THESE SAMS, THEY’RE LETHAL.

You've been best friends with Casey Richards for the past couple of years as you both teach in the same elementary school. You teach preschool and she teaches 3rd grade. The only thing she doesn't know is that you've been dating her father Brett for the past 9 months. Brett knows you work with his daughter. However, he hasn't asked you to interfere with their relationship because he's still trying to make amends with Casey on his own accord.

The last thing in the world that you want to do is hurt your best friend, but her dad means everything to you and if she can't accept that then you don't know what you'll do.

Today your school has their annual field day, (day before last day of school), with the kids and parents and there's so many activities for the kiddos to do, but without a doubt climbing into police cars and firetrucks are their favorite. They love turning the sirens on and playing with the cops’ handcuffs or putting on the helmets and coats of the firefighters. You know Brett is going to be here today and the professionalism will probably leave your body the minute you see him.

As soon as you guys were given the all clear to head outside for field day, you directed the students and parents to their groups. Once everyone was split up, you got to walk around and watch the events and see whatever you'd like. You mustered up a bunch of strength to not go running for the fire crew, instead you walked around a little bit first. You got a thing of cheese fries and a sprite from a food truck that the school hired for the day.

You smiled and waved at your students as they did their activities like wheelbarrow races, three legged races, water balloon tosses, etc. You ate while you walked and unconsciously your feet took you over to the firetrucks. Brett was busy with a couple kiddos, so he didn't notice you at first.

Once he noticed you, he made Bode and Manny take over for him. They didn't mind, so Brett walked over to you. You gave him a bite of your fries and he kissed your cheek in thanks. You couldn't help but smile and lay your head on his shoulder as Brett wrapped his arm around your waist.

“Are you having a good time baby?”

“I'm having a great time. How about you Battalion Chief Richards?”

“Oh baby girl, you say the sweetest things to me. I'm much better now that you're here, but seeing the kids have so much fun makes me happy.”

“I'm in total agreement with you there. Once I'm done for the day, I'll go home to the cats, feed the babies their dinner, water the inside plants, and wait for you on the couch in my comfiest clothes.”

“We don't deserve you.”

“Yes you do. Besides who said I'm only in this relationship for you? I'll gladly take Princess, Binx, and Grayson over you anyday.”

“Ouch! Only with me for my cats, I see how you are.”

“Brett, love of my life, the most handsomest silver fox, fire daddy, I'm with you for many many reasons, but the cats are definitely one of them.”

“You're such a little shit gorgeous.”

“That's why you keep me around.”

“Absolutely.”

Brett lifted your chin up and gave you a sweet kiss. You melted into it and kissed him back earnestly. Then there was a screech and you two pulled apart. You both turned to look and you see Casey. Fuck! She's pissed too by the look of things. She storms over to you and Brett, but Brett still has his arm around your waist.

“Dad, what do you think you're doing?”

“Casey.”

“Don't start. You were supposed to be my best friend and you're all cozy with my dad.”

“Casey Isabella Richards, that's enough! For starters we're in public, at your place of work. For two, I've been in a loving relationship with my sunshine for almost a year. She is a phenomenal mom to the cats and she sees me for me even all the broken parts of me. I knew you two were friends, but I've never once had her fight my battles for me. You can be as mad as you want at me, but leave sunshine alone. She's the first person in a very long time that I've felt at home with. She's not going to replace your mother and she doesn't want to. Our relationship is ours. Now, I know I moved up here to be closer to you especially since your divorce, but you've been avoiding me. I understand why you're avoidant, and it hurts, but I've given you the space you need to grieve and live your life. You are not about to tell me how to live mine though. Do you understand?”

“Yeah dad, I got it loud and clear.”

Casey turned around to walk away and you feel immense guilt.

“Case.”

“We'll talk later. I just need to go.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Yeah me too.”

With that final stinging retort, Casey walked away. You moved Brett's arm off your waist and backed up from him. He looked at you with a kicked puppy expression. It guts you, but you just need a minute.

“I'm not mad or anything at you handsome. I've just gotta get back to work and so do you. We'll talk when you get home later.”

“Okay and for what it's worth, I'm sorry Casey reacted that way.”

“I knew she would when she eventually found out and I don't blame her. Just give her space and she'll talk to us when she's ready. Now get back to work Brett, the kiddos want to wear your gear.”

“Alright but only because it's for the kids. I love you sunshine.”

“I love you too B.”

You lean up on your tiptoes and kiss his cheek. He moves his head and catches your lips on his. You poke your tongue out to semi-lick him like the cats do and then walk away from him chuckling. You can hear Brett whistle as you walk away and you just chuckle some more.

You walked back over to where the majority of the field day festivities were being held. You smiled and watched on as your preschool kiddos competed. You tried to stay out of the way of others and didn't go seek out Casey even though you really wanted to. You just made yourself one with the crowd until the end of the day.

As soon as all of the students and parents left, you walked back into the building to go lock up your room and grab your belongings. You were putting your laptop into your work bag when you heard a knock on your door.

“Come in.”

After stowing your laptop away and putting your owala in your bag, you turn around to see who came into your room. It was Casey. You sighed and did your best to put on a brave face because if you're about to get yelled at, you want to seem okay on the outside.

“Hey Case.”

“You got a minute?”

“Yeah of course. I just packed my bag up, so all I have left to do is lock the door on my way out. So what's up?”

“Why didn't you tell me that you are dating my dad?”

“He never wanted me to. I found out he was your dad a month into our relationship, but he wanted to tell you when the time was right.”

“Is the time ever right?”

“That's a fair point and one I've thought about too. But look Case, I love you. You're my best friend. However, your dad is the love of my life. He treats me like a queen and I've never had someone who cares about the little things.”

“You really love him, huh?”

“More than anything. Well that's not true, I love the cats more because they're my babies, but he's a very close second.”

“He's got 3 of them now?”

“Yeah, but if he had it his way, every stray he finds would be coming home. We have Grayson who's a Tabby, Binx who's a Bombay, and Princess who's a Maine Coon.”

“I know I shouldn't ask because he never wants to involve others in his problems but is my dad angry with me?”

“No Case, he never was and he probably never will be. He's just sad. He knows he's done a lot of damage to your relationship, but he moved to Edgewater in the hopes that you would be open to working on mending your father daughter bond. You're the light of his life Casey. He loves you. Did you know your dad went back to school after your mom died and got a degree in psychology?”

“I didn't know that.”

“While he threw himself headfirst into work, he also wanted to work on himself and be able to help other people. He's in a good mindset now. You should really talk to him though Casey. He misses you.”

“I will. I just need some time to process this. I appreciate you being transparent with me though. And I'm sorry I freaked out earlier.”

“I warned your dad ahead of time that if you found out in a way that wasn't one or both of us telling you that you were going to flip your lid. I was prepared for it. I'm just sorry you had to find out the way you did.”

“I am too. It was clear you two were just trying to have a minute together and I interrupted that. But I knew my dad was going to be here so I thought I'd go find him and talk to him.”

“Then I'm even more sorry because you deserve that time to have one on one with your dad. I'm not looking to be a thorn in your side but please don't make me choose between him or you.”

“I wouldn't do that to you. It's clear for anyone to see that you love each other and you're my best friend so I don't want to lose that either. Just don't go repeating some of the shit I tell you to my dad.”

“I promise! And the same can be said for you. Don't go repeating half the shit I say to your dad. Oh and I also promise to never bring up my sex life with you ever!”

“Yes fucking please. I don't want to hear about it or think about it. Just eww gross no. And I promise.”

“Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise.”

You two laughed and interlocked your pinkies.

“I love you Case.”

“Love you too soon to be step-mom.”

“And now you're done. Goodbye Casey, I'll see you tomorrow. I have cats at home to go love on.”

“I wanna meet my fur siblings someday.

“You're welcome anytime. Just call or text first.”

“Yuck. Stop. I don't wanna know.”

“I didn't mean because of that but also yeah because of that too. I meant so either I or your dad or both of us are home.”

“Okay cool. Just send me your address again and I'll store it away. And I'll text you or call dad before I come over since you're most likely to answer a text and the old man is most likely to answer a phone call.”

“You'd be surprised.”

“Nope nope nope. La la la. I hear nothing.”

“See ya tomorrow shithead.”

“I'll be here with smoothies.”

“You're my favorite Richards.”

“Can I tell dad that?”

“Not a chance.”

“Damn. And I thought you loved me. See ya later bitchlicious.”

Casey left your classroom and you let out a relieved sigh because you haven't fucked up the two most important relationships you have. You did a double check around the room so that you had everything you needed and everything else was cleaned up. Then you walked out of your room and locked the door behind you.

The car ride back to Brett's and your house was uneventful. However as soon as you opened up the front door, Princess came running towards you and barreled into your leg. You couldn't help but laugh and set your work bag down so that you could pick Princess up.

As soon as you picked Princess up, you heard meowing and looked down to see both Grayson and Binx looking up at you. You crouched down and picked the boys up with your other arm so that all three cats were snuggled in nicely. You're lucky they all like each other and that this won't cause any fighting.

You carry their royal highnesses to your bedroom and set them down on your bed. You change out of your work clothes into a pair of basketball shorts and Brett's CalFire shirt. The cats are still sitting on the bed. As soon as you go to leave your bedroom, they're following you into the kitchen.

You check that their water doesn't need to be refilled and then grab their food bowls and place them on the counter. You get out two cans of tuna and one can of chicken. Binx is a picky boy and chicken is his favorite. Princess and Grayson will eat whatever you feed them. After dishing up their food into their bowls (pink for Princess, gray for Grayson, and blue for Binx) you set them on the floor. The cats lined up to their bowls and started eating.

You pay the cats no mind since they're eating and go about watering all of Brett's inside plants. You definitely don't have the green thumb that he does, but you do your best to make sure you don't kill his plants. Once the plants are all watered, you place the watering jug back in its spot. Then you head into the living room and plop yourself down onto the couch.

You're able to just lay down and relax on the couch for about 20 minutes before your quiet is interrupted by Binx. He jumps onto the couch and goes to make himself at home on your stomach. You look down at him with a questioning look but decide that you don't really care and just start to pet him and make sure you give him his beloved ear scratches.

Princess and Grayson soon join you on the couch. Grayson goes and lays across your ankles so that the majority of his body is on your feet. Princess moves so she's up in the crook of your neck which makes you have to move your head into a different position so you both can be comfortable. You soon fall asleep because the gentle weight of your fur babies laying on you and the occasional soft purring made you even more relaxed.

It could've been 30 minutes, it could've been 3 hours, you honestly don't know how long you napped on the couch for. The only thing you know is that Brett's home now because he's sitting on the edge of the coffee table running his fingers through your hair. You open your eyes and can't help but smile at Brett.

“Hi pretty girl.”

“Hi handsome. Wait when'd you get home? What time is it?”

“Whoa whoa calm down honey. It's only 5:30. I got off a bit earlier today so I've only been home for like 10 minutes. I just changed into my comfy clothes and then came downstairs to find you cuddled up with our fur children.”

“Oh okay. I was only napping for like an hour then. I fed the children and watered the inside plants like I said I would. I definitely can't get up though so you'll have to move the babies if you want to join me.”

Brett carefully picked up Grayson and Binx and put them on their tree hut. He then picked up Princess and sat her down in her literal princess bed that's in the corner on the floor by the entertainment center before coming back over to the couch.

“Alright gorgeous. Move your cute butt so I can lay down too.”

“Ugh but that's so much work and I'm so comfy.”

“Sunshine…please for me.”

You turn onto your side and scoot so you're on the edge of the couch. Brett smiles and climbs onto the couch behind you. He gets himself situated on his side and wraps his arm around you. You turn around so you can face him. He smiles at you and you kiss his nose. Brett just laughs and kisses your cheek.

“So darling how'd the rest of your day go?”

“Actually quite well and there was something I needed to talk to you about.”

“I'm listening.”

“Casey stopped by my classroom as I was collecting my stuff to leave.”

“Should I be worried?”

“Nope. We had a pretty good talk and both apologized for how we handled the interaction earlier by the truck.”

“Well that's good. So what did you need to tell me?”

“The reason Casey was so mad was because she was coming to find you to talk to you. This was going to be the day she finally reached out to you and we threw a curveball at her. Don't worry though, she said to give her some time and she'd try again. Her and I are fine. She even joked and called me her soon to be step-mom and promised to bring me a smoothie in the morning like she usually does. And she wants to come over sometime in the near future to meet her fur siblings but she promised to call you or text me first.”

“Wow. Shit okay. It sounds like you had a very productive talk then. I'm glad you two are okay. I know my daughter means a lot to you. And I'd be more than happy to have her over for dinner soon and she can meet the cats and her and I can talk.”

“She's my best friend for a reason Brett. You two are way too similar though like it makes my head spin thinking about. Also she says she misses you and that she loves you. She was worried that you were angry with her.”

“I never could be. I miss her and love her too. I hate that you had to be our middle man because I didn't want to involve you in our family drama.”

“I know babe. It's okay though. Honestly I feel like even more a part of this family now.”

“Well then that's a good thing. I'm actually hung up on the fact that she called you her step-mom.”

“I shut that shit down so quick. I'd marry you in a heartbeat, but my nicknames and such from her will never include step-mom.”

“You'd marry me in a heartbeat huh?”

“Absolutely honey. Brett Richards you are the most loving, hardworking, honest, thoughtful, fun, and I could keep this list going man. My heart's been yours since our first date and I don't want it back. I'm happy with the little family we've got going on here. If you never wanted to get married again, I'd understand and it wouldn't deter me. I'm in this for the long haul with you.”

“Sunshine, I'd marry you in a heartbeat too. I didn't know if it was something you'd even be interested in, but now that I do, I'm absolutely putting a ring on it.”

“Which of your firehouse buddies told you about Beyoncé?”

“Hey now, I'm up with the times.”

“That sentence right there just proves that you're not, but it's okay. I still think you're cute as ever.”

Brett pouts and you can't help but kiss the pout right off his face. He smiles into the kiss and tries to draw you in closer with the arm he has wrapped around you.

“I love you sunshine.”

“I love you too B.”

“Can I be honest about something?”

“Please do.”

“I was nervous about what I'd be coming home to after this morning.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. I know now that I was just overthinking things and might've overreacted a little bit.”

“Just a little.”

“You're not supposed to agree with me darling.”

“Too bad. I do.”

Brett decided to start tickling your side and you couldn't get out of his grasp so you're just laughing and squirming trying to get away from his fingers.

“Okay okay. I give. I give.”

Brett stopped tickling you and kissed your forehead.

“So we're okay then?”

“More than okay. But we'll be even better if you order dinner.”

“What would you like darling?”

“I'm not too picky tonight. I just wanna spend all night cuddled up with you, so you pick.”

“Delivery for fajitas and margaritas from that place downtown with the homemade corn shells okay?”

“Fuuuuck yes. Marry me right now!”

“I'll grubhub it and we can just lay here until it gets here.”

“Is it hot in here or is it just me?”

“You're incorrigible.”

“And that's why you love me.”

“You got me there. It is indeed one of the many reasons why I love you.”

Brett laughs and you can't help but laugh too and then kiss him hard. He can order your dinner in a minute. You're gonna have desert first.