#3 Young and Reckless in Chicago

Chapter 22: Daddy's Big Strong Arms

"Minnesota?! Corin that's insane!" cried Clarke as he paced back in forth.

"She's my daughter! I have to! I just need you to please look over Kelly while I'm gone. I should be back by tomorrow. Please Jeff," pleaded Corin.

"Fine. I knew I should have talked you two out of doing that back high school."

"Right now, I'm kinda hoping you would've too."

Corin headed out the door, walking towards the exit. She had already talked to Kelly, surprisingly he took the news well and encouraged her to go. Corin climbed in her car and hurried towards the airport. It took a while to get there but once she did she hurried up to the front desk to get a plane ticket. Security took forever to get through with her gun.

"Hello! How can I help you?" politely asked the woman behind the desk.

"Yes. I need a last minute plane ticket to Minnesota," stated Corin.

"We have a flight leaving in about ten minutes. Oh, but I'm sorry it looks like it's completely booked. The next flight isn't until 9pm this evening."

"That won't work. Miss, I have to get there by tonight otherwise they put my daughter ino foster care."

"I'm sorry ma'am. Maybe next time don't abandon your child."

Corin grit her teeth as she tried not to explode at this woman. Suddenly she felt long, cold fingers tap her shoulder.

"Excuse miss, did you say you are trying to get on flight 390 to Minnesota?" asked the pale man.

"Yes but it looks like it's booked," sighed Corin.

"I have a plane ticket. You may have it if you want it," offered the man.

"Are you sure? I couldn't."

"Please. Turns out I may stay in this beautiful city a bit longer."

"Thank you so much! What's your name?"

"Gregory. Gregory Yates."

Many miles away Matt was being discharged from Chicago Med. He was on crutches for his ankle as he glided through the ER. Gabby had just left to check on the kids, so Matt headed into Kelly's room. Kelly smiled when he saw his friend, but winced in pain when he sat up.

"So, bruised pelvis..." teased Matt as he sat down in a chair.

"Yeah," chuckled Kelly, "but what's even better is this."

Kelly pulled off the hospital blanket to reveal his blue full length leg cast. Matt just laughed as Kelly laid there.

"Nice man. Can I sign it?" joked Matt.

"Go for it. Gonna have it for a while," replied Kelly light heartedly.

"So, how long you have to have it?" asked Matt as he beant over to sign the blue cast.

"Doc said about 6 weeks. Then I'll be on crutches for 4 weeks. After that I should be back. How bout you?" aked Kelly, eyeing up Matt's boot on his ankle.

"Got the crutches for 3 weeks. Can't go back to work for two months because of the head injury. 51 is gonna have a lot of reliefs for a while."

"Tell me about it. How's everyone handling... you know, loosing Otis?"

"It's been hard. His funerals gonna be next weekend at 51. I just can't believe he's gone. I think it's hitting Cruz the hardest."

"Well yeah. Those two were like brothers. I'm sorry man. What even happened out there?"

"Corin didn't tell you?"

"She had go catch a rush flight to Minnesota. I'll explain later."

"Alright. Well most of the guys were just thrown around and cut up. The brakes in 81 just stopped working so Otis uh couldn't make it stop. He was... crushed," Matt paused to clear his throat before continuing, "I got thrown through the windshield of 81. You, man you got flung out through Cruz's window. They eventually found you a few yards away."

"That explains a lot. But everyone else is okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Herrmann broke his nose and Chase just got a concussion. Violet fainted in the lobby though apparently due to stress. Turns out she's pregnant. But anyway, what's this thing with Corin?"

"Oh, I'm high school her and her two best friends donated eggs to some egg bank I guess."

"Like how guys donate to sperm banks?"

"Yes! Anyway, turns out someone picked her or whatever and she had a three year old daughter, Belle, in Minnesota. The parents died suddenly so she has the chance to take custody or let them put her in foster care."

"And being Corin, she's on her way to get her."

"Yeah, one of the reasons why I love her. It's just gonna be a little weird I guess having a three year old again but I don't know. Maybe it'll be good for us, something new."

"Yeah. Maybe you'll like having little ones again. I know I do."

"Daddy!" cried Louie as Gabby stood in the doorway smiling.

She had just gotten back from checking on the kids. Matt smiled as Louie climbed up into Matt's lap. Kelly chuckled while Gabby looked at him.

So Matt signed your cast huh?" grinned Gabby.

"Yeah, what's it say? I can't see it," replied Kelly.

"It says Nice cast knucklehead. Love the best lieutenant at 51 aka Matt Casey," laughed Gabby.

Kelly rolled his eyes. Gabby looked back behind, making Kelly suspicious.

"Louie wanted to come see you. And I have a visitor for you two Severide," grinned Gabby.

Kelly looked confused as Gabby moved to the side. Then how heart filled with joy. Skylar stepped into his view, tears in her eyes.

"Daddy...." she cooed.

"Come here baby girl," smiled Kelly as he waved Skylar over.

She climbed next to him in the bed and he wrapped his arm around her. She began to cry into Kelly's chest as Gabby picked up Louie.

"I better get these to home," slightly smiled Gabby as she left with Matt and Louie.

Skylar and Kelly were alone at last. He stroked her hair, singing softly.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away."

"I missed you," whispered Skylar.

"I know baby girl. I missed you too. But I'm okay. I'm here now."

"Please dad, don't ever leave me."

"I won't. I got you. Daddy's got you. "