Title: Growing Pains
Chapter 22 – Making Important Decisions

'I have something to tell you…'

As soon as Casey heard that from Heather his mind started to spiral downward, thinking the worst case scenario's. He tries to tell himself that this will all be okay and it was about her thanking him but a small nagging voice inside his head says it'll be just like his mother, she'll go somewhere, take the boys and he'll never see them again. But after a year and a half it wouldn't be so easy to just put them out of his mind and forget about them; they were a part of him now…not just in his mind but his heart as well. The next few days would be emotional hell.

"Hey…you okay?" Severide asks as they walk behind Heather and the boys toward Severide's waiting car.

"Yeah…fine," Casey replies with a stiff lipped smile that Severide knows instantly is a false façade.

"Matt…"

"So I hope you can stay for dinner," Casey quickly interjects, wanting to spare himself the pain of what he thinks is coming – someone else leaving his life, for good.

"Please mom!"

"Yeah Uncle Matt is making pot roast! It's our favorite!"

"Course we can."

Heather looks at Casey and offers him a weak smile and nod as both boys hug her once more and cheer in unison before they all pile in the backseat. Severide offers Casey one more concerned glance before he heads around to the driver's side and gets in. As suspected and most welcomed, the boys bombard their mom with stories about things that happened most recently at school and then of course when it just finished and now they were on their summer break and what they wanted to during the summer. There is no mention of Hadley and once again both adult males leave it that way as it was Heather's family to deal with. They knew he had been transferred to a minimum security facility but that was it; he never kept in contact and they didn't expect it.

"I've missed so much," Heather whispers as both boys bound up the sidewalk to the front steps, taking Severide with them. She loops her arm in his and rests her head on his shoulder for a few seconds before her expression slightly clouds.

"What did you want to talk about earlier?" Casey dares to ask as they linger outside his home, Heather pulling away and shoving her hands into her jacket pockets, her back to him; shoulders tense.

"Matt…"

"If this is about taking the boy's away maybe I don't want to hear about it," Casey interjects in haste, prompting Heather to turn around and look at him in surprise.

"Look, when I was in jail I had a lot of time to think and I need a fresh start Matt. After everything that happened I just…"

"Taking them away is the wrong thing to do!" Casey lightly snaps just as Severide opens the door to see what was taking them so long. But just as Casey's tense words punctuate the air, he looks at them and frowns before he gestures for them to come and join him and the boys.

"Matt…" Heather tries again.

"It's your life…just make sure you do what's right for the boys," Casey huffs in resignation as he heads up the walk, pushes past Severide and enters the warmed House.

"What's going on?"

"Does he ever let anyone get a word in edgewise?" Heather asks lightly as Severide gently smiles and shakes his head.

"Sometimes he's infuriating," Severide lightly chuckles. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you both later," Heather replies with a small frown. "I just want to enjoy my first night of freedom."

"It's good to have you back," Severide stats warmly as his arm drapes around her shoulders and gives her a friendly squeeze.

"It's good to be back," she whispers as her head rests on his shoulder and the door closes. They head into the kitchen were they are greeted with aromatic scents and happy laughter. Heather tells them about the horrible prison food and what some of her tasks were, sparing her boys about the more "adult" topics such as her counselling sessions about killing her best friend, properly mourning her husband, dealing with her father's misgivings and trying to reconnect with her dysfunctional family. Soon they are all seated around the table, a bit crowded but Heather not wanting to change anything. Good food, some cold soft drinks, lively conversation and happy laughter fills the few hours they all spend over dinner. After it was over, Casey sends them all into the living room while he cleans up; Severide coming in search a few moments later.

"Boys are asking for you."

"I'll get the keepsake book and…be right there," Casey huffs as he turns around, Severide offering his tense back a frowns.

"What happened earlier?"

"Heather's moving away."

"She said that? Where too?" Severide asks in a hushed tone. "She never said anything to me."

"I was going to find out but we…were interrupted," Casey replies as he turns around and looks at Severide with a small frown. "I'll get the book."

This time the news hits Severide as hard as it did Casey earlier and all he's able to do is stand in place with his mouth slightly agape. With a heavy sigh Severide heads back into the living room, slumping down on to the floor between the boys, Casey joining them with the keepsake book for Heather. Heather takes the book and sits down on the couch, both boys flanking her on either side as she flips through and lets the boys tell her stories about each item or picture, keepsake or piece of school work.

By the time she reaches the end, her eyes are wet a few times over and she hugs her boys close, promising them that she would never leave them again.

"Uncle Matt and Uncle Kelly promised us the same thing," Griffin pipes up.

"But this time I won't be leaving you," Heather tells her son directly, kissing him and hugging him tightly.

"Now we can all live together!" Ben shouts as both boys instantly cheer, Heather looking at Casey and Severide with a tense expression.

"We can help you move everything in tomorrow," Severide suggests.

"But it's late and I hope you'll stay the night."

"But…"

"Please mom, we'll have a pillow fight!" Ben suggests eagerly as Griffin nods and grins.

"I'll take the couch," Casey pipes up.

"Looks like everything's already in order," Severide adds with a smile of his own.

"Please mom!" Griffin begs. "Please!"

"Okay," Heather agrees, a happy around of applause quickly following. The five of them try to play a game of RISK but the progress is delayed by more stories, this time about the boy's conquests of the board game and the older adult males reluctantly agreeing.

"Mom, can Uncle Matt and Uncle Severide sleep over at our place tomorrow night?"

"I can't wait to show them my room! I missed my room," Ben state with a small pout as Casey and Severide exchange small frowns.

"Yeah me too! But…" Griffin pauses as Heather takes his hand and holds it, her son looking up in wonder. "But I don't want to leave Uncle Matt," he whispers as he suddenly hugs her, his eyes instantly watering.

"Oh my sweet boy," she whispers in sorrow as she holds him close, her eyes looking at Casey in conflict. "I know you have had a great time here with Uncle Matt and Uncle Kelly and I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank them for all the sacrifices they've made," she concludes with gratitude. "I mean it; I can't thank you two enough."

"Don't go," Casey suddenly mentions with a soft whisper as both boys look at him and then up at Heather.

"We're staying tonight Uncle Matt," Griffin states matter-of-factly as Casey's lips offer a somewhat sad smile; the small gesture of morose not lost on his concerned friend.

"Think it's time for some sleep."

"Aww mom we're not tired," Ben offers in a sleepy tone as he looks up from his spot on Severide's lap; his eyes having trouble staying open.

"But I'm tired," Heather answers with a loving smile as she pulls Griffin close and kisses the top of his head. "Are you sure you don't mind?" She asks Casey directly.

"Don't mind at all," he nods in truth. Five minutes later the game was packed back up, the keepsake book was put into her bag and the five of them were heading upstairs. Casey shows Heather the boys room and once again her eyes gently well as she looks at the personalized bedding for each, knowing who's bed belonged to who instantly. Most everything was empty, waiting in a few boxes on each dresser but she could tell, and from the pictures shown earlier knew her boys had an enjoyable year and a half. This was another home for them and her heart was starting to ache. The plan she had formulated the last week in prison was now starting to be rendered moot.

She gives Casey and Severide each a hug and watches as they take their leave before turning back to her boys and helping them get ready for bed; the boys having already given their hugs to the older men.

"I don't mind taking the couch," Severide tells Casey as they both head downstairs, Heather sleeping in Casey's bed for the night.

"It'll be okay. The couch is actually comfortable. Slept there before…few times," Casey states absently as they reach the bottom of the stairs. He mumbles a goodnight and then heads for the dimly lit living room, Severide watching in concern. But just as Casey reaches the mouth of the living room he stops, his back still to Severide. "I understand her wanting a fresh start. But if she does move away…"

"Maybe she meant a new House or something," Severide adds in haste as Casey turns back and frowns. "Lotta reminders there right? Andy's death and now Jen's…did you actually let her finish?"

"I know what it's like to have a family torn apart by death and jail!" Casey stars sharply and then quickly lowers his tone. "I don't need to be told."

"You didn't…Heather said she tried to tell you something but you interrupted. You did that earlier to me. You know I think I gotta find that duct tape."

"It's late," Casey states plainly as he quickly swallows. "We'll talk in the morning."

"Yeah," Severide says in a quiet tone as he hangs back, wanting to give Casey a bit of space after such draining day. It was hard on all of them but more so for Casey as hearing about Heather's incarceration brought back tough memories of his own past – the death of his father and imprisonment of his mother.

But it's not until he's changed and turns off that light that a few moments later he hears a soft whimper and bolts upright in bed and realizes that the day had taken more than emotional toll on his friend. And while he might not have had the right words to say he knows he has to do something. So he gets up and slowly heads into the living room, Casey looking up in haste and whispering 'I'm sorry' as he slowly sits up.

"I don't want them to go," Casey admits with a heavy sigh as Severide sits down beside him, the two of them just sitting side by side in the dimly lit room; while their three houseguests sleep soundly upstairs. The two of them lean back in the couch, talking about the past year and a half in hushed tones, Casey swallowing back a few more tears as he engages in the whispered discussion. The memories at first start out strained but end with happy thoughts and by the time Severide is covering Casey with his blanket, both minds were set somewhat at ease and a few hours of solid rest would be enjoyed – for all of them.

XXXXXXXX

The next morning Casey awakens to the sound of silence, his mind trying to process the fact that every day after this morning would start and remain this way – silent. It'll take a while to get use but then…ah damn I'll never like it, his mind laments as he slowly uprights himself, his elbows resting on his knees and his face falling into his hands.

Finally he hears some soft footsteps starting to make creaking sounds on the stairs and looks up to see Heather's head appear around the corner, her expression wondering if Casey was awake.

"I'm up…but," Casey gestures to Severide's room where his door was still slightly ajar. "He worries too much."

"About you? He always did," Heather relates in truth as she sits down on the couch beside Casey. "Andy always said he worried about your more than anyone but wouldn't tell you because you'd just blow it off and say…"

"I'm fine," Casey and Heather smirk in unison. "He still worries for nothing…I'm…"

"Fine," Severide interjects as they both look up at the same time. "Anyone sleep in around here?"

"I'm used to getting up early," Heather admits sheepishly. "Maybe in a few days I'll get used to the fact that I don't have to get up quite as early but then…another routine starts. Getting the boys ready for school. Almost feels like an eternity. What if I've forgotten how?"

"It's like riding a bike," Casey mentions softly as she looks at him with a small frown. "You remember after a few tries."

"The boys have loved it here…I know I made the right choice."

"I'll miss them….everyone," Casey huffs as he looks up at Severide with a somewhat defeated expression as Severide leans against the door frame into the living room.

"I need to tell you both something…about what I've decided," Heather starts in a quiet tone as Casey feels his back stiffen. "This whole thing has made me realize I need to make some changes in my life."

"Whatever you need," Casey adds in haste, mostly wanting to buffer himself for the pain he thinks is coming.

"When I first went in there I had this big plan for when I got out. I was so angry and…and pissed off at myself at my father at Kevin…at Andy…at myself," her voice dies out as she rubs her face and pushes some stray hairs off her face. "I wanted to get out, take my boys and run far away. I have a friend in Florida and I had written to her that first week and said I was going to come there after I was out and she'd help me find a job and we'd start fresh. Good offer. She even said that the parole office would probably grant it. Honest work and a new start."

"Heather…"

"We all need a fresh start Matt. That House…oh god when I think about going back I think about how I let Andy down and Jen and…everything in there will remind me of them. Day after day…after day."

"Florida?" Casey asks weakly as he looks at Severide whose expression turns to panic just as fast.

"Florida? But…the boys have so much here," Severide adds in haste as she nods in agreement. "Heather…"

"I know and I thought about them a lot when I was doing my time. I kept telling myself that no matter what I would do it would be for them…has to be for them. Sounded easy to say but…counselling was hard. It forced me to face things that…that I didn't want to face and…right I'm rambling."

"You don't have to leave," Casey implores quietly.

"I'm not."

"What?" Severide asks in haste.

"What?" Casey asks the exact same time.

"After all the meetings and counselling sessions and therapy…whatever's," she pauses with a smirk, "I realized that if I did go to Florida it would only benefit me. Jen's dead because I did what I thought was best for me and I can't. Matt, when Griffin told me about going to see his father's badge and what that meant to him…what you mean to him…you both…I realized that running would be the worst thing for them. I can't take them away Matt…they belong here, we all do. I need to face that and I need to stay and face that with you both at my side helping me. Jen's family…other friends. I'm not leaving. I can't."

"Thank God," Casey whispers as his eyes gently bat back a few anxiety droplets as Severide gives Heather a hug and then slaps Casey on the back as Casey finally offers a genuine smile. "Whatever you need help with you just ask."

"I am going to go home…take the boys and try to settle back in and see if I can carry on where I left off but with a bit more…life experience and then…" she pauses as she looks at the picture of her two boys with Casey and Severide and smiles. "I'm scared. I'm scared I'll fail them again. Fail Andy."

"We're here to help," Severide repeats what Casey had offered earlier. "In a few months school will be over and then you'll have the summer to make a new plan for the fall."

"I don't want to run but going back to that House with so many bad memories…"

"But there's also so many good memories," Casey reminds her as she looks at him with a frown. "What you do with the House is your call but don't be too fast to throw it all away. The boys still love it there."

"I know they do. And I want them to meet their grandfather…yes that was another therapy session," Heather admits with a heavy sigh as she leans back on the couch, Casey and Severide on either side. "I just can't believe how much has changed for all of us. But the boys love you both and taking them away would be wrong," she repeats as if trying to convince herself of the decision she made – the right decision.

"Come on, we'll have breakfast, get the rest of the boys stuff packed up and get you moved back into your place."

"I want us be closer than we were before this. All of us," she looks at Severide and then at Casey. "Matt you told me how your sister and Benny and Shay…and everyone at 51 was there for them…for Andy when we needed it and I want to show my appreciation for that."

"The gang loves a good barbeque," Severide suggests as they finally hear the boys footsteps bounding down the stairs toward them; all three adults looking up with inviting smiles.

"And of course we'll help," Casey volunteers as the boys rush into the room, Ben jumping onto Severide's lap and Griffin wedging himself between his mother and Casey.

"Help with what?" Griffin asks in haste.

"A thank you barbeque for House 51 for helping out with you both," she looks at him with a tender smile as she kisses his cheek. "Would you like that?" She asks Griffin and then Ben who both smile and nod.

"Yeah! Can we help too?" Griffin's question pulls his mother's face back to his.

"Course you can," she whispers as Casey's hand gives her back a friendly pat.

"Are we going to the park today?" Ben asks as he bounces on Severide's lap.

"No actually we're going to take all those boxes back to your House."

"You're coming with us right?" Griffin asks in haste as Heather quickly swallows.

"We all are," Casey assures him with a warm smile. "After a big pancake and bacon breakfast."

"YAY!" All of them shout at once and then laugh. Ten minutes later breakfast is started; all of them still in their pajama's but having fun all working together; the boys more than thrilled to have their mother with them, Severide watching with a strained smile and Casey's agitation continuing to build. Breakfast is enjoyed and then it's time to clean up, get dressed and get the move underway.

"Okay, we'll meet you there," Casey tells Severide as he packs up the last of the boxes in the back of his truck. Griffin hops into the front seat of Casey's truck, while Heather and Ben get into Severide's packed car; both vehicles packed with as much stuff as they could hold.

As soon as they start to unpack the car, Casey's stomach seized and it's not until Severide taps him on the shoulder that he finally snaps out of his funk and carries the box into the Darden home.

"I've missed this place," Heather comments as she puts her box down on the kitchen table and looks at her home. "I still remember that last morning and…" she stops and then looks at the Casey and Severide's wondering expressions. "Sorry."

"Don't be," Casey answers in haste as Severide nods in agreement. "Talk about it all you want."

"Thank you."

Heather reminisces a bit more as she starts to unpack a box and put a few of the boys most recent school pieces on the fridge; Casey and Severide bringing in the rest of the boxes and carrying them upstairs to the boys separate rooms. Things were starting to look like they did before she was taken to jail.

"Matt thank you again for the upkeep on this place. Andy would have been so happy. I miss him so much," she laments once more as Casey's hand rests on her shoulder and squeezes, Heather giving him a firm nod before they take the moment and then carry on. About three hours later, the boxes were unpacked, the boy's rooms were set up; the fridge was packed with food and they were all making dinner – together. But when it came time for everyone to leave, the night wasn't going to end as emotionally peaceful as the night before. The little boys were sad because it was the first time in over a year and a half that they wouldn't be waking up to their adoring Uncles. But as both Casey and Severide told them it was time for them to get back to their old routine and they'd see them in a few days.

But just before they are about to leave Casey takes Griffin aside wanting to give him something rather special. "Guess this means you'll be the man of the House now. Do me a favor and take care of your mom and brother okay?"

"Won't I see you again?"

"Sure you will, but it won't be the same and your mom will really need you now to help her get adjusted with your routines for you and your brother. Can you do that?"

"Sure."

"Good. Before we go…I have something for you," Casey slowly bends down to a kneeling position and takes out a very special object. "You know your dad always said that we didn't become men until we got our badges. His original badge will always hang on the academy wall…but I made this one for you," he pauses with a small sniffle as he hands Griffin a tin replica of his father, Andy Darden's firefighting badge; pressing it into the palm of the small boy.

"Is this his number?"

"Mmm hmm," Casey nods in confirmation. "I was in line right after him so our badges are only one number apart. See."

"Can I keep yours too?" Griffin asks in haste.

"Absolutely," Casey answers as he stands up and hugs Griffin. "When I need to visit it, I'll know where to come," he whispers as he holds the young boy close; Ben rushing up and giving him a hug at the same time. "I will see you both in a few days."

"Promise?" Griffin looks up in sorrow as Casey nods and smiles.

"Promise," he whispers as he gives them both one final squeeze and then pulls away, quickly swallowing and then pulling back with a tight lipped smile. "None of us are going anywhere very far." A few more goodnights and then it's time for them to take their leave, Casey and Severide walking in silence back to their respective vehicles.

"So…see you at the House?" Casey tosses at Severide before they get into their vehicles.

"Sure," Severide nods as he gets into his car. But instead of heading to his own home or the Firehouse as Casey had been hinting at, he follows Casey back to his home and parks right beside him. "What? This is the House you meant right?"

"Kelly you don't have to stay here," Casey states with a small sigh as he closes his truck door.

"My stuff's still here…remember," Severide retorts with a grin as they both head up the sidewalk into Casey's home. They enter the quiet dwelling; Casey standing in the entranceway and listening to the silence that now starts to mount. That is until it's broken by a friendly voice.

"So what happens to the room the boys were sleeping in?" Severide asks as they kick off their shoes and hang up their jackets.

"Well after you move out downstairs I'll make that into a small office and I guess it becomes the spare room. Why?"

"Beds are still thee right?" Severide inquires.

"Right."

"Sleeping bags?"

"Right…but…"

"I get the left side."

"What? Hey now…wa…"

"Unless…you beat me there!" Severide chuckles as he bolts for the stairs. Casey hesitating for only a few seconds before he races after Severide the two of them trying to get up the stairs at the same time and into the other large upstairs room. A few childish names are offered, laughter following before both of them finally enter the room and race for the left bed, sitting on it at the same time and then flopping down with their faces flushed and chests heaving.

"I'm getting…too old…for that," Severide admits as Casey snickers and nods in agreement.

"Just don't…tell the boys…that."

"No way."

Casey finally picks himself up from the small bed and heads over to the right and slumps down opposite his friend. "Think they'll stay here…you know not move away?"

"I know Heather is scared and after being away for that long I think I'd want to run also but um…but I think she'll settle in and they'll stay. I hope so for the boy's sake…and Hadley's."

"I know Shay is expecting you so I'll be okay."

"I'll figure it out tomorrow, I'm staying right here tonight."

And he does and so does Casey; each of them taking one of the small beds, talking about the boys, swapping a few more stories before the lights are turned out both easily slip into a deep sleep from physical and emotional exhaustion.

XXXXXXXX

The next morning Casey awakens to find himself alone in the room; his eyes blinking a few times to fully awaken and then looking around the very quiet room. "Kelly?" He calls out with a somewhat sleepy tone before he pushes himself out of bed and then stumbles down the hallway. "Hey Kelly!" Casey calls out – being greeted with only silence in return. He reaches the top of the stairs and stops, his eye spying a folded piece of paper on his bed and he slowly walks toward it.

'Hey sleepy head…start the coffee. K.'

"What?" Casey mutters to himself as he heads downstairs into the kitchen and pops his head into Severide's room. He notices his things still there and frowns. "Where the hell'd he go?"

But just before he can answer his own question, he hears two cars stopping outside his home and hurries to the front window to look out. "What on earth…" Casey mutters as he hurries to the front door and opens it.

"Lemme guess you didn't start the coffee," Severide quips as he pushes past Casey; Casey looking at him but his head snapping back a few seconds as he hears two other familiar voices. Benny and Shay.

"What's…going on?"

"Apparently he needs help to move," Shay mentions.

"He doesn't have much stuff," Casey replies with a small shrug.

"That's what I said," Severide tosses back with a grin.

"Your dresser alone weighs a ton," Benny groans.

"Wait…what? What dresser?" Casey wonders.

"That thing has to go and I figured if the boys want to come back and stay we set up bunk beds in the room down here so they won't have to share the couch. We'll put the office someplace else," Severide explains as all three adult faces look at Casey's somewhat bewildered expression.

"Finally he's not interrupting," Severide lightly jokes.

"What are you talking about?"

"Me…moving in…here…for good."

"What?"

A/N: Sorry I lied! I had planned to end it with this chap but I didn't want to rush the ending and I felt a few talks in this chappy were important and I hope that's okay. At the start I had planned to keep it canon with Heather moving to Florida but figured that since in this story (b/c the real CF writers dropped this ball!) she did her entire time and got help and had time to think and really appreciate all that Matt and Kelly had done that she'd stay. She had to come to terms with a lot but she did it and I hope you all like this path I took instead; gotta keep all the boys happy hehe I included the scene with Matt giving his badge to Griffin like in the show and hey this is AU so I hope you like how this chapter and this story will end with our team sevasey as roomies! So please do review before you go and thanks so much!