Chapter 1 — Bull
Bull went into monk mode when he and Serena were called to do an interview for one of the local rescuers for a house fire they put out a few weeks ago. Serena was always in touch with the local TV station, and they proposed for the station to interview the hero at their location. The two were the first ones to arrive and were waiting for the rescuer to come. Bull walked over to Serena holding out his arms and Serena tilted her head and planted her palms on his chest. She slowly used them to smooth the fabric of Bull's navy blue uniform. "There you go, Bull. You look like a million bucks," Serena said placing her hands on her hips. Her eyes crinkled as she bounced up and down. "You always look so handsome! I love a firefighter especially in uniform!" she whispered. Bull grinned weakly as Serena caressed his stubbled cheek after planting a long kiss there.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"You're welcome," Serena said wincing at the lipstick stain she left.
"Go on and sit, Bull. I need to clean something off your face before we get started."
Serena wiped off her lipstick and then for some odd reason, took out some powder and blew it on his face, like it was the final touch to make Bull's face perfect. "You're chipper today," Bull said dusting the leftover powder off his pants.
Serena hummed absently as she put away her make-up kit. "Oh, Bull. You're a close friend. Is there anything I can't hide from you?" she sighed whimsically as she sat down next to him, her skirt parachuting before falling in perfect over her legs.
"Not a thing," Bull jested in an accent that sounded British. "What's on your mind, Rena?"
Serena looked down and smiled. "Aren't things just perfect right now? I think about how it was when Randy and I first started living together, barely had enough money to make a meal, and how different everything today. It feels like everything is perfect." Serena's lamenting, looking happy, but conflicted. "So is it the right time to start a family?"
Fuck! Bull's heart rate dropped like the final nail in his coffin, the sickening snap of the rope that's around his neck, the execution shot that rang out. He felt like he was going to cry. "Rena—" Bull stuttered, lost for words.
Serena's eyes widened. "Oh, no! No, Bull, I'm not pregnant! I'm not!" she said. "It's just one of those talks Randy and I been having lately. I always thought I wouldn't be ready to have kids until I was at least thirty-five, but it just seems like if there's a perfect time, then it's now." Serena frowned when she saw Bull wasn't even looking at her. His gaze was fixed on the floor, trying not to spin out of control. "It sounds stupid, right? I should just wait a little longer, right?"
"I think you should do what you feel is right. I know it sounds cheesy, but if your heart's telling you that's what you want, then go for it. If you're having second thoughts, give it some time. There's still so much more to life."
Serena smiled and embraced him, running her hands over his broad back and shoulders. "Thank you, Bull. I can always count on you to make me feel better," she whispered in his ear.
Bull didn't feel up to doing the interview as the word "heartbreak" was written all over his face but did so anyway.