You Saved Me

Happy Birthday To Me

March 17th. My birthday. I hadn't told anyone at the 118 that today was my birthday. But I knew Bobby knew, he would've seen it on my transfer form. I just pray he hasn't done this big party or anything for me. I'm not really a fan of celebrating my birthday, I never have been. But, technically speaking, today marks one whole month I've been at the 118.

I'd gotten a message from my dad telling me to have a good day and I got another one from Levi, wishing me a happy birthday. Dani had surprised me with a locket necklace that had a picture of her in one side and a picture of Sadie, Jack and Levi in the other. I already hadn't slept well last night, or the night before for that matter, so I wasn't really in the mood to be talking about my birthday today.

I was pleased to see there were no 'Happy Birthday' banners hanging up anywhere as I walked into the firehouse and I walked upstairs, also seeing no banners or surprise cakes. It just looked normal. Although, I was the first one here so that didn't mean there wasn't something planned.

I just milled around the kitchen for about ten minutes, cleaning out the coffee pot and refilling it before Bobby walked up the stairs. "Morning" he greets and I mumble a reply, barely awake and in serious need of coffee. "You look like you need coffee" he smiles. "I do. You want some?" I ask and he nods. "Sure, thanks" he sits down at the island.

"So, before everyone else gets here, I want to give you this" Bobby pulls a small wrapped box out of his pocket. "What's this for?" I frown. "Your birthday. I haven't told anyone else, I wasn't sure if you celebrated or not" he explains as I take the box. "Bobby, you shouldn't have. I can't accept this. Really, it's okay. Just being here with you is enough for me" I shake my head. "With all of you" I add on quickly, realising how that sounded.

"Well, I don't need it and I can't return it so" he grins and I huff, opening the small box carefully, revealing a beautiful silver watch. "Bobby...this is beautiful!" I smile as I hold it up. "I remember you saying yours had broke and you couldn't fix it so I thought you'd like it" he shrugs. As I go to put it on, I see an engraving on the inside and I read it: 'Welcome to the 118'.

"Thank you, Bobby. Really, I mean it" I smile as I put the watch on, tightening it around my wrist. "You deserve it" he shrugs it off and I smile. "I wouldn't say that" I joke and he smiles, standing up. "Here, you go sit down. I'll make the coffee" he comes to stand next to me and I smile at him. "No, no, I got it" I shake my head, reaching for the mug. "CJ. Let me do this" Bobby grabbed my hand and moved it away from the cup.

"Alright" I concede, holding my hands up in surrender and leaning against the counter behind him, a small smile resting on my face as I watched him. "Why are you here so early?" Bobby asks after a moment of comfortable silence. "I'm not that early" I defend and he turns around, leaning against the opposite counter. "CJ, you're two hours early" he gives me a look and my eyes widen.

"Seriously?" I look down at my new watch, seeing that I am, in fact, two hours early. "I usually come in early to sort out any paperwork but I heard someone up here so I came up here too" he tells me and I nod. "Didn't realise I was that early" I chuckle softly. "Couldn't sleep?" he guesses and I nod.

"Is it the job? Or..." he stands up straight, a concerned look settling on his face. "No, I'm used to the job by now. It's the accident. It'll be five months in two days" I sigh. "6 years ago last November, I...I lost my family" Bobby says after a moment and I look up at him. "I'm so sorry" I shake my head.

"It was my fault. I lived in St. Paul, Minnesota and I hurt my back on one of the calls. I got addicted to alcohol and pain meds and one day I fell asleep up on the roof. I forgot to turn the space heater off and it shorted, catching the curtains on fire. By the time I woke up, the whole place was practically in flames. I tried to get to my wife and kids but the floor caved and I was dragged out by firefighters.