Second Chance (PAW Patrol AU)

Prologue

Thunder shook the firehouse. Most of its occupants slept soundly, except for one. He sat in front of the fireplace, thinking. His foot tapped against the floor anxiously as many thoughts flooded his mind.

Why didn't you grab her?

You could have saved her life.

You're a failure.

He shut his eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered with a sob. He buried his face into his hands. "I'm so sorry..."

The floorboard creaked behind him. "Chase?" a small voice said. "Chase, what's wrong?"

He wiped his eyes and looked back at his wife. Clearing his throat, he said "N-nothing, Skye. Please, go back to bed."

Ignoring his plea, she walked into the living room and leaned into him on the loveseat. She drew her arm across his chest, rubbing her hand up and down as she breathed a heavy sigh. With her head against his shoulder, she could feel him trembling slightly. His heartbeat was erratic. "It wasn't your fault," she whispered. "It isn't anyone's fault."

"Tell that to Diane," he whispered. His cheek rested on her hair. It smelled sweet, like peaches. He took a shaky breath and sighed as tears left his eyes. He looked in every direction before squeezing his eyes shut, hugging Skye tightly, yet gently. "She was within my reach. If I had just-"

Skye pulled back, placed her hands on his cheeks and forced him to look into her eyes. "There was nothing you could do. It was out of your control."

He shook his head. "But-"

"No, Chase. Get it out of your head." She moved her hands down to his. "It's been a year, Chase. There's nothing you can do now to change anything." She sighed, looking down at her stomach. "I know it's hard to move on," she whispered.

Chase moved his hand, gently rubbing her stomach. "Skye, I-"

"Chase, don't," Skye snapped. "That wasn't your fault either." She cried, trying to push a fading memory out of her head.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd," the Doctor said as gently as possible. He removed his glasses, rubbing his temple. "I'm afraid you've had a miscarriage."

He pulled her close, hugging her tightly. "You would have been an amazing mother," he whispered.

She sobbed. "You would have been a great father," she whispered back.

They stayed like this all night long as the storm continued. The fire died out and Skye shivered. Chase, out of pure instinct, held her tighter as they spooned on the couch.

By morning, Chase had remembered what Marshall had told him, about Rocky. Over an early breakfast, he expressed his concerns with Skye, who calmly listened. She smiled, knowing that her husband was a compassionate man. Sure, he may have been a cop, but deep down, he was sweet.

Her miscarriage had brought darkness to the firehouse. Chase's accident brought even more depression. But, she noted the slight sparkle in his eyes when he spoke of the child. How he sounded like a genuine father.

"Okay," she said. "I want to meet him."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, you've convinced me. He sounds like he's had a tough time." She took his hand into hers. "Maybe we can change that."

~~~

FLASHBACK

As the belt snapped against his back, Rocky cried out in pain and fear. He hated when his mother and father drank. They always came home angry and, for no reason at all, took it out on him. "Mom! Dad! Please-"