Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 21 – Change is in the Air

"Did you see us Uncle Matt! Did you?" Griffin rushes up to Casey after the play was all over.

"Sure did!" Casey exclaims as he pulls the young boy into his arms and holds him close; both of them wearing matching grins!

"You guys should get Oscars!" Severide grins as he hoists Ben into the air in his arms.

"Who's Oscar?"

"The golden statues thing dummy!"

"Hey now," Casey chuckles as Christie and her family join them.

"You both did so amazing!"

"We saw the guys from 51 in the back watching!" Griffin tells Casey in truth.

"Yup they were all here to show their support," Casey replies with a warm smile. "You guys have dinner plans?" Casey looks up at his sister, Christie who looks at Jim and both look back at him and shrug no. "Want to join us for a little celebration dinner?"

"Really?" Griffin looks up in surprise.

"Yeah this is something to celebrate!" Severide chimes in as Ben's arms wrap tightly around his neck.

"Please mom!" Violet looks up and begs.

"Can't say no to that face," Christie smiles as all three children cheer.

"There's an Applebee's just down the street," Jim suggests.

"Sounds great!"

"Meet you there."

The four of them head for Severide's car, both boys chatting excitedly about the play, their roles, their new friends and which ones they might want to try next; Griffin of course having a bit more acting enthusiasm than Ben. But no matter what their future endeavors, both would agree that tonight was a night to remember. They all pile into the car and then head for the family-friendly restaurant. Once there they meet up with Hermann and his clan and the night out for the boys gets even better. Griffin, Ben, Violet and the two oldest for Hermann, who had managed to get off shift early to join his family for dinner; all sit at one end of the long table with the adults and the smaller children filling out the rest. The conversation is light and lively and friendly and enjoyable. The whole evening was a complete success. Neither Casey nor Severide make a big deal about the fact that Heather wasn't there, as the boys missing their mother's presence was a given. But dwelling on that fact would only bring them down and tonight was all about happy times. They would lament her absence when they visited her next in prison with the tape for the play; but today was only proud smiles and happy thoughts.

The dinner is enjoyable and fun; a few pictures to document the close of the enjoyable evening and eventful day are taken and filed away. Soon all are parting ways, the boys still excitedly talking about their roles in the play and what it felt like to be up on stage and how they wished their Uncles could have been in costume with them.

"I think we'll sleep pretty good tonight after all the excitement today," Casey mentions as he gets a few nods of affirmation in return. The four of them head for their respective beds and as predicted are fast asleep within minutes; their minds offering happy images to carry them through until morning.

XXXXXXXX

"You okay?" Casey rushes up to Severide after a tense call where they had gotten a bit nipped by the fire they were trying to put out.

"Yeah…bot a bit singed," Severide huffs as he takes the bottle of water that Casey offers and douses his face and the back of his superheated neck. "Patch it up later," Severide mentions as Casey nods and both of them start to work to clean up their rigs and get back to the firehouse. The rest of the day is pretty much routine and Casey and Severide are able to get away at a descent hour, collect the boys from Christie's and head for home.

"Can we play dress-up again?" Ben asks Severide as he tucks him into bed about an hour later that same night.

"Sure we can."

"Can we make Uncle Matt walk the plank?"

"I heard that!" Casey calls out from his room as Severide and Ben exchange amused glances and then laugh.

"Yeah I think that can be arranged," Severide grins as he kisses the top of Ben's head. The two of them leave Severide's bedroom and head downstairs were Casey had already pulled out the boxes of costumes. They all quickly change but soon it's the four of them just acting goofy, having fun and taking turns walking the plank. The long day comes to a close and Griffin helps Casey put away the costumes as Severide takes Ben upstairs to get ready for bed.

"I'm glad you had a good time tonight. I did too," he tells the small boy as Ben's arms wrap around Severide's neck and squeeze. But the small hands accidentally scrape the fresh wound, forcing Severide to wince and then pull back with a strained expression. "Had a close call at work today."

"Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah, fine," Severide replies with a small shrug and smile; Ben's frown remaining, neither of them realizing that Casey was now in the hallway listening in silence.

"I don't want you or Uncle Matt to go anywhere okay?"

"We're not going anywhere, I promise," Severide offers in a low tone, not wanting to wake Griffin who was already asleep in the other bed.

"What about when mom comes home?" Ben asks. The seemingly innocent question makes both Casey and Severide literally hold their breath; their minds racing as to what the answer might be. One that would be both satisfying and yet truthful. So he opts for the easy way out.

"We'll talk about that another time okay? I'm tired," Severide dramatizes his yawn, making Ben snicker and his face relax. He offers the young boy a final goodnight before he turns off the light and then takes his leave. His actions once again halt as he looks at the wondering expression on Casey's face and frowns. Severide follows him into his bedroom and stops, leaning against the doorpost with a heavy exhale. "Guess we never talked about it yet have we."

"Kelly…"

"He has the right to wonder. It's no big deal."

"Except in a few months, Heather will be out and the boys will be gone."

"But not far right? And you'll finally get your own place and a bigger room."

"And…you'll be alone," Severide finally concludes, broaching the subject Casey didn't want to bring up audibly but one he had been thinking about deeply for the past few weeks.

Severide's words were true; Heather would be out and then she'd want her boys back. He'd move out and find a place with Shay and he'd be alone. He didn't want to face the truth but after a parent teacher meeting last week when Mr. Nelson asked about if he knew about Heather's plans for keeping the boys in this same school after she was out forced him to realize that her release date was looming – almost faster than expected. Casey shoves his hands into his jeans pockets and then looks away.

"I'm trying to prepare myself each day for when…it's just me."

"Explains why you were so quiet the other night after dinner when the subject came up."

"Didn't think anyone noticed."

"Don't think the boys did," Severide tries to assure him as Casey nods. "Matt…"

"Look it's late and we are both tired. We can talk about this later."

"Later," Severide smirks as they both gently chuckle.

"Yeah I need my beauty sleep."

"A lifetime of it," Severide snickers as Casey tosses a nearby pillow at him. "Oh you really wanna go there?"

"You think you could beat me?" Casey retorts as Severide arches his brows and hurls the pillow back at Casey's head. Casey, however, is able to duck in time. But the while the pillow misses Casey's head, it knocks a small object onto the floor that instantly wakes the boys from their light slumber. "Good going," Casey grumbles as he bends down to pick up the other pillow. But just as he does, another pillow plops on his back; Severide laughing as Casey twists on his heel and glares at him.

"What are y…" Ben's small voice asks innocently at the same time the pillow sails past him and strikes Severide in the stomach. "PILLOW FIGHT!" Ben shouts as he grabs the pillow and hits Severide in the legs.

"What's going on?" Griffin asks in a somewhat sleepy tone as a pillow flies past his head as both Ben and Severide throw pillows at Casey who tries in vain to duck out of the way.

"I'm out numbered!" Casey laughs as he Griffin hurries toward him and grabs a pillow and rushes toward Ben and Severide.

"CHARGE!" Griffin shouts as Casey picks up two pillows and follows suit; hitting Severide in the head and Ben in the back. Griffin pummels Severide in his stomach as he tries to stop his laughing and hit Casey. However he's not that successful and soon all three were piled on top of the squad team leader's flailing frame.

"WE WIN!" Griffin jumps up and down only to be hit in the back by this brother; the two of them continuing the play fight as Casey takes advantage of Severide's fallen state and strikes him on the head. Severide's hand shoots out, grabs Casey's ankle and yanks, pulling him toward the floor. Luckily for Casey, the bed breaks his fall. Laughter continues to fill Casey's bedroom for another ten minutes until all four of them are sprawled out on the floor – laughing a bit breathlessly.

"And now…It's time for bed," Casey stammers with a small chuckle.

"Can we do this every night before bed?" Griffin asks with a smile.

"YEAH!" Ben shouts as he looks up from his position on the floor.

"Every night?"

"Yeah when you're home," Griffin smiles as he hits Casey on the chest with his pillow; Casey's face making a mock hurt expression as his body jerks in response, making the small boys laugh.

"Think mom will let us have a pillow fight at night when she's out?" Ben asks suddenly; the happy mood in threat of fading in the wake of the innocent but tension filled question.

"I think she'll have fun with you guys no matter what you're doing," Casey replies with a tight lipped smile, his tone lost on the two boys but easily picked up by the other adult male in the room.

"Alright…time for bed now. Uncle Matt and I are tired," Severide suggests with his own strained smile.

"That's because you're old," Ben retorts as Casey and Severide both arch their brows trade amused expressions. The two of them each hit Ben with their pillows, the small boy squealing with delight. But five minutes later the four of them stand up – the two boys heading back to their still darkened bedroom, Severide saying goodnight and heading downstairs and Casey climbing into his bed and turning off the light.

But as even he had suspected, Casey's mind that night doesn't find any solace in sleep; instead he stays awake pondering the fact that in a few months his full house would turn into an empty nest and he'd be painfully alone. He tries to tell himself that before all this he was alone and he'd just get back to his old routine and that would be that. He and Kelly would still work together and the Heather would take the boys back to their own home and at least they'd be close enough for them to all keep in touch and continue to strengthen the bond they had worked so hard to build over the past year and a bit. That was the plan. However…life doesn't always go according to plan. Change was coming, but not as expected…or planned.

XXXXXXXX

"Thank you for doing all this Matt," Heather comments as they sit around the table near the end of the boy's next visit. The guard was in the room, near the door having watched the play with them to make sure there was nothing against the rules being shown. Heather held both boys on her lap, holding them close and enjoying every second of their first live acting performance. After that, they all talked about school and a few field trips, the boy's highs and lows in school and just a few things in general. At Heather's request, Severide let the boys give their mother one last hug and kiss before he took them out to wait for Casey while she talked to him in private a few moments longer.

"He agreed?"

"Well Kevin was the one that asked and he…he reluctantly agreed but…damn I never thought I'd be nervous to face my own father."

"After what he withheld from you two I can't blame you. Are you and Kevin going to face him together?"

"No. Kevin wants nothing to do with him," she replies sourly. "I don't even know why I'm doing this."

"Because being in here has made you think about things."

"Doing the right thing? For who Matt? Him or me?"

"The boys," he reminds her in a low tone. "It has to be for them no matter what."

"You think I care if their…"

"Only surviving grandparent…"

"He's a drunk!" Heather snaps before she turns away shaking her head. "And I killed my best friend because of a stupid mistake after I was drinking. Wow we are quite the family," she laments as she turns back with a teary gaze. "We should go on Jerry Springer."

"How about Maury…get one of those DNA tests to prove he's not," Casey tosses out lightly as her face relaxes. "I just hope you both find peace."

"I want that too. Being in here has really given me a lot of time to think. Matt I lost over a year of my life…the boys…I've missed so much but I don't want to miss more. I've attended sessions in here and I have come to terms with…with so much."

"Has Kevin?"

"He said he did but I don't know for sure. All these things are separate. I can't thank you enough for all this. Griffin told me about the trip to the Fire Hall to see Andy's badge. I couldn't do it Matt. I was a coward. I was afraid to face that…to face his questions and to face my own fears of seeing it there," she sighs as her head drops. "God I miss him so much."

Casey's arms give her a supportive embrace as she offers a few sobs. "I do too," he whispers as she pulls back with a tight lipped smile. "A few more months and you'll be back with your boys. Concentrate on that."

"You've been such a great friend Matt."

They talk a bit longer before Casey rejoins Severide outside and the four of them head for their favorite pizza place, talking about the visit and a few things about school. Severide watches Casey's tight jaw and knows what whatever he talks about with Heather was starting to take its toll. Or was it another reminder that the boys were leaving and soon he'd be alone.

They reach home and all settle in for a friendly and always boisterous game of RISK; this time the two little boys joining forces for total world domination and achieving it in record time; the two older ones admitting defeat to a chorus of happy cheering.

Sleep that night was solid for two and bittersweet for the others.

XXXXXXXX

"Hey boss," Hermann's voice breaks into Casey's thoughts the next morning as they work to put their truck back together after a vehicle accident call and then head back to the House.

"What's up Hermann?" Casey asks somewhat frankly as Hermann's salt and pepper brows slightly arch. "Sorry…" Casey huffs as Severide watches from a discreet distance with a growing concerned expression.

"What's going on? Something happen with the boys?"

"No…yes…no…it's okay," Casey resigns as he finally straightens up and then looks directly at Hermann with a soft frown. "Just hit me again last night that the boys will be leaving soon."

"Yeah…that's gotta hurt," Hermann sighs as he leans against the truck and looks at Casey in wonder. "Have you talked to Heather recently?"

"Boys saw her a couple of days ago. We all watched the play and it was good for her. She's getting the needed help and…doing better."

"That's great to hear," Hermann agrees with a nod. "I hear a butt in there…"

"But when they are gone…I'll miss them," Casey states simply, offering his seasoned team leader a tight lipped smile as they pack away the last of the gear and then close the side doors to the truck. "It'll be okay. Come on let's get back."

But it wasn't going to be okay, as each day would pass Casey now makes a special effort to take a picture or put away a school memento or just make sure they all spent as much time together as possible. It was having a two pronged effect, it making them all draw closer together but it was also making it that much harder on Casey's heart for when he'd have to give the two boys back – for good.

"Matt?"

"Yeah…hey I'll be right down," Casey mentions in haste as he quickly closes the top drawer on his dresser as Severide suddenly appears in the entranceway.

"What's up?"

Casey's lips offer a heavy exhale as he slowly pulls the drawer back open and then pulls out a small picture frame of Hallie with her sister's kids. "She uh…we talked about waiting a few years and then having a family. This would have given her the perfect opportunity to see what it would be like."

"Hey man I'm sorry," Severide huffs as he pats Casey on the back.

"I think she would found it a challenge at first but um…but I think she would have liked it."

"Wish I knew what to say," Severide comments in truth as Casey looks up at him with a nod. "But no matter what she would have supported you one hundred percent," he adds as he closes the drawer, the picture still in Casey's grasp.

"Pictionary?" Casey swallows as he places the picture on the top of his dresser and slowly follows Severide out his bedroom and down the stairs to the waiting boys – Wednesday now designated game night if at all possible.

"Twister," Severide grins as Casey shakes his head.

"How about Operation?"

"You actually have that?" Severide asks in shock as Casey nods. "Sure."

"First one to kill the guy loses."

"We have to kill someone?" Griffin asks with a scrunched face.

"Good I want to kill Joey in my class!" Ben blurts out as both adult males look down in shock.

"Hey hey hold on…what?" Severide kneels down to Ben in wonder who looks at Griffin. "What's going on?"

The game is put on hold as the four of them sit down to discuss a serious issue at school, it being resolved a few hours later and there only being time for a few games of 'speed' before it was time to turn in. Casey and Severide talk a bit longer downstairs after the boys were put to bed; deciding on a plan of action about Ben's school issues and of course how they would best hand things over to Heather in a few months' time.

Casey looks at the calendar on the fridge a few days later, striking off the days with a blue line and getting closer to the large circled date in Red that was indicating Heather's release and the date the boys would leave and he'd be alone. Stop dwelling on that…his mind tries to reason. But that wasn't so easy. As much as he tries to push it aside and get on with his day, one of the boys or both would do something to force him to realize just how much he'd miss them on a daily basis.

He looks at the items on the fridge, a piece of homework with some praise, a drawing, a reminder…something that in a few months' time would be gone – for good. At first he had balked at the idea of his once clean and tidy fridge being covered on a daily basis with colored papers and a smattering of various magnets, but now as he looks at each piece his heart swells…and then instantly sinks. I'm going to miss this when they're gone.

XXXXXXXX

"Did you hear?" Severide comes into Casey's office about a week later; Casey looking up from completing a file.

"What?"

"To make room in the jails for overcrowding, Hadley's being transferred to a minimum security facility to serve the rest of his sentence. Has he talked to Heather yet?"

"She doesn't know," Casey sighs as he leans back in his chair. "She said he arranged a meeting with her and their father and him but Hadley never showed and she never heard from him again and that was a few months ago."

"Damn, what's he doing?" Severide growls as Casey shakes his head.

"I don't know. I had hoped that the two of them would sit down with their father and make peace before her release…just for the boy's sake."

"They need you as the mediator," Severide comments lightly as Casey looks up with a somber expression. "We can't get involved in this and you know it."

"I know it," Casey agrees with a contrite tone. "I don't like it but I know it."

"Did Heather say how it went?"

"Strained but they talked. He apologized. She yelled and then both calmed down and the talk turned to the boys. Heather said it ended on at least a peaceful note but at least it's a start. When she's out…I don't know if it'll continue. That's up to her and the boys. But…it's just over a month now and…damn where did the last fourteen months go?"

"Yeah it's hard to believe they'll almost be…gone," Severide's voice drops as he notices Casey try to swallow a lump of emotion. "But it's been a great fourteen months."

"Doesn't make it easier."

"Sorry. Come on…let's put on the gloves and go a few rounds; work that anxiety outta ya."

Casey reluctantly agrees but stands up and follows Severide into the hallway; both heading toward the waiting punching bag. But just before they get there, the overhead paging system goes off and it's time to switch back into work mode. The distraction is actually a welcome blessing for Casey as it helps his mind and by the time they both return to the House, they are tired and just ready to crash on the small beds, praying for a few hours of solid rest before the next call to action would come through. This prayer would be answered.

"Bad news?" Severide asks Casey the following morning as he slowly sits up on the small bed to see Casey reading a text.

"Nope. Christie…she wants us all over for supper on Sunday," he answers in truth. "Jim's going away on business for a few weeks and it might be the last time we're all together before the boys go."

"Did Heather and Christie get along?"

"You mean will we have these after she takes the boys back home?" Casey retorts with a sour note in his tone. "Christie feels sorry for what she did but is happy that Heather did her time for her mistake, got the help inside for her drinking mistake and her family stuff and that she needed and is ready to make a new start. That's what all of us want out of this right?"

"Yeah," Severide agrees with a heavy frown. "Come on…one last shift and then we're off. Was thinking we could take them to the zoo one last time? Just the four of us?"

"That'd be great."

XXXXXXXX

"We're so glad you could all come tonight," Mr. Nelson greets both Casey and Severide with a firm handshake, looking at Christie next. "It's been great to see all the love and support both Griffin and Ben have received over the past year with their mother not with them."

"They were really excited about this Open House," Casey replies as they stand in the Griffin's classroom about two weeks later; Heather's release rushing upon them.

"Well they naturally struggled with a few mostly personal things but their grades are doing very well and they should end this school year with report cards to be proud of."

"Thank you," Severide chimes in.

"So please look around, talk to the teachers if you wish and enjoy the evening."

Mr. Nelson pulls away, leaving the three of them to slowly wander the busy hallway in search of the boys and to see what things they were helping with with the Open House. Severide sees an old friend and heads in his direction, leaving Casey and his sister standing in the hallway.

"I know that faraway look," Christie comments, bringing Casey's somewhat mournful gaze in her direction.

"Getting more and more real every day that the boys are leaving and the House will be empty."

"Have you asked Kelly to move in with you?"

"I think Shay's still expecting him to move in with her and they were roomies before all this and the whole Renee-baby thing," Casey huffs as he shoves his hands into his pockets and slowly wanders toward a wall of paintings done by the grade six art class. "When Heather first told me I was so scared and nervous…figured I'd screw something up and they'd both turn into serial killers and I'd be to blame," Casey explains as Christie smiles as she loops her arm through her brother's and they slowly continue down the bustling hall.

"But it turned out better than even you expected and now you'll be facing empty nest syndrome and looking for the nearest and fullest bottle of Jack's."

"I will miss them."

"Well they won't be going that far will they?"

"Won't be the same," Casey laments as they reach the boys room and both look inside to see them standing beside a display and trying to explain it to some visiting parents.

"No it won't be," Christie agrees with a heavy sigh as Casey looks down with a frown. "Sorry."

"I know once I get back into…damn I can't even remember my regular routine. I know homework and a play schedule and trips to the park and the zoo and playing in the yard and all the stuff that will now stop and be replaced with…nothing."

"I can loan out Violet when you start to feel lonely," Christie volunteers with a soft smirk. "Matt I'm sorry. I can't imagine honestly. I have Violet and I know her routine and I just…it would be odd for it to be there and then suddenly gone."

"I'm trying to be brave for the boys and its working. Kelly reads into it but he doesn't tell them. But as his release date draws closer I now struggle with resentment and bitterness about her getting out and it's not fair to her or them…or me."

Severide finally catches up and the three of them enter the boy's classroom and engage them in their little presentation and demonstration before continuing on; ending up in the school cafeteria to enjoy some coffee and cookies while they waited for the boys to join them and then go home. But despite his own bitterness, Casey was able to document the night with some photos and a small video for Heather upon her release – wanting her to enjoy the experience as much as she could.

Upon getting home, Casey puts the boys to bed and politely excuses himself, telling Severide he was too tired to play cards or watch the game and Severide this time not pressing the issue and letting Casey have his alone time. But as the day slowly tick down to Heather's release, Casey's mood drops lower and lower and his friend's concern rises.

XXXXXXXX

"All set?" Casey asks Severide after they had cleaned up the dishes that Wednesday night; the kitchen quiet as both boys were upstairs getting ready to pack all their stuff up.

"Are you?" Severide tosses back with a concerned frown.

"I just keep telling myself it's happening…same thing I have for the past month."

"Yeah? Is it working?" Severide asks lightly as Casey's brow furrows. "Come on…we have to get this done."

"How can you…"

"You think this is easy for me too?" Severide turns sharply and then stops and shakes his head. "Matt I'm sorry…I'll miss them too. But this is your home so I do expect that you'd be feeling the most anxiety. Plus…you wanted kids and this…

"I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to imply you wouldn't miss them. Guess we'll both be in sore straights in a few nights."

The two of them gather the boys from the living room and then head upstairs to pack up the bulk of their belongings and get them ready for moving back to their place after they pick up their mother from prison the following afternoon. The mood is quiet as all four deftly pack up items into a few respective boxes. Ben tosses something at Griffin, making them both laugh and the somber mood is broken, replacing it with a few laughs and some light conversation.

Casey finishes with Griffin and then pulls away and heads into his bedroom, pulling out the keepsake box that he had made for Heather, wanting to give it to hear after she was settled and then let her look over all the items in private. He arranges everything and then looks up as a soft knock is heard.

"Hey buddy," he greets Griffin with a smile. "Come on in."

Griffin enters Casey's bedroom and plops himself down onto the bed and looks up at Casey with a somewhat timid glance. Casey sits down beside Casey, placing his arm around the young boy's shoulders and looking at him with a wondering glance.

"What's up?"

"Are you going to miss us?" Griffin asks Casey the night before their mother's release; the two of them sitting on Casey's bed, having already packed up his items, Severide and Ben in the boys shared bedroom packing up the rest of Ben's things.

"Very much," Casey answers in haste, not wanting to mince any words. Griffin looks up with a sad face, making Casey's heart instantly ache. "As Uncle Kelly and I said at dinner, we have both loved having you here and it's going to be very quiet around here when you go."

"Will you come over to our House a lot?"

"I'm gonna try."

"But you won't right?"

"Why do you say that?"

"I overheard Uncle Kelly telling mom that he'd come over a lot after dad died and he never did."

Casey pulls Griffin close, resting his chin on the young boy's head and exhaling heavily. What could he say? Severide had obviously offered the promise with heartfelt feeling but he knows that Heather blamed him specifically for Andy's death right after it happened and is sure that's the reason she didn't allow Andy's childhood best friend to visit as much as he might have wanted. It made sense now why Severide was almost too eager to move in and help out; he was making up for lost time. But he's not sure what Heather's plans are and so making more false promises again was something he just couldn't do – especially after this tormented confession.

"We'll see okay? I don't know what your mom's plans are and I don't want to promise something but I will give you my word that I will…both me and Uncle Kelly will visit as much as we can okay?" Casey asks tenderly as he gives Griffin's small frame a warm squeeze of affection.

"Okay," Griffin answers meekly.

"Tell you what, why don't we go and see if Uncle Kelly and Ben are done and get in one last game of RISK?" Casey suggests as Griffin's face lights up. He watches the young boy hurry from the room and feels his stomach tighten – tomorrow was going to be emotionally draining on all of them. A few hours later, Casey helps Griffin get ready for bed as Severide spends some last alone time with Ben in his own bedroom.

"I don't wanna go," Ben looks up at Severide with a sad face; making Severide's heart sink. "Are you gonna miss us?" He asks the same question his brother did only hours earlier.

"Yeah. I'll really miss you guys," Severide replies with a small lump forming in his throat.

"Will you come stay with us?"

His mind travels back in time to when he was having a tense conversation with Heather about the boys after Andy's death and how he told her he wanted to be there for them and her as per his promise to Andy and how she told him he was the reason Andy was dead and that was it.

But in the months leading up to today, he had made a few personal visits to Heather and was happy to know that she had indeed forgiven him; her mind wanting to move past her own inner demons as she sought forgiveness for Jennifer's death – how could she hold a grudge for something he had been legally cleared of and she hadn't. They made peace but it was still tough for him now, much like Casey, to make a promise like he did in the past and not be able to keep.

"We'll see what we can do okay? I'm sure your mom is going to want to hog you all to herself for a long while. Come on, let's get some sleep. We all have a big day tomorrow."

"Can I sleep here tonight?"

"Sure thing," Severide answers as he pulls the small boy into his grasp, holding him tightly as he turns off the light and both try to get some sleep. It would be restless for one of them.

XXXXXXXX

"I don't know why I'm so nervous," Casey lightly groans as he pours cream on his hand, missing the lip of his coffee mug. "It's not like I'm trading places with her."

"Heard you pacing last night," Severide comments as he leans against the fridge, watching Casey in concern. "Did you sleep at all?"

"A little. You?"

"Was counting your paces," Severide tosses back with a small smirk.

"Griffin asked about us coming to visit on a regular basis."

"Ben asked the same thing," Severide answers in truth. "I hope Heather doesn't shut us out after all this."

"I agree. You made peace and the last few visits have been friendly and upbeat and I just…"

"Don't know what Hadley's been telling her and it all could blow up in our faces," Severide concludes gravely.

"Exactly," Casey answers with a heavy sigh. "So…let's go reunite the boys with their mother and then…come move your stuff out and…"

"Matt…"

"Kelly it's okay. I told myself…"

"No I talked with S…"

"Are you guys ready to go?" Griffin interrupts as Casey nods and places his undrunk coffee mug in the sink.

"Sure are. You guys get your shoes on and we'll go," Casey directs – it being summer so only jeans and tee's where in order.

"Matt…"

"We'll talk about it later," Casey insists as he grabs his wallet and heads for the front door, Severide in tow, muttering under his breath about Casey's stubbornness. The talk on the way to the women's prison facility is kept light and friendly; Casey asking the boys what they were going to say and how they'd all come back to their place to just hang, catch-up, have dinner and then…all go their separate ways.

They reach the prison parking lot, Severide stopping the car and the boys getting out; each flanked by one of the adult males. They all slowly head toward the large Iron Gate; both Casey's and Severide's minds wondering how the reunion would go but figuring strained at best. At least that's what they were both telling themselves so that if it went smoother, they'd all be happy.

"MOM!" Both boys shout as the large metal gates open and Heather heads toward her boys, tears already being displayed and smiles growing wider. She gathers them up in her arms and holds them close; Casey and Severide slowly moving in closer with friendly smiles of their own.

"Oh my God I missed you both so much," Heather cries as she holds her boys close and then looks up at Casey and Severide with relieved smiles. "Thank you," she utters as she finally stands up and hurries to Severide and gives him a hug and kiss on the cheek before giving Casey the same.

"Welcome back," Casey whispers as he gives her a small smile as they pull apart.

"I have something to tell you…"

A/N: well the big moment has arrived – Heather is out and back with her boys. But first the play was a success! A few more growing pains for our boys and then lots of emotional angst and now…this…what was Severide trying to tell Casey? How will Casey handle being alone? And what will Heather ultimately decide for her family? Would love your thoughts on what you think will happen and thanks so much!