Chapter 38
The house was overflowing with members of Firehouse 51, other CFD personnel, members from the University of Chicago library, and friends of Parker and Kelly. Parker added more beer to the kid swimming pool that she had filled with ice. She checked the pool holding soda, which still looked pretty full. She heard kid screaming, so she poked her head over the deck and into the back yard.
"Philip Michael William Severide! You stop that this instant!" she yelled, starting for the steps at warp speed.
She reached the bottom and tore over to the spigot, turning off the water. She made her way over to Philip and yanked the hose out of his hands. She glanced over at the Cruz twins, who were soaked from head to toe. "Just what is the meaning of this, Young Man?" she demanded.
"We were playing firehouse," Philip explained.
"So you think you can just turn on the water and soak our guests?"
"They just came out of the fire. We didn't have water bottles."
Parker rolled her eyes. "Ok, everyone upstairs right now."
She herded the three up the steps and onto the deck. She walked over to Joe and Taylor Cruz.
"Uh oh," Joe said as he eyed his sons. "Do I want to know?"
"Philip turned the hose on them. Said they were playing firehouse and they just came out of the fire. Of course, they didn't have water bottles."
Joe bit his lip, stifling a chuckle. Taylor rolled her eyes and looked at the sky. Parker could tell she was trying hard not to laugh.
"I'm sorry. They're soaking wet."
"No worries," Taylor said quickly. She reached for her always present tote bag. "I always have a change of clothes for both of them. Can I use your bathroom?"
"Of course. You know where it is?"
"Yep." She stood up and slipped the bag over her shoulder. "Alright, you two. Let's go get your clothes changed." She took each one by the hand and looked over at Joe. "You wanted sons," she said before she departed.
Parker looked at Joe. "I really am sorry, Joe. I never expected this to happen."
"No worries, Parker. They'll dry. Taylor will have them shipshape in no time. No harm done."
Parker shook her head. "Still, you're our guests. This shouldn't have happened."
"Parker, they're boys. Boys will be boys. It could have been worse."
"True. They could have been hurt. Again, I'm sorry."
Kelly spied Parker talking with Cruz. He made his way over to both of them. He slid his arm around Parker's shoulders. "What's up?"
"Your son turned the hose on the Cruz twins," Parker said.
"Do I dare ask why?"
"They were playing firehouse. The twins just came out of the fire and they didn't have any water bottles."
Kelly laughed. "I guess we have no doubt what the next generation is going to be doing for a living. I am sorry, Cruz."
"Don't worry about it, Lieutenant. Taylor's changing their clothes. Nobody got hurt. No worries."
Taylor returned with the twins in dry clothes. "Ok. They're dry for now," she said as she joined Joe, Parker, and Kelly. "Why don't you two go play in the sand box with Philip?" she suggested.
The twins looked up at Parker. "Is it okay, Mrs. Severide?"
"It's more than okay," she reassured them as they took off toward the sand box.
"Sorry about the Mrs. Severide," Taylor apologized.
Parker waved her off. "Not a problem. It will be soon enough."
"You guys set a date?" Taylor asked excitedly.
"Not yet."
"We hit a bump too. We wanted to get married at 51, but after Boden's wedding, he said no more. We kind of put things on hold until I got pregnant. Then Joe was all gung ho to get married on Navy Pier."
"I haven't even thought of a venue yet. Or who to hire for a wedding planner."
"If you need help, I'm more than happy to help you out. Just ask."
"Thanks, Taylor. I appreciate it."
"Anytime. Now, let me go check on my hellions. I want to make sure they're not sticking sand down Philip's shirt."