A L E X I S _P A R R I S H
"WELCOME BACK CHIM " Captain Bobby Nash says as he places the cake on the table. It's an exact replica of Chimneys accident a few months ago. His head with a bar through it was made out of fondant and cake that I can't wait to get into.
Everyone erupts in cheers and claps, celebrating the return of one of LA's finest firefighters. I smile, clapping my hands together as I watch chims reaction.
"Aww, you guys..." Chimney smiles as he inspects the cake.
"How does it feel to be back?" I question, my smile never leaving my face.
"Uh, beats the alternative" he chuckles at my question and then continues.. "Seriously though, everyone, uh one thing I realized while I was gone is that uh, I really need people like you like I need a whole in the head!" Chimney exclaims playfully.
"Oh wow, sureeeee" I laugh out loud.
"Oh, I cannot!" Hen says laughing at our colleague's words.
"Place hasn't been the same without you Chim, glad to have you back" Bobby nods his head at Chim in acknowledgment.
"Thanks Bobby"
"Hey, you had a lot of people praying for you, not just this department either" Athena speaks up beside me.
"Well I think someone was listening... Even the doctors keep using the word miracle.. I guess if you're gonna have a piece of rebar that's sticking through your skull, that's the way to do it" Chimney answers.
"So not even a headache?" Buck asks inquisitively.
"Just you Buck" he answers earning a laugh from me.
"Ain't that the truth" I let out with an amused smile. Buck looks up at me rolling his eyes playfully.
We haven't spoken much since I've been adamant about avoiding him since the plane crash. But im over it now. It's not like he's been making an effort to speak to me.
"Oh.. Shade, shade, shade..." Hen let's out, reacting to our statements.
"Oh, that's not funny" Buck attempts to defend himself.
"Alright let's light you up so you can make a wish" Bobby announces and I stand closer to the cake.
"Alright who's got a match?" Bobby asks the crowd and who silently looks towards each other.
"Really? Firehouse and nobody's got a match" Bobby utters and I let out a light chuckle as he walks downstairs in search of a lighter to light the candle.
"Hey" Buck smiles hesitantly as he walks up to me. I look at him, giving him a soft smile indicating that it's safe to actually speak to me.
"Hi" I greet watching as the hesitation fades away as he now stands confidently before me.
"So.. Who was that guy this morning? The one who dropped you off" Buck places his hands into the front pockets of his uniform.
I raise a brow at his question and run my tongue across my bottom lip, coating it before speaking.
"That's Micheal my best friend and father to my Godson, Hunter" I inform.
"Oh, how come I've never seen him at the apartment before?" he asks furrowing his brows.
"Buckley, you've been over atleast twice before-"
"Thrice" he interrupts prompting me to roll my eyes at his technicalities.
"I've been over 3 times and I've never met him. I've met almost your entire family and never heard of him. Why is that?" he continues with a proud smile, tilting his head to the side as he questions me.
I let out an amused breath fighting the smile off my face.
" You've literally met 2 of my family members, doesn't mean you've met my entire family" I laugh.
"I've met the ones that count though" he grins cheekily displaying his beautiful dimples. His blue eyes draw me in at its playful nature as it gleams with amusement.
Buckley's like quick sand, once he's got your attention, it's hard to look away and focus on anything else but the way he furrows his brows when he's confused or at a loss, or the way he visibly brightens up the place when he smiles. Maybe it's just the fact that he makes everything feel easier... Lighter even.
"If you must know, he lives a few hours away so I don't get to see him that often" I clear my throat, trying to distract myself from my thoughts.
"Well if you need someone to talk to... I'm always just 10 minutes away, 5 if I ignore traffic lights" he announces proudly with a smile that makes my heart beat a little faster in my chest.
"I'll remember that" I giggle at his words before a comfortable silence falls between us. He smiles when he meets my eyes, sending a sudden jolt of electricity through my body.
The rest of the team tussle around with Chimney, catching him up with the latest. My hands become clamy with each second that passes by, willing me to turn my gaze elsewhere.
His phone buzzes in his pocket alerting us both of his new message. He breaks eye contact first, fishing out his phone.
I turn to walk off to the group to give him some privacy. Athena stands near the cake, watching as I walk up to her with a knowing grin on her face.
"I see you two made up?" she smirks tilting her chin upward.
"He wasnt really the one I was mad at" I shrug my shoulders before crossing my arms across my chest.
"I could tell... Was a lot of smiles going on there.... I would tread lightly around that one" she says hesitantly, almost concerned.
I feel my cheeks burn up at her insinuation, shaking my head.
"There's nothing going on if that's what you're implying" I raise a brow.
"Who said I was implying anything?" she smirks.
"Uh, so everyone.... Urm this is Abby Clark. She is LA's fiercest 911 operator" Buck finally introduces the famous Abby he's been talking about.
"And she brought cookies so..." Buck trails off as I take in her appearance. The glasses she wears, fits her face perfectly and her strawberry blonde hair is curled beautifully.
She looks a tiny bit older but nevertheless she's a gorgeous woman.
"Aye!" Chimney cheers at his words causing a smile to appear on my face.
"This is uh, this is Chimney.. The guy" Buck introduces the two, making reference to the cake.
Athena and I walk over to Buck and his girlfriend to introduce ourselves. Abby looks so much more beautiful up close and I can't help but feel a little jealous.
"Hey" Athena greets her first, her voice bringing my out of my trance.
"Hey... Oh how are you.. It's nice to meet you" Abby says with her silky smooth voice. She's so sweet and preserved. I guess opposites do attract.
"You too, how's your mom doing?" Athena asks kindly.
"Oh you know what, she's doing fine, thank you... Thanks for asking" Abby smiles and I take this opportunity to speak up.
"Hey... I'm Alexis.." I smile.
"Hi, I've heard so much about you" she returns my smile. I raise my brow, surprised at her words.
I look up to Buck who stands next to her with a sheepish grin on his face as he rubs the back of his neck, nervous.
"Oh really? All good things I hope?"
"Only the best" she nods her head reassuring me. I glance up at Buck when Hen introduces herself, a smirk situated on my pride-filled face.
He actually spoke about me? Even after I've been actively avoiding him. Buck avoids my gaze by focusing on Abby making me chuckle in response.
"So where's he taking you? Valentines day and all"
I smile at Hen's words which makes Buck stumble over his words like a nervous teenage boy. I'm happy that he has someone who makes him nervous.. Someone who makes him smile and who he genuinely likes.
The mention of him going on a date with someone errupts a weird feeling in my chest. I shake it off instantly, trying to pay attention to the group conversation before the bell blares.
"Let's go 118!" Bobby exclaims as we all usher our way to the truck.