Chapter 1 – House Hunters

It was the day after Cruz´s wedding when Sylvie woke up alone in their apartment. Foster had stayed the night at a friends house and Cruz slept the night at a hotel with his new wife to celebrate their first night as a married couple. She knew that she would soon have to say goodbye to this apartment. The apartment that they first rented with Otis and Cruz and that held so many memories. Plus she really liked her room, the kitchen and the location of it. However Foster would soon start medical school and Cruz will move out to start his new life with Chloe.

Since Sylvie had no other plans for the day she made herself some coffee, turned on the TV and sat on the living room couch with her laptop. She opened up all her favourite real-estate pages and started browsing for apartments in Chicago.

At any other time she would be thrilled to be hunting for a new place to live since she has seen so many episodes of House Hunters that she could basically work as a realtor if she wanted to. But recently her life was just too chaotic and this just seemed to be another thing that would change her life completely.

Hours passed and Sylvie found some great places that seemed promising and within her price range. She made a Excel sheet for the listings and wrote down her qualifications for the new apartment. She was looking for a 1-2 bedroom apartment that was close to the firehouse so she didn't have to travel too far for work. Also she wanted it to look and feel like home, have a nice fireplace she could sit and drink cocoa during cold winter season. She also liked it to have lots of natural light and nice hard-wood floors.

Since it was Sunday and she had work tomorrow Sylvie figured she would contact the owners during shift and go apartment hunting on her days off. She wrote down the numbers and closed her laptop. Just then Foster arrived home still in her dress from the wedding.

Sylvie just got up from the couch and said ''Hi! Looks like you had a great evening''

Emily threw her bag and keys on the kitchen counter and smiled at her roommate. ''It was fantastic! Just what I needed before starting medical school again. How was your night? Last I saw you and the captain were having fun at the dance floor''. Emily smirked. She knew Brett and Casey were oblivious to the way how close they are.

Sylvie smiled at the memory. ''Last night was great! Matt is a very good dancer. I really needed a fun night after all that has happened''

''You really did. And I still think that you should just jump Casey already'' Emily said and pointed a finger at Sylvie.

Sylvie laughed ''You know I can't! We're just friends''

Emily rolled her eyes ''Yeah, until you jump him''

Now it was Sylvies turn to roll her eyes. She did not want to continue this conversation so she said '' I have a spin class in an hour. Want to join me or you have other plans?''

Emily sighed. ''I'm sorry, I can't join you today. I need to start packing since I have to move out in a few weeks. But you have fun and say hi to Olivia for me''

''Okay. Have fun packing!'' Sylvie said and went to her room to start getting ready.

...

The next morning she and the rest of second shift were back on duty. She knew it was Cruz's first shift as a married man and so she decided to surprise everyone at Firehouse 51 with homemade cupcakes. She arrived 15 minutes early to shift to get everything ready.

Sylvie was sitting in the common room drinking her coffee and reading a newspaper when people started to arrive to the firehouse. She had an extra cupcake next to her as she explained to everyone that she wanted to surprise Cruz. She did not even see him, but she felt it when Matt Casey, captain of firehouse 51, arrived to the entrance of the common room. Sylvie last saw him at Cruz's wedding two days ago, but she was happy to see him again. She stood up and handed him a cupcake ''Good morning, Captain'' she said smiling to Matt.

Matt looked at her surprised ''Good morning, Sylvie! Thank you, whats the cupcake for?''

''Oh, its Cruz's first shift as a married man and I thought it would be a great idea to surprise him with some homemade cupcakes.'' Sylvie said

Matt took a bite of the cupcake and did not even finish chewing before letting out a moan ''Wow, this is really good! Thanks, Sylvie'' He patted her shoulder and went to his officers quarter to put away his stuff before the morning briefing with Boden.

The rest of the day Ambulance 61 had some wellness checks and traumas so she did not have time to call to set up meetings for the apartment listings she had gathered. It was already evening and way too late to start calling the contacts. Sylvie walked and sighed heavily holding her phone. Matt walked past her and asked ''What's wrong?''

''Oh, nothing. I've just had such a busy day that I didn't get to call to set up meetings to find me a new apartment. You know since both Cruz and Foster are moving away soon'' Sylvie said.

''You know, I could help you with that. Between calls we can go to my office and call the numbers. And then after shift I can come apartment hunting with you. As a constructor I can help see what needs fixing'' Matt said feeling hopeful she would say yes.

Sylvie smiled at Matt ''You would do that? Thank you so much. It would be great. I'd really appeciate it. I can be great at looking up listings, but I really dont have a clue when it comes to construction''

''Sure. No problem. '' replied Matt. Just then the alarm went off.

Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61. Car accident on W 51st street.

Matt and Sylvie looked at each other and started running toward the rigs.

Ambulance 61 was the last to get back, since they needed take the victim to Chicago Med and stock up on supplies. It was around dinner time they got back. Emily and Sylvie were sitting in the common room eating dinner when Matt came to the room. He stopped to refill his coffee and said ''Brett, I have a spare moment to help you with those apartment listings if you want''

Sylvie looked up to him and said ''Yeah, sounds good. I'll be there in a minute''

Matt nodded and walked back to his quarters.

Stella Kidd who was also sitting at the round table with the girls looked stunned and asked ''What was that about?'' Foster sitting next to Kidd looked at Sylvie and smiled.

''It was nothing. Casey just offered to help me with the apartment listings. Since Foster and Cruz are moving out soon I wont be able to afford the apartment by myself'' Sylvie shrugged.

''Ah, offered to help. Interesting'' Kidd smiled and winked at Foster next to her who started laughing.

''Stop it you two'.' Sylvie said as she finished her dinner and left the table to put her dishes in the dishwasher and started walking towards Matt's officer quarters.

Matt was just finishing his paperwork when Sylvie knocked and asked if she can come in. Matt stood up and gestured Sylvie to sit on his bed as he said ''Okay. Let's get started. What have you found and where to you want to start?''

Sylvie sat on Matt's bed and gave him a piece of paper that had 2 listing on it. ''I found 5 listings I would like to visit. You can call these 2 and I'll call the rest. It would be greatt if I can go see the apartments after shift''

''Sounds like a plan'' Matt said and sat on his table.

They both called through the listings and unfortunately they were able to get only three meetings, since two were already rented out. Sylvie knew she had to act fast with these listings since good apartments in Chicago went away fast. After her last call she sighed ''I really hope one of these listings will turn out to be right''

Matt looked at her and said ''I'm sure it will. Which one do you wan to see first?''

''I think the 1 bedroom apartment with the fireplace. It's close to the firehouse and I like it the most'' Sylvie said looking at the paper that had the information on it.

''Great! Right after shift we can go by and see if you'll like it. I'll follow you there'' Matt said.

Sylvie got up from the bed and walked to the door. ''Thank you again for your help. I'll get my stuff ready and meet you at the address'' She smiled at him before opening the door.

Rest of the night was uneventful. Sylvie read a book on her bed and got some rest. She woke up the next morning, showered and packed her stuff at the locker. She said goodbye to her friends and got to her car to drive to the first address where she knew she would meet Casey.

She arrived first and stayed in her car to look at the information on the listing. She had a few questions to the owner ready in mind when she saw Casey parking his truck. She got up to greet him and they went inside.

The visit went really well. The apartment checked all the qualifications she had for the apartment. It was in a nice district and even had a fireplace. She could already see herself coming home from a shift and sitting on a couch near a fireplace, sipping on hot cocoa. Matt had some questions to the landlord about some shelving and minor plumbing issues. Sylvie looked at the man next to her and couldn't help but smile.

As they left the apartment and got to their cars Matt said ''You know I can help you fix the plumbing and install some extra shelving. No costs''

Sylvie looked up to him ''Are you sure? You have already done so much''

''Absolutely. It's no big deal.'' Matt said flashing Sylvie a big smile.

''Well the least I can do is cook you dinner.'' Sylvie said smiling back and added ''I don't take no for an answer''

''Dinner sounds like a fair play. Let me know when I can come help'' Matt said while escorting Sylvie to her car.

''Sure thing. Thank you again for coming with me. See you next shift'' Sylvie opened the car door, got in and waved. Matt waved back and started walking towards his car.