Trauma changes people. trauma changes everyone.
All rights for the 9-1-1 cast and all rights to most of the plot goes to ABC. New plots and new characters belong to me 🫶
Book continues in Apparition! 🫶
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LYDIA
The familiar scent of tomato sauce and baking crust waved through the air as I carefully balanced a tray of fresh pizzas, weaving between tables at the pizzeria. The restaurant was unusually quiet for this time of day, but I chalked it up to luck. With the recent chaos in my life, I wasn't complaining about a slow shift. My body still aches from the stay in the hospital, and though my seizures were under control, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin.
I had barely set the tray down when the lights suddenly dimmed, leaving me blinking in confusion. A moment later, music burst from the speakers, and the sound of familiar voices yelling, "Surpise!" filled the room.
I spun around, my heart skipping a beat as I took in the sight before me. The tables had been pushed aside, leaving room for a colorful banner that read Happy Birthday, Lydia! strung across the wall. Balloons floated above, a makeshift table covered in snacks, drinks, and, of course, pizza. How had they done this while I was in the kitchen? Am I that deaf?
And there were so many people. My friends, my dad, my 118 family, Athena, Maddie, Karen, Denny, May, Harry. Even Dahlia. She stood quietly near the back, her small frame almost hidden behind a cluster of balloons.
My throat tightened. My birthday had come and gone during my hospital discharge, when Bobby got shot. Either way, I hadn't expected much beyond a text or two. This? This was overwhelming in the best possible way.
"Oh my god," I breathed, pressing a hand to my mouth. "You guys..."
Julian was the first to step forward, grinning from ear to ear. "You didn't think we'd let your birthday go uncelebrated, did you?"
"Yeah," Isabelle chimed in, nudging Julian aside. "We figured you could use a little fun after... well everything."
Miles appeared at my side, slipping an arm around my waist. His familiar mischievous grin made my heart flutter. "Happy late birthday, love."
Before I could respond, Nathaniel swooped in, pulling both Miles and I into a bear hug. "You're stuck with us today. No work, no stress—just pizza and cake."
I laughed, overwhelmed by the sheer love around me. "I don't even know what to say. Thank you, all of you."
As the group began to mingle, my eyes landed on Dahlia, who was still standing off to the side, watching me with an uncharacteristically serious expression. Normally, Dahlia would've ran straight to me, clinging to me like glue. But today, she seemed hesitant.
I crouched down, meeting her gaze. "Hey, you," I said softly. "I've missed you. Come here!"
To my surprise, Dahlia hesitated for only a moment before launching herself into my arms, burying her face in my shoulder.
"I've missed you too." Dahlia murmured. "It's been so long."
I pulled back just enough to look at her, brushing a strand of hair from Dahlia's face. "I'm so glad to see you. I always think about you, you know that?"
