Slowly Matthew made his way through the shop shelves, throwing bags of chips and bottles of drink in the shopping cart on his lap. Parties were a nice thing, just the shopping before a party always annoyed him. The supermarket was never a place he liked, usually Hallie had done the shopping when they still lived together and when he was living alone, he nearly ran through the shop, just grabbing the things he needed and if he forgot something, he simply would have to wait another week. Happy when he could shove bags with groceries in his car, he drove home, just to sort stuff out he had just gathered together. While putting the bottles on the fridge he immediately smiled when he saw the lonely fridge magnet, holding up a paper with the times of his shifts. His shifts in the office of the firehouse. The job was not nearly was exited as being a firefighter and he had spent half of his first day playing with a pen and looking out of the window. The report he had to write and he was allowed to spent a whole day on was finished within two hours. But being in and around the firehouse made him feel happy. Also, Dawson thought that the uniform with the blouse and tie was very sexy. The others had just been joking how classy he finally looked. The frontdoor opened and he looked at the clock, seeing Dawson's shift was over and she walked up to him, looking around.
''Could you find it?'' He said, kissing her on the cheek.
''Tomie could. Plus it is still pretty close.'' She smiled when laying down the Tom Tom on the kitchen table, afraid that it would get stolen if she left it in her car. She walked to the living room, looking through the wide, light room. It was very simple and modern, yet still cozy.
''So, we can also watch games on your place now.'' She said, pointing at the big sofa.
''Oh yeah, but we could also go see Chicago Fire or the Blackhawks live. At least for once.''
''Definitely the Blackhawks. '' She laughed. ''I want to see grown man smashing into each other instead of guys running after a ball, just to kick it away again when they finally got it.''
''Woman.'' He sighed while rolling her eyes.
''I brought you this, for tonight.'' She grabbed a plastic bag from her handbag, showing him the colored garlands. ''What is a party without them?''
''You have to get them in place, I will make us dinner.'' He said, moving back to the kitchen, as Dawson grabbing a dinner chair to stand on while arranging the garlands.
He laughed going back to the living room, every corner of the room dressed up as if it was his tenth birthday.
...
''My god, Matt, you even have an extra room, for a small Dawson!'' Shay yelled when he had opened the door to the room that just acted for the boxes that he hadn't unpacked yet and he probably never was going to. Stuff from Hallie, as well as firefighter stuff. It would probably just end up on a shelf in one of the closets in the wall.
''The world will be doomed if it gets a kid with her mouth and his stubbornness.'' Severide chuckled.
''I am still here.'' Matthew sighed. He had separated with Hallie before their last coming back together because he wanted a baby and she didn't, but now he wasn't even sure anymore if he ever wanted to have a baby, or if he was able to. Dawson joined them again.
''When is this room going to be filled?'' Shay mumbled to Dawson, swaying with her finger in the doorway.''
''You are first in line.'' Dawson just smiled, the four of them going back to the kitchen. After a few minutes there was another knock on the door and his mom entered, with Vaughn.
''I am Nancy, nice meeting you!'' She nearly jumped Gabriela. Gabriela hugged her back, a little awkward. ''Yes, it is very nice to finally meet you too.'' She could just mumble, nearly getting crushed by Nancy Casey's hug.
''Very nice apartment. It seemed so old from the outside.'' Vaughn said in his very low voice to Matthew, whom just nodded. ''It is a renovated warehouse.'' he said after a few seconds, trying not to sound rude, as it was very obvious.
''Mattie, it is so pretty.'' His mom kissed him on his temple and in the corner of his eyes he could see Shay and Severide holding their hands in front of their mouth, the tears nearly streaming out of their eyes. When his mom and Vaughn walked to the kitchen to get something to drink they rolled of the couch, laughing uncontrollably. ''Mattie, oooh Mattie.'' they laughed and even Gabriela was leaning against the wall, laughing. They tried to contain themselves again when his mom walked back in and Matthew had to leave again for the door, letting most of the other guys of firehouse 51 in. Hermann handed him a bottle of wine, while Otis and Cruz were carrying a giant plant: ''No housewarming without a plant.'' Otis panted. With loads of effort they managed to lift it on the cooking island. Mouch greeted him as well. Matthew thanked them, just to be surprised again by Boden, whom was bringing another plant; ''I have to leave again, just want to wish a lot of luck in this house.''
If it carried on like this, he wouldn't have to worry about holiday, his house would be a jungle. Antonio walked in as well, greeting him and walking up to Dawson, talking with her. Before he could close the door again he could so Mill approaching, as well as the candidate behind him. The candidate greeted him first, walking towards the rest while Mills kept standing.
''Hey, I know I haven't been very respectful to you the last few weeks, ignoring you and talking shit about you. I just want to say I am sorry and I hope you will be happy here, with Dawson. Treat her right, okay?''
''Thank you, Mills.'' He smiled. Mills had been very distant and rude to him.
''You said the same words to me on the dinner. Now it is your turn to treat her right. I really hope you find all the happiness in the world.'' Mills smiled, walking to the living room.
He had joined the group in the living for just a few more minutes when he had to go to the door again, no idea who else he could still expect. He was surprised when he opened the door and found Tamara standing there. ''So, welcome to Rome.'' She smiled at him.
''Thank you. Do you want to come in?''
She shook her head. ''My husband is waiting for me to get home. I just wanted to congratulate you on the new house, you should be proud that you are already living on your own again. I told you that it would all work out.''
Matthew smiled as she handed him a bunch of flowers. ''The Orange tree flower?''
She nodded. ''They are from Italy.''
''Thank you, Tamara, for everything.''
''You are welcome. I am glad you are happy again, including a girl.''
She greeted him and walked back over the hall way.
Nobody came by the door again and he joined the party in the living room. His mom, Antonio and Gabriela were talking, the firehouse had grouped up, except Hermann, who was talking with Vaughn. He joined the firehouse group.
''If it isn't the desk.''
''I am not a desk, you are just jealous I get to sit all day long at work. Especially you Mouch, I know you are jealous.'' He joked.
''Mattie!'' Everybody from the firehouse immediately moved their bottles and glasses to their mouth, trying to cover up their laughs. Shay jumped up; ''Bathroom break!'' He could still see her laughing when she walked away.
''We are going home, your girl is so nice! Look after yourself. See you soon again.'' She kissed him on the forehead.
When she and Vaughn walked away, Otis bursted lose. ''Mattie!''
''How did you mom call you? Bri bri?''
The rest of the guys laughed and he was smiling, rubbing his sleeve over his forehead. ''I think it is sweet that your mom still worries to much about you.'' Danny mumbled, looking to the floor. Somehow he was wondering now how the guys would have reacted if they knew what his mom did. But he was glad he and his mom were getting along again and she could be here, to share this moment with him and to meet Dawson.
''I should get home soon as well. Cindy is waiting.'' Hermann mumbled, pointing at Cruz and Mouch, they followed him; ''He is our taxi. Thanks for the party!''
Otis and Severide talked about Molly's while Shay joined Dawson and for a second he fled to the kitchen, to have some peace at mind. He looked at all the gifts people left for him on the cooking island and he felt warm inside that so many people cared about him and were here tonight. Looking around he also realized that Antonio had already left.
''Is something wrong?'' Dawson looked at him, worried.
''No, I was just grabbing something to drink.'' He mumbled, opening the fridge.
Suddenly she wrapped her arms around him; ''When everybody is gone, we have to try the new bed.''
''Hmmm. I thought you were sleeping on the couch tonight.'' He smiled.
Otis walked past them; ''Thanks for the party Matt.''
Going back into the living room, only Kelly and Shay were still talking with Danny. They joined them again. After Shay and Kelly had finished their drinks they were also leaving, Danny as the only one staying behind, somehow Casey felt a little uncomfortable around the young candidate. There was something off about him, but he still couldn't place it.
''So, do you miss being a firefighter?'' Danny asked, facing Matthew.
''I am still a part of the firehouse.'' Matthew just answered. ''Let's talk about something else, okay?'' he added, not wanting to talk about it.
''Are you angry at the boys who shot you?'' Danny persuaded anyway.
''That is in the past.'' He mumbled, looking to the floor.
''Danny, it was nice having you here.'' Dawson said, signing him to go away.
Danny was finishing his last beer and slowly he stood up, walking towards the front door. Gabriela pulled Matthew's jacket. ''I am sure, he is the one.''
''Bye, thanks for everything.'' Danny waved one last time at the door.
''Wait a second.'' Danny stopped, looking back at him.
''What is it Matt?''
''Why where you following and scaring my girl and me?''
Danny made a confused face; ''How do you mean?''
''For one thing, why did you follow us on our holiday?''
''I never followed you to Lakemore''
Casey frowned. ''Funny, I never mentioned where we were going, how did you know?''
''It was on your fridge.''
''Wrong. I removed the magnet because I was afraid somebody would break it tonight. How would you know I had a magnet on my fridge, except if you saw me getting the magnet.''
Danny slowly started to walk to the door. Casey followed him and knocked him on the floor in the hallway, also dropping himself to the ground. ''Why were you following me and my girlfriend?'' He yelled, looking the young boy deep in the eyes, pushing him against the floor.
''I didn't!'' Danny yelled, trying to push Casey away.
''You did, why did you? Did you want to scare me?''
Danny's arm got free and he tried to push Casey's head to the side.
''My foster brother is in prison because of you!'' He suddenly said, managing to push Casey off him. Casey fell to the side, hitting his head against the wall. Danny walked away, to the elevator.
...
NOTE: Sorry for the late update, took me some time to figure out how to continue the story. I am still not completely happy with it, but okay.
Hope you like it anyway. Please leave a review what you think!
Thanks for reading!
x
