Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination and the girls names.
a/n: THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to leave a review on the last chapter on here and on Twitter. THANK YOU also to everyone who favourite and follow this story, it always means the world to me.
I'm sorry I'e been AWOL for the last week or so but I started working last Tuesday and I made a few schedule changes that prevented me from writing this chapter before as planned. I have another few hectic weekd coming up but I'm hoping to be able to update on my day off once I get back in the groove of things so don't dispair, I'll get the hand of it. I hope you'll enjoy this latest chapter.
Monday came by too quickly for both Matt and Gabby. After a whole week end of preparing, this moment was finally here, the kids were starting in kindergarten together. Matt and Gabby didn't have a lot of time together in the past week due to all the preparations so their talk about moving forward would have to wait a little bit longer. They had agreed to meet up at the parc next to the school so the kids could all walk together. Both sets of twins had been way too excited which meant that their whole schedule was out of whack. On sunday night, they had managed to be in bed early enough so Matt and Gabby had time to make lunches for everyone, standing alone intheir respective kitchens.
"Time to wake up girls." Matt shook them lightly to wake them up.
"Is it time to go to school already dad?" Grace rubbed her eyes while Emma was already sitting up in her bed.
"We have to get dressed and eat some breakfast first, I made your favourite." That was enough to give them an extra boost up. Once they picked out their clothes and that Matt was satisfied, they got dressed and made their way downstairs. "First day of school. Are you guys excited?"
"I can't wait." Grace smiled as she put a piece of french toast in her mouth.
"And what about you Emma, ready to learn new things?"
"Uh huh." She took a bite out of her food and stayed quiet but her face was telling Matt something else.
"What's on your mind kiddo?"
"Are we going to be in the same class?"
"You and Grace?" She nodded, taking another bite.
"Yes. And Luis and Filippe?"
"Well you'll be with Grace that is for sure but I don't know about Luis and Filippe. We'll have to check once we get to school."
"Ok." She simply said, enjoying some more breakfast. They ate, making light conversation before they put all their dishes in the dish washer and finished to get ready before taking their bags full of supplies and putting everything in Matt's truck and heading out towards the school. Matt had agreed to meet up in front of the school so the kids would go in together.
Gabby knew she had to plan her day accordingly because of the boys new class schedule. She woke Valentina up first before getting her ready like she did every week day morning before waking the two boys up.
"Wake up you two sleepyheads." She kissed the top of their heads and tickled them awake. "Come on you two, we have to get ready." She made them laugh harder as her fingers worked their magic.
"We're ready mama." Filippe pushed his blanket proudly, revealing some fresh clothing.
"When did you get dressed?" She asked in wonder as Luis also showed that he was already dressed.
"Last night." Filippe announced, his million dollar watt smile on display for Gabby to admire.
"Excited about school much?" She said with a light touch of sarcasm, trying to stiffle a laugh.
"Yes mom." Luis was slightly less excited.
"Alright, let's go eat some breakfast and get ready before we drop your little sister off at daycare.
Gabby didn't have to much trouble getting them all ready and out the door towards her car.
"Is Tina coming to school with us mama?" Luis asked as he buckled himself in.
"She's still too little to go to school buddy but she'll be there soon enough." That seemed to satisfy his curiosity as she finished buckling in Valentina and then herself and they were off. Gabby dropped Valentina, the boys glued to her side before she walked across the street to where the school stood, Matt already waiting for them on the sidewalk with the girls. The kids were excited to see each other and the four of them hugged, Gabby sharing a kiss and a good morning with Matt.
"Are you guys excited about first day of school?"
"So excited in fact that they got dressed last night after I put them to bed."
"Is that so? Up top." Matt held his hand for the boys to slap and they did in turn, making Gabby laugh.
"What about you ladies, didn't give daddy too much grief this morning did you?" They shook their heads from side to side.
"They perked right up when I mentioned their favourite breakfast." They both laughed.
"I'll bet. I think your dad makes the best french toast in Chicago."
"Yes he does." Emma said matter of factly, making Gabby smile.
"How about we start going inside?" Matt said as more kids and their parents started coming in as well. The kids took the lead, both sets of twins holding hands. Gabby found it cute as Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked in sync.
"Where's your head at?" He whispered to her ear. She looked like someone who had something on their minds.
"I can't believe my babies are starting kindergarten. I always envisioned this day with Alberto at my side." She knew deep down that she was being selfish for telling this to Matt while he was also going through this very important stage in his kids life alone. Matt looked down at her as tears filled her eyes.
"Hey, it's ok to talk about it." They were so in tuned with each other that it scared them both some times.
"I'm sorry. I know you are doing this alone too."
"I'm not alone, you're here with me and we have the kids. He'd be proud of you too Gabby."
"Thanks." She smiled up at him as he wiped her tears away
"Come on, let's get them settled.
Gabby and Matt both waited in the area where the kindergarten classes were situated and waited for teachers to get the groups together. Much to the twins surprise, the four of them were in Miss Alice's class. The kids were shown their cubbies as well as where to place each school supply that was on the list. Once that was done, the teacher invited them to give mommy and daddy a hug and a kiss before the parents left for the day, scheduled to return mid afternoon.
"I want you boys to have fun and I will be back to come pick you up with Matt when I finish work ok?" The boys engulfed her in a mini group hug, each giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye mama." They both smiled proudly at her.
"I love you both."
"We love you too." They gave her a hug again and Gabby waited while Matt said his goodbye's too.
"I'm going to miss you daddy." Grace flung her arms around her dad's neck, Emma wrapping her arms around them as much as her little arms could.
"I'll miss you guys too but promise me you'll listen to your teacher ok?"
"We will daddy."
"I'll see you after school. I'll come pick you up and if Gabby wants, we can go to the park and for some ice cream."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" They hugged each other one last time before the four of them left to sit on the ground in front of their teacher while Matt and Gabby left.
They walked over to Lakeshore since it was so close to the school and Matt dropped her off right outside of the peds department, cupping her face and gently kissing her.
"I'll come pick you up after your shift so we can go get the kids together."
"What did you promise these poor girls Matthew Casey?" She grinned.
"I might have told them that we would go with you, Valentina and the boys to the park and for some ice cream if you agreed to it." He grinned, hoping she wouldn't be mad for him somewhat making plans with her and for her. It only made her laugh harder.
"That's fine by me. I'll see you here at three thirty."
"Not one minute later." He smiled at her again before giving her one last kiss, letting her get to work.
Matt left Lakeshore and walked back to his truck before driving away to a construction gig he had lined up to occupy the next few hours of the day. Gabby kept her mind busy as well with her small patients, willing the clock to go by faster.
Without even realizing it, Gabby was writing down her final notes of the day so she could give the evening nurse a detailed report so she could meet up with Matt and go to the park with the kids. As promised, Matt was waiting for her at the peds front desk, ready to go get the kids as well.
The kids got all excited when they were told the good news. Gabby and Matt drove back to Matt's place before walking the short distance to the park close to his house. The kids blew off some excess energy from their first day of school, the five of them laughing as Matt and Gabby looked on, sitting close to each other. When Matt looked at his watch, it was time to go get the ice cream and then go home to get everything ready for the next day, Matt going back on shift the next morning.
Both adults walked hand in hand, enjoying watching their kids skip around them, still filled with excess energy. When they rounded the corning, Matt pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head as they walked. The closer they got to his house, the more Matt was having an uneasy feeling. The kids were now twirling around, all four of them behind both adults, Valentina holding her moms hand. They were only a few feet away from Matt's house when he stopped dead in his tracks. Someone was standing at the top of his stairs, their back facing this little made up family. Matt could recognise her anywhere. She turned around as Matt made it to the bottom of his stairs, their eyes connecting together.
"Matt." Her voice sounded like velvet. He instinctively held onto Gabby tighter and placed a hand in front of the girls, stopping them in their tracks.
"Hallie, what are you doing here?
TBC
a/n: Oh GOD!WHAT HAVE I DONE? Ok don't shoot me anyone. This idea has been swirling around in my head for some time now and Gygyfr was helpful in making me write it. I thought it was fitting to have her shake the apple tree a bit.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and please take a few seconds to review before you go, I love reading what you guys think of what I write and I will see you ASAP, when time allows me. - Sarra
