A/N SO here's chapter three of A Controlled Burn. For those also reading Image in the Flames, I'm hoping for an update by the end of the week by I've hit a bit of a snag. Writer's block is a bitch. Have a good week!- Alisabeth
Bopping along with her headphones in, Daelyn danced around the kitchen Monday morning, her hips swaying as she belted out the chorus of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." Kicking off her slippers as she spun around, she sliced her butter knife through the jelly and spread it across her toasted English muffin, atop the creamy peanut butter that already decorated her breakfast. Shimmying her shoulders as she set the rinsed knife in the sink she picked up her plate, turning to sit at the table and shrieking in surprise. Leaning against the counter top, Rowan smirked, hands wrapped around a still steaming mug of coffee. Setting her breakfast on the table Daelyn paused the intro to Blake Shelton's "Sure Be Cool If You Did," turning her iPod off and removing her headphones.
"What the hell Ro, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" she exclaimed, flushing head to toe as she saw her niece stifling her giggles. Swallowing thickly she plopped into a comfortable wooden chair, hand to her chest as if to slow her pounding heart.
Rounding the granite topped island in the center of the kitchen, Rowan sipped at her mug. "Good morning to you too starshine," she greeted sarcastically as she sat opposite her younger sister. "Thanks for the morning concert."
Inconspicuously shooting the bird when Adrian was pouring her Lucky Charms Daelyn glared. "You're welcome." Biting into her muffin she darted her tongue out quickly to catch runaway jelly. "What's on the agenda for today?" Helping Adrian to steady the milk jug as she poured, Daelyn waited.
Shifting around to get comfortable, Rowan reached into her large shoulder bag and pulled out a thick three ring binder, bits of paper already sticking out and colorful sticky tabs lining the opening. Written neatly along the spine in a delicate, feminine scrawl was 'The Wedding Binder: Matt and Rowan.' Placing it at the center of the table, Rowan sighed, flipping the cover open to reveal an incredibly organized binder.
"A lot. These are all the notes, ideas or concepts Matt and I have come up with. They're organized by what they are and then importance," Rowan explained, motioning to the book. Reaching into the pocket at the front of the binder she pulled out a slip of soft pink paper, a mix of chicken scratch and loopy cursive marking up the page. "These are your official bridesmaid duties. You sure you're ready?"
Plucking the sheet away with her eye brows raised, Daelyn shared a funny look with Adrian who wrinkled her nose. Scanning the sheet she blinked rapidly to clear her fuzzy vision, squinting so she could see a little better while not wearing her glasses.
Daelyn's Bridesmaid Duties:-call around for reception halls (deets and requirements listed in binder)
-Find a relatively cheap bakery (unless you want to make the cake)
-Find your bridesmaid dress (any style; color swatch in binder)
-Place cards (expected guest list in binder)
-Wedding playlist including songs (listed in binder; on main computer)
Drawing a breath through her teeth Daelyn hissed, exhaling slowly. "Does all this need to be done today?"
Rowan shook her head quickly. "Gosh no, this is your overall list. Today I was hoping you could look into reception halls, bakeries and start the place cards." She glanced down at her watch. "I need to get to work but if you'll drop me off at the train station, you can have the car for today. Please remember to walk and pick Adrian up from the bus stop. All the information is on the fridge." Frazzled Rowan turned repeatedly, gathering things and ditching others on each turn.
Chuckling, Daelyn shook her head. "Take the car. I'll walk her down and walk her back. Other than that I'll be in for the day. I'll have my phone on me incase I do go out but I probably wont." Gripping her sister by the biceps she shook her a little. "Breath!"
Inhaling and exhaling Rowan nodded, smoothing out the high waisted slacks she wore. "I'm breathing. Alright, I've got to go." Dropping a kiss on both of her companions foreheads, she pinched the bridge of her nose, placing her mug in the sink and shouldering her bag. "Love you both!" Darting out the door, her heels echoed on the hardwood.
Chewing slowly, Daelyn looked the list over once more and starred the ones that she needed to do today. Making a marginal note she took another bite. "You're mother's insane," she remarked as Adrian slurped at the remaining milk in her bowl.
Swiping at her milk mustache, Adrian shrugged. "I know. Aunt Daelyn, the bus will be at the corner in fifteen minutes, can you get dressed?"
Finishing her breakfast Daelyn laughed. "Give me ten and we'll walk down. Do you buy lunch or did your dad make one for you before he left?"
Adrian smirked, pausing on her way to brush her teeth. "Daddy packed me left over stew for lunch." Running up the stairs, she cackled as Daelyn sputtered. The last of the stew was going to school with her niece?
Pouting she set their dishes in the sink, making a note to wash them upon her return as she shuffled along to her residence in the guest room. Kicking the door shut behind her while she stripped out of her pajamas, she was thankful that she'd showered the night before, wiggling into a pair of comfortable shorts and a tank top with a plaid top over it, left partially buttoned. Toeing on the pair of black TOMS she'd brought along, she tugged a brush through her long, thick hair. Braiding it loosely over her left shoulder, she pocketed her cell phone, her ID and some cash, checking her clock.
"Adrian, we've got to go!" she called out as she slid down the railing of the stairway, leashing Thor once she'd hit the landing. Attaching the spare house key that had been made for her to her ball link chain, she tapped her foot as Adrian thundered down the stairs connected to the kitchen, snagging her lunch box and stuffing it into her 'Avengers' backpack as she rushed to the front door.
"Ready," she wheezed as she shouldered her bag, patting Thor as she passed to stand on the porch.
Locking up while struggling to hold onto the shepherd, Daelyn huffed. This was more difficult than she'd thought. Successfully hearing the lock secure and the alarm activate, she hurried down the steps and down to the corner were Adrian was headed, catching up quickly and arriving just as the big yellow school bus pulled up. Waving as Adrian got into line to board, Daelyn fought a grimace. She'd hated riding the school bus growing up.
"Remember Addie, I'll have my phone on all day if you need anything," she said softly as her niece passed by. Returning the thumbs up she got in response she watched the bus pull away, waiting until it was out of sight to look at the dog. "Well Thor, do you wanna go visit Matt?" Getting barked at she conceded, taking the route that Rowan had pointed out that went from their house to the station three blocks away.
Unsure of whether or not Thor would be welcomed into the stationhouse, Daelyn hesitated beside the entrance that they'd used a few days earlier, eyeing the door unsurely and jumping when deep, male laughter came from her left. Swallowing thickly as she looked over, she relaxed slightly when she saw Lieutenant Severide, thankful that it was him rather than that Whaley guy. He just gave her the creeps. Brushing a wayward strand of raven hair from her face she smiled shyly when Kelly stepped closer, a smile making his blue eyes dance.
"He's welcome inside, ya know. Just as long as he doesn't piss on the floor," he grinned, crouching to play with the dog's ears, gently tugging the leash from her hands. "Do you want to come in?"
Flushing much to her embarrassment she agreed, following him and relinquishing the K9 to him. Unconsciously allowing her eyes to drift south, they shot back up after a moment of observing his derriere. Hmm. Not bad, at all. Fighting a cringe at the loud greetings she received she waved shyly, shrinking closer to Kelly as Eric stepped closer. Relaxing as he stepped away she shrieked as someone came up behind her, wrapping her in a bear hug.
"Shay! Put Daelyn down" demanded Matt, appearing from where the offices and bunks were. His eyes dancing he looped an arm around Daelyn's shoulders, separating her from the paramedic. "What are you doing here, Spence?"
Gah, she hated that nickname. "Figured I'd stop by after bringing Addie to the bus. I'm not quiet awake enough to start on the list Ro left." Two could play that game. "How's shift, Macy?"
Matt's grin turned to a glare. "Stop calling me that," he near whined.
"Macy? Spence?" Dawson repeated, nibbling on an apple.
Daelyn nodded. "Matt Casey; Macy," she reiterated.
Matt elbowed her in the side. "And Spence as in Spencer Reid, from Criminal Minds."
It was her turn to glare. "Just because I graduated early doesn't mean I'm some freaky genius kid," she protested, keeping the fact that she had been tested for her IQ when she was a kid. She was a proud 165.
"How early?" Mills questioned from where he was already beginning to cook something.
"Sixteen." She checked the time, just as a way to leave the conversation. "Well I'll let you guys get back to work and I guess I should begin to decrypt 'The Wedding Binder,'" she sighed, "wish me luck."
Various voices called out their well wishes as she paced across the room to retrieve the dog, arms crossed as she watched Kelly hold him like a furry, oversized infant. Rolling her eyes in amusement she waited, curious as he picked the dog up and carried Thor through the doors to the apparatus bay, leaving her to trail behind. Guffawing and waving over her shoulder at Matt who was chuckling she hurried after Kelly.
"Lieutenant Severide, he's a dog not a baby!" she called after him, missing the fact that he'd stopped short to let Thor hop to the ground. Bumping into him, she wrapped her arms around his trim waist to keep from falling, hands flat against his stomach as she grunted. "Sorry."
"No problem," Kelly grinned, straightening to full height. "I've got my own list to complete as Best Man, is there a time tomorrow where we can meet up to see what can be done together."
Shocked by his straight forwardness Daelyn awkwardly nodded. "Um, sure I guess." She paused. "Matt has my number so you can…"
"I'll grab it from him sometime before the end of shift and text you," Kelly filled in. "Careful walking home."
Thanking him as she began to leave the bay, she laughed when she heard him call out 'Good luck on your list.' Having seen what was expected she knew she'd need the luck. Feeling the breeze on her skin she inhaled the scent of a warm fall day. Perhaps coming out to Chicago would do her some good.