Page 210 of Knotting the Firefighters

Never experienced this before.

Not with Gregory. Not in foster care. Not during years of carefully maintained independence that was actually just defensive isolation.

This is new.

And terrifying.

And absolutely perfect…

Their breathing patterns slow around me—each of them surrendering to sleep at different rates, creating an overlapping rhythm that lulls me deeper into tranquility.

Tomorrow will bring complications.

Heat approaching, professional transitions requiring navigation, and the ongoing investigation that still hovers despite legal progress.

But tonight—right now—wrapped in their arms and surrounded by their scents and nested in space they created specifically for my comfort?—

Everything is exactly right.

My eyes close with finality, body claiming rest it's been denied through weeks of stress and adjustment.

The last conscious thought before sleep claims me completely is gratitude—profound, overwhelming gratitude for these four ridiculous men who somehow saw past my defensesto the person hiding underneath, who decided that person was worth keeping, worth protecting, worth loving.

Worth creating a sanctuary for.

FLAMES AND FINALITY

~WENDOLYN~

The sound penetrates sleep with surgical precision—electronic intrusion that transforms peaceful unconsciousness into confused awareness.

Alert.

Phone alert.

What—?

My hand fumbles blindly across unfamiliar surfaces, seekingadevice that's apparently demanding immediate attention despite the ungodly hour that must be?—

Dawn.

Barely dawn, based on weak light filtering through curtains.

Why is anything alerting at dawn?

Aidric grumbles beside me—sound of profound displeasure at interrupted sleep, body shifting in nest cushions with clear intention to ignore disturbance and resume unconsciousness.

Same.

Strong agreement with ignoring everything.

Sleep is a precious commodity we're all desperately needing.

We're still arranged exactly as we collapsed last night—tangled configuration of limbs and bodies, my position secured in the center with four Alphas surrounding me in protective formation that probably looks ridiculous but feels absolutely perfect.

Warm.

Safe.