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Abbey'S POV

Peter had been in the hospital for a few days now so they could make sure there wasn't any lasting damage from the coma or the hit to the head. Gabby had been by his side the whole time since he had woken up. She would bring him some change of clothes and only once had we managed to pry her away from the room. I had visited a few times and we had talked about what was going on in our love lives all we were basically back to normal with each other. Gabby called me right after lunch telling me they were springing him this afternoon and that they would be home in time for diner. At first we had contemplated on doing a welcome home party with all of 51 but then we decided it would be both couples along with Shay and Severide plus both of our mothers. That would be more than enough so he wouldn't be too overwhelmed when he got back. I knew he would be coming home with his new accessory while he was doing PT, a cane. I had seen him work on one of my visits and it was getting along quite fine. I was just home, busying myself by cleaning up a bit and starting on the diner. My mom was supposed to meet me here within the hour so everything would be ready when Pete would be here. I was just about done cutting up the vegetables when I heard the door open. I had given Matt a key a few days ago but that wasn't him. This house no longer held secrets for me and by the subtle creaking of the door, I knew it was my mom.

"I'm in here." I said even though she knew where I'd be.

"Hey sweetie, how is it going?" She walked into the kitchen and kissed my cheek.

"Going great mom. I just finished cutting up the veggies. Do you mind helping me wrap the potatoes in foil please?"

"Sure." I saw her pull out the foil and take the butter, salt and pepper and the onions I had cut up for that purpose. "Doing his favourite?" She glanced my way and smiled.

"Yeah. I thought it would make him feel better after eating all that disgusting hospital food for so long." The steaks were still in the fridge, waiting to be seasoned to everyone's liking.

"Abbey?"

"What did I do now?" I looked at her after I heard the tone she used to call my name.

"I seemed to have noticed a certain lieutenant that was glued to you at the hospital. Anything you might want to share with your mother?" I knew where she was going and the smirk that graced her lips told me she already knew but she just wanted to pull it out of me.

"I have no idea what you're talking about mother." My face was starting to be slightly hotter than it was a few minutes ago.

"Oh come on. Just tell me you two finally started something. I told you before he's nice and I like him."

"Well it's only been about a week and a half maybe. It's all pretty new." I exchanged looks with my mother and our smiles matched. I knew she was happy I found someone who was nice to me, polite and would protect me.

"I'm happy for you. Your father would be too." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to her planting a kiss in my hair.

"Thanks mom." I was the first time I managed to go through any conversation about my father without becoming a total blubbering idiot.

"Is he going to be here tonight?" She asked as the door opened for a second time.

"Speak of the devil." I whispered to her. "We're in here Matt." I bellowed so he would come join us. He walked in and noticed my mother who hadn't acknowledged him yet. He exchanged a look with me telling me he didn't know how to behave in front of my mother. Since I had met him, I hadn't seen that look on his face very often. He was nervous.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Mitchell." he greeted her with a smile that she returned.

"Call me Michelle. It's nice to see you again Matthew." She smiled at him.

"It's always nice seeing you too." he was slightly stammering.

"It's ok baby, she knows." I chuckled to which he let the breath he was holding go.

"Sorry for being all weird." he apologized.

"It's ok. I'm happy my daughter has someone like you. Take good care of her." She offered him another smile.

"I promise." He smiled back at her and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Need some help with the preparation?"

"I know it's early still but would you mind setting the table? The food is pretty much all ready. We're going to be eight total." I went back to preparing the food as he busied himself getting everything out to set the table.

My mother and I finished preparing what was left for the diner and then she said she had to go pick Ingrid up so she left us alone.

"Finally alone." I pulled him by the hand so we could sit on the couch and relax before everyone arrived.

"Sorry I sort of panicked when I saw your mother. I didn't know she'd already be here and I didn't know what you had told her." He pulled me on his lap and played with my hair.

"She knew there was something there before I even admited it to myself." I placed a hand at the base of his neck and pulled him into me for a kiss. He placed one hand on my back and the other one on my cheek and kissed me back. It was starting to escalate when the doorbell chimed.

"Buzzkill." I groaned and he chuckled, kissing me again. I reluctantly pulled myself off his lap to answer the door. It was Shay and Severide. "Hey guys, come on in." I hugged them both and the went to the living room to join Matt. "You guys want something to drink?" the both nodded yes and knowing them, beer would be fine. I pulled two out of the fridge and handed one to each.

"Give me the tour?" Shay asked. I was new to 51 but I knew what she was doing. I showed her the dining room that was attached to the living room and then the kitchen before heading up the stairs to show the rooms. "So you and Casey huh?"

"What about it?" I knew almost everyone suspected us to be together but I wasn't trying to expose my relationship to Matt for everyone to poke at.

"I'm really happy for you." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "And I'm glad everything is ok with Dawson too."

"Yeah I was a total bitch." I gave her a guilty smile before we went back downstairs. We sat down and chatted a bit before the door opened and my mom came in with Ingrid. "Hey mom." I got up and took the bags she had in her hands and took them to the kitchen. They both said hi to everyone in the living room before following me so they could start on desert. "Thanks for taking care of the desert.

"It's not a problem. I figured I could do Peter's favorite." Ingrid smiled at me.

"I love you Ingrid." I kissed her cheek. Peter's favorite desert was strawberry shortcake and Ingrid's was the best I had ever tasted in my entire life. "I'll let you do your magic. I'll be in the living room if you guys need me.

"We're good in here, go have fun with your friends." my mom patted my cheek and smiled at me. I went back in the living room and sat next to Matt.

"Are they ok in there?" he pointed towards the kitchen. "I mean do they need us to help out with something?" He knew that these two women could work wonders in there but I also knew he was working on nervous energy.

"Look who's trying to suck up to mommy." Kelly teased and Matt just punched him on his shoulder.

"When is Pete and Gabby supposed to be here?" Shay asked from the love seat.

"Pete has PT so they're coming after." In all honesty, I didn't know that much about his schedule because he would be living with Gabby until he was back on his feet.

"How is that going for him?" Matt asked.

"I think it's been going good. I only spoke with him a few times since he woke up and with all the tests they've been running on him, I haven't been able to sit down with him very long to get a real update. I only saw him briefly during a PT session these past few days." I wished I knew more but with Gabby as his girlfriend, I had to take the back burner and let her help him recover. That feeling of being pushed aside, which was totally stupid I know, was taking over me and I mumbled a be right back before getting up and heading for the back door. I sat down on the porch and tried to control my breathing and the tears that were burning my eyes. I heard the door open and close and Matt quietly sat beside me, pulling me close to him.

"Are you ok?" He kissed my hair.

"Yeah." I sniffled. "I'm being stupid and a real baby I know." I chuckled wiping my eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's nothing really. It's just that I've never been in a position where I'm not the one helping him through a tough time." I hid in his chest, feeling like a complete idiot. He wrapped his other arm around me and just held me close.

"You've been through so many things together, I don't think it's stupid how you're feeling right now." I mumbled incoherently in his shirt before the door opened to reveal Severide. We both looked behind us to see him leaning against the frame.

"Pete and Gabby just arrived."

"Thanks Sev, we'll be right in." And he turned around leaving us alone again.

"Do I look presentable?"

"You're fine." He brushed a piece of hair out of my face. "Come on, let's get back inside." He helped me up and we walked back in, his arm around my waist and my head on his shoulder. We got to the front door and Pete was almost done removing his jacket with Gabby's help since his balance was still affected.

"Gabby, Pete." I hugged her and held onto him a bit longer.

The hight difference was enough that he rested his cheek on my head. "I missed you buddy." He smiled at me as I pulled away.

"I missed you too. Why don't you come sit down and rest that leg of yours. I'll go fire up the bbq." I smiled at him and helped him ease himself onto the couch.

"Thanks Abbey."

"Can you get him something to drink Matt?"

"On it." I kissed him and made my way outside to start the bbq so we could eat soon, it was six already.

Peter's POV

Abbey helped me sit down and quickly said something about starting the bbq so we could eat. I watched her walk towards the back door and slowly got up to go see what was bothering her. I quietly opened the back door and looked at her while she was furiously brushing the grill, her back towards me.

"Is everything ok?"

"Yup, everything is fine." She said in haste never looking at me. I walked slowly closer to her and leaned against the railing.

"I know you're lying. Out with it Mitchell." She looked at me with annoyance written all over her face.

"I'm glad you're back." She smiled genuinely this time.

"I'm sure Gabby told you this but I'll be staying with her while I go through PT." She looked at the grill again and started brushing the grill again. There it was. That was the reason she was being all weird.

"Yeah I know."

"Look, I know this is hard for you." I started not sure how to approach her. When she was like this, it was always touch and go. "But it will be easier because there isn't any stairs at her place and there's an elevator. I'm not trying to make you feel left out."

"I totally get it Pete. You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm just being a total spaz right now." She chuckled and put the brush aside before standing next to me, her arms resting on the railing and she looked at the yard.

"I'll be back here in no time." I bumped her with my good hip, making her laugh. My mom walked through the door a few minutes later with the plate of steaks for everyone.

"Five medium rare and two mediums and one well cooked."

"Thanks Ingrid." Abbey took the plate from my mom and put on the first steak since it would take longer to cook.

"I'll never understand how you can enjoy your steak well cooked." She made a grossed out face.

"Hey, it's very good."

"Yeah whatever." She chuckled. I stayed with her while she got them cooked and we made our way towards the dinning room. She helped me most the way until she had to give out the food. Everyone was seated and served when she raised her glass.

"Welcome home Pete." She smiled at me and we clanked our glasses together before everyone started drinking and eating. We talked and laughed during the whole diner and when we were done, our moms sent us to enjoy ourselves in the living room while they picked up even though Abbey was highly protesting. She was claiming that they were her guests and that they shouldn't be the ones cleaning up. I could smell a fresh pot of coffee brewing and then Abbey got up and joined our mothers in the kitchen.

Abbey's POV

I hated it when my mother and Ingrid kicked me out of the kitchen when it was time to clean everything when I had them over. They claimed it allowed them to talk up a storm while doing it. But when I heard the coffee machine being turned on, I went to join them so we could serve desert in the living room. I placed six cups on a tray with two empty glasses and the milk carton on a tray while Ingrid finished fixing the cake and closed the box so Peter wouldn't see it. I walked back into the living area and put the tray on the table and then Ingrid came and put the box in the middle of the table.

"Is this what I think it is ma?" Peter asked sniffing the air.

"Maybe it is." She smiled at him and he opened the box.

"I knew it. You are the best." he exaggerated and everyone laughed. "I swear you wont laugh once you've tasted it." He argued his point to everyone. Everyone ate their cake and enjoyed their coffee along with the small talk when I noticed it was nearing ten o'clock.

"You can bring back the rest of the cake." Ingrid told Peter as he went to grab it.

"Don't you dare." I pointed at him. "You need to leave an extra piece here." I warned him and everyone laughed. "Hey, I have the right." I laughed with them. Peter took the cake back in the kitchen and put a large piece for me in a plastic container before carefully closing it back up for him to bring back to Gabby's. Mom and Ingrid were the first to leave.

"I'll see you at the diner for breakfast before shift?" my mom enquired.

"Yup, I'll be there at seven sharp for some waffles." I dropped the hint so it would be ready when I got there.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." She kissed my cheek.

"I love you mom. Bye Ingrid." I hugged them both before they left. Then Peter and Gabby left next because Pete's leg was starting to be tired.

"Call me if you get bored all by yourself." I hugged him and then hugged Gabby. "Take good care of him and good luck, he can be quite difficult when he wants." I laughed dodging the hit he tried to deliver. "Missed." I stuck my tongue out at him as if I was five again.

"Come on before you pull a muscle." Gabby laughed before maneuvering Peter out of the door. His coordination was so off. Shay and Severide stayed close to another hour before leaving.

"We will see on shift tomorrow." Severide shook Matt's hand and kissed my cheek before Shay pulled me in for a hug.

"Thanks for having us." She smiled before they left. Matt had his left arm around me as I closed the door.

"Finally alone." He pulled me close and kissed me.

"Yeah. Help me with the rest of the dishes?" I kissed him back.

"Sure." We walked back to the living room and picked up the remainder of the dishes and set them on the counter before I started putting them in the dishwasher. We washed the rest in comfortable silence. Once he dried of the last piece of silverware, he pulled me to him and leaned down to kiss me again.

"Tonight was fun." He circled my waist and smiled at me.

"I love having friends over, we should do it again sometimes.

"I would love that."

The clock behind me caught my eye, it was almost midnight."Baby?" I pulled away slightly from him. "It's almost midnight. You should go and relieve the babysitter." Matt had managed to convince the boys to stay home so Peter wouldn't have two crazy kids running around while his leg was still weak.

"Look who's the buzzkill now." He laughed and kissed me again.

"Join me at the diner for breakfast?" I asked with puppy eyes.

"Sounds like a plan. Walk me out?" he pushed a rebellious strand of hair behind my ear. We walked to the door and he took his coat from the hanger. He put it on and I pulled him by the collar.

"I'll miss you tonight." I kissed him tenderly.

"Me too."

"Ok, get out of here before I make you stay." I pushed him lightly on the chest and out the door that was a bit opened. He kissed me one last time before going to his truck. I waited for him to be safely inside before closing the door, locking it and leaning my back against it, looking at the now empty house. I turned off the lights and headed up the stairs to get ready for bed. I closed my eyes, hoping for sleep to come quickly so the quiet of the house wouldn't get to me but I was not so lucky. I stayed awake for about an hour analyzing what was missing from the house before sleep finally crept up on me. Time would be slow going until Peter was back.

TBC


a/n: Sorry It took so long before I got this update posted. I've had so many problems with the website fucking up on me and making me lose what I had already written. I managed to finish it on my home computer since my tablet is giving me grief.

I hope you liked this chapter and that you'll take a few minutes to post a review because it helps me fix what I do wrong and do better in the next ones. Next up, we'll see Pete go through PT with Gabby's help and sadly, the departure of the Darden boys (i hate it because I love them so much) so stay tuned and I hope you'll stick with me for this story.