When Fires Collide - Chapter 5
"So Smudge, I know you're going to like the surprise Cinder arranged," said Marshall.
"If it's from her, I'll like whatever it is," assured Smudge. "She said she'd talk to me after it arrived. Something about wanting to see my reaction."
"I'm sure you'll love it," Marshall said with a grin. "Well, I gotta run. Enjoy your weekend."
Cinder landed in London and checked into her inn. The clerk had assured her that the animal rooms were sized accordingly. She found it to be much smaller than hotel rooms in the US, making it perfectly cozy. The inn was two blocks from Smudge's flat and five blocks from his station. She had arranged for the needed supplies to be delivered to her room and found them awaiting her. She had decided to have the surprise waiting for him at his flat when he got home from his rotation. She called Marshall and Everest to assure them that she had arrived safely and was still going to surprise him as she and Everest had planned.
Smudge walked into his flat and took off his duty vest and collar showing his rank. Then he heard his doorbell ring. He walked to the door and found a large box sitting on the porch. He looked around and shrugged. He noticed a sticker on the top of the box that read 'Happy Birthday Smudge.'
"I guess they didn't need a signature," Smudge said out loud. He stepped over to try to pick it up, but it was heavier than he expected. "What on earth did she get me? It feels like it weighs a ton. I'll just open it out here, and hope it is multiple pieces or disassembles so I can cart it inside."
He leaned over and popped open the box. The second he opened it two paws reached out, grabbed him, and yanked him into the box. Smudge yelped as his hind paws left the ground and he crashed into the box.
"Happy Birthday," said Cinder softly, as she grabbed his face in her paws and kissed him soundly on the lips. Smudge's eyes instantly rolled back in his head and he was in heaven.
"Cinder!" Smudge gasped when she eventually released him. "H-how are you here?"
"I flew in yesterday evening," Cinder said softly, fluttering her eyes at him. "Are you surprised?"
"I-I d-don't know what to say," sputtered Smudge, tears of happiness welling up. "Yes, yes I'm surprised. I'm, I'm so happy to see you, I-I can't believe you flew here for my birthday." He grabbed her in a tight hug.
"You came for me when I needed you," Cinder softly whispered. "I wanted to come for you too. And that hasn't changed despite being told I 'weigh a ton' and hoping that I disassemble."
"In my defense," Smudge spluttered nervously as he back-pawed, "I thought I was talking about an inanimate object on my porch. Now that I know what is in the box, it is perfect just the way it is and I never want any piece of it disassembled."
Smudge wasn't sure, but he thought he saw something flash across Cinder's beautiful face.
"Smooth recovery" Cinder softly cooed as she pulled Smudge's face to her own and kissed him passionately."
"Can we get out of the box?" panted Smudge when they broke for air next. "Not that I'm not perfectly content to stay in here with you."
"Yes, I didn't figure we'd spend my entire time here in the box," Cinder laughed softly.
Smudge stood and helped Cinder out of the box.
"So you liked the surprise?" Cinder asked softly.
"Very much," said Smudge, still smiling broadly. "I still can't believe you did this. I- I'm so happy you're here."
"Everest helped me plan the surprise," Cinder laughed softly.
"I'm so very happy she did," laughed Smudge. "My place isn't much, nor is it how I would have preferred if I knew you were coming, but please come in."
Now that they both were out of the box, they walked inside. Smudge showed Cinder around his flat. It wasn't much bigger than Cinder's hotel room.
"Your flats aren't very big," laughed Cinder softly. "I thought my apartment was small. I mean you're home as much as I am probably so you don't need much."
"I'm rarely home," laughed Smudge, "I'm usually at the station or visiting my family outside of town. So, how long are you here?"
"I'm here for the week," said Cinder softly. "I thought, if you aren't busy, I thought maybe you could show me around London."
"I was just going to watch a football match or two," said Smudge, "Nothing that can't wait. Let me make a call. I'll get off for the rest of the week. I'm supposed to go to my parent's tomorrow for my birthday. I can put them off too though."
"I'd like to meet your family," said Cinder softly. "Or I can entertain myself somewhere."
"Perish the thought of letting you out of my sight. I'd love you to meet my family," said Smudge, "I just didn't want you to feel like you had to meet them. I know that might seem a tad forward."
"You flew all the way to Heartland when I needed you," said Cinder softly, "I know we are far apart most of the time, but I really like you. I'd really like to try and see if we can make us work. I know I just got here, but I had hoped to talk to you and see if we can make something work out."
"I want us to work something out as well," said Smudge, "I really like you too. I don't know what will come of it, but I really want to try. I guess I need to take you to the station. They still don't believe half the things I've told them, especially about you."
"I'd like to see your team," said Cinder softly.
They continued talking for the rest of the morning and decided to go find something for lunch.
Smudge decided to take Cinder to a local favorite lunch place. They ate Bangers and Mash, Cinder remembered Smudge saying it was a favorite food from where he lived. It was wonderful, although Smudge's was better. They both enjoyed the conversation and each other's company.
Smudge decided to take her to see a few sights. Cinder loved Tower Bridge and Parliament. Smudge showed her some of the area his station covered and even took her to see where they had to enter the Tube for the fire he spoke of.
"I can see why you don't like that," said Cinder softly.
"The walls insulate the heat so it's super hot when we have to fight the fires," said Smudge.
Smudge decided he couldn't avoid it anymore, so he took her to the station. They walked into the bay and immediately noticed the difference in the appearance of the fire apparatus. She also noted all of the trucks were Mercedes.
"Wow, so it's no big deal to have Mercedes Fire Engines?" Cinder asked softly.
"Not really," replied Smudge, "Mercedes are fairly common here in the UK. We do have nice apparatuses, but I still would kill for Marshall's rig."
"It's nice to say the least," Cinder softly agreed.
They walked into the day room. Everyone was laughing and talking until they noticed Smudge. Several jaws hit the floor when they saw who he was with
"Hey chief, aren't you supposed to be off," a young dalmatian said.
"I am," said Smudge, "Chief Cinder wanted to see the station."
"So she is real," laughed a Yellow Lab.
"I told you," laughed Smudge. "Cinder this is Perry, He is the Station Commander. The dalmatian is Sparks."
"Pleased to meet you," said Cinder softly.
"Sparks is our newest Fire Pup," said Smudge. "He's super smart and a fast learner. He will be great one day."
"So you're really Marshall's Twin?" asked Sparks.
"Yes, I am," Cinder replied softly, with a hint of a giggle. "You've heard about Marshall?"
"He's the reason I became a Firefighter," said Sparks. "I want to become a paramedic like he is. I've heard about you too. I may never be an officer, but I want to be the best Paramedic Firefighter I can for now."
"If you put your mind to it," Cinder said softly, "you can accomplish anything."
"Thanks," said Sparks, "Do your best and forget the rest, right."
"That's Marshall's favorite saying," giggled Cinder softly.
Smudge introduced Cinder to the rest of the staff that was on duty. He then walked her around showing her the rest of the fire station.
Just as they finished, Tones began dropping, 'Plaistow Station respond to a reported residential structure fire. Occupants reported to be evacuating.'
"Want to go watch London's finest put out a flat fire?" asked Smudge.
"Sure," said Cinder softly, "I'd love to see your guys in action."
"Come on," said Smudge, "We will ride with Perry."
As they rode to the scene Cinder turned to Smudge. "I just can never get used to the siren setting the UK uses," said Cinder softly. "I know it is effective, it is just too many years of wail."
"It has been described as one of the most annoying sounds ever created," laughed Perry.
They arrived on scene to smoke pouring from a front window. It turned out to be a kitchen fire. The crew hit the ground and quickly gained control of the fire. The fire was quickly contained to just the kitchen. The Firefighters and Fire Pups worked in teams to extinguish the fire and perform other tasks. It was easy to see that the people and pups worked alongside each other very well. Cinder mentioned the fact to Smudge.
"It wasn't always like this," said Perry. "For a long time we worked separately. In some cases at separate stations."
"They slowly began to accept us as if not equals," explained Smudge, "at least competent."
"That's a shame," said Cinder softly. "Fire pups have been a part of American firehouses since the beginning."
"When Smudge first made Station Commander," explained Perry, "The firefighters revolted thinking they shouldn't have to answer to a dog."
"We still occasionally have some slow minds," explained Cinder as she thought back to when she was still training to become a fire captain.
"Yes, they came around," laughed Perry, "You can't help but love Smudge. He knows what he's talking about and is not afraid to get his paws dirty to get the job done."
"He proved his knowledge when he trained with us," agreed Cinder softly. "We never doubted his ability."
Cinder turned and noticed that Smudge was blushing from the compliments. It made him look cute in Cinder's eyes.
As the crew began clearing the scene the three rode back to the station. Perry dropped the two Dalmatians off at Smudge's flat.
"So would you care for some dinner?" asked Smudge.
"I could eat something light," said Cinder softly. "I'm still not caught up with the time change. I've never been far enough to experience jet lag."
"It does take some time," laughed Smudge. "How about just some pup chow and tomorrow, if you were serious about meeting my family, we'll have a proper meal."
"That sounds nice," said Cinder softly. "I guess I'll need to get back to my inn before too late."
Smudge hesitated and then said, "I'll walk you to your inn after dinner."
After they finished Smudge walked with Cinder to the Inn. He walked her to the door. Cinder kissed his cheek and turned to walk into the room.
"See you in the morning," said Smudge.
"See you in the morning, Smudge," Cinder replied softly.
Smudge turned and started walking back to his flat. As he walked, he day dreamed of Cinder not going home but staying with him. "Maybe one day" he said softly to himself.
Cinder let out a sigh after she closed the door. Part of her had wanted to just spend the night at Smudge's flat. She had wanted to sweep Smudge off of his paws, or have him sweep her off her paws, but also had been internally terrified of it. "One paw forward at a time" she softly whispered to herself as she dialed home on her tag.
"Everest! It's Cinder!" Marshall yelped excitedly when he saw who was calling.
"Hi Marsh" Cinder softly giggled. Her twin's tail was in hurricane mode.
Everest came barreling in like a fluffy freight train. She slammed her hip into Marshall's, which normally sent him sliding sideways. But today, she instead sent him flying upwards, only to come falling back down on top of Everest with a crash.
"We're good" Marshall and Everest said together as they picked each other up off of the floor.
Cinder couldn't help but giggle at them. "Glad to see you both still love me so much from across the ocean" she softly giggled.
"Of course" Everest cooed back, "how did it go?"
"Good," Cinder softly said, nodding at Marshall.
Everest turned to Marshall, "shoo, girl talk time" she said, accompanying her words with a playful shove.
"Right, have fun sis" Marshall said with a smile before leaving them alone to talk.
"It was amazing" Cinder softly swooned once her brother was out of ear shot.
"Tell me all about it!" Everest yipped happily. The two talked for a long time before Cinder finally went to bed.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do" Everest teased with a giggle.
"I'll try and manage that" Cinder giggled along. "I love you both."
"Talk to you soon," Everest replied as she hung up.
"She is going to have a blast," Marshall said.
"Ah!" Everest yelped, losing her balance and falling into Marshall's waiting paws. "How long have you been there?" she asked suspiciously.
"I just came in to say goodnight" Marshall said innocently.
"Are you sure my quiet as a mouse love?" Everest asked, fluttering her eyes at him.
"I guess we'll never know" Marshall teasingly replied back as he kissed Everest.
"None of your secrets are safe from me love" Everest replied, sliding her paws down to Marshall's tummy.
Marshall's eyes widened, "No, no, no. No, please, please, no, not that!"
"Yes, that!" Everest giggled evilly before tickling him. Marshall yelped before collapsing onto the floor and beginning his own counter attack. It quickly devolved into a tickle fight of epic proportions.