Fire Escape - Book Three: Troubled Heroes Series (An Action Thriller) (2 page)

             
Nodding, Michael put the note in his pocket and shook his hand.  “You got it.”

             
“Stay safe out there and thanks for all you do, McGinnis.”

             
“Same to you, Doc.” 

He wal
ked out into the reception area. His next course of action was delivering the news to all the guys at the firehouse.  It was only a few blocks from where he was, so he took the quick walk down, enjoying the crisp air.  He wasn’t sure if Eva would be around, so he sent her a quick text message telling her he was on his way over, and that he had been cleared. 

The guys had the rigs all pulled out of the garage and were busy spraying them down when he got there. 

“Well hell, look what the cat dragged in!” Gregg Walsh dropped his rag and walked up to him.  “What’s the verdict?”

“Free and clear, starting Monday.”

“Thank God.  The probie’s coffee is about to kill us all.”

Michael laughed, suddenly feeling nostalgic for all of the firehouse banter. “Seriously, though. Thanks for helping Eva out when I was down in Texas.  She told me about the support and stuff.  You didn’t have to do that, but we appreciate it.”

Gregg held his hand up.  “It was nothing.  We take care of our brothers and their families.  Speaking of which, you just missed her.  They stopped by a few minutes ago but got called out to a wreck.”

“I’m looking for Rooker. Gotta give him this doctor’s note.  I feel like a damn kid in school again.”

“He’s in his office.”

Michael was razzed by several of the other men as he walked through, but finally made it back to Captain Rooker’s office.  He held his
fist up and hesitated before knocking, finally rapping his knuckles against the door. 

“Come in!” His voice was booming and he sounded agitated.

“Hey sir, I just wanted to bring this by.”  Michael held out the note.

“Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, McGinnis!” He snatched the paper from his hand and read over it.  “I definitely needed to hear this today.  Be here bright and early Monday morning.”

“You got it, Captain.” 

He turned to leave, but Captain Rooker spoke again.  “You sure you’re ready?”

Turning on his heel, Michael didn’t even hesitate. “Always.”

“You’re a good man, McGinnis.  I can always count on you, unlike all these damn young guys coming in, looking to get quick fame and throw around the term hero like it’s easily earned.  What you did down in Texas is admirable.  I’m sure the people down there are appreciative of the time you volunteered for them.”

Michael wasn’t sure how to respond.  He felt his face heat up at the attention, the mood suddenly becoming awkward.  “Thank you, sir.  It’s what I felt I had to do.”

“I’m glad you made it back safely.  I look forward to seeing you back on the truck Monday morning.”

Michael felt a sense of pride rush over him.  “Yes sir.”  He closed the door behind him, letting out a deep sigh as he made his way back out to the other guys.  Regardless of his years on the job, his palms were sweaty and his stomach fluttered. He felt like a kid on Christmas morning. 
 

***

             
“So you’re all clear?” Eva asked as she walked through the door of apartment, setting aside her duffle bag as she walked into the living room.  She looked to have had a busy day. Her hair was pulled back in a loose pony tail and she seemed tired, but still managed to have a smile on her face as she sat by him on the couch. 

             
“Yep.  I get the weekend off and then it’s back at it again.”  He turned the volume down on the TV and looked at her.  “Figured we’d need to tell our families soon.  You know how pissed my mom will be if she hears it from someone other than us.”

             
“I’m off this weekend. We can make all of our stops on Saturday if you want.”

             
Michael nodded, trying to hide his uneasiness.  “Yeah, I guess so.  We’ll just have to call Casey, I guess.”

             
“What’s wrong, Mikey?”  She played with the hair that curled around his ear, causing him to make a mental note that he needed to add a haircut on to his to do list before Monday. 

             
Shrugging, he sat forward on the couch and set the TV remote down on the table.  “Just thinking about your family.  I haven’t really met any of them, and I didn’t exactly ask your dad for permission before I proposed.  That’s kind of a big deal for some men.”

             
Eva smirked and continued to mess with his hair that was shooting out from under his baseball cap.  “He’s traditional, yeah, but I think you’re fine.  He’s heard me talk about you and everything.  Just be yourself.  He’ll love you.”

             
“Just crazy we’ve been together for as long as we have and I’ve never been out to Staten Island to meet them.”

             
Eva pulled her ponytail loose and her long hair fell around her shoulders.  Even after a long day of work, she looked absolutely stunning.  Her reassuring smile calmed his nerves.  “I think you’re excused, with everything that has happened.  Hasn’t exactly been a great time these past few months.  Hell, this past year, if you want to put it into perspective.”

             
“I guess you’re right.”  She had a good point, but he still could see things from her dad’s point of view.  If they ever had a daughter, he would want to make sure that the man pursuing his kid was the right one, was respectful, and knew how to make her happy.  Hopefully, he was all of that for Eva, and with luck, her father would see it in him. 

             
“I’m starving. Let’s go down to that corner pizzeria and get takeout,” Eva said, pulling him from his daydream.  “Then we can celebrate your improving health and your work clearance.”  She arched her eyebrow and leaned in for a kiss.  “Maybe have a repeat of what happened after we got home last night.”

Her flirtatious grin sent a pang of excitement through him and he held her close for a few seconds.  “Sounds
good to me.”

Chapter Two

              Going to meet Eva’s family wasn’t exactly the restful weekend that Michael had in mind.  Telling his mom and Casey about it had been simple.  They were both excited and surprised that it had taken as long as it did.  They were supportive, and Michael couldn’t help but surmise that it would be complete opposite of how Eva’s dad would take it. 

             
“Mikey, you look like you’re about to puke!” Eva grabbed his hand as they leaned over the railing of the ferry that took them from Manhattan toward Staten Island.  “I’m glad your mom was so happy about all of this.”

             
“I’m sea sick,” he replied, rubbing his belly with his free hand. 

             
“You’re such a bad liar.  Don’t worry! We’re a big Italian family, but we’re inviting.”

             
Michael scoffed and ducked his head.  “That’s exactly what worries me. I keep imagining your dad as this big mafia guy like from
Scarface
or
Goodfellas
.”

             
“So you’re placing stereotypes on my family?” She let out an infectious laugh.  “Now that would be a very quick way to get him on your bad side.  Get all of those images out of your head now.”

             
“That makes me feel so much better,” Michael said, his tone sarcastic.  “And what do you mean, you’re glad my mom was so happy? Did you expect something different?”

             
Eva pursed her lips as she stared out into the water.  “Yeah, I sort of did.”

             
“C’mon! She loves you! She’s always loved you!” He put his arm around her shoulders.  “It’s hard not to love you.”

             
“I don’t know. I just assumed things, just like you’re assuming things.” She pointed her finger into his chest.  “Just kept thinking that she’s gonna view me as stealing you away from her.  You know, the whole mom-son complex.  Some women want to keep their boys around.  Some don’t.  Since you are her oldest and Casey is down in Texas, it was just my silly imagination thinking it to death.”

             
“Silly is right,” Michael said, kissing her on the head. 

             
“Exactly.  Silly like you’re being.”

             
The ferry ride pulled in to one of the harbors on Staten Island and all of the people began to file off.  Maybe he was being silly.  He just had memories of times he had met old girlfriend’s families and things didn’t go well at all.  Of course, that was when things weren’t going so well for him either, and he was drinking like a fish.  He was sober now, and had been for quite some time.  Hopefully her dad wouldn’t catch on to him being a recovering alcoholic. 

             
Attempting to hide his emotions, he forced a smile as she took his hand and led him in the direction of her parent's house.  There was an added skip to her step, like she thrived being on the island.  Even though it wasn’t far from the city, she still didn’t get to see them as much as she would like to. 

             
“They don’t live far from here - right off the edge of the water, a few blocks up. It’s a nice walk.”

             
Michael followed behind her for a few steps, taking in the air.  The days had started to grow cooler, and winter was right on the horizon.  It was such a contrast compared to being down in Texas just four weeks ago, where the heat was blazing and there was not much transition from summer to fall.  He was certain that Casey would enjoy the mild winters down there, compared to what they usually endured in New York. 

             
Eva’s pace quickened as they got closer to residential areas.  The houses were quaint, and there was an awesome view of the New York skyline from where they were standing. 

             
“It’s the blue two story house on the left,” Eva pointed.  “It looks like my brothers are there too. Daddy didn’t mention they’d be on the island.”

             
Michael let out an uneasy laugh.  “Nice home they got here.  Nice view too.”  He stopped to appreciate the buildings right across the water, still not used to seeing the gaping hole where the twin towers once stood.  The Freedom Towers were in the process of being built, but still wouldn’t replace what once stood there.  

             
They walked through the short picket fence and up the steps, and before Eva could even knock, the door opened and her mother greeted her with a long hug and huge laughter. 

             
“Eva, my baby, you look wonderful! Keeping in shape.  I guess you have to for your job, don’t you honey?”  Eva resembled her.  She was a beautiful woman that almost didn’t look old enough to be her mother. 

             
“Oh Ma, you’re just saying that.”  She turned to Michael and pulled him closer. “Ma, this is Michael McGinnis.”

             
She held her hand out and Michael shook it.  “Nice to meet you.  I’m Elana. It’s nice to finally put a face with a name.”

             
“Nice to meet you too,” he said, shocked when she pulled him in for a hug. 

             
“Your dad is inside with your brothers. Watching some dumb football game or something.  I’m cooking a nice dinner for you all.”  Elana turned back to Michael again, her smile genuine.  “It’s really nice to have you here, hon.”

             
“Thanks for having me.” They walked into the house and the scent from the kitchen smelled amazing.  Michael couldn’t tell what it was, but he was sure it would be delicious.  His stomach growled and he realized he hadn’t eaten anything all day. 

             
The hunger subsided when he got his first full glance at Eva’s father.  He was sitting in a recliner, his legs propped up, and a bottle of beer sitting on the end table beside him.  What he assumed was one of her brothers was sitting adjacent to him on the couch.  He could definitely tell they were Italian, but nothing like he had thought up with the mafia movie references. 

             
“Daddy!” Eva yelled out, leaning over to hug him.  “Who’s winning?”

             
“Syracuse. I’m just as shocked as you are.”  Michael caught his attention and he did a double take, his brow creasing.  “And who is this?”

             
Michael stepped forward and extended his hand for him to shake.  Her father hesitated at first, but his grip was tight as he returned the gesture.

             
“I’m Michael McGinnis.”

             
The older man arched his eyebrow, much like Eva would do with him when she was skeptical about something.  “McGinnis?  Is that Irish?”

             
A lump formed in Michael’s throat.  Was he going to have reservations about his heritage?  “Yes sir, it is.”