Here is it y'all. Over 5000 words to make the last chapter.

Thank you for sticking with me and I'm sorry for constantly leaving you all hanging. Thank you for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following me and my story. Your kind words have kept me going and I'm happy to say that I'll be putting out a new story next month.

I'll be doing both a Dawsey and a story for the Grimm fandom, so keep checking in if you're interested in reading more of my work.

Again thank you!

It took me nearly three weeks to figure out how to get Gaby back. In those three weeks, our words to each other were scarce and the only thing that actually had depth were the orders given between us when on the job. It was sad and unbearable but I knew what I had done and that this was my penance. Not to mention, the team could tell that something was off and they didn't mind telling me that they knew. Whether it be on the job or when I was chilling at Molly's, it was obvious that everyone, even Boden were in on this too.

"C'mon Casey, you gotta do something. Dawson can hold a grudge better than anyone, but she's also the most forgiving person I know." Otis commented as he wiped down the counter.

"Otis." Boden warned, as he sipped on his beer.

I gave him a nod of thanks for the gesture and went on to sip my whiskey that Hermann just poured me. Drowning my sorrows seemed like my best bet at the moment as Dawson was conveniently and unfortunately tied up with a bridal party in the back so she was far from my self-pity.

The place was pretty crowded with people pouring out of booths and standing in corners, laughing it off with friends while me and my guys merely hung around the counter. It was a goodnight for a night out with friends, but I'd rather be with my girl.

"This isn't healthy! I should know. Once, Trudy didn't speak to me for a week because I talked back and I gained like twenty pounds worth of beer weight. Do you know how hard that was?" Mouch explained.

Hermann rolled his eyes as he poured me my fourth drink for the night. At least someone was letting me have what I wanted. I looked to the side and saw that both Severide and Shay were talking up what looked like fraternal twins in the corner, so I knew asking them for some help or advice would be pointless.

"How do I fix this?" I murmured to myself.

I heard Hermann sigh before he pulled the drink right out of my hands and moved from behind the counter. I had no idea what he was doing until he pulled me out of my seat and guided me out of the bar before I could even fully understand what was happening to me at the moment. When the cool Chicago air hit my face, I shivered a bit even though we were in Spring and the air should've been warming up by now.

We started walking away from the bar, and I couldn't fully comprehend what was happening. While I was relieved that Gaby couldn't just look over and see me drowning in self-pity anymore, I was also missing being in the same vicinity as her. The walk is silent for a while and it isn't until we are halfway to Gaby's apartment that I stopped in my tracks and moved to turn around which Hermann was all for letting me do so.

"You know Casey, I've never seen you ever give up before." He said solemnly.

I scoffed but stopped in my tracks as I turned back to face him.

"I'm not giving up Hermann."

"Yeah, yeah you are. We may not have known each other long, but I know that you are determined in everything that you do. The old Casey would've walked right to Gaby's apartment and waited outside her door until she made it back home."

"Well, the old Casey is a coward and a fake." I answered.

It was the brutal but honest truth. I had lied to everyone in my life just because I couldn't be honest with myself or my mother. In the process, I had ruined the best thing that had ever happened to me.

"Matt, the only thing Gaby wants in her life is trust and honesty, and you could give that to her. All you have to do is take initiative. Gaby is used to secrets, but lies are her weakness. You could right this so quick as long as you're honest and admit what you did." He explained, exasperatedly.

I shook my head. He didn't understand, no one did. I couldn't just walk right in and force her to talk to me. It was much more than that. I had to do something bigger. Something of value to earn her respect back.

"I can't just do that." I answered.

He sighed but began to walk. It was hitting 1 AM and I knew Molly's had to close soon, so Hermann had to make his way back quickly. Just like Gaby, I had wasted Hermann's time as well.

"I'm not going to make you do anything, but I did get you a head start."

And with that, he walked all the way down the dark Chicago street and out of my view. Other than a few cars passing by here and there, the night was quiet and I was alone. I was buzzed, that was a pure fact. I had enough alcohol in me to reveal some pretty deep secrets, but sober enough to know not to give everything away anything like my social security number or debit card information. The worst part though, was that I was itching to go see Gaby.

I don't know why I didn't just follow Hermann because instead of following my usual excuses, I decided to let my body take the lead. I turned and started walking to Gaby's apartment to wait until she got home.

Gaby

Fuck my life.

Molly's was packed tonight and courtesy of Otis and Hermann trying to get us more business, I was stuck entertaining a bride hoping to get drunk one last time before she converts to Mormonism fully. It was clear that this woman was regretting her choice to convert but was making the sacrifice anyway because of "love" as she so called it. The rest of her bridesmaids and maid of honor merely traded a few stories as I kept going back and forth to give them whatever they needed.

I can't count how many times I tripped over her cheap tiara/veil that had BRIDE plastered in diamonds on it. The silver nuisance was about 6 feet long and constantly count of the heel of my boots and my jeans. I was annoyed to say the least and it didn't help that for most of the night, Matt sat at the counter with the rest of the idiots, downing drinks poured by Hermann himself.

If it wasn't for the generous tip left by those girls, I kid you not I would've lost my shit and left. I was still stressed out from my mom's stupid stunt from a couple of weeks ago and I was angry that I had to handle a wedding party when my own recent engagement was joke.

I was so tired of being let down by guys in my life and I prayed every night to no avail that Matt would just talk to me and mean what he said. I didn't need to hear his excuses, I just needed the truth and his commitment.

By the time it was time to close, Matt was nowhere to be seen so I assumed he went home. I made sure to clean around the bar periodically throughout the night when I had a few moments to myself to make closing time a bit easier.

I barely spoke to Otis and Hermann when I was flipping the chairs over and cleaning the floors and they didn't force any conversation. They knew my heart was crushed and they also knew that this wasn't a problem that anyone could fix but Matt and I. When we were finally done, I gave a quiet but audible goodbye and headed to the parking lot to grab my car.

When I got in, I sat there in the passenger seat for a long time, just thinking about a conversation I had with Shay earlier this week.

"You know, you're doing the right thing Gaby. Don't let go of that." Shay said suddenly, as we sat in my living room watching an episode of Fixer Upper.

Our hair was tied into high buns at the top of our heads as we donned some face masks and ate our weight in sunflower seeds. It was our day off and instead of allowing me to mope and avoid my family, Shay used her key to let herself in to drag me out of bed and into the world of productivity.

"I just wish I could stop being so stupid. Do I want love so badly that I let men repeatedly do this to me? How many liars have I had come in and out of my life, Shay?"

I wanted so badly to cry but my pride hid my tears graciously. When I was alone, I would let them fall but no one else could see the pain I was truly in, not even my best friend in the whole world.

"Gaby, there is nothing wrong with you. What's wrong are the idiots who think it's right to hurt such a beautiful and caring soul! Baby girl, you're great, it's just sometimes people aren't."

"But I love him so much, Shay. I love him and I need him because I know he can change. I know he can." I answered.

I felt so stupid for saying it but it was true. I did believe in Matt more than anything. I believed that he loved me. I never doubted that, but I also believe that Matt has a lot of figuring out to do.

"Gabs, sometimes people do shitty things, but that doesn't mean they can't redeem themselves. Look at the houses that these couples pick out on this show we're watching. Some of them are shit but they take a chance on them and the Gaines family helps to restore it and make the house a home again. That's what you helped Matt do. Do you know he actually talked to his mother? He told Kelly everything about how they talked and how he finally understood why his mom did what he did what she did. He's just not ready to talk to you but one day he will be." Shay explained.

I shook my head worried that the day may never come.

"And if he never is?" I asked fearfully.

"Never stop believing in him Gaby."

The conversation had struck a chord with me, leaving me waiting each day for a call or some sort of sign that he was coming. That he was ready to speak to me and tell me all the things he needed to let out.

However, the day has yet to come. I start my car and make the short drive to my apartment. When I get to the parking lot, I can feel the pain hit me in waves and it takes everything I have not to start sobbing in the driver's seat of my car. I had to at least make it to my bed so my pillow could muffle all the sobs that I was about to let out.

I got out of the car swiftly and walked the two flight of stairs quickly. I was so deep in my thoughts and preparing myself for a good cry, that I didn't even notice a drunk Matt slumped against my door with his face in his hands.

"Matt?" I whispered softly.

His head rose slowly and it was then that I could see the tears in his own eyes and my heart broke but my face stayed stone cold. I walked over to him and helped him up. In the process, one of his tears collided with my cheek and I was sure that I would start producing my own before I could even open the door.

"Gaby, please don't make me leave. I need to talk to you, baby."

I nodded because I had no words as I let the broken man enter my home and allowed him to sag onto the couch. I locked the door behind me and placed my coat to the side on its hanger. Matt head returned to his hands and I could feel the shame coming off of him.

"Matt, what's going on?" I asked as I moved to sit on the other end of the couch.

I knew if I was close enough to touch him, then nothing would be done the way it should. I needed to let him talk. We both needed this small space to figure out whether or not this was the end of the road for us.

"I did it. I talked to her, Gaby. She told me everything. She never meant to hurt me, she never meant to make me feel like my choices didn't matter, she just wanted me to be different from my father." He explained, finally lifting his head to look at me.

God, I missed him. The second his eyes landed on mine, a sense of calm eased over me and I longed to touch him, but I merely motioned for him to go on.

"Gaby, I don't want to be like my father. I don't want to be selfish and angry. I want to love you and respect you and just be yours. I've always known that I wanted to be with you for as long as we possibly could, but I let my pride get in the way, but not anymore baby. I love you. I'm in love with you." He said adamantly.

"Matt-"

"No Gaby, please let me tell you how sorry I am. I know, I know that you've been through some hell with the guys who have hurt you, and I never wanted to put myself on that list but by being untruthful I did. But tonight I'm taking myself off. Never in my mind have I doubted that I was yours but what I did, and the promises and lies that I told was wrong."

So he did understand. He did understand where he went wrong.

"I thought long and hard about what I did, and I realized that by trying to be nothing like my parents, I was taking on their worst qualities and making them my own. But not anymore, my mother won't be a problem but she will be in our lives at some point but not in the way before. It's all love and respect between her and I. She'll never be like Gina, but she's learning to be my mom in a way that doesn't drive us apart."

I felt a weight lift from my shoulders as I thought about how easy it would be to finally interact with his mother. No more awkwardness, no more secrets, no more discomfort.

"I told you when I first met you that I didn't want to rush the relationship and I did. I put us on a track that was doomed and you stopped us before we did something that you'd resent me for and for that I apologize. Gaby, I need you in my life and I want you so bad, but not if I'm hurting you. I want everything that you are and to give you nothing but love back."

The tears were flowing freely and I was surprised that they were even there. I thought I was holding my composure very well, but when he reached over to wipe them from my cheeks, I practically melted in his arms.

"And Gaby, you don't have to marry me tomorrow, the next day or even next week. But please trust and believe that one day you'll be adding 'Casey' to the end of your name."

And something in me just burst in that moment. I don't know if it was the honesty I had been craving for the longest or the fact that he too still loved me the way I loved him, if not more but at the moment, I forgave him. I trusted him. And I needed him.

"Baby, I can't wait for that day." And with that I moved closer to him and pulled him into my arms.

The way he felt was the same if not even better, and though the whiskey invaded my nose, I still breathed him in. I wanted every inch of him but really all I needed was to be in his arms. I pulled him up and led him into my room where I let him fall into bed and hold me while we both slept.

Matt

"My God, finally!" I heard Antonio say.

I opened my eyes only to realize that Gaby's hair was partially covering my face and that half of her body was on top of mine. My arms tightened around her, and it felt so good to just have her there. It had been too long and I needed this moment to last as long as it could.

"I need to call Ma to tell her y'all are finally back together." Antonio said.

I pushed some of Gaby's hair out of the way, prompting her to wake up. When her sleepy eyes settled on mine, she gave me a soft smile and puckered her lips for a kiss that I gladly returned.

It could've gone on a bit longer than a casual peck if it weren't for Antonio's phone going off as he took a picture of us to send to Gina. Gaby froze for a second and then realized what was happening as she jumped out of bed to confront Antonio.

"I have got to stop giving people a key to this place!" She yelled.

Antonio rolled his eyes as he stuffed his phone back into his pants and fixed his signature leather jacket. Gaby gave him a playful shove and I could tell from her demeanor that she was just as happy as I was that he was here. Him being here meant that her family had a reason to spy on us again. It meant that we were back to being "us".

"Antonio, get out!" She said laughing, and pushing him all the way out to the front door. I heard as she even locked the dead bolt, making sure to keep any unwanted visitors that we knew would be heading our way soon.

When she came back, she stood in the doorway admiring me from afar and I took time to do the same. As per usual, she slept in her underwear and a tank top, leaving very little to my imagination. I had missed touching her the way she liked and making her feel good in the only way I know how.

Her legs were graciously toned and her ass looked so amazing and I couldn't wait to feel them in my hands again as I tapped and grabbed them like I did before. As my eyes wandered upwards, I noticed that her nipples had hardened and were making little peaks through the thin fabric. I could feel myself harden at the thought of sucking and teasing those little nubs.

"Like what you see?" She said tauntingly.

"Correction, I love what I see." I said motioning for her to come back to bed.

She walked over and pulled the sheet away from my body revealing my hard on through my briefs. She palmed it and smiled, and I loved knowing that she missed me the way I missed her.

"Did you mean it, baby? Everything that you said?" She asked.

I nodded before she could even finish the question.

"I'm going to love you right for the rest of my life if you let me. I want you, Gaby. I need you. You've made me a better man and for what, I will always be grateful."

She smiled at me, before gently putting her lips on mine. She pushed me back onto the pillows and straddled me, pressing herself down on my hard-on, I hissed at the touch that I had craved for so long, giving her full advantage as she seized the opportunity to ease her tongue to mine. Our movements were in sync as we made out and moved in a slow grind. Gaby was getting wet; I could tell from the moisture seeping through my briefs.

My hands slid to her ass to guide her down further as I couldn't handle any stopping of the sensation. She felt so good and I wanted her to feel it too. I flipped her over so that our lips detached and so my body could hover over hers.

"You want it?" I whispered as I nibbled her ear.

"No holding back, please."

And that was all the permission I needed as I helped her slide her panties to the side and slowly applied pressure to her clit. She sighed happily at the sensation, and I decided to take it up a notch as I took a nipple in my mouth and teased it with my teeth and tongue.

"God, yes. Matt!" She moaned.

Her legs widened, allowing me full access. I slid two finger into her and pumped them in and out a couple of times, making sure she was wet enough for me to continue. As I took my fingers out, I noted that she was more than ready for me.

I pulled myself free from my briefs and before I could do anything else, I felt Gaby's hand grip my member with a subtle squeeze as she guided me to her core and teased my tip over her clit and hole. It was a sexy move, and I watched her face as she teased us both. Her eyes settled on mine as she licked her lips slowly and I couldn't help but capture them against mine.

With our lips together, she brought me closer than ever as she guided me into her, forcing us to hiss in pleasure at the feeling. I gave her a moment to adjust but when I felt her walls tighten around me, I knew she was ready.

Her hands found their way to my hips as she guided me at a slower pace that would be comfortable for her. Gradually the pace increased, and soon all you could hear was the sound of skin hitting skin, and our moans mixing to create a beautiful but very loud song. My hands couldn't settle on one part of her body as they played recklessly with her clit or pinched and flicked her nipples.

"Fuck, yes! Y-yes!" Gaby groaned.

The headboard was hitting the wall viciously and as much as I wanted to let us both finish right there and then I wanted her to go as long as possible. I pulled out suddenly, instantly hearing a groan of dissatisfaction, but pulled her up and on top of me, allowing her to ride me into her orgasm.

When she realized what I had done, she gave me a wicked smile, but slid onto me like a pro and ground her hips into mine at a rapid pace. She was slick with sweat and there was no doubt in my mind that we'd both be exhausted by the time this round was over. As her head fell back and she groaned in agony, I couldn't help but admire her. This strong, beautiful woman chose me to love unconditionally.

"God, I'm so in love you." I managed to let out just as her walls tightened once more.

I could feel my orgasm building but I had to make sure she was going to come first. I moved to sit up and pulled her closer as I gave four hefty thrusts before she caved, spazzing against my body as her finished rocked her to the core. I held onto her tightly, as mine hit me full force, practically having me seeing stars.

We both crashed onto the bed, exhausted at the act of love.

"I am so in love with you, too." Gaby whispered into my ear, just before passing out.

I soon followed suit, but not before pressing a kiss to her head.

Gaby

After that deliciously good workout that Matt gave me in bed, we both passed out for a few hours only to start it all up again in the shower. We weren't decent until about 2 pm when we both realized that not one person had interrupted us since Antonio had graced us with his presence earlier in the day.

Both our phones had been set on silent but when we checked there were zero notifications for either one of us. I thought it was a godsend, while Matt was a bit more worried.

It wasn't until we finally left my room, did I finally understand why.

The second that I walked out of my room, now dressed in leggings and a navy v-neck sweater, I remembered that I had locked the deadbolt when I let Antonio out, but now it had been unlocked and only the doorknob lock was currently applied.

I looked at Matt curiously, silently asking him if he had unlocked it. He shook his head and I was about to worry until I hear a suspicious but familiar sound coming from my kitchen. Matt and I rounded the corner, only to find my kitchen full of unwanted guests.

My mother, Severide, Antonio and Shay were all chilling in my kitchen with their own individual sets of headphones. There were fresh flowers on the counter between Shay and Severide who both seemed to be heavily engrossed in their phones, while Antonio was scarfing down what looked like pancakes and my mother had her back to us as she stood in front of the stove putting some bacon into a plate.

"What the hell?" I shouted as loud as I could.

No one heard us as they all went about their business. It wasn't until my mother was moving to place the plate in front of Antonio did she finally notice that we had entered.

"My handsome son! Come on over and eat." My mom said, ushering Matt to a seat next to the rest of the gang at the counter.

They all took their headphones out and smirked in my direction and all I could do in defense is flick them off and pull a stool over.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to be productive members of society finally!" Severide joked.

"Oh shut up, how did you all even get in?" I questioned, not forgetting the mystery of the hour.

"Like it's hard when you got CPD to help?" Shay answered, allowing all my anger to be focused on Antonio.

"Oh hush up, you guys. Can we just appreciate the fact that everything is okay?" My mother commented.

She piled Matt's plate with food and I knew there was no point in getting my own plate because Matt would never be able to finish it. I moved closer to him as we shared the plate and the utensils, allowing everyone to bask in the fact that we were back together for the long haul.

"I'm happy you all figured it out." Kelly said honestly.

I smiled warmly at him, hoping that it would help him understand how much I not only appreciated him but Shay as well for everything they did. Our start was a rough one, but we're still here and we're still going and that's how it was going to be from here on out.

"So, what's next?" My mother asked.

Matt and I looked at each other hopefully and smiled.

"Honestly? We're all in for the long haul. We're gonna go on whatever path life takes us as long it takes us both for a ride.

Two years later

Gaby

"Oh my God, please don't let someone have died." I murmured to myself as I pulled my cardigan closer to my body and tried my hardest not to knock anyone over.

I was in a hurry as I replayed the last hour of my life wondering what could possibly have gone wrong.

When I woke up, it took me a while to look at my phone but when I finally did, I saw that I had ten missed calls from Matt and multiple text messages asking me where I was. I was instantly drenched in panic as I hastily called Matt back, praying nothing was seriously wrong.

"Hello?" Matt answered.

"Matt! What's going on?" I asked suddenly breathless.

"Gaby, I can't explain over the phone but you have to get down to our usual coffee spot downtown. I need you here now." He said hurriedly in a panic.

I didn't hesitate at all as I grabbed my keys and practically ran out the door as I hurried to get to him. That café had been a part of our relationship from the get go when we had our very first date there and even now, three years later we still love going there.

I pushed my way into the café noticing that it was a full house. As I scanned the room for Matt, my eyes landed on one too many familiar faces. I kept turning around like a mad woman, clutching the silver heart pendant necklace that Matt gave me a year ago. I could feel my eyes tear up as I could only think the worst.

"Gaby!" Matt yelled to me, as he appeared by my side suddenly.

I moved into his arms and thank the Lord that he was in one piece. No visual injuries or bruises and he seemed to have a glow about him.

"What happened? What's going on? Do we need to call Voight or Antonio?" I said, barely letting him speak.

"Gaby, let the man talk! Plus, the gang's all here." I heard Antonio yell to me from the counter.

At that moment, all my friends from the CPD turned around on the stools to face Matt and I. I was surprised to see them there, but when I took a moment to think about it, I realized that I had seen Hermann and Otis here too. Not to mention, I'm sure that I saw my mother and father tucked into a nearby table.

Letting go of Matt, I took a moment to look around and saw that yes, the whole café was packed. However, it was packed with people that I knew and loved. From my family and my mother's book club friends to all of 51 and more. My heart swelled as I turned around the room to look at them all. I watched as each one smirked or smiled, and I couldn't help but wonder what the fuck was going on.

It wasn't until I turned to look back at Matt only to see him down on the ground, specifically down on one knee holding a box open to me.

I gasped, and I could hear my mother already crying in the background.

"Gaby, baby." Matt said.

I nodded, letting more tears fall than I ever knew I had.

"We had our first date here, and this was the place where I decided that I wanted to look into your eyes for the rest of my life. With you, I am forever at ease and constantly under your umbrella of love and respect. You compliment me in the best ways possible and made me the man I am today. I will never stop loving you."

"I love you too, baby."

"Will you give me my ultimate happy ending and marry me?" He asked.

I burst out laughing at the inside joke of ours but also shook my head yes. As he slid the beautiful ring onto my finger, I couldn't help but squeal in delight. He picked me up and spun me around as everyone clapped for us.

He finally put me down after a few seconds but not without pulling me into a kiss in the process. We broke apart only for me to whisper in his ear.

"Now, how's that for a happy ending?"

Thank you all for reading.

I'll be writing you all soon for my next story!

And for the last time for Happy Ending, leave a review please, if you'd like.

Nessa