I want to quickly apologize for the slow chapter production, I've been busy with a lot this month, which hasn't been fun so far... Anyhow, I'm really hoping that I'll finally get something going and upload more like I used to. Anyhow, enjoy!
The Next Morning…
It was a bright and early morning in Hillwood, Arnold was just now waking up since he was headed to Starbucks to catch up with Nadine. Spinelli turned over to see Arnold already out of bed.
"Is it really necessary for you to get up this early?…" Spinelli asked and rubbed her eyes. Arnold walked to her side of the bed. "I'll be back in an hour or so, just worry about getting some rest, you deserve it." He crouched while smiling and stroked her messy hair. "I'll see you later, sweetheart, I promise…" Arnold soon kissed her lips for a few seconds.
After their kiss, he kissed her forehead and soon walked out to let Spinelli get some rest.
Later…
After texting Phoebe, hopeful for an update on Pep's condition, unfortunately, no change…
Outside the Starbucks, Arnold was leaning against his pickup truck awaiting Nadine.
Soon, a red Ford SUV arrived behind his truck. It was Nadine. She soon got out with a smile. Arnold looked over and smiled. "If it isn't one of the best animal experts."
They gave a friendly kiss on each other's cheeks.
A Minute Later
After ordering a cappuccino and strawberry smoothie, Arnold and Nadine sat down together.
Nadine took a deep breath of the fresh scent in the air. "Smells like good ol' Hillwood." She smiled. "So, Arnold, tell me, how's everything been around here? Tell me about your promotion to Squad."
"Well, what can I say? First and foremost, it's a huge honor to be a Lieutenant, especially for Squad. Our firehouse didn't have Squad before, but the FD decided to bring in a Squad unit for us, especially since we're one of the more busier firehouses. But uh, after one of our Lieutenants was named Captain, my Mom figured I'd be great as Squad Lieutenant, turns out she was right, like always." He chuckled. "There have been quite a lot of chaotic things that have happened before."
"Like what?"
Arnold sighed. "Well, just the other day, my roommate and Squad colleague got injured in a building collapse at a school fire. And ever since she's been at the hospital, she's been in critical condition." Nadine briefly touched his hand. "Sorry to hear that…"
"Right now, all I can do is pray and hope she'll pull through." Arnold looked over to see their drinks were served. "Give me a second."
He got up and soon brought over the drinks.
"So, Arnold, how's Rhonda? Did she change her number? I tried calling her numerous times but I got nothing." Arnold gulped as he didn't know how to break it to her. Arnold remembered back to Rhonda's natural beauty and all the memories they created together.
"Nadine, why don't we, uh, go outside?" Arnold offered his hand. Nadine gave a confused look and soon stood up by holding his hand.
They soon stepped outside. Arnold took several deep breaths as he felt his heart skipping a few beats.
"Nadine, I- I don't know how to say this…"
"Did you guys divorce?!"
"What? No!" Arnold took one final deep breath. "Nadine, Rhonda passed away after suffering cardiac arrest…"
Nadine stood there with zero clue. "Wh-… What?! How?! I've known her my entire life and she never had any heart conditions! How did this happen?!" She frantically asked as tears formed and she clenched his hoodie.
"Look, just let me explain! Ok? … Look, she's had these minor panic attacks, mainly two years after my Lieutenant promotion. We never looked into it because we figured it was nothing, but I should've insisted! I should've told her to get it checked out! Nadine, you know I'd do anything for her, she's the love of my life!" Nadine soon let go of his hoodie and pulled him into a hug with a saddened look.
Arnold looked at her in surprise. "Wait, you- you're not going to blame me like the Lloyds?" She shook her head. "No, Arnold. I'd probably smack the hell out of you, but I'm not the kind of person to do that... I don't believe it was your fault. There was nothing you could've did or done. I'm honestly just sad she's gone… So how are you relationship-wise with Rhonda gone?"
"Well…" They walked back inside. "Before she died, Rhonda and I were blessed to have a kid, a beautiful baby girl. I raised her alone for like a month before I got my first roommate. Her name's Ashley Spinelli. I let her move in after she got kicked out by her old friend, but ever since she moved in, she turned my life around." Arnold explained.
"How so?"
"I fell into a deep depression along with PTSD. I almost thought of either leaving my little girl with her or most likely my Mom and then killing myself…" Nadine looked at him in shock, but soon held his hand. "I only kept going because of my daughter, along with the help Spinelli provided. Nadine, Spinelli and I slept together one night…"
"And what happened after? Did things become awkward?"
"You know what? It almost did. After our first time doing each other, things did feel weird between us, but something in me told me to… something told me to pull her face close, and slowly kiss her… And then we had more sex the next hour and slept in the same bed. We started sleeping together more often after that." Arnold explained.
"How did you guys even end up sleeping together? Like what happened?" Nadine asked.
"Plain and simple. We caught each other naked by accident. To be fair, it really started with a kiss between us. Fast forward a month or so later, we ended up dating each other. Fast forward again, after a date, I ended up proposing to her." Arnold explained.
"So, how does Spinelli make you feel?"
Arnold exhaled with a smile. "Nadine, she makes me extremely happy. She's the reason I'm here. And to tell the truth, I love her so much. We met during the Academy, actually. But Nadine, the amount of crazy things that have happened these past few months have been crazy. But I think I'll save that for later. You should come down to the firehouse soon, and, you know, have a look around and meet the guys?"
Nadine smiled. "I think I'd love that."
"Anyways, enough about me, let's talk about you. How come you're moving back to Hillwood? I thought Australia was for you." Arnold asked.
Nadine sighed. "Well, to be fair, I loved it there, but nothing beats where I grew up. Hillwood is my home, and I wanted to see if my old true friends were around, and hey, I found you!" She smiled. "While I was in Australia, I spent the last two or three years learning how to groom pets like dogs and cats. I finally perfected it too." Arnold noticed what she said. "Wait… Did you say 'groom'?" He asked.
Nadine nodded. "Yeah. I also moved back to hopefully open up a groomer place and make a business out of it."
"I will pay you a thousand dollars to groom both my dogs, I've been trying to see the best groomer in this city, and it looks like I found her." Arnold smiled. Nadine blushed with a smile. "Well, I don't know how long it'll be 'till everything is finalized, but I'll make sure your dogs are the first to be groomed." She smiled.
Arnold grabbed her hand. "I can't thank you enough, Nadine!" He kissed her hand twice, with the second kiss being longer and making her blush again.
An Hour Later
An hour passed by, and Arnold and Nadine spent that hour catching up on how things had been for each other, even mentioning their favorite memories of the raven-haired woman, Rhonda Lloyd-Shortman. Arnold mentioned the amount of stuff that has happened in the past few months. The truck collision between 55 and 66, the warehouse fire, Chief McCaffery's funeral, his father's line-of-duty funeral service, the controversy with Randall, the Firefighter's Ball, and a lot more.
After they stepped out of the Starbucks. "It's been really great seeing you again, Nadine, and I'm really grateful to see you're back." Arnold smiled and pulled her into a hug.
"It was great seeing the best person I've ever known." She smiled back. "Oh! Before I forget, I should give you my number."
Arnold pulled out his phone and handed it to her. Nadine soon typed in her number into his contacts. She handed him back his phone.
"I'll see you around, Arnold." Nadine smiled. "I'll see you, Nadine." He smiled back.
They kissed their cheeks and soon walked to their cars.
Minutes Later, At Home…
Soon, back home, Spinelli woke up again. She stretched and yawned after. She was facing Arnold's side of the bed at the moment.
"Who said money couldn't buy the comfiest mattress?…" She referred to the mattress they bought a day after Chief McCaffery's memorial service. "So glad we got this…"
Soon, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "WHAT THE-" She turned around to see it was Arnold, who came back home.
"Sorry if I scared you, I just heard you were awake so I figured why not and come see my precious wife?" Arnold smiled. Spinelli warmly smiled. "So, how's my Lieutenant Princess this morning?" Arnold smiled and stroked her messy hair.
Spinelli giggled. "You have quite a way of spoiling me."
Arnold shrugged with a smile. "Well, what can I say? You're the most amazing person in the world." He grabbed her left hand and kissed it. "That ring looks beautiful on you, you know that?"
"Only looks nice 'cause you gave it to me." She smirked and then smiled. Spinelli took a moment to admire her ring. "Arnold, it really slips from my mind to tell you how much I love this ring… Thanks… You're the best."
Arnold placed his hand behind her ear. "No need to mention anything. I love you, Ashley Spinelli."
Soon, they started to slowly kiss each other passionately, with their tongues slipping into their mouths and swirling around.
After around a whole minute, they separated. Arnold gave a long kiss to Spinelli's forehead.
"You plan to sleep in?" He asked. Spinelli purred and smirked while toying with his hoodie drawstrings. "I think so, as long as you join me…"
Arnold chuckled. "You're such a tease." He soon took off his hoodie, making Spinelli bite her lip. "About time my husband comes home to his wifey... Now get your ass in bed!"
Arnold rolled his eyes with a smile and climbed into bed. He soon cuddled with her and kissed her bare shoulder. "I'm never gonna stop saying this… I love you, Ashley Funicello Spinelli." Arnold smiled. Spinelli smiled back. "And I love you, Arnold Philip Shortman. Now let's get some more rest before I lose my mind from a headache."
Arnold chuckled. "Sleep tight, honey…" He lightly kissed Spinelli's cheek, making her giggle lightly.
Throughout The Day
It was around three P.M., Arnold and Spinelli were at a park walking along with Diesel and Bandit, who both had their leash.
Spinelli had her head lazily resting on Arnold's shoulder. She yawned once.
"Boy, I wish we could've slept a little longer…" She groaned. "Spinelli, you woke up twenty minutes ago and you're still tired?" Arnold chuckled. He soon noticed the earrings she was wearing. "Hey, are those the earrings I gifted you on our last date?" He lightly touched them for a moment.
"Hm? Oh, uh, yeah. Yeah, they are. I gotta say, while I don't like earrings in general, these are honestly great! Especially with how detailed the skulls are! How'd you even get it?" She asked. Arnold smiled. "That's something I'm keeping to myself, just feels amazing to see you happy, you deserve it and a whole lot more." He kissed her forehead.
Bandit and Diesel walked around and also sniffed what their noses could pick up.
Right as Arnold and Spinelli were about to kiss, Arnold's phone rang. Spinelli rolled her eyes. "For fucks sake!"
Arnold picked up. "Phoebe, what's up? . . . Uh huh . . . Wait, wait a minute. What? . . ." Spinelli looked at him. "… Oh my- No way . . . Ok, ok, go! Bye…" Arnold hung up.
"What's wrong?" Spinelli asked. Arnold yanked back Bandit's leash after he tried to run off. "Spinelli… Pep was rushed back into surgery, she was bleeding from her chest tube… Her condition only got worse…" He immediately pulled Spinelli into a hug.
They stood there for a couple of minutes hugging each other as the future of their colleague and roommate was now in the balance…
Arnold only rubbed Spinelli's back with his other hand since he was holding Bandit and Diesel's leash.
Later At Home…
After a walk in the park, both Diesel and Bandit were asleep after getting water to rehydrate, Arnold was on the couch while eating a bag of Doritos, and where was Spinelli?
She came out of the kitchen with cornbread on a fork, with… covered with strawberry jam?
"Hey, Spinelli, you ever-" Arnold looked over and saw what she had in hand. "Ok, really?"
"What? It takes the dryness out of the cornbread and makes it taste good!" She took another bite. "Mmmm… This is so good!"
"… I- I don't even know what to say." Spinelli soon sat next to him after taking another bite. "Try it! Trust me, it's good!" Arnold was about to say something, but Spinelli immediately answered. "And don't make a trust joke…"
Arnold shrugged and sighed. "Welp, who am I to deny you, to be honest." He took the fork from her.
"Go on…" She smiled. Arnold hesitated, but he gave in and took a bite.
After chewing and swallowing, Spinelli asked, "So? What'd you think?" A moment of silence… Arnold set down the fork and kissed her cheek three times. "Spinelli, I'm never doubting you again! How'd you figure that out?" He asked.
"Well, ever since I was a kid, really…"
While Spinelli explained how she learned her little 'food hack'…
Meanwhile…
Another school incident was taking place, only it wasn't a fire…
Multiple SWAT vans and patrol cars were outside a high school after reporters of a tattooed Sophomore in possession of a rifle, claimed he had enough.
Heavy SWAT Units with rifles were given the go-ahead, Tanner was among them despite being on the Intelligence unit.
"MOVE!"
The SWAT units slowly headed inside and kept their guard up.
"Snipers have his location, East Hall. Just seen entering a classroom." A voice on the radio told them.
"Copy, Command. Moving forward." One member answered.
POW
POW
POW
POW
POW
POW
POW
POW
POW
POW
Sounds of gunshots were heard, nearby too.
"Raidos off, we want the jump on him, let's not alert him." Tanner advised after he turned off his radio. The other units did as well and they slowly moved forward.
POW
Another gunshot went off, only the SWAT team was now directly outside where the Sophomore was.
"Snipers, you are cleared to use lethal force if the suspect engages." A voice on the sniper team's headset told them. "Copy, Command."
"Ready?" One guy was ready to kick open the door. Everyone nodded and had their rifles ready.
CRASH
THUD
They stormed in and immediately aimed at the teen.
"HILLWOOD PD! HANDS IN THE AIR, MOTHERFUCKER! DROP THE GUN!"
"HPD! HANDS IN THE AIR AND DROP THE WEAPON!"
"LOWER YOUR WEAPON AND SURRENDER!"
"HANDS IN THE AIR!"
"GET THE FUCK DOWN! DROP THE GUN!"
"ON YOUR KNEES! DOWN! LOWER YOUR WEAPON!
"DROP THE WEAPON, MOTHERFUCK!"
"DOWN, ON YOUR KNEES, MOTHERFUCKER! LOWER THE WEAPON AND SURRENDER!"
"PUT YOUR FUCKING HANDS UP!"
"LOWER THE GUN, MOTHERFUCKER!"
"ON YOUR KNEES! DROP THE GUN!"
"HPD, MOTHERFUCKER! GET DOWN, ON YOUR KNEES!"
All the SWAT units yelled while having their rifles pointed at the teenager.
The tattooed Sophomore was about to commit the biggest mistake of his life in shooting at them, but he decided to surrender after aiming at them. Lowering the weapon to the ground, getting on his knees while his hands were raised, he finally surrendered.
All the SWAT units circled him to make sure he didn't try anything. A dead body was found, specifically, of a teacher.
Tanner turned his radio back on. "Command, suspect is neutralized and we're bringing him out. Send EMS to check on a staff member, the buildings clear."
"Copy that. Sending paramedics to your location."
One of the SWAT Units pinned the Sophomore down and aggressively yanked his arms back to cuff him.
Outside
The suspect was now cuffed and being taken toward a patrol car while paramedics headed inside.
"Don't get one of my guys killed." Stella smirked at Tanner. "You know, this awfully reminds me of something, I just don't know what…" She started thinking.
"Oh, really? Well, what does this remind you of?" Tanner asked while wiping sweat off his forehead.
"I swear it does! I just can't remember what!" Stella tried to remember.
"Right… Anyhow, I'll see you, Chief." Tanner soon walked away to his Intelligence team.
Back with Arnold and Spinelli, she finished up telling her small story about her food hack.
Arnold cupped Spinelli's right cheek and kissed her left cheek five to eight times. "Spinelli, you truly are the best!" He kissed her cheek again.
She giggled. "Alright, alright! I get it!" She kissed him back.
As they nuzzled against each other, whining was heard. Arnold and Spinelli looked over.
Bandit and Diesel were whining while at the backyard exit. Both of them hit the door.
"I'll be right back." Arnold kissed Spinelli for a moment before he got up and went with their two pets. Spinelli soon decided to head to Andy's room and check up on her.
Minutes Later
"Who's a precious little girl? You are, my little girl!" Spinelli kissed Andy's forehead after toying with one of her plushies.
Soon, Arnold came in and hugged Spinelli from behind and kissed her cheek. "Andy and I are so lucky to have you, Spinelli…I love you so much." Arnold smiled and tightened his grip.
Spinelli chuckled. "Alright, be careful or you'll squeeze out my organs!" She looked at Andy, who had her cute little smile. Arnold saw that beautiful smile too. Arnold and Spinelli looked at each other.
"We're raising a beautiful girl, Spinelli, and I'm extremely grateful you're her mother. I love you." Arnold kissed Spinelli's cheek and smiled.
"Just on the cheek?" Spinelli smirked. Arnold turned her head to face him while she giggled. At that instant, they started to kiss slowly and passionately.
Fast Forward to Next Morning…
It was morning time in Hillwood, the city busy as always, sirens in the distance, and particularly something going on at MedStar…
Arnold and Spinelli were at MedStar since Phoebe sent a text telling them to head to Med. One surprising thing, Phoebe told them to bring Andy.
"This better be worth waking Andy from her sleep…" Spinelli groaned. Since she was too tired, Arnold was holding Andy.
Phoebe soon came by. "There you three are!"
"Please tell us this is important, 'cause if it's not, Andy's wasting her time here instead of sleeping!" Spinelli complained. "I have a very perfect reason. Come along." Phoebe started walking along. Arnold and Spinelli got up and followed behind.
After taking the elevator to the ICU floor, Spinelli already felt both tired and frustrated, but Arnold managed to keep her calm.
Soon, Phoebe guided them outside one of the rooms. "Alright, guys, just head inside and take a look for yourself." She gave an encouraging smile.
Arnold and Spinelli then realized. "Wait a damn… Is- you brought us here because…?" Phoebe nodded with a smile. "She woke up faster than we thought, to be honest."
Arnold and Spinelli walked inside the room to find Pep awake, alert, off the ventilator, and weakened but strong enough to see her roommates.
"Pep, can you hear us?"
She smiled weakly. "… Hey, guys…" While Spinelli let out a relieved sigh, Arnold kissed Pep's forehead twice in joy. "Pep, oh thank God you're awake!" He kissed her forehead again.
Spinelli held Pep's arm. "Glad you're back with us, sis…" She smiled. Pep smiled back. "I'm thankful to be here, sis…" Pep then noticed Andy. "How's the little Princess doing?…"
Arnold smiled. "Believe it or not, she's slowly learning her first words. She's close to calling us Mommy and Daddy!"
Pep stuck her arm out to caress Andy's cheek.
"Pep, we're with you for the entire recovery process. We'll always be there for you." Arnold kissed her cheek and smiled. Pep smiled back. She then smiled at Spinelli. "I owe Spinelli everything-" Spinelli cut off her sentence. "No, Pep, you don't owe me anything. I owe you! You pushed me away from the collapse zone, if it wasn't for you, Andy would've lost another Mom. Pep… you're a real hero, thank you. Thank you so much, I owe you everything." Spinelli smiled.
Soon, Arnold and Spinelli sat down next to her bed as they began telling her about everything.
"You know, Pep, with your heroic act, it won't be long before the Department hears about this and rewards you a medal for your bravery…" Arnold started while rubbing her hand.
The process of recovery begins. Like Michelle once said 'One thing's for sure, you can't force recovery. Because even if you feel ready to get back on your feet, it doesn't mean you are." Arnold and Spinelli promised Pep they'd be with her during her entire recovery and support her throughout the way…
We are inching closer and closer to the big event! Hope to see you stick around!