Hi Readers: I have an idea for a dream that I want to write for you guys, but I'm not sure whether this dream will ever come true; however, that doesn't mean that I'm going to deprive you guys of ideas that I have to make this story longer and even better than it already is. But regardless of whether or not this dream comes true, I hope that you guys enjoy it; and I hope that you also feel free to tell me what you think by leaving me a comment.

Dream Chapter Seventy-Two
The SDS Memorial Health Clinic at Gaffney Medical Center by CFRH

November 2019 – Gaffney Medical Center, Chicago
They were invited to a special announcement that will honor their father, Benjamin "Benny" Severide; something that will apparently benefit firefighters like his father and many other men like him who've suffered from health problems (and have later had heart attacks after the end of their service). But he wasn't exactly certain just who invited him, as he had no idea just what company CFRH was; nor did he know just why they had a specific interest in honoring his late father, whom they probably have never even met. But regardless of who was there, he just had a feeling that he had to be here; so Lieutenant Kelly Severide was here, along with his girlfriend Stella Kidd and sister Katie (who was somewhere in the crowd) to represent the Severide family. However, as they walked into the event, Kelly couldn't help but wonder if he was seeing things; seeing someone that he didn't expect to be here, and that he hasn't seen in years. And just who might that be? That would be Heather Darden, which was confusing the lieutenant; why would she come all the way here when they're honoring his father? Regardless of that fact, he's just glad that they're here as he hasn't seen her or the boys in years.

That's when the lieutenant decided to turn his head and look at his girlfriend, whom he really wants to introduce Heather, Ben and Griffin to. "Stella, how about me and you make our way further into the crowd?" Turning to look at her boyfriend when he told her that, Stella was confused. "Kelly, the invitation told us that we should stay at the front." Kelly laughed. "I know what the invitation said Stella as I'm the one that got it, but I'm not going to do that when there's someone that I need to introduce you to first." Stella just looked at Kelly when he told her that, not exactly understanding what he was saying; especially since she already met his mom and half-sister at his father's funeral a year earlier. "Kelly, I've already met your mom and sister. Remember? At your dad's funeral last year." Kelly smiled when he heard Stella say that, as those are not the people that he wanted to introduce her too; intertwining their fingers as he stepped close to his girlfriend, Kelly smiled. "Actually, those are not the people that I'm talking about." Stella just looked at him when he said that. "Then who?"

Kelly just smiled at his girlfriend. "Come with me, and you'll find out." Stella then decided to just agree with her boyfriend, not wanting to argue with him anymore when it was now clear to her that they were going to be going to meet the people anyways. Leading Stella over to the people that he wanted to introduce her to, Kelly just smiled when he looked at her. "Just follow me okay? I may let go of your hand as I need to give someone a hug." Stella, still really confused as to why that would be the case just agreed once more; that being just what she needs to do so that she can make sure that she follows her boyfriend to where they need to go at the moment, which is towards the Darden Family. "Well, well…look what the cold wind finally help blow into the city!" Turning her head when she heard Kelly's voice, Heather Darden laughed as she was really happy to hear him. "Kelly." Letting go of Stella's hand, just like he warned her that he was going to do, Kelly proceeded to walk up to Heather and proceeded to hug her. "God, how long has it been?" Heather smiled. "6 years?"

Kelly smiled when he heard Heather say that, thinking that was about right. "Oh Heather, Ben and Griffin; I want to introduce you guys to my girlfriend Stella Kidd." Stella then got close to Kelly once again, grabbing his hand before looking up at him. "Uhm, just who are these people? Oh god, is this another one of your exes like Renee?" Heather just went ahead and laughed when she heard Stella say that, thinking that she was joking. "I'm serious. Oh my god, don't tell me that…" Kelly then went to shut that down. "No! Oh, hell no!" Kelly then went ahead and properly introduced Stella to who the Dardens were. "Stella, you remember my late best friend I told you about?" Stella agreed with Kelly. "Yeah, Andy Darden." Kelly smiled. "Yes. And this is his family. His widow Heather, and their sons Ben and Griffin." Stella then got so embarrassed that she even insinuated that Heather was another one of his girlfriends, especially when she's the widow of his best friend. "Oh my god, please. I need to apologize." Heather agreed with Stella when she said that, smiling at her.

Afterwards, she turned to look at Kelly. "What happened with Renee?" Kelly sighed. "Short version. Ex-girlfriend, she got pregnant shortly after we hooked up, tried to pass off the baby as mine; and then she comes back years later with a kid, I thought he was mine at first." Heather then looked at Kelly. "And you're positive that he isn't your kid?" Kelly agreed with Heather. "Trust me, Gabby already knows that he isn't my kid." Heather just agreed with Kelly when he said that. "Ok, that's all I need to know. If Gabby believes that the kid isn't yours, then I can believe that the kid isn't yours." Stella laughed. "Let me guess, you're good friends with her?" Heather nodded. "I got to know her pretty good when we met up recently for them to introduce us to their twins Gabe and Andy." Kelly agreed with Heather then she said that, smiling. "I still hate that they had kids before I did, then they got to use Andy's name." That's when Kelly and Heather both heard Matt walk over to the both of them. "Oh shut up Kelly, you can still name your son Andrew just like me. Not my fault that I had kids first!"

Turning around to face Matt, they were all shocked. "Matt?" Matt smiled as he looked at Kelly, before going ahead with letting go of Gabby's hand so that he can go hug his best friend. "How are you brother?" Kelly smiled as he went ahead and hugged him. "Good, feeling better." Matt then smiled as he turned to look at Heather and his godsons. "What the heck have you been feeding these boys Heather? They look more like mini trees than teenagers!" Heather laughed when she heard Matt say that, walking over to him so that she could hug him this morning. "How are you Matt?" Matt smiled as Heather asked him how he's doing. "Let me see, loving being a father and husband; oh, and definitely not missing the Chicago winters. I am definitely getting out of here as soon as I can." Gabby then turned to look at her husband when he said that, not that happy as she let go of Stella. "Uhm, last time I checked…you said that we were going to go to that Puerto Rico ball they have here, and we can make a nice donation." Matt agreed with his wife. "Of course, babe, I promise."

Matt then turned to look at his godsons once again. "Excuse me, but I think that I am still waiting for something." Ben, followed by Griffin then walked over to their godfather, proceeding to hug him. "God, you guys sure have grown." Ben and Griffin then both went to hug Gabby as well. "So, how's Hawaii been for the both of you?" Matt smiled. "Really good, I love being there with the kids." Heather groaned. "Don't rub it in, I live in Portland." Kelly agreed with Heather. "And we live in Chicago, which gets more snow than rain; so hush up!" Matt then smiled as he turned to look at Heather, going to grab her hand. "How are you doing? I know things were hard in September, but are they better now?" Heather agreed with Matt, well aware that he was talking about the call they had in September. However, Kelly wasn't aware of that. "You saw Heather in September?" Matt then turned to look at Kelly. "No, unlike you…I actually call my best friend's widow on the anniversary of his death." Gabby then went to stop the bickering. "Matthew, I booked a hotel. Stop the bickering now."

Matt just agreed with Gabby when she said that, not wanting to risk his chance at getting sex (without his kids interrupting him). "Oh definitely, I want to try and have a daughter." Gabby just laughed when she heard Matt say that. "Oh honey, we have 6-month-old twins! I am not giving you another baby for at least another 18 months! And last time I checked, you've been leaving them with me and my mom for the past month a bit more." Matt then went to look at his wife. "Yeah, because I have been a bit busy with something that you know about." Kelly then went to stop all the fighting. "Okay, can you please stop? I would rather not have your fighting overshadow this announcement that this company wants to make using my dad's name, by the way…I want to just say that I had no part in approving the name. I had no idea just how they decided to honor Andy I guess, since you guys are here; I just hope that they don't think that we're going to put up with them using our late best friend's name without them actually knowing him." Matt smiled when he heard Kelly say that. "Actually Kelly…"

Kelly then turned to look at Matt. "I've spoken to the CEO of the company, and he actually knows Andy personally." Heather then turned to look at Matt. "Wait, so he spoke to you; but he didn't speak to me? His widow who should've been asked about whether I would be open to this. I mean, I'm honored but…" Matt then smiled. "Guys, just let me speak for a minute?" They then shut up, and just let Matt speak. "The name of the company is CFRH." Kelly looked at Matt. "How did you know that? I didn't tell you that." Matt smiled. "Because you didn't invite me." Heather then looked at Matt. "Yeah, I invited you." Matt shook his head. "Actually, I was the one who did the inviting." Both Kelly and Heather were confused when they heard Matt say that, until they heard him speak. Getting close to them, Matt smiled. "Kelly Severide, Heather, Benjamin and Griffin Darden; it's my honor as the Chairman and CEO of the CFR Group, to welcome you to the grand opening of our first CFR Health Clinic."

Kelly and Heather were both just shocked as they looked at Matt. "What?" Matt smiled as he looked at the both of them. "You remember how I told you guys about that secret inheritance that I never knew about?" Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that. "I still can't believe that you're a millionaire." Matt nodded. "$12.5 million after one year. I made a deal and flipped a place for a couple million in Hawaii." Heather smiled. "That sounds great Matt. I can see that you guys are having a great life in Hawaii, but wow…you're a CEO." Matt agreed with Heather when she said that. "And it's all thanks to Gabby. I really couldn't do it without her." Gabby then turned to look at Matt, smiling. "Baby, you know that you could." Matt shook his head. "You take care of the boys, I take care of business." Heather smiled when Matt said that. "So wow, this is crazy. I know a millionaire." She then thought about something. "Now, where's my Christmas invite yet?" Matt laughed. "Well, here's the thing. I've actually been in town for maybe a month now." Kelly looked at his best friend when he said that. "Excuse me? And this is the first time that I'm hearing about it? Why haven't you come done a shift?"

Matt laughed. "First of all because I have a business to run. Second, I have been in communication with a team in Puerto Rico who are doing another project that I'm about to go open after this; we're just finishing up with another clinic there. Plus, Gabby's bisabuela is sick; so we need to go introduce the twins to her before things take a turn for the worse, and we've been a bit preoccupied since we haven't exactly unpacked. We've been on standby as to the news, and we didn't want to tell you that we're in town in case we had to cancel this last minute because she had to go. I mean, I would've told you personally the reason why and told you all this; but I just needed to keep your hopes down just in case." Heather then grabbed Matt's hand when he said that. "Hey, I get that Matt. You have a lot on your plate, and that makes sense." Matt agreed with Heather when she said that, smiling at her. "I'm just glad that I was able to do this before we had to leave, and that her great-grandmother is doing much better now. We're still going to go so the boys can meet their great-great-grandma." Kelly just laughed when he heard Matt say that. "Did you ever think that you would be able to say that?"

Matt then turned to look at his best friend. "Yeah, I hoped that I would as I have always wanted to have kids; and I knew when me and Gabby got married, that her great-grandmother was still alive." Kelly thought about it, and just agreed with him when he said that, smiling at him. "So, I'm glad you decided to honor Andy." Matt smiled at Heather. "Of course, I would do that Heather, Andy was my best friend; my son Matteo has his name as his middle name. His name is Matteo Andrew Casey, and he's named after me and Andy. Heather, I live with Andy's memory each and every day. There's never a day that I haven't thought about Andy, and just how much of an honor it was to serve with him on Truck 81. And that's why I've done this. And it's also why I'm always here for you, and always will be. In fact, if you ever need anything…don't be afraid to call; in fact, I want you to call me. The truth is, since Andy's death…I have seen Ben and Griffin as my sons as they are my godsons. So, you can call me; and I promise that me and Gabby will always take care of you." Heather agreed with Matt, grabbing his hand before smiling at him. Meanwhile, Matt got close to her before hugging her.

Rubbing her back, he could tell that she missed her husband more each and every day. "I know, we both miss him a lot Heather." Heather agreed with Matt when he told her that, smiling as he looked at his best friend's widow. "By the way, this summer…I am telling you right now. I am going to pay for you guys to come down to Hawaii, and you're going to take a bit of time off; me and Gabby will watch the boys while I send them to my summer camp." Griffin groaned when he heard that. "I'm too old for summer camp." Matt then looked at Griffin. "It's at my fire academy." Kelly just looked at Matt when he said that. "Hold on, you have a fire academy?" Matt nodded. "And I train people in Hawaii." Heather smiling, chuckling a bit when Matt said that. "You can take the man out of Chicago and the CFD, but you can't take the firefighter out of the man." Matt smiled, agreeing with his late best friend's widow. "By the way, now that we're all together for this…I want to clear something up from years ago." Kelly looked at Matt when he said that. "And what might that be?"

Matt then turned to look at his best friend. "At no point after Andy's death did me and Heather ever hook up!"

Turning to look at Kelly when Matt said that he insinuated that the both of them hooked up, while she was still grieving for her late husband; she was just insulted. "Kelly Severide, you did no such thing." Kelly bit his lip when Heather asked him that. "Wow, you're a real jack ass." Heather then turned to look at Matt. "Info please." Matt sighed. "Remember when you stayed over a couple times in the year after Andy's death?" Griffin then smiled. "Yeah, that was fun." Matt smiled at his godsons. "Yeah, it was. And I am so glad that you guys are okay with us clearing this up." That's when Matt heard someone's voice. "Clear what up?" Turning around, Matt smiled when he saw his sister and nice walk over to him this morning. "Hi Christie and Violet." Smiling at them both, Matt went to go hug his sister and nice. "Gabby, Christie and Violet are here." Gabby then turned to look away from Stella. "Be back girl. In-law and niece." Stella laughed, just following Gabby back to the group. "Christie, how are you?" Christie smiled as she proceeded to hug her sister-in-law this morning.

Afterwards, Gabby proceeded to hug her niece. "How are you Violet?" Violet smiled. "I'm good, I just miss you guys." Matt smiled. "Don't worry, you're going to come for Christmas. Maybe then I can convince your mom to join my family company, and poach her from her job." Christie laughed. "I'm just saving my money Matt." Matt agreed with Christie when she said that. "You know, you could always buy shares in my company; I can make you more money. I mean, I have already made enough to do this." Christie thought about it, before smiling at her brother. "Let me think more about it. But we need to talk about it sometime. Now, where are my nephews?" Matt laughed. "They are with my mother-in-law; you can see them later." Christie agreed with her brother when he said that, smiling at her. "Now, why exactly are we here at a hospital?" Matt smiled. "Because this is something that my business is doing, first responder clinics. They help them with their health problems as well as some people with PTSD." That's when Matt heard another one of the people that he invited to join them. "So, that's why I was invited here. I thought it was Antonio here." Matt smiled as he turned to face the man.

Seeing it was Jay Halstead, his brother Dr. William Halstead, and his brother-in-law Antonio; Matt just smiled as he walked over to the three of them, starting with Antonio. "Antonio, how are you?" Antonio smiled. "Ready to be included in the family pictures." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that, smiling at him. He then went to walk over to Will. "How are you Will? Sorry I haven't kept in touch as much." Will nodded. "It's okay, you're busy. Plus, I was more friends with Hallie than you." Matt smiled. "Thanks for helping me out with getting in touch with Ms. Goodwin. Speaking of which, where is she?" That's when Matt heard Ms. Goodwin. "Ah Mr. Casey…" That's when she recognized him. "Matt?" Matt smiled as he looked at Ms. Goodwin. "How are you Ms. Goodwin? Now does it make sense why I wanted to donate to the hospital?" Ms. Goodwin smiled as she walked over to him, putting her hand out. "And we are all very appreciative of it. Thank you so much." Matt agreed with her, smiling as she said that she appreciated the donation. "It's no problem, as I am honored. Truly, the pleasure is all mine as I want to give back with my newfound resources." Ms. Goodwin agreed, smiling.

Matt then looked at Gabby, smiling at her. "Hey babe? You ready to get his started?" Gabby nodded, looking at Stella. "Afterwards, okay Stella?" Stella smiled as she went to hug her friend; after which, Gabby and Matt both walked away (with his sister Christie, nice Violet and her brother Antonio) to go start the ceremony that will open the Shay-Darden-Severide Memorial Health Clinic at Gaffney Medical Center by Casey First Responders Health.

Once Matt made his way to the front of the hospital, he smiled when he finally saw that there was somebody else here that he hadn't yet seen. "Chief Boden, Commissioner Grissom." Turning to look at Matt, Boden was shocked. "Matt." Matt smiled as he walked up to him. "How are you Chief?" Chief Boden just smiled as he walked up to him. "Happy to see you, but why are you here?" Matt smiled as he looked at him. "Well, that's for you to find out; and for me to know." Matt then looked at Gabby, proceeding to get close to her. "Now, I believe these seats are reserved?" Chief Boden then smiled as he looked at him. "Oh no, you can stay." Matt then smiled as he watched his family walk over, letting his family sit down in the seats; Gabby sitting down right next to Chief Boden. "How are you Chief?" Chief smiled as he looked at Gabby. "Why are you in the front?" Gabby smiled as she looked at him. "Just listen to Matt." Boden was still confused, but did as he was told to do so that he could figure out just what was happening right now; after all, he was confused and didn't know anything.

Making his way up to the podium in front of the sign that he was going to unveil, Matt smiled as he looked at those gathered here today as he went to make his speech.

Speech:
Mayor Lightfoot, Mrs. Goodwin, Members of the Board, Invited Guests, Members of the Public, and the Assembled Media:
My name is Matthew Casey, and I am the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Casey First Responders, Incorporated. And I am here today to welcome you to the grand opening of The Shay-Darden-Severide Memorial Health Clinic at Gaffney Medical Center, a Casey First Responders Health Clinic; a new project that my company has been creating. But first, let me give you a bit of background on myself. I want to first say that this project is also a project that I am very proud of, as it's been a project that I have been involved in from the start; I have been involved in every decision because of who this project will be benefiting. And I know, the name says it in the title. This health clinic is dedicated to helping the first responders of the City of Chicago. However, that's not who they are to me, as they are not first responders to me.

To me, they are my brothers and sisters in service. Yes, you heard that right, my brothers and sisters in service. And that's due to the fact that I am a former Captain in the Chicago Fire Department, and I am very proud of my service; as it has led me to where I am today. In fact, I met my wife Gabriela while working at Firehouse 51, on Truck 81 from 2003 to 2018. And to say that was a blessing, is an understatement; as she is also the wonderful mother of my 6 month old twins. (Gabby blushed). So, if people are thinking that I am some big shot that's coming from afar for publicity, I'm not. I'm doing this because I want to help the people that I have worked with. I want to help my fellow brothers-in-arms if they get lung cancer. I want to help police officers and firefighters if they develop PTSD. And I want to make sure that every single first responder in the city has adequate access to health in this city, which is what they deserve to have by their service.

I know firsthand what our first responders go through. I know the mental anguish that our first responders go through, the injuries that they suffer on the job, and the risks that they take each and every day. I know what it's like to leave your home every day, wondering whether you're going to walk in that front door 24 hours later; whether the last time you said goodbye and I love you to your wife, will be the last one that you will ever tell her. (Gabby nodded as she heard Matt say that, well aware that was the truth.) And I know what it's like to think that you're going to die in a fire, because I have been in that position. In May of 2017, I was that man. I was that man who had to say goodbye to his wife, while I was struck in a fire; so, I know first hand what this center is going to be able to do for our first responders. They are going to be able to provide them dedicated health services that other hospitals are not going to be able to do for them.

From this day forward, this clinic will be the first stop that any first responder in the City of Chicago will visit as it will be only clinic in the city that is free of cost for every first responder in the city. (Everybody clapped when Matt said that). Our first responders put their lives on the line for us each and every day, and that's why this clinic now exists; and it's why I have decided to name it after three of the people who truly have given everything to their jobs. People that I know personally, on the most intimate level. And I am going to talk about them all right now. Their names are Elizabeth Shay, Andrew Darden and Benny Severide. Now, to you all; those names might just represent first responders here in the city. But not to me and some of the people that I have gathered here. Those names to some of us, they responder so much more…things that we will always remember. They were our friends, our comrades…they were fathers, husbands and sons.

Elizabeth Shay is the first part of the name, she's the first S in SDS. She's also my wife's late best friend. (Boden rubbed her back). Back in 2014, mere moments after I proposed to my wife for the first time; we were called to a horrible fire that claimed the life of our dear friend, paramedic Elizabeth Shay. Shay was a wonderful woman, and she was a true friend whom me and my wife remember each and every day. I remember her, as the woman who helped me pick out my wife's engagement ring; because honestly, I had no clue what I was doing. (Everybody chuckled). But she was also a lot of fun. She was loving, and a dear friend to my wife. And even better, she would've made the best aunt to my kids; because that's how we see each other as first responders. They are our brothers and sisters in arms; and that's exactly how I feel the next person I want to honor, the man that I truly thought of as a brother because I only have a sister. (Christie just glared).

Oh shut up Christie, you know that I love you. (Everybody laughed). Now, for the D in SDS; Andrew Darden. God, where to start with this man, or should I shay this clown? (Snickers) No, but honestly…he was an impeccable firefighter, and he was an even better husband and father to his wife Heather and their sons Ben and Griffin; the boys I am proud to call my godsons. (Turning to face them, Matt smiled). Whenever I speak to them, or video call with them…I see their father in them more and more. I see the same laugh he had, and the jokes he makes. In fact, the final memory that I have of Andy is him being a class clown. Now Heather, this was still in the truck; so calm down. But he had his mask on wrong, and it was just so funny. And it was a great day, up until the moment where my best friend died in front of my very own eyes. I was feet away from him, when a fireball came and engulfed him. (Matt then looked at his godsons, seen them tearing up).

I tried to tell him to pull away, but I couldn't…because it was too late, and it led to him dying far too young; and it meant that he missed out on so many countless memories that he could've had with his sons, for which I will never be able to apologize enough to his sons. To apologize for what I believe I could've done differently that day, to try and save their father. And I live day in and day out with the memory, and the PTSD of that traumatic event. That's why I am honored to say that this clinic will also be a clinic that serves veterans, and firefighters with PTSD. They will be able to come here and see a counsellor and they will be able to get confidential help from certified doctors and therapists who can help them through the pain of what they're dealing with, whether that be from war, or from service as a first responder. I truly believe that we can make Gaffney Medical Center the new home of first class mental health in Chicago, all thanks to this clinic we created.

Now, last but not least; we have Benjamin "Benny" Severide. He was a Chief, a Father and a hell of a story teller. He was also one of my surrogate fathers, after the premature death of my own father. Yes, I am well aware of the pain that comes with loosing a father too soon; and the pain that comes with having a mother go to jail after your father's death. It's why I have always seen my late best friend's sons as my own…because I could see myself in them each and every day, I can understand what they go through, because I live with the same pain as they do each and every day. And now, so does my best friend; after the death of his own father, the father I have decided to honor in the name of my clinic. He was a hell of a firefighter, an impeccable mentor; but he had his flaws too, but we're here to honor him, not to think about the past. Rather, we're here to think about the future; and the future that this clinic will be able to create.

And that's why, I would please like to invite our distinguished guests to join me at the front after I introduce them to you all. Our distinguished guests today are the loved ones of our honorees. First, we have Gabriela Casey, my wife and the best friend of Elizabeth Shay. (Gabby then got up and proceeded to join him). She was also her paramedic partner on the day of her death, and lives with the scars of her death each and every day; and I know that she will benefit from a future version of this clinic we will create closer to him. (Gabby smiled, putting her hand on his arm). Second, we have Heather, Benjamin and Griffin Darden; the widow and sons of the late Andrew Darden (they got up and proceeded to join him). And last but not least, we have the representatives of Benny Severide: his daughter Katie Nolan, his son Lieutenant Kelly Severide; and the girlfriend of Lieutenant Severide, and fellow firefighter Stella Kidd. And yes Stella, you are coming up here. (Stella smiled)

I would also like to invite Ms. Sharon Goodwin, the Head of Patient and Medical Services to the front. (Goodwin agreed, coming to the front so that they can finish the ceremony today. Meanwhile, Matt grabbed the key to the clinic.) On behalf of myself, and all of the honored guests. I present to you, the key to the SDS Memorial Health Clinic. (Goodwin smiled, grabbing the key along with some scissors. After which, Matt went to get with the entire group to finish his part). And now, on behalf of Casey First Responders Health Centers; I now pronounce the SDS Memorial Health Clinic open to clients! (Everybody then cut the ribbon).