Chicago Fire FanFic (English)

Chapter 34

"What do you mean?" Kelly asked. "I don't want to play soccer anymore. Also, the last 5 weeks have shown me that spending more time with my friends has done me a lot of good and that there are more important things in life than becoming a professional soccer player." Caleb said. "To be honest, we have noticed that you are happier and enjoying life again. However, we thought that it was going better in training." Matt said. "What about the Talent Scout offer?" Stella asked. "I called him a few weeks ago." Caleb said. "What did he say?" Kelly asked. "Of course, he thinks it's a shame, but he also understands my situation. He did make me a new offer though." Caleb said. "And which one?" Sylvie asked. "Nevertheless, he put me on the list of newcomers for next year. I can decide on the spur of the moment whether I want to go or not." Caleb said. "Okay Caleb. If you really want to put an end to it and stop playing soccer, then of course we will support you. But I want you to think twice about it." Kelly said. "I've been mulling it over in my head for the last 5 weeks." Caleb said. "So, you're absolutely sure about that?" Kelly asked. "I've never been surer than I was at that moment." Caleb said. "Okay, then I'll inform the club." Kelly said and left the room. Caleb fell backwards. "Is everything okay?" Stella asked. "Yes, I'm fine. The only thing I realize now is that I have free time after school and can do whatever I want. And of course, the weight that's off my shoulders now." Caleb said. "The burden would have been off your shoulders a lot sooner if you'd talked to us from the start." Matt said. Caleb just rolled his eyes. "I'll see what the others are doing. It's so suspiciously quiet." Sylvie said and left the room. "Do you still have homework to do?" Matt asked. "I'm a high school student, what do you think?" Caleb said. "Are you doing them in your room or are you coming downstairs?" Matt asked. "I'm coming down." Caleb said. Matt nodded and left the room as well. Caleb got up and was about to leave when Stella called him back. "Hey Cal, are you really, okay?" Stella asked. Caleb closed the door and leaned against it. "What's going on?" Stella asked. "I've realized something over the past few months." Caleb said. "And what?" Stella asked. "I've realized I only have one mom, and that's you." Caleb said, sitting next to her on the bed. Stella smiled at him. "You were always there when I wasn't in a good mood. You showed me what it means to have a real mom, one to take care of me and comfort me when I'm sad or play with me when I'm bored and I'm really grateful for that." Caleb said. "Come here." Stella said, hugging him. "I love you, Mom." Caleb said. Stella was so perplexed by this sentence that she was speechless. At the same moment, Kelly came back into the room. "Did I just mishear you, or did he just...?" Kelly asked, puzzled. Caleb quickly wiped the tears from his face. "You heard him right. But I think there's more to it than that." Stella said. "Caleb? What's happening? Talk to us." Kelly said, kneeling in front of him. Caleb took his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it, opened his WhatsApp history and gave it to his dad. "Oh my Caleb. I thought we agreed that you come to us if anything is bothering you." Kelly said. "What is it?" Stella asked. "Renee has sent Caleb over 100 messages." Kelly said. "What!?" asked Stella, horrified. "Please don't get mad." Caleb said. 'Why didn't you say anything?", Stella asked. "I'm sorry, but I was scared. Renee approached me outside of school a few weeks ago and wanted me to go with her. She even threatened to make you lose custody of me." Caleb said, his voice shaking. Kelly put his arm around Caleb's shoulders. "I'll make you a suggestion. We'll get you a new phone, including a new number, and then we'll see what's next." Kelly said. "I don't want to live like that anymore. I finally want to put an end to my past. I finally want to live a normal life. Dad, I'm scared." Caleb said desperately. "Hey, come here. I promise you everything will be fine." Kelly said and hugged his son. Kelly and Stella looked at each other worried. "Can we go?" Caleb asked. "Yes, come. Let's go." Kelly said. "Have fun." Stella said. "See you later." Kelly said, kissing her. Caleb was already dressed when Kelly came downstairs. "You were up there a long time. Are you okay?" Matt asked. "Now yes. I'm going to take Caleb to the mall and buy him a new phone. Renee has gone too far and has already threatened him that if he doesn't go with her, she will make me lose custody." Kelly explained. "Is there anything we can do? Call our lawyer or something?" Sylvie asked. "How should he help us? I don't want to go to court again." Caleb said. "Maybe we don't have to. We can just get advice and see what he thinks about the current situation." Kelly said. "According to me. Can we go now?" Caleb asked. Kelly took the car keys to his Ford Mustang from the key tray by the front door and left the house with Caleb.

Arriving at the mall, they immediately went to the electronics store. They looked around a bit until a member of staff had time for them. "Good day. How can I help you?" an employee asked. "My son would like a new phone with a new number." Kelly said. "Do you already have an idea what kind of phone you would like?" the employee asked. "Yes. This one." Caleb said. He chose a Samsung Galaxy s22. "Good choice. What color would you like? We have black, gold, silver or blue on offer." the employee said. "Blue, please." Caleb said. "Good. Then I'll get it. Just a moment." the employee said and went to the back of the warehouse. Caleb and Kelly looked around a little more. "So, here we have the good piece. Do you want me to set it up for you or do you want to do it yourself?" the employee asked. "Can you do that?" Caleb asked. "Yes of course. Do you have your current phone with you?" the employee asked. Yes." Caleb said handing him his phone. "Okay, then I'll set everything up and you can pick it up in about an hour." the employee said. "Great. Thank you." Kelly said. "With pleasure. See you later." the employee said. "So, what do we want to do now?" Kelly asked. "Can we have another look around the baby section?" Caleb asked. "Don't we have enough stuff already?" Kelly asked. "We don't have to buy anything. Just looking." Caleb said. "Okay." Kelly said. "Good day gentlemen. How can I help you?" a saleswoman asked. "We're just looking around." Kelly said. "Ok. If you need help, let me know." the saleswoman said. "Dad, can I ask you a question?" Caleb asked while looking at the baby clothes. "Of course." Kelly said. "Is it bad if I hope it's going to be two girls?" Caleb asked. "Hey, of course not. I would even understand you." Kelly said. "You wouldn't be disappointed?" Caleb asked. "Why should I be disappointed. Listen. You are a great brother. I see how you treat the little ones and how much you protect them from everything. They're lucky to have you as a big brother, just like the others. And I'm lucky to have you for a son." Kelly smiled. The two looked around a little more. They bought a few more care products for Lydia, which Stella wrote to them via WhatsApp and then went back to the electronics store. "So, I have transferred all the data. You still have an unknown number on it, I left it and didn't transfer it." the employee said and handed Caleb both phones. "Thanks." Caleb said. "You are welcome. I wish you a lot of fun with it." the employee smiled. Kelly paid and the two left the store. "Shall we go home now or do you still want to go to a shop?" Kelly asked. "Can we still go to the toy store? Maybe we can find another board game or puzzle." Caleb said. "All right then. Let's go." Kelly said. They bought some new board and card games and Caleb got 2 Lego Architecture sets and a box each of baseball and football cards. After shopping, they went home.