CHAPTER 19
Brett and Stella were ready for their date with their men, but neither of them were ready for what was going to happen. Foster left as soon as Stella's hair and makeup were finished. By the time the women had finished getting ready, it was 6:50 p.m. and Foster knew the men would be there very soon. She said her goodbyes to her friends and then left. Casey knocked on the door before letting himself and Severide into the apartment, just in case the women were still getting ready.
"Wow." Casey said with a look that only Brett knew.
"Wow yourself." Brett smiled.
"So, why do I get the feeling that you two decided to plan some sort of double date for us?" Stella joked.
Severide and Casey looked at each other.
"Guilty." both men said.
"So, where are we going?" Stella said looking at Severide.
"That's a surprise." Severide teased.
"We better get going. Don't wanna lose our reservations." Casey implied.
They women gathered their purses and Stella grabbed her clothes from earlier and they headed off. Stella and Severide rode together and Brett and Casey rode together. They all arrived at the restaurant and was greeted by the hostess.
"Reservation for Casey." Severide said.
"Mr. Casey. I see there are four of you. Right this way." the hostess said.
Casey, Brett, Severide, and Stella followed the hostess to their table. The men helped the women with their seats and than sat down beside of them. The hostess placed their menus on the table.
"Your waiter will be right with you." the hostess said as she went back to the front of the restaurant.
"This looks expensive." Brett whispered under her breath to where only Casey could hear her.
"Don't worry about it. I know the owner." Casey whispered in Brett's ear.
"Good evening. My name is Rafe and I will be your waiter this evening. May I take your drink order?" Rafe said.
"I'll have the Pinot Noir Red Wine." Stella said.
"I'll have the same." Brett said.
"Same." Casey said.
"Same as well." Severide replied.
"Four glasses of the Pinot Noir Red Wine to start off with. Is that correct?" Rafe asked.
"Yes." Severide replied.
"I'll be right out with that." Rafe said as he went over to the computer to put in the drink orders.
"So, what's the special occassion?" Stella asked.
"Can we at least eat first?" Severide laughed.
"Fine." Stella said.
Brett and Casey laughed.
"Brett, you're supposed to be on my side." Stella chuckled.
"I am but I'm starving." Brett giggled.
"You ate one large pizza by yourself." Stella said.
"You did too." Brett chuckled.
"True." Stella shook her head to agree with Brett.
Rafe came back out with their drinks. He placed each drink in front of them on the table.
"May I take your order or do you all need another moment?" Rafe asked.
Everyone looked at each other and nodded their head in agreement.
"We're ready." Casey said.
"Miss, let's start with you." Rafe said as he looked at Brett.
"I'll have the shrimp and pork rolls." Brett said.
"And what would you like for your two sides?" Rafe asked.
"May I get some steamed rice and vegetables for my sides?" Brett asked.
"Of course you may. Is there anything else?" Rafe asked.
"That's all I want." Brett said.
"Alright. Miss, what about you?" Rafe asked Stella.
"May I have the steak and lobster with scallop potatoes?" Stella asked.
"Absolutely. Is there anything else?" Rafe asked.
"No, that's it for me." Stella replied.
"How about you, sir?" Rafe asked Casey.
"I'll have the the alfredo chicken with the steamed vegetables." Casey said.
"Is that all?" Rafe asked.
"Yes." Casey replied.
"Sir, what can I get you?" Rafe asked.
"I'll have the filet mignon with mashed potatoes and broccoli. That will be all." Severide said.
"Alright. I will go and put the orders in. It will be out within thirty minutes." Rafe said as he took the menus from the table.
Rafe walked away and put in the orders at one of the computers. The women were getting restless, waiting to know what the men had up their sleeves. Usually when they went out on romantic dates, it ended up being because of some sort of promotion, hoiday, birthday, but never just out of the blue. Brett and Stella weren't sure what was going on but they knew it was something good, or at least they hoped it was something good. Rafe came out with their dinner. After making sure each of them had the correct plate in front of them, he refilled their glasses with wine and then left. They ate their dinner and talked about their Christmas. New Year's was a few days away and then it was back to work for them.
"Now that we are done eating, there's something that I would like to say." Severide said to the other three.
The three of them looked at Severide. He turned to look at Stella. He pushed his chair away and got down on one knee.
"Stella, I love you so much. You and I have been through a lot over the last few years. I would like nothing more than for you to be my wife. Will you marry me?" Severide said as he held a beautiful diamond ring in his hand.
Stella was speechless. She was in shock. She was happy.
"Yes!" Stella exclaimed.
Severide placed the ring on Stella's finger and then kissed. Everyone in the restaurant clapped and cheered for the happy couple. Rafe came by with the check with Sergio.
"Matthew, Sylvie. How are you?" Sergio smiled.
"We're fine." Brett smiled.
"Ah, I see we have a celebration here." Sergio laughed.
"We just got engaged." Severide smiled.
"Ah, congratulations! As an early wedding gift, dinner is on me tonight." Sergio happily said.
"Sergio, I didn't know you owned this place." Brett smiled.
"I own this one and the other one. My brother passed away a few years ago and I'm just helping out until his son is able to take over in two years when he turns 18." Sergio commented.
"That's nice." Brett sweetly said.
After talking for a few minutes, Casey, Brett, Stella, and Severide said their goodbyes to Sergio, thanked him for dinner, and then said goodbye to each other as Stella and Severide headed to their apartment to celebrate and Brett and Casey headed back to their apartment. It had been a long day but so worth it seeing Stella and Severide happy.
"You know, I'm so happy for Stella and Kelly." Brett gushed.
"Me too." Casey smiled.
Brett could see that something was wrong.
"What's wrong?" Brett asked.
"Tonight got me thinking about us." Casey said.
Brett was starting to worry. This didn't sound good. Her anxiety was starting to get the best of her. She gave Casey a look.
"Nothing bad. It just made me realize how much you mean to me. You know a part of me will always love Gabby, but you are my present and my future. Sylvie, I love you. I love waking up next to you in my arms. I love how you talk to yourself when you think no one is around. I couldn't have made it through these last few months without you. When Gabby left, I thought I would never be able to move on. I thought my life was over. All I did was work and drink on occasion but you were there, even when I was so drunk that you and Cruz let me crash on the crush. Then, you left and I thought I lost everything. When you came back, my heart stopped, but in a good way. I realized just how much you meant to me when you left and now, you mean more to me than anything. I wanted you to know that because I know I don't say it enough, but I love you. I'm completely in love with you and I've never been happier than I am when I'm with you." Casey explained.
Brett was in tears, happy tears. She was happy and for the first time in her life. Matthew Casey made her feel like she was special and was important. He made her feel safe and happy. He made her feel things that she had never felt before and although those feelings were scary at times because he did like to prank her on occasions, she still has never felt so much love from someone in her life. She was truly happy.
"I hope those are happy tears." Casey laughed.
"They are. I love you so much. I'm in love with you and I have never felt this way about anyone before. When I was with Kyle in Fowlerton, all I thought about was you. I thought about how we left on bad terms but I thought about how much you meant to me. Matthew Casey, I am completely head over heels in love with you." Brett cried.
Casey kissed her with passion. This was the first time in a while that Casey had opened up to her and it put her in tears. She returned his kiss with more passion and more fire. Casey picked Brett up and carried her to his bedroom. This night couldn't be more perfect.