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Violet Mikami, bounced in her seat, surrounded by the presents given to her by her family. She looked around at the gifts, her eyes landing on a still wrapped gift.
“Mom? Dad?” Violet questions. “What’s that one?” She finishes pointing to the box, with a ruby red ribbon. Her mother, Annie, smiles softly before handing the box to Violet.
“Open it, sweetheart.” Annie answers.
“Okay.” Violet answers, noting as her father and mother watch her reaction carefully. Unwrapping the box, she finds a frame with a single puzzle piece. Tilting her head slightly, Violet looks up at her parents.
“Everyone has a soulmate out there, Vi. Once you turn 10, you’ll receive a puzzle piece each birthday until you turn 18.” Her father, John, starts. “Once the puzzle is complete you will either have the date or the place where you’ll meet. One of you will have a black and white version of the image in the background, while the other has the coloured one.” He finishes before looking over at his wife.
“It seems Vi, that you have the coloured one.” Her mother adds.
“That makes sense. I wonder who my soulmate is.” Violet wonders aloud before getting up and hugging her family.
“You ready Vi?” Her younger sister, Lily asks from the doorway. Lily or Liliana, was the youngest of the Mikami sisters, and spitting image of their father. Violet turned from her vanity, today was her 18th birthday; today she would receive the final piece to her soulmate puzzle.
“Yeah, Lils, I just need to grab my jacket.” Violet answers, quickly picking the jacket in question. “Today is the day I find out where I will meet my soulmate.” Violet adds as she shuts her bedroom door, turning to Lily.
“That right?” Lily teases, knowing well that Violet was looking forward to this day but also knew that today was rough. It was her first birthday without their father. “Happy Birthday, Vi-vi.” Lily adds.
“You know it, babes.” Violet responds, wrapping her arm around Lily’s shoulder, just as the middle sibling makes her way into the hall.
“So Vi, where do you think you’ll meet your soulmate?” Rosalyn asks, coming up beside Violet.
“I know it’s at least a firehouse, which means I’m hopefully going to be a part of the CFD.” Violet answers. “My puzzle says Chicago Fire Department; Firehouse.”
“It’s all you wanted to be.” Rosie states, as the trio make their way down the stairs. “Happy Birthday, Vi.”
Arriving in the living room, Violet takes in the sight of the pile of presents, her eyes zeroing in on the box with a ruby ribbon.
“Happy Birthday, Baby.” Her mother states as she moves into the living room.
“Thank you, I love you all.” Violet responds, her hands itching to grab the box on the top of the pile.
“We love you too,” her family answers in unison.
“You can grab it, Vi.” Her mother states, noting her daughter's eagerness to grab the box. She smiles softly as Violet grabs the white box with a red ribbon. Untying the ribbon, Violet flips the puzzle piece out of the box. “I’ll meet my soulmate at Firehouse 51.” Violet exclaims, her eyes lighting up as she puts the final piece of her soulmate puzzle in the frame.
“I don’t know if you know, but you actually learn something about your soulmate every year.” Annie starts. “Every year, your box was always tied with a ruby red ribbon. Your soulmate was born in July. Your box is always brown, it’s a hint. The colour of your box is the eye colour of your soulmate.” She finishes, watching as her eldest daughter sets about making notes about what she’s just been told.
Waking up the morning of her first shift at Firehouse 51, Lyla ‘Lizzie’ Novak knew today was the day she would meet her soulmate. After pulling on a pair of blue jeans and a blouse, Lizzie moves over to the photo sitting on her dresser. Kissing the tip of her fingers, she places them over her older sister.
“Today is the day, Essy.” Lizzie whispers, her eyes welling with tears. “I meet my soulmate. Let’s hope it’s someone who can cope with my trauma.” Lizzie finishes before grabbing her bag and heading out to the firehouse.
Standing outside the firehouse, Lizzie looks up at 51. There was little she knew about this house. Entering the firehouse, Lizzie looks around trying to figure out where to go.
“Are you our paramedic floater?” A voice sounds from behind her, Lizzie turns to face the voice.
“Yes. Lizzie Novak.” She states holding out her hand to shake the man who’s in front of her.
“I’m Lieutenant Kelly Severide. Follow me, I’ll show you to Boden’s office.” Kelly responds before leading the way to Boden’s office.
Knocking on the door, Kelly pokes his head in the door. “Lizzie Novak, our paramedic floater, is here, Chief.”
“Thanks Severide, can you go find Violet and send her this way?” Boden asks, as Lizzie steps into the office. Severide nods before closing the office door behind himself.
“Hello Novak.” Boden greets as she enters the office. “Take a seat for me.”
“Hello Chief Boden.” Lizzie responds, moving to sit across from the man.
“Tell me a little about your career with the CFD?” Boden asks, glancing at the paramedic.
“I started my training at Lakeside, but wrapped it up at Crystal Valley College. I’ve never called a firehouse home. I’ve been a floater for the majority of my career.” Lizzie explains just as a knock sounds on the door.
“Sounds like you prefer to float.” Boden starts before acknowledging the knock. “Come in, Violet.” Boden finishes as the door opens.
“You must be my floater, I’m Violet Mikami.” Violet introduces herself, holding out her hand. Lizzie stands from her chair, shaking Violet’s hand. “I’m Lizzie Novak.” She greets, a small smile on her face.
“I’ll let you two get to know each other. If you have any questions, Novak, just ask.” Boden says, ushering the pair out of his office.
“If you would like to follow me, I’ll show you where your locker is.” Violet explains, waiting for Novak to fall into step beside her. Entering the locker room, Violet shows Lizzie to her locker, leaving her to change. She waits for Lizzie outside and leads her towards the forecourt, showing her around, just before the alarms begin going off.
At the end of her first shift at 51, Lizzie gets changed into her street clothes. “You know, I wouldn’t mind if you stuck around for a while.” Violet states, having gotten changed out of her uniform.
“I’ll let you know, you’re not a bad paramedic to work under.” Lizzie answers, smiling.
Standing outside Violet’s apartment after a rough shift, one that had brought back memories of Esme. She was hurting a lot more than normal. Reaching up, Lizzie knocks on the door, rocking on her feet as she waits. When the door opens, Lizzie notices that Violet is dressed up, but misses the way Violet’s expression softens
“Oh I don’t want to interrupt anything, are you going out?” Lizzie asks, her hands shoved in her pockets.
“Not anymore, come on in.” Violet answers, moving to open the door wider and stepping back.
“I’m sure your date was going to be awesome.” Lizzie states as she enters Violet’s apartment, before turning towards Violet. “But maybe not as awesome as hanging out with me and watching every bad t.v show about matchmaking.” She adds, earning a smile from Violet.
“It sounds like a perfect night,” Violet answers, tilting her head in question. “Wine? Beer?” Violet asks.
“Wine sounds good.” Lizzie adds, her eyes bouncing around the room.
Her eyes land on a framed puzzle, hanging on the wall. “Your soulmate puzzle?” Lizzie questions, pointing to the frame. Her mind flicking back to her own soulmate puzzle, the image of hers is the same as Violet’s.
“Yeah, I know that my soulmate is someone I will meet at 51.” Violet answers, her eyes looking at the puzzle. “What do you know about your soulmate?” Violet asks, turning to grab their drinks.
“I apparently met my soulmate, the first day I worked at 51.” Lizzie answers, “I didn’t know who it was.” Lizzie adds, her eyes shining softly, as she accepts the glass from Violet.
“You said you didn't. Does that mean that you know?” Violet asks, turning to face Lizzie.
“My box was always tied with a pink ribbon. Which is Pink Tourmaline. October's birthstone.” Lizzie begins. “What colour was the ribbon on yours?” Lizzie asks finally after a decent pause.
“Ruby. July’s birthstone.” Violet answers, causing Lizzie to step back from Violet.
“I have a black and white version of that puzzle.” Lizzie whispers, her eyes wide. “I didn’t know it was you until now.”
“Lizzie?” Violet asks, moving to step towards Lizzie. “It’s okay.”
“This complicates things.” Lizzie mutters, as Violet steps even closer, lifting Lizzie’s glass out of her hand to put it on the coffee table.
“It doesn’t, Liz.” Violet whispers into the small space between them. “Soulmates are something special.” Violet adds. “I hoped it would be someone I got on well with. You are good for me, Lizzie.”
“There’s a lot more to me than what I’ve shared.” Lizzie mumbles. “But you are good for me too, Vi.” Lizzie adds, before wrapping her arms around Violet.
“We’ll get to know each other, but you need to at least let us have a proper go.” Violet answers, tightening her grip on Lizzie.
“My older sister, Esme, took her own life when I was 16.” Lizzie whispers, her eyes welling with tears. “I was the one to find her. It’s why I wanted to be a paramedic.” Lizzie adds, moving to sit on Violet’s couch.
“How did you find her?” Violet asks, moving to sit next to Lizzie.
“She hung herself, which is why that call today made me lose my shit.” Lizzie answers, her eyes cast downwards.
“Thank you for trusting me with this.” Violet responds, reaching out for Lizzie’s hand, who instantly intertwined their fingers.
“I’m still sorry. I didn’t mean to scream at our patient.” Lizzie finishes, before moving to lean against Violet’s side.
Violet smiles softly before, reaching for the remote.
“It’s okay, Liz. I’m just glad you trusted me enough to come here.” Vi responds before turning the t.v on, flicking on a random matchmaking show.
“What about your date?” Lizzie asks, looking up at Violet.
“It wasn’t a date. It was just drinks.” Violet answers, running her hand through blonde locks.
“So if I asked you on a date?” Lizzie questions, her eyes closing at the feeling of hands through her hair.
“Ask and find out.” Violet teases, her hand tangling in blonde locks.
“Violet Mikami, will you go on a date with me?” Lizzie asks, earning her a smirk from Violet.
“The answer is yes.” Violet answers, moving to place a soft kiss on Lizzie’s forehead. Lizzie smiles as the kiss is felt.
“Tomorrow night? Dinner?” Lizzie asks, tucking her head into Violet’s neck.
Squeezing Lizzie, Violet nods. “What time, Liz?” Violet presses her lips to Lizzie’s hair.
“6pm?” Lizzie asks, before settling in and closing her eyes.
“Sounds perfect.” Violet answers, smiling shyly.
“Do you want to stay here tonight?” Violet asks, running a hand over Lizzie’s arm.
“I don’t want to impose.” Lizzie mumbles as she reaches for her wine glass, taking a sip.
“You aren’t. I just want you next to me tonight. I know you aren’t fully okay.” Violet responds, reaching for her own glass. “I just want to be here to support you tonight.”
Lizzie locks eyes with Violet, finding nothing but honesty in her eyes. “Okay. I’ll stay.” Lizzie answers, her eyes shining with tears.
Violet’s eyes widen, before putting her glass down and pulling Lizzie into her arms. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Lizzie collapses against Violet, her tears falling again.
“It’s not your fault. It’s just seeing someone hanging like that, it’s bringing all the memories to the surface.” Lizzie whispers. “I have my bag in my car, I’ll go and get it.” Lizzie mumbles before removing herself from Violet’s arms.
“Nope, not yet.” Violet protests, pulling Lizzie back into her arms. “You can sleep in something of mine. But if you want to grab your bag, I want to come down with you.” Violet answers.
“I wouldn’t mind sleeping in something of yours, but I have a few other things in my bag that I need.” Lizzie responds. “Can we go get it, before we settle in for the night?”
Violet nods, before untangling herself from Lizzie. Standing up, Lizzie and Violet make their way down stairs, grabbing Lizzie’s bag out of her car and heading back to the apartment. The pair quickly changing into comfortable clothing, Violet throwing Lizzie an academy t-shirt. Throwing the t-shirt on, Lizzie slips on a pair of bike shorts before reentering the living room. Moving to pick up her glass, Lizzie drains the last of the wine before putting the glass in the sink.
“Do you want to just go to bed? Or watch another episode?” Violet asks, moving into the living room.
“Another episode, and then bed.” Lizzie answers, smiling softly. Violet nods before moving to sit on the couch, allowing Lizzie to snuggle against her side. Violet scratches along Lizzie’s scalp, her lips pressed against Lizzie’s hair.
At the end of the episode, Violet notes that Lizzie’s breathing had completely evened out. She debates with herself before gently shuffling out from under Lizzie. Taking a moment to put her wine glass in the sink and turn down the bed before moving back to the couch. Reaching down to slide a hand under Lizzie’s legs, Violet wraps her arm around her back before lifting Lizzie from the couch. “Sh, it’s okay.” Violet mutters as Lizzie stirs slightly. Laying Lizzie down in her bed, Violet tucks her in, before moving into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Climbing into bed beside Lizzie, Violet moves to lay behind Lizzie, her arm coming to rest on Lizzie’s waist. Her eyes close as she tucks her nose into Lizzie’s hair.
Waking up first, Lizzie blinks her eyes open, trying to figure out where she was. Feeling the weight of an arm over her stomach, Lizzie glances down at the arm, spotting the familiar watch on the wrist. Smiling softly, Lizzie feels Violet’s breath against her neck, before lacing her fingers with Violet’s. “I’m glad you’re my soulmate, Vi.” Closing her eyes, Lizzie allows herself to fall back to sleep.
Having woken up, when Lizzie’s hand tangles with her own, Violet fakes sleep. “I’m glad you’re my soulmate, Vi.” She hears Lizzie whisper before Lizzie’s weight shifts as she falls asleep again. Violet places a soft kiss on Lizzie's neck before closing her eyes again. “I’m glad you’re mine too, Liz.”
Violet briefly thought that Evan was her soulmate. She never thought her soulmate would be her partner. Lizzie, who originally started out as a floater, who she begged to take the permanent position at 51. Lizzie, who had this quiet confidence about her, but also had a lot of walls around her heart. She knew there would be a lot of work needed to make their relationship work, but she also knew that the pair would put the work in.