Ruben & Winter

I peeked outside and rolled my eyes. "Katy and Royce," I said and sat in his lap.

Winter

"I really wish some of these couples would fuck already. They'd feel better."

"I agree. It certainly helped us."

Winter

"Yep. Thank god we didn't put it off for a long time. I would have combusted." I teased.

I laughed. "You and me both. I hadn't had sex for years before that."

Winter

"Whatever." I teased.

I laughed a little. "No, I'm serious. You're only the second person I've been with."

Winter

"I don't want to know who the first was. I might get jealous." I smiled and kissed her cheek.

"It doesn't matter anyway. He's been dead for a long time. You don't have anything to worry about anyway baby, I love you more than anything," I said and kissed him.

Winter

"I love you too. I'm sorry to hear that he's gone now, though. Were you friends?"

"Yes. We were really close. Not as much as we used to be though. We kind of just...drifted apart."

Winter

"Why is that?"

"I don't know really. We both just... kind of got on with our own lives, not that I really had much of one. We didn't see each other much."

Winter

"I see." I said and kissed her again. "And now you have me. You poor little thing." I teased.

I laughed a little and kissed him back. "I definitely got lucky with you baby. I love you."

Winter

"I love you too. Behave yourself while I'm at work."

Ruben

I laughed a little. "Don't I always?" I asked with a smirk.

Winter

"I don't know. There are times when I wonder." I smiled and stood up, setting her on her feet. I walked over to Starr and started cleaning her up "What time should I meet you at the clinic?"

"Whenever you're free. Just call me when you can so I have time to drive over there."

Winter

"Alright sounds good." I gave Starr a hug and a kiss and then Winter. "Love you girls, I"ll see you both later."

"Bye baby. Be careful. I love you."

"I love you too." I kissed her once more and headed out.

The house shook for several more minutes before it finally settled. Dust was still falling down and all of a sudden the lights went out, plunging us into darkness. Starr started screaming and I tried to calm her down even as I smelled the smoke... "No... oh no..." I whispered. I picked her up and held her to me as I grabbed the flash light next to me, making my way over to the door to get upstairs. I put my hand up to it and immediately backed away. It was searing hot to the touch....

"Winter!? Starr!?"

I had a blanket around Starr but I was already starting to cough from the smoke. I thought I heard someone over the roar of the flames, but maybe that was just wishful thinking... All the same, it wouldn't hurt to try. "HELP! D-down here! B-basement!" I yelled, coughing in between words.

I was trying to cover my nose and face with my shirt but it really wasn't helping that much. I heard her voice over the chaos and it sounded like basement. I was coughing my lungs up when I finally found the door...it felt like an eternity already. With all the strength I could muster I started kicking the door. Sweat was pouring down my face and into my eyes, my body was overheating fast.