Page 46 of Saved By the Firefighter

I nod, but anxiety gnaws at me. "But what if he doesn't? What if he's too far gone in his grief? I'm afraid I'll be raising this baby on my own." My voice trembles, betraying the scenarios haunting me—sleepless nights, solo doctor's visits, a child asking why daddy doesn't want us...

"Ellie, take a breath," Olivia cuts in. "You're spiraling. Just one step at a time, remember?"

I inhale deeply, feeling the air rush into my lungs as I try to ground myself in the present. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods anchors me, easing the tightness in my chest. I nod.

"First, just tell Jake. See how he reacts," Olivia continues, her green eyes locking onto mine. "If he's really too guarded, then...then you'll figure out co-parenting from a distance. Danielle and I will both be here to support you." She glances at Danielle.

Danielle nods with a warm smile. “You’ll have so much support to help you through this,” she says.

I let out a breath. "You think he'll want to be involved, even if we're not together?"

"Jake has Charlotte. He knows what it means to love a child. There's no way he wouldn't want to be part of this baby's life," Olivia says.

Before I know it, our food arrives, a distraction that's both welcome and necessary. We dig in, and soon, the tension eases further as we swap stories about Mary's latest antics and the quirky things kids say in my classroom.

Somehow, the conversation loops to my brother. "So how's Marcus?" Olivia asks, dipping a piece of toast into the runny yolk of her poached egg. “I tried to ask Asher but he says Marcus has been tight-lipped and a bit distant. You haven’t told him about the baby yet, right?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m still letting him process me and Jake hooking up. I don’t know how he is because he won’t answer my calls yet. I know he’s really hurt, which I feel awful about.”

"He’s too overbearing, so that’s not on you," Danielle offers, mid-bite of her perfectly toasted avocado bread. "He's your brother. He loves you."

"Exactly," Olivia follows. "You really think Marcus would disown his nephew or niece?"

I pick at my brunch food, which I haven’t eaten yet. I haven’t been having any sickness from the pregnancy, it’s more about my emotions making me not feel hungry. "No, I guess not," I say, picturing Marcus's goofy grin and how he turns into a marshmallow whenever he's around kids. “It may just take him the entire pregnancy to get past everything. But, you’re right. I can’t imagine him not wanting to be an uncle.”

"Once the baby's here, he'll be too busy being an awesome uncle to hold any grudges," Olivia says with a wink.

"That's what I keep telling myself," I say. "He's just in shock. It'll take time. It’s just weird not having him text me all the time. I usually get annoyed at how nosy he is…but now I’m missing it."

Olivia squeezes my shoulder and then I finally force myself to take a bite of my food. It’s good.

We chat for a while longer, the conversation drifting to lighter topics like Mary and Danielle's new boyfriend. But Olivia's and Danielle's encouragement stays with me, steadying my resolve. I just need patience. Marcus and Jake just need time. I need to stay strong for my baby.

I smile at Danielle and Olivia as they chat, feeling happy that I at least have them. Regardless of Jake and my brother, I’m not alone in this.

Chapter 19

Jake

Ipull up outside Marcus’ fire station, tension coiling in my gut. Today's the day. I'm going to face Marcus and try to make things right.

As I climb out of my truck, Asher and Jason are lounging around one of the red fire engines outside. They notice me as I approach.

"Hey, Wilder," Jason says from where he's leaning against the shining red flank of the fire truck, his arms folded over his chest. Asher, gruff as ever, gives me a nod, his blue eyes sharp beneath the shadow of his brow.

"Jake," Asher grunts, pushing off from the wall. “What’s up?”

“Need to talk to Marcus. Where is he?”

Asher and Jason exchange a concerned look. I’m sure they both know something about the situation between me and Ellie.

Jason smirks, that cocky tilt to his lips that says he knows more than he lets on. "You sure? Marcus has been stomping around here all week."

“I figured, but there’s no use prolonging this. We need to hash it out.”

Asher claps me on the shoulder. "He’s doing laundry. You got this. Just don't screw it up."

"Yeah, no pressure."

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