Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination and the kids names.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who left a review on the previous chapter, it means the world. I wanted this chapter to be light in the aftermath of everything that's been going on for them but it will help move along the rest of it and put this behind them, enjoy.
Matt got back home and exhaled deeply once the door was closed. The grin that was secured to his features hadn't gone away since finding out the good news and now that he was alone in the quiet of the house, he could fully appreciate what had just happened to him. The road that lead there had been rough but there he was, healthy, and a Captain and he couldn't be happier. He made his way to a shower and a fresh set of clothes before he decided to go run some errands for a celebratory dinner with the kids. The kids were always up for burgers when it was time to party and he figured he'd order some sushis for them since Gabby had been craving some for a while now. He knew that in her condition it wasn recomended but figured that for one meal it wouldn be that big of a deal. He figured that he'd go pick the kids up from school to give Gabby a chance to breathe now that he was back on his feet. He made it to school just as the bell signaling the end of classes rang and he waited for all five of them to be rounded up.
"Daddy." Matt winced at the loud noise in the hallway when all five of them attacked him with a hug.
"Woah." He chuckled as they all let go.
"How come you're the one picking us up?"
"Because I am back for active duty and it's time to give your mom a little bit break."
"Does that mean we get to eat burgers?" Luis jumped up and down as he ushered them all out of the school.
"Absolutely."
"Do we get to help?" Filipe asked as they didn miss a beat.
"We can even make a cake while we wait for mom to get back from work."
"CAKE!" All five yelled as they made it to the truck. All five kids talked one of top of the other and Matt tried to answer to each question, his heart swelling from the rukus it created. He got all five kids to wash up before they started making the cake, Gabby's recipe leading them. He let them help him with the ingredients while he whipped it up and with all the chaos, they didn't even notice when their mom walked in from work.
Gabby could hear the noise in the distance as she closed the front door. She was surprised not to be attacked by all five kids so she followed the noise to the kitchen and the sight made her heart skip a beat. All five kids were around Matt as he whipped something in a bowl. They were all well behaved and did exacvtly what they were told. When Matt shifted under the insistance of the kids, his eyes caught sight of his wife and he gave her a soft smile.
"Come on, let's put the cake in the oven." The kids scattered around him and let him set the degree of heat and put the batter in a cake pan before slipping in the over and closing the door, setting the timer.
"What are we celebrating?" The kids turned at the sound of her voice and she winked at Matt.
"Daddy is back on his feet." Valentina claimed loud and clear.
"Is that so baby girl?" She came and picked her up under Matt's semi-soft glare.
"Yes." She said proudly. "He even said we get to eat burgers."
"Looks like you guys got it all figured out."
"Yep!" Grace said, a spatula full of batter in her hands. "Daddy said that we're giving you a break."
"Daddy said that huh?" She exchanged a smile and a wink with him, setting Valentina back down. "How about you guys go get washed up and we can finish getting the table ready together?" Grace put the spatula back in Matt's hand in a hurry and all the kids disapeared from the kitchen. "Looks like you have everything under control Captain." She smirked, kissing his lips sweetly.
"I'm going to have to get used to that title." He pulled her closer to him.
"You're going to do great and we have our own little celebration to do tonight." She had that naughty gleam in her eye as she kissed him again.
"I haven't forgotten." He promised her. "How's was baby today?" He placed his hand on her bump.
"Moving up a storm." She smiled. "It seems to know when I'm in a good mood."
"I wonder what's gotten you in such a good mood today." He whispered as their lips touched. The kiss started gentle but quickly became heated, losing both of them in their moment.
"We're ready to help." Their moment was cut quickly bu the kids coming back into view.
"Alright, let's get the table made." Gabby grabbed all five kids attention as the timer of the oven dinged, Matt going to check on the cake. The rest of the preparations were made in quiet syncronization and when it was time, Matt took the large plate of buns and patties and started up the grill.
"Is it ok if we watch you Matt?" Luis* asked as he made it to his side.
"Sure thing bud." He smiled down at him. Matt took the time to explain how everything worked as he did it, seeing as he was so interested. "Everything ok?" He bumbed his hip against the boy's shoulder.
"Everything is great, I'm just happy you're all better."
"I promise I'm ok. You worried about me going back to the firehouse?"
"A little bit." He shrugged.
"I promise that I'll be careful plus mommy's been strong enough for all of us, it's time we give back to her. What do you think?"
"Yeah."
"Come on, let's get those burgers going." Luis helped Matt put them on the grill, Matt mindful of keeping his fingers away from the heat and they grilled side by side.
"We'll all ready in here." Gabby poked her head outside.
"We'll be in in a few minutes babe." He smiled at her as she went back inside. He took the meat and buns off the grill and made sure the tank was closed before he and Luis went inside and put some food in everyone's plate. For a few minutes, everything went quiet as they put what they wanted in their burgers but the loud talking overtook the dining room once again.
"When are you going back to work daddy?" The words came out in a jumble as Grace put another bite in her mouth.
"Twenty four hours from tomorrow morning, why?"
"Will you be careful?" Emma narrowed her eyes at her father.
"I will absolutely be careful." He chuckled. "But you know what? I'm going to be extra careful because I need to there a lot more for you guys because in a few weeks, mom won't be able to do as much with you as she normally can."
"In a lot of few weeks." Gabby corrected him.
"Yeah in a lot of few weeks." Matt echoed Gabby's words. For a rare occasion, neither Matt nor Gabby had to argue with the kids to eat their plates, the burgers having that effect every time. "Alright, everybody outside while I clean up and I'll call you when it's time for cake." The kids didn't have to be told twice as they all barreled out of the kitchen and into the yard, Gabby getting up and grabbed onto two plates. Matt placed himself in front of her and took hold of those two plates. "That goes for you baby." He leaned down to kiss her cheek, Gabby's hold on the plated tightening.
"I can do this Matt."
"I know that but how about you let me take care of it all for a change? Go outside, put your feet up and just watch our kids play. I'm sure you had a big day." She eyed him suspisciously but finally gave up.
"Ok." She smiled at him. "Don't pull any muscles." She winked at him and walked outside, her hand gently rubbing her growing bump. Sitting down on the long chair, she curled her legs under her and watched the kids run around, laughing.
Matt busied himself to empty the table and do all the dishes before he took the icing out of the fridge, the cake the last thing that needed some work. "Let me help you with that." Gabby walked back into the house a while later.
"I can put icing on a cake Gabby."
"I know but how about I ice the cake and you can stand behind me with your arms wrapped around me.?"
"I can get behind that idea." She took the icing knife out of his hands and he placed himself as requested, behind her with his arms circling her waist.
"Did you tell the kids about the promotion?" She asked as she worked on her icing task.
"No, they think we're celebrating because I'm cleared for full duty." He whispered in her ear as he placed a kiss on her lobe. "Woah." He took half a step back as he felt a kick against his right hand. "When did that start?"
"I felt the first kick today after you left. I think that's the baby's seal of approval for your promotion." She closed her eyes and leaned into his chest.
"Looks like we have a lof to celebrate then." He kissed the top of her head and left to round up all the kids for the desert. They all came rushing in and Matt sent them directly to the bathroom for a hand wash-up and they all came to take a seat.
"Can I cut the cake?" Filippe asked, bouncing on his chair.
"Sure you can but do you guys know why we get to have cake tonight?" Gabby asked, exchanging a smile with Matt.
"Because dad can go back on the job?" Emma asked excitedly from her spot.
"Actually, there's a lot more than just daddy going back on the job." Matt added. "Chief Boden and chief Tiberg told me today that not only am I going back to 51 BUT they also told me that I've been pushed up to Captain." He couldn't contain his smirk as the kids came to the realization of what that meant.
"Does that mean you'll be as important as Chief Boden?" Emma wondered.
"Not as important as Chief Boden but I'm second most important after him." Matt wasn't expecting it but all five kids jumped off their chairs and went to hug him. Questions came flying out of their mouths and neither Gabby or Matt could keep up with them so Gabby did quick on putting a damper on the twenty questions.
"Alright kids, we can talk about this another time. I want plates in the sink for everyone and time to hit the bath." Gabby stood and started to clear the table, Matt not even arguying when their eyes met.
"You heard your mother, time to get cleaned up." He followed the kids upstairs after they put the plates in the sink and left her alone, an idea forming in his head. He started the water in the kids bathroom before he went and did the same in the master en-suite. He put Valentina in the shower first, the girls helping him with washing her and when the girls were in, he went in the en-suite to make sure there was enough water and lit the four candles lining the counter.
Gabby poked her head in their bedroom after she was done with the dishes. "Matt?"
"In here." He called out, wanting her to come to him.
"Matt, what's this?" She smiled as she took in the bathroom.
"This is my way of saying thank you for the past months. For being so patient through all my crap and for taking care of all five kids on top of that." He pulled her to him.
"In sickness and in health, that's what it means."
"It still doesn't mean that I can't pamper you a little bit. I'll finish getting the kids ready for bed while you soak in here and then we can celebrate when it's just you and me."
"Ok." She smiled, leaning up on her toes and kissing him. "I swear I got lucky with you."
"Yes you did." He chuckled, placing a hand on her bump. "And you gave me the best present for it." He kissed her and released her from his grip. "I'll be back in a bit." He kissed her forehead and left her to soak in the tub to take care of the kids. The girls were coming out and in the process of getting dressed. "Your turn boys." He poked his head in their room where he found Valentina curled asleep against Luis who was reading her a story.
"She fell asleep." He whispered, not able to move.
"I got her." He gently picked her up and moved her to her room while the boys went in the shower. He naturally drifted towards the girls rooms to make sure they were settled. "The two of you good in here?" He asked as Grace set some music at low volume.
"We're good daddy." She settled back into her bed as Matt sat down next to her.
"Good night." He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead before moving over to Emma and did the same. "Sweet dreams."
"Good night daddy." Emma smiled at her dad.
"We're glad you're ok now." Grace added.
"I'm going to try to keep it that way for a very long time." He stood and turned off the light before he went to check on the boys. Luis was out and drying off while Filipe was still cleaning himself. "Almost done in there?" He questionned them.
"All done." Filipe anounced as he turned off the tap.
"Alright, both of you get dressed and I'll be there in a few minutes to tuck you in." He left to peek into Valentina's room to make sure she was still sleeping and went into the girls room to turn the light off before he went into the boys rooms as they were settling in their beds. "Alright boys, want the light on or off?"
"Can we keep it on for a little while longer?" They both asked at the same time.
"Sure." He smiled at them. "I'll come back later to turn it off, that ok?" They gave him a nod and he tucked them in, a fistbump each as a good night. "Good night."
"Night." They both called, Matt leaving the door slightly ajar. He smiled to himself and made it back to check on Gabby. He found her with her head back, eyes closed, her right leg just propped up on the side of the tub. We leaned against the doorframe and just watched her a few seconds, a smile still dangling from his lips.
"You look beautiful." A smile formed on her lips, her eyes still closed.
"That's how you make me feel." She finally opened her eyes and locked them with his. "Even when I don't always feel beautiful these days." She confessed.
"What's running through that head of yours?" He kneeled down next to the tub and ran his hand against her leg.
"Nothing important really. It's just that some days, I feel like I'm not going to be enough, that there's not enough love in me for this child. I know it's the hormones talking." She quickly added when Matt was about to protest. "I just feel overwhelmed sometimes."
"I'm sorry if I've made you feel that way." He sighed. He knew that his injury had taken its toll on her even if she never would have admitted it. "But I'm ok now and we're going to get back to being the team that we are and I want you to lean on me more from now on."
"It's fine Matt, really." She gave him a small smile and played with the wedding band on his finger.
"It's not fine Gabby." He insisted. "No more picking up Valentina and no more stressfull situations with the kids, I got all of that covered. I just want you to have the quiet moments with them and just enjoy being pregnant. You've done more than enough."
"I don't deserve you Matt Casey." Her eyes were misting over.
"Trust me, I'm the underserving one." He shifted on his toes so he could kiss her. "How about that celebration." His swift motion took her by surprise, water splashing all around them as his fully clothes body hit the water.
"Matt." Her squeal and the subsequent giggle that escaped her lips made Matt smile, the skin around his eyes crinkling as it made his heart swell. "What are you doing?"
"Celebrating with my wife." He closed the distance between the two and kissed her, Gabby's body coming to meet his.
"Let's celebrate then." She kissed him again, this time with more fervor, pulling him by his shirt. They finally had some quiet time alone, Matt finally back on his feet and the both of them ready to face the coming challanges.
A/N: Ok so I know it's not the most riveting chapter but I want to showcase more of the family unit from now on and even though it's in a lot of chapters (19 more), I'm gearing up with ideas for the end of this story so that's what will be going on from now on. As always, please take a few seconds to leave a review to know what you guys think - Sarra
