Chapter 11
Dawson
How do you know when your ready to take the next step with someone? This question keeps running through my mind as Shay is talking to me about her new living arrangements with Severide and Clarice. I'm trying my best to focus on what she is saying but my mind keeps drifting to my conversation with Mills last night.
'I know your not a fan of Clarice but were a couple now" Shay states as she follows me into the laundry room.
"I'm sleeping with Mills" the words completing fall out of mouth before I can hold them back.
"I knew it you skank!" She shouts as she sits herself up on the dryer.
I feel like a need to explain to her about how we started and the latest predicament I'm in. "We decided to keep it cool at work" I inform her.
"Does Casey know?" She asked. I had a feeling this thing with Mills would also be a taboo with the whole Casey thing.
"No" I answer.
"Are you gonna tell him?"
That same question has also circled through my mind, would I ever tell Casey about Mills. In all honesty I really didn't know if I would need to.
"Are you still into him" Shay asked before I can answer.
"He zigged, I zagged, it wasn't meant to be" I felt that was the most honest answer I could give. I continue to load the washer.
"So how's the sex with Mills?" Here is the real question Shay wanted to asked.
"Look its not really just about sex, I really like him, but let's just say he is very detailed orientated. But he wants me met his mom, but I don't think we're ready for that. What would you do?"
"Detailed orientated uh?" Shay asked back with a smirk.
"Ambulance 61, Truck 81, and Squad 3" is announced over the intercom. We both run out of the laundry room and grab our gear. This conversation is just going to have to wait.
Casey
Filling out paper work is not my favorite part of the job; I continue to tell myself as I sign off on today's report while I sit in the office.
I hear the door open to see Severide, "Hey there is someone here to see you. She is on the floor".
I set the pen down and follow him out of the office. As I walk down the hall to the garage I try to think about who would be here. I open the door and see my mother standing there.
"How did you get here?" I ask as I step closer to her.
"I took the buss" she replied as she smiled with her hands full of freshly baked cookies.
"What's going on?" I ask unsure what she is doing here.
"Just want to see where my son works".
I nod my head, "This is where I work".
"Can I get a tour?"
"Um… yeah" I reply. I never really knew she had an interest in my work. It takes me back and I think she notices. I walk closer to the truck, 'This is the truck" I inform her.
"Your truck?"
"Yeah" I answer. I notice Mills walking into the garage, "Behind you is Peter Mills our candidate"
"Peter, this is my mom" I inform him.
A smile spreads across his face, "Oh hey, you have a great son" he says as she hugs her. He steps back and looks down at her hands. "May I?" he asks
"Oh yeah, these are chocolate chip" she says handing the plate of cookies to Mills.
Over my mother's shoulder I see Gabby walking toward us from the ambulance. "And this Gabriela Dawson, she's an EMT here." I say to my mother. She turns around to find Gabby. At this point I don't know what Gabby and I are to each other but she is someone important to me and I was planning on introducing her to my mom.
"Oh you were at my hearing" my mother states.
"Oh yeah, that's right" Gabby replies with an unequal voice. I can tell she is nervous.
"That meant the world to me, as I'm sure it does to Matthew" I had to smile as my mother said this to Gabby because she was dead on. Just having Gabby there with me gave me strength to face all of this.
"Oh mamma it was my pleasure and congrats on getting out of …" Gabby was searching for the right word.
"Prison" My mother filled in for her.
"Yup, the big house, do they even call it that anymore" Gabby rambled on.
"Oh she is absolutely adorable. Forget Hallie this is the kind of woman I always envisioned you being with." I see that Gabby blushes as the words slip from my mother's lips. I can't help by give a smile.
Dawson
My heart skips a beat as I listen to Casey's mom but I look up to see Mills staring at me. I know exactly what he is thinking but I can't do this right now.
"Well thank you Mrs. Casey" I reply unsure how to get out of this. I look to Casey for help but he looks as lost as I do. "It was very nice meeting you, but I'll get out of here so you can spend time with Matt" I say with a smile.
"Likewise and Gabby, I would love it if you could come to dinner sometime"
"Mom…" Matt begins to say.
"Well the girl has to eat sometime" his mother stated.
I look at Mills and then back at her "that would be great" I reply waving as I turn and walk into the building.
I immediately walk into the locker room. I'm unsure of what to do or what will happen, I just can't deal with all this stuff right now.