Chicago Fire FanFic (English)

Chapter 47

Christmas Eve

The little ones were particularly excited this morning. "Daddy? Can we go?" Hayden asked, tugging at Matt's shirt. "Calm down, little man. We'll be there in time." Matt said, picking him up and sitting him down at the breakfast table. "Good morning." Caleb said, who now also came into the kitchen. "Good morning, sleepyhead. Did you sleep well?" Kelly asked. "It went. Mocha and I had company tonight." Caleb said, looking at his little brother. Benjamin slipped under the table. "Oh Benny." Stella said, ruffling Benjamin's hair. "Sorry, Kayab." Benjamin said shyly. Caleb just shook his head and grabbed 2 slices of toast. After breakfast, everyone cleaned up the kitchen together and then got ready. "Very well, rascals. Get in the van with you." Matt said and got the car keys. The boys ran ahead and waited impatiently by the car. "Did Hayden and Levi get excited like that before?" Caleb asked. "What are you thinking?" Andrew said. Caleb, Andrew and Julian took the babies, placed them in their infant carriers and buckled them up. On the drive to the mall, the little ones listened to Christmas stories and sang Christmas carols.

The mall parking lot was already quite busy. "What do you all mean? How quickly can we find a parking space? Jason's getting restless." Caleb said, trying to calm Jason down. "I don't think we'll find a parking space out here anymore." Matt said, already doing the third lap around the parking lot. "Shall we try the parking garage?" Sylvie suggested. That's when Jason started crying, and seconds later Oakley and Crystal were crying too. "What now?" Caleb asked. "I suggest you get out and go inside. Kelly and I will find a parking spot and we'll come in." Matt said. Matt stopped in front of the main entrance and everyone got out. Caleb got the strollers out of the trunk and set them up. "Mommy, where are Daddy and Uncle Kelly going?" Matty asked, looking sadly after them. "They look for a free parking space and then coming too." Sylvie said. "Come on. Let's see if Santa is here yet." Stella said. Inside, the little ones couldn't stop being amazed. "Mommy, look." Matty said, tugging at Sylvie's jacket and pointing to the big Christmas tree in the middle of the hall. "He looks nice." Sylvie said and took him by the hand. "But ours looks nicer." Matty said. "You're right." Sylvie laughed. "Mommy, can I have this?" Layla asked, showing her a Barbie doll in one of the shop windows. "Layla, darling. You'll get enough presents tomorrow. Santa Claus has already prepared everything. He will certainly be disappointed if you suddenly get other things." Sylvie said. "And for my birthday?" Layla asked. "You can wish them for your birthday, for sure." Sylvie said. "Hey. That was quick." Stella said as Kelly and Matt join them. "Yes, we were lucky. The driver in front of us didn't see that a parking space opened up and of course we grabbed it right away." Matt said. "Where are the big ones?" Kelly asked. "Over there." Stella said. Andrew, Caleb, and Julian looked at the electronics store's windows. "Come on guys. Let's keep going." Kelly exclaimed. "What do you think they bought us?" Andrew asked. "I only know 100% that I will get the crayons. Everything else is really difficult to say because they really don't give you any hints or anything else." Caleb said. "I'm hoping for either the Bugatti or the Car Transporter from Lego Technic." Julian said. "And me on the McLaren Formula 1 car by Lego Technic." Andrew said. "We won't know until tomorrow morning." Caleb said. Together they walked through the shopping center, looked at the Christmas decorations and tried to keep the little ones from stupid thoughts. "Look. You can ride reindeer over there." Caleb said. "Kids, listen up. Would you like to ride Santa's reindeer?" Stella asked. "Yes." the little ones said excitedly. "I want to ride Rudolph." Benjamin said. "Me too." Matty said. "If you all want to ride Rudolph, then you have to go one by one." Sylvie said. "I want to ride with Kayab." Benjamin sad. "Why always me?" Caleb asked, throwing up his arms. "Because you're the big brother." Kelly said. The kids lined up and waited patiently for their turn. Caleb mounted the reindeer first and a staff member helped Benjamin mount. Andrew and Hayden were on a reindeer in front of them and Julian and Levi were behind them. Caleb filmed and took photos during the ride. Then they went to the Christmas market at the back entrance. "Mommy? Can we have a candy cane?" Kayla asked. "Ok. But only a small one." Sylvie said. They gave them money and everyone bought a candy cane at the candy stand. In the afternoon, the kids lined up for meeting Santa. Caleb held Oakley, Andrew held Crystal and Julian held Jason in their arms. Lydia became increasingly frightened and clutched Caleb's leg. "What's the matter, Lydi?" Caleb asked, stroking through her hair. Lydia's eyes filled with tears. "Hey, it's all good. Come here." Caleb said and took her in his arms. When it was their turn, the younger ones hid behind the older ones. "Ho, ho, ho. When do we have here?" Santa asked. "5 incredibly shy kids." Caleb joked. "I see that." Santa laughed. "Are you the real Santa?" Kayla asked. "Of course." Santa said. Kayla and Layla eyed him with crossed arms. "You must be Layla and Kayla in that case." Santa said. "How do you know that?" Layla asked. "Santa knows everything." Santa smiled and winked at them. Caleb hold back his laughter and Andrew hid the note with the names before the girls could see it. After that, they first took the photos separately with Santa and at the end, all the kids took a photo together with Santa. As they were about to leave, Caleb was held back. "You must be Caleb, right?" Santa asked. "Yeah, how...?" Caleb asked a little confused. "I know a lot about you. For example, that you grew up with your father and that you are always touching and take care of your younger siblings." Santa smiled. "I'm trying." Caleb smiled. «Here.» Santa said and gave him a small present. "What's that?" Caleb asked. «Your reward for persevering and always doing your best. Even if you come to the end of your strength. But you can't open it until tomorrow." Santa said. "Thank you." Caleb said. Santa nodded and smiled. "Merry Christmas, Caleb" he said. "Merry Christmas." Caleb said, walking over to the others. "What was taking so long?" Kayla asked. "Santa was just asking me if you guys deserved your presents this year." Caleb said. "He didn't." Layla said. "Want to bet." Caleb grinned. "Ok. If Caleb doesn't want to say what he discussed with Santa, then he doesn't have to." Kelly said. "But he got a present." Matty said. Caleb showed them the little gift he got. "Open it." Benjamin said. "Santa said I couldn't open it until tomorrow." Caleb said. Caleb put the gift in Stella's bag and they walked on.

Back home, the little ones went into the living room and played. "Caleb, could you get the meat from the freezer in the basement?" Sylvie asked. "Yeah, sure." Caleb said and went downstairs. "Dad, where's the roast goose?" Caleb asked. "Where the ice cubes are in... you got it?" Kelly asked. "Yeah, found it." Caleb said, coming upstairs with the roast goose, steaks, and chicken. "Need help?" Kelly asked. "Yes please." Caleb said, unable to hold the frozen chunks of meat. Kelly took the roast goose and chicken from him and took him into the kitchen. "This stuff is cold." Caleb said, rubbing his arms. "It comes from the freezer." Katie laughed. Caleb, Andrew and Julian helped prepare for tomorrow.