*Edited*

>Are you ready for what's coming up??

>Enjoy!
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C.J

Our firehouse and a few other firehouses in the area were asked to be in a 4th of July parade. And I'm excited to be a part of it. A few of my co-workers and I are going to go shopping to decorate our Fire trucks. Since we were on duty, we drove the fire truck.

We stop at Party City first and another store. Park in the parking lot. Got out and made our way in.

There were a lot of decorations.

We grab two carts just in case. To decorate our two trucks, we will need a lot of everything. Tim grabs the flag and stars banner while I got the blue, white, and red streamers. The decorations filled both of the carts and were straight to check out.

After paying for our decorations, we got take out for lunch. The order was simple. Seven large fries with gravy and a BTL burger. And seven Pepsi to go.

It was hot and a little humid, but not that bad.

"I think we have an audience," Rick whispered to me and jerking his head to the right.

The audience means girls are goggling at you.

I see a group of ladies in their early twenties looking at us. I know that every woman is like a man in a uniform. Every woman's fantasy.

"They can look, but they can't touch," I added to our conversation. He nodded his head.

After eating our lunch, it was time to go back to the firehouse. Gathering our bags and placing them on the table in the garage.

"So, tomorrow's the parade. Do you have any idea how to decorate the fire?" I ask the men that were around the table.

Nobody said anything. Just thinking too hard if how to decorate the fire.

"Well, we can put the blue, white, and red banner on each side of the truck and maybe put the surrounding stars?" Tim suggested. I can picture what he's thinking.

"That could work," I say.

"Should we decorate it now or later on?" I question everybody.

Rick was about to answer that when the alarm went off.

"House 31, a fire on fourth avenue north." The intercom said.

"Will talk about this later?" I said to Rick and my co-workers.

We got ready and drove to the fire. As we got closer, I noticed that the garage beside the house was on fire. People outside watching the fire burn the small building.

"Corey, Rick, And Tim get the hose and take the fire out. The rest of you make sure nobody's in there." The chief said out loud.

Rick and I grab the hose quickly and unraveled it. While Tim and a few men hook it up to a fire hydrant nearby.

Hopefully, nothing expensive is in that garage of theirs. The flames are growing fast.

"Turn it on," Tim yelled at me. He got the hoses connected to the fire hydrant and turn the water on.

I flip the handle towards me. A powerful rush came into my grip. I got to hold on tight. It takes a few times to grab hold of it when it's your first time using it.

I began putting out the fire.

BOOM!

A big explosion came from the garage.

I landed on my back very hard, and I lost my grip on the hose. It took my breath away from me. My ears were ringing. I see my co-workers coming to my rescue. Dragging me away from the scene. I felt two fingers against my pulse as if I was alive.

I can see Tim turn off my helmet slowly. My back was against the tire of the truck.

"Are you alright Corey? We thought we lost you there for a second." Tim was on his knees, facing and the look of concern on his face.

"I'm fine. It's just my back." Assuring him that I'm okay. Damn, my back is hurting.

"I think we should get your back checked out or else Tasha will be putting you in the dog house." He adds.

"Yeah, let's go. I'll call Tasha on the way there." The paramedics put me on a stretcher. Tim called Tasha instead of me.

She said that she's going to meet us there. I can imagine the look on her face when she got the call. Worried.

Hopefully, nothing is broken and it's just bruised.

The throbbing started to fade away on the way there.

The doctor put me in the room. Tim sat in the waiting room. The doctor ordered me to get x-rays done on my back.

"You scared the living out of me, C.J." Tasha states out.

"That comes with a job." Once I said that she lightly smacks my leg.

"Ouch." Pretending she's hurting me more. Joking around.

She knows that my job is dangerous, and it comes with a consequence. Getting hurt is one of them.

"Are you excited to do the parade tomorrow?" She asks me.

"Yeah, I'm excited to be a part of it," I told her the day I found out about it.

We talked for a bit until the doctor came and got me to do the x-rays. Laying flat thin pieces of material. It was hard for my back. Especially staying still until the x-rays were done.

Now we wait for the results.

The doctor knocks before coming into the room and looking at his clipboard.

"So, your results for the x-rays came in. Nothing's broken, no fractures, no nothing. You're one lucky firefighter, I'll tell you. But on the other hand, your back will be sore for a few days and maybe have some bruising. I suggest you take it easy and take Tylenol or Advil for pain. Questions?" He adds.

Like he said, I was lucky. No broken bones, thank god.

"Not at the moment." Nodding my head at the doctor. He got up and walked towards the door.

"Well, have a good day you two."

"Thank you and you too doctor," I said it for the both of us. He smiled and left the room.

"Need a ride back?" Tasha asks me while still sitting beside me.

"No, I think Tim is still here."

"Okay. Well, let's go find him." She kisses me and I kiss her back.

It was almost dinner when Tim and I got back from the hospital. Right now, I need a cold shower for my aching back.

Hopefully, I'll be able to attend the parade tomorrow.

Everybody was asking if I was, okay? Did I have broken after hitting my back hard on the ground? They were concerned about my well-being.

I tell them that I'm fine and alive.

After finishing my dinner, I needed that cold shower.

Letting the coldness run down my back. But damn, it's fucking cold. It stayed cold for at least five minutes. Then I finally washed.

Now it's time to decorate the fire trucks.

Tasha

I told him before we separated from the hospital to call him later on tonight. Yeah, he scared the shit out of me again. I know his job is risky, saving lives and putting out fires.

He's fine and alive, but he's going to be sore for a while.

C.J's rest of the family will be here early tomorrow. So, we can all go to the 4th of July parade. I can't wait to see them. It's been quiet without them.

I let his mom Jane know what was going on with C.J while we were at the hospital. She told me to keep her updated, and I did. She's glad her son is okay.

Having a long hot bath for my achy back. Listening to the radio, singing to most of the songs, and a little of lip singing.

After noticing wrinkles on my fingertip, it was time to get out. But I didn't want to. Slowly getting out, dried, and getting into my pj's.

I dial C.J's number.

"Hey." Hearing voice assured me that he's still here alive but okay.

"Hey, babe. How's your back doing?" I asked him.

"It's sore and achy." Awe I could in his voice that he was a bit in pain.

"Well, you only a few more shifts, and then you're off for a week." He took a week off of work because his family was coming down to visit and maybe visit a little longer. I hope they'll be here when our baby arrives.

"Yeah, that's true. If only today was the last day." He probably wants to relax.

"Well suck it up buttercup." He laughs at the joke I said.

"So, what are your plans tomorrow before going to the parade?"

"Well, your mom is going to make a huge breakfast tomorrow before everyone arrives in the morning and then head out to watch you in the parade. My boss wants me to see him before the parade starts though."

"About what?" I was thinking the same thing, too.

"He didn't say, but I'm guessing he has a present for our baby." That's all I guess was that.

"Probably, but I'm to lie down for a bit before decorating the fire trucks."

"Okay. Don't overdue yourself C.J. Send me some pictures when you're done." I can't wait for the pictures.

"Don't worry, the chief is letting me take it easy. I will send you the final pictures."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow after the parade."

"Yeah, I can't wait. Love you, Tash."

"Love you too C.J. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

He hung up, so did I.

It was before midnight when the movie was over. Jane and I watched the Independence Day movie. It's one of my childhood favourite movies. Hopefully, this child of mine lets me sleep through the night.

No more kicking your mom. Or else you're coming right out.

Only two more weeks left. I still haven't dropped yet. Still up high. I'm more nervous about labour starting and feeling the pain.

I finally woke up to the smell of cooking, especially the bacon. Then I realized that I slept all night with no kicking. I feel well-rested.

Getting up slowly and putting on a bra and a thin sweater. It was around seven thirty-four in the morning. But first I need to wash up and brush my teeth.

I'm in the middle of washing my face. The baby finally woke up and kicked and punch me like crazy. I patted my bump to tell him or her to calm down.

As soon as I got to the bottom of the steps. C.J's dad Jason, his sister Jade and his brother Darren came walking through the door. We greeted each other with hugs. I'm so happy to see them. They were excited about how my tummy has grown since the last time they came. Especially Jade touching my tummy.

I text C.J before breakfast to say good morning and that his family is here.

Jane made a huge breakfast. If only C.J was here to eat with us. We talked and ate. Had some laughs in the conversation.

A few hours later. C.J sends the last pictures of the decorations on the fire trucks. Wow. It surprised me by how awesome they did. I showed everybody the fire trucks that were decorated.

Jane and I relax on the couch watching movies. Talking about girl's stuff, relationship, and hot men.

Before it was time to leave, I needed to get dressed. I was still in my pj's. I changed into a nice, long summer dress. Put on light makeup.

Since we have two separate vehicles. Jane and I are going to my work first and then we will meet up.

I let Jane drive because my huge tummy is in the way. It touches the staring wheel. I was afraid to get into an accident and hurt my unborn baby. But last night I drove myself to the hospital to see C.J and then drove back home.

Giving her directions to my workplace. Lots of traffic. Very slow-moving. Closing a lot of streets for the parade.

Finally, after almost an hour, we made it to my workplace. Getting out, crossing the street. The building seems quiet. People getting off early today.

I see Bonnie at the front desk. Once she's me, goes around her desk and gives me a big hug.

"How are you doing?" She nicely asks me.

"I'm doing good. I'm done being pregnant." She laughs once I said that.

"I know that feeling. What are you doing here anyway?"

"The boss man wants to see. Is it okay if Jane stays here with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Let's go back to my desk."

"I'll see you soon." I left them while I walk to take the elevator up.

I got in, pressing the last floor. Not even a few feet up. The elevator shook, and the light kept going on and off. My heart was racing through my chest. Gripping the rails. The shakes got stronger and stronger. Hearing braking noise outside the elevator. Hearing screams around me.

I felt the elevator tilted to its side, gripping harder on the rail. Then it went on its side hard. Making my head hit the wall hard.

Laying on my side. Going in and out of unconscious. I didn't know if I was alive or not.

Praying for my unborn to be alive.

I tried to move, but I kept slipping into darkness.

Help us C.J

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