Hello there! As promised, I publish the last chapter of this story. I promised a surprise to you last time, but actually, I have more than one surprise: there are several surprises into this chapter. I've done lots of researches to write this second part of the epilogue and to create my big surprise. The last surprise is after the end of this chapter (an A/N to be exact), and I think you will like it.

I hope you liked this story that I wrote in function to your reviews (and those from the french version) and your wishes (sent in PM or after some tchat I had with some of you).

Thank you so much to have read me! It makes me feel great!

Enjoy this last chater!

Chapter 18 : More united than ever

All the firefighters were reunited in the hall. As expected, they had their uniform. The firefighters of the firehouse 51 were the only ones missing. Every year, they came together, as a whole family. Outside the building, they were all around Matt. He was anxious, and he didn't hide it.

"Anxious?"

"I would rather say... I won't like their look".

"And do we have this look?"

He turned his head toward his second family.

"No".

"Then don't worry about the others. Just enjoy the party".

Kelly placed his right shoulder as a support. Matt put his hand on his, thanking his best friend for this support.

"Okay... Let's go?"

They waited until Matt nodded to start moving to this entry. Once done, they entered. Despite the music and the hubbub of the firefighters who were arguing, the more they walked in the crowded room, the more their eyes rested on him, on Matt. As expected, they all had the same pity look that Matt hated so much. Gabby, who was pushing the hweelchair, felt bad for him. It was a very difficult time for him. They stopped at a table, took some chairs to sit with Matt, as a family.

"I know you're still on medications, but you want something to drink Matt? Or something to eat?"

"No, I'll be okay".

His asnwer was wuite cold, but the firefighters were understandable. All these people looking at them, and especially on Matt, wasn't helping.

"Good evening lieutenant!"

Surprised, he startled, looking at this firefighters who had greeted him. He didn't know him.

"Vlad!" Boden screamed.

"Good evening chief".

Matt was looking at him attentively, still not recognizing this man.

"Matt, meet Vlad. He is the man who helped us find you in the rubble. With the beacons system and their codes, we would never find you in time to get you out of here alive".

Matt opened his mouth, but he was unable to speak. This man in front of him, he didn't know him, but he saved his life in some ways. But the most important thing was that Vlad wasn't looking at him like the others. He was looking at him with... Admiration.

"It's nice to finally meet you".

He held out his hand, and Matt shook it, still unable to speak.

"Excuse his behaviour Vlad, I mean... The others are looking at him with pity, and he hates this", Kelly explained.

"Ah, I get it. They're jealous because you have a very close family", he said poiting to each firefighters composing this tight family.

Matt smiled, finally. This firefhighter he didn't know cheered him, was looking at him with eyes full of positive vibes.

"I'm happy to have them with me", he finally said.

"Oh my God... He's talking!" Vlad joked, making the entire firehouse laugh.

"MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!"

The whole room stopped talking, and all rested their eyes on the stage.

"Hermann, why the mayor is here tonight?" Otis whispered to him.

"I don't know", he said back, muttering.

The mayor of Chicago was indeed in face of the audience, ready to begin a speech.

"Good evening and welcome to this annual firefighters Acadeny Dinner", he began. "This Dinner is today marked by an significant tribute, that all of you have to remember".

The firefighters looked at each other without a word. A significant tribute?

"About two months ago, the firehouse 51 almost lost some of its firefighters who are its strength in the explosion and the collapse of a house on Humboldt Park. Four experimented firefighters were trapped in the rubble, unable to get out. The courage and the will of this family, helped to get them out one by one without death, with the help of the firehouses 41, 57 and 95, the bomb squad and two excavation teams".

The firefighters of the firehouse looked at each other, wordlessly.

"With the agreement of the state of Illinois, the firefighter headquarters and the city council of Chicago, we would like to pay tribute to some people".

All the firefighters were openmouthed.

"I invite candidate Jimmy Borelli to come here".

Surprised, he looked the mayor, eyes wide open. The mayor nodded slightly. Jimmy got up and went to the scene, frightened.

"You volunteered to go down the rubble of this house despite the fact that it was one of your first call. You had shown courage, selflessness and valor toward your buried borthers. You let talk your intelligence and your ingenuity to communicate with the outside world to organize the rescue of your injured borthers, and you have successfully completed you mission, facing the danger and death. You put your own life in between to save the four members of your second family".

The firemen of the firehouse 51 were looking at him proudly.

"You trained him well Matt", Kelly slid into his ear.

"Looks like you when you were young", Hermann teased.

"I feel old now...", Matt let out, making laugh a major part of the firehouse.

"Therefore", the mayor continued, asking one of the district chief to approach. "For your act of heroism and bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in performance of duty, the state of Illinois is proud a decorate you with the firefighter Medal of Valor".

Still speechless, the hall began to applaud discreetly before being of fire thanks to the firehouse 51.

"Well done Jimmy!" Hermann and Otis said at the same time, whistling.

The mayor took the medal held out by the district chief and hung it on Jimmy's uniform. It was a round medal, representing the state with a V engraved inside. And the ribbon had five colorful bands: two white stripes outside, a blue strip in the middle and two red stripes between them. Then the district chief saluted him, and Jimmy did the same before returning at his place and acclaimed by his second family.

"I now invite firefighter Gabriela Dawson to come here".

She swallowed nervously then looked at Matt. He was smiling, stroking her hand gently.

"Go ahead", he whispered.

She nodded, stood up and came on scene. The firefighters began to speak and this made her feel bad.

"You volunteered too to go down the rubble despite your pregnancy and your claustrophobia. You have shown courage, bravery, sacrifice to your brothers. I also know that one of your buried brothers was your fiance and is the father of your unborn child".

This time, the audience couldn't hold their mouth close. Everyone spoke, not understanding the situation.

"With your PIC experience, you kep the group alive for four hours before being rescued, completing your mission and facing the danger and death, both for you and your baby. This is why", he said, repeating this same gesture to the district chief, "for your act of heroism and bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger for you and your baby while in the performance of duty, the state of Illinois is proud to decorate you with the firefighter Medal of Valor".

The firefighters began to shout and applaud loudly, covering the hubbub of the other firefighters.

"That's our girl!" Hermann screamed.

Matt clapped his hands, whistling and smiling, proud of Gabby. She was decorated just like Jimmy, saluted the district chief and went down the scene, sat down and kissed Matt.

"I'm proud of you", Matt said between two kisses.

"I've been well trained".

She took his hand again, stroking it and putting it on her bump.

"I'll ask batalion chief Wallace Boden to come here".

Despite his habit to come in the scene, he didn't know what awaited him today. He stood up and began to climb.

"Come on chief", Kelly said.

He came where Gabby and Jimmy stood.

"Your thirty-three years of work as a firefighter allowed you to manage this crisis with exemplary composure. You led your men and the firefighters of other firehouses and other teams as if they were your own men, and this allowed the rescue of your men in a sub-optimal time. After the second collapse, you went down the rubble to go find your men, putting your life in between. Therefore, for your act of heroism and bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty, the state of Illinois is proud to decorate you with the firefighter Medal of Valor".

Once again, the same cacophony of applause and whistling from the firehouse 51 came to the mayor's ears.

"And", the mayor continued, "you demonstrated that being a chief isn't just leading a firehouse, but also being heard by everyone and unify the firemen around the same mission. You showed your hability to lead, respected by the firefighters communauty".

This time the audience was almost silent. Boden was indeed respected by everyone. He ran the firehouse 51 in an exemplary way, fighting to keep his firehouse open when it had to be closed, bringing together his whole ward behind him.

"Because of this, and if you agree, I want like to promote you to district chief".

Surprised, stunned. There were no words to describe this moment. For Boden, but also for the firehouse. But after several seconds of calm, the whole room applauded.

"I'll be honored, but who will run my firehouse?" Boden asked the mayor.

"Don't worry, I take care of it", he said in return.

The district chief approached, opening the box. The mayor took his bugles off his shoulders to set up new ones. Coming down, he was acclaimed by the firehouse more than ever.

"Chief, who will run the firehouse now?" Hermann asked.

"I don't know. The mayor said he takes care of it".

After several minutes of applause, the mayor asked the silence to continue.

"I'll ask someone to help lieutenant Matthew Casey to come here".

Looking at Gabby with amdiration, he went out of his thoughts, surprised to be called. He started to get up before feeling some hands on his shoulders.

"Hey, what are you doing here?!"

"I'll go up on scene. Without the wheelchair".

"No, no, no. Out of question".

"Kelly. Please...", he said with closed eyes.

Kelly sighed, removing his hands on his shoulders.

"Alright stubborn guy. Don't complain later that you're in pain. I'll bring you there".

Kelly helped him to gzt up, and despite the pain, Matt began to come up the stage. The mayor came to help and asked for a chair so Matt could have a seat, but he refused. He wanted to stand up. Kelly was here to help him stand in front of everybody, this everybody who kept talking, surprised.

"By discovering this bomb in this house, you ordered immediately the evacuation of the site, taking full responsibility of the emminente explosion of the bomb. You put your life in between, showed your cold-blood, your courage and your bravery when you understood that the engine would explode, running toward your men to protect them, taking the mojority of the damage at the same time. And I also know that it's not the first time you do it. You put your life in extreme danger several times to save your men or the citizen of Chicago, whever in some simple calls or in some hard ones. You have shown selflessness when you realized that your fiancee who was carring your child went down the rubble to save you, asking her to get out despite your critical shape, just to preserve her life and your baby's life".

Matt was ready to collapse, because of pain but also of fatigue. But Kelly was holding him firmly, stroking his back to cheer him to stand.

"For your act of outstanding bravery and heroism, by which you demonstrated in great degree the caracteristics of selflessness and personal courage above and beyong the call of duty, under adverse conditions and with the possibility of extreme personal risk, the state of Illinois is proud to decorate you with the firefighter Medal of Honor".

This time, the firefighters of 51 jumped of joy, whistling and crying.

"Well done Casey!"

"You deserve it!"

Kelly wanted to applaud, but now supporting the weight of Casey on him, he couldn't.

"Congrats bro", he said anyway.

Matt didn't react, focused on the pain that was lacerating his lower back and his hip. Kelly could see the pain on his face, as the mayor when he approached to hung the medal and the ribbon on his uniform.

"Also, while on duty, you performed a deep involving self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty, you exercized exceptional judgment in the performance of more than ordinary service during your previous seventeen years of work. This is why the state of Illinois is proud to decorate you for your distinguished service".

Once again, the room applauded, whistled. The firefighters were proud that one of their own was decorated this much. The mayor took the yellow-blue ribbon to hung it next to the Honor ribbon.

"And finally, you have desmontrated a leading spirit on this call and all the others before this one. You're listened and respected in this department, and specificly by your men and the firemen who are in your firehouse, including the firefighters with officially an higher rank than , and if you agree, the headquarters would be proud to promote you and be the new batalion chief of the firehouse 51".

Matt opened his mouth, just as unable to speak as Boden a few minutes before him.

"I think it's emotional", Kelly confirmed. "But I think it's a yes".

Matt was unable to speak, but he finally nodded after a few minutes. The district chief withfrew his bugle and hang new ones, two crossed bugles. Leaving the scene, very tired and in a very high pain, he was applauded by everyone. Kelly made him sit down in the wheelchair, relieving him as never. Matt shed a few tears while his brothers were looking the new medals on his uniform. A ribbon with five bands: red ones outside, blue in the middle, white between them. And the yellow-blue ribbon near it. And the two crossed bugles on his shoulders.

"I'm proud of you too", Gabby whispered in his ear, drying the tears streaming down his cheeks.

She kissed him, proud.

"I want to announce one last thing before giving way to the Dinner".

All eyes on the stage, everyone shut.

"As you know, it's forbidden for two people in the same firehouse to get married", the mayor announced.

Gabby and Matt tensed.

"But this call opened your eyes, ladies and gentlemen. Despite the fact of not being married, Gabriela Dawson and Matthew Casey are a couple for three years, and are a functionning team on truck 81 for a year and a half. They managed to separate their private life and personal one to have a successful career and confirm their relationship, and despite the numerous obstacles. They sacrified their wedding, read between the lines of the law to stay together and not be separated".

Matt and Gabby didn't know whether they had to be proud of themselves or they had to be afraid. They were scared to death.

"The firefighter headquarters of Chicago, with the support of the city council, took a decision".

The tension grew among the firefighters of the firehouse 51. All feared the worse.

"If a couple working in the same firehouse is capable to do this same separation between personal and private lifes, then this couple won't have to hide. Couples are officially allowed in the same firehouse!"

The tension get released suddenly in the group, cheering and congatulating each other. Gabby and Matt looked each other, totally surprised by this decision. But finally, they decided to kiss as never they did. A few minutes later, the mayor noticed the impact of this decision: several couples had been formed, kissing lovely. Women, men. Even the district chiefs were surprised to see so many couples. A dozen, not including the one formed by Casey and Dawson.

"So you realize that officially, we no longer have to hide!"

"It's one of the most beautiful days of my life. Able to showpeople how much I love you".

They were some of the sentences they could hear from the stage.

"I hope this decision will have any major consequences", a chief discreetly said to the mayor.

"Did you hear about the couple formed by Casey and Dawson during the past three years? And the other couples you can see in the room?" the mayor asked.

"No sir", the chief answered.

"Then these couples won't effect their performance at work".

After many minutes to recover from their emotions, the other firefighters of the room came to salute one by one the decorated firefighters. After thirty minutes of greetings, Matt couldn't hold his pain. He was in so much pain, he was physically exhausted. Gabby elbowed Kelly to show him that Matt couldn't stay the Dinner.

"Hey Matt..."

Kelly crouched in face of Matt, raising his head. He had tears in his eyes, ready to flow because of the pain.

"You want to go home?"

After a few seconds of reflection, Matt nodded.

"Come on Matt, let's go back home. I mean... Chief".

Matt sighed, smiling despite the pain, making the rest of the firehouse laugh.

"I warn you, the first one who calls me 'chief' at the firehouse... I'll kiss his or her ass. Is that clear?"

"Yes chief!" the firefighters said at the same time before bursting into laugh.

Matt shook his head from side to side, closing his eyes.

"What I'll do to you...", he whispered without being heard.

"Okay guys, enjoy the Dinner! Gabby, Matt and I are going home".

The return was painful and long for Matt. And undress to get dressed for sleeping wasn't easy at all. The pain was lacerating his legs and his back, and Matt was trying to not cry of pain. Kelly ran to bring his medication to help him manage the pain before exiting the room and leaving Matt and Gabby alone. The two lovers lengthened, and Gabby began to stoke Matt's chest, something she loved to do to help his sleeping and hers.

"I'm glad because now, we can be an official couple", she finally said after five minutes.

But having no answer, she turned her head and saw that Matt was already asleep, his hand on her stomach. She enjoying this moment, continuing to move her fingers on his chest before falling asleep too...

3 months later...

Gabby was tired, in sweat. It had been about five hours of labour already, and she was exhausted.

"I can't... Anymore..."

"Hey hey..."

Matt took her hand, stroking it and her forehead and kissing it simultaneously.

"You do great. Our little baby will be here soon okay? Just a push".

She closed her eyes, completely exhausted, and nodded. A new strong contraction interrupted.

"Come on Gabby, one more big push!"

She grabbed Matt's hand hardly, straightened and pushed the stronger she could, screaming of pain as never, wanting it to be over. She fell back on the pillows, breathing hardly and sweaty. She stopped breathing when she heard a distinct sound. A sound that made her happy, a sound that made Matt happier even. They laughed, Matt intensely kissing Gabby immediately. Their child was born, crying hardly for the first time to fill these little lungs. The midwife wrapped the baby gently and put the child on Gabby's chest.

"This is your daughter".

Matt placed his forehead on hers, admiring the beauty of their child. Their baby girl had slight brown hair, piercing blue eyes. And the baby calmed down almost immediately, feeling the presence of her parents.

"She's beautiful", Matt whispered.

The midwife took her to run some tests, see if she was in perfect health. Several dozen of minutes later, Gabby was resting in her room, regaining strength after this hard, long and painful labour. The midwife entered with a little crib in when their child was asleep.

"Hey beautiful...", Mat murmured to his daughter.

He put one of his finger in her hand, and she sqeezed it by instinct. This made him smile.

"Your little angel is in perfect health for a two weeks premie. 6.8 pounds for 1.4 fts. Everything is okay".

Gabby woke up, looking this little form in the crib, wrapped in a very light green sheet Matt and her thought so beautiful that they promised that their child would be wrapped in it for his or her first day in this world.

"We can?"

"Of course!"

Matt took his daughter in his arms, gently and slowly to not wake her and handed her to Gabby. Matt kissed her and sat on the chair next to her.

"I go get them?"

"Yeah, go ahead".

Matt got up and went to the waiting room. He stopped at the two people he was looking for.

"Gabby wants to see you".

He then turned to went to the room again, followed by these two people. He entered, calmly and quietly.

"Hey Gabby".

Gabby looked up and smiled at Sylvie and Kelly. They smiled from ear to ear. They approached Gabby who was dadling her daughter tenderly.

"Oh my God... She's beautiful!"

Brett was emotional, passing her hand over her mouth and shedding a few tears. And Kelly had no words. Matt patted his back friendly to bring him back to the real world.

"I... I have no words... Congratulations!"

Matt sat again near Gabby.

"And... What is your name beautiful lady?" Brett asked.

Gabby and Matt shared a look full a passion and love.

"We decided to call her Eliza Andrea Casey", Gabby anounced proudly.

"In tribute to Shay and Darden", Matt continued.

Kelly opened his mouth, but was unable to speak.

"Who is Darden?"

Brett didn't know him, and neither Kelly nor Matt would blame her for asking.

"Andy Darden was our thrid brother. He died in the line of duty in october 2012".

"Oh... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

"It's nothing Brett", Matt interrupted, hoping to reassure her. "You couldn't know, you have never known him".

"But I should have known he was... You know".

"No big deal Brett. I promise", Kelly confirmed.

"We wanted to ask you something".

Kelly and Sylvie became serious again, facing the couple and the little girl.

"We would like to know if you would be Eliza's godparents".

Brett broke the silence with a laugh and hugging Gabby gently, careful to not wake Eliza.

"I'd be honored! Oh God..."

Brett burst into tears of joy. And Kelly joigned her soon after, hugging Matt.

"I'd be honored too. Thanks bro", he assured, patting his back. "I mean... Chief".

Matt hit him on his chest, looking at him, frowning. Kelly knew that Matt hated being called like this, but he did it to annoy him.

"Kelly..."

"What! He's my chief now!"

"On shift Kelly, not off shift", Gabby confirmed.

"Listen to the lady, will you?" Matt laughed.

Two weeks ago, Matt got back to work, taking his batalion chief post, allowing chief Boden to begin his job as district chief at the headquarters. It was strange for Matt to not just lead his team, but the entire firehouse, even more when some extra teams came to help them on a call. But everyone respected him and followed his orders. Have a fireman with the Illinois Medal of Honor was already rare, but work with him was a real honor for the firefighters of Chicago. He dreamed about becoming a batalion chief one day, but today, he was the happiest man in the world: becoming a father for the first time. His daughter was a perfect mix of him and Gabby. Eliza was slightly tanned, more than her father but less then her mother, she had deep blue eyes, and her hair was slightly brown. But she was a baby, and it could change fast and soon. All hoped that no, they were hoping that she could stay the beauty she already was. This accident could have separate us, but have been buried alive had made them stronger even, more united. They were a family, a big family. More united than ever.

SO? What did you think about this final chapter and this story? As I said, the last surprise is this A/N: I'm writing a sequel of this story. It takes place five years after this chapter finale. I'm still searching some good names, but I think I will keep my actual title: 'stay alive'. I can't tell you more (obviously and unfortunately), but you will know more later, when I will begin to publish this story. By now, you can follow my others stories :)

And thank you again!