Grace was a little worried when she didn't see Matt outside the school. Every time he didn't pick them up after school she knew it was because he was at a fire. She had always known he was a firefighter and it used to never bother her. He was her hero and she was proud of him. None of that has changed, but living with him and being constantly reminded of the dangers of his job was unsettling for her. But she would never tell him that, he loved his job.

It didn't take long for Grace to spot Christie. She was leaning against her car and talking on her cell phone. She waved when she saw Grace and as Grace walked over she could see her trying to end the conversation. Christie was trying really hard lately, Grace didn't mind, she realized most of what her mother told her about Christie was wrong and Grace liked having her around.

Jake could care less either way. He wasn't hesitant towards people like Grace was and he didn't have any problems with new people coming into his life. He figured they couldn't be any worse than the people that were in his life back in L.A. He welcomed change easily, it was part of his carefree personality.

"How was school?" Christie said when Grace got close enough.

She shrugged. "It was good, nothing new."

"You don't have cheer practice after school?" Christie asked as they waited for Jake.

"Not on Fridays." Grace said as she threw her bag in the backseat of the SUV. "Tyler asked me out."

Christie smiled with excitement for her niece. "Did you say yes?"

"Yeah, but I said I'd have to ask Matt." Grace frowned. "How long do you think he'll be?"

"Is your date tonight?"

Grace nodded. "He asked me out on Tuesday but I haven't told Matt yet."

Christie smirked remember the days of dating. "Well I think he'll be awhile. He asked me to pick you up and have dinner with us. He said he'd get you when he was off shift at eight."

"Tyler said he'd pick me up at seven." Grace bit her lip.

"I don't see why you can't go." Christie said. "I'll talk to Matt for you when he comes at eight."

"Really?" Grace smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem," Christie said giving her a one armed hug. "There's that brother of yours."

Jake jogged over to the car and Grace realized he was in his gym clothes and didn't have his bag with him. "Hey Aunt Christie," He said giving her a hug. "Where's Uncle Matt?"

"At a fire, where's your stuff?"

"The assistant basketball coach is running an off court practise in the weight room and I really want to go. He invited me and I can't really say no. If I do I might not make the team. Please, can I go?"

Christie sighed. "How long will you be?"

"An hour, two at the most."

Christie nodded. "Alright, but I'll be back to get you so you better not take off."

"I won't," He grinned. "Thanks Aunt Christie."

They watched him run back inside before getting into the car and starting to drive. "Matt hasn't said if he could try out yet." Grace said after a few minutes of silent driving.

"I know," Christie said. "But I can't see Matt saying no to a team sport."

"Why?"

"They're good for you. They teach social skills and team work and time management." She said. "Besides, Matt knows he really wants to play and he doesn't have it in him to hurt him like that."

"But he's grounded."

"From going out and seeing friends. Basketball is a part of school in my opinion." She shook her head. "Don't worry about it, if Matt has a problem he'll take it up with me."

"I just don't want him in a bad mood when you tell him about my date."

Christie laughed. "Oh, no concern for your brother then?"

"He got himself in this mess." Grace grinned. "He even got me grounded for the last two weeks and now that I'm finally not grounded again, I want to go out with Tyler."

"And I think you should." Christie nodded. "I'll tell you what, we have a few hours to kill, how about we go shopping?"

"Really?" Grace beamed, she didn't do much shopping.

"Yeah," Christie said. "I think you need a few new things."

Grace spent the next two hours shopping with Christie. She had a lot of fun and it surprised Grace how easy it was to talk to Christie. Christie enjoyed the quality time with her niece and may have gone a little overboard on buying her things. Grace didn't take advantage, she tried to say no to a few things, but she never had someone want to really buy her things before. Her mother never really took her shopping since they didn't have the money to buy nice things. Christie knew this, it was part of the reason she was buying Grace clothes. That, and because she thought her niece deserved them. Grace worked hard at school, she was smart and responsible and Christie wanted her to feel good about herself.

Christie also noticed that Grace and Jake didn't have much in the way of clothes. She knew it was because her sister couldn't provide for them but Christie had the money and didn't mind spoiling them. She bought them jeans, sweaters and winter jackets because she knew they didn't have any warmer clothes. She bought Grace some cute shoes and a few cute tops as well. Christie knew Matt might not be happy, but it wasn't like she bought the kids designer clothes, they were reasonably priced and the twins needed them. They lived in L.A., they didn't have any winter clothes and the colder weather had already started. Besides, she was their aunt and she could buy them things if she wanted.

Grace left the mall very happy. She thought she was getting one new outfit but ended up with basically a winter wardrobe. They picked Jake up from the school and he spent the car ride home going through his new clothes in the back seat. He was a little worried at first, but Christie had good taste and he liked everything she picked out.

"Grace!" Violet yelled when she stepped in the door. Grace hugged her quickly before she tore out of her arms and ran at Jake. "JAKE!"

"VIOLET!" He taunted and picked her up so she could touch the ceiling, it was something she insisted on doing every time she saw him. "How was school?"

"I got the lead in the school play!" She exclaimed as he kicked off his shoes.

"You did!" He said, matching her excitement. He carried her to the kitchen and put her down on the counter, nodding at Jim who was cooking vegan spaghetti.

"Yes, will you come watch?"

"I sure will, you let me know when it is."

"Okay!" She beamed at him and he smiled back.

"Dinner is ready," Jim said as he kissed Christie.

"We can eat and we will still have plenty of time to get you ready," Christie said when she caught Grace staring at the clock on the stove.

"Ready for what?" Jake said as he sat down at the table with Violet and Grace.

Jim placed the spaghetti in the middle of the table and looked at Christie with equal curiosity as she put the salad down. "Grace has a date."

"With who?" Jake frowned.

"Tyler." She mumbled, taking a small plate of food, she could never eat large meals.

"How old is he?" Jim asked, easily stepping into the father figure role.

"My age." Grace said. "He plays basketball, he gets good grades and he's nice to me."

Jim nodded. "Alright then."

Grace smiled. "I hope Matt is that easy."

"He won't be." Christie smiled.

"Comforting, thanks." Grace grinned as she ate her food.

After dinner Grace spent some time with Jake and Violet as she waited for Christie and Jim to clean up. They offered to help but Grace figured they refused so they could spend some time alone and talk, even if it meant talking over dishes. When Christie was done she followed Grace upstairs to pick out an outfit and help her with her hair and makeup. Grace wore a new outfit of dark wash jeans, a light pink tank top with ruffles that she paired with a cranberry long sleeve cardigan and a pair of black flats. Christie gave her one of her cross body leather bags to use and some jewelry to match her outfit. She helped her do her makeup; she kept it simple as she was only fifteen, but used some tricks to make her eyes pop.

She was straightening her hair when Grace suddenly spoke up. "Thanks."

Christie frowned slightly but continued. "Anytime."

"My mom never took me shopping or would help me with this stuff."

"Your mom and I were close once, she used to do all this for me. So, I know that if she could she would do it for you too." Christie said. "She has a problem Grace, it's hard to understand and I know it's not fair but she wasn't always like that."

"I know, but it's all I remember."

Christie put the straightener down grabbed a few bobby pins to pull back some of Grace's hair. "You're beautiful," She smiled when she was finished. "She would be here if she could and she would be so proud."

Grace returned the smile which grew about three times its size when she heard the doorbell ring. She was excited and nervous all at the same time. Grace peered back into the mirror quickly before following Christie down the stairs. Grace smiled at the Tyler who was talking to Jake and he smiled back.

"You look great," he said.

Grace smiled again and Christie handed her a light black pea coat that Grace assumed was Christie's. "Are you sure?"

Christie nodded. "Have fun and call me if you need me."

Grace nodded and left the house with Tyler. She got into his car and smiled at him, again. "So, where are we going?"

"Have you ever been roller skating?" He asked with a grin.

Grace was glad he didn't say to a movie because she never thought of that as a good date option because you couldn't talk to the person. She laughed and shook her head. "No I have not."

"Well it's fun. People skating around, some good, some bad with cheesy music and cheap food."

"Sounds perfect." She said. "But I have never really skated. I'm from L.A."

"Yeah, I figured." He nodded before turning to her with a grin. "But teaching you will be half the fun."

Grace smiled at him once again and when they pulled into the parking lot she found herself actually excited. They went inside and got their skates on and began skating. Grace was glad when she seemed to pick it up easily, although, she was holding onto Tyler's arm and there was no way she was letting go. They skated around a few times until she got the hang of it and felt a little more comfortable. She let go of his arm and settled for holding his hand. He pulled her slightly and attempted to get her to spin but it sent them both crashing to the ground. They lied there laughing too hard to get up at first and when they finally did, he led her off to get something to eat.

"I thought dancers were supposed to be graceful?" He joked with a big grin.

"Sorry," She said as they stood in line. "But you're the lead. I followed you and ended up on the ground. I think that's your fault?"

"Oh you do, do you?" He said and nodded towards the menu. "What do you want?"

"Hmm," She said as she studied it. "I don't know, what's good?"

"Nothing really, it's roller rink food." He laughed again.

"Well, I know a place that has great burgers and shakes." She said. "It's this little diner."

"Mills Family Diner?" He said. "I love that place. You know that place?"

"Yeah, Peter works with my uncle."

"Oh right, Firefighter, I forgot." He nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

They spent the rest of the date in a booth at the diner eating burgers and fries and talking. Grace was glad Mills wasn't there, she knew he would give Tyler a hard time. Mrs. Mills was there, she kept an eye on the two but stayed out of their way. At the end of the night he drove her home and walked her up to the door.

"I have fun." She smiled. "Thanks."

"Yeah I had a good time," He agreed. "I like a girl that can fall and laugh about it and eats burgers and fries instead of salad."

"Well, I like a boy that holds my hand, opens my car door and teaches me how to roller skate."

"Like me enough to do this again?" He asked as he took a step closer. "Maybe next weekend?"

Grace's heart skipped a beat and she nodded. "I'd like that."

"Good," He said. He hesitated but then leaned down and kissed her. It wasn't a long kiss, but it didn't have to be, Grace felt that precious spark and she smiled. "Good night."

"Night."

She waited a few seconds, trying to whip the ridiculous smile off her face but she couldn't. She opened the door, kicked off her shoes and hung up her coat before stepping into the living room. Matt looked up at her and they stared at each other for a few moments. Grace was trying to read him, she wasn't sure if he was okay with her dating and it made her nervous to think he could be mad at her.

"So how was the date?" He said with a big smile.

Relief washed over Grace and she returned the smile. "It was so good!" She said with excitement as she sat down on the couch beside him. "I had so much fun."

"What did you do?" He asked as he turned off the TV. and turned towards his niece. It was nice to see her so happy and he was glad she wanted to talk to him about it.

"We went roller skating!" She said with a laugh. "I've never been but I was okay until he wanted me to do this spin thing and we both fell. It was hilarious, we just laid on the ground in the middle of the rink for about five minutes and laughed. Then we went to Mills Diner and had some food and then he brought me home."

"Did he kiss you?" Casey teased with a grin.

"Uncle Matt!" She said as she tried to hide the blush that crept into her face.

"You kissed on the first date?" He said with pretend shock.

"Only goodnight!" She said before frowning. "Why? Was I not supposed to?"

Casey tried to hide his smile as he realized something about his niece. "Was this your first date Grace? You're first kiss perhaps too?"

Grace looked away and shrugged before looking back at him. "Maybe."

"Oh, my little girl's growing up," He smiled. "Not sure I like that."

"He asked me out again next weekend."

"Are you asking me or telling me?" He joked. "Would you like me to call Christie and see if it's okay with her?"

"Are you mad?" She asked seriously. "I didn't know how to tell you."

"No sweetheart, I'm not mad." He shook his head. "But if he is taking you out again next weekend, I want to meet him."

"Okay, you can meet him." She nodded. "But don't scare him off."

"I would never do that," He said sarcastically with a grin. "But I can't say the same for Severide."

"He cannot be here!" Grace said, emphasizing each word.

"Well he's coming over that night to watch the game."

"What night?"

"Whatever night that boy is picking you up." Casey smirked.

"Uncle Matt!" She whined.

"I'm only joking," Casey laughed. "I'm glad you had a good time, Grace. It's nice to see you so happy, even if it's because of a boy."

"Well yeah, he made me happy tonight." Grace nodded. "But you're the reason I'm happy every day. Give yourself some credit Uncle Matt, you literally saved our lives."

Casey smiled at his niece, touched at her words and pulled her into his arms for a hug. "Thanks Grace."