CHAPTER 3

Trying to keep his focus on the paperwork has been a challenge for Casey. He was exhausted.

Firehouse 51 has been busy all day, so he had a lot of reports to do. They rescued a couple trapped in car wreckage. When they were getting back to Firehouse another call came in and they went to help Firehouse 87. Two hours later back at Firehouse 51, feeling grateful for having a good lunch and ready to take a nap Casey sighed deeply as he heard the bells going off announcing another call.

Now he has two hours until the shift ends and he wasn't even through half of what he had to do.

He had a long day ahead since he promised a nice day at the park to Anna and his niece Violet, who he had invited as well. After all, Christie needed some rest from the work and for taking care of the girls either. After the death of his wife, Christie and Matt became even closer, she has been a great sister and friend. It was a good thing Anna and Violet have studied at the same school where Christie was a teacher.

Moreover, Anna loved her cousin, they were best friends, even though Violet was older, she was 10 years old. Violet's parents have separated two years ago. Jimmy is a businessman, even when he had Violet on the weekends, Violet told his uncle her father was always on calls talking with his clients. Matt was glad he would spend time with his niece, ready to give the attention she needed, showing her how she was loved by him.

"Paperwork? I'm glad I'm done" Severide laughed at his friend as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Matt looked up and scowled at him. "I'm almost there... I hope we are done for today, I don't want to be late to pick up Anna and Violet."

Severide walked into his office, closing the door behind him. He had an important question to ask since he noticed Matt and Sophia were dating for two months and he didn't look very excited about it. Severide had seen them together two times at Molly's. "How is bout Sophia? Is everything okay between you two?"

Matt sighed as his eyes were stuck on the reports, "I think so ... she's going with us to the park today. You know... she is usually busy, and now she is trying to partner at the law firm where she works... I wish we could spend more time together... especially with Anna... It's clear she doesn't have a way with kids, but I guess Anna and her are getting along...".

Severide thought over his words, "Do you love her?"

Matt froze for a second, Casey turned on his chair to look at Severide: "I like Sophia, she's an amazing person... I want to give a chance to this relationship, maybe in the future I'll love her".

Severide and Casey have been friends for many years, "Just follow your heart... I'm here if you need some advice".

Casey couldn't hold his laugh since Severide was never good at giving relationship advice.

...

Waking up Gabby felt her body had been hit by a truck. Yesterday she had spent half the day at the bank checking how she could have her money back. Bryan had forged her signature on a check; and the other half of the day she had been at District 21, where Antonio was working on track down Bryan. He had made several calls but had no clue where he might be.

'Gabriela Dawson, you were so stupid to fall in love with a jerk,' she thought. When she met him, he wasn't that kind of person. Gabby and Bryan had studied together in high school, after not seeing each other for a couple of years. One day he found her profile on Facebook, from there they started to talk again and after one meeting face to face, the sexual chemistry between them was real however, a couple of months later their relationship turned into a nightmare. There were a lot of sad memories, and she didn't want to relive those memories, not today.

After showering up and getting dressed, Gabby saw her sister-in-law in the kitchen. "Good morning, Gabby," Laura said while preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, Laura... I was wondering if I could take Diego and Eva with me to the park, it's is such a beautiful day, of course, if they want to."

"They will love it, we just have a problem: you have to wake them up, and this is a tough mission."

Gabby winked at her, "I am very good at waking zombies...", she said before walking out, going towards their room.

...

"Dad, I love it here..." Anna said as Matt was pulling over at the park. He smiled at her.

He had brought a basket with fruit and some sandwiches; they would buy something to drink there. Violet had taken her bike, and Anna took her inline skates. She wasn't very good at them, so she would be wearing protective gear.

Sophia had arranged to meet them there.

"Guys, don't go too far, stay where I can see you, okay?" Gabby called after Diego and Eva as she watched them get on their bikes wearing their protective gear. Gabby told them where she was staying, near some trees, she had taken a book and her skateboard also.

Matt had chosen to stay closer to the park's fountain, that way would be easier for to Sophia look for them. Violet and Anna were playing with other children when she arrived half an hour later.

"Matt, sorry for being late. I slept reading some files and didn't hear the alarm this morning...".

"Okay, the important thing is that you came", he kissed her. "Sit here with me, Anna and Violet have made some friends," he said pointing in their direction. He wrapped her in his arms, she looked very relaxed, they occasionally exchanged a few words and kisses.

"What do you think about meeting my sister next week?"

Sophia shifted slightly and turned to look at him: "I don't know. Don't you think it is too early to meet her? Besides, I am very busy next week-."

Matt cut her off, "I think it was the right time, we've been dating for two months."

Sophia sheepishly replied: "I know, but I prefer another time, okay?"

Matt was surprised but tried to hide his disappointment agreeing with her.

"Auntie, do you know what you are doing?" Diego asked holding his laugh.

"Of course, when I was at your age, I was great at it" Eva and her brother laughed at Gabby, riding their bikes while Gabby followed them a few meters behind.

Diego was riding distractedly when he bumped into Sophia, who was walking as looking down at her phone. She fell sideways and started swearing at him. Gabby saw from far the scene and tried to run as fast as she could.

"Diego, are you okay? Are you okay miss...?"

He said yes as Sophia interjected: "What kind of mother are you? You should teach a few manners to your kid... I hope I haven't broken anything... I will sue you, although I think you wouldn't have the money to pay a good lawyer."

Gabby was completely shocked by her words. Sophia got up and left. Sophia didn't realize the crowd around her: Violet and Anna.

"Are you okay, honey?" Gabby asked Anna, the girl shook her head affirmatively. Gabby smiled at her, and Anna smiled back.

"Come on, Eva and Diego, let's eat something".

Matt was setting the towel to the picnic when Sophia approached him, he saw her face in pain and a bruised knee, "What happened? Did you fall?"

She angrily replied: "A stupid kid knocked me down, he came like crazy ridding his bike..."

"Girls, did you see what happened?" Matt asked.

Then Sophia yelled: "Why are you asking them, Matt, you don't believe me?"

Matt was shocked by her reaction; he had never seen her so angry. "Of course, I believe you, I was going to say they have to pay attention to their surrounds".

"I'm leaving, I'm done...", she announced, and Matt offered to take her, but she said no.

Matt saw the girls were frightened by Sophia's behavior.

"How about we eat some hot-dog?"

The weather started to change, but Matt thought they still had the time and decided to take the girls for a walk. Suddenly he heard some music and saw a group of people gathered, walking towards the small crowd he saw her: brown hair, brown skin and the most beautiful smile he had ever seen until then, a smile that reminded him of his wife.

Gabby was dancing near to the musicians, holding hands with Eva and Diego, couples and families were enjoying the music.

Anna noticed when Matt's eyes fixed on Gabby, she remembered who was that woman.

He was so fascinated by the way she moved and her smile that he didn't even notice when the first drops of rain started to fall. Although, Gabby felt it and said to Eva and Diego they were leaving; Anna pulled Matt's shirt because the rain had increased. Matt looked at his daughter and then to Gabby, but she was no longer there. Then he ran out with the girls toward the parking lot.