connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

After a second, he smiled at her. "That sounds great," Connor told her, "if you're not looking to grill, I'd be happy to do so." It was something that soothed Connor and now that he owned his own him, he planned to have his share of cookouts during the summer as well. "Darian adjusting well, it seem?" Connor questioned, out of genuine curiosity. He knew what it was like to move, not nearly as young as the other and he from what Fatma had let him in on, he didn't know what it was like to have his life turned upside down. He chuckled with the woman's words, "Seems to find you even when you're looking to avoid it." Connor said with a nod of his head. "Keep me posted 'bout that cookout," he said, "It was nice to finally meet you." @zeynepaslan

END.

"Nine. Not much older than Darian at all," she agreed, letting a notable pause follow as she let the silence stretch. With as new to town as they were, Darian certainly could use more friendly faces around. The added bonus of further being able to scope out the man her sister was involved with was just another reason to set something up. "Perhaps once I've gotten the backyard finished with landscaping you two can come over for a cookout." Zey wasn't used to being the host of anything, that had always been Ariana's forte, but a play date seemed like an easy way to start having people over to the much too large home she'd bought. Her eyes shifted down at the question being turned back her way, a mirthless laugh leaving her lips. "Like you said, complicated seems to find people," she offered with a slow shrug. "Some more than others, maybe." It's complicated had pretty much summed up her entire life and still did.

@connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

Connor couldn't help but watch as her fingers moved against the walls and the doors she passed them. "Well," he started, a playful edge to his words, "It's not just for cooking." He stepped closer to her, eyes dancing with mischief, "I know it will be perfect for getting a little hands on," he let his fingers brush against the edge of the counter. "Have to have room to chop, to stir," he leaned in, "maybe some tasting, too." His eyes flickered to meet hers with his words, head radiating from his body with how close he was to her. @fatmaxaslan

"The kitchen?" Fatma asked, brow raised. Though nowhere near confused but more so intrigued. At the mention of counter space she pursed her lips together, her shoulders lifting in a slight shrug before she turned half away from him, pointing into a direction, silently asking if there was where she needed to go, before she moved towards the kitchen per his signal, slowly making her way there, her fingertips running along the doors and walls as she passed them. "What ever will you use all that counter space for?" @connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

🔥 a life in fire & grace: : the story of connor bowen

🎵 🎧 🎶 soundtrack to a life - three songs for three chapters

👦magnolia roots & muddy knees ( 1981 - 2001 ) ; savannah's son. porch songs and scraped knuckles. the eldest protector with a poet's soul.

simple man - lynyrd skynyrd

american honey - lady a

i will wait- mumford & sons

🪖 ashes, oceans & ember light ( 2001 - 2016 ) ; a marine in name, a firefighter in purpose. fell in love over a pool table, became a father to his sunshine girl.

even if it breaks your heart - eli young band

no hard feelings - the avett brothers

better man - leon bridges

🌅 second winds & soft landings ( 2017 - present ) ; a dad, a lighthouse, rebuilding from heartbreak, learning to let joy in again.

the bones - maren morris

to build a home - the cinematic orchestra

cover me up - jason isbell

🧰🏖️📚what's in the truck cab?

a fire station ball cap with “Sammy Sunshine” stitched inside

two well-worn guitars: one from his dad, one from sammy

a dog-eared copy of The Things They Carried

a polaroid of sammy on his shoulders at the beach, sand still on his boots

fatma’s phone number scribbled on a veterinary invoice he still hasn’t thrown away

a small wooden cross carved by noah when they were 17

seashells sammy insisted he “had to keep forever”

🗣️ 🤫 💬 rumor's whispered in kismet harbor

"he’s the kind of man who pulls over to help change a stranger’s tire—then brings cookies to their kid’s soccer game."

"he still writes his mom thank you letters. handwritten."

"if sammy’s the sun, he’s the shore that steadies her."

"people say he’s too old-fashioned—but it’s never meant as an insult."

"you’ll find him at the grill, strumming a song from savannah and telling stories no one else remembers but everyone wants to hear."

"his heartbreaks run deep, but so does his hope."

💭 🧠 📝six thoughts in the last year

"i failed the marines, then bobby, then sammy. maybe it’s time to stop seeing myself that way."

"therapy’s hard. but hell, maybe healing’s worth the work."

"how do you raise a daughter to be fearless when you still fear losing her every day?"

"i love fatma. even if i shouldn’t. even if it’s complicated."

"sammy baked those cookies. they’re burnt, but i’m still gonna eat every damn one."

"what would dad think? would he understand what it means to stay instead of run?"

"maybe love isn’t always wrapped in tradition. maybe it’s wrapped in trust."

[connorxbowen]

🩵 a life in sand & sparkles : the story of sammy bowen

🎵 🎧 🎶 soundtrack to a life - three songs for three chapters

👶seashells & sleepy eyes ( 2016 - 2020 ) ; born in the summer, bright like one too. bedtime pancakes. beach walks with dad and storybooks full of dragons and brave girls named "sammy"

rainbow - kacey musgraves

you've got a friend in me - randy newman

cover me in sunshine - p!nk & willow sage hart

🎒 painted fingers & fire trucks ( 2021 - 2024 ) ; fire station afternoons, soccer field mornings, art class messes and turquoise dreams. still learning the tides of the sea, of feelings, family.

shake it off - taylor swift

the best day - taylor swift

girl on fire - alicia keys

🌊 big dreams & barefoot adventures ( 2025 - and beyond ) ; her journal's filled with sea otters and superheroes. her heart? her dad, her sketchbook and the ocean. she's only nine, but don't tell her that.

brave - sara bareilles

what dreams are made of - hilary duff

keep your head up - andy grammer

🪺🎒🖍️what's in the backpack?

her turquoise sketchbook, edges curled and pages smudged with love

a friendship bracelet kit with missing beads

a stuffed sea otter named “Bubbles,” zipped up safely

a fire truck keychain “to keep Dad safe”

soccer cleats with grass still stuck in them

a glittery eraser shaped like a donut that smells like strawberries

🗣️ 🤫 💬 rumor's whispered in kismet harbor

"she’s sunshine in sneakers."

"the fire station hasn’t been the same since she started running the place."

"she’ll show you seashells like they’re treasure—and somehow, they are."

"connor says she’s got more courage than most grown-ups he knows."

"her laugh could fix your whole day."

"if you hear someone shout ‘princess sammy’ at the beach, don’t be alarmed—it’s just another kingdom built in sand."

💭 🧠 📝six thoughts in the last year

"what if sea otters could be firefighters too?"

"i’m gonna be a marine biologist and an artist and a hero like Dad."

"i miss Mom. but not all the time. is that okay?"

"maybe if i win my soccer game, Bubbles will bring me good luck forever."

"i wish i was old enough to go on real calls with Dad."

"what if i made a book of all my stories and gave it to everyone i love?"

[connorxbowen]

"She will be nine this year," Connor told Fatma's sister with a warm smile. Speaking of his daughter would always bring him immense joy. Being a father was a dream career for him, even if it hadn't been in the way that he had expected it to occur. "She's not much older," he told her, "if Darian is looking for more friends," he trailed off, letting the offer sink in with unspoken words as he didn't want to cross any boundaries. "I don't know if I'd consider myself a fan of complicated," he chuckled, his voice laced with a sense of dry humor. "I think complicated just seems to find people, no matter who they are." His shoulders lifted into a shrug with his words, though the corners of his lips toyed with a smile. "What about you? Are you a fan of complicated, too?" His brow raised, curiously. @zeynepaslan

"With a job like that, I'd imagine it's hard to separate from yourself. Takes a lot to commit to something that stressful for so many years," she mused, giving an approving nod. It wasn't an easy career to take on, but if he was able to stick with it as he had, it was something that bode well for his loyalty. Her head tilted up at the mention of a daughter, a similar softness finally breaching her expression. "How old is she? I have a six-year-old. Darian." The already complicated web of relationships was only made more complex with a child in the picture, though she trusted her sister to handle that with every ounce of care that it merited. While she didn't know Connor much at all, he was saying all the right things now, a fact that she appreciated. "Complicated. You seem to be a fan of complicated."

@connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

"Right? It's a hell of a cardi workout," which was something important for Connor to keep up on. Though he weren't running into fires as often as he once had, he was always going to be ready. There was not a chance in hell that Connor would leave any firefighter in the department without help, regardless of what he would be risking by going in after someone. "I think we could try to fit both," he chuckled with Mitchell's words. "I think it's worth giving it a shot and if we find out we can't we at least gave it an honest effort." His shoulders lifted into a shrug, "I could always use a cheerleader, Sammy usually boos me from the sidelines." He said, a grin following his words. "Let's keep in touch about those new activities. I'm counting on you to hold me accountable," he joked, wagging his finger at Mitchell. @mitchelljackson

END.

"Boxing is something I think I could get behind." he nodded. Not only was it a good work out, it taught good skills that could essentially save your life if you needed it to. "Rock climbing's also fun. I haven't done that since I was in college but I wouldn't mind picking that up again." Boxing and rock climbing both sounded fun in his opinion. "You think we could manage to maybe fit in both or is that me just wishful thinking?" Though the mention of a pickup basketball game made him chuckle. "I'm not sure I'd survive basketball. I was never a sports guy. I'll watch all day long, so if you need someone supporting you I'll do it but playing? Not as much my thing." @connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

"Being a firefighter is a big part of who I am." He said, "I was recently promoted to fire lieutenant, though. I've been with the station for over twenty years." It was the first place that Connor went when he was medically discharged from the marines and he had never left, so to speak. "It's not all of who I am, I'm a father, too." His smile grew as he spoke of his daughter, "Her name is Sammy and she's easily my whole world." And he'd do anything to protect that whole world. "But, yeah, I'm steady. I don't play games," and he wasn't referring to board games. "Life's knocked me down a few times but I'm not afraid of it getting complicated, that's just how life goes sometimes." His shoulders lifted in a shrug, as if there wasn't a weight to his words. @zeynepaslan

Zeynep gave a slight nod as he reconfirmed that he and Fatma were friends. If that was what they referred to their relationship as, she was happy to leave it at that for the time being. "It sounds like we're on the same page, then. I suppose that's all a sister can ask for," she hummed back with a gentle tilt of her head, eyes still narrowed as if analyzing his every move, every word. Zeynep didn't know how to explain her feelings on her younger sister's lifestyle, but they were complicated. At the end of the day, however, she would always be concerned first with her sister's happiness. "So, you're a firefighter. What else is important that I should know?"

@connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

"Well I get the whole layer and making people cry part, but I don't think people consider onions awesome and loveable," Connor said with a chuckle, "which you are, the metaphor just didn't stretch that far." Though his smile quickly faded as Levi continued to speak. "I get why your daughter is at the center of your worry." His would be too. Connor would do anything to protect Sammy. "It shows how much you love her." @levi-steelexhutchinson

"It's true, I am basically like a onion, I have so many layers sometimes I make people cry, and am so loveable and awesome," he half joked before taking a deep breath. "Honestly, it's pretty serious and might drag other people down too and that's something I am scared about," he added honesty in his voice. Levi did honestly care for the people he loved and the last thing he wanted was for them to deal with this. "I am worried more about my daughter...." he spoke looking at Connor with worry in his eyes. @connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

The door closed behind them as he let her into his new place, a quiet click indicating it had found it's place. Connor found it impossible to keep his eyes off of her as she walked into his space, claiming the couch with her jacket draped over the back of it. "Oh? Yeah?" His brows lifted slightly at her words, matching her intentional tone. "I really wanted to show you the kitchen," he moved toward her, his smile playful as he kept his gaze on her. "I think you'll be very impressed by all the counter space." @fatmaxaslan

"Such an act of bravery. I bet you had to keep away all the purse snatchers." She mused, walking outside where she waited for him to join her, arm linked up with his. "Always thrilling, new places, aren't they?" Though, for the entire ride to his new place, she wasn't thinking about what it would look or how he would have decorated. Instead she pondered the possibilities, of what was waiting for them at the end of the tour. She decided to skip its entirety, for when he had led her inside of his home, she took off her jacket, draping it over the back of his couch. "You know.." Fatma trailed off, her hand brushing over the fabric of the couch. "Home tours are usually better suited for during the daylight. So I think we should .. find something else to do." @connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

Connor could appreciate the quiet strength that Fatma's older sister clearly carried. He knew it well. It meant that she wasn't just family, but a fierce protector. Connor knew the role well, being a fierce protector of his own siblings. "Friends, absolutely," he said with a respectful nod of his head. Shifting slightly in front of her, he spoke once more. "She's been a huge part of my life and for that, I am grateful." Connor spoke highly of Fatma whenever he did, even if few knew the true nature of their relationship. "I'm just as serious as you as making sure she's happy and safe," that much any friend could say as well. @zeynepaslan

Her head inclined gently, glad for the confirmation that this was, in fact, Fatma's Connor. She knew his name, but had never seen photos, knowing only bits and pieces of what Fatma had mentioned of him in passing. "Friends. Right," she mused, a smile toying at her lips as she let her gaze settle on Connor's eyes. Though she hadn't set out with the intention of making him uncomfortable, she was rarely able to resist the urge to make herself an intimidating presence in the lives of her siblings. An unspoken threat that she was always going to be there to step in if ever they needed her. "Of course. I'd hope she has. You...have been mentioned. Good to put a face to the name."

@connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

"Yeah, something active sounds good." Since becoming fire lieutenant, he wasn't nearly as active in the fire scene which meant he had to stay active on his own time. "What about taking up boxing at the gym? I've done that a few times in the last few months and that's something I could see doing regularly or even trying out rock climbing. Sammy has been dying to let me get her to try that out, too." He chuckled as he mentioned his daughter. "And if we went more simple there's got to be some pickup basketball games around town or trail runs." @mitchelljackson

"Being one person that cares makes a huge difference." he nodded, knowing that even if there was only one person that cared was better than no one, at least then someone was doing something. At least someone understood; leave it to someone else in a similar position as Mitchell - a first responder in a sense - that would. At Connor's question Mitchell shrugged. "Something to keep me active would be ideal but aside from that I have no real preference." he admitted. "Anything in town interest you?" @connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

Connor's smile was warm as their hands met, "Zeynep," he repeated her name. In his conversations with Fatma, family had come up and he had a feeling that Zeynep was not a common enough name for this to be someone other than Fatma's older sister. "Fatma's sister?" He cleared his throat, unsure of what her family actually knew, "I know here, we're, uh, friends." Though it was not entirely a lie. At the end of the day, they were friends. Connor wanted more, of course, but he knew deep down that he'd never get that. "It's nice to finally meet you. Fatma has talked highly of you." @zeynepaslan

"Some things are just too sacred to mess with and coffee is on the top of that list," she agreed. Though normally someone who was on a tight schedule with her sleep, it had been far more difficult to come by since the move. Now it felt like some days the caffeine was the only thing keeping her moving forward. Zeynep had opened her mouth to respond about the door, pausing with raised brows when he said his name, the pieces starting to click in her brain. "Connor," she repeated, reaching to shake his hand with a firm hand. "I'm Zeynep." She didn't know how much he knew about her, if anything, so opted to just introduce herself and leave it at that.

@connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

Connor let out a low chuckle with her joke. "Well, I'm glad your coffee made it out alive," he hesitated, "I'd hate to be the reason someone started their morning caffeine-deprived. That kind of guilt sticks with a person all day and I just don't think I'm equipped to handle that today." Connor's joke curled a smile onto his lips. "As for the door, I think it ambushed me. A total cheap shot if you ask me." His smile grew into a grin, "Connor," he held out his hand, "by the way." @zeynepaslan

There was a vague tug of something in the back of her mind when the man mentioned what he did for a living, but the significance didn't immediately jump to mind. Pausing, Zeynep took a step in closer to take a look at his face, nothing looking majorly damaged thankfully. "I've always said it's never wise to fight a door," she replied back with a shrug that came off far more serious than the joke was intended to. Lifting her hand up that was holding onto the coffee for dear life, Zeynep gave it another once over. "Didn't lose a drop, thankfully." As unfortunate as the door smacking him in the face was, Zeynep would have been far more perturbed by the loss of her coffee if that had been the case. "I think I lucked out a little better than your face did."

@connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

"Strangers today and maybe less of strangers after we knock the frustration out of each other." He climbed through the ropes with ease. He'd been coming quite a bit, so his movements were muscle memory. Connor turned, facing the man as he rolled his shoulders back. "Sometimes I feel like it's easier to fight something than just talk about it." At least, that was the route that he was wanting to go right now. "Don't hold back just because we are strangers." @berkanxyilmaz

Berkan took a moment to consider the man's offer. While the other was definitely not who he wanted he wanted to take it out on, maybe doing it on someone would be more therapeutic. The anger within him felt like it was getting to be too much these days and he didn't know how to stop it. Or even if he wanted to. After his moment of thinking, he nodded. "Sure. What's a few punches between strangers anyways, right?" He smirked and headed over to the ring the gym had. @connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

"Yeah, you can say that again." Connor was absolutely the type of person to have to see things through to the very end. Air blew over his lips as Levi admitted that he was dealing with legal battles and was on vacation from work. "That's no joke," he shook his head, "I hope it's nothing that will drag you under." He said with a softened voice. "You ever need anything, just let me know. Shouldn't have to weather a storm alone, right?" @levi-steelexhutchinson

"Many people are surprise to know that," he replied back with a chuckle. Levi could tell that the other's tone was appreciative and genuinely. Levi did have a reputation and he rarely let people see this side of him, well he only let the important people in his life see this side of him. It was complicated if he was honest about why he acted the way he did. "You give me the impression of someone who hates giving up on things and like seeing things to the very end." he smiled.

He sighed heavily for a moment before answer. "Currently am on vacation" he answered with air quotes. "Dealing with some legal battle and stuff so I guess makes things a bit interesting." @connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

After Connor took a step back, he raised one hand in reflex, "Still intact, I've taken worse hits as a firefighter, though," he managed to chuckle, though his free hand rubbed at his forehead just above his move. "I think the door won this round." He admitted, shaking his head. "Your coffee okay?" Connor questioned with the raise of his brow, "Because if I ruined it, you can just tell me and I'll buy you a new." The door might have won against him but a beautiful woman stood before him, one that looked vaguely familiar but he couldn't place her and he wouldn't let her go without coffee. @zeynepaslan

In the wake of losing Ariana and making the move to Kismet, Zeynep had found that the only way to keep herself going was to stay as busy as humanly possible. On the days Darian was with her, that was easy, but now that he was back in school, finding things to do with herself grew more difficult by the day. It had since become her mission to try every coffee shop within a reasonable driving distance to see where her new spot would be. Having just picked up her coffee at the counter, Zey's gaze was down at her phone, not paying attention to the sidewalk outside until she swung the door open to a resounding thud. The sound brought a yelp of surprise out of her, only just barely managing to hold on to her coffee. "Shit," she mumbled back, quickly moving out of the doorway to try and take a look at what damage was caused. "Sorry. It's a heavy door. No broken nose, hopefully?"

@connorxbowen

[connorxbowen]

Connor gave a nod of his head, signaling that he'd keep her purse for her while she went to the bathroom. He couldn't help the small smile that touched her lips while he watched her walk away. While she were gone, Connor left his hand resting on her purse, patiently waiting. When he spotted her near the entrance, he approached as he slipped his jacket on. "All good," he confirmed, offering the bag back to her. "Your valuables were guarded. Heroically if I might add." He quipped playfully with her. "Let's get out of here," he said, lowering his voice just a little as he made his way to the door, holding it open to her. "This will be the first time you get to see my new place." A much needed upgrade from the apartment he had been living in for far too many years now. @fatmaxaslan

A smile curled on Fatma's lips at his words, giving him a slow nod as if to acknowledge it. Suggesting to switch locations was luckily received the way she had hoped. "Your place sounds great." She uttered, her stomach all aflutter from both excitement and nerves. "I'll just visit the ladies room real quickly before we go." She told him, standing up and placing her purse in front of him on the table. "Keep this with you, would you?" Fatma asked, always finding it a hassle to bring her purse into those small stalls. She was true to her word however, being back already before they'd even finish up paying, waiting for him near the entrance. "All good?" @connorxbowen