Chapter 2 :) Thanks to Kblatz for reviewing.
Soft footsteps padded across hardwood flooring, a stack of books balanced atop a mass of auburn waves as Cayson Valois tread the hallway between her kitchen and her living room. Smiling slightly as her youngest niece giggled, the original Cinderella paused for a moment, she held out her arms, balancing easily while her puppy attempted to weave figure eights between her legs. Crossing her eyes in amusement, she stuck out her tongue, causing a snort to come from her nephew, Tyler, who sat in her recliner, his Nintendo DS in hand.
"Aunt Cay! Aunt Cay! Teach me," squealed four-year-old Magdalena, her pretty blonde ringlets bouncing as she trotted closer, a few thin children's books in hand.
Pausing to remove the heavy dictionary and thick paperback she balanced Cayson began to reply, stopping when there was a knock on her door. Setting aside her 'tools' and holding a single, scarlet tipped finger up she proceeded towards the door, keeping a hand ready to hold back her Australian Kelpie, Rogue. Peering through the peephole, she furrowed her brow and undid the deadbolt.
"Can I help you?" she questioned the deliveryman curiously, noticing the cooler set by his feet and the clipboard he held.
" ?" he addressed, slightly butchering the name.
Nodding she kept the door sparsely open. "Yes?"
Extending the clipboard he motioned to the dotted line marked with an 'X.' "Sign here please."
Accepting the pen while he routed through the cooler she signed with a flourish, handing it back in exchange for what seemed to be a wrapped fruit basket, a local paper tucked beneath. Muttering a thank you and retreating inside she shuffled towards the kitchen, fully aware of the three shadows she'd earned since her reentrance. Carefully peeling back the cellophane wrapper and rolling her eyes as Tyler dove into a chocolate covered strawberry she found a note, reading over the chicken scratch carefully.
"Thank you, Ms. Valois for the photographs.- Firehouse 51 and the City of Chicago"
Handing the note to Maggie who gazed longingly at the little balloon in the arrangement she pulled out the newspaper, skimming the front page. The main heading automatically caught her attention. "Local Photographer Captures Arsonist on Film." Well, damn. Head spinning with her thoughts running a hundred miles per hour she took the basket from reaching hands, redistributing all of the fruit into a Tupperware container. Despite the complaints of her temporary charges she forced them to find their jackets, briefly walking the dog before shoving her feet into her boots. Gathering her bag and unplugging her iPhone from it's dock she gave her apartment a once over, setting the alarm system. Ushering the children out ahead of her she jingled her keys.
"Aunt Cay, where are we going?" Tyler asked, arms crossed and a pout in place as he climbed into the passengers seat of her Jeep.
Buckling Maggie into her booster seat and quickly twisting her hair into a high, messy bun, Cayson climbed behind the wheel and keyed up the ignition. "Well, there's someone I have to go talk to, but don't worry I promise to be quick." Reversing from her parking spot and slowly merging onto the one way street she crawled to the near by stop sign, turning left. Maneuvering the cramped streets between her loft and the firehouse, she fought a yawn, carefully parallel parking mere minutes later.
Watching Tyler abandon his game, tucking it in the glove box, she got out and shouldered her bag. Setting Maggie loose and balancing her on her hip, Cayson locked up, guiding the way towards the entrance she'd used the first time she'd stopped by. A little more comfortable she slipped through easily, calling out to a pretty Latina who was climbing out of the back of the ambulance.
"Can I help you?" the Latina asked, wiping her hands on a paper towel.
Adjusting Maggie's weight distribution, Cayson glanced around, keep her other hand on Tyler's shoulder so he wouldn't stray. "Hi, I'm looking for either Chief Bowden or," she stopped in thought. " I think his name was Lieutenant Severide. Tall, dark…"
"Chief isn't here right now but I can find Severide… I'm Gabby, and you are?" the paramedic, Gabby, smiled as began leading the trio towards a door marked 'Break.'
"Oh, I'm uh, Cayson."
Gabby grinned wider. "The photographer, right?"
Laughing Cayson nodded. "Yes, the photographer." Holding the door for Tyler who was watching everything in awe, she quickly pressed him into her stomach, covering his ears as a loud expletive echoed through the room. Listening to Maggie repeat it she groaned, knowing that her oldest brother was going to kill her.
"Hey Severide, you've got a visitor," chirped Gabby, ruffling Tyler's hair in parting as she hopped up onto the counter, stealing a cookie from the covered platter.
Searching the room from where he was playing cards with a group of men, a smile lit up the Lieutenants face. Tucking his cards into his pocket as he stood and moved close, watching her curiously.
" ?"
Blushing at the look in his eyes Cayson, nodded. "Lieutenant Severide. I wanted to say thank you for the basket."
Taking on a confused puppy look she felt her stomach drop. "What basket?"
Chortling as he received a cookie from Gabby, Tyler swayed. "Awkward, Aunt Cay," he sing-songed.
Glaring at her nephew and struggling to hold onto a squirming toddler she arched her back, trying to keep her loose tank top in place while not dropping anything. Noticing nearly all male eyes travel to her chest she rolled her eyes. Seriously? "Well then sorry about that. I must have been mistaking." Wishing that the world would swallow her whole Cayson, tucked away a loose strand of hair, herding her charges back towards her car.
Watching the young women and children leave and receiving incredulous looks from not only Gabby, Shay and the Squad but the members of the Truck, Severide clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to snap at anyone.
"I knew she couldn't stay away," Otis joked, waggling his eyebrows. "I mean did you see how she looked at me?"
Tossing his cards on the table and following the faint scent of lavender that the guest had left behind Severide rolled his eyes. "Yeah, in disgust," he barked, ignoring how the others ribbed the now pouting man while he went in search.
Catching the taillights of a Jeep turning the corner he groaned, knowing that he'd made a mistake in letting her leave without finding out the reason she'd really stopped by.