A/N: This story is finally hitting its stride again. I feel like everything I am writing is just coming to me so easily right now, especially for this story. I am a chapter ahead on this one so the next update will come soon enough.
As always, thank you for reading!
Casey
I pull my car into my designated spot outside of our apartment and switch it into park before cutting the engine. I hop out of the truck and go to get the groceries out of the back when I notice it. The ambulance parked in front of our apartment, its lights going. My heart drops, I forget the groceries and race toward the apartment, I am pulling my phone out as I go.
Two missed calls from Kelly. Shit.
I pick up speed as I notice the missed calls, practically ripping the door off the hinges and race down the hall. When I step through our open apartment door I stop. All my worst fears coming true. I can hear my heart beating in my ears as it races.
I quickly take in the scene in front of me. There is blood on the floor behind the couch. There are two paramedics in our living room surrounding Gabby, who is hooked up to two different machines at this point while one paramedic shoves an IV into Gabby's hand. It's then I notice her terrified and panicked eyes staring back at me, but I can tell she is losing the fight. She's slipping.
"Gabby! Gabby, baby." I holler, rushing into the room, by the time I reach her she has already passed out.
"Dammit, she lost consciousness, we need to move." I hear one of the medic's mutter.
"What happened?" I ask quickly looking to the medics and then to Severide who stood on the other side of the couch, Gabby and Jesse's hospital bags on each shoulder, a terrified look on his face that I was sure matched my own.
"I don't know, Case. I was in my room and she hollered for me. I came out and she was already bleeding... I, I called 911 as fast as I could."
I nod to Kelly, my attention now back on the medics as they get Gabby ready for transport. "She has placenta previa. She has been on bed rest the majority of her pregnancy." I tell them, unsure if Kelly had informed them yet.
One medic, I now realize to be Rafferty gives me as much of a reassuring smile as she can muster. "We know, Matt."
Her partner tells her to go get the backboard and I am looking around quickly as she moves out of the apartment. I look back at Gabby's unconscious form and shake my head. "Screw this."
I carefully pull Gabby into my arms and cradle her to my chest. I hear the medic behind me stutter for me to wait for the backboard and I throw him a glare, he quickly picks up the monitor and jump bag and follows behind me. I hear Kelly behind us and know he is following along.
"I'll follow you." Severide hollers as we step outside and he rushes to his car.
I'm jumping into the back of the ambulance and we are speeding off with lights and sirens blaring.
Come on Gabby, hold on for me. Hold on for Jesse.
Severide
It had been a silent hour we had sat in the waiting room, after a quick call to the Chief I was not surprised to see all of 51 trickling into the waiting room. Casey had been pacing up and down the room for the last hour, barely acknowledging any of us since they had pulled Gabby away from him.
I knew if Casey sat still, if he gave himself even a moment to sit down and relax, the weight of what could be happening down the hall from us would crush him.
All eyes are on Casey as he paces, no one able to get him to take a seat, but I can't blame him... The sight of Dawson in so much pain, the sight of blood when we both knew what that could mean for Dawson was terrifying. I couldn't get it out of my head, and I knew the same could likely be said for Casey.
Boden takes a seat next to me, his eyes following his Lieutenant for a moment more before turning to me. "What happened, Kelly?" He asks softly, I can hear the concern and his own fear in his voice.
I shake my head, "I, I don't know Chief. Casey and I got home from shift, Antonio headed out and everything was fine. Casey left for the store and I went to my room and it was all good for a solid hour and then I hear Dawson screaming for me." I close my eyes, Dawson's terrified scream hitting me again. "When I walked out, she was bleeding and in pain. I called 911 as fast as I could." I tell him. Had I not called fast enough? "Dawson passed out after the medics arrived."
Chief closes his eyes and places one of his large hands on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze in comfort.
I look back to Casey once more. He had blood stained on his shirt from when he had carried Dawson out to the ambulance. The crimson color standing out against his light blue shirt.
For as terrified as I, and the rest of 51, was to lose Dawson, I knew Casey was a hundred times worst. Losing Dawson... it would destroy him. She was everything to him and she had been for longer than I think even he could admit.
It seems like an eternity later that a doctor is stepping into the waiting room. "Family of Gabriella Dawson."
Casey's head snaps up and he rushing forward. "Is she okay? Is the baby okay?" He asks in a rush, his voice rough from lack of use.
"Gabriella is stable, we were able to stop the bleeding for now." Casey's shoulders slack with relief, but the tension was still evident in his features.
"And the baby?" Boden interjects before Casey can ask again.
"He's a little stressed from his Momma's situation, but we are monitoring his heart rate. Other than the heart rate being a little high, which is expected given everything, he is perfectly fine."
The rest of the room relaxes.
"Can I see her?" Casey asks quickly.
The doctor nods but doesn't make to move yet, the look in her eyes causing my heart rate to skyrocket.
"Listen, Mr. Casey." The doctor starts, looking to Casey head-on. "Gabby's situation has changed. While she still does have the placenta previa, that is not what caused the bleeding." Matt's face contorts in confusion.
"What do you mean?" He asks cautiously.
"Gabriella suffered a placenta abruption. The placenta has started to detach from the uterine wall. That is what caused the pain I am sure Gabby was in, as well as the bleeding. The stress on her body is what caused her water to break." The doctor stops letting Casey digest this information before continuing.
"Ms. Dawson's placenta previa is not affected by this, but it does add a whole new list of possible complications. Right now, the placenta previa is the least of our concerns. The odds of bleeding during delivery, or after delivery are not so much if, but when with placenta abruption. I don't want to alarm you, but I need to make you aware of all the facts. We will do everything we can to ensure a safe delivery for Gabby." She tells us, though at this point she is just talking to Casey. Us all listening in intently.
"Placenta abruption is more serious and we will need to plan to deliver today. We will plan for an emergency c-section -"
More fear creeps into Casey's features if that was even possible at this point, "She is still early, she's only 38 weeks..."
"It's not ideal, but 38 weeks is perfectly fine to deliver. This new condition causes more problems for the baby. The chances of complications for the baby are higher, which is why we need to deliver so soon. I know this is something we hadn't talked about with Gabriella's previous condition, but with placenta abruption, I need to make you aware. While it is a very low chance, there is a chance of stillbirth from placenta abruption... with this condition the longer we wait to deliver the higher chance of stillbirth."
Casey's whole-body tenses, all of 51 following suit as the doctor's words settle in the air.
"I know this is not what we originally planned for... but we are taking every precaution possible to take care of Gabriella and the baby."
The doctor finishes. Though her words of reassurance don't do much to reassure anyone.
Matt nods stiffly, no words able to leave his mouth. If his back wasn't to us, I am positive we would see the tears welling in his eyes, if they hadn't already fallen.
I could feel my own, and I was doing my best to hold them at bay. The entire room was trying to digest everything that had just been dumped on us.
"I can take you to see her before we prep her for surgery." The doctor offers to Matt which he quickly agrees to, not sparing a glance back at any of us before he is following the doctor down the hall.
I release a shaky breath as Casey moves away. Finally letting the gravity of the situation hit now that we didn't have to hold ourselves together for Matt.
Gabby meant the world to us all. She was the beating heart of 51, and we all loved and adored her. She didn't deserve this. Casey and Dawson both did not deserve to be going through this.
Chief steps out of the room for a minute, I knew to most it meant nothing, but I knew... he was stepping away to collect himself... to get ahold of himself before he had to be the strong presence that we all needed.
It's only a few minutes later he is stepping back into the room, running a hand over his mouth.
"I feel like I have had to say this far too many times over the last few months, and that... well, that is... it's not something any of us could ever prepare for." He trails off. "We all need to make sure Dawson and Casey know that we are here for them, no matter what happens today. Every thought, every prayer needs to be directed to Dawson, baby Jesse, and Lieutenant Casey right now. Make sure they know we are here and that we love them." Chief's rough voice filters off.
His speech earning multiple nods from the group around him.
Dawson and I had always been friends... but over the last couple years, specifically this past year, we had gotten close. She had quickly become one of my closest friends. We would even tease Casey over the last couple months of living together that she was in the running for his best friend spot. She was the strongest, kindest, most down to earth person I knew. She was indeed the beating heart of 51.
She had to be okay.
Her and Jesse both had too.
Hermann
I remembered Dawson's first day at 51 like it was yesterday. She walked in with a fire in her that I had never seen out of anyone before. She was made to be a paramedic, made to be a firefighter. She had a heart that was meant to help people.
She had helped me more times over the year than I could count. Whether it be as a paramedic saving my life, a firefighter saving my ass, or a friend when I needed one. Gabby was always that friend, to anyone in the house that needed it.
Gabriella Dawson was like a daughter to me. I couldn't imagine life without her... I didn't want to.
Mills
The waiting room was tense after the doctor had taken Casey away to see Dawson.
Gabby had been my first friend at 51. She had welcomed me in and made me feel comfortable and a part of the 51 family.
We had our history, and I think a part of me would always love Gabby, but I knew the love she had for Casey was unmatched, and I would never do anything to mess with that.
Gabby was just an amazing person, and she made it easy for all of us to love her. She was that strong presence in the house. She stuck by us all when Shay passed. She remained strong for the entire house, even when she was clearly in so much pain. She was an amazing paramedic, an amazing firefighter, and the greatest friend you could ask for.
I couldn't imagine a life without Gabriella Dawson in it, and I hoped we never had too.
Brett
Gabby had to be okay. She had too.
There was no questioning that everyone in the room had a heavy heart after the doctor's news.
We were all worried for our girl, we had been for months now, but this... this was a new set of worry that no one could wrap their heads around. It wasn't fair. Gabby and Casey didn't deserve to go through so much heartache and pain.
They were good people, the best.
Gabby had been such an amazing friend to me. I knew it was hard for her when I first started at 51. I knew that Leslie Shay had been not just her partner for so many years, but her best friend... and yet Gabby had welcomed me with as open of arms as she possibly could while going through such a tough time.
I loved Gabby like a sister, she was such a sweet person and she was going to make an amazing mother.
I just hoped and prayed we all got to witness her get to experience motherhood.
Casey
I followed the doctor down the hall to Gabby's room and it was all I could do not to run to her.
The doctor stopped in front of the room and looked to me. "I'll give you a few minutes. We are getting the OR prepped now, we will be in to get her prepared soon." She told me softly.
I spared a quick nod before moving into Gabby's room.
She was in a hospital gown, the blanket pulled up and tucked underneath her stomach. I could see the fetal monitor sticking up through her hospital gown as it sat on her stomach. Hers and Jesse's heart rate monitors beeping in the background. The monitors amongst the multiple machines they were hooked too.
Oh Gabby.
I moved to her side as I saw her began to stir. I grabbed her free hand, and ran a hand along her hair as she began to wake. Her eyes wincing at the lights before she looked around frantically. Where we were must suddenly hit her, and I see her panicked eyes meet mine, tears welling.
"Matt." She chokes out and I am instantly trying to soothe her, though my fear matches hers, I knew I needed to be strong for her.
"Shh, it's okay. You're okay." I try and soothe.
"Jesse?" she quickly asks, "Is he okay?"
I smile weakly, "He is okay," I point to the fetal monitor and she quickly looks to it breathing a small sigh of relief. "Heart rate was a little high, but it is coming down," I explain.
She looks back to me, the same fear still in her eyes. "What happened?"
I knew that question was coming but my heart still ached, I didn't know how to explain this to her. She was already so scarred about her condition before this happened, and I knew this development would only scare her further. It had definitely scared me beyond reason.
I knew I just needed to be honest with her. "You have a placenta abruption." I see her eyes widen in complete fear. Some days I really hated how smart medically Gabby was, because she already knew the implications of this condition, it was clear by the look on her face. Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks before she could even think to stop them. I squeezed her hand tighter. "It's pretty severe. They are planning an emergency c-section." I explain.
She nods stoically, averting her eyes and running a hand over her stomach. "It's still early." She says softly.
I nod. "I know, but they are pretty confident he is developed enough. He is small, but it is safer for them to deliver now." I tell her. "If they wait there could be complications for the baby, or for you... the doctors said this is the best option."
Gabby's eyes meet mine again, her chin trembles and more tears fall from her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Matt." She cries and my brow furrows.
"What - Gabby..." She had nothing to be sorry for. "Don't you dare blame yourself for this," I tell her forcefully, feeling my own tears well in my eyes I lean down, running a hand over her head as I cradle her cheek, happy when she leans into the contact. "You didn't do this. You had no control over this. Everything is going to be okay-"
"You don't know that." She cries, the weight of this situation becoming too much.
Her words I knew were true. I could not promise her anything. Her condition before was serious... but this? This was so much worse. This was terrifying. I could lose both her and Jesse. My world felt like it was falling down around me. My eyes watered at her words and I can only offer her a nod because she was right.
"I know," I say painfully, meeting her tearful brown eyes head-on. "I know." I swallow thickly around the lump in my throat. "But the doctors are going to do absolutely everything they can for you and Jesse and I am going to be right here, every step of the way." I try and reassure; it was all I could do. I felt so helpless in this situation.
"I love you." Gabby breathes, more tears spilling from both our eyes. I shake my head; I knew what she was doing. "I love you, so much. No matter what happens I need you to know that." She says painfully, my heart felt like it split in two at her words. My eyes fall closed at her words, don't do this, Gabby. Please don't.
I pull her in for a deep kiss, resting my forehead on hers. "I love you too." I choke out, unable to form any other words.
We are quickly interrupted by the team of nurses and doctors that move into the room.
"It's time guys." I hear one of them say and feel Gabby tense in my arms.
I meet her eyes as I pull away, placing one last kiss to her forehead. "It's going to be okay." I try to reassure one last time.
One of the nurses puts a hand on my shoulder. "There is scrubs in the bathroom we brought for you. You can change and join us in the operating room."
I sigh in relief, quickly wiping at my tear-stained face I offer a quick nod. Thankful that this was still an option. When we had previously talked about Gabby having to have a c-section due to the placenta previa I was assured I could be in the room during the procedure, but with this new condition I had not been sure. I was thankful that was still the case.
I move past the doctors that were prepping Gabby and squeeze her shoulder, bringing her attention to me. "I'm going to go change. I will see you in there, alright?"
I see her sigh in relief, getting a small amount of comfort from my words. I kiss her head once more and they pull her bed from the room and I quickly go to change not wanting to be too far away from her for long.
I change out quickly in the bathroom, pulling on the blue scrubs and tie the blue sterile cape around my neck. I pull the mask on and pull it down to my neck, waiting to put it over my mouth until we got to the room. I spare a glance in the mirror and take a deep breath. I run my hands through my hair, taking another deep breath, trying to calm my erratic heart. This was all too much.
I knew depending on how this day went I could lose both the love of my life and my son all in the span of a few hours, and I couldn't even fathom that possibility.
I do my best to push that thought from my mind. I couldn't dwell on that. I needed to stay strong for Gabby. I had too.
I blow out another breath and move to the door finding a nurse waiting for me and quickly follow her into Gabby's operating room after we both scrub our hands and they place a hair net and gloves on me.
When we walk in Gabby is laid on the bed prepped with multiple people around her. I'm directed up to her head where the doctor pushes a stool to me. I quickly sit down and Gabby's eyes move to me.
"Hi," I say softly. There is a flurry of activity around us as they get Gabby numb and drape surgical dressing onto her stomach. I see the doctor performing one more ultrasound, but I keep my focus on Gabby; doing everything I can to be a strong presence for her in this moment.
I rest my head near Gabby's, knowing between the mask on my face and the gloves on my hands this was the only skin to skin contact I could give her. "I'm right here," I tell her softly. She nods a weak smile on her face. She was scared to death. I mirrored her feelings but did my best not to show it.
"We're going to get started." I hear our doctor tell us, I look up briefly offering a nod of understanding and focus my attention back to Gabby. Tears well in her eyes and I do everything I can to keep her calm, talking to her and trying to keep her attention on me on not what was going on, on the other side of the draping by her chest.
It's a few minutes later I hear the doctor moving around, her eyes peeking over her mask. "You've got a son." She says gently, and it's then I hear Jesse's cries fill the room. Gabby and I both audibly sigh and the tears are rushing from both of our eyes at her words.
"Thank you." I cry into Gabby's neck, resting a glove covered hand over her cheek. "You did so good baby, so good," I tell her. Her brown eyes meeting mine as she cries tears of relief that match my own.
"Mr. Casey, would you like to cut the cord?" The doctors ask, and Gabby gives me a nod, giving me the reassurance to go.
I nod quickly, moving to the end of the bed and getting my first glimpse at our boy. He was Gabby's twin. I could feel my tears pick up at the sight of him. He was beautiful. I cut the cord as instructed and one of the nurses wraps Jesse up in a blanket.
"I wanna see him." I hear Gabby cry, her inability to move frustrating her.
The nurse places a crying Jesse into my arms, the blanket wrapped loosely around him and my heart swells at the sight of him and the feel of this little bundle in my arms.
I sit down in the stool by Gabby's head once more and bring Jesse into her line of sight.
"He's right here." I soothe. "He's so beautiful, Gabby." I cry, my emotions getting the better of me as Gabby takes in our son for the first time, her tears picking up speed.
"Oh god. He's perfect." She cries. "I love you so much, sweet boy." Jesse's cries taper off, like the sound of his mother's voice instantly soothes him.
The nurses come to take Jesse and bring him to the incubator, needing to check him out now that we have gotten a moment with him. I reluctantly pass him to the nurse and focus my attention back to Gabby.
"You're amazing," I tell Gabby, in awe at the life she had just brought into this world.
Gabby goes to respond, but activity across the room pulls both of our attention away from each other.
"I've got diminished lung sounds." I hear one of the nurses say and my heart drops.
I look up frantically, "What's going on?"
There is another flurry of activity as the hook Jesse up to machines, another group of hospital personnel come in and surround Jesse.
"We need to intubate." I hear another doctor say.
"Someone tell me what's happening!" I interject. My heart beating erratically.
A nurse spares a quick glance to me. "Mr. Casey, the baby is not circulating enough oxygen, we need to intubate and get him to the NICU." She explains, but her words do nothing to calm me. I hear Gabby sob beside me and I am torn on what to do, but I quickly move back to Gabby.
"Hey, hey, just breathe." I soothe, doing everything to keep myself calm as well.
The door opens and they are pulling Jesse away and I do my best to hold in my own tears when one of them throws back a "We will come to update you soon."
I can only spare a nod, taking a shuddering breath and looking back to Gabby who is crying heavily at this point. I pull my mask down, placing kisses to her head, needing the skin to skin contact as much as I knew she did right now. "It's okay. Just breathe baby. They've got him. Just breathe." I try to calm her and though she is still crying and very obviously frazzled, I see her breathing start to calm more and more. "That's it," I tell her. Myself calming at the sight of her doing the same.
"Dammit." I hear the doctor that was still working on Gabby curse. A moment later the monitors are beeping wildly.
"What's happening?!"
"Placenta tore, she is bleeding out. Hang a bag of O negative – Stat." The doctor screeches.
Her words sliced through me like a knife. I look back to Gabby, she was losing consciousness.
"Gabby, Gabby, baby. Stay with me." I plead.
"Someone get him out of here." The doctor screeches and I am being forced from the room, my fight to stay with Gabby not working as I am forced to through the door and down the hall.
Tears are pouring from my eyes and I find myself in the waiting room.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and look to find Kelly's concerned eyes on me.
"Casey, what happened?"
Ooof, that was a hard one to write. I hope I did it some justice.
Reviews have tapered off a bit for this story, so I hope this chapter and the ones that follow can bring them back up.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you thought.
