A\N 1: First of all my apologizes for the lateness of this chapter, I wanted to take my time writing it and then I sent it to my Beta Reader to edit. Thank you as always to my amazing Beta Reader and to everyone who is reading and reviewing this story. After my Beta Reader edited the story I did add in some things so if you see any mistakes they're mine, my apologizes in advance if there are any.

A\N: My friend on Twitter made me the new Cover image for this story, so a huge thank you to her. Also I'd like to thank the anonymous reviewer who left a review for the previous chapter saying how much my writing has improved. I've really been trying hard to improve my writing with this story and you have no idea how happy your review made me, to think that even one person saw a change means the world to me.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Spoilers: None

Warinings: None

Chapter 10

When Matt first awoke it took him awhile to realize where he was, the room he was in was not his own, nor was it Gabby's. It was painted a neutral shade of grey and he was sleeping in a four-poster queen sized bed. Once he remembered, he sat up and rubbed his eyes. It was still dark outside and looking at the clock on the bedside table he saw that it wasn't even five in the morning.

Knowing he'd have a hard time getting back to sleep he decided to go for a run. Maybe that would help him clear his mind. Whenever they could he and Gabby usually slept together but Matt didn't dare disrespect her parents wishes and sneak into her bedroom.

Although the previous night had gone all right he was still nervous about he week ahead, meeting all of Gabby's family, although something he was looking forward to terrified him deeply. The thought of all of her family together, talking about politics, something even he was sure even some o the teenagers know more about then he did made his head hurt. How was he going to be able to keep up with everything and not look like a complete fool?

The previous night's dinner however gave him a taste of what the reunion would be like, and for that he was grateful. Dinner consisted of a summer salad, roasted chicken and fresh fruit for desert. Topics of discussion weren't what Matt was expecting and the children's behaviour was certainly not, they were near perfect except Daniela not wanting to eat her tomatos at first. When desert was over Eva asked to be excused and began taking away the dishes, Matt was very much impressed that Eva, Diego and Daniela were expected to clean the table and do the dishes after dinner was over.

Wearing a blue t-shirt and running shorts, and his phone strapped to his arm with his headphones plugged in, Matt stepped out of his room. Not wanting to wake anyone up he walked quietly down the hallway and then down the stairs towards the main level.

As soon as he arrived at the bottom stair a young Secret Service Agent made eye contact with him. "Good morning Sir. May I help you with anything?" He asked.

"Good morning," Matt smiled at the man who he guessed was around his age. He knew the Secret Service Agents walked around the clock. "I was just going to run in the Washington Mall."

"Ah very good Sir," The man nodded, he whispered something into his earpiece as Matt walked away, Matt wondered if he'd be followed or if they just needed to keep tabs on him.

Matt left the White House and walked past the gate, the Secret Service Agent nodding to him as he went.

Matt ran for an hour along the walkways in the National Mall Park. Since there was hardly anybody else there he was also able to get a good view of both the United States Congress and the Washington Monument. He took a few pictures on his phone and then put his music back on. He performed some cool down stretches and noticed that on his way back to the White House the streets were getting a bit busier, it was close to seven thirty so he guessed that people may be out to do errands or go to church.

"I'm sorry Sir," A Secret Service Agent approached Matt as he was walking up to the gate, "Tours don't run on the weekends."

Matt looked at the agent and realized that he was a different one than had been manning the gate when he left, "My name's Matt Casey. I'm Gabriela Dawson's boyfriend. We're staying here for a few days."

Looking him up and down the young agent pondered if the other man was telling the truth, what he said was true, but he could have heard that on the Internet. "I need to see some ID then." He requested.

Matt groaned out, he didn't have any, he never thought he'd need any to get back in. Looking back now he could see that was a mistake. "I don't have any. I do have pictures on my phone though of Gabby and I together. I'm sure you have pictures too."

Not bothering hide his frustration the Secret Service Agent headed back to the booth and began typing on his computer. For a few seconds he looked from his computer to Matt and back again, "I'm sorry but I need to confirm your identity with ID. If you don't have any I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Not wanting to get on Secret Services' bad side Matt nodded and stepped away. He walked back to the sidewalk where it was getting busier with tourists. He got out his cell phone and called Gabby.

Hearing her phone ring Gabby quickly finished outing on her shorts and answered it, quickly glancing at the screen, "Hey Babe. I'm just getting up. Want me to meet you outside of your room. Then we can go and get some breakfast."

"Well actually…" Matt let out a chuckle, "I'm kind of stuck outside?"

"What?" Gabby's eyes jumped in surprise, "What happened?" She walked to the door and opened it and motioned for one of her Secret Service agents to come.

"I woke up earlier and went for a run. I got back and the Agent at the desk says since I don't have ID he can't let me in, they have nothing to check my picture against."

"Ugh," Gabby ran a hand over her face. She wasn't sure who she was madder at, herself for not explaining to Matt he always needed to carry ID, or the guard who wasn't letting him onto the grounds. "Alright I'll come down."

"Are you sure they're lots of tourists around already." Matt knew she didn't like having her picture taken that much. Almost everyone around him was taking pictures on their phones and if Gabby came out they'd surely notice, within half an hour her picture would be all over the Internet.

Gabby realised he was right, the last thing she wanted was for Alex to come here looking for her, "Right, right well I'll just send someone to come and get you." She told him. "I'll be waiting in the main entrance."

"Alright," He nodded and waited until she was off the line. He walked back to the main gate and tried not to notice the agent looking at him. He didn't want to say anything to him; afraid he'd call the police on him.

"Sir I told you-" He stepped out of the booth and walked towards him.

"Agent Barnes!" Gabby's head Secret Service Agent shouted as he fast walked towards the gate, "Do you know who he is?" He looked at the younger agent, he face red with anger. Matt felt sorry for the young agent, remembering what it was like as a Candidate, always getting yelled at and blamed for things.

The younger agent seemed flustered and stammered, "Well he said he-"

"He is Matthew Casey. I know you're just following orders but you could have looked through his phone! Seen The First Daughter's number!" He reprimanded his underling. "If you want to keep this job and especially if you want to get onto a protection detail you need to do these things!"

The Junior Agent flushed red and nodded, "Sorry Sir," He turned to look at Matt. It was only his third week on the job, and he had already made a big mistake, he felt horrible.

"That's alright," He didn't want to mention he'd said the Agent could look at his phone, "I know you were only trying to protect Gabby. No hard feelings." Matt outstretched his hand for the other man to shake.

"Thank you."

Matt followed Agent Ford onto the grounds, when they were almost at the entrance he turned to the older man, "If you can help it please don't punish him too much. He barely looks out of college. This is a huge job; he didn't inconvenience me that much. I don't want him punished on my account.

Agent Ford nodded his head. At first he wasn't so sure that he'd like Matthew Casey, didn't think he and Gabby would be good together, with every passing day though he liked the younger man more and more. It was clear he cared very deeply for Gabby and he was smart and kind as well.

"I wasn't going to mention anything Mr. Casey, I'm glad you're not to upset though."

"No, no like I said I get it. I'm glad Gabby and everyone else is safe here, it makes me worry about her a little less. I know Gabby's worst nightmare is for something to happen to her brother or father and I couldn't bear to see what that would do to her.

Agent Ford only nodded his head; he understood the fear Gabby had and unfortunately knew that it could come true. Everyday her father and brother got hate mail or death threats against them, all of them were filed and investigated but one day of them could come true. There were ways of getting close enough to one of them to kill, or with all of the new technology be far away and just call a phone to set off a bomb.

Matt followed Agent Ford into the downstairs entrance to the White House where Gabby was waiting. She was wearing a pair of light blue jean shorts and a light pink t-shirt. The light colours contrasting with her dark skin tone perfectly; her hair was done in two braids and she was wearing a headband as well.

"Good Morning," Gabby walked up to him and stood on her tippy toes to kiss him, "You know it is kind of funny you got locked out," She smiled at him after their lips had parted. "Maybe my Dad did it on purpose!" She joked.

"Ha-ha," He rolled his eyes. "I thought he did for a few seconds!"

Gabby punched his arm, "He really likes you!" She wrapped an arm around him. His forehead and face were still drenched in sweat and the sight was making her heart race go faster.

"Did he say that?" Matt asked her eagerly, wanting more then anything for her father to like him, "Or are you just assuming." He looked down at her and tilted his head to one side.

"Well considering he didn't post guards outside your bedroom door he at least trusts you," She pointed out, "Us not sleeping in the same room doesn't mean he doesn't like you. My parents are very traditional."

"No, I know that. So do they go to church today?" He wondered, he wasn't expecting to see her dressed like that, not that he was complaining.

"They'd like to but it would be too much of a security risk and a distraction if they went. Sunday's are just usually a family day. Antonio. Laura and the kids should be here soon. In the meantime we can have some breakfast and relax." She eyed him and smiled. He was still in his running gear and it was turning her on in the worst way, her want for him was very strong.

Matt was about to whisper something in her ear when they were interrupted.

"MATT!" Diego ran through the doors and straight to Matt, "Can you go swimming with me?" He looked up at him and asked hopefully.

Matt laughed a little as Gabby had thought they'd have some time to themselves, "Of course buddy." He lifted Diego up and settled up on his hip, "Have you already eaten breakfast?" He wondered. Diego was in shorts and a t-shirt, his black hair sticking up all over the place.

"Yolanda made strawberry pancakes." Diego answered, "I ate them but Daniela cried and had a temper tantrum." He further explained, "So you can spend all day with me."

"Oh no Diego," Antonio walked up to him shaking his head, "We talked about this. Matt isn't here only to play with you. He and Tia Gabby need some time alone time together."

To no avail Antonio and Laura had tried to explain to Diego that although it was good he liked Matt he couldn't be with him all the time. It was especially hard for Antonio because he knew Diego's attachment to Matt stemmed from not spending early was much time with him. More than anything Antonio wished he could spend more time with his family but he was always so busy with work and the kids were growing up so fast, pretty soon Diego wouldn't want to spend any time with him.

He had an idea that perhaps Diego could start going with him on some events and places he went to, not only would they be able to spend more time together but Diego would learn a lot, and Antonio had enough security to keep him safe.

Eva who was looking down at her cell phone looked up briefly, a smirk on her face. "Why Dad, if they're alone they'll just be making out. Do you want that to happen?"

"Watch it young lady!" Antonio turned to her, "And put that phone away. You'll be spending all week with Madelyn. Today you both need to spend some time with your family. Like most children her age Eva was attached to her cell phone, hardly going ten minutes without going on it.

"She is my cousin Dad," Eva rolled her eyes, "Besides I'm talking to my other friends too."

"Eva Dawson if you keep talking back I-"

"Leave it alone Antonio," Laura interrupted her husband. She knew an argument with Eva would just cause more problems. "You want to deal with a problem child go get Daniela out of the car. She's yelling at all of the Secret Service Agents right now." Laura informed her husband as she carried Santiago into the house. At the sight of Gabby seven month old Santiago smiled and giggled and waved his hands and arms around.

Antonio shook his head and walked back out towards the SUV to get his three year old. Daniela was having a very bad morning and it didn't look to be getting any better.

"Matt! Matt!" Diego pulled on Matt's shirt, "Can we go swimming now?" He wanted to go before his younger siblings stole all of the attention, he felt so left out a lot of the times. Eva got to do way more than he did because she was older but he had to act more grown-up and not as young as Daniela. And he certainly wasn't as cute as Santiago he always managed to steal the attention.

"Let me have some breakfast first buddy," Matt put him on the ground, "Go and play for a bit alright. I'm, sure you have lots of toys here."

"He does," Esmeralda, answered, "Come on Diego you let Matt have some air. I know you like him, we all do all right. But you need to learn you can't always have what you want. Come with me and help me get breakfast ready."

"All right Abuela," Diego walked to her. He liked helping out with breakfast, his Abuela let him do more than his nanny Yolanda or his parents ever did.

Diego walked over to her and took her hand, she began to walk up the stairs with him, seeing Eva was still texting away on her phone she stopped and turned her head. "Come on Eva!" She called over her shoulders to her granddaughter, "And put that phone away now or I'll take it from you. And believe me I might not give it back if I take it!" She warned.

Knowing her Abuela was serious in her threat Eva tucked her phone into her pocket and picked up her pace to follow her Abuela and brother. They walled up the stairs and out of sight.

"Here Laur," Gabby stepped forward with her arms open, "I'll take Santiago from you. You go and relax." She reached out for her young nephew.

Laura took Santiago out of his car seat and handed him over. "No, I still have Daniela to worry about. She's testing limits I swear," She ran a hand over her face, "She's so jealous of Santiago and it is only getting worse. I don't know what to do."

"Hey, hey," Gabby soothed, she didn't like seeing anyone this stressed out let alone her family. "You'll figure it out. You're a great mother." She knew times were tough but she believed Antonio and Laura would get through it. Other then her parents they had the stronger marriage she'd ever seen.

"Sometimes I don't feel like one," She admitted. "I see Yolanda with the kids and it just makes me even more angry. She's so good with them and she knows them better then I do! Someone else is raising my own kids and I just hate it! I know we need one because I have so much to do but I just wish… I just wish I had more time to spend with then, I hate seeing them with her sometimes." She complained. What bugged her the most was that Yolanda was so good at her job; she was very qualified and had been with the family s their nanny since Diego was born. The kids loved her. She couldn't fire her just because she was feeling jealous; this wasn't the first time she was feeling like this and she knew it wouldn't be the last.

"NO! DADDY! NO!" Daniela kicked and screamed as Antonio carried her into the house. Her shirt was off and she was in the process of pulling down her shorts. Her face was red from crying and her hair was un brushed and very messy, it was clear she hadn't had a good morning.

"Daniela that's enough!" Antonio looked at her sternly, "Now you need to behave." He wasn't going to tolerate any hitting or kicking no matter no matter what.

"NO!" She kicked him and screamed, "NO! NO! NO!

"Antonio," Laura saw Santiago was starting to get fussy, "Take her somewhere else. I-" She was too late. Santiago screamed as loud as his little lungs would allow. With both Daniela and Santiago crying Gabby let Laura take Santiago and took Matt away.

Gabby would have stayed to help but she knew that sometimes it was better to just let Laura and Antonio deal with things on there own. Santiago was probably hungry and if Daniela were being this difficult she'd likely not respond to her either.

Gabby led Matt to an empty sitting room and closed the doors, sighing she looked at Matt and kissed him deeply, "I missed you so much last night," She told him. She moved her hands slowly up and down his shirt grinning as he moaned.

"I missed you too," Matt placed one hand on her hip and another on her face, he caressed her cheek, "You look so beautiful," He kissed her again, "I don't know how I'm going to keep things PG over the next week."

"Me neither," She kissed him again, "But I was thinking that next week instead of staying here we could stay in a hotel. My parents are going to be gone anyways and we'll be able to make up for lost time that way." She looked at him her eyes twinkling with mischievousness."

"Perfect," He kissed her running his hands under her shirt.

"Matt!" She moaned, "We both know we can't start anything." She looked at him and sighed, "No matter how much I want too."

"I know," Matt kissed her one last time before leading her out of the room. They walked back to the main hallway to find everyone had left.

"They're probably upstairs," Gabby took Matt's hand and led him up to the First Family living quarters. Sure enough she was right.

The private living quarters consisted of all of the main bedrooms, plus two guest ones and a sitting area, used mostly as a family room for the Dawson family. In a separate room off of the living room was a kitchen with brand new appliances. Esmeralda was a hard-core baker and cook, so she took it upon herself to update the kitchen that she felt was in desperate need of a makeover. She'd had the walls painted a greyish blue and gotten granite floors. A breakfast nook with five stools were put in as well as the new appliances.

Daniela was for the moment eating cereal as Laura did her hair into braids. A baby monitor on the table told Gabby Santiago was sleeping again somewhere nearby. "Sorry I wasn't any help downstairs." She saw the stare Laura sent her way.

"No, no I'm not mad at you," She clarified, "Just tired and stressed out in general. You were probably right to leave this one is being a real monkey today," She kissed Daniela's head, "You're going to act like a big girl now right?"

"I try Mommy!" Daniela promised stuffing her face with jam-covered toast.

"You know what," Gabby sat down next to her niece, "If you're a good girl for the rest of the day next week I'll hang out with you for one day. We can go anywhere you want."

"Arendalle!" She yelled, referring to the home of Elsa and Anna from the Disney movie Frozen.

Gabby laughed, "We can go anywhere that's real, and not to Europe either," She knew the three year old had been before, "Or Disney." She added.

Daniela looked at her aunt; she was confused, she didn't understand at all. She got to go somewhere with her aunt but not anywhere she wanted to go.

"How about a special day with Tia Gabby," Laura suggested as she poured more milk into Daniela's cup, "Drink this milk and finish up your cereal and then you can go and play." Laura told her daughter.

"Mom!" Diego walked into the family residence kitchen, "Abuela took away Eva's cell phone and Eva threw a major temper tantrum!" Sitting down at the table he started to laugh. "It was great."

"Diego you know not to tattle." Laura stopped what she was doing; she took a deep breath and rubbed a hand over her mouth. She loved in in-laws but they were very traditional and as such had very traditional ways of dealing with disciplining the children. She wished that they'd respect her wishes. "What did your sister do?" Laura inquired. To stop herself from speaking out she kept busy by whipping down the counters.

"She was sitting on the couch texting and Abuela asked her a question and she didn't answer. When Abuela asked her again she looked up and sighed and said she was texting. Abuela got so angry it was so funny!"

Knowing her sister in-law would want to deal this in private she turned to her nephew and said, "Hey buddy how about we go swimming now? Matt and I are almost finished eating. Go and get your swimsuit on all right. Fill up a bag with your sunscreen and get your life jacket."

"I don't want to wear my life jacket!" Diego pouted. Wearing it made him feel like a baby and that was something he certainly was not.

"You only need to wear it if you want to go into the deep end," Laura informed her son, she squeezed the bridge of her nose as she thought about how she was going to deal with the conflict between Eva and her mother in-law.

Climbing up into a chair Diego looked at Matt, "Matt do I have to wear one?"

Before Matt had a chance to answer Gabby frowned at the boy, "Diego stop pitting people against each other. It's not nice. You need to listen to your mother. Or do you not want to go swimming?" Gabby was tired of Diego being able to talk his way out of things, she figured it would serve him well in his future career in law or politics. She however did not want him to use it to get out of trouble now her brother and sister in-law already had their hands full with a seven month old and Eva acting up, they didn't need Diego to cause problems as well.

"You heard your aunt Diego, go and get changed!" Matt ordered he did his best to look angry with the boy.

"Yes Sir!" Diego nodded and scurried off.

Seeing the tension in the room growing Matt put Daniela in his lap, "You all finished sweetheart? Why don't we go and get you into your bathing suit too?" He helped her wipe off her face and hands. Putting the cloth on the table he made her braids would hold up in the water, at first glance they appeared fine. When Gabby looked at him and nodded he knew they didn't need to be taken out.

"Okay Matt," Daniela nodded, she climbed down from his lap and then stood on he tippy-toes to get her plate, being careful not to drop it she carried it to her mother. "Here Mommy."

"Thank you Daniela," Laura took the plate, "You make sure you listen to Matt and Tia Gabby alright? You behave and remember you keep your life jacket on all the time in the water or you come out."

"That's right Daniela," Gabby echoed, "Now come on."

Daniela took her aunt's hand and left the kitchen, she went ahead of Gabby and Matt to the room she was staying in. Passing Secret Service Agents she smiled as they smiled at her.

At three years old she didn't really understand her grandfather's job, or her father's job for that matter. She was unaware of the danger she was in and how much security was on her constantly. All she knew was that her Abuelo ran the country and lots of people worked for him. She liked his job because he lived in a big house and everyone was nice to her.

Lowering his voice as they walked Matt turned to Gabby, "I'm sensing some hostility between Laura and your mother." He sensed that she wanted to talk about it but wasn't sure how she felt about it or what side she was on. If he was a big feud he wanted to know how best to stay out of it.

"My parents are very traditional, they hear Eva talk back and think she's not being punished for what she says. Their methods worked all right on me, I had a rebellious phase. Back then though it was easier, now with her cell phone and social media it's harder raising a teenager, especially one like Eva. She's smart, she reads things and knows what's going on. Laura and Antonio do discipline her, they have they talk about this with her and expect her to know the rules and limits and she does get grounded," Gabby took a deep breath and continued. "My parents would prefer she have her cell phone taken away or smacked…. Laura doesn't approve of that and Antonio's just trying to play the peacemaker."

Matt nodded; it made sense that with the age and cultural gap that there would be disagreements in that regard, "It must be hard on you."

"It is. I do see it from both sides. Now don't get me wrong my parents adore Laura and my mother thinks of her as a daughter. It is just that sometimes my mother can be a bit overbearing and controlling even though she means well."

Up ahead Daniela ran into a room and disappeared, she came out a few seconds later carrying a pink backpack with blue and yellow hearts. Attached to the backpack was a pink and purple life vest "My bathing suit is in here!"

"Well alright let's go into your room and get you changed." Gabby told her. "Matt you go get your bathing suit on and then come back here. I should have Daniela all finished by then."

"Alright," Matt nodded, he left and turned a corner to walk towards the room he was staying in. Half an hour later Daniela and Diego were getting into the pool, Matt and Gabby behind them.

The pool was located in the private residence gardens, it was beautifully landscaped with a long glass tabletop and chairs and five lounge chairs. In the shallow water there was a waterfall hand-carved with rock and granite and at the deep end there was a diving board.

"Matt! Matt! Matt!" Diego waved his arms around, jumping up and down. "Watch this Watch me!" He swam under the water and held his breath. After five seconds he reemerged and grinned, "Did you see that?"

"Yeah buddy I did," Matt confirmed, he had been watching the boy while Gabby was playing with Daniela nearby, "That's great you can hold your breath for so long. What else can you do?"

Thrilled that he got to show-off Diego began listing off things he'd learnt in swim class, "I know how to do a front-crawl a back-crawl and I can almost dive in deep water!"

"Wow that's impressive bud!" It was great that at eight he was already so familiar with the water. "What did you want to do? Do you want to play a game or just swim?

"Can you throw me into the water?" Diego asked, he began to swim towards Matt.

Once Diego was beside him Matt responded, "Go and get your life jacket on and I will."

Diego nodded, he got out and put his life jacket on and then returned. Matt picked him up and tossed him into the deep end, Diego howling with laughter. He swam back towards Matt and climbed on his back, hanging from it he laughed as Matt tried to shake him free,

"Oh no! Oh no! There's something on my back!" Matt play-acted swinging from side to side, "But I can't find Diego!"

"Matt!" Diego laughed. He jumped from Matt's back and swam so he was facing him, "That was pretty funny! Let's box," He put his arms up into the starting boxing stance.

"I don't know Diego," Matt shook his head. He didn't want to hurt the boy; also he wasn't sure if Diego would be better than he was.

Gabby swam up to Diego and picked him up causing her nephew to laugh, "It's my turn to swim with you now!" She began tickling him and he continued to laugh.

"Well then I guess I get to swim with Daniela," Matt picked up the young girl and held her.

Watching from the garden Eduardo smiled. He still had his doubts and concerns about Matt but it was clear he loved Gabby very much. What was also clear was how much he loved Gaby and what an excellent father he'd make one day.

TBC

A\N: I hope you liked it. Please leave a review and let me know.

Up Next: Matt and Gabby arrive at Camp David for the reunion. How will Matt fare with meeting her family?