#3 Sunshine And Roses

Chapter Six

Max walked up to the firehouse, his backpack on his shoulder, hands tucked in his pockets. It was his first shift at fifty one, and he was nothing other than nervous and excited. Peyton stood by the squad truck, Kelly showing him the different tools they used on calls as Max walked up, Kelly smiling. "Well look who decided to show up. I thought I scared you away" "Oh you did, I just can't look at your face... It's terrifying. This job means everything to me and if I have to look at your ugly face to perform it, then so be it" Kelly laughed and opened up his arms. "I'm glad you're here" "Same here," Max replied as he hugged his brother, Peyton smiling.

"Matt, did you ever pick up Olivia from Antonio's?" Gabby asked as she stood outside his office, Matt looking up from his papers. "Gosh darn it," he said closing his eyes, throwing his head back. "I'll go get her now" "No, don't worry about it. Sylvie and I need to make a pit stop for gas for the ambo so I'll just pick her up since its on the way anyway," Gabby replied, Matt walking over to her, pecking her lips. "I'm sorry... Work has just been a bit hectic and I lost track of time," he told her, Gabby nodding. "I get it but our daughter, this family, comes first before any of this" "I know. I promise it'll never happen again" "It better not," Gabby said grabbing the collar of his shirt, pulling him close. She quickly kissed the tip of his nose before playfully pushing him back and walking away as Max walked down the hall. "Chief!" "Ah look who it is... Max Severide-Duarté, the new candidate on truck eighty one," Matt said as he shaked Max's hand, Max smiling. "How's Violet doing? You're treating her right aren't you?" "Of course! She deserves nothing other than the best," Max replied, Matt nodding. "You nervous?" Max looked at Matt and shrugged. "Yeah, but I don't know what to be more nervous about" "What do you mean?" "Chief, I'd like to..." *Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambo 61, Battalion 25 House Fire 85th on Wabash* Matt looked at Max before jogging out of his office, Max following after him.

Gabby quickly knocked on Antonio's door, glancing at her watch. The door was opened by Diego, Olivia standing in the middle of the room, her arms crossed. "Where were you?" "Listen can we talk later? We gotta run. Thanks Tonio for watching her," Gabby said running out of the house, Olivia at her heels. "Hop in the back and hold on tight," Gabby told Olivia as she swung the back doors open, Olivia hopping in. "What's going on?" "We got called to a call," Gabby replied as she closed the back doors to the ambulance, speeding away to the scene.
Olivia placed her backpack on the floor, holding onto a counter as the ambo quickly went around a corner, Olivia losing her grip and hitting her head on the edge of the counter. Gabby heard the thump and turned around, watching as Olivia slowly got up, blood spilling from her head. "Olivia, are you okay?" Gabby asked, Olivia nodding as she slowly sat back down, feeling a hand rested on the stretcher. "Pst, Olivia..." "Peyton?!" Olivia whispered surprised, Peyton suddenly coming out from his hiding spot. "What're you doing here?" "Shh be quiet! Are you okay?" Peyton asked as he slowly stood up examining Olivia's head, running his finger over her cut. "Yeah, I'm okay," Olivia said as chills shot up her spine, Peyton looking on the counter and finding a bandage. "I'm gonna wrap up your head okay? It may hurt a bit," Peyton said as he started to wrap Olivia's head, Olivia making eye contact with him. Before she could say another word, Peyton started to lean in, Olivia laying down flat on the stretcher, her heart beating out of her chest. "Peyton..." "Olivia Casey, don't say another word," he told her as he bent down and gently kissed her lips, quickly pulling back. Olivia stared up at him and placed her hand on his shoulder, pulling him back down on top of her as he kissed her. They then felt the ambo stop and Peyton quickly broke the kiss, climbing off of Olivia and sitting in a chair, Olivia holding her head.
Sylvie walked to the back of the ambo and swung the doors open. "Peyton!" Sylvie exclaimed as she made Olivia get off of the stretcher, rolling it down the ramp and passing it over to Gabby. "Hey mom..." Peyton replied nervously, Olivia looking at him, his eyes shining because of the sunlight. "What're you doing here?" Peyton shrugged. "Dad ran off and I didn't get the chance to ask him if I could tag along" Sylvie sighed and shook her head. "Peyton, this is the most stupidest thing you've ever done" "I'm sorry mom," he said, Sylvie bringing him into a hug, kissing the top of his head. Peyton looked at Olivia and grinned. He hadn't tagged along to go to the fire. When he overheard Gabby talking to Matt about picking up Olivia, he made a beeline for the ambo. He just wanted to see her.
"Alright, Cruz, Mouch, you know the drill. Darden, Duarté, you're on my hip," Herrmann ordered as he grabbed an alligent, Max doing the same as he followed Herrmann into the house, never leaving his side. "Herrmann we got a victim in the down stairs bathroom. Where the heck are you?" Kelly asked through the radio, Peyton hearing it come through his moms. "We're on the second floor. Just checking out the bathrooms and... Duarté! Anybody have eyes on Duarté, I can't find him anywhere!" Herrmann shouted, Kelly shaking his head. "Max bud, can you hear me?" No response. "Maxwell Duarté, if you don't answer me I swear I'll..." "Do what? I hear ya," Max said over the radio, everyone sighing in relief. "Where are ya kid?" Herrmann asked, Max looking around. "I'm in the east wing bedroom with a little girl. I'm gonna carry her out now" "You better hurry up. The smoke is turning black," Matt told them as he stood outside, Olivia walking over to him, crossing her arms.
"Hey princess. What happened?" Matt asked as he looked at Olivia's bandage wrapped around her head. "Don't you princess me. You forgot I even existed!" "What makes you think that?" "You left me stranded at Uncle Antonio's house where I had no choice but to hang out with that retard Diego," Olivia replied, Matt pulling her into a hug. "Liv listen, I'm sorry okay? Is there any way I can make it up to you?" Matt asked, Olivia shrugging. "You can bring Peyton and I bowling tomorrow night" "I can't do that. I have plans with your mother," Matt said, Olivia giving him the stink eye. "Let me drive your truck" "Are you kidding me? No way little lady. You're only ten years old. You know how much trouble we could get in if we got caught?!" "We won't get in trouble. We know basically every cop here in Chicago. Either way, Voight would know how to get us out of it. He always has tricks up his sleeve," Olivia replied, Matt sighing. "Fine, but you're sitting on my lap" "That's fine with me" Olivia walked away from Matt, Matt turning around and looking at Gabby who was chuckling. "This isn't funny!" he yelled, Gabby laughing even harder. "Yes it is. She has you wrapped around her finger Matt. She knows she can get whatever she wants from you"

"What were you thinking candidate?! You could've gotten any of us, or even yourself killed!" Herrmann yelled, Max placing the little girl on the gurney as Kelly and Tony placed a man onto another stretcher as a backup ambo pulled up, whisking him away. "Sir I..." "Save it. Just think things more through before you actually do them. This job isn't just a one man job. It requires team work," Herrmann said walking away, Max throwing his fire helmet to the ground. "Whoa, what's wrong there little bro?" Kelly asked as he bent over and picked up Max's helmet, wiping it with his bunker jacket. "Is this how everyday is going to be like?" Max asked, Kelly handing him back his helmet. "You know what? Meet me at Molly's tonight at seven. We'll talk then," Kelly said as he got into the squad truck, Peyton catching a ride with them as Olivia hopped into her dads buggy. Max sighed and walked over to the truck and jumped in, the truck heading back over to the firehouse.
"Chief, can I talk to you for a minute?" Max asked as he walked to Matt who was taking off his bunker gear, laying it flat on the roof of his car. "Yeah, sure," Matt replied walking to his office, Max following him. "What's up Max?" Matt asked as he sat in his chair and kicking up his feet, taking a sip of his coffee. "Well, um..." Max said as he sat down folding his hands together, Matt now sitting straight up in his chair. "Violet and I, I love how things are going with us. I really love her and I know I have ever since we were twelve. I can't spend the rest of my life without her," Max said, Matt nodding. "So, I was wondering since you're the only one that's ever come close to being her father figure..." "My answers yes," Matt said cutting him off, taking another sip of his coffee, Max staring at him, a smile spreading out across his face. "I have your blessing?" "Kid, you've had my blessing ever since you two were twelve. It's obvious you love her and she loves you," Matt told him, Max standing and shaking his hand. "Thank you so much sir" "Call me Matt like you've always had," Matt said, Max nodding. "Thank you, Matt"

"Babe, why're we here?" Violet asked as Max parked the car in front of the church, the same sycamore tree standing where it's always been even ten years later. Max looked at her and smiled, grabbing her hand. "I thought why not take my smoking hot girlfriend to the place where we first kissed a decade ago and have dinner," Max said as he reached behind the back seat, pulling out a picnic basket. "You're such a hopeless romantic," Violet said as she wrapped her arms around his neck, Max placing his forehead against hers, slowly moving in and kissing her lips, a car honking as they drove past making Max pull away. "Let's eat shall we?" Max asked nervously, Violet nodding as he got out of the car and grabbing the basket, Violet getting out on the other side. Max met her in front of the car and laced fingers with her, walking over to the tree and laying down a blanket, Violet looking around. "Max, are you sure we're allowed to be here?" Violet asked, Max laughing. "You're still the skittish little girl I fell in love with ten years ago," Max replied as he pecked Violet's lips, setting the basket down on the blanket. "Before we eat..." Max said, suddenly breaking into a nervous sweat. "What?" Violet asked, Max staring into her eyes, grabbing her hands. "Violet Renee Jordan, ever since I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were the one. There are so many qualities that I love about you, and I want to make you mine forever," Max said getting on one knee, pulling the ring out of his pocket, Violet covering her mouth with her hands. "Violet, will you marry me?" Violet quickly nodded her head yes as Max slid on the finger, Violet letting out a squeal. "Yes!" Max stood up and took Violet into his arms, lifting her up as Violet passionately kissed him, both of them deciding to head home, eating later. Max carried Violet to the car, their lips crashing against each other. Violet leaned into Max, kissing his neck. "Let's get home," Max said, Violet looking at him and nodding. "That's a great idea"
Kelly sat inside Molly's, checking his watch. It was seven thirty, and Max hadn't showed up yet. Herrmann walked up to Kelly, placing a beer in front of his face. "You waiting on someone?" he asked, Kelly nodding. "I was waiting for Max, but knowing Max he probably forgot," Kelly replied placing a five on the table, Herrmann snagging it up. "Ah no worries kid. If he comes by I'll send out a text saying you were here," Herrmann said, patting Kelly's shoulder. "Thanks" "Oh yeah, one more thing," Herrmann said as Kelly was starting to walk away, Kelly turning around and facing him. "When you see Max, tell him I'm sorry" "For what?" Kelly asked, Herrmann sighing. "Tell him I'm sorry for snapping on him like that. I just want what's best for him and I want to see him succeed. He's gonna make one hell of a firefighter".