Page 103 of Where There's Smoke
“Oh, wow!” Melody exclaimed when she saw the decorations outside of the firehouse.
There were balloons and banners and plenty of other things hanging from every available surface. A giant bounce house stood in the parking lot. Several children were already piled inside and having the time of their lives.
The moment I opened my door, the sweet scent of melon from Melody was muted by the overwhelming smell of charcoal and cooking meat.
“This is amazing.” Melody smiled, looking around. She paused when she noticed the building next to the station. “What’s going on over there? That place has been closed the entire time I’ve known you, but now it looks like someone is working on it? Adding on, even?” I threw my arm around her shoulders, pulling her toward our pack. Samson and Elliot were standing by the grill, matching grins on their faces.
“The new owners have been incentivised to get it done fast.” I grinned, loving this way more than I probably should.
Melody eyed me, her brows up. “So, what on earth is it? Please tell me they’re opening a burger joint. I could do with more burgers in my life…”
I shook my head. “Your new rescue,” I said simply.
Melody halted, shrugging my arm off from around her and turning to face me with shock written all over her expression, her mouth hanging open.
“What did you just say, Fitzpatrick Holden Wilder?”
“Oof, you’re getting full named.” Elliot laughed. Several of the firefighters and their families could overhear us, but I didn't care.
“Worth it. Well, firecracker, we've been working on a little project. Truth be told, this project has been in the works since your first rescue burned the first time. But you know, legal paperwork is a bitch.”
“What did you do?” Melody asked, her voice serious.
“Well, you see, the property next to the firehouse had been for sale for a while, and I decided it would make an excellent place for an animal rescue. There was already a small building on it, so we just worked overtime and hired a lot of people to expand it over the last few weeks. There’s still work to be done, kennels to be built, drywall to be done and such, but it's all yours. Seriously, the land is in your name.”
“You bought me a newbuilding? An entire building with land and kennels?” Melody screeched, her eyes adorably wide. “Fitz, this place must have cost a fortune!”
“My family has money, and as for setting up the rescue, that's what today is for,” I declared, opening my arms and gesturing to the barbecue happening around us.
“He's right. The cause we’re raising money for today is your new animal rescue,” Samson said, pulling our girl into his arms with a smile that shone as bright as ever.
“We know Fitz’s ideas can be a lot, but actually, I think this one is decent,” Elliot said. “This is amuch betterlocation for a rescue. You own it outright, and you're also right next to us.”
Melody looked between us and the building in shock, her head turning back and forth as she tried to understand what I was telling her.
“All these people came here to support you,” Elliot said, gesturing around.
“They've already raised a lot of money to go to the shelter, too,” Samson added. “At this rate, you’ll be ready to get up and running in no time.”
“This is too much,” Melody whispered, her stare glassy with unshed tears.
“But it's not for you, it's for the animals.” I beamed. “I mean, can you really say no to that? It’s not entirely completed—there’s still work to do inside—but you’ll be able to start using it in no time.”
A slow smile spread across her face as she shook her head. “Clever. Still, I don't think I can. Holy shit! Guys!” She launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing tightly. A second later, she broke away and threw herself at Elliot, somehow managing to drag Samson into the same hug as she started to tear up.
A small, blonde omega came barreling toward us seconds later, tugging Melody away. “You better not be making my friend cry!” She laughed, pulling Melody into an embrace of her own.
Sunny Landry looked at our omega with joy. “Your guys did such a good job. The place is amazing. There's still some work that needs to be done, but we've already raised enough money to do it.”
“You knew about this?” Melody asked.
Sunny snorted. “Of course, I did. They had to ask my opinions on some of the decor. You know you can’t trust a bunch of alphas to do the entire thing.”
“You’re all terrible, and I love you desperately.” Melody hugged and kissed all of us some more, glowing with how happy she was, and it waseverything. Seeing our girl that happy, especially after what she’d been through, was the highlight of my life.
“Where is your tiny terror?” I asked, looking around for her adorable dark-haired child.
“I’m pretty sure he and your cousin are in the bounce house, behaving like the toddlers they are.”
