Page 71 of Nanny for the Firefighters

The mere sight of them makes my heart swell in ways I didn't think possible. With soft steps, I make my way to the altar.

It's a simple ceremony, really—just a few friends to bear witness to this kind of love. Not everyone could understand, but that's okay. This isn't their story to tell.

Marcus steps forward first, taking my hand. "You look stunning, Ella," he murmurs, his eyes filled with pride.

I blush, glancing down at my dress—a simple yet elegant white gown that flows around me. "Thank you, Marcus. You clean up pretty well yourself."

He chuckles, squeezing my hand. "Ready to do this?"

"More than ready," I reply, my voice steady.

Lily starts her march down the makeshift aisle, scattering petals with enthusiasm. She reaches the altar and stands beside us, her face beaming with joy.

Marcus clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "We've gathered here today to make promises not just to Ella, but to each other. We're a family, and today we're celebrating that bond."

Theo steps up next, his gaze meeting mine. "Ella, you've brought light into our lives. We promise to stand by you, to support you, and to protect you and our baby. No matter what."

Ethan nods warmly. "We promise to be there for you, always. To share the burdens and the joys. To be the best fathers and partners we can be."

Will steps forward last, a glint of dry humor in his eyes. "And I promise to teach our kid all the tech skills they'll ever need. You know, just in case they need to hack into any security systems when they grow up."

I laugh, tears of happiness welling up in my eyes. "I love you all so much. I promise to be there for you, to support you, and to raise our child together. We're a team."

Marcus pulls out a simple gold band from his pocket, slipping it onto my finger. "We chose this together." He smiles before going all solemn on me. "With this ring, we promise to be yours, Ella—in good times and bad, in all seasons of sun and storm."

I blink back tears, my heart overflowing with love—quite literally. Lily hands me four rings, one at a time. I place them on the fingers of my partners. "And with these rings, I promise myself to you now, tomorrow, always."

"Always," Theo and Will say in unison. Ethan nods gruffly, and Marcus looks like a very happy Golden Retriever.

I've never been happier myself.

Lily tugs on my dress, looking up at me with wide eyes. She wants me to tell her she did good, the little angel.

"You did perfect, Lily," I say, scooping her up into my arms. "Thank you for being the best flower girl ever."

She giggles, throwing her arms around my neck. Marcus, Theo, Ethan, and Will step forward, each placing a hand on me and Lily. We stand there, a family united, ready to face whatever the future holds.

"Here's to us," Marcus says, his voice filled with emotion. "To our family."

"To our family," we all echo.

33

MARCUS

AFew Months Later

We each help Ella get up and dressed. Will has her hospital bag. I bundle Lily up for the ride, and we pile into the oversized SUV I bought to protect my three girls, to fit all seven of us. The new car seat awaits us in the back.

Theo straps Ella into the passenger seat as Will and Ethan file in the back. Lily is an easy handoff in her sleepy state to be settled in her car seat. Ethan's hand squeezes Ella's shoulder as I slide behind the wheel.

We pull out of the long, gravel driveway to the flashing lights of a Station 23 fire truck waiting for us. I wave at them, and the siren whoops before they lead us through town.

"I called for an escort."

"Good." Ella gasps for breath. "Hurry."

The worry in her voice drives me faster, and the usual forty-minute drive is shaved down to twenty-six minutes.