WARNING: The rape will be mentioned in this chapter; nothing too graphic will be included. If this is hard or upsetting for anyone please don't read.
Author's Note: Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for all the support! You are all amazing! I love reading all of my reviews and comments I get in my email!
*This chapter is LONG! I hope you all enjoy!
Song (On Wattpad): epiphany by Taylor Swift
Chapter Fourteen: I Missed You Too
Sylvie wanted to throw her phone across the room as soon as she heard her morning alarm go off. She had just closed her eyes and now it was time to open them up again and begin her day.
Sleep was something she had recently begun to dread; every time she closed her eyes, Owen would be standing there waiting for her. Annie assured her that it was very normal for rape victims to suffer from nightmares, but Sylvie hated it. She felt like it was just another thing that Owen had taken over in her life.
She was just about to close her eyes and fall back into a puddle of hopeful-sleep when she heard her phone ding in sync with the morning light. She groaned before she rolled over in her twin size fluffy bed and clawed at her phone.
Her face immediately cracked with a wide, sleepy smile when she read her morning text from Matt.
Morning. Sorry, if I woke you up, but I figured you would already be up and elbow-deep in wedding festivities. xMatt
Sylvie smiled and felt her heart run wild in her chest. Matthew Casey always had a way of turning any sour morning mood upside down.
Good morning! I actually just got up so you're fine. How was your shift? Are you already on the road? xSylvie
Although Sylvie hated to be a bridesmaid in her ex-fiance and ex-best friend's wedding, she was really excited about getting to spend time with Matt. She honestly could wait to show him where she grew up. And, when Sylvie mentioned the wedding to Annie, Annie thought it was a great thing for Sylvie to do that might just make her feel a little more like her old self.
Shift was good; it's been pretty quiet since you left. Remind me to tell you about Foster's blow-up with her new partner. And, I have to have a quick word with Boden and Kelly, then I should be on the road. Do you need anything once I get into town? xMatt
Sylvie sat up in bed and her heart fluttered even more as she read his sweet text.
No, I'm good. Thank you, though! Just make sure you're careful on the road. I would like my wedding date to arrive alive. ;) xSylvie
Will do. Can't wait to see you. xMatt
Sylvie's heart was ready to burst. She was so excited to see him, it felt like it had been a lifetime since she last saw his sparkling blue eyes that were just inviting her to pull him in and kiss him.
Sylvie sat in bed wrapped up in her incredibly soft blankets for a couple more minutes before she looked at the time on her phone and decided to start getting ready. It was a Sunday and the wedding wasn't until late afternoon so she had plenty of time to start getting ready and head to the church.
Thankfully Matt worked the day before on shift, so once he got to Fowlerton he could spend the night with her and head back to Chicago sometime on Monday. Sylvie was so excited she could barely contain herself. It was really the only thing that was getting her through this wedding process. I mean would she want to grab the nearest fork at dinner and stab her eye out? Probably, but Matt would make the whole experience a lot less terrible.
Sylvie had just shut the shower off and stepped out of the tub when she heard her phone ring. She quickly grabbed her towel and wrapped it around herself before she made her way over to the bathroom vanity. Her heart immediately sank when she saw that there was no caller-ID for the phone and it was a random number.
She still hadn't told anyone but Annie about the phone call she received the night before she left. She tried to, she really did. Every time she and Matt spoke she almost told him, but then she suddenly back out before the words could ever leave her mouth.
The phone continued to buzz and ring on the sink.
Sylvie wrapped the towel tighter around her small body before she took a closer step towards the phone and hesitantly reached her hand out to pick it up. Her fingers shook as she slid the green accept button to the right side of her screen.
"Hell...Hello." She whispered hesitantly into the phone as she scaredly looked at herself in the bathroom mirror with just her towel wrapped around her.
Nothing came through on the other side of the phone. It was just cracked silence.
Sylvie's heart was thumping so hard she could hear it in her ears. "Hello!" She finally yelled out. "Who's there?! Who is this!?"
"Sylvie? Darling, is that you?"
"Mom?" Gasped Sylvie into her phone as her phone body sagged in relief.
"Oh, thank goodness we were finally able to reach you. Both mine and your father's phone died as soon as we got off the plane, so we had to wait until we got to the hotel to call. We just wanted to check on you and tell you that we arrived safely."
Sylvie smiled and placed a hand on her heart that was still beating fast but was now starting to calm down. "Oh, Mom. I'm fine. I'm glad you all made it safely. I was starting to worry. Umm, did you all remember everything for your cruise before it leaves tomorrow?"
Carol Brett laughed into the phone, "Oh, yes, dear. I think we honestly remembered a little too much. We had a hard time loading it all into the taxi at the airport."
Sylvie laughed with her mother on the phone. "You two always do tend to overpack."
A beat passed before Mrs. Brett continued with their conversation, "Oh, Sylvie, are you sure it's okay that your father and I continued with our trip. We just feel so bad about leaving you for weeks right now without anyone."
Sylvie sighed and started playing with the torn edge of her towel, "Mom, I'm sure. I'll be fine. I promise. I want you and dad to have a great time; you all have been looking forward to this trip for such a long time."
"As long as you're sure?"
Sylvie smiled and held the phone even tighter in her hand. "I'm sure. I love you, mom."
"I love you too! Now make sure that you and that handsome Matt, you keep talking about, have a good time at Hope and Kyle's wedding tonight."
Sylvie's eyes went wide and she laughed, "We will! I have to go, mom. Call me when you and dad get on the ship."
"We will, darling. Love you!"
"Love you too, mom!"
When Sylvie hung up the phone she felt small tears start to spring forward in her eyes. She hated that every time her phone rang she was ready to pack her bags and leave in terror. It sucked. It was horrible. It was a terrible side effect that Annie warned may never go away.
Sylvie looked in the mirror one more time then shook her head and started getting ready. She was not going to let this ruin her day with Matt, who was currently driving as if his life depended on it.
Although he wished he could have left a little sooner, he was making great time. He only had a couple of hours left of driving and then he would be there. He couldn't wait to see her. It was all he had thought about during last shift. Actually, it was the only thing that kept him going during shift. He was constantly checking his phone to see how much time he had left before he could leave and take off to see her in Fowlerton.
He missed her so much; it was indescribable. It was different with her. Better than it had ever been with Gabby. Sylvie...she actually needed him. Unlike Gabby who never needed or wanted to need anyone. Sylvie, actually let him be there for her.
Matt had to stop himself a couple of times from going too far over the speed limit. It was all he could do not to speed like a rocket ship. Kelly had told him before he left to play it cool and not come on too strong, but honestly, Matt didn't know how he could contain himself. He had never felt this way with Hallie or Gabby. It was new and it was most definitely exciting.
Sylvie's stomach fluttered with butterflies as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her pearl earring hung in her ears and made her whole outfit. It hadn't taken her very long to get ready, but she was excited and nervous the whole time. She honestly felt like she was sixteen and it was her very first date ever. Although, he wasn't her old next-door neighbor Jimmy Matthews, who later ditched her that night at the movies for the other pretty girl he had a crush on. But, Matt was different. He always was. He was never like any of the other men at the firehouse. There was always something about him that Sylvie was attracted to and admired.
Sylvie jumped mid eyeliner stroke as she heard her phone ding with a text. She laughed immediately, though, when she read the text from Stella in their group chat.
Hey! Good luck on your and Casey's date tonight! Make your besties proud! xStella
Guys! It's not a date! He's just helping me out at the wedding tonight. xSylvie
That's not what we heard! xEmily
Sylvie shook her head and laughed out loud as she dropped her eyeliner pencil and gave her full attention to her phone.
What did you all hear!? Please tell me that it's not going through the firehouse like a wildfire? xSylvie
Girl, chill! Foster, Kelly, and I are the only ones that know except for you and Casey. xStella
So let me guess, Matt told Kelly, Kelly told you and you told Emily? xSylvie
It took a few seconds to get an answer, but Sylvie's phone finally dinged with a reply.
BINGO! You guessed it, lol! xStella
Hey, don't be mad. We're just really excited for you two. It's about time you two got your heads out of the clouds and saw what everyone else sees. xEmily
Sylvie looked at her phone and smiled. Her friends always seemed to know the answers for her.
Okay, you guys I have to finish getting ready and head to the church, but I promise that I'll call you all tomorrow or Tuesday. xSylvie
YOU BETTER! We want to know every detail! xEmily
Lol! Have a good night! We really miss you and can't wait until you come back. Everyone at the firehouse asks about you. Also, FYI Casey seemed reallllllly excited to see you. :) xStella
Yeah, probably a little too excited if you ask me! LOL! xEmily
Oh my gosh! I really have to go now, but I love you both! xSylvie
Love you too! xStella
We love you too! Have a great night! xEmily
Sylvie smiled then set her phone down. She really did have great friends. They have all been so amazing to her after everything that happened. She really didn't know how she would ever be able to repay them all.
She dreaded the actual wedding part of her day. I mean the dress Hope picked out and sent her yesterday wasn't horrible she just hated that she would have to answer a hundred different questions about herself and Matt.
Who knows? Maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Right?
Sylvie glanced one more time at her phone and sighed. She had just under an hour to finish her makeup, get dressed, and make her way to the church. She prayed that her excitement of seeing Matt would outway the nerves of everything else she was feeling.
And, who doesn't love a wedding? Right?
Matt was smiling ear to ear the second he saw the Fowlerton town sign. It was impossible for him to not feel happy, excited, and..giddy when he knew that he was going to see her. It really hadn't been that long since she left, but for him, it felt like an eternity. Was he that hooked on her?
The drive for Matt seemed to take forever, although it only took about three and a half hours. He was making great time before he hit traffic about an hour away from Fowlerton. But, he was still on time and the wedding didn't start for another hour.
As soon as he got into town he pulled over at a gas station and went in to freshen up. He took a shower in the morning before he left the firehouse, but he still wanted to look his best for Sylvie. He wasn't completely sure what to wear, but Sylvie told him that it was a casual Sunday afternoon Church wedding, so he went with his favorite blue button-down and a pair of jeans.
He smiled as soon as he pulled up in front of the church. It was just as Sylvie described it. It was a little white church in the middle of nowhere. There were fall mums and sunflowers around the whole church that just completed the picture. You would never see anything like it in Chicago. It was so simple and old looking. It looked like it could tell story after story. It was so beautiful. He could just imagine a young Sylvie playing in the front yard after every Sunday service.
Matt stood on the sidewalk just admiring the church for a few more minutes before he followed a crowd of people into the church. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. It had white crown molding over the whole thing. It was gorgeous. One of the prettiest churches Matt had ever seen.
He stood at the entrance of the church for a couple more seconds before he followed an older couple outside to where it looked like the reception was set up. The theme of the wedding looked to be sunflowers. Everything was yellow with hints of white and black. It was very pretty. It seemed to compliment the beautiful fall Sunday.
He felt her presence as soon as he entered the church. It screamed Sylvie as it engulfed him and carried him from room to room.
He bobbed his head and searched for her like she was a missing piece to his puzzle he had been trying to solve for decades.
Her laugh is actually the thing that helped him find her. As soon as he heard it he whipped around and practically flew in her direction. She looked beautiful. Practically an angel as she stood there in her pale yellow dress. It hugged her body perfectly and flowed just at her knees. She was radiant. His breath caught when she looked at him and their eyes met.
They both smiled and stared at each other for another magnetic second before Sylvie broke eye contact, looked at the person she was talking to before he arrived, and excused herself before she smiled that beautiful smile of hers and started walking towards him.
Both of their hearts started to race when they got closer to each other. It was like they hadn't seen each other in years. It was a magical moment that you would see in movies. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion.
They both got to the dancefloor and stopped in front of each other.
"Hi," Whispered Sylvie as she stood in front of him and admired how handsome he looked in his nice blue button-down shirt.
Matt took a step up and gently scooped her in his arms. She smelt so good and felt so soft. "Hey...sorry, I probably shouldn't have…"
Sylvie laughed and shook her head that was resting on his shoulder, "Matt, stop. I missed you too. It feels like it's been forever since we last saw each other."
Matt pulled back from her and grinned. She looked so beautiful in front of him.
You would think that the two of them haven't spoken the whole time that she was gone by the way they are acting. But, truthfully, Matt's texts every day were her favorite; they made her feel like he was there with her every day like he is now.
"I really missed you, Matt. I'm so happy you came."
Matt felt his heartbeat even faster when he heard her words, "I've missed you too."
Sylvie smiled and felt all of her nervousness float away into the night.
"Do you wanna grab a drink?"
Sylvie looked up and nodded her head, "I would love to!"
They quickly turned and made their way over to the open bar. Yes, some people may think it weird to have an open bar at a church for a wedding, but Kyle quickly learned, when he and Hope were planning the wedding, that whatever Hope wanted, she got.
Sylvie smiled and batted her eyelashes when she heard Matt order himself a beer and a glass of his favorite wine. It's like the man knew every aspect of her and what she liked and didn't like.
Matt handed Sylvie her drink and they quietly strolled over to one of the high-top cocktail tables.
"Hey, did you remember your overnight bag? I'd hate for you to have to wear my dad's very eccentric Christmas PJs."
Matt sipped his beer and laughed at Sylvie's comment. "Yeah, the bags in my truck. You should have seen the way Kidd and Severide hovered around me while I tried to pack it last yesterday."
Sylvie giggled with Matt and quietly sipped her wine. They stayed there for about twenty minutes just laughing and talking before Riley, Hope's Maid of Honor, came over and told Sylvie that they were ready and it was almost time for them to start.
"You sure you're gonna be okay on your own for a little while?"
Matt nodded and quickly finished his beer, "Yeah, I'll be fine. You go attend to your wedding duties."
Sylvie smiled and was just about to turn and walk away before Matt called out to her before she got too far.
"Sylvie,"
"Yeah," She whispered as she turned and looked at him.
"I just wanted to tell you that you look very pretty."
The smile that overtook Sylvie's face was huge; she felt it all over her body. "Thank you."
Matt nodded and turned back to get one more drink before he made his way into the church and found a seat on Kyle's side.
The wedding itself was beautiful. Everything was very rustic looking with touches of yellow and white. It was just what Matt would picture for a small-town wedding like this. Everyone he had met so far was as nice as they could be. Matt could really see why Sylvie loved Fowlerton so much.
The wedding went off without a hitch. Everything was perfect. Sylvie was the first bridesmaid to make her way down the aisle, and if Matt was honest, she was really the only thing that he was looking at. He couldn't tell ya if Hope came down the aisle naked or in an ugly purple dress, the only thing he was looking at was Sylvie. He knows that all of his attention should probably be on Hope and Kyle, but he just can't help it. She's all he sees. Correction, all he wants to see.
He did notice, though, that she looks different. Almost happy. She looks like a completely different person from who he saw the day she told him she was raped. He's proud of her. She's come such a long way you would never guess what she's gone through and how she's still standing.
Matt was so busy gawking at Sylvie during the whole ceremony, he was startled when everyone around him stood up and cheered as Hope and Kyle came down the aisle hand in hand.
Matt clapped his hands and smiled as the couple walked down the aisle. He turned to look at Sylvie and caught a sad, morose looking smile she had before she linked arms with the groomsman and made her way down the aisle. He watched as she looked at him and quickly changed her sad smile to a happy one. It made his heart sink a little as he wondered what had made her sad during that moment. Was she sad that it wasn't her? Was she thinking about Owen? About the rape?
Matt wasn't sure, but what he did know was that he never wanted to see that sad smile of hers ever again.
As soon as the wedding ended, everyone walked out of the church and next door to the reception area that was now lit up with candles and twinkle lights. It was a beautiful fall country night. There was even a nice crisp chill that hung through the darkness of the night. It was perfect.
Matt waited at the bar for Sylvie while she and the rest of the wedding party finished up their pictures. He decided to go ahead and other them drinks so when she found him it would already be there for her.
"Hey," Smiled Sylvie as she slunk over and stood next to him at the bar.
Matt nodded and handed her drink to her. "Hey, here ya go. I figured you could use another one of these."
"You're my hero. Thank you."
Matt smiled and took a careful sip of his beer.
"Did you enjoy the wedding? I mean I know guys are really into weddings like girls are."
"Surprisingly, I actually did. And, you're right I'm not that into weddings, but I really enjoyed this. It's nice seeing where you grew up."
Sylvie beamed up at Matt. "I'm really glad you came. I honestly don't know how I would have made it through this without you here by my side."
"Sylvie, you're a lot stronger than you know. You just gotta have faith in yourself."
If Sylvie could melt into the floor she would have. How was this man always this sweet? "You're amazing, Matthew Casey."
"You are too, Sylvie Brett."
"Do you wanna go get a plate to eat before the buffet gets too crowded?"
Matt nodded and set his empty beer bottle down, "Sure. Let's go."
And so they went. They got their plates then sat down at their own quiet little table. They talked and talked. It was great. Sylvie smiled, laughed, and she cried because she was laughing so hard at some of Matt's stories.
"So...how are you really? How are you feeling after being back home for a little while?"
Sylvie cuddled her wine glass and listened closely to Matt. "Well, believe it or not, I'm actually a lot better. You know, I told you about that therapist I've been seeing, Annie. She's really good. I like her a lot. She seems to really know everything I'm going through."
"That's great, Sylvie. It's really is."
Sylvie took another sip of her wine and nodded her head, "Yeah, it is. So what about you? How's everything in Chicago? I mean, I know we talk every day, but somehow I feel like you leave a lot out."
"Well, you may be right about that. I don't like to tell you everything about shift just because I don't want to worry you too much."
"Matt, you know you can always tell me anything. I mean how can you say that when you've let me dump everything on you these past couple weeks."
Matt nods his head and enjoys the comfortable silence that settles between the two for a few minutes. "Hey, do you want to dance?"
Sylvie looks up at him with a surprised look. "I didn't really figure you for the dancing type."
Matt stands up and throws his hand down to her, "I'm full of surprises. Come on."
Sylvie grabs his hand and lets him pull her up. They make their way to the dancefloor and start to sway the second their bodies slide together and connect. The moment seems magical. It seems like it's just the two of them in the room. The only person they each see is each other. They dance straight through for a couple more songs after that. No words are spoken and the only thing heard was the music and each other's breathing.
They spent a little while longer dancing before Sylvie stopped them and said she had to run to the bathroom. Matt returned to the bar and started drinking a bottle of water when Kyle walked up and started talking to him.
"Matt, it's great to see you. How have you been? We weren't expecting you."
Matt sat his water down and turned to Kyle to shake his hand, "Hey. Ugh, no. Sylvie actually invited me as her date."
"Sylvie?" Asked Kyle before he motioned to the bartender to bring him a bottle of water also.
"Uh, yeah. She called me earlier this week and here I am I guess."
"Hey, how is she? There seems to be something different about her. You know?"
Matt nodded and turned his attention to his water in front of him, "Eh, she's fine. Just give her some time and she'll be better."
Kyle gave a skeptical look to Matt and was about to say something but before he could get the words out he spotted Hope making her way over to him. "Hey, I always knew there was something between the two of you. Just take care of her will ya?"
Matt shook Kyle's hand again and said, "Will do."
Just as Kyle and Hope made their way back to the dancefloor, Sylvie came out of the bathroom and found Matt.
"Hey, what do you say to getting out of here a little early. I think I have more than fulfilled my bridesmaid duties for the day."
Matt smiled at her cute, tired, sleepy face before he agreed with her and they made their way towards the parking lot.
"So, I'll follow you to your parents' house?"
Sylvie shook her head and continued to walk towards Matt's truck, "Actually, Riley surprised me and showed up at my parents today before I left, so I just had her give me a lift. Is that okay?"
"Of course. You can just direct the way."
"Perfect." Smiled Sylvie before Matt jumped in front of her and got the truck door for her.
Sylvie couldn't help but think about how Matt was always such a gentleman with her.
The ride to her parents' house was a joyful one. They chatted and Sylvie told many stories from her childhood while also directing Matt. He enjoyed it just as much as she did. He loved every second of learning more about her.
"Wow, this is it?"
Sylvie chuckled and nodded her head. "Yeah, this is it. I mean it's not much but my parents do have plans to hopefully add more on to it; they want a couple more guest bedrooms for when family comes to visit."
Matt started at the house in awe. It was perfect to him. It was everything you picture when talking about a small farmhouse with tons of acres around it. To him, it screamed Sylvie.
Even in the dark Matt could tell how cute the house was. He quickly parked his truck where Sylvie directed then hopped out and grabbed his duffle bag out of the back.
As soon as they got in the house, Matt felt such an overwhelming homey feeling it was insane. He had never felt so at home before in someone else's home.
Though, as soon as they got in the house Sylvie locked all the doors and double-checked that they were locked before she would step away from them. That was still something she was having a really hard time with. Annie explained that every victim felt that overwhelming urge to try and secure their safety.
"Hey, you want me to give you a quick tour?"
Matt looked at Sylvie and immediately agreed. "Sure."
"Great. I just have to get these shoes off my feet they are killing me."
Matt chuckled and helped Sylvie balance while she took her heels off.
"Thank you," Smiled Sylvie as she leaned down to get her discarded heel.
"You are very welcome." They smiled at each other for a few seconds before Sylvie grabbed his hand and started leading him through the house.
Matt was amazed by it all. He had never been in a house before that had such character and charm. Now he knew where Sylvie got her love for HGTV from.
"Okay, and this will be your room for the night. I figured it would be much better than the couch."
Matt nodded and sat his bag down on the bed. "This will be perfect, Sylvie. You didn't have to go through so much trouble for me."
"No, it wasn't any trouble at all. I just wanted you to be comfortable."
"Well, thank you. This will be perfect."
Sylvie nodded and just stood there for a few seconds not saying anything.
Matt looked up from his bag, he was going through, and gave her a worried look, "Hey, you okay? Is something wrong?"
Sylvie met his eyes and shook her head a little before she responded, "Um...no..I was...I was just wondering if it would be okay if I sleep with you tonight? I mean I know it's weird with you here and all, and I can totally sleep in my room...I just haven't been sleeping very well lately, and I've been having these really horrible dreams here lately and…"
"Sylvie, stop."
Sylvie stopped her rambling and looked up at Matt.
"Of course you can sleep with me tonight. I thought you said when I asked in our texts that you were sleeping fine and that the nightmares had stopped."
Sylvie cringed and sat down on the corner of the bed. "I may have lied, but I just didn't want to worry you."
"Sylvie, you could have told me, I would have…"
"Matt, you can't do anything about them. They're just dreams. I've just gotta learn to get over them."
Matt nodded and watched her go off to get ready for bed. He stripped and got in his pjs before she came back and climbed into bed with him. Once they were covered in blankets and snuggled together, Sylvie rolled over and laid her head on his chest.
"Hey, Matt,"
"Yeah, Syl?"
"I really miss you."
"I really miss you too."
Thanks to all who comment/review! What did you think!?
Again, sorry for any typos, misspellings, or anything like that. I write late at night without my glasses on, lol.
Thanks again for reading and the support!
Stay safe and healthy!
