A\N: My apologizes for the longer then usually wait for this chapter, updates might be slower now as I try to make my chapters better by re-writing them and adding in more detail. My beta reader is really busy right now so this chapter is un beta read so any mistakes are mine. A huge thank you to all of my friends on twitter and everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Spoilers: None
Warinings: None
Chapter 7
The next morning when Matt opened his eyes he felt someone snuggle into him. It took him a while to realize where he, but once he did he smiled broadly. He was on his back, one arm draped over Gabby's shoulder and the other around her waist holding her close. Gabby was on her side, her face nuzzled into Matt's side, her hand on his bare chest, the other clutching the messed up sheets that covered them.
Watching Gabby breathe in and out in her sleep, her long thick curly hair ticking his chest, Matt realized he could get used to waking up like this every morning. It wasn't just the sex he loved, because he did, he loved her independence and kindness and how smart she was. She was so privileged, yet you'd never know it. Matt loved the fact that she worked for a living and bought things for herself. He'd been in lots of relationships but he'd never cared for a woman as much as he cared for her. He could really see this relationship be for the long term, maybe even end up in marriage.
"Good morning." Gabby mumbled sleepily. She let out a yawn and sat up, the sheets that had been covering her naked body falling. She sat up against the headboard and reached across Matt to grab her cell phone. Entering the password she entered another password and got a list of favourite contacts.
"High tech." Matt commented, looking over her shoulder. He didn't want to appear like he was snooping but he was curious, Gabby was allowed a cell phone and in appeared to have lots of extra security on it.
"Secret Service requires the highest security apps and measures for me to have my own cell phone." Gabby explained, she got up and put the phone to her ear. As she began to talk she walked around the room picking up pieces of clothing. Balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder she got dressed and threw Matt's clothes at him. "Get dressed!" She whispered urgently.
Matt wasn't quite sure what was going on but he did as he was told. Whatever was going on seemed to be important and stressing her out. He got dressed and listened as she talked on the phone. She was telling, who he presumed was her security detail that they were still planning on going to Antonio's house.
"I'm guessing we're late?" Matt buttoned up his shirt as she hung up the phone and taped on another number.
"Yeah." Gabby rubbed a hand over her face, "I told Antonio I'd be there in ten minutes. So get dressed and go downstairs!" She ordered.
Matt stared at her for a second, he loved seeing her like this, she was hot when she was stressed out. He would be lying if he said he wasn't incredibly turned on by her telling him what to do. Deciding to have some fun he walked over to her and kissed her on the lips smiling as she glared at him. "Who're you talking to now?" He teased her by running his hands up and down her arms.
"Antonio," She hissed through her teeth. "And be quiet! He doesn't need to know you're here, at my condo in the morning!"
"Right." He knew she was being series but couldn't help but continue to tease her. He grabbed her butt and caressed it causing her to let out a soft moan before covering her mouth.
"Matt!" She gasped, and shoved him with one hand, she put the other hand over the mouthpiece; "You just made it a lot harder to get on his good side." She warned him.
This made him stop. He was well aware that getting Antonio to like him was crucial if he had any chance of getting her father to like him. Finding that the room was spinning just a little he, backed up until his feet hit the bed and then he sat down.
Gabby ended the call and put the phone into the back of her jeans, "Don't do that!" She narrowed her eyes pointing a finger at him. "Antonio knew I was with you the minute I called." She was continuing the teasing manner in which he'd been previously in. When she saw his expression had changed she walked over to him and sat down beside him on the edge of her bed. She hadn't meant to freak him out, but she obviously had. "Matt! I was joking, Antonio doesn't hate you. Look, if he does anything Laura can take care of him, trust me. Plus I'm going to be there and so is my cousin Stella.
"Okay," He nodded wanting to believe her. "I'm still nervous, I mean I'm I expected to call him Mr. Senator?" He'd never been in this situation before, never met someone like this on a personal level.
"No." She shook her head taking his hand and squeezing it for comfort. "And don't you dare call him Sir. He had a big enough head as it is. Call him Antonio and if he gives you a hard time you just leave him to me. He may not even be the one you need to impress."
This got Matt's attention. "He's your older brother Gabby. I need to impress him if I'm…" He stopped; did he want Gabby to know that he was already nervous about meeting her father? Nothing had even been arranged yet. He didn't want to scare her off.
"If you want to impress my father you should make sure the kids like you. They like you you're golden." Jose Dawson loved his family and cared deeply about them. He'd do anything for his family. If he saw that Matt genuinely cared and paid attention to Eva, Diego, Daniela and Santiago, he'd already view Matt in a high regard before even getting to know him.
"How did you-"
"You'd be stupid if you weren't worried about meeting him." She cut him off. "But don't stress about that yet." She went to her walk in closet to find something to wear. "You're going to need your winter coat, hat and mitts," She looked over her shoulder at Matt as she began shifting through all of her clothes. She wanted something comfortable as she knew the kids would get her playing outside with them but also something that could be seen as fancy for dinner. "We'll stop at your house on the way so you can go and change, you're going to want something comfortable to wear during the day. You can wear the clothes you wore last night for dinner, one thing you should know is that dinner is always considered more of a dressier occasion in my family.
"Okay." Matt nodded his head, "What are we going to be doing today?" He wasn't sure if the kids would be allowed to play outside or if they had to do school work or educational activities. He wasn't even sure if they had nannies or anything really, "And how old are they again?"
"Eva and Maddie are twelve, Diego's seven, Daniela's four and Santiago is two weeks old." She pulled out a dark blue top and looked at it in the mirror before putting it back. "We'll get there probably around lunch time. You can meet everyone and I'd like to get caught up with Stella and Laura but you can play with the kids. Antonio and Laura will probably have them playing outside. They like the kids to stay active and Stella does too. They're probably really exited to play in the snow, since there's way more here then there is in D.C. especially thanks to that snowstorm we had a few days ago.
"Okay. Do they have nannies? Are they allowed to go to a local hill?" He inquired. "I mean they can't just play normally can they?"
Gabby couldn't hold in a light chuckle. "Of course they can." She looked at him and rolled her eyes, "They're not robots. Maybe they can't go to a local hill like other kids but wait until you see the amount of snow they have to play with. Antonio and Laura's Chicago house is beautifully landscaped and on close to fifty acres of land. The kids have lots of snow to play in. As for nannies, Eva, Diego, Daniela and Santiago have one but I'm not sure if she'll be here or not, if she is she's very nice her names Yolanda. Maddie has one too and I don't know her as well, think her names Jessica."
"Alright." Matt nodded his head; he was pretty sure he knew what part of Chicago Laura and Antonio's house was in. He'd driven past some of the houses in the area he was thinking of, they were all beautifully modern and some of them behind gates, and hidden drives, Mat guessed there's would be one of those ones.
Settling on a light purple sweater and a pair of dark skinny jeans Gabby turned to exit the closet. "I'm going to have a shower." She told him.
An hour later Gabby had finished her shower and they were just leaving Matt's house. Due to security, Gabby could not drive herself to her brother's house, her Secret Service agents had to do it for her.
"So." Matt was still secretly excited that he was riding in a SUV with bullet resistance glass. "Anything I should know not to talk about?" He turned to Gabby and asked. "Like should I avoid any topic that touches on politics?" The last thing Matt wanted to do was to get into an argument over something that Antonio and Stella did for a living. For all he knew maybe they liked to keep their work and home life separate, although given their family he was pretty sure that was highly impossible.
"That rules out a lot of conversations." Gabby concluded, "So don't do that, they're not going to grill you on it, well Antonio might but then you leave him to me. They're normal people Matt," She squeezed his hand, "They're just Senator's for a living, not that scary. There is one thing you should ask though. Maddie doesn't have a father, well she does but… it's not my story. So don't mention that unless you want to get thrown out."
"Right." Matt made a mental note to not mention that, he secretly wondered what had happened but knew, like Gabby had said it wasn't his place to ask. "Noting else?"
"No that's pretty much it." Gabby squeezed his hand reassuringly again, "You're going to do fine, they'll love you. Diego loves police officers and fire fighters already so you'll be his new best friend right away. Daniela's a little ball of energy and loves anything girly and attention and Santiago's a baby. Eva and Maddie might be the hardest ones to please as they try not to like anything unless it's cool."
"Yeah." Matt remember what it was like to be twelve, it wasn't fun, he suspected that for Eva and Maddie, living with as much security and under as many rules as they did that it was even harder.
The ride only took fifteen minutes and Matt had been right, the house was in the areas he'd suspected, he wasn't at all surprised when the car pulled into a very well hidden drive and stopped at a gate. The driver rolled down the window and pressed a button and looked into a camera, soon after the gate opened and they drove in.
They drove down a long driveway lined with trees and some beautiful gardens. They rounded the corner and Matt saw the house. It was a tan brick three-story house with an off-couloured red roof. The driveway wrapped around past some parking spots. An Audi SUV was already parked in one so the SUV went around the roundabout to the smaller house beside the big house. The smaller house that some would call a nanny suite was a small two-story bungalow that one similar SUV was already parked at.
"Alright Ms. Dawson." One of the Secret Service agents turned his head around. "We'll be in Senator Dawson's security house if you need anything."
"Thank you." Jeffrey," Gabby smiled, Jeffery was the youngest agent on her detail she guessed around her age and he was very nice and efficient.
Matt opened the door and took a deep breath, if he was this scared doing this, he was certain he'd have a heart attack when it was time to go to the White House and meet her parents. Maybe when that time came he could convince her going there wasn't a good idea and he'd get to meet them somewhere else. He didn't think that would be possible but it was always worth a try to ask.
"You'll be fine." Gabby squeezed Matt's hand as they began to walk up the walkway towards the house.
"What's the other house for? The security house?"
"Oh, Antonio has security camera's around here, one was at the gate and a few others, they're connected to monitors in that house. His security team monitors them 24\7 while he's here. The house has a washroom, a bedroom, a living area and a kitchen." She further explained. "Antonio has a similar set-up in the main house in D.C only it's much bigger as they're always more agents there."
"Ah." Matt nodded that made sense.
Gabby rang the doorbell and it only took a few minutes for it to be opened. There, standing in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt as Antonio, "Hey sis!" He hugged her pulling he into the house, "How are you?" He kissed her cheek and gave her a fist bump.
"Tia Gabby!" Daniela came running at her, her braided pigtails bouncing up and down as she ran. "Tia Gabby!" She wrapped her arms around Gabby's middle and smiled up at her. "Tia Gabby! Tia Gabby pick me up!" She stated jumping up and down.
"Daniela." Antonio looked at his daughter and frowned, "I told you to stay in the kitchen and finish your lunch. You need to learn you listen, your older brother and sister didn't come running out here, neither did your cousin."
Daniela removed her arms from around Gabby and pouted, she hated being scolded, "Sorry Daddy." She apologized.
"You know the rules Daniela, you finish your lunch and ask to be excused." He knew she was excited, but she needed to learn how to behave. "Did you tell Stella where you were going?"
"No." The three-year-old shook her head, her braids swinging as her head shook. "I'm sorry Daddy."
"Go back into the kitchen." He shooed her away. "We'll be there in a second."
Not wanting to get into any trouble Daniela scurried away.
"She's really cute." Matt loved the girl's pink and grey dress and white tights. Her long dark brown hair was tied into two braided ponytails. "You're right Gabby she does have lots of energy though."
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet." Antonio warned, then turning to look at Matt he stuck out his hand, "Nice to see you again Matt." He eyed him a little trying to gage just how nervous the other man was.
"Nice to see you again Antonio." Matt shook his hand with a firm handshake of his own.
"Come on." Gabby took Matt's hand sending Antonio a look of her own; she didn't appreciate him staring her boyfriend down. "Come and meet the kids and Stella. Is Laura upstairs with the baby?"
"Yeah, she's feeding him and she was going to change him too. She wanted him happy when you saw him." Antonio explained, he led them past three rooms and into a small hallway.
The closer they got to the kitchen the more they could hear all of the voices, once they entered the gourmet kitchen, all of the children looked up. Daniela was back sitting at the table beside her brother Diego, Diego was a carbon copy of Antonio, Eva and Maddie looked similar but Eva looked similar to Laura as well.
Before anyone talked and before she said hello Gabby wanted to introduce Matt, "Kids, Stella," Gabby looked at them, "This is my boyfriend Matt, Matt's a firefighter. Matt," She went to Daniela who was sitting closet to her, "This little monster is Daniela," She kissed the top of her head, "Beside her is Eva," She kissed Eva's head, "And Diego," She kissed Diego's head, "And this is my cousin Stella, and her daughter Madelyn," She kissed Maddie's head.
Diego quickly swallowed his sandwich. "Cool you're a fire fighter!" He looked up at Matt in awe, "I love fire fighters! Do you go into buildings? Do you go up tall ladders? Can I see your uniform? I've always wanted to ride in a truck." Diego stood up on his chair to ask his questions. He looked up at Matt and smiled broadly. "What kind od fire fighter are you?"
"Diego sit in your chair and finish eating lunch!" Antonio ordered. "You can ask Matt questions later."
"Yes Sir." Diego climbed down and sat in his chair and took a spoonful of his chicken noodle soup.
"Gabby, Matt help yourself to some sandwiches and soup." Antonio offered as he sat down to finish his own meal, "There are lots left."
"Yeah Tia Gabby." Eva smiled up at her as she and Maddie let out a few giggles well looking at Matt, "I miss you."
"You know what I'm starving, I haven't had any breakfast." Gabby walked towards the cupboards and got out two bowls and two plates, "I don't think Matt's eaten anything yet either."
"No, I think you had desert first." Antonio quipped. Stella gasping silently before looking at her cousin who was bright red. "That's what you were doing when I called right."
"Tia Gabby's that's bad." Daniela pointed out innocently waving her finger at her aunt.
Chuckling Gabby took a seat at the table, "Well sweetie sometimes it's alright."
"So 'Tia' is that Spanish for 'aunt'? Matt asked, changing the subject."
"Yeah," Gabby nodded, "Now kids you can call Matt by his first name but he's still an adult so you be respectful alright." She looked around the table to make sure they all understood.
"All done Daddy!" Daniela announced as she took the last bite of her ham and cheese sandwich, looking at Matt she pointed to the crusts on her plate and said. "Crusts are yucky. Mommy and Unda always take them off."
"Yes and Daddy forgot," Antonio sighed, "Now go put your plates in the sink Daniela. Then you can wait for Eva or Maddie to take you outside to play."
"Dad!" Eva whined, she and Maddie wanted to hang our my themselves, she hated it when she had to baby-sit, "Why did you give Yolanda the weekend off? I'm not a babysitter."
"Excuse me, long lady!" Antonio narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, "What did you just say to me?" If it took everything he had he'd get Eva to stop it with the sassy comebacks and rebellious tendencies, he didn't need a rebellious teenage daughter.
"I'll come out and help you Eva." Matt told her, "But you need to start being better behaved alright." He could see why Antonio was frustration, especially if she acted like this all the time.
Despite still being annoyed Eva finished up her lunch and said, "Thanks Matt. Come on sweetie," She lifted Daniela up into her arms and carried her younger sister and there dishes to the sink. She put the plates and bowls in the sink before proceeding to carry Daniela away. On their way out of the room they passed Laura who had Santiago in a sling, the newborn sleeping peacefully.
"Oh Laura!" Gabby stood up and walked over to her sister in-law. She hugged her and then peered into the swing, "Oh, the pictures don't do him justice, he's adorable," She cooed, "I'm so glad he looks more like you, one carbon copy of Antonio is enough."
"Very funny," Antonio rolled his eyes, "For your information little sister he's only two weeks old, he could still grow up to look like me."
"For his sake I hope not!" Stella laughed.
"I'm being cornered, come on Diego." He saw his son had finished his lunch, "Go put your dishes away and we can go downstairs to play or play outside."
"No Daddy." Diego shook his head, "I want to play with Matt!"
"Oh," Antonio looked at Matt. It was rare that Diego didn't want to play with him. "Well only if it's okay with Matt."
Matt nodded his head instantly, "Of course buddy," He lifted the seven year old up, "We can play whatever you want."
"Lets play outside first and then we can play inside," Diego smiled, "Daddy you can come to though, if you want."
"I think I will," Antonio stood up, "Let Mommy, Tia Gabby and Stella talk for awhile."
"Okay." Matt carried him to the sink so he could put his dishes away, and then followed Antonio out of the room.
"He's gorgeous Gabby!" Stella said sincerely, "And he's great with the kids too. I think you may have found the perfect guy. Now tell us all about what you did this morning."
"He stayed over at my condo last night alright. I think you can figure the rest out for yourself." She'd never been one to talk about her personal relationships but she knew Stella loved to hear all about them. "It's different with him though." She lowered her voice, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "In a very good way." She added.
"Yeah I can imagine that." Stella commented. "You look really happy kid. I'm glad you deserve it, you really do, especially after what happened with Alex."
"Thanks." Gabby smiled. "So tell me about what's been going on with you."
The woman talked for over half an hour without being interrupted.
"Tia Gabby!" Daniela came running into the room, "Come play!" She ran to her and jumped on her lap.
"Daniela, go pee that's why we're in here." Eva followed her and took her hand leading her back out of the room, "The adults are talking."
"Why?" Daniela stopped walking and turned to walk back onto the room.
"Tell you what." Gabby looked at her. "You give us twenty more minutes and then Matt and I will come and play with you guys alright?"
"Yay!" Daniela cheered happily and then followed Eva back out of the room. She went pee and let Eva take her outside to play.
When Matt and Gabby got outside the kids were busy building a snow family. Diego and Maddie we're working on there own one's and Eva was helping Daniela with hers. At this point the kids had been outside playing for nearly an hour and it as getting colder.
"Tia Gabby!" Diego ran to her as soon as he saw her, his boots crunching under the snow, "Matt's the best ever! He said he's a Lt."
"He is, do you know what that means?" Gabby asked, fixing her nephew's hat.
"It mean's he's in charge of a lot of people." Diego informed her. "He's really cool! Can he box?"
"I don't know," Gabby took his hand and walked with him back to where Antonio and Matt were, "Why don't you ask him."
Diego released his hand from Gabby's and went up to Matt, "Matt can you box?"
"I can't but I heat you're pretty good." He looked at the young boy, "Maybe you can teach me."
Diego's eyes gleamed up at him, he couldn't believe he was asking him to so that, "I can! I know how to box! Lets go right now!" He took his hand and began pulling him into the house.
"Hang on Diego," Gabby chuckled, "Stella made some hot chocolate for everyone, lets go inside and drink it. Then can teach Matt to box."
"Alright," Diego agreed.
"I'm going o go and see what the girls are working on," Gabby turned and walked to the other side of the back lawn where Eva, Stella and Daniela were working on what looked like a fort.
"Fifteen more minutes, then you can come inside for some hot chocolate," Gabby informed them.
"Do you like it Tia Gaby?" Eva asked. "It would have been better but Diego wrecked our first one. We had to start all over again."
"Yeah," Daniela mimicked her sister.
"They were going to be really tall and so pretty," Maddie added, "Now there's only one of them. Maybe tomorrow we can make another one though."
"Yeah," Eva nodded, "Do you want to do that Daniela?"
"Yes!" She jumped up and down excitedly.
"Then that's what we'll do." Eva told her.
TBC
A\N: Please leave a review :D
