AN: To anyone, who is reading and is working/has worked as a paramedic - please, don't be shy on calling me out on stuff I get wrong in the near future. My knowledge (from TV shows and Google) is very limited and I would appreciate any kind of information to make it more realistic.

Thank you in advance.

Also, I apologize for the long break. I will try my best to keep updates in more regular.

Jude POV

August 30th

If I look back at my life, I can remember multiple times, when I have woken up scared, excited or nervous before.

I remember the first time I woke up scared, like it happened yesterday. It was after the first night in this home. My mom was dead, my dad was in jail, but I had no idea, where they took my sister. I was completely alone. Unaware of what my future holds. There was absolutely no one I trusted at that point. Even thought, there were five other people, strangers, in this house, no one made me feel less lonely or scared. Over time, of course, I got close to each member of my foster family and learned that they are not that different from the family I used to have. Eventually I grew to trust and love them, like I had been born into the Adams Fosters clan. But the fear I felt, will forever be fresh in my memory.

When mama woke me up on the morning of my first day of Middle School, I had never felt more excited and eager to go to school. Finally I was going to attend the big kids school. I felt so grown up and I couldn't wait to start the new school year.

I have never liked doctors. Even though they help you get better, I can't help but to feel nervous every time before my appointment. All the times, moms have woken me up, when I was sick, to take me to a doctor, nervousness was the only thing I felt. There were so many tests and procedures they could do to me, I felt restless just by the thought of it. From the second my eyes were open, I start to dread the appointment, no matter how serious my illness was.

All the times I have woken up scared, excited or nervous, it was all about me. About events in my day, not someone else.

This morning, for the first time, I woke up feeling all of those emotions combined, not for myself. I was worried for my sister, who was starting her job today. If Callie had decided to pursue the life of a teacher, a career in music, photographer career or any other job that wasn't as dangerous as this one, I doubt if I would feel the things I felt this morning. I was thankful, that it was still Summer and school hadn't started yet. Don't know if I would be able to sit behind a desk concentrate on whatever the teachers are saying, with the worries about my sister.

I heard shower running from moms bathroom. Whichever mom was there, the other was probably downstairs in kitchen, making breakfast. There was dead quiet from the rest of the rooms. I knew Jesus was still sleeping, because I saw him. The girls bedroom doors were still closed, thus, I believe they are asleep as well. Brandon flew back to Filly two days ago, so I guess, that makes me the only kid awake at home right now.

The smell of coffee hit my nose the second I stepped on the stairs.

Walking inside the kitchen, I saw Lena being busy by the stove. Mama was dressed in her home clothes, older jeans and a shirt, slippers on feet. She was nursing a cup of coffee in her left hand, but holding the spatula in her other hand. Her hair was taken up. I heard her humming to herself.

"Morning," I announce myself as I walked towards the fridge

Lena turned around and returned the greeting "Good morning, buba. I was expecting Stef to come down, actually."

"I believe she's still in shower," I replied as I walked towards the fridge to see what I can find for breakfast

"I can crack another egg," mama offered after I had stood in front of the open fridge for a minute

"Nah," I shook my head refusing her offer "I'm going to eat cereal," I grabbed a carton of milk, which was half empty, and closed the fridge doors.

"You are up early. It's barely 7," mama said as I reached up for my favorite cereal. The second I lifted the box up, I knew it was empty. Too light.

"We are out of my favorite!" I told mama before tossing the empty box to trash can

"I'm going to mall today," she replied and sipped her coffee

"I couldn't sleep," I answered to her previous question as I took the next cereal box down. After I found a bowl, I went to get a spoon and set everything down on the kitchen table. As I sat down I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.

"Something on your mind?" I heard the worried tone in mama's voice. She even set her coffee down. Clearly my answer had gotten her full attention.

"Kept thinking about Callie," I replied pouring cereal out in my bowl "At first I just remembered that it was her first day at work today, but...one thought led to another and..." I sighed, placing my hand on my carton box of milk preparing to lift it up "What if something bad happens to her?" I looked up to mama, wanting nothing more than for her to console me and tell me everything will be okay

"You are worried about her," mama concluded in a soft tone as she put the eggs on a plate for Stef "That's understandable, honey. To be honest, I'm a little bit worried about her first day as well," she turned off the stove, grabbed her coffee cup and sat on the opposite side of the table "It will take time for you and for the rest of us to get accustomed to idea of Callie being out there...doing, what she's doing."

"How long till you got used to mom being a cop?" I wanted to know, how long will I feel this way. This wasn't something that I had expected to happen. It just did. Out of nowhere. Before today, the thought of Callie working as a paramedic never bother me. All I felt was being proud of her, happy that she found her calling.

For some unknown reason, I didn't feel this way about mom. I blamed it on the fact, that Stef was being a cop long before I even knew her. She has worked as a cop for more than half of her lifetime. Mom is professional, experienced, she knows the protocol and laws inside out. Knowing her partner, Amy, who looks out for moms back, gives me even more sense of security. The fact that police officers have bulletproof vests and a gun to protect them is another reason for me to worry less. I knew that mom still risks her life out there, but I just had the feeling deep down, that mom can handle herself.

Lena sighed "Honestly, I still haven't gotten used to it. There hasn't been a day, when I don't worry about mom," she replied truthfully after taking a moment to gather her thoughts "But, I worry about you and your siblings constantly as well. It's a mom's thing."

Mama moved her cup a bit further, pressed on the table with her forearms and held her cup in both of her hands "What are you scared of the most?"

"What if her partner is some reckless idiot, who doesn't give a damn about safety and puts their life, but more importantly, my sisters life in danger? What if it's some guy, a douche, who constantly comes on to her? What if there is a call, where she has to risk her life to save some strangers? Her job is so unpredictable that I just...I...I don't know..." I rubbed my forehead as I struggled to express my fear

"Your sister has been preparing for this day for years! Callie is smart," Lena replied without missing a beat "She doesn't make rash decisions, she's not reckless. She knows she has a family waiting at home for her. You have to trust her, that she knows what's she doing! Callie can take care of whatever this jobs throws at her."

I sat motionless for a minute, until I finally I poured the milk over and immersed the spoon into my bowl of cereal. As I took into consideration everything mama told me, I swirled the cereal around. I knew mama was right - Callie can handle it - but what if I'm not ready to handle her risking her life like that?

Callie POV

The idea of my mom dropping me off at my job, was simply not sitting well with me. What would my new colleagues think of me? Probably that I'm still a child, whose parents have to give me a ride. No, that was not acceptable. I wanted to make a good first impression. Walking was an option of course, but I would feel much more confident if I drove up myself.

It wasn't hard for me to convince mom to give me the car today. Now that I thought about it, mom might have already anticipated that I would ask for the car.

I snatched the car keys out of moms hands "Thanks!" Cooper was leaned at the door frame of the kitchen, smiling as he observed us from afar.

"Sure, sure," mom smiled at me "Here," she grabbed couple of dollar bills from her wallet "Refill the tank, when you drive back, please."

"Will do!" I grabbed the money, folded it in half and showed it in my uniform pants pocket. It will be days till I get my first salary. Till then, unfortunately, I still have to live on moms neck. I couldn't wait to be more independent. I was ready for my life to truly kick off.

I was about to bend down and pick up the bag I had packed myself for today, when mom spoke up "Can I get a hug before you go?" Amy wondered, holding her arms out "Or not," she slowly started to lower her arms as I continued to look at her "-if it that makes you feel-"

I leaped into moms arms, giving her a tight squeeze and receiving one back as well. Her gun on her hip, pressed to my stomach, making the hug slightly uncomfortable, but I pushed through, not wanting to break the hug. Not that I was going to ever admit it to her, but I wanted this hug more than anything right now. If it wasn't for my mom supporting me, I doubt that I would start this job today. I owe her everything.

"Be careful, okay?" she whispered in my ear as she continued to hold me close to her

"I will!"

"Don't do anything stupid!"

"I won't!"

"Look out for your partner!"

"I will!

"Don't crash the ambulance."

I chuckled "I won't, mom!"

"Come back home!" Her voice had changed a bit, I suspected she had tears in her eyes and

"I will, mom! I love you!" I kissed her cheek, before pulling out of the hug

"Love you, honey!" mom smiled proudly of me "Have a great first day!"

"Good luck, Cal!" Cooper walked up to me and gave me a quick hug, he patted his hand on my back as I did to him

"Thanks!" I grabbed my the bag and tossed it onto my other shoulder "Okay, got to go otherwise I will be late!" I hurried out to my moms old Volvo, got inside, tossed my bag to the passenger seat and sat behind the wheel.

I paused briefly, as I tried to take a snapshot of this moment. There was a time, when I thought, I would never in a million years, get to pursue my dream. But despite everything life threw at me, I'm here. There were butterflies in my stomach and I couldn't stop smiling to myself.

"First day of the rest of my life," I said to myself as I started the car

My heart was beating faster than normally, as I was walking towards the fire department, where I was assigned to the Ambulance 27. There were two big red firetrucks in the hangar. Next to them was the ambulance, which I presume, I was going to drive.

I was met by my Captain by the hangar entrance. He was a tall, white man. I believe he was at least in his fifties. Captain was wearing a white, short sleeved uniform shirt and a dark blue or black uniform pants, couldn't tell in this light. There was a radio across his chest. As he extended his arm to me, I saw a burn scar that went all the way from his wrist and disappeared underneath his shirt.

"Captain Raymond Jennings," He said as she shook my hand "Callie Scott Ellis, I presume?"

"Yes, sir!" the excitement I felt was running from my feet to my head. If I couldn't contain my posture better, I would be shaking in excitement.

"Welcome to Firehouse 11!" He said as he gestured to the hangar and the building behind him

"Glad to be here," I smiled back

"Let me show you around and introduce you to the people you are going to be working side by side," Captain started to walk towards the building entrance, I followed him. His pace was much faster, I had to pick mine up.

As we walked he started to tell me about the history of this house. It opened in the 2000. He's been the Captain for the last 6 years and from what he told me, apparently, everyone thought he was the best Captain in the city. I will have to check this fact with others, but for the time being I believed him. He seemed professional and serious, but still he seemed like a down to earth guy.

Captain introduced me to few of the firefighters who worked at this house. They were all middle aged, few even had grayish hair. I doubt any of them were as young as I was. If I counted correctly, at least 5 of the guys had wedding rings on their fingers. I met so many people in such a sort time, that I barely remember their names. The youngest looking was Aiden, the short one was Xavier, but the one with the most meat on his bones - Linus. The rest of the names were gone from my memory the second I was introduced to the next colleague.

When we entered the dressing room, I came face to face with my partner, with whom I was going to spend hours in the ambulance together. It took me a couple of seconds to realize it, but I recognized her. We've met before, couple a years ago. It was a brief meeting. All I did was walk pass her in a fast pace and I didn't even have the decency to greet her back. If I'm honest, I was rude. Beth probably thought I was freak or a weirdo. There is no way of knowing, how things would have turned out if Markus hadn't died. Maybe they still would be a couple, living together. Who knew, maybe we could have been family if things had turned more serious between her and Markus.

"Beth, meet our newest recruit - Callie Scott Ellis," Captain introduce us unaware that we had met before "Callie, this is Beth Morris. Your partner."

Her eyes gave no sign that she did remember me as we shook hands. This is going to be interesting.