Hearts Ablaze

Chapter 13: The Wildfire

The early morning light filtered through the curtains of Liam's bedroom—no, their bedroom now—casting a warm glow across Emma's face. She blinked awake slowly, a smile spreading across her lips as she felt Liam's arm draped over her waist, his breath warm against her neck.

It had been three weeks since she'd moved in, and Emma was still marveling at how seamlessly their lives had intertwined. Her cookbooks now sat alongside Liam's firefighting manuals on the bookshelf. Her favorite throw blanket was draped over the back of the couch. It was as if she'd always been there, filling spaces she hadn't even realized were empty.

"Mmm, morning beautiful," Liam murmured, his voice rough with sleep. He pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. "Sleep well?"

Emma rolled over to face him, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of his tousled hair and sleepy smile. "Like a baby. Though I think someone was snoring last night."

Liam's eyes widened in mock offense. "Me? Never. Must have been that stray cat that's been hanging around."

Emma laughed, playfully swatting his chest. "Oh, so now you're blaming innocent animals for your nocturnal noises? For shame, Fire Chief Harper."

Liam grinned, pulling her closer. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents. Snoring just happens to be one of them."

As they lay there, trading lazy kisses and even lazier banter, Emma couldn't help but marvel at how right it all felt. This easy companionship, the comfort of waking up next to each other every day... it was everything she'd ever dreamed of and more.

Eventually, the real world intruded in the form of Emma's alarm. She groaned, burying her face in Liam's chest. "Do we have to get up? Can't we just stay here forever?"

Liam chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. "As tempting as that sounds, I'm pretty sure Maplewood would fall apart without its star baker. And who would save all those kittens from trees if I didn't show up at the station?"

Emma propped herself up on an elbow, raising an eyebrow at him. "Kittens from trees? Really? Is that what you do all day, Fire Chief?"

Liam's grin was unrepentant. "Hey, it's a vital service. Those kittens aren't going to save themselves."

With a laugh and a final kiss, Emma reluctantly extracted herself from Liam's arms and headed for the shower. As the warm water cascaded over her, she found herself thinking about the day ahead. It was going to be a busy one at Sweet Maple Bakery—the annual Maplewood Summer Festival was just around the corner, and she had a mountain of orders to fill.

By the time Emma made it downstairs, Liam was already in the kitchen, a steaming mug of coffee waiting for her on the counter.

"My hero," she said, gratefully accepting the mug and inhaling deeply.

Liam smiled, dropping a kiss on her forehead as he moved past her to grab his keys. "Just doing my civic duty, ma'am. Keeping Maplewood's finest baker caffeinated is a full-time job."

As they headed out the door together, Emma couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. This was their new normal—sharing morning coffee, stealing kisses between bites of toast, heading off to their respective jobs with promises to meet for lunch. It was domestic bliss in its purest form.

The bell above the door chimed cheerfully as Emma entered Sweet Maple Bakery. The familiar scents of sugar and coffee wrapped around her like a warm hug, grounding her. She hummed softly to herself as she moved about the kitchen, prepping for the day ahead.

Just as she was pulling a tray of blueberry muffins from the oven, the bell chimed again. Emma looked up, expecting to see her first customer of the day. Instead, she found herself face to face with Claire, her best friend's expression a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Claire! What are you doing here so early?" Emma asked, setting down the tray and wiping her hands on her apron.

Claire fidgeted with the strap of her purse, a telltale sign that she had news. "I, uh... I need to talk to you about something. Got a minute?"

Emma nodded, concern creeping into her voice. "Of course. Let me just put on a pot of coffee and we can chat."

As the coffee brewed, Emma couldn't help but wonder what had Claire so worked up. Her friend had been going through a rough patch lately, with the unexpected pregnancy and Mark's less-than-stellar reaction. Whatever this was, Emma hoped it was good news for a change.

Finally, with steaming mugs in hand, they settled into a corner booth. Emma took a sip of her coffee, eyeing Claire over the rim of her mug. "Alright, spill. What's going on?"

Claire took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. "Mark proposed."

Emma's eyes widened, her mug freezing halfway to her lips. "He... what?"

Claire held up her left hand, a simple but elegant diamond ring glinting on her finger. "Last night. He said he'd been doing a lot of thinking, and he realized he didn't want to lose me or the baby. He said he wants to do this right, to be a family."

Emma set down her mug, reaching across the table to take Claire's hand. "Oh, Claire. That's... wow. How do you feel about all this?"

Claire's smile was watery but genuine. "Honestly? I'm terrified. But also... really, really happy. I know we've got a lot to work through, but... I love him, Em. And I want this. I want us to be a family."

Emma squeezed her friend's hand, her heart full of emotion. "Then I'm happy for you, sweetie. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

As Claire launched into the details of the proposal, Emma found herself thinking about her own relationship with Liam. They hadn't really talked about marriage or kids yet, but seeing the joy on Claire's face... well, it certainly made Emma think about the future in a new light.

The rest of the morning passed in a whirlwind of customers and baking. Emma found her thoughts drifting to Claire often, hoping that her friend's happily ever after was finally within reach.

Just before the lunch rush, the bell above the door chimed again. Emma looked up, a smile already forming on her lips as she recognized Liam's familiar gait.

"Well, well," she said, leaning against the counter. "If it isn't Maplewood's finest. Here to inspect the premises, Officer?"

Liam grinned, playing along. "That's Fire Chief to you, ma'am. And I'm here on very important business. I've received reports of dangerously delicious pastries being distributed in the area. I'm afraid I'll have to confiscate a few... for testing purposes, of course."

Emma laughed, shaking her head fondly. "Of course. Well, we certainly can't have any untested pastries out there. What would you recommend, Chief?"

Liam made a show of studying the display case, his brow furrowed in mock concentration. "Hmm... this is a serious matter. I think I'll need to sample one of everything. You know, just to be thorough."

Emma raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. "One of everything? My, my, Chief Harper. That's quite the appetite you've got there."

Liam's grin turned mischievous. "Well, I am a growing boy. And besides," he added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I happen to know the baker. I hear she gives special treatment to handsome fire chiefs."

Emma felt a blush creep up her cheeks. Even after all this time, Liam still had the ability to make her feel like a lovestruck teenager. "Is that so? Well, I suppose I could be persuaded to part with a pastry or two. But only because you're so dedicated to public safety."

As Emma boxed up a selection of treats for Liam, she filled him in on Claire's news. Liam's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Wow," he said, leaning against the counter. "That's... unexpected. Good unexpected, I hope?"

Emma nodded, a small smile playing at her lips. "I think so. Claire seemed really happy. Scared, but happy."

Liam's expression softened. "Well, that's good. They've got a long road ahead of them, but if they love each other... that's a pretty good start."

Emma felt a warmth bloom in her chest at Liam's words. She reached across the counter, taking his hand in hers. "You're pretty wise sometimes, you know that, Harper?"

Liam's answering smile was soft and full of love. "Must be all those cinnamon rolls. They're brain food, you know."

As Liam headed back to the station, box of pastries in hand and a promise to see her at home later, Emma found herself thinking about the future. About Claire and Mark, about the baby on the way, about her own dreams and aspirations.

The afternoon passed in a blur of customers and baking. Before Emma knew it, it was closing time. As she wiped down the last of the tables, her phone buzzed with a text from Liam.

"Dinner plans tonight? I was thinking we could try that new Italian place downtown."

Emma smiled, quickly typing out a reply. "Sounds perfect. Meet you at home in 30?"

By the time Emma made it home, Liam was already there, freshly showered and looking unfairly handsome in a blue button-down shirt that brought out his eyes.

"Well, don't you clean up nice," Emma said, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek as she moved past him to head for the shower. "Give me ten minutes and I'll be ready to go."

True to her word, Emma was ready in record time. As they drove to the restaurant, hands intertwined on the center console, Emma found herself marveling at how easy it all was. How right it felt to be building a life with Liam.

The restaurant was cozy and intimate, with soft lighting and the gentle strains of Italian music playing in the background. As they perused the menu, Emma couldn't help but notice that Liam seemed a bit... nervous? He kept fidgeting with his napkin, his eyes darting around the room.

"Everything okay?" she asked, reaching across the table to lay her hand over his. "You seem a little tense."

Liam's smile was a bit strained. "Yeah, yeah, everything's fine. Just, uh... just thinking about something."

Emma raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Okay... want to share with the class?"

Liam took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "Actually, yeah. I do. Emma, I..."

But before he could finish his thought, their waiter appeared, ready to take their order. The moment, whatever it was, passed. Emma filed it away to ask about later, focusing instead on deciding between the lasagna and the chicken parmesan.

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about their days, about Claire and Mark's engagement, about the upcoming Summer Festival. It was comfortable and familiar, and yet... Emma couldn't shake the feeling that something was different. That Liam was holding something back.

Finally, as they were sharing a tiramisu for dessert, Emma couldn't take it anymore. "Okay, spill. What's going on with you tonight? And don't say nothing, because I know you better than that, Liam Harper."

Liam set down his fork, his expression serious. "You're right. There is something. I've been thinking a lot lately, about us, about the future. And I realized something."

Emma's heart began to race. Was this...? Could he be...?

Liam reached across the table, taking both of her hands in his. "Emma Lawson, I love you. More than I ever thought it was possible to love another person. You're my best friend, my partner, my home. And I don't want to waste another day not being married to you."

Emma felt tears prick at her eyes as Liam slid out of his chair, dropping to one knee beside their table. He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a stunning diamond ring.

"Emma," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "will you marry me?"

For a moment, Emma couldn't speak. Her heart felt too full, like it might burst from the sheer force of her love for this man. Finally, she managed to choke out a single word:

"Yes."

The restaurant erupted in applause as Liam slipped the ring onto her finger and pulled her into a kiss that was both tender and passionate. When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Emma couldn't stop the happy tears from falling.

"I love you," she whispered, resting her forehead against his. "So much."

Liam's answering smile was radiant. "I love you too, future Mrs. Harper."

As they left the restaurant hand in hand, Emma felt like she was walking on air. She couldn't stop staring at the ring on her finger, couldn't stop smiling so wide her cheeks hurt.

"So," Liam said as they reached the car, "what do you say we go home and celebrate properly?"

Emma's smile turned mischievous. "Why, Mr. Harper, are you propositioning me?"

Liam's laugh was warm and full of promise. "You bet I am, future Mrs. Harper. I plan on celebrating our engagement all night long."

As they drove home, Emma's mind was already whirling with plans for the future. A wedding to plan, a life to build together... it was everything she'd ever dreamed of and more.

And as Liam pulled her close that night, whispering promises of forever against her skin, Emma knew that this was just the beginning of their happily ever after.