Disclaimer: I do not own anything that belongs to Chicago Fire!

...

Looking around over the pier his eyes followed Ben and Griffin.

''Guys, stay close!'' Matthew yelled after them, the boys chasing after one another.

''When will the fireworks starts?'' Ben turned around to Matthew.

''In ten minutes.'' Casey smiled back and he followed Ben's eyes to the Ice cream stand while Griffin was kicking pebbles in the water.

''Why don't we get some ice cream before the firework starts?'' Casey suggested and he smiled when Ben already ran to the stand, while Griffin only turned around for a second and turned back.

''You don't want any ice cream?'' Casey walked towards him.

''You are just trying to buy me off.''

''I am not, I just figured you might like some ice cream.'' Casey joined him on the water side, his hands in his pockets.

''Matt?'' Ben yelled, already holding a horn with ice in his hand.

''I am on my way, Ben!''

Slowly he turned to Griffin again;

''Let's just enjoy this moment, okay? I know it is hard and that you both miss you mom -''

''Okay'', griffin shrugged. Then he walked past Matthew to the stand, next to his brother and Matt followed them, sitting down again while the boys both stood at the water, eating their ice creams.

Looking around, Matt had to think about all the times he had been here when his parents hadn't been divorced and they were still going to things together as a family. The firework on the Navy Pier was one of his favorite events.

Today it had been so hard to see the boys visit their mom in prison. He had been in exactly the same position, the only difference was that he had been a lot older and he lived on his own, but sitting there with Ben and Griffin refreshed his memory how he had been sitting there for the first time fifteen years ago.

The brothers were standing at the water, talking and Griffin looked at him, looking back at Ben immediately when he saw Matthew was looking at them. Casey frowned, looking at them. He couldn't hear what they were talking but it seemed to be serious. For a second he thought about walking towards them, instead he kept sitting. Something dripped on his hand and looking down the ice cream was melting and when he just wanted to lick it away the boys approached him again.

''Everything all right?'' he asked, worried.

Griffin opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but closed it again and shrugged. Matt wanted to ask but then Griffin answered;

''He wants you to promise you won't go away.'', griffin admitted.

Ben's face became red and Matthew looked at him.

''Like mom and dad.'', griffin added, while Ben's eyes also started to fill with tears.

''I am right here, guys. I am not going anywhere.''

Ben nodded, sat down next to him. Casey moved his free hand through his hair and looked as the boy continued eating his ice cream. Griffin sat down on his other side and they were silent for a second. A loud bang suddenly made them look up as a large red sparkles cheered the dark sky. Looking aside he smiled as Griffin was looking at the firework with open mouth, seemingly amazed by the effects and colors.

Casey looked down as Ben laid his head against his arm. Casey laid his arm around the boy and looked up to the firework again. When the last bang had fade away and Griffin stood up he pointed at Ben, whom was asleep. With some effort he lifted the boy up, whom continued his sleep against Casey's shoulder.

''Are you going to carry him to the car?'', griffin asked as they slowly walked to the parking lot. ''Isn't he too heavy?''

Casey shook his head.

''Dad always used to carry Ben on one arm...and me on the other when I was smaller.'', Griffin looked to the ground. Not hesitating for a second Casey ducked forward, slinging his free arm around Griffin's waist, lifting him up in his other arm just a little above the ground, the older Darden laughing really loud. After a few meters Casey put him on the ground again, panting.

Ben looked up to him with a large, shocked eyes.

''Sorry I woke you up.''

''He lifted me up, just like dad.'', Griffin boomed at his brother.

''I hope dad could see the firework, it was really pretty.'' Ben mumbled before falling asleep again.

Matt put him the car as they reached it and when he put them in bed at home he sat down at the couch, looking at the weather report that was warning for the approaching storm. Looking at it, it didn't seem so bad and when Casey stood up to call it a day and go to bed he was surprised to see Griffin standing next to the couch.

''Is there something wrong?'' Casey asked, worried.

''I want you to promise something.''

Casey kneeled down so they were on the same eye level.

''I meant what I said there, I promise I won't leave you and your brother.''

''I want you to promise something else.''

Matt looked Griffin deep in the eyes; ''Go ahead.''

''Promise me that you won't break your promise to Ben.''

''I never will break that promise. I promise.''

Suddenly Griffin stepped forward, hugging Casey.

''Thank you.'' sounded his voice softly and Casey rubbed over his back.

''You are safe here with me. I am not going anywhere.''

...

NOTE: He made a promise, but a large storm is coming their way.

This chapter was of course based on episode 2x03, ''Defcon 1.''

Hopefully you liked this first chapter!

The fic will probably be updated every Friday for sure and possibly on Tuesday as well, depending on the time I have.

Thank you for reading and please a leave a review, I really hope you like the idea of this story!