Piston Peak Chronicles: Life Goes On

“Just stay behind me!”

“C-Chief!”

Blade found himself terrified as his leader, Ray, covered him from the oncoming flames, taking on the brunt of the force. He grimaced, trying to hold back a scream as the he gripped at the rocks behind Blade.

It had just been another fire… another routine.. then a downdraft got both of them… and they were cornered. They had radioed the others to come get them… but it felt like they would never come.

“Ray! Please!”

“Just stay behind me, that’s an order!”

No… NO!!!!

“Blade?”

Blade snapped out of it, seeing his wife in front of him, concern in her amber eyes.

“You okay? You look… pale…”

Blade sighed, shaking his head.

“Sorry just… worried about some things…”

“About what?”

Blade looked at Miranda before looking behind her, seeing Hailey with her baby brother in her arms, the young girl squealing a bit as she and Alex played.

“History repeating… I want to be a good father for Alex… But…” He cringed. “I’m the chief of a fire crew… we have an occupational hazard… and… I’ve seen what happens when someone loses a parent.”

Miranda frowned before bringing her arms around him.

“C’mere…”

Blade brought his around her, resting his head against hers.

“I remember it all too well… I don’t want that to happen to Alex… I don’t want him to grow up without one of us…”

“I know sweetie…” Miranda kissed his cheek. “I know…”

“Dad… DAD!!!”

Blade could see a young Jake curled up beside Ray’s limp body, sobbing over it, his wife right beside him… Both mourning the loss.

He had to tell them the news… it hurt… it really did… But nothing else could be done.

Ray saved my life that day… it cost him… but it taught me a lot… I just don’t want Alex to have to go through something like that too.

“That’s not gonna happen, not on my watch, Chief.”

Both turned to see Jake not too far from them, a determined look in his eyes.

Blade got a touched look in his eyes.

“Jake…” He sighed. “... Thank you.”

Jake gave a gentle smile.

“My father died a hero that day… it was hard growing up without him… but I was able to move on… and still follow after him. I don’t want Alex having to go through that too… or Hailey. They deserve to have you as they grow up.” Jake gave a thumbs up. “I got your back. Alright?”

Blade smiled warmly returning the gesture.

“It’s a deal. You got my back, I got yours. Means a lot Jake… Seriously.”

Jake nodded. “The Piston Peak Air Attack is family after all. That’s how my father had it… we look out for each other.”

Miranda smiled. “I remember…” She kissed Blade’s cheek. “They brought me out here after all to make this one smile again.”

Blade chuckled kissing her cheek. “It really did help. We watch out for our own here. That’s how it works… And of course mess with Cad as much as possible now that he can’t touch us.” He smirked. “Hope you’re ready for that Jake.”

Jake smirked. “I am.”

“And of course we have one other order of business.”

Hailey was present now, her brother curled up in her arms.

“Oh?” Miranda raised an eyebrow.

“... Getting Bernard and Dipper to possibly tie the knot in the future.”

Blade laughed ruffling his daughter’s hair.

“Knowing you missy? You’ll think of something.” He grinned. “You and the others… But no chainsaws.”

“I’m not Uncle Maru.” She grinned back.

“That’s my girl.” Miranda giggled.

Jake laughed a bit himself before going over to Hailey, looking at Alex.

“Still so tiny…”

Alex yawned a little looking up at Jake.

“Bwah?”

Jake smiled, stroking his hair a little.

“Got a cute kid, Chief.”

Alex giggled nuzzling his hand.

“Yeah…” Blade smiled warmly at his son. “Takes after his mom…”

Hailey smirked offering her brother to Jake. “You know how I grew up around here… Everyone got the honor of being an aunt or uncle… That’s gonna go for you too Jake.”

Jake chuckled, taking Alex into his arms.

“Just how it rolls around here.” He cradled Alex gently. “We look out for one another… and help one another carry on.”

Miranda leaned against Blade a little.

“That’s right…”

Blade nodded.

“And it’s how life is… It moves on… and so do we.”