A Second Chance at Love

From Law to Fire

To say my mother was upset would be the understatement of the year. She is however currently furious with me. You see I just quit my job at my mother's law firm to focus on being a firefighter. Straight out of school I applied for the fire academy, however never heard back, so my mother being my mother sent me to college to study law. After passing and getting my degree, I became a defence attorney at my mother's law firm. About halfway through my degree I heard back from the fire academy however put off going to finish college. I worked for about a year before going to the fire academy and then getting a spot as a candidate. My mother was okay with this however was not too happy when I decided to pursue being a firefighter as my day job. I was a candidate for about a year as they had to push me through for another candidate to come through. I spent the first year as a fully-fledged firefighter floating from a few different houses. However today I got the call to say I would have a permanent position at one of the busiest houses firehouse 51. I had heard a lot about this firehouse and was excited to start.

"Annabelle, I just think you should reconsider your options, you have a degree and you earn so much each year and your already protecting people, its just your less likely to be killed whilst doing it." My mother argued once I told her.

"I know mom, but you want to know what makes me want to be a firefighter, the adrenaline rush, being the first people someone calls when they need help, so I'm sorry that your annoyed that I am living my dream, but you just have to get over it."

With that, I walked out of the office and drove towards the firehouse. Pulling up I throw my car into park and get out grabbing my shift bag I slowly walk up the driveway. I could see someone who looks like the Chief, so I walked up to him, he was standing with another female who looked to be in the same position as me.

"You must be, Annabelle Kennedy, I'm Chief Boden, and this is the new paramedic Gianna Mackey." As he said that I shook his hand and her hand too.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you."

"Well if you would follow me I will introduce you to everyone else."

With that we followed Boden into the firehouse, we passed by a few people before entering his office where there was already four other people. I didn't take much notice of them until Boden said their names.

"Gianna, Annabelle, these are lieutenants Christopher Hermann and Kelly Severide, Captain Matthew Casey and PIC Sylvie Brett. Hermann is the Engine lieutenant, Severide is the Squad lieutenant, Casey is the Truck Captain and Brett is the Paramedic in Charge."

The name that I noticed was Severide. Once his name was said my head shot up and I was looking directly at him. I hadn't seen him in years. After those introductions were over Gianna and I followed them all into the briefing room for the morning briefing. We all walked in a took a seat with Boden standing at the front.

"I will make this quick, not much has been happening. As some may be aware, we are still not allowed to have any civilians within the firehouse, that not only goes for working in the bullpen as well as visitors, so please comply with those rules." There was a sombre tone that fell over the group at that announcement.

"On a more happy note, today we can fill two positions that have been empty for a bit. First I would like to welcome Gianna Mackey to the house, she will be filling Foster's old spot on Ambo, so please make her welcome, show her the ropes and whatnot." A clap went around the room as Mackey said a few words.

"And finally a few months back headquarters put something out to the busier houses stating that some of the truck companies will be receiving a fifth member, so I would like to welcome Annabelle Kennedy to the team, again make her feel welcome, and show her the ropes and whatnot." Everyone clapped as I waved to everyone around the room.

"Alright, that's it, for now, make Mackey and Kennedy feel welcome. Dismissed." With that everyone slowly started to move out of the room in different directions returning to their previous activities. I sat where I was for a bit not knowing what to do. after a couple of seconds, Casey walked up to me.

"Come with me, I will show you around and get you settled." I gave him a small smile and stood up and grabbed my bag following him out of the briefing room. we walk down a small hallway.

"So this is the laundry room, and then this is the bunk room, officers quarters, just pick a bunk you might want to ask one of the girls which ones are free, and you also might want to get some earplugs the guys tend to snore." I let out a small laugh as he showed me the different parts of the firehouse. We continue into the locker room.

"So, this is the locker room, we don't have many free lockers, the one next to me is free or you could find another one. There is a roll of tape and marker around here somewhere you can put your name on your locker." I nod dropping my bag in front of the locker and continue to follow him she shows me the showers, bathroom and the rest of the house.

I then return to my car to grab my bunker gear placing it by the truck. Boden the hands me my SCBA which I had to set up and make sure the air pressure was alright before placing it into the truck ready for the next call. I then walk into the locker room and put my bag into the locker. I then find the tape and marker writing my name on it and putting it onto the locker. At this point, my phone rings, the name that flashes upon it was someone I didn't want to speak to right now. I was off in my little world and didn't hear someone walk in.

"Thanks for letting me know you were coming to this house." I didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.

"Well, I didn't have much notice myself, so I guess we are both a bit disappointed." I turn around and stood up giving Severide a hug

"Its good to see you, we haven't seen each other and a few years, what have you been doing?" he asked

"I was a defence lawyer" with that said his eyebrows shot up as he let out a small chuckle.

"Oh, you're not joking, you're serious. Wow, a defence lawyer never thought I would see the day."

"Yeah, I worked at my mothers firm. You want to know what I did. I quit my job. It was safe to say she was not happy." At that, we both laughed.

"Alright, I want you to come and meet everyone, you need to expand your friendship group."

"You do realise that I have got two roommates," I said following him out of the locker room.

"Yeah, but do you hang out with people who are not your roommates when you're not working?"

"You know what, you have not changed one bit since when we were kids," I said walking into the common room

"Wait did you say you grew up with Severide?" Hermann asked

"Yeah, why?"

"Please tell me you have stories about him, and embarrassing ones at that."

"Yeah, why?"

"You have to tell us."

"NO! I swear to god; you are like a sister to me and if you tell them anything I will disown you so hard you will have no idea what hit you."

"Ah, that's alright, I know you love me, and nothing will change."

Everyone let out a laugh and soon we were all chatting amongst ourselves when the bells went off

Truck 81, Ambulance 61, Squad 3, Engine 51, Battalion 25 multi-vehicle accident Wabash avenue.