Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

were at the end of two rounds of chemo, but she wasn’t getting better. He donated bone marrow and she recovered.”

I couldn’t help asking; “But wasn’t Chase heartbroken?”

“We all were, I guess. It’s the biggest regret of my life, but it all worked out in the end. Jensen and I got divorced and Chase and I got back together, but we’re all still close.”

“It was a miracle,” Missy added. “In many ways.”

“Well, there is much messier explanation I’ll tell you about sometime, but that’s the gist of it.”

“That’s an incredible story!” I was still a bit stunned. “So now, Chase and Jensen have reconciled.”

“Yes. It wasn’t easy, but they put Remi first. That’s what parents do, I guess.” Teagan was reflective. “Now we have Jace and another one on the way, and Remi spends time with Jensen and Missy, too. My life is so full, I don’t know what to do with myself.” Her eyes were full of tears and I couldn’t help myself; I rose from my chair and went to give her a hug.

“Well, I think your family is special. We have something in common. I lost my parents young and even though it’s not the same circumstances, I know what it’s like to feel abandoned.” Missy and I had abusers in our past, so I felt bonded to both of these women. “I feel like I’ve known both of you forever.”

Missy joined the hug. “And if my brother doesn’t marry you, I swear I’ll kick him in the balls.”

All three of us burst out laughing through our tears.

***

Dinner was roasting on the coals and a cooler filled with bottles of water, soda, and beer was sitting next to Ben.

“What will you have?”

“Soda, please,” Remi request.

“Water,” Teagan said, pointedly. “For me and Jace, too.”

“Awww, please?” Remi lamented. “It’s vacation.”

“You had two sodas already today, Remi.”

Remi sighed and took the bottle of water Ben offered. “Okay.”

Missy followed suit for herself and Dylan.

“Well, I’m having a beer,” Ben said. “Chase? Jensen?”

“Sure, thanks,” Chase responded.

Jensen nodded and walked over to take the two beers from Ben. “Thanks, man.”

The women were all positioned on logs next to their men, and the children were staying close to their dads. It was clear that Remi missed both of them. Jace was positioned firmly on Chase’s knee. The two eight-year-olds chattered on and on about the trail ride. The fire was giving off a golden glow, throwing us all into golden light and purple shadows. The evening was nice, not as cool as the night before.

Ben sat next to me after he’d passed out the drinks and turned the foil packets for the last time on the embers.

“Daddy, isn’t Dark so cute?” Remi rambled. “I just love playing with him and look at Gemmy! Isn’t she nice? Mommy said I can’t have a pony, but can we get a dog?”

The dog was laying between two of the logs on a blanket I’d brought from the house for her. She looked comfy, but tired. The kids wore her out in the past couple of days. I reached down and stroked her silky body.

“You’re having a new little sister soon, Remi,” Chase soothed, sliding and arm around his daughter and pulling her close to his side. “That’s enough for your mom to deal with while I’m on the road.”

Chase was fit as a fiddle, but I wondered how long soccer players stayed in the sport before they retired.

“I’ll never get a dog,” she said sadly.

“We’ll talk about it, baby” Teagan said. “Where would the dog be on our vacation if we had it at home? He’d have to be in a kennel and that’s not very nice, is it?”

“I could bring her. Auntie Marin wouldn’t mind, and she could play with Gemmy.”

“That’s true, Remi, you could bring her if you came to the ranch.”

“See?” Remi exclaimed and ran over to give me an enthusiastic hug which I returned. “I told ya!”

Teagan’s eyes widened as she looked at me. It didn’t occur to me that I was disagreeing with her, but I wanted to make Remi happy.

“Whoops,” Ben said under his breath with a short laugh.

“Well, I think we should all move here,” Dylan piped up. “This place is so cool!”

“It would be nice, but you know we can’t, buddy,” Jensen said. “Ben told me about next summer, though, and we’ll work it out.” He winked at his son.

“Awesome!”

“Who’s hungry?” I asked. “I think the food is finished.” I rose to pick up the tongs and placed the foil packets on heavy-duty paper plates. “Missy, can you open the foil around the bread and then everyone can take what they want?”

“Sure. Should I leave it on the rocks? Then it will stay warm.”

“Sounds like a great idea, but just make sure to help the little ones get a piece.”

Missy helped pass out the bread and opened the foil packets for the children, getting them settled before going to sit down beside Jensen. She didn’t take her plate from me but took a seat next to Jensen. “Well, now that we’re all here, I have a little announcement.”

“What is it, honey?” Jensen asked, glancing up at her.

“Yes, what is it? It must be big if you didn’t tell me on the plane?” Teagan interjected. Her husband was sitting close to her with his arm around her. It was clear that these two couples adored each other very much, and their unconventional family dynamic worked wonderfully well. There was no sign of tension between Chase and Jensen, and all four of them were amazing parents.

“Well, I didn’t want to spoil this. I wanted to wait until we were with Ben and Marin, and Jensen, you were away on assignment when I found out.”

Her husband, who was enjoying his meal, stopped and looked at Missy. He put his plate down on the ground between his feet, then slid an arm around her, his brow furrowed a bit. “Did you need me to come home? I could have found someone else to