Hello, I'm cannot even begin to express how bad I feel for the delay in this chapter. I completely understand if it has led you to loose interest in this story but for those who are still here and interested, I thank you and hope that this chapter doesn't disappoint.

Matt came home early next morning. Expecting Gabby to be still asleep, he deemed it wiser to use his keys for entry rather than knocking or ringing the bell.

Gabby, to his surprise, was not only wide awake but sitting on the couch, cozily snuggled up in her blanket and cradling a warm cup of (decaf)coffee in her hands.

"Hey, you up early?" he asked her as he dropped his duffle on the floor beside the door.

"I woke up in the middle of the night, too hungry to go back to sleep" she shrugged. Matt chuckled as he approached her and kissed her on the forehead.

"I hope you had something coz I didn't get anything. Want me to.." he said sheepishly.

"Um, I already did. I made pancakes and there's some for you too. So, help yourself"

"Oh, you're the best," he said instantly, relieved.

Gabby watched Matt gobble down his breakfast from the other end of the couch. As she watched him, it didn't take her mind long to wander to yesterday's events. How much longer would she to wait to break the news to him, she didn't know. But one thing she did know was that it was going to get harder, by the day, to keep it from him.

"So, how come you never called me after coming back home yesterday?" he asked fishing out the last dregs of breakfast from his plate.

"Gabby?" he called noting her trance.

"GABBY!" he tried harder this time.

"Huh" she jerked out of her thoughts.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?" she countered, disregarding his concern. Matt continued to watch her closely, he had a hunch there was definitely something going on with her. But knowing Gabby, trying to pry out any more info might not be the best course of action at this time, he judged.

"Did you get the results of your tests?" He tried, a little more casually this time.

"Yeah, I did. All good"

"Then, did they give you an explanation for why it happened"

"Uh, it was just the weakness like I told you. Doc gave me a few supplements to munch on. Otherwise everything looks fine" she replied avoiding his eyes.

Matt nodded, not believing her completely.

"Also, hey, Matt, I think I'd better shift to ambo until I start feeling a hundred percent. Because right now I don't, honestly. Doc said it might take a little time for me to get there, you know"

Gabby had thought all last night about feeding Matt that excuse for shifting to ambo at least until she could tell him about the baby. She knew she couldn't take any chances this time. She was going to take all precautions to make sure their baby survived this time. And even before that she was going to damn well make sure that this time their pregnancy was "viable".

Matt reached out, grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently, "With Borrelli's place vacant, I'm sure chief would have no problems in granting your wish" she smiled back at him.

"And well, Antonio called. He said they got hold of the guy who was following you, but they couldn't get anything out of him. The truckie says all those times you spotted him were just coincidences"

"That's bullshit" he spat.

"I know, I know and so does Antonio" she assured him raising her hands in peace

"Maybe that's why I haven't seen him in a while. He knows we are on him" he surmised.

"Maybe. They've got a tail on him now, so..."

Matt huffed deeply, "Anyway, I'd like to catch up on some sleep. Care to join me?" he asked her playfully

"Matt!"Gabby called around the house.

Matt jerked awake at her call, "Matt!" louder this time.

"Hey " he greeted her groggily as he padded his way into the kitchen in his boxers.

"Hey! Sleepy head, I am on Molly's duty today" she informed walking up to him, stood on the tips of her toes, grabbed his face in her small warm hands and kissed him gently on his lips.

"You did not tell me that before" he complained still adjusting to the light of the room.

"I forgot, Hermann called to remind me just now. So, I'm heading there right now. You wanna come along. Your fund raiser isn't until late in the evening, is it?"

"No, but yeah I'll come with you" he did not want to be alone for most of the day if he could help it.

"Sure you don't have anywhere else to be?"

"Sure. I'm coming with" he announced confidently.

At Molly's

"Refill, lieutenant?"

Hermann asked Matt as he held onto an empty whiskey glass.

"Nah! Thanks I'm good. It's still very early in the day to be drunk"

"Depends where you are going!" quipped Hermann, to which Matt chuckled.

"Here" said Gabby waving a bit of paper in front of Hermann. "Need to restock on these, stocks are running low" Taking a seat next to Matt she leant against the bar for some rest.

Matt ran a hand along her thigh, "You okay?"

"Yeah just a bit winded" Matt exchanged a look of worry with Hermann and passed him a message through eye contact, to look after his girl.

"Take it easy, okay?"

Gabby's phone buzzed. Unknown caller.

"Hello?"

"Hey Gabby, its Dr Manning. I'm calling to let you know of an opening for the ultrasound appointment today in half an hour, since the other patient cancelled theirs. So if you think you can make it to Chicago med in time, I can keep the spot safe for you"

"Yes absolutely. I'm on my way. Thank you so much"

"Great, you're welcome. See you at the clinic"

If you've ever witnessed a lightning that's how quickly Gabby was on her feet, startling everyone in the room.

She ignored the sudden attention towards her as she turned towards Matt,"I need to duck out for a half an hour. An hour at max"

"What? Why? Who was it on the phone?"

"Antonio"

"Antonio?"

"Please can you hold fort here while I'm gone, please Matt. I'll be back before you know it "

"Me?"

"Yeah just help Hermann around or pretend to but don't stand in the way"

"Gabby! What is goin on? Why has Antonio asked to meet you all of a sudden? You just met him last week"

Gabby

" what are you hiding from me"

"I swear I'll tell you when I get back " she called behind her, before running hurriedly back in as if she'd forgotten something, kissed Matt firmly on the lips and whispered, "For good luck" and disappeared out of the door.

Leaving Matt to shake his head and exclaim, "Women!"