Disclaimer: Not mine, borrowed & nurtured. A/N: Why the hell did I keep Justin & Nadia dead in this story? Bawling. Rewatched ChPD to check facts/timeline, sorry my muse ran away with a few alternate details. For this chapter, you will need: tissues, alcohol & a shoulder to cry on x
A Night of Firsts
Part IV
Kevin Atwater mashed microwaved sweet potato in a bowl, while Daniel shouted gibberish at him over the edge of his play pen. Kim, Vanessa and Jordan played Mario Cart on the Wii. Vanessa protested when Jordan pushed Princess Peach off a cliff and Kim narrowly escaped his elbow to the gut as he swung Yoshi around a tree, and flung himself ahead of her several metres.
"Okay, time to clean up," she said, throwing her remote into her vacant spot on the couch.
Vanessa resumed her position, as Jordan relaxed in the couch, the two siblings neck and neck.
"Remember, it's only a game," she reminded the two teenagers.
Kim collected four cocoa mugs with dregs of powdered chocolate, and put them in her kitchen sink.
Kevin opened her kitchen draws looking for a teaspoon, finding one after the third try.
"I wonder how Sylvie is?" she said, filling the sink with water.
"Haven't heard, but I'm sure Jay will let us know," Kevin said, glancing at the oven.
They stood together in silence listening to Vanessa and Jordan's bickering, until Kevin said:
"I'm sorry about you and Roman."
Kim shook her head, waving her free hand at him.
She forced herself to smile, turning off the tap.
"I'm fine," she said, picking up Daniel and putting him into his high chair.
Kevin knew the phrase well, the same his mother muttered each time he stepped in to defend her against his drunken father. The phrase was meant to deflect concern, and dodge any discussion, whatsoever. He always knew beneath the façade, was a person just holding on.
"Sean and I mutually agreed I belonged in Chicago doing what I loved. He told me to 'do it for the both of us' since the bullet destroyed any chance of him working in the field again. He loved Patrol, had no plans to work in Intelligence, and I loved him. I thought about moving to San Diego, I really did, it would have been a nice life, but my heart belongs here."
Kevin nodded, putting on oven-mits.
"He was a great cop. He's got a good life ahead of him with that 70k payout."
"And his beloved condo," she smiled, taking the sweet potato from the bench.
Kevin pulled the lasagne from the oven.
"Do you remember that time we tried to fix the damages to one of the patrol cars before Platt discovered the truth? Except she knew what had gone down? Our Sergeant," he smiled, thinking of the memory. "both terrifies and awes me," he said.
Kim smiled, catching some pumpkin from Daniel's chin with her spoon.
"Me too," she chuckled. "I'm sure Sean will miss her."
Kevin sat the lasagne on the table, and called Vanessa and Jordan over.
"Now, not when you feel like it!" he shouted, rolling his eyes at Kim, who laughed.
Daniel mimicked her, then knocked the bowl of sweet potato from Kim's hands.
"Daniel!" she sighed, looking at the overturned bowl on the floor.
Jay entered the station with a grin on his freckled face – he couldn't wait to tell Erin, Antonio's news.
Platt called out to his retreating back.
"Erin is working on three cases, she requested you get her a chai latte an hour ago?"
Jay stopped on the stairs.
"A chai latte?" he queried, puzzled. "Erin hates chai lattes…" he muttered.
Something clicked in his mind.
"Oh shit..." he buzzed himself in and threw himself up the stairs.
Jay saw Bunny at Erin's desk, directing a constant spiel of unwanted advice at her furious daughter.
"This isn't your home, Erin. Voight isn't coming back. You're my family, Erin."
Erin glared at her mother.
"You don't know anything about family, Bunny. This façade won't suck me in. I deserved a mother who gave a damn, who took care of me, instead of an alcoholic who depended on my earnings and my innocence to get her latest drug fix."
Jay's arrival went unnoticed by the two women.
Adam and Al, were investigating Antonio's cases whilst Antonio took Sylvie to the hospital.
Mouse must have run out on an errand, he thought, glancing at his friend's empty desk.
"I had a problem then, I went to rehab," Bunny's reply annoyed Erin, Jay noticed.
His fiancé threw her hands into the air, rolling her eyes.
The ticking minute hand of the clock above Al's empty desk – matched Jay's anxious heart.
"You used me to get cocaine," Erin yelled, pointing to sensitive information on the whiteboard.
Coincidently, a drug case.
Bunny rolled her eyes, as though Erin had overreacted.
"You were happy a few months back? You didn't complain of the drugs or parties then?"
Erin's expression turned incredulous.
"My best friend was murdered, mother! I wasn't myself. I should have listened to Hank. Your advice lost me my job, and Jay." Erin's voice became a calm whisper. "You don't care about me, Bunny. If you did, you'd respect my decisions. You'd have come to Justin's funeral – supported me, because that's what mothers are supposed to do."
Jay cleared his throat, and Erin took a deep breath, before opening her soul to her mother, gaining confidence, with his support.
"But you are like a cancer I can't quite get rid of, that feeds on me, and makes me sicker. I remember what it was like being your daughter: desperately wanting attention; feeling incredibly lonely; and disappointed each time you failed me, multiple times. It wasn't until Hank and Carmila showed me their life did I understand our abusive relationship - you were my pimp, and I was the prostitute."
Bunny scoffed, shaking her dirty hair extensions at her daughter.
"Hank Voight has poisoned you against me."
Jay failed to contain his anger at the woman who called herself 'Erin's mother' only when it suited her. She had no clue when it came to Hank Voight. He'd moulded them into better policemen, better Detectives, and they all owed him their lives.
"Hank Voight is the best cop I know," Jay steadied Erin's arm, as if violence was her last resort. "Sorry, I didn't get your message about the Chai," he told Erin, squeezing her hand.
Bunny stared at Jay, unsure of his true intentions.
"You hate chai," she snapped at Erin, studying their entwined hands.
Erin shook herself like a dog shedding its hair, breaking away from her fiancé.
"It's a code for when you visit," she retorted, pacing behind him.
Jay stood between the two women, Antonio's news the last thing on his mind.
He was Erin's family now, and he'd do anything to protect her, including standing up to her lunatic mother. He warned Erin to stay where she was with a look, before moving towards Bunny.
"Bunny, you're not supposed to be within ten feet of your daughter. Any relationship you had with Erin was void the moment you released James Beckett from prison. Innocent lives were lost, and their blood is on your hands. Erin doesn't want you here, and neither do I, so unless you have a murder to report, get out of my district," he said.
Bunny glared at Erin, her mouth quivering in a rage which mirrored her daughter's.
"Get out, Bunny!" Erin declared. "Before I arrest you," she yelled.
Bunny spun on her heels, incensed, nose-upturned, passing a bewildered Mouse, who carried a coffee order and fresh Krispy Crème Donuts.
Jay put his hands on his hips, hearing the slam of the gate below.
"I'm proud of you, honey," he smiled. "For standing up to her."
Erin rounded on her fiancé.
"Where the hell were you?" she hissed.
Jay leant against Antonio's old desk, glimpsing the endless cases on Hank's desk. Each day they investigated Justin's murder, unravelling his final movements, leading them closer to Hank's whereabouts, although their Boss remained several steps ahead.
Between Erin's lunatic mother, and the disappearance of the only father-figure in her life, Jay had his hands full, keeping Erin sane. He supposed leaving his partner to man Intelligence to assist a friend, had been breaking point. But Antonio had made it a priority to track Hank, hoping someday he'd return, if only to visit his grandson, Olive, and foster-daughter – his only family left.
And so, naturally, Jay had met him, although Antonio had other ideas - to save his relationship, hoping for advice himself. Jay grinned, his excitement creeping back.
"Shopping for wedding rings?" he shrugged.
Erin raised her engagement finger and wiggled it back and forth.
"Did you forget you already proposed to me?" she sighed.
The corners of Jay' lips twitched, much to Erin's confusion.
"Not for us, Antonio! He proposed to Sylvie at Laura's, and get this, she's pregnant," he blurted.
Surprise flashed across Erin's face.
"Oh my God," she breathed. "That's great!"
Jay kissed her cheek in a late greeting, when he deemed it safe to approach her.
"Yeah, they're at the hospital running some tests, so until we hear from them, what do you want to do? I mean, I'm sure Mouse wouldn't mind leaving the room for another hour or so?"
Erin shoved Jay lightly in the chest.
"Jay, just because Hank's gone, doesn't mean we can't be professional," she frowned.
Mouse's ears pricked up when he heard his name, and he pointed to the kitchen.
Jay nodded, smiling when Mouse muttered about getting some plates.
"So, if I want to kiss my wife… I have to do it at home, that it?" he murmured, cradling her face.
"Fiancé," Erin sighed, torn between her morals and her emotions.
Jay's lips brushed against hers in a fleeting kiss.
He grinned when Erin breathed 'fuck it', and jumped into his arms.
A muffled voice came from the kitchen, alerting them of Mouse's awkward presence.
"I left the donuts out there. So, uh, how long will you be?"
Erin slipped from Jay's arms, heart racing, and glad for the interruption.
"You can come out now, Mouse," she said, as Jay smirked into her shoulder.
Sylvie sat on her hospital bed, waiting for Dr Sexton and her results, while Antonio flicked through DIY magazines, pretending he was 'fine'. She wasn't one to sit still for long periods of time, usually keeping busy with Zumba and cooking lessons, waiting only made her more anxious. She clutched her hands in her lap, knuckles white, and mouth dry.
The silence didn't help.
Dr Charles had a pressing appointment, so Sylvie met with Dr April Sexton, who had a kind smile, and her frizzy hair pulled into a bun. Sylvie revealed her worries in Antonio's presence, hoping prescribed medicines would help deter her morning sickness, so she could get her life back.
"Morning sickness occurs four to eight weeks after conception. 85% of women experience nausea and morning sickness during pregnancy, usually in their first trimester. Because you are vomiting, and unable to keep down solids, I recommend small, cold meals, because they are less odorous. I'll just print out your prescription," Dr April Sexton typed something into her iPad.
She noticed Sylvie's nervous appearance, and to normalise her situation added, "Some women take prescribed medicine, others find natural therapies to ease their afflictions. I've prescribed B6 vitamins paired with Doxylamine, an over-the-counter antihistamine to ease the nausea for a few days. Just follow the instructions on the label," she handed Sylvie the prescription.
Sylvie remembered her mother's herbal remedies: ginger tea every few hours, carbs and fruit slushies. Antonio shifted in his chair, many questions on the tip of his tongue, no doubt.
"But I would recommend booking an appointment with a Gynaecologist for long term remedies," Dr Sexton added.
Sylvie nodded, eyeing her clothes with anticipation, shivering beneath her blue hospital gown.
"I'll leave you to get changed. If you have any further questions, myself or Dr Charles will be happy to answer them. Here are our business cards," Dr Sexton gave Sylvie her clothes. "And congratulations," she said, closing the door after her.
Sylvie sent a relieved smile to Antonio, removing her gown and putting her clothes on.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, worry in his eyes.
"Better," she whispered.
Sylvie swallowed her nerves, thinking of their child growing in her stomach, and how much she and Antonio hadn't discussed yet - like how they would raise this baby, when the wedding should be, and how their families would react?
"Diego and Eva?" she remembered, glimpsing the time from an analogue clock above his head.
Antonio hugged her tight, sending warmth through her body.
"I've sent Gabi to pick them up from school. She'll fill them in. For now, you and I are going to the chemist to pick up your medicine, then you're on bed rest. No excuses!" he warned.
Antonio walked Sylvie out of her room, one hand pressed against the middle of her back. She supposed he only wanted what was best for her, but bed rest was the last thing on her mind.
"What about Chief Boden, I'm supposed to be back at work next week," she said.
Antonio and Sylvie left the hospital, taking the lift to the car park.
"Leave Boden to me," he said, guiding Sylvie across the empty car spaces.
Sylvie tried another tactic, it wasn't that she was pushing Antonio away, she liked that he wanted to be part of this baby's life – she just didn't want to be waited upon. She loved children, and knew her life would change, but neither her fiancé nor her morning sickness could force her to bed rest!
"Besides you can't babysit me every day, Intelligence needs you, Antonio."
Antonio opened the car door for her, glancing at her determined expression.
"You need me. Intelligence will be fine."
Sylvie sighed, unable to convince him to leave her side.
"This baby is lucky he has a devoted father," she pouted.
Antonio chuckled, reversing from his car space.
A serious look flashed across his face.
"I love you, and this baby, so I will do whatever I can to protect you both."
Antonio's hand squeezed her fingers, and she realized the importance of his promise.
"I'm not going anywhere, Antonio. I love you, and our little family," she whispered.
It had been weeks after Sylvie's visit to hospital. She'd made several appointments with her Gynaecologist, eating well and leaving her morning sickness behind her.
Eva and Diego were over the moon about having a little sister or brother, busy moving all their things into one room so their new sibling could have one of their rooms as his/her nursery, even if they were eight months premature, nothing Antonio or Sylvie said convinced them otherwise.
It was almost Christmas, and a fund had been set up to help Olive continue her Psychology degree full time, without the assistance of an abysmal Walmart Salary.
After Justin's murder and Hank disappearance, Olive needed reassurance studying again was the best move, having felt she would be abandoning her son again. A week into her degree, Olive met with Erin, making her hardest decision yet – to give her son the best life possible.
She'd decided he needed a stable environment, one only Erin and Jay could provide. She had already spoken with her lawyers, and drafted up the adoption papers.
Olive broke down in tears, hugging Erin tightly, before detaching herself, and thanking her sister-in-law for everything she had done for her. 'Justin spoke fondly of you. And if Daniel ever asks about me, tell him I loved him so very much, so very much.'
Erin looked back at Olive with a tear-stained face. 'Don't let this be the last time you see your son. He needs a mother,' she pleaded. 'Justin wouldn't want this.'
Olive smiled, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
Daniel slept in his pram, dressed in several layers, tucked in with his favourite blanket and toys. Olive had even put a crocheted hat atop his head which matched his eyes. She brushed a gloved finger against his cheek, and looked back at Erin, who shook her head, willing her not to choose this path.
'That's why I chose you to carry on in my absence, Erin. Justin loved you, and my son will love you. Who better to tell him stories of his father; to teach him how to be a man; to show him that family isn't just about blood? Promise me you will do that, Erin.'
Olive picked up her bag and her bus ticket, zipping up her winter jacket.
'Promise me, you'll at least visit each Christmas?' Erin pressed.
Olive smiled, the same smile Erin had seen a hundred times during Justin's memorial.
'Goodbye Erin,' she said, disappearing into the snow.
"Are you sure this is Molly's?"
Sylvie turned to Gabi, taking in the neon lights of their local bar with confusion.
Eva beamed, having helped organize the event.
"It's had a slight makeover," Gabriela grinned, while Matt Casey pushed opened the mahogany doors, revealing a rave-like atmosphere, with waitresses dressed in corsets and not much else.
"Close your eyes, Diego," Antonio ordered, apprehensive of what else might be inside.
"Why?" came his teenage son's reply.
"You know why," Antonio shot back. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this, Gabi."
Gabriela laughed, squeezing her brother's shoulders.
"You worry too much," she said.
She hurried Sylvie inside, taking her to a booth with mocktails and penis-whistles.
Matt gave Antonio an apologetic look.
"You remember that side-job I did, and the case that followed? Well, I think it inspired this."
Antonio glimpsed Otis and Hermann behind the bar, thankfully with their shirts still on.
"The sex-club?" he murmured, taking the beer Otis gave him.
"Strip club," Matt corrected. "I thought the kids were staying at home?"
Antonio caught sight of Diego, unmoved from the door, eyes-bulging from his eye-sockets.
"Couldn't find a babysitter," he said.
"No Laura?" Matt asked, sculling his beer.
"Sylvie invited her, and her date," he said, flatly.
"I heard about that. You okay about it?" Matt queried.
"Getting used to the idea," Antonio said.
"Speak of the Devil," Otis said, nodding to the door.
Laura appeared, a present in one arm, and clutch in the other. She wore a gold-sequined dress Antonio had never seen before, and a nervous smile. He glimpsed her bracelet glinting beneath the fairy lights, and a vein in his jaw twitched, keeping his anger under control. This was Sylvie's baby shower, both Gabi and Sylvie would never forgive him if he didn't try to be civil.
Laura's nervous eyes brushed past his cool ones.
Her date had yet to arrive.
With a little push from his sister, Diego managed to enter Molly's, his face the colour of rhubarb.
Diego ordered a ginger beer, engaging in a conversation with Kim Burgess and Kevin Atwater, who sat on stools beside him. Jay and Erin entered with Daniel, dressed in Diego's hand-me-downs. The thirteen-month-old let go of Erin's hand and ran up to Sylvie, hugging her legs.
"You are growing up too fast, Mister!" Sylvie laughed, brushing his hair from his face.
"More?" he squeaked, pointing to their untouched cake.
Sylvie beamed, catching Antonio swig half a bottle of beer.
Her happiness faltered and he busied himself by shaking hands with their friends, and collecting their congratulations. He listened to Sylvie, Eva, Erin, and Gabi blowing their penis-whistles; checked on Diego, in-case he'd disappear out back with one of the waitresses; and half expected Laura to yell at him for corrupting their children, but it did not come.
He found his way to Sylvie's side, kissing her temple, before making one last announcement.
"Hermann has installed the speakers for Karaoke. Don't be shy, we're all friends here, and remember, the more alcohol consumed, the more we'll forget your abysmal singing."
The guests laughed.
"Sylvie sings like an angel," Cruz piped up, blushing when Gabi and Matt laughed.
Antonio knew this to be true.
Kim Burgess left her seat, encouraged by Kevin and Erin, she grabbed the microphone from Hermann, and performed a melancholic, yet empowering rendition of Whitney Huston's 'I will always love you,' dedicated to Sean Roman.
Antonio glanced at Ruzek, standing with Olinsky by the bar.
Ruzek ordered a round of beers, keeping his feelings to himself.
It was strange how relationships existed, and dissolved, Antonio thought.
His previous marriage, proof of that.
A selfish thought plagued him.
He wished Chief Boden had listened when he'd asked him to transfer Sylvie to Arson, because, in their line of work every day could be their last. Yes, she could handle herself, she had proved that on countless occasions, but he still worried for her safety, and their unborn child's. It was the elephant in the room, but tonight it was Sylvie's night, and he'd promised to make the night unforgettable.
He returned his attention to Olinsky singing Josh Groban's 'You Raise Me Up', leaving the room in awe. Then, to Antonio's surprise, Kelly Severide took the mic, but not to sing.
"I just want to say, congratulations to Antonio and Sylvie on your engagement and baby news. We'll miss you, Sylvie, when you go on maternity leave. You are a ray of sunshine, who lit up FireHouse 51 the moment you arrived. You gave us hope, and something to believe after losing Shay. We've enjoyed your Karaoke, cooking classes, and friendship. You are one phenomenal Paramedic, and I wish you and Antonio the best."
Kelly raised his glass and the room echoed 'Sylvie's' name.
Kelly moved through the crowd, smiling when Sylvie thanked him, hugging him tight.
"You didn't have to do that," Sylvie said, curling a wavy strand of hair from her face.
"Yeah, I did," he grinned. "Listen," he looked over Antonio's shoulder. "There's something you both need to know. You might want to sit down," he gestured to some empty stools by the bar.
Sylvie found Antonio's hand and squeezed it.
"Why, you haven't eloped again, have you?" she sighed.
Kelly beckoned to somebody, and Antonio smiled, wondering who Kelly Severide's plus one was this time. He ordered another mocktail for Sylvie, and three more beers. Diego, he was happy to see was looking out for Daniel, sneaking pieces of cake, while Erin and Jay caught up with Matt and Gabriela.
A hand rested on his shoulder, and the first thing he noticed was Sylvie's gobsmacked expression as he brought the beers to give out.
The hand belonged to Laura, his ex-wife, tentative, as if testing the waters, which were surging, like a tidal wave, then a tsunami he could not control.
"Antonio!"
Both Laura and Sylvie failed to intervene and the beers smashed to the floor.
Kelly Severide ducked, avoiding Antonio's right hook.
"My wife?" he yelled, incredulous.
"Ex-wife!" Kelly retorted, stumbling backwards.
"This is the guy who gave you that bracelet?" he demanded of Laura.
Laura glared at him.
"I don't know why you're so obsessed with that bracelet, Antonio, but yes. It belonged to Kelly's mother, not that it's any of your business. And let me remind you, you and I are divorced. I am free to date whomever I like, whether you approve, or not! I suggest, you take a step back from my boyfriend, before I clock you myself!"
Sylvie gave Laura a nod of approval, which Antonio noticed, unclenching his fist.
"You are unbelievable," Sylvie shook her head, disappointed, yet again, by his actions. "Get some fresh air, and when you've cooled down, you can apologise to Kelly and Laura. This is my baby shower, Antonio, not a freaking boxing ring!"
Antonio felt like Sylvie had thumped him in the chest, the force of her disappointment shook him to his core. He fell back through the crowd, his world crashing around him.
Alcohol dripped from his lips, and his head spun.
The mahogany doors opened, and it took a moment before his eyes recognized the stranger.
"What are you doing here?" Antonio managed.
"I have an invite?" Sean Roman grinned, finding Kim's stunned expression.
Antonio squinted into the blizzard outside, staring at a hunched over figure.
"You'll never guess who I found," Sean said, grinning over his shoulder. "Well, who found me."
Antonio hurried down the steps, already guessing who the stranger was.
He barely felt the chill, adrenaline pumping, as he threw his arms around Hank Voight.
"You okay, bro?" Hank's growl escaped him.
"Yeah, bro." Antonio blinked back tears, and Hank smiled, patting Antonio's cheek.
He looked at Molly's, and smiled at the stunned expressions, awaiting him.
"Good, I thought I better come home for Christmas," he said.
A/N: Special thanks to annemargaretj for the motivation :) Poor Antonio! That Olive/Erin scene broke me. I crack!ship Kim/Atwater, but my otp is Romgess. I notp Burzek, sry peeps. (I actually ship Adam with Olinsky). Anyway, major Brettonio withdrawrals atm. What did you think of the plot twists? Reviews encouraged. Ch 5 coming soon x