A/N: Hello my favorite readers! I wanted to start to thank everyone who read and review my stories. I've written a lot lately and it's thanks to you. Without you I wouldn't have the motivation to do it. I'm really glad for the welcoming my one-shots have had too, so an enormous thank you! Also, to the ones on twitter who always encourage me, I'm grateful! So, here we are, chapter 14 already. Matt and Gabby are back after a hot holiday together and they've to share the news about moving together with their closed ones. Let's do this! I hope you'll like this chapter like always.
Sorry for eventual language mistakes.
Have a good read!
Gaëlle
MATT'S POV
Our last moments in Cuba will remain engraved in our memories. These shared moments have only strengthened our love and our desire to move forward together, hand in hand. We returned yesterday in the cold of Chicago. We slept at Gabby's place and enjoy the day to recover from the travel and rest before the return to work today. We have to find a new rhythm, the twenty-four hour shifts every third day for me and for Gabby, the days during which you don't count the hours, the pace of medical emergencies.
I shave at the sink while Gabby sings in the shower. I cannot help but smile and think that soon I would share all those little daily moments with her. Gabby puts her head through the shower enclosure, « What do you say to going to have breakfast at Over Easy? »
I turn around and smile by looking at her. Her hair is soaked, drops of water running down her beautiful face and I see her beautiful forms through the glass.
« You like what you see, maybe? » she teases me.
« You can't even imagine! » I laugh. « I am in for a great breakfast there before this hard return at the firehouse!» I pout.
« You are not going to resist not seeing me for twenty-four hours, don't you? » she smiles.
« You give yourself too much importance, Gabriela Dawson! » I tease her too.
She's sticking her tongue, pretending to be offended by my remark, adding, « Too bad, I needed someone to rub my back, and maybe benefits-Only … »
« Oh, well, I think there are always ways to make arrangements… » I turn towards her. I'm shirtless with just a towel tied around my waist. Gabby tries to resist, but I see I always got through to her. I put the razor on the edge of the sink, and gently make my way to the shower, pretending to untie the towel.
« No, I don't want you! Go think about your behavior, old man! » she laughs lustily before attempting to close the wall of the shower, but I prevent that. She challenges me with her look, but can not resist any longer. She unties my towel and draws me to her in the shower.
« You definitely cannot resist me! » I said, before kissing her passionately. I pushed her body against the wet tiles. My hands quickly found her hips. Hers caress my hair and my back, and we go into a frenzied shower. « We ... We ... are going… To…. Be…. Late … » Gabby groans against my lips.
« Too bad ... We will skip breakfast …" I whisper in his ear, before attacking her neck with sensual kisses.
GABBY'S POV
After our little follies in the morning, we're late, but it was worth it. We dress very quickly. I put on my boots while Matt finishes to close the waistband of his uniform.
« You're sexy, my Lieutenant! » I say, watching him getting dressed.
« And yes, sexy firemen, it's not a myth, my dear! » he smiles. I place a light kiss on his cheek before joining the kitchen. I take a bottle of orange juice in the fridge, and two chocolate muffins. I put them in my bag while Matt made it into the kitchen: « What about me? »
« You, you have the chance to have a candidate who will make you breakfast of the century to replace our appointment at Over Easy, whereas me, I'll have to settle bad coffee and vending machine foods of the hospital! So, no complaints, love! » I replied with a grin. He looks at me in turn. It leans on the counter and puts his other hand on my shoulder. He strokes my neck, before saying, « I like that kind of morning … »
« And this is just the beginning … » I told him tenderly by devouring him with my gaze. He approaches his lips to mine and kisses me gently. I move away from him: « I really like this beginning of the day, but if I want to continue to enjoy many mornings in your company, I'd better get to work before Hugo kills me! »
« Me too! I drop you? »
« With pleasure! I'll ask Hugo to take me home tonight! »
« This is an opportunity to tell him the news,» Matt tells me, while we ride in his truck.
« I think we should make an announcement to everyone at once ... I am looking for an original way to tell Allan and my brothers… »
« A brunch at your place? Well, our future place? »
« Why not, but I would like do do that quite surprisingly, and not just say 'Guess what! We're moving together'» I laugh.
« I'll let you think about that! I'm not very good at surprises… » he says, focused on the road.
« Really? Yet this anniversary weekend in Cuba had been more than a beautiful surprise! »
« Yes, but it was for you ... Love makes men crazy! » he smiles, taking my hand and places it on his thigh. « We have arrived! » he tells me and leans over to kiss me one last time. « Good luck my love! »
« Thanks, you too! Be careful! » I have told him before getting out of the car.
« See you tomorrow morning… » he says, sending me a kiss.
« The best alarm clocks! » I finish the conversation by giving him a wink. I look away when I felt a hand patting my shoulder. I turn and I see Hugo, already in her white blouse, arms folded across his chest. « Uh oh, I'm in trouble? » I ask, biting my lips.
« Not if you tell me all the breaking news of your trip to Cuba while you are getting ready! » he smiles at me before taking me by the arm and accompany me to the locker room.
« Worse than a Desperate Housewife! » I shake my head.
The next morning
MATT'S POV
It was shortly after eight o'clock when I slide the key into the door of Gabby's apartment. There are no lights on, no noise. Gabby is still sleeping. In silence, I put my stuff in the living room and head to the kitchen to make coffee, knowing that Gabby will have to wake up and the morning is definitely not her favorite moment. By the time the coffee is ready, I'll take a quick hot shower to relax my aching muscles after the many accidents or burning buildings on which we have been called the last twenty-four hours. I put on jogging pants, I fill a coffee mug for Gabby and head to her room, well, our room.
I open the door and I see her asleep in the middle of the bed. She squeezes against her the pillow against which I slept the night before. Her hair is messy. She wears one of my old T-shirts. It got back in her belly. I sit on the edge of the bed, gently caress her caramel skin. She pretends she bitching, but I know she loves it. She turns to me and hardly opens her eyes. With her sleepy voice, she whispers, « Hello, my love… ». I kiss her on the forehead before handing her her coffee. She stands up, she did some stretches and leans toward me, gesturing to come kiss me, but in reality she only takes her coffee and sits in bed. She swallowed a few mouthfuls, gives a sigh of relief, and looks at me: « Oh, it gets better ... Now I can kiss you! ». She puts her mug on the night table and draws me to her. She kisses me. I lay my head on her chest. She strokes my hair and I put my arm around her waist.
« I don't want to wait too long before you move officially with me ... I want your name on the door, your name on the mailbox, I want your things invade my closet ... I want everything who belongs to you join all that belongs to me… » she says, while I listen to her heart accelerated to the passing of her simple words. I gently raise my head to watch her, her eyes are closed. I take my position back and smile.
« We don't have to wait ... See if everyone is available this weekend and we're mowing from words to action! They will be happy for us! »
« Are you sure about that? » She asks me in a worried voice.
« Of course, they want our happiness ... and you told me that you had already spoken with your brothers, remember. Everything will be okay, I promise… » I try to reassure her by placing my hand on her thigh.
« I should prepare myself to go to work, » she sighs. « It's horrible to have to go to work when you get home for resting… » she grumbles.
« You don't get a say! We'll have to grant our plannings in the best way we can… »
« Oh, don't worry about that, my brother is the boss, it gives some good favoritism! » she laughs before kissing me on the head and get up. I let myself fall on the bed, and I look her being very busy to the four corners of the room, never getting tired of her beauty.
The next weekend
GABBY'S POV
« Baby, is everything ready? » Matt asks me, entering the room where I am trying to set the table for brunch. Allan, Hugo, Antonio and all their little families will be there shortly, and I start to stress. « Gabby? » Matt insists when I don't answer. He takes my hands in his and looks at me: « Hey, Hey, everything is going to be okay, relax! »
« I know, I know ... I just want everything to be perfect! » I tell him, resting my head on his shoulder.
« It is ... Look at this table, it's beautiful! » he says, looking at it closely. « And these dream pancakes! My mouth is already watering! »
« It reminds you some memories? » I laugh, probably thinking about the same memory as him. I return my attention to the large wooden table. I covered it with a large white tablecloth. I set the table with simple white plates and accessorized it with all the plates with yellow and white checkered cardboard, straws and accessories on yellow colors. A bouquet of sunflowers is placed in the center of the table. The orange juice and other fruit juices are in glass carafes, coffee and tea are ready, pancakes, croissants, donuts and other waffles are kept warm in the oven and ready to be devoured. I also cooked bagels with smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado, eggs Benedict, a garlic bread and grilled bacon. Fruit skewers are arranged on the plate. « I think I cooked a little too much… » I whisper.
« Oh, don't worry! With our brothers, everything will be devoured! » Matt shouts from the kitchen when someone rings the doorbell. « I am going to open! » I hear Matt heading to the front door, while I checked one last time that my little surprises are ready.
MATT'S POV
« Hey ! » I greet Allan as I open the door of the apartment.
« How are you big brother? » he asks me, hugging me quickly. « You're glowing! I guess Cuba and all your activities there have had a great effect on you! I don't see you this week!» he teases me.
« Oh, Allan, I've missed you and your remarks, really… » I laugh as I guide him towards the living room.
« Hey Gabby! Happy to see you! » he hugs her.
« To see me or my brunch? » she laughs at him.
« You, of course… You're my best friend and almost my sister in law… » he answers.
« Come on, we see each other every single day… »
« Ok, I admit… But, god, who can resist to your brunch! Look at that, I'm starving!'
« See, told you, baby! They'll eat everything! » I say, joining them.
Gradually, Hugo and Antonio with their wives and children come and we sit together at the table. In a friendly atmosphere, we tell our stay in Cuba while some and others tell their latest both family and professional anecdotes. While Gabby serves fruit juices and I go look for food in the kitchen, children begin to eat their fruit skewers. Suddenly, Maria cries: « Mama! I have a paper in the mouth… », closely followed by her sister Louisa. Diego and Eva, more curious than ever, start watching their own skewer.
« Oh, me too … » finds Diego, excited to know what's written inside.
« I have a G, » Eva said.
« Me an A, » shouts Diego.
« Well, Gabby, what is it? » Hugo asks.
« You don't know how to peel a fruit anymore! » Antonio laughs. Gabby doesn't respond and smile. Everyone looks surprised.
« Dad! Dad! Look, you have one too ! » Louisa points to Hugo.
« And you too, Mom! » Diego says to Laura.
Then, all adults play the game. Each bite into his skewer and discovers different letters on these small pieces of paper.
« What does that mean? » ask Allan.
« I think if we put all the letters end to end, it must form a word… » Lana intervenes. She turns to Gabby, who smiles, visibly proud of her plan. « Oh, look at her, this it is! »
« G… A…E… N… Please, Gabby, don't tell me you're pregnant! » Antonio exclaims. Laura gives him a nudge, motioning him to be silent. « Wh ... What? I was just wondering! »
« It would be this horrible if it was the case, Antonio? » I tease him myself.
« No ... No, of course not ... You know I like you, you're already part of the family! » he smiles.
« Well, not that it bothers me, but I'm hungry! » Allan takes the floor and make everyone laugh. Everyone begins to serve. Throughout the brunch, between the laughter of children, everyone's enthusiasm about the food prepared by Gabby, and all the most varied discussions with each other, each is trying to unmask the word or the surprise phrase. Thus, in the middle of the table, small yellow papers go from one end to the other to try to form a word or a coherent sentence. Gradually, the dishes are empty and ideas begin to come from all sides.
« Change! » Lena says.
« We have the first word! » the children complete.
« T ... H …, » Hugo lists the remaining letters.
« Dad! Dad! I think the other word is THINGS! » Maria tells her father.
« CHANGE THINGS, » mutters Antonio.
« Or rather THINGS CHANGE… » Lena resumes.
« Things change… What's changing, guys? » Hugo asks.
« I told you, I'm sure she's pregnant! » Antonio repeats.
« Antonio, ça suffit! » Laura le rappelle à l'ordre.
« Antonio, enough! » Laura calls him to order.
« Now that you have found the correct order of letters, if you return the papers, you'll find guidance… » Gabby announces. Everyone rushes and returns the letters. On the back, a scheme of the apartment with small roses cross drawing in some places.
« Oh, it looks like a treasure map! » Diego screams, excited. « Very cool! » he says, taking the plan in his hands and running toward the living room, his sister and his cousins in his footsteps.
« Oh ... A g-gift… » the little Theo is trying to say.
« Open it! Open it! » Louisa shouts excitedly. Eva takes the box from the hands of Hugo, and opens the package. « Oh, that's a key… »
Gradually, everyone settles in the living room while the kids continue to search the little surprises scattered throughout the apartment. A box with a key, an envelope in which there is a label with the names « Casey-Dawson" contiguous, a frame with a home surrounded by a heart, and finally a decorative painting with the inscription 'home is where the heart Is'. Children put any clues on the coffee table, and everyone looks. In each package, a yellow sheet, recalling those discovered a little earlier. Adults understand immediately that this is the last clue. Allan returns the papers, and discover the inscription 'like our address for instance'. Smiles are drawn on faces.
« You have decided to take the plunge! » Hugo says, standing. He goes to us, and hugs us. « Congratulations to both of them, I'm delighted! »
« Thank you Hugo! » I say, shaking his hand. He leans to kiss Gabby. Everyone does the same. Only Allan still a little behind. I slowly approach him.
« Are you okay? » I ask him.
« You're leaving me … » he's sulking before bursting out laughing at my broken face. « I laugh! I am more than happy for you! And besides, I can get back my sofa without fear that you do dirty things on it! » he laughs, with a cheeky grin on his face.
« Shhh! » I say, pushing my hands on my face in sign if exasperation, but it's clearly too late. All the Dawson clan alternately watching us, Gabby and me, with confused expressions. Gabby gives Allan and I a look. Her face goes from her usual caramel brown to red as I feel my cheeks blush as well. Allan laughs, visibly proud of himself for the embarrassment he was causing to us. Gabby quickly hides herself behind me and she buries her head into my back as everyone starts laughing out loud.
« Come on, little sis, we all knew you didn't knit when you are together! » Antonio laughs, making Gabby even more embarrassed. She groans in my back.
« Antonio! » his wife yells at him. « You're absolutely incurable! » she shouts him.
« Come on, Gabs! Don't be embarrassed! » Hugo interferes. « We are among ourselves… ». Listening the words of her brother, Gabby lift her head up to face everyone. She gives a little shy smile to the audience before turning her attention to Allan: « You… You, just wait… You have nothing to lose by waiting! You've it coming, I swear to god! » she gives him a Machiavellian look.
« Uh… Oh… » Hugo says, looking at two of his doctors.
« Oh, come on… » Allan begs her. « You can't blame me… » he laughs. He turns his attention towards me, visibly expecting me to help him, but I say no from the head, laughing at my turn.
« You're all alone, little brother! » I smile. « You know her… When she says that revenge is a dish best served cold, she truly means it… » I follow Gabby to the kitchen as I let him all alone with the Dawsons. I turn around, and wish him luck.
GABBY'S POV
A few hours later, we're lying in our bed as we remember the crazy events of the day. My head is on Matt's chest as I play with his body hair. His arm is around my waist and the other one is playing with my fingers. We stay there hugging for a few minutes, before I got an idea.
« So… » I start talking, looking up to Matt. He smiles at me. « I was thinking… That… Maybe… We could inaugure our first official night in this bed as cohabitants… » .
« I thought you'd never propose! » he gives me a smirk. Quickly, he turns us around so he's on top of me and starts attacking my neck in his special way.
A/N: At first, I thought this chapter was very boring, but reading it again, I think it's cute. I hope you loved it. Don't forget to leave me a little review, it's always a pleasure to read them. Love, G.