Page 31 of Saved By the Firefighter

“You already told me that joke, Daddy. Get some new material.”

Ellie and I laugh, and I allow myself just this one time to sit here and enjoy life with these two like we’re a unit.

After breakfast, Charlotte goes to her room to read and tackle homework. In the kitchen, Ellie and I tackle cleanup, our shoulders brushing occasionally and making my pulse race.

"Charlotte's really milking this sickness," Ellie says with a chuckle.

“So you noticed, too? I don’t like her missing school, but I think she’s getting more work done here.” I scrub a plate with my sponge. "You've been good for her, Ellie. She's excited about learning again...happiest I've seen her since—" My words trail off into a heavy silence, an invisible line drawn that I'm not ready to cross.

We clean in silence until everything is on the drying rack. Then, catching me completely off guard, Ellie says softly, “Since Sarah?”

At the mention of Sarah's name, the sharp edges of that day slice through my thoughts—blaring sirens, twisted metal, and Sarah's hand slipping away from mine as we reached the hospital. The pain seizes my chest, a vise grip of memories I can never escape.

I arrived at the scene of that horrible car accident. Did everything I could, but she…

"Jake?" Ellie's voice pulls me back, her concern etched in the crease between her brow. “I…I’m sorry. Charlotte told me about her and…I’m sorry I brought her up.”

I clear the lump in my throat. "It’s…I was just thinking." I manage the faintest of smiles, but it doesn't reach my eyes. "It's okay."

Fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, she says, “The repairs on the duplex will take at least a couple of weeks. If…well, if you and Charlotte don't mind, I could stay a bit longer. Help Charlotte catch up on her schoolwork and lend an extra set of hands around here.”

Her offer dangles in front of me, tempting. And Elijah's words echo in my mind: “Sarah would want you to be happy.” But happiness feels like betrayal, and the fear of losing someone else claws at my insides.

But if Ellie stays, Charlotte will be happy. And isn't that what matters most?

Something inside me is starting to shift. Maybe I could try. It feels too soon, the pain of losing Sarah too raw, but part of me wants Ellie here, with us. I touch her cheek, stepping closer, about to shatter my own rules—

"Daddy! Someone's here!" Charlotte's voice pierces the moment.

Ellie and I stare at each other for a heartbeat, whatever I was about to do forever lost, then I rush to the window. My heart leaps into my throat. It's Marcus' truck pulling up outside, a sight that sends ice through my veins. My best friend, Ellie's protective older brother who'd never forgive me if he knew she and I...

"Damn," I mutter under my breath, the weight of everything crashing down all at once. I turn around. "Marcus is here," I say, the words feeling like lead in my mouth.

Ellie's eyes widen, reflecting a fear that mirrors my own. We both know Marcus' protective streak over Ellie can be a force of nature all on its own. I watch her hands tremble slightly as she snatches up her laptop from the kitchen island and I follow suit, stuffing odds and ends into drawers—anything to erase the evidence that Ellie's been living here.

"Uncle Marcus is here?" Charlotte appears, her voice bubbling with excitement, completely oblivious to adult problems.

"Yeah, sweetheart, but listen—" I start, only to be cut off by her squeal of delight. It's then the dread hits me full force. If Charlotte mentions Ellie being here, it'll be an inferno I can't control. And Marcus—he wouldn't let it slide. Our friendship would be ruined.

"But you’re not feeling well enough for company, are you?" Ellie pitches in, her voice steady despite the clear panic in her eyes. “I thought you were still sick.”

That gets Charlotte to pause as she contemplates getting caught in her lie. “Um…but I could still see him even if I’m sick.”

I touch her forehead. “You still feel warm. I think you should go lay down. You can see Uncle Marcus when you’re all better. Unless you’re feeling better now?”

She looks at Ellie with the saddest eyes that make me feel like crap for playing into this lie, but she nods. Ellie takes her hand, leading her quickly down the hall just as the doorbell rings. My heart pounds against my ribs like it's trying to break free.

Taking a steadying breath, I open the front door. Marcus grins at me, oblivious to the turmoil going on in my house. "Hey man, thought I'd drop in since we haven't hung out in awhile."

"Uh, yeah, sure has." I glance nervously back towards the hallway. "Want to check out the stables? I could use some fresh air. Go for a ride."

"Actually, where's Charlotte? She still home from school? I brought her something." He reveals a stuffed purple unicorn I know my daughter will love.

"She’ll love that. But, ah, she's not feeling great. Resting in her room." I lie smoothly, or at least I hope it sounds smooth.

Marcus eyes me, probably wondering why I’m blocking the entire door and refusing him entry. “Poor kid. Can I at least pop in to say hi?"

"Don't want you catching it too."

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