Page 100 of Anchor Point

Olivia emerged from the back of the pack, smiling from ear to ear, with tears in her eyes.

In stunned silence, I watched as she put her radio to her mouth and said, “NFD 1201 to 911. Please be advised, NFD 1222 has received his final call.”

It was fucking hard to breathe as I realized what was happening. I’d taken part of plenty of last calls—some from retirement, some from death. This last call was my mine. Marking the end of my identity as NFD 1222. My eyes burned as tears filled them.

The room grew silent, all the men and women who had become family gathered to honor me, as the familiar voice of a 911 operator gave my last call over the countywide radio system.

“It is with great honor that we announce the last call for NFD 1222, now-retired Captain Mac Collins. With over two decades of service, in which he has received numerous commendations for his leadership and bravery. The entire 911, EMS, Fire, and Police Service wish to thank you for your endless dedication to the service and safety of our citizens. Congratulations, NFD 1222. It’s been a pleasure serving with you, Captain.”

The operator signed off, and Olivia held her hand out to me. “Your radio, sir.”

I was frozen. I couldn’t move. A massive weight sat on my chest, and I couldn’t look anywhere but at my beautiful woman through a watery gaze.

Like she knew I was having trouble even functioning, she stepped forward, making a show of unclipping my radio and clicking the mic. I just had to say the words.

Drawing strength from the love shining in her eyes, I cleared my throat and croaked, “NFD 1222 is out of service.”

Olivia rose on tiptoe and wiped a thumb across my cheek, catching a tear. With a gorgeous smile on her face, she wrapped her arms around me and kissed the life out of me while my crew whistled and cheered around us.

Nate and Jordan, Thoren and Kylie, Mike and Leah. Mo and Teresa. My found family. All here with me, cheering for me, for us.

Olivia stepped back as Rosie barreled into me. I hugged them close and lost the battle against my tears.

One by one, through back claps and watery smiles, my friends congratulated me. They meant congratulations for my retirement, but my real win was Olivia and Rosie. The two ladies who stood at my side, the two I’d do anything for.

After the initial rush, the crowd thinned as on-duty staff went back to their stations with full bellies and leftovers, courtesy of Francis, Leah, Jordan, and Kylie.

Nate stepped up, offering his hand. “Congrats, Capt. Happy for you. We’re gonna head back to the station now.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s time to get back to our zone. Somebody’s gotta work around here,” Thoren said with a smirk.

Mo chimed in, “We’ll see you when you come clean out your locker later.”

I walked them to the front porch with a heavy heart. I’d miss these guys.

I watched their easy banter as they fought over who was driving the command truck back to the station, when Nate spun on his heel, walking backward. “Oh, hey, Mac… cookout at Thoren’s next weekend.”

And just like that, it hit me. My friendships didn’t have to be over. “Make it my place and you’re on,” I called back.

Three sets of thumbs-up.

A sense of peace washed over me. I still needed to find another job, another source of income. But things would be okay. I caught a glimpse of Rosie tossing a ball with Buster.

Yeah, we’d be okay.

“Mac.” County Fire Chief Roman Slater stepped up beside me and handed me his business card. “Give me a call.” And with a handshake, he left.

I flipped the card over, noting his cell phone scrawled across the back. Arms slid across my waist as Olivia stepped into my side. “What was that?”

“No idea,” I said, slipping the card into my back pocket and then draping my arm around Olivia. “Thanks for today, babe. Not sure if you’ll ever know how much you mean to me.”

She rose up and placed a gentle kiss at my jaw. “I love you, Mac.”

I kissed her forehead, watching our daughter play in the yard with our dog. This was my life now. They were my life now. “I love you too.”

Epilogue

The following summer

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