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A few years passed, Slaughter has been doing good, they've done tours and I'd go see some shows when I can. Kelly and I dated for about two years and got engaged not too long ago. Kelly proposed to me one night on shift, everyone was asleep and Kelly woke me up because he wanted to show me something, so I got up, walked outside, climbed up to the roof of the firehouse, and he proposed to me.

A few weeks after Kelly and I got engaged, Chief Boden and Donna were getting married at the Firehouse with a surprise wedding and everything was beautiful from the ceremony to the reception. During the reception we got a call of building fire that required all units, I gave Kelly a quick kiss before heading to our assigned units. We got to the building and something seems off just don't know what yet. Our relief Batallion Chief assigned everyone their tasks until there was an explosion that knocked everyone out, I was sent flying to a wall that knocked the wind out of me and have me a concussion that I blacked out.

That explosion costed us one of our own and that was the life of Leslie Shay.

Right now I'm in the hospital to get examined and one of the nurses called my emergency contact, which just so happens to be Mark. While in one of the treatment rooms Kelly was with me and that was when I heard two very familiar voices.

Mark: Hi, I'm Mark Slaughter and this is Dana Strum, I'm looking for Melissa Kelly, we're her emergency contacts.
Nurse: Of course right this way.

While I was sitting on the hospital bed waiting to be cleared and released, I saw Mark and Dana and I gestured for them to come in. Dana and Mark walked in and gave me the biggest yet gentlest hug. Kelly looked confused until I told him who they were and left to give me some time with them. After I was cleared to leave the hospital, I was given a few days off to recover.

About three months passed and my relationship with Kelly is starting to go down a path that was not right. Kelly's been going out late at night, coming home drunk, and has been pushing me away ever since Shay's death. Lately, I've been thinking about Mark and my feelings for him have resurfaced and stronger than ever. You may be wondering why an engaged woman is thinking about another man who is not only older than her by a few years, but is also her best friend? Well that's because Dana called me yesterday while Kelly was out doing god knows what and told me that Mark and the girl he was dating cheated on him with the damn guitar player that replaced my dad ever since his legal issues and fired him, Dana offered me the spot, and I told him that I'd think about it. I know that if my dad was here right now he'd be telling me to follow my heart.

Right now I'm on shift thinking about my life and dad. I'm fixing myself some coffee because I desperately need some after last night because I could not sleep after thinking about everything. I see Kelly come in looking hungover and in need for some coffee. Enough is enough it's time to see what Kelly has been doing while he's "out".

Melissa: Rough night? <she asks while taking a sip of coffee>
Kelly: <mumbles> Something like that.
Melissa: Alright, cut the crap Kelly, where the hell have you been the past couple of weeks when you say you're going out, because it sure as hell ain't Molly's because I know nobody would let you drive home drunk, so where the hell were you really, hm?
Kelly: What are you my babysitter? <he asks with an eye roll>
Melissa: No I'm your damn fiancé who is worried about her soon to be husband going out every damn night off shift, you know Kelly I've been trying to help you in every way I can after Shay died and now I see that it's no use in trying to someone who'll lie.
Kelly: <mumbles almost incoherent before he walks away> Maybe you shouldn't be anymore.

With that said I don't feel the need to be sad after what Kelly said but what I do need right now is some advice and I know who can give me the best advice I need right now. I stepped outside to call Dana, I marked his number, and by the second ring he answered.

Phone call: Dana
Dana: Hey Mel, how's it going?
Melissa: Hey Dana, it's okay, listen I need your advice in a department.
Dana: Okay, which department you need advice in?
Melissa: <nervously laughs> Uhm the love department.
Dana: Okay, what ya got for me?
Melissa: Okay, so remember how I used to have feelings for Mark?
Dana: How could I not it was so obvious because you two were inseparable I think people thought you two were actually a couple, anyways continue.
Melissa: True, anyway you remember how you and Mark came to the Hospital when I got hurt a few months back, well my fiancé, Kelly, who you all met at the Hospital, has been pushing me away after his best friend's death in the explosion, he's been staying out late at night, coming home drunk, and literally he showed up to shift today hungover.
Dana: What?!
Melissa: No and that's not even the worst part a few minutes ago I confronted him about it and told him that I have the right to be worried because I am his fiancé, you know what he said, he said "maybe you shouldn't be anymore", Kelly has been lying to me for months as to where he has been when he says he's going "out" and what he's been doing, and lately my feelings for Mark have resurfaced and are stronger than ever for the past month and a half.
Dana: Okay, you said you want my advice here it is, what Kelly said to you is not what any woman want's to hear from her future husband, when you and Mark first met both your dad and I knew that you two we're meant to be together, but you two were to scared to admit it and if your dad was here he'd tell you to do what makes you happy and be with that one special person who will treat you right, look what is your heart telling you right now?
Melissa: Right now my heart is telling me that being a firefighter isn't the right choice for me and that as far as love is concerned, I know in my heart that I will be happy with Mark because we both love the same things including playing guitar, he's always been there for me whenever I needed him, he cheers me up when I'm down, I mean what is there not to like about Mark.
Dana: I think you've got your answer kiddo, speaking of answers, have you thought about my offer to join?
Melissa: Yeah I have and I decided that I will join and continue my dad's legacy the right way.
Dana: That's great kiddo I'll send you our upcoming tour dates so that way you can make any changes if you need to.
Melissa: Thanks Dana, I'll talk to you later.
Dana: Alright kiddo talk to you later, bye.
Melissa: Bye.
End Phone Call

I ended the call with Dana and decided to make the career move. I went back inside, went to the desk where all the forms are, got the form I needed to quit, grabbed a pen and a clipboard, went back outside, put my favorite Slaughter songs on, and filled out the paper work. When I finished the paper work, I asked Connie, Chief Boden's assistant, to give him the form because I had to finish some other things. Once she agreed to give Chief the form, I went to my locker and cleared everything from there, but left my engagement ring in there. Once I was done packing my stuff, I went outside to head to my car when I saw a very familiar face as if it was the perfect timing.