Epilogue (A year later)
Late spring early summer
The quiet dawn of Matt Casey's wedding day, he had told Kelly that he had one last thing he needed to do so he found himself drawn to the serene solitude of Hallie's grave. As he stood there, reflecting on the journey that led him to this moment, a gentle breeze whispered through the cemetery, carrying memories of the past.
In the soft morning light, Matt felt a sense of calm wash over him. Unbeknownst to him, Hallie's spirit lingered nearby, a guardian presence overseeing his life. It was Hallie who had subtly orchestrated the twists of fate that brought Sylvie Brett into Matt's world.
Matt was looking down at Hallie's name carved into the stone for a moment or two and then he looked up.
He thought his mind was playing tricks on him because Hallie was standing right next to her grave.
"Hallie!?"
"Hi Matt."
"Am I dreaming or my mind playing tricks on me."
"No no no. I'm pretty much here."
Matt still thought he was seeing things or that he was crazy. After the shock wore off, he and Hallie started to talk and then Matt mentions Sylvie.
"I'd think you would like Sylvie."
"I do Matt. Why do you think I sent her to you?"
Matt was dumbfounded.
"You sent her to me?"
"After Shay died, I'd figured you guys needed some sunshine in your lives."
Sylvie was at home asleep when suddenly two bodies started bouncing on the bed.
"Get up girl. It's your wedding day!"
Sylvie groaned and cracked her eyes open to see two of her best friends, Emily Foster and Stella Kidd Severide.
"Oh my gosh! I'm getting married today!"
Sylvie was wide awake realizing that in 6 hours she would be marrying the love of her life, Matthew Casey.
"Let's go!"
Sylvie was in such excitement, she got up and she started to leave the room.
"Woah! Slow down there partner. Wedding's not until 6 hours from now."
She looked sheepishly at her friends and said "I know. I just want to be married right now. There's so much to do in a short time frame."
With that, they all went to grab some breakfast at a diner close to Sylvie's apartment. Matt's sister Christie had Julia so Sylvie could sleep in a little.
After that, they came back to the apartment to slowly start getting ready. 2 hours later, there's a knock on the door and Emily answers it. It was Scott and Amelia. She had just turned 6 a month ago. She was the flower girl.
"Sissy!"
Sylvie walks out wearing a robe. Chloe had shown up an hour ago to fix her hair.
"Amelia! Oh my gosh. Have you grown more since the last time I saw you?"
She giggled softly "yeah! I'm not a baby anymore. I'm a big girl now."
Sylvie had a flashback to the day Amelia was born. She had no idea it would be the last time she would see Julie. She was thankful she had texted Matt and told him to come to the hospital.
Sylvie let out a few tears. Thank god she didn't have makeup on yet otherwise it would be ruined.
"What's wrong sissy?"
Sylvie wipes her tears away and says, "Even though I didn't get to spend more time with our mom, I miss her."
Amelia frowned, "Me too. But we got each other, right?"
Sylvie nods, smiling a bit "you bet ya."
She kisses her forehead.
If it wasn't for Sylvie, Scott would've given her up. He's glad she talked some sense into him.
Sylvie looked at the time. 3 hours to go. Sylvie sighed wishing it would go faster. When it got to 2 hours left, Sylvie went and finished getting ready.
Sylvie's adoptive parents had shown up and when she came out, Karen gasped.
"Oh.. you look so beautiful! I could cry."
The dress was strapless with appliques lace sweetheart corset,leading to modern open back, light chocolate color belt at the natural waistline and full skirt.
"Awe thanks mom."
She then looks at her dad who was looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.
"Sweetheart, you look stunning."
Matt arrived back at the loft and he started to get ready. Griffin and Ben were getting ready as well.
Instead of Matt wearing a tux, he decided to wear his dress blues. Sylvie was really fine by that. One day, Matt had come home wearing them from a hearing and boy did he look very hot. Matt made Kelly his best man. His groomsmen were Gallo, Cruz, Capp, and Herman. Sylvie's made of honor is Stella and her bridesmaids were Emily, Olivia, Violet (firehouse 51), and Chloe.
Kelly walked into the room as Matt slipped on his dress blues jacket.
"Well man, in just an hour or so you'll be married."
Matt turns around and looks at his best friend then says, "my last time ever."
"You got it pretty bad for Brett."
Matt just grins and says "Don't I know it."
Kelly was happy for his best friend and former roommate.
"I'll tell you the same thing you told me on my wedding day. You and Brett are meant to be. Me and Stella thought it would take forever for you guys to get it together after all the Will they won't they ordeal."
Matt shoves him playfully and says "oh can it Severide!"
"Dude, it's true. I don't know anyone who would jump out of a moving fire truck to save someone they love. Then you got the whole awkward hand movements."
Matt looked at him strangely, "what do you mean?"
"Well for starters, there's that awkward dad clapping when you tried to ask her out to Molly's."
"What? I don't…" Matt trails off as he remembers a distant memory
Kelly smirks when the realization runs across Matt's face then he chuckles.
"It was like you didn't know what to do with your hands."
Matt was standing up at the altar with Kelly and the groomsmen on his left. The bridesmaids were on the other side.
Everyone was sitting down in chairs including Matt's mother, Nancy. Since Matt's family was small they just had everyone sit wherever they wanted. Sylvie's adoptive parents were sitting in the front followed by the rest of her family.
Amelia appeared and she was wearing a cream colored dress with little dress shoes and her hair up. When she saw Matt at the end of the aisle, she wanted to run to him but she remembered she had an important job to do. So, she slowly started to walk down the aisle while throwing rose petals and after that, little Otis came into view and with the help of his mother; he walked down the aisle with the pillow with the rings attached to it.
Robert looks at Sylvie, "Ready?"
Sylvie looks back at her dad and nods "Ready as I ever will be."
She was feeling butterflies in her stomach and she was getting that feeling she always got when she was near Matt.
Instead of the wedding March, Sylvie picked a different song to walk down the aisle to. The song was "On My Way" by Jennifer Lopez.
As Sylvie and her father appeared in view, everyone stood up and turned to face her; Matt's breath caught in his throat as his eyes roamed from head and toe. He was totally speechless and mesmerized by the way she looked in her wedding dress.
"Oh. my. god.." he said quietly to himself "So beautiful."
That moment he felt like he was the luckiest guy in Chicago right this second. How did he get so lucky to have someone like Sylvie in his life.
When Sylvie's eyes met Matt's, her breath caught as well knowing how handsome he looked in his dress blues. She also got this look in her eyes when she knows she's doing the right thing. She looks across the room at her groom, and she's got these tears in her eyes, like she can't see anybody else, she's lost in the moment.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and Matt stood at the altar, with joy and love on his face. As she reached him, they exchanged a tender glance, and the ceremony began.
Surrounded by the warm glow of candlelight, Sylvie and Matt took turns reading the vows they had written. Sylvie's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke about the way Matt's steadfastness had anchored her through life's storms. She promised to stand by him in good times and bad, just as he had done for her.
"Matt, it seems like I have found my Matt Casey and he was right in front of me the whole time. I didn't just want a sweet guy, I wanted The One. After that time I told you to keep your ringer on and we started getting closer as friends. You were there for me when Julie died and you told me whatever I decided about Amelia, you'd be there as well. You were also there for me during the whole Hellack situation. After the crash I told you it's always been you and it still is. When I took a leap of faith and kissed you first, I wasn't sure if you felt the same way as I did. Several months later, we finally worked it out. You make me feel like everything's going to be okay. You're strong, kind, selfless and not to mention good. When I was at Med after Maggie and Will told me I was pregnant, I couldn't wait until you could come back so I could tell you. Now that Julia's here, watching you with her it made me fall for you even more. I'll love you, our boys, and Julia for the rest of my life."
Matt, in turn, spoke of Sylvie's resilience and unwavering spirit. He vowed to be her partner in every adventure, to cherish her through all the seasons of life. The room was filled with a palpable love as their promises hung in the air, binding them together.
"Sylvie, I had no idea that 5 years after you were here we would become close friends. As time went on, I didn't realize that I was falling in love with you. I know after we had our first kiss, you threw me for a loop but I knew that I loved you. Thank you for getting my head on straight. I've never had someone as an equal to worry about me or consider my feelings first. I had your support when I had the head injury. That night at Molly's when I told you I was in love with you and nobody else. I had your support again when I had to move to take care of Griffin and Ben. I don't know what I did to deserve you. Now the second time I came back, out on the apron where you told me you were in love with me, you told me that you were pregnant. I was overwhelmed because I didn't think it would happen for me considering what happened. I've wanted kids most of my adulthood. You're everything I've ever wanted in a partner. You're selfless, you make people better; trust me I know.. I'll love you and our 3 kids until the end of time."
As they exchanged rings, a symbolic circle of their commitment, the memories of their journey together flashed before their eyes. From the chaotic days of the Chicago Firehouse to quiet moments of shared laughter, each experience had forged the unbreakable bond they celebrated that day.
With a shared smile, Sylvie and Matt were pronounced husband and wife. The chapel erupted in applause as Matt bent down to wrap his arms under her ass, lifting her up and then they kissed, marking the beginning of the rest of their lives. The echoes of their promises lingered in the air, a testament to a love that had weathered trials and emerged stronger, like the resilient city they called home.
The reception was in full swing. When it was time for Matt and Sylvie to have their first dance as husband and wife, Sylvie had chosen a song called "It's Always Been You" by Phil Wickham.
Matt wrapped his arms around her waist and Sylvie placed her arms around his neck and then they started to slow dance once the words were playing out of the speaker.
You saw me first
You let me in when I was at my worst
The moment when I heard You say my name
It's the first time in so long I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid
You are the voice that calms the storm inside me
Castle walls that stand around me
All this time, my guardian was You
You are the light that shines in every tunnel
There in the past, You'll be there tomorrow
All my life, Your love was breaking through
It's always been You
It's always been You
My northern star
Your love will be the compass of my heart
Oh, I just wanna be right where You are
Right where You are
Everyone watched as the couple had their first dance. As they watched, Matt spoke in soft tones.
"My god. You're so beautiful."
Sylvie's cheeks turned pink and she said "I can't believe you're my husband now."
Matt grins and says, "I can't believe you're my wife now."
Sylvie smiles and says "well believe it baby."
Right about that time, people were taking their silverware and clicking it against their glasses.
They both looked around and caught on to what that meant. They both look back at each other.
Someone in the background yelled "show him who's boss Sylvie!"
Sylvie turned pink, guessing it was Foster who said that. Matt just grins and Sylvie kisses him like there's no tomorrow.
After the song ends, Matt ascoreded Sylvie to their table with the bridal party as the carters brought out the food. Once everyone had their plates of food, it was time for the speeches.
Dressed in a sharp suit befitting his role as the best man, Kelly Severide stepped forward to raise a glass in honor of Matt and Sylvie at their wedding reception. The room hushed as his commanding presence commanded attention.
"Alright, everyone, listen up," Kelly began, a wry smile playing on his lips. "I've known Matt Casey for a long time. Longer than some of you have been keeping up with your Netflix subscriptions. And Sylvie Brett, well, she walked into Firehouse 51 like a breath of fresh air, turning our routine upside down."
The audience chuckled, recalling the first days when Sylvie joined the team.
"Now, being the best man, I could stand here and tell you about all the heroic moments, the daring rescues, and the near-death experiences. But that's not what today is about," Kelly continued, his tone shifting to one of sincerity.
"It's about the moments between the alarms, the quiet times when they've got each other's backs, whether it's on the rig or just navigating life. Matt and Sylvie, they validate each other in a way that makes you believe in love, even in the midst of chaos."
Kelly's eyes met the couple's, a nod passing between friends that spoke volumes about their shared experiences.
"To Matt and Sylvie, may your marriage be as strong as the beams we walk on, as enduring as the fire that forges us, and as full of life as the city we protect. Here's to love, loyalty, and a lifetime of putting out each other's fires."
The room erupted in applause, and as the clinking of glasses filled the air, Kelly Severide's words lingered, a tribute to the enduring bonds forged in the crucible of both love and firefighting.
With a microphone in hand, Stella's eyes sparkled with genuine affection as she began to recount the journey that brought Matt and Sylvie together. She spoke of the challenges they faced, the fires they conquered, and the unyielding support they found in each other, not just as partners but as soulmates.
Stella, known for her fearless spirit, injected humor into her speech, regaling the audience with stories that highlighted the quirks and endearing qualities of the newlyweds. Laughter echoed through the room as she shared tales of Matt's occasional clumsiness and Sylvie's unwavering determination.
As Stella transitioned from humor to heartfelt sentiments, she expressed how she had witnessed their love grow, flourish, and withstand the tests of time and trial. She spoke of the quiet strength Sylvie brought to the firehouse and the unwavering loyalty Matt exhibited in return.
"To Matt and Sylvie," Stella raised her glass, "may your love continue to burn as bright as the fires you've fought together, and may every day be a testament to the unbreakable bond you share."
Her words resonated through the room, leaving a warmth that lingered long after the clinking of glasses subsided. Stella's speech had not only celebrated the union of Matt and Sylvie but had etched a beautiful narrative of love, friendship, and the enduring flame that connected them all.
After the speeches were given, everyone ate and of course drank; this is why everyone loves receptions, free boozes.
Then it was time for the father-daughter dance. Sylvie stood up from the bridal table and made her way to the middle of the dance floor to where Robert was standing.
Sylvie had chosen the song "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker by Robert's request.
Matt watches Sylvie dance with his now father in law. Wow He thought. He has a whole family now. His mom was back in his life. He has his sister, Christie and his niece, Violet. He has Griffin and Ben. And let's not forget his adorable daughter; Julia.
She was all Sylvie. The only thing she had of his so far was his eyes. She was currently in her uncle Kelly's arms at the moment.
Julia, dressed in a tiny white dress, was the star of the evening, stealing the hearts of everyone present. The couple danced with her in their arms, creating a memory that would be etched in their minds forever.
The photographer captured the moments of Matt and Sylvie's first dance as husband and wife. Then now they were taking photos of Sylvie and Robert. They also took photos of the wedding and then they did a small photo shoot of Matt and Sylvie. They also took photos of Matt and Sylvie dancing with their daughter in their arms.
"Matt!"
He heard someone call his name and he turned to look and saw it was Amelia. Scott was right behind her, a little out of breath trying to keep up with a 6 year old.
Matt smiles at her, "hey pumpkin.."
Amelia looks at him nervously, "um, would you dance with me?"
Scott looks from Matt to Amelia, "She's been wanting your attention since the wedding."
Amelia says "have not."
Matt knew her like he knew Sylvie. Plus Amelia was wrapped around his finger.
"Of course I'll dance with you."
Amelia smiles. Then about that time, the song ends thus Sylvie and Robert's dance was over.
Sylvie walks back over to the bridal table. She had tears in her eyes but not sad tears, there was happy tears. She wipes her eyes and smiles when she sees Amelia.
"Hey you. Having fun?"
Amelia nods, smiling. "Yes! But now it's my turn to dance with Matt."
Sylvie just chuckles and says, "be my guest."
Sylvie and Scott both watch as Matt leads Amelia to the dance floor then Sylvie looks at Scott.
"You were right."
"About what?"
"Every moment you spend with someone you love is a precious thing."
"You'll never know what you have until it's gone."
"Ain't that the truth."
They both watch as Matt spins Amelia around on the dance floor and you hear her giggling and laughing from across the room.
Sylvie had no idea that Matt had taken care of the honeymoon until a week ago. He mentioned that they both wanted to do that "anywhere in the world" adventure they had talked about a long time ago. She couldn't believe he had remembered it. So the plan was they stay at the house to recoup a bit and then the next day, they leave. So since the airline doesn't tell you where you are going until you get there, they have packed a different variety of clothing.
As the night unfolded, the Chicago skyline sparkled with lights, mirroring the twinkle in Matt and Sylvie's eyes. Their late spring, early summer wedding became a symbol of love prevailing over challenges—a testament to the enduring spirit of the Windy City and the resilient hearts of those who called it home
~~~ The End