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And I think Bobby would understand that.” Hen reasoned her rejection of the captaincy.
“Yeah he would, but me on the other hand—”
The ringing alarm bell cut him off.
“—gonna need some time.”
The truth is, Chimney was offered the captain position too. Sure, his one-time stint as interim captain wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t entirely bad at all to never be considered again. He jokingly referred to himself as a fully actualized human being and firefighter during performance reviews three years ago, and when he was done being an instructor at the academy, Bobby did later rate his leadership quality as outstanding.
He discussed it with Maddie during their nightly pillow talks.
Chimney lay his head over Maddie’s belly, recounting the adventures of the day.
‘Hello, baby! Daddy and Mommy had a crazy shift today. Firefighters fight fire with water, but the water was on fire!
…Anyway, it was Gerrard’s last time as our captain today, so it was a good day after all.’
With a sigh, he moved to face Maddie. “Speaking of captain, Hen told me she turned down the position.”
“Well, what did you say?”
“I tried to change her mind. Hen doesn’t know I’m up for it too. Bobby listed us as possible successors a long time ago. I told the chief to prioritize Hen and I’ll only consider it if she doesn’t take it. So now, I’m on the clock. If I say no, they’re hiring someone new.”
“Do you want to take the job?” Maddie looked at her husband intently, seeking his honesty.
“I don’t know, baby. We’re gonna be busy with our newborn and I don’t want to burden you more. I need to put our family first. Feels like it’s not the right time, and I’m not sure if I’m good enough. What will Athena think? Things are tense as it is, I might make it worse.”
“Chim, It’s not about what Athena thinks. Bobby believed you can do it, otherwise he won’t put you on the list. You’re a great leader and you deserve this. And about us being too busy…We’ll always be busy anyway, so we’ll communicate. We‘ll manage it together. We know better now.” She clasped their hands together.
“Are you sure? I’m scared I’m not gonna be there when you need me, when our family needs me.” He had tears in his eyes, fearful of repeating mistakes of the past.
“I trust in you, and the 118 is your family too. You were made for this, honey. Ever since you saved everyone at that karaoke bar years ago. I believe you owe it to yourself to try. ” Maddie encouraged him, fully aware that his potential was held back by Gerrard when Chimney started as a firefighter and that just when he found his footing, the guilt with Kevin replaced it.
“Ahh. Seems like there’s something special about karaoke bars. It’s where I found the love of my life, too.” He pulled her closer in an embrace, with his other hand on her baby bump.
“Oh, yeah?” Her face lit up.
“Well, this beautiful lady put her arm around me while singing…And I pretty much knew I have a crush on my very good friend.”
“I love you. You know, I told Buck you were cute when I first met you.” Maddie admitted and that made Chimney giddy.
“I love you too, very much. Wait, you had a crush on me?! Cute, huh? Not hot?”
“Well, I can’t exactly tell my brother I found his charming co-worker hot. And I did say you were SO cute, not just cute.” Maddie shrugged.
“You pretty much stole my heart when you smiled at me the first time. And then, I remembered you were Buck’s sister…”
Chimney did try to hold back, but the spark between them was undeniable.
“Oh he was annoying about us at first, but I think he knew before us. He knew we were soulmates.” Maddie snuggled closer to her husband.
“I’m so glad Buck found the 118 and he led me to you.” Chimney smiled and deeply sighed before kissing his wife’s hand.
“He did. And since we’re back on the 118, just know that I’ll support you, whatever you decide.” Maddie promised. Chimney then got his tablet to view an email.
“They sent me a draft of the job offer, have a look.” He pointed at the salary and benefits.
“Oh, wow. Okay, that’s something to consider.” Maddie commented.
They’re not crazy about money, but raising a (now larger) family means they also need to be practical. Add to the fact that them being in the hospital back-to-back piled up the bills further.
“We could pay off more of the mortgage’s principal, get Jee in a great preschool, and afford better help with the baby. We can maybe spare some of it for a nice family holiday sometimes too.” Chimney listed down all the bonus perks of getting in a Captain’s salary.
“Honey, those are all great, and I love that you have these plans for our family. I’ll support you as long as you do this for yourself firstly, because you’re the one who’ll be working extra harder.”
“Maddie, I’ll do anything I can to take care of us. And I guess in this way, I can also take care of the 118, and honor Bobby’s legacy…”
Chimney thought for a moment.
“I’m doing it.”
He then leaned down to talk to their unborn son who was awake and moving around.
“What do you think, little man? Should Daddy go for it?”
Baby boy responded with a strong kick against Chimney’s hand, to his parents delight.
“I think you got your answer.” Maddie replied with a kiss on his cheek.
——-
And so, Chimney called the chief a week later to officially accept the promotion.
Before that, he shared the decision with Hen, Buck, Eddie and Ravi during breaktime.
“Chim, this is great news. Wow, I’m so glad it’s you.” Hen hugged him, genuinely happy for her friend.
“Since I had the longest tenure, they got me on the list. I asked them to choose you, and I didn’t even want to contest it. I told you Hen, I couldn’t wait for you to take over.” Chimney poured himself a cup of coffee, as the rest of the guys listened to him.
“So if you also said no, they’re bringing in someone new….” Hen paused.
“Chim, promise me that you’re doing this because you want to. Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt you can do this. But I also need to know that you’re not taking over because you feel obligated to say yes.” Hen walked closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sure. I’ve thought about it - even overthinking all the reasons to say no. I’ve discussed it with Maddie, and she believes I should go for it. I realized there are more reasons to say yes. We have a great team and I know you’ll always have my back in the way I’ll do my best to lead. I want to do this for the 118, and for Bobby…”
“For this family.” Buck responded. “I know I was a great critic of interim captain Han before, but I trust you Chim. Plus, you’re older and wiser now.”
“Uh-huh. Thank you for the support Firefighter Buckley. I may have gained some fine lines but your sister still thinks I’m young and handsome.” Chimney teased lightly and Buck just shook his head.
“All right. We got you, Captain Han.” Hen said.
“You did great as an instructor at academy, so I’m not surprised. You brought me back home, after all.” Ravi chimed in.
“Thanks, guys.”
He turned to Eddie. “Hey, this means there’s an open paramedic position. You’re my top pick.”
“You’re a good paramedic, Eddie. I would love to have you back as my partner.” Hen added.
“I’m gonna think about it. I’ll need to update my certification first.” Eddie replied.
————-
Chimney slowly eased into his new role as captain while preparing for the birth of their new baby.
It wasn’t as bad as he imagined but it was definitely a big adjustment.
As Maddie’s due date became nearer, he set up the plan for his time off. During his two months of paternity leave, Hen agreed to take over as interim captain and they’ll bring in a paramedic from the B shift. The said paramedic was vouched for by Ravi, who spent a lot of time with the other team.
Chimney trusted his recommendation even more, joking: ‘He’s a landlord, so I think he has high standards for background checks.’ He told Hen once, not saying the quiet part out loud — of that tiny fear of bringing in a character like Jonah still present.
“By the way, if you happen to like the captain’s seat while I’m gone, it’s still yours, Hen.” Chim tries but Hen’s mind is made up.
“Still yours, just gonna hold space for a while. Enjoy the time with your new baby, Captain Han.”
….
Maddie’s water broke, thankfully, while safely at home and with Chimney beside her, just two weeks before her due date. Lee-Jun Robert Han or Juni, was born and they are now a family of four. So began the precious two months of them just in their own little world.
Chimney made sure to make the most of the time off by being hands on with his family.
He was the one who dropped Jee off at preschool and the one who picked her up. They even had their little ice cream dates every Friday. Tuesday was also ice cream day, but then Maddie vetoed it.
“Chim, you can’t let her have too many sweets on a school night. The sugar rush takes too long to pass and it’s harder to get her to sleep.” Maddie scolded him softly.
“I’m sorry, honey. You’re right.” He sighed, realizing he may have been pre-compensating for the times Jee will get upset when he has a shift on important days.
“I know Jee’s looking forward to it. So maybe just do it on Fridays, so it’s a weekend, okay?” She compromised.
“Deal. And I’ll get you the cappuccino ice cream in a tub.” He winked. Right then, six-week-old Juni’s cries were heard from the baby monitor.
“My turn. I’ll bring him to you if he’s hungry.” After a quick peck on Maddie’s lips, Chimney ran to the nursery.
“Mama Dispatch, he just needs a diaper change!” Chimney spoke from the baby monitor.
“Copy that, Captain Dada.” Maddie played along to her silly husband.
“All changed and ready for cuddles.” Chimney emerged from the nursery with an alert baby Juni in his arms.
When Jee noticed that her brother was awake, she excitedly scooped up some toys in her arms for her usual show-and-tell game with her baby brother.
“Daddy, Please bring Juni here! I want to talk to him!” Jee exclaimed.
“Okay, my princess.” He carefully placed Juni in Maddie’s arms. She sat on one end of the sofa facing Jee, while Chimney sat with Jee on the other end by Juni’s feet.
Maddie and Chimney told Jee that Juni is still very little and can’t see clearly yet, but their daughter was eager to teach him what she knows early.
“This is a fire truck! This color is red, this is white and this is yellow.” Jee presented the toy to Juni, whose eyes were on the new object.
“They drive a fire truck at Daddy’s work. Daddy works at the firehouse. Maybe one day you can visit the firehouse too! I went there and it was so cool! Daddy says he was a par-am-edic and he helps people that have an ouchie.” She then showed her ambulance doctor playset complete with mini versions of usual equipment.
“But Daddy is the boss firefighter now!” Jee squealed and Juni was cooing and pursing his lips, like reacting to his big sister.
“Daddy! Do you tell the firetruck where to go?” Jee turned to her dad.
He laughed. “Something like that, kiddo.”
“He does, Daddy is called a captain now. He saves people every day, and with Uncle Buck too.” Maddie confirmed.
“Uncle Buck says you make him wash your car.” Jee shared out of the blue. Of course Buck would tell that to his niece.
“I am his boss after all. And — I ask him nicely! He’s also a good little brother.” Chimney defends, chuckling.
“But isn’t Uncle Buck, Mommy's little brother, not yours?” Jee was a little confused.
“Well since I married Daddy, him and Uncle Buck have become like brothers too.” Maddie explained.
“So Uncle Albert is like your brother, too?” Jee asked her mother.
“Yes, baby. That’s family.” Maddie replied.
“I also have a little brother like you guys!” Jee exclaimed.
The four year old brought out another set of toys - this time, a pretend home office, and wore the toy headset. She had a tour of Maddie’s workplace during take-your-daughter-to-work day and Chimney bought it for her after searching toy shops everywhere, since Jee said: ‘I want to answer 911 calls like Mommy!’
“Hello, what’s your emergency?” Jee says, doing her best Maddie impression and her Mama is proudly amused.
“Mommy says her job is a 911 dis-pat-cher. People call her on the phone when they need help ” Jee continued talking to Juni again.
“Mama tells me where to go, she’s the real boss.” Chimney remarked.
Later during bedtime, Maddie and Chimney switched around when taking care of their preschooler and newborn.
Chimney helped Jee brush her teeth and wash her face while Maddie nursed Juni. Chimney would snuggle Jee goodnight then get their son from Maddie to rock the newborn to sleep. Maddie tells her daughter a bedtime story until the preschooler closed her eyes in slumber.
With the kids settled in, the parents manage to make the most of their alone time.
These little moments have become their little date nights, which could be as simple as eating takeout dinner or just simply holding each other - cuddling until they fall asleep on the couch.
It was a busy day so they headed straight to bed. Maddie snuggled closer to Chimney with his chest as her pillow as he held her tight.
She turned in his arms, placing a hand on his cheek. “I still can’t believe we have two babies.”
Chimney shook his head slightly, his eyes warm. “I can’t believe I get to do all of this with you.” He sighed, smiling sadly. “Our baby boy just turned six weeks old which means I only have two weeks of time off left.”
Maddie felt her tears building but braved it.
“Back to work, Captain Han. We’re gonna miss you during your shifts, but it’s gonna be okay. I’m so proud of you.” She reassured him.
With Chimney’s pay rise, she comfortably got in on an extended unpaid leave. She’ll get to be with their babies 24/7, ten weeks longer than usual. As much as the 118 is Chimney’s found family, dispatch had been Maddie’s. She’s looking forward to going back to work full-time doing what she loves being the voice of rescue and refuge for They’ll still get help from the Lees and the trusted family and friends to lessen the burden on Maddie. Even more so, as Chimney and Maddie are hyperfocused on monitoring her mental health.
They’re in a great place now - despite the tragedies that came their way with forces beyond their control. They kept their promise to find joy, because the love and life they built together deserves this joy.
“I’m gonna FaceTime every chance I can get…” He said.
“And I’ll do my best to save Juni’s diaper change for the time you get home.” She teased.
“Happy to.” He yawned.
“You’re such an amazing Daddy.” She kissed him gently.
“Say that again.”
“You’re such an ama—“
“No, the last part…”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
“Oh my God, Chim.” She blushed.
“Just a whole different vibe to it when it’s just you and me, isn’t it?” He winked.
“Yup. Which reminds me that I should probably be given the all clear for…you know.” She raised her brow.
“Oh? Ohh!” He exclaimed.
Of course he misses that kind of intimacy with his beautiful, gorgeous, and incredible wife. But he’d always been a patient man. They didn’t pay attention to that timeline with Jee before either, with the added complication of sleeping in the living room on an air mattress.
“Hmm. Not tonight, but soon. Very soon.” It was her turn to wink at her man.
“Of course. Whenever you want, my queen. How about we make out like teenagers, instead?” She shut him up with her lips on his.
—————
Bobby Nash miraculously returned to their lives a week later and nobody felt as relieved as Chimney. He would return the captain position in a heartbeat to Bobby, so after giving the man a good time to breathe, invited him and Athena for dinner to ask.
“Oh God, NO. You’re the captain now, Chim. It’s your turn.” Bobby responded vehemently.
“Things can finally go back to normal, Cap! You’re back now…” Chimney insisted.
“Chim, I’m not one to play about God’s miracles. I’ve been given a chance to still be with my wife and leave the job on my own terms. With everything that’s happened, I’m taking the hint. Athena and I are retiring from active duty and just… live life.” There was a sense of peace in Bobby’s face that Chimney would not dare break right then.
“You deserve that. You both do.” Chimney finally backed down, sighing. “So, what do you plan to do now?”
“Maybe I’ll open a diner, you guys always loved my cooking, right? Then Athena and I can go on vacation. Never on a cruise again, though.” Bobby smiled hopefully. Chimney remained quiet so Bobby continued.
“Chim, I’ve always known you’re a very capable leader. I put you on the list because I believe you deserve the captaincy, not because you’ve been here the longest. If you need any help at all, I’m just a call away. But from what I’ve heard, you’re doing great!” Bobby reassured him with a quick hug, tapping his shoulder before leaving.
And so, Maddie and Chimney made the schedules work as perfectly as they could. Getting solid props from Bobby definitely helped and Chimney was thriving and becoming more comfortable with the weight of his role’s responsibilities. Maddie was also finding the balance she needed to make her postpartum experience healthier than before. Chimney hovered often, doing everything he can to get Maddie to relax and reminding her of regular check ups.
The good reality is that being captain sometimes only added two or three extra hours to Chim’s shift every now and then. But to parents with tiny growing babies, every minute counts.
“Chim, we literally just hung up three minutes ago.” Chimney was on the midpoint of a full 36 hour shift and Maddie answered his FaceTime call as she cleaned Juni’s bottles.
“Is Juni still sleeping? Jee’s pick up from school is in 2 hours, right?” He blabbered on.
“Yes, Chim. And we are all good here. We miss you but you’ll be home real soon. You look tired, honey. You should take naps when you can.” Maddie sighed affectionately.
“Well nothing gives me more energy than seeing my beautiful wife. Sooo much better than naps.” He replied with a pout.
“Yes. Well, my handsome husband, you’ll need to be well-rested so you can be awake for all the catching up you’ll be doing with your beautiful wife later.” She teased.
“Huh. Really?” He leaned in closer to the camera with a cheeky grin, of course the bell rings at that moment.
“Go! Be safe out there, Captain. I love you!”
“I LOVE YOU!!!” He blew a kiss as he said goodbye.
….
Maddie noticed it one Thursday morning. It was a normal day, but one of those precious ones when Chimney had three straight days off work keeping them in this quiet domestic bubble. She was making waffles for Jee while Juni’s still sound asleep.
“Good morning!” Chimney entered the kitchen cheerfully.
“Good m- Maddie looked up to him then froze. Her husband’s majestic hair had always had faint streaks of gray threading silver, but it must have been a hectic few weeks of late nights for both of them because how can she not notice this development?
“What? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Chimney frantically reached for her.
“Your hair…” She squeaked out, prompting him to have a quick look in the mirror. That’s when he noticed the silver hair taking over his head.
“Oh yeah.” He chuckled. “The stress must have caught up on me and my hair speaks for it. I look old now. You don’t like it? I could probably squeeze in a hair appointment to dye it darker…Hmm. Do you think I can pull off a blonde look for a change?”
“No!” Maddie replied maybe too aggressively.
“Whoa. Okay, just a regular jet black dye then.” He smiled at her and he caught her looking at him full of whimsy.
“No! I think you should keep it. It’s…beautiful.” She raked her fingers through his hair still looking in awe.
“You’re into the gray?!” He was a little shook and a little extra grateful that he has the next few days off.
“Captain Han - already hot. But Captain Han with the gray… it’s a whole other level.” Her hands drifted down and caressed his neck.
“Oh, I see. Duly noted, copying all of that Mrs. Han.”
He leaned in to kiss her but stopped at the mix of Jee’s shout with Juni’s soft cries.
“Mommyyyyy! Daddyyyyyy! Juni has a stinky diaper!”
“We’ll pick this up later, Daddy.” Maddie gave him a quick peck, nudging Chimney to respond.
“I’m on my way, Jee-jee!”
…
Maddie was obsessed. She laughs incredulously at the surge in energy she gets from the thought of her silver fox captain husband. Now, looking back at Chimney’s fear of “calcification” in their relationship before they got married, they clearly don’t have anything to worry about.
Chimney was buzzing because you know, Maddie thinks he’s hot and sexy. They’ve been together for years and they’re married, it’s normal. But his absolutely gorgeous wife found his signs of stress-induced aging attractive, and now he finds himself daydreaming of the next time they can get alone again.
“Hello, Captain Han.” A voice broke through the quiet of his office during lunchtime. Great, now he’s imagining Maddie with him at work.
“Hi, Daddy!!!” But then an excited Jee ran up to him next with arms wide open and what seemed to be a box of cake. Maddie was right behind Jee with Juni in his baby carrier.
“My babies! This is an amazing surprise. What are you doing here?” He each gave his kids a kiss on their head.
“Hey, Baby.” Chimney greeted Maddie.
“Jee didn’t have school today, so we thought, why not visit Daddy and have lunch together?” Maddie explained.
“We got your favorite tiramisu!” Jee announced.
“Aww. You’re the best. Thank you my princess.”
Jee sat on the couch and switched her attention to her baby brother who gurgled happily.
“We should probably eat before you get busy.” Maddie reminded them.
It must really be their lucky day because after lunch, they still had time to spare for Uncle Buck to be put on babysitting duty. Maddie and Chimney had a few minutes alone.
“Come here, you.” Maddie whispered, pulling Chimney by his uniform’s collar to sit on his chair.
She sat on his lap, an arm clung to his neck. Chimney’s hand found its home on her waist immediately.
“Oh, wow. I thought we already had dessert?” He teased, placing a gentle kiss on her neck, right below her earlobe making her giggle.
“Listen. I am so proud of you. You’re a great captain, such a great father and great husband. And, you’re very sexy too…How did I get so lucky?” She replied, punctuating her words with kisses.
“But I’m the one who’s lucky, and I only get to be all these because of you, and I’m doing it all for you. I love you so much, Maddie.”
“I love you.” She replied, and they stayed like that for a while catching glances at each other. Maddie propped herself up before they got carried away.
Chimney checked the time to see that lunch break was over. “I’ll go get the kids from Buck.”
Maddie gathered their things before following her husband. Soon, the kids were bundled up safely in their car seats
“Drive safe, baby. And hey, I gotta ask before you go. It’s because of my sexy hair, isn’t it? This surprise visit?” Chimney asked, smirking.
“Can’t a Captain get a visit once in a while from his family around here?” Maddie defensively blushed.
….
A couple days later, Chimney was in their living room looking over some paperwork he didn’t finish earlier in the day.
Maddie walked in with two cups of tea in her hand, offering him the other cup. They sat silent for a moment.
“You know what the silver really means to me?” She said softly. He looked over at her.
“It means you’ve made it. You lived. Long enough to go gray. To earn that title. After everything we’ve been through - so many times with both of us being so close to not making it. We’re still here, together. And I get to watch you change.” She confessed with tears brimming her eyes.
He reached for her hand. “You’ve watched me change a lot. We both did.”
“And I loved every version of you, and I’ll love all the versions
They leaned into each other, just breathing in
Later, in their bedroom, lights low, kids all finally asleep:
She climbed onto his lap and buried her hands in his hair.
“I knew I liked your hands,” she whispered.
“Very precise hands, mind you…” He sneaked in.
“I knew I liked your wit, the way your eyes crinkle when you smile, but this? This gray?”
“Maddie…”
“I like how you look now,” she said. “But I love that you still feel like you. You’re still the cute guy I met with the tiny forehead scar years ago, the one who made me feel safe and gave me joy even with the extra weight of the world upon us.”
“You really think I look better?” he asked, voice low.
“I think you look like everything you are,” she whispered. “Strong. Funny. Sexy. Loved. Funny. Commanding.”
His voice cracked a little. “I’ve been feeling… older. Worn. Tired in places that have never been before.”
“You’re leading a whole firehouse and raising your two mini-me’s, and doing great at both of them. You’ve earned every silver thread.”
He smiled, brushing her hair back.
“And if I go completely gray?”
She took off his shirt. “Then I might never let you leave the house again.”
“Hmm. Well in that case, Jee might get her baby sister after all..”