BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 28

I had read the framed photo. And a paper clip, about his family's history with the fire service. But you didn't expect him to share such a personal conversation with me. "Yet you do the same job that killed your dad and brother?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. Lewis looks at you with a sad smile. "What can I say, it runs in the family. My grandfather, my uncle, my dad, my older brother, and now me and Jack. We all joined the fire service. My sister took after our mom." You can feel the weight of the sacrifices that Lewis and his family have made for the greater good. You can't imagine the pain and grief they must have endured, yet they still chose to continue the legacy. "And you know what? I'm pretty sure that your parents know what an amazing life their daughter is leading down here, and are looking down with beaming proud smiles on their faces, just like my dad and brother are looking over me," Lewis says, his eyes sparkling with emotion. I feel a lump form in my throat as I realize the true meaning of being a firefighter. It's not just about saving lives, it's about honouring those who have given their own lives for the job. "I'm so glad we got to spend time together and had this chat," Lewis says, breaking the momentary silence. "I, umm, kind of had a look on the internet again this morning." my eyebrows raise in surprise. "Go on? Ask what you want. You obviously saw the photos that got leaked."

Lewis sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "They were taken by an ex when I first started at the theatre. I'm surprised it took him this long to post them."
"The photos were clearly meant to be private, and now they were being used to shame and humiliate me".
"I'm sorry to bring it up, it's just, well, nude and sexual isn't something you want people to see," Lewis says sympathetically. I chuckle a hint of bitterness in my tone. "No shit. But I have my agent on it. He's trying to get them taken down." Lewis nods, understanding the struggle of dealing with internet trolls and haters. "I don't even bother reading the comments, most are haters anyway. Those photos were taken to spice up our relationship at the time, and now I'm paying for it."

"You tried to be adventurous, and for that you should never feel ashamed," Lewis said,
It was a moment of impulsiveness, but it had left me feeling vulnerable and exposed. "Thanks, but I'm more worried about what Oliver will think when he's older," I replied. "Will people tease him when they find out his mother posed nude?"
"When he's old enough, we can tell him the truth. And I think he'll be proud of you," Lewis reassured me. "Hold your head high, those things die down eventually." I couldn't help but worry about the judgment of others, but Lewis was right. I had to let go of my insecurities and embrace my choices.
"So, did you look at the photos?" I asked, curious to know his thoughts. Lewis chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Why would I need to? I've got a well-working memory. Why take a peek at something when I've already seen, touched, and experienced it?" I couldn't help but laugh at his response. Lewis always had a way of making me feel less self-conscious and more confident in my decisions.

"What am I going to do with you, Captain Mitchell?" I  laughed lightly.
Lewis grinned back at me—a smile that seemed to brighten even the dullest corners of my heart. "Whatever you would like," he replied playfully.  "But I'll be honest," he continued. "I did have a look." He raised an eyebrow teasingly. "I'm only human after all."
"Lewis!" I gasped dramatically, feigning offence but unable to suppress a smile creeping onto my lips.  He chuckled softly before turning serious again. "But those photos? They were for your eyes only—nobody else should have business seeing them."

My laughter faded momentarily as reality crept back in—the weight of judgment still bore down on my shoulders like an unwanted cloak. Just then, Lewis pulled me  into a warm embrace that felt like home amidst the chaos swirling around me  "My dad always said when you're on the floor," he murmured into my hair, "the only way is up."  His words wrapped around me like an invisible shield against negativity—the kind of protection only someone who truly cared could offer. I inhaled deeply; his scent—a mix of fresh linen and something uniquely him—filled my lungs and made everything feel right again.

"Just you keep that pretty head up winter, those tweets and Memes the hate messages. They don't define you. None of that defines you. Who you are as a person. You are who you are and what matters most is the people that know and love you know that you are the most amazing woman and mother and someday wife to some lucky fucker that wins your heart." Lewis said

My heart fluttered at his words—a rush of warmth flooding through every corner of doubt within myself. "Thank you, Lewis," I  said softly yet sincerely; gratitude bubbled within as if each word were infused with light.  He took a step back and then flashed his trademark grin once more: mischievous yet inviting—like sunlight breaking through clouds after rain. "Now come on! We're meant to be jogging."
I giggled at his eagerness.  When I hold you, I feel like I'm holding the strongest woman to walk this earth, so please prove me right."
"Thank you, now come on! Il race ya." I said as I started running. 

I jogged alongside Lewis, my heart swelling not just from exertion but from something deeper—a connection forged in shared moments and laughter. His tousled hair caught the light, framing his face as we both pushed our limits under the open sky.
  "You're right ok, Captain Mitchell? Can't you keep up?" I teased breathlessly as he slowed to a halt, hands resting on his knees while his chest rose and fell rapidly.  I let out a laugh that echoed around us like music.

"Yeah! It's just my side," Lewis replied between breaths. "I fell a while ago and bruised my ribs; they hurt now and then when I overdo it." The admission hung in the air for a moment, heavy with vulnerability yet oddly freeing.  I straightened myself up slowly, concern knitting my brows together. "You should have said something earlier! We could have taken it easy." I  stepped closer to him as if I could shield him from any pain or discomfort—an instinctual protector drawn by unspoken feelings.  "It's fine," Lewis assured me with a smile that felt genuine despite my fatigue. "It's nice to be out here with you."

"How did you fall exactly?" I asked casually, crossing my arms over my chest as if bracing myself for what was about to unfold.  His eyes flickered with memories, deep pools reflecting both heroism and vulnerability. "I fell during a rescue," he began slowly. "I was walking down the ladder—heavy rain pouring down—and I had this little girl over my shoulder." He paused, drawing in a breath that felt heavy with unspoken weight. "My foot slipped and we fell; I took the impact of the fall."  I gasped at his revelation. There it was—the raw truth behind those brave blue eyes that always seemed to sparkle despite their shadows. "Wow," I whispered, admiration swelling within me like an unstoppable tide. "You really are a hero."  Lewis chuckled softly but there was something bittersweet in his laughter—a hint of humility mixed with pain that made my heart ache for him just a little more. But I really did admire Lewis for that, he really is a hero all firefighters are and hearing the stories I've been told over the last few weeks, they need more than a medal they need hero status because that is really what they are. 

As we made our way back to our cars, I felt a familiar flutter in my chest; it was always there when I was around him—a mix of admiration and something deeper that I had yet to fully understand.  "Are you on the night shift again?" I asked, glancing sideways at his profile as he fumbled with his keys, his fingers brushing against them nervously.  "Yeah," he replied softly, a hint of weariness creeping into his voice. "But it's okay." He paused for a moment before continuing, an earnest look flickering across his features. "Umm... can we maybe sort out a day so I could take Oliver out somewhere? If that's okay with you, obviously."

"Oliver would love that," I said finally, allowing myself to smile back at him. It wasn't just about Oliver; it was about how effortlessly Lewis wove himself into our lives without even realizing it.  A shy smile crept onto Lewis's face as he looked down at his shoes for a brief second before meeting my gaze again.

"We can sort something out," I added as we resumed walking toward our respective cars parked side by side under an old oak tree whose leaves rustled gently in the breeze.  Lewis nodded appreciatively but didn't speak further; instead, there was an unspoken understanding hanging heavily between us—a promise of possibilities yet untold.  "I will talk to you tomorrow," I said as we reached my car. "Go home and have some rest."   With one last glance exchanged—his hazel eyes shimmering under sunlight—I climbed into my car while he settled into his own vehicle beside mine. We waved goodbye awkwardly before driving off into different directions;