small table and gathers the kids up to eat their meal.

"Hi." I smile at him.

"I asked Cal to come with the kids to the Family Fun Day on Sunday, I hope that is okay," Lucy asks me.

"Of course it is, I will get some car seats fitted for the little ones, pick you up at around 10 am." I smile at him.

"Thanks mate. The kids will love it." Cal smiles down at his little ones.

"How is the work situation?" I asked him.

"Well, I finished at the pub. Trying to find something I can do and childcare for the kids, but it is okay for now, I get to spend some quality time with the little munchkins." He grins down at the kids.

We spend an hour with Cal and the kids, Lucy helping to bathe them and put them both to bed, before we head back home. Once we get through the front door of the house, I cannot contain myself any longer. "Lucy. I don't want you to leave, I want you to stay here," I say, then hold my breath, praying she feels the same.