Gracie's POV (7 Years Old)
"Hurry up, we don't wanna be late" I urged Jay as I stood in the hallway waiting for him to put his shoes on,
"Gracie, it doesn't start for another ten minutes" he laughed "we've got loads of time" he assured,
"I know but we've got to get there first" I exclaimed,
"Ok ok, I'm ready" he announced as he grabbed his keys and ushered me out of the door in to the hot Chicago air.
Jay parked up the truck and I jumped out, running towards the entrance,
"Gracie" Jay shouted putting a stop to my running, "no running off like that, you stay were I can see you" he ordered as he took my hand in his.
"Hey guys!" Mouch greeted us, "go on in the funs just started" he said, ruffling my hair as I walked by. We walked in and we were surrounded by different stalls and activities along with a stage set up in the middle.
"Jay" Casey called over to us from next to the bouncy castle, "good to see you" he said as he patted my brother on the back, "how are you Gracie?" He asked,
"I'm good thank you" I replied with a smile,
"Luke and Annabelle are playing in the bouncy house, why don't you join them?" Herrmann suggested, I looked up at Jay,
"Can I?" I asked hopefully,
"Sure" he said as Otis handed him a beer, "just be careful" he shouted as I kicked my shoes off and joined the Herrmann kids.
It had been about an hour of games and bouncing before Jay called me over to him,
"Here" he said as he handed me a bottle of water "Sit down for a bit or you'll get a headache" Jay instructed as he pulled me on to his knee, allowing me to rest my head on his chest as I drank my water.
"I'm hungry" I announced after a few minutes of sitting still,
"There's a stall selling burgers and stuff over there" Cruz informed,
"Want a burger?" Jay asked looking down at me as I nodded, "come on then" he said as he lifted me off his knee as put me on the floor.
We walked back across the field, re-joining the firefighters. I sat next to Otis on the floor but just as Jay was about to sit, his phone rang.
"You start your burger" he said as he handed me my cheeseburger and stepped away to answer his phone, leaving me to eat.
"Gracie" Jay said as he called me over to where he was standing "I've been called in to work so we're gonna have to leave in a minute" he explained. I frowned in disappointment,
"That's not fair" I whined "why can't I stay?",
"You can't stay on your own sweetheart," Jay explained as tears escaped my eyes "come on" he urged "we'll get some ice cream once I've finished" he compromised.
"Noooo" I whined "I wanna stay, and you and Will are always working" I complained,
"You know we have to Gracie" Jay said as he bent down to my level "come on, I promise the three of us will do something together soon" he said "Ok?"
"Ok" I said sadly "but why can't I stay? It's boring at your work" I pleaded,
"I told you why Gracie" Jay reminded "Go grab your stuff" he instructed as I solemnly walked back over to the group with tears running down my cheeks.
"What's with the tears kid?" Hermmann asked with a frown as I picked up my backpack from its place on the floor,
"I've been called in to work" Jay explained "Gracie's not to happy about it" he sighed as I walked back over to him, hiding my face in his t-shirt as he put a hand on my head,
"Wow" Casey stated "at least we get a day off" he stated shaking his head,
"Tell me about it" Jay replied "comes with the job."
"Well if Gracie wants to stay we can keep an eye on her" Otis offered causing my head to shoot up,
"Can I Jay?" I asked "please please please" I gave the best puppy eyes I could muster,
"You sure?" Jay asked ignoring my pleading,
"Sure" Herrmann said "as long as she doesn't mind waiting while we pack up at the end one of us will bring her home" he offered,
"Please Jay" I pleaded once again as he sighed,
"It's fine by me" he caved as I squealed and hugged him,
"Thank you" I said,
"Be good and do whatever these guys tell you ok?" He lectured,
"I will" I promised as I ran off back towards the bouncy house,
"And no more sugar" he shouted after me, I just chose to ignore it.
It had been a few hours since Jay left to go to work and the sun was beginning to set,
"Gracie" someone shouted my name, I turned around and saw Will walking towards me.
"Will" I shouted excitedly as I ran towards him, allowing him to pick me up, "I thought you were at work?" I asked confused,
"I was" he said "but I got off early and Jay told me he had to go to work so I though I'd come down and make sure you hadn't wrecked the place" he joked with a wink, "having fun?" He asked,
"Yeah" I nodded my head vigorously, "I don't have to leave now do I?" I frowned,
"We can hang around for a little while" he confirmed as he put me back on the floor, allowing me to run off towards my friends.
The time passed too quickly for my liking because before I knew it Will was shouting my name and beckoning me over to him,
"Can't I just have ten more minutes?" I begged,
"No Gracie" he shook his head "you've had a full day here and it's getting late, we need to get home and you in to the bath" he informed, I slumped my shoulders,
"Ok" I defeated,
"Go grab your bag and we'll say goodbye to everyone" he instructed. I did as I was told and grabbed my backpack, "thanks for watching her" Will said, "Gracie, what do you say?" He prompted,
"Thank you" I said with a smile,
"That's alright, and your welcome down at the Firehouse whenever you want" Casey said making me smile. We said our goodbyes and walked back to Wills car. I must have fallen asleep on the way back to the apartment because the next thing I remember is waking up on the sofa with my Minnie Mouse blanket over me.