After a few rounds of pool that were definitely teases of what was to come the next time we were alone, Shane and I went up to the meeting area and just sat at the tables while Shane told me about the crazy stupid people he dealt with first thing in the morning. We spent the next hour like this until Molly’s squeal interrupted us.

“Uncle Luke!”

I barely managed to catch her since I was blushing at Alison. She walked up to us set the pizza down and glared at us with her arms crossed. Molly was of course oblivious. I heard the doors to the garage open and watched as Steven and Mary walked in only to freeze at the scene. I looked back at Alison and watched her eyes narrow on me.

“um…” Mary started “Hey there Molly, I have some new coloring books in the break room.” Molly slid off my lap and followed Mary and Steven into the break room where they shut the door.

Alison didn’t speak and it just made the embarrassment and awkwardness rise and I knew I was blushing more when the incident replayed in my head. Something finally broke in me.

“Say something Woman!” Alison looked at me and frowned and I just returned her frown. “Don’t look at me like that. I did what you suggested and I’m sorry if I lost and we ended up on the couch instead of the basement bedroom like I had planned. I thought you wouldn’t be home since you were with Marcus. How was I supposed to know you two were going to end up at your house instead of his?”

“What Luke is trying to say is we are sorry that we didn’t respect your home more.” Shane said softer than my outburst.

“I’m not sorry.” I frowned at her and she just raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m happy with what we did, my pride is a little dented that I didn’t win, but still.” I huffed out an annoyed breath. Glaring at Alison I watched as her frown and glare broke and she flat out grinned at us. My jaw dropped, as I watched her smile like that ornery teenager she used to be.

“I’m not mad. A little weirded out, but I’m not mad. I’m glad to have my brother back. And if I get another brother with his happiness then I’ll be ecstatic.” She grabbed the pizza and left for the lower level.

“She is genuinely happy.” I said still shocked, to Shane. I glanced at him and watched as he smiled and nodded his head.

“Told you.” I shoved his arm as I rolled my eyes. Suddenly Mary came running from the break room and dashed into the women’s bathroom with a hand on her mouth and another on her stomach.

“She has been nauseous all day.” Shane whispered.

“Alcohol not settle with her stomach well?” I asked him.

“No. she didn’t drink at all last night, is what she told me. She actually said she slept through the New Year and ever since she woke up this morning she has been nauseous.” Shane frowned at the bathroom door before his head tilted a little. “How long has it been since thanksgiving?” he mumbled. I did the calculations in my head.

“About six weeks.” I mumbled back. Shane’s eye widened before he looked at me and smiled.

“I know why she is sick.” He said proudly.

“What?” I frowned at him.

“She is nauseous six weeks after the sleepover at your sister’s house. Think about it.” I replayed Thanksgiving Day in my head, but skipped to the evening. Lucas was making Jason jealous. Jason danced with Mary. Jason kissed her into a room. Jason left in the morning after marking her as the one. I looked back at Shane with wide eyes.

“He didn’t.” I whispered. “He is always protected.” Shane just smiled.

“I take it he wanted insurance on the note. Mary is pretty stubborn” Shane chuckled before he got up and made coffee. Grumbling made me look to the stairs as Rick and Cole came up the steps and then went straight for the bunk room, but not before I caught what they grumbled about.

“Why didn’t he tell her we were there too?” Rick whined.

“I didn’t need to hear Ali say that to him.” Cole groaned.

I looked back at the steps I put things together and quickly got up.

“Don’t kill him.” Shane laughed as I stormed down the steps. I barged into the firefighter bunk room.

“There it is!” I yelled using the pizza as I lure for them to leave the privacy of the room, and join civilization. I left the piece that was already bitten before I stormed back out. Smiling I carried the pizza back up and relaxed in the chair beside Shane as we both grabbed slices. Shane chuckled at me and I just shrugged. I had gotten there just in time, since Marcus had Alison pinned against the wall and she looked ready to devour him.

Soon after they came up Shane and I just enjoyed watching the scenes in front of us, though his hand on my thigh distracted me to where Alison had to call my name twice.

“yes?” I said dazed. Alison just rolled her eyes.

“I asked if you could take Molly home and watch over her tonight since Mary is sick and I’m already here.” I frowned at her.

“What do I get in return? This is last minute.” I said sternly. Alison just raised an eyebrow at me.

“Does my Lemon Meringue pie cover the cost?” I looked thoughtful about it before I knew I could get more out of the deal.

“Lemon Meringue Pie, and” she groaned a little “your Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte” I smiled in satisfaction when she nodded.

“Alright, I’ll make you both if you take Molly home now. She needs to get to bed soon.” I growled at her before Shane’s hand on my leg squeezed and made me look at him. I saw the understanding in his eyes.

“Go on. Molly is important, and I can still text or call you.” He said to me in a hushed voice. I nodded and then got up to gather Molly’s backpack. Once I had Molly in the car I started to get in when Shane’s hand on my shoulder startled me a little. I noticed that he has been getting better at sneaking around near me.

“Did I forget something?” I said frowning back at the building.

“Yes.” He said firmly as he backed me up against the car frame. “This.” He said right before his lips locked on mine. I groaned from the contact and let a hand slide up and grip his hair to keep him there. I took me a moment to relax when he pulled away, but the look in his eyes told me that he was now just as frustrated as I was.

“I’ll come over to your place once I know you are there and not at Alison’s.” he said on a hushed voice before he kissed me gently and walked away. I smiled as I slipped into the driver’s seat.

Part of the way to Alison’s house I noticed that Molly was for once silent.

“You okay Molly?” I said glancing back at her in the rear view mirror.

“Yes.” She said softly.

“What’s wrong?” I said noticing the small voice she spoke with.

“Is Mr. Shane going to be my new Uncle?” She asked cautiously. I felt my jaw drop a little from how smart Molly was turning out to be, let alone observant. Sighing I looked at her in the mirror and saw that she had no emotion on her face, and that made me pause while I looked back at the road.

“I’m not sure Molly.”

“Why? He makes you happy. I haven’t seen you smile this much before unless it was at me.” reluctantly I smiled.

“I believe it is Shane’s decision right now Molly. I wouldn’t mind having him be your new uncle.”

“So you are going to marry him?” I chuckled at her boldness.

“Only if he asks.” I whispered to her as fear itched at me. Shane didn’t know it but by just me telling him that I loved him, that he was the one. I have never told anyone that I loved them. That would be giving my whole heart to them. I did it with Shane because he had my heart way before I knew he did.

Glancing back at Molly I saw her satisfying smile on and I knew that I was in the clear. Now…My mind thought.

“What about Marcus, Molly?”

“Mr. Marcus is nice. He is always making sure I’m happy. He makes Mommy happy. I love daddy, but since daddy is gone I want Marcus to be my new daddy since he makes Mommy happy and makes her smile and sing with me.”

“I think he will become your new daddy whether your uncles and I like it or not.” I mumbled.

Soon after we got home, Molly’s things were prepared for school the next day. So she changed, bathed, and went to bed. Once she was down I went to the library/ piano room and looked through Alison’s collection again. I found an interesting story so I read it while I tried to relax and let my body tire out. About part of the way through the story I felt my phone vibrate. Looking at the time I saw that it was only ten and Shane had texted me.

House fire. Call you after.

K. Be safe. I sent back before I put my phone back and went back to reading. I finished the book and put it back about an hour later. So I headed upstairs and laid down on the guest bed. Staring up at the ceiling I felt my phone vibrate again so, still looking up, I grabbed it and flipped it open. The message had me sitting straight up in a flash.

Second floor collapsed with Marcus. Rescue in progress. I’m holding Alison. She is hysteric.

“Oh no.” I whispered. All the hurt Alison would have to re-endure if Marcus passed as well. One thing that she has never told anyone up here is that she was on the EMT crew with the fire Anthony died in. This will kill her. I thought rubbing my forehead. Mom will end up taking Molly since Alison wouldn’t be able to avoid the darkness this time. She isn’t that strong. I cursed as I put my head between my knees on the edge of the bed and just prayed. He has to make it. Alison is happy.

“Anthony, Hear my prayer. Keep Marcus alive, if anything for Alison’s sake. You saved Molly, Save Marcus.” I whispered into the empty room. I felt so helpless just sitting there in the darkness.

All those years of torturing him were to protect Alison, now… He needs the protection.

Opening my eyes I quickly sent a message to my brothers, knowing that Shane texted me, so I could tell the others while he restrained Alison. I opened a group message to them.

Luke: Guys… Marcus…

Jake: Did he finally mess up?

Jason: I’ll beat his face in

Lucas: Spill so we can plan

Luke: Alison is in hysterics, so Shane is restraining her at the scene.

Jake: Wait what?

Lucas: What’s going on dude?

Jason:… It’s happened again… hasn’t it.

Luke:…

Jake: Shit!

Lucas: please tell me the bastard lived so I can beat him for scaring Ali

Luke: I don’t have many details, Shane said Marcus fell through a second floor and Shane is holding Ali back while she is hysteric.

Jason: Damn.

Lucas: Keep us in touch

Jake: how long till they get to him?

Luke: I’ll let you know when I get more details. Prepare for a hospital trip.

The guys went silent after that and I knew they were feeling the guilt that I was. We were never nice to the guy, even while he was making Alison happy. He didn’t care about pleasing us; just Alison. That’s all he ever cared about, minus Molly.

It felt like forever until I got the text from Shane that they were headed to the hospital. Quickly gathering things for Molly, I carried her sleeping body to the car and started driving for the hospital. When we parked Molly woke up.

“Uncle Luke?” she said as she rubbed her eyes.

“Sorry Molly, we are at the hospital again. Your mommy is going to need you.” I said before going around and getting her out of the car. With her backpack on my shoulder and her wrapped around my chest still half asleep and in her pajamas and her coat, we walked for the emergency room entrance.

I found Alison sitting with Shane. Once I had Molly in Alison’s lap I sent a text to the others for which hospital.

“Is he okay?” I asked closing my phone. Alison tear streaked eyes looked up at me and smiled.

“Anthony saved him.” She said lifting her hand and opening it. There in her hand was the silver locket I remember Anthony showing us for a gift for Alison. I remember it being lost during the move.

“Where did you find it?” I whispered. At her silence I looked up to meet her eyes.

“Marcus came out of there with it in his hand.” She whispered. “He didn’t go in with it.” My eyes widened at her before I looked at Shane and saw that he had the same expression.

“So he is okay?” I whispered a little freaked out and needing a distraction. Alison nodded.

“A few cracked ribs, deep lacerations, concussion, sprained ankle, and bad smoke inhalation. Other than that, he is alive.” She went back to holding Molly, as the little angel slept.

I stood up and walked to the windows and looked for my brother’s cars. I felt Shane come to stand beside me.

“You looked close to panic.” He whispered. I sighed and looked at him released my crossed arms.

“I was. Horrible things would have happened if he too had died in that fire and Alison had to watch again.” I saw his eyebrows skyrocket. “Yea, she doesn’t tell anyone that. She was the EMT on scene for the fire she lost Anthony in, and she was riding in the ambulance when he coded the first time.”

“No wonder she freaked.” He whispered before releasing a breath. I saw something shift in him just as he looked at me with a smirk. “You were worried about Marcus because you approve of him.”

I just stared at him for what seemed like forever until movement in the window caught my eye. Jason, Jake, and Lucas were all walking fast to the emergency entrance.

“I’m not the only one.” I whispered before I greeted my brothers and filled them in. An hour and a half passed before Alison was called back, and then we went in pairs to see Marcus. I did admit to him that I was glad he was safe and that he better not pull a stunt like that again. I then shook his non cut hand and then left with Shane who needed a ride back to the station for his jeep. Instead I took him back to my house. He didn’t protest, but he did control what happened as soon as we walked through the doorway.