Close Call - Chan POV
The clock on my bedside table quietly buzzes, waking me from my peaceful slumber. Carefully, I untangle myself from Monica and reach over to turn it off. It's half past 11 but I need to report to the firehouse at midnight to start my on-call shift. With Monica due any day now, I wanted to spend as much time as possible here - with her. Unfortunately, if I wait any longer I'm going to be late.
I hate that I have to leave, but we talked about it last night and knew there was nothing we could do. I told Monica I can quit, we've got enough saved up to get us by for a couple months. I'll get another job somewhere outside the city and I can commute every morning and be home by dinner. But she said "no." If anything were to happen while I was away she will call me. I told her, "I don't want to miss anything. If that baby kicks you the wrong way, you need to call me because it's probably a contraction." She just nodded and told me she knows. At this point, we both know what's right and what's wrong; we've read so many pregnancy books at this point. Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, What to Expect When You're Expecting, Guide to Parenthood - to name a few. And she doesn't know it, but I also took the liberty to read The Birth Partner which included many helpful hints about being by her side and knowing what to do in certain situations.
Climbing out of the shower, I wrap the towel around my waist as I clean up the stubble around my chin and brush my teeth. Once I'm dressed I quietly step out of the bathroom; trying not to wake my wife. I walk over to my side of the bed and sit down softly as I put on my socks and clip my pager to my belt.
I knew I would be unsuccessful the moment I turned the knob of the bathroom. Monica always tells me no matter how quiet I am, she always wakes up the moment I leave her side.
I feel her hand glide down the spin of my back before she laces her fingers into my belt loop in attempt to get me back into bed.
Smiling, I turn around to face her before leaning over and brushing the hair from her face. "Sorry I woke you."
"I've been up for a while." She admits "Is it time for you to leave, already?"
Glancing down at my watch, I nod. "I've got a few minutes." Through the dark room I trace her features, memorizing every line she formed with age, every dark circle from the restless nights, every curve that I've cherished through the years. From the hair that stands tallest on her head, to the soles on the bottom of her feet, I've spent countless nights sketching her shape in my mind.
Leaning down, I plant one, two, then three quick kisses on her awaiting lips. "I'll be back before you know it." I tell her "Don't have that baby without me."
"I wouldn't dream of it." She sighs sadly as I plant a quick kiss on her baby bump. "We love you."
"I love you guys." I smile before standing "Now get some rest." With that, I begin my way to work, leaving behind my family.
For being in "the city that never sleeps," the streets are surprisingly calm this late at night. Maybe I've grown accustomed to it, but the music from the bars are softer than usual, and the cabs driving from the Upper Eastside to the West aren't honking out of impatience.
I get stopped at a few lights on my way to the firehouse but eventually I arrive. I park in the back of the station but before I get out, I sit there a moment. Content with the silence that has surrounded me, I rest my head back against the seat and allow my eyes to drift shut. Every time my eyes close all I see is Monica. It's all I can think about when I'm not by her side. These last nine months have taken us on a journey that I don't want to end. When she's pregnant, she has this glow to her. She brightens up the room in a way that I can't explain. I ache to feel her hand in mine, to hear her voice say my name. Before Monica, I've never had these feelings inside me. The feeling that completes me as a person. I'm happiest when I'm with her.
My eyes flutter open when I realize just how long I've been sitting here. But before I move I glance in my rearview mirror and see the car seat I installed last week. It should be illegal to be this happy.
Climbing out, I lock my car with a click of a button and head towards the gate. I say "hi" to the guys as I flash my badge even though they know it's me.
"Bing, how's the wife." They buzz me through the doors.
"Breathtaking." I say honestly as I pull the door open.
Everyone at the station knows Monica. On Mondays she has a Fireman's Special down at the bakery where she gives the guys free coffee to boost their Monday. I don't want to brag, but I get free coffee everyday.
They lean over the counter "When she has that baby all the guys are going to be up there to see her. She's like family to us."
"I know." I nod "And I know she knows it too. We really appreciate it." I admit before walking fully through the door.
"Oh, Bing, one last thing."
I turn and watch as he pulls a bag from under the counter. "We got you a little something. All the boys chipped in. It was Chief's idea."
My eyebrows raise, surprised. The tough guy really does have a heart. "Thanks guys." I take the gift and pause before asking. "Should I open it-"
"No, no. That'll be weird. Open it when you're ready."
Nodding, I thank them once more before moving towards the locker room.
Placing my duffle and the gift bag in the locked compartment I take a moment to look at the photographs I have hanging on the inside. There is one of my friends, one of me and my buddies at the annual Christmas party, and one of Monica standing by the windowsill in our apartment. This was the night we found out Monica was pregnant. As we waited for the results, she began to wander with impatience. I grabbed a glass of water while we waited, and as I did so, Monica stopped in front of the large bay window; watching the sun disappear over the horizon. That's when I grabbed my camera and captured the final moments before our lives would change forever.
Pressing my fingers to my lips I take a short breath before placing it on the photo where the sun shined perfectly that day.
These motions have become a routine before each shift. And just as I quickly as I opened it, I closed the locker that is no different than the others throughout the room. The only marking that would differentiate mine from my neighbors is the 3 by 1 metal plate nailed to the top of the door with my last name carved into it.
I have a feeling it may be a slow night with not many calls; which will make this shift feel like a double.
As we wait for calls we keep up with the maintenance around the station, check that the equipment is working properly, and my personal favorite, hit the gym.
But today, I just sit and wait. With the baby coming any minute, I can't seem to bring myself to do anything else but listen for the call.
As the night gets later, I listen to the radio, waiting for any news on work in the area. I begin to doze in and out, when two of my favorite men to work with walk in the room.
"Hey Bing, anything good?" Tony asks, taking the seat on one side of me while Vic sits on the other side.
"Just the police radar about a noise complaint on Webster and Goodman." I inform, sitting up a little straighter trying desperately to stay awake. "Not much action on the field."
"Here-" Vic hands me a coffee "You may need this."
"Thanks." I take it, appreciatively before taking a drink of the steaming beverage.
"Any news on the wife?" They ask next.
I set down my coffee. "Not yet, but we're hoping it's soon. Probably in the next day or so."
"Has her water broke, yet?"
I shake my head. "But she's getting cramps which is another sign of pre-labor."
"I remember when Mich-"
"We've got a 904 Charles on 684 with multiple witnesses at the scene." The radio clicks and the alarm rings throughout the building, all three of us quickly move and suit up.
"Roger, 210 is suited and on their way." The dispatcher announces just as the truck pulls out of the station and onto the road.
Luckily there isn't much traffic this late at night and it's easy to navigate through the lights without having to slow down.
When we arrive at the scene, multiple police cars and ambulances are already there. That's when I see the multiple car pileup on the freeway. One car is burning in flames and if we aren't careful this can spread to other vehicles, or worse, cause an explosion. The truck comes to a screeching holt and we jump out. Attaching the hoses to the pipes and running it across the bridge 100 yards away to a small pond where we will retrieve our water source.
It's dark, the only lights available are coming from the truck and flames. Setting up the hose so the water can run through it, I yell at Tony when it's ready. "Now-"
The water shoots out the other end before I can get the words out. The police are signaling for everyone to get back and to the other side of the street. Not even a minute later, the fire erupts. The force pushing anyone close enough from their feet.
Leaving my spot, I rush back to the scene, pulling my men by their coats and further from the area. "You okay!" I yell over the roaring flames. Tony nods, still shocked by the sudden impact. Taking the hose, Vic and I continue to aim it at the burning car, occasionally wetting anything around it - in hope to prevent the spread.
About an hour goes by before we put it out completely. Smoke continues to rise from the ashes but at least the fire is over. I'm wet and out of breath from the sudden rush of the event. When I finally catch my breath enough to stand, I help Vic wind up the hose and take off our oxygen tanks. "Good?" I ask
"Yeah, I'm just going to check on one more thing. I'll let you know when we're set."
With that, I head over to where Tony sits in the back of the ambulance getting checked out.
"You sure you're okay? That was a pretty hard hit." I stand with my helmet cradled under my arm.
"I'm fine, just a little glass pellet in my hand." He explains, showing me his now wrapped wound.
"You boys got here just in time." A cop walks over and joins us.
"Do you know how this happened?" I ask
He shakes his head. "They're saying it was a deer but my instinct says they were street racing." We glance over at the young adults gathered around the other ambulance. Based on their appearance I would say his instinct isn't too far off.
"Luckily there are no casualties or this situation would be heading in another direction. Just a few scraps and bruises."
I nod "Anyone pressing charges?"
He shakes his head again. "I'm pretty sure they are all part of the same group. If someone did they will probably come forward later; don't want it to spark tension, you know?"
Just then, Vic walks up. "Trucks ready." He announces
"Well, I guess that's our cue. You take care." I reach out my hand to the officer, giving him a firm shake before we part our separate ways.
The ride back was fairly quiet as we reviewed everything that just happened. The sun is beginning to rise and the streets are filled with early commuters. And I just think about it all over again. Did I do everything I could have possibly done, did I make any mistakes, was I putting others at risk?
When you're in the middle of the action time slips away. You're rushing around, making close calls, looking out for your men, and you don't even realize what it is you were thinking about hours before. However, when we get back to the station, put our gear up and clean ourselves off, I look at my phone and see I have 8 missed calls, 6 voicemails and 21 new messages.