A/N: Hey guys! I am so, so sorry for the wait on this chapter but for a while I had about zero inspiration for it. Hopefully you forgive me? Anyways, I cant promise many chapters in rapid fire succession like with my story 'Home is Where the Heart is' but hopefully I will be able to continue with this story. At the moment I would like to dedicate this chapter to 'Twin of a sister,' who sort of unknowingly kicked my butt into gear.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Chicago Fire. I own Adrian, Rowan and Daelyn but other than that nope. Anything recognizable belongs to their proper owner.
Listening carefully for the sound of the dryer as she worked at the stove, Daelyn eyed her sister in her peripheral, watching as Rowan meticulously read through and marked a stack of essays. With Maroon 5's song "Daylight" playing from her sister's iHome, Daelyn fought a yawn as she stirred a sprig of thyme into the simmering pot of homemade red sauce. With the digital clock over the stove displaying that it was nearing seven in the evening she lowered the heat on the range top, turning the burner beneath the vat of pasta to 'warm' before she reached for the chrome pot. Her colander already in the sink she nudged Thor out of the way with her foot, draining the spaghetti she'd made for supper.
Smiling to herself as she listened to Adrian and Rowan clearing the table and setting it for dinner Daelyn retransferred the pasta in order to mix it with her sauce, the front door opening and closing as she tossed the two together. Hearing the familiar sound of work boots on hardwood, Adrian's excited squeal and Thor's yipping Daelyn didn't bother to glance over her shoulder, already knowing that it was Matt. Hefting the pot of pasta to the table and setting it on a hot plate, a serving spoon already in it, she returned for the side salad while calling directions over her shoulder.
"Ro, can you please take out the pitcher of water for me? And Matt, please wash up, supper is just about set!"
In the month that she'd been in Chicago, Daelyn had taken over the Casey households kitchen and laundry room, spending her days writing in between loads of laundry, making dinner or baking, and finishing up the minuet details of the upcoming wedding. Satisfied when she heard the downstairs bathroom's sink running she set the platter of garlic bread onto the table with a nod of approval, seating herself opposite Adrian on the right side of the table. Her bare feet dragged against the floor she drew her legs up, tucking her feet behind the bar spanning across the legs of her chair. Chuckling as Matt dropped a kiss on her forehead as he passed, much like he did with Adrian, she made a faux noise of disgust as he bent low and kissed Rowan square on the mouth, one of his hands holding her sister at the base of the neck. Threatening to set the hose on them, she began to dish out food as they pulled apart.
Silence descended past the initial thanks for the meal, the only sound being that of metal cutlery scraping against ceramic dishes and the dryer working a load of towels just a few feet down the hall. Warmed by both the presence of her family and the meal, Daelyn hardly glanced up when Matt coughed slightly, reaching for her glass of water as he began to talk about his day with Rowan. Tuned out of the conversation, she paused with her glass halfway to her mouth once more when she caught a particular bit of news. Asking Matt to repeat himself she froze.
"Eric Whaley has been transferred out of Fifty-One," Matt announced, swiping at a bit of sauce that clung to his jaw when Adrian pointed and giggled. "No one has said why, but Chief Bowden has announced that there will be a mandatory Sexual Harassment seminar next shift. If I had to wager a guess, I'd guess that would be it."
Her heartbeat thumping a thousand miles an hour, Daelyn exhaled sharply, the pasta she had just eaten began to rebel in her stomach. "So he's no longer a member of Fifty-One?"
Matt shook his head. "And from the way Chief was speaking, I'd take it he's not allowed back on the premises." He cocked his head, watching her. "You alright, Spence?"
Figuratively stomping on her nausea, Daelyn nodded. "Absolutely fan-friggin-tastic. How'd Squad take to their newest member catching the boot?"
"Something tells me Severide was probably the one who spoke to Chief. He and Shay definitely looked happy to see him go."
Humming under her breath, Daelyn bowed her head and said a silent prayer, forcing herself to eat and then turning in early, brushing off the worried glances she was receiving. For the first night in two weeks, she slept comfortably and straight through the night.
Nervously tweaking the hem of her skirt as she paused outside of Firehouse 51, Daelyn swallowed thickly and pushed aside the little voice at the back of her mind telling her that this was a mistake. Nudging the heavy side door open, she traced the familiar hallways until she'd reached the break room, hesitating in the doorway as she watched the majority of the men gather around for a showing of Remember The Titans, some of them talking about the Sexual Harassment seminar from earlier that shift. Debating how to handle the situation, she silently moved towards Shay, who stood near the kitchen island, her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee while she shook her head at the guys. Quickly clearing her throat, Daelyn fidgeted with the end of her braid as the blonde turned to her.
"Hi," Daelyn said softly, her nose wrinkling slightly. "Do you and Kelly have a moment to talk?"