ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

5. Happy new year

P.O.V. MAYA BISHOP

The clock was set at 9pm and Station 19 was vibrating with an energy that I knew well. It was New Year's Eve, and although we were all on duty, the place was more lively than usual. Every year, the celebrations became a kind of tradition among us. Some family and friends appeared to join our small "firemen's family", transforming the station environment into a unique mix of work and party.

I was just finishing the table in the rest room, where we spread out the food that each had brought. The smell of home-made food filled the air, mixing with the familiar aroma of the coffee season. My eyes wandered through the room, watching how the place, which usually housed strategic discussions and emergency meetings, had become a space for socializing.

Miranda was sitting in one of the chairs, talking cheerfully with Joey, while Tuck and Pru ran around the table, laughing and playing as if it were an amusement park. Their presence always brought a lightness to the environment, and I knew that everyone there felt the same.

Jack was across the room, laughing loudly with Marsha. The connection between them was palpable, and I knew how much Gibson valued that relationship. For him, she were more than a mother of consideration - she was a rock, a constant figure in his life that had always been there for him.

- This is more like a family party than a fire station on call! - Vic exclaimed, laughing as he put another tray of snacks on the table. She had just arrived with Travis and Dominic, and the smile on her face was contagious.

- And that's how it has to be! - Montgomery agreed, hugging the boyfriend side - After all, if we are going to spend the turn of the year here, it is in the best possible way.

- I totally agree! - Theo added, entering the room with Anne-Marie next to him. The vet was a new presence, but she seemed to fit perfectly into the group. She and Ruiz had recently started dating, and I could see in his eyes how happy he was.

As I looked around, a wave of satisfaction invaded me. That's exactly how I wanted to start the new year: surrounded by the people who meant the most to me. But there was a special presence that I was eagerly awaiting.

The moment my thoughts turned to Carina and Liam, I heard the familiar sound of the station door opening, and my heart jumped. I knew it was her. When I turned, there was my wife, carrying the little one sideways on her lap already by her belly, both wrapped up against the cold of the night in Seattle.

- Look who's here! - I exclaimed, running to welcome them.

Carina smiled at me, and the tiredness seemed to disappear when we met. I leaned over to kiss her, enjoying the warmth of her lips as our baby looked around with her big curious eyes, trying to understand what was going on.

- Sorry for the delay - she said, as I stroked Liam's little face - Traffic was crazy out there, everyone trying to get somewhere for New Year.

- No need to apologize - I replied, with a smile - The important thing is that you are here now.

Liam began babbling happily, stretching his little hands towards me. He was growing so fast, and every new sound he made was a small victory for us. I pulled him and he immediately grabbed my finger, as if to make sure that I would not go anywhere.

- Ma-ma-ma! - he repeated, looking at me with those bright little eyes that always melted my heart.

- He's trying to talk, isn't he? - Carina commented, proud, as she watched him play with my finger.

- Yes, and soon he will be running around here and going up the stairs like the little adventurer that he is - I replied, laughing.

Carina and I joined the group, and Liam was quickly greeted with smiles and jokes by everyone. Pru ran to him, always excited to interact with his younger "buddy". They were already starting to create a lovely bond, and seeing it warmed my heart.