Dawsey: Starting a Family Part 2

Chapter 280

2 Hours Later - Firehouse 51
Matt's POV: After finishing up at Molly's and going through all the HAZMAT protocols, as well as COVID testing (I wanted to be sure about that considering we have been relaxed a bit), I was finally walking out of the house with Hermann while on the phone with Gabby. "I know babe, I am sorry it took so long. I promise that I am leaving with Hermann right now. We had to do HAZMAT and COVID. Plus, we had to limit the number of people changing at once since we all took showers here, part of the HAZMAT protocols." Gabby sighed and agreed. "Okay, sorry."

I then went to sigh. "Is Antonio there?" She agreed. "Yeah." I then smiled. "Can I talk to him for a minute?" Gabby and agreed and passed me to him. "Hey Matt, what's up?" I then sighed. "Listen, I've had a couple hard fires and Gabby's been stressed a lot today. Are you still working?" Antonio then laughed. "Don't worry, I already spoke to Hank and I am working from home. He said I can work from your place if required. I already knew you guys were going to need time." I sighed when he said that. "She's probably really stressed, two toxic fires."

That's when I saw Severide and Kidd at the end of the driveway. He came to pick her up and I decided to go talk to him. "Listen Antonio, I need to go. I need to speak to someone." He agreed. "Of course, go ahead."  Seeing Severide and Kidd there, I walked over to him. "Lieutenant." Severide then turned to look at me and knew he was in more trouble. "Casey." I then sighed and shook my head. "You are lucky we got the call. If not, you would be in so much more trouble. Severide, you have got to smarten up. Is this you grieving? Or are you mad I got the job?"

Severide then sighed and looked at me. "I am mad you didn't let me do it my way." I nodded and understood. "Severide, this has to stop. When I was Captain, you were able to disagree with me all you wanted okay? I was head of a vehicle just like you...but that's no longer the case. I am the head of the entire firehouse. Think about it this way...would you have gone against one of Boden's calls?" Severide then shook his head. "Sorry to bring him up in this case, but I am trying to get you to understand. I am the new Chief. You would've never done this to Boden!"

Severide sighed when I said that. "You're right man." I nodded and looked at him. "Listen, I get you have to grieve. And I am trying to be a good friend, I really am okay? But when we're on shift...my job is to make sure you leave the firehouse every day. That's my job. Your job is to listen to me so that I can do that job. You want to marry Stella right?" Severide nodded as he looked at Stella. "Then, listen to me and you will be able to marry her because you won't die! However, I can't promise you are safe here. Dude, I am going to have to put your name."

Severide then looked at me. "Seriously?" I nodded and looked at him. "I can't play favorites. I am the newest Chief in the CFD. Think about it man....the only reason I have this job? It's because it was in Boden's will! HQ doesn't like to be bound by someone else's decision. They could've picked someone a lot worse than me. Someone who would've fired you already man!" Severide then thought about it and got scared. "You're probably right." I nodded and looked at him. "So dude, thank me by getting your head out of your ass and listen to me. I'm your chief!"

Taking a breath, I looked at Stella. "Severide, you are demoted as of next shift. Cruz will take your place as Lieutenant." Severide then looked at me and was about to argue. "Until you learn to respect my authority over you...you have no right having authority over anybody else." Stella then looked at him. "That sounds fair Severide." I nodded when he said that. "Severide, you need to learn this. I am still thinking of asking you to be my replacement Captain. It's between you and Hermann. I want to do it for YOU man. But you need to help me here."

Severide nodded and went to shake my hand. "I promise, I am going to get my head out of my ass." I laughed when he said that. "Oh, and I don't want to ever see you drunk while wearing your uniform again! That is another reason for you temporary demotion. You were in your CFD uniform, and that could've brought bad publicity to the department...to Boden's house, my house." Severide then looked down and saw he was still wearing his uniform and nodded. "You're right, I would've gotten that right away." I nodded and looked at him.

"Okay, now I am done being your chief. How are you friend?" Severide laughed when I said that. "Well, my chief just demoted...." I laughed when he said that and smiled. "Listen, I have to get home. No drinking until after next shift okay? Man, I am trying to help you as much as I can. Remember, you would've been fired if it was any other chief. I can only fudge the truth so much as a new chief. I said you were grieving and have been having a hard time. That can only work for so long. So, you're welcome." Severide laughed when I said that and nodded. "Thanks man."

I nodded when he said that. "Next time we go drinking, you're paying! You owe me for ruining my first shift as chief. This is not what I want to remember as my first shift. So, you owe me!" Severide thought about it and agreed with me. "Yeah, I do. Listen, you get home to Gabby. I will get sober." I then looked at Stella. "You make sure of that okay? He doesn't step foot in my house if he's hungover." Stella nodded and agreed. "I promise Chief." I nodded and smiled while walking away to Hermann's car so that I could head home.