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

Vf ~ Kelly III, Sylvie III

Can spring actually act like spring? Please? My head would appreciate one week without ridiculous ping-ponging weather, thank you very much.

51 wastes no time saying "I told you so", Gabby springs a surprise on the house, Sylvie discovers something about Nolan that they have in common, and as Christmas looms ever closer, the Prices' gifts for each other entwine them even more.

***

Snow had started falling before Kelly had risen in the morning, and he leaned against the windowsill and smiled as he watched the flakes dance through the wind. "I'm glad our internal clocks are hardwired to wake as early as we did," he remarked. "It's gonna be a longer drive back to 51."

"I don't mind," Sylvie smiled from where she had curled up on the chair closest to the window, a mug of coffee cradled in her hands and her blonde curls tumbling over one of Kelly's old sweatshirts. It was the only garment she had on, and it was the only one she needed with the fire crackling merrily. "I love the snow. Not when it's the cause of our calls, but in Manhattan, it always made me realize the holidays really were right around the corner."

"And we only have two shifts left until Christmas," Matt said, stopping behind Sylvie and dropping a kiss on the top of her head. The bright smile she bestowed him made Kelly hastily hide his own grin behind his coffee mug. God, could he be any happier with how this trip had turned out? "I guess it's another sign."

Sylvie sighed and leaned against Matt's side, her eyes fluttering as the captain ran his fingers through her hair. "It really does remind me of Manhattan."

"What did you do when you worked on Christmas?" Kelly asked curiously. "You've always looked a little down when we've done it at 51."

"Because Nolan always spent the day at the 225, whether I was working Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, without fail," Sylvie replied, her azure eyes slightly dimming. "Captain Karns practically insisted on it the first year my shift fell on Christmas Day. Most of the firehouse's families came by throughout the day and went to other gatherings at other times, but me and Nolan . . . we only had each other. So Karns made sure Nolan knew he was always welcome for any holiday."

Matt whistled lowly, sounding impressed. "Your captain sounds like a good man."

"He is," Sylvie nodded in agreement. "You'd like him."

"Sounds like we'll have to visit Manhattan one year," Kelly smiled.

Sylvie grinned. "I'm holding you to that."

"I expect you to," Kelly chuckled, finishing his coffee and placing the mug in the sink. "Because after all the surprises Nolan somehow keeps managing to pull off this year, I fully want to repay the favor somehow."

"We'll figure out a way," Sylvie chirped, standing from the chair and padding to the kitchen so she could put her own mug in the sink. "We may need to twist Voight's arm, but we'll figure it out."

Matt snorted loudly. "If Voight doesn't let you leave Chicago to spend time with your family after the lengths Nolan went to this year, then he doesn't have a heart."

"I think Jay, Hailey, and Kim have melted some of the ice around it," Sylvie mused thoughtfully.

Kelly snickered. "That'll do it."

***

Cruz, Tony, and Capp were already in uniform and sitting at the squad table when the trio arrived at 51 for their shift. Nolan was already there, too, and he was leaning against the table and listening to Cruz, who was gesturing as he spoke. Once the three were in his line of sight, however, Nolan immediately looked up and raised an expectant eyebrow. "Don't," Sylvie instantly said with a warning point.