Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favorite/followed. It's quite the compliment. I've been out of the fanfic writing game for a while now, so to know that it's being enjoyed has been phenomenal.

Sorry that it has taken me longer than expected to update. I don't really have a set plan when I sit down to write. I just know where I want the story to go but getting there changes from one writing session to the next.

I should warn you all that this chapter is a fair bit longer than the others. I didn't want to write something of "oh, I feel a contraction" or "my water broke" and then start a brand new chapter and the baby has been born, or is about to be.

Anyway, this chapter has been finished for a few days now, but I decided to hold off on posting it until tonight because there is no new Chicago Fire episode tonight. :(

Without further delay - here it is! I hope you all enjoy!


Matt's POV

The sound of the wind wakes me. I touch the display on my watch and notice that it's almost three am. My small desk lamp is still turned on, gently illuminating the room. I realize that I must've fallen asleep trying to do my paperwork. My arms look like I had a fight with the blue ball point pen on my desk.

I look over at Gabby and notice that she's moved around a fair bit in her sleep. One hand under the pillow her head is resting on, her other hand cradling her bump. She's making small noises in her sleep. I know she's been painfully uncomfortable these last few weeks. I hate seeing her like this.

I brace myself on the chair and try not to make too much noise as I stand up. I peer through the slats of my blinds and realize just how bad the storm has gotten. I knew already that it was worse than had been forecast, but it looks like the storm is getting stronger. The city light that normally shines bright beside the sidewalk has almost disappeared. The snow is all I can see now.

I move towards Gabby when she whimpers, but she's not awake. I gently move her hair away from her eyes and forehead gently, careful not to wake her up. "Love you," I whisper, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Then I place my hand gently on her belly. "Love you too, munchkin," I whisper.

I leave the room as quietly as possible and make my way through the quite firehouse back towards the common room. That's where I find everyone, all dressed in winter gear. "Was there a call that I slept through or something?" I pick up a toque that was placed on the table. It's wet with melted snow. Sylvie passes by, avoiding my gaze. Strange. "Seriously. What the hell is going on?"

Kelly sighs. "We're snowed in."

I couldn't have heard him correctly. "Snowed in?"

Kelly nods. "Chief's making some calls to see if he can get a plow here to clear the roads and driveway."

"How snowed in?" This is not happening.

"Really snowed in," Herrmann confirms.

I quickly make my way to the apparatus floor, zipping up my hoodie. I open the door and step out into a small area where everyone has been attempting to dig us out.

Snow drifts have collected up against the truck doors. Not only are they tall drifts, they are also wide. The progress that they have made is quickly being undone by the rapidly falling snow and the wind. And even if the snow and wind weren't a factor, there is too much of the white stuff to move and not enough space to put it in. I step back onto the apparatus floor, letting the door close shut behind me.

"Sorry, Casey," Cruz offers.

I shake my head. "It's not your fault," I tell them. "No one could've predicted the firehouse would be snowed in."

"We salted the driveway, but obviously that didn't do much," Capp offered.

We stepped off the apparatus floor and back inside the firehouse where it was warm and headed straight for the common room.

"Everyone's phones were busy or they just weren't answering, so I called a friend who works for the City," Boden announces stepping the common area.

"And?" I ask him.

Boden shakes his head. It's not good news.

"The city wasn't prepared for a snow storm this size. They've declared a State of Emergency. The salt supply is critically low so it's only being used now on the Interstates and main roadways. Almost a third of the plows are now out of service due to accidents on unsalted roads." He pauses to take a deep breath and turns to focus on me. "Because we're off the beaten path over here, we aren't high on the priority list of getting our road and drive cleared out. The plows that are in operation have been sent to higher traffic areas. We probably won't get one here until mid-morning, so I had the station pulled from service. Obviously if we can't get out, we can't do anything to help and sending calls our way is just a waste of time. Until they send a crew to dig us out, we're stuck."

"What's going on?" I can hear her groggy voice. When I turn and see her, she rubbing her tired eyes with one hand and rubbing her back with the other. "Why are you all awake?"

I go to her and put my hand on her lower back, gently rubbing as I lead her over to the couch. "The storm's pretty bad," I tell her. I offer her my hand to help her sit down on the couch. "You OK?"

She flinches and tries to readjust on couch, still half asleep. She nods in answer and rests her head against the cushions on couch. "Your bed isn't comfortable anymore." She moves around a little, still trying to get comfortable. "How bad is it?"

I exhale, not entirely sure I want to tell her. My hesitation seems to get her attention and she opens her eyes.

"Matt?"

"We're snowed in. Chief had the firehouse pulled from service because we can't get a rig out."

"Seriously?"

I nod, watching her closely. I can see she's not happy. "It's OK," I tell her, glancing around at everyone in the room, silently telling them to just go with it. "We should have a plow here in the morning." Boden did say mid-morning, so it's not a lie...it's just not the whole truth. I know she's thinking early morning. But she nods slightly, accepting what I've told her.

"Can you hand me the blanket?" she asks quietly, pointing to the blanket just out of her reach.

I turn and grab the blanket, opening it up and draping it across her.

"Thank you," she sighs, closing her eyes and snuggling into the cushions. She seems content for the time being so I decide to just give her some space. I know she hasn't fallen asleep yet and if she can feel me staring, she'll never get the rest she needs.


Twenty minutes later, Kelly, Herrmann, Sylvie and I are the only ones still up. Gabby has fallen asleep on the couch and everyone else had taken their cues from her and gone back to the bunks.

"Is it letting up at all?" I ask Kelly when he walks back into the room. He shakes his head, carefully sitting down, not bothering to pull the chair closer to the table.

"It'll only be a few hours and we can get out of here," Sylvie tells us, trying to sound positive. She's flipping through a Hot Rod magazine. I can tell she has no actual interest in anything it offers.

A small moan escapes Gabby's lips as she comes back into consciousness. She opens her eyes, throws the blanket off her body and braces herself on the armrest as she sits up.

"You OK?" Sylvie asks from the table. I can hear the concern in her voice. Truth be told, I'm concerned as well.

She's been rubbing her back more than usual since she arrived at the firehouse. Before tonight, she would only make the occasional noise while sleeping. It's been pretty consistent since she went to bed.

Gabby scoots forward to the edge of the couch, her hands resting on the sides of her belly. "I think so," but she doesn't sound sure. She braces herself again and this time stands up and starts moving around a little.

"Do you need anything?" I asked, standing up from my chair and walking towards her.

"Not right now," she sighs, her hands now moving from the sides of her belly to the front. She looks a little flustered.

I place my hand on her back and rub gently. She leans into me. I kiss her temple. It's then that I hear her take a sharp, startled breath. "Babe?"

She doesn't answer so I glance down and notice she looks stunned and in pain. "Gabby?" She still doesn't answer.

I look over at the table and Kelly and Herrmann are watching intently. Sylvie's walking away from us, saying something about the Ambo, but I really can't comprehend what she's saying. My mind is swimming.

Finally Gabby takes a breath. "I think that was a contraction," she whispers.

Oh, shit. "Are you sure?" I ask. I swear I can hear my heart beating in my ears.


Gabby's POV

Am I sure?

I look up at Matt. He's staring at me, waiting for me to answer. I know he's just as scared but trying to hold it together. He's been my rock.

"I thought the Braxton Hicks contractions were real," I say quietly. "Maybe that's what these are?" I know my voice holds more hope than I actually feel right now. How likely is it that Braxton Hicks are what I'm experiencing at four days over-due.

"What are real contractions supposed to feel like?" he asks me.

I should know this. Medical training as a paramedic taught me this...but I can't think. My mind is racing but I can't remember what the text books say. Or what I've read in the pregnancy books. Or even what the doctors and other mom's have told me they feel like. Tears sting my eyes and Matt pulls me into him, whispering that it's going to be alright.

Sylvie comes running back into the room with her kit from the Ambo. She comes to stand in front of Matt and I. "I know this isn't ideal," she says offering a half a smile and a nod at the kit in her hands.

I chuckle nervously. "At least you aren't McAuley." Sylvie makes a disgusted face and I really laugh this time.

"Come on," she said quietly, nodding her head towards the bunks and officers quarters. "Let's check you out."

I look from Sylvie to the kit and then back again. I exhale. "OK." I look up at Matt and he gives me a small reassuring smile. I know whatever happens, he's by my side.


I don't know if I've ever been this uncomfortable in my life. And I'm not talking about the contractions. Sylvie is examining me. Never in a million years would I have ever thought a good friend would be examining me like this.

I think Matt is almost as uncomfortable as I am. He made that stupid joke about how Sylvie didn't even buy me dinner.

"Your baby is definitely on their way," Sylvie finally tells us.

It's real now. I feel like I can't breathe. My head falls back against the pillows on Matt's cot.

"Hey, hey," he coaches, turning his attention to me. "It's alright. We're prepared. We've taken the Lamaze classes, we've read the books. We have a plan."

"We're snowed in!" I can't hold back the tears or my panic. "The plan was to be in a hospital!"

His hands cup my face, getting me to focus on him and only him. "Gabby," he says softly. "It's going to be OK."

I just stare into his calming eyes for a few moments then I slowly nod. "Yeah, you're right." I can feel my abdomen tightening again and it hurts. "First babies take a long time to come, right?" I bite my lip and close my eyes.

"Breathe," Matt says softly, squeezing my hand. I can hear him inhale slowly, encouraging me to do the same, and then exhale steadily.

After a moment, the pain starts to ease. I feel Sylvie's hand rubbing my leg.

"Gabby, I think you've been in labor for a while." I feel my eyes widen in shock. "You're about 5 centimeters dilated." She looks from me to Matt and then back again. "I'm not exactly an expert in labor and delivery, but I think you're probably seventy to eighty percent effaced."

"Oh, God," I can feel myself starting to panic again.

"Have you been in more pain than usual?"

I slowly nod my head, turning to look at Matt. "...Yesterday morning when we got up. I thought it was normal because my back has hurt so much the last few weeks. Moving around helped." I feel sick. How could I not realize? "I had no idea."

He gives me a small smile, but I can tell he's trying to be brave for me. "Just focus on the positives."

"Positives? Matt, our baby is coming and we're stuck in a firehouse."

He nods and smiles brightly. "But we're together, Gabby. God only knows if you'd have been snowed in at the house, or if you'd be able to get to the hospital. I would've been stuck here. I would never forgive myself if I missed this," his hand cradles my bump. He looks at the bump then back to me, his eyes glistening with tears. "And there's another positive."

I smile at him. He's good at calming my nerves. "Oh yeah?" I ask softly. He nods and then pulls my hand up to his lips and kisses my skin. "What's that?"

He leans close to me as if it's a secret meant for just the two of us. "We're going to meet our baby soon." The sound of the quiet laughter that escapes his lips is blissful. It's innocent, pure and excited. Just like when I told him we were pregnant.

"I'm going to give you two some privacy," Sylvie quietly tells us before she stands up and quietly leaves the office.

I bite my lower lip and take a deep breath. "I'm scared."

He smooths the hair around my face. "I know." He smiles at me. "But you are the strongest woman I know. There is nothing you can't do, Gabby. And I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

I scoot over on the small bed so I'm right against the wall. "Lay with me?"

He smiles and nods again. "Always."


Sylvie's POV

As I walk into the common room, I feel everyone's eyes on me.

"Well?" Kelly is the first one to break the silence.

"She's in labor," I affirm. I look over at Boden. "Any chance of getting a plow here earlier than mid-morning?"

"I'll make some calls," he answers. "How much time do you think we have?"

"There's no way to know for sure. But the faster they can get here, the better."

Boden nods in understanding. As he turns to leave the room, I see him pull his cell phone from his pant pocket.

I feel a hand on the small of my back and I turn to see who it is. My mouth goes dry like I've swallowed a cotton ball. His chest is incredible. I look up into his blue eyes.

"Is there anything we can do?" Kelly asks me. I feel like I'm lost in his gaze. I shake my head no, unable to form a sentence with him standing too close to me. He smirks.

I clear my throat and attempt to force words to come out of my mouth. I've been avoiding being alone with him for a reason.

His smirk fades and a genuine smile tugs on his lips. Lips I shouldn't be staring at. I shake my head and refocus. "Thanks for bailing me out the other night," he says. His hand readjusts and I realize it's still on the small of my back. "I had more fun than I thought I would."

I nod. "Me too." I look away from his gaze before glancing back at him quickly. I tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear. Why do I feel like a teenage girl with a massive crush?

"You were a pretty great fake girlfriend," he says softly so no one overhears us. Then he shoots me a wink that makes my knees go weak. I'm in trouble. I nervously smile.

"How's Gabby doing?" Herrmann interrupts our awkward moment.

I clear my throat. "Matt's keeping her calm. For now, anyway. She's in active labor, though."

Herrmann whistles. "That was fast."

Kelly's brow furrows and his hand drops from my back discreetly. "Clue me in?" he asks.

"We need those plows here. Pronto," Herrmann tells him.

"Is the baby that close?" Kelly asks, turning his attention to me.

I sigh. "She's half way there. It could be quick or it could take a whole lot longer."

"I'm going to have Jimmy scrub the shower, just in case," Herrmann says then turns to leave.

"The shower?" Kelly questioned.

"Warm water can help ease the pain," I tell him. "I should go check on Gabby and Matt." As I walk away, I can feel his eyes glued to me. Don't look back, I tell myself, but I do. Oh, boy. I'm really in trouble.


Gabby's POV

I just want to cry. These contractions are a lot more painful than I expected. Or maybe it's just that I thought I was tougher than what I really am.

"That's it," Matt says quietly, rubbing my back as the contraction starts to subside. "You're doing great."

"This hurts."

"I wish I could do this for you," he tells me. I know he means it.

There's a knock on the door. "Come in," I call out. Sylvie pops her head into the room.

"How you doing, mom?" She smiles.

"Do you stock the Ambo now with epidurals?"

She offers me a sympathetic smile and shakes her head. "Sorry."

"Worth a shot," I tell her, shifting on the bed. Matt offers me his hands so I can use him as leverage. I sit up.

"What can I do?" Matt asks.

"I don't know," I groan, rubbing my back. "I think I need to move around."

I stand up and realize that moving around in this small space isn't going to work. Pretty soon Sylvie, Matt and I are slowly making our way from Matt's office into common room.

"Hey Gabby," Herrmann greets me softly and kisses my cheek. "How ya doing?"

"Oh, you know," I sigh, feeling like I'm waddling into the room.

"Can we do anything?" Otis asks.

Before I can respond, Joe is talking. "Need some ice?"

I chuckle. "Thanks, but I'm good. Just need to move around."

"Hey, Chief," I hear the guys greet behind me.

I turn and see him. "Hey," I smile.

He smiles softly at me and takes a few long strides. "How are you feeling?" He gives me a hug.

"I'd be a lot better if we could get to the hospital," I tell him. I quickly step out of his embrace and lean against the counter as another contraction washes over me. They are steadily getting closer together, lasting longer and becoming more painful.

"I'm here," Matt says softly, coming up behind me. He places his hand on my back and starts to rub.

"Please," I say softly, shaking my head. "Don't touch me." He removes his hand from my back and I lean forward against the cool counter. I groan and try to focus on my breathing. It feels hot in here.

Sylvie grabs a clean towel from the drawer and soaks it under the tap with cold water, then rings it out. "Here," she says quietly, placing the cool cloth on the back of my neck.

It takes a minute for the contraction to lessen before I can focus. "Thanks," I whisper, removing the cool towel from the back of my neck and dabbing it across my forehead and cheeks. I turn to Matt. He looks like he doesn't know what to do. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," he tells me. "Whatever you need. If you need me to rub your back or your legs, I'm there. If you need me to back off, then I will. If you want to throw sharp objects at me, I'm good with that. Just give me some warning so I can duck tape some cushions to my body and maybe find a helmet."

I chuckle. "I'll try to give you a heads up, but I make no promises." I dab the cloth across my face again and start to fan myself, needing cooler air. "It's hot in here."

"Why don't we go for a walk on the apparatus floor?" Sylvie suggests. "It's cool out there."

I nod in agreement and she grabs her hoodie off the counter. I turn back to Matt. "We'll be back in a few minutes."

"Do you want me to come with?"

I shake my head. "No, that's OK. Just take a few minutes for yourself. Relax." I lean up and give him a kiss.

"You can't take a few minutes for yourself," he argues softly when our lips part. "So I'm not going to either."

I smile at him. "You taking a few minutes for yourself will help us both. Please?"

He watches me closely for a minute. I'm pretty sure he's trying to figure out if I mean it, or am just trying to give him an out. "You're sure?"

I nod before letting his hand go and allowing Sylvie to lead me out of the room and towards the apparatus floor.

Truthfully, I had realized fairly early on in the pregnancy that people were doting on me, but not him. Asking me how I was doing. If they could get me anything. True, my body is being put through the ringer to bring this little bundle of joy into the world, but Matt is also an expectant parent.

He's been waiting just as long as I have. He's been with me through the morning sickness, holding my hair back. He's gone to all the doctors appointments and Lamaze classes. He's read the same books, insisting that he wanted to know what my body was experiencing week by week, and that he wanted to know what limb or organ the baby was finished developing, when the baby started to blink in the womb...all that good stuff that's crazy and weird and truly amazing. Since I've been on my maternity leave, and especially after the Braxton Hick's incident, he's been pretty jumpy. He's attempted to play it off, and for the most part, I've let him. But at two am, when I need to roll out of bed so I can go pee, he wakes up easily as if he were barely asleep to begin with and would call out my name as if expecting me to tell him it's time.

He's human. It's overwhelming. And knowing him, he'll continue to put all his energy into me and neglect himself, not stopping to realize that this phase is about to be over and the next one phase is about to come roaring in with a scream. Literally.

He needs a few minutes to let everything sink in.


Matt's POV

I keep a close eye on Gabby as Sylvie leads her towards the apparatus floor where it's cooler. As soon as they are out of sight, I take a deep breath and slump down on a chair at the table.

I can see the sympathetic look both Herrmann and Boden are sending me. Having been through this, they know.

"How you holding up?" Herrmann asks.

"I...I don't know," I'm truly at a loss for words. "I hate seeing her in pain."

"It's all a part of it," Herrmann assures me.

I nod. "I've known since the start that all I can really do, from the beginning to the end of the pregnancy, is be here for her, be supportive. Do whatever I can to make her more comfortable. The only thing I knew for sure that I could do, though, would be to get her to the hospital when it's time." I chuckle. "Apparently I was wrong."

"Come on, Casey," Kelly starts. "This weather is not your fault. You said it earlier. No one could've predicted this."

"At least she's here with us instead of being stuck at home," Boden tells me.

"Yeah," McAuley chimes in from the couch. "At least there's paramedics here at the house. Sylvie and I can handle it."

My stomach drops. "No." I shake my head. "Just no."

McAuley looks offended. "I'm perfectly capable. I've helped deliver -"

"No. Not gonna happen. No way." I can see the smirks on the guys faces. "Sylvie, yes. You? No."

"We'll see," he shakes his head. "When something goes wrong, you'll-"

He's cut off by all of us yelling at him to shut up.

"Nothing is going wrong, McAuley," Kelly's tone is a warning, almost daring him to say something else. Everyone knows it.

"No one needs your negativity. Ever," Herrmann chimes in. "Not victims of fires, or car accidents. And certainly not parents waiting for the birth of their baby. Got it?"

McAuley rolled his eyes and turns his attention back to the infomercial on TV.

"Everything is going to go smoothly," Boden tells me, pinching he bridge of his nose like he's trying to alleviate the stress that McAuley brings into the house. "I mean, aside from being snowed in. Gabby and the baby are perfectly healthy. And it's entirely possible that the plows will get the streets cleared and we can get the Ambo out with you and Gabby on board before baby Casey makes his, or her, arrival."

"CASEY!" Sylvie's loud yell surprises us all and I'm up and running without a thought. I know the others are following closely behind.

"What?" It's a short run and I can feel the blood pumping through my veins. Sylvie has the door held open and I rush through it. Gabby's bracing herself on the door of the supply closet. She's clearly in a lot of pain.

"Her water broke," she tells me.

"I'll the mop and boil the water," McAuley's monotone voice echos.

"Does he need to do that?" Otis asks.

"Tell him to boil enough to heat the Chicago River," she manages to say through labored breaths then groans. "Ohh, God. Ah."

Everyone is silent, not knowing what to do or say. Not wanting to distract or upset her.

Her eyes are closed and she starts pointing at her lower back, apparently unable to talk. "I got it," I say softly, gently kneading her muscles. "Slow breath in, steady out," I tell her.

After a few more moments of what I can tell is an incredibly painful and intense contraction, she starts to relax.

"Do you need to sit down?" I ask her.

"I want drugs." She says it so matter-of-fact that it would be easy to miss the small quiver in her voice. But I hear it. "I feel like I'm being kicked in the back and stomach by a bull and being run over by a train all the same time."

I flinch at the thought. I can't even being to imagine what it feels like. "I'm sorry, babe," I rub her back in small circles and kiss her temple.

"Why don't we get you inside? I should probably check you again," Sylvie suggests.

Gabby nods her head in agreement. When she starts to walk towards the door, I notice that she's moving slower and seems to be having trouble. After a few steps, she stops to take a breath.

"You doing OK?" Sylvie asks.

She nods. "Just a lot of pressure." After a moment her grip on my hand tightens. "Matt?" Her voice is shaking. She tugs on my hand, her grip becoming like a vice.

I move to stand in front of her, my legs spread apart so my shoulders are lower than normal. She leans into me, her forehead on my chest, her arms coming up around my shoulders and neck. She's moaning in pain and all I can do is stand here, my arms coming around to rest on her back.

I can tell she's practicing the breathing techniques we were taught in the birthing classes. "Oh, God," she cries, her body starting to sway from side to side. I move with her, making sure to support her and keep her from falling. "This is happening so fast," she whispers. "Too fast." A tear rolls down her cheek as she looks up at me. "This was not the plan."

I kiss her forehead. "It's OK," I whisper. I'm terrified that it's not OK, but right now, I need to be strong for her. "Everything is going to be fine." She takes a few more deep breaths. "You think you're ready to head inside so Sylvie can examine you?"

I feel her nod her head yes and we slowly turn towards our friends who are still unsure of what to do.

"Doing this with an audience wasn't in the plan, either," she comments with a small chuckle.

"We'll make ourselves scarce if that's what you need, kiddo," Herrmann winks at her.

"I appreciate that," she tells him, slowly making her way towards the door, myself and Sylvie following closely behind.


Gabby's POV

I have never walked this slowly before. Not even when I broke my left leg in two places the summer I was fourteen. Crutches had not been my friend. I stumbled more times than I could count, twisting my right ankle. I could've run a marathon with both those injuries compared to how I'm feeling right now.

Another contraction washes over me and I stop in my tracks. I can feel Matt's chest against my back, his arms coming around my sides, palms facing up. I immediately grasp on, threading our fingers together. My jaw is set tight, and I try to remember to breathe in steadily and exhale slowly. His chin comes to rest on my shoulder and he starts whisper in my ear. "You're doing great, Gabby. In," he inhales with me, "and out."

"Oh," I feel more pressure than before. "I need to sit."

"Let's get you to my office," Matt nods towards his door which is about twenty feet in front of us.

I shake my head, realizing that as much as I want to, I can't. "I can't move," I whisper, shocked.

"What do you mean you can't move?" I can hear the uncertainty in his voice.

"I can't move," I gasp, shocked. "It's like the baby is right there." I can feel another contraction building again and I grab onto the small half wall beside my old cot.

"Just sit on your old bed," Sylvie instructs me, but I shake my head.

"Privacy. I need privacy. Ah," I moan.

Matt nods his head and he quickly scoops me into his arms as if I weigh no more than a feather. If I weren't in so much pain, I might be inclined to make a crack about how he's been hitting the gym and I've been hitting up McDonald's.

Sylvie quickly walks ahead of us into Matt's office and pulls the covers back on his small bed. He sets me down and covers me up to my waist.

I lean back into the cushions, then lean forward slightly and to the side in an attempt to find a somewhat comfortable but it's not happening. I lean forward again and Matt pulls me into his arms and he rocks me back and forth trying to keep the pressure and pain from settling in any one area.

"OK," I nod after a minute, easing my grip on Matt. I lean back into the cushions again and my head falls back. Sylvie adjusts the blankets from the foot of the bed and shimmies my maxi skirt up.

I glance down at Sylvie as she quickly finishes examining me.

She sends a small, reassuring smile my way. "You're almost fully dilated. You two ready to meet your baby?"

I look at Matt. His eyes are filled with tears. He chuckles and a smile spreads across his face. I've never seen him so happy.

"I'm going to give you guys a minute," Sylvie pats my legs and quietly excuses herself.

"You ready, Daddy?" I ask with a shaky breath.

He brings my hand up to his lips and places a kiss on my skin. "With you, I'm ready for anything."

I smile and my vision blurs with fresh tears. Matt springs into action and quickly uses the pads of his thumbs to wipe them away, cradling my face in the process. I reach up and cling to his wrists. "I'm scared, Matt."

"I know," he tells me. "But we've done our research and we're as prepared as we can be, right?"

I swallow against the lump of emotions that have apparently decided to take up residence in my throat. "But we're not in the hospital. I've had no drugs. I wanted drugs for this part!" And then my eyes go wide and I can feel a whole new panic setting in. "Your office hasn't been thoroughly disinfected. Nothing in this firehouse has been disinfected."

My head is swimming and I can hear Matt chuckle beside me. "Look at me," he says softly. "We aren't in a hospital, but Sylvie is here. She is going to help bring this little one," his hand is caressing my belly, "into this world. The first people our baby is going to meet is our family out there." He looks around the office that has sort of become our private oasis while at work. "This is office is our home away from home. If this baby can't wait any longer to meet us, then at least we're here."

"Promise me," I whisper, he looks down at me, intently listening, "that if anything happens -"

"Nothing is going to happen, Gabby."

I shake my head. "Promise me," I say more firmly, "if it comes down to a choice...that you will put this baby first. I don't care about me. You make sure that our baby is safe. And healthy."

He leans down and presses a firm kiss to my forehead, holding on tightly to my hand. He pulls back and looks into my eyes. "Nothing is going to happen, Gabriella Casey. Nothing. Both you and our baby are in perfect health."

I want to press him further, needing him to promise me, but another intense contraction rushes over me. I moan. "Oh, God. I think I need to push." I swear my voice had gotten higher. I close my eyes tight, trying to concentrate on not pushing yet. I hear Matt jumping up and rushing towards the door.

"BRETT!" I hear him holler into the hall. He doesn't wait for her to answer before he rushes back to my side.

I exhale through tight lips, trying to stay calm. Before the contraction is over, Sylvie is rushing back into the room, a stack of cushions and pillows in her arms. My eyes are still closed, but I hear more commotion behind her, so I'm pretty sure she didn't come in alone.

"What happened?"

"I think I need to push," I tell her, taking a few quick but sharp intakes of breath. "Ah." Matt is shoving cushions and pillows behind me, as if trying to prop me up in the most comfortable way possible.

"Set it up here," Sylvie tells Kelly, as she opening up her kit and starts laying out her tools, then slips on a pair of clean gloves. He makes quick work of setting up a a lamp at the foot of the bed.

"You can adjust the brightness with this," Kelly shows her the dial. "And this here," he says, pointing at a handle, "moves so you can adjust the height."

"Got it," she nods, then turns to him and offers a small smile and a quiet thanks.

"You want help in here?" McAuley asks, entering the room without waiting for an invite.

"Get out, McAuley," I growl at him.

"I, at least, have medical training," he says, then points to Kelly. "Why's he here?"

Another contraction starts to roll over me. It's so intense that I feel as though my limbs are going to start to shake. My jaw is set like steel and I swear if eyes could shoot daggers or spit fire, McAuley would be ducking for cover. "Get out. Now."

"I'm on it," Kelly announces.

As I concentrate on my breathing, I see Kelly grab fist fulls of McAuley's windbreaker and physically walk him backwards out of the room.

"Holler if you need me!" McAuley shouts, determined to have the last word.

"Please tell me I can push," I beg, grasping Matt's hand tightly in my own.

Sylvie makes quick work of moving the blankets up so she can check my progress. "When you're ready," she confirms, "put your chin to your chest and push."

I nod my head and exhale, preparing to take a deep breath and bare down.

Matt places a hand on the back of my neck, supporting me when I put my chin to my chest. His other hand is under my knee and he pulls it back. I do the same with my other hand and knee.

"Arrgh," I grunt, feeling a lot pressure when I push.

"One, two, three," he counts calmly and slowly. By the time he gets to ten, I need air. I fall back against the cushions that are propped up behind me. "Slowly breathe in," he coaches. "That's it. Do you need push again?"

"Only during contractions," I tell him. "It's hot in here," I say, suddenly feel like there's an inferno raging. "Where's that cold cloth?" I remove the sheet from my torso and unzip the hoodie I had changed into last night when I went to bed. I remove the item completely and throw it across the room. I'm now only wearing a sports bra.

"Still on the kitchen counter," Sylvie answers. She looks at Matt. "Casey, can you holler out for someone to bring it in and maybe some ice chips?" She shows him her gloved up hands, indicating why she can't open the door and do it.

He nods, kisses my forehead and gets up and walks over to the door, then opens it. "Kelly?" He calls. I can hear Kelly answer from a distance but it's muffled. "Can you bring us a cold cloth and some ice chips?" I see Matt nod his head, so I know Kelly answered him. "Thanks!"

"OH," it's building again. Matt rushes back to my side, the door staying ajar. We each grab a hold of one of my legs and pull back so I can bare down and push.

"You're doing good, Dawson," Sylvie encourages.

"That's it, baby," Matt says softly. "You're doing it," he smiles at me. "Six, seven..."

I can't bare down any longer. My lungs are burning for air. I collapse back against the cushions again. "Jesus," I'm panting. "I know I have nothing to compare this to, but I think this kid has to be the biggest baby ever."

Sylvie softly laughs and Matt pushes the hair away from my face. Staring into his eyes calms me a little.

There's a tentative knock on the door and Sylvie lowers the sheet to cover my legs. She looks at the both of us to make sure it's OK. Matt lifts the sheet so it's covering my torso. We both nod to Sylvie so she softly calls out. "Come in."

The door slowly opens and I see Kelly peer in to the room tentatively, just to make sure it's safe. He pushes the door open the rest of way with his foot and once inside the room. He lifts up the tray resting on one arm. "Room service," he jokes.

I offer a small smile. "Thanks."

Kelly hands the tray off to Matt, and he sets it down on the small table beside the bed.

I look over at the tray and I see Matt reaching into one of the to bowls and pick up a washcloth out of the cool water. He rings out the excess water and reaches over to dab my forehead. I reach up and take the cloth from his grip and then he reaches over and places ice chips from the second bowl into the empty cup that Kelly had placed on the tray.

As I dab from my forehead, down my cheek and to my neck, I feel a tapping on my knee. I look at Kelly and he smiles and offers me a wink. "You're doing great, Gabs."

"Thanks," I smile at him and then close my eyes. Another contraction rolls in like a freight train. "Ah!" The pain feels like a fire poker and my body is moving on it's own. I know I'm writhing around on the bed. It's like I'm trying to get away from my own back.

Kelly makes a quick exit. Sylvie moves the sheet up and places it on my knees.

"Push, Gabby," Sylvie encourages.

Matt takes my hand again quickly and pulls my leg back.

I bare down. I'm pushing with everything I have and I can feel my face turning red. The pain is intense and the grunting noises that I can hear myself making are now turning into screams.

When Matt finally finishes counting to ten, I stop pushing and fall back, exhausted. The tears start to flow. "I can't do this. I can't," I shake my head. I feel so defeated.

"Look at me." His voice is determined. When I look at him, I can see the love he has for me and this baby. "You can do this, Gabby. I've been watching you do this for the last nine months. This is the home stretch. It's the hardest part, giving birth, but you are stronger than this is hard." He can't hold back the smile, but his chin quivers with emotion. I can hear the love in his voice. "With every contraction and push, you are one step closer to meeting our son or daughter."

I let his words sink in. I relax my body as best I can. I know another contraction and push are right around the corner. "I love you," I say softly.

"I love you too," he whispers, leaning down and kissing me sweetly. He pulls back. "You ready to have our baby?"

I exhale, then inhale slowly, feeling another contraction building. "More than ready," I answer him. And with that, I'm pushing again.


Kelly's POV

Despite the fact that that there is a short hallway and the bunk room separating Matt's office from the common room, where we're all gathered, we can still hear Gabby's cries of pain.

I look around and see all the guys flinch. I assume I'm doing the same. The only birth that we've been present for was the one on the side of the highway, after the pile up. But that was different. That was a woman we had never met. This is Gabby.

"Thank God Trudy and I are too old for this," Mouch says. He looks sick to his stomach.

"Don't let her hear you say that," Herrmann shakes his head.

We hear Gabby yell again.

"I am never doing that to a woman," Cruz announces. "That is not natural."

Herrmann chuckles. "It's perfectly normal."

"Being a parent is the best thing in the world," Boden smiles.

"Easy for you to say!" Otis is pale. "Dad's get off easy in-" he motions towards Matt's office, "this!"

I look around. We're scattered all over the room. Some are pacing the floor, like I am. Others are sitting at the table, heads in their hands, looking like their ready to jump out of their skin. Even Mouch is out of place. Rather than sitting in his usual spot on the couch, he's perched on the arm rest.

Gabby's yells are getting louder and we're all cringing in unison with her cries.

"I can't believe women are willing to do this more than once!" Cruz says, putting his head in his hands.

"Cindy always said once she was holding her baby, it was worth it."

Boden nods his head. "Donna said that as well."

Gabby yells out again, but this time I'm pretty sure she's yelling profanities. A very colorful string of them. I can't help but chuckle, then cringe as her voice gets louder.

"So what?" Otis throws his hands up in the air, completely baffled. He looked over at Herrmann and Boden. "They just forget about the pain?"

I turn my attention to them as well. They looked at Otis and after a minute, small smiles begin to creep across their faces and then suddenly they both start to chuckle. And then it turns into full on laughter.

"Oh, hell no!" Boden announces. I don't think he's even been this amused at work before.

"You're crazy if you think that!" Herrmann walks over and slaps Otis on the back. "The only thing that women remember more clearly than all the things you've done or said that have pissed them off is the pain of childbirth."

Poor Matt.


Gabby's POV

"I'm so proud of you," Matt tells me when I stop pushing. He takes the cloth out of the bowl and squeezes out the excess water again, then places the cloth across my forehead.

"You're almost there, Gabby," Sylvie tells me.

I shake my head. I'm exhausted. "The baby keeps going back," I cry. I can feel the baby move forward when I push and then when I stop, I feel them moving back.

Matt moves the cloth from my forehead and places it on the front of my neck and top of my chest.

"Each time you push, the baby comes down lower," Sylvie says as she shakes her head, trying to move her hair away from her forehead. "You saw this all the time when you would deliver babies while working on the Ambo. The baby is coming."

I nod. She's right. "OH, GOD!" The contractions are on top of each other. I barely have time to rest anymore. I start to push and Matt immediately drops the cloth on my chest and resumes his position, holding my leg and supporting my neck.

My eyes are closed tight and I'm concentrating on pushing, but I can hear the smile in Sylvie's voice. "I can see the head!"

"You hear that, Gabby?" I can hear the smile in Matt's voice too.

"Mmmhmm," I grunt, still pushing. I need air, so I stop pushing. I take a series of short but steady breaths.

"As soon as you can, push again and keep pushing," Sylvie says, her head down. "The baby is right there."

I start pushing again, my eyes still closed.

"I can see our baby, Gabby," Matt's voice is full of awe. "You're doing it, babe!"

"It's going to really burn, Gabby. You're crowning," Sylvie's voice is steady and calm.

I stop pushing and breathe through the burning. "I can't! It hurts!"

"Gabby, you have to," Sylvie says. "Just a couple more pushes and your baby will be in your arms."

I shake my head from side to side. "I can't," I cry.

"You can," Matt tells me. "You are the strongest person I know, Gabby."

"Do you want to see how close the baby is?" Sylvie asks.

I look at her and nod. She looks at Matt and nods to the floor where a handheld mirror is laying next to her kit.

"Can you see?" he asks me, holding the mirror. I nod, unable to find the words. I feel a surge of emotions course through me. I knew it wouldn't be pretty, and it's not. But it is our baby. I reach down and touch the top of our baby's head. I've felt the baby move, but now I'm actually touching my baby. A second wave of emotions rolls over me and I start to cry happy tears. I can't explain how I go from feeling defeated like I can't do this, to determination to meet my child, but it happens.

Sylvie smiles at me and Matt takes his place by my side again.

"You ready?"

I nod and another contraction builds. I take a deep breath and push. The burning is intense but somehow pushing helps.

I breathe out quickly three times, then take a quick deep breath and continue to push.

"That's it, Dawson!" Sylvie smiles.

I scream, feeling myself stretch.

"OK!" Sylvie smiles. "Stop pushing. The head is out."

"I need to keep going!" I tell her. The urge to push is strong.

She shakes her head. "Breathe through it."

"Look at me," Matt says, pulling my attention away from Sylvie. "Just focus on me."

I can feel Sylvie's hands moving around the baby's neck.

"Well this is awkward," I pant. Matt smiles and laugh. I can see the tears in his eyes.

"Almost there, baby," he tells me.

I nod and flinch. "Please tell me I can push again."

"Just checking to make sure the chord isn't there," she says. I feel her circle the neck again, just to be sure. "OK, Gabby. One more big push and the shoulders should come. The rest of the baby's body will follow. You're almost done."

I nod and close my eyes on instinct, taking a deep breath in.

"Look, Gabby," Matt whispers. "You don't want to miss this."

I look down and watch as best I can from my position. I sort of have the cheap seats. Also the most painful.

I scream again as the shoulders come out, followed quickly by the rest of the baby. The scream quickly turns to relief. I can hear Matt softly chuckling. I know he's overjoyed. My body relaxes, exhausted, into the cushions behind me that are still propping me up.

"Oh," is all I can manage to say.

We can't stop staring at our baby cradled in Sylvie's arms as she quickly makes sure their nose is clear and then pats the baby to stimulate a cry. A loud, jarring noise that piercing through the silence.

It's the most beautiful sound in the world.

We can hear the firehouse erupt with cheers after the baby tests out their lungs. We all laugh through tears.

It doesn't take Sylvie long before she places the baby on the skin of my chest. My hands instinctively move to cradle my child. I look down at their face. Perfect. Sweet. Adorable. Pink. A light dusting of hair on their head. I see Matt reach out and place his hand across our child's back. His hand is massive against the baby's small frame. Definitely not the biggest baby in the world like I had thought ten minutes ago. But definitely perfect.

"Thanks for coming out of me." I laugh, not believing that's the first thing I say to my child.

Matt chuckles beside me. "Hey, kid," he says. "I'm your daddy." He looks at me and the tears fall from his eyes. I secure one hand on the baby and then reach up with the other and wipe his face dry. He moves his head quickly, kissing my hand. He turns back to the baby. "This is your mommy. I'm sure you already knew that though. We love you so much."

The baby's cries quiet down and they seemed quite content cradled against me. My heart is so full right now. I'm about to burst with happiness.

"Do we have a boy or a girl?" I ask. I hadn't noticed when the baby finally came out or when Sylvie had been quickly checking my baby over.

Matt peers down at me. The smile seems permanently etched on his face. "We have a son."

"A boy?" My eyes are shining with a new batch of tears. "We have a boy?" I laugh. Matt nods his head again and chuckles.

"A boy," he confirms. We both look back down at our son in amazement.

Sylvie, who has remained silent, places a fluffy warm blanket on the baby's back, making sure he doesn't get chilled in the new environment.

"He can't stop staring at his Daddy," I say. I look up at Matt and then back down at our son. "I think he wants you to hold him."

Matt looks down at me. "You sure? After all that work, I don't think you've held him long enough."

I chuckle. "I've carried him for 43 weeks. It's your turn, Daddy."

He smiles at me and then tries to figure out how to pick up our newborn son from my chest.

"He's not as fragile as he looks," I whisper. I cradle my sons head in my hand as Matt gently takes hold of him. Together, we lift him off me and into Matt's arms.

"I'm going to give you three some family time," Sylvie softly tells us. She's finished cleaning up what she can. "Do you want me to tell everyone that you have a beautiful and healthy son or do you want to tell them?"

Matt and I look at each other. "Tell them the baby is good. I think we want to tell them it's a boy." Matt nods to me and winks. I smile at my friend. "Thank you, Sylvie."

Her eyes are watery with her own tears, finally able to let her own emotions bubble to the surface. "Anytime, Dawson."

"Well, I don't plan on doing this again for a while," I chuckle. "And hopefully we'll be in a hospital next time. But I'll keep your number on speed dial. Just in case."

She chuckles. "Congratulations. I'm really happy for you guys."

We smile at her and she makes her way out of the room, closing the door softly

"Hi," Matt says, looking down at our son. We both look him over, checking to make sure he has all his fingers and toes. He does. "We've been waiting so long to meet you," he says quietly. "You'll never know just how much we wanted you. I've loved you for longer than your mommy has been pregnant. Speaking of your mommy, do you know how lucky you are? She's the best mommy in the world."

"No pressure," I smile softly, watching my husband cradle our son. I had no idea just how amazing and beautiful this sight would be.

"She loves you so much. She's done everything she can to keep you safe for the last nine months." He smiles at me then looks back to our son. "I've been here, but it's been all her up until now. But from the moment you came into our world until my dying day, it's the two of us together. We got you. We're going to keep you safe. And you're going to have so much love you won't know what to do with it all."

I chuckle. "And no girl will ever be good enough for you."

He laughs. "We have a good fifteen years before we have to worry about that, I think."

"Fifteen? Are you out of your mind, Casey? He's going to be on lock down until at least after college graduation!"

He chuckles. Obviously I'm joking, but I really can't think that far into the future right now. He's my baby. No matter how old he gets, I'm always going to remember him just like this.

The baby starts to fuss. "Want to go back to mommy?" he asks quietly, adjusting our son in his arms and then placing him back against my chest.

He starts to move around, her face turning into my chest, his mouth open. The sports bra is the only thing separating us right now. "You hungry, little man?" I ask him adoringly. I reach up and unzip the front of the bra so it springs open.

"Think he knows how to nurse?" Matt asks me.

"I'm not even sure I know how," I tell him taking one hand adjusting my breast. Instinctively I rub my nipple across his lips. It takes him a few tries to latch on, but he does.

"Ah," I chuckle, a little shocked. I look at Matt and see him smiling at me. "This is so strange."

"Good strange?" He smiles.

"The best." And I mean it.


Matt's POV

An hour later, I'm reclined on the small bed beside Gabby. I have my son cradled in one arm, sleeping soundly with a full belly. I'm cradling Gabby with my other arm. She's curled into my side. She's exhausted but fighting sleep. Truth be told, I'm pretty tired myself. But neither of us are ready to tear our eyes away from this perfect little miracle in my arms.

Watching Gabby tonight had been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I know how lucky I am to have this woman by my side.

"I'm so proud of you," I whisper, kissing the top of her head. "How are you feeling, Mommy?"

I feel the smile spread across her face because she's pressed into my side. "I like the sound of that."

There's a knock on the door. "As soon as we let that door open, the real world comes rushing in. You ready?"

Gabby takes a moment then nods. "Yeah. I think we've kept them waiting long enough."

I smile. "Come on in," I call out.

Sylvie is the first to enter. She tip toes into the room and her eyes land on the baby boy she delivered.

"We didn't want to intrude, but we couldn't wait any longer," Kelly smiles, following closely behind Sylvie. He looks down at the baby in my arms and I can see how much he already adores our son. "How you doing, Momma?"

Gabby smiles. "I'm happy."

"He's so tiny!" Cruz coo's when he catches the first glimpse.

"Careful," I chuckle.

"Didn't feel tiny!" Gabby smirks then reaches over and adjusts the blanket our son is wrapped in.

"So, what...kind...is it?" Mouch asks, tugging on his ear.

I look over at Gabby and she smiles up at me.

I sit up, careful not to wake my sleeping son, but his eyes slowly open and I see blue staring back at me. I smile at him then turn to our friends. "Everyone," I clear my throat. "We would like to introduce you to Noah Andrew Casey."

"You done good, kid," Herrmann finally says, tapping Gabby's foot. He winked at her again. Then he turned his head to me and shrugged. "You too, Lieutenant. I guess."

I laugh. "Thanks, Herrmann." He starts laughing as well. I nod at Sylvie and she steps forward, immediately taking Noah from my arms. He fusses a little but she starts to bounce him gently and he calms. "This is your Auntie Sylvie," I tell him.

"Hi baby," she cradles him with one arm and her other hand comes up to run a finger along his little cheek. "I'm going to spoil you rotten. Yes, I am!"

"Didn't you already get to hold him? You know, fresh outta the shoot?" Kelly smirks.

I can hear Gabby chuckle softly but she stops quickly.

"Don't hog him!" Kelly motions with his hands for Sylvie to hand him over. He bends at the knees so his arms are at the same height as Sylvie's to make the transition easier. "Hi, buddy," he smiles down. "Handsome little devil, aren't you?" He looks over at me and then to Gabby. "Get's his good looks from his mom, obviously."

"I can't argue with that," I smile at my wife. She looks blissfully happy.

"My turn!" Herrmann announces. Kelly hands him off and I watch as Chris expertly cradles him. Obviously he's had some practice with five kids of his own. "I've said for years that your mom is like my daughter," he tells Noah. "But if she were my daughter, that would make you my grandson. I'm too young to be a grandpa." Noah makes a small noise. "That's right. I knew you would agree. You're a smart kid. We'll figure out what you can call me in a little while, OK? For now though, I just have to warn you that my little munchkins are going to love on you so hard. Cindy and I are going to come visit you and bring those crazy kids with us so you can get used to what a loud house, full of kids, sounds like. I've got a feeling that you aren't going to be an only child for too long!"

Gabby can't stop herself. "Ow!" She giggles. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts." Everyone else in the room chuckles.

"You do have a lot of bedrooms that need to be filled up," Boden smiles.

"Let's start with just this one," I chuckle.

"Alright," he concedes. "The plow is a few streets over. Shouldn't be too long before we can get you two to the hospital."

"Thanks," Gabby says softly. We're both anxious to make sure our son is in perfect health but I know Gabby isn't looking forward to the next part. She still has to deliver the placenta and have a full exam to make sure she's in good health as well since her body has gone through such a trauma.

We watch our son be passed from one member of the firehouse to the next, everyone smiling down at him, excited that he's finally here.

Life is pretty damn perfect.


End of Part 3


I was going to attempt to end the story with part 3. It's long over due to be complete. Considering the title, I can't help but chuckle at the fact that it's almost the middle of January and I'm still writing it! Ha! That being said, I just don't think I'm quite ready to put it to bed, so I'm working on one last part. It'll most likely be considerably shorter, but I don't feel like it's complete just yet.

Special thanks to csinyfsan for the suggestion of naming the baby Noah Andrew.

One of the reviewers had mentioned that a Brett/Severide relationship could be cute, so I included a little of that just for them. I'm sorry I can't single you out by name since you reviewed as a "guest" but I thought it would be nice to include a little something for someone who took the time to make a suggestion.