One Fine Day

Loosely based on the movie with Michelle Pfeiffer & George Clooney.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AU: Brief background-Gabby is recently divorced and has a son. She is a Resident at Chicago Med. Matt has a daughter but was never married to her mom. He is still a Lieutenant and does construction on the side. They live in the same building but different floors and they don't "know" each other. Happy reading and if you like, please review.
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Normally the incessant and annoying noise coming from her alarm would be a rude reminder that it was time to get up and face another day, but Gabby was already awake and had been staring at the clock for the past thirty minutes. Her mind kept running through the laundry list of things that needed to be done and she had to face the fact; going back to sleep was not going to happen for her. Resigning herself to this reality she stretched out her tired limbs and let out a deep breath. Time to get this show on the road. And on that note, she got out of bed to wake her up her son and begin their morning routine.

Grabbing her keys out of the bowl on the entry table and throwing her bag over her shoulder she called out, "Austin, make sure you get your backpack. Let's move it. I don't want you to be late for your field trip."

"I'm coming, Mom."

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He could feel her watching him. He knew what would come next. He would pretend to still be asleep and then she would sneak around to his side of the bed and pry his eyelids open. "Good Morning, Daddy." It was how she woke him up every-single-day.

"Good Morning Isabella."

"Daaaaad. It's just Bella, remember?"

"Yes. You're right," Matt answered as he thought about how quickly his little girl was growing up.

"I guess it's time for both of us to get up and at 'em. I'll make go make breakfast while you get dressed for your field trip." As she skipped down the hallway back to her room she said, "Dad. Don't forget my permission slip. It is on the counter in the kitchen."

"I won't, princess."

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Gabby stood on the sidewalk of the busy street and raised her right arm to hail a cab. It was unusually warm for a spring day in Chicago and after the eternal winter they endured it appeared that everyone had the same idea to be outside and enjoy the sun.

Matt and Bella finally made their way to the curb just as Austin recognized his classmate.

"Hi Bella," he called out.

"Hey Austin. "

Looking down at his daughter Matt asked, "You two know each other?"

"Yeah, we are in the same class. He is probably on his way to the field trip too. "

Nodding his head in agreement Matt looked up and glanced at the beautiful woman a few steps away that unmistakably had to be Austin's mom. He couldn't help but notice that she was not having any luck getting the attention of a driver.

Matt decided to help her out so he whistled and shouted, "Taxi."

Gabby turned around to face him, "Ugh. Typical," she huffed under her breath.

"Hi. I don't think we have officially met. My daughter is Bella and I am Casey. Well, Matthew Casey. But you can call me Casey or Matt or…"

Gabby stared at the babbling man as he trailed off. "Save it. I know who you are. You and your other hot shots somehow manage to fill beds in the ER I work at just about every other day. What's the mouthy one's name? You know, the one that s-c-r-e-w-s anything with a pulse? Tell him to leave my nurses alone."

He stood there totally and completely dumbfounded. Someone really should have told him that it was impolite to leave his mouth hanging open like that. He was rendered speechless. He clenched his jaw shut before he could even utter another word. Scratching the back of his neck he mumbled something that sounded like, "right." Well that could have gone better!

Before he knew it a taxi had pulled up alongside the curb and honked, breaking through the awkward silence.

"Well, our chariot awaits. If you don't mind sharing we could ride together. I mean we are all going to the same place. "

"Oh, my hero. Thank you," she said through a smile laced with sarcasm.

Checking her watch Gabby decided she didn't have any more time to wait and opted to share the ride with him. What's the worst that could happen?

As the four settled into their seats Bella asked, "Daddy. Did you remember my slip?"

"Oh, shi—oot." Feeling the scrutiny of Gabby's intense burning gaze he managed to catch his almost slip of the tongue.

"I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."

Gabby scoffed. "Right, like we can really move. We are kind of sardined in here with these backpacks. Make it quick. We are already late as it is."

"Dad, can I play with your phone while we wait?" Matt answered by simply tossing her his iPhone as he scrambled out of the cab.

"Hey, Mom. Can I play with your phone too?"

"Sure, honey."

Less than five minutes later Matt had made his way back down to the cab and they were on their way to the Navy Pier. The foursome fumbled their way out of the cab as Matt threw $30 at the driver and rushed to the end of the pier. They made it just in time to see the ferry boat tug back from the dock.

Gabby turned to her left and swung her purse at Matt, effectively smacking him in the chest.

"You."

"This. "

With each word he took a step back.

"This is all your fault. If you had remembered Bella's permission slip we wouldn't have been late. Now they have missed their field trip."

"What am I going to do? We have a new group of interns starting at the hospital today and I am in charge of overseeing their every move. I also have rounds starting in less than an hour."

"Hey. Look we both have hectic schedules today. I have a presentation for one of my construction jobs before my night shift at the firehouse. Why don't we take turns watching the kids? I'm sure we can make it work. Let me try to fix this. It is kind of my fault."

"Kind of your fault? It is ALL your fault," Gabby rebutted with annoyance.

"Okay. Okay. You win," Matt feigned defeat. "My offer still stands to swap turns with the kiddos."

"Right. As if I would trust you with my eight-year-old son. I don't even really know you," she answered him pointedly.

"Uh. Hello. My daughter is the same age and I think she's turned out pretty great. I've managed to make it this far. Plus, do you have any other options this last minute? I know I don't."

"Well, I guess you do have a point. What time is your presentation?"

"It's at 12:30,"

Gabby was silent for a moment as she contemplated his proposal. "Okay. I will head to the hospital for rounds and to get introductions with the interns out of the way. Then you can bring the kids to me and I will take them to lunch during your meeting. After that we can swap again."

"That works for me."

Gabby bent down to her son's level as she adjusted his lightweight sweater, "Austin, I want you to be on your best behavior for Matt. I will see you in a couple of hours."

"I will, Mom."

"Alright, Matt. I will see you all of you at the hospital a little before 12:30."

"Sounds like a plan," he agreed as they made their way to their respective rides.

"Oh wait," he called out as Gabby turned around, "I never did actually get your name."

Gabby smirked and rolled her eyes, "It's Gabby. Gabriela Dawson."

This was really turning into One Fine Day.

TBC