Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination.
a/n: Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter (or read but didn't review) as well as everyone who favourite and follow the story means just as much. I'm really happy everyone is excited about this story because I love writing it.
I wish I could answer to everyone individually and I try as much as possible but some people aren't logged on and I can't reply so I do on here, so this goes out to Camilla. I'm on maternity leave yes but my son is now 8 months old but thank you for your kind words.
So Now for the fun part. In this chapter, you guys get to see the kids go on a play date at the park with their parents.
The rest of shift for both Gabby and Matt went rather well. Gabby finished aroung three and headed straight home where her mom was waiting for her, the kids were in bed for a nap.
"How was your first day honey?" Her mother questioned as she put her coat in the front closet.
"I was dumped into the ER after being introduced to my new boss." She sat down and exhaled sharply. "How did it go with the kids?"
"They were well behaved, as always. We went to the market to get some lunch and played inside." Gabby was listening but her mind was clearly somewhere else. "Where's your mind honey?"
"You said this morning that Alberto would want me to be happy." She was looking at the table, her fingers playing with the pendant and her wedding rings around it.
"It's ok to be happy sweetheart. When people pass, they never completely leave us." She stopped Gabby's nervous movement with her hand before lifting her chin up to reveal her daughter's watery eyes.
"Than why does it hurt so much?" It was a loaded question and one even her mother couldn't answer.
"It's going to take some time for the pain to go away but you are strong Gabriella Dawson and you are going to get through this."
"Thanks mom." She wiped her tears away with the pads of her thumbs before smiling, her eyes looking down at her phone that had just vibrated. Thank you for patching me up - Matt the text messege read. It's what I do, hope it heals well - Gabby. She replied smiling.
"Did you meet someone today?" Esmeralda noticed the change in her daughter when she read what it said on her phone.
"We've bumped into each other a few times by chance. He came into the ER today with an injury."
"He?"
"Yes, his name is Matt Casey. First time we met was at the pier and then at the school when i went to visit with Luis and Filippe."
"Would he be the father of these two girls the boys have been talking about? Grace and Emma I think?"
"That would be him yes."
"Gabriella, the man has a wife." Her mother came to the conclusion that she was interested in a taken man.
"It's not like that mom."
"Than why does he have your phone number?"
"I gave it to him so our kids could maybe go to the park together and for the record, he has no one in his life."
"And have you told him about yours?"
"No. I was afraid to say the words out loud to a stranger."
"Maybe you bumping into him so often is a sign of fate."
"Mom no. He's really nice and a good father from what I saw but he doesn't need a damaged girl in his life like that."
"Just don't close the door to any possibilities."
"I promise." She smiled at her mother, happy to have told someone about Matt.
Matt spent part of shift locked away in his office, lying down on his cot. His paperwork was done already and it was a slow day. His eyes were locked on the cieling, his mind on Gabby Dawson Ramirez. His mind kept taking him back to earlier when he was in the hospital with Shay. The way she had presented herself to Shay as only Gabby Dawson, dropping Ramirez and how the doc has said ms instead of mrs as if she wasn't married. But then he had noticed the missing rings on her finger but had assumed it was because she was at work and didn't want anything to happen to them.
"Thinking about Gabby Dawson?" Shay's voice snapped him from his thoughts.
"That obvious huh?" He looked at her and smiled.
"She's hot. I'd go for her too if she wasn't straight."
"But she's married, nothing can happen other than friendship."
"I didn't see a ring on her finger."
"Trust me, they were there when I met her at school." Shay gave him a sympathetic smile before walking away. He kept thinking about her until he decided to send her a text. Thank you for patching me up - Matt I felt the need to write my name in case she thought I was a complete weirdo, just to make sure she knew who it was. It's what I do. Hope it heals well - Gabby Matt put his phone away and put his hands under his neck, his mind drifting to Gabby again before he fell asleep.
One week later
One week had passed since Matt had been in the hospital with second degree burns to his right flank and although the girls got scared when they first found out about it, they knew that their father was always careful on the job. He was feeling much better and had followed every instruction Gabby had given him and the wound was looking better.
"Do you think we can ask Luis and Filippe's mom to go to the park tomorrow daddy?" Emma looked up from her dinner.
"I'll ask her after dinner is over. How's that?"
"Great, thanks dad." Grace smiled at him before returning to her plate. They ate dinner with the girls talking and Matt patiently listening and putting in his two cents when it was needed before they cleared the table and put everything away in the dish washer. the girls went to wash up and Matt put them in front of a movie before going upstairs to his room for a bit more privacy so he could give Gabby a call. He found her number in his contact list and started pacing in front of his bed, trying to find the courage to dial her up. After five minutes of pacing, he pressed the send button, pressing the phone to his ear, letting it ring and waiting for her to answer.
Don't you dare throw water out of the tub Luis Ramirez, hello? She said as she answered, making Matt laugh. "Did I catch you at a bad time?" Sorry, it's bath time for the twins, they get a little bit excited in the water. She chuckled. "I can call a little bit later if you want." Matt didn't want to intrude on her time with her family. Oh no it's ok Matt, how's the burn? "It's a little bit itchy but it's looking good thanks." they fell in easy conversation about their day, Matt knowing that it had only been a few shifts back for her. "The girls were wondering if the boys would want to go to the park tomorrow, maybe we could have lunch?" It sounds like fun. The boys have been asking to play with the girls every day this week and I'll provide the lunch. "Oh no, I could never." Matt started but Gabby interrupted him. It'll be my pleasure, just bring the girls. "There's a park close to Lakeshore that has pic nic tables, is that good for you? Let's say 10?" That's perfect, that park is right next to my house. I'll see you there with the kids. "See you there Gabby." He said into the phone and she said the same before ending the call. Matt went downstairs where the girls were dozing off in the couch, the movie still playing.
"How about we go to the park tomorrow for lunch?"
"With Luis and Filippe?" The girls finally perked up at the mention of the park.
"Yes, with their little sister and their mom. We're having lunch with them."
"Yay. Thank you daddy."
"You'll need to thank Mrs Ramirez tomorrow because she's bringing lunch for everyone. Now come on, time for bed." The girls didn't object and went upstairs to brush their teeth and settle in with a story before Matt went back downstairs for some time alone.
"Ok guys, you're clean enough." The boys had spent the better half of the last half hour after washing up just throwing bubbles at each other and even though Gabby had warned them not to put water out of the tub, there was still a fair amount of it. They came out of the tub and she wrapped a towel around each of their bodies before sending them to get dressed in their pyjama's.
"We're all set mom." both boys ran back to the bathroom where Gabby was removing the water that was everywhere.
"Ok, teeth brushed and in bed, we are going to the park tomorrow with Grace, Emma and their dad."
"Yay." They were jumping up and down, obviously excited before Gabby told them to quiet down because their sister was sleeping already. After tucking them in, she went to the kitchen to get tomorrow's lunch ready. She made sandwiches for everyone and cut some fruits and vegetables before packing some juices and water and putting everything in the fridge for the next day. She then sat down with a glass of wine and chick flick to relax from her first week at work, all five days at the ER because they were short handed and needed the help. By ten, she had gone to bed as well, exhausted. The next morning, the boys were up early, excited to be going to the park.
"Calm down boys, it's only at ten o'clock." Gabby mumbled as they came running into her room.
"But mom, we're too excited." It was the first time they were really going to spend some time with kids their own age. Her mother had tried to bring them to the park to socialise with other kids but most of the kids were either in day camps or daycares so it was hard for them to find friends but Gabby knew that would change once school would start in september. She looked at her clock to see the numbers blinking an angry red colour saying it was only six.
"Mommy wants to sleep a little bit more. You can watch the cartoons on tv."
"Ok." They turned around and went to watch tv quietly. Gabby woke up a couple of hours when Valentina woke up and wanted to be taken out of her bed. She usually would come out of it on her own but sometimes, she would just be capricious and not get out until someone took her in their arms to get her down. She sat her with the boys so she could watch some cartoons with them while she fixed breakfast and the boys ate quickly before going to get changed.
"Your brothers are silly." She smiled to her daughter, who smiled back at her. Out of all the kids, she was the one who had Alberto's eyes. They finished eating between girls before they went to get ready. Gabby dressed Valentina in shorts and a cami, the weather calling for heat. The boys came back in their swim trunks and t-shirts. "Where do you guys think you're going with your swim trunks?"
"There's some water games at the park mom." Luis announced proudly. She had totally forgotten about that so she packed a bathing suit and towels for Valentina and the boys before she grabbed her phone and texted Matt with the info. Thanks for the heads up, I'll pack those.
It was nine thirty when they left for the park. It was only a few walking minutes away from Gabby's place so she decided they'd leave now so they could have some extra fun. It was a beautiful day and she was off. Gabby stayed with Valentina is the smaller kids park while the boys went climbing in the big kid part of it. She enjoyed watching her three kids enjoying life and that was what kept her going every day, making her push through her personnal grief. She heard girls giggling behind her and that's when she noticed two little identical girls run past her.
"Be careful." I turned around hearing Matt's voice and smiled at him.
"You made it."
"If it had been up to the girls, I would have been here at 6." He chuckled, making Valentina look up directly at him as he sat down next to Gabby. "Hi Valentina." He smiled at her but her eyes grew a size bigger and she went back to making castles in the sand.
"She's shy but don't worry, you won't be able to keep her away from you come lunch time."
"It's ok, she doesn't know me. So how was your first week?" He questionned Gabby. The original nervousness around each other was gone already and they settled in easy conversation.
"It started with a firefighter coming in with burns. The guy couldn't stay away from the fire and it just escaleted from there." She shrugged, making him laugh.
"Did you tell him what a loser he was? Fire's are dangerous, who wants to go in them to save people?"
"Brave people. How does it feel?" She pointed towards his side.
"It's a bit tender but I think it's good. I meant it when I said thanks for patching me up." Gabby was now sitting on the grass around the sandbox, her body leaning against her arms that were stretched out behind herself, keeping an eye on the kids as Matt finally had Valentina's attention and they were making castles together.
"I love my job. I never thought I'd get to practice it again." She hadn't intended on sharing too much of her personal life with him but it seemed so natural with him that it just came out.
"How come?" He didn't want to pry too much but he was curious about her.
"When I had the twins, I stayed at home to raise them until they started school and being in the Dominican Republic, I didn't feel like I needed to work. What about you? Fire fighting is a dangerous job."
"I've wanted to do that since I was little so it's all I know how to do. That and fix things, I have a construction business on the side."
"How do you manage with the girls?" Her need to know more was overwhelming the fact that they had just met a short time ago.
"I've been doing a bit less construction since they were born and when my ex left, I did only what I wanted."
"I'm sorry to hear about that."
"I've come to terms with it a long time ago. Grace and Emma are everything to me, they're all that matter." He looked up from his castle making and checked up on the girls. They were climbing the wall to the big slide with the boys, the four of them giggling like they had known each other forever.
"Your husband seems awfully busy, what does he do for a living?" She should have expected that question when he talked about his ex leaving but she wasn't quite ready to answer it. She grew increasingly quiet, her eyes looking at something in the distance. Matt sensed her change in moods and decided he had been too nosy. "I'm really sorry, it's none of my business." She answered a very quiet ok and he accepted it at face value, not pushing for more details. If she wanted to tell him about it, she would, when the time was right. He looked at his watch and realised it was time to eat. "Lunch time." He bellowed, gaining the four kids attention. Gabby was glad he had dropped the subject and placed his attention elsewhere. Everyone came at the table and the kids sat together while Matt and Gabby took the end of each bench.
"You kids having fun?" Matt asked them. Gabby was just glad they were all getting along. Everyone said yes at the same time and Gabby started taking the food out of the cooler, giving each kid a sandwich and a juice and they all settled quietly to eat.
"Wow, never thought I'd hear silence coming from these four." Gabby looked at them almost in wonder.
"You'd be surprised what food does to these two." He pointed to the girls, making her chuckle.
"Same for mine. food time is the quietest it gets." She handed Matt a sandwich and a soda before grabbings hers.
"So, do you have any family in Chicago?" Casey ventured in a safer direction, trying not to push Gabby into something she didn't want to talk about.
"My parents and my older brother Antonio with his wife and two kids all live in the city. It's good to be back."
"So you just moved here."
"About a month ago. Had a lot of things to work out but we're all settled now so it's good." He nodded, accepting his explanation. "What about you? Any family?"
"My sister Christie lives in the suburbs, she's a huge help with the girls. I'm not sure I could pull it off if it wasn't for her." Some areas of discussion were easy and others were a bit touchy, the other trying not to press any emotionals buttons.
"Family always helps." Gabby looked at her boys and pushed a strand of hair the wind had blown behind her ear.
Matt observed her a few minutes, trying to get a reading on her. Her demeanor told him that something big had happened in her life and that she wasn't quite ready to give away that information. "I know we just met but I'm a good listener. No questions asked." Gabby suddenly turned her attention back to Matt, the kids already done with their lunch and gone to play again, leaving the two adults alone again.
"I'm not ready and I know it's not very fair because our kids will be spending time together but it's too soon." They looked at each other, a mutual understanding between the two that now wasn't the time to reveal their deep dark secrets. Gabby packed the rest of the food and they went to sit on the park bench overlooking the park, all five kids having fun.
"I won't push for anything you're not ready for." He closed his hand around hers, sending a current through both their bodies.
"Thank you." She smiled at him.
They stayed that was a little bit before Matt released her hand and looked at his watch.
"Ten minutes girls." The girls gave him a pouty face, trying to buy some time. "Ok fifteen but that's it." They returned happily to play with the boys.
"Dinner plans tonight?"
"Yeah, we're heading over to my sister's house. We do it every week end when I'm not on shift. Do you have any Dawson family traditions?"
"We used to go to our parents house every sunday from brunch to dinner but we haven't been able to do it since I came back but I'm suspecting that my mom will make it happen now that I'm back and in a normal routine."
"That's good. Those are good times to spend with our family." Matt looked at his watch again.
"Time's up girls. Time to leave." They came bouncing back and the boys tagged along, bringing Valentina with them along with her toys.
"Do they really have to leave Mr Casey?" The asked.
"Sorry guys but we are having dinner at their aunt's house but tell you what. How about we walk you home before going back to get ready?" The four kids started bouncing slightly ahead of their parents, happy for the extra time they got to spend together. Valentina requested her mother's arms but Gabby claimed she was getting too heavy and the little girl looked like she was about to cry. "Do you want to have a ride on my back?" He bent down to ask her directly, giving Gabby a smile.
"Pwease."
"Alright, let's go." He easily hoisted her up on his shoulders
"You don't have to do that Matt, she's quite heavy."
"Not as heavy as our gear, I'm good." They started walking in sync towards Gabby's house that was only a few blocks away. They just enjoyed spending time together, getting to know each other and Matt made Valentina giggle every now and then by tickling her sides. Gabby pointed in the direction of an apartment complex.
"That's me." The boys went running up the stairs with the girls, sitting on the stairs to wait for their parents to catch up to them.
"This was fun, we should do it again sometimes."
"For sure." Matt put Valentina back on the ground and she took her mother's hand. "What do you say to Mr Casey?"
"Tank you." She grinned, making Matt smile.
"But next time, lunch is on me."
"Ok. Talk to you soon, bye Matt." She turned to smiled at him as she opened the buildin's door.
"Bye Gabby." The kids hugged each other and the girls went to join their father so they could get ready for dinner at their aunt's house.
a/n: Finally they get together with the kids and things are going well. Gabby is trying hard to take a step forward in moving on but opening up to someone who isn't family and that you've barely known isn't always easy.
Next up: Gabby and Shay meet up again at Lakeshore and plan something together.
I know it's the second update today but I've been in a writing mood and I got carried away so I hope you enjoyed it and that you'll leave a review so I know what you thought about it. I won't be able to update though before next week (for real this time) so thanks for the support - Sarra
