But I'd Have Had to Miss The Dance (Sylverasey Collection)

Vc ~ Sylvie II, Kelly II

Sylvie unloads on her brother, Matt and Kelly make their position clear, the Terrible Trio continue to dig themselves into a deep hole, and Nolan comes through on his promise.

***

Dawson's way or the highway.

It had been an inside joke at 51 while Gabby was there, but as the years had gone by, Sylvie had come to realize it was the truth. When Gabby put her mind to something, she was dead set on it, and nothing and no one would get in her way. Her marriage to Matt had imploded because of it, and once that realization had sunk in and Matt became such an integral part of her life, Sylvie did her best to never spare the woman another thought after her visit two years ago.

Yet when Nolan had met her and explained why he had been needed at the district, the flames of her anger had been fanned back to life. Why did it seem like her former partner always bulldozed back into Chicago when it was the last thing Matt needed?

"Is that the paramedic oath?"

Nolan's words jolted her out of her stupor, and she blinked dumbly, realizing she had been glaring into the Chicago River for several seconds. She turned to see Nolan patiently watching her, his head tilted to the side, and she cleared her throat. "Was I actually saying it?" she asked weakly.

"I will serve unselfishly and continuously in order to help make a better world for all mankind," Nolan recited with confidence.

Sylvie blushed and ducked her head, glad her arms rested on the railing of the Riverwalk so she didn't have to focus on standing upright. "You remembered."

"Of course, I remembered," Nolan nodded. "It was the oath you swore when you took your badge. It's important to you, so it's important to me." Sylvie swallowed hard, then gloved hands carefully took her hot cider from her hands and set it to the side. A moment later, one of those hands took hers and the other gently cupped her cheek. "Look at me, soror cara." It was a request, not an order, but Sylvie opened her eyes and looked up at her brother all the same. "What's going on in that head of yours, dulcissima?" he asked, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Sylvie exhaled shakily, leaning into Nolan's touch. "This was shaping up to be the worst holiday season ever before you arrived," she admitted. "I have the oversight panel where my program is either fully funded or dead in the water, Matt has been desperate to keep the boys here, Kelly is going back and forth between 51 and OFI . . . " She laughed bitterly. "Then in came the Dawsons. Like damn wrecking balls, and that's exactly what could have happened if the Dardens hadn't been so stubborn." She sniffed and attempted to blink tears out of her eyes. "God, that makes me sound like a bitch."

"You sound human," Nolan corrected, brushing away her tears. "You sound like someone with a lot on her plate who also has to watch the people she cares for the most handle their own problems while wanting to do everything she can to help them, too. You sound like you, Sylvie. If this city makes you doubt that, it makes me wonder if it's time for you to come home."

Sylvie giggled weakly. "I was tempted so many times last year, you have no idea."

Nolan frowned. "Now I definitely want to know."

"I'm too sober to talk about last year."

Nolan's frown morphed into a scowl. "Sylvie Amelia Price."

It had been eight years since Sylvie had heard her full name, and the firmness of Nolan's voice made her wince and lower her gaze. "Why does having a heart like mine hurt so much?" she asked, hearing her voice break.

"You love them." It was a statement, not a question, and Sylvie could only close her eyes and nod, not trusting her voice to verbally confirm. "Oh, Sylvie," Nolan sighed, bending and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Sylvie burrowed into her brother's chest, and Nolan pulled her closer as if he could shield her from the world around them. He had done exactly that for most of her life, and it was instinctive for Sylvie to lean into the comfort he so willingly offered. "Do you think I call you what I do for no reason? You have a big heart, and yes, that means it can be hurt more than others' hearts. But that means you care more than anyone I know, and when you love, you do it with everything you have. Hell, Sylvie, there's more love in your fingernail than some people have in their whole body." She snickered at the mental image, and she practically heard Nolan roll his eyes before he continued. "But don't you dare think of giving up your heart when it's so good," he said fiercely, squeezing her to emphasize his point. "With the lives we've chosen, we need more hearts like yours. You have no idea how many times at the start of my career when knowing I would come home to you was what kept me going."