Chicago Fire FanFic (English)

Chapter 42

Holiday season:

Caleb and his friends spent the afternoon after school downtown looking at the Christmas decorations and getting some Christmas gift inspiration. "How about we go to Starbucks and get a hot chocolate?" Nigel asked. "You know what, that's a great idea, it's getting colder." Caleb said. "Then what are we waiting for?" Bailey asked. At Starbucks everyone ordered a hot chocolate and sat down at a free table. "Bailey, how is your sister in Denmark by the way?" Annabelle asked. "That's right, she's in Denmark. I completely forgot about that." Talia said. "She's fine. Her host family is great and the 3 boys are really cute...here, she sent me photos." Bailey said, showing them the photos. "You guys signed up with an agency like that too, didn't you?' Nigel asked. "Yes, we have, but unfortunately it's going to be a while before anything happens." Caleb said. "And why?" Tiffany asked. "Quite simply because it's hard to find someone, or in our case finding 2 people, to take care of 13 children and 10 of them are under the age of 8." Caleb said. "Phew, yes. I wouldn't do that voluntarily either." Liam said. "How the hell do your parents and your uncle and aunt make it anyway?" Zane asked. "What?" Caleb asked. "You already know. Holding you so well." Zane said. "Love, affection, warmth. Everything that goes with a harmonious family life." Caleb said. "Honestly. I'm really jealous of how well you all get along." Tiffany said. "We get along really well 90% of the day. The other 10% we get on our nerves too." Caleb said. "But that's normal, too." Annabelle said. "You have 4 brothers. You guys fight every day." Liam said. Annabelle punched him on the shoulder. After Starbucks visit, the teenagers strolled through the streets again and then made their way home. On the way to the subway station, Caleb noticed a man throwing a gym bag into the Chicago River. "Hey, what are you doing?" Caleb called. The man got scared and ran away. Caleb started to run after him, but the man jumped on a bus and drove away. Caleb ran back to the riverbank and carefully slid down the embankment. He found a long branch and pulled the bag to him on the bank. Hearing noises coming from the bag, he dropped it and took a few steps back. He nudged the bag gently and heard another whimper coming from the bag. Caleb bent over the bag and slowly unzipped it. Caleb froze when he saw what was in the bag. In the bag was a small puppy. "Hey, what a cutie you are...man, you're shaking...come on, I'll take you to the vet." Caleb said. He carefully picked up the bag and carefully climbed upstairs. He ran to the subway station and got there just in time. "Caleb, what are you doing here? Are you okay?" the receptionist asked in surprise when Caleb walked into the office. "Nancy, I need your help. Someone tried to drown the little guy here in the Chicago River. I got there just in time." Caleb said. Nancy immediately informed the vet. "Caleb, hey. What's going on?" the vet asked. "I found the puppy in the Chicago River. Someone just wanted to dump it in the river." Caleb said, fighting back tears. "Hey, it's all good. I'll have a look at the little one now...Nancy, bring him a glass of water and tell Kelly." the vet said. Nancy nodded and Caleb went into the treatment room with the vet. "Well then, let's take a look. Put the bag on the table." the vet said. Caleb put the bag on the treatment table and let the vet work. "Where did you find the puppy?" the vet asked. "I was out with friends and on the way home I saw a guy who just threw the bag in the river like garbage." Caleb said. "Have you seen him?" the vet asked. "Only a moment. When he saw me, he ran away and jumped on a bus." Caleb said. Then there was a knock on the door and Nancy came in. "Kelly's here now." Nancy said. "He can come in." the vet said. "Dad." Caleb said, hugging Kelly. "Hey, what happened?" Kelly asked. "Caleb pulled that puppy out of the river." the vet said. "Are you alright?" Kelly asked. Caleb nodded and wiped the tears from his face. "How's the puppy?" Kelly asked. "The puppy is doing quite well. It seems he came through unscathed. Also, thanks to Caleb's quick intervention." the vet said. "What's going to happen to the puppy now?" Caleb asked. "We will inform the animal shelter. They'll pick him up then." the vet said. "Dad, can't we take him? I know we already have 2 puppies but I promise I'll take good care of him." Caleb pleaded. "I don't know. We need to discuss this with the others first." Kelly said. "We'll keep him here for observation for a few days anyway." the vet said. "All right. Can you maybe wait a little longer before informing the shelter. We'll talk about it tonight and then I'll get back to you tomorrow." Kelly said. "Of course." the vet said. Caleb said goodbye to the puppy and then went home with Kelly. On the way out, the two could hear the little puppy barking and whimpering. "Hey. I promise we'll talk about this right after dinner." Kelly said. "Okay." Caleb said, getting in the car.

After dinner, Caleb, Andrew, and Julian helped wash up. Then Stella, Kelly, Matt, Sylvie and Caleb sat down and discussed how to proceed. "Good Caleb. Then tell me how you imagined it with the puppy." Kelly said. Caleb bowed his head and just shrugged. "Then we'll tell you how we imagine it." Kelly said. "You get the dog, but only under a few conditions." Stella said. "All. I'll do anything." Caleb said. "You alone are responsible for the puppy." Kelly said. "In return, we'll relieve you of all other dog duties." Stella said. "But not from the walks. But you don't have to do the main part anymore. We'll make sure everyone goes out with the dogs." Matt said. "Deal. Thanks." Caleb said, hugged Kelly and was about to join the others when he was called back. "Wait, we're not done yet." Kelly said. "What else?" Caleb asked. "I'll let the vet know tomorrow. I'll pick you up from school in the afternoon and then we'll go shopping." Kelly said. "Ok. That's it?" Caleb asked. "That's it." Kelly said. Caleb ran down to the others. "Now let's be honest. When was the last time Caleb was so looking forward to something?" Sylvie asked. "When the twins and Jason were born." Matt said. "That's right." Sylvie said. "I'm just glad he's back to normal." Kelly said, and the baby monitor went off at the same moment.