Chief Casey Season 1: Chicago's Newest Chief (Dawsey)

Prologue

Casey Residence, Chicago - February 1, 2022
Matt's POV: As I stand in the master bedroom of my Chicago home, I sigh as I look out over the city on the first day of my new job. A job I never expected to have. Especially not this soon. And this job was going to be hard. Normally, you'd think you'd be able to turn to your biggest role model and most senior advisor or predecessor for advice. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The reason? The man I called my Chief for years died last month of a major heart attack. And since this was not his first heart attack, he had no chance of survival.

I wasn't here for the funeral but, I did video call into it. After the funeral was over, I was asked to take over Firehouse 51 as the new Chief. I thought they were kidding. But they weren't. And after speaking to Gabby, the kids, my friends (and now subordinates) as well as Hermann and Severide...I decided to take the job. I was just glad that Gabby was on board. With us being done having kids, there was nothing holding us back from living a perfectly normal life. Now just to get through this ceremony. Today was the dedication for the sculpture of Boden at the firehouse and my first day as Chief of Firehouse 51.

That's when I felt Gabby walk up to me in her uniform. "How are you feeling?" Turning to look at her, I sighed. "I am so sorry that this happened Gabby. I know you were all for staying in Puerto Rico and I swear I was too...it's just. This was Boden's dying wish. That I come back and take over as Chief. You understand that I would've wanted nothing more than to stay in Puerto Rico with you and the kids right?" Gabby nodded and agreed as she stepped close to me. She then wrapped her arms around my waist before kissing me softly.

That's when I started to hear our now 17 month old son walk into our room. "Mama pretty." I then turned to look down at Matteo and smiled. "She is pretty isn't she?" I then wrapped my arm around her and smiled. "Can you do me a favor little man? How about you go downstairs and see if your Abuela is awake. If not, can you tell her that we have to leave in an hour for my ceremony?" Matteo nodded and agreed as he ran away to go see Camila who now lived with us. Gabby then smiled at me. "Thanks again for letting her live with us."

I smiled and nodded. "Anything for you. By the way, you sure you are okay with me going to work when you are only 3 weeks post-birth? I mean, you look amazing but..." Gabby just went to kiss me softly and smiled. "Matt, babe...you are the Chief now. You have no choice but to go forward with this." I nodded and agreed with her. "I am just sorry we had to leave Puerto Rico. It's just...it was in his will Gabby. How could I not honor his dying wish?" That's when I heard an alarm on my phone. "Shit, I'm late. I already ate." Gabby then stared at me. "You need to go?"

I nodded and sighed. "I am so sorry. I need to meet with the commissioner and with the officers. AKA Severide and Hermann. Now I really am Severide's boss." Gabby nodded and agreed with me. "Hey, remember what you promised me. Just because you are the chief now doesn't mean that you are going to be a whole new person. You are still going to sit in the common room with us. Also, you are going to make sure that we are much calmer around the house." I agreed and nodded while kissing her forehead. "I promise. Oh by the way, I want regular visits from you."

Gabby laughed when I said that. "Supper, I promise. Every day." I smiled and went to kiss her softly. "I am just glad I still work the shifts. I made sure that was part of my contract. I am going to have breakfast with the commissioner at the firehouse. I am just going to say goodbye to the kids and then I will see you at the firehouse okay?" Kissing her cheek one last time, I went to grab my hat, keys and wallet (as well as my phone) before turning around. "Go take your meds right now Gabby. That's an order from the Chief." Gabby laughed and smiled. "Haha."

I smiled and nodded before going to walk downstairs so that I could go see the kids. Walking in, I saw our 17 month old son Matteo, our 4 month old daughter Ella and 3 week old son Wallace "Wally" sitting with their grandmother. I then walked in and smiled at them all. "Thanks again for being here Camila." Camila then looked up at me. "Of course. I love the place anyways. Now, come give your kids some kisses." I smiled and nodded. "You be a good boy okay Matteo?" Matteo then nodded as I gave him a kiss. I then looked at Ella and picked her up. Kissing her forehead I smiled. "You have no idea how much daddy loves you."

Ella smiled at me while I went to kiss her forehead. I then looked at Camila. "Switch?" Camila nodded and then went to give me Wally, named after our former leader Wallace. "Hey little man, daddy is going to miss you so much. But I am going to be here for supper I promise." I then went to kiss his forehead softly. "Listen, Matteo is going to be coming today. You sure you can watch Ella and Wally?" Camila nodded and agreed. "Eva is going to be coming over to help me today. Sylvie and Antonio are going to be there with you guys and Matteo."

I smiled and agreed before taking one last deep breath. "Can you make sure Gabby doesn't stress out? And Camila, this is crucial...I can't be disturbed today. I am still an emotional wreck and just trying to hide my emotions really well." Camila nodded and agreed. "I promise. Me and Gabby already talked about this. Now listen, you get going. Good luck on your first day Chief." I smiled and nodded before looking at my kids one last time when Gabby came downstairs and met me at the door. "I will see you in a bit okay?" I nodded and agreed as I walked up to her.

Putting my hands on her hips, I kissed her softly. "I love you. You're my rock." Gabby smiled and nodded as she kissed me one last time before letting me go so that I could start my new job as Chief Matthew Casey.