"And then choosing to call him by this firehouse name," she sighed. "I love you so much, you big gruff dork."
Seaton felt like the whole group was smiling.
Milo, Fish and Sage's son, spoke up quietly. "Mom? What's a dork?"
Viviana answered him. "It's a pet name I call your Uncle Ethan because I love him."
"Ahh," Milo hummed quietly. "Okay. Mom?"
Sage chuckled in reply. "Yes?"
"You're a big dork, too."
A couple of groans reached her ears and Seaton turned slightly and leaned her cheek on Sam's shoulder. "Your friends are great."
He leaned in and touched his cheek to hers. "They're your friends, too."
She fought back tears.
She knew he meant the words.
She felt the friendship that his coworkers and their families showered on her. She just wanted to get to a point where she didn't almost dissolve into tears from their kindness.
"Chief?"
She heard Chief Blaise sigh again. "Yes, Cowboy?"
There was laughter but it was softer than before. "That song you asked me about the last time?"
"The song I asked you..."
"The one from the Nineties?"
"Whoa," another voice came from the dark, "is that old enough to be on vinyl?"
"Shut it, Abe."
"Yes, Chief."
Viviana laughed but picked up the thread. ""More Than Words" by Extreme."
Seaton opened her eyes, interested in the conversation. The fire chief snapped his fingers. "That's right. I asked if you knew how to play that at the barbecue."
"Well," Cowboy turned a little and moved the clip he'd put on the neck of his guitar earlier, "I have a little surprise for you." With a slow nod of his head, Cowboy started to play the introduction to a song.
Seaton felt Sam start to rock her gently in his arms.
Every time they rocked from one side to the other, his joined hands moved on her belly just under her sternum and the more they moved together, the more she melted back against him. Listening to Cowboy singing was nice. He had a clear voice with an easy sound. During the chorus, someone joined in to sing with him and the harmony that reached her ears made her relax into Sam even more.
She'd never heard any of the firefighters sing before and she had to admit it was really nice.
Sam arms moved slightly against her and with the gentle movement of their bodies together and against each other, she became aware of the warmth of his arms, brushing the underside of her breasts. Even though they were in the middle of a group of over twenty people, Seaton felt like they were almost alone with each other.
She knew that she was exactly where she wanted to be and with the people who she wanted to be with.
Her life was certainly changing for the better.
When it wastime to go to sleep that night, she went to the restroom with Sage and Aylin. Sam had offered to go with them and light the way, but Sage and Aylin had assured him that they could get her safely to and from the restroom in one piece.
