Hi guys, thank you for sticking this story out. I hope you've enjoyed it!
This is the last chapter and I think it's a nice wrap up of Matt's and Taylor's story together.
Let me know what you think, I really enjoy reading reviews.
Chapter 7:
'Do you have everything?' Matt enquired. Taylor looked around the room, which was now stripped of her personal belongings.'I think so, you're gonna repaint the wall?' she asked. Matt looked at the slightly faded minty green wall opposite them and shook his head 'Nah, I like it' he said smiling woefully. He was going to miss Taylor around the house. She had lived with him for 2 years now and she was about to leave for college today.
Matt put the boxes down in the living room 'I'll send these out to you once you're settled' Matt said and Taylor simply nodded. They had been a little awkward around each other for days, now that the time to leave drew closer.
'Before you go tonight, shall we go and have a drink at Molly's?' Matt asked. 'I'm not sure I'm allowed in, Matt' she laughed. 'Oh well I know the owners, I think I can get you in' Matt winked at her as she snorted. 'Okay, let's go then' she gave in. They loaded the stuff she was taking on her flight into the truck and drove off. After a silent couple of minutes of driving Matt parked the car right in front of Molly's.
Before they stepped in Taylor took in the sight Molly's, she hadn't been there too often, since she was too young to hang around in a bar, but she had been there on private party occasions. She had celebrated some birthdays there, enjoyed Gabby's occasional Tapa nights. It held some good memories for her. 'You okay?' Matt asked as he laid his hand on her shoulder. Taylor nodded as they walked in.
'SURPRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE' a big crowd screamed at her. She clapped her hands over her mouth and laughed. She noticed the banner hanging over the bar, reading: Congratulations Taylor.
All the guys from 51 were there as well as some of the cops that had helped with her father's case. Taylor saw the doctors that had tended to her burns. She saw all the friends she had made since that fateful night and couldn't help the tears filling her eyes, they were tears of joy though.
Everybody came over to hug her and congratulate her on graduating high school with flying colors and being accepted into college. Matt sat back drinking a beer while he watched Taylor mingle with both their friends one last time. He finally got to see a simple but overjoyed smile on her face, all the baggage she had resting on her shoulders forgotten for a minute.
'So where you goin'?' Hermann asked. An even bigger smile appeared on her face. 'I uh… I got accepted into Harvard medical school' a roar of cheers came up. 'What type of doctor do you want to be?' Joe Cruz asked. 'I wanna treat burn victims' she said holding up her own scarred hands. Another round of cheers came up and some were applauding her. Taylor was shining in pride.
A lot had happened over the past two years. Taylor got on her feet impressively quick after she came to live with Matt, even with the trial lurking over her, she managed to get back to straight A's in school and she even picked up her dancing classes again. Whenever she had recitals, the whole firehouse came to watch and support her. She had the part time job at the firehouse throughout the two years she lived with Matt, to everybody's joy in the house. Everybody loved Taylor to bits and Taylor basked in it.
Matt and Taylor had become like brother and sister over the years and managed to keep up the easy intimacy they had together. They had both been through rough patches in their youth and they found a comfort with each other, they could have never found with anyone else. They both had seen neglect, abuse and murder, they both witnessed their family falling apart. But what bound them together most was their resilience and their love for life. They went out for runs together, dinner and loved to go climbing together.
It felt good for Matt not to live alone after losing Hallie. He had had moments during the last two years that the grief over her had stricken him particularly hard. Taylor had been the only one to notice when he had been struggling. She would ask him if he wanted a hug. He always turned it down, even though he wanted to hug more than anything. She would know and would tell him that she could use the hug, so he could get the hug unashamed, whispering a quiet 'thank you' into her hair.
Now they were stood outside of Molly's leaning against Matt's truck. Taylor was watching the sign wistfully. Matt took her hand 'You okay?' he asked barely keeping his voice from shaking, since he knew what was coming now. Chief Boden would take Taylor to the airport, because Taylor wasn't sure she would get on the plane if Matt would be there. Taylor shook her head tears filling her eyes.
'I'm going to miss you so much' she hiccuped. 'I'm going to miss you too, Tay, but I'm only one call away' he said wiping away her tears. 'I know' she said as she pulled Matt into a hug.
When they let go Matt took a package out of his truck and fiddled with it between his fingers. 'I uh, I got you something' he said taking a deep breath. Taylor took it out of his hands and opened the package first. It was the old CFD sweater Taylor liked so much. She smiled at him as she hugged it against her.
'Are you ready?' Boden's low voice spoke softly to Taylor. 'As ready as I ever will be' Taylor sighed looking at Matt. 'Come on then' Boden said. Matt put Taylor's suitcase in the back of Boden's car and gave Taylor one last hug told each other they loved each other.
'Don't be a stranger' Matt said as Boden started the car. Boden pulled out and the car drove off. 'You okay?' Matt heard as he was waving until he didn't see the car anymore. Severide was standing next to him, the party inside still going on.
'I will be' Matt whispered.
