Annabeth checked her reflection in the elevator mirror as it rode up to the ballroom. She couldn't remember the last time she had been in a hotel as beautiful as this one with the huge lobby, marble floors and grand staircase.
She had really enjoyed getting all dressed up for a change. Not that she didn't make an effort when she was off shift. Annabeth was the kind of woman who had a matching purse and shoes for every outfit. But getting ready for a gala was always just a little bit more special.
She had curled her auburn hair deciding to leave it down. She smoothed the skirt of her vintage style off the shoulder dark green dress.
Annabeth clutched her purse as she stepped out of the elevator and looked around the room. All of the tables had crisp white linen tablecloths. There were a lot of old men in suits. She struggled to find a familiar face.
Annabeth was a confident woman, but she didn't think she had ever gone to a party alone. It was slightly awkward to talk into a room like that alone. She had considered asking Jonah, but he was working. He'd suggested she asked Connor. She wouldn't have minded spending more time with the new doctor. But then she had thought about Kelly and she couldn't do it.
"Those shoes are incredible"
Annabeth smiled as she turned to face Gabby who handed her a glass of champagne.
"You are an angel" She said sighing with relief "I was so nervous about coming here alone, and thank you, you can borrow them any time"
"See this is why I missed having you as a roommate" Gabby grinned linking arms with her "Homecooked meals, conversations about something other than work or hocking and your amazing closet"
"We've got Benny as a houseguest" Gabby told her "And with everything that's been going on all we talk about is the firehouse"
"If you ever want a night off, we do need to finish the last season of sex and the city" She replied "Margaritas, pizza, maybe followed up with Dirty Dancing"
"Deal" Gabby agreed as they walked across the room to where Matt was sitting with Herrmann and his wife.
Annabeth paused as she spotted Kelly waving her over. Gabby narrowed her eyes at her.
"What?" She asked deciding the best option was to play dumb.
"Are you two hooking up again?" Gabby asked.
"Of course, not" Annabeth replied rolling her eyes.
"But you want to" Gabby said thoughtfully watching her friends face carefully "You're actually blushing, it's cute, but you really should…"
"I know" She said cutting her off "Kelly and I are just friends, honestly"
"You know you're only lying to yourself" Gabby teased her "Come and find me later"
Annabeth rolled her eyes. But there was a little bit of truth to it. She had really cared about Kelly, that didn't just go away. He was also one of her closest friends, they had been lucky they hadn't lost that. She wasn't about to risk it all again.
"Well don't you look handsome in a suit" She said with a smile as Kelly greeted her with a hug kissing her cheek.
"I'm just happy I don't have to wear one again until next year" He said adjusting his tie.
"You need to learn to take a compliment" She said setting down her glass to help him fix it.
"I'll try" He said with a half-smile as she smoothed his tie after straightening the knot.
"Kelly you're supposed to tell the lady how beautiful she looks"
Annabeth bit back an amused smile at the look of irritation on his face. She looked at the man stood next to him. He was just a little shorter than Kelly with a full head of grey hair. It was clear he had been a handsome man in his day. She could see Kelly in him, they had the same blue eyes. It was obviously his father.
"This is Annabeth we work together at 51" He said introducing them "AB, this is Benny, my dad"
"It's nice to finally meet you sir" She said shaking his hand "I've heard a lot about you"
"Don't believe a word of it" Benny said kissing her hand "And please, call me Benny"
"Benny" She nodded as Kelly handed her back her glass of champagne.
As long as Annabeth had known Kelly, she had found that he wasn't one for talking. Benny Severide on the other hand was the total opposite to his son. She could tell that although he was charming, he was also probably just as much of a handful as everyone said he was. He had been entertaining her with stories of his days in the CFD and a few about Kelly as a kid or his early days on the job. Kelly looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. He got a lot of attention, but he preferred not to be in the spotlight.
"You do look beautiful" He told her as Benny left them to get another drink at the bar.
"Why thank you sir" She replied with a smile "Your father has a lot of stories"
"He lives for talking about the good old days" He said shaking his head.
"I think that's all fathers" She nodded "My Dad still talks about the same 2005 game with Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers. You mention the ref and all hell breaks loose"
"If only Benny talked about football" He grinned.
The fun and light feeling of the night was cut short. Chief Boden had come in and gotten into an argument with someone from headquarters.
Annabeth got the impression Benny and Kelly knew a bit more about it than she did because it looked like they ended up having words with each other after Matt stepped in to calm Chief Boden down. He had led him over to a table at the back of the room.
Annabeth went to walk over to them when she felt Kelly grab her hand. He led her across the room to their friends leaving Benny talking to some of his old colleagues.
"You should all go to your table" Chief Boden told them "I don't want you getting into any trouble because of me"
Annabeth didn't ever think she had seen the chief looking so defeated before. She had no clue what had gone on but her broke her heart to see him that way.
"We're just having a drink with our chief" Matt said handing him a glass of scotch.
Annabeth smiled as the whole team raised a glass to chief Boden. It was times like that which made her think of all of the best parts of Bluebell. That sense of family and community. Sticking together and showing up for your friends and neighbours.