''So, you are gone for the weekend with your mom?'' Severide took a sip from his drink, looking at Matthew. Matthew nodded. ''yes, we are going to a small holiday park, so I can get to know my stepfather a little bit better.'' He lied. In the corner of his eyes he could see Dawson behind the bar, wearing the new Molly's T-shirt.
''Interesting, since Dawson is also going away with her parents to holiday park this weekend.''
How could he have known that she was going to use the same lie?
''I think you and Dawson are going together, aren't you?''
''Don't tell anyone!'' He said to Severide, looking if somebody was listening.
''Sweet.'' Severide smiled. ''Will she be moving in with you?''
''I don't know, I don't want to hurry things. It seems better that I life on myself for a few weeks before she moves in. We are not together that long yet.''
Severide nodded. ''I am happy for you.''
Dawson also sat down. ''Can I drive home with you, Matthew? I think the last bus already left.''
''Don't have to think of an excuse, I know about you.'' Kelly smiled. ''hope you have a nice weekend.'' He stood up, walking to Shay.
''Did you tell him?'' Dawson squinted with her eyes. ''no, he was suspecting it, because you also told him that you were going away this weekend. But it is okay, he won't tell anyone.''
''Casey!'' Boden came walking up to him. ''Haven't seen you in so long, how are you doing?''
''Good to see you chief, I am doing good!''
Boden said down on his right. ''So, I heard you are moving into a new apartment in two weeks.''
''True, also very close to the station.''
''Casey, I am sorry to bring it up but I think we need to talk soon about-''
''About my dismissal, I know. I will come to the station soon.'' He knew it was coming, unavoidable.
''Maybe we can arrange something, I could use somebody in the office who also knows a lot about fires and also the practice.''
Casey nodded; ''Sounds good, we will talk about it.'' He was happy if he didn't need to look for something he didn't care about, to be honest there were not a lot of jobs available that interested him with the schooling he had. If he could stay in the fire house, he was happy with everything he could get.
''I should go soon, it is getting late.'' Boden said, looking at his watch. ''It was great to see you.''
''Likewise, see you soon.'' He smiled at Boden, turning to Dawson. ''Do you want to go soon as well?''
She nodded and they said their goodbyes to everyone. Together they left, knowing it wouldn't be strange since he was bringing her home more often.
He lifted himself in the car, still sitting sideways when Gabriella grabbed his hands, letting them go again and laying her hands in his neck.
''So, how late do I have be ready Friday?''
''I think I am going without you.'' Casey smiled.
''You wish you could, but I have the reservation.''
''Then, I guess I pick you up around eleven. You are free on Friday, right?''
She nodded, kissing him on the mouth.
''I can't wait for the weekend.'' Dawson whispered, smiling as she kissed him again. Their attention was suddenly drawn to a whistle. Matthew looked over Dawson's shoulder to see Hermann , Otis and Shay looking at them, Severide popping up behind them. Hermann and Shay seemed surprised, while Otis still had his fingers in his mouth from the loud whistle. ''Nothing to see.'' Severide said, pushing the other three forward, Shay to his own car and the others to Hermann's car, were they started lifting a few boxes from the trunk. Casey started the car and drove away.
Their phones were beeping at the same time. ''Probably the House 51 Whatsapp spreading the news.'' He sighed. Dawson pulled her phone from her pocket.
''Casey is going to get so laid tonight…hope that he will also give some pleasure to Dawson. Oh Otis, the next time I see you I will give you some pleasure'' She grumbled, typing.
''Relax, at least we will be gone for the weekend and I am sure the storm has gone down after that.''
His phone kept beeping while he drove to Dawson's house.
''I have one more shift before the weekend. '' She said looking up.
''Poor you. Am I missing something in the Whatsapp?'' He said, looking to her side. Now he was getting used to the driving he wasn't so tense anymore and dared to look aside every now and then.
''I am just threatening Otis that a brick to the face is the sort of pleasure awaiting for him.''
''Be kind to the forever alone guy.'' Matthew chuckled. He parked the car by Dawson's building, also grabbing his phone and typing in the Whatsapp. After a few seconds Dawson started to laugh.
''You might say that they were right but we are still not sleeping together, since I am not allowed to sleep at the centre and you are not allowed to stay away for the night.''
''They don't know that.'' He said, with a wink.
''Do you see anyone in the parking lot?'' He looked around.
''No, I think you can walk safe. I think it was a joke after all. Wouldn't surprise me if Otis maybe knew already, trying to scare us.''
''Do you really think he would do that?''
Matthew shrugged. ''Maybe, but the coast is clear. See you Friday.'' She walked to the building and the drove away when he saw a light popping on her apartment. To be honest, he was sure that it hadn't been Otis, Otis would never do that. But when he was calming her down a few days ago, he had acknowledged that she was calm as long as he was. Maybe it had just been coincidence and they could brush it off as a joke.
….
''The holiday express.'' He smiled when she stepped in the car, putting her bag on top of his.
''It is getting pretty tight in here.'' She was squashed between the bags and the side of the car.
''Sorry.''
''it is cozy.'' She took the GPS of the dashboard, entering the address. They were lucky with the traffic and left Chicago without too much trouble.
''What is this?'' They were driving over a rural road. She was holding one of the shards from the CD. He thought he had gotten them all out, but apparently there was one more her side.
''Nothing, it was a CD, but I dropped it.''
Yeah, with all the emotion in it, throwing it to the ground as hard as he could. The box had sprung open, the shards falling out.
She held up the box of the CD, a large crack in the plastic. ''I have this one as well, somewhere in my apartment, when I find it, you can have it.''
''I – no thanks. To be honest, I threw the CD in shards, the evening you comforted me.''
''It reminded you of Hallie?''
He nodded, not looking aside. ''I always listened it to it in the car, for years and she hated it. It was a kind of our CD for years. I also asked her to marry me at a Springsteen cover band concert. We missed out a real concert of the Boss. So the CD didn't just remind me of her, it was our CD.''
''I am sorry.''
''Don't be, it was a just a CD. Like I said, she hated it anyway.''
He concentrated on the road again. After a few seconds he turned to her again. ''How was everyone to you on your last shift?''
She shrugged. ''Had expected it worse, of course, they were teasing but everyone seems to happy for us as well. ''
''Good.''
Sooner than they expected, they arrived at the holiday park. Opening the door they were amazed by the light falling through the glass side of the cabin, not needing to put on any lights. As far as they could see, they only saw the small lake by their cabin.
''You didn't tell me there was a lake.''
''I told you to take your swimwear.''
''You are not getting me into that water, woman!'' He smiled, moving to the bedroom. To be honest, he just didn't dear to wear the shorts because he was afraid of people looking at his atrophied legs. The bedroom was also very light, made out of glass on one side.
''Awesome…but isn't a little bit open?'' He said, carefully.
''Oh, I also forgot to tell you that it is our private lake. All the other cabins are at other lakes. You may thank me later.'' She said, laying her arms around him from behind.
''How can I ever pay this back to you?''
''Oh, I also forgot to tell you. My parents own this holiday park.'' With a large smile she walked to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water. Matthew started to unpack his bag, joining her in the kitchen when he was ready.
''I though you said your parents were doing ''something with tourism.'''' Matthew mumbled, still looking around through the large cabin.
''Well, a holiday park is something with tourism.''
''Should I be afraid that they can walk in every minute?''
''No, they are coming here to BBQ, they are in the office now.''
Matthew nodded. ''Sounds good.''
''Don't worry, the office is a few miles away, they also life a few miles away. They only still own it and do small things in the office, everything else is run by other people, so they won't be bumping in here and the only way they know what we are going here is if we burn the place down.''
''I think it is too hot to use that fireplace anyway.'' He said, pointing at the fireplace in the corner of the room.
''Sorry I didn't tell you, about my parents.''
''I understand, no need to be story. I'd also rather be sure if somebody likes you without knowing about what the family does.''
''To be sure, what does your mom do?''
He shrugged. ''Good question, I have no idea.''
''Why don't you know?''
''I didn't want to tell you this before you met my mom, but since it has the same reason as yours, not wanting to be judged or loved because of your family, in my case judged. My mom went to prison, only got out recently.''
Dawson sat down on a chair, so they were on the same eye-level.
''Do you want to tell me what she got arrested for?''
''Maybe it would be better if you meet her first, she is really not a wrong person and-''
''I know, if you don't want to tell it, it is fine, but I really won't settle her for what she has done. I just would like to know, maybe to understand why you aren't close to your mom. ''
Casey was silent for a few seconds, sighed then; ''She murdered…my dad.''
The room was suddenly silent, both not knowing what to do.
''I am…sorry.'' She stuttered after a long silence.
''My dad wasn't an angel either, that is why I can still be with her without hating her. But if it hadn't been her killing him, I'd probably have done it.''
''It is okay if you don't want to tell more, just tell what you want me know.''
''There is not much to tell, they hated each other, their marriage was a time bomb and the only reason that they still were together was me and my sister. He wanted me to go in the army to serve this country and I wanted to go to fire school. He kept insulting me and when my sister and mom stood up for me, he would swear the living shit out of them. I can't say that what my mom did was a good thing, it should have been settled with divorce papers. But he would never sign those, so somewhere, I can't blame mum. But my sister can't forgive her and that is why I see my sister only rarely.''
Dawson nodded. ''I understand. In the end, she still was defending her kids.''
He shrugged and nodded at the same time. ''Kind off, she never planned it. One night things got so out of hand me and Christie fled to our uncle a few blocks away. My mom came there, telling us that everything would be fine. We went to bed there, hoping everything would be better, just to be woken up by sirens. My uncle never forgave himself for leaving his pistol in the kitchen, she saw it and took it, otherwise he probably wouldn't be dead now.''
''Did your dad ever abuse you?''
Casey shook his head. ''Not in a physical way, but he kept insulting us, swearing at us, telling us we were worthless and that I was a shame to the family, since most of the males had served the military.''
''He did abuse you, mentally.''
''Well, that is about it. I stay in touch with my mom by email. Sometimes I text Christie, but only on birthdays and to ask how my little niece is doing in school. I would go to the zoo with her once a year, but I couldn't go last year because of a sudden call from Boden, you remember the big apartment building? I remember you were called to come as well, anyway, I couldn't take her and Violet and Christie never forgave me.''
Suddenly there was knock on the door.
''Wow, what time is it?'' Dawson jumped from the chair, looking at the clock on the wall.
''Crap, three already, my parents. ''
''Shi…I will join you in a few minutes. I really need to put on something better for you parents.'' He said, pointing at his overly washed T-shirt.
He had just reached the bedroom when he could hear Dawson opening the door, greeting her parents. Somehow, he could have expected Dawson to come from a better family after her brothers Christmas party. Quick he grabbed one of his shirts and a black jacket, went to the living room.
Dawson looked exactly like her mom, who approached him first and gave him a quick hand; ''Jeanet Dawson.''
''Matthew Casey.''
Her dad came walking towards him now. ''Nice to meet you, Matthew, I am Charles Dawson, Gabriella's dad.''
Somehow, Matthew wasn't sure if Charles said it so obvious and slow because that was the way he always talked, or because Matthew was in wheelchair. He had already acknowledged some people he hadn't met before assumed he was slow.
''Likewise, thank you for letting us stay here.''
''Let's sit outside, Matthew was just leaving to get us some drinks from the shop, we arrived a little later than expected.'' Dawson nodded.
''Oh yeah, sure. What can I get you?'' He said a little surprised. Her dad frowned. Not good.
''We brought everything with us, we had expected that you had no time to go shopping yet.''
''Do I need to help with bringing the bags inside?'' Matthew asked.
''I am sure Gaby can help as well.''
''I am pretty sure I can help as well.'' He nodded, hoping her dad would understand that he wasn't dumb nor useless. Maybe not the most diplomatic way to talk to your father in law, though.
''Me and mom will set everything up outside.'' Gabriela interrupted them. Saved by the bell.
Together with her dad we went outside. ''So Matthew, what work are you doing?'' He said, not looking down at Matthew.
'''For the moment I am still rehabilitation, but as soon as I am out, I can hopefully start working in the office of the fire house, otherwise I am thinking about retraining.''
They went to a big black jeep. The dad opened the trunk and handed him a big box with drinks. Casey put it on his lap and looked how the dad pulled several plastic backs out, closing the trunk again.
''Do I need to take any of the bags?''
''No, it is fine.''
Matthew didn't dare to say anything when they returned to the cabin.
Gabriela and her mom sat outside on the porch by the lake. They joined. When all the drinks were served and they finally sat all together the interrogation continued, as he had expected.
''When did you meet Gabriela?'' Her mom asked.
''I think…three years ago, when she started working in the same fire house as I work.''
''That was two years ago. '' Dawson corrected him.
''So, you were a fire fighter?'' Her dad said, finally seeming a little impressed.
Matthew nodded. ''Like I said, I hope being able to stay working in the fire house.''
''When did you have to stop working as a fire fighter?'' Her mom asked, carefully.
Nobody actually seemed to dare to ask the question direct.
''Since January this year.'' He couldn't believe it was only a little less than half a year ago. It seemed so much longer. Usually he would just tell it now, but he was wondering if they would dare to ask him.
''What happened?'' Her dad said. At least they dared.
''I was shot.'' He said, curtly.
''There was a neighborhood gang tried to break in, he came running by and interfered, he saved the chiefs life.'' Dawson said. Her parents both nodded.
''Your son also worked on the case, to get the boys arrested. He is a great cop.'' Matthew said, hoping that they liked him flattering their son.
Luckily, Dawson changed the subject to Antonio now and he went to the bbq, grilling the meat while they were talking. He was happy he didn't need to think about what he said every time. After her parents left, they stayed on the porch for one more drink.
''Sorry about my parents. ''
''Why the sorry?''
''How my dad behaved to you in the beginning.''
Matthew laughed it off. ''That was total normal reaction. I was at a shop recently and the cashier walked with me the whole time, telling me what everything was a grabbed it. Besides, they couldn't have known and later on, I really liked talking with them.''
''you were busy preparing the meat.''
''Well, I liked listening to it.''
Gabriela smiled. ''let's go to bed soon.''
He blew the candle on the table out, went inside with her.
''Can't promise anything about how my body will be behaving.'' He said as they reached the bedroom, blushing.
''I know, but I am sure sleeping together will be great, even if it is just cuddling.'' She smiled at him, dropping her shirt on the shirt, sitting down on his lip, facing him.
He kissed her, knowing this was the night he couldn't love her more.
….
NOTE: I am not sure if Casey ever told Dawson about his mom being in prison…I think he did when she was allowed to leave, but in this universe, he never did. Usually I would look through the series to be sure, but my borrowed laptop takes 10 seconds to load one second of the video. So, that is not really an option, sorry.
Oh and shoot! I thought Antonio was Dawson's cousin instead of brother, sorry if I made that mistake in the previous chapters. I really need to rewatch Chicago Fire!
I hope you liked this chapter! I know the last chapter was pretty bad and I hope I made up with this one.
I am looking forward to writing the next chapter of their holiday! Hope you are looking forward as well!
Hope the last part wasn't to mature for a T rated story. If you want to read about their bedtime, I will write it as a separate one-shot, to keep this one T rated and the other one mature rated. Please tell me if you are interested for that! I never did it before, but I would like to try once. Usually I am not so into the stuff...but hey...need to try everything once.
Thank you for reading, please review what you thought about this chapter!
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