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: Hello! Thank you to everyone who is still here with me! You have no idea how much I appreciate you all. Quick Note - I know a lot of you are ready for me to speed things up and have Owen to be caught, but trust me I have a plan for this story and I know where I'm going. Lol! Just hang with me, I plan for this story to be a long one for our favorite couple.

Lol, I think some of you are going to hate the ending!

Thanks for reading!

Song (On Wattpad): Heart In My Hands by Andreya Triana

Chapter Seventeen: Not All Surprises are Good


That kiss set the bar for both Sylvie and Matt. Neither of them had ever felt that before. Not with Hallie, Gabby, Antonio, or Kyle. It was different and special.

Sylvie's heart thumped as she read her morning text from Matt. She couldn't believe that it had already been a month since he was last there and they kissed.

He's called and texted her every day since. They usually spend an hour or two on the phone regardless of if he's on shift or not. Both Matt and Sylvie talk a lot while he's sitting at his desk doing paperwork. They've been interrupted by the bells a few times, but he usually calls her back as soon as he gets back from the call no matter what time it is since he doesn't want her worrying.

Both of them feel like they're in some magical, whirlwind fairy tale. Every time they see a call or text from each other their bodies react like teenagers seeing their first love.

They tried to keep it under wraps but the people around them knew something was up. They were both way too giddy and smiley. And, everyone at the firehouse was happy for them. Yeah, it may have been a little weird to get used to it at first, since it was always Gabby and Matt, but now it was Sylvie and Matt; and they liked that.

The month that passed had a lot of ups and downs for Sylvie. One minute she was fine and like herself before the rape, then another minute she was sat on the floor with her knees to her chest and bawling her eyes out. Annie assured her that all of those actions and emotions were a hundred percent expected from a recovering victim who is going undergoing therapy. She tried to accept the rape and not hide from it as much as she could, but it was hard. Everywhere she went she felt like she had it written on her forehead that she was raped.

It was hard, but she was getting through it. If she knew one thing, it was that she was immensely grateful for the people that the rape had brought into her life. One of those people being Sasha who she spoke to almost daily.

They would usually talk for about thirty minutes a day and Sasha would fill her in from everything top to bottom about her case. While there was no new progress on where Owen was, Sasha did tell Sylvie that there was a new lead she was trying to pursue. When Sylvie first heard that her heart stopped in her chest. She didn't know how to feel. She was angry, scared, and traumatized. She wanted him off the streets as soon as possible.

Matt liked that Sasha kept Sylvie in the loop whenever she learned anything. He felt confident that Sasha would find Owen and give Sylvie the justice she deserved.

He hated not being able to see Sylvie during the month they were apart after the wedding. It honestly felt like the longest month of his life. He wanted to ask her when she was coming back, but every time he started the question he didn't have the heart to finish it. He wanted her to come back when she was ready. So he waited.

Sylvie surprised him when she told him that she had signed up for a kickboxing and self-defense class in the next town over. He knew she loved to work out, but this just didn't seem like her type of workout. From what Sylvie told him it seemed very intense. He tried to talk her out of it and maybe suggest a more low-key class like Yoga and Pilates, but she told him that she liked the classes. They made her feel stronger and they made her feel like she could protect herself if she ever needed to again. Matt dropped the subject after she told him that. He never wanted her to feel weak or helpless again.

And Sylvie loved Matt for that. He was always there in her corner when she needed him.

Her parents hadn't met Matt yet, but they already loved him. They loved the smile Sylvie had when she spoke about him. She seemed like her old excited self. Her parents lived for her smile right now. Both felt that when she first came home they had lost their little girl and now she was back. They couldn't be more grateful for Matt.

And, they had originally planned to extend their trip by a few weeks but both of them decided that they needed to go home and be there for Sylvie. And Sylvie loved that. She felt so close to both of her parents right now.

"Sylvie, dear, can you please hand me that knife?"

Sylvie looked up from her pie dough and smiled at her mom, "Of course. Here, mom."

Carol Brett grinned at her daughter and felt her heart swell from joy. She couldn't remember the last time she and Sylvie had spent the whole afternoon baking. "So, how is Matthew? Have you spoken to him today?"

Sylvie laughed at her mom and continued to knead her apple pie dough, "Mom, first of all, he goes by Matt. And, yes he called me this morning when he left the firehouse on the way to one of his construction jobs."

"Do you think he's planning on coming back to Fowlerton so that Dad and I can meet him?"

"Mom," Blushed Sylvie as red started to paint her cheeks. "We haven't really discussed our relationship yet. I don't even know if we would be considered boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Sylvie, the way you two talk I'm surprised your father and I haven't had to surgically remove the phone from your hand."

Sylvie looks at her mom and then shakes her head as a small laugh comes out. "I don't know, mom. I just...I really like him."

Carol Brett looked in her daughter's eyes and she knew Sylvie was serious. Maybe Matt was the one for her?

"Sylvie, I need to ask you something?" Said Carol in a serious voice as she set her rolling pin down and walked over to the kitchen table where she took a seat next to Sylvie.

"Is everything okay?" Questioned Sylvie worriedly as she cleaned up her area and wiped her hands of flour.

"Yes, honey. I just want to talk to you and see how you are. I know you said that Annie has really helped, but I just want to make sure that you're not suffering in silence anymore."

Sylvie took a breath and gave her mother a sad smile, "Mom, I promise I'm doing a lot better. Annie has really helped me accept what happened and taught me how to deal with it."

"Your father and I just worry about you, Sylvie Bell."

"I know, mama. I'm sorry I waited to tell you both about it. I should have called you when I told you everyone else."

"Don't be sorry, Sylvie. You had to deal with it in your own way. Your father and I are not angry, we're just happy that you're doing so much better."

Sylvie smiled and grabbed her mom's hand, "Me too, mom."

Carol nodded and squeezed Sylvie's hand, "So, one more thing on the agenda."

"Okay," Laughed Sylvie.

"Not that your father and I are rushing you or anything because we have genuinely enjoyed having you here with us during this time, but when do you think that you will be ready to go back to Chicago?"

"Well, I actually wanted to talk to you both about that."

Carol Brett listened to her daughter and worried, "You are going back aren't you?"

"I am. I promise." Encouraged Sylvie, "I just...I think I'm going to go ahead and go back this weekend."

"Really?" Smiled Carol as she beamed at her daughter. "Sylvie, are you sure. If you think you need more time that is totally fine."

"I'm sure. I'm actually excited to go back and see everyone."

Carol smiled and wiped away one of the tears that had fallen off of her cheek, "Sylvie, I am so proud of you. You know that Dad and I will always be here for you, right?"

Sylvie nodded and gave a teary smile, "I know, mom. I love you both for that."

They both sat there and smiled and laughed for a little while longer before they jumped back up and started working on their mini apple pies again.

"Syl, we better finish these before your father gets home from his fishing trip. I promised him I would have one with vanilla ice cream on top waiting for him when he got home."

Sylvie smiled and was about to respond to her mother when she heard her phone ding beside her. She craned her neck and smiled immediately when she saw who had sent her a text.

Hey. How's your day going? I have to run to two more jobs today before I can go home. I'll try to call you tonight one I get back to the loft. xMatt

Her heart fluttered and swelled as she read his sweet text. She wished she could see him. Oh, she missed him so much it almost physically hurt her.

She was about to respond to his text when an idea popped in her head.

"Mom?" She asked hesitantly before she sent a quick text to Matt and plugged her phone back up to the wall.

Carol looked up from her mixing and smiled at Sylvie, "Yes, honey?"

"What would you think about me going back to Chicago tonight?"

"Tonight?" Squealed Carol as she set her spoon down and walked back over to Sylvie. "I thought you said you were thinking about leaving this weekend."

"I am...I just..I really miss Matt. And, I thought it would be really great if I left today and surprised him tonight."

"You really like him don't you?"

Sylvie blushed and smiled at her mother, "Mom, I think...I love him."

Carol smiled and patted her daughter's arm, "Well, you better go and get to packing then."

Sylvie jumped up and squealed. "Thank you, mom. I love you."

Carol grinned and watched as Sylvie grabbed her phone and raced up the stairs so that she could start packing.

Sylvie's sure that she had never packed that fast in her life. She looked like a tornado sweeping through her room picking everything up. By the time everything was packed up and picked out of the washer, Sylvie's dad made it home and they told him about Sylvie's plan to head back to Chicago. At first, he took her mother's side and wanted her to stay until the weekend, but then he saw how happy his little girl was and he helped her pack up her car.

"Oh, Sylvie, promise us that you will be careful and come back home if you need to."

Sylvie walked over and hugged her mother, "I promise, mom. Thank you for letting me stay so long. I really needed it."

"Anytime, sweety."

Sylvie let go of her mom then walked over to hug her father who had just put her last bag in the car.

"Remember not to drive too fast, it's almost deer season and they are all over the road."

Sylvie smiled and squeezed her father even tighter, "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, baby girl. Be careful."

"I will," Whispered Sylvie before she gave them both one final wave and got in her car.

The drive out of Fowlerton was an emotional one for Sylvie. She was happy to be going back to Chicago, but she just felt so different. She hoped and prayed that her life would continue to keep moving forward and not backward once she got back.

During the drive, Sylvie made sure to call Annie and tell her about the change in plans. Annie was completely understanding and excited for Sylvie. They both agreed that Sylvie was ready to go back to work and that they would continue Sylvie's sessions via phone and Zoom calls.

Sylvie was so nervous and excited during the drive she was afraid she was going to drive off the side of the road. But, she kept her cool and made surprisingly good time.

The second she got to Chicago she felt like she was returning home. Everything on the side of the streets seemed to be screaming and waving at her. She couldn't believe she had managed to stay away for so long.

The first thing she did when she pulled onto the familiar roads she had now been driving for five years was call her parents and let them know that she had arrived safely. Both of them were thrilled and relieved that she made it there okay.

When Sylvie hung up the phone she couldn't believe how lucky and loved she was. She would forever be eternally grateful for the people in her life who had helped her through this.

As she made her way to Kelly's loft she couldn't help the nerves that bloomed in her stomach. She was so excited to see Matt. Their kiss played over in her mind like a clip on a loop. She couldn't wait to see him and smell him, honestly. He just had this very Matt Casey manly smell about him. She put off washing the guest bed sheets for days after he left Fowlerton because of how much they smelt like him.

When she pulled up to the loft her nerves were starting to bubble up even more. You would think it was her first day of Kindergarten or something the way she kept checking herself in the mirror.

She smiled as she parked behind Stella's jeep. She knew that she and Severide had left this morning after shift to go to his father's old hunting cabin, so it was just going to be her and Matt tonight. Maybe they could actually talk about their feelings and where they see the relationship going.

She parked the car then decided to give Matt a quick call and see what he was doing before she went in to surprise him. She knew he was there because she saw his truck. She dialed the phone and sat there while it ringed. The street lights illuminated the inside of her whole car.

"Hmmm.." Whispered Sylvie as she pulled the phone away from her ear and pressed end. He didn't answer. That's weird. He always answers, day or night whether he's on shift or not. Maybe he's just in the shower. Or didn't make it to his phone in time.

Sylvie shook off her worries and got out of the car. Every step she took she felt her worries starting to melt away. How could she be nervous around that man? He was amazing. He had seen her at her lowest of lows, there was nothing to be worried about. Right?

When Sylvie finally made it to the loft's front door she stopped and took a breath. Nothing could beat the way she was feeling right now. She waited for a few more seconds, then took her hand and gave three big knocks on the front door. She heard some shifting around then someone unlocked the door and slid it open.

Sylvie had the biggest smile on her face until she saw who was behind the door.

"Gabby?"


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!