Shake It Off - (Open)

[Wallace Boden]

Wallace had practically been living at the fire house of late. Shifts to cover, work to do and he had always been home late or mid morning so time for family had been few and far between. He had barely seen his wife and his son, well he was beginning to wonder if Terrence knew he had a father some days. This day was just that, family time which he had spent at the Navy Pier. He had spent most of the morning running around the park, getting their faces painted like tigers, seeing a few clowns that were going around with balloon animals of which he now had three.

There were times when he felt the discipline of the fire house was fantastic given that no matter how many drills he had done he usually felt like he could do more. One toddler for a morning and he felt as if he was lacking energy on all levels. That afternoon however Donna had come to collect Terrance for some mother son bonding class they went to, father’s not invited which so far had left him on the pier carrying one balloon animal and a face painted like a tiger.

It was the one day he had off and now much like his usual time off he was left at a loose end as to what to do. He took a seat on one of the benches as he listened to the water beneath the pier for a moment as he considered his options for the day. He could go home, yeah right with mother son bonding happening home would be too quiet. Stay out and well he would look like a crazy person walking around with face paint on as he decided then that he was going to lose that. He pulled out of his jacket the spare pocket sized wet wipes that seemed to be in every jacket he owned now.

He was still thinking of his options as he set to wiping the orange, yellow, white and black combination of face paint off. He could see his reflection in one of the planters on the pier with the metallic finish as he watched it smudge across his face rather than remove it. Great just what he needed, face paint that made him look like he had been attacked by a clown he thought as he sat there and tried his best to scrub his face clean.

[Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan]

If there was one thing Sullivan put as much time into as he did his job it was his family and he was enjoying spending some time with his wife and one of his granddaughters who had been keeping him busy all morning enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, spotting the shapes in the fluffy clouds, running around chasing a butterfly, making daisy chains, playing with bubbles...running around chasing the bubbles, getting a unicorn balloon from a clown and the girls had their faces painted too. Now it was time for the girls to play with the bubbles again...while Sullivan had a well deserved rest. He made his way over to a bench holding the unicorn balloon in his hand, with a daisy chain around his neck and one on his wrist. As he got closer to the bench he smiled polity at the man sitting on it who had obviously already visited the face painting stall, "Day out with the kids?" He asked with a knowing smile as the man wiped and smudged his face. He pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocked offering it to the man before taking a seat.     Tag: Wallace Boden. (Ooc: Hope you don't mind me jumping in Sorry it's on the short side though.) ~*~

[Wallace Boden]

Family was everything to him and not just blood family extended family in the fire house and those broader than that. Today was just a family day and now his son had been whisked away for a bonding day he was simply sat trying to enjoy the fresh air and figure out what to do with his time while wiping away the remnants of tiger. No point in terrifying the locals he thought it wasnt that it wouldnt be funny but then yeah better to not look like he was two.

Wallace glanced over at the guy who sat on the bench, the unicorn balloon in hand a daisy chains around his neck and wrist. He couldnt help but grin and chuckle slightly as he nodded. “Yeah it is, what gave it away... face paint or the balloon?” He asked smiling as he nodded towards the man’s knowing smile. “Day out with your kids?” He asked or the man was trying regain the seventies.

Wallace took the handkerchief that was offered to him nodding thanks. “I think this stuff was made to stick because it wont come off easy. Not so great for parents.” He said with a sign as he needed to have more luck with the handkerchief. “I’m Wallace by the way.” He said not wanting to be rude as he held out his hand to the man.

Tag: Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan

(No worries at all and any time jump in. It's a great post.)

[Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan]

"Both" Sully replied with a friendly and amused smile when Wallace asked what had given it away, the grown man didn't look like the type who would be sporting either if he was simply out on his own.  "My children are all grown up now, I'm out with my Granddaughter."  He answered. Wow, his kids were all grown up with kids of their own, oh how the years had gone by, "That's my one there." He pointed to a sweet little blond girl who was running around in a pretty white dress chasing after the bubbles his wife was making. "I'm sure soap and water will do the trick a lot easier. If not then my wife is going to have some trouble later." He grinned, looking over at his wife who had a large pink, white and glitter butterfly painted on one of her cheeks. He shook the man's hand that was offered to him, "Sullivan." He introduced himself in return, "Christian Sullivan." A moment later his wife came over to him holding her granddaughter's hand, she smiled at Wallace polity before speaking to her husband, "We've had enough of the bubbles so we're going to go look in the stores now, spend some of her birthday money." She said, taking the unicorn balloon before kissing him. "All right. I'll see you at the house." He replied, "Have a nice time ladies." He said, giving his granddaughter an affectionate wave goodbye, "Bye grandpa." She said happily, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before they walked off to the shops. Sully smiled as he watched them go and once they were gone he carefully took off the daisy chains. Even though the girly shopping trip had scheduled all alone Sully still hadn't planned what he was going to do with himself once they had gone. Wallace Boden. ~*~

[Wallace Boden]

Wallace laughed seeing the man’s amused smile, yeah the face paint and balloon did tend to give the game away though maybe if it was in the form of a fire truck it might have been better. Still he was sure Donna would have killed him for even suggesting their child do anything remotely dangerous for a job choice. “Congratulations on your granddaughter.” He said smiling, Wallace wasnt even sure he was ready to think about Terrance having a child of his own.

It was tough enough being a parent let along thinking about being a grandparent at all. Wallace glanced across to where the man had pointed as he saw the sweet little blonde girl who was running around in the pretty white dress. It was nice to see as he thought about Terrance, well mother son bonding wasnt going to be as much fun as that he thought though he wished he had been able to stay a little longer.

Then again he guessed that was what happened when he wasnt there most of the time. The days he was things were already planned because there wasnt too much of a guarantee. “She’s beautiful, looks like she’s really enjoying herself.” Wallace said smiling. “Nice to meet you Sull... Christian, it’s Wallace Boden.” He replied as he was used to calling people by their last names before their first. It was a habit of always yelling out the turnout coat names instead of first names when on a scene.

Wallace smiled back at Christian’s wife as he amused himself with trying to wipe away the rest of the face paint with a little more success than before. Wallace watched as his wife and granddaughter left smiling at them as he watched Christian take off the daisy chains. “So looks like we’ve both been abandoned for the day.” He stated grinning, “I sometimes wonder how they can be so busy at times or maybe I’m just getting old.”

It was something he was all too keenly aware of, running after a toddler was tiring and now with work he was finding just how much time he spent away a nightmare. He missed practically everything and when he was home there was always something else going on.

Tag: Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan

[Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan]

"Thank you." He smiled when Wallace congratulated him and said the girl was beautiful, "Yes. Bubbles are her favorite, she'll play with them for hours." He replied, looking at her warmly. He smiled amusedly and looked over at Wallace, "Take her into a toy store and tell her she can choose anything she wants and she'll come out with a fifty cent bottle of bubbles." Oh if only the rest of life could be that simple he mused to himself. Sully thought for a second, he knew that he knew the name Boden when he heard it. then it came to him, he had read it in a few case reports that had passed his desk at the major crimes unit, not to mention the fire department had saved a few officers' skins at scenes over the course of time. But Sully had never met the man in person, after all he had only transferred to the MCU a few months ago and none of his cases had crossed over with the fired department since he had been there, "Ah, Chief of firehouse 51?" He asked, seeing if he was that Wallace Boden. "I'm the new Lieutenant of the MCU." He said, knowing Wallace had met his predecessor. "Yes, looks like." He chuckled when Wallace said they had been abandoned. "I know what you mean. I sometimes think my wife needs to go back to work so that she can have a rest." He smiled. "I look at her and think I'll never have the energy to retire." He joked. " Forget retirement, he didn't know what to do with his day off. "The saddest part is that this is the first time I have had the day to myself in ages and the only plans I have is to go to the hardware store at some point for the thrilling adventure of choosing a tub of paint for hallway." He jested. "You have any plans for the day?" He asked, making conversation as well as looking for inspiration for ideas to spend his time. Tag: Wallace Boden . ~*~

[Wallace Boden]

“Mine’s not really old enough to appreciate bubbles yet but soon I hope.” He said knowing there were a lot of things he couldnt wait to show his son but he had to let him grow up a little first. “You’ve got a good grandchild there then, take mine to the store and he managed to grab the first colourful thing he sees or it’s a gremlin shaped and my wife isn’t a fan of those.” Wallace explained, the little furry toys that flapped their ears and made funny noises were a firm favourite with his son. Just not his wife for some unknown reason.

Wallace had heard of most cops, some more than others but there was a familiarity with Sullivan though the amount of reports he read a week he knew he could easily lose a name along the way. “Yeah, that’s me for my sins.” Wallace stated as he nodded. “Congratulations Lieutenant, you have a good team over there. Dealt with them a few times on and off over the years and they are good people.” Wallace wanted to make some joke about the man’s predecessor but he never knew if he was stepping on toes as there were days when he didnt understand the cop mentality at all.

“Hey it’s why I love my job, gives me a good break from dealing with babies. I just have to deal with the toddlers I work with then.” He joked smiling as he nodded. “Oh I get it, i’ve no idea how my wife keeps up with the baby. Late nights, early mornings, through the day. That many classes and walks and times for this and that. Work is a lovely rest and break from the life outside it.” There had been those times when Wallace had lived for work, it was his everything and now home was everything and work was the holiday break he needed.

Wallace laughed lightly when Christian spoke about not knowing what to do with himself. Ironic he felt the same way. “Nope, I had planned on a family day but apparently there’s a mother son bonding class I’m not invited to so I’ve no idea what to do with my day off.” Wallace explained as he glanced over at Sullivan. “Well if you wanted some company for the paint trip, I’m available and if not, we can always find something new to do. Coffee, beer, fishing of the pier?” Wallace suggested.

Tag: Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan

[Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan]

"Your son must be young then." Sully commented casually. The man looked on the older side to have a baby, not that Sully was judging or anything. He just couldn't imagin having a baby of his own at this point in his life, no sir. He chuckled when Wallace said about his usual shopping experience, "Yes, she is good. Easily to keep happy." He  replied. "And not a gremlin in sight." "Thank you." He replied when Wallace congratulated him, "Yes. They are." He said with a more serious tone when Wallace said his team were good people, "You have a great team of people yourself. They even managed to get a few cops out of some tight spots too." He smiled in appreciation. "It's nice to see that the two departments can work together." He added. Sully chuckled when Wallace joked that he worked with toddlers, "Yes. I know that feeling." He smirked. His team could bicker like children at times, or step out of line forcing him to give them a good telling off. He sympathized when he heard the man had been abandoned for a mother-son bonding class and didn't know what to do with the day. He listened to the suggestions and they all sounded good. He thought for a moment before answering, "I've been wanting to go fishing for a while." He began. "Fishing off the pier sounds like a fine way for two men to spend the day to me." A beer sounded good too, but it was still just a little to early for that, "We could have a beer after if you wanted" He suggested. By then it would be a more reasonable hour to be drinking and his wife wouldn't be able to tell him off. Tag: Wallace Boden . ~*~

[Wallace Boden]

Wallace nodded, “He’s two years old now, old enough to cause enough trouble and young enough to get away with it.” He stated knowing he was of the older side of things but then Terrance hadn’t exactly been planned. “My wife and I, well we fell pregnant and it’s wasnt expected so things just happened.” He decided upon as reason for explanation as he wasnt exactly sure that a guy his age was well, well he was an older parent to put it mildly.

“Well that sounds like the perfect trip.” He said grinning, Wallace wasnt someone who enjoyed shopping too much but when you took kids along it was a lot more fun. More so to see their faces and figure out was what actually put in the trolley at a supermarket by an adult or the kid.

“Yeah well if we cant work together in this city then we’re not doing our jobs right, I know it can be tough as we all have different priorities but it’s nice to know we’ve got people we can count on, either side of the two badges.” Wallace said, he knew he had his fair share of run in’s with cops but at the end of the day each side was just doing their job. It was hard to understand at times but then they had to get along or things would just fall apart. “It is, makes a change from the usual scrapping and macho rubbish that comes along with things. I swear the youngsters start it all and then it’s the rest of us that get dragged in.” He stated grinning.

Sure it might be a fifty fifty split between youngsters and old timers that had an issue with a cop but still getting along and working together had to be done. It was nicer when they did. “Glad I’m not the only one with that issue, sometimes I swear Dr Spock needs to invent the adult toddlers guide to the universe or the naughty step for those over twenty years old.” He said grinning though sure when the squabbles did break out it was like mad house at times.

“That’s great, there’s some good finishing in Chicago.” Wallace said as he nodded when Christian said it was a fine way to spend the day. “Sure thing about the beer, probably better we don’t fish while drinking... been to a few of those calls and they dont go well.” He said remembering a few of the stranger ones he had seen over the years.

Tag: Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan

[Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan]

"Yes. Yes there is." Sully replied when Wallace said Chicago offered some good fishing. "I used to rather enjoy fishing, but I haven't done much of it in more recent years." He had been busy with work and family and had only managed to get out a few times in the past couple of years. He hadn't been out at all since taking office at the MCU a few months ago and his fishing equipment had simply been sitting in the corner of the garage collecting dust. Sullivan chuckled when Wallace commented about drinking and fishing, "Yes, I've been on a few of those call myself over the years." Yeah, drinking, sharp hooks and large bodies of water was not a winning combination. He patted the man on the shoulder, "Let's not be those guys."  He smiled, then followed Boden's lead. Experience had taught him that drinking and fishing could be deadly tragic. Or more likely would just result in them getting themselves into a drunken and confused mess that would be amusing for anyone watching, but embarrassing for them once they sobered up. Yeah, best not to let their men see them like that...EVER. "Do you fish often?" He asked casually. With a little boy to raise and a firehouse to run Sully figured the answer was gonna be no, but who knows maybe the man had a trick that he could share. Tag: Wallace Boden ~*~

[Wallace Boden]

“Really?” Wallace asked as he smiled, the fishing was good and he loved to use any chance he got to simply get back to fishing. There was something relaxing about it, hearing the waves against the decking or the pier, just being outdoors and attempting to get back to the pure things in life. No fires or relatives screaming at him, there was just the peace and quiet of the waves lapping against a shore or the wooden support pillars as he could stand there and just listen to the world go by.

Wallace wasn’t out as often as he liked, between work and home he was pretty busy but the odd day he managed to escape and get back to what he loved about as much as his job. “You’d think people would know better or at least have an ounce of common sense but I fear that most of the common sense goes with the beer these days.” Wallace said knowing that he had seen too many strange things to put down to too much beer. It was often the downfall of men and women alike but then if people had sense the fire house wouldn’t see as much action as it did. Which also made for a very slow day.

“Yeah, leading by example and all. Can’t have the men and women knowing we’re just as human as they are. Nothing too out there when you’re in charge.” Wallace joked though in a sense it was true, leading by example and not doing the things that would land them in trouble and have them being the gossip of their respective work places for weeks to come. Plus he didnt want to really have to call anyone out to rescue them on the off chance that it was fifty one who answers and then he’d never hear the end of it.

“I fish when I can, usually it’s down the freezer isle for fish fingers but I get the occasional day about once every few months when I manage some time to myself.” He explained, “Not often though, how about you though? Get much time to do what you enjoy or is it work and family?” He asked wondering if he had any tips for the work life balance he was convinced didn’t exist.

Tag: Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan

[Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan]

Sully chuckled and agreed when Boden jested that they couldn't let their teams know they was just as human as everyone else, "Yes, we definitely have to lead by example." He nodded. "But on the other hand there are times when we do need to let them that we are only human too." He mused. It was important to him to be a strong example to his men and women in how they should conduct themselves on the job. And it was important, to Sully at least, to let them know that they could reach out if ever they needed help or support, and how could you make them confident in that if you set an impossible standard for them to look up to? "We have to be careful not to send the message that needing help every now and again is a weakness." He added casually as they strolled along. "We just don't need to let them see us falling off the pier drunk." He joked. He smiled amusedly at the fish finger comment and nodded when Boden said he got out fishing when he could. Between work and family life of his own that was something Sully could relate to. When Boden asked if he got much time to do what he enjoyed or if it was all family and work Sully shrugged and tipped his head a little, "Well family is what I enjoy." He answered. So technically the answer was yes to both, it was mostly work and family, but family activities was more often than not what he chose to do with his free time because he enjoyed it. Nothing like a Sunday roast around the table or a sunny afternoon in the garden having a BBQ. "So I end up spend most of my free time doing family activities. Though I do get to do the odd bit of fishing and spend some time making thinks and tinkering with odd jobs around the house." He finished. He did enjoy making things for his grandkids and there was a satisfaction in complementing a few little DIY jobs around the home. When they reached the pier Sully began the task of setting up his fishing rod. Something in itself he found relaxing, being in the fresh air, hearing the melodic sound of the water and being away from all of his responsibilities for a short while. After it had been so long since his last fishing excursion he had forgotten how much he actually enjoyed fishing. "It's a shame this trip hadn't been planed in advanced." He looked to Boden with a light smile, "Whenever I go fishing my wife always makes me a thermos and some sandwiches for the day." Oh yes, she always made sure his fishing trips was as enjoyable as possible, thermos, snacks and sandwiches, a blanket and a folding fishing chair. Tag: Wallace Boden. (Ooc: Hope you don't mind I skipped ahead to the pier ) ~*~

[Wallace Boden]

“Sad but true, though I guess these days we might be a little old for the madness of our younger years.” Wallace said with a sigh as only a few years ago he might have considered himself too young for even thinking like that. He had done enough of the madness in his youth to make up for telling those younger than him the right way to go, mostly because it had taken someone like him all those years ago to do the same for him. Ironic but true.

“Fine line I think, I mean I can hear them whining that we don’t know what it was like and it’s only a joke and we’re no fun. Since when did we become no fun?” He asked Christian, oh that one had been levelled at him too many times to mention and sure example was great, to make sure that everyone knew the better path to go but standards and rules and trying to be on the high road all the time. It was a lot to undertake even for the best of them.

“No asking for help now and again show character not weakness but good point. No use in having our butts dragged from the sea, then again we’re far too mature to do anything like that.” He said joking as he laughed, he even hated the word mature now as sure he maybe couldnt do the four minute mile but he was well within cfd levels and might even beat the younger ones given half a chance. Then again it was more leadership than contests.

Wallace nodded when he spoke about enjoying family, it was great as he never considered himself to be part of a family wider than the fire department. It wasnt something he had thought much of until it happened and now he was there. “Oh yeah, those jobs we put off then all of a sudden I get Donna yelling that it’s piled up, the boilers broken and it’s all my fault that shelf fell down she told me about two months ago.” Wallace said laughing, those sort of jobs he put off for family time and it always came back to bite him.

Reaching the pier Wallace set up his rod, it was like doing something over and over again. There wasn’t thought in it the thing just went together easily. The sound of waves and free time awaiting them as he realised he enjoyed it too much to stop fishing. “Sandwiches and a thermos, that makes for a very long fishing trip with all the home comforts.” Wallace said grinning as he thought about it. “So this trip hasn’t been planned but how about we set up another one. Plan in advance and bring it all with us?” Wallace suggested not sure if the guy would go for it but it made for building relationships and better working between the fire and police departments.

Tag: Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan

[Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan]

Sully nodded in agreement as Wallace said about them being too old for the madness of their younger years and that it was a fine line they had to walk. He raided his brow and nodded again with a sigh when Wallace said about them being no fun. It was a good question, since when did they stop being fun? "Since we started having responsibilities." He offered. "Since we stopped being the ones who needed to be told 'no' and started being the ones to tell people 'no' as the years went by." Yes, as the years went by and the families and promotions came along they developed a level of wisdom and experience. A level of wisdom and experience they sheared with those in their departments younger than themselves who still had a lot to learn, only to be repaid with 'what would you know?' and 'you're no fun.' for their efforts. "What they don't understand is that we still know how to have fun, we just don't have the luxury of being reckless anymore. So if they call us boring it means we are doing our jobs right." He stated with a light smile. He might not be young and stupid but he knew how to have fun and a joke and how to enjoy life.       It didn't take Sully long to set up his fishing rod and a sense of calmness and tranquility filled him as he listened to sound of the waves lapping gently. It sounded good when Wallace suggested they plan another trip, "That sounds like a very tempting offer to me. It's always nice having a companion to fish with." He replied happily. "And I'm sure it would help strengthen ties between our departments as well." He added casually. "Lead by example and show them there is no need for silly rivalry or arguments." "Not to mention it will give me an excuse to get out fishing more if I tell my wife I'm spending time with a friend." He said with a light smirk. "Just let me know when and we'll work something out with our schedules."   Sully sat down at the edge of the pier, allowing his legs to dangle off the side before he cast is line, "So how are things over at firehouse 51?" He asked politely, since he had been talking about their departments. Tag: Wallace Boden. ~*~

[Wallace Boden]

“You’ve got that right, seemed great when the job offer was there and one week in and it feels like the world is on your shoulders. Several years in and the feeling doesn’t change just the way you deal with the disasters.” Wallace said nodding, it was how he looked at it each and every day. The pressure didnt change nor did what was expected but the mild disaster that he had taken like a hole in the head when he started was a small speed bump in the road of life. It was the major issues he had to look out for and usually they came when you least expected.

“Agreed, the ‘no’ with the ‘yeah I did that and this was the speech I got given’. You think it’s bad when you start to sound like your parents, when you start to sound like your boss... it’s dire.” Wallace joked though he really did hate that part at times. The whole yes these were the wisdom words I received and here they are again with a few additions. He just hoped that those they shared their wisdom and experience with learned from it though Wallace wasnt ever sure that was the way it all worked out.

“I guess you’re right with that, so I guess by our standards we’re doing a pretty fantastic job at it.” Wallace said grinning, he wasnt sure what was said about Sully as he had heard a few good things but time would tell being new to the job just how he handled everything that came with it. Wallace just hoped that he didnt forget how to enjoy life and become that person stuck at work and didnt get to see his family grow up. Ironic that a few years ago he figured his time had passed by on that score too.

Wallace nodded and agreed as they spoke about a future fishing trip. “Yeah just make sure you catch a smaller fish, you know make the fire department look good and all.” He teased though sure friendly rivalry was great but not when it lead to the usual rubbish between departments. The fights and meetings and chiefs on chiefs, it was a nightmare if the two decided to go at each other though lead by example and maybe that would change.

“Sure you can count on it, same here. It beats the ‘I’m working late again’ excuse that isn’t an excuse but hanging out with a friend would be a better reason.” Wallace said laughing lightly, work home work home it was what he seemed to do though maybe mixing things up a little would be good for everyone. Wallace sat on the edge of the pier as he threw out the line watching the water as he heard Sully ask about fifty one.

“A little tense recently, guess you heard the rumours of late?” Wallace asked pretty sure that the whole fire fighter walked off a roof story had gone around the entire department already. “But its resolved now I just, the whole boss speech when you’re trying to be their friend too. I know both don’t go together but family is family right?” He added, “How are things at the 21st?” Wallace asked having not heard much from there for a while.

Tag: Lt. Christian Donald Sullivan