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Severide loved that squad had their own space.
He knew it was probably childish to be so territorial of it – and of his leather recliner – but he didn’t care. He needed his space from the chaos of the job, and the chaos of Firehouse 51. There was all sorts of a madness and noise that accompanied second shift and sometimes a break from it all was needed.
As he walked out towards the apparatus floor after dinner, he considered how he might spend this moment of quiet. He could sit quietly with his crossword puzzle and shut the world out. He could play a mindless board game with Tony, Capp, and Cruz. He could lean back in his chair and close his eyes and enjoy the silence—
WEH. WEH. WEH.
Severide’s eyes managed to stay closed for approximately one second before they widened, and he sat up straighter in his chair.
That was a new sound.
An awful continuous sound.
It didn’t take him long to realise what he was hearing were the cries of a baby. He turned around in his chair and spotted Brett pushing a stroller through the space. She looked tense. Her shoulders were hunched, her ponytail askew and she looked like she might join the baby in crying at any minute.
“Hey Brett” Severide said, loudly enough so it wouldn’t be drowned out by Charlie’s cries.
Brett sighed and shot him a weak smile, “Hey Severide. I’m sorry to bring her here when she’s like this, I just didn’t know what else to do—” she began apologising.
Severide immediately waved her off, “It’s ok, she’s always welcome here.” He stood from his chair and went to look in Charlie’s stroller. He scrunched up his nose at the sight of her tear-stained red cheeks. He truthfully didn’t understand how something so little could produce such a noise. “Hey little one.” He greeted as cheerfully as he could. Her sobbing seemed to turn to lighter whines at the sight of someone new, but she was still unsettled. “What’s going on?” he asked, more for Brett than for Charlie.
“She just won’t stop crying and nothing I do is making a difference.” Brett said, her voice shaking. “There really is nothing worse than not being able to sooth your own child…” she added, running her hand over her forehead.
Severide sympathetically ran his hand over Brett’s back. He wasn’t sure he had ever seen two people love their baby as much as he saw Brett and Casey love theirs. He knew they would move heaven and earth for Charlie, so seeing Brett so beaten down and feeling unable to provide for her seemed wholly unfair.
“You’re a great mom, Brett. I don’t know much about babies but – how can we help?” He asked.
“I was hoping Matt would be here because she’s been falling asleep on his chest recently and seems to like it when he sings to her. She also liked it when my dad sung over video call the other day, I think it’s the deepness of their voices.” Brett revealed meekly.
Severide winced, “Truck got called out a half hour ago. Not sure what they were dealing with.”
“That’s that idea out the window then.” She said defeatedly. She stood for another few seconds before she raised her eyebrows and looked at Severide. “Unless…”
Severide just stared back at her for a moment… and then another… and then it clicked.
“No way.” He replied with a shake of his head.
“Please, Severide, this is a screaming baby we’re talking about! Little Charlie Casey, whom you love so much…” she said with a pout, trying to pull on his heart strings.
“Don’t try and guilt trip me, Brett. I don’t have a musical bone in my body, in all likelihood, my singing will make her more upset.”
As he said it, Charlie’s subdued whimpering turned to full on screams again. Severide watched as Brett’s eyes widened in desperation as she picked Charlie up and tried to settle her.
He sighed.
How could he say no to a screaming baby let alone his best friend’s screaming baby?
He silently held out his arms as Brett eyed him curiously.
“… really?” she asked in a quiet voice, evidently not wanting to get her hopes up too high.
He nodded as Brett quickly deposited her daughter in his arms and collapsed on his leather recliner, her breath evening out within seconds.
Severide gently rocked Charlie around the apron, but she wouldn’t settle. He couldn’t put it off any longer. He cleared his throat, opened his mouth and – nothing.
He couldn’t think of a single song.
Not even a nursey rhyme.
For a man who was so good under the pressures of his job, he was floundering right now.
“Uh… hush, little Char—no, that’s terrible.” He conceded. He ran a hand over his face before looking down at the baby in his arms. Even with her face scrunched up, her bright blue eyes still managed to shine up at him.
“… she’s got the eyes of the bluest skies.” Severide lightly sung. “As if they thought of rain… I’d hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain.”
Charlie’s screams started to turn to whimpers. It was working. Her eyes were now fixed on him, her little ear pressed gently against his chest so she could hear the rumbles of his voice vibrate through him. Severide smirked down at her and began singing a little louder.
“Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I’d hide
And pray for the thunder and the rain to quietly pass me by
Woah, sweet child o’ mine…”
Severide made it through three renditions of Sweet Child O’ Mine before Charlie conked out in his arms.
“Guns N’ Roses, huh?” he whispered down to her with amusement. “Rock on Charlie.”
“You have the voice of an angel.”
Severide spun around and saw Casey and Stella standing behind him with amused looks on their faces. He hadn’t even noticed truck pulling into the apparatus floor he was that focused on his task. He shot his best friend a teasing glare over his comment.
“It’s not my fault she likes my voice more than yours...” He teased back.
“I think you’ve just earned yourself a job as 51’s resident baby whisperer.” Stella added with a grin.
Casey chuckled lightly as he walked forward and looked down at his sleeping daughter’s figure. “She’s so freaking cute.” He said as he bent forward and placed a delicate kiss on her head. “Where’s Sylvie?” he asked before he turned his head and saw her sound asleep on Severide’s leather recliner. His face softened further as he walked over to his love and placed a kiss on her head too.
Severide couldn’t help but smile at the sight. It was nice seeing Casey happy. Nobody deserved it more.
“And Charlie loves Guns N’ Roses.” Casey added. “Paradise City is a real hit.”
“She’s a rock star already!” Stella joked as she rested her head on Severide’s shoulder, taking her turn to look in on Charlie.
“Thanks for singing to her, Severide.” Casey said gratefully. “Sylvie’s been finding it tough, especially on the nights I’m not there. We really appreciate you helping her out.”
“Any time.” Severide sincerely replied.
He may have been reluctant at first, but he didn’t appreciate how much comfort a sleeping baby could bring him. He felt all the chaos of the day rush out of him as soon as she gave into sleep and her long eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks. Something so peaceful and so innocent was just what he’d needed in that moment.
In later years, Charlie always said that there was very little an Uncle Sevie hug couldn’t fix.
Severide wasn’t sure what they was going to do today.
He’d thought about it from the moment Casey rang him, and half an hour later, he still couldn’t come up with anything as he stood in front of the Casey’s front door.
Looking after Charlie was easy. She just liked to run around and play silly games of her own invention. She took charge, he merely went along for the ride.
But Josie was a whole other kettle of fish.
Casey had rung him that morning saying that her nursery was closed for the day due to a gas leak, and since Severide was off work for a few shifts with an ankle injury, he was hoping he could watch her for the day while he and Brett went to work.
“You know Josie, she’s never any trouble.”
His friend had said to convince him. He really didn’t need any convincing – he’d take whatever time he could with a little Casey, especially considering he and Stella were in the process of adopting a child. He could use the practice.
He also loved the four-year-old like crazy – but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was Josie wasn’t entertained in the same way Charlie was. She was quiet, reserved. She’d do whatever she was told to do, so while there would be no rebellion, he wanted her to have a good day. He wanted to do something with her that she could see as her thing with her Uncle Sevie, and not something she had to share with her big sister or baby brother.
“I just put the lunch I made her last night in her bag so don’t worry about getting her anything, water is in there too. Christie should be home with Charlie and Ollie by 5pm at the latest so just drop her off then. Or I can get Christie to swing by the loft?” Brett offered as she handed Severide Josie’s bag, the little girl watching the two of them from her seat on the stairs.
“It’s ok, I can drop her back.” Severide insisted.
“Ok. Thanks so much for taking her today, Severide.” Brett said as Casey came down the stairs, fixing his watch before scooping Josie up in his arms, causing the little girl to giggle.
“Yeah, we really appreciate it. Charlie is a little grouchy that she doesn’t get to spend the day with you and has to go to school, so you might want to escape before she throws another tantrum.” Casey warned as he scrunched up his nose.
Severide let out a snort. Charlie was a sweet little girl, but she really knew how to throw a tantrum. He could tell Casey was still partly traumatised by it.
“I’ll make it up to her, but today is Josie and Sevie day, right?” he said as he grinned at Josie and held out his fist.
Josie smiled and nodded, smacking her little fist against his, “Right.”
“Bye sweetie, have a great day. Mommy and daddy will see you tomorrow after nursery.” Brett said as she smothered Josie’s face in kisses eliciting more laughs from the little girl.
“We love you so much” Casey added, taking his own turn to kiss her before he set her down.
“I love you so much.” She replied earnestly.
Casey playfully narrowed his eyes, “How much?”
“This much!” she said as she stretched her little arms out as wide as she could.
Brett and Casey grinned at her. “That’s a lot of love baby.” Brett replied and Josie nodded her head in agreement.
Severide wouldn’t call himself a softie, but seeing his friends shower their kids with love made his heart swell just a little.
“See you later!” Josie said before sending them a wave. She then walked towards the front door, opened it, and trotted outside.
Severide took that his cue to leave too.
He quickly helped Josie get strapped into her seat – though she was far more adept at it than he was – before he hoped in the driver’s side and took off. He made sure to drive just that little bit slower than normal. He was carrying precious cargo after all.
After 5 minutes of quietness, Severide angled the mirror so he could look in on Josie. She had taken a book out of her bag and had in her lap while she stared quietly out the window.
“What are you reading?” he asked.
“The Cat in the Hat. Mommy and daddy have been reading it with me and helping me with my words.” Josie told him with a proud smile. Everyone knew how much Josie loved books. From the moment she could comprehend words on a page, she wanted to be able to read them for herself, so Brett and Casey had been helping her do just that. She was a great reader for 4 years old and she was rarely without a book.
“That’s a good one. Do you have any favourites?”
“Anything with dragons, fairies and cake.”
Severide grinned. That was quite the list.
He was then hit with an idea.
“What do you say we go to the bookstore and see if we can find any books with dragons, fairies, and cake?”
Josie beamed. “Really?!”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Josie excitedly kicked her feet against the seat and hummed to herself as they drove along to the bookstore. Soon enough, they walked out of the store with eight new books on dragons, fairies, cake, and everything in between. Josie insisted on carrying them around the store herself and carrying the bag out with her. She was very proud of her new purchases.
“Where do you think we could go and read them?” Severide asked as they walked down the street.
“I don’t know… what do you like to do for fun?” Josie asked as she peered up at him.
“Uh… different things.” He said with a little shrug. “I like to drive. Build things. Fish.” As he thought about it, he realised that he and Josie were maybe more similar than he realised. He liked to either be with Stella or to just enjoy his own company. Appreciate the silence – just like Josie.
“I read a book about fishing once.” Josie told him. “The little girl caught the worlds biggest fish after hours of waiting!” she said with a little laugh.
“The world’s biggest fish? Wow. That’s impressive.”
“Maybe you could try and catch the world’s biggest fish while I read my books?” she suggested eagerly. It was in Josie’s nature to want others to be happy and enjoy their day too it seemed.
“You know what? That sounds great. I know just the spot.” He said as he took her hand and led her down the path.
Half an hour later, after stopping at the loft to get his fishing rod, they’d wound up at a quiet dock just outside the city that edged out onto Lake Michigan. Severide had also purchased a small rod for Josie and a life jacket. He didn’t expect her to show much interest in it when she had eight books to make her way through.
“Do you think I might catch a fish?” Josie asked as she dangled her feet off the side of the dock.
“You might, yeah.” Severide said. Josie nodded in her head before she stuck her nose back in her book, her rod propped up beside her.
5pm soon hit and Severide was amazed that Josie had sat so patiently for the past few hours. The snacked, they read, they looked out on the water, they chatted, but not once did she kick up a fuss. She was just a content little girl, and he loved the calmness she had brought to his day.
It would have topped off their day if they’d managed to catch something, but it wasn’t looking likely.
He was about to say they should pack it up and head home when there was a gentle tug on Josie’s line. Her eyes widened and she threw her book up in the air in excitement. Thankfully, Severide caught it just before it landed in the water.
“What do I do?!” she asked with a gasp.
“Take it in your hands, pull it gently, turn the handle.” Severide instructed as he lifted the rod and put it in her hands. She furrowed her brow in concentration as she carefully followed Severide’s guidance.
Soon enough, a small fish popped out of the water.
“A fishy! I caught one Sevie!” she said excitedly.
Severide beamed at her as he took the fish off the line for her. “Yeah, you did!”
It wasn’t exactly a big fish, and it wasn’t one you could eat, but he’d never seen Josie so excited about something. She looked so proud of herself as he set the fish in the hands she held open to him.
“This has been the best day Sevie, thank you.” She said with a toothy grin. It was clear she didn’t know what to do with her excitement, her eyes moving between her new books and her fish.
Severide felt his insides warm. He was starting to think that these days needed to be a regular feature with his pseudo-niece.
“You’re welcome squirt.”
“Can we go and show mommy and daddy my books and fish before we go home?” she asked eagerly. She couldn’t wait until her parents got off shift to show them this – it was now or never.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Casey and Brett were suitably impressed with Josie’s spoils from the day, claiming that Severide had spoiled her rotten. They didn’t mind one bit though. Josie was the kind of child who didn’t ask for much, so treating her was a treat for them too.
Josie talked about her day with Severide for weeks afterwards, and as she grew older and her emotions grew more complex, she valued the calmness that spending time with her uncle brought her. His company became a place of solace on a tough day. That day in the bookstore and on the dock hadn’t been their last and it was something they both eagerly looked forward to doing again.
Since Oliver was no age, he had been obsessed with balls.
Stella and Severide had given him a soft one when he was 5 months old, and it became his favourite thing in the world. Right up until he was two years old, he took the ball everywhere with him, even his crib at night-time.
Casey and Brett were more than happy to feed his interest. When he started to walk, they started playing games with him and the more stable he became on his feet, the more interest he gained in football, soccer, basketball, and any other game under the sun.
He seemed to take an interest in football more than any other sport. Every weekend – either Saturday or Sunday depending on the day shift fell – Oliver would play some football in the garden with Severide and Casey. Charlie had dubbed it ‘guy time’ and instructed Stella, Brett, and Josie that her dad, uncle, and brother were not to be disturbed during it.
It was a time that Severide grew to love too – especially when Lucas was big enough to join in the fun. When Oliver started playing in a team, he did his best to make it to his matches. It was partly self-indulgent. He insisted to Stella that all the little tricks he taught Oliver would serve him well as he progressed in the sport.
Stella just laughed at him.
“Hey” Severide called to Casey as he poked his head into his quarters. “Ollie’s got a football match today, right? You heading down?”
Casey nodded, “Yeah, granted we don’t get any calls, we figured we could call down for some of it. Could be an interesting one.”
“How so?”
“Ollie’s been in a bad mood the past few days. Not sure what’s up with him, he refuses to talk about it. Just snaps and storms off.” Casey told him, the concern for his son covering his face.
Severide nodded. It wasn’t like Oliver to be like that. He was normally a cool-headed kid. “Maybe some sprinting to make the catch will do him some good.” He suggested. Oliver was quick, and it made him one of the best receivers in his league. He may only be 11 years old, but Severide could already tell he would thrive when he got to high school and things became more competitive.
“Yeah, maybe.” Casey grumbled. “Hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of it soon. I don’t like the idea that he’s bottling something.”
Severide scoffed, “Like father like son.”
Casey flipped him off. “I’ve been working on that.” He grumbled. “So much so that I don’t want my son falling into similar habits. It got me nowhere and won’t get him anywhere either.”
“He’ll come to you when he’s ready.”
“I hope so.”
His conversation with Casey ran through his head for the rest of the day. He didn’t like it anymore than Casey that something was eating away at Oliver. If it was Lizzie or Lucas, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to sleep properly knowing that his kids were upset.
Just before Oliver’s match, truck, engine and ambo were called out to a fire; so, Severide gathered squad up and set off towards the playing fields to see Oliver. There was a decent crowd when they got there, and they had their fair share of second looks as they rocked up in their gear. He figured it might be a little disconcerting to see a group of firefighters turn up at a kid’s football match.
It didn’t take him long to spot Oliver’s blonde head as he warmed up at the side. The little boy raised his head and sent a tight smile and a wave squad’s way, and they happily returned it.
Severide watched closely as a couple of boys from Oliver’s team came up beside him, said something with a smirk and burst out laughing before walking off.
Oliver didn’t laugh. He hung his head lower.
“I’ll be right back.” Severide mumbled to them before he crossed over to the other side of the field to where Oliver had moved to a bench. “Hey Ollie”
“Hey Sevie.” He grumbled as he took a drink. “Are mom and dad coming?”
Severide nodded, “They’re on a call, but they said they’d be here as soon as they finished up.”
“Right.”
“Hey uh – what was that about with those two boys?” he asked as he sat down beside him on the bench.
Oliver shrugged, “It’s nothing.”
“Didn’t look like nothing. You look upset.”
Oliver sighed, “Did my mom ask you to talk to me? Because she’s been bugging me all week about the importance of not keeping your feelings inside otherwise, they’ll hurt you even more.”
Severide nodded – that sounded like Brett. Not wanting to push her son, but also wanting to make it clear that he was free to be emotional with them. “No, she didn’t. I’m just asking you about something I saw with my own eyes.” He made clear.
Oliver stood up, “It’s nothing. I gotta go.” He said before he lifted his helmet and ran onto the pitch.
***
The game was under way and Oliver’s team was losing. It was unusual for them; they were one of the best teams in the league. What was also unusual was the quarterback’s reluctance to make any passes to Oliver. What the hell had happened between Oliver and these boys?
They’d almost finished the second quarter when something in Oliver snapped. The quarterback didn’t throw the ball to him when he was wide open and the pass was intercepted on the other side, resulting in the opposing team scoring a touch down they shouldn’t have scored.
Oliver took off his helmet and slammed in on the ground before storming over to the quarterback. He raised his hands and shoved him, causing the boy to almost lose balance. He exchanged heated words before he shoved him again – and this time the boy fought back. He lifted his fist and smacked Oliver in the face, resulting in a brawl. The referee desperately tried to blow his whistle and break up the fight which other boys in the team decided to get in on. He eventually managed to break it up, but Oliver and the quarterback were benched for the rest of the game.
Severide wasted no time in going over to Oliver’s bench.
“Hey—”
“Leave him alone, man.” The coach said to him gruffly.
“Relax, I’m his uncle.” Severide explained. “Come on, get your stuff.” He said as Oliver nodded his head and gathered his things before following Severide to Squad 3. The other guys said nothing as he hopped in the back and sunk in his chair, allowing them to take him to 51.
10 minutes later they pulled onto the apparatus floor, just as Brett and Casey walked out the doors with the others closely behind.
“Hey” Casey greeted cautiously as he saw Oliver hop out of Squad 3. “Is your game over already? We were just about to leave.”
Oliver shook his head and walked over to his dad with his head hung and wrapped his arms around his waist in a tight hug. While it caught Casey by surprise, it didn’t take him long to hug his son back. He looked between Brett and Severide with concern.
Brett quickly looked down at Oliver, her hand running over his blonde hair. “Honey, what’s wrong?”
Oliver just shook his head again and squeezed Matt tighter. It was then that Brett seemed to clock the welt that appeared across his cheek bone. “Did someone hit you?” she said with wide eyes.
Severide cleared his throat, “There was a bit of a fight on the field.” He explained for Oliver.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Oliver said as he pulled away from Casey and started to walk towards the apron. They watched him as he took a seat on the bench across the football.
“What the hell happened?” Casey asked, running a hand through his hair in a mixture of confusion and concern.
Severide then explained what he saw happen between Oliver and the boys before the fight.
“So those boys are picking on him for something and he lost his temper.” Brett deduced. “I’m going to get him some ice for his cheek.” She said before she walked over to the ambo.
“Do you mind if I talk to him?” Severide asked Casey.
Casey nodded his head, “Yeah, go for it. I’ll talk to Sylvie about it all.”
Severide stepped away from his friend and cautiously approached Oliver on the bench before sitting beside him. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Oliver spoke.
“This is where you and dad sometimes have your cigar chats, right?” He asked as he squinted up at his uncle.
“Yeah, it is. I can offer you a cigar chat without the cigar?” he suggested.
“It’s stupid. Those boys are stupid.” Oliver grumbled as he kicked the dirt beneath his feet. “It started a few weeks ago when they kept making mean comments after Coach Johnson told me I was doing a good job. They didn’t seem to like that.”
“Sounds like they might have been jealous that you were being praised in a way they weren’t.” Severide suggested.
“Maybe. Then they started getting meaner. They kept saying that dad wasn’t at my games because he was dead in a fire.” Oliver blurted out as Severide’s eyes widened. He knew kids could be cruel but that was just next level. “Said he didn’t love me enough to come. Mom too.”
“That’s really horrible, Ollie. I’m sorry they said that to you.” He said, wrapping his arm around Oliver’s shoulder and pulling him against him. That explained why Oliver held onto Casey so tightly. “Is that why you lost your temper?”
Oliver nodded. “I was just tired of them saying mean stuff and not passing the ball to me. I know it wasn’t the right thing to do but…”
“I understand.” Severide sympathised. “Sometimes we get to the end of our rope, and it snaps. You know your mom and dad come to your games whenever they can, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I know. I’m not mad when they can’t be there sometimes. Firefighting is important – and they’re there more often than they’re not.” Oliver said with assurance. There was clearly no doubt in the little boy’s mind that his parents loved him with everything they had.
“You know – I’ve had to work with some people I don’t like at times. There was a time when I wasn’t getting on very well with your dad and I had to work with him.”
Oliver furrowed his brow, “I can’t imagine you and dad not getting on.”
Severide let out a laugh, “Well, it’s happened a few times. Even when we haven’t been getting on, we still have to work as a team. Firefighting is a little higher stake than football, but the same idea applies. Teamwork is important in football and the more those boys ice you out, the less games they’re going to win.”
“I’m not sure that’s ever going to stop.”
“You can only control how you respond. How you work with them. You don’t rise to their comments, and you play the game that you love to the best of your ability. You be the bigger and better person because you know what they’re saying isn’t true and it never will be.” He advised.
Oliver nodded and sent him a weak smile, “You’re right. I have plenty of friends and teammates who don’t talk to me like that.”
“Then they are the only people you need to spend time with. This won’t be forever, Oliver. Those bullies will lose interest when they see they’re not getting to you. You’re strong Oliver Casey – don’t ever doubt it.”
“Thanks Sevie.”
After taking another few moments to gather himself, Oliver decided he wanted to go and speak to his parents. He found them just a step away on the apparatus floor. Severide watched from a distance as he spoke to them, their faces falling in sadness over what was said to their son.
“We’re right here, Ollie. We’re not going anywhere.”
Severide smiled as Casey’s words to Oliver. Oliver stepped forward and hugged his parents tightly, a small smile appearing on his face – something Casey and Brett were clearly glad to see. When they pulled back, Brett held up an icepack and tried to put it on Oliver’s cheek. He recoiled and shook his head and Brett sent him a warning glare.
“Just ten minutes.” She bargained.
“Fine…” he grumbled as he put the ice pack on his cheek. Brett wrapped her arm around his shoulders and kissed his head before walking with him into the firehouse.
Severide walked over to Casey who was watching his wife and son walk away.
“Kids are so damn cruel.” Casey grumbled in annoyance. “Thank you for talking to him. He seems happier. Like he knows what to do now.”
“He is happier. He’s a good kid.”
“The best.”
Aside from his parents, Severide became someone Oliver went to when a game didn’t go his way, or he needed to vent. He was a safe space for his sisters, so it seemed only normal that he became one for Oliver too. His relationship with his best friend’s kids was something he treasured. He was honoured to be a part of their lives, and he knew that the lessons they taught him only made him a better father to Lizzie and Lucas too.
Wednesday night cigar chats had become a regular fixture between them. Now that they were both out of 51 with Matt as district chief and Severide heading up OFI. They needed the space to complain about their aching backs and the grey hairs that seemed to be covering their heads at a rapid pace.
Today, Severide needed this time to complain about something else – his kids.
The three Caseys and the two Severides were often topics of discussion on Wednesday nights, but it was rare for them to need to vent about them. But Severide had been tested by his teenage twins today, and he needed to say his piece to a man who knew all about the trial and tribulations of teenagers and their raging emotions.
“I managed to get into fights with both of my kids today.” Severide said with a sigh as he let out a puff of smoke.
Matt snorted, “Teenagers.” His kids had just passed those years, but he remembered them all too well. “Dad, you’re so embarrassing; dad, you just don’t get me; dad, stay out of it – you had any of those yet?”
Severide scoffed, “All three of them – today.” He let out a sigh. “I grumble about it, but I know I put my parents through a lot worse than Lizzie and Lucas ever have or ever will.” His kids were good kids, he knew that, but it didn’t mean they didn’t drive him nuts from time to time.
“What were the fights about?”
“I calmly expressed to Lizzie that I wasn’t sure going out of state for college was the best option and she yelled and said I was smothering her, and she wasn’t a baby anymore, but –”
“She’ll always be your baby?” Matt guessed, clearly feeling the same sentiments towards his daughters. “Whether they believe it or not – it’s true.” He said with an unapologetic shrug. “My kids are adults, but they’re still my children. I’m never not going to look out for them like a parent should.”
Severide nodded, “Yeah, I agree man – I’m just not sure Lizzie sees it that way. She calmed down a little when Stella intervened and told her the matter would be tabled until we decided to approach it with cool heads.”
“Probably a good idea. What about Lucas?”
“He was being lazy. Didn’t get out of bed until midday. When he did emerge, I told him to take out the garbage and put his washing in the machine and you’d think I’d asked him to cut off his arm.” He dramatized. “That then resulted in an argument about respecting the house and not treating us like his servants and if he couldn’t do that, then he wouldn’t be seeing his girlfriend this weekend. A few doors were slammed after that.”
“Charlie once slammed the door so hard it came off its hinges. It’s like a right of passage for teenagers who are pissed off with their parents.” Matt sympathised.
Severide laughed. “Yeah, it seems that way. Days like this – even random moments like this when they’re so mad at you – it makes me doubt that I’ve done a good job with them. If they can’t see that anything I say to them or do for them is in their best interests, how can I say that I’ve been a good dad? A worthy dad?”
Matt pondered Severide’s words as he inhaled on his cigar. The silence carried between them for a few more moments before he spoke.
“Your kids are good kids. My kids are good kids.”
“Well, they hit the parent jackpot with you two.” Severide mumbled in return. Part of him wished Matt and Sylvie had been his parents.
“They’ve had a lot of positive influences in their life – including you, Sevie.” Matt teased, but the heart of what he was saying was there and it hit Severide full throttle. “You’ve had a bigger impact on Charlie, Josie and Oliver than you even realise. With Lizzie and Lucas – I watched you doubt yourself because of the kind of father Benny was, but I was never worried about the kind of father you would be, because I saw how you treated my kids. I saw it from the moment you first met Charlie – on your wedding night no less.” He reminded him with a little chuckle, the image of Sylvie’s water breaking on the dance floor passing between them both. “You have been an example to five kids who are growing into exceptional human beings.”
“… they are remarkably well adjusted considering our shitty childhoods.” Severide replied as Matt let out a bark of laughter.
“Always reassuring to hear that your trauma hasn’t rubbed off on them.”
They say in companiable silence for a few more minutes before Severide cleared his throat, “Thanks for the reminder, Casey. I needed it.”
“Any time.”
In the aftermath of Andy Darden’s death, Severide wasn’t sure he and Casey could ever get here. If they could ever get back to a place of cigar smoking. What he didn’t see happening at all, however, was them sitting here smoking cigars, talking about their five amazing kids that they shared with the loves of the lives. For Matt, it seemed like a pipe dream and for Severide, it seemed like something he wasn’t capable of.
Yet they did it. They’d raised five strong, compassionate, brilliant humans.
It was easily the greatest source of pride in their lives.