"6 families are mourning after a horrific car crash took the lives of 6 area teens and left 3 with major injuries early this morning. The 8 teens were driving around after prom when the car they were traveling in hit another vehicle head on. Officials say the vehicle then broke in two, one half going over the side of the cliff. According to paramedics on scene, 5 teens were deceased on arrival, and one passing away on scene shortly thereafter. The investigation is still on going, but according to reports, the teens were all at Griffith Park shortly before the accident, and were intoxicated."
As the news anchor reads the names of the teens, a large group of people are at the high school holding a vigil. Students and adults place flowers in front of pictures of the 6 kids that died. Students cling to each other, crying and comforting one another.
"Layla Earle and Mateo Foster are currently in critical but stable condition at a local hospital, as is the driver of the other vehicle. The deceased include Willow Campbell, 17. Sydney Fuller, 18. Reagan Sellars, 17. Reed Walker, 17. Harley McIntosh, 17, and Grayson Holt, 18."
...
Buck and Eddie are standing at the sink, washing the dishes from lunch. Bobby is about to head down the steps when Layla and Mateo slowly climb up the steps, followed by their parents. They're using crutches and are covered in bandages and casts, but they're walking.
"Hi," Bobby greets the pair. "It's good to see you up and walking around."
"We brought you cookies." Layla holds out the plate of cookies she's carrying.
Buck happily runs over and takes them from her.
Bobby pulls out two chairs for them. "Have a seat."
"We can't stay," Mateo says. "We wanted to thank you for everything that you did for us. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."
"We were just doing our jobs."
"Not to us. You were saving our lives."
"We talked to Grayson's mom," Layla says. "She wanted us to thank you as well. She's glad that you were there with Grayson when he died, and that he wasn't alone. You kept him calm and comforted him in his last moments."
"We're sorry we couldn't help everyone," Buck says, still upset that they couldn't save Grayson.
"Don't be. We made a terrible choice, and there was nothing you could have done. I just wish we had listened when you guys came to our school and did that mock car crash. Maybe if we had, they'd all still be here."
Mateo nods, agreeing with Layla. "The next time you do one of those, give us a call. We'd love to come and talk to the kids and share our experience. It might help having someone there who has actually lived through it."
"That would be great," Bobby says with a smile.
"We'll go so you can get back to saving people. Thank you again."
Layla, Mateo and their parents hug and shake everyone's hands. They walk back down the steps. The crew smiles, feeling a little better.
Buck takes a cookie. "If you'll excuse me, I have something I need to do."
Buck practically skips toward the steps.
"What do you have to do?" Chimney asks, curiously.
Buck doesn't answer and goes down the steps. Everyone looks at Bobby for a clue. He turns away, not saying a word. Eddie, Chimney and Hen look at each other, confused and curious.
...
The fire house is dark except for the light above the bay door. Jo walks in and stops at the doorway, the glitter on her dress sparkling in the single light above her.
"Evan?"
After a second, Buck appears from the darkness. He straightens the sleeves of his suit as he comes to stand in front of Jo. "Hello."
Jo smiles. "Alright, I'm here. I'm wearing the fanciest dress I own," she says, gesturing to her dress, "just like you asked. Now what?"
"Come here."
Buck takes her by the hand and leads her farther into the bay. Buck clears his throat, and suddenly the lights come on. He has strung string lights between and around the trucks, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Jo's mouth falls open and a smile comes across her face. "What is this?"
"Well, I felt terrible that you didn't get to go to prom when you were in high school, so I brought prom to you."
Jo strokes Buck's arm and smiles. "This is beautiful." She gives Buck a quick kiss. "You do know though as soon as that bell goes off, this is all going to go flying," she says, pointing to all the lights above them.
"Then we should hurry."
Buck walks over to the truck and picks up a wrist corsage, and brings it over to her. "May I?"
"Of course." Jo offers her hand, and Buck puts the corsage on her wrist.
Maddie appears from behind the truck holding a boutonniere.
"Maddie?" Jo says, surprised to see Maddie there.
"This is for Buck." Maddie hands the boutonniere to Jo then disappears.
Jo pins it on Buck's suit jacket, then kisses his cheek. Out of nowhere, "If You Love Her," by Forest Blakk starts playing.
Buck holds out his hand. "Would you like to dance?"
"I'd love to."
Jo takes his hand. Buck leads them to the middle of the floor, and they start dancing. Jo lays her head on Buck's chest. Buck gently kisses the top of her head.
"I can't believe you did all of this for me," Jo beams.
"You deserve it. And, I love you."
Jo looks up into his eyes. "I love you, too." Jo stands on her tip-toes and gives Buck a kiss. "You look very handsome."
"Not as beautiful as you look."
She looks away shyly.
"Seriously, Jo. You're beautiful, inside and out. You have this heart that's so big. You're kind and thoughtful, and you put everyone before yourself."
Buck stops dancing and takes a deep breath. Jo stops, noticing the vibe has suddenly changed. Buck continues.
"Before I met you, I was convinced I'd never find "the one." I thought I would just be the cool uncle that everyone loves and that I would be alone forever. Then there was you. You made everything make sense. The heartbreaks, the trials, the missed opportunities. All of those things happened so I would be here at the exact time you were here. The same thing with you. Your heart was broken so I could put it back together."
Buck tucks a piece of hair behind Jo's ear.
"Never in a million years did I think that I would find someone so perfect, someone who would make me happier than I ever thought I could be. Someone who would give me a whole new reason to breathe. But then I found you, and I realized that everything I anticipated you to be doesn't even compare to who you are. I want to be wrapped in your arms forever. You have the eyes I want to get lost in and the smile I can't resist. I decided on you. I want you, and only you."
Buck reaches in his pocket and pulls out a tiny, velvet box. Then he gets down on one knee, keeping a hold on Jo's opposite hand. Jo's other hand covers her mouth, completely taken by surprise.
"So, Jolene Anne Heller. Will you marry me?"
Jo is speechless for a moment. She breaks out in a huge smile and tears fill her eyes. Finally-
"Yes, of course I will."
Buck puts the ring on her finger. Buck stands up and pulls Jo into him, the pair sharing a deep, passionate kiss. The rest of the 118 and their significant others are quietly watching from behind the trucks. They all quietly hug and celebrate together. Buck and Jo hold each other underneath the lights and slowly sway back and forth to the music.
... ... ...
Ahhhhhh! Y'all! They're engaged!
Be on the lookout for a new story next week! I hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas!