I felt my Adam’s apple bob up and down when I swallowed, my vision blurring just for a second. Instead of letting my emotions overrule me—which I’d never live down—I looked out into the audience to see my Angela shedding tears for me. My entire body filled with warmth, my chest swelling with everything I felt. I willed myself to wait patiently until the ceremony was over to go to her. It was difficult, but somehow I made it.
“Congratulations! I’m so proud of you!” Angela giggled and yelped at the same time her arms went around my neck.
I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling to fill up my lungs with her scent.
“How does it feel, Lieutenant Kim?” she pulled back, asking.
I stared down at the woman in my arms, felt the pats on my back from the guys and people around me, and said, “Feels pretty damn good. But it’s going to get better before the day’s over,” I responded cryptically. Angela gave me a confused look, but even as her mouth opened preparing to ask what I meant, I placed my hands on her face, pulling her to me, cutting her question off. The usual buzzing that often sounded off in my ears whenever we kissed started, and I savored it, diving into her and not caring who was around.
“Get a room. There are children here!” I vaguely heard, but only when Angela pulled away, laughing did the kiss finally end.
“Sorry, Sean and little guy,” she said to her brother and nephew.
“Aunt Angie, we want cake!” Little Jeremiah yelped, excitedly.
“Okay, okay. It’s time to head out anyway.”
We were headed over toCharlie’sto celebrate with the rest of Rescue Four and more family and friends. While I insisted Angela didn’t need to cook for all of us, she was just insistent that she wanted to.
“I’m sorry your parents didn’t make it to the ceremony,” she stated, grasping my hand that rested on the center console in my car. I squeezed her hand back, bringing it to my lips while keeping my eyes on the road.
“Everyone that I needed there, was.” I invited my parents, of course. They both told me they’d try to make it. While we had made strides in the last few months, my parents both still had a difficult time accepting my career. I figured they’d come around eventually.
“Look what the motherfucking cat dragged in. Donnie, it looks like we got ourselves a lieutenant!” Corey called out as soon as we enteredCharlie’s.
“Not just one. Two fucking lieutenants,” Don returned, noticing Sean entered behind Angela and I. The guys around the bar went up in a roar of laughter and congratulations, pushing Sean and me toward the center of the bar. I unbuttoned the jacket of my uniform. I was growing hot in the stifling uniform, especially with so many people patting me on the back and pulling me in for an embrace. Regretfully, I lost Angela in the sea of people who gathered around for Sean and I. His old colleagues from Rescue Two showed up, and save for the normal jibing, Rescue Four got along with them. We all talked trash, but in the end, we all held an immense amount of respect for one another.
I turned and waved to one member of another station, who called my name from across the room. I began heading in the direction my name had been called, while also searching for Angela since she wasn’t behind the bar when my pathway was cut off by a petite figure. I lowered my gaze, and the side of my lips turned up upon seeing the smiling face of my mother. My father stood next to her, looking just a jovial.
“Sorry we’re late, son,” my mother began, almost bashfully, which was so unlike her. “We tried to make it to the ceremony, but I got caught up at work and then had to finish making the ginger cookies.” She held up a large tin she had in her hand.
“At least you made it.” I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her warm cheek before pulling the tin from her, allowing her to wrap her arms around my neck for a quick squeeze. Next, it was my father’s turn.
“We’re so proud of you, adeul.”
Adeul.“Son” in Korean. The last time he said that exact phrase to me was the day I graduated college. I blinked a couple of times, clearing my throat.
“Thank you. It means a lot that you’re here. I’m going to put these on the food table, and then introduce you to the guys.”
My mother smiled. “We’d like that.”
I nodded and headed off in the direction of the food table, which is where I found the woman I’ve been looking for. She was rearranging the dishes on the table, as more food was being brought out.
“I can’t believe you cooked all this,” I said over her shoulder, pulling her into my arms from behind, once I placed the tin down.
“It’s not a lot. I ordered the sandwiches, kabobs, and pigs in a blanket. I just made the chocolate chip cookies, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, and the cheesecake tarts … oh, and the chocolate lava cake that’ll be brought out later.” She clapped as she spun around in my arms.
“That’s it?” I asked sarcastically. The woman loved cooking and entertaining. I couldn’t believe she did all of this. And the fact that we just ended the holiday season where it seemed like she spent every day making some dessert or dish for her employees, neighbors, or for me to bring to the station.
She slapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t make fun. I show my love with food.”
I placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I’m not making fun. I’ve got another way you can show your love.” My head dipped.
“Oh yeah?”
“Let me show you,” I answered just before our mouths touch. I had to summon the strength to reel myself in when every cell in my body ignited from that kiss. I wanted nothing more than to take her upstairs to the apartment above the bar, strip her naked, and hear her yell out my name.Thatwas the only way I wanted this day to end. Instead, I pulled back, silently promising myself that would take place later.
“I love you, Angel.” I said it so many times over the last few months that it just rolled off of my tongue, but I meant it more and more each day.
