'Is everyone else okay?' Alicia questions.
'Yeah.' Ryan nods.
'We're going to give you some time off, if you need it, to go and be with them.' Matt tells her.
'I can't.' Alicia shakes her head, sighing. 'I need to stay in Chicago. For the next week at least.' Ryan, Boden, and Matt look at her confused. 'Earlier this morning Jay noticed my dad wasn't feeling well so he called Will who went to check on him with Connor. They took him to Med and found that one of his arteries is 80% blocked. He'll need all the help he can get when he gets out of the hospital.'
'Alicia, I'm so sorry.' Ryan sympathizes.
'Thanks.' Alicia smiles slightly.
'Are you sure you don't want some time off?' Boden questions.
'Yeah.' Alicia nods. 'My dad and I aren't extremely close. I'll just drop in and see him whenever I can get the chance. If I feel that my head isn't in the game, I'll step back.' Matt and Boden look at each other then back at Alicia.
'The second you feel like you can't do your job properly-' Matt starts.
'I know.' Alicia nods as they all stand up. 'You can put 61 back into service.'
'I'll go let Foster know.' Matt nods before walking out of the office. Alicia wipes the few tears that have fallen from her eyes.
'Come here.' Ryan extends his arms. Alicia steps forward and they hug. After a few moments, they part. 'Are you sure you're okay?'
'Yeah.'
'It's just the last time you were this overwhelmed with emotions you tried to jump from the roof of the Columbia Center.' Ryan says.
'We don't talk about that.' Alicia says quietly.
'You haven't told anyone, have you?' Ryan asks.
'No-one needs to know.' She shakes her head. 'Will and Jay don't even know so don't tell anyone. Please?'
'Sure.' Ryan nods. 'But the minute I hear that you've spiraled again-'
'I got it.' Alicia puts her hands up in defense. 'I appreciate you looking out for me.' She smiles. 'Keep me updated on their conditions?'
'You know I will.' Ryan nods. 'And call me if you feel like you're going to spiral again?'
'I've got a great support network here, Ry.' Alicia replies and Ryan raises an eyebrow. 'But.' She adds, sighing. 'If I feel like I'm going to spiral, I will call you.'
'Good.' Ryan smiles. 'I better get going.' The two hug once more. 'Take care of yourself.' He tells her as they part.
'You too.' Alicia smiles back. 'Bye.'
'Bye.' Ryan says before leaving. After a couple of minutes, Alicia walks out of Boden's office and to the common room.
'Everything okay, Halstead?' Herrmann questions.
'Yeah.' Alicia nods. She walks over to the coffee pot and pours herself a mug. She turns around and leans against the counter.
'We heard your dad was admitted to Med.' Mouch says.
'Yeah.' She nods. 'He's had problems with his heart before but he's too stubborn to get it checked out. I'm surprised he even agreed to go to Med with Connor and Will.'
'I guess now we know where you get your stubbornness from.' Otis laughs.
'The Halsteads have always been stubborn.' Alicia states. 'It runs in our blood.' She takes a sip of her coffee.
.
Emily and Alicia are handing over a patient at Med. They're at the nurse's station doing paperwork.
'I'm going to go and get some supplies.' Emily tells Alicia. 'I'll be back in a few minutes.'
'Sure.' Alicia nods. Emily walks away and Alicia gets back to filling out the paperwork. After a minute, she feels someone place their hands on her hips and kiss her neck.
'You smell amazing.' She hears Connor say. She turns around and smiles. 'Hey.'
'Hey.' Alicia smiles as she wraps her arms around his neck. 'I have a surprise waiting for you tonight.'
'Oh yeah?'
'Yeah.' Alicia smirks. She leans into him and plants her lips on his. 'How's my dad?' She asks once they've parted.
'He's doing good.' Connor nods. 'He went for the non-surgical option so we're going to keep a close eye on him.'
'I figured he would.' Alicia sighs.
'I'll keep you updated on his condition.' Connor tells her just as Emily returns with a box of supplies. 'I love you.'
'I love you too.' Alicia smiles. They kiss before Connor walks off. Alicia looks at Emily who has a massive grin on her face. 'What?'
'Nothing.' Emily shakes her head. 'You two are good together.'
'How long is it until the wedding?'
'Six weeks.' Alicia grins.
'Have you guys decided where you're going on your honeymoon yet?' Emily asks.
'Jay, Will and Connor's sister, Claire, have taken it upon themselves to plan it.' Alicia replies. 'So we have no idea where we are going, what we'll be doing or how long we'll be there.'
'How will you know what to pack?' Emily questions, confused.
'They're taking care of the packing too.' Alicia laughs. 'The only thing that Connor and I have control over is what we're wearing. Boden and Donna are planning the ceremony. Shaylynn and Matt are planning the reception and then as I've just said, Jay, Will, and Claire are planning the honeymoon.' She adds. 'We didn't get much say in the matter.' Alicia looks down at her watch, notes down the time on the paperwork and closes the file. 'We better head back to the firehouse.' They both collect their equipment and supplies and walk out of Med.
.
Later that night, Alicia is sitting up on her bed when Connor walks into the bedroom. When he sees what Alicia is wearing, he smiles.
'You really know how to make me smile.' He smirks. He takes his jacket and shoes off, gets onto the bed and climbs on top of Alicia. As he kisses her, Alicia falls back. Connor moves his hand down her torso to her crotch and slips it into her panties. As he's teasing her, Alicia undoes his belt and slide it off. Connor takes his jeans off and rips Alicia's panties off. He puts his head between her legs and goes to taste her. Alicia runs her fingers through his hair and moans in pleasure.
'Would you quit teasing me.' Alicia says. Connor looks up at her and smirks. He takes his top off and throws it on the floor. Positioning himself over Alicia, he inserts himself into her. They make love for the rest of the night.
~~~
I know it's been (essentially) a month since I last updated this book but here ya go!
Let me know what you think!
Much love