A/N: This isn't a direct sequel to this city brings you down, but the backbone of this story is formed in that fic. There were a few people who wanted me to continue this city brings you down, but I really wanted that to stay a one-shot as like a "what-if" for the rest of season 3. BUT, I have tons of half-formed ideas about Dawson and Casey's future, so I thought I'd dust off my old writer's hat and make a series of connected one-shots about the Dawsey family. They don't follow any particular order, but they are from the same universe.

Hope you guys enjoy!

you know what i'm thankful for? two families, and not many people can say that otis, "two families"

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"So next week's career week at school," wide blue eyes stare up from behind the couch. Matt can hear the TV playing some cartoon in the background as he walks through the house to drop off his gear in the office.

"Yeah, I saw the email from your teacher."

"Well, Jessica and Caroline were talking about what their parents do and then some of the guys joined in and said that their parents have cool jobs and then I kind of, sort of said that I beat them all and now everyone thinks we're going to the firehouse next week," the last part is said in a rush and Matt watches as a head of dark hair disappears behind the couch.

"I, uh, I don't think I ever got that memo. Are you the Chief, now?" he asks, amusement in his voice, as he leans over the and spies his eight-year old daughter sprawled on the cushions, cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. "I don't know how happy Boden would be with an upstart like you taking his job."

"Daddy," she whines. "It was an honest mistake but please, please, please can you call Mrs. Park and see if everyone can come visit you at work? It'll be the worst if it doesn't happen."

"Oh, the worst, huh?" he grins and reaches down, tickling her side and making her laugh relentlessly. "What did your mom say?"

"Nothin', she and Alex aren't back from the park yet," she sits up and crosses her legs, her braid is falling out and there's a stain on the corner of her pink shirt. "I told mommy that I'd wait for you so that you wouldn't get worried when you came back to an empty house. She said not to answer the door for anybody, even Uncle Kelly."

"Well, your mom's a smart one," Matt gazes down and furrows his brow. "Wanna take a ride, kiddo?"

"Sure," she says brightly, hopping up off the couch and quickly slipping on the shoes lying abandoned next to the couch. "Where we going?"

"Visiting a friend," answers Matt as he texts Gabby. Took Mia to 51, we'll be back soon. His phone beeps seconds later as he watches his daughter haul herself into the truck. Alright, be careful. Love you. He replies quickly, Love you, too, before tossing his phone in the cup holder and pulling out into the street.

His daughter chatters from the back of the truck's cab, telling him about her day at school and the latest drama between different classmates and her current argument with her brother. Mia's friendly and open-nature usually endears her to everyone she meets, but especially everyone at Firehouse 51. First Watch is on shift today and Matt nods hello to familiar faces, Mia giggling as she walks in step with him. Pouch comes racing through the apparatus floor and Mia breaks free to give the dog a hug, cooing nonsense as she pets Pouch's head.

"Boden in his office?" he asks the Squad Lieutenant, who nods and waves a hand towards the door.

"Last I saw, yeah. Don't think he's left yet. He was complaining his wife was giving him a headache."

"Mia, come on," Matt calls out, watchful eyes tracking his ever-curious daughter's movement. She stands up and walks over to him, Pouch trotting after. "Remember the rules?"

"Stay by your side, don't run off, don't get in people's way," she recites.

"Good girl," he says as he grips her hand and winds around firefighters and administrators. They stop in front of Connie's desk, Pouch still trailing beside them. "Is he busy?"

Connie shakes her head and waves them by, "No, he'll be happy for the distraction. Hello, Mia."

"Hi, Ms. Connie!" Mia skips ahead and knocks on the door to the Chief's office, waiting only a moment before rushing in.

Matt sighs at her excitement and follows after her, finding her already behind Boden's desk and chattering excitedly.

"Hey, Chief."

"Lieutenant, to what do I owe this surprise?" Boden's grinning, his teeth bright against his dark skin and tired eyes. "I wasn't expecting you until shift tomorrow."

"Mia's got a favor to ask you," Matt starts as his daughter whips her head back, scandalized.

She circles the desk and tugs on his shirt. "I thought you were gonna ask him?" she whispers loudly.

"It's your idea," he whispers back just as loud. He tugs on her braid as she huffs and returns to Boden's side.

"Uncle Wallace?"

"Yes, Mia?"

Matt watches as she looks down and scuffs her shoes against the ground before mumbling, "Could my class come on a field trip to 51 for career week when mom and dad are on shift next week?"

Boden leans back in his chair and covers his mouth with a hand. Mia's eyes are gleaming with hope as she awaits his answer. Finally, he hunches forward, places a hand on her slender shoulder and slowly smiles, "I think we can work something out, Mia."

The squeal she emits following the answer has Matt cringing, but he smiles all the same as she races towards him for a hug, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, everyone's gonna be so excited."

"I'll get in touch with Mia's teacher and set up the details tomorrow," he tells Boden, reaching out for a handshake. "I know this wasn't really through the proper channels, Chief, but I really appreciate it."

"Don't worry, Casey, it's the least I can do," Boden nods towards Mia, "She's a good kid, deserves the world."

"Ha, yeah, she's something," they watch as she races around the office with Pouch on her heels. "Really, though, thanks, Chief."

Boden smiles and returns to his desk before replacing his glasses and peering over them, "I'll see you tomorrow, Matt. Say hello to Alex and Gabriela."

"Will do, give the same to Donna and Terrance." He closes the door behind him before gathering Mia and heading back out of the firehouse.

"I wasn't done playing with Pouch," she pouts as they walk past the bay, where First Watch's candidate is busy cleaning off Truck 81.

"Make sure it's sparkling for us tomorrow, candidate," Matt says sternly and he hears a few of the guys laugh from behind them. He looks down at Mia, "You can play with Pouch later. She's always here, waiting for you and your brother."

"I guess," she replies sadly, clambering into the truck and waving sadly at her docile playmate. Matt hides a grin at her dramatics and climbs into the driver's seat. There's silence for a few minutes before Mia speaks up again, "Can we keep this a secret from mom? I wanna surprise her!"

Matt looks back at her through the rearview mirror. She's grinning widely, all teeth and cheeks just like her Gabby, and he nods knowing he's already lost the battle. "Alright, we can surprise her."

He's sitting in his quarters the following week when there's a knock on the door. He looks up to see Gabby leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed with a raised eyebrow.

"You ever think of joining the CPD, that's a pretty good stare-down."

"Wanna tell me why our daughter and her classmates are running around the apparatus floor?" she asks as she moves further into the room, leaning against his desk.

"She wanted to surprise you."

"Did my husband want to surprise me, too?"

"He thought it might be funny watching you squirm."

"Hey!" she exclaims, hitting him on the arm. "Not nice, I can make you sleep on the couch."

Matt stands up and puts an arm around her shoulders, "You'd miss me too much. Come on, let's go see our daughter correct Otis as he gives the tour."

When they step outside, Mia is already holding court in the space between Ambulance 61 and Truck 81, excitedly telling her classmates about its functions. Pouch is circling through the crowd of kids, pausing every so often to accept a pat on the head. The rest of Firehouse 51 is standing in a half circle, smiling fondly.

Mia spots the two of them as they slowly walk towards the group and lights up, loudly exclaiming, "And, Truck 81's lieutenant is my dad! He's the one in charge of everybody on Truck and saves tons of people from burning buildings." She grabs his hand and drags him over towards her classmates, where twenty-five pairs of eyes follow his every move.

"Are you really a firefighter?" asks one of the kids and suddenly the floodgates open and Matt finds himself fielding questions for the next twenty minutes.

He, Otis, and Cruz are just starting to let each kid sit in the Truck when he gets a chance to look out at his friends. Gabby's standing off to the side with Brett and Severide, a camera in hand as she documents every moment. She's talking to Mia's teacher, too, and the other chaperone. The three of them laughing as Mouch and Capp help the kids into the turnout coats and hand them helmets too big for their heads. He doesn't remember where he thought he'd be now, when he was thinking about the future ten years ago. That trajectory has faded with time and experience. He knows, though, that he never thought it could be this good, this perfect. With a beautiful daughter and an adventurous son and a wife he loves surrounded by the job that's given him everything.