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

Chapter 38

Matt's POV: After eating our salad, I smiled as I looked at Gabby while rubbing her hand. "The kids seem to be adjusting to Chicago pretty well. I mean, Matteo probably doesn't remember much of it. But what do you think about Wally and Ella?" Gabby sighed as she looked up at me. "Ella is starting to miss her dad." My heart dropped when she said that. "Oh no." Gabby sighed. "It's why she likes to sleep in your spot at night sometimes. The smell of you is helpful." I then sighed and nodded. "I am so sorry Gabby, why didn't you tell me?" She sighed. "I don't know."

I then went to grab her hand and kissed her forehead. "Listen, if something is happening with the kids...I don't care if I have my chief stuff to do. You and the kids will always come first. Promise me that you will keep me in the loop if the kids feel neglected by me. I already love my job Gabby but, I love you and the kids more. I made the mistake of putting work and Chicago ahead of you once. I am never going to make that mistake again." Gabby nodded and agreed. I then went to kiss her forehead and then sighed as I held her close. "The kids, in bed tomorrow."

Gabby then looked at me. "What about the academy?" I then sighed. "We can go as a family. It can be an outing. We can show Matteo the trucks there. The trucks that we train on." Gabby thought about it and nodded. "That works. And you get to do some scouting." I laughed and nodded. "I mean, if that's okay? I can cancel the scouting if you would rather I do the kids." Gabby sighed and looked at me. "Is it urgent? The scouting?" I bit my lip and shook my head. "The next candidate doesn't start until September. And the semester just started."

Gabby then went to grab some of the salad. "Then listen, let's go see Lee Henry for a bit and we can watch him. And you can get Severide and Hermann to concentrate on scouting. They are going to be the ones who really do the training of the candidate. So, why not let them be the ones who choose which candidate they want?" I smiled when she said that. "What would I do without you?" Gabby smiled when I said that before kissing me softly. "Thank god you are never going to have to learn." I then went to take a bite of salad when Hermann came back.

"Here is your other stuff. I knew you would want to get out of here ASAP." I nodded and agreed. "Actually Hermann, I want to put something by you. What if I let you pick your new candidate from now on? I mean, the Chief doesn't really have much to do with them. You should pick the guy you want. That way you can mentor them from the start until they are a firefighter at Firehouse 51." Hermann smiled and nodded. "Let me guess, Gabby wants you at home more?" I nodded and smiled. "Yes. But, you can do that okay? Just do the scouting. Once you've made up your mind on who you want...then I will go with you guys and give my stamp of approval."

Hermann nodded and agreed. "Oh, by the way. Where's Lee Henry? I wanted him to come out." That's when I heard Lee Henry come out. "My dad said you wanted to talk to me Matt?" I then nodded and got out. "God, you are tall now." Gabby smiled as I got out. "Lee Henry, I have seen you grow up in front of my eyes. I've known you since you've been a baby. I've watched you go through all the major milestones of growing up. And now, it is going to be my honor to watch you go through all the major milestones of your journey as a firefighter."

Lee Henry seemed shocked when I said that. "What?" I smiled as I put my hand out. "Candidate, welcome to Firehouse 51. I already told you on the phone remember?" Lee Henry nodded. "Yeah, I wasn't paying attention then. I am sorry, was getting ready for shift. It just...yeah. This is great." I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, so I expect you to start coming in with your dad. I know you aren't officially a candidate but...since you are family, you can come watch and learn ahead of time. You can do candidate stuff around the firehouse. Cooking and cleaning."

Lee Henry smiled and nodded. "Do I get a uniform like my dad? The fire jacket?" I nodded. "In the future. Now, you are positive you are okay with being Coffin at the firehouse? You can always just be Lee Henry. I mean, everybody knows who who you are." Hermann then looked up at me. "Casey, he can be Hermann. I can be Captain." I sighed and looked at him. "Candidate, go back to the kitchen. Hermann, stay. I want to tell you about something." Hermann nodded and agreed. I then told him to sit down.

Hermann then went to sit down while I went to wrap my arm around Gabby. I then started to eat and looked at her. "I promise, this is it." Gabby nodded and agreed. I then turned to look at Hermann. "You aren't going to be the only captain around the firehouse anymore in few months." Hermann was confused. "Wait, you have another captain joining us? Who?" I smiled when he asked. "Severide." Hermann seemed shocked. "Since when is Severide a captain?"