CHAPTER 5

Firehouse 51...

"So what is your little secret? Who were you looking for at the scene?" Severide questioned Matt as trying to hold back a laugh.

"You have a dirty mind. Close that door, please..." Casey was serious, so Severide got worried.

"I was trying to locate... a woman..." Casey said awkwardly.

"What woman?"

"Saturday we went to the park, as I talked to you, and after all that problem with Sophia, I decided to walk around with the girls before leaving. There were musicians there and I saw this woman and just I don't know... I was fascinated by her, her smile, the way she was dancing, there were two kids with her. And today I saw her again. She was talking to a woman... After we were done I went to the triage area and she wasn't there... I know, none of this makes sense...".

"Casey, you have a girlfriend...". Severide alerted him, "... but I also know you don't love Sophia. What's on your mind now?".

Casey got up from his chair and stood in front of his friend: "I want to see her again, and I believe that what happened today wasn't a coincidence".

"You said she was in the park with some children, and if she is married? Have you ever thought about it?".

"I think I didn't see any ring".

"But maybe she has a boyfriend," Severide detected Casey's frustration as watching him sighing.

"Yeah, you're right. I just thought... never mind", arms crossed.

Someone knocked on the door. "Guys, Chief Boden is in the meeting room". Shay noticed something strange between Casey and Severide: "It's everything all right here?".

"Of course, Shay... come on...," Severide wrapped an arm around her shoulders, they walked down the hallway together, as Casey followed behind.

...

Matt's house...

"Hi, sorry for not calling you before, things have been busy in my work and crazy as well...".

"It's okay, I also had a busy week," said Casey easing Antonio's worries.

"Sure, you can start the work this week?".

"I can, no problem. Just wait a minute…".

Anna was fooling around in the living room to avoid finishing her homework, "Anna, turn off the TV and do your homework. Come on! I won't ask you again...". She huffed, and this hasn't gone unnoticed by her father. "Anna...", he spoke sternly this time.

"Okay, okay... I'll do my homework...", she went to her room to pick up her books.

"Sorry, Antonio."

"It's all right, man...".

"Antonio, I must know if the original plan continues. In addition to what your sister asked me, is there anything you want me to do?".

"No. Let's just continue with what she wanted. You think you can have it done in a week?".

"I believe so, usually I have an assistant... If I need more time I will tell you".

"Okay. The owner knows everything, you will have no problem getting into the apartment. How do I give you the key?". Antonio saw Gabby parking in front of the house.

"I will send you a text with my work's address...".

Anna was sitting at the table in the kitchen doing the homework.

"All right! We talk later. Thank you!". Gabby was coming home.

"You're welcome". Casey hung up and walked to her daughter: "How about a movie and popcorn after you finish your homework?".

"Yeah... it will be awesome...", Matt kissed her forehead.

...

Antonio's House...

"Congratulations sister! Laura told me". Antonio was very happy for his sister. He knew Gabby loved being a paramedic.

"Thanks!" she said and then sat on the couch. Gabby wasn't excited after the day she had. Unfortunately, one person has died and she was devastated. As much as she had already dealt with situations like that, it never would be something natural for her.

"What happened?" asked Antonio worried.

"You heard about the truck broke into the wrong road this morning near the Chicago Fire Department?". Gabby's eyes filled with tears as she spoke.

"Yeah... someone died?". Antonio sat down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I was there when it happened. I tried to help as much I could. And there was this lady who asked about her son. I said that firefighters were working to get him safely. After a few minutes, we were told that he had died amid the wreckage, he was five years old...". Gabby collapsed in Antonio's arms, he wrapped her in his arms.

"Gabby, I'm sorry. I know how much it still hurts, but I'm here for you. You can always count on me. We all love you... We are family, okay?".

Gabby just shook her head.

...

A few days later... Anna's school...

"Violet, I am here!" said Anna waving a hand.

The two always had lunch together at school. "Hi, did you see what's on the menu today?".

"Yes, it looks very good," Anna said excitedly.

"Anna, you should eat a fruit that is healthier than a cookie..." Anna frowned at Violet. "... get some salad too...".

Anna immediately replied: "I don't like it". At home, Matt could regulate what she eats, but if it depended on her she would eat junk all day.

"Remember what uncle Matt said?" Violet looked at her cousin seriously.

"Okay, okay. You won...".

"Thank you!" Violet replied proudly and they took their seats.

Two hours later...

Violet and Anna were waiting for Christie. She was talking with one of her co-workers in front of the school. The school was big, so they haven't known everyone who studies there.

Violet recognized someone a few meters from them: "... Anna, do you recall them from the park?" Violet pointing in their direction.

"Who, I don't see...," she said pushing herself up on her toes. A lot of kids were waiting for their parents.

"That girl with a red backpack, remember?".

"Oh yes, I remember, and the boy too..." Violet shook her head and turned to her mother. Violet was impatient.

"Violet, look! It's the woman who was with them that day in the park...".

"Yes... it's funny we all study at the same school. Don't you think?".

"Come on girls, I want to go to the supermarket. I need to buy some things for dinner...". Christie went toward the parking lot... Anna looked back at Gabby before entering the car.