Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination and the kids names.

a/n: Thanks to everyone who reviews the last chapter and I'm really glad you liked it. I know this is the second chapter in one day but since I couldn't update thursday of this week as planned, I figured I'd give you a second chapter as a back to work present so I hope you like it.


After their day at the pier, Matt and Gabby's schedule became crazy. They hadn't been able to see each other except on calls that had to do with kids at Lakeshore or the occasionnal phone call. Matt wanted to talk with Gabby about their blossoming relationship, specially what it meant for their five kids. They both had particular circumstances but they really needed to be in the same room and talk about it so they could talk to the kids about it as well.

When they weren't at work, they were buying whatever was missing for the kids first day of school that was fast approaching. One last week end and they were going to start kindergarten. The girls kept making X's on the calendar as the week went by, both very excited to meet new friends and learn new things.

On Gabby's end, the boys were excited as well but when the evening came, Luis was

always more quiet than his normal self and Gabby had a suspicion as to why so she thought that maybe a trip to firehouse 51 would do the trick to cheer him up. She texted Matt about it before even bringing it up to the boys just to be sure that it was ok with chief Boden that they come by and when she got an answer back after dinner, she put the offer out on the table.

"I was thinking that we could go visit Matt at the firehouse on saturday, that would be fun right?" Filippe and Valentina instantly lit up while a dark cloud came over Luis, he was anything but happy.

"I don't want to go." He simply said, confusing Gabby even more.

"Why not bud?" She didn't really understand why the sudden change of mood. He had loved visiting the firehouse the first time.

"I hate Matt." He screamed and got up, running to his room. Gabby ran after him and found him lying down on his bed, his face in his pillow, his body shaking from the crying. She sat down next to him without saying a word and simply rubbed small circles on his back until she knew he had stopped crying.

"Hey baby boy. Want to talk to me about it?" She asked, giving him time to answer her. He looked at her from his pillow, eyes red and puffy.

"I miss daddy."

"I know buddy, I miss him too." She willed her tears not to come, she didn't want Luis to see her cry.

"You don't miss him." He put his face back down in his pillow.

"Look at me Luis." Gabby sensed Filippe behind her but she needed to talk to Luis first. It took a few seconds for him to look back at her. "Why would you say that? You know that's not true." She wasn't mad at him but she wanted to know what was in his little head.

"You never talk about him. You always want to be with Matt."

"Alright. I think we need to talk about this." She turned around and motionned for Filippe to come closer. "I need you two to sit down and look at me." She gently helped Luis into a sitting position before Filippe took a seat next to his brother. "Do you feel the same way as your brother?" She looked at Filippe and ran a hand through his hair, giving her a better view of his eyes.

"I like Matt mama but is he going to be our new daddy?" Gabby's heart broke just a little bit more for them.

"No." She quickly said. "You remember how you said the other day that you like it when I smile? Well Matt makes me smile a lot but he also makes me smile a lot because he's nice with you and your sister. Your daddy is always going to live right here." She pointed in turn to the place where their hearts beated under their chests.

"Do you miss him mama?" Filippe asked the question even though she had answered it before.

"Every day but you know what helps?" They both moved their heads from side to side. "Sometimes I talk to daddy. You can talk to him too when you miss him, he always listens."

"Do you think so?" Luis finally spoke, his voice breaking as he did.

"I know so." She ruffled his hair gently.

"Are we going to call Matt dad?" Filippe spoke almost at a whisper.

"Oh baby. I know this is all new to you and your brother and your sister but no matter what happens between Matt and I, he will NEVER take your daddy's place."

"Never?" They both spoke together.

"Never." She pulled them both into a hug, holding onto them for dear life. She knew this was all very new and it was hard on all three of her kids but they needed to move forward together but she certainly didn't want them to ever feel like she was imposing anyone on them, certainly not in the hopes of having them call that person dad. "You know, daddy would be very proud of you right now." They both nodded. "How about we go have some fun in the tub before bed? I'll even put bubbles in there."

They both scooted closer together and pulled their mom into a hug. Gabby helped them get into a very full tub full of foaming bubbles and they had fun throwing the bubbles around before Gabby took them and and got them ready for bed.

"So do you guys still want to go visit the firehouse on saturday?' She wanted to make sure that's what they really wanted. They both nodded, a smile returning to Luis's face. "Alright now get some sleep, I love you both." She kissed their foreheads and kissed them both before turning on a spanish lullaby and turning off the lights.

She went to the kitchen and picked the remains of dinner up and did the dishes before taking a shower. She gave herself a reminder to talk with Matt about where they were heading as a couple and what that meant for the five kids.


Matt wanted desperately to talk to Gabby about what happened at the pier but their schedule mixed with school supply shopping had made it very hard. He was glad when she texted him, asking if it was ok to visit the firehouse on his saturday shift. He had immediately answered her after making sure Boden was ok with it and headed out to the common room to grab a late dinner. Christie was supposed to bring the girls by after they were cleaned up and ready for bed so Matt could kiss them goodnight. They had been very affectionate with him since the pier and he suspected it was because of what had happened with the woman and Luis.

"How's it going with Gabby?" Severide sat down next to Matt with a plate of his own.

"They're great." Matt wasn't up for heavy conversation with Kelly but he knew that he's probably push.

"Come on Case, what's goin on in that head of yours?"

"Just something that happened at the pier."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really. It's something I need to talk about with her. Maybe then I'll be able to tell you more."

"Fair enough. How are the girls?"

"Why don't you ask them yourself." Matt smiled when he saw his two girls skip into the common room.

"Uncle Kelly." Grace ran to him while Emma quietly found Shay who sat her on her lap.

"How are you doing little pipsqueek?" He tickled her sides, making her laugh. Matt got up and hugged his sister, glad that she had brought the girls around. Grace went into a detailed description of what they had done today and Emma stayed close to Shay, content to be in her godmother's arms.

"So school soon huh? Are you guys excited?" Shay finally spoke up.

"I can't wait to go to school auntie Shay, I want to learn new things." Grace smiled.

"And meet new friends." Emma added, making everyone in the room laugh.

"Are you guys all ready?" Herrmann scooted closer to Shay's chair.

"All set." Matt confirmed. "Come Monday, my girls will be all grown up." It was crazy how quickly time went by. It seemed like just yesterday that they were babies and now they we going off to kindergarten and learn new things.

"You girls are going to have sooo much fun." Christopher took hold of Grace and spun her around.

"Promise uncle Christopher."

"Pinky promise." They joined their pinkies together as Grace giggled.

"Daddy?" Emma asked from her spot on Shay's lap.

"What's on your mind?"

"Why was Luis sad at the pier?" Matt hadn't talked to anyone about it and now he was confronted with the question in front of the whole house.

He took her from Shay and sat her down on his own lap. "He was sad because he misses his daddy."

"Why can't he see his daddy?"

"He can't see him because his daddy is in heaven."

"Is mommy in heaven?" This didn't happen very often but when it did, it always broke his heart.

"No, mommy's not in heaven." He never really knew what to tell them when this happened.

"Where is she then?" Grace wondered, still in Herrmann's arms.

"Mommy is sick and she had to leave, that's why you're with me all the time." Matt closed his eyes briefly as Boden put a comforting hand on his shoulder. That answered seemed to be enough for the girls because they stopped asking more questions. The sky outside was starting to be dark and it was time to get the girls in bed. Matt hugged them each and kept them in his arms a bit longer than usual before he kissed them goodnight and they said bye to everyone in the house, going back to Christie's for a good night rest.

Saturday at the firehouse

"Look who came for a visit." Severide said as Gabby approached, taking one of the twins in his arms. "Do you guys want to see the trucks?" Both kids in the ground were jumping up and down as Kelly set the boy down.

"Thanks Kelly."

"He's in his office."

"Thanks." Gabby knew the kids were in very capable hands with Severide and the rest of the house looking out for them so she made her way through the common room, hugged Shay and went on her way. She found Matt leaning over an incident report, clearly oblivious to what was around him. "Knock knock."

"Hey, this is a surprise. Why didn't you tell me you were on your way?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise. I'm glad you weren't out on a call."

"Me too. How are the boys?" Gabby knew what he was asking. "They're good now. We talked and I think it's ok."

"Hey, tell me what happened." He got up from his chair and pulled her towards the bed so they could sit and talk more comfortably. She started telling him everything that was said a few evenings ago.

"He thinks he'll have to call you dad."

"I would never push myself onto them, you know that right?"

"I know but we need to have a talk Matt. We need to figure out what we are and where we're going."

"Most importantly we have to think about all five kids." He took her hand in his and stroked her fingers.

"Yes. We have to keep in mind that they're the most important."

"And they are. I'll tell you what. How about we get through that first week of school and then we can talk some more about this. You and me and us and the kids. How does that sound?"

"That sounds great." She leaned her head against his shoulder, a content sigh escaping her lips.

They knew they had some things to discuss but for right now, they would settle for being content together and put the kids above all else.


a/n: I really hope you guys liked this chapter. Now next one will be the first day of school for out little families and everything that intails for the kids and their parents so stay tuned for that (I don't know when I'll post it though) but in the meantime, I hope you'll take a few minutes to review this chapter before you go - Sarra xx