As I Sit and Wait
by Rosalindb
August 2011
No copyright infringement is intended. Emergency! Is owned by Universal/Mark VII . I don't own these characters(except Cynthia and any other originals), just taking them out to play. No profit from this work, only personal enjoyment.
This is set at the end of "The Jenkins Girl" and it is Marco's POV.
Chet hates dress blues. I can see him fidgeting with his collar. But today it's for a good cause. My amigo finally hit the magic number and passed that Engineer's exam. It feels like yesterday he and I started out at what was the new station-Station 51. Us, Mike Stoker, who had been Engineer at another station for a while, the two new paramedics, ("Para-what?" Chet said to me then) and Cap Stanley.
We went through a lot.
A fire at a junkyard, that had munitions stockpiled-that one messed up my shoulder for a while.
Cutting a little girl out of a pool. Chet was really gentle with her. He'd never cop to it, but he's a softie.
Hauling John Gage out of some brush after a rattlesnake bit him. Chet was the first one to him and never left his side.
And now Johnny's a captain, all grown up-well okay not completely.
He and Mike are sitting really close to each other. I wonder...
When Lisa and I arrived, the first person to greet us was Roy DeSoto, with his wife Joanne. Roy is still "Mr. Dependable". He's a natural captain. Wonder if he misses the paramedic business though. I heard he helped teach the newest class.
Chet's still fidgeting. CJ pulled his hands away from his collar before he had to take his seat. CJ's a hoot. She pulled his hands away then gave him a good one on the lips. The other wives looked scandalized, the guys looked jealous. Heck, who wouldn't be? His wife is a well known photographer and model, but one of the most down to earth people ever. After their wedding, Chet admitted it was love at first sight, he thought it was lust on her part. She nearly hit him when he said that, then he whispered something in her ear, and they smooched instead.
They are two peas in a pod.
They are the reason I have Lisa.
The woman next to me, holding my hand. This morning she asked me if I missed the uniform.
Sometimes I do, but just for a minute. I wouldn't trade my life now for that uniform.
Don't get me wrong, I loved being a fireman. Best thing ever. Met my best friends that way. Saved lives, made Mama proud.
It was my best friend's wife that brought me and Lisa together.
Lisa, the pastry chef that helped create Chet and Cynthia's wedding cake. I helped her carry the cake to the display table. We talked almost the entire reception. Cynthia, in her straightforward way suggested we go out.
"Just have a date already!"
We talked almost the entire reception.
Then that fire. That nasty brush fire. If it weren't for Ed grabbing my coat, I wouldn't be here. Blew out my knee and almost my hip. Roy explained that it was a major ligament-ACL that was torn up. The rehab was a bitch. Thank the Holy Mother I can walk, but running and hauling hose was out of the question.
Again, my best friend's wife stepped in. She suggested talking to the Roselli's. They wanted to open a new restaurant, but not Italian food. They remembered me from the engagement party. One thing led to another...
Now I'm a partner in a restaurant.
Lisa said yes.
Chet stood by my side, as I did for him.
Cynthia did the photography.
She's looking at me now.
"You okay? Do you miss-?"
"A little. But I'm good." I squeeze Lisa's hand. Cynthia grinned. She gets it. Chet is one lucky sonofagun.
The Chief's calling names now.
"Chester B. Kelly, our new instructor. Congratulations."
"Whoo Hoo! That's my husband!"
The room burst into laughter. I'm not surprised.