“Tell her.”
Captain Reyes stepped closer.
“The department submitted Tyler’s name for the Medal of Valor.”
I stared at him.
Tyler closed his eyes.
“Oh, come on.”
I looked at him.
“You knew?”
“I found out before the call.”
“You didn’t tell me?”
“I was going to.”
“When?”
“After the birthday cake.”
I laughed through my tears.
“You almost died and you were still worried about ruining my birthday surprise?”
Tyler shrugged.
“I didn’t want you to make a big deal.”
I stared at him.
“Tyler.”
“What?”
“I brought twelve balloons.”
“I noticed.”
“And a cake.”
“Also noticed.”
“And you thought I wasn’t going to make a big deal?”
He smiled.
“Fair point.”
The next morning, something happened that I will never forget.
The door opened.
Captain Reyes walked in.
Behind him came Grant.
Then another firefighter.
Then another.
And another.
They were carrying the cake.
My cake.
And the balloons.
The same balloons I’d left at the station.
Everyone was smiling.
Someone started singing.
Tyler immediately covered his face.
“No.”
I laughed.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Happy birthday.”
The entire room erupted.
Tyler looked at me.
His eyes were wet.
Not from pain.
Not from fear.
Something else.
Something deeper.
I leaned over and kissed him.
