“I’m sure you are, Lieutenant,” I agreed, wrapping my arms around his neck, reminding him of his newly minted status at the station.

His smile was wide. “Speaking of …”

I lifted an eyebrow.

“I spoke with the captain the other day. Wanted to wait until it was final. I got the word today, the brass has asked me to split my time between Rescue Four and new recruits.”

I wrinkled my forehead. “What does that mean?”

“It means I’ll be half time at the station and the other half at the Academy, helping to shape the next generation of Williamsport firefighters. It also means less time I’ll have to spend running into fires.”

My eyes widened. “Really?”

He nodded. “Really, sugar.” He kissed my forehead.

I frowned. “Wait. You didn’t just do this because it’s what you thought I’d want, did you?”

“You know I’d give you anything you wanted.”

“I know, which is why I’m asking.”

“Firstly, I didn’t request this at all, but with my promotion and experience, my name was thrown in the pot for new instructors and I agreed. I’ll still be with Rescue Four doing what I love, but I’ll also be able to shape how recruits are instructed to graduate better prepared firefighters for the entire city.”

I felt relieved at the excitement I heard in his voice at this new opportunity. And I was satisfied knowing that he would be spending less time in actual fires. Call me selfish, but I liked the idea of knowing my man was in less danger every time he went to work.

“With you as their instructor, Williamsport is going to have the best firefighters in the world,” I gushed, pressing kisses all over his face.

He chuckled. “Any other wishes I can grant for you today?”

“Yes, I want another baby.”

He went completely still, his breathing increasing.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning.

“You’re still on the pill—”

“I threw them out this morning.” I’d started taking birth control after our youngest, Sam was born, and when things started getting crazy at Carter’s job. The thought of bringing another child into this world while also fearing for my husband’s life was too much to bear.

“We’re getting started on that assignment tonight!” Carter yelled, causing me to laugh out loud.

“What assignment? Another volcano?” Diego asked as he and Monique re-entered the living room.

I parted my mouth to respond when the baby monitor that Carter had carried into the living room alerted all of us that our youngest, Sam, had awaken from his nap.

“No. Your mama and I have a special project of our own we’re working on,” I heard Carter say as I started for the stairs to retrieve Sam.

Covering my mouth to keep the laugh from escaping, I looked back down to see Carter’s glinting eyes firmly planted on my backside. He grinned, licking his lips when he saw me watching him.

I wouldn’t bother to tell him that it would likely take at least a few days for the birth control to work its way out of my system. Heck, I was ready to started practicing as soon as possible.