Surrera one-shot (English)

Mom, can you tell me the story of you and dad?

The sun was shining in Seattle and Andy and his daughter Emily were enjoying the afternoon in the park. For the past few weeks Andy had been quite busy at the station with work and could only be with her daughter for a short time in the evening when she came home. Emily's babysitter was a young girl that Andy had helped out on a shift and made her live in her house. Emily had grown fond of Julie and regarded her as her older sister. Andy was very happy that Emily had grown fond of her, because since Robert died, Andy and Emily's life has changed dramatically. He had gotten a lot of help from all of her friends, but it wasn't the same as having Robert by her side. Andy has always talked to Emily about her being her father, she told her all the moments he had spent with his little girl and, even if those moments were very few, they were really special and beautiful moments. Robert had died shortly before Emily was one year old and 7 years had passed since that day. Robert was a Marine before he became a firefighter and has always been available to continue helping. Emily was 9 months old when Robert was called on a mission, he didn't want to accept, but he had to. Ever since he left, Robert had been trying to call Andy as many times as he could, but at some point the communications were down and Andy was never able to talk to Robert again. After a few weeks some marines showed up at Andy's door saying that there had been an ambush and her husband was dead. In the ambush there had been a strong explosion and they had not been able to identify the bodies, but Robert was there and would never have returned home. When Andy and Emily got home, Julie wasn't there because she was going to spend the night out with some friends and the two girls got together to have a sleepover. They often had sleepovers and had a lot of fun. But that night Emily asked her mother something special.

Emily: "Mom, can you tell me the story of you and dad?"

Many times Andy had told her how they met and Emily loved hearing that story every time.

Andy: "Of course I'll tell you. Can you get the photo album?"

Emily: "Yes"

The little girl had gone to get her photo album and the stuffed animal her father had bought for her. Emily never separated from the teddy bear and when she was little she always took him with her wherever she went. Andy and Emily got on the sofa, the little girl snuggled up to her mother and Andy stroked her daughter's hair as she began to tell the story.

Andy: "Your dad and I worked together at Station 19 and we were both lieutenants while my dad was the Captain. Your father and I never got along very well and we spent a lot of time arguing because we both always wanted to be right. One day during a call, your grandfather was injured, your father tried to save him in all possible ways, putting his own life at risk, but when he arrived at the hospital, he died. Everyone thought I was going to blame dad for what happened, but I never did. He felt guilty for not saving him, but what happened wasn't his fault. Your father continued to feel guilty and in the days after your grandfather died, he came to my house every day bringing me food and stayed with me so that I would never be alone. From that moment we stopped fighting, he was the only person who understood how I felt. Although all your uncles came to me every day, I couldn't get along well with them, I wanted to be alone with your dad. He and I spent many days together sitting on the sofa without exchanging a single word, but it was enough for me that he was there. Even at your grandfather's funeral, your father was very helpful and we rang the bell together. They were very difficult days, but with him by my side, it was a little easier to deal with and we started living together. When I got back to work, uncle Luke wanted to promote me as Captain, but at the time, I didn't feel like being promoted and said dad would be the right person for the position. Everyone didn't believe what I had just done, but in that moment that was the right choice. I have never regretted those choices, because dad was an excellent Captain. That night to celebrate, he invited me out for dinner and then took me for a walk on the beach. Without realizing it we were holding hands and we were both happy. I think that evening we both realized that we fell in love with each other"