Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. – Joshua J. MarineTy had been with the fire department for just over ten years. He loved it. As a hellion in his youth, he ended up doing community service with the fire department. It was an agreement made between the chief, Ty and his parents. He had been seventeen when his friends dared him to spray paint the garage door at the fire house. Being young, dumb and thinking he was cool, he did it. And got caught almost as soon as he started. By the chief, no less. Twelve thirty at night and his parents had to pick him up. Chief Konuk gave him a choice. Call the police. Or community service over summer. He chose community service.Even when his time had been completed, he still hung around. Saturdays and school holidays, you could find him at station three. The crews presented him with an official department polo with his name and trainee on it.When he graduated high school, he received the

If you are going through hell, keep going. Why would you stop in hell? – Steve HarveyA few minutes later, JD pulled into the parking lot and found a spot. He got out of the car and started to walk towards the building. When he didn’t hear his mom’s door he went back and opened it.“Sorry. I guess I got in the habit of Reese getting the door for me.” Helen said sheepishly. JD put his arm around her shoulders and walked with her into the building. They walked up to the reception desk where a blonde sat looking bored.“I’m looking for Tyrus Johnson.” Helen said with a smile. “One moment.” She picked up the phone and spoke into the receiver. A few minutes later, a nurse opened the door and looked towards the woman with long braids and dark skin. “For Tyrus Johnson?”“That’s me.” Helen said stepping towards

Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared. – TupacBunny came back downstairs and grabbed Jaxon by the hand. She pulled him over and sat him down next to Ty. “We did something.” She said handing over a test to each of them. It took a second for it to register and then both men stood up and hugged her. There were hugs and kisses between the three of them. It wasn’t until Jaxon looked over at his mom who was kissing Reese that he realized his secret was out. Ty reached up and turned Jaxon’s face to his own. He kissed the other man.“She knows.” Bunny kissed both of them. “She just wants you to be happy.”Jaxon kissed Bunny and Ty before laying his head on the other man’s shoulder and pulling Bunny into a tight hug between them. “I am happy.”“I’m happy too.” Ty sa

Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. – Brené BrownHelen pulled up to the Queen Anne style house and noticed the other cars in the lot. Somehow, she doubted that all five belonged to employees. When she told Bunny about the appointment, she insisted on doing Helen’s hair and makeup. She felt so weird walking into the house. She had never done pictures of just her before. Sure, there were family pictures and candid shots that the kids had done. But never anything like this. “Helen?” a woman asked as Helen came through the door. “Yes.” “Oh, good. I need a second set of eyes.” The woman with rainbow colored hair said handing her a picture. “Do they match?”Helen took the picture and looked at the adults recreating a childhood picture. Seven were lined up in age or

Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is. – German ProverbSaturday morning, Reese sent Dean to do whatever she wanted. He handed over a credit card and the keys to his recently restored Mustang. She called JD, who she had been hanging out with a lot lately, and they went to do… he really didn’t know. He really didn’t care. Then he went and met Bunny and Helen at their weekly brunch. Bunny had the glow of pregnancy about her and did not notice the nervousness between the other two. The drive back to his house was long and quiet. Unnerving him the whole way. He had not intended to talk to Helen about the playroom yet. She was barely comfortable being partially naked around him. There was no way that she was ready to wear nothing but Shibari knots.Reese parked in the driveway and rounded the car to open the door for her. He unlocked the house and then led her down the hall to the only rooms she ha