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Chapter 6

You had fallen asleep due to being exhausted. This was probably the worst reaction you had ever had. Jay unbeknown to you hadn’t left your side since arriving. He sat there watching as you slept holding your hand internally beating himself up. Hailey and Will watched from outside knowing that he needed to do this alone.

“Y’know it’s not his fault right?” Will asked Hailey but in more of a statement, “He needs to realise this and stop beating himself up,”

Hailey scoffed, “That’s like talking to a brick wall. He’ll over analyse this for the next month,” She knew he meant well. But he could be over critical on himself.

Hailey was distracted by the buzz of her phone. A message from Kelly asking how you were. He took off shortly after Jay and Hailey arrived as it had been scary for Katie. She replied telling him you were sleeping it off.

You could hear noises around you, but it took you a minute to remember where you were. The hospital. You’re eyes began to flicker open and a groan escaped your lips. You felt a hand in yours which you presumed to be your dads.

“Hey kiddo,” The voice brought you to reality as he gave your hand a gentle squeeze. “Good sleep?” He asked as he watched you begin to take in your surroundings. You nodded and tried to sit up in the bed which he instantly helped you with. By this point Hailey, Will and Natalie had entered the room. Natalie was the doctor who was actually treating you.

You gave them all a little smile, still too exhausted to speak. Natalie went through some questions and checks but gave you the all clear to go home. After twenty minutes you were set to head home still feeling exhausted. You hadn’t really spoken which wasn’t completely abnormal for you as you were a really shy kid. Jay held onto your hand as you had refused a wheelchair but you were a bit wobbly on your feet, jays instincts were telling him to just carry you but that was still un chartered territory. So when you stopped and looked up at him he was surprised when those words came out your mouth. “Can you carry me please?” Hailey was shocked too but a smile crept across her face.

He cleared his throat, “yeah of course,” he smiled before bending and lifting you up, positioning you to his side slightly and you wrapped your legs around his waist, arms around his neck and rested your head on his shoulder. It felt odd, but in a nice way, jay felt the same. Hailey by this point was walking behind and snuck her phone out to get a picture as she knew this was a moment worth remembering. By the time you had all gotten to Jay’s truck you had fallen asleep and become a bit of a dead weight, not that Jay minded.

“Hails, can you get the door please? She’s asleep,” he whispered in an attempt to not wake you.

“She looks like you when she sleeps,” Hailey held the door open and they both stood for a second to take in the tiny human (to them anyways) that had rocked their world. Smiling Jay closed the door quietly.

The journey home lasted twenty minutes and you had slept through all of it absolutely exhausted from today. Jay unbuckled your seat belt and carefully lifted you again into his arms, cursing himself as he heard you begin to stir.

“Shh, we’re home, go back to sleep” he whispered before kissing your head. You lay with your head resting on his shoulder as your eyes adjusted to the surroundings of the hallway to your apartment.

Hailey had gone ahead and opened up the doors to make it easier for Jay. He headed straight for your bed room as you lay quietly holding onto your dad, him not aware that you had started to wake up.

He pulled the covers back and gently placed you down taking surprise when he noticed that you weren’t sleeping.

“Hey, kiddo.” He spoke softly whilst tucking you in. “I’ll let you sleep for a bit and then we can think about food. Sound okay?” He asked before standing up.

You nodded your head, feeling the tiredness deep over you again. Jay turned on his heels and went to walk out the door before stopping with surprise when he heard you speak.

“Dad?” His head turned as he tried to wipe the shock off his face, “yeah kiddo?”

“Can you stay?” You asked, moving to create some space for your dad to sit. His face softened as he realised what you were asking. He nodded and took his jacket off, laying it on your desk before sitting on the side of your queen size bed. He felt a little uncomfortable as once again this was something completely new to him but he leaned back against the head board and lifted his feet up to get comfy. You instantly closed the gap, cuddling into his side with half eyed Ted before crashing out again. As he put his arm around you, he couldn’t help the giant grin that crept along his face. It no longer felt uncomfortable, instead it felt comfortably normal.

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Chapter 5

Four months had passed since you moved in and shifted everything, for the better. The three of you had settled into a good rhythm. Jay and Hailey had finally settled on a sitter to pick you up from school and look after you until they came home. The team were taking bad with Jay actually leaving at a decent time. Hailey had come up with the idea that at least one of them needs to be home to put you to bed so they took turns.

You and Katie had become good friends and started going to dancing together on a Thursday after school together. It took Jay two weeks to finally put the pieces together that Katie was Kelly and Stella’s daughter from firehouse 51. So they had come to the agreement of taking turns on who drove the girls to dancing and picked them up.

Tonight’s turn was Kelly’s, he usually just sat in his car with a coffee as class was only an hour. He was surprised to see Elsie the dance teacher coming out looking panicked as she searched the parking lot. He placed his coffee in the holder and got out the car.

“Everything okay?” He asked as he closed the gap between him and the panicked dance teacher.

She looked terrified, “Jamie, it’s Jamie.” She breathed out “ One of the girls had peanuts in her bag and we can’t find her epi pen. Katie told me you would be out here. I’ve called 911 but she can’t breathe.” Kelly ran in to find you lying down struggling to breathe as his daughter emptied the contents of your bag desperately searching for the epipen.

“How long did they say they’d be?” Kelly asked, his instincts taking over.

“Ten minutes”

Without a word Kelly scooped you up and told Katie to grab everything and get to the car.

“Phone her dad and tell him to meet us at Chicago med. It’s only around the corner. Katie let’s go,” She did as her dad said taking comfort that her dad was being so calm.

You, however had never forgotten your pen. You didn’t have a clue where it could be. This was your first reaction where you felt like you might die and that terrified you even more.

It only took Kelly five minutes to get you into the ED but you felt like it was forever. Before you knew it you had doctors all around you. They gave you an injection to calm the reaction and an oxygen mask to help calm your breathing. Will overheard the commotion and once he realised it was you in the hospital bed he came running over and asked what was going on.

“She was at dancing and one of the girls had peanuts in her bag. Jamie took a reaction but she didn’t have her pen. The ambo was going to be ten minutes so I got her here quicker.” Kelly explained as he held onto his terrified daughters hand.

“Where’s jay?” Will asked knowing his brother was probably going to have a melt down.

“Her dance teacher phoned him. He should be here soon,”

Will looked back at you, giving you a smile as you focused on your breathing. “I can stay with you until he gets here if you’d like?” He asked, knowing that he was still a bit of a stranger to you. But you were thankful for the company and took hold of his hand and nodded your head.

Jay however had his phone on silent and didn’t hear it buzz as he joked about with Adam in the bullpen. Trudy had been told as Jay had made sure to put the desk sergeants contact information on everything incase he couldn’t answer. She rushed up stairs knowing that chaos was soon to erupt in the form of hurricane Halstead.

“Halstead,” she said grabbing his attention.

“Don’t panic, Jamie’s dance teacher has been on the phone. She took a reaction and didn’t have her epipen. Kelly rushed her to Chicago med,” Without a word Jay had his things and was running out the back door followed by Hailey. How could this be happening?

He put the sirens and light on, he didn’t care. Nothing had prepared him for this feeling. The dread. The worry. The sick feeling of knowing that you were in trouble and he didn’t hear his phone. He’s meant to protect you.

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Chapter 4

It had been a week since arriving at your dads and now you were facing your first day at a new school with new people. This was probably scarier than meeting Jay and Hailey. You were sat on the edge of your bed looking at your freshly finished room wishing that you could stay here for just one more day when there was a knock on your door.

“Hey kiddo, breakfast is ready,” your dad said softly as he walked in trying to ease you with a smile. When he saw that you weren’t coming he joined you on the bed and sat with you until you were ready to speak. He had realised that sometimes all you needed was a little company before you opened up.

“What if no one likes me?” You asked breaking the silence, fiddling with half eyed ted’s paw avoiding looking at the man you now knew as your dad. He breathed in before putting his arm around your shoulders, “it’s always scary on the first day but they’d be stupid not to like you,” he said giving you a little squeeze. You watched as he reached into his pocket and handed you a purple bracelet made out of cord. He motioned for you to lift up your wrist, “I got you this so if you feel scared or nervous you can look at it and know that I’m with you. Hailey and I both have one too,” You didn’t realise that your dad had gotten Hailey the bracelet when he knew that he couldn’t live without her. Now he felt the same about you. He couldn’t believe the way he felt about this tiny little stranger who now had his heart.

You smiled and leant up to kiss your dads cheek, laughing as he pretended to blush, not realising just how much it meant to the 6ft teddy bear. “Come on, Hailey made pancakes.” He stood up holding his hand out for you to take, which you happily did.

Maybe this new life wouldn’t be too bad you thought to yourself. You missed your mom more than you could ever describe but you somehow felt at ease around your dad and Hailey.

Later that day…

School wasn’t as awful as you had predicted. You had half eyed ted packed safely in the bottom of your bag and only had to rely on your bracelet once at lunch when you didn’t know where to sit. A nice girl called Katie commented on it and invited you to sit with her which you gladly did. Now school was over and you did as Jay told you to do. Stood beside the gates awaiting his truck to pull up. He was five minutes late which he was stressing about. It’s her first day dick head and you’re late. Great impression. He thought to himself. But when he pulled up and saw you speaking to Katie he instantly felt relieved. You’d made a friend. Thank fuck. Not realising who’s daughter that was.

When he stopped in front of you, you said goodbye to Katie as her mom pulled up behind your dads truck and got into the back of the truck. Your little legs still struggled at the height of the thing, but you’d learnt to throw your bag in first and then use the handle to hoist yourself in. “Manage kiddo?” Jay asked as he watched in the mirror slightly amused at the sight. After getting your breath back you laughed, “you need to get a smaller car” which caused a laugh to escape from Jay.

“They’re not as fun” he mused as he pulled away from the school. “How was your first day? Did you give the nurse your spare epi pen?”

“It wasn’t so bad actually. I made a friend, she’s called Katie and her dads a firefighter!” You exclaimed. He smiled seeing your genuine smile which he’d only seen a few times in the short time that he’d known you. You usually wore a serious face especially in new situations which seemed to be everyday just now.

“And what about the epi pen?” Jay pushed, his protective side coming out.

“Yes, the nurse told me that we’re not allowed nuts on the school grounds incase so I think I’m good” you replied nonchalantly not realising how much your dad has been reading up on allergies and what foods have peanuts in them. But for you, it was just an everyday thing avoiding them.

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Chapter 3

Three days had passed and things had moved slowly. Jamie had warmed up to Hailey which Jay was relieved at but also slightly jealous. But Hailey had left you two alone to see if you could get somewhere. “So kiddo, what do you feel like watching?” Jay asked as he sat down on the sofa next to Jamie who was sitting cuddling her teddy.

“Can we watch Tangled please?” She asked in an almost whisper taking Jay by complete surprise. She hadn’t said a word to him since moving in. He couldn’t contain the smile on his face, “Eh yeah, sure” He watched as she situated her teddy beside her and tucked him under the blanket, she really was a sweet kid. He just wished he knew how to break the ice properly.

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Chapter 2

It had been a week since Jay had been confronted with a ghost of ten years ago in the shape of his ten year old daughter. There was no denying that she was his, she looked like her mom but definitely had strong Halstead genes in there. He still couldn’t believe that Amber had kept this from him. The fact that she planned that if anything should happen to her that Jamie would go to him. So why didn’t she let him be part of her life from the beginning?

Sally was bringing Jamie over to the apartment today to let her see where she was going to be living. Jay and Hailey had spent time with Jamie every day for the last week to help her feel comfortable around them. As much as this was a huge shock for Hailey, she couldn’t help but feel a little excited. She’d always been on the fence about kids but now it had become reality she couldn’t wait. Jay however, was terrified. He didn’t have a clue about being a parent. He just knew that he didn’t want to be like his dad. Will had taken the news as well as he could. After the shock had worn off he too was also excited to meet his niece.

“Jay, the place looks fine. Stop worrying” Hailey tried to snap her flapping husband from cleaning every speck of dust in the apartment.

He stopped and looked at Hailey wearing a stressed look, “What if she hates living with us?” In the whole time they’d known each other Hailey had only seen her husband look this vulnerable once before. She sighed and walked over wrapping her arms round his waist, “Sure it’s going to be odd for her to begin with, but I’m sure we’ll be fine. We just need to be patient.” He let out a shaky breath and before he could say anything there was a knock at the door.

Hailey opened the door to find Sally and Jamie stood with suitcases. “I’m so sorry, but there’s been an emergency and I’m needed back so we’re going to have to move Jamie in today” Sally looked a mix of stress and sorrow at dumping this on the already nervous couple.

“Eh yeah of course, come in,” Hailey moved back so she could welcome the pair in. She could sense the fear radiating from Jay at no longer having a week to panic about welcoming his daughter into his life.

“Hi Jamie, do you want to see your room? It’s a little unfinished but we’ll soon get it sorted” Hailey asked the shy girl hoping to make her feel more at ease. She nodded and followed Hailey quietly, giving Jay a small glance.

“I know this is a lot Jay. But you’ll be fine. Just take it slow, she’s a super shy girl. A little sensitive but a heart of gold. I have her school sorted as you requested. She starts next week so she has a week to get settled here,” Sally explained whilst handing Jay all the files that he thought he had time to read and digest.

“The biggest thing to note is she’s allergic to peanuts. She’s fine with other nuts, but specifically peanuts. She has a bag filled with her epi pens and she knows what to do.” Sally walked over and put a calming hand on Jays shoulder to try to ease his internal panic. “She’s a good kid Jay, you’ll be fine. You have my number if you have any issues but everything there is to know is in the folder.”

“And this is the bathroom, we’ve picked you up some things but we can take a trip to the shops if we’ve forgotten anything,” The pair were snapped out of their discussion when they saw Hailey giving Jamie a tour.

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Chapter 1

Things has finally started falling into place for Jay and Hailey. So to find a woman from DCFS telling Jay that his daughter was in need of a new home and he was in fact registered on the birth certificate was like suffocating. He didn’t have a daughter, well not that he knew of. It took two hours of going over everything with Sally, the social worker, for it to feel real. An old ex from when he’d returned from the rangers had fallen pregnant but failed to let Jay in on the secret. Registered him as the father and set up a will of exactly what was to happen to the child should anything happen to her. However, ten years later, Jamie Halstead was sat in Hank’s office awaiting to find out if her biological father wanted anything to do with her.

“I can’t just take her home and pretend that I’m equipped for this” Jay panicked, earning a sympathetic look from his wife.

“We get that Jay, but the social worker is staying in a hotel with her for two weeks whilst we make the transition happen,” Hailey bargained hoping to ease his worries.

He looked at the brown haired girl sitting swinging her legs holding onto a teddy. He felt like he knew her but was also staring at a total stranger.

“I know this is a lot to take in Mr. Halstead. However her mom went about this, she’s now in need of a home. You can give up your parental rights and we can start to look at getting her a placement. Jamie has been through a lot. It was just them two and when her mom was diagnosed with a brain tumour Jamie shouldered that burden on her own. She is going to need time to adjust. We’d love to keep her with her blood but I know and understand that you didn’t sign up for this.” Sally explained, desperately wishing that Jamie had a chance to be with her real family instead of entering the system.

Jay looked at Hailey almost needing her permission. “Jay, she’s your kid. I’ll follow you in whatever you wanna do.” Hailey squeezed his hand, silently telling him it was okay to want to keep her.

“So we have two weeks to get everything sorted?” He asked in an almost whisper.

“Yes, we’ll need to do a home check just to make sure everything is okay and I can help you get her enrolled into a school near you”

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Anna Casey and Quinn Severide, best friends since day one, trouble since their first prank.

Here you were feeling very tipsy after promising your dad that you wouldn’t drink at the party. You weren’t sure who encouraged who, but here you both were sitting on the couch laughing at lord knows what as both of your phones buzzed silently in your bags. Your dad dropped you and Quinn off at the party giving you both a final warning about drinking. You guys had made a plan to stay at your friend Lucie Halsteads house, who’s parents were out of town, meaning your parents would never know about your little drunken adventure.

“I hope they never ever find out,” you laughed as you took the final swig of your beer.

“Anna, they never let us have any fun, just relax okay?” And that was all you needed to hear.

-

The bright lights were blinding, which did not help the excruciating pain in your head. Your eyes begun to focus, making it very clear that you were no longer at the party or Lucie’s house, you were in fact in the hospital. Fuck.

“Oh honey, you look awful,” You would recognise Maggie’s voice any day, she was one of your many babysitters growing up.

“How much trouble am I in?” You asked sheepishly.

She sat on the bed, placing a hand on your leg, “Baby, I don’t know how you’re going to get yourself out of this one.”

You could feel the panick settling in, “What happened?” You asked almost whispering.

“You and Quinn ended up in here needing your stomachs pumped because you both got way too drunk,” she said, acting as if it was no big deal.

“Do my parents know?”

“Yes, Kelly and Stella are already here. Quinn has spilled all the beans unfortunately. We were all worried, Will did not enjoy having to resuscitate his nieces friends.”

You sat there in silence, not really knowing what to say when the door opened revealing a very hungover Quinn.

“Can I come sit?” She asked almost trying to avoid eye contact with Maggie.

“Of course,” you replied, welcoming your best friend.

“Right girls, I’ll leave you be,” Maggie have you both a warm smile as Quinn lay on your bed beside you.

“Bye Maggie,” you both said in unison.

“What happened?” You asked, turning to face Quinn.

She let out a big sigh, “We ended up playing beer pong but apparently Josh put tequila in all the cups so we got pretty wasted. Jamie Halstead was there to pick up Lucie and ended up driving us to the hospital, I don’t remember any of it. But he messaged me this morning. Mom and dad are pissed.”

“I’m just waiting on mine arriving,” you said with a defeated sigh, knowing that your mom would probably murder you.

You both lay in a comfortable silence mulling over the nights events when the door burst open and in walked your parents. Who looked pissed.

“Glad to see you’re alive,” your dad said between gritted teeth.

“Anna, what on earth were you thinking? You promised us you wouldn’t drink. That’s the only reason you got to go!” You could tell your mom was holding back her tears.

“Auntie Sylvie, we played beer pong which I know we shouldn’t have, but a boy called Josh had put tequila in all the cups without us knowing,” Quinn pleaded trying to get you out of trouble.

Your dad let out a defeated sigh, “Anything could have happened to you both, you know that right? If it hadn’t of been for Halstead you guys probably would have choked on your own vomit and we’d be sat in the hospital identifying your bodies!” He was shouting now, you could tell he was pissed because the vein on his forehead was pulsating.

“Dad, don’t be so dramatic-“

“Dramatic? I’m not being dramatic Anna, do you know how many times we’ve seen kids drinking go wrong? Too many times and I refuse to let you be one of them. Either of you.” He stormed out the room with a bang of the door which caused the tears that threatened to fall, to begin falling down your cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, lowering your head to avoid your moms stare. She quietly walked out leaving you both to sit in silence.

“We really fucked up didn’t we?” Quinn questioned as she repositioned herself on the bed.

“Yup,” you said popping the ‘p’. How were you going to fix this? You honestly had no clue.

“Can I come in?” A voice came from the door, it was Stella.

“Hey aunt Stella, listen i just want to-“

“I don’t wanna hear okay, you guys messed up, scared us to death. But you’re young and Lord only knows how many times I did it when I was younger. I just never got caught. We’re angry, but it’s only out of love. Now give me a hug you pair of riots,” she engulfed you both in her arms kissing you both on your heads.

Soon enough all four of your parents were stood in the room preparing to each give you both a lecture.

“Look, lets get you both home and into your beds. You both really scared us, I hope you know that. We’ve seen some bad things with our jobs and that’s why we may seem overprotective but we just want our girls to be safe okay?” Your uncle Kelly seemed a lot calmer now as you all walked out of the hospital with a wave to both Will and Maggie who both smiled, feeling thankful that you both were okay. Your dad however, was still pissed. He couldn’t even look at you which broke your heart.

It had been a few hours since you had left Chicago med and your dad still hadn’t spoken to you.

“Matt, go speak to her. I can hear her sniffling in her room. She’s clearly upset.” Your mom, Sylvie tried to reason with your dad.

“She completely disregarded anything we said to her and got herself into trouble. This is the consequence of her actions Sylvie.” He backfired earning an exasperated sigh from his wife.

“And you never got drunk when you were a teenager?” She asked, giving him a smirk.

He just laughed, “it’s not the same,”

“Why? Because she’s your daughter? Unfortunately she needs to make mistakes to learn from them babe, we’re here to guide her the best we can but ultimately she’s her own person and she’s growing up. You can’t punish her everytime you don’t want to accept that she is turning into an adult Matt.”

He knew fine well that she was right, he just didn’t want to admit it. When he laid eyes on his baby girl he promised himself that he’d never let anyone or anything harm her. He knew the teenage years would be difficult, for both his children, but somehow it was easier to let Ryan be a bit more adventurous than his baby girl. But that wasn’t your fault.

“I’ll go speak to her,” he sighed as he got up out of the seat and headed up to your room. He walked quietly up to your door and his heart broke at what he heard. You crying into your pillow. So he knocked pulling you away from your sobs. You looked so vulnerable lying in your bed clearly hungover and tears falling from your eyes.

He walked in without a word and sat beside you on your bed, placing his arm around your shoulder to pull you into his chest. Where you felt the safest. He remembered all the times he had tucked you into bed with a story and how you had fallen asleep in exactly this position.

You cuddled right into him and let out a sob, “Dad, I’m so sorry,” you cried out, feeling all the emotions from the last day relieve from your soul.

(Not my gif)

Darren had broken your heart for the last time. This was it. This was your time to leave without him persuading you to stay and telling you all his bull shit about how he had changed. You’d heard it one too many times. Your older brothers had never really liked Darren, Jay made it obvious whereas Will was a little more discreet. Sylvie, your partner on ambo 61 had a spare room in her apartment which she offered to you when you told her that you were leaving.

Darren thought you had once again forgiven him and carried on like nothing was wrong. Blissfully unaware at your exit strategy. You had decided to take what you could today, and then come back for your other stuff, hopefully with the help of your brothers.

“Bye babe, I’m away for a run,” This was it. You sprung up off the couch after hearing the door shut and finished packing your stuff up that you had secretly started the night before. People would have called you crazy if they heard about your plan. But they didn’t know Darren, he could be very possessive. Escaping whilst he wasn’t there was the best option. He hadn’t realised that you had already packed your car with some stuff, leaving him with an almost empty apartment. So all you had to grab was your stuff from the bathroom which you packed in your suitcase before placing your goodbye letter on the kitchen bunker.

The only regret you had was ever staying after the first time he had cheated. As you closed the door you felt like this was the closing of this chapter, allowing you to move on with your life. After a short drive you arrived at Sylvies apartment block where she was stood waiting on you.

“Hey!” You shouted as you got out the car and gave her a hug.

“How does it feel?” She asked squeezing your shoulders.

You sighed, “It feels good but I also feel guilty,”

“No, no, no, do not feel guilty! Come on, I ordered pizza for us whilst we get you unpacked.” She said grabbing some of your bags.

After a couple of hours your nerves and guilt faded, you weren’t sure if this was down to the beers you had consumed to wash the pizza down or not, but it felt good. Luckily Darren hadn’t bombarded you with messages and calls like you had expected, it was radio silence which allowed you to fall asleep easily enough.

Sylvie drove you guys to work which was just another perk of you guys moving in together. Your shift went fairly fast and as you were back from a call you weren’t completely surprised to see Darren standing on the apparatus floor.

“Seriously? You’re seriously just going about life like normal?” He yelled as he stormed up to you. You could feel everyone watching your interaction.

“Darren, there was no other way that I could leave. I tried before but you made it so difficult. I don’t want to life my life like this. Every time we fight you go out and find someone to forget your troubles with whilst I’m sat at home knowing exactly what’s happening. It’s not fair,” you tried to calmly explain.

“Not fair? No, not fair is you banishing out of mid air and acting like you haven’t just left me,” you could see he was getting angry.

“Look, Darren, I know it was a dick move what I did, but I felt like it was the only option. It’s over. It has been for years but we’ve just been too blind to see it,” you pleaded, knowing what was coming.

“Let me guess, you’ve found someone else? Found someone better who will put up with you and your dramatics?” He spun around, eyes fixed upon Matt. “It’s him isn’t it?” He spat out with venom. “You’ve fucked off with your precious captain?” Darren began to take steps towards Matt but you ran in between them to stop Darren before he done anything stupid.

“I haven’t moved on to any one, not that it’s any of your business. I’ve just moved out to a friends house, away from you. Don’t bring anyone else into it,” you begged hoping to calm him down.

“Oh you’re protecting him now? Pity you never once tried to protect me huh? You’re such a whore,” he said as he pushed you away from him, sending you to the ground. An eruption of chaos followed suit after you regained your senses.

“Beth? Beth you okay?” Stella asked as she helped you up, checking you over.

Nodding you replied, “I’m all good, is he gone?” You asked looking at everyone sympatheticly.

“Yeah, he’s gone. What happened between you guys?” Matt asked, looking genuinely concerned.

You spent the rest of the shift explaining what had happened and why you left like that. Everyone understood and offered you their help, as you knew they would.

After the days events everyone decided to head to Molly’s which you were very happy to accompany them with. Three beers later your table was filled with your older brothers looking expectantly at you.

“What?” You asked bluntly taking a swig of your beer.

Jay scoffed, “So you don’t think to tell us that you finally broke up with douche bag Darren?”

“And that he rocked up at the firehouse and assaulted you?” Will questioned looking very concerned.

“Calm down guys, he just pushed me, he didn’t attack me. I didn’t think I had to tell you about every detail of my life,” you rolled your eyes.

“Come on Beth, you know what we mean. We’re each others only family, it pays to keep us in the loop instead of hearing it from Hermann,” Jay spoke, looking at you intently.

“Guys, honestly, I’m fine. It was well over due and he reacted a lot better than I thought he was going too. I’ve moved in with Sylvie and we’re supposed to be here celebrating,” you tried to get them to drop it.

“Beth, if he does anything to you I swear to god-“

(Not my gif)

To say that Kelly Severide was in a constant loosing battle with you, his eighteen year old daughter would be a huge understatement. He much preferred it when you were six, shy and a complete angel. But you had found a wild side, taking after your mom. Leslie Shay was Kelly’s best friend and she was desperate for a baby. So Kelly helped out, not knowing what the future would hold. That his best friend and mom of his daughter would be killed on duty. It took him a long time to recover and cope with raising you on his own. Luckily, he had a strong family at firehouse 51 to help out.

When Stella came along you weren’t shy about accepting her into the family. You instantly loved her and enjoyed having a “mom” figure. Your uncle Matt had a soft spot for you, he’d always wanted kids and so far you were the closest thing he had. When his apartment went on fire he moved in with your dad meaning you saw a lot of him. Which you didn’t mind. No one had prepared them for you turning into a teenager. Hormones, boys and underage drinking pretty much summed you up.

“Rowan hurry up, you’re gonna be late,” You could hear your dad shouting on you.

Rolling your eyes you stormed down the stairs walking past your dad and heading out to his car. You got into the passenger seat without a word knowing a lecture would be heading your way. However to your surprise your dad just got in the car and stayed silent.

You knew why you were being like this, but at the same time, you couldn’t help it. Most of the time you were trying not to cry. He’d never understand if you ever told him. You felt bad for taking it out on your dad but you literally couldn’t help it. He soon arrived outside of school and usually you would jump out without a word but feeling guilty you leaned over and hugged him quickly. It was brief but he appreciated it all the same. More than you’d ever know.

-

Kelly arrived at the firehouse feeling very confused at his encounter with his daughter. He tried to understand what was going on with her but he quickly decided to take it as it came.

“Things still not settled down with Rowan?” Matt asked, seeing his friend flicking through old photos of you.

Placing his phone down on the Squad table he sighed, “I honestly have no idea what to do Matt. Like this morning she couldn’t look at me then when I dropped her off at school she gave me a hug,”

Matt just smiled, “you ever thought about asking her?”

“Oh I made that mistake before. She just bit my head off.” Kelly replied rubbing his face. “I think it’s something to do with her ex but I don’t know,”

“Well if it is, I’d be more than happy to kick his ass,”

“You and me both,”

Later on Kelly’s phone started ringing, “Hello?”

“Hi Mr Severide, it’s Rowan’s principal here. I’m phoning to let you know that I’ve sent her home. She just hasn’t been herself and I found her crying in one of the supply cupboards. She refused to speak to me but I thought she’d be best at home,” Kelly’s stomach dropped at hearing this news.

Kelly gave his thanks and said his goodbye before heading to see Boden to try and get some time off to go see you. But before he reached Boden’s office you appeared in the hall way, tears still running down your cheeks. Instantly you ran at your dad throwing yourself into his chest, already feeling slightly better. You both stood there for a while as he comforted you, kissing you on the head and telling you it was going to be okay. He had no idea of it would but he sure hoped.

“I’m sorry,” you cried out, holding on to your dads polo shirt, “I’m sorry for being a shit daughter,”

He gently pushed you away so he could hold you by the shoulders and look you in the eyes, “Hey, you are not a shit daughter. Don’t ever say that okay? You have nothing to be sorry for,” You could tell that he meant it, which brought more tears for him to wipe away. “I have no idea what is going on, but I’m here, I’ll always be here okay? I love you Rowan,”

You eventually calmed down and followed Kelly to his bunk. He never pressured you or questioned you into telling him, as he knew you would in your own time. Which you did.

“Alex broke up with me because I wouldn’t y’know, do anything with him,” you started off, gauging how your dad would react. “He kept telling me that I was fridgid and worthless, he just wouldn’t understand that it wasn’t that I didn’t want too, I just didn’t want to do it with him,” you could see a mix of emotions displayed on your dads face. Horror, anger and confusion.

“Another guy?” He asked innocently, kinda guessing where this was going. You looked him in the eyes as you slowly shook your head. His features instantly softened, “a girl?” He questioned carefully.

You nodded, not knowing what would come next.

“You know that this is completely natural don’t you baby? You can love whoever you want too,” Relief instantly flooded through your veins, you had built this moment up for months. Crafting so many different scenarios in your head about coming out to your dad. You didn’t really know yourself until you started to have feelings for Hannah who also reciprocated those feelings. When she found out Alex had dumped you she made her self well and truly known, as a friend, forever hoping that it would turn into something more. You had taken a good few months to try and sort your head out and it eventually all got too much. Hence your acting out. You didn’t know how to tell anyone. But you were so glad that your dad now knew.

“I thought you were going to be mad at me,” you said, vulnerability clear in your voice. He sighed and gestured for you to come closer to him on the bed.

(Not my gif)

Being an army ranger and a detective meant that nothing really shocked Jay Halstead. This was until he was the father of two teenagers aged 17 and 15. He’d been happily married to your mom for two years before your brother Jamie arrived. Then out came you just eighteen months later. A whirl wind as he liked to call you.

Since the moment you could first speak you haven’t been able to shut up longer than two minutes unless you were asleep. Which you did, a lot, throughly earning the title of nap queen.

But what really shocked your dad was when he was off duty and got a call from the desk sergeant at district 12 asking if he could come collect his two children for underage drinking.

Jamie had been invited to a party and too keep you from telling your parents you bribed him to let you come too, which seemed like a good idea at the time. Several hours later here you were in a cell already feeling the hangover kicking in. The regret soon hit you as you pondered on who would get in to trouble more and who from. Dad was always the one to fly off the handle about things but mom, she was an underated contestant. It took a lot to get her pissed, but when she did, oh boy.

Just as you lay back down on the cold bench you heard footsteps instantly making your stomach do flips.

“Get up,” You could hear the disappointment in his voice without looking at him.

“Dad I’m-“ he cut you off by raising his hand earning you to not waste your breath.

You followed him out to the car where you could see Jamie standing with mom wearing the same sheepish look that you wore. This was not going to be fun.

The whole car journey home was completely silent which in your eyes was worse than them shouting at you. You could tell that mom was waiting on dad to erupt and lead the interrogation. But when you arrived home nothing was said, even when you sat on the couch beside your brother hoping they’d get it over and done with.

“Okay, I can’t deal with this any longer. Please just shout at us, ground us, say something!” Your brother pleaded to no avail. Your parents sat opposite you wearing blank expressions.

“Look, it’s all my fault. I let her come with me and didn’t keep an eye out for her. I know I shouldn’t have been drinking, I admit that. But I’m pretty sure Lucie got spiked.” Your brother tried to defend you and take the blame and from the look in his eyes you knew to go along with it.

“Don’t even try to justify your actions. Both of you know fine well that the legal age to drink is 21 and neither of you are even close to being 21. So a single drop of alcohol should never have entered your systems.” Your dad stated bluntly, eyeing you both down with his piercing blue eyes.

“Nevermind the fact that anything could have happened to your sister, Jamie. You’re supposed to be looking out for her, not dragging her into trouble. You two should know better, I thought we had raised you better than this? Underage drinking, I mean really? You’re lucky that I’m in the position I am to be able to bail your sorry asses out,” the more Jay spoke, the angrier he got. All that was racing through his mind was the question, “what if?” He’d never cold if something bad happened to his babies. He couldn’t protect everyone in Chicago but you bet he’d do everything in his power to protect his children.

You went to speak but we’re once again cut off, except by your mom this time, “Just go to your rooms please and give us time to calm down” You. It’s understood that this was your moms way of helping you. So you did as you were told and swiftly took yourselves to your rooms.

Around an hour later you heard a soft knock at your door which was quickly opened after revealing your dad. He came in silently and sat beside you on your bed wrapping his arm around your shoulder, pulling you in.

“Dad I am really sorry,” you said quietly as you looked up at him. You watched as his face remained expressionless.

“The job i do means that I’ve seen some horrid stuff Lucie. I only worry about you guys because I’ve seen how quickly things can go wrong. Especially you. Underage drinking is a serious offence, and it’s not a road you want to go down,” his voice was a lot softer now meaning he’d definitely had calmed down.

“I know dad. I am really sorry. It won’t ever happen again,” you promised not knowing exactly if it would remain true.

“But dad, I am growing up. I can’t live in constant fear of what if? That’s not a happy life,” you tried to explain to your overprotective dad.

He pulled you in closer, kissing you on your head. “And that my girl is the issue. It’s scary watching you both grow up and adventure the new possibilities. It’s terrifying sitting at home not knowing if you’re safe or not. My job is to protect you. And I’m always going to do that.” He said, giving you a small smile. You cuddled in closer to Jay making him remember all the times you would beg for bed time cuddles as he told you stories of how he saved another princess at work. He wished that you were five turning six, not fifteen tirning sixteen.

“You can’t protect me against everything” you said breaking the silence earning a soft chuckle from your dad.

(Not my gif )

Never in a million years did Matt Casey and Kelly Severide ever dream that they’d become fathers on the same day. Matt and Sylvie had your older brother Ryan three years before you were born. Sylvie and Stella both became pregnant around the same time, with roughly two weeks between them. However, you decided to arrive early and surprise everyone. Since then you and Quinn had been inseparable.

Fifteen years later and you guys were still inseparable, much to Ryan’s disgust. He was the typical jock, he took after your dad in his looks which meant he was constantly sought after by all the girls. He was the captain of the football team, which basically meant he was royalty. You, however, were a complete anomaly as your mom liked to phrase it. You’ve seen the movie The Duff right? Yeah, well you were like Bianca. In fact, you and Quinn were both Bianca.

Never quite fitting in except with Quinn, you guys were two peas in a pod. Both your parents constantly worried about you girls. But, you both brought your parents such joy and laughter.

-

“Anna, they are never going to allow us to go to this party,” Quinn sighed as you both walked along to the firehouse after school.

You gave your friend a smirk, “They will if they think it’s at Jamie’s house,” Quinn instantly rolled her eyes at you.

“Yeah, like Jamie Halstead is ever going to be allowed to throw a party!” She laughed.

“Exactly, they’ll think that he’s responsible!” You countered.

“Halstead? Responsible? You make me laugh Anna,” She threw her arm around your shoulder bringing you in for a hug as you guys approached 51. “Plus, you know our dads will definitely ask Jay about the party,”

“This is true,” you sighed.

“There’s my girls!” You both looked up to see your aunt Stella and second mom standing on the apparatus floor smiling at you both.

“Hey!” You both replied before going in for the compulsory hug.

“Your dad is in his office Anna,” she explained giving you an extra squeeze.

“I’m guessing mom and uncle Kelly are out on a call?” You asked noticing the lack of ambulance 61 and squad 3.

“They are indeedy,” she smiled.

“I shall go annoy the father,” you laughed and you said your farewells to your favourite humans.

As you walked through the station you said your hello’s to your firefighter family who were all happy to see you. You saw your dad out the corner of your eye as you turned the corner of the bunk room, noticing how he looked frustrated at the paper in front of him.

Skipping the knock on the door you just swung it open giving your dad a fright.

“Good day sir,” you half shouted before launching your arms round your dads neck, hugging his back. You always knew how to make him happy, as you could hear him chuckle to himself.

“Well good day to you too,” he laughed out as you let go and flopped down on his bed. He spun round in his chair to face you smiling as he did whenever his kids were around.

“How is my favourite daughter today?”

You looked at him with your serious face, “your favourite child is very good today, how is my favourite parent?” Again, making him chuckle.

“You do know that I don’t have favourites and you certainly shouldn’t have them either. Or at least, don’t openly admit it,” he said as he hit you with a ball of scrunched up paper.

“I only speak the truth,” you laughed out.

“Oh, honey, I know,”

-

Your favourite time was meal time, especially when it was at the station because you loved nothing more than being surrounded by your family. This is where you felt completely safe.

“How much hot sauce do you need?” Hermann asked, making everyone go quiet waiting your response.

“There is no limit of hot sauce,” you replied as you continued to add hot sauce to your plate.

“She doesn’t even enjoy the sauce she just likes to make herself look tough,” Ryan sneered at you across the table.

“Oh I’m sorry, I forgot that you were so vanilla,” you quickly retorted at your brother making everyone chuckle which in my infuriated him.

“Guys, enough” you dad looked at you both knowing that it didn’t take much to start a war between you guys.

You passed the bottle over to Quinn who also shared your passion for all things hot and spicy.

“You two are something else,” your uncle Kelly smiled at you both.

“Two weirdos,” Ryan muttered earning a kick from you under the table.

“Ryan stop being mean to them,” your mom interjected, not forgetting to give you your warning look for kicking him.

You held your hands up in defense before wiping the hot sauce off your face.

“You’re such a charmer,” Stella laughed, she loved you like a second daughter, as did Sylvie with Quinn.

Jay Halstead #8

“Well who’s taking her then?” Jay asked as he picked up the flyer from your bedroom floor and handed it to Will. His face scrunched up as he read the writing.

“Father daughter dance, Saturday the 26th of September 2020, 1900”

“Well I can’t dance and neither of us are her dad,” Will said passing the flyer back to Jay.

“Dude, come on. She clearly wants to go considering she has the flyer.” The middle child tried to explain.

“I have a thing on anyways so I can’t take her,” Will bluntly stated making it very clear he would not want to be apart of this. Jay just rolled his eyes.

It was almost a week before the dance and you still hadn’t mentioned anything thinking that you would know your brothers answers already. However Jay has enlisted the help of Hailey and Kim. They were taking you shopping to find a dress under the impression that there was a charity event for the CPD coming up and you needed an outfit.

It worked. They managed to get you a lovely grey dress which made you look very mature which they knew your brothers would hate. But you looked good. It was always super nice being able to spend some time with females since your brothers could be pretty oblivious to the fact that you were not in fact a boy.

However, the day of the dance you became very suspicious when Kim arrived to try and sneakily do your hair and makeup under Jays instructions.

“Shut up and let me practice,” Kim ordered, proclaiming that she was trying to practice out some looks for when she goes undercover. You presumed that she was just bored. It wasn’t until you were done and she suggested trying on your dress to see what you thought you began to question what was going on.

“I’m so confused right now,” you joked looking at yourself in the mirror. You saw the door opening to find your brother standing in a suit with a corsage wearing his signature goofy smile.

“What is going on?” You asked looking between them both.

“I found the flyer (y/n), so I thought I’d surprise you.” Jay said still smiling at you as he tried to figure out your expression.

Fighting hard to keep the tears from falling, you threw yourself into his arms.

“You look so like mom,” Jay spoke softly giving you a squeeze.

“Right enough cuddles, you’re going to ruin my master piece,” Kim laughed pulling you over to the mirror.

“Doesn’t she look amazing?” She asked Jay.

He just nodded m, trying not to tear up knowing that it should be dad standing here and not him.

He came over holding his hand out for you, “right, I think it’s time I took you for a dance,” you reached your hand out to his with a smile, too scared to speak incase you started crying.

-

“Thank you,” you said, before taking a drink.

Your brother sat across from you in the booth of the 24 hour diner, you all often frequented. You guys lasted two hours at the dance and decided to go for burgers.

“It’s all good,” he said giving you a smile before finishing his burger.

“It really means a lot Jay,”

“I know,”

You’d think you would know how to stand up for yourself after growing up with two strong, very opinionated brothers. But here you were purposely waiting for Rebecca Taylor to get off the bus before you so she couldn’t ridicule you in front of everyone.

God you hated being a teenager. Highschool had been horrid since your first day and it was all thanks to Rebecca. You slipped at lunch time on the floor, somehow you managed to save yourself before you fell and that was it. She had found her target. She was the complete opposite of you. Short, loud and bubbly, thinish, blonde hair and very popular. You were abnormally tall, quiet, brown hair and not very popular. But you had some real good friends. Which was all that mattered to you. But somehow she managed to make every day at school a living hell for you.

Did you tell your brothers? Nope. Why would you? It was embarrassing. It didn’t help that you and Rebecca shared the same birthday, which immediately she took that as competition to throw the biggest birthday bashes and invite everyone. Well, except you of course. However, your friends were always loyal and you celebrated in a more quiet fashion, which you were happy with.

This was until it was coming up for your 16th birthday and your brothers wanted to do something special for you, despite your protests. Luckily enough you managed to wear them down and you had agreed on letting them take you for dinner and a movie. Being the centre of anyone’s attention made you want to disappear. However, Rebecca had been going the extra mile on her bullying tactics as she wasn’t getting the rise from you she so desperately craved. That was until she mentioned your parents.

It was in the middle of lunch in the cafeteria and she came over to your table where you were sat reading. Going on and on about her big party and when she was getting no reaction she made a joke about your parents dying which ignited a whole new anger you had never felt for her before. You slammed your book down on the table and punched her right in the face. Her nose instantly started bleeding as did your knuckles from punching so hard.

Regret and guilt flushed through your body instantly making your face go beetroot. You were instantly hauled into the principles office to no ones surprise. After an hours worth of interrogation and apologising you’re were realeased and told to cool down at home. However you were supposed to be meeting Jay at the district so you headed along there.

Although you only had your brothers to call family, you actually had a rather large extended family. The intelligence unit and everyone at med all saw you as an extension of their family, meaning they also knew instantly if there was something wrong. So when you showed up early looking sheepish you weren’t surprised when Adam began to question you.

“Hey kiddo, everything alright?” He asked, already knowing that you wouldn’t give him a straight answer.

You played with the end of your jumper sleeve pulling it over your bruised hand, “all good Adam, I’m guessing Jay is out on a case?” Quickly trying to change the subject.

He looked between your face and your hand but didn’t say anything about it, “eh yeah, don’t think he’ll be long.”

You nodded and headed for the sofa in the break room thankful that Adam hadn’t asked too many questions. The peace was shattered when your phone buzzed. Your stomach flipped when you saw the message.

“Life has just gotten a whole lot harder for you Halstead. Today was your final mistake.”

You knew exactly who it was from. Rebecca.

Tears formed in your green eyes and you begged them not to spill onto your face.

“Hey, short stuff, you-“ Kevin Walker in immediately noticing the tears and rushed to sit beside you. “Everything alright?” He asked softly.

You nodded your head desperately trying to contain the tears.

“I’m okay Kevin.” You stated before rushing off to the bathroom to cry in peace.

“Dude, did (y/n) seem upset when she came in?” Kevin asked Adam.

“Yeah man, she was acting real sheepish but wouldn’t say anything.”

They continued their conversation until Jay walked in and looked at them suspiciously.

“What?” He asked bluntly.

“I think there’s something going on with (y/n), she came in all sad and quiet. I noticed her hand was all bruised and she ran to the bathroom in a flood of tears.” Adam explained making Jay instantly worried.

He headed off to find you knowing that bringing to you to explain in front of everyone was your worst nightmare.

When Jay opened the bathroom door he could hear you crying. He could also see that you were sat in the bathroom floor hugging yourself in the bathroom stall. He sat down on the other side of the door.

“This is very unhygienic” he said after a couple of minutes, breaking the silence.

“Well get off the floor then” you stated back.

“Wanna tell me what’s up?”

“Not really,”

“You gonna do it anyway?”

“Maybe”

This went on for a while until Jay got it it of you. He instantly went into protective mode and got the team to track the text, sending Adam and Kevin to go give Rebecca and her parents a serious talking too.

It wasn’t until you were sat at home in the sofa with both of your brothers that you heard from Adam and Kev. They phoned to let you know that Rebecca will not be interfering with you again as her parents went ballistic.

“You know kid, I could have shown you how to punch,” Will said causing Jay to shriek with laughter.

“Yeah whatever Will and I could have showed her how to perform trauma surgery” he laughed back making you smirk.

“I can punch” Will stated looking hurt at Jays reaction.

“Yeah, way above your weight,” you joined in earning a mean look off of Will.

“You guys are so horrible to me” Will laughed, faking his heart being sore.