Chapter Text
Refuge in the Storm
Sylvie had never felt more on edge in all her life. It was like she was in a horror film and she was waiting for the evil axe murderer to jump out in front of her. She knew that was probably an overly dramatic comparison, but it didn’t change how she felt. Once she and Matt had come down from their emotional morning together, they soon realised that they were supposed to be on shift today. In the madness of the weekend they’d almost forgotten. They quickly got ready and dashed out the door, thankful the distraction of the working day.
When they got to the station, everybody was already there and tucking into their breakfast. Matt gave her a subtle wink of encouragement before he left to go leave his stuff in the locker room. Sylvie took a breath before walking into the lounge and plastering a smile on her face.
“Hey Brett” Stella said with a smirk as she crossed her arms and leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Morning” Sylvie replied as she eyed up the breakfast food. She was starving and it only took her till now to realise it.
“Abby couldn’t stop talking all weekend about the day she spent with Uncle Matt and Aunt Sylvie” Stella told her.
Sylvie smiled, “Yeah, it was a fun day.”
“Uh huh… she also insisted that we call you guys last night, just to say hi and when we tried – neither of you were able to be contacted.” Stella said with a sense of teasing sarcasm in her voice. She knew exactly why she couldn't get a hold of either of them, but she waiting for Sylvie to confess. “Isn’t that crazy?”
“Yeah… really crazy...” Sylvie said as she eyed her curiously.
“All I’m saying is that if you and a certain Captain happened to finally patch things up resulting in a hot weekend together… the Severides would be very excited for you both.” Stella said sincerely, dropping the teasing.
“Thanks Stella.” Sylvie said with a weak, but grateful smile. She wanted to be happy about having Matt back – and she was – but she felt like she couldn’t fully embrace it until this mess with Harrison was sorted out. “And I totally didn’t hear my phone ring if you called” she admitted before patting her pockets to try and find it. “And I left it in the car…” she said with a sigh. “I will be right back, save me some pancakes!”
“You got it girl” Stella said as she began to plate up some food for her friend.
Sylvie dropped her bag on the couch before she left the lounge to get her phone. When she got outside, she pulled her jacket around her a little tighter. It seemed strange that there was a chill in the air considering it was summer. She had her head down as she walked towards the car. Suddenly, she was stopped when she bumped into a bouldering figure.
“Oh, excuse—me…” she said as she slowly looked up and gulped.
“Hi honey!” Harrison greeted with a wide grin.
Sylvie clenched her jaw and took a step backwards. She didn’t know what to do, she didn’t know what to say. She knew there was a high probability that he would show up here, but as soon as she’d walked into the lounge, she felt her problems disappear. She felt like she was home, and Harrison was irrelevant. But she wasn’t in the lounge anymore. She was outside in the open and she felt like she had no protection.
“Nice uniform” he commented as Sylvie pulled her jacket even tighter across her chest. “I liked the one back home a little better though. The dish water brown suited you.” He taunted.
“What do you want?”
“What do I want? I want some answers. I want restitution.” He said fiercely.
“How did you find me?”
“You went to Chicago, Sylvie, not Australia.” He said with an eye roll. “You always wanted a big city life… but you could imagine my surprise when I looked into it a little more. I found out you were working at this firehouse, I looked it up and who is the first person I see? Matt freakin Casey.”
“What does Matt had to do with this?” she asked quietly. She didn’t know what he knew, so that question seemed like the safest bet instead of jumping to his defence.
“Don’t play dumb with me Sylvie. You think I don’t know about your little rebellious summer 15 years ago?” he asked. “You were the talk of the town. You were for a long time. I thought you’d maybe grown up since then, but I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that you ran to him.”
“I didn’t run to anybody. I ran from someone. I ran from you.” Sylvie made clear. She left because of Harrison – things with Matt just happened to fall into place when she did. It wasn't planned and that's what made it that bit more special. They were just meant to be.
She was about to say that she was sorry and that she didn’t handle it fairly – but then she stopped herself. This man had been emotionally abusive towards her for years and she wasn’t going to take it anymore. Leaving was the best decision she ever made – and she wasn’t going to apologise for it. “And I make no apologies for it.”
“You’re coming home.”
“This is my home.”
“You can’t handle this life Sylvie. You’re weak. You always have been. You were going to quit being a paramedic for a very good reason.” Harrison said as he got up in her face, trying his very best to intimidate her. “You need me.”
“No” Sylvie said as she shook her head. “I don’t need anybody. I have been able to handle myself for a long time and I think you know that.” Sylvie said calmly and assuredly. “It’s why you’ve been so controlling. You can’t handle the thought that I might be ok without you. That you wouldn’t have some sort of power over me.”
“Want a bet?” he said as he grabbed her arm forcefully.
“I think you’re going to want to let go of her. Now.” He heard a voice behind him say as he looked up to see a crowd of 51 firefighters and paramedics swarming behind Sylvie.
“Who the hell are you?” Harrison asked through his teeth.
“Chief Wallace Boden. Myself and my crew take great exception to one of our own being harassed.” Boden said as he towered over Harrison.
Sylvie felt his grip on her loosen as he dropped her arm and took a step back, holding his hands up. He looked around the people in front of him before he locked eyes with Matt Casey. His face was like thunder, but he was keeping his distance.
“You not going to come and fight for your girl?” Harrison directed at Matt. “She needs it. This isn’t a battle she’s going to win.”
“She doesn’t need anybody to fight her battles for her – but I’ll always be there for back up.” Matt replied as Sylvie looked at him with a loving smile. She was so grateful that he knew she could handle herself, but that he was always just a short distance away, ready to fight for her if she called upon him.
Harrison looked desperately around him. He was a master at emotional manipulation, but this was becoming a battle he couldn’t win. He was running out of jibes to make and if he didn’t have that – he had nothing.
“I thought you said you didn’t need anybody. Yet you seem to have assembled your own little army.” Harrison tried as he pointed all around him.
“I don’t need them. But I sure as hell want them.” Sylvie clarified. She’d found a family here and she was eternally grateful for them. She’d never known a group of people to show up for one another so readily.
“This isn’t over.” Harrison said venomously.
“Oh – it’s over. I am not your property Harrison so no – you won’t be getting restitution you jackass.” Sylvie said as she finally let a little bit of anger get the better of her. Everyone looked at her with wide – and proud - eyes.
“I’m going to take you for everything you’re worth!” he shouted angrily.
“Fine! Just get the hell out of my life!” she replied. She didn’t care about the money. She didn’t care one bit.
Harrison gave her one last glare before turning and storming away. As soon as he was out of sight, Matt immediately softened his stance and walked towards her, engulfing her in the biggest hug.
“It’s over” he whispered in her ear. Matt could feel the edges of her smile against his neck, causing his own to form too.
Sylvie looked up at her 51-family surrounding her and smiled even wider at them. Stella took this as an invite to join their hug – and everybody else followed suit. Sylvie had found her home and she didn’t realise it could feel so good.
The rest of the day had been relatively smooth in comparison to their eventful morning. They’d had a few calls, but other than that, the day was spent in each other’s company at the firehouse. Matt had spent most of the day watching Sylvie. There was such a lightness about her. It was a lightness he hadn’t seen in 15 years – and he'd missed it. He had missed her. But now she was here. She was here and she was so happy, and he had a part to play in that. He’d finally got the love his life back and he was ready to start their forever together.
As Sylvie prepared lunch for the firehouse, Matt went to the rigs to check everything was in place for their next call. As he walked out onto the apparatus floor, he stopped when he saw a tall figure standing by the door. It was a figure he hadn’t seen in a long time – and hoped he would never see again.
“Matthew.”
“… Mr Brett.” Matt replied with a nod. What was he doing here? Sylvie really didn’t need both Harrison and her dad coming here to give her grief. Matt went to say something else, but no words came out. What could he say? The man was responsible for one of the worst moments of his life.
“Is Sylvie here?” Steven asked as he walked towards Matt.
Matt nodded, “she’s in the kitchen.”
Steven nodded and walked past him towards the door. He stopped just before entering and turned back to look at Matt. “Thank you for looking after my daughter.” He said sincerely, much to Matt’s surprise.
“She’s being doing fine on her own—”
“Not just now – back then too. Nobody has ever looked out for her in the way that you have. Nobody has ever loved her the way you have." Steven told him. “So again – thank you.”
Matt nodded again – he really didn’t know what else to do. It appeared that Steven was trying to make amends. He just hoped he didn’t somehow make Sylvie’s day worse.
Steven gave him one last nod, before walking into the lounge. He stopped at the entrance way and watched as Sylvie laughed with the people around her. It had been the longest time since he’d seen his daughter laugh like that. He gulped as the guilt of everything hit him. He was so ashamed in the part he’d played in his daughter’s unhappiness – and he was determined to make it right.
Sylvie looked up, her face falling when she saw her dad in front of her.
“Dad?” she questioned as she moved around the kitchen and walked towards him. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make things right.” He told her. Sylvie wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but by the look in his eyes, she was hopeful that it was a good thing.
“You can use my quarters if you want to talk” she heard Matt say behind him. She flashed him a look of concern, knowing that it must have been difficult for him to see Steven again.
“That would be great, thank you” Sylvie merely said after a few seconds of stunned silence. She began to lead her father down the hallway, when Steven stopped and turned back to say something to Matt.
“I almost forgot – Bob Finnegan was arrested last week for assault and battery – on more than one account. He’s going away for a long time.” Steven told him. “My testimony is going to go a long way in making sure of that.”
Matt looked at him stunned – 15 years later Steven followed through and dealt with Finnegan. This whole day just felt like a dream. He didn’t think he’d cared about what happened to Finnegan – but this was good news.
Sylvie and Steven soon arrived at Matt’s quarters. She closed the door behind him and folded her arms over her chest.
“How did you know I was here?”
“Harrison called us last night. He was worked up and told us where he’d tracked you to. I think his words were ‘I’m going to bring that bitch home.’ I think he may have forgotten who he was talking to.” Steven told her with a sorry smile.
Sylvie scoffed, “Believe me, Harrison calling me a bitch doesn’t hurt. I wouldn’t exactly say his word was trustworthy.”
“I agree.” Steven replied.
“I’m sorry for not telling where I was going.” Sylvie said quietly. It was the only thing that she was truly sorry for. She hated that she’d made her parents worry.
Steven shook his head, “I don’t blame you. I know I’m not very good at admitting when I’m wrong but – I was wrong. I was very wrong. I was wrong about Harrison and his little explosion last night confirmed it for me.”
“Dad—”
Steven held out his hand and Sylvie looked down to see a brown envelope in it. She hadn’t even noticed that he’d been carrying something.
“I had divorce papers drawn up for you. I know you never want to see him again so if you sign these, I’ll sort the rest.” He told her.
Sylvie cautiously took the papers from him. “You didn’t have to do this”
“Yes, I did. You deserve the chance to start fresh Sylvie. You deserve the happiness that I took from you.” Steven told him as he affectionately rubbed his hand over his daughter’s shoulder. “I was wrong about him too. Matt. He really loves you and I was a fool to think that he wasn’t worthy of you. I’m so sorry honey. I know you said you’d never forgive me for what I did, but I hope over time that you’ll be able to.”
“I—I don’t know what to say.” She was stunned by her father’s compassion. There was a sincerity in his eyes that she had never seen before.
“Don’t say anything. Just keep defying the mould I thought was ok to set for you. You’ll keep doing great things if you do.”
Sylvie threw the papers down on Matt’s bed and rushed forward to hug Steven. She didn’t have the words, but she knew that she was grateful for what her father did for her today – and it went a heck of a long way to the path of forgiveness.
The rest of shift had followed much in the same vein – without the dramatic interruptions. By the morning, Sylvie was utterly exhausted – emotionally and physically. She promised Matt she would call him later, but for now, she just needed to go home and collapse.
She fell asleep and didn’t wake up till around 5pm that evening. She felt a little groggy, but it was a much needed rest. She looked over at the empty side of her bed when she woke up. She hated that Matt wasn’t there. In just two nights of having him there, she’d grown so comfortable with having him there. It felt so natural that now it was like something was missing.
She lifted her phone to call him and saw she had a bunch of messages.
Stella: Girl, get your ass over here! We’re throwing you a celebratory BBQ.
Severide: I promise not to completely destroy the meat this time.
Matt: I know you’re sleeping so sorry if this disturbs you – Stella and Severide are having a BBQ for 51. I’ll meet you there?
Sylvie sent them all a quick reply saying she would be there soon before getting up to get ready. Suddenly, she felt a lot less groggy. The thought of spending time with the people who quickly became her family instantly lifted her mood.
While Sylvie was getting ready, Matt was just leaving his apartment to head to Stella and Severide’s. He closed his door behind him and turned to lock the door. As he was about to do so, he noticed something taped to his door. He frowned as he removed the envelope and saw him name scrawled on the front. He used his key to open it – and found a letter and another envelope on the inside. He gulped when he saw the name on the other envelope – Sylvie.
What on earth was this? He opened the piece of paper addressed to him and carefully read its contents.
Matt,
I was going to give this to you in person, but I chickened out – I didn’t really want to spend the afternoon crying. Before Hallie died, she gave me an envelope addressed to a ‘Sylvie’. Naturally, I was confused. I had no idea who Sylvie was! She told me that I’d know who she was very soon – and to give this to Matt when I did.
Turns out she was right. I found out who Sylvie was at the weekend, so now it’s time for you to give this to her. I have no idea what’s inside, but I do know it will be something full of love and joy – because that is all Hallie ever wanted for you.
All my love,
Viv
Matt was stunned. Hallie wrote Sylvie a letter. It seemed like the most insane thing in the world – but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
He remembered a conversation he had with Hallie just before she died. He was confused at the time and hadn’t thought much about it since, but now he was putting the pieces into place.
“It’s ok to love her when I’m gone.”
“I’m not sure this is something I’ll be able to move on from.” Matt replied with a shake of his head as he held her hand tightly.
Hallie smiled weakly, “Loving her isn’t moving on. It’s returning home.”
It was cryptic to him at the time, but he was too heartbroken over Hallie’s illness to give it a second thought. But now he knew – Hallie was talking about Sylvie. She was telling him to love her again because she was his home. She always had been.
Matt put Hallie’s letter for Sylvie in his pocket and quickly rushed to his truck, ready to embrace the love and the joy Hallie wanted for him.
A short while later, Sylvie pulled up outside Severide and Stella’s house. As she got out of the car she could already hear laughter coming from the garden and she smiled to herself. She approached the steps to the house and jumped a little when she saw Matt sitting on them.
“Hey” she greeted softly. “What are you doing out here?”
“Waiting for you” he said as he smiled at her.
Sylvie returned her smile and sat down beside him, “I missed you today” she told him.
“I missed you to. I’ve missed you for a long time… but you’re here now. We both are.” He told her.
Sylvie nodded, “Yeah. The universe is finally on our side” she said with a little laugh.
“Yeah. It is.”
Matt reached into his pocket and lifted out the envelope addressed to Sylvie. He stared at it for a few seconds before he held it out to her. He didn’t want to give her a whole prelude about the letter. He wanted her to take it for what it was.
“I’ll uh – I’ll meet you inside.” He simply said as he kissed her head lingeringly before leaving her alone on the steps – and entirely confused.
Sylvie looked down at the letter with her name on it. It wasn’t Matt’s handwriting, so who was he giving her a letter from? She cautiously opened it and held in a breath as she began to read it.
To the woman Matt loves,
If you’re reading this, then it must be true – he loves you with everything that is in him. Not that this should be a surprise – he’s always loved you Sylvie. He didn’t talk about you much, I think it was too hard for him. But from what he did say, I can tell that you loved him very much too.
I know it must seem crazy that I’m writing this letter to you, but I know that you are the only person he could ever be with again. I know in my heart that you will find your way back to one another because your love is one in a million.
The most important person in the world to me is yours to take care of again. Thanks for lending him to me for a while. He needs you to take care of him and to make him laugh and appreciate all the little things in life. But remember – he’s there to take care of you too. He’s there to be your refuge in the storm. He’s there to heal your wounds and to bring you a peace beyond understanding.
You bring me such hope Sylvie. Hope that Matt will remember how he felt when he was young and so in love with you. You both deserve to feel that joy again.
I pray that you’ll always be the very best of each other and a safe place to call home.
With all the love in my heart,
Hallie
Sylvie let out the breath that she was holding in – and it turned into more of a sob than she intended. But these weren’t sad tears – they were happy tears. This letter was the most remarkable thing she had ever received. It was beautiful and the trust that Hallie had in her without even knowing her was heartbreakingly perfect. She smiled through her tears as she swiftly wiped them away.
He’s there to be your refuge in the storm. He’s there to heal your wounds and to bring you a peace beyond understanding.
She’d often struggled to find the words to describe what Matt Casey meant to her – and this summed it up perfectly. He was her safe haven and he always would be.
Sylvie stood up and rushed into the house to find him. It didn’t take long before she located him getting something to drink from the fridge while everyone was congregated outside. He stopped what he was doing and looked up at her, not really sure what to say – but she didn’t want him to say anything. She rushed forward and kissed him fiercely – like it was the only thing keeping her alive. He responded instantly as he wrapped his arms around her and deepened their kiss.
Once they slowed their kiss to a stop, they still held each other tightly.
“I love you Matt Casey. I always have and I always will.” Sylvie told him quietly.
Matt smirked, “You still not sure what to call me?” he asked, remembering that she’d spent their first few days together all those years ago calling him Matt Casey and not Matt or Casey.
Sylvie shook her head, “I know exactly what to call you – mine.”
Matt chuckled lightly as his nose grazed against hers, the smiles on their faces radiating pure joy. “I love you too Sylvie Brett. With all that I am.”
True love was the most remarkable feeling in the world. It weathered storms and beamed in the sun, and they both knew that there was no safer place in the world than by each other’s side.
They were finally safe in the arms of their eternal refuge.