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“We’re getting married in 6 days and I haven’t met his sister yet. That’s weird right? That’s weird.” TK was pacing up and down the firehouse kitchen and Nancy was close to strangling him.
“You’re meeting her tomorrow, aren’t you? So even if it was weird, it’s not anymore.” She looked to the rest of the crew for help.
“Yeah… but what if she doesn’t like me? What if she thinks I’m not good enough for Carlos?” TK paused and ran a hand through his hair. “I hurt him so much with the loft… What if she hates me? What if she’s going to tell Carlos not to marry me?”
“Dude, stop stressing, Carlos really isn’t going to call off the wedding at the last minute because his sister doesn’t like you.” Nancy sighed.
“What if she’s going to make him choose between her and me?”
“Why would she? And what makes you think Carlos wouldn’t choose you?”
“Yeah man, I’ve never seen two people more in love than you and Carlos.” Paul chimed in and the others agreed.
“Exactly.” Nancy said, putting her hands on TK’s shoulders. “So stop stressing. You’re going to marry that man in a week and -”
“Six days.” TK interrupted and Nancy rolled her eyes at him.
“You’re going to marry that man in 6 days and everything will be fine and you’ll be your own horribly loved up selves and calling each other husband all the time.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Yeah.”
“Of course I’m right.” Nancy sat down again. “I’m always right.”
“Hmm… Maybe I should buy some flowers?”
“For the sister?”
“Yes? I bought flowers for Andrea when I officially met her and Gabriel for the first time…”
“I suppose that could be a nice touch…”
“But then I’d have to buy flowers for Andrea and his other sister too. And then I’d show up with just three bouquets and nothing for Gabriel? I should get something for him too right?”
“Maybe forget about the presents. Just be yourself. I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Judd told him. “You already know his parents, those are the ones you want to have on board.”
“And they love you. I’ve never heard anyone use as many pet names as Andrea Reyes any time she’s near you.” Paul pointed out.
TK nodded.
He knew his friends were right, but he couldn’t help but worry. He wanted the whole of Carlos’ family to like him.
“Look, the way I see it, you’re marrying Carlos, not his family.” Judd said, trying to get through to TK.
“I know… but I want them to like me. He’s had such a complicated relationship with his family, I don’t want to ruin that when he’s finally in a good place with them.”
“And why wouldn’t they like you? You’re a little shit sometimes but you’ve got a good heart.”
“And Carlos loves you.” Nancy reminded him.
TK bit his lip.
“I hate it when you go all rational on me and start making sense.” He said and everyone laughed.
Suddenly Tommy came running down the stairs.
“Medical, gear up, we have to go.”
“What? Why? I haven’t heard the bell?” Nancy commented.
“It’ll ring soon. There was a car accident nearby. At least two cars involved, drivers statuses unknown as of yet. Let’s go.”
“Wait, cap… how do you know?”
“I was on the phone with Grace when it happened.”
“Gracie was in an accident?” Judd asked, worried.
“No, she just saw it happen on the way home from her shift. She’s fine Juddy.” Tommy patted his chest. “Ok medical, let’s go!”
Just as they were getting into the ambulance, the alarm went off, calling not only medical but also fire and rescue to the accident.
“Must’ve been a big crash.” Nancy commented, buckling her seat belt. “But hey, maybe Carlos will be at the scene too and he can tell you to stop worrying.”
“Yeah, maybe. Depends on where in the city he is… they send the unit that’s closest to these things.” TK said, checking the mirrors before starting the engine. “You know he’s working up until the day before the wedding?!”
“So? As long as he’s not working the day of… I don’t see the problem.” Nancy shrugged, putting on gloves as they pulled out of the station and made their way to the scene of the accident.
APD was already on the scene, though unfortunately Carlos was on crowd control and couldn’t give them more than a quick nod in passing.
An officer TK recognised from the APD barbeque brought them up to speed.
“We’re hearing that guy ran a red light and crashed into the other car. The driver seems mostly in one piece, though likely under the influence, the passenger wasn’t wearing a seat belt so that got kind of ugly.” The officer told them and pulled a mildly disgusted face. “My kids are never getting in a car without their seatbelt on… or their feet on the dashboard.”
“Right. And the other car?” Tommy asked.
“One driver, a pregnant woman, she’s stuck. The airbag deployed but the car is pretty banged up. She’s awake and responsive though.”
“Ok. Nancy you go check out the drunk driver and the passenger, TK and I will take the pregnant woman.” Tommy decided. “And radio for a second ambulance.”
“Got it cap.” Nancy replied and went with the officer as TK and Tommy went to check out the other driver.
“Hi there, my name is Tommy, this is TK, what’s your name?”
“Luisa.”
“Hi Luisa, how far along are you?”
“Almost 8 months... My doctor said I was still ok to travel.”
“I don’t think your doctor thought any of this would happen.” TK said as he tried to get into the car from the other side.
“Are you in any pain?” Tommy asked the woman.
“I… uh… a little I guess. My legs… I can’t move my legs. And I’m having cramps… and I think… I uh… wet myself… in the crash… but it can’t be labour yet, can it?”
“Let’s hope not.” Tommy said, giving the woman a reassuring smile. “Judd, I need your guys here to get Luisa out!”
“I need to get a c-collar on her but I can’t get in.” TK told Judd. “Can you guys open up the door on the other side first?”
“We can do that.” Judd confirmed and took a quick look at the state of the car. “This thing is pretty banged up, but we can do it. We can take the roof off.”
“No, please don’t. This is a rental.” Luisa told them. “I’m only in town for my brother’s wedding.”
“I’m sorry ma’am, but I don’t think you’ll be getting your deposit back in any case.” Judd replied. “Just hang tight, we’ll have you out in a tick.” He said and started instructing his team.
“Is there anyone we can call for you?” TK asked. “Partner? Family? Your brother?”
“No… the baby’s father is… not around… And my family… don’t know… I’m coming today. They’re not… expecting me… until tomorrow. My brother… is getting married… this weekend.”
“Are you having trouble breathing?” Tommy asked, noticing the slight shortness of breath as the woman was speaking.
“Uhm… a little. That’s bad… isn’t it?”
“It’s not ideal… but you’re in good hands. Try to stay calm.”
TK had managed to break the window on the passenger’s side and climbed into the car to put a c-collar on the woman’s neck.
“This will protect your neck and spine.” He explained as he quickly examined her. “Her legs are pinned cap, they’ll have to take the whole engine apart. No other visible injuries.” He turned to Luisa. “Can I touch your belly? To check on the baby.”
“Yeah, ok.” She replied and TK carefully put his hands on her belly, feeling for injuries, before grabbing his stethoscope and listening to both her heart and that of the baby.
“Your heart rate is a little fast, but that’s understandable.”
“And the baby?”
“Nothing unusual as far as I can tell.” He gave her a smile and climbed back out. “Diminished breath sounds, possible pneumothorax. Baby seems alright but I couldn’t get a clear heartbeat.” He told Tommy quietly. “We need to get her out quick.”
Tommy nodded and looked through the purse she’d found.
“Oh honey I’ve found your purse. Your phone is still in one piece. Do you have any medication in here you need? Any allergies?”
“I don’t… think… so…”
“Ok, that’s good. That’s what we like.” Tommy said and looked at Luisa’s driver’s license. “Uh Luisa, what is your brother’s name?” She asked, leaning into the car and taking her hand. Both to try and distract her and to check her pulse.
“Carlos… why? Do you know him?”
Tommy nodded.
“I believe I do. Is he an officer with APD?”
“Yes…”
“And do you know the name of the person he’s marrying?”
“Cap…”
“Uhm… it’s a double name… Tyler… I think… but he goes by… a nickname…”
“TK?”
“Yes, that’s it…”
TK pointed at the name on his uniform.
“Hi.”
“Oh… Uhm… Hi.”
“I think you’ve just met your soon to be brother in law.” Tommy said, amused. “Probably not the way you planned.”
“Not really…” Luisa craned her neck to look past Tommy to TK. “Is Carlos here too?”
“He’s on crowd control. Do you want me to go get him?”
“No… he’s working. It’s ok.”
TK nodded and glanced in the direction where he’d just seen Carlos.
“Ok, we’re ready to move.” Judd told them. “Do you need more hands, Tommy?”
“Yes, your guys can help transfer her onto the gurney.”
A few minutes later Luisa was being strapped in and carefully loaded onto the ambulance. Tommy quickly climbed in with her, stopping TK when he wanted to climb in after her.
“I can help Cap.” He protested
Tommy gave him a slightly exasperated look.
“TK, I need to examine her. We need some privacy.”
“Oh. Right. Got it, Cap.”
“Just go help Nancy with the other driver, I’ll radio when I’m done and we’re moving out.”
TK nodded and did as he was told, only not even 10 minutes later Tommy’s voice came over the radio, ordering both him and Nancy back to the ambulance.
“Everything alright back there, cap?” TK replied via the radio.
“The baby is impatient, she’s in labour. We need to get to hospital now.”
They rushed back and jumped in the ambulance, TK behind the wheel, Nancy in the back with Tommy.
They almost made it to hospital when Nancy banged on the little window behind TK’s head and told him to pull over.
“The baby is coming now. We need you back here.”
He parked the ambulance in the first available place he could find and quickly opened the back to help out.
“TK, come sit here and hold her hand.” Tommy ordered, getting up from her own seat to make room for him.
He did as he was told and grabbed Luisa’s hand.
“I know it’s scary but try to stay calm. Captain Vega and Nancy are badasses. They’re the best.”
Luisa nodded and squeezed his hand on another contraction.
“You’re doing great honey.” Tommy told her. “Your baby will be here soon.”
Not long after that, TK was wrapping a baby boy in a blanket after Tommy had quickly checked him over.
“Are you sure you don’t want to let your family know now? I can call Carlos. Or your mom.” He carefully passed the baby to Luisa.
“Ok… call Carlos.”
TK nodded and grabbed his phone and called Carlos’ number.
“Hey babe. Slow shift?” He answered almost right away.
“No, not exactly. Where are you?”
“On my way to the precinct. We just wrapped up at that accident. Why?”
“How fast can you get to hospital?”
“Hospital? TK what’s happened? Are you ok? Please don’t tell me we have to cancel the wedding because you got hurt?”
“No don’t worry baby, I’m fine.”
“Then what’s wrong?” Carlos asked and TK heard him moving around.
“Nothing’s really wrong. I just… I met your sister. Luisa.”
Carlos let out a sigh of relief.
“I don’t think so babe, she’s not coming until tomorrow.”
“No, she’s definitely here…” TK told him, trying to decide just how much of the rest of the day’s events he should tell him. “She was in an accident. We’re on the way to the hospital now.”
“Is she ok? Do my parents know?”
“No not yet. She asked me to call you.”
“Ok. Ok I’m on my way. Tell her I’m on my way. Are you going to Northwest?”
“Yeah, we’re maybe 5 minutes out. Drive safe baby.”
“Yeah, yeah, you too. Love you. Bye.”
As soon as they got to hospital, both Luisa and the baby were met by a team of doctors and nurses.
“We’ll take it from here.” One of the nurses said as they transferred Luisa to a hospital gurney.
“Wait, I’m family. I’m her brother.” TK said and a doctor looked back and forth between him and Luisa. “Brother in law, ok?” he said annoyed. “Can I come with her?”
“Sorry, medical staff only beyond these doors.” A nurse stepped in front of him. “I’ll come update you as soon as I can.”
“I am medical staff.” TK pointed at the logo on his uniform.
“Yes, but not in this hospital.” The nurse explained calmly. “As soon as I know anything, you’ll know too.” She gave him a quick smile and disappeared through the double doors leading to the ER.
“I’ve taken us off shift for now.” Tommy said, putting a hand on TK’s shoulder. “We’ll wait with you until Carlos gets here. And if you want us to stay after that, we’ll stay.”
“Thanks cap.”
Not long after the three of them had sat down, Carlos rushed into the hospital.
“TK! What happened? Is she ok?”
“She got hit by a drunk driver. The car was smashed up pretty badly but she was awake and responsive.” TK told him, rattling off facts like he would updating Tommy or Nancy. “Her legs were pinned under the steering column but nothing life threatening as far as I could tell.”
“Ok. Ok. Where is she now? Can I see her?”
“The doctors took her through to treat her. I’m sure someone will be out to update us soon. Why don’t you take a seat.” Tommy told him. “You know what hospitals are like.”
Carlos reluctantly sat down between TK and Tommy.
“Did she say anything? Why she’s here a day early? Does she know who you are?” He asked TK.
“Yeah… yeah she knows. But she didn’t really say anything… we were all a little preoccupied.”
“What do you mean? What aren’t you telling me?” Carlos asked, noticing the looks between TK, Tommy, and Nancy.
“I uh… I’m not really sure it’s my news to share.” TK said, taking Carlos’ hand. “It’s nothing bad, I promise.”
“That… does nothing to ease my mind.”
“She had a baby, ok? About an hour ago.” Nancy blurted out. “If she gets upset, just blame me.”
“What?”
“Yeah dude, you’re an uncle. She had a boy.”
“She what? I mean… is the baby ok?”
“Yep. As far as we could tell in the bus anyway.”
“I… I didn’t know she was dating anyone.” Carlos settled on, trying to process the information.
“She was with one guy at least once.” Nancy shrugged, ignoring the look TK gave her.
“Yeah… yeah I guess you’re right about that…”
“Luisa Reyes’ family?” A different nurse than the one from before asked as she walked into the waiting area.
“That’s us.” TK jumped up, pulling Carlos to his feet too. “We’re her brothers.”
“Alright. Well, your sister was lucky. No major injuries, just some cuts and scrapes, and she’ll probably be sore for a while, but she’s alright.”
“And the baby?”
“Also doing fine.” The nurse told them. “We’re keeping them overnight for observation but they should both be ready to go home tomorrow.”
“Can we see her?” Carlos asked.
“Sure, follow me.” She said and led them through the ER to a bed with the curtains drawn around it. The nurse opened the curtain. “I’ve got some visitors for you.” She told Luisa and stepped aside for Carlos and TK. “I’ll be back as soon as we’ve got a bed ready for you upstairs.”
“Hey, how are you feeling?” TK asked, sitting down on the stool next to the bed after the nurse had left.
“Tired. Sore.” Luisa replied and looked down at the little boy in her arms. “But happier than I’ve ever been.”
“I’m glad you’re both alright.” TK told her, reaching out to stroke the baby’s cheek.
“Aren’t you going to come say hello to your nephew, Carlitos?” Luisa asked Carlos who still stood frozen in place, right where he’d stepped through the curtain.
“Uh yeah, yeah, sorry. Of course. Yeah.” He stammered and stepped forward. “I’m just… why didn’t you say anything? Where is his dad? Who is his dad.”
“It’s complicated.” Luisa sighed. “I didn’t want anyone fussing over me. Mainly mom.”
“You know she isn’t going to let you out of her sight when she finds out. Either of you.” Carlos said and carefully leaned down to hug her and the baby.
“Yeah I know. But he deserves to be fussed over by his grandma. And mom will need a project after your wedding.” Luisa said, raising an eyebrow at Carlos. “I can’t believe my baby brother is getting married. And to a nice guy too!”
Carlos smiled and looked at TK who took his hand.
“Yeah. I didn’t think this is how you two would meet...”
“We could have met sooner if you had actually told me about him, mister oh by the way I’m getting married in 6 weeks.”
“You didn’t tell her about us until six weeks ago?” TK laughed. “We secured the date almost eight weeks ago!”
Carlos blushed and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
“Ana told me a few things about you. And I’ve been meaning to look you up online… but I haven’t gotten around to that yet. I’ve been a little busy.” Luisa told TK.
“Well, I’m happy to tell you anything you want to know.” TK replied with a grin on his face Carlos knew meant trouble. “On one condition.”
“You want to offer your services as babysitter?”
“No, but we’ll be happy to after the honeymoon.” He leaned forward and briefly squeezed the little boy’s foot. “I want to know what Carlos was like growing up. Your mom has shown me his baby pictures and I’ve heard some stories… but I want to know the stuff she doesn’t know about and he won’t tell me.”
Luisa laughed.
“Oh I like you. You’ve got yourself a deal.”