Hearts Ablaze

Chapter 10

The aroma of garlic and tomatoes wafted through Emma's small kitchen, mingling with the sound of sizzling pans and Liam's off-key humming. Emma leaned against the doorframe, watching with amusement as Liam stirred a pot of sauce, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"You know," she said, unable to keep the laughter from her voice, "when you said you were going to cook, I didn't expect quite this level of... enthusiasm."

Liam looked up, his face breaking into a grin. "Hey, when I commit to something, I go all in. Besides, I have a reputation to uphold here. Can't have the best baker in Maplewood thinking I'm a culinary disaster."

Emma pushed off the doorframe, moving to stand beside him at the stove. She peered into the pot, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I have to say, it smells amazing. Maybe you missed your calling as a chef."

Liam chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "Nah, I think I'll stick to fighting fires. Less pressure. Although," he added, pressing a kiss to her temple, "I wouldn't mind cooking for you more often."

Emma felt a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the steam rising from the stove. "I'd like that," she said softly.

They stood there for a moment, savoring the simple intimacy of the moment. Then Liam gave her a gentle nudge. "Alright, out of my kitchen, woman. Let the master work his magic."

Emma laughed, holding up her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I know when I'm not wanted. Just don't burn the house down, 'master.'"

As she left the kitchen, Emma couldn't help but marvel at how natural this all felt. Having Liam in her space, cooking dinner, sharing jokes... it was as if he'd always been there, as if the ten years apart had never happened.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a loud clatter from the kitchen, followed by a string of colorful curses.

"Everything okay in there?" she called, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.

"Fine!" Liam's voice was slightly strained. "Just... wrestling with a particularly stubborn meatball. Nothing to worry about!"

Emma shook her head, smiling to herself as she settled on the couch with a glass of wine. She could get used to this, she thought. The comfortable chaos of sharing her life with someone. With Liam.

Twenty minutes later, Liam emerged from the kitchen, a triumphant grin on his face. "Dinner," he announced with a flourish, "is served."

Emma followed him back to the kitchen, where she found the small table set with candles and her best dishes. In the center sat a steaming plate of spaghetti and meatballs, accompanied by a basket of garlic bread that smelled heavenly.

"Liam," she breathed, taking in the scene. "This is... wow."

Liam's smile softened as he pulled out a chair for her. "Only the best for you, Emma Lawson."

As they settled in to eat, Emma couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu. How many times had they shared meals like this in high school, dreaming of a future together? And now here they were, a decade later, those dreams finally becoming reality.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Liam asked, his voice pulling her from her reverie.

Emma smiled, twirling pasta around her fork. "Just thinking about how surreal this all feels. If you'd told me a month ago that we'd be sitting here like this..."

Liam reached across the table, taking her free hand in his. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure it's real."

"Well," Emma said, a mischievous glint in her eye, "I could always pinch you if you'd like. Just to be sure."

Liam laughed, the sound warm and rich. "I think I'm good, thanks. Although," he added, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "I wouldn't say no to other forms of... confirmation."

Emma felt a blush creep up her cheeks at his tone. She cleared her throat, suddenly very aware of how close they were sitting. "So, um, how are things at the fire station?"

Liam's grin told her he knew exactly what she was doing, but he played along. "Pretty good, actually. We've got a new batch of recruits starting next week. I'm looking forward to whipping them into shape."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Should I be worried about you running off with some young, impressionable firefighter?"

Liam's expression turned serious. He squeezed her hand gently. "Emma, you have nothing to worry about. You're it for me. Always have been, always will be."

Emma felt her heart flutter at his words. "I know," she said softly. "I feel the same way."

They finished their meal in comfortable conversation, sharing stories about their day and making plans for the weekend. As Emma took her last bite of spaghetti, she had to admit that Liam's culinary skills were indeed impressive.

"Okay," she said, leaning back in her chair with a contented sigh. "I officially take back any doubts I had about your cooking abilities. That was delicious."

Liam's smile was smug. "Told you. I'm a man of many talents."

Emma rolled her eyes, but she couldn't keep the affection out of her voice. "Alright, Mr. Talented. How about you put those skills to use and help me with the dishes?"

As they cleaned up, moving around each other in the small kitchen with practiced ease, Emma found herself marveling once again at how right it all felt.

"Hey," Liam said suddenly, pausing in his drying of a plate. "What do you think about taking a little trip next weekend? There's this great little bed and breakfast about an hour from here. Might be nice to get away for a couple days, just the two of us."

Emma felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach. "That sounds wonderful. But are you sure you can get the time off?"

Liam nodded, setting down the plate and pulling her into his arms. "Already cleared it with the chief. So, what do you say? Ready for a romantic getaway with yours truly?"

Emma pretended to consider for a moment. "Hmm, I don't know. Two whole days alone with you? That's a lot of Liam Harper to handle."

Liam's grin turned wicked. "Oh, I think you can handle it. In fact," he added, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "I'm counting on it."

Emma felt her breath catch in her throat at the heat in his gaze. She stood on her tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "In that case, Mr. Harper, you've got yourself a date."

Liam's answering kiss was anything but soft. Emma found herself melting into him, the dish towel falling forgotten to the floor as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Emma couldn't help but laugh. "If this is how you react to planning a weekend away, I can't wait to see what happens when we actually get there."

Liam's chuckle was low and warm. "Oh, just you wait, Lawson. I've got plans for you."

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of stolen kisses and quiet conversation. As they cuddled on the couch, a movie playing unwatched in the background, Emma found herself thinking about how much her life had changed in such a short time.

"What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?" Liam asked, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her arm.

Emma snuggled closer to him, savoring his warmth. "Just thinking about how happy I am. How right this all feels."

Liam pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know what you mean. It's like... like everything in my life has been leading up to this moment. To us."

Emma tilted her head up to look at him. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you hadn't come back to Maplewood?"

Liam was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "Honestly? I try not to think about it. The idea of never finding my way back to you... it's too painful to consider."

Emma felt her heart swell at his words. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands. "Well, lucky for both of us, you did come back. And I, for one, am never letting you go again."

Liam's smile was soft and full of love. "Promise?"

Instead of answering, Emma pulled him down for a kiss that left no doubt about her feelings. When they finally came up for air, Liam's eyes were dark with desire.

"Stay," he murmured, his forehead resting against hers. "Stay with me tonight."

Emma felt a thrill of anticipation run through her. They hadn't taken this step yet, both wanting to take things slow. But now, in this moment, Emma couldn't think of a single reason to wait.

"Yes," she whispered, her heart racing. "Yes, I'll stay."

What followed was a night of tender exploration and passionate discovery. Emma lost herself in the feeling of Liam's hands on her skin, in the way he whispered her name like a prayer. And when they finally came together, it was with a sense of coming home, of two pieces of a puzzle finally clicking into place.

Afterwards, as they lay tangled in the sheets, Liam's arms wrapped securely around her, Emma felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in years.

"I love you," Liam murmured, his voice heavy with sleep. "So much, Emma."

Emma pressed a soft kiss to his chest, right over his heart. "I love you too, Liam. More than I ever thought possible."

As she drifted off to sleep, Emma's last conscious thought was that this, right here, was everything she'd ever wanted. And she'd fight with everything she had to keep it.

The next morning, Emma woke to the feeling of soft kisses being pressed along her shoulder. She smiled, keeping her eyes closed as she savored the sensation.

"Good morning, beautiful," Liam's voice was low and husky with sleep. "Sleep well?"

Emma rolled over to face him, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of his tousled hair and sleepy smile. "Mmm, better than I have in years. You're a pretty comfy pillow, Harper."

Liam's laugh rumbled through his chest. "Happy to be of service. Although I have to say, if this is how I get to wake up every morning, I might never let you leave this bed."

Emma felt a blush creep up her cheeks at the implication. "As tempting as that sounds, I do have a bakery to run. And you, Mr. Fire Chief, have recruits to whip into shape."

Liam groaned, burying his face in her neck. "Do we have to? Can't we just stay here forever?"

Emma laughed, running her fingers through his hair. "Afraid not. But," she added, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, "we do have time for breakfast. How do you feel about blueberry pancakes?"

Liam's eyes lit up. "I feel very, very good about blueberry pancakes. Especially if they're made by the best baker in Maplewood."

As they moved around the kitchen together, stealing kisses between flipping pancakes and brewing coffee, Emma couldn't help but marvel at how natural it all felt. This easy domesticity, the comfortable silences punctuated by bursts of laughter... it was everything she'd ever dreamed of.

"What are you thinking about?" Liam asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

Emma leaned back against him, savoring his warmth. "Just how happy I am. How right this feels."

Liam pressed a kiss to her temple. "I know what you mean. It's like... like everything in my life has been leading up to this moment. To us."

As they sat down to eat, Emma couldn't help but think about the future. About mornings like this stretching out endlessly before them. About building a life together, right here in Maplewood.

"So," Liam said, breaking into her thoughts. "About this weekend getaway. Any special requests for activities? Besides the obvious, of course," he added with a wink.

Emma pretended to consider for a moment. "Hmm, well, I hear there are some nice hiking trails in the area. And I wouldn't say no to a massage at the spa."

Liam nodded, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hiking and massages. Got it. Although I have to say, I'm pretty good with my hands. Maybe we could skip the spa and I could give you a private massage instead."

Emma felt her cheeks heat up at his suggestive tone. "Is that so? Well, I suppose I'll have to test out these skills of yours before I make any decisions."

Liam's grin was wicked. "Oh, I think that can be arranged. In fact," he added, standing up and holding out his hand, "why wait? I've got some time before I need to head to the station. How about a little... demonstration?"

Emma laughed, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet. "Well, when you put it like that, how can I refuse?"

As Liam led her back to the bedroom, Emma felt a surge of love and gratitude wash over her. This was it, she realized. This was the love she'd always dreamed of, the kind of love songs and stories were written about.

And as she lost herself in Liam's embrace once more, Emma knew with absolute certainty that this was just the beginning of their story. A story of love rekindled, of trust rebuilt, and of a future filled with endless possibilities.

Later, as they said their goodbyes at the door, Liam pulled Emma close for one last kiss. "I'll see you tonight?" he asked, his voice hopeful.

Emma nodded, her heart full to bursting. "Definitely. Maybe we can start planning our weekend getaway."

Liam's smile was radiant. "It's a date. I love you, Emma Lawson."

"I love you too, Liam Harper," Emma replied, her voice soft with emotion. "Now go save some lives, Chief."

As she watched Liam drive away, Emma felt a sense of peace settle over her. This, she realized, was what true happiness felt like. And she was never letting it go.