Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 19 – Old Games & New Friends

After the boys had gone to bed and their guests had left, Casey and Severide retire to the living room to just relax after an exciting day.

"Fits," Casey smirks as he puts the large Captain Hook hat onto his head.

"Feels a bit different than a fire helmet," Severide smirks as he takes a sip of his coffee.

"Heather said she emailed Hadley. Didn't say anything more and of course I wasn't going to ask but at least it's a start."

"Yeah I hope it works out…it's all so messed up for them and those two boys," Severide pauses as he glances at the quiet staircase that leads upstairs to the darkened rooms, "they deserve so much better than that."

"Will be hard to see them go after all this…year and a half…that's a long time to have them and just think they can go without it affecting us."

"You could always rent a few of your own," Severide snickers as Casey nods and smirks in return; his expression clouding over a few seconds later.

"Hallie and I had talked about kids before she left…I really wanted a family and she just wasn't ready. Then she left and I was…I was lost. When she came back we again talked and made a plan to put our careers first for a few years and then have a family. If she was here now…helping out with them…I know it would have only made our resolve to have them in a few years that much stronger. She would have loved all this."

"Yeah man…maybe," Severide offers softly as Casey looks up with a gentle frown. "Think Heather will stay around here when she's out?" Severide quickly changes the subject, not wanting Casey to dwell on misery or self-doubt about his future that was cut short with a woman who obviously still had his heart.

"I don't know. There's a lot of tough memories here but also a lot of good ones and she still has friends…and family," his voice dies out as he takes a sip of his coffee. "Maybe move? New house…new start?" Casey suggests with a shrug.

"But seeing the scene of the accident on a regular basis would be tough."

"But at least she'd be able to visit Jenny's grave is she wanted…along with Andy's of course," Casey tosses back as Severide nods in agreement. "Tough decision. But either way I hope she considers the boys first."

"And Hadley?"

The question is left in the air – unanswered as both just shrug and frown. There was no answer that would suffice as in reality neither knew what would become the fate of their former co-worker turned arsonist. Would he take the opportunity to make a new life for himself? Start fresh somewhere? Maybe reconnect with his half-sister when he was finally out of prison? Would he try to continue his vendetta, this time opting to end it for good rather than go back to jail a second time? Whatever Hadley's fate would be, they wouldn't know for a long time and by that time…would it still matter?

"Well I think it's time for Peter to get some sleep," Severide teases as he tosses Casey his hat, Casey's eyes gently fluttering awake.

"Long day," Casey mumbles as he puts the Peter Pan hat beside the Hook hat and both leave the living room, the lights going out downstairs, followed by the house a few moments later.

XXXXXXXX

"What's…all the commotion?" Severide asks with a yawn the following Sunday morning as he stumbles into the kitchen with a sleepy expression.

"It's snowing outside Uncle Kelly!" Ben exclaims loudly as he bounces up and down in front of the window. "It's snowing!"

"Goody," he retorts in sarcasm as Ben looks at him with a pout. Severide chuckles as he scoops the young boy up in his grasp and holds him up to the window, both looking outside and watching the large white flakes gently tumbling from the heavens and starting to blanket the back yard. "Winter's…finally here."

"What's going on?" Casey asks with a small yawn.

"Winter's here!"

"We're all going outside to play in the snow!" Griffin grins as Casey looks at Severide who nods at the same time as Ben.

"Snowball fight?"

"YAY!" Both little boys shout as they start jumping up and down, making the older ones laugh. The play was a spring production so that while they did have their own and the school's rehearsal schedule on the fridge, they were allowed a few days off – like today.

"But…not right now."

"Nooooo," Ben moans as he looks at Casey with a pout.

"After breakfast, this way we give the snow a chance to really pile up. We'll make some pancakes and…" Casey concludes as the smiles quickly return.

"Bacon. Oh if only everyone was so easy manipulated by the promise of bacon," Severide chuckles.

"Did you say bacon?" Casey retorts as Severide dangles the package before him.

"You want to shovel the walks later?" Severide teases as Casey snatches the bacon packet from his grasp.

"Funny," Casey deadpans as he heads for the stove to make the bacon, Severide reaching for the instant pancake mix and both boys already getting the plates onto the table. They all go about making breakfast as the snow continues to steadily fall outside, offering them a wintery arsenal for later; the four of them inside having breakfast but anxiously anticipating their playtime outside.

Finally that moment arrives – breakfast is consumed, the table cleaned and all the dishes are washed, dried and put away. The four of them reconvene in the small back porch area of Casey's home, dressed to go outside with boots, coats, hats, scarves and of course gloves and mittens.

"Snowball fight!" Ben shouts as he bounds down the stairs and jumps onto a patch of grass, rolling around in the snow in his snowsuit and looking up with a wide grin.

"Snow angels!" Griffin adds in a loud tone as he finds a clear patch of grass and starts to move his arms and legs in a uniform pattern before he holds up his hands for Casey to take, which he does and then is hoisted into the air and able to look down at the pattern he had made in the snow.

"You try Uncle Matt!"

"Uh I might not be able to get up," Casey replies as Griffin pouts. "Ok-ay," he gives in making Griffin grin from ear to ear. Knowing he'd have to change into drier pants later, Casey eases himself down onto a fresh part of the yard and makes a snow angel. "Now help me up."

"I can't. You're too heavy," Griffin retorts as Severide chuckles as he nears them.

"Looks like Peter's going to have to go a diet before he can't fit into that tunic."

"Just help me up," Casey grumbles as he extends his hand. Severide extends his hand and grasps Casey's just as Ben stumbles backward and forces Severide to tumble forward, landing on Casey; both of them offering a grunt.

"You killed his angel!" Griffin laughs as Casey looks up with a frown.

"You killed my angel," Casey pouts as Severide snickers and tries to get off. But Casey moves at the same time and Severide slumps back down in a jumble of arms and legs.

"Nice try junior," Severide grins as he tries to pin one of Casey's arms above his head while he tries to get up first. However, not wanting to be bested, Casey tosses his right leg over Severide's left and pushes him back down to his belly.

"You were saying…grandpa?" Casey chortles as he tries to push himself away from the limb melee. Severide grabs his boots and pulls him back; the two younger boys standing a few feet away and cheering them both on.

"Oh yeah?" Severide laughs as he grabs Casey's arms and tries to flip him around, Casey slumping back onto his side as he tries to pull Severide back to the snowy earth and get up first. Severide tosses all his weight to his hip and pushes Casey back to the ground on his back; his frame draped over his belly.

"Speaking of heavy," Casey groans as he looks up at the boys with a mock horrified expression, making them laugh.

"Brawn always beats brains," Severide snickers as Casey's hand accidentally jerks his jacket free, touching Severide's bare side with his snow covered glove and forcing him to actually scream.

"You scream like a girl Uncle Kelly!" Ben laughs his head off.

"That stuff's damn cold!" Severide growls as he picks up a handful of snow and looks back down at Casey still pinned beneath him. "Payback time," he grins down at Casey's rosy expression.

But before he can get a face full of snow, Casey's legs kick out and force Severide to slip and his hand to send the snow back to the ground.

"Get up Uncle Matt! Get up!" Griffin urges as Casey finally manages to roll onto his belly and pull himself away. He gets to his knees just in time for Severide to lunge, forcing them to both hurl backward into a heap of snow. Just before the two of them can react they are both pounced on by the little boys, wanting to join the male wrestling match.

"Help I'm being buried," Casey tries to call out and laugh at the same time; Severide being pelted with small snowballs from the boys.

"I'm being attacked!" Severide tries to return fire, Casey flailing to get out from under the pile of bodies. Severide finally takes Ben in his grasp and hurls the snowball at Casey, catching him at the neck and forcing his mouth to taste melting ice.

"We got him!" Ben shouts with glee as Griffin hurls a snowball at Severide's head, forcing part of the mound to stick and the three of them to laugh as Severide makes a mock horrified expression that the woolen cap was ruined. Casey finally manages to get himself free of Severide's frame and hurries toward Griffin, pulling him behind the wheelbarrow that he had just put on its side, Severide and Ben taking shelter on one side of the shed.

"Loser makes dinner!" Severide calls out.

"The boys can't cook!" Casey retorts as they all laugh once more. His head pops up as he hurls a snowball at the tallest of the two targets, catching Severide in the shoulder only to take one in the thigh. "We need better coverage!" Casey calls out as Severide pelts him once more. Griffin charges toward a tree only to be hit in the side by two flying balls of snow. But that distraction affords Casey to pelt Severide and Ben at the same time before he too runs and ducks behind the tree.

"You got them!" Griffin gives him a high five.

"I di…" is all Casey manages as his head pops out from around the tree only to be met in the face with large wad of snow.

Ben laughs but Severide's lips slightly purse as they had made the rule at the start no hurling balls in the face. A face wash was different but a snowball could actually hurt.

"Kelly's making dinner!" Casey shouts as playfully glares at Severide who bows his head and both boys cheer!

"Okay okay…" Severide holds up his hands in surrender only to be pelted by three snowballs in the chest all at the same time. "Hey, we're on the same team!" He looks down at a laughing Ben and scoops him up in the air. The small boy lets out a delighted squeal before he's spun around and then gently tossed into a soft clump of snow.

"Me next! Me next!" Griffin shouts as he runs toward Severide for the same snowy ride.

"Me…next," Casey chuckles as he heads toward them, both adult men looking down at the two laughing boys delighting in their snowy play. Then without warning, Severide bends down part way, grabs Casey around the stomach and leg, his stomach around his neck and hoists him into the air; Casey's frame across his neck and back – both boys instantly cheering. "Toss me…and die!" Casey grunts as Severide tries to spin.

"That's it…you're cut off…from Twinkies."

"It's beer…Kelly…"

"Good thing…this isn't a drill…" Severide huffs and laughs at the same time. He starts to gently toss Casey toward a fresh snow pile, but Casey's hands grab his jacket and both tumble to the ground, landing on their backs and breathing hard. "Who's idea…was that…?"

"Yours…" Casey snickers in return as both exchange amused glances with heavy breaths.

"Again! Again!" Ben shouts as they both look up with frowns.

"This time Uncle Matt can toss Uncle Kelly!"

"You want me to kill myself?" Casey retorts weakly as Severide pelts him with a handful of snow. "How about…we all make a snowman," Casey suggests with a laugh as he brushes off the snow.

"No! More wrestling!" Ben groans as Severide sits up and then pulls Ben into his lap.

"We're…too old," Casey grunts as Griffin lands on his belly, forcing his lips to make a small gasp.

"How about…we make a snowman and then go in for some hot chocolate."

"YES!" The boys, plus Casey all chime in at once. And that was then settled. Casey hurries into the house to get his camera and take a few pictures before helping to build the rather anemic looking snowman before taking more pictures pictures the boys could take to their mother and brag about and a few video clips they could share with her later. After that they all head back inside, get out of their wet snowy clothes, changing into drier ones and regrouping in the living room to enjoy the hot chocolate and a movie. The delightful beverage is quickly enjoyed by all. But it's not long before the fresh air and exercise pull both boys into a well-earned nap.

"I'll make chili tonight," Severide suggests as he and Casey leave the boys on the couch and enter the kitchen about an hour later.

"Okay I'll help as soon as I put all this stuff away."

Casey tosses all their wet clothes into the dryer before he heads into the kitchen to help with supper, the two of them talking in hushed tones about the fun afternoon, the surprise for the boys the following weekend and then a few other work related items. Supper is served an hour later and then it's an early night; the four of them easily falling into darkness while the city of Chicago continues to be blanketed with winter's glory.

XXXXXXXX

The next shift for the teams at 51 actually started the following Saturday, so Casey and Severide called up Hermann and Boden and arranged for a team outing on the Friday; the two of them heading out of the city limits on the Thursday to arrange it.

"You think he'll remember us?" Severide asks as Casey's truck slowly turns down the snow covered gravel road; returning that Thursday morning to a somewhat familiar destination.

"I hope so. It wasn't that long ago and he did offer," Casey suggests with a shrug as his truck starts to slow. The two of them get out into the fresh air, the snow on hold for a few hours, enabling the two noble firefighters to get their task done.

"Looks quiet."

"Didn't you say that last time?" Casey retorts as they see a figure moving in the small cabin before the door is pulled open. "Mr. Cooper?" Casey calls out as they near.

"You remember us?" Severide asks in haste.

"Sure do. You're the two that were here asking about Kevin Hadley. Bruce's daughter sent ya. Sorry I forget your names."

"Yes that's us," Casey nods with a smile. "Matt and Kelly from Firehouse 51."

"Yeah that's it. Well come on in. You want some coffee?" The older man inquires. "Just made a fresh pot."

"Sure," Casey looks at Severide who nods in agreement.

"How'd all that stuff with Kevin turn out? You ever find him?"

"We did and well…everyone is working on rebuilding," Casey states plainly, his tone hoping to convey the idea that it wasn't to be discussed further. It works.

"Well…that's good to hear. So what brings you boys all the way out here on this wintery day?"

"It's about something we discussed before we left last time we were here," Severide pipes up as Jason Cooper looks at him in wonder for a few seconds before realization starts to dawn upon his aged expression.

"I think I remember something about that. What did you have in mind?"

"Well…"

The rest of the day goes by according to plan and by the time they are leaving the cabin in the woods, all three are tired but happy, laughing and enjoying their new found friendship.

"Uh…the turn to go home is…now back there," Severide suggests as he looks at Casey in wonder. "We'll miss picking up the boys."

"I texted Christie about an hour ago."

"Really."

"Really," Casey tosses back.

"And when were you going to tell me?"

"I just did," he snickers as Severide shakes his head. At first Severide is at a loss as to where they are going but as they near the quiet neighborhood it instantly dawns and he's quick to assure Casey he's making the right decision.

"Trust me, it'll be a great surprise," Severide gives Casey a friendly pat on the back before they leave the truck; Casey's mind praying this would work as he knocks on the door.

XXXXXXXX

"Where are we going?"

"Yeah why won't you tell us?" Griffin asks with a small whine from the back seat as they head out of the city limits mid-Friday morning; both boys in the back and dressed for doing something outdoors. A surprise. They just didn't know what. As they near the turnoff to the country cabin, both look at each other and then pay rapt attention to what was going on outside Severide's car.

"Where are we?" Ben wonders with a wide glance as he looks at Casey in the front passenger seat.

"We're at a friend's place. You boys like to play outside in the snow?"

"Yeah but who's the friend? From 51?" Griffin inquires as Casey gently smiles; Severide bringing the car to a stop a few minutes later.

"Come and see," Casey suggests as he gets out; Jason Cooper slowly walking up to the car to meet them. "Hi Mr. Cooper."

"Please Matt…call me Jason."

"Fair enough," Casey answers with a smile. "This is Ben and Griffin Darden."

"Welcome boys," Jason Cooper smiles as both boys offer uneasy smiles. "Well, you two want to see what surprise your two uncles made for you?" Jason asks as both boys nod in agreement. "Come with me."

Jason turns and heads toward the back of his property, where a clearing stood…the surrounding trees standing guardian over the glassy sheet that was waiting. "Well the weather cooperated and I was able to get my friend down here from the local rink," Jason mumbles away as they near the clearing.

"Really? You got the local Zamboni to come out here and smooth it out?"

"Can't have an outdoor hockey game without a smooth surface," Jason states with pride as the five of them stop before the modest size outdoor skating rink.

"Wow…you guys did this?" Griffin asks weakly as Casey looks down with a nod.

"With a little help from some new friends," Severide looks up at Jason and smiles. "And…some old ones," he pauses as they hear a honk in the distance. Within minutes, lively chatter is heard, all five looking up to see Hermann, his wife Cindy and their whole clan in tow.

"Now the party can start!" Hermann calls out loudly as he approaches with a grin. "Told you it'd turn out."

"Yeah…he told us," Severide retorts as Hermann's lips purse.

"You guys got your skates?"

"We brought them."

"You did?" Ben looks up in shock.

"Come on, let's go get em," Hermann suggests as Severide tosses him his car keys. Casey watches Ben and the Hermann boys following after Cindy toward the make shift changing area, all of them plunking down on the bench and then starting to remove their boots in favor of skates.

"You boys gonna lace up also?"

"Course," Severide grins. "Gotta show these guys how it's done."

Within ten minutes, Shay, Dawson, Mills and Cruz and Otis arrive, bringing their skates and a few edible goodies for the family après ski party. Moments later Boden and Mouch arrive followed by Capp and Clarke and soon all of 51 is chatting excitedly, getting their skates on, laughing, challenging each other and of course picking teams for the upcoming game.

"Sure a nice group you have here Matt," Jason nods as one more vehicle pulls up.

"Just…a few more."

"What? Who's…"

"Now everyone is here," Casey whispers as Severide nears them with his skates on; all three men looking up as the mini-van stops and opens.

"No…" Jason whispers as he looks at the young woman who emerges from the front of the mini-van and gives them a small wave. "It…it's not possible," he utters as Casey and Severide trade knowing glances. "Is it?"

"Was Matt's idea," Severide admits as Jason Cooper's heart rate starts to climb. He remains frozen in place as he watches the front passenger door open and a familiar face come into view.

"This can't be," he whispers as his dearest friend, Bruce McNeil is recognized. "You did this?" He turns back to Casey with a teary request.

"Moments like this are meant to be shared with a best friend…even if he'll only remember it for an hour…"

"I'll remember it forever. Thank you dear boy," Jason gives Casey a warm hug before he turns and hurries toward his Alzheimer's stricken friend. Casey and Severide silently watch Cooper approach the mini-van, Laura, Bruce's daughter, the one that had inadvertently put them into the path of the man they were now friends with, seems tense at first but then gives him a hug and a few happy tears are shared.

Laura turns back into her van to collect her baby; Jason leading his friend Bruce down to the skating rink. Laura joins Cindy with her new toddler on the blanketed viewing area while Casey gets his skates on.

"Good thinking on that one."

"Figured after all this making peace between them all, this was the right thing to do," Casey replies as he watches Bruce and Jason laughing like to young men. "Some friendships do last a lifetime," Casey states in truth as he turns and looks at Severide with a serious expression.

"Some are worth it," he agrees in a quieter tone as both nod in agreement. Severide gives Casey a slap on the back before he turns and heads toward the entrance to the rink, scooping up Ben in his grasp, making the young boy squeal as they start to skate a lap around the outdoor rink. But what Kelly had just said was true – some friendships would last a life time; some friendships would prove bonded forever by loyalty instead of blood – that would be the destiny of their friendship. They had been friends before Andy's death, walked a somewhat stormy path after he died but had rallied around Andy's kids and now were forever bonded by playing parents for a year and a half. It was something they'd both cherish forever.

"Okay let's get this party started!" Hermann shouts as his oldest looks at him and shakes his head. "You're on the other team!" He playfully growls as everyone laughs. The friendly game was Truck vs Squad with the kids scoring on whoever they wanted and Jason and Bruce slowly skating at one end of the rink before they and the kids all slowly trotted off the ice to enjoy some hot chocolate, while the rest of the Firehouse 51 members played a very high spirited game that ended in a fair tie. And when the evening would come to a close all the camera cards will have been nearly filled; especially Casey's with a few more precious memento's for the boy's keepsake scrapbook.

After about two hours of continued play, all the adult members slowly head off the ice to enjoy some refreshments and fellowship. After that just the kids go back on, including Cindy and Laura and the babies. Bruce and Jason get onto the ice about half hour later, all of them laughing and enjoying the company of the other. Just before dark the team members slowly start to disperse, all of them thanking Jason who modestly accepted the praise but said that it should rightfully go to Matt and Kelly as they were the ones that made it all possible.

Just as night falls, Severide and Casey stand on Jason's porch watching the second to last vehicle, Bruce's mini-van loading up and Jason saying a few parting words to his best friend before he hugs Laura and then waves goodbye and heads back to the cabin.

"I can't thank you boys enough for all this. Truly was amazing," Jason nears them with a warm smile.

"I'm happy they came and you all made peace."

"What was that you said about second chances and starting over?" Jason counters as Severide looks at Casey seriously.

"They are open to anyone as long as they're brave enough to take it."

"I just needed the nudge. Almost hate for this day to end so um…come on in."

"We…should be going," Casey replies softly as Jason's expression tightens and Severide frowns as gently clears his throat. "Or…we could come in for a bit."

"I have some stew that's been perking all day…got enough for all of us," Jason tells them as they all head inside to see the boys fast asleep on the couch. "Fresh air."

"I don't think any of us will have trouble sleeping tonight," Casey states with a warm smile as Severide nods in agreement. "Can we help?"

"Nah it's pretty simple. Stew, bread and beer, juice for the boys…when they wake up," Jason smirks as he looks at the couch as Severide walks over to them and gently nudges them awake.

"Are we…home?" Ben asks sleepily as Severide grins and ruffles his hair.

"Come on…dinner time," Severide helps him up off the couch and sends him to Casey to get his hands washed; Griffin quickly following suit. The five of them sit around the modest table eating their tasty meal as they talk about the day. The boys tell stories about how they loved the game and just skating, making snowmen, playing hide and seek and just having fun with Hermann's boys and everyone in general.

"Sure was great to see Bruce again," Jason reminisces as the three adult males sit around the dinner table after supper was over; the two little boys in the living room watching a cartoon on TV. "How'd you get Laura to agree to bring him and even come herself?"

"We told her that it was time put the past to rest and that her father would like it."

"She wasn't that agreeable at first," Severide pipes up with a small frown. "And in the end we didn't know."

"But she left a message at the House early this morning asking for directions," Casey tells him in truth as Jason smiles. "I'm glad she came too. You two looked like two kids out there."

"Old hat for us. We used to love to slap on the skates and shoot a puck around the ice; always just for fun. Today it made us feel…" Jason pauses as he looks over at the boys who laugh; his face turning back to Casey and Severide with a friendly smile before he continues, "young again."

"You have a great place out here," Casey mentions seriously. "Since the theft problem has been dealt with that space could be cleared a bit more and made into a seasonal rink if you want. Open to families only if you want to keep out any punks."

"Might help with the upkeep of this place," Severide adds.

"Ah you two are just too kind. I'm too old…but…maybe…" Jason shrugs as he smiles and takes a sip of his coffee. "Sure enjoyed today though. Seeing those families and their kids…you sure have some great people you work with."

"One big family," Casey mentions as he looks at Severide who nods in agreement.

"Don't ever lose that," Jason utters seriously.

The three of them talk a bit longer before they all retire into the living room, Casey sprawling out on one couch with Griffin curled up beside him and Severide on the other with Ben snuggled on top. About twenty minutes later, Jason comes back into the room and finds them all asleep and smiles.

He looks at the time and knows it's nearly midnight and too late to send them back onto the darkened, somewhat slippery roads for a few hours drive back home when they were all this tired. So very quietly he retrieves two thick blankets, drapes one over each pair, makes sure the fireplace is well stoked and then turns off the light to let them all sleep.

In the morning he'd wake up early and make them all a hearty breakfast of steak and eggs, before they'd go back into the city with lots of happy memories and a full stomach; promises to return which would make his day complete.

"Goodnight," Jason whispers before he turns off the final light and the whole house is bathed in darkness.

A/N: Okay so again I had already planned to be more ahead than I am with this and Heather already out but I wanted to give them a bit of extended winter fun with the snowball fight, some fun brotherly snow play and of course the big team skating party. I hope you all liked it! As most of you know this story was the focus on our boys looking after the boys with some help from the team b/c I felt we were all robbed in the series that Kelly didn't help more. So I'm glad you are all liking the bromance b/c that's what we are all about! #teamsevasey all the way. Yes the play and Heather's release is up next so you got a bit more here and hope that's okay. I know the whump/danger and action are gone but I hope this was still very entertaining and you all enjoyed it. So what will happen when Heather's released? Will she actually move to Florida? or stay for the boys sake? And will you see Hadley again? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!

PS: Hope you're all caught up with Never Give Up and ready to see how Casey's unwelcomed surprise at the firehouse turns out (yikes)