A/N: Only two more chapters left after this
The viewing was held at Station 51. Kelly and Antonio had both agreed that it was the best location, as it had been Gabby's second home, and Kelly had been insistent that he didn't want it held in a stuffy funeral home. Headquarters had graciously agreed to allow it, and to take 51 out of service. Benny had made sure of it, although he didn't let that on to Kelly.
Kelly stood in his quarters in his dress uniform, starting at the desk chair, remembering that last day with Gabby. He had been so happy to find her at the house when he and the rest of the Squad crew had returned from the scene they'd been at. He'd been thrilled to have some time with her, only for it to end in tragedy.
"Kelly?" Casey called softly, knocking on his open door. He, too, was in his dress uniform, his white hat tucked under his arm. "You ready?"
"I'll never be ready for this," he replied, but grabbed his own hat off of his bunk and followed Casey out to the apparatus floor. He rested a hand on the door of Ambulance 61 as they passed it. It was the sole vehicle remaining on the apparatus floor, the others having been pulled out to create space for the wake. It, like all the other firehouse vehicles and the firehouse itself, had been draped in black bunting. He choked back a sob; first Shay, now Dawson. Memories of seeing them pull back in after a call, laughing and joking with each other, flashed through his mind. He couldn't believe they were both gone.
Boden and the rest of the Firehouse 51 family were lined up on one side of the door outside the firehouse, standing at parade rest, all in their dress uniforms, a black band over their badge. Casey quickly took his place in the line. The intelligence team, Trudy Platt, Kim Burgess, and Sean Roman were lined up on the opposite side, also in their dress uniforms. Kelly choked back a sob as he saw that their badges also had a black band over them; that honor was typically reserved for the death of a police officer.
They all raised their arms in salute as Kelly and Antonio, who had been standing just inside the doors waiting for him, walked out of the firehouse and down to the end of the apron, passing under the raised ladders of Truck 81 and Engine 51, both of which were raised to their full height, forming an arch. Casey, Herrmann, Otis, Cruz, Capp, and Tony joined the two men where they stood, watching as the hearse containing Gabby's body pulled up on the street outside of the firehouse.
The six firefighters who had joined Antonio and Kelly stepped forward to pull Gabby's casket out to the hearse. They carried it up the driveway, placing it on the platform that had been prepared for it on the app floor. Antonio and Kelly followed behind the casket, and the remaining firefighters and Chicago PD officers fell into step behind them.
Before long, other people began to arrive. Donna Boden and Cindy Herrmann arrived first, walking in together and parting ways to stand by their husbands. Benny, wearing his own dress uniform, and Katie were the next to arrive, followed by a large contingent of doctors and nurses from Chicago Med, April, Will, Choi, and Maggie among them.
Over the following hour, the firehouse filled with friends and family of Gabby, Kelly, and Antonio. There were many firefighters and police officers there. An honor guard, made up of members of Station 51 from other shifts, took their places next to Gabby's casket. About an hour after the start of the viewing, the firefighters began to line up for the walkthrough. It was headed up by Deputy District Chief Riddle and Boden, as well as a few others from headquarters.
The line stretched down the driveway and curved onto the sidewalk, bring Kelly to tears. Katie, who was standing next to him, took his hand and squeezed it. He was thankful for the support of his sister; he wasn't sure he'd be able to make it through this is not for her.
Slowly the line of firefighters began to pass in front of the casket. Deputy District Chief Riddle was first, placing a hand on the casket briefly before continuing on. Boden was next; he placed two fingers to his lips and kissed them, and then touched them to Gabby's casket. "Goodbye, Gabriella Dawson."
Once the rest of the brass had filed through, the members of Firehouse 51 were next. They contingent was led by Casey. He rested a hand on the casket, "Goodbye, Gabby," he murmured. Next was Mouch. He stood there for a moment, staring at the casket at tears fell from his eyes, before continuing on. Herrmann was behind him. "We'll miss ya, kid," he said as he touched the casket, his voice rough with emotion. "It's not gonna be the same around here."
Cruz was next. "Jamás te olvidaremos," he murmured as he passed by the casket. Tears were already streaming down the man's face. Otis, who was behind him, place a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Goodbye, Gabby," he whispered.
Tony was next, followed by Capp. Both men paused for a moment in front of the casket and rested a hand on it before continuing on. Following them was Borelli, who paused respectfully in front of the casket for a moment, bowing his head and saying a silent prayer. Brett was behind him. Her shoulders were shaking with silent sobs, her heart broken over the loss of her best friend and former roommate and partner. "We'll watch out for Kelly and Allie for you, I promise," she managed to say. Foster, who was behind her, touched the casket briefly before putting her arm around her partner and guiding her over to a corner.
Bringing up the rear of the contingent from 51 were Mills and Benny. "Goodbye, Gabby," Mills whispered. He still couldn't believe she was really gone. "Thank you for loving my son," Benny murmured to the casket.
As the rest of the firefighters in attendance made their way past the casket, the 51 family joined the Intelligence team, Platt, Burgess, and Roman, who had gathered behind Kelly and Antonio.
"Sorry for your loss." "So sorry." "She was an amazing person." "She'll be missed." "Our thoughts are with you." "My condolences" were all phrases that were spoken to Kelly, Antonio, and the rest of the family over and over again.