“Sharp, do you copy?”
Nothing. Placing my hands on my stomach, I felt like I was going to be sick. “Copy, sir, I’ve got the woman and one small child. The roof collapsed between me and Ward.”
No. Preston, no!
At that moment, Captain Ryan turned and saw me. Walking over to a police officer, he said something and quickly walked away. Looking back toward the door, I saw Sharp coming out helping a woman and holding a small child. The police officer walked over and motioned for me to go with him.
“Ma’am, it’s best if you wait in my car.”
I grabbed his arm. “What? I’m not waiting in your car. My boyfriend is in that building. I want to know what is happening!” I yelled out.
His eyes turned compassionate. He was about to say something when there was a loud explosion on the top floor of the building. Grabbing me, he pushed me down and covered me up. All I heard were screams coming from everywhere.
“It’s going. Get these people back!” someone yelled. Standing, the officer helped me up. “Are you okay, miss?”
Tears streamed down my face as I looked back to the building. The whole fourth floor was in flames. Wrapping his arm around me, he led me away as I yelled, “No! Please, no. Preston! Please don’t do this to me again!” I screamed out.
Just before he brought me over to an ambulance, I saw someone coming out of the building. He was carrying two small children. I instantly knew it was Preston.
Dragging the police officer to a halt, I screamed out, “Preston!”
Looking at me, his eyes caught mine. “It’s him! Thank you, God, thank you!”
Turning to the police officer, I threw myself at him as he patted my back. “See, I told you everything would be okay.”
Pulling back, I glared at him before turning back to where Preston was. He was carrying one of the kids to an ambulance as he coughed. An EMS worker took the child from Preston and told him to get oxygen. Walking toward me, Preston smiled and I broke down in tears and ran to him. Slamming my body into his, I held him as tightly as I could.
“Preston. You’re okay! You’re okay!” It was the only thing I knew to say and I kept saying it over and over.
Finally, someone pulled Preston away and led him to an ambulance, where he was put on oxygen for a few minutes and checked out by EMS.
Standing by the police car, my eyes moved between the fire and Preston. I knew the moment the EMS tech said he was okay, he would go back to fighting the fire. Glancing back at the building, I was shocked it was still standing. The fire was starting to get contained, but I had no idea how long it would take to get it to a hundred percent containment.
My arm felt a rush of energy run through it as Preston touched me. Turning, I fought to hold back my tears. “Preston.”
Pulling me to him, Preston moved his lips to my ear. “I’m okay, baby. I promise you, I’m okay.”
Holding him tighter, I said, “Please don’t go back in. Preston, promise me you won’t go back in!” My voice was laced with fear and panic.
Rubbing his hand up and down my back, Preston said, “I promise you, baby. I’m not going back in, but I do have to get back and help.” Pulling back and holding me out at arm’s length so he could look at me, he said, “Look into my eyes, Harmony.”
I did as he asked, and he smiled that smile that melted my heart. “I promise you. Do you believe me?”
Nodding, I said, “Yes.”
I wasn’t even sure how long I had been standing there watching the fire and keeping an eye on Preston.
When another engine showed up to relieve Engine 37, I breathed out a sigh of relief. When a different police officer asked me if I needed a ride home, I shook my head and said no. “I live just a few blocks down Comm Avenue.”
Preston walked up to me and pulled me into his arms. He was covered in soot and smelled of smoke.
“I love you, Harmony.”
Feeling my heart ache again for the hundredth time that day, I forced myself to answer him back. “I love you, too, Preston. So very much.”
“I’ll be home in a few hours. Do you want to come to the station and wait, or are you going home?”
Swallowing hard, I said, “I’m going home. I’ll see you there? I mean, you’re done, right? You’re not going back in or—”