Title: A New Start
Chapter 25 – Opening the Door to the Future

"How was it?" Erin asked Kelly a week later as they sat in a small diner just after his shift ended and before hers started, both enjoying a casual breakfast.

"It was…tough but necessary," Kelly replied as he related to her about the two mandatory therapy sessions the school offered to those children and their parents affected by the Jackson tragedy. "Asked him some questions and he answered as best he could and that…was it. I think Matt might have a tougher time as Caitlin was more in the thick of things than he was but uh…but I think he'll pull through. Shay's pretty good and figuring out what he's hiding…she has us both pegged," he slightly smirked. "But he never talks about nightmares and such anymore so…yeah I think he's all good now."

"That's a relief."

"How's modified desk duty been?"

'Hank if I have to look at one more cold case folder I swear…' "I think everyone is hoping for a speedy recovery," she replied with a slight snicker. "Hate just sitting around."

"Not sure who I feel more sorry for," he teased as she offered him a mock angered gaze.

"Yourself if you keep that up," she warned as he offered her a chuckle. "Them…trust me feel sorry for them."

"Saw Adam at CFD the other day. Said hello and that was it…didn't want to make it awkward but can't see us becoming best buddies. But he did send me a text of thanks for keeping his job. He's been through a lot."

"He has," she agreed with a strained expression. "Jackson…he did so much harm. But as we dug deeper into his past…wow, it was so sordid. It didn't just start with him. He basically learned his odd behavior from his father."

"And his accomplice?"

"Arthur Ryder was shipped down to Florida. The feds are itching to nail him to the ground for the FBI deaths. Jackson planted his DNA on them. Figured if things went south up here, he could just pin it all on Ryder and walk away clean."

"Careful who you get into bed with," Kelly deadpanned as she offered him a slight smirk. "Service this weekend for the deaths at the school," Kelly mentioned as she nodded in agreement. "Wonder if he'd have felt any remorse."

"Jackson?" Erin questioned as Kelly nodded in confirmation. "He…killed his own child."

"Right…not sure I want to know more details," he huffed as she leaned forward and rested her right hand on his which prompted him to look up with a soft look of misery.

"You don't," she whispered with a small frown. "His life story…not something I think I want to hear again."

"Fair enough," he told her as his expression softened. "Lots of other things to talk about."

"Like how great you've been this week," Erin proudly praised as Kelly's expression widened. "Think I've spent more time at your apartment than mine. Shay's been very…accommodating. But…did I do something wrong?"

"No…why? What's going on?"

"She…she was never there when I was there. She does live there. I know she wanted to give us some time together but with George there it's not like we…did she change her mind about me? I thought she liked me but…" Erin rattled on as Kelly quickly interjected.

"No wait…it's not like that. She…she didn't want to tell you but um…but she got another place."

"What? But …"

"Right next door," Kelly interjected again as Erin's brows raised. "She likes her space. We knew this was only temporary….her and I and George. In Philly we shared a duplex and that was great because George had both parents close by but each of us had our separate lives. We had made that deal long ago. Was a bit easier when George was younger but now…well he's wise to some adult stuff and she wants to have her own life. She didn't want to tell you and told me not to tell you so as not to…well scare you away or make you feel…obligated."

Erin looked at Kelly in mild surprise as her heart started to beat a bit faster. "I like Shay."

"Yeah me too." Kelly's face beamed as she leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

But she lingered by his ear and told him exactly what he wanted to hear. "I want to be a part of your family."

XXXXXXXX

"Where…does she get all the energy?" Dawson huffed as she slumped down by Matt on the back steps, both of them watching Caitlin in the backyard still trying to fix the little fort they had worked so tirelessly to build the day before.

"If only we could bottle it up and use it for later," he added with a smile as Caitlin finished her task and then looked up with a joyful smile. "Glad the therapy session wasn't too hard on her. She admitted a few things that surprised me but am glad for the most part she's okay. And sleeping okay too."

"Helps to have a supportive family and lots of friends around," Dawson added as her head gently rested on his shoulder; Matt instantly feeling a sense of contentment and adoration start to consume him.

"She's really enjoyed spending time with you this week," Matt told her in truth as Dawson's lips twisted upward into a smile.

"Almost hate to go back to work in a few weeks," she huffed pout that Matt could only chuckle at. "You're so lucky to have your mom around."

"What about your parents?"

"They…I mean they're great with Tonio's kids…when they see them but they're not the type to call and invite them over for a sleepover you know? Eva has her friends and…Diego…both are growing up so fast."

"I know…can't believe she's nine already," Matt agreed as Caitlin neared them with something in her grasp.

"Look daddy…a metal froggie."

Matt took the small object and looked at in in wonder before he showed Dawson and then handed it back to his beloved daughter. "Go wash it off and find him a good home. Don't forget to name it."

"Josh."

"Josh?" Matt inquired as he looked at Dawson who shrugged. "That's…random. Why Josh?"

"A boy in my class looks like froggie," she simply stated as she turned around and headed for the hose to wash it off as Matt and Dawson watched with amused expressions.

"Well…at least she didn't say George would never hear the end of that," Matt whispered with a small snicker as Dawson laughed and nudged him. He draped his arm around her and pulled her closer as he planted a kiss on the top of her head.

"I like this."

"Doing nothing?" He gently prodded.

"Not really nothing. Just…being here with you and her and just…yeah being here. Being a part of this."

Matt's heart swelled as he squeezed her a bit tighter and then both watched as Caitlin rushed up to them with the object in her hand but now all cleaned up.

"Josh is all clean now," Caitlin declared as both adults offered her another small laugh.

"So…what was he doing when you found him? Tell us a story about Josh?" Dawson asked as they made room for Caitlin to sit between them. The little girl delighted to tell the adults a story before they all went inside and enjoyed a casual lunch.

XXXXXXXX

"Can't believe you have this much…stuff," Kelly groaned as he helped Shay move into her new apartment two weeks later.

"What's in here mommy?"

"Oh don't start," Shay huffed as she looked at her son and then up at Kelly and narrowed her gaze.

"What?" Kelly chuckled and shrugged as he ushered his son inside the apartment that was right next door to his. "Shay…"

"You said you asked Erin if she liked apartment living or a house and she said…"

"Apartment," he said the same time as her and then nodded in resignation.

"Besides…what do you know about having a house?"

"Seriously?"

"Asking your dad how to turn on a push lawn mower?"

"That was one time," Kelly shot back in sarcasm as George laughed at his father. "Oh really goober?" He stated as he scooped his son into the air and then poked him in the ribs which filled the air around them with infectious laughter.

"So I have a few houses lined up after this," Shay mentioned as Kelly looked up in wonder. "Dawson's going to come back and as much as I love 51…I can't ask her to leave. And Brett is the like…the saint of 51. If she left…the house would lose its sweet soul," Shay smiled as Kelly's brow slightly furrowed. "Hey now…you know it's always better if we have different shifts so one of us can be here with the goober."

"I know but…"

"No Clarice remember? And I can't ask Fiona to….your dad?"

"You're right…opposite shifts is better. We want him to grow up normal," he sighed as she gently patted his cheek.

"It's going to be fine. We made it work in Philly and we'll make it work here. New start right?"

"Right," he agreed with a tight lipped smile.

"So…did you get the ring?"

"I uh…" he paused as a smile crossed his lips and she literally squealed and gave him a hug. "I haven't asked yet," he smirked as he looked at her seriously. "Hope she says yes."

"Course she will," Shay said confidently as she turned to leave. "Want me to ask her for you?" Shay winked as she left the room and headed back into his apartment to get the last of her stuff.

"George…"

"Yeah daddy?" George asked as Kelly scooped him up into his arms.

"Never argue with a woman," he advised with a smile as George agreed and shrugged. Kelly laughed as he ruffled his son's hair and then followed after Shay; his mind already starting to think about what kind of proposal he wanted to play out and when he'd ask.

XXXXXXXX

"It's only been a few weeks," Voight reminded Erin as she cursed the cast on her wrist when the team was called into action. "And only…a few weeks more."

"I don't shoot with my left hand," she reminded him with a small hiss as Voight gently smiled. "How does Platt do it behind that desk all day long?"

"Patience."

"Right," Erin retorted in sarcasm. "What's that again?"

Voight offered her a small laugh as he pulled away and headed over to the board that held the last of the Jackson clippings.

"Still haunts me," Erin whispered as she plucked the newspaper clipping that graced the Chicago Times a few days after the school bombing. "I know it could have been worse but still…so many lives changed by his hatred."

"Time to heal now. Heard that the Feds fast tracked Ryder's trip to death row."

"With all that Jackson had pinned on him, it was an easy trip."

"Don't feel sorry for him," Erin replied as she looked at the board with a frown.

"What?"

"Nearly lost everything I love in that explosion," she pondered as Voight looked at her in surprise. "Was it really a secret?"

"No," Voight shook his head and smiled. "Kelly's a good man. Okay enough about your love life," Voight paused with a dry note as she offered him a small smirk. "Let's clear this away and put up our latest case."

She hated the fact that she was sidelined for a few more weeks but knew it was better than just sitting at home doing nothing and took comfort in the fact that she could still help her team with current cases and make important arrests. "Hey…I think I found something," she paused as Voight headed back to her. "Look at this logo…"

XXXXXXXX

~one week later~

"Feels good to be back," Matt commented as he stood outside the entrance of Firehouse 51.

"That it does," Kelly added as he stood beside him. "You know this…just us out here…coming here after something big and starting well…kinda new…"

"Yeah feels familiar," Matt interjected with a nod as the two of them fist pumped and then traded knowing smiles. "Well…shall we?"

"Let's get this day started."

The two of them walked toward the entrance of 51 with smiles on their faces and knew plans in their heads and hearts. Each of them had someone special they wanted to take the next step with and make them a part of their current families and had a plan to make that happen. They just needed…the perfect moment. That would come.

"Lieutenants!" Otis greeted with a wide grin as Matt and Kelly looked at each other in wonder. "Now wait…this wasn't entirely my idea."

"Yup…back to normal," Kelly snickered as he playfully punched Matt on the shoulder. "He's all Truck."

Matt just groaned as he watched Kelly pull away and then looked at Otis with a small frown. But that frown instantly turned into a smile as soon as Dawson appeared; her expression instantly mirroring his. "Otis…take it to Boden," he stated as he clapped Otis on the shoulder and then pushed past.

"What's he asking for now?" Dawson asked with a smirk.

"I didn't want to know," Matt groaned as they headed inside. Dawson was welcomed back by her team with lots of hugs and happy smiles.

"Wait…thought I had more time," Shay commented as she neared and gave Dawson a big hug.

"She does…I asked Dawson to come today."

"What's going on chief?" Dawson asked Boden as Kelly returned to the common area as Boden gestured for everyone else to gather around.

"Have an announcement and wanted everyone to be here," Boden started as Connie appeared with a file in her hand and nodded to her boss; her actions prompted Matt and Kelly to once again trade glances – this time in uncertain wonder.

"Due to the new interstate interchange happening down on 3rd they have had to close House 32. Their staff has been reassigned to other houses where there was either a need or was space."

"We're getting new staff chief?"

"We're getting…one new medic and a new bus."

"Really?" Dawson asked as she looked at Shay with a hopeful glance. "One for each shift?"

"One for each shift and since we currently have three paramedics, we need one more for the second shift to work with Medic Lesley Shay," Boden stated as Shay's smile instantly grew and her eyes slightly watered with happy tears. "Firehouse 51, please welcome, Allison Rafferty."

All of them turned to see the latest member of Firehouse 51 step out from behind Connie and offer them all a nervous wave and hello.

"Please make her feel welcome. Casey…Severide…we have a few more things to discuss."

"On it Chief," Matt nodded as he greeted Rafferty and then continued on.

"Welcome," Kelly agreed as he looked at Shay and grinned. "Best news of the day."

"For you," Rafferty whispered in an undertone.

"Oh trust me…best move you'll make coming here," Shay declared as she marched up to Rafferty with a bright smile.

"Yeah? How do you know that?"

"Because this is also my first official day," Shay stated as Rafferty's expression relaxed. "That second shift won't know what hit em. Come on…let's go find our lockers."

"Think that's trouble?" Dawson asked Kelly who looked at her and nodded.

"Double," he snickered as he pushed past and followed after Matt toward Boden's office.

Later that same day, after a tough call, the teams headed back into 51 wanting to unwind and have something to eat.

"Something…smells good," Matt commented as he looked at Dawson in the kitchen and then raised his brows when he saw his daughter beside her. "What's…going on?"

"Your mom had to go to the doctor so Caitlin helped me make you all dinner. Figured I had to do something with my day off."

"Are you hungry daddy?"

"Starved."

"Hope you have a bit extra for some hard working CPD members."

All heads turned to see Antonio and Erin enter with George at Erin's side.

"Daddy!" George shouted as he broke away and ran toward his father.

"Hey so…what's going on?"

"Had to drop something off for Boden to close the Jackson case and figured I'd bring him here to see you…and…something smells good," she smiled as she planted a brief kiss on his lips and then both watched George rush into the kitchen to see Dawson and Caitlin.

"Whole family's here," Shay stated as she draped her arm around Erin and smiled at Kelly. "I got a permanent position here."

"Really?" Erin asked in surprise as Shay nodded and smiled, Kelly also nodding in confirmation. "That's wonderful!" She offered a congratulatory hug.

"Second shift so that works out amazing for looking after the goober."

"51 is home," Kelly told her seriously as she smiled appreciatively. Both of them watched Shay pull away and head toward the newest member of 51 who tried to fend off enthusiastic attention from Otis and Cruz.

"So…you okay?" Kelly asked as Erin eased herself down onto a chair beside him.

"I am now," she commented as she looked at Matt and Dawson with Caitlin beside them looking very much like an established family unit. Her eyes drifted to Shay and the new person talking to a few others at 51 and then at Brett and Antonio then watched as George neared them with a large brownie; another possible CFD/CPD family in the making.

"That's not dinner," Kelly playfully scolded his son as George plunked himself down onto a chair beside them and looked up with a wide grin. "Erin?"

"You're right…" she whispered as she looked back at him as her hand firmly clutched his, "this is home. This…is family."

Three people had come to Chicago looking for a new start and they found it – their lives now fully intertwined with the others but none of them minding. They found their new start…and this was just the beginning. A few new starts were waiting to be discovered and embraced.

THE END!

A/N: okay dear readers! LOVE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU ALL! Seriously it's b/c of your amazing support (reviews) that this story has gotten this long. I was torn about extending it or leaving it here but felt that it just kinda came to this point where it wrapped up a few SLs in here but of course left a few open for a possible sequel…so you all tell me…should I just leave it here or come back with a new story for our couples and of course new danger and (yes some romance hehe) please do let me know in your final review and thanks!