Author's Note: Hello, everyone! I know some people were wondering if I was going to continue Happiness but since no inspiration came to me, I thought I'd just leave it as is. However, I had a new idea for a story, since the Brett and Casey dynamic is quite literally heating up on Chicago Fire, and it's a multi-chapter! I've already got the entire story outlined, which is a first for me since I usually start these and have nooooo idea where I'm going with them, so I'll try to update each week, to get us through the lack of episodes that will *not* be airing come early April. Also, due to the fact that quarantine is my life for gosh knows how much longer, I wanted to start a new, creative project. So, enjoy this fun little fic I'm really enjoying writing! It's kind of an alternate universe with some familiar elements thrown in for the sake of continuity from the show. All characters belong to the creators of Chicago Fire, though; I just come up with the story! Enjoy, and if you want to leave a review, I always love reading peoples' thoughts! xx
...
We'll Always Have Paris
…
"Babe, your computer's talking to you!" Jason Graham shouted from the kitchen. Sylvie Brett's computer was indeed talking to her, the FaceTime ringtone penetrating the silence of the rather quiet apartment except for the gentle summer breeze blowing in through the kitchen window.
"Can you answer it, J? I'll be there in a second," Sylvie called from the other room, scrambling to find her other earring.
Jason rounded the corner from the kitchen to grab a seat in one of the high-top chairs that complimented the high-top counter that overlooked their medium-sized kitchen quite nicely. He noticed Sylvie's wallpaper on her computer-a picture that was taken of the two of them shortly after they began dating at Central Park, looking adoringly at each other whilst eating ice cream-and clicked the green telephone icon. Stella Kidd's face suddenly appeared on screen with Kelly Severide's appearing somewhere in the background. Jason chuckled. That always seemed to be Kelly and Stella's dynamic-Stella was always the one in control in the relationship while Kelly was simply along for the ride. They mirrored his and Sylvie's relationship to an extent. Sylvie was always the planner, whereas Jason just wanted to do what would make the woman he was so madly in love with most happy. Thinking about where they started and how far they had come, he smiled easily before breaking out into a full-out grin when Stella's dimpled smile met his own.
"Hey! Jace, you're not who I was hoping to see," Stella greeted teasingly, situating herself on the couch she was perched on comfortably. She readjusted the phone so that she and Kelly were both in the frame now, Kelly's arm dangling over Stella's shoulder, like it naturally belonged there.
"Hey, man," Kelly added, giving Jason a virtual fist-bump.
"Hey, guys, good to see you both. Sylvie's coming in a second. I think she said she was doing something with her make-up?"
"Earring! I lost my damn earring again!" she shouted from the other room.
Jason heard her padded footsteps on their hardwood floors grow closer as she made her way into the kitchen / dining area, situating the earring where it belonged. Jason glanced over at his girlfriend and was, once again, blown away by her beauty. Her short blonde hair was wavy this morning and the white tank she had paired with her pink pastel colored shorts complimented both her eyes and skin tone beautifully. Every time he saw her, he was blown away by her beauty. It's like she cast out a radiance in whatever room she entered. Sylvie Brett was, quite literally, a walking ray of sunshine, and he was one damn lucky guy. As she made her way to him, he winked at her, making a rather vivid blush creep up her cheeks.
"Stunner," he whispered to her before turning his attention back to Stella and Kelly on the computer screen.
"Shut up," she teased, punching him playfully in the shoulder before peering over his shoulder to view her two friends on the screen.
"Hey, you kids! Sorry to be late to the party. In typical Sylvie fashion, I misplaced my earring and had to scramble to find it before I have to meet Emily."
Stella rolled her eyes and smirked at her best friend whom she'd known since their college days at Columbia University. While Sylvie ended up opting to stay in New York after graduation to pursue a career in elementary education, Stella and Kelly, already together, ended up moving to the Chicago area, laying down roots in the Windy City. Now being there for over 8 years, they were both incredibly happy and content with each other and with their shared line of work, firefighting. Sylvie had no idea how they made their relationship work when they literally saw each other 24/7, whether at the station or at home, but, I guess that's what happened when you loved someone the way Stella and Kelly loved each other; you don't care how many hours in a day you see each other because, at the end of the day, your each other's person.
Sylvie had had that at one point in her life, college to be exact, and then, in a blink of an eye, had given it up to follow her young and ambitious heart, which is how she found herself remaining in the Big Apple now. Seeing her two friends so incredibly smitten with one another made her own heart swell, yet at the same time, made her just a bit envious. Sure, she and Jason were in a good place, a really good place. But did she feel like he was her person? Most of the time she did, but every now and then she let her mind consider if she had said goodbye to her person a decade ago, at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower when he had gotten down on one knee to propose.
"Earth to Sylvie, you there?" she heard her friend ask through the computer, pulling her attention back to the conversation at hand. Sylvie shook her head quickly to clear her mind from her wandering thoughts of him before smiling sheepishly at Stella.
"Also in typical Sylvie fashion, you just caught me zoning out for a sec. What was that?" she asked, resting an arm on Jason's shoulder.
"Kelly and I wanted to share some exciting news with you guys!" Stella revealed drawing her left hand into frame, exposing the largest diamond-cut engagement ring. Both Jason and Sylvie let out a whistle at the exact same time.
"Holy shit, man. How the hell did you afford a ring like that?" Jason asked, stunned. Kelly looked admiringly at his fiancée and chuckled.
"You have no idea how many years it took to save up for that insanely small piece of jewelry," he started, earning a jab in the stomach from Stella when he referenced how her gorgeous diamond ring was "a small piece of jewelry." Kelly gave her a questioning glance and Sylvie laughed at his bewilderment. Men. Kelly continued, "but, once you know, you know . . . you know?"
Jason and Sylvie both assumed he meant once you know the one you want to spend the rest of your life with and nodded. Sylvie's eyes shone as she congratulated her two friends and she leaned in even closer to get a better view of Stella's ring.
"Wow, Kelly, you sure know how to choose 'em," she commented.
"Didn't he do a mighty fine job? I've raised him well," Stella said, patting Kelly's cheek softly.
Sylvie chuckled before continuing the conversation. "So, we need details. Where? When? How many guests? Lay it on us."
Realizing this FaceTime conversation wasn't ending anytime soon, Jason pulled a chair out for Sylvie and motioned for her to sit down.
"Well, we're thinking big, right? Because you gotta "go big or go home . . " Stella started. That was Stella, always coming up with grand plans and gestures. Their sophomore year of college, she had all 8 acapella groups on campus sing Kelly a mash-up of all his favorite songs for Valentine's Day on the quad. When that girl got thinking, there was no end to what she could and would come up with.
"Right, big," Sylvie reiterated, resting her arms on the counter. She felt Jason's arm drape over her shoulders and she leaned into his embrace slightly.
"So, we're thinkin' Paris! In about two weeks." Sylvie squeaked. Jason didn't even realize that sound could come out of his girlfriend's mouth.
"Oh my god, two weeks? Stella, you do realize how much planning goes into these kinds of things, right?" she questioned. Kelly, no longer being a passive observer, cut into the conversation.
"Oh, she knows, and because she also knew that I was planning on poping the question for multiple months now, she went ahead and did some pre-planning-planning, as in, called the caterers and venue and even began drafting out the entire fucking seating chart."
Jason snorted. "Get out. Then again, that's totally something Kidd would do."
"Right?" Kelly agreed.
"Anywayyyyy, so maybe I did already call the caterers and give the venue an idea of when the wedding would be, but that means there's less work to do now, and more celebration to be had." Stella shrugged before giving Kelly a quick peck on the lips. Turning back to the brunette and blonde on her screen, she added, "and, Sylvie, obviously you have to be my Maid of Honor. I wouldn't want anyone other than the person who got me through all of those frat parties we went to our freshman year by my side."
Sylvie shuddered at the memory of all those frat parties. Seriously, what were they thinking? College, what crazy times. Some not so good, some good, some really good. She caught herself from trailing down that path again and clapped her hands together.
"Stella, I'd be honored!"
She picked up her phone and sent Stella a kissing emoji, to which Stella responded with a tackle hug GIF because that was just the type of person she was.
"Are you two seriously texting each other while talking to each other face-to-face?" Kelly questioned with a tinge of judgment.
"Shut it, Severide. My woman does what she wants. I learned that a long time ago," Jason replied in a defensive yet teasing tone. Sylvie leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"My knight in shining armor, you are."
"Hey, Sylvie, there is one more thing we wanted to tell you," Kelly interjected, the look in his eyes growing more serious than a second ago. Sylvie knew that look. And she didn't like that look. She glanced quickly at Stella as if to ask, "do you know what this is about" and took a breath. Jason rubbed his hand along her back.
"Matt's going to be there. He, uh, he's my Best Man." Kelly fidgeted uncomfortably and rubbed a hand down his neck.
Wow, Matt. That was a name she hadn't heard in a while. Matt Casey. The man who stole her heart at 18, the man whose heart she broke at 22. She felt dumb thinking that his name wouldn't have come up during their chat; of course it would have. He, Kelly, and Jason were best buddies while at Columbia. They did everything together. They were even in the same damn fraternity together. And now, Stella was getting married to Kelly, and Sylvie was dating Matt's ex-best buddy. When had her life grown so complicated?
"But, Sylvie, there's no expectation for the two of you to do anything together since you're both part of the wedding party besides stand across from each other during the wedding itself," Stella chimed in, realizing how much discomfort Sylvie was feeling at the given moment.
Sylvie ran a hand through her hair and sighed.
"No, it's okay. I don't know why I thought his name wouldn't come up. He's one of your best friends, Kelly, and you deserve to have him there," she finally managed to say between shaky breaths. "Damn, Matt," she muttered quietly to herself.
"How long has it been?" she heard Stella's voice ask through her Mac's speakers.
"Ten years. The last time I saw Matt was when we were in Paris, when he was down on one knee."
…
Columbia University, Freshman Year
"Welcome to Columbia University, everyone!" Matt heard their overly enthusiastic Orientation Leader shout to the rather small group. Looking around, he counted fourteen other incredibly uncomfortable, homesick, lonely college freshmen. He, himself, was pretty uncomfortable. He shifted awkwardly in the grass and readjusted the jacket he was wrapped in to keep the chilly night air out. Next to him sat a beautiful blonde dressed in a cashmere sweater paired with genes and black flats. He never knew someone could look so beautiful on their first day of college orientation.
"Let's all go around the circle and introduce ourselves, hm? That way we can all get acquainted since you'll be spending the next four years together, yay!" He maintained a quiet disposition as everyone else in the group let out an audible and unenthusiastic groan.
"These orientation activities are always so stupid," he noticed one guy say, a redhead with short-cropped hair. "Can't we just get the parties going already?"
"Yeah," several other guys chimed in, pumping their fists in the air. Their Orientation Leader, Lexi was it, rolled her eyes and ignored them.
"Who wants to introduce themselves first?"
"I can," he heard the blonde next to him say. Her voice was soft yet clear, filled with assertiveness yet sincerity. He couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful she was. She tucked a strand of her long hair behind her ear and smiled.
"Hi, everyone. My name is Sylvie Brett. I'm originally from Fowlerton, Indiana, but I plan to stay in New York after my time at Columbia to pursue a career as a teacher. I'm majoring in elementary education and look forward to getting to know you all more this weekend!"
Matt didn't blink once as she talked. He was just so amazed by her beauty and grace. How was she already so put together when all the students had been on campus for less than a day? Her smile seemed to reach her eyes and there was something about her persona that had him drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. It was in that moment that Matt Casey vowed to himself that he was going to become one of Sylvie Brett's friends.
...
"Remind me how you know Stella and Kelly again?" Emily Foster asked from behind her cup of coffee. An elementary school teacher like Sylvie, she had instantly become one of Sylvie's good friends when Sylvie had started her job at their local school. Emily always had a way with words and the hugest heart of anyone Sylvie knew. Her kids loved her just as much as Sylvie did. Sylvie traced the rim of her own coffee cup and looked into the chocolate eyes of her friend.
"We all went to Columbia together. Stella and Kelly met their sophomore year and, I swear, I have never seen two people so smitten with each other their first-time meeting as those two were. I truly believe they were meant for each other." Emily smiled softly.
"Aw, they sound great. And they're both firefighters, right?"
Sylvie nodded.
"Yep, they both work at Firehouse 51 in Chicago. They moved to Chicago right after graduation but entered the Academy at different times. Somehow, they found themselves working together on the same shift and couldn't be happier. I'm happy for them. So happy for them. This engagement has been a long time coming," Sylvie reminisced.
"Matt works there, too, doesn't he?" Emily asked, searching Sylvie's face to see what her reaction would be to hearing his name, yet again.
Sylvie paused briefly. She thought by now, a week after Stella and Kelly broke the news to her and Jason, that she'd be better about hearing his name. Apparently not. Apparently, she still got chills or butterflies or whatever the hell those things were that entered the pit of her stomach and made her shiver and goosebumps to form on her arms. The damn man. Even after 10 years, he still had such a huge effect on her. He shouldn't though. She shook her head and drew in a breath.
"Yeah, Matt, Stella, and Kelly all lived together for a bit after college. Stella would always leave me random voicemails during the school day letting me know how lucky she felt to be living with not one but two "incredibly hot guys, like The Hulk level hot," Sylvie replied. When Emily quirked her eyebrow at Sylvie's word choice, she held her hands up defensively, "hey, those were Stella's words, not mine."
Emily chuckled.
"Well, from what I remember you telling me about Kelly, he sounds like a catch." She paused before continuing, a little softer this time, "Matt does too."
Sylvie's heart flipped again and she took a sip of the, now, lukewarm liquid, to get her mind off the sandy-haired, blue-eyed Captain of Firehouse 51.
"He is. And," she started, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, "Matt's going to be there. At the wedding. In Paris. As Kelly's Best Man."
Emily's eyes grew wide and she almost did a double-take, spilling some coffee over the rim of her cup in the process.
"No. Really? Wow. How do you feel?"
Sylvie hadn't truly let herself take the time to process all that she was feeling. She was so excited for Stella and Kelly yet definitely was not ready to see Matt again. Would she ever be ready? Hell, it had been 10 years and she still wasn't ready to take a stroll down memory lane and relive the last heartbreaking moments of their relationship. She wasn't sure if she ever would be ready, because that meant owning up to the fact that it was her fault. That she was the one who broke Matt's heart and knowing that broke her heart.
"Em, I don't know how to feel," she replied honestly, letting out an exasperated breath. "I'm considering telling Stella I can't do it. I can't go."
Emily blinked, as if to see if she had heard Sylvie correctly and grabbed her best friend's hands in her own.
"C'mon, girl, you're not serious, right?"
"Oh, but I am. The idea of seeing Matt again has my head and heart spinning. What if I'm not strong enough?"
"But what if you are?"
"I broke his heart. In Paris. After he freaking proposed! What kind of crazy person does that?"
"A person who isn't ready to settle down yet. To commit herself to someone and a life that she isn't ready to start. A person who has ambitious dreams and doesn't want anything or anybody to get in the way," her friend said, trying to erase the guilt Sylvie felt.
"I guess. And now, just like that, we'll find ourselves back in Paris, celebrating a wedding I can't help but think should be ours." The tone of Sylvie's voice was solemn and Emily could definitely make out a tinge of regret.
"Sylvie, it's not your fault. You weren't ready. You had big dreams, a life you wanted to start living. So, you did just that. You went and lived it. You're still living it, with a great guy by your side. Jason is awesome. And he cares about you, he really does," Emily comforted.
"He does, doesn't he?"
"Damn right, he does. And you're happy. That's all that matters. I say go to this wedding and enjoy the hell out of Paris. Handle everything else as it comes, if it comes," Emily finished.
Sylvie took a moment to let Emily's words sink in and then a crazy idea popped into her head. A slow grin began to spread across her pretty features.
"Hey, what are you doing next week? Feel like enjoying the hell out of Paris with me?" she asked Emily, throwing her friend's words back at her. Emily, excited but slightly more confused, shook her head.
"Wait, I don't understand, isn't Jason going with you as your Plus One?"
Sylvie shrugged and grabbed a generous helping of the blueberry scone that sat in the middle of the two of them.
"His advertising firm has got a big project that they need him for. You should've seen him break the news to Kelly. I'm pretty sure Kelly shed a tear or two."
Emily chuckled and helped herself to her own portion of the scone. She licked the sugary goodness off her fingers and pondered Sylvie's question.
"Well, you know I'm always up for an adventure filled with delicious food and foreigners. I'm in."
…
"This is your Captain speaking. As we approach Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, please make sure that your tray tables are stowed and your seatbelts are buckled. On behalf of all of us, this flight crew and I are pleased to welcome you to Paris, France."
The overhead announcement woke Emily from her slumber and she caught Sylvie's amused eyes looking at her.
"Oh no, was I snoring?" she asked, innocently.
Sylvie snorted and patted her friend's arm.
"Nope, no snoring. I was just thinking about how happy I am to have you here with me. And you'll love Stella and Kelly. Especially Stella. She's great."
Emily leaned her head on Sylvie's shoulder and rubbed her friend's arm.
"I'm glad I'm here too. Someone's gotta help you through your man troubles, right?"
Sylvie hadn't thought about seeing Matt the entire plane ride over and that, in and of itself, was an accomplishment. She was hoping that when that time did come, she would be ready. Her heart would be ready. As their plane made a rather bumpy landing into Paris, Sylvie switched her plane off airplane mode and sent a quick text to Jason.
Made it safely. Paris sends its love, as do I.
Enjoy the wedding. Give Kelly an embarrassingly long hug for me. Miss you. Love you.
Sylvie quickly composed a text to Stella that involved the words "I'm here" and about 20 exclamation points before pocketing her phone.
"You ready for this?" Emily asked her, unbuckling her seatbelt and standing up for the first time since take off once the plane taxied and stopped at the gate.
"Can someone really ever be ready to see their almost ex-fiancé again in the city where his heart got broken?" she asked.
"Touché. At least you have another day or two before you see him."
Sylvie nodded her head and followed Emily off the plane reaching for her carry-on in the process. Sylvie forgot how big Paris' airport was. The last time she was here, she and Matt had hastily dashed off the plane to grab a taxi to begin sightseeing as soon as possible. Remembering the good parts of that trip, a small smile spread across her face, and she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She and Emily followed signs for baggage claim and didn't have to wait very long for their very overpacked bags to arrive on the belt.
"Oh my god, Emily, did you pack for just a week or for an entire year?" Sylvie teased, taking note of how much her friend's bag "popped," probably due to the excessive number of shoes she had packed. Emily Foster could not turn down the opportunity to show-off the many shoes in her collection.
"Contrary to what you're thinking right now, this bag doesn't contain as many shoes as it does extra bags to pack all of my souvenirs in," Emily countered, slinging her purse across her chest and leading the way to the airport's exit.
She was first to see him. And noticed him immediately, with his sandy-brown hair clipped short yet long enough to make him look incredibly attractive. No wonder Sylvie had had a thing for him. Emily was beginning to think she did too. Matt didn't recognize her but upon seeing her motion her head in Sylvie's direction, Matt's face broke into a faint smile. He wore faded jeans and a jacket that clad to his strong body and arms. He held up a sign that said "Welcome to Paris" and walked toward the two of them. Emily leaned over to Sylvie, who still hadn't seen Matt, and whispered, "incoming."
Sylvie's head suddenly swiveled in the direction of Matt Casey, and she was completely thrown off her axis. She told herself the entire plane ride that she could do this. She could handle seeing him after 10 years. But in that moment, when their eyes met, she suddenly realized she couldn't do it. The Matt Casey she had said no to a decade ago and left standing crushed in Paris was not the Matt Casey she saw walking toward them now. No, this Matt Casey had shorter hair, broader shoulders, and devastatingly beautiful blue eyes, the same blue eyes that captivated her the first time they had met freshman year. She was in trouble. Deep trouble. And there was nowhere to escape to this time around in Paris. As Matt approached them, Sylvie's heart started to beat quicker and her hands became clammy.
"Hi! You must be Matt. I've heard a lot about you," Emily introduced. "I'm Emily Foster. I work with Sylvie."
"Hey. Nice to meet you." Matt extended a firm and calloused hand Emily's way, and she shook it without hesitation. He turned to face Sylvie and she felt like he could see straight through the façade she had tried so hard to maintain the entire trip over to Paris.
"Hi, Sylvie."