TAYLOR* I was a bottle of nerves as we walked through the building, making our way towards Blaze's office. Even though Wade and Connor had assured me that we would all make it through this, I was still anxious about losing my job. The one constant I've had in my life for the last seven years beyond having Mark. I didn't want to depend on anyone; I loved my independence. Aaron hated it; he had always hated the fact that I wanted to work. I honestly think he hated the fact that I made more money than him, well before he became Mayor, that is. Would Wade and Connor make me quit like Aaron had when I was pregnant? I guess that wouldn't matter since we were all most likely about to lose our jobs anyway. Wade squeezed my hand, reassuring me again that all would be fine, and we walked into the door. My heart sank when Blaze's smile turned from happy to see us to being pissed in only a matter of seconds. "What's going on?" Blaze asked as he squinted his eyes at us. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. My mouth went dry, and no words would come to the surface. I didn't want to get fired; I love my job. This was all one colossal mistake; I wanted to run away as fast as I could. "Taylor and I have been seeing each other for the last couple of months, and we just found out that she's pregnant," Wade said as he glanced down at me and squeezed my hand once again. "Taylor, please go to your office for a moment; I'll be in to talk to you soon," Blaze commanded. Wade let go of my hand, hugged me, and turned me back towards the door. Conor moved aside but whispered into my ear, "don't worry; I'll talk him down; everything is going to be ok," As I walked across the hall to my office, Blaze started yelling. I decided to stay put and listen in on what was happening if I needed to intervene somehow. Blaze was indeed about to kick Wade's ass, and I wasn't going to let that happen. "The one thing I've asked of both of you beyond being on time was not to touch Taylor. She deserves better than either of you; all she needs is you two corrupting her. Now you've gone and gotten her pregnant. You're partying days are over, do you understand. You're going to marry her and make this right, or by God, I'll beat your ass," Blaze yelled. "I love her more than anything on this earth, Blaze; I would never hurt a hair on her head. We have already decided that we will marry as soon as possible," Wade said, and then I heard it. The force of Blaze punching Wade and Wade flying into the door. "Connor, get Wade, and you guys leave. Get out of here before I beat his ass. And Wade, you're not fired, but I don't want you to show your face around here for a week. You're lucky I love that woman as if she were my little sister," Blaze yelled, and I hurried to my office once I heard the doorknob twisting. I sat down and tried to calm my breathing. Connor couldn't get a word in, but Wade had said all I needed to hear. He truly does love me, and I couldn't wait for him to put a ring on my finger. I hoped that Blaze would calm down a moment before coming to my office. One week for Wade was probably going to be a never come back at all for me. Connor and Wade came out, and Wade was definitely going to have a shiner. There was no way we would be talking to my parents until that went down. Connor shut the door, and Wade left; I supposed he was going to wait out in the truck. Connor walked up to my desk and hugged me. "We were expecting much worse, don't worry, I don't think Blaze will fire you, just breath baby. We will be waiting for you out in the truck," Connor said as he kissed me on the forehead and quickly retreated down the hall. About ten minutes later, Tanner and Jace walked into the building. For once, they were the ones to be late, and I was somewhat thankful about that. What was taking Blaze so long to come talk to me, though? The suspense of what he was about to say or do was driving me crazy. I walked out to greet Tanner and Jace. "Hey guys, I think Blaze is busy with something. If y'all would like to wait in Jace's office, I could come get you guys when he's free," I said as Tanner and Jace gave me hugs. "Sounds good. I had something I needed to talk to Jace about anyway; take your time," Tanner said, and they walked towards Jace's office down the hall. Still, no sign of Blaze coming out of his office. I had half a mind to knock on his door and ask if he was alright, but I decided against it. He needed space, most likely, and I wasn't going to deny him that. I walked back to my office and grabbed my phone from my back pocket. "Take Wade to put some ice on his eye and get him some Advil. Then come back for me. It looks like I'm going to be here for a bit; Blaze hasn't come out to talk to me yet," I texted Connor. "Ok, babe, I'll be back soon. I love you, and good luck," Connor texted back. Now back to the waiting game. I grabbed a box and started putting my personal belongings into it. I would think he would have come out by now, so I figured I was about to get fired. Blaze couldn't even collect himself enough to come out and talk to me. This is how secret forbidden romances went, right? Something always happens that makes the truth come out one way or the other. Why did I think it would be any different for me? Finally, after twenty minutes of waiting for Blaze to come out of his office, the door to his office opened, and he looked up at the box I was packing my things up in. Blaze quickly made his way to my office and shut the door. "What are you doing? Put that crap away; you aren't going anywhere," Blaze commanded as he sat in one of the spare seats across from me. "I thought you wouldn't want me here anymore. I feel like I'm a constant pain in your ass. With everything that's happened with Aaron and now Wade," I said as I looked down into the box with all of my belongings in it. "I'm not upset with you. I hoped for better for you is all. I had to call Lyra so she could help me calm down. That's why it took me so long to come talk to you," Blaze said as he got up from his seat and started to pace around my office. "So I'm not fired then," I whispered. "Hell no. You are the glue that keeps this office and business running smoothly. We would all be lost without you here. I'm not happy about you and Wade, but that's something I'll need to get over. He's my cousin, and I consider you family. In my opinion, I should have done more than punch him in the eye," Blaze said as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Blaze, Ive known you all pretty much since I was born. Wade and Connor were my best friends until high school. I love Wade; I have always loved him. He treats me well, and you need to stop talking so badly of him. He's not as bad as you all seem to think. Wade's been waiting for the right woman to walk into his life. It took Aaron being the fuck up for us both to realize the right person for us was there all along. Wade is a good man, and I think you know that," I said as I walked up to Blaze and put my hand on his shoulder. "Yes, I suppose you are right. He better be good to you, though. I'll do more than give him a black eye otherwise," Blaze said, and we both chuckled. "There is no need to worry about anything, I promise. We have too much going on right now for him to be away from the office, though. Go to church tomorrow, have your day of rest and then allow him to come back. You know I'm right about this," "Lyra pretty much said the same thing," "Great minds think alike," I said as I walked back over and started taking my personal items out of the box.