Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination. The ORIGINAL idea comes from Justicerocks11

a/n: I want to thank everyone that has so far reviewed/followed/favourited this story because it's been getting such a great reception (I don't think either one of my other stories had gotten so much) So I'm really glad you're enjoying and I won't keep you waiting much longer to have Matt and Gabby meet. I hope you'll enjoy this.


After taking a nap that afternoon, Matt spent the rest of his time off with the girls, bringing them to the park and for a walk while they rode their bikes. He knew that he'd eventually need to remove those training wheels but he'd have to think of a strategy to give both girls the same amount of attention for it to work but that would have to wait for another day. They were going around the block so they didn't get too tired before diner time. They washed their hands so they could help their dad doing dinner, he was making home made mac and cheese. As an adult, he didn't mind eating anything, regardless of if it was healthy or not but since the twins were born and Hallie had left them, he had had to adjust and make better food for his daughters. Emma missed the cheese in the casserole while it was on a low simmer and once Matt had put it in an oven dish, Grace took cheese with moth hands and sprinkled it on top, making it extra cheesy, just how they loved it. Matt put everything in the oven and the girls helped him set the table and running around each other. He leaned against the kitchen doorframe as the girls chased after each other, giggling until Emma slipped on the hardwood floor, Grace stumbling on top, both of them still laughing. He was just watching his five year old twins, having fun, not really understanding what their reality entailed since their mother had left them but he was glad they seemed happy none the less. They was always a voice of the back of his head, making him doubt his ability to be a good father but Herrmann's voice reminded him that he was doing a great job and that his best was all he could give them.

"Careful girls." He grinned at them and returned to the kitchen.

"Yes daddy." Both girls were laughing, still sprawled on the floor.

"Diner is ready, wash up." He placed the dish on the table as Emma helped Grace to her feet and they did what they were told before returning to the table and sitting in their usual spot. "You girls had fun today?"

"Uh huh." Emma put a mouthful of mac and cheese in her mouth, preventing her from talking and Grace just rolled her eyes.

"That means yes dad." She said with all the sassiness in her.

"I'm glad you cleared that up." He just leaned against his chair and watched both girls eat, this was their favourite dish.

"Can we go to the Navy Pier tomorrow daddy?" Emma asked once her plate was empty.

"Pretty lease daddy." Grace batted her eyelashes and smiled at him, making him laugh.

"I think that's a great idea. It's supposed to be sunny and hot tomorrow, could be fun but we'll have to go to bed early tonight so we can get up early in the morning. It'll be more fun if it's not too packed, what do you guys think?

"Yay." They both cheered. Grace finished her plate while Emma took another serving before Matt cleared everything and gave them some cut up fruits for desert.

"Come on girls, time to clean up and then bed. We have a big day tomorrow." They quickly ran up the stairs and they showered one after the other and Matt got them to brush their teeth before he combed their hair. He wasn't an expert at that but he could make a ponytail and a braid ok and the girls didn't complain if it wasn't perfect. Ok, bed time."

"Can we have some music on dad?" Grace all but begged.

"Sure but I'm not looping it."

"You have a deal." Emma said smiling. Both girls loved listening to music but they didn't argue when their father said no. He turned off the light and went back downstairs to grab a beer and watch the football game that was on. He could hear the girls whispering loudly from his spot on the couch and it only made him laugh because they always thought he couldn't hear them. He waited for his beer to be done and to make sure the girls were really sleeping before he headed for bed. It had been an big adjustment for him when they were born and that Hallie had left them but his two beautiful girls were the best gift life could give him and he was grateful for them and the chance to be a dad everyday. He fell asleep quickly, he was exhausted. Matt didn't need an alarm clock on days like this. The girls were so excited that they were like a tornado going through the house.

"Wake up daddy. We're ready to go." They bounced next to his bed, already dressed.

"I can see that." He mumbled, turning to his side. "Give me ten minutes and I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast."

"Can you make us some french toast?" Emma asked, smiling.

"Sure." He smiled. "What do you guys want on it?

"Bananas." "And blueberries." Both girls said one after the other.

"Ok so why don't you go take what you want and put it on the counter while I get ready?" They turned around without answering and ran down the stairs. He turned around and got on his back again, running a hand through his hair before getting up. He took a quick shower and wore a short sleeve, navy blue button down with black shorts that stopped right above his knee. It was supposed to be a hot one today and in his half slumber, he hadn't really paid attention to the girls attire. When he walked into the kitchen, he was satisfied with what he saw. Even though the two girls were their own person, they normally dressed differently but today they made an exception. They were both dressed in black shorts and purple camisoles with their hair in a high ponytail that they had managed to do themselves. "Ok so we have one hour to be out of the door so you girls need to hurry up ok?" They both nodded again and Matt fixed breakfast that they ate quickly and Matt was locking the door fourty five minutes later. They drove to the Navy Pier that was twenty minutes away and Matt took both girls by the hand. "Ok girls, I want you to stay close to me because we don't want to be seperated.

"Yes daddy." Clearly they didn't want to be seperated from their dad either.


Gabby spent a quiet evening with the kids after getting all the furniture for their new place. Valentina was alread asleep and she was sitting on Antonio's couch, flanked by both her sons, they were watching a kids movie. She didn't think she'd have these kinds of quiet moments since Alberto had passed and although her heart held a weight that wouldn't go away overnight but in the two days she had been back home, things were going well and she hoped it would keep going in that direction. She ran her fingers through Filippe's hair and pulled Luis closer to her.

"I was thinking we could go to the Pier tomorrow, what do you guys think?"

"Is there fun things to do there?" Luis looked up to her.

"Loads. There's games and rides."

"And ice cream?" Filippe's eyes almost twinkled with hope.

"Yes baby ice cream too." She chuckled. Laura peaked her head in the living room before heading upstairs.

"You guys good in here?"

"Yeah, I'm going to put the boys to bed soon and maybe have a glass." Gabby smiled at her sister-in-law.

"Alright boys, it's time for bed, we have a big day tomorrow." Filippe got up and slowly made his way upstairs but Gabby had to pick Luis up in her arms because he had fallen asleep leaning against her. She tucked both of them in with a kiss to the forehead and she went back downstairs. She poured herself a glass of red wine and settle in the couch, putting some music on the stereo. In the past year, she hadn't had any real time to herself and coming back to Chicago under such circumstances, she had a lot on her mind. She thanked God every day for the three gifts that her life with Alberto had given her but she wished every day to have him back next to her, helping her raise their kids. She took a small sip and then another, letting some of the pain out as tears rolled down her eyes, sobbing softly. The bottle wasn't all that full but she managed to drink the rest of it, tension leaving her body with the slight buzz it created. Gabby made her way upstairs half an hour later, settling in the bed next to the boys and immediately falling asleep. She woke up the next morning to the sun shining through the blinds, the boys still very asleep. Like her late husband, they could sleep through anything so she grabbed some clothes and padded towards the bathroom down the hall. She quickly showered, hoping she would give Laura a morning to sleep in a little longer. She put on a blank tank top with a lace back and jean shorts, pulling her hair in a ponytail before she went downstairs to find Laura making breakfast and feeding Valentina.

"You should have woken me up Laura." She complained. "I can take care of them, you have enough on your plate with two teenagers." She sat down next to her daughter and took the coffee Laura handed her.

"I don't mind the extra work, you have great kids Gabby and I haven't seen them in forever so it's my way of making up for that time missed and it gives you a little time to yourself."

"Thanks. You'll never know how truly grateful I am for you and Antonio."

"Anytime sis." Antonio kissed her cheek as he walked through the kitchen threshold. "So what are your plans for today?"

"We are going to the Navy Pier. I think it will do the kids some good to have a little fun." She smiled and took a bite of the muffin Laura had put in front of her.

"And it'll be good for you too." He smiled at her. "Did you have the school talk with them yet?"

"School." Valentina repeated.

"No but I was thinking of casually bringing it up tonight, maybe over diner?"

"Gabby, you need to have a real talk with them about this, it's a big change for them, and for you."

"I know." She whispered as the boys came down, obviously still in their beds.

"What's for breakfast?" Luis asked. Filippe was still asleep on the chair to talk.

"I made toast and bacon, you guys have a big day today." Laura smiled at them. The took the plates that was given to them and ate in silence while Gabby got Valentina dressed. She knew it was going to be a hot day so she dressed her in matching jean shorts and a plain white camisole, accentuating her darker skin tone. She prepared a bag for her and came back down the stairs with the toddler just as the boys were done eating, putting their dishes in the sink.

"Come on boys, go get dressed. I don't want to be stuck in crowds, and wear some shorts and t's, it's going to be hot outside." She called after them but they were already gone up the stairs. They returned with light clothes and Gabby strapped everyone in Antonio's car that she was borrowing until she could get one of her own. They drove to the pier and Gabby got the stroller for Valentina and the boys put their caps before she turned to them. "Ok so there is going to be a lot of people here so I want you boys to hold on to your sister's stroller is that clear?" She demanded of her two oldest who understood more than they let on. They walked through the pier, the boys behaving and Valentina pointing at everything she could put her little eyes on. After maybe forty minutes, she started squirming in her stroller.

"Down." She requested. Gabby wasn't sure if she should but considering the boys were behaving, she decided it would be ok. She held onto the little girl by the hand while trying to hold the stroller with the other one but Valentina started to jump up and down, pulling her mother's hand.

"Slow down baby." She said firmly and the little girl settled briefly before pulling so hard that they separated and Gabby ran after her daughter, the boys rooted in their spot. She didn't look where she was going when she ran into a hard body and just as she was about to fall, hands help onto her arms and the commotion, Valentina stopped her run. "Oh my god I'm so sorry." She looked up at the blonde man with piercing blue eyes that was in front of her who had prevented her fall. "My daughter started running and." She started but he interrupted her with a smile.

"It's ok ma'am, I know how that is." His smile never left his lips and he helped her stand straight. "I have two girls who want to do and see everything here."

"Yeah." She said absentmindedly, the boys coming to her side.

"Can we go on the rides mom?" Luis asked, not really caring about the adult interaction before his eyes.

"Sure buddy." She ruffled his hair and took Valentina in her arms. "Thanks again for breaking my fall." She felt heat radiate in her cheeks as she smiled at the stranger in front of her.

"It's my pleasure." He smiled back at her. "Come on girls, we don't want to wait the long line at the ferris wheel." He motioned to the girls to follow and he took them by the hands and walked in the direction of the big ride. Gabby walked past him with the boys and Valentina once again secured in the stroller. Her heart had clearly skipped a beat but she put it on the emotion of almost loosing her daughter in the crowd and almost falling. She looked behind her one last time and they kept going for the rest of the morning and afternoon.


a/n Ok so I'm sorry it took a little bit of time before I was able to get this chapter written(even though I wrote it today in its full) I'm trying to balance family life and summer (if such a thing can start) So I hope that you guys liked it because I had another idea on their first meeting but this one sort of popped up in my mind this morning and I got excited about it. I know it's not a full fledge meeting but the seed was planted.

Next up: Matt brings the girls to 51 as promised and Gabby spends another day with the kids before they have the school open house on Friday but can Matt keep the mysterious girl out of his mind and will Gabby's heart remind her of what it means to beat for someone else?

Please take a few seconds to review this latest chapter because I really like to know what you guys think of it. - Sarra