When I woke up in the morning Alex was next to me on her ipad playing whatever game she had gotten me to download for the flight. I looked down at her with a smile
"Morning baby" I smiled pressing a kiss to her head
"Are you ready for today then?" Alex nodded with a wide smiled as she sat up
"Do I have to do anything mama?" She asked
"Can you please put your ipad on charge so it will be charged enough for the flight?" I asked her and she nodded with a wide smile running through to her own room. After she left I pulled myself out of bed and pulled on a pair of joggers before walking through to the living room. I had packed most stuff away but knew that Alex would want pancakes for breakfast so I left enough cooking things out to make pancakes. I started making pancakes while humming whatever random song was stuck in my head from yesterday.
We had said goodbye to everyone yesterday so we didn't have to start today of with tears and Alex would think about the positives like seeing her uncle Kelly and Uncle Matt. Alex walked through and stood next to me as I was dishing up her pancakes. I put her plate in her normal spot before turning to her
"Go have your pancakes while mama goes to get ready" I smiled and she nodded
"Mama?" She asked and I nodded
"What baby?" I responded
"Will we see uncle Kelly today?" She asked and I nodded
"Yeah at some point today we will" I smiled and she nodded. I walked through to my bedroom pulling on the only outfit I had left unpacked. The black leggings and a random Adidas hoodie that I think I had stolen from someone before pulling them on. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun because the last thing I wanted to deal with on a flight is hair that is in my eyes and face. I pulled on my black trainers before walking back out to the living room with Alex's outfit for the day
"Right Alex come and get ready please" I smiled and she walked over. I used a baby wipe to clean the chocolate sauce off her face before helping her get changed and doing her hair dor the day. I Placed all our pyjamas into my carry on before quickly packing everything else away. Just as I was about to sit down there was a knock on the door so I walked over to answer it. My best friend Michelle was standing there
"Hey, Michelle" I smiled to my best friend who I had also talked into moving back to Chicago with me.
"Hey Jamie" She smiled pulling me into a hug
"Are you two almost ready to leave?" She asked and I nodded
"Yep I was just about to sit down so perfect timing" I smiled as Alex walked over
"Hi Auntie Ellie" She smiled wide giving her a hug
"Right Alex. Auntie Ellie will help you into the car and I'll bring our final bags out" I smiled. Alex and Michelle walked out to the car and I walked about the house making sure I had everything packed and everything was the way it was meant to be. I grabbed our bags before locking the door behind me and posting my keys through my door. I walked down to the car that we had hired and put the bags in before getting in myself.
"Lets go home" Michelle smiled and nodded
"I still can't believe we came here all those years ago even though our families didn't want us too" I smiled thinking about the arguments we had 6 years ago
"Yeah I know"
"Kelly and Matt don't know I'm coming back but when I spoke to Kelly the other day he said 51 has an open spot. Safe to say he's been trying to get me back. I think he misses his niece" I hummed. After a short drive we soon reached the airport and I got out getting mine and Alex's bags before getting Alex out
"Now remember Alex you never walk away from Michelle or I? If you get lost you look for a police person" I reminded her
"I know mama" We walked inside and got checked in for our flight. Once inside the airport we were able to hand the keys over for our rental car.
"We have like two hours," Michelle said as we walked through security. I let Michelle go first then Alex so that someone was always with her. We got to our gate after about half an hour and sat down
"I'm going to go get a coffee. Do you want one?" She asked and I nodded
"Please" I pulled out my computer after I had set Alex up with her movie. I started looking at other jobs just in case 51 didn't have any jobs. The thing is I had a lot of jobs I could apply for. Firefighter obviously, paramedic cause LA puts all their firefighters through paramedic training. Then the indecisive 18 year old applied for the police academy and completed that. Before I knew it I had been job searching for just over an hour and our plane was due to board soon so I packed everything away and got Alex packed away as well. We soon boarded the plane and I had paid extra so that we'd all sit together.
When we got seated I fastened Alex's seatbelt before putting my own on. The flight unfortunately felt longer than ever. There was a small child crying somewhere, a lot of turbulence and a man coughing on my head most of the flight. I have always hated flying but this just made that a lot worse.
We soon found that O'Hare airport went through all the checks we had to do before we went to pick up the rental car for Michelle. I had bought a car and had it delivered to my new house but Michelle hadn't got that far into her planning. We got into the rental car and I helped Alex in and Michelle started to drive.
"Mama, can we get something to eat?" Alex asked with a pout
"We can stop for McDonalds before going to see uncle Kelly?" I offered and she nodded
"Okay Mama" I smiled and looked at Michele
"Kelly is not going to be happy I'm not staying with him and Matt" I chuckled
"He'll understand" Michelle shrugged
"He better" I shrugged as Michelle focused on where she was driving
"So are you going to get changed then surprise them?" Michelle asked
"Yeah they're on shift today so it's perfect cause they'll both be at the same place at once" I smiled
"Are you coming with us or not?" I asked her
"I don't think so. Think I'll just drop you off then go surprise Hailey" She smiled and I nodded
"That's okay" I smiled
"You haven't been back in over a year" She reminded and I nodded
"I know apparently he has a girlfriend who works at 51 so her reaction to me hugging Kels will be amazing" I chuckled
"Yeah and you're just a taller version of Alex personality wise so you'll make it fun" She chuckled. Michelle soon parked outside my new apartment complex and I got out before getting Alex out
"You two go up. I'll bring your bags" Michelle had that look on her face. The don't even try to fight with me look. I nodded, taking Alex's hand and walked up to our new home. I unlocked the door and walked in. I had done a virtual tour and it was just how I remembered it to be.
"This place is nice" Michelle hummed and I nodded walking about. Michelle had left the door open so I went to close it.
"Jamie Severide?" I looked up and spotted an old friend I guess you could call him
"Jay Halstead" I hummed giving him a hug
"What are you doing here?" I asked him
"I live right there" He pointed to the door behind him
"Now what are you doing here?" He asked
"Moving back to Chicago" I replied with a shrug
"Really?" He questioned in shock and I nodded
"Just please don't tell Kelly or Matt" I asked and he nodded
"I won't" Alex came over
"Mama" I kissed her head and she hugged my legs.
"Who's that mama?"
"That's mama's friend Jay. Can you say hello?" I asked
"Hi Jay" Alex said still hiding behind my legs
"Hi" Jay replied with his signature smile
"Jay this is my daughter Alexandra"
"It's Alex mama" I kissed her head
"I'll see you around" Jay turned around and walked away
"Yeah" I smiled and walked into the apartment.
"I'm going to get going now" Michelle said
"Ok, I'm gonna get changed" I grabbed my suitcase and walked into my new bedroom. I started unpacking and picked an outfit at the same time. I picked out a dark red dress that came up to just about my knee. I grabbed my leather jacket and pulled it on and then a pair of black high heeled boots. I walked into my en-suite and took my hair out. I brushed my hair then straighten it and did a small bit of makeup. I walked out to the living room
"Alex let's get you dressed" I grabbed Alex's suitcase and walked through to her new bedroom. I unpacked all of her clothes and picked her favourite playsuit.
"I do it?" Alex asked and I nodded. Alex had always been really independent and I guess in a way that's my fault because working twenty four hour shifts means that she started to learn things about life that many children don't learn until they're at least teens and with her dad not about she was always with a babysitter. I let Alex get dressed before I grabbed the car keys and my handbag before walking out to the car with Alex.
I put her car seat into the car before strapping her into it. I got into the car and we started to drive to McDonald's because hungry five year olds are no joke and really annoying. I ordered Alex a happy meal, myself some nuggets and burgers for Kelly and Matt. After I paid I placed the bag on the passenger seat and started driving towards the firehouse. Alex was singing along to the song on the radio and I couldn't help but smile. Part of me thinks that she doesn't understand that we're here for good and not just on holiday but that's okay because I'll be there to explain it to her when she finally understands it.
I pulled up along from the firehouse in the first parking space that I saw just uncase there was none further up because it's not like they'd know the car anyway. I unbuckled Alex before grabbing the bag of food and drinks and my handbag. I took Alex's hand and we walked up the driveway. A memorial caught my eye and so I stopped and looked at it. Otis'. He was a great guy, always up for a laugh and prank. As we continued up the driveway we were spotted by a young man. Very clearly a candidate and not a bad looking one at that.
"Can I help you?" He asked and I smiled
"I'm looking for Kelly Severide and Matt Casey?" I asked
"And who can I tell them is looking for them?" He asked
"I'd prefer to keep it a surprise if possible?" I asked and he nodded
"Give me a minute" He walked off and I looked about the apparatus floor. How it had not changed since I was last working here. I just happened to turn back around whe Matt and Kelly were walking through the double doors. Kelly was off in his own world but Matt stopped in his tracks putting his arm out to stop Kelly
"What the hell man?" Kelly questioned obviously snapping out of his daydream
"Look ahead" Matt motioned his head
"Jamie?" Kelly questioned and ran over. He pulled me into a tight hug one that was most definitely meant to stop me breathing.
"Let me breathe please" I managed to get out and Kelly let go moving over to Alex. Matt stood back up giving me a hug
"Hey" I smiled
"Hey, Jaime" He hummed
"I brought food?" I held up the McDonald's bag and Kelly took it from me walking inside
"Hey that's for all four of us" I said following him. Matt chuckled as Kelly sat down at the table only giving Alex her food. I stood behind him reaching around and trying to take the bag. But in typical sibling fashion every time I got close Kelly moved it away from me.
"Oh come on Kels. I'm starving" I whined as Herrmann chuckled walking into the room
"And the siblings are back together" He sat down taking the bag from Kelly and giving it to me
"Thanks Herrmann" I hummed sitting down
"So how long are you two in town" Kelly asked as I took my food out the bag
"How does forever sound?" I asked and he wrapped me in a hug. A woman walked in and I could feel her stare on me
"Wait, really? You're serious?" I nodded with a smile giving Matt the bag of McDonald's after he hugged me
"Yeah. I got an apartment and I'm now just looking for a job" I shrugged
"I'm sure Boden will have you" He shrugged and Matt nodded just at that Boden's voice was heard
"What's all the noi- so the twins are back together" He smiled and I nodded
"Chief" I smiled giving him a hug
"How long are you back in town for?"
"For good. Kels keeps telling you've got an open spot"
"It's yours. Start next shift and I'll have all the paperwork ready for you"
"Thank you Chief" I smiled
"I could never separate you and Kelly. That would cause too much drama" I chuckled
"Where's the little one?" He asked
"Someone here probably kidnapped her for her chicken nuggets" I chuckled
"It was Cruz" Stella said and I chuckled turning to look at Cruz who was hiding in the kitchen with Alex
"I erm I saw Otis' memorial. It's beautiful" I smiled a little
"I'm sorry I couldn't get back for it"
"It's okay. You had your own things going on" Cruz said and I nodded. In a way I did but nothing that important that I should have missed.
After a while of talking the bells soon went and I decided it was the perfect time to take Alex home and start to get unpacked. Alex was soon in the car and we were driving home. I had left a note for Kelly and Matt on the squad table with my address and that I was away from home. At home I started to unpack Alex's room because it was most important to me that she was unpacked and started to feel like home. Once I settled in and got back to work I had to find a babysitter for her although I'm pretty sure Katie is in town for a little while so that might work in my favour. I ordered pizza and sat down on the couch falling asleep until the door went. I opened the door and Jay was stood there with pizza and beers
"You shouldn't open the door to strangers" He joked and I shook my head
"I thought you were the pizza delivery guy. If I knew it was you I wouldn't of answered" I joked
"Ouch. I'll keep your pizza then" He shrugged
"I met the delivery guy on the way up and decided to bring it up for you with some welcoming beers"
"Guess I better let you in then" I moved out the way
"Your place is nicer than mine?" I shrugged
"People like me better and I probably pay more than you do" I shrugged
"True"
"Alex pizza is here" I called and she ran through. I took a plate out and put some pizza on the plate for her. I hadn't built the kitchen table yet so she got to sit on the couch for the night. I sat next to Jay
"She reminds me of someone" He hummed watching Alex after handing me a beer.
"Couldn't tell you who" I shrugged
"So I've seen you in Chicago twice and I know you have a brother" Detective work is great for him.
"Twin brother actually" I responded
"Wait, you're twins?" I nodded
"Yeah. He's older and won't let me forget about it" Jay chuckled. Jay and I sat talking for a while and Alex got herself to bed and wouldn't let me help her. Typical.
"So firefighter?" Jay asked and I nodded
"My brother and dad weren't too happy about it but yeah I'm always compared to hem but I take that as a challenge"
"That's something your brother would say" Jay chuckled
"I would hope so. He's my brother and we were always inseparable"
"Are you still?" He asked
"We'll get closer" Jay soon left and I got ready for bed. I texted Matt and Kelly letting them know that I would stop by the firehouse tomorrow morning before they finished s