Erin woke up the next morning and heard noises coming from the kitchen. She fell out of bed as she was trying to throw the covers off of her. "Shit." Erin spat
She got up and ran to the kitchen. She saw Alex sitting down eating cereal. "Did Shane leave?"
"Momma he already left. A few minutes ago."
"Okay. I'll talk with him later. Alex hurry up and eat so we can go. Mommy's got work."
Shane pulled into school got out and walked to his locker where Jordan and Daniel met him.
"Where hav1e you been? You look like you've been taking some drugs." Jordan and Daniel both whispered.
"I haven't fyi. I've been going through some things. Nothing big. My dad left last night so I'm stuck with Erin.."
"She's not that bad Shane. She's really cool. I like going over there.. I don't get why you don't." Jordan said
"I don't want her replacing my mom. That's all."
"She's not going too. Trust me."
"Halstead what are you doing this weekend?" Quinn asked
"Uh, Nothing." Shane spat quickly
Quinn smiled "I was wondering if you'd want to go to the firemen's ball with me. My dad told me I could bring a friend although. He probably won't like that I'm bringing a boy." Quinn laughed
"Sure.. I'll come."
"Great. I'll text you tonight." Quinn gave him a kiss on the cheek then walked away holding her books. Shane fell back against his locker and smiled..
Jordan and Daniel both laughed as they picked up Shane's dropped books. Shane closed his locker then walked to his first period class which Quinn was in.
"Oh look it's the nerd." One kid said as he walked in.
"If you wanna say something say it to my face goddamn it.." Shane said
"I don't get why Quinn wants to hang out with you." Nick said
Quinn turned around and shot him the death stare. "I don't hang out with assholes like you Nicholas.."
They whole class went silent as the teacher walked in. "I hope you all had a great winter break. Would anyone like to tell us about theirs?"
Shane raised his hand, while smiling big
"Shane, what happened?"
"My dad met a new girlfriend, who's got a daughter. She's adorable. I almost got killed I found out how my uncle died and my dad left for Afghanistan last night. I had a fun I guess holiday.. I'm hoping 2017 is a hell of a lot better. It's actually starting to be." Shane shot Quinn a look
Quinn raised her hand and smiled too. "I went to my dad's cabin on the lake, fished and play in the snow. I asked someone out.."
Later that night Shane walked into the house, and looked around. He saw a note sitting on the fridge.
"Dear Shane,
I had to go to work, then after I have Alex's basketball practice. On the fridge is the numbers in case anything happens. And the number for the pizza guy. I left money there for you to buy some. Don't throw a party because I'll find out, and I love you. I'll see you later. Also your dad wanted to talk to you so call him or facetime."
Love Erin
Shane put the note down, then picked up his cell phone and called his dad. He waited as it rung for a couple minutes then it went straight to voicemail. Shane looked at Quinn's name which was underneath all of his friend's.
He pushed the button which called her. "So what you said in English? You asked someone out.." Shane asked
"I asked you out idiot. I've been thinking, if I want something I gotta go get it. So I asked you because you are something. Someone I want in my life.." Quinn was lying on her bed looking up at her ceiling smiling away.
"Well I guess same goes for me. I was scared to ask.. Without my dad.."
"He'll be back. I know he will.."
"I gotta go do homework before my dad's girlfriend gets home but I'll see you."
"Alright call me later."
Shane hung up the phone then went into the bathroom and opened up the medicine cabinet which had a whole bunch of prescription pain pills. He popped open the bottle and put three in his mouth then swallowed. He put it down then looked at himself in the mirror.
His conscience was telling him to do it, already. A part of him told him not to do anything.
"Shane are you in here?" Erin asked
"Yeah. I am. I'll be out in a minute."
Shane closed up the bottle and the cabinet then walked out of the bathroom and got trampled by Alex who was excited to see him.
"Shane guess what I did in basketball?" Alex smiled "I made a shot."
"That is so cool kid. I can't wait to watch you play. Let's go eat. I bet you are hungry.."
"Yeah a little bit. Mommy what's for dinner?"
"Pizza." Erin said
Alex's eyes lit up as she ran to the kitchen table. She sat down and waited as her mom and Shane were walking. "I'm not here to take the place of your mom Shane. Know that. If you wanna talk I'm here. I went through some pretty rough stuff when I was your age."
"I don't need to talk to you. I'm fine. Oh and I got invited to the Firemen's ball on Saturday.. And I wanna go."
"You can go just wipe the attitude."
Shane rolled his eyes and scoffed. He sat down next to Alex who was really excited to tell everyone about her day at school.
"Mommy I had a good day. The teacher asked what I did and I said I got a new daddy."
"Oh.." Erin said
"Yeah. And I got a new best friend." Alex laughed then eat some pizza "Her name is Mallory."
"You got a best friend? I got a girlfriend I guess."
Erin turned her head and smiled. "What's her name?"
"Quinn. She's a firefighter's daughter. Jeff Clarke.."
"I know him.. He's one of Kelly Severide's friends."
"My dad arrested him a year ago. But you know nothing bad happened. I like her though. She's really sweet and nice. She stood up for me today."
"Shane I'm glad to hear that. You deserve someone who likes you. I didn't think I'd find someone, and I did. I'm lucky to have him and you and Alex."
"Erin, my dad is lucky to have you.. I guess I haven't realized it yet."
"I'm not trying to take the place of your mom Shane. I never will be her.." The three sitting at the dinner table, heard a knock on the door. Erin scoffed threw her napkin down then got up and walked to the door. She opened it and gasped
"Erin, I'm your dad." Erin turned back at Shane and Alex then looked back at Jimmy the man standing in her doorway.
"Ho how did you find my address?"
"I was figuring out a way to meet you.. I google searched you.."
"That's just creepy. What's your name?" Erin asked
"Jimmy.. Erin look I just wanted to talk. That's all no harm."
Erin looked back at Alex who was watching her mom. "Can we make this quick? I am busy as you can see." Jimmy smiled
"Jimmy look where have you been? I mean you are in my life then the next second you are gone.. I have to go."
"Erin wait. I want to explain. I've been out of jail for ten years. I-I'm married. I have two boys."
Erin rolled her eyes then scoffed. "Save it Jimmy. I have to go my daughter is calling me."
Alex came running towards her, she tugged on her jacket. "Mommy. Who's that?"
"He's just leaving." Erin said
"Erin, wait let me explain.." Jimmy said
"Jimmy I said go. You don't need to be here. I have to get back to dinner." Erin shut the door on his face then walked back to the table, as she was being dragged by Alex.
Erin sat back down after giving her daughter a bath then she answered her phone which had been ringing for a couple minutes. "Hello?"
"Have you heard from my mom Erin?" Daniel asked
"No. Why.."
"Because I haven't heard from her and Grandpa just left the house fast, I think something happened. Can I come over to your house?"
"Daniel you are always welcome. I'll come pick you up, let me call Antonio.."
"Thanks.."
"I'll watch Alex. Go see what's up. Mom."
Erin smiled "Alex! I'll be back soon! Shane make sure she goes to bed at a decent time.. Alright."
"I will I promise." Shane said closing the door.
Erin dialed Antonio's number. "Tony, what happened with Hank?"
"Olive was found dead."
A Cliffhanger... Oh my. I'm so excited about what's next for this there's so many new things happening. Erin's Dad? Whaaaaattttt? Then Olive... Oh my. How is everyone gonna react? I don't know. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas if I don't post until after.
Thanks for so much love this year, I am so grateful for it. So God bless
Love Madison!