#sylkiddsey-prompts

[sylkiddsey]

Say my name and everything just stops

Small scrap sections from a longer work that will never be finished. It acknowledges the shift from “Casey” to “Matt”

1. Late season 6:

It’s kind of like Matt’s engaged in some sort of really serious game of hide and seek, but one person is not really hiding, and the other is somewhat seeking, but also not really.

His marriage has become this game of avoidance where they just keep passing each other. They pass in the halls of the firehouse. They pass in their own home, from room to room. Even in a confined car, it feels like they’re just passing.

He and Gabby are so off kilter. Everything feels unbalanced and it’s driving him crazy. This isn’t the marriage he envisioned, and he doesn’t know how to go back.

He’s well aware they’ve always had problems. They’ve never been perfect, but he had been able to fix it. Usually, that involved him complying and going along with his very independent wife, but he’d done it.

This time, he can’t comply so they’re stuck in this holding pattern while he waits (and also avoids her) for her to do the compromising.

He can’t go along with her plan to have a child, basically without him. She pretty much implied she was going to get pregnant with or without his help which stung. He can’t give her a baby if it means having to raise their child without his wife. That guilt will kill him, so he refuses.

His refusal didn’t kill her plan. Like always, Gabby Dawson found a way around and wants a baby…wants to endure a risky pregnancy and possibly carry some other guy’s child if he won’t do it.

His own wife won’t budge and he’s not going the extra mile to solve this, so they are just passing by.

When he arrives home to the condo, he freezes in his doorway. He was expecting his wife, probably perched on a stool ready to pick another battle. He’s ready for it, but it’s not Gabby in his kitchen.

Brett’s standing at his island, wearing a faded apron he vaguely remembers was gifted to Gabby as a wedding present, mixing bowl and a big wooden spoon in hand.

Her hair is piled up on her head, chocolate smeared on the corner of her mouth, and he assumes Antonio fucked her over again. She’s probably eating her feelings and drinking wine with her best friend, but that’s not the case.

She looks up from her chocolate concoction, blue eyes widening like a cartoon. “Matt, hi. Sorry, I didn’t think you’d be home so soon.”

He stops dead in his tracks, but not because Brett has apparently broken into his home. He pauses because she called him Matt which she doesn’t do.

It’s not like he has a problem with it, but pretty much everyone at 51 calls him Casey. It’s just become this thing so when Sylvie Brett says it so casually, in his damn kitchen while his marriage crumbles somewhere else…it strikes him.

He’s not even sure she’s ever called him his name before. She might’ve in the past, but it never registered.

He’s only really Matt to his wife and his sister. Although, his wife does use his last name when she’s pissed (which has been happening often).

She finishes swirling the brown batter in one of the big glass bowls Gabby chose. “I know I shouldn’t have used my emergency key, but I wanted to make Gabby her favorite brownies just to…I don’t know, cheer her up. I should’ve asked first.”

He shakes his head, sets his keys on the hook and adverts his gaze because he’s pretty sure he makes her nervous. Brett can’t see him as anybody other than 51’s Captain which he gets. He just doesn’t want her to think he’s so uptight he’d dress her down for being a great friend.

“No, it’s fine. I’m just passing through anyway,” he explains. “I’ll be out of your hair in like ten minutes.”

“It’s your place,” Brett replies. “If someone should leave it should be me.”

He figures Gabby would rather have her friend here instead of him anyway.

“Seriously, I’m heading out the door anyway. Stay. Finish the brownies.”

She smiles a little, sweeping a loose strand of long blonde hair away from her face. “Thanks, Casey.”

Casey.

Everything shifts right back to normal where he’s just Casey, Brett’s just Brett. He’s in his home. The one he shares with someone who shares practically nothing with him and Brett’s doing what she does best; being good to her people.

It’s one thing he has always appreciated about the paramedic. She’s good. She’s good to her patients. She’s good to 51. She’s extraordinarily good to his wife.

He passes her by, ready to change from his construction job and head to Molly’s. He stops in the doorway, observing a flustered Brett as she tries to perfect the homemade frosting. She tastes it with her finger and groans when it’s not good enough.

He knows from Gabby that she’s still a little heartbroken over Antonio and a bit raw from certain ambo calls, yet she’s here…supporting Gabby with sugar and chocolate.

“Brett.”

She startles again, almost as if she’s afraid he’s changed his mind and is mad she’s here. “Uh, yeah?”

“You’re a good friend. She’s lucky to have you,” he says.

Her blue eyes look a little misty in his kitchen lighting. “She’s lucky to have you too.”

He doesn’t think his own wife believes that, but he’s grateful for the words anyway.

The oven timer dings behind her, and she struggles to pull out batch one of her brownie mission. He contemplates offering to help, but his life is currently burning to the ground, so he doesn’t have time to salvage some brownies.

Some things are better left unsalvageable anyway.

2. Early season 7:

He’s on his third or fourth beer at Molly’s. He knows drinking won’t numb the fact he wasn’t good enough for his wife, but it does help a little.

The stool next to his squeaks obnoxiously loud and he hears a quiet gasp. Pink painted nails clamp on the counter and Brett has nearly fallen off the stool.

He wants to laugh, but she looks partially embarrassed…or maybe more ashamed

“I’m sorry, Casey.”

He raises an eyebrow, dumbfounded. She has nothing to apologize for. The last shift had gone well, and he doesn’t even remember scolding her for anything. Hell, he’s not even sure he talked to her at all at the station.

“Sorry?”

“I shouldn’t have blamed you for Gabby leaving,” she mutters, pulling at the edge of her sweater sleeve.

That’s a conversation they had weeks ago. He’s completely forgotten about it. She had been blindsided and upset which he absolutely understood. God knows he felt all that with her, so he really didn’t think too much about her minor lash out

“Brett…”

“I was just hurt I guess,” she admits. “And if I felt hurt…I can’t imagine how hurt you were. It was selfish and dumb.

Sylvie Brett and selfish don’t fit in the same sentence. She’s too kind even to her own detriment.

Still, it feels good to have someone recognize how hurt he is. Yes, they all care and pity him, but no one acknowledges how much Gabby hurt him. It might not have been intentional but her constant rejection about what he wants and needs fucking hurts.

“Brett, it’s fine,” he replies. “I get it. I do and honestly, she was always going to chase bigger things. She was always going to leave, and I was always going to stay.”

It sums up majority of his relationship. Gabby was always leaving in some way. She’d leave to pursue a new career, leaving him to stay and deal with the fallout. She’d leave to adopt a child and again, he stayed and followed. She was always leaving him and somehow, he just kept staying.

Brett frowns, looking into her glass. He watches her stir the blue-ish margarita with a toothpick umbrella. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad you stayed.”

For the first time in a long time, her words soothe the crippling ache Gabby left behind. It doesn’t completely fix everything, but it feels good to know that he didn’t make the wrong decision by not following her.

At least according to Brett.

“Yeah?”

She nods, a smile passing over her face. Lately he hasn’t seen Brett very happy so it’s good to see a glimmer of their past.

“Honestly, I just can’t imagine what 51 would be like without you, Matt.”

He’s struck by the fact she’s using his name again. It’s odd because he’s been so used to Casey for so long and every once in a while, Brett calls him Matt.

There’s something interesting about the way she says it. The syllables just roll off her (now blue) tongue differently in a way he’s never heard. It feels like two different voices and sounds absolutely nothing like it does on shift, surrounded by firefighters and in between blaring bells.

Wow, maybe he’s had a little too much to drink tonight.

He nudges her arm lightly, thanking her for her kindness. He’s surprised she’s giving it to him of all people, but he appreciates it, nonetheless.

Prior, Brett has always been connected to him through association. She was Gabby’s best friend. She was Gabby’s ambo partner. She was Gabby’s brother’s girlfriend.

She’s never been anything to him, but now with Gabby long gone…he thinks maybe Brett won’t be such a stranger anymore.

“God, do you imagine if you left, and Severide became a captain or something?” She asks through a snort.

He has to admit that’s a funny picture. “You’d all be dead because he was too busy making out with Kidd.”

Brett laughs a little too hard at his pitiful joke. He starts to think she might’ve had a few drinks herself. “Oh you are so right, Casey!”

He’s too caught up in the allure of her contagious laugh to analyze the name shift. He’s heard this laugh way too much from his living room or the common room on shift, but this is the first time he’s really taken by it

Sylvie Brett has a wildly adorable laugh. Who knew?

3. 7x08

He starts to appreciate new things he hasn’t had the chance to while married. For one, he has complete freedom of his own life. Every decision is his. Plus, he has more time to spend with 51 and he surprisingly enjoys fishing with Boden of all people.

However, his newest discovery happens to be drunk Sylvie Brett. Brett’s incredibly charming on any day but mix her with alcohol and she somehow becomes more and more dorky.

He has to say he greatly appreciates drunk Brett because it’s hilarious. She can’t hold her liquor and each sentence come out in mangled fragments, but it’s not annoying. Not at all. He actually quite likes Brett when she drinks.

She’s absolutely drunk after Foster pumped her full of alcohol. He’s had the front row seat to her nose scrunch, big doe eyes and flailing hand which had turned his crappy night around.

He’s not even thinking about Naomi or what it could’ve been if he had pretended to be ready.

He had planned to go home a little early but decided to stick around to observe Brett. She’s very drunk and he’s concerned about how she’s going to get home.

Foster left hours ago. Kidd ditched too, probably to make up and make out with Severide. He expected Cruz would take her back, but he disappeared with Chloe and hasn’t returned. Even Otis has vanished.

He makes conversation with Hermann and waits for someone to get her home safely.

At some point during the night, he loses track of her just as Hermann closes. He took his eyes off to help the older man move a shipment of beer and now, she’s gone.

Shit. He hopes she’s not inebriated enough to think she can drive. Although, he’s not sure a taxi or ride share is better when she’s this out of it.

Men are assholes.

Matt hurries out the door, hoping to catch her before she disappears in some sketchy car.

Luckily, he doesn’t have to look far because Brett’s sitting on the bottom step, chin in hand and phone clutched in the other.

She tilts her head up, grinning. “Hey, Casey.”

“Hi. What are you doing out here?”

She points her turned off phone in his face. “Waiting for a cab. I’m just a teeny tiny bit drunk.”

Yeah, just a teeny tiny bit…

Again, he doesn’t want her getting in a car like this where someone could easily try something.

“I’ll drive you home,” he offers, reaching for her hand. He pulls her up, braces her stumbling with his chest and holds one hand on her arm to keep her grounded.

“No. No. You should be calling cute reporter,” she slurs, eyelids drooping lower and lower. She pokes his chest with one slender finger. “Go and make your move, Casey. Girls don’t like waiting.”

Naomi is not his concern at the moment. She’s just a girl he casually kinda sorta dated and Brett’s…well, she’s Brett. She’s an essential part of 51 and far more important than some possible girlfriend.

“She’ll be there in the morning. I’m concerned you won’t be if I don’t get you home myself,” he explains. “You’re drunk, Brett and I don’t trust some taxi driver so let’s go.”

She sticks her bottom lip out. “Fine. Fine. Fine. Lead the way, Captain.”

He steers her by the shoulders so she can’t fall flat on her face towards his truck. When he gets the door open, Brett needs a boost into the seat.

He watches one of the best paramedics he knows fumble with a seatbelt for five minutes, amused. Eventually he gives in to her frustration and does it for her.

Super talkative drunk Sylvie seems to have left for the night. As he navigates down the streets of Chicago, she’s quiet and pressed against the passenger window.

He pulls up in front of the place she shares with Otis and Cruz ten minutes later. He turns his truck off, unlocks the door for Sylvie to jump (or probably fall) out. She doesn’t make a move though, and when he looks over, she’s sleeping against her seatbelt.

He should’ve seen this coming. She drank a lot so of course the alcohol would knock her out.

“Brett?” He asks.

She snores a little in response and he can’t help but chuckle. He stays in the driver side for a few more minutes, thinking of the best way to get her inside.

While thinking, he observes her drunken sleep. Her hair is a mess, tangled against the window. She has mascara rings all around her eyes and cheeks and she’s even drooling a little.

He admires her unkept look. He’s always liked how she’s fearlessly herself and just doesn’t care if it’s well received or not.

It’s a very admirable quality.

Her neck is gonna hurt like hell if she stays in that position much longer. He climbs out his truck and goes to her side. He eases the door open, managing to keep her from tipping out with a hand against her head.

“Brett,” he says, shaking her shoulder a little. “Brett, come on. Wake up.”

She’s dead asleep, nestling further into the hand keeping her head from lolling. He can’t stand all night like this with her face in his palm.

Fine. He’ll carry her in. He undoes her seatbelt and when it clicks, she startles.

The sudden panic vanishes the second she realizes it’s him. She smiles sleepily. “Matt.”

Matt. Not Casey. All evening he’s been Casey aside from when she full named him earlier. Now that she’s drunk and tired, he’s Matt again.

He wonders if it’s purely accidental or if she consciously chooses when to change it up.

“How’d you get here so fast?” She asks, looking around the sidewalk.

“You fell asleep,” he explains. “Come on. Let me get you to your apartment. Can you walk?”

She nods and stumbles out of her seat. He braces her fall, laughing at how ridiculously uncoordinated she is after some tequila.

“Hey! Are you laughing at me?”

He helps her inside the apartment building, pointing her in the direction of the elevator.

“I’ve never seen you like this. It’s wildly entertaining.”

“Well, at least I didn’t accept a proposal this time,” she yawns, leaning her head into his shoulder as they wait for the right floor.

“What?” He asks.

She shrugs as the doors slide open. “A green card thing. I was drunk…didn’t marry him. Long story.”

Sounds like it. They make it to her door, Brett halfway asleep on him. He fishes her key out of her purse and then let’s them inside.

“Casey, hi?” Cruz greets from the kitchen. His eyebrows raise when he sees Brett. “Oh man, I completely forgot.”

He knows Cruz was too focused on his new girlfriend to look out for her, but still. She’s his room dog or whatever they call each other. He shouldn’t have left her alone.

“She needs to go to bed,” he explains, doing his best to pass her off to Cruz. She doesn’t want to leave his side for whatever drunken reason so they both have to get her into her bed.

Once she’s buried under a thousand blankets, he turns to Cruz. “Make sure she drinks a lot of water tomorrow because that hangover is gonna be brutal.”

Cruz laughs. “Drunk Brett might be fun, but hungover Brett is not.”

He can imagine. She’ll definitely be miserable tomorrow.

When he goes to leave, Cruz stops him. “Thank Casey.”

“Yep.”

It’s not like he was going to leave her anyway. He’s just glad she’s home safe.

4. Post 8x09

That night he and Gabby hadn’t just passed by but went straight through. They fell right into familiarity and slept together. She was his wife. She knew him better than anyone. Well, he’s starting to think there’s someone else who understands him better, but he’s not gonna go there.

The night is good, but just not as good as he remembered. He expected that cosmic pull (or whatever) but if anything, something is pushing him further and further from what he thought was his future.

There was a disconnect and when he left, it felt like closure. Gabby’s so happy in Puerto Rico. He’s genuinely glad she’s doing so well for herself, even without him. Plus, he’s happy too in Chicago with 51. His future is here.

Gabby leaves the voicemail about how she always has an opening for him, and the bitterness resurfaces. It’s a nice gesture, but it proves how things will only ever progress if he makes the life changes. They can have another night together if he goes to Puerto Rico.

He has no plans to do that.

Someone knocks on his door at a quarter to eleven. His best guess is Severide forgot his key and he and Kidd got in a fight.

They fight and make up a little too much.

He hauls himself off the couch and opens the door. He expects Severide in the door with a permanent frown and a string of curses. What he doesn’t expect is Brett in his doorway, mini dress on and perfectly applied make up.

She looks amazing. He’s always thought Brett was a cute girl. It’s a fact, but he’s starting to think she’s more than just cute. She’s shockingly hot.

“Hi,” she greets.

Did he black out and ask her on a date something? She’s clearly dressed for the occasion. God knows he’s thought about making a move, but he has no memory of doing it.

Even if he somehow lost his mind and did plan a date, he wouldn’t choose such a late time.

He must look as confused as he feels because she chuckles.

“Sorry. I know it’s late.” She looks down at her tight red dress and then back at him. “I had a date. I don’t usually wear this kinda stuff.”

So, someone else asked her out? He doesn’t remember hearing about anyone new. To his knowledge, Ryan was the last.

“You look…fancy,” he compliments. Other more expressive words are on the tip of his tongue, but he settles for fancy. It’s probably best he doesn’t tell her she looks hot in that dress.

“Late dinner. Completely disastrous dessert. Anyway, I’m not here to talk about my failed attempts at romance.”

He’s not sure why he’s relieved the date didn’t go well. He’ll analyze that later.

“Why are you here?”

He’s still confused about the events that have led to her stunning appearance at his place.

“I was at dinner, and I just couldn’t stop thinking about you, Matt,” she says so casually as if that’s not a completely loaded confession.

She can’t stand there in a tight red dress and roll his name off her lips like this and expect nothing. She was thinking about him? She was actively thinking about him when she was with a date?

“You…couldn’t stop thinking about me? “

Her eyes widen and she covers her face. “Oh my god. That came out wrong. I don’t mean…geez, I keep doing this.”

His racing heart slows a little because he misinterpreted her words. He thought this was heading in another direction. He thought he wasn’t crazy thinking something might be happening between them.

She brings her hand back down to her side. “I was worried because I know Gabby left today and I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

Oh.

“I’m fine,” he dismisses. “Really, Brett.”

She eyes him like she doesn’t believe a word he’s saying. In hindsight, he didn’t sound very convincing.

“I worry no one checks on you,” she continues. “You’re this steady presence at 51 for everyone else and I just couldn’t stomach the thought of you all alone here blaming yourself.”

He leans in his doorway. Now that’s he is closer, he can smell her addictive perfume. It somehow smells like Christmas and fruit.

“Blaming myself?”

She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “For not feeling like enough. I can’t pretend to know what went down with Gabby, but I do like to think I know you. I know that she unintentionally hurt you by leaving and now she left again.”

“Brett…”

She edges a little closer and his heart rate quickens again. He’s half convinced she can see his neck pulse thumping from where she’s at.

“If I’m crossing a line here, let me know, but I don’t like the thought of you sitting here thinking you somehow failed,” she rambles.

He swallows, breathing in deep because she’s definitely doing something new to him. She’s not touching or anything, just hovering a few inches and God, he wants to kiss her.

Huh, that’s new.

“You didn’t fail and truthfully, I love me some Gabby, but she was wrong to make you feel like you’re…I don’t know, nothing?”

There’s a lingering question behind that confession. She’s not sure she’s reading his feelings right, but she’s nailing it. Somehow, she’s articulated everything he’s felt better than he could.

“You’re not nothing, Matt. If you ask anyone at 51, if you ask me…you’re pretty much everything there is.”

He’s shell shocked which doesn’t happen often. He’s good at reacting. He’s trained to be ready for anything, but he wasn’t ready for this.

For her.

She’s healing parts of him he didn’t even know were broken with her kindness and consideration. She didn’t have to leave a date to ease his pain, but she did.

She knew he’d need to hear it before he even did.

She’s standing in his door in a strapless dress that pushes up her boobs saying things he’s never heard from anyone. He’s not leering at her, of course, but he’s human. He spares a few glances since she’s so close.

He’s also only been Matt tonight. She hasn’t called him Casey once. Somehow, he’s hearing his first name from her more than ever and he quite appreciates the change.

Matt brings his hand to her bare arm, brushing his palm down her skin. “Thank you, Sylvie.”

He knows he should pull his hand away from her soft skin. A normal shoulder squeeze is one thing, but this lingering grip is another. He traces his thumb around a freckle on her forearm.

Her skin erupts in little goose bumps and he figures she’s probably freezing her ass off in that dress. “Do you wanna come in? I can get you a sweatshirt or something.”

She looks at her heels before gently easing out of his grip. When she replies, she looks anywhere other than at him. “No, that’s okay. I better go home before Foster goes on a manhunt for the guy who took me out. I told her I’d be home by now.”

Right. It’s probably best she doesn’t cross the threshold. He’s afraid of what he’ll do with a few beers in his system and her looking like that.

She’s sweet, kind and so empathetic while he’s just a mess.

“Yeah, good call. Foster with a pitchfork and torch is a scary thought,” he comments.

She laughs, wrinkling her nose. “You make a very good point.” She swipes some hair away from her face. “I’ll see you on shift, Casey.”

Casey again. It feels like the shift is definitely intentional. She’s creating distance.

He nods, moving all the way back into his apartment. “On shift.”

She waves and he unapologetically watches her walk down the hall. Once she turns the corner, he shuts the door.

[girlmadeofstarlight]

Calling all Brettsey fanfic writers or content creators! I hope you can participate in the Brettsey December Prompt Challenge!

Feel free share!

#BrettseyDecPromptChallenge

@megsmulti @veryfrstnight @sylkiddsey @alittlextrathatway @atiredfangirl @justoneofthoseghosts @brettsey-two-tts

[sylkiddsey]

Finally working on a new AU short story(more like collection of vignettes) that I’m so SO excited to share with you!!! It’s been so long since I’ve had the inspiration or the time haha!

[sylkiddsey]

Proving A Point

Sylvie fixes Matt a drink and joins him in the living room. Julia’s been going through a sleep regression, and they have both realized they aren’t falling asleep anytime soon. Instead of struggling to get her to sleep, they’ve decided to let her stay up.

It’s easier and this way, they can spend extra time together. The boys are both staying with friends, so they like to take advantage of the quiet.

“She’s out,” Matt whispers.

The problem is, she fell asleep in her swing chair. They both know if they move her, she’ll wake up screaming.

“At least she’s finally sleeping,” Sylvie replies, sitting on the couch. “We’ll just keep her there for now.”

Matt climbs off the floor and joins her. He grabs her legs and swings them into his lap, massaging her calf. “I think that’s wise.”

Sylvie cuddles into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I miss this.”

“Staying up till three in the morning?”

She chuckles. “No. Not that. You and me. You know, just us together without any distractions.”

Matt kisses her. “Me too. Now that we have all this down time, I’ve been meaning to ask how the new candidate has been?”

Sylvie grabs his hand, intertwining their fingers. “He’s great. He seems really nice and he’s also freakishly strong.”

“What do you mean freakishly strong?” Matt asks.

“The guy is very muscular, Matt. He’s jacked. He practically lifted a car on his own,” Sylvie explains.

It was super impressive. The new guy, Denny, isn’t even in his thirties yet and he’s already ripped. She didn’t know a human could be that strong.

Matt scrunches his face. “You sound so surprised a firefighter could be so muscular.”

“Trust me, you’d see where I’m coming from if you met him. He bench pressed my partner at the station like it was nothing. He did like fifty reps, Matt.”

Denny offered to lift her, but she politely declined. It felt too awkward when she barely knows the guy.

Matt squeezes her thigh, grazing his fingers against the skin exposed from her night shorts riding up. “Should I be worried you’re so impressed with this guy?”

Sylvie nudges him. “Oh come on, baby. You know it wasn’t like that. I just didn’t know a human could do that so easily. That’s all.”

“Okay, I’m starting to take offense here,” he chuckles. “May I remind you that your husband happens to be a pretty capable firefighter?”

He’s such a dork. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him until she needs air.

She brushes her nose against his. “You definitely don’t. I know just how capable you are. Denny’s just younger. He probably has more stamina.”

Matt scoffs against her lips. “Hang on. First, you're talking about how jacked this guy is and now I’m old? Yes, I’m probably quite a few years older but I’m not ancient.”

Sylvie can’t help but laugh at the genuine offense on his face. She didn’t mean it like that.

“I never said you were,” she says. “Matt, I’m just saying that Denny is in his twenties. He has youth on his side but you’re not old. Not old at all.”

“You honestly believe I can’t do what he did, can you?” He asks.

Sylvie doesn’t say anything. Matt’s very strong. She knows that but he’s also a bit older than the candidate. It doesn’t make him inferior, just a little bit at a disadvantage.

Matt moves her legs off his lap.

“Hey, where are you going?” Sylvie asks, slightly panicked. She thought they were just playing around but maybe he’s genuinely upset? “Matt, please.”

He stands and holds out his hand. “I’m proving to my wife that I’m not a washed-up firefighter.”

“I never ever said you were.”

He flexes his fingers. “Stand up, babe.”

She grabs his hand and lets him haul her to her feet. “Matt, you don’t have to do this. I think you are incredible. This is silly.”

“I need to get that other firefighter out of that ridiculously beautiful head of yours.”

“He is not in my head. Trust me, you are the only man on my mind. There’s no reason to get jealous.”

He gives her a look and then sits down on the rug. “This isn’t about jealousy, Sylvie.”

It sure looks like it. She has no clue what he is trying to prove from the floor.

Matt grabs her hand and tugs her down with him. She gasps in surprise when she lands on his chest.

“What on earth are you doing?” Sylvie laughs, trying to keep her voice down. “Is this what sleep deprivation does to you?”

“I’m proving a point,” Matt grins. “Lay flat.”

“I’d rather lay like this,” Sylvie charms, hovering her lips over his. “We could make out like teens on the living room floor.”

“Yes, to that but we’re doing my thing first. I’m benching you. Stay still.”

Before she can process, Matt has one hand under her breasts and the other on her thigh. He pushes her into the air which leaves her giggling. She goes up and then back down against his chest.

“You are crazy,” she laughs. “And your grip on my thigh tickles.”

“Still thinking about the candidate?” Matt teases, pushing her above his head.

“I was never thinking about him, but I am impressed.”

“I might push around a lot of paperwork these days, but I still have a few moves.”

Yeah, she’d agree. Although she never once thought he was losing his skill.

“Will you put me down?” She chuckles.

“Not until I out do that amateur.”

“Baby, I can’t make out with you and prove to you how impressed I am from the air. Put me down so I can kiss my hot firefighter husband.”

He lowers her onto his chest, wrapping his arms around her. “That’s more like it.”

“You know I love you.”

He nods. “Yes, I do. It just doesn’t hurt to remind you that I’m not that old.”

Sylvie kisses him, moving her lips to his neck. “I have never thought that. You look as good as you did the day I met you.”

“Okay, now you’re definitely sweet talking me.”

“Okay fine. That’s not true.” She skims her fingers through his hair. “You actually look better. I’ve always been a huge fan of distinguished Captain Matt Casey.”

He smirks. “Is that so?”

“Yep.”

He runs his hand down her back, resting it on her ass. “I happen to really love PIC/hot mom Sylvie, so I guess we are on the same page.”

He knows how she feels about his hand placement. He’s starting something they probably won’t finish.

“How long do you think we can make out before our sweet daughter ruins the fun?” Sylvie asks.

“Probably five minutes if we are lucky.”

She pulls him closer, mumbling against his mouth. “Oh well. I’ll take it.”

[sylkiddsey]

Posted! Enjoy 🙌🏼

[sylkiddsey]

P.

One of the best things about being married to a PIC is that he almost always has a sub for Sanders. When Sanders calls in at six in the morning with another case of the flu from her kids, Matt doesn’t have to stress. Sylvie’s literally a nudge away and always more than willing to help him out.

She’s better than some floater and of course he has another reason for always suggesting her name. He loves working with her. He really enjoys operating under the same house together again. Especially because his off time is always much more fun when she’s around.

Half the time, they shamelessly make out in his office, but he’s earned that. He spent enough time without her during the long distance.

Matt truly loves having her around at work but sometimes, he regrets his offer. Sometimes, he unintentionally puts her in a dangerous situation. A situation that turns his blood to ice.

This is that situation.

He and his crew had been on the way back from a small self set fire in an alley. It was a simple hose down that didn’t take them longer than ten minutes to put out. Afterwards, they loaded into the truck to head back to the station.

However, they were rerouted when Jones, the less experienced paramedic at his firehouse, came over the intercom. She frantically told him how the ambulance witnessed an accident. A car apparently lost control and veered off the road, coasting down a slight mountain, crossing a fairly busy hiking trail before plummeting into the Willamette river.

That information wasn’t positive, but it wasn’t necessarily urgent either. Accidents happen all the time and whatever squad truck is closest would respond. He doesn’t have the equipment needed for that rescue, but he does have a wife.

He has a wife who goes above and beyond in her job. He’s married to a selfless hero who to his absolute horror, dove into the river herself to try and remove the driver.

Sylvie’s in rough waters without the proper gear and that makes him wish he just let her sleep in and found a different sub.

They get to the scene in record time. His crew member Tim has a lead foot which came in handy for this type of situation. He gets to Sylvie and her partner within five minutes of the call.

Tim hasn’t even parked the rig on the edge of the road before Matt is jumping out and running for the riverbank. The terrain is uneven, but he makes it to the paved trail. Sylvie must have parked the ambulance here, so she was close to the patient.

He doesn’t see anyone aside from the crowd of hikers gathered around, watching the water.

“Sylvie! Jones!”

“Down here!”

It’s not his wife’s voice who calls back to him and he tries not to think about what that could mean as he skids down towards the rocky riverbank.

Jones is crouched on the edge, looking out towards the water. It’s pretty calm today aside from the giant red SUV sinking towards the bottom. Matt can just barely see the top of the car.

“She hasn’t come up,” Jones says. “I told her not to jump in. I told her to wait for a rescue crew.”

Oh god.

He shrugs off his turnout coat and slides his suspenders down each shoulder. The less weight he has on, the easier it’ll be to get Sylvie out of the water.

“How long has she been under?”

Jones glances at him, tears shinning in her brown eyes. This is only her first year on the job and she looks as young as she probably feels. “Almost four minutes. The driver never resurfaced. She thought he was probably unconscious which is why she wouldn’t wait.”

He’s not surprised. Sylvie’s not the type to sit on the sideline even if he really wished she would. He wishes she was dry and safe on land.

He’s about to kick off his boots when he hears commotion in the water. Splashing and gasping.

It’s his wife.

Sylvie’s barely able to keep her head above the water with the weight of the teenage boy she’s holding up.

“A little help over here!” She cries, taking in water.

He springs into action, leaning as close as he can to the edge with his arms out. “I got you, Sylvie.”

She pushes her way closer, dragging the victim with her. “Get the kid. Please help him, Matt.”

He wants to help her.

“I need help down here,” Jones tells his crew. “Grab a backboard!”

Matt snags the kid’s t-shirt material and pulls him upward, passing him along to Tim who gets him laid flat on the ground. Matt hears Jones announce the kid isn’t breathing and start CPR but he doesn’t offer his assistance.

He grabs Sylvie’s hand before her head completely submerges into the water.

“Come here, baby.” He gets his hands under her armpits and is able to pull her up in his arms with minimal struggle. Even soaking wet, Sylvie feels light in his grip.

Sylvie grabs on, digging her cold fingers into his neck. She’s shivering and panting against his cheek.

He honestly has no idea how she was able to extract a victim twice her size and swim him to safety on her own. He can tell she’s exhausted from her breathing and weak grip.

“Oh my god,” he mutters, kissing her cheek. “I can’t believe you jumped into unsafe waters like that.”

She laughs. “Like you wouldn’t have done the same thing. You have done the same thing.”

She has a slight point.

[sylkiddsey]

E.

Matt’s pissed.

She can tell. It might not be visible to the intern bandaging her ribs or even Adam who is taking her statement, but she can. She likes to think she knows her fiancé exceptionally well and can read him like a book.

He’s angry.

He’s so irritated that he’s not even standing at her side, holding her hand. He’s keeping his physical distance by the curtain, white knuckling the phone he just used to call Christie.

He had asked his sister to take Julia for the night so he could focus on her recovery and so she wouldn’t hurt herself trying to lift their daughter. She immediately objected to the idea. Before she could even get the words out, he gave her this freaking intimidating Captain look, so she clicked her mouth shut.

It’s probably best she doesn’t have Julia tonight because all their daughter will want is to be carried around and she physically can’t.

It’ll just upset her more.

The intern leaves to grab discharge papers as Voight breezes in and she expects Matt to shove him against a wall or something. He already doesn’t like him and he’s clearly mad so it’s not a good combo.

“How are the ribs, Brett?” He asks.

Matt’s the one who replies and yeah, he’s definitely freaking pissed. “Broken, Voight. You broke two of her god damn ribs.”

Technically he didn’t. It’s not like the older man punched or used her as a human shield. She chose to jump in front of the bullet. It’s a decision she’d make a hundred times over if it kept Matt safe.

Adam interferes, clearing his throat. “Voight, let me handle this one. I’m not sure Casey…”

“No. No. Let him stay. Why don’t you let him stand right here and see the physical proof of what you two allowed to happen,” her fiancé rages. Normally, she finds his hot temper wildly attractive because he rarely brings it out. He’s normally very calm and levelheaded, but she assumes a bullet to her chest might cause him to go a little crazy.

“Matt,” she requests, extending her good arm towards him.

He looks at her beckoning fingers but ignores the gesture. His hard-set gaze travels back to the cops.

“She insisted she go in. This fiancé of yours is persistent, I’ll give her that,” Voight comments.

Why are they talking about her like she’s not in the room. Plus, she’s only in a freaking bra since she can’t put her t-shirt back on and Matt’s been too blinded by anger to help.

She feels very exposed.

“I don’t care if she threatened your whole god damn family. You had no business sending her into that as some, what, bullet target?”

First off, she did not threaten anyone and secondly, they didn’t demand she throw herself in front of any bullets.

That was all her.

“Honey,” she says, but again, Matt ignores her.

“Listen man, we didn’t send her in there blind. She had a vest on,” Adam says. “We took as many precautions as we could.”

“Bullshit,” he rages. “Precaution would’ve been not sending my fiancé into the line of fire!”

She wasn’t used. She wasn’t the victim. It was her idea and her actions. She understands his anger completely, but it should be directed at her.

Voight looks her way. “Casey, I can’t control that she jumped in front of the damn bullet. Brett seems to be the one with the death wish.”

Geez, he really doesn’t know how to deescalate the situation. His little comment only pisses Matt off more.

She knows there is a lot of history there. She might not really know the details, but this isn’t just about her broken ribs.

“You son-of-a-bitch,” he mutters, stepping closer.

Yeah, Matt catching an assault charge is the last thing she needs.

She and Adam move simultaneously. The other officer steps in front of his boss and she hops off the gurney without thinking.

The movement pulls at her sore ribs, and she crumples to her knees in pain.

Matt closes the physical distance instantly. “Jesus, Sylvie.”

She’ll need to get used to taking it slow because that was so stupid on her part.

He moves his hand over the one clutching her ribs, clipped tone turning soothing. “Hey, are you okay?”

Well, at least she stopped Matt from punching Voight. That makes the pain somewhat worth it. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He looks up at Voight, still sounding angry, but a little less so now. “I suggest you both get the hell out. Now.”

Adam apologizes even though he doesn’t need to and then all but shoves Voight through the curtain.

Matt lifts her on the gurney. He’s quiet so she has a feeling he’s still mad.

“It wasn’t their fault,” she speaks up. “I begged to go in there.”

He shakes his head. “I expected that. What I didn’t expect was them to actually let you.”

“I didn’t give them a choice. I needed…”

He huffs in frustration. “No. No. You didn’t need to go in there. I had it handled.”

Did he?

“They needed a paramedic,” she defends.

“And there are plenty of damn paramedics in Chicago who could’ve gone in,” he retorts.

She watches him ease away from her.

It seems he’s not just pissed with Voight. He’s upset with her.

“You…god, we have a daughter,” he mutters, pacing the floor. “You weren’t even thinking about her when you risked your life, were you?”

Okay, that’s not fair. Of course, she was but the alternative was losing him. She can’t go through that.

“Matt, she had a gun to your head. You know that if the roles were reversed, you would’ve done the same. You can’t stand there and say you wouldn’t have gone in for me.”

“This isn’t about me. It’s about you purposely walking into a dangerous situation,” he replies. “Not only did you go inside, but you took a bullet for me.”

“I had on a vest,” she reminds. “If one of us is going to take the bullet, it should be the person with the vest on.”

“I don’t care!” He exclaims. “Sylvie, that bullet could’ve hit you somewhere other than the vest. What you did was so…”

Listen, she understands. She terrified him. That much is obvious but Jesus Christ, he’s a hypocrite. This is the man who swings from roofs and charges into fires.

For God sakes, he almost got shot working on the task force if it hadn’t been for Gallo.

“It saved your life,” she all but yells. “Matt, she shot at you. If I hadn’t taken it, you would be in surgery right now and I’m not okay with that.”

“I’m not okay with you risking your life for me,” he argues.

“Too damn bad, baby,” she shrugs. “I’m going to. I love you and I’m not losing you to some girl with a gun. If I can protect you, I’m gonna protect you.”

“It was reckless and stupid.”

She scoffs. Seriously, does he not hear himself right now?

“Are you kidding me? You pull that crap all the time and it’s fine?”

She loves him but gosh, she’s frustrated right now. Yes, he has every right to feel his emotions, but he doesn’t get to refer to her actions as stupid.

He combs a hand through his hair, rolling his eyes. “Come on. That’s different. My saves are calculated risks. I know what I’m doing. It’s not the same as you running into the line of fire because you can.”

“I never realized how much of hypocrite you are,” she mutters, tracing patterns on her thigh.

“Hypocrite?”

She meets his stare. “A very attractive, amazing, but absolute fat hypocrite.”

Despite the fact they’re somewhat fighting, he cracks a little smile. “How am I a hypocrite?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact you jumped out of a moving fire truck without a helmet or any protective gear on for me?”

That wasn’t a calculated risk. He did that out of desperation because the captain she knows so well wouldn’t have pulled that move for anybody else.

Matt crosses his arms. “First off, I don’t think me cautiously stepping out of the rig Kidd was driving is the same as you jumping into a bullet. Was it a little risky? Sure, but I thought you…and Mackey were really hurt. It was my job.”

“And it was my job to go in and try and save Manny.”

She can tell he’s realizing he’s losing this battle.

“Okay, maybe that part was, but you didn’t have to jump in front of me,” he defends, halfheartedly.

He’s pretty cute when he’s grasping for straws. Sylvie grins a little, feeling victorious. “If I had been the one shot at…, would you have let me take the bullet?”

She knows the answer to her own hypothetical. He’d do anything to protect her. He’s proved that time and time again.

“This isn’t about me.”

“I can’t lose you so yes, I made sure I took the bullet. Was that selfish? Yeah, probably, but I really don’t care. I’m glad I did.”

The frustration and anger she thought he put behind him comes roaring back. “And you think I can lose you? How is that fair?”

It’s not.

[sylkiddsey]

D.

After spending three hours at a café, her trying every donut flavor and him drinking coffee, they’re eventually kicked out. The place is closing and the teenage barista isn’t impressed with their behavior.

He drops her off at her apartment like a true gentleman. They stand in front of her locked door as she (secretly) takes her sweet time fishing her keys out of her purse.

It isn’t clear who leans in first. Somehow, it feels like they meet right in the middle.

This isn’t normal for her. She rarely makes a move on the first date, but then again, she already made a move the night they met.

Somehow, allowing him into her place, shedding clothes and laughing about bumping into furniture, feels natural. He finds her bedroom right away, hooks a hand around her thigh and lifts.

He carries her to the bed, falling onto her soft comforter, Matt on top of her. He tastes like roasted hazelnuts and sugar. She tells him that when he pulls his shirt off and wow…

Wow, the firefighting physique is so damn impressive. She’s convinced she’s drooling.

Maybe she’s dreaming? Maybe she never found the courage to track Matt down at Molly’s.

She hadn’t planned on showing up there. When she turned Casey down, she meant it. Yes, he’s great, but she’s cursed. Everything she touches turns to dust when it comes to romance. Destroying him isn’t an option.

Or so she thought.

The truth is, she wanted to say yes, but felt like it wouldn’t make her look good. She’s new to the paramedic game and dating (or whatever) a well respected lieutenant might make her look desperate. Worse, all her future accomplishments will be diminished since she’s with Matt.

Her plan goes to shit because her co-worker's suck. They’re bad humans who don’t respect her and here she is, not going after Matt Casey for them. They don’t deserve that.

She was so sick of men treating her like scum. Casey never did that. He’s so good so she decides screw it, she wants to surround herself in something positive and good.

Now, admiring the ridiculously good view, she thinks Rosales and his crew of pervs are obsolete.

“Are we moving too fast?” He asks.

Not fast enough.

She sheds his belt, grabbing his hips and pulling his whole weight down on her.

She’s pretty certain she blacks out from ecstasy because next thing she knows, she’s waking up in her bedroom, tangled in sheets and still damp from last nights activities.

She stretches her arms out, hands landing on her rumpled comforter and not Matt.

Wait.

Sylvie lifts her head from the pillow and sure enough, Matt’s not snoring next to her.

Oh my god. Did he ditch her? He didn’t seem like the type to do that, but who knows. Maybe she misread the whole situation to begin with and he was under the impression this was a one-night thing.

She combs her frizzy hair away from her face, frowning. She didn’t just want a one-night stand. Hell, she was contemplating moving to New York over a kiss.

Now, that kiss seems innocent compared to last nights events.

Dang it.

She collapses into her pillow, groaning a little into the fabric. How is she supposed to forget last night?

She’s drifting somewhere between almost asleep and awake when she hears her coffee maker ding.

She lives alone.

“Good morning.”

She lifts her head, rubbing her eyes. Matt’s sitting on the edge of her bed, two coffee mugs in hand. He’s fully clothed and looks like he’s been up awhile.

She blinks, hard. “You’re still here?”

“Yeah, of course,” he replies. He sets both full mugs on her nightstand. “Did you think I snuck out?”

She really really did. Thank god she was wrong. She pushes herself up right, leaning against her velvet headboard. “Well, you weren’t next to me so…”

“I made coffee,” he explains. “I hope that’s okay.”

Like that wouldn’t be okay? He made her morning coffee in bed. That’s heavenly. “Yeah, that’s okay.”

He places her drink in her hands. “Based on the amount of coffee creamers and sugars you had…I took a gamble on how you like it. If it sucks, I can make a new cup.”

She brings the mug to her lips, sipping the warm drink. Holy cow. She’s never made her coffee this good before. She adds secret coffee wizard to the many appealing qualities Matt has.

“This is so good,” she hums, eyes closed. “Thank you.”

“Glad you like it,” he replies. His hand brushes against her under eye with a feather like touch. “You have some mascara on your face.”

Of course she does. It’s not like she had time to wipe her make up.

“I have a construction job in an hour so I have to go soon.”

Right, they can’t live in this magical bubble forever. They both have lives.

“Okay.”

What does that mean for them? Is he leaving and that’s it? Does he want to see her again? Was last night a onetime thing?

Sylvie plays with the tag on one of her pillows. “So, not to be that annoying girl who immediately wants assurance, but…is this a regular thing?”

He thinks about her question for a second. The waiting makes her nervous, but she doesn’t want to push him.

“Yeah, I’d like it to be,” he finally says. “I had a lot of fun and I don’t do that often. I was hoping you did too.”

She nods a little too eagerly, nearly spilling coffee in her lap. “Yeah, I did too. A lot of fun.”

“Good, so we should do it again,” He winces, shaking his head. “Not the sex. I mean, we can, but I’m not saying I just want the sex. A date. I want to keep going on dates. Jesus…”

She laughs, closing the distance between them and kissing the corner of his mouth. “Another date sounds wonderful.”

“Okay, good.” His hands curls around the small of her back, rubbing his hand up her spine. “You free tonight?”

“Tonight?”

“Yeah…is that too soon?”

No, not at all. She’s just kind of baffled by all of this. It’s sweet he’s so eager to see her and the feeling is very very mutual.

“Not at all. I’m free,” she explains. “I have to help my friend Olivia move out of her exes apartment, but I should be done by four.”

“Great. My job should wrap up by three. How about I pick you up at five and take you to dinner? There’s a great pizza place not far.”

She’s been craving a deep dish so his suggestion is perfect. “Ooh, yes to pizza. Also, maybe we could stop by Molly’s after?”

He laughs, squeezing her hip. “You just want to hang out with Stella, huh?”

Guilty.

“So so much,” she grins, batting her eyelashes. “I’m in desperate need of girl friends in the CFD.”

“Okay, we’ll go to Molly’s,” he agrees. “But only if you swear not to abandon me for Kidd. I met you first.”

She grabs the collar of his jacket and kisses him, this time deep and slow. She wants him to know she does really like him and no badass firefighter chick will ruin that.

“I promise,” she whispers, examining every one of his features. His eyes look more blue this morning. They almost looked grey-ish in Molly’s dark lighting, but with the sun peeking through her windows, they’re blue. His hairs longer in the front, not combed back in any capacity.

He’s so very cute.

“I really did have a lot of fun, Sylvie,” he says, eyeing her with that same look that led them into her apartment. “And I’ll see you tonight.”

“Tonight.” She repeats.

They both don’t make any move to leave the bed. She has a feeling he doesn’t want to go.

She doesn’t want him to either.

“Okay, I really have to go now.”

“I’m not stopping you.”

He gives her a look. “Oh, but you are.”

She moves her hands off him. “Well, I’m not trying to.”

“That’s the problem.”

Honestly, she has to get up too and get ready to meet Olivia for breakfast before they start moving to her new place.

[sylkiddsey]

C.

That delay pushes his arrival time back three hours, putting him in Chicago after midnight. He had text Sylvie that and insisted she go to bed, and he’ll see her when she wakes up.

He was stupid to believe she would. When he keys into the house a little before one in the morning, Sylvie’s fast asleep on the couch.

It was the first big piece of furniture they sprang for because he hated her old couch. He never really admitted it, but it was uncomfortable and only good for making out.

The new cloth sectional is much comfier. Sylvie’s curled under a thick blanket on the chaise side of the couch. The tv is still on low volume, flashing images of a freshly renovated bathroom. The baby monitor is propped next to her head and from what he can tell, Julia’s asleep.

Matt sets his duffel bag on the ground and toes off his shoes. He locks up behind him and wanders into the living room.

He can tell she tried to stay up based on the novel sprawled open on her chest and the cheap blue light readers slipping off her nose.

He doesn’t think he’ll ever get tired of this image. Coming home to her is the absolute best feeling in the world.

He reaches for the remote on her thigh and clicks the tv off. Without it on, the only light in the living room is from a small table side lamp and the glow of the baby monitor.

He could wake her up and carry her to the bedroom, but she looks content on the couch. He doesn’t really want to disturb her, but he also doesn’t want to go to bed alone.

He has to leave in three days and spending one more night without her, even a room away is unbearable.

He unzips his jacket and drapes it on the chair next to the couch. He’s exhausted from a long day of travel, and he has really missed her.

He slides into the spot between her and the arm of the couch. Once settled, he kisses her cheek. “Sylvie.”

She stirs, the book landing on the wood floor with a small thud. She turns her head and blinks sleepily.

Once she realizes what’s going on, she smiles. “Hey, you’re home. What time is it?”

“About one in the morning,” he whispers, snaking his arm under her shoulders and pulling her in. “I thought you’d be in bed.”

She wraps her arms around him and rests her head on his chest. “No, you didn’t. I always wait up for you. Well, at least try to. I guess I fell asleep.”

“I don’t blame you. It’s late,” he replies, readjusting the blanket for her. “I missed you, babe.”

“I missed you too,” she yawns. “Should we relocate to the bedroom?”

It’s not a bad idea, but he’s finally comfortable. He also doesn’t want to move with her cuddled against him. “No. I just want to stay like this for a minute. I haven’t been able to do this for three weeks.”

[sylkiddsey]

The people have spoken and this coincidentally from the section I wanted to preview haha 🤣 Anyway, here’s a little sneak peek :)

🏡🍼❤️‍🩹

She can’t believe he was afraid she wouldn’t like him. She practically melted in his arms when he held her. He’s actually the one who stopped her meltdown when they first showed up to Patty’s.

Now, Julia’s fast asleep in his arms while they lounge on Patty’s couch. She looks so safe with him, and this is all she’s ever wanted since she delivered Julia.

“She loves you,” Sylvie whispers, resting her chin on his shoulder. “I knew she would.”

He grins. “You know, you’re definitely right about her being the cutest baby ever. She’s perfect.”

She really is.

He strokes his thumb against Julia’s tiny cheek. “I can’t believe she’s yours, Sylvie.”

Sylvie giggles at him. He still keeps referring to Julia as just her baby. It’s cute but a bit frustrating.

She kisses his cheek. “Matt, she’s ours. She’s as much yours as she is mine. You’re her dad.”

He exhales slowly. “I just can’t believe any of this is real. You saying yes. This baby. The fact I don’t have to think about you with that Dylan guy anymore.”

She whacks his arm. “Well, you better start believing it because all of it happened.” She holds out her hand. “I’m wearing your ring.”

“About time. I’ve had that thing in a box for way over a year.”

She still can’t believe that. If he just told her at Stella’s wedding that he saw a future with her, she wouldn’t have ended things.

Not in a million years.

Julia stirs from her nap and pops the pacifier out of her mouth. It falls to the ground.

“I’ll get it,” Sylvie says, grabbing it off the floor. “I’m going to go rinse it real quick. You okay here?”

He nods. “Yeah. I’m good.”

She hops off the couch and heads into the kitchen. Patty’s at the island, fixing up some sandwiches.

“You want my help with that?” Sylvie asks.

The older woman shakes her head. “No. No. You’re a guest. I got this.”

Sylvie wants to argue but she also respects Patty’s capability. She heads to the sink and rinses the pacifier under the water.

“You know, I recall having a conversation just the other day about how you were prepared to do this alone.”

She was. She didn’t really want to, but it was her only option. She had no idea Matt still loved her. A lot of her dreams died during the breakup with him.

She had to create new ones.

Sylvie smiles. “It’s funny. Anytime I pictured motherhood in the last few years, Matt was always apart of the picture. At first, I just imagined him by my side as a friend. He offered to do it years ago when I thought I might have to adopt my little sister.”

She was terrified that day at the idea of raising Amelia. She didn’t think she could handle it, but Matt made her feel differently. She didn’t feel alone.

“Oh gosh,” she mumbles to herself, fighting back tears. She doesn’t want to cry in front of Patty. “And then when we got together, I just couldn’t imagine not having kids with him. He’s just one of those guys that are destined to be fathers. He’s so good with kids. He has been since the day I met him.”

Patty nods, wiping her hands on her apron. “He seems like it. He’s great with her.”

She’s wanted Matt to be a dad for so long. She’s seen so many of his opportunities to do so be ripped away. It never felt fair because any child would be lucky to have him as a father. She never imagined she’d be the one to give him that but she’s beyond grateful she gets a front row seat to his fatherhood journey for the rest of her life.

Sylvie quickly wipes at her face. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so emotional. It’s just…from the moment I helped Amber deliver her, I hoped she’d go to a good family. Now, I know that she’s going to be so loved and so protected by Matt. She’ll have the greatest dad in the world.”

Patty smiles. “I agree, dear but I also think she’ll have the greatest mom too. Don’t sell yourself short.”

She hopes she will be a great mom but with Matt, she knows he’ll be a great dad.

[sylkiddsey]

Prompt: “I could’ve helped.”

Set in season 12

She’s frozen.

She’s actually physically stuck in front of the tv in the common room. Stella or Violet is behind her, bracing her shoulders.

She can’t move. She can’t think. Her heart is free falling in her damn chest. The tv is broadcasting a breaking news story about a recent shooting.

A shooting in Portland at a firehouse. The firehouse Matt works at. The station her fiancé went to this morning for one of his last shifts.

The one where the reporter has announced multiple injuries on site. The one a gang member walked into and fired shots.

“Brett.”

The voice is muffled by her internal panic but then Severide is kneeling next to her. He looks worried but also confident. “I’m sure he’s okay. He probably wasn’t involved.”

It’s the probably that is tearing her soul. She can’t help but think about the last firehouse shooting at 51. She witnessed him take a bullet, but it was different then. They were friends. They hadn’t fallen in love yet.

Now, she’s the most in love with him (and anyone) she’s ever been. Now he’s the man she’s marrying and building a family with.

She’s white knuckling her phone, willing for Matt to call her back. The second Kidd flagged her down when she got back, Sylvie called him. She called him once, twice, three times and a few dozen after that.

He won’t answer.

“I…this isn’t real,” she whispers, tears filming her eyes. She looks at Severide, then behind her at Stella and the rest of 51. “Right? Tell me this isn’t happening.”

Obviously, no one can.

She doesn’t know if he’s okay. She doesn’t even know if he’s alive. Her head is spinning, and her heart physically hurts.

Mouch places a hand on her back from his spot beside her on the couch. His reading glasses are perched on the edge of his nose as he scrolls on an iPad. “I’m going to find you flight, okay? Just in case.”

Oh god, this isn’t happening. She’s going to pass out.

Severide squeezes her knee. “Boden is making calls. He’ll find something out. It’s going to be fine.”

She appreciates his comfort, but he doesn’t know that. Her voice shakes when she speaks. “Severide, I can’t…”

Lose him.

He nods. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

She’s about to point out the facts but then her phone vibrates in her hand. She almost breaks her neck checking the ID.

She springs from the couch and instantly answers, pushing her way past 51 towards the kitchen. “Matt.”

She hopes it is him and not someone calling from his phone to deliver the worst news possible.

“Hey, I’m okay.”

The sound of his voice breaks her resolve. She lets out a sob and covers her mouth. Her relief, however, worries all of 51. Severide looks panicked from her reaction.

She gives them all a thumbs up to communicate he’s fine. All of 51 looks relieved too.

She’s probably going to be a wreck over this phone, so she wants privacy. She exits the common room and heads towards the locker area.

“Oh my god,” she cries. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he assures. “I’m sorry. I just got my phone. I would’ve called you sooner.”

She’s just glad he’s calling now. She sits on the floor against her locker. “I’m just so relieved you’re alive. I…I can’t even imagine what I would do if…”

“Hey, don’t go there,” he whispers. “I’m perfectly okay.” He pauses for a second. “Well, more or less.”

Now that she thinks about it, she has heard a lot of voices in the background. It doesn’t sound like he’s home.

“Are you in the hospital?”

He hesitates which gives away the answer.

“Baby, what happened? How bad is it? How could you not lead with that? What hospital?”

He chuckles. “It’s nothing. It’s just a graze.”

What does that mean? What kind of graze?

“Did you get shot?!”

“No, not technically,” he says. “I was grazed by a bullet. I’m fine.”

She’s equally terrified and furious. Matt downplays his injuries. She has no idea what he’d define as a graze.

“You’re not fine. You were shot. Where? Has a doctor seen you yet? Have they disinfected the wound?”

“Honey.” His voice is full of fondness. “I’m okay. A bullet grazed my arm. I barely lost any blood and I needed only a few stitches. Now I’m just waiting for discharge papers. I swear to you, miss paramedic, I’m fine.”

She has a hard time believing that but she’s going to try for her own sanity. “Okay. Okay, you’re fine. How is everyone else?”

He sighs. “Everyone is going to make it. The guy who fired the gun definitely isn’t though. We’re all okay for the most part.”

That’s a relief. She’s gotten to know the people he worked with while in Portland. She likes everyone there.

“I wish I could’ve been there,” she whispers, shutting her eyes. A tear rolls down her cheek.

“I don’t. Sylvie, I don’t want you anywhere near that. I’m just glad you’re safe in Chicago,” he replies. “Plus, there isn’t anything you could’ve done.”

She’d argue that.

“I could’ve helped. I’m a paramedic and you’re, you know, my man. I could’ve taken care of you.”

He laughs. “Your man, huh?”

Sylvie grins. “Yes.” She glances down at her engagement ring and blinks back tears. “I just…I really thought I lost you, Matt.”

“Hey, that’s never going to happen,” he replies. “Do you really think I’d let a little bullet get in the way of making you my wife after all these years?”

She smiles because she knows he’s right. He’d fight like hell to come home to her but that doesn’t mean terrible things can’t happen.

“I love you so much,” she says. “And if you were here right now, I’d kill you for doing this to me and Severide.”

“Well good thing I’m in Portland then. I know what you’re capable of and it’s scary as hell.”

He’s such a dork.

“Hey, I love you so much too, baby,” Matt says. “And I’m genuinely sorry I scared you. I’ll make it up to you when I’m back in Chicago.”

She’ll hold him to that.

[sylkiddsey]

I don’t have a single Brettsey au Christmas fic idea this season!!!

[sylkiddsey]

R.

Meanwhile, he’s downstairs in the living room, sitting in uncomfortable silence with her father. Her mom decided to take her granddaughter for a walk around the neighborhood, so he’s stuck with the guy who doesn’t approve of their upcoming wedding.

Her dad’s sitting in one of the sofa chairs, flipping through the morning newspaper. Matt’s on the couch, half paying attention to the hockey game on tv. His mind is more on Sylvie and if she’s okay alone.

Her dad’s newspaper crinkles again as he turns it over. Matt can’t tell if he wants to talk or would rather read a newspaper in peace.

He should have gone on the walk with her mom. He originally didn’t want to leave the house incase Sylvie needed him, but now it seems like staying was a bad idea.

He can tell her dad blames him for this happening too. He’s her fiancé. He’s supposed to keep Sylvie safe, and he didn’t. In her dad’s eyes, he can’t trust Matt to protect his daughter.

Matt really wishes he could’ve. He hates that he wasn’t there.

He looks towards the stairs when he hears a familiar patter of sock covered feet. Sylvie tip toes down in her fluffy pajama pants and his sweatshirt.

She pads into the living room which draws her dad’s attention. He puts the newspaper down and watches in silence as she grabs one of the blankets in the basket and curls up next to Matt.

They’ve always been really good at this stuff; the unspoken intimacy. She doesn’t have to say she can’t sleep. She doesn’t have to ask him to move his arm so she can lay her head on his chest and curl up against him. He knows that’s exactly what she wants without a word.

Sylvie cuddles against him and he pulls her as close as he can. He knows she probably had a nightmare about her attacker and needs to feel safe. He knows the only thing she needs more than questions or pity is him.

He could ask if she’s okay or encourage her to talk but he knows she will when she’s ready. Sylvie has always confided in him when she needed it and until then, he’ll be patient.

Instead of talking, he presses a kiss to her hair and traces his fingers along her arm.

Sylvie let’s out a content sigh and watches the hockey game with him. He loves this part about being with her. It’s just easy; so easy that he forgets her dad is right there.

In the back of his mind, he thinks it can’t be easy for her father to watch his little girl go to someone else when she’s scared. He knows how close she is to her dad, especially as a kid. He used to be the person who repaired all the pain.

Now, she chooses him.

Someday, Julia will find a guy she really loves too and that thought physically pains him.

At some point during the game, Sylvie’s weight against him has intensified and he can tell she’s asleep. It’s good because she’s not sleeping well so any amount of rest is a good thing. She’s breathing deeply and he’s not going to get up, but he does have to move positions. His back hurts from this slanted angle. He carefully holds onto Sylvie as he shifts himself over. During the move, Sylvie doesn’t wake up, but the blanket she had pulled around her falls down her shoulders.

Sylvie’s dad folds his newspaper and then stands from the chair. He stares down at where Sylvie’s fast asleep against Matt’s side. He steps closer and gingerly pulls the blanket back up without a word.

When he looks at Matt, he nods in what Matt hopes is approval. He mouths his thanks to her father and settles into the thick couch cushion for how long Sylvie needs.

Her dad exits the living room, bringing Matt’s empty beer bottle and his bourbon glass back to the kitchen. One thing he has learned about the Brett’s is they have good manners. He hears the fridge open as her dad roots around in it.

A few seconds later, he returns with two beer bottles clutched in his hand. He passes one off to Matt.

It’s a surprising move, but he takes it with his free hand. Her dad returns to the chair and silently watches the game.

[sylkiddsey]

M.

She seems happy which is all he wanted. She’s slipped into her job as PIC effortlessly and he’s always lucky when they overlap on calls.

It happens today for the first time in a few weeks. There was a pretty big apartment complex fire that required two stations. They knocked out the fire quickly as a team and it was great to see his wife in action again.

She’s amazing.

Once all the action stalls, Matt heads towards firetruck 45 to help the other station’s engine clean up. He takes over rolling a hose for the candidate who looks like he’s not quite sure he knows what he’s doing. He can’t be much older than Griffin.

Sylvie mentioned that his first day was today so Matt wants to help him out.

“Thanks,” the candidate mumbles. “Are all calls that crazy?”

Matt chuckles. “Afraid so, but you get used to it.”

The younger guy nods but he doesn’t look convinced. His eyes scan the scene and before Matt knows it, the kid is elbowing him.

“Captain, heads up. That blonde girl over there is totally staring.”

Matt looks behind his shoujder and grins. Sylvie is packing up her paramedic bag by the back doors and she absolutely is eyeing him. She smirks when he catches her stare.

“She’s a solid ten and if you don’t make a move, I will.”

This guy doesn’t know that she’s his wife. He still has his gloves on so he can’t see the black rubber wedding ring on his finger. Matt knows he coukd tell him the truth but he’s not sure he wants to ruin the fun yet.

Sylvie packs her bag into the back and then heads his way. The candidate excitedly nudges him and Matt can’t help but laugh. He’s very familiar with this woman so he’s not sure he needs to make the move. He made it years ago.

She stops in front of him with a glint in her blue eyes. “You were very impressive on that call today, Captain.”

“Just doing my job,” he dismisses.

“True but not everyone looks nearly as good doing it as you do,” she winks.

Is she hitting on him? It feels like she’s not treating him as her husband right now. She’s flirting like they aren’t married.

She glances at the wide-eyed candidate next to him and shrugs nonchalantly, placing her hand on his bicep. “The firefighter thing is very hot, you know? Very hot.”

Why is his face heating red right now? She compliments him all the time but she’s actually making him all nervous. She’s giving him first date butterflies.

Her partner calls for her by the rig and informs them they have to go. Sylvie nods and then winks at him before jogging towards the rig.

She stops quickly and spins on her shoe. She gives him quite the cheesy smile before holding her hand up to her face and mouths, “call me.”

She’s such a dork. He shakes his head with a chuckle. the candidate nudges him again. “She was totally hitting on you. I’m serious, if you don’t ask her out, I will. She’s hot.”

Yeah, she definitely is but she’s also his wife.

Matt claps a hand on the candidate’s shoulder. “She’s my wife.”

The poor guy looks border line panicked. “Wait, she’s your wife? I didn’t mean…”

“It’s fine. She’s definitely hot. No argument there but keep your eyes to yourself next time, kid.”

[sylkiddsey]

L.

She surveys the room, taking stock of where the backup is. Kim is posted by the door, chatting up a bouncer in a tight red dress. Ruzek is sitting at a low lit booth in a nice suit with a glass of whiskey in front of him. Voight and Atwater are waiting in a security van behind the shrubs.

“Hey.”

She startles slightly but relaxes when she recognizes the voice. She stares straight ahead at the row of expensive bottles of wine lined against the back of the bar.

She’s both torn over having Matt here in case something goes wrong and grateful for his presence. He has the ability to calm her nerves with one word.

She hides her smile into her hand, busying herself by swirling little cubes of ice in her drink with the thin plastic straw. “Hi.”

He looks good. In fact, he almost fits in with the black tie and rich folk here tonight. He’s in a jet-black suit and bow tie. He’s wearing an expensive gold watch neither of them can afford with his hair styled with the same gel the rich men wear like it’s going out of style.

Somehow, he pulls off the rich and powerful look way too easy. She wishes she could freely admire him, but this isn’t the situation for it.

She’s prettily packaged bait.

Matt orders two drinks, one for himself and one for his fake date, Hailey. She knows it’s just an excuse to get close to her.

He hates this idea. Between the two, he has more reservations but now that it’s really happening, she’s a little scared.

“Do I look okay?”

“Stunning. Too stunning.”

Matt must be able to read her hesitancy right off her.

“This is going to work,” he mutters, talking to the bar top. “And I’m right behind you the whole time. I won’t let anything happen.”

She knows he won’t, which is what scares her the most. He’ll get himself killed to protect her.

She nods slowly, fixing her hair with her hand. “I know. You better get back to your date. Never leave a girl waiting.”

[sylkiddsey]

Comment or message a letter and I’ll post a snippet from an unfinished work in my drafts :)