The next few months were tragic but also happy. Hallie died in a fire in her clinic, and an investigation was ongoing. Birch watched her cousin from a distance and worried. "Do you think he'll be okay?"
Cruz shook his head. "I don't know. I hope so."
"So do I."
Then Herrmann had kid number five, a boy they named Kenny. After moving in together, Cruz and Birch grew closer. It wasn't long before he got down on one knee and asked her the biggest question of her life. She accepted, and they were happily engaged.
Cruz was happy with his life. He had his beautiful fiance on his mind the entire shift while she was gone. Cyra had taken the day off, and when he came home the next morning, she was asleep on the couch with a piece of paper dangling from her fingers. He took it from her gently and looked at it. Her name was at the top, and it was something from the doctor's office. He noticed something that caused his eyes to widen. He looked at her peaceful sleeping face. Cruz gently pushed a few loose pieces of hair from her face. She stirred gently as she slept. Her eyes slowly opened. "Hey, babe." She saw him holding the piece of paper and sat up immediately. "So? Is this good or bad?"
"Seriously? This is amazing! I'm going to be a father."
"I was going to call, but I don't know. I wasn't sure how you would take it." She smiled brightly at him. "I already worked everything out with Boden. I'll be his secretary with Connie until I can return to shift. And he promised he wouldn't tell anyone."
"Well, I say we go to Molly's tonight to celebrate."
"Of course. You sort that out. I'm going to start breakfast for Chad. Oh yeah, I haven't told him either."
"How do you think he'll take it?"
"I don't know. He's kind of hard to figure out."
"Who is?" Chad came down the stairs, and they turned to look at him. "What are you guys hiding?"
"So, Chad. You're going to be a big brother!" Cyra covered her mouth and turned away. "Sorry. That was bad." Her son stood, frozen in his spot.
"Bud?" Cruz looked at him suspiciously. "You okay?"
"It better be a boy. I can't deal with a sister." He then sat at the breakfast table and waited. Cyra looked a little shocked but went to make him eggs and bacon.
"I'll set up the gathering for tonight, Cyra. Then I'm going to bed."
"All right, Joe." She checked her watch and then looked at Chad. "I'll take you to school. At least it's Friday." Chad nodded.
"Could you talk to my class about firefighting things again? They all loved it the last time."
"Yeah. I don't have much else to do today."
Later that evening, Cyra downed her glass of water at the bar. Otis looked at her oddly. "You okay there?"
"What? Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking." He nodded and kept drying glasses. It wasn't long before everyone had arrived, including a very tired-looking Herrmann.
"Out of all the kids, the last one has to be the one that never sleeps."
"Hey, guys! Can I get your attention?" All the firemen and women of station 51 looked at Cruz. "So I have some fantastic news which is why you are all gathered here. We're having a baby!" The room erupted in applause and shouting.
"Yeah! A baby Cruz." Everyone congratulated the parents, well, in Joe's case, soon-to-be.
Casey appeared with a big smile on his face. "I'm happy for you guys."
Cyra gave him a sympathetic smile. "Thanks. How have you been, Matt?"
"I'm hanging in there."
"If you ever want to talk, just come over."
"Yeah." He looked away.
"I'm serious, Matt. Anytime."