A\N: A lot of my friends on Twitter requested this one-shot before I first published it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the kids.
Spoilers: Chicago Fire 2.10 "Not Like This"
Warinings: None
Two Lives Left
Gabby knew that getting a phone call in the middle of the night wasn't good, getting a phone call on the night her husband was working was even worse. She quickly answered the phone her eyes already getting wet from tears.
"Hello?" She took a deep breath as she flicked on the lamp on her bedside table. She sat up her back resting on the headboard
"Gabby," Kelly Severide's voice answered, he sounded stressed out and upset and right away Gabby felt as if she was going to vomit. As a paramedic and a wife of a fire fighter she knew this could happen. She jut ever wanted to belie it could happen to her. How was she going to tell the children? What would they think?
"No!" Gabby was sobbing, tears streaming down her face, "Please Kelly don't-"
"Mat's not dead," Kelly quickly interrupted his friend, "But it doesn't look good. The candidate was trapped in a building and Matt didn't want to ask his Truck Lieutenant to go and save him, it was dangerous. Matt got into the building and almost reached him when a steal bar fell and pinned him down. It ripped into his chest. Matt's in emergency surgery now at Med."
A part of Gabby was relived her husband was alive but the Paramedic inside if her knew Matt certainly wasn't out of the woods yet. She knew he had hero tendencies but she was so mad at him this time. Why did he always have to be the hero? One of these days it was going to cost him his life. She could only pray that day wasn't anytime soon,
"I'm going to come and get you and I called Antonio and he's going to come and watch the kids." Kelly explained.
"Thank-thank you," Gabby managed to get out. She waited until Kelly said goodbye and hung up the phone. With shaky legs she got out of bed and threw on the nearest clothes she could find, not caring how she looked.
"Mom," Ellie knocked softly and entered the bedroom. The young girl looking worried, "I heard you crying," The ten year old saw her mother's face and knew something bad was going on, "Did Daddy-did he?" She couldn't finish her sentence as she began sobbing uncontrollably.
Gabby hated lying to her kids but she also hated seeing them upset, "No, no sweetheart" Gabby rushed toward her and gave her a hug. "Dad's alright he just-"
"No he's not," Ellie shook her head. She knew her mother well enough to know something was wrong, "I'm not a baby Mom. Please, please tell me what happened."
Gabby took a deep breath. She knew Ellie would keep asking until Gabby told her the truth. Usually she'd tell her it was none of her business but she didn't have the energy right now, plus Ellie did have a right to know.
"He got seriously injured during a call. Uncle Kelly is coming to take me to the hospital and Tio Antonio is coming here to stay with you and your sister and brothers."
"I want to go to the hospital too," Ellie said, trying her best to act brave, even though on the inside she was breaking apart, She wanted to be strong for her mother.
"No Ellie, He'll be in surgery for a long time and then….you can see him later alright?"
"No!" Ellie yelled tears streaming down her face, "No, what if- what if he dies? I want to say goodbye!"
"Elizabeth," Gabby warned as she walked into the hallway and down the stairs having gotten a text from Antonio saying he'd arrived, "I'll keep your Uncle informed. Now go back to bed." Gabby opened the door and let Antonio in.
"No," Ellie shook her head, "I don't want to sleep now. I can't sleep now!"
Antonio hugged his younger sister and kissed her on the cheek before turning to his niece. "Then you can just stay up with me alright kiddo?" He hugged her, "But you need to lie down on the couch alright? Try can get a little rest."
"What's going on?" Andy appeared in the hallway as he flicked the lights on. As soon as he saw everyone's expressions he knew something bad had happened.
"Come on son," Antonio motioned for his nephew to go into the family room, "We can talk in here. Uncle Kelly's going to come and pick your mother up."
Andy wanted to argue, wanted to demand to know what was going on; but one look at his mother's face made him think twice. He'd never seen her look so broken, she'd always seemed so put together and strong, no matter what nothing seemed to get to her. Seeing her like this made Andy want to do everything in his power to protect her and that meant listening to what his Uncle was telling him to do.
Six hours of surgery later a doctor finally came into the waiting room, "Matthew Casey?" He looked around.
Gabby stood up and walked toward the doctor "Yes, I'm his wife. How is he?"
"Chief Casey suffered three broken ribs and damaged his lungs we were able to repair. When the beam fell down on him parts shattered close to his heart and ruptured it. We were able to repair that damage as well but he'll need to stay in the ICU for twenty-four hours until we're sure he's out of the woods. You may see him briefly once he's settled in his room."
"Dr. what are his chances for making a full recovery? Will he ever be able to be a fire-fighter again?" Kelly wondered.
"Chief Casey is very lucky," The Dr. acknowledged, "The bean coming down on him could have crushed more ribs which could have caused his heart and lungs to be at even more of a risk. However right now I don't want to give you any estimates as to his recovery. Now Mrs. Casey you may come with me."
Gabby followed the doctor down two floors to the ICU. She watched from the hallway as nurses got Matt settle into a bed and checked everything out. He was pale and she could see scars and bruises covering his body. He was wearing a hospital gown but Gabby knew underneath would be a bandage to protect his ribs and stiches and scars from where he was cut open.
"Dr." Gabby spoke up as Matt's doctor left his room and approached her, "A number of years ago my husband had a subdural hematoma as a result of a call. At that time the doctor told him another serious head trauma could be enough to cause brain damage. Is there anyway to know if he suffered any head trauma."
"The EMT's that brought him in didn't tell us of any," He replied as he flipped through his notes on his IPad, "Your husband was alert for par of the trip and never mentioned anything. However I will tell the nurse about your concerns. You can come back tomorrow during visiting hours. No children under 13 are allowed inside the ICU." He explained, "Sorry for any inconvenience but we have this rule to protect out patients, staff and visitors. Oh and my names Dr. Summers, sorry I forgot to mention that before. I'll be your husband primary physician,
"No, no I understand. I'm a EMT and you can call me Gabby."
"I'll be making checks on your husband every hour," Dr. Summer's told her, "No if you'll excuse me," He turned to leave. Gabby, now alone saw the nurse had finished in Matt's room. More then anything she wanted to go and visit him but knee she had some phone calls to make first.
"Mommy!" Ella opened the door to her bedroom rubbing her brown eyes, "Ellie!" She shouted for her older sister, "Your alarm woked me up!" She complained, "Turn it off!" She banged on the bathroom door but got no response. "Mommy! Mommy!" She shouted.
"Ella!" Antonio rushed up the stairs, taking three at a time to get to the top, "Hi princess," He picked up his niece and held her, "Mommy's not here right now but I am. Do you want to go back to bed?" He still wasn't sure what Gabby wanted him to tell Ella and Jacob. A few hours ago when she had called him all she had said was that there still wasn't any word on Matt's condition and that she was going to keep Ellie home from her Sound of Music rehearsals for the day.
"Where's Mommy?" Ella asked.
"Mommy had to go somewhere but she'll be back soon," Antonio explained, "Lets get you back to bed."
Just then Jacob walked out of his room, "Tio Antonio? What are you doing here?" He wondered rubbing his eyes. "Did something bad happen?" He wondered, "Where is Mom?"
"Where's Mommy?" Ella began to cry.
"Ssh sweetie," Antonio rubbed her back, "Where's Garcia? Do you want her?"
"Mommy!" Ella sobbed.
"Ella!" Andy yelled from downstairs, unable to walk up the stairs because of his broken leg, "I think you might like what Ellie and I made for you down here."
"What?" Ella looked at Antonio for an answer.
Antonio knew Andy and Ella had spent the better part of the night constructing a fort in the playroom. "Well lets go down and see," He suggested as he carried her down the stairs, Jacob right behind.
"I still want to know where Mom is," He told his uncle.
Antonio could understand that, Jacob was very smart and inquisitive. He reminded him very much of Diego when he was younger; he wondered of that was why his son got along so well with the eight year old.
Antonio carried Ella into the playroom and set her down on the floor. Andy and Ellie had moved all of the furniture into the centre of the room and put sheets over top of them making a fort.
Andy smiled at Ella, he didn't want her or Jacob to be upset today. He wanted to do everything he could to help out. "Come here kiddo," He smiled at his baby sister, "We can watch Moana as many times as you like and you can sing and dance."
"Yay!" Ella cheered happily. Antonio set her on the ground and smiled as she began to dance around, "Lets have pancakes too, please Tio Antonio?" She looked up at her uncle and pouted.
"Alright," Antonio nodded his head, "After breakfast is over I have to go to work so Uncle Kelly is going to come and watch you guys. He's going to bring KJ over too." He smiled at Jacob who wasn't all that impressed.
"I'll ask Uncle Kelly what's wrong," He decided. He looked at his older brother and sister and frowned. "He'll tell me."
"I'll ask too," Ella echoed her older brother.
Andy glared at Jacob silently telling him to be quiet. He was to young to know what was going on anyway. Andy would never understand why he felt as though he needed to be treated as an adult. There were things he didn't know and he didn't throw a tempter tantrum by running away.
"Come on lets go and make breakfast," Antonio changed the subject. He started walking into the kitchen when his cell phone rang, he looked at it and sae that it was Gabby.
"Hey," He answered on the second ring, "What's going on?"
"Matt's out of surgery but he's not out of the woods yet; I'll be here all day. Can I talk to the kids?" She knew she owned them all an explanation as to what was going on. They had a right to know even though they'd all be worried and scared.
"Yeah," Antonio pressed the speakerphone button and put the cell phone on the kitchen table.
"Hi," Gabby's voice filled the room.
"Mommy!" Ella raced towards the phone, "Where are you?" She reached her fingertips up to the top of the counter trying to peer over. She wanted to see if it was a video call. When her uncle lifted her up onto the counter she was disappointed that it wasn't.
"I need to tell all of you something important, and I need you to be brave alright," She took a deep breath, "Your father was seriously injured last night on a call. He had emergency surgery but he's still in the hospital. The doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to help make him better. I'm going to stay here today and maybe in a few days you can come and see him."
Ella began to cry and Antonio lifted her up and held her and comforted her. "It'll be okay sweetheart," He soothed, "Daddy's strong."
"No!" Jacob shook his head, "What if he dies what-"
"Jacob!" Andy glared at him, "Shut up!" The last thing he wanted was for Ella to get even more upset.
"I want to see him," Jacob announced. He trusted his mother but he wanted to see how baldy his father was hurt, wanted to see him and be with him.
"I want to see him too," Ellie repeated.
"No," Gabby shook her head. Matt was still in rough shape and she didn't want the kids to see that, "I'll keep you guys informed throughout the day. If things get worse I'll call you and you can come. Ellie you're not going to theatre today I know Tio Antonio told you that but I…."
"I understand Mom," Ellie cut her off, "I wouldn't be in any mood to da anything if I did go. Besides I want to be able to help out around here. I can look over my lines later if I feel up to it. I'm sure Rebecca can take over for me today," She explained. All of the children's roles in The Sound of Music were double casted, Ellie was the first choice for Brigritta and would be doing most of the shows and therefor getting paid more.
"Thanks, you kids be as good as you can for Uncle Kelly today. He should be there soon. I have to go now. I love you."
All of the kids responded back saying they loved her as well.
"Mommy!" Ella cried as Antonio picked up the phone, "I don't want Daddy to die?" She looked up at Antonio and rubbed her eyes, "Will Daddy die?"
"Come here sweetie," Andy wished he could pick up his baby sister, "Why don't we go and get Garcia?"
"Yeah that's a good idea," Ellie nodded in agreement, "And then maybe after dinner we can all play a game. Anything you'd like." She looked at her younger sister, "Or I can paint your finger nails. Or we can play hospital?
"What about me?" Jacob asked. How come his older brother and sister didn't care abbot how he was doing.
"You want to be treated like you're older," Andy smirked, "You can't have it both ways. Why don't you start helping? Maybe you can play with Ella too?"
"No! I don't play baby games!" He yelled he ran upstairs and slammed the door to his bedroom.
"Was that necessary Andy?" Antonio inquired. "He's only eight."
"Yeah and he wants to be treated like he's a teenager…. He's the one who has a problem."
"Well now Uncle Kelly has even more to deal with," Ellie pointed out. "And that's your fault."
"Oh stop acting so much like Mom," Andy rolled his eyes.
'Stop it!" Ella screamed covering her ears.
"I agree," Antonio put Ella on the ground, "You go and play while I make breakfast alright?"
"Yeah come on Ella," Ellie took her hand and led her out of the kitchen, "We'll have lots of fun."
Ella sniffled but went with her older sister anyways.
Antonio made pancakes and bacon and eggs for breakfast as he knew the kids were all hungry and needed something to keep their mind off Matt being injured. When breakfast was half way over the doorbell rang and Ellie jumped up and ran to get it knowing it would be Kelly.
Ellie wasn't obsessed or in love with Kelly anymore but they still shared a special bond. "Uncle Kelly!" She opened the door and hugged him, for the first time in a fee hours she cried.
"Ssh sweetie," Kelly kissed the top of her head, "It's okay to cry." He hated seeing her so upset and he wished there was more that he could do to help out. He knew watching the kids for the day was helpful but Kelly waned to do more to help his best friend get better.
"No, no what about Ella?" Ellie asked, "She's only four. I need to be strong for her."
"Hey, hey!" Kelly lifted her up briefly, "You are the sweetest girl I know but you just worried about being a kid alright? Let the grown-ups deal with looking after Ella. Besides you need to memorize all your lines. Have you finishes breakfast yet?"
"Almost."
"Well go tell Tio Antonio I'm here and I'm going to go and talk to Jacob," He told her. "I didn't bring KJ because Antonio told me what happened with Jacob. But he can come by later if Jacob feels like it."
"Alright," Ellie nodded and turned to leave.
Kelly walked up the stars to the house and into Jacob's bedroom. The eight year old was lying on his bed in tears. Kelly saw multiple things broken on the floor so he assumed Jacob had thrown things out of frustration. Although Jacob looked like Gabby he had Matt's temper and along with Gabby's stubbornness he was very hard to manage when he got into moods. When Kelly had learnt he'd run away he wasn't all that surprised.
"Go away!" Jacob screamed, he picked up his lamp, one of the only things around the bed that hadn't been thrown and aimed it at Kelly, "I'll throw this!"
"If you were going to do that you already would have," Kelly pointed out a he sat down on the bed, "I know you're angry because your father's injured and upset because you hate being eight but I got to tell you need to stop comparing yourself to your older brother and sister. Andy's always going to be the oldest and I know he's cool and popular and Ellie can do just about anything it seems," He chuckled, Jacob didn't seem amused as he scoffed, "But you could speak two languages at six and I know you're building LEGO structures a adult would be building. You're smart, very smart. So I know you know and want all of this to get you attention. I can imagine its hard having three siblings but you get attention too and bad attention isn't good. Now come downstairs and have some breakfast."
"I don't need to eat for two days," He lifted his head, "I'll be fine."
"Oh no," Kelly lifted him up over his shoulders, "You need to eat."
"Uncle Kelly!" Jacob screamed as he kicked him and counted to yell at way into the kitchen.
"Well that's interesting," Antonio commented. He didn't agree with using that approach with Jacob but understood and respect Kelly. He knew his sister trusted him with her life.
"Alright I have to go," He announced looking at his phone, "Aunt Laura is going to come tonight after dinner and watch you guys. Now you all be good for Uncle Kelly."
48 Hours Later:
Matt opened his eyes briefly, it took him a minute to fully see where he was and when he could see clearly his mind was still blank. The last thing he remembered was going into the building to save the Truck Candidate who'd disobeyed his order when he told his house to get out of the fire. Moving his hand his entire body erupted in pain and he decided it was better to just lie still.
"Matt!" Gabby, who hadn't slept since he'd been in the ICU saw the movement and peered over him, he still hadn't woken up from surgery yet and she knew his doctor was getting worried, "Matt baby it's Gabby." She squeezed his hand, "Can you say anything?"
His mouth was dry and sore but he wanted to reassure his wife that he was okay. "Ga…abby… what…appened?" He began coughing.
"You were caught in a fire," She helped him sit up and drink some water, "You don't remember?" As he shook his head she feared for the worst, even though she knew that it was normal for people to block out traumatic injuries. She pressed the 'call button' and helped him lay back down, "I'm so glad you're awake," She kissed him on the lips. She knew he still had a long road ahead in terms of recovery but she didn't want him to worry about that.
A few minutes' later two nurses came in and checked him out. He did alright on all of the tests they performed and when Dr. Summer's came in he was able to tell him who Gabby was and what year and month they were in. He didn't know he'd been in a coma for two days though and when Gabby asked him about their children he forget to include Ella. Dr. Summer's ordered a MRI and said he needed to stay in the ICU a few more hours. When he left Gabby followed him.
"What's going on?" Gabby wanted to know as she followed him out into the hallway,
Dr. Summer's knew she had a medical background and that she would understand and be able to process his concerns. He pulled out his IPad, "I'm afraid the fall did cause some brain trauma," He explained. "But I'm hoping that it may be just temporary," He pointed out his area of concern on the X-ray from Matt's MRI the previous day. "His long term memory might have been affected a little as well as his motor control."
Gabby took a deep breath and tried to keep rational about everything. This could all just be temporary and not cause him anymore problems in the future. She couldn't imagine him not being able to remember Ella. "Our kids want to see him. But they're all under 13. When is he going to be moved to a regular room?"
"That'll all depend on the MRI results," Dr. Summer responded, "It's not backed up at the moment so we should be able to get him in soon. Hopefully in the next hour or so. In the main time you can stay with him, just try and limit the amount of stress he's under."
Gabby nodded her head, she took that to mean he didn't want her telling Matt about Ella.
Gabby walked back into the room and to Matt's beside, she sat down and took his hand. It was obvious he was in pain as she saw he was trying to get comfortable. Pressing the button the gave him more morphine she reached out to cares his face, "You have nine lives, but according to my calculation you only have two left. I can't imagine loosing you."
Matt knew he'd had a few close calls with death but he couldn't remember the specifics of anything without giving himself a headache. The worst thing of all though was that he and Gabby had a younger daughter he didn't even remember, would he ever be able to remember her? What was she like?
"What's our youngest daughter's name?" He asked, "Please tell me," He saw that she was hesitating.
Gabby sighed, she knew she wasn't supposed to cause him stress but at this point not telling him would cause him the most stress, in her opinion he ahd a right to know, "Her name is Esmeralda, but we call her Ella. She's named after my mother who died a few months before she was born. She's feisty and determined and she loves airplanes and otter space. She's three years old."
"I don't remember your mother dying," He shook his head in frustration, "The last thing I remember is being promoted to Chief of Firehouse fifty-one. When was that?"
"Almost five years ago. So you're blocking out a year; but hopefully it's not permanent. You just rest alright Babe," She leaned forward and kissed his lips. Inside she was screaming and crying, she knew him having huge memory losses wasn't a good sign that meant he could loose his career. But she had to stay calm for his sake. The most important thing was focusing on him getting better. She needed to help him in whatever why she could.
One Week Later:
Stepping out of his car Kelly was glad to see that none of the kids had come out yet. He'd ran into a little traffic enroute to picking up and was afraid he'd be late. He couldn't wait to tell Jacob and Ella the good news, that after almost two weeks they'd be able to see their father again. When his MRI when he first awoke shows signs of brain damage the surgeons were able to act fast and fix the damage. The only down side to that was that meant he had to spend another few days in the ICU.
The sound of multiple children talking made him snap out of his thought and he began looking around for his kids as well as Jacob and Ella. He saw Ella first as she was riding on the shoulders of a male counsellor, with a chuckle he approached them and gave Ella a amuses expression.
The sports camp was for children aged 4-15 with three year olds rarely getting in; but since Andy and Ellie had been attending the camp for years the Director had let Ella attend, that being said the three year old was the youngest camper and most likely getting lots of special attention.
"Hi Uncle Kelly!" She waved, "I'm pretending I'm flying an airplane!" She grinned happily.
"Well go and put the plane back in the hanger, we have to go," Kelly told her, "Where's your brother?" He asked.
"I don't know?" She shrugged her shoulders as the male counsellor put her back on the ground and handed Ella back her backpack.
"You must be Kelly." The college student smiled, "I coach your son KJ in ball hockey. He has a lot of energy."
"Yeah he does," Kelly nodded his head, "Here he comes now." He spotted KJ and Jacob running over from an area where a counsellor was waiting with other children, "And here's Lilli," He spotted his five-year-old daughter.
"Hi Daddy!" Lillianna waved happily. "I jumped in to the water today and I wasn't wearing a life jacket! And Mommy gave me two apples my mistake so I-"
"Wow, wow," Kelly slowed her down knowing that I he let her she'd never stop talking, "You can tell me all about your day later. Right now we really have to go alright."
"Bye guys," The male counsellor smiled and turned to leave,
"Come on," Kelly picked up Ella and took Lilli's backpack and her hand as the boys began to talk to each other. He loaded them into his car and then got into the drivers seat, "Okay so Jake, Ella, your Mom called me and said your Daddy was moved to a room out of the ICU. So you're going to go to the hospital to see him. We're going to go to my house drop KJ and Lilli off and then we'll go and pick up Andy and Ellie and I'll go and take you to the hospital.
"Yay!" Jacob cheered happily, "Is Dad all better now? Can he come home?"
"Well he's still going to need to stay in the hospital for awhile but its good he's out of the ICU," Kelly explained. "Now he's still really sick so you have to remember to keep your voices down and no running and hugging him.
"Can Garcia come with me?" Ella asked, a little scared to see her father in a hospital bed really sick.
"Of course you can sweetheart. When we go and pick up Andy I'll go and get her for you alright. Now Lilli you can tell me about your day."
"Wait," Kelly held his hands up for the Casey kids to wait as he saw a wheelchair in the lobby. Matt's room was on the seventh floor and even though they'd be using elevators he knew Andy still couldn't be on his feet for to long.
"Andy, I want you to sit in a wheelchair," He pointed to the object.
"Oh no!" Andy shook his head, "People will think I'm a patient and they'll all be looking at me. I can keep up Uncle Kelly."
"This isn't up for discussion young man," Kelly warned, "Now lets go."
"Andy, "Ella tugged on her older brothers shirt with the hand that wasn't gasping onto Garcia, "Can Garcia and I ride with you? Garcia likes wheelchairs, maybe she'll be less scared then."
"Oh," Andy rolled his eyes and let out a dramatic sigh. He could never say no to his baby sister, "Fine, lets go, you can sit on my lap. Just be careful with the leg cast."
"Okay," Ella nodded her head. Kelly helped get Andy seated in the chair and then lifted Ella up to sit on his lap. He pushed the wheelchair and then they went on there way again. They got to the seventh floor in almost no time and once they did Kelly looked at the kids again.
"Now remember your Daddy's still really sick so no yelling or running towards him," He instructed. "And your Mom's under a lot of stress too so you behave, all of you, no arguing or fighting."
All of the kids nodded their heads Ellie and Jacob followed as Kelly began pushing the wheelchair again. He got to Matt's hospital room and opened the door.
"Daddy!" Ella jumped of Andy's lap and flew to her father's hospital bed, "Daddy I missed you this much!" She held out her arms to indicate a length, "I'm going to big girl summer camp too!"
"Doesn't she listen?" Jacob said under his breath.
"She's just a little girl," Kelly responded.
"Hi Dad," Ellie was next to speak, she walked over to the bed and helped Ella climb up on top of it, "I'm glad you're feeling a little better," She didn't like the look of the scars her father had but told herself that the doctors and nurses knew what they were doing. "I wish I could do something to help you out."
"You guys are making me feel better by being here," He told them. He turned to look at his sons, "What it's not cool to hug your father?" He asked, "How did Uncle Kelly convince you to sit in a wheelchair?" He asked his very stubborn twelve year old.
"Ella wanted to ride on my lap," He shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal.
"Ah," He nodded, "Hi Jacob," He could see the eight year old looked a bit nervous.
"Come here Jake, all of these tubes look scary but they just make Daddy feel better," Gabby approached her son and began to explain, "Come and sit on his bed with him."
Jacob shook his head as he began to cry, "I don't I don't- I don't like seeing you like this," He finally managed to get out as he looked at Matt, "Are you going to get hurt again?" He made slow steps to his father.
"I don't know bud but I can't promise not to get hurt again. I can only promise I'll try to stay safe." He knew his son wanted a definite answer but he couldn't give him that.
Jacob began sobbing and ran towards him, jumping on the bed he sat next to his father.
Kelly left and Gabby and the kids stayed for almost two hours. Jacob stayed glued to Matt's side while his brother and sisters talked to him. Andy talking a little about Sophia but mostly about how he still hated his cast. Ellie filled him in on her play and her new best friend Lucy and Ella told him that she and Damien were going to get married in a month.
"In a month?" Matt looked at Gabby to see if she was aware of this, she shook her head.
"And we're going to buy a house and Daddy-!" Ella tugged on his arm, "Where do babies come from? Because I want babies."
Matt's eyes went wide and his heart monitor showed signs of increased stress.
"Alright," Gabby lifted Ella up holding her daughter in her arms, "You can learn were babies come from when you're older like Andy and Ellie. You go and play over there alright." She set girl down and gently pushed her towards her backpack.
"What did Ella do?" Jacob asked Gabby frantically, "Ella you're stupid!" He called at his sister.
"I am not!" Ella turns around and stuck out her tongue, "You're a big meanie-head!" She started to run at him but Ellie stopped her.
"Not now Ella," She warned, "Lets go and look for cute doctors," She prompted.
"No, they're trying to do their jobs," Gabby informed her, "Why don't you just go for a walk with your younger sister. Go and take her to the children's play area in the paediatrics ward." She suggested.
"Fine," Ellie sighed and took her sister's hand and left.
"Marriage? Babies? Boys?" Matt rubbed his forehead with his good hand, "Since when did my little girls grow up?"
"Ella's only pretending, you know that, and I'll talk to her about her baby question, as for Ellie she's ten and gorgeous and she likes boys her own age. I'll talk to her about some woman things this week."
"Ugh!" Andy covered his ears making Jacob laugh.
"You and I had almost the exact conversation a few years ago," Matt looed at his oldest.
Andy took that as his cue to smarten up so he stayed silent. When Matt's dinner came half an hour later Gabby decided that was the time to leave,
'Alright boys," She looked at her son's "Time to go. Say goodbye. We'll come back tomorrow after camp. I'm going to spend the night at home tonight."
"Bye Dad," Andy waved and wheeled his way towards the door.
"I want to stay!" Jacob announced, "In case something else bad happens to Daddy!"
"Nothing bad is going to happen to him here," Gabby tried to reassure her son, "The hospital is going to make him better."
"But he wasn't supposed to get hurt at work!" Jacob countered, "So I'm staying! And you can't make me leave!"
"Jacob," Gabby recognized the signs of increased anxiety and knew it wasn't his fault that he as acting this way. She'd have to make an appointment with the family doctor to get a referral for a child psychologist. "Dad, is going to be alright I know you're worried and we can talk about that."
"No!" Jacob began to cry, "Please, I want to stay!" He begged, looking at Matt to see if that would help him at all.
"Come on," Gabby, with some difficultly picked up Jacob and carried him out into the hallway. He was kicking and screaming and crying and it wasn't until they'd reached the paediatric floor did he calm down a little. But Gabby noticed he was still on edge and miserable. She'd have to make that appointment as soon as she could.
TBC