Part 2:

Matt woke up early the next morning excitement and anxiousness churning his stomach. He had mixed feeling about this move back to Chicago. He was excited to be close to his sister and back in his hometown again and really did hate all the memories that New York City held. Some memories were good, but they were overshadowed by recent events and Matt knew that he needed to get away from that before they turned him bitter. He knew that if he stayed here, he would see Hallie's ghost not only in their home, but all over New York and eventually his heart would sour and he would become cold and bitter. He deserved better than that, and so did Alexa. She had already lost one parent; she did not need to lose the other to bitterness.

Matt met with the movers an hour later and advised what furniture was going to be taken and what was being left behind. Once that was situated, he packed up Alexa's remining belongings into his truck and the two set off for Chicago.

"Well Alexa, we are on our way. You're going to be good for daddy, right?" he said.

Alexa just giggled and babbled her baby talk to him, holding onto her feet. Matt laughed and despite everything felt lighter now that they were officially on their way to their new beginning. Chicago was about thirteen hours away and Matt knew that there was no way he was going to make that trip in one day with an infant, unless she slept for a good portion of the trip, but even then, he will probably want to stop and rest. Besides he doesn't want to show up at his sisters in the wee hours of the morning, waking up her entire household when he can just get a room and finish the trip tomorrow.

With that settled Matt turned on the radio, keeping it low enough so that he could hear his daughter if she needed him, and started his journey west. Matt missed having someone to talk to, that was the major difference in this trip this time around. The first time he was with Hallie and the two talked and laughed the entire time, this time he only had Alexa and while he could, a one-sided conversation was just not appealing. Instead, he sang along with some of the songs on the radio and passed the time wondering about what the people at his firehouse were going to be like.

Matt was really excited to see Severide again. He and Kelly talked occasionally after he and Hallie moved to New York but hadn't really spoken much the past year. He didn't even know about Alexa, or the fact that Hallie took her life. That was not going to be a fun conversation, but one that Matt knew they would need to have, especially the one about Alexa. Matt wouldn't be able to hang out as much because he had a child to get home to. Not that Matt was complaining, he wouldn't trade Alexa in for anything, but he didn't want Kelly to feel that he didn't want to hang out with him, he just had other obligations now. Maybe once in a while he could convince Christine to watch Alexa for him and the two of them could go out and have a good time, but it couldn't be an every night occurrence.

They stopped for lunch somewhere in Pennsylvania about noon. Matt changed Alexa's diaper and then the two of them ate some lunch and enjoyed being out of the truck for a while. So far, his princess had been so good, and Matt was almost afraid to get back in the truck, fearing this time around the he wouldn't be so lucky, but he was eager to get back home to Chicago and either way knew that they were going to have to get back on the road.

Luck was on Matt's side and Alexa slept for most the drive after lunch. Matt wanted to cover as much distance as he could before having to stop for the night and continued to drive until Alexa started to get fussy about seven o'clock. He pulled off the interstate and found a place to eat near a cluster of hotels, figuring that he would be able to find a room in one of them once he and his daughter had dinner. They were about four hours outside of Chicago which Matt was happy about. This meant that he could let Alexa sleep in, and still be at his sisters by lunch. He would call Christine in the morning before they left with a time to expect them.

Dinner was uneventful and Matt was right he was able to find a room fairly easily. After getting his room key he went back to the truck, carrying Alexa so that he could grab the duffle bag with their over night supplies and her pack and play so that he had a place for her to sleep. Even though it was never Matt's intention to raise a child alone, he loved being a father and was the most doting one that anyone had ever seen. He truly loved his peanut to pieces and enjoyed every minute he had with her.

Matt set up the pack and play while Alexa played with her toys. Then he started the bath and started Alexa's nightly routine of bath, lotion, and story before singing quietly to her until she fell asleep. Matt cherished these moments with his daughter, more now than ever. He knew that he was in essence trying to make sure that his baby girl did not feel slighted only having one parent, but if it strengthened his bond with his daughter he didn't care. Any and all time he got to spend with Alexa was savored and Matt longed for those shared moments when he was working his 24-hour shift and had to miss those nights.

Once Alexa was down for the night Matt showered and headed off to bed himself. He didn't want to turn on the TV and risk waking up his daughter and figured that he could do with getting some extra sleep. He hadn't been sleeping well the past few nights, the stress of the move weighing on his subconscious and hoped that tonight, after the long drive, he'd be able to shut his mind off and actually sleep.

The next thing Matt knew Alexa was babbling in the pack and play next to him, up and ready to face another day. He smiled as he slowly came out of sleep and saw that it was 7:30 in the morning. Alexa had slept a half hour more than she normally would giving Matt a little extra sleep as well.

"Good morning pumpkin!" Matt said scooping his daughter out of the pack and play.

"Did you have a good night's sleep?"

Alexa smiled at her father and babbled her baby talk. "You did? Well, that's great. Daddy had a good night sleep too. What do you say we get ready for the day and go get us some pancakes for breakfast? Yeah? I think that's a good idea too."

Matt lay Alexa on the bed and changed her diaper and put her into today outfit before setting her on the floor with some toys to occupy her time. He took care of his business, got dressed and brushed his teeth before packing up their dirty clothes and the pack and play. Rummaging through the diaper bag Matt swore under his breath. He knew that he had put Alexa's baby toothbrush in there, where the heck could it be? Just as he was resigning himself to unpacking the entire bag his hand touched a plastic sandwich bag.

"Ah ha! There you are!" he exclaimed, pulling the bag with Alexa's toothbrush and the training toothpaste out of the bag.

After Matt brushed Alexa's teeth and gums, he doublechecked that he had everything packed and slowly started packing up his truck. Having to do everything one handed slowed the process down, but he couldn't leave Alexa in the room by herself so he made due.

"All right pumpkin, are you ready for breakfast?" Matt asked strapping his daughter into her car seat after putting the pack and play into the truck.

Matt drove down the street and stopped at a IHOP that was just before the entrance to the interstate. Thankfully the restaurant wasn't really busy and they were seated right away. Matt ordered his breakfast and some milk for Alexa. He would give her some of the pancakes that came with his breakfast so there was no need to order anything for her.

While they were waiting for their food, Matt placed some puffs in front of Alexa which she happily munched on. They were her favorite snacks right now and Matt always made sure he had some on hand. About ten minutes later their food arrived. Matt cut up some of the pancakes and placed them on the disposable place mat he had stuck to the table for Alexa to eat and then dug into his eggs and the remaining pancakes. He placed the milk for Alexa into her bottle and flagged the waitress down for another cup of coffee. Matt could feel the looks he was getting from some of the patrons in the restaurant. He didn't care, he was used to them by now and if people had a problem with a dad enjoying a quite morning with his daughter too bad for them.

After paying for breakfast Matt took Alexa to change her and he used the rest room before heading back out on the road. He called Christine from the truck to let her know that they were just about to get on the interstate and should be in Chicago by lunch time. Christine was excited to see them and promised that she'd be home before they got there but was going to run to the store shortly to get some food and asked what he wanted for supper.

Matt finished his conversation with his sister and pulled out of the IHOP parking lot heading toward the interstate. He sang along to the radio and listened to Alexa babble while she was awake and tried to enjoy the rest of the trip. Tomorrow he had to start his first shift at firehouse 51 and he knew that from now on his life was going to be different. Christine was helping him find some day care options and she offered to keep Alexa on the nights he was on shift because someone had to be with her overnight.

He didn't want to admit it but he was nervous to start tomorrow. He almost felt like he was in high school and it was his first day at a new school. Would anyone like him, would his crew be ok taking orders from him? Matt knew that he earned his lieutenant bugle but he also knew that respect was earned and he could only hope that he had a decent truck of firefighters who were willing to work with him until he earned their respect. Granted he at least knew Severide but they hadn't been close the past few years and Matt wasn't even sure what it was going to be like seeing him again, on top of that he was nervous about telling Kelly about Alexa. Not that he thought Kelly would judge him, but he was afraid the other man would be hurt that Matt hadn't told him sooner. It wasn't that Matt hadn't wanted to tell Kelly, or Andy but their schedules were all different and then his days off were consumed with Hallie and Alexa and the next thing Matt knew it was 10 months since Alexa was born and he was driving to Chicago because of everything that happened.

Taking a deep breath Matt tried to banish the negative thoughts form his mind. His friend was going to be happy to see him that was a given and Matt was fairly certain that Kelly would love Alexa as much as Matt himself did. Despite how tough Kelly pretended to be, he was still just a big softie at heart.

Matt stopped once for gas which thankfully Alexa slept through meaning that Matt was making great time. He stopped on the outskirts of Chicago to refill his truck, at which point Alexa was awake and getting cranky. Matt took her out of her car seat and walked around for a little bit, letting her enjoy being out of the car seat for a few minutes. He was not looking forward to strapping her back into the car seat but they were almost there and he really didn't want to delay too much longer. Once they got to Christine's Alexa would be free to crawl around and be free of the truck for a while. So, with a deep sigh Matt strapped his unhappy daughter back into her seat and dealt with a crying baby for the last forty-five minutes of his drive.

He was never so relieved to see his sister's house as he was at that moment. Finally, he could get his daughter out of the truck and hopefully fed and happy again. She was typically a happy baby and only cried occasionally but she was done with the long drive and wanted out. Not that Matt could blame her, he was tired of driving also and was happy that he'd be out of the truck until tomorrow morning.

Christine and Violet came running out of the house as soon as Matt parked the truck. He was thankful that there was a spot open in front of her house, as the prospect of having to lug his possessions down the block, or heaven forbid multiple blocks after the drive he had was not an appealing prospect.

"Uncle Matt! You're here!" Violet yelled jumping into her uncle's arms.

Matt laughed and caught his niece easily.

"Hey kiddo. Yep, we are finally here. I'll be happy to hug you once we get inside, but I really need to get your cousin out of the car, she's not a happy camper right now."

Violet nodded as Matt put her back on the ground. He turned to the truck and as soon as he opened the door Alexa's angry screams filled the air. Matt unclipped her as quickly as possible and picked her up rocking her back and forth trying to sooth her anger away.

"Hey pumpkin, I know you really did not want to be in that truck any longer, and I'm sorry that I had to put you back into that cramped seat, but that's it, we are done driving for today."

However, Alexa was not to be placated. She was upset and she wanted everyone to know it.

"Here let me take her," Christine said. "You can grab your things and we'll meet you inside. I got deep dish for lunch; it should be here in about fifteen minutes."

"You are a gem, thank you," Matt replied, handing his daughter over to his sister.

Christine took the crying baby into the house, followed closely by Violet. Matt took another deep breath and then grabbed the pack and play and all the bags that he had with him. He could still hear Alexa crying as he walked into the house, but thankfully she didn't appear to be crying as hard as she had been.

"Matt, I hope you don't mind, but I gave Alexa some watered-down apple juice. I had bought a sippy cup when I was out earlier."

"That is fine, thank you so much Christine. She should stop crying soon, it was just a long drive and my poor sweet pea was just tired of being strapped down in the car."

"Believe me I can understand that. It's no problem, I remember what it was like to have a baby. Violet loved being in the car, but if we had to take a long drive, she got fed up with being strapped down too."

Matt was just coming out of the spare room he and Alexa would be staying in until the movers got to Chicago with their belongings when there was a knock at the door. The pizza had arrived, which Matt was truly thankful for. He was starving and was pretty sure that once Alexa ate, she would be her happy, smiling, playful self. Matt answered the door as he passed and paid for the pizza which Christine slapped his arm for, stating she was buying lunch today. Matt just gave her a cheeky grin and cut up some pizza for his daughter before taking a slice for himself.

Conversation flowed as they ate. Matt asked Violet how she was doing in school and what her favorite subjects were and listened intently as she described everything she could about school, her friends, and the projects she was doing currently in class. Alexa, after eating a few bites of pizza settled down and started smiling and babbling happily which Matt was thankful for. He hated to see her cry, especially the way she was carrying on, it broke his heart but he knew from experience that she needed to bring herself out of her mood and eventually would be ok and back to her normal self.

"So Matt, when do you start work?" Christine asked.

"Tomorrow is my first shift. I really can't thank you enough for taking some time off and watching Alexa for me the next couple of shifts. I'll be on 24-hours tomorrow and then off for forty-eight. We can start looking at day cares once I get a little sleep, unless shift is quiet, but from what I've heard of Firehouse 51 it's a busy house. I probably won't be able to start Alexa in the daycare until next week, so I'll need you for the next shift too if that is alright."

"Matt, I'll make sure to be available whenever you need me. That was the reason why you moved back to Chicago, so that I could help you. I want to spend some time with my niece, I haven't gotten enough time with her since she's been born so I'll be making up for lost time. We will be fine, and if we need anything I will either call or stop by, I know where Firehouse 51 is."

"I know and I'm not worried about leaving her with you, I know you will both be fine. I just feel bad that you have to take time off of work to help me out. Once I get Alexa set up with the day care then I'll just need you to pick her up on shift days and keep her overnight. I'll drop her off once I'm off shift, or keep her home with me that day just so I can spend some time with her, I haven't decided yet. I suppose it will depend on what kind of shift we had, which is why I want to research and really look into the day cares and find one that other firefighters use so that they are used to the schedules we keep."

"I'll do some research tomorrow while you're on shift and see what I can come up with. I would suggest asking any of the other firefighters who have kids where they send their children and check those placed out first."

"Good idea. I wasn't going to broadcast that I am a single dad, but it will be helpful to ask around and see what I cam come up with. But I want to talk to Kelly first and tell him about Alexa before I go telling everyone else that I have a daughter."

"I can understand that too. You and Kelly were best friends, and while he might be a little hurt that you didn't tell him right away, I know he'll understand and forgive you. I wouldn't worry about that."

"Thanks Christine."

Matt turned to check on Alexa only to find her gone. Christine laughed at his expression and pointed to the living room. Violet had taken the baby out of her highchair while the grownups were talking and was now entertaining her cousin with some toys in the other room. Matt smiled. He hated the circumstances that had brought him back to Chicago, but he was really happy to be home with his family. He wanted his daughter to know her aunt and cousin and was really happy that Violet was enjoying her little cousin.

"I really am glad that you are here Matt. I know we haven't been as close as we should have been after everything went down with mom and dad, but I really hope that we can change that now."

"I am really happy to be here to Christine. You letting me and Alexa stay with you and everything that you are willing to do to help me means more to me than you will ever know. It is also my wish that we can take this opportunity to mend some fences and use this time to grow closer."

Matt and Christine watched their children interact for a while in a peaceful silence, just basking in the moment. But, as it will happen with all babies, Alexa let the household know that she was ready for her nap. Matt took her to their room, changed her, set up her pack and play and put her down for her nap. While she was sleeping, he unpacked a few things and then went back to the living room to spend some more time with his sister and niece. He ended up helping Violet with her project for a while so that Christine could get dinner started and when Alexa woke up, he took his niece into the room with him to get her. Alexa was excited to see her older cousin again and squealed with happiness making Matt laugh.

Dinner passed much the same was lunch did, the four of them sitting around the table eating, talking, and laughing, well the three that could talk were talking, Alexa just babbled. Matt took care of the dishes since his sister cooked giving Christine some one on one time to bond with Alexa. His daughter was loving all the attention she was getting from her aunt and cousin, normally she was only showered with affection and attention from Matt, so this was a welcomed change for the baby.

"I sometimes miss having a baby, but then I look at Violet and cannot help but be thankful for the amazing young woman she is turning out to be. I know I am still young enough to have more children, but then I remember what it takes to raise a newborn and I think maybe I'm good with just one."

Matt laughed. It was definitely tough raising a newborn, they didn't sleep all night and you were getting up every couple of hours. Humans who are sleep deprived sometimes did the craziest things, Matt knew that from personal experience. He had almost put formula into his coffee quite a few times. Thankfully he was used to functioning on little sleep due to the nature of his job so for him it was not as bad as it is for others.

Matt decided to turn in when he put Alexa to bed because he wanted to get to the firehouse early the next day to meet the chief and let him know about his situation. He also figured the chief could tell him which firefighters had children so he could ask about what day cares they used to give him a starting point for where to look for Alexa.