Taylor's P.O.V.
"Hey Tay it's it's time to get up" Dad sat on the end of my bed as I stretched
"Morning dad" I smiled
"Morning kiddo. It's career's day at the school and my unit's coming in" Dad informed me and I nodded as an 'Okay I understand'
"Does that include uncle Kev?" He nodded as I sat up in bed.
"I'll let you get ready then" Dad walked out as I got out of bed. I looked into my wardrobe and decided on a tank top and a pair of black ripped jeans.
I grabbed a flannel so I wouldn't get dress coded then got changed. I brushed my hair into a high messy ponytail before brushing my teeth and applying minimum makeup. I grabbed my timberlands and pulled them on before throwing my school books and computer into my bag. I grabbed my cheer bag then I ran downstairs and hugged dad from behind
"Hey kiddo!" I smiled, grabbing an apple and sitting next to him.
"So what have we got today?"
"Maths and law but the rest of the day we're at the careers fair so can I just come over with Autumn?"
"Yeah ok but let's get going before you're late" I grabbed my bag and walked out to the car. I climbed in and pulled my seatbelt on making sure it was secure before we began the drive to school. When we arrived I placed a kiss on dad's cheek before we started to say our goodbyes.
"I'll see you later Tay" I got out and walked over to Autumn
"So Uncle Adam and dad are coming for the careers fair" I nodded. Autumn of course knew who my dad was and I knew who hers was clearly but we only recently discovered they worked together as Autumn's mom, my aunt and dad don't get along too well.
"Yeah I've asked my dad and he said we can just go over to the CPD stand and sit" I replied as we walked to registration. We sat down and started talking about the new beat cop at the 21st district
"Hmm I've never met him cause I've never been to the district but dad said he's nice" I replied
"Yeah, dad said the same thing" We walked to the gym hall because that's where they were holding the career's fair after stopping at our lockers and putting our cheer bags in there.
"Hey uncle Kelly" I hugged him seeing Squad 3 was there on behalf of the CFD
"Hey, what are you up to?" He asked
"Trying to find the CPD stand" I replied looking around the room to find the school bully Jessica Currie walking towards us
"Hey just leave her Tay" Autumn said and I nodded
"Who? That girl with the pink hair?" Capp asked as I nodded slowly
"I swear if she says one more thing about my mom not being with us she can shove it down her throat," I said
"Ok right Tay CPD is over in the corner come see us later," Uncle Kelly said as I hugged him goodbye and Autumn dragged me over to the CPD stand. I hugged dad and buried my head in his chest
"Woah" he took a couple of steps back not expecting me to hug him. "What's wrong Tay?" He asked
"Jessica Currie" Autumn replied for me as I spotted her walking over.
"Who?" Uncle Kev asked
"School bully" I replied, pulling away from dad and hugging Uncle Kev.
"Pink hair, purple hair or dirty blonde hair?" Dad asked as I pulled away from Uncle Kev
"Pink" I replied as she reached the stand.
"Hey, Taylor, how's your mom?" Uncle Kevin placed a hand in front of my chest stopping me from hitting her
"How's your dad Jessica?" I replied smartly as she turned around and walked off.
"Taylor" Dad warned and I looked him in the eyes
"I'm sorry but she's been on my" I paused to think of the right word
"Ass for the past month or so" Dad rolled his eyes
"Ok but Taylor" I cut him off knowing exactly what he would say.
"If I do anything like punch her you won't be defending me because I was in the wrong unless she did something to me then it's classed as self-defence and I'll take the punishment because I was still slightly in the wrong" I continued and he nodded
"Ok fine" He said defeated
"Sounds like she needs a taste of her own medicine" Uncle Kev said as dad gave him a death stare
"Hey, Tay I'm gonna go see what the other stalls have because unlike you I don't know what I want to do" I smiled. I hugged her before she walked off.
"I'm gonna go over to the CFD stand see if I can get some free stuff," I said
"Ok then" I walked over to the CFD stand then sat down on Aunt Stella's lap
"Hey kiddo" I smiled
"Wanting free stuff are we?" Uncle Kelly asked throwing me another Squad t-shirt
"You know me so well" I laughed as I caught the Squad t-shirt
"So who's this Jessica girl?" Uncle Matt asked
"School bully she's been on my ass for the past month or so about not having a mom"
"Hey don't listen to her, she's doing it for attention. You have your dad, your Uncle Kev, 51 and Voight all here for you. You don't need a mom" I nodded as Noah walked over to us
"Alright kid?" He nodded. Noah was the quiet kid but once you got to know him he had a great personality and he was really friendly
"Wanting to join the CFD?" Uncle Matt asked
"Yeah what does it take?" Uncle Matt explained all the requirements as Sylvie hit me in the head with her ambo jacket
"I'm not a coat rack" I complained taking the jacket off my head and pushing the flyway out my face
"Oh really I didn't know" She replied as I threw her jacket back at her
"Hey kiddo" James joined as and I got up and gave him a hug before sitting back down on Aunt Stella's lap
"So why are you over here and not at the CPD stand?" Capp asked
"Cause I want to be on Squad not Intelligence" I replied with a smile
"Squad huh wanting to beat Severide here?" Cruz asked tapping Uncle Kelly's shoulder
"Oh yeah it's what I dream off" I replied with a smile
"Hey Tay come with me," James said grabbing my hand and pulling me up
"Where are we going?" I asked with furrowed brows
"The gymnasium they've said we can use it for extra practice while this is going on" I nodded with a wide smile
"Let me go tell my dad quickly I'll meet you in the gym" I walked over to the CPD stand and smiled
"Hey I'm going to the gymnasium so James and I can get in a little practise before we start competing again"
"Be safe and don't injure yourself, we don't need another torn ACL" I smiled and jogged out of the room. I opened my locker as I heard footsteps behind me.
"Daddy knows where we are?" I heard Jessica. I turned around and she pushed me into the lockers putting her forearm against my neck
"If you say anything like that ever again it'll end unwell for you" She moved her arm as I sucked in a deep breath before punching me in the gut causing me to curl over. She then slapped me and I didn't react.
"You bitch" She replied shoving me into the door of my locker
"Hey hey hey" I punched her in the face by accident trying to get her away from me while pushing her away. She punched me in the face as I kept trying to push her away.
"HEY STOP IT" Dad shouted as Uncle Kev grabbed Jessica causing the rest of the intelligence unit to run out. I rubbed my neck as Mrs Boden walked over
"What happened?" She asked
"Jessica attacked me as I went to get my cheer stuff from my locker to train with James" I said looking over at Jessia
"Jessica Mr Walker's office now. Taylor in my classroom now" I closed my locker, still holding my stomach before walking to her classroom. I sat down on my chair from her class as she walked into the classroom without my dad or uncle Kev.
"Taylor I know you were defending yourself but you still punched her in the face"
"I didn't mean to punch her, I was just trying to push her away and I caught her face. I'm not one for fighting the more I fight the less chance I have to compete"
"Ok let's go to Mr Walker's office and I'll get him to look at the security footage" I walked through to Mr Walker's office. After 15 minutes of waiting, he called me into his office
"Ok Miss Ruzek I've looked at the security footage and you were trying to push her away and Miss Currie was the one to punch you first after what looked threatening. Therefore I am not suspending you but you won't be able to play soccer for a week. I'll still let you train for both sports, just no games for soccer." I nodded
"Thank you, Mr Walker" I said with a sigh
"No problem if Miss Currie says anything to you please come to me and do not let it get this far. I know your dad is here so I'll let you tell him. Miss Currie is also suspended. You may go" I walked out and back to the hall where James stopped me. He placed his index finger under my chin and his thumb on my chin gently turning my face so he could see the bruise forming around my eye.
"Are you suspended?" He asked and I shook my head
"No soccer games for a week but I can still train for both sports" James let out a sigh pressing a kiss to my forehead
"Ok I'll let you see your dad but you're coming through with me this time" I nodded and walked over to the CPD stand.
"What did Mr Walker say?"
"I'm not suspended because I was trying to push her away. I'm not allowed to play any soccer games but I'm still allowed to cheer and practice soccer. Jessica is suspended and that's basically it"
"Ok fine we'll talk about it once you get home tonight" I nodded slowly
"I'm gonna go train with James he said he's coming with me"
"Ok no fighting kiddo" Uncle Kev said and I shook my head laughing as I walked away. James grabbed my hand and dragged me to my locker.
I grabbed my cheer bag before walking through to the gymnasium. I walked into the locker room as James did the same thing but into the boys changing room. I pulled on my black sports bra and purple shorts deciding that I would wear my uniform for cheer practice after school. I put my bag in a locker, grabbing the key and walking out. I jogged over to James and jumped on his back
"Ok ready I dragged Lucas here so we can do stunts"
"And I'm here to spot them," Autumn said, appearing in the doorway.
I handed the key to her before stretching. After stretching, Autumn played 'All-Star' . We started training and by the time we were done we didn't notice 51 and intelligence standing in the corner until they started clapping. I placed my hand over my heart as Autumn threw us our water bottles. James dragged me over and dad tried to hug me but I pushed him away
"I'm all sweaty" Dad grabbed me and started tickling me as I ran away with him and James behind me. I jumped onto the beam before running along it as dad grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder.
"TAY WE'RE GONNA BE LATE TO MATHS" I laughed as dad placed me down. I kissed his cheek
"I'll see you after school. I love you" I turned to James "I'll see you in law" I ran off to the changing rooms grabbing the key on my way past.
I got changed and ran out joining Lucas and Autumn. We all walked to maths together. After maths, Autumn and I walked to law class. We sat down beside James. After Law James, Autumn and I walked through to the gymnasium. We changed into our uniforms and joined everyone out on the floor.
"Ok let's do All-Star then help the little ones" Coach Michelle said nodding her head towards the group of 7 possibly 8-year-olds who were running about the place. We got into formation as Coach Michelle pressed play on the music. Our ending positions were in the scorpion, I grabbed my ankle and pulled my foot up and held it until James dropped me into his arms and I released the hold on my foot. I smiled at James before hugging him.
"Ok you lot, let's help the little ones," I said. Being the cheer captain was fun at times until we had to coach the younger ones. I walked over to them with a fake smile to look like I liked them.
"Hey, there I'm Taylor" I smiled crouching down. We taught all the younger kids before grabbing our duffel bags and school bags before leaving school. I hugged Autumn goodbye before getting in the car.
"Hey dad" I kissed his cheek while placing my bags at my feet
"We've got a case. Are you ok coming to the district?" I nodded
"Yeah it's ok I need to practice my scorpion anyway"
"Don't break anything"
"Dad I'm not you" I smiled but the smile soon dropped
"Dad I'm sorry about earlier if I embarrassed you or anything" He grabbed my hand and kissed it
"Do you remember what you said when I first said you could do cheer and soccer?" I shook my head
"You said that you would always make me proud and try your best to win every competition and game and you have made me as proud as you could ever make me. All those football games you've cheered at or all the soccer games you've played just make me prouder. The fact you didn't mean to punch her made me even more proud" I smiled weakly
"I'm still sorry" I stated as dad parked the car. He got out before opening my door and lifting me out. I laughed wrapping my arms around his neck. He kissed my head
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Now I texted Severide and James is coming over so you two can do your weird stunts in the breakroom" I laughed
"I think the ceiling might be a little low for that," I said, grabbing my cheer bag. Dad started walking inside
"Is there any reason you're carrying me like a baby?" I asked even though I loved it. I loved being close to dad because I knew that even though he's here just now he could be lying in a hospital bed in the next hour
"Cause you are my baby," He said, kissing my head. I laughed wrapping my arms around his neck
"Dad that was so cringy" I closed my eyes giggling.
"I'm joking I didn't want your pure white shoes needing cleaning again" I smiled looking down at my shoes that were in fact pure white. Dad carried me upstairs and placed me down on his desk
"Ceiling is definitely too low" I stated looking at the ceiling
"Oh shut up and practice your insect move" I jumped off the desk and pulled my foot up into the scorpion. I smiled as uncle Kev tried to push me out of it
"You know that's how you tear your ACL Tay" I laughed, dropping my foot and hugging James. I sent him a knowing look and he looked up at the ceiling before grabbing my waist and throwing me up in the air. I steadied myself out before moving into the bow and arrow.
"Seriously the scorpion wasn't good enough?" James said as I dropped my leg before going up into the heel stretch. I dropped my leg as James dropped me and caught me by the waist.
"Ok, you two stop showing off," Dad said and I laughed, shaking my legs slightly.
"You're the one that told me to practice my insect move" I replied smartly, opening my cheer bag and taking out my water bottle.
"The interrogation room ceilings are higher if you want to go in there" Uncle Kev said and I turned to look at dad. He nodded before pointing us in the right direction. We walked through to the interrogation room and practised our routine. We soon walked back through to the main room
"Ok we're finished James I'll drop you off at the firehouse," Dad said as I grabbed my black trainers out of my cheer bag and put them on before throwing my cheer bag over my shoulder. We followed dad downstairs.
"James you can sit in the front your legs are longer," I said climbing into the back of the car.
"Who asked who I was?" I asked dad
"Everyone except Kev. He's coming around tonight by the way for a few beers" Dad said and I nodded. We said bye to James as I climbed into the passenger seat of the car. I rested my head on the window thinking about today.
"What are you thinking about Tay?" He asked knowing me far too well for my liking
"Today all of it" I replied with a sigh looking over at him for a split second
"There's nothing wrong with what you did today Tay. I'm proud of you and I will always be. You're my daughter and you put that bully in her place and I'm proud of you. I might not say it enough but I love you Taylor and nothing you do would ever make you stop loving me" Dad grabbed my hand and kissed it gently.
"I love you too dad," I said, grabbing both of my bags and climbing out of the car. Dad unlocked the door as we walked in. I ran upstairs dumping both of my bags before getting changed into a pair of black leggings and a grey hoodie. I ran downstairs and sat at the island as dad looked over the menus for the take-away's.
"What do you want for dinner tonight?" He asked looking over his shoulder at me
"Erm pizza?" Dad nodded as I got up and grabbed myself a can of Fanta. I sat back down at the island.
"Got any homework?" I nodded with a sigh remembering about it
"Maths" I replied. Picking at the can of Fanta
"What kind of maths?" He asked putting the menu's back in place
"Adding fractions" I said getting up out my seat
"Go get the sheet and I'll help you with it" I jogged upstairs and grabbed my maths homework sheet and workbook before running back down the stairs. I sat at the island next to dad and placed the sheet on the island. I opened my jotter and wrote the date
"Ok, so 5/7 + 3/4" I nodded
"So we do 7 times 4 and 4 times 7 and that becomes the bottom number" I did the sum and wrote it down in my jotter
"Now you times 5 by 4 and put that on the top of the first fraction" I nodded and wrote it down
"Now do 3 times 7 and put it on top of the second fraction," I wrote it down
"So now put 28 on another fraction and add the top 2 numbers together and put it on top of that 3rd fraction" I did it
"Now how many times does 41 go into 28?"
"Once" I replied and dad nodded
"So you write a big one then put another fraction next to it with 28 on the bottom." I did as he said,
"Now what's 41 take away 28?"
"Thirteen?" Dad nodded and I wrote it on top.
"See you can do it" He cheered grabbing his phone
"I know but it's hard and I'm failing" I said pushing the sheet away
"I know you are but Dyscalculia isn't easy and I'll always be here to help," Dad said as there was a knock on the door.
I placed my math homework and workbook to the side as dad placed the pizza in between us. We sat eating the pizza as there was another knock at the door. Dad got up and answered it.
"Hey, Upton what's up?" I grabbed another slice of pizza staring into space while eating it slowly. All I could think about was Jessica Currie and I hated it. She always seemed to be there when I was having a good day or when I was struggling she was even there during the night sometimes.
"Hey Tay" I looked up and saw Uncle Kev standing there
"Fancy helping with my math homework?" I asked with a smirk knowing he used to help Jordan
"Come on then" Uncle Kev sat down next to me as I grabbed my maths jotter and homework. Uncle Kev helped me with my homework while dad stood at the door talking to Upton.
"And we're all done" I hugged him
"I'm going for a shower" I said pulling away
"Ok I'll tell your dad for you" I smiled running up the stairs.
I walked through to my en-suite and turned the shower on before getting undressed. I climbed into the shower and got washed with my coconut body wash before washing my hair with my coconut shampoo and conditioner. I climbed out of the shower and wrapped the towel around both my body and hair. I moisturized my face before taking my hair out of the towel and brushing it through. I braided it into 2 French braids and dried my body off. I pulled the leggings and jumper as well as a new pair of underwear on. I walked through to my bedroom and checked my phone to see some new messages from Jessica
'This is your fault I'm suspended and you're gonna pay for it', 'You and your pretty little daddy are gonna pay for what you did to me' I switched my phone off and lay down on my bed facing away from the door. I started crying trying to stay as quiet as possible so dad didn't hear me.
"Alexa open Spotify" Alexa started playing my country playlist that helped calm me down a little bit. My door opened but I didn't pay much attention to who was there.
"Hey, Tay" The bed dipped as someone started rubbing circles on my back. I turned over in my bed to see dad sitting there. I gave him a weak smile as Uncle Kev walked in.
"What's going on shortly?" I turned my phone back on handing it to dad who handed it to Uncle Kev
"How long has this been going on princess?" Dad asked me and I shrugged
"A while" I whispered as a woman appeared at the door. I nodded at the door and dad and Uncle Kev turned around. I noticed she was at the CPD stand at the careers day.
"I just came to say I'll see you at work tomorrow" She turned around and walked out.
"Are you ok here by yourself for a little bit?" Dad asked and I nodded
"We'll be back shortly, use the spare phone if you need me" I nodded as dad kissed my head before walking out with Uncle Kev. I switched Alexa off before walking over to my desk. I grabbed a sharpener before unscrewing the blade and walking through to my en-suite. I sat on the floor and stared at my wrist.
At this point in my life, I hate having Jessica around, I hate being here, I hate everything. I dropped the blade before getting up and walking through to dad's bedroom where the spare phone is. I grabbed it and dialled James' number
"Hello?"
"James it's Tay"
"Tay, what's going on? Whose number is this?"
"It's dad's spare phone. Any chance you can come over like fast?"
"I'll get dad to drop me off I'll be 5 minutes"
"Thank you. The door's open" I hung up and walked downstairs. I sat down at the island when the door opened and someone pulled me into a hug from behind. I looked up just to make sure it was James
"What's going on?" He asked worried
"My bathroom" I muttered
"Me, you or both?" He asked gently, rubbing my back.
"You" He kissed my temple before going upstairs.
I sat staring into space until James came back downstairs. He gently grabbed my wrists and pulled my sleeves up checking my wrist as I continued to stare into space
"Did you do anything?" I shook my head
"No" I muttered
"Come on let's get you to sleep and I'll stay until your dad gets back" I nodded as I climbed off the stool and James took my hand. We walked upstairs and I climbed into bed and James climbed into bed next to me.
"Thank you" I muttered as James kissed my temple
"You know I would do anything for you. I won't tell your dad you need to do that" He replied as my eyes started to close with James' arm around me drawing shapes on my stomach gently.
James' P.O.V.
Taylor fell asleep and I carefully moved out from under her then walked downstairs and sat on the couch looking at social media. The door opened and I turned around to see Ruzek and Atwater walking in.
"What are you doing here James?" Ruzek asked
"Tay phoned me upset so I got my dad to drop me off. She's upstairs sleeping at the moment"
"Did she tell you what's going on?" I shook my head with a sigh
"Nope, she's been extremely quiet since I got here only muttering a few words" Ruzek handed me her phone open with all the texts from Jessica Currie.
"Apparently she's been doing this for a while" I shook my head handing her phone back
"She's got soccer tomorrow I'll go make sure nothing happens while she's there" I said getting a bit protective over the younger girl
"Thanks, James" Ruzek said patting my back and I nodded with a weak smile
"No problem" I replied trying to stay positive
"James I'll drop you off at the firehouse" I got up and walked out with Atwater. I should have told Adam. He should know in case. Too late for that now I guess.
Adam's P.O.V.
I walked upstairs and opened the door to Taylor's room. I leaned against the door frame watching her sleep. Her chest rising and falling gently. I switched the light off, closing the door behind me. My little girls getting bullied and she wouldn't tell me about it. Is that my fault or is that just her being her?
