Hi everybody!
This is my first story, well more of a one shot right now… Am not sure if this story can continue, and I'd really like to know what you thought about it and if you'd like to read more.

I am a Dawsey lover and I love reading fanfictions, I've been writing some as well, but never got the guts to post them, so I finally decided to try, cause why not.

I hope you'll enjoy it. I'd be happy to hear any advices or comments to get better!

Most importantly during this time, please stay safe!

-A

Fight it

Marriage was always something she'd dreamt about, it was always something she wished to experiment with the person she loved the most. And she had it now, and even if it scared her a lot, she couldn't be happier… Or maybe she could?

Gabby and Matt, had gotten married few weeks ago, and they couldn't feel anymore grateful for each other, and their son, Louie.

Gabriela was so excited to finally make it official, to finally be Gabriela Casey. Even though people kept calling her Dawson while being at work or at molly's, she couldn't be more proud to be Mrs Casey legally. And she wasn't the only one, obviously, Matt had dreamt about making Gabby his wife, pretty much ever since he had met her, and even if there was some bumps in the road, now they were husband and wife, for better or for worse and he was so happy.

Their lives were pretty crazy lately, making them very frustrated.
With Louie, work, Molly's, DCFS, and other problems such as Matt's alderman duties, Matt and Gabby couldn't find any time to spend together, which was building up to their first real fight as a married couple… A fight that could have been prevented if it wasn't for Gabby's stubbornness and Matt's anger.

On a Saturday Gabby woke up in bed, stretching and opening her eyes, before reaching for Matt. But she just met the cold side of the bed, surprised she sat up in bed putting her hair in a messy bun, before heading out of their bedroom.

Walking inside the kitchen, she found it empty as well, but before she got the chance to call out, she heard some voices and laugher coming from her little boy's bedroom.

She gently pushed the door and was suddenly relieved to see her husband and son, playing together.

Louie was a shy little man, he was warming up to them, and considering them as his mommy and daddy, he had his moments though. But Gabby was so glad to see her two boys happy, with huge smiles on their faces.

"Daddy, I play the lion, you the tiger!" Louie exclaimed, giving Matt his toy. Louie loved playing with his animal figurines, and was always sharing, but he always wanted to be the tiger, nevertheless, today Louie seemed to be okay with his daddy being the tiger.

Matt smiled, he never thought he'd have a child this way, he always thought when he'd be a dad, it would be biologically, but having Louie, made him unbelievably happy.
"Okay Louie I can be the tiger, but aren't the lion and tiger supposed to fight?" Matt asked smiling as his little boy shook his head.

"No daddy, tiger and lion are besties… Like you and Lelly!" Louie exclaimed, so happy to be able to show his dad his figurines were friends.

"Yes you are right, Kelly and I are besties, what about this one?" Matt asked taking giraffe he had

"That is my giraffe, you can play her to" Louie said standing up and walking to his toy box. He took out other figurines, so happy that Matt seemed to be interested in it.
Louie hadn't had an easy life, and at 4 years old he had found his new family.

"Daddy, me like the pony!" Louie said laughing.

"Whoa you have so many figurines! I like this pony! What's his name?" Matt asked. His back was to Gabby so he couldn't see the huge smile on her face. And even if Louie could see his mother, he was too focused on his toys and daddy to notice her.

Louie laughed shaking his head again. "Daddy don't be silly, pony is a girl!" Louie exclaimed. He looked at his dad, before pout, his eyes suddenly showing some worried.
Matt frowned, he saw something was bothering his son, and he didn't like it.

"What's happening little man?" Matt asked worried

"Pony don't have name…" Louie answered pouting.

Matt smiled before caressing his head "Well we can find a name for her, what do you think?" Louie's eyes lit up, making both his parents smile.
After a moment of just listening to her boys, Gabby decided to make her presence known.

"Good morning you two!" She said, making Matt turn around. Louie stood up and ran to his mother. "Mama!" he screamed excited to see her. "Hello sweet man, how did you sleep?" she asked pulling Louie in her arms. "Good!" Louie said. The little boy looked at his mom, and grinned at her. "Mama, come play ith daddy and me, we play animals" he said pointing at his father who was still sitting on the floor, looking up at his family.

Matt winked at Gabby, who smiled at him. She put Louie down who went back to his previous spot. Gabby sat next to Matt who pulled her in a gentle kiss. "Good morning" he whispered after pulling back.

"How long have you guys been awake?" Gabby asked as Louie gave her his elephant and koala. "Thank you very much baby" she said to her son.

"Well we've been playing for about an hour now, it's been a very fun morning right Lou-man?" Matt said getting a chuckle from his girl.

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Gabby asked gently. She had noticed that the coffee pot was full in the kitchen. But nothing seemed to have moved. "No we haven't, Louie really wanted to play…" Matt explained while the little boy was still playing with his toys.

"Hey sweetheart, what would you think about having breakfast?" Gabby asked giving her son his elephant back. "No!" Louie said, suddenly a bit angry. He really want to keep playing with his parents

"But Louie you need breakfast, and daddy and mommy can play with you after…" Gabby tried, knowing that Louie could be very stubborn.

"No, I want play now!" Louie said putting his toys down and crossing his arms over his chest. Matt looked at his wife, knowing that she might not have the patience right now feeling that she was getting angry.

"Louie, we can have a very quick breakfast, and then you can play all day long, okay?" He tried, knowing he would not let the stubborn little boy win this battle

"What for eat?" Louie asked. Gabby and Matt shared a smile. "Well mommy can make some zoo pancakes what do you think? " Gabby proposed seeing the smirk on Matt's face. They both knew, pancakes were his favorites, and obviously, giving them the forms of his favorite animals, Gabby knew she was marking some points

"Do a lion?" Louie asked innocently, putting smiles on his parent's faces. "Of course big guy, whatever you want!" Matt said. "Yay!" Louie exclaimed while his parents stood up and the three of them went to have breakfast in the kitchen.

Gabby sat Louie on the kitchen island, knowing he loved watching her make the pancakes. Matt looked at his family, he loved these moments, knowing they were r are these days. And the news he was about to give to Gabby wouldn't make her happy at all.
He wanted to tell her, but right now he wanted to enjoy this nice moment with the two persons he loved the most, and he knew once the new was out, Gabby would scream, or kill him… Or both.

While Gabby was putting out the ingredients to get the pancakes ready, she put the eggs next to Louie who took the eggs and before any of his parents could do or say anything, he tried to break it in the bowl, but it broke in his hand, making a mess.

"Oh no Louie!" Gabby exclaimed seeing Louie's pants full of egg.

"Sowwy…" Louie said worried he had done something wrong. Matt walked to Louie taking the eggshell from him and putting it in the trash. "It's okay little man, you are so strong that's all!" Matt said wanting his son to smile again.

"Yeah, daddy is right sweetie, it's okay, it happens" Gabby said cleaning his hands and pants with a cloth. Gabby smiled happy to see that Louie didn't seemed upset anymore.

"Yummy!" the little boy exclaimed rubbing his belly.

Matt laughed and took him in his arms, before putting him on his chair, putting his napkin his neck. Giving him a book for Louie to stay patient while Gabby was making breakfast.

Keeping an eye on his son, Matt walked to his wife, his arms snaking around her waist, pulling her back to his chest before kissing her neck gently.

"Have I ever told you how amazing of a mom you are?" he mumbled kissing her neck, as Gabby, smiling, was trying to focus on not burning the pancakes.

"You've mentioned it a few times! But you are pretty damn amazing as well" Gabby answered whispering, preventing her son from hearing any bad words.

"I am so happy, you make everything so perfect, I love you so much…" he said again as Gabby turned in his arms, giving him a quick peck on the lips before turning back again to the stove.

"You are really sweet this morning baby, but I love you too" Gabby grinned enjoying Matt's hands massaging her shoulders.

"Okay, pancakes are ready!" she exclaimed, bringing the plates to the table for her son to eat

"Mama pankes! I want!" Louie was so excited

"Louie, can you say the magic word?" Matt asked sitting in front of Louie while Gabby sat next to the little boy.

"Pease mommy, I want pankes!" Louie said again noticing both grins on his parents faces.

Gabby helped her son cut his pancakes, while Matt was just enjoying this nice moment. He probably would need to talk to Gabby soon, but right now they seemed happy and didn't want to change that. "So how about a picnic at the park today?" Gabby proposed immediately making Louie excited.

"Babe… Hum…" Matt tried, he felt really bad, and knew that Gabby would be very angry.

"Is everything okay?" Gabby asked concerned by Matt's sudden change of behavior.

"I have some news, and… I've been meaning to tell you, but I didn't get a chance to…"

"What is it?" Gabby asked giving Louie some maple syrup.

"I had a call, there is meeting on public safety today, and I need to go…" Matt said, seeing Gabby's smile drop.

"And you've been meaning to tell me when? When did you learn about it?" Gabriela asked trying to stay calm, but she was more and more angry. Matt cleared his throat know he was in a bad posture "I found out a couple of days ago, I know I should have told you but-"

Gabby didn't let Matt finish his sentence before cutting him off "Matt! A couple of days ago?! We were supposed to spend our weekend together, as a family!"

"I know am sorry…" Matt said looking down.

"You're sorry… Great!" Gabby bit on her bottom lip, trying to contain herself, realizing that her son was here, looking at her parents, confused.

"Babe…" Matt tried to get to her but Gabby stood up, seeing that Louie's plate was empty. She made sure he wasn't hungry anymore before sending him to play in his room.

Gabby looked at Matt ready to bite his head off. And Matt knew he couldn't say much to make it better. "You promise me, and Louie that we'd spend our weekend together, we haven't had any time together lately because we are always so busy!" Gabby exclaimed

"Gabby, I know I promised, but I won't work tomorrow, and it's not like I have a choice anyway…"

"Matt, we've been married only for a few weeks and we don't have time for each other and I-"

"What do you want me to do Gabby?! I am working at 51, doing construction jobs, I have alderman duties, I have so many responsibilities towards the city…"

"You also have responsibilities towards me and our son! We are a family now! We have a son, who deserves attention, he needs both his parents!" Gabby exclaimed raising her voice.

Matt nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, knowing Gabby was right.

"Gabs, in the last six months so much has changed! Between work at 51, molly's, becoming an alderman, getting married, having Louie, this is a lot, and I need time to adjust to everything! I know that you need me, that we need to have time together, bound with our kid, but it's not like everything else has to be put on hold!" Matt was getting angry, not at Gabby, but at this situation. It was obvious to him that right now he'd rather stay home with his family and enjoy some time together, but he also had so much things he needed to deal with.

"If spending time as a family is a chore, then yeah you should definitely go!" Gabby yelled crossing her arms over her chest, building up her walls as she often does.

"I never said that Gabby! You and Louie are my family, but you know as well as I do that it's my job now! And just a reminder, you're the one who wanted me to run for alderman!"

"Well I didn't know we would have a 4 years old to take care of and our entire lives shifting! Now, yes, I regret talking you into running for alderman, but it's not like I can change anything, can I?! Look… I don't want to fight with you, but it seems like everything is more important than Louie and me to you…"

Matt looked at Gabby, suddenly confused. He knew he'd spend a lot of time away, and that some things passed first at some point but never in a million years did he think that Gabby would believe, her and Louie were not the most important things in his life.

He loved his wife, he had for a long time, and he was the happiest because he had her in his life and even if sometime they were going through some obstacles, he didn't love her any less. And now he had even more reasons to love her, because of their son.

Matt felt like the happiest and luckiest man, because he had a family he could call his. And for his family he'd do anything in a heartbeat. He wouldn't put his marriage and family life, at risk for anything, and he needed Gabby to know that.

"Gabby, if you want me to step down as alderman, I will. You know, NOTHING, is more important than you and Louie, I love you both unconditionally and for you guys, I'd do anything, so if you want me to stop I will." Matt said, knowing he would never regret this decision if it had to be made.

"No Matt, I'd never ask you to do that, you've work so hard for this, and people are so grateful to have someone like you, it would be very selfish of me to decide that for you, I just wish you could make some room in your busy schedule for us…" Gabby finally explained, calming down a little bit.

Matt walked to her, facing her and placing his hands on both sides of her face before saying "Gabby, you are my wife, and I love you, and Louie is my son, and am sorry that I messed up our plans, but I promise I'll make it up to you"

"Matt when I first got Louie I was ready to do it on my own, because I knew you weren't ready, you wanted something different, and I kind of forced Louie into our lives, I know at the time, it felt like I was pushing you away, and that I was ready to do it alone, but now, the truth is that I want to do it with you, together, I don't want to be alone…" Gabby explained gently

"babe you're not alone, I'm here and I'm grateful every day and the choice you made to take Louie in, it's true first I wasn't ready, I was scared, I thought you were doing it for the wrong reasons, but I was wrong, and I am so glad I was. Without your decision we wouldn't be here today, and this is important to me that you know how in love with you I am, how proud I am, and how happy this entire situation makes me."

Gabby nodded, giving Matt a small smile, she was still upset about the situation, but now she knew that Matt stood by her side. "I'm just glad to know I'm not alone, that you're still here, I don't want to ruin us and what we have…" Matt nodded and finally he sighed. He was relieved they had talked about this.

"You know what, I can just stay here today, pretend I was sick…" Matt proposed with a smirk. Gabby chuckled but shook her head. "No, you go, it's an important thing, as a firefighter you need to talk about public safety it's very important, so you go…"

Matt smiled, he was sure she would have said something like that. "Okay I'll go, but I promise you, that tomorrow will be family day, I swear" Gabby nodded and Matt kiss her gently.

After this moment, Matt went to his bedroom to get ready to go at the meeting, while Gabby got to Louie's room to play with him. She knew that once her son would find out, that his father wouldn't be here for the day he'd be very sad. So when Matt walked in wearing the suit and a tie, Louie was very surprised.

"why are you dressed like a penguin?" the little boy asked innocently making both his parents smile.

"listen buddy, today I'm not going to be able to stay with you and mommy, I have to go to work…" Matt explained to his son seeing the visible disappointment on the little boy's face.

"No work, pease daddy stay, today is picnic at the park!"

"I'm sorry little guy but this is very important meeting, so you're going to stay with mommy today, but I promise tomorrow we'll do whatever you want to do, is that okay?" Matt asked sharing a look with Gabby, both sad that is Louie seemed disappointed.

"tomorrow I want ice cream"

"whatever you want my Love!" Gabby exclaimed

"So Lou-man, can I count on to be a good boy for your mama?" Matt asked noticing that Gabby seemed a bit nervous.

"yes daddy, promise!" Louie said excited going back to play. Matt motioned to Gabby to come with him, they walked to the door and Matt stopped looking at his wife

"what's happening in this head of yours?" he asked

"I'm just a bit nervous" Gabby explained.

"why is that?" Matt asked worried. Something was bothering her probably more than just him leaving.

"I am supposed to hear from Tina at DCSF, and I really hope the papers are going to be approved, and that we will officially be Louie's parents"

Matt looked at his wife realizing it was another thing that didn't crossed his mind lately. He wasn't proud of it, but he knew that no matter what the papers said, he and Gabby were Louie's parents. "Hey don't worry about it, she will call, and Louie will be our son, okay?"

"Yeah you're right"

"Wow can I get that in writing?!" Matt laughed happy to see a smile on Gabby's face

"Don't push your luck Casey" Gabby smirked, glad that there was not any more tension between the two of them.

"Okay, I got to go, I'm going to be late, you call me if you need anything, I'll try to make quick but I'm afraid it is going on drag on…"

"it's okay do whatever you have to do, will be fine here" Finally Matt nodded and pulled his wife in a loving kiss, before getting out, wishing her a great day.

Later, after Gabby and Louie got ready, they went to the park. Louie was so excited, even more when they met the Herrmanns. Louie played with the other kids while Gabby, Cindy and Christopher were keeping an eye on them and talking.

"Was Casey supposed to be here?" Herrmann asked to Gabby who sighed

"Yeah, he was, but some last minute meeting happened and he couldn't miss it…" she explained trying not to sound sad.

"Am sorry kid, I know it's been tough with all the work he has…" Herrmann said squeezing Gabby's shoulder

"Did you talk to him about it?" Cindy asked after staying silent for a while.

"We talked about it this morning… I mean it was more a fight that a calm conversation… It's not easy" Gabby said looking at Louie who was making some sandcastle. "It's just that Matt is very busy, and spending time together is very rare lately, it's frustrating"

"Am sure it's frustrating for him too, I don't think being at this meeting today makes Matt very happy" Cindy said

"No I know… We'll figure it out!" Gabby said smiling at her friends.

Louie walked to his mom, his hands full of sand, but a huge smile on his face. "Mama, I hungry!" he said, hoping that it was almost lunch time.

"Okay big guy, we are going to get the picnic ready, but first, you need to wash your hands" Gabby said, picking up a bottle of water from her bag. With the water she washed Louie's tiny hands, taking the sand away. "Perfect, you're ready to eat baby"

"Yay!" Louie yelled excited.

Gabby took out the sandwiches she had gotten ready at home, some chips, Louie's sippy cup, few tomatoes and carrots, everything for a delicious lunch. Louie was so excited, he loved picnic.
Ever since he was born, he had been in different families, with people who cared more about drugs, alcohol and themselves than him. He never had the chance to have a real picnic so when Gabby discovered that, she wanted to show what it was to him.
Gabby had a happy childhood, and now that she had a son, she wanted him to be as happy as she was growing up. He deserved it. She hated the fact that Louie had suffered so much, and that he hadn't had much luck, but now she was his mother, and she'd do anything to make sure he'd keep a smile on his face.

"Mama, can we do picnic with daddy tomorrow?" Louie asked before stuffing his mouth with chips.

"Louie don't put so much in your mouth baby." Gabby said, smiling at Louie's attitude. "But tomorrow I think it's raining, we might not be able to come to the park but we can have a picnic at home if you want"

"Yes with daddy!" Louie exclaimed.

After eating, Gabby let Louie play for a while, but after a few hours, she realized he seemed to get tired, so she decided to bring him home, saying goodbye to her friends.

Coming home, she put Louie in front of some cartoons while she got the dinner ready. And around 7.30 pm Gabby decided to eat, a bit disappointed that Matt was here yet.
Louie ate but he was dozing off, the day at the park probably tiring him up more than Gabby thought. Gabby ended up putting him to bed, and after cleaning up the kitchen, she sat on the couch, putting the news channel.

About an hour later, she heard the door opened and saw Matt appeared with a smile on his face, flowers in his hands. Gabby smiled, happy to see her husband.

"Hey you" Gabby said gently.

"Hi baby, am sorry it's late" Matt said sitting next to Gabby after putting his bag, and jacket on a chair. He kissed her gently before giving her the flowers. "Here this is for you"

"Thank you baby…It's beautiful. How did you find flowers at this hour?" she asked knowing it was 8.30 pm.

"There was a shop opened, so I figured I could just buy some. I need to apologize again, for this morning, and today…" Matt said caressing Gabby's thigh.

"It's okay, you are busy, and I get that, and am sorry for being so demanding" Gabby said putting the flowers on the coffee table in front of her.

"You are not demanding Gabby… I understand your point of view, and I should be more... involved. I don't want you to believe you are alone, or that I don't want to be here, or that You and Louie aren't my priorities. Because you are, and I should have shown you more so am sorry for that" Matt said, needing for Gabby to understand.

"I understand you know… All of this is very new, and we are very busy sometimes, we need to adjust a bit, but we can figure it out" Gabby said smiling. She knew that Matt was trying to juggle between his roles as an alderman, firefighter, constructor, husband and father, and she knew that he'd get there eventually. And she also knew there was no place he'd rather be.

Matt smiled, grateful for his wife. He looked at her, and leaned down to kiss her again. "How was today?" he asked after pulling away.

"It was great, Louie and I went to the park, met with Herrmann, Cindy and the kids, had a nice picnic. Louie watched some cartoons but he was exhausted, I put him to bed sooner today" Gabby explained.

"Am glad you had a good time, I wish I could have been here" Matt said a bit disappointed.

"Well Louie wanted to share a picnic with you so tomorrow will be a picnic at home" Gabby smirked seeing Matt's face lit up.

"Amazing!" Matt said excited. Gabby was sure that Louie and Matt were the same, always excited about eating and picnics. "And huh… Any news from Tina?" Matt asked.

"No, nothing, she might call tomorrow, or on Monday…" Gabby said a bit disappointed.

"Hey it's okay babe, it's just paperwork" Matt caressed Gabby's hand, not wanting her to worry about the adoption.

"What if they are not allowing us to adopt him? Or what if they think we are not fit parents for him? What if they believe we are not the right people for him because of our jobs and-" Gabby was cut off by Matt.

"Gabby, calm down, you heard Tina, we were allowed to start the adoption process, it takes some time because they want to make sure everything is safe for Louie, but they know we are good for him, and nobody wants Louie to go back in the system, they are just being careful that's all… Okay?"

Gabby nodded, she knew Matt was right, she just didn't want her son to be taken away from her. She wouldn't allow it. "What if they don't allow us to adopt him?" she asked out of fear.

"If they do, then we'll fight it. Gabby I won't let anyone say we can't be his parents, and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he stays here with us, you hear me?" Matt said trying to reassure his wife.

"You are right, thank you…" Gabby said letting out a sigh. Putting her head on Matt's shoulder, relaxing at the feeling of his hand caressing hers.

"Don't worry, I love you" Matt whispered

"I love you too…" Gabby answered when they both heard some noise coming their way. Gabby looked to the side and saw her son, standing in his pj, holding his monkey to his chest, with tears in his eyes. "Baby, what is it?" Gabby asked standing up and walking to him. "Did you have a nightmare?" She asked taking him in her arms. The little boy nodded and hugged his mommy. Gabby walked back to the couch, sitting back down next to Matt

"Hey little man, it's okay, you are safe…" Matt said, Louie looked at him and reached for his dad to hug him.

"I missed you daddy" Louie said gently.

"I missed you too" Matt said sharing a smile with Gabby. They both new they were the luckiest souls around.

"Louie how about you stay a little with us?" Gabby proposed, and Louie nodded, still a bit worried about his nightmare.

Matt put a Disney movie, hoping it would calm him down. But before he got a chance to start it, someone knocked at the door. Both parents shared a look, surprised that someone would come this late at night. Matt gave Louie back to his mom and walked to the door.

He was surprised to see Tina, on the doorstep. He wasn't expecting her to be here, and realized, she might be here for a bad reason.

"Hey Tina, what are you doing here?" he asked worried. Gabby walked to them, Louie in her arms, her face was full of worries. Was Tina here to take Louie away?

"Sorry guys to bother you so late, it won't take long…" Tina said.

"Are you here to take Louie away?" Gabby asked not being able to hold back. Matt frowned at her words, worried as well.

"Oh… No not at all!" Tina said right away, realizing she might have given the couple the wrong idea. "I came here to give you this…" Tina said giving Matt a big folder with Louie's name on it.

"What is that?" Matt asked confused.

"This is Louie's folder from the DCFS services, he is no longer in the system" Tina said with a smile leaving both Gabby and Matt even more confused.

"What does that mean?" Gabby asked bouncing Louie in her arms.

"Gabby, Matt, I am happy to say that Louie, is your son now, adoption was granted, so… congratulation Mommy and Daddy, it's a boy" Tina said smiling, as Gabby walked to Matt almost jumping as they shared a family hug.

Gabby was crying so grateful. "Thank you so much Tina, thank you for fighting so much for Louie" Gabby said trying to prevent the tears from coming.

"Do not thank me, you did everything, I just got the papers approved." Tina said as Matt pulled her in a hug, so happy.

"Thank you so much Tina!" Matt said pulling back. Louie was looking at the adults not really sure what was happening

"What is it?" he asked looking at his mom.

"Tina came to tell us you are going to stay with us forever now!" Gabby said kissing his forehead

"Am not going to go again, no more?" he asked

"Yeah, you're staying with mommy and daddy forever now!" Matt said caressing his head. "What do you think about that?"

"YAY!" Louie yelled, and looked at Tina before exclaiming "I love mommy and daddy! My mommy and daddy!" Louie was full of joy, which was making his parents even more happy.

"Okay guys, I'll leave you to it, I need to come back a few times in the next months to make sure everything is okay, just a formality, but with you both I am not worried." Tina said

"Thank you again Tina, for everything" Gabby said. Tina smiled and finally she left the family.

Matt and Gabby got back to the couch, staying silent, letting the news sink in. Matt looked at his wife who had the biggest smile on her face, her worries from earlier completely washed away.
After a minute of silence, Matt talked again, "See I told you everything would be okay"

Gabby looked at Matt, so happy. "You were right, I love you so much" She said looking down at Louie who was dozing off again. "I love you both, we are finally a family"

Matt smiled and nodded "I love you too, and Louie, so much, we are a really family now, our family" He said kissing his wife lovingly.

"Our family" Gabby whispered putting a kiss to Louie forehead, knowing that now, nothing would ever take him away.