Spark Of Life

Chapter 12

TWELVE YEARS LATER

It has been twelve years since I last heard from Casey it just goes to show he didn't care about me or his children. "Mom Andy, and Caleb wont stop coming in my room" complained my daughter Alex. "Boys behave and don't go in your sisters space" "but mom why does she get her own room" "because out of all three of you she is the only girl, and she is almost a teen she needs her privacy, also the protection, and respect of her big brothers". The boys apologized and everyone got ready for school. I was making eggs and bacon when my phone went off it was my 'brother' (Sam Connors stepson who he considered a son) Antonio was calling.

Conversation V:Voight G:Gabby

G: hey bro whats up

V: Gabby your brother was killed in duty today we are all so very sorry

G: when is the funeral

V: Two day's can you make it to Daytona by then the Intelligence unite will pay for you and the kids to come.

G: Okay thank you for letting me know Voight

End of Call

My brother was dead, and now I have to tell my kids their uncle is dead. I can't tell them before school, I can't even let them go to school. "Kids change of plans pack your duffel bags for four days worth of cloths, and swim suits" "What about school" asked Alex "um guys you remember uncle Antonio right" "yeah" they all replied "he was killed in the line of duty" they all looked very depressed when I told them. Without another word they went upstairs and packed their bags. Before I packed mine after calling Chief he gave me two weeks off. When everyone was ready we got in the car and drove to the airport the three of them didn't speak they just looked so sad.

THREE HOURS LATER

We landed in Florida and I had to rent a car the only thing they had left was a pick up with four seat belts and it is all I can afford. While driving I pass fire house 29 that's when I saw him. That's when I saw Casey standing their watching the road. To my luck the house was across the street on the corner and I got the red light. That's when I noticed he saw me he was looking in my eyes. I drove by and didn't look back I didn't want to talk to him he never wanted to even meet his kids. After age eight I stopped sending letters and photos I was tired of him never responding never caring enough. We reached Antonio's house that is where we are staying for the next two weeks. We got out of the car and went into the house. My brother never married never had kids, but I know he loved me like blood, and he loved the kids. When we walked in I saw the family picture of me and the kids with Antonio when he visited Chicago three months ago. Most of the pictures on the wall are of the kids. One of them was the photo of the day I graduated the fire academy. We have had a long day, and my brother never kept anything in the fridge, so I went to the nearest pizza place while the kids got settled in.

"Hi can I get two large pizza's with extra cheese, black and green olives to go." "yup we will call your number when they are ready you are number 332". I nodded my head and sat at a table close to counter. I got a text form Alex which read we are unpacked we are going to watch TV Alex always felt the need to tell me what is going on. All of a sudden I felt a tap on my shoulder I turned around to be face to face with Casey. "Gabby" he breathed my name, and his blank expression turned into a smile. "What are you doing here? Not that I am mad or anything it is great to see you" "I am here for my brothers funeral" I said not wanting to say much "how have you been" "why are you asking Casey" "because I haven't heard from you since that day at Molly's when we broke up" "Casey I have been writing letters to you and sent them to the fire house you work at" "I haven't gotten any letters" "how about when Shay confronted you" "I thought she was being crazy or something.". "What is new" he asked. Wait if he is telling the truth, and he never got the letters than he doesn't know he is a dad. "332" I heard the worker say "that's me" I said "Gabby when can we meet up again" "soon" I said. I grabbed the pizza and drove home knowing sometime in the next two weeks he would learn he is a dad.

THE NEXT DAY

Today the kids where hanging out with the intelligence unite so I went to the store and printed off pictures of the kids. On the back of each one I wrote the date, and what was happening. And on the back of one of the school pictures for each I wrote their full name and birthday. I also had Shay fax me copies of the ultrasound photos. I put them in a folder along with copies of the birth certificates. I grabbed the folder, and went to the fire house. I went in with the folder, as I walked into the bull pen this women tried to stop me, but Casey told her to let me in. "Hey I don't have much time, but I have.... this for you" I said handing him the folder. "Okay?" he said not knowing what was going on. With that I left hoping he would rise up and be a great father. 

TWO O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON

I was at the park with the kids. It was girls against boys in soccer, and after someone scores another goal we are going to play basketball. Me and Alex where up by one about to make it two. That's when she scored the winning goal. We started playing basketball when I heard sirens in the distance. I saw the truck pull up it was one of the chief's trucks. I watched as the driver stepped out, and it was who I never thought it would be. The person was Casey.