As Gabby woke up the next morning the sun shone through her blinds. It was Monday and she was going to hunt for an appointment, as she made coffee, she looked at her messages from the previous night, the last text from Matt making the butterflies erupt in her belly. Matt's name flashed across her screen as she looked through her Facebook page. Plenty of pictures from Saturday's BBQ.

"Hey, you OK?"

"yeah, did you see where Ben put his bag on Friday night after school?" Matt asked sounding flustered.

"nope, sorry. Has he lost it?"

"He says he left it at yours but I thought he picked it up."

"Hang on I'll look on, oh yeah it's here under his jacket. Sorry."

"Right looks like we will have to call in and see you on the way to school. I'm sorry Gabby I know it's early."

"No, its fine honest I'm up drinking coffee, looking through Shay's photos from Saturday. She has so many!"

"I will have a look later, see u in a bit bye!"

Before Gabby could answer Matt had put the phone down. Raising her eyebrow and biting her lip Gabby started to question their relationship. Perhaps she was been too friendly, he was her boss. Maybe he had realized that she was a mess and he didn't have time for her. Maybe she had misread everything and she was just making a fool of herself. Why would a nice guy like Matt want anything to do with her? A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. As she opened it two arms went round her hips, pulling her in as tight as the small boy could grip her.

"Hey buddy, you OK?"

Kneeling down Gabby looked into Ben's eyes.

"No, I just, I just needed a hug before school and you give the best hugs. Thank you."

As he ran off to get his bag which he knew the exact location of, Gabby stood up and looked at Matt leaning against the door shaking his head.

"He is a real smoothie; Think Kelly and I will have some competition when he's older" Matt laughed looking down at his feet a blush spread across his cheeks.

"What are you doing today?" he asked.

"Me? Apartment hunting, why what do you need?" she replied always ready to help.

"Would you come with me to Heather's house? I need to get some stuff and a mother's perspective is what I need most!"

"Yeah sure. You will have to give me and sleeping beauty time to get ready though"

"OK see you here, in an hour?" he questioned.

"OK yeah!"

Smiling she gave Ben another hug before he skipped down the hallway with Matt.

Getting back to the car and buckled in, the boys looked at each other and then Matt.

"Are you just going to kiss her yet?" Griffin asked Matt.

"What? Who? Gabby? No, we are just friends!"

"Well, I'm nine and I can tell you like her. She's really pretty and you should just get a room already!"

"Griffin! Really, who have you been talking too? was it Shay?"

"No, it was Herman, the new guy Mills was asking if he should ask her out. Herman said he shouldn't because they have a pool going on how long it takes you guys to get together. She likes you too. I know she seems scared but I think something bad happened too her and you can make her better right? Then we can all live together and we can have a family, kind off!"

Matt put the truck into park as he pulled up at the school.

"Listen buddy, you shouldn't have been listening to that conversation. Gabby is amazing I do really like her but we just met and yes she is hurting right now and I hope we can all fix her together. And we are already a family!"

"I know but I mean like a mom and a dad. Like all my friends have! I know I have my mom but she can't be here. Gabby is an amazing Mom and I think she would help us x she makes you happy so that is halfway there."

Matt's heart swelled as he sat looking at the boy in front of him.

"You are going to be late. Have a great day and we will talk later, OK?"

As Matt drove a way he smiled to himself.

"Gabby!"

"Yeah, you OK?"

"Yeah, so I was wondering if you think the boys need anything else, you were miles away, you sure your OK?"

"Yeah, I was just thinking, I thought I would have this by now. I mean when I met Pete, I had a great job, friends and family. I thought that we were going to stay together but turns out I didn't know him. How can you think you know someone and be so wrong? Sorry, I just get this feeling like I'm going spend the rest of my life screwing up. Like maybe she would be better with a different family."

"Hey stop! Where's all this coming from?"

"I'm a mess I live in my brother's apartment. I don't do the job I trained for. I'm not in a relationship. Don't get me wrong I'm so great full for this job. I just, sorry maybe I should have stayed at home and wallowed."

"Hey it's OK. I'm here if u need to talk any time. I think you are being too hard on yourself. You are a great Mom, the boys are loving having you here, and I'm sure Antonio is loving having you around too. You just need to relax and take some time. You can do this. Come on ill take you to dinner with the boys after school"

"you don't need to do that"

"I insist look at this place it's ready to go on the market. I couldn't have done it without your help." Smiling Matt started locking up.

"Have you got a estate agent yet?"

"No Herman is looking for a place so am giving him first dibs. Then will take it from there."

"great idea."

"so, what now?"

"coffee?"

"Yes, please let's go!"

That night after the boys were in bed Matt locked himself in the bathroom. Being with Gabby today had been so hard. Her scent when she walked past him, her smile her laugh the way she made everything make sense. As he stood with the water running down his back, images of Gabriela danced in his mind. He imagined her dancing in the kitchen, him taking her in his arms, placing a soft yet meaningful kiss on her soft lips. His hand trailing down her arm from her wrist as his other arm went round her back, pulling her in closer to him. Their lips holding locking in a battle for dominance. Matt managing to take control as he felt Gabby's hands come up to hold his face. Her fingers pushing through his hair. Walking towards the kitchen side, Matt's mouth leaving her lips, trailing them down her chin to her neck. A soft breath leaving her chest as he popped a button on her blouse, his lips trailing further down to the center of her heaving breast, another button popping open.

Matt had taken himself in his hands his throbbing cock desperate to be pumped and worked, his imagination working overtime. In his head he was still popping Gabby's buttons the next one being, all it took to push him head first over the cliff. His seed emptying on to the shower wall, his breath ragged and out of control.

"oh shit!" angrily he hit the wall. He'd gone over the line. Now he would struggle even more to not act on his desires. Cleaning himself and the shower up matt got ready for bed. Picking up his phone texting a final goodnight to Gabby.

"night Gabby. Thank you again for today! Xxxxx"

Not expecting a reply he turned and looked at the cold empty side of the bed. His mind wondering again to Gabby. When he was at work did she sleep in this bed he wondered. His phone lighting up on the table behind him.

"anytime x thanks for dinner and an amazing evening. Hope the boys settled well for you tonight."

"Hey, yeah played for a bit then straight to sleep. And anytime I really enjoyed it."

"yeah, me too, did you get a reply from Herman?"

"No he will probably speak at the fire House tomorrow. Am I dropping the boys to you in the morning?"

"yes please, I have some laundry to do and cleaning. I also need to find Antonio, I think he moved out and didn't let me know lol."

"can't you text him?"

"I did, no reply! I'm not worried as Mom or Dad would of rang me. Oh I forgot its my Mom's birthday next week and you are on shift. Do you mind if I take the boys out with me for the day. It's not a school day so just thought I'd check with you..?"

"are you sure? I can get my sister to have them if you need me too!"

"No it's OK thanks they have met my Mom and she is in love with them. I promise to bring you some cake home!"

Home his heart skipped at the thought of her calling here, home.

"Well, what can I say. If you are going to fetch me some cake, I'm in lol"

"Deal right I will see you in the morning bright and early so you can go save the world!"

"well, some of Chicago,"

"Hey it's a start. Night Matt xx"

"Night Gabby xx"

Closing his eyes Matt drifted off to sleep thinking of Gabby. Holding a pillow in his arms he drifted off with a smile.