CHAPTER 6

Firehouse 87...

Today was the first day of Gabby at Firehouse 87, she was excited. Being a paramedic was never a second choice, it was always the first. When she got out of her car, her phone rang, Antonio didn't see her leaving, so he sent a message wishing her a good day at work.

Gabby didn't have much information about her new workplace. Once she arrived she went to the Chief's office – Chief Clarkson, who seemed to be very calm and kind. He asked his secretary to call the paramedic that would work with Gabby.

"Good morning, Chief!"

"Good morning! Denise this is your new partner in the ambulance 67, Gabriela Dawson."

Denise greeted Gabby and said she would show her the place. She was 5 years older than Gabby and has worked there for 7 years.

She introduced the team and took her to the locker room where Gabby could put away her bag and change herself into her work clothes.

After 20 minutes Gabby and Denise received the first call of the day. Denise was impressed with Gabby's skills.

The day was pretty hectic at the Firehouse 87, though Gabby had a few moments of rest. She liked it because she had no time to think about her problems, Bryan was one of them, find him hasn't been easy, she wished she could some of her money back.

Antonio was getting closer to locate him, at least it's what he has been saying to her. Maybe she could rent that apartment which she had given up? It was a little afar from Firehouse 87 but was close to Antonio's house.

...

"Daddy, I missed you!" Anna said hugging Matt. She stayed with Christie so he could work on Gabby's apartment.

"I missed you too, princess. You were in your best behavior?" He kneeled to stay on her level.

"Of course, daddy!" Then gave a kiss on his cheek and said goodbye to her aunt, cousin and ran upstairs.

"Don't run, Anna. How are you, Christie? " He said after getting up.

"I'm fine, Matt, thank you! And she behaved well, don't worry."

"Good, how about my favorite niece, where's my hug?" Violet hugged Matt.

Violet and Christie said goodbye and left.

Matt went to Anna's bedroom and asked if she wanted a snack. She said yes, they came down and went to the kitchen.

"Something I should know about school?" Matt said while preparing a sandwich.

"Nothing important", she told him.

Matt and Anna chose a movie to watch... When Anna watched a bicycle in the movie, Anna remembered the boy from the park and her school.

"Dad, did you remember the accident with Sophia?" She spoke looking at the TV.

"Yeah...".

"I saw the boy the bumped into Sophia and that woman who the girl was dancing with... She was picking them up at school."

Matt was looking at Anna, "Are you sure it was her?" His heart was beating fast as listening to her.

"I'm sure!" Anna uttered staring at him.

Matt got up and went to the kitchen, he needed to talk to someone: Severide. Matt rubbed his face and remembered what Severide had spoken about her being married.

The doorbell rang, he turned off his phone and he went to the door as Anna continued watching the movie.

Matt opened the door and was surprised with Sophia at his door. They haven't seen each other for a couple of days, just exchanged a few messages. "Sophia?" He said surprised.

"Hi, baby! Sorry, I didn't call you first, I wanted to surprise you and brought pizza, I hope you don't mind."

"No, I mean, of course not. Anna and I were watching a movie and we ate sandwiches."

"Too bad...," she said entering and kissed him quickly. After what he heard from his daughter, he couldn't eat anything.

"Hi, Anna, how are you?" Anna just shook her head. "You want pizza?" She said no, thanked her.

Matt and Sophia went to the kitchen where she put two slices of pizza on the plate; Matt poured some juice for her. They talked a little. Sophia told him that she had a real chance of becoming a partner. Matt just stared at her, because his head was elsewhere.

"Matt, Matt...," he blinked a few times when she called him by his name. "Are you okay? You seem far away."

"Yes, I'm fine. How about we watch the movie with Anna...," Sophia followed him to the living room.

Half an hour later his phone rang. It was Severide. He couldn't have that conversation with Sophia there, Matt excused himself and went to the kitchen.

Sophia thought that was weird, what could be the subject that she couldn't hear it? She told Anna she would go to the bathroom, but she went close to the kitchen trying to hear Matt and Severide.

Matt looked around and tried to speak as low as possible. "Sev, man I know you told me to forget that story. But hear me out...".

"Okay, talk...," Severide said as he took a beer in the fridge.

"Anna told me she saw that woman at her school. She said it was the same person she saw dancing at the park...".

"Man, I don't know what to tell you. What are you gonna do?"

"Nothing, because there's nothing to do...," Matt said feeling defeated. "... I just needed to talk to someone. I can only hope that somehow I can meet her someday, I guess. It's a little hard to forget it with these comings and goings..."

"Look, if it means something, it will happen again. So relax, and don't forget. You have a girlfriend...".

"I know she's here. Anyway, thanks for listening... "

"Nah, I'm here when you need...".

When Sophia realized that the conversation was ending she went to the bathroom.

...

Antonio was trying to talk to Matt, but he every time it went to voicemail.

Matt should be working today at the apartment and Antonio had to tell him what Gabby was planning to do.

Antonio couldn't leave district 21 and go there. If she had told him before, he would have prevented this situation.

Matt was working alone today because Otis and Cruz couldn't make it today.

Matt took his phone in his bag and saw a few missed calls from Antonio.

He called him back, then he heard a knock on the door and went to open the door when he opened it Antonio picked up his phone, "Matt, Gabby is going there...".

"I know..." he replied.

"How do you know? Damnit, she's there?".