Hello there everyone! I'm back with the next chapter for you all. I really hope you all enjoy it! It was so great seeing your alls responses to the last one, and I hope you like this one, as well.

But before we get into it, I wanted to let you guys know that next week I'll be going out of town, and I'll be gone until the beginning of December, so I'm not entirely sure when I'll be getting updates out during that time. I'm going to try and write while I'm gone, but it's not always easy finding enough time to sit down and get these chapters done when I'm not home, so we'll just have to see.

I know for sure that there won't be an update for this story next week, then after that I'll have to see how it goes. I'm sorry I can't give you all a more definitive schedule, but I just don't know. I hope you all understand, and hopefully I'll be able to get something posted for you all while I'm gone.

But other than that, that's pretty much all I've got. Thank you all so much for reading, and I'll see you all next time, even though I'm not entirely sure when that'll be.

Have a great rest of your week, everybody.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWO

Dawson drew in a slow, deep breath while she stood in front of the counter in the familiar bathroom at the firehouse, the woman shutting off the running water as she'd just finished washing her hands before she reached over to grab a paper towel, Gabby going through the usual motions before tossing the towel into the trash. But even though she was done, the paramedic wasn't in any hurry to move, Gabby staying in her spot by the counter while she eventually found her own gaze through the mirror.

Even from a quick glance, she could see the exhaustion riddling her features, the long night before having left its mark as there were pronounced bags underneath her eyes, that along with her tired limbs telling her just how worn down she truly was. But she didn't necessarily want to focus on it, Gabby drawing in a deep breath before she leaned forward to rest her palms against the countertop before her head hung down towards the ground. Her body was hunched forward slightly, the position taking some of the pressure off her back while she focused on the quiet around her, that feeling helping to keep her mind clear as all she wanted at this exact moment was to be by herself.

It wasn't anything personal against her friends, but after this past day Gabby really felt like she just needed some time alone, which is exactly why she snuck off to the bathroom during breakfast in the first place. And now that she'd been in here, she still wasn't entirely ready to head back out there, because she knew the second she went back into that common room, everyone would be watching her.

Just like they had been all shift.

Gabby understood it, she knew why her friends and coworkers had been so concerned about her and Shay, as they had good reason to be given how her and her partner both had been a little off since that call yesterday afternoon. Even though Dawson was trying her best to forget it, she wasn't blind to the fact that she and Shay were both not necessarily acting like themselves.

And it hadn't helped either that 61 had been slammed with calls almost all yesterday afternoon and through the evening. They went out on call after call, some certainly harder than the others, which had also left them both even more drained than they'd been before. Shay especially, Gabby had noticed, wasn't having the easiest of times managing everything. But they were trying. Both Shay and Dawson were doing their best to work through this in the only ways they knew how, even though with everyone's watchful eye on them, that made it a little harder.

But she knew they all meant well, and that they were just wanting their medics to be okay after that gruesome scene, Dawson not faulting any of them for their worry as she was sure she'd respond the same way in this situation. Though thankfully, while it was clear that everyone was concerned, hardly any of them had directly brought up what happened. At least not to them, almost the entire house had left it alone aside from occasionally checking in with their paramedics, the first responders leaving it up to Casey and Severide to be there for the two of them as they were the ones who could help her and Shay the most.

Which, truthfully, was something Gabby probably appreciated more than anything. That everyone had known well enough to just let Matt be the one to help her through this, as he was really the only person she wanted to be around right now. Because whenever things got to be too much for her, he was always the one she wanted in her corner, and that hadn't changed. Even if he too had been a little more overprotective than normal.

She'd noticed it pretty soon after they got back yesterday, that Matt was watching her like a hawk. When they were both at the house, it was like he refused to let her out of his sight, Gabby able to sense his concerned nature rather easily even though she knew he was trying not to be overbearing. But still, she could always tell with him, and despite the fact she'd been a little off since yesterday, she was able to recognize how worried he was.

But regardless of that worry, and him being by her side whenever he could, they too hadn't really spoken much about what happened. Not when it hadn't taken Gabby long to realize that Matt already knew practically everything she saw on that call, she didn't feel the need to go into many details about it. So aside from a conversation here or there in the safety of his office about how she was doing, they hadn't really spoken about it, Matt more so choosing to be a silent comfort by her side instead of making her go over all of it again.

He made it known he was here for her for whatever she needed, or if she wanted to talk, but he hadn't pressured her about any of it. And that had definitely helped her manage all of this a little better, as the last thing she wanted to do right now was relive what happened.

It was horrific, and one of the worst things she'd ever seen. But it was done. There was no going back and changing what happened to those people, and going over it again and again wouldn't fix any of it. So she was trying her best not to dwell on it, and instead work on moving past it, as Gabby knew she had to find a way to let this go.

Because it would drown her if she didn't.

Drawing in a deep breath, Gabby kept her head down while she continued going through the thoughts in her head, the paramedic unable to will away the persisting thumping the back of her skull, that same headache she'd had for most of the night still lingering while she stood here. Though she did her best to ignore it, Dawson continuing to take in these last few moments she had to herself before it was time to head back out there.

But while she was standing there in the bathroom, she was so lost in her own head that she didn't hear the door behind her open, or the person slowly make their way towards her. It wasn't until she felt a hand on her back that she registered anyone else in the room at all, Gabby jumping slightly at the unexpected presence before she turned to see Matt standing beside her, with that same worried look in his eyes that had been there since yesterday.

"Sorry, I'm sorry." He spoke immediately once he saw her reaction, his hand pressing into her hip lightly in an effort to ground her before a sad look flashed in his eyes. One that Gabby didn't pick up on when she soon began to shake her head, before leaning back into his comforting touch. "I thought you heard me."

"I didn't." She responded, his face faltering for a moment at her words before he soon recovered. "But you're fine… I was just caught up in my head a bit, you're good." Gabby repeated herself before gently waving her hand in the air to emphasize her words, Casey pausing for a second before reluctantly nodding.

It went quiet for a few moments between them, Matt's focus staying on her while Gabby took in a few deep breaths, her eyebrows soon furrowing slightly as a sudden thought crossed through her mind. "Is shift over yet?" She asked somewhat quickly, Dawson coming to realize she'd lost track of time a little bit since leaving the common room earlier this morning.

Once hearing her question, Casey soon matched the somewhat puzzling look on her face before his head tilted to the side slightly, her lack of awareness around her not doing much to ease his concerns while he continued rubbing over her hip.

"Not quite." He responded softly, Matt giving her side one last gentle squeeze before he turned his body to rest back against the counter, his head still turned in her direction while Gabby faced him. "We've still got a few more minutes, but it's almost over. That's why I came looking for you." Casey explained while crossing his arms over his chest, the man not missing her take a slight step towards him before mimicking his position and leaning her hip against the side of the countertop. "...You never come back to finish your breakfast."

His statement caused her to meet his eyes once more, the two watching each other for a fleeting moment before she spoke up. "Yeah, I know… Wasn't very hungry." She answered him with a shrug, Matt's eyebrows knitting together as he took another second to look her over, like he was trying his best to get a read on her.

"You okay?" He questioned before he could stop himself, Gabby seeing the slight hint of worry still in his eyes as she drew in a deep breath.

"I'm fine, babe." Dawson did her best to assure him, though by the look still covering his face she knew she hadn't been all that convincing, Gabby almost immediately noticing the slight frown that tugged on his lips, even when he tried to mask it. "Really, I am… I'm just not all that hungry." She tried again while watching her fiancé's unsure look morph into a much softer one, Matt giving her a small smile before he nodded.

"Alright, I just wanted to check." He replied, Dawson matching his slight smile as she took another step towards him before resting her head against the side of his arm, her body naturally leaning into his while she reached up to hold onto his forearm.

Her new stance caught him off guard for a moment, but when he felt her release a heavy sigh his mind cleared regardless, Matt turning his head towards her before pressing a soft and gentle kiss against her forehead.

"I love you, you know that?" He murmured against her skin, Gabby's eyes falling closed before leaning further into him.

"I know." She whispered, feeling him kiss her head once more.

"And you know you can talk to me… about anything." He reminded her, his voice staying soft while he kept his head down close to hers, feeling her take another deep breath before she nodded against him. "Yesterday was really hard, and I know it's been a lot on you… So if you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

The air around them went quiet once more, his words that she already knew running through her mind before she slowly nodded once more, Casey feeling her grip on his arm tighten as she responded. "I know." She repeated herself while relishing in the comfort of his presence. "But I really am fine… I just gotta shake this one off, I'll be okay."

He lifted his head up slightly as she spoke, having to all but bite his tongue while he tried to figure out what best to say to her, Matt well aware of how delicate a situation this was.

"Alright… But you know this isn't something you just need to forget, right?" He eventually said, Casey choosing his words carefully while Gabby stayed locked in her position against him. "It's okay if you need some time, or some help, to get past this one… It was a really bad call baby, and you're allowed to feel that." He spoke as softly as he could, while her hand ran gently back and forth along his arm, Gabby slowly lifting her head up so she could get a look at him before he continued. "And if you don't need to, then that's fine. I told you this all day yesterday- and I still mean it, that we don't have to talk about this if you don't want to. Or don't need to… But I'm here if you do."

Her eyes were locked on his as he finished speaking, Gabby watching him as he gave her a small, yet reassuring smile, the look in his gaze showing nothing but complete love and compassion, as she knew he just wanted to help. And that he would never judge her for what she was feeling, or how she responded to all of this; that he truly just wanted to know she was alright. And that he was here for her if she wasn't.

And even though she didn't really want to focus on this, she couldn't help but feel grateful for him right now, as his constant assurance and presence were the only reason she felt as okay as she did.

"I know you are, Matt." She finally spoke up, her hand sliding up his chest before gripping onto his neck, the movement inadvertently pulling him closer to her. Though neither of them were complaining as she began to stroke her thumb along his jaw. "And if I need to talk about any of it, we will… But right now, I just feel like there isn't much I need to say. I feel alright, all things considered, it was just hard to see something like that." She confided, Matt nodding with a sad smile on his face. "And it'll probably take me a few days, or a few shifts maybe, to really put it behind me. I just need some time to… regroup a bit. But I promise, I'm fine."

"Okay." He replied without hesitation, Matt wholeheartedly believing everything she was saying. "As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

Dawson began to match his smile, before she pushed herself up to press her lips against his, the action soft and sweet, as well as fleeting, as she pulled away almost as quickly as she got to him.

"Thank you." She murmured before stealing another kiss. "And I really am okay." She reminded him one last time, Gabby figuring it couldn't hurt for him to hear it just as much as it couldn't hurt for her to say it, the two sharing another soft look before Matt noticed the slight gleam that began to appear in her eyes. "And besides, instead of focusing on what happened yesterday, I'd much rather be focusing on better things… Like our engagement."

As soon as those words left her lips Casey couldn't help the way his grin widened, Gabby smiling back at him while continuing to rub her hand lightly over the side of his neck.

"Yeah, I'd like to focus on that, too." He responded softly, Matt not missing the way he could see her visibly relax the second she brought up their new status as fiancés. And he couldn't help but feel grateful about it, as he was glad to know there was at least something helping keep her grounded right now.

And he felt even more thankful that that something was him.

"I figured you would." She replied, the two sharing another kiss before she put some distance between them. "Which, speaking of, if shift is over I guess I finally return this to its rightful home." Dawson spoke as she reached behind her to unclasp the chain around her neck, Matt grinning proudly while he watched her take off the necklace and pull it out from underneath the neck of her shirt, her engagement ring soon coming into view as it hung in between them.

"Yeah, I've missed seeing that." He mused with a bright look in his eyes, Gabby smiling softly while he carefully took the ring off from the chain before reaching for her hand, the two sharing a quick yet gentle glance before he slid her engagement ring back onto her finger.

"Back where it belongs." She spoke quietly, Casey still holding onto her hand while he lightly tapped his fingers against her, before nodding in agreement.

"It is." He told her, the couple smiling at one another before he dropped her hand. "And even though I wish you could wear it all the time, I also don't mind being the one that gets to put it back on." Casey added with a smug grin, Gabby unable to stop the soft laugh that escaped her lips at his words. A laugh that he was so happy to see, as he was sure he hadn't seen her this relaxed and carefree since before that call yesterday.

"Well, then I think you should be the one to do it after every shift." She suggested, both of them having yet to drop their hands while they spent this time alone together.

"I can definitely do that." Matt told her without a second thought, seeing that soft grin begin to reappear over her lips before she nodded, Gabby wasting no time in leaning in for another kiss. But once again it happened way too quickly for either of their liking, Dawson being the first one to reluctantly pull away as the couple locked gazes for a few more lingering seconds, before Matt broke their stares to glance down at his watch. "Well, looks like we finally made it to the end of shift." He breathed out after a moment, Gabby drawing in a deep breath before she nodded. "...You ready to get out of here?"

"More than ready." She spoke rather quickly, not missing the sad look she got almost instantly from Matt, before he pushed himself up off against the counter and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Alright… Then let's go home."

"Yeah, I know it's pretty bad… I just didn't realize how much worse it got over the winter."

Ramon's voice filled Casey's ears as he stood outside with the older man, the two in the Dawson's backyard currently inspecting a few fixes around the home that Ramon needed help with, while Gabby and Camila were in the warmth of their house cleaning up from their lunch earlier in the day with her parents. But thankfully with it nearing the end of March, even with the distinct chill still lingering around them it wasn't too bad outside, the air warm enough to where Casey could finally get out here to take a look at some of the steps Ramon needed help fixing.

Which is exactly why they'd been out here since they'd finished their meal together, the light jackets they were wearing enough to protect them from the cold while Casey continued to inspect the damage.

"If it's too much trouble, you don't need to worry about it." Ramon continued on while Matt was squatting down a few feet in front of him, Casey soon shaking his head before glancing back up in his direction. "I don't want this to turn into too much work for you."

"No, it's fine. It's no trouble at all." Matt said, his easy words bringing a slight smile to the older man's face. "I'll just need to get a few new pieces of wood, and the rest of the stuff I should have in the truck." He explained before pushing himself up off the ground and facing his future father-in-law. "We're back on shift tomorrow, but the day after I should be able to run out and pick up that wood, then I can stop back by and fix this for you."

"Thank you, son." Ramon responded, Matt nodding back at him with a soft smile. "And when you come back to fix it, just let me know how much the wood cost so I can pay you back." He started, but Casey almost immediately shook his head, his reaction causing Ramon to raise his eyebrows slightly.

"You don't need to worry about that." He replied as Ramon caught his gaze.

"I don't want you to have to pay for it, Matt." The older Dawson tried, but Casey stood his ground.

"It's not a big deal, I don't mind. And it's nothing too expensive, anyway." He reasoned, Ramon pursing his lips together slightly before he nodded.

"Well at least let me pay you for your time." He tried, but Matt wouldn't budge.

"You don't need to pay me for anything." Casey replied, the sincerity in his tone not going unnoticed by Ramon. "Really, you don't. Fixing this will take me all of an hour, you don't owe me anything… And besides, we're family." He spoke softly, seeing the grin starting to return to Ramon's face as he spoke. "So you don't need to pay me to fix this… Although if you're insistent, I do take payment in the form of lunch." He added on jokingly, the two men sharing a laugh before Ramon reached out to clasp him on the shoulder.

"I think we can arrange that." He responded with a chuckle. "You know Camila, she refuses to let you leave unless you're full."

"Oh yes, I know that well." Casey told him with a smirk as Ramon dropped his hand. "So I think some food will be payment enough."

"I appreciate that, thank you." Ramon responded, Matt soon waving him off. "And thank you for fixing it, it's really gonna help Camila and I out."

"Of course, I'm happy to." Matt reminded him, the older man offering him a soft smile before he nodded. "I just wish I could've gotten a look at it sooner, but I should be able to get it fixed in the next couple of days." He added on, Ramon giving him another nod in response.

"That'll be just fine." He said. "And I know Camila will be happy to hear you're coming back by… She loves when you and Gabriela come over." He spoke with a bright gleam appearing in his eye, Casey soon matching his look.

"We love it, too." Matt replied, his arms crossing over his chest while the cool air continued to blow around them. "We have a great time coming over here, and I know Gabby absolutely loves spending as much time with you all as she can."

"Yeah, she's always been that way." Ramon mused, his words causing Casey's smile to widen. "Her definitely more than Antonio, she's always loved getting to spend time with us… Probably because she's the baby of the family." He continued with a chuckle, Matt suppressing a laugh of his own before he nodded.

"That could have something to do with it, yeah." He replied softly. "But either way, I know she always looks forward to coming over… So don't be surprised if she tags along with me next time I'm here." He finished jokingly, Ramon scoffing lightly before he spoke.

"Oh, I certainly won't." He responded, the two men sharing another small smile before Ramon's face started to fall slightly, there being an obvious shift between them as the older Dawson glanced back towards the house, Ramon going quiet for a moment before he finally spoke up. "And, um… While we're on the subject, is it okay if I ask you something?"

Casey could tell Ramon seemed a little hesitant, Matt's eyebrows furrowing slightly before he nodded. "Yeah, sure." He answered, watching as his fiancée's father drew in a deep breath before speaking up.

"At first I wasn't going to say anything, but since it's just you and me, I can't help but ask, is, uh- Is everything alright with Gabriela?" Ramon questioned, Matt's face staying blank while the man looked him over, clearly trying to get a read on him. "When you all first got here, and during lunch she just seemed a little…"

"Far away." Casey finished for him when he stopped speaking, Ramon sucking in another slow, deep breath before he nodded.

"I figured it was maybe that she was just tired, but something feels off there. I didn't know if there was anything going on… And truthfully, I was a little surprised. Because after the engagement and everything, I assumed she'd be on cloud nine for weeks. But today when you all got here, that wasn't really the case, so I didn't know if something had happened…"

"She's okay." Casey was quick to assure him, as the last thing he wanted was for the father to worry anymore than he already was. "I promise, she's alright… Or she will be, she just-" He stopped himself with a slight grimace, Ramon waiting patiently for him to gather whatever thoughts were running around in his head. "Gabby is okay, and it has nothing to do with us, or the engagement, but she's… our last shift at 51, it was rough on her." Matt finally got out, seeing the immediate frown that appeared over Ramon's face before he glanced back towards the house.

"Her and Shay had a bad call. A really bad one, that ended with a lot of victims and no survivors. And it's kind of sticking with her a little bit."

"Oh, Gabriela." Ramon murmured under his breath, the sadness evident in his quiet tone as the man shook his head, before looking back towards Casey. "Was she hurt?"

"No, she wasn't." He answered rather quickly before Ramon gave him a thankful nod. "Not physically, no. Her and the other paramedics, they weren't able to get close enough to be in the crossfire until it was all over."

Ramon winced slightly at his wording, but gave him another nod regardless as he couldn't stop the sinking feeling in his gut, the father hating to hear about his daughter dealing with anything like that. But he also knew it came with the job, that she had seen her fair share of horrible things over the years, as well as experienced them herself.

But just because she was used to it, that didn't mean he had to like it.

"It was pretty bad, but she's doing alright." Casey continued on when he had yet to say anything. "She's just trying to work past it." He added, Ramon breathing in deeply before he nodded. "And I'm making sure she's okay… I've got her."

Those last few words caused the small, sad smile to return to Ramon's lips, the two men sharing a long look before the older Dawson reached up to grip his shoulder once more.

"I know you do, Matthew." He responded softly. "That's the one thing I've never worried about."

His statement hit Matt a little harder than he anticipated, but he smiled nonetheless as he felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude from his words, both men knowing there was nothing left to be said between them- not about this anyway, as they gradually went back to looking over everything Casey needed to fix in the backyard.

"Mama, I think they're fine." Gabby spoke up from her seat in the living room after taking a sip of her tea, her eyes focused across the room while her mother stood at the back window that looked out into their yard, no doubt focusing on Matt and her father while they worked outside.

"Ramon should've waited until it was a little warmer out to do this." Camila said, though from her tone Gabby was sure it was to herself more than anyone, the younger Dawson shaking her head lightly before taking another sip of her drink.

"Mama…"

"It's too cold, Matthew's going to freeze." She continued on, like she hadn't even heard her daughter. "Those steps have been broken for months, a few more weeks wouldn't have changed anything. Matthew doesn't need to be fixing anything right now… I should make some hot chocolate for him so he can drink it once they're done-"

"Mama." Gabby tried once more, her voice finally getting through to Camila before the older woman turned away from the window to look back at her daughter. "They'll be fine, it's not too cold outside, Matt's alright." She assured her, Camila pursing her lips together before she ultimately nodded. "We're used to being outside in way worse temperatures than this, it's okay." She continued on, her mom knowing there was a lot of truth to her words as Camila made her way back over to the couch.

"Well alright… Though I still think the steps could've waited." She responded, Gabby smiling softly while her mom sat down across from her, both of them taking another sip of their drink before Dawson spoke up.

"It probably could've, but you know how Papa is." Gabby replied with a knowing gleam in her eye, Camila unable to stop the soft laugh that left her lips before she nodded. "He's been wanting to have Matt fix those stairs forever, you knew the second he could, he was going to drag him out there."

"Yes, you're right Gabriela… Though I do still feel bad for Matthew." She mused, seeing Gabby's nose scrunch up slightly before she spared a glance back towards the window.

"He'll be okay." She replied, the two women sharing another laugh before Dawson set her drink down, Camila eyeing her daughter for a moment before she spoke up.

"So, Matthew possibly getting frostbite aside, how are you two doing?" She asked, Gabby raising her eyebrows slightly at the sudden question. "I feel like your father and I hardly let you two get a word in during lunch, but since the big engagement, you two are doing well?" She continued on, Gabby smiling softly before she nodded.

"We're doing great." Dawson responded, seeing the content look that appeared over her mother's face. "These past few days have been a little exhausting, just because of work."

"Yeah, I noticed you seemed a bit tired, sweetheart." Camila cut in, her genuine words causing Gabby to give her a small smile.

"Work was pretty rough, that's all. I'm still feeling it a little bit, but I'm okay. And Matt and I are good." She continued on, Camila not missing how she seemed pretty eager to change the subject. But if Gabby wasn't wanting to dwell on it right now, she wouldn't either. "And then with the engagement and everything, I'm... part of me is still just trying to wrap my mind around everything." She finished with a quiet laugh, Camila grinning brightly before she nodded.

"Ah yes, I was wondering if all of this had started to sink in yet." Camila responded with a chuckle of her own, as she eyed the ring sitting proudly on her daughter's finger. "I know it's only been a few days since he proposed, but I remember with your father, it was such a surreal thing. It took some time for it to really hit me, you know?"

"Yeah, I understand that." Gabby replied with a smile. "That's kind of how it feels for me right now, too… There are some moments where it still doesn't feel real. Like this is all just some dream. But then there are other moments where it's like this is where we were always meant to be. That we were always gonna get here, and it's the most right thing in the world for us." She admitted, noticing the almost proud look in her mom's eyes while she spoke.

"But yeah, it's all just… surreal, like you said. But in the best way possible."

"I'm sure it is." Camila replied with a gentle grin. "But you should try and enjoy that feeling for as long as you can, mija." She continued on, seeing the curious look that began to appear over her daughter's face. "Just because with weddings, they can become so stressful, especially for the bride… There's so much to plan, and figure out, sometimes the magic of it can get a little lost in all of that. And I don't want that to happen to you, I want you to be able to completely enjoy this. Because you deserve it… You and Matt both do."

Gabby felt her heart begin to tighten in her chest as a small smile started to form over her lips, her mother's words sending a rush of emotions through her before she slowly nodded.

"Thank you, Mama." She murmured, Camila smiling back at her before mimicking her nod.

"You're welcome, dear. And I do mean it… Which is also why I'm here to help you in whatever ways I can." She continued on, Gabby's smile only growing as she looked at her mom. "Of course this is your wedding- yours and Matthew's, but whatever you need help with, I'm here. Whether it be the venue, or the cake, or the dress… whatever it is."

Gabby waited for her to finish before she nodded once more, Camila looking her over as there were a few words sitting on the edge of her tongue, before she eventually continued.

"And along with that… your father and I have talked about this, and we also want to help financially as well."

Those words caught Gabby off guard, it taking her a few seconds to process what she had said before she slowly started to shake her head.

"Mama, I wasn't going to ask you-"

"I know you wouldn't, which is exactly why we're offering." She interjected, watching as Gabby began to purse her lips together. "Although we're not so much offering as we are telling you that we're helping, because it's not up for debate." She added on with a soft smile, Gabby shaking her head in slight disbelief.

"Ramon and I, we know you thrive on being self-sufficient, and I'd say you've done an incredible job at that. But this engagement, and wedding… you marrying Matthew, this is a great thing. And you two deserve to have an amazing wedding, so your father and I want to help. In any ways that we can.."

Gabby's eyes fell closed for a moment while she thought over everything her mother had said, her thoughts and feelings pulling her in a few different directions before she glanced back towards her mom.

"I… I don't even know what to say, thank you Mama." She replied, Camila hearing nothing but pure gratitude in her words.

"You're welcome, honey." She responded with a soft grin, the two sharing one last loving look before Camila glanced back towards the back door, the woman shaking her head lightly before she spoke up. "Well now that I've gotten the chance to talk to you about that, I think I'm going to go drag those boys inside before the freeze, and so that we can tell Matthew as well." She added on, Gabby chuckling softly while she watched her mom get up and walk towards the back of the house with a strong sense of determination in her movements, before heading outside to call them in.

And while she did that, Gabby was left on her own in the living room, the woman still just trying to take in what all her and her mom had talked about. But it was a little hard for her to fully grasp right now, Dawson unable to wipe the smile off of her face as not only was she very appreciative of what her parents were doing for them, she was also just so glad to be here with them right now. Especially after the rough few days she'd had, this time with the people she loved most meant more to her than anything else in his world.

And it was something she never wanted to take for granted.