Thank you all for still reading my story.
Chopter edited by StarMoore60 : )
"Gabby is in the shower...", Christie announced as soon as Matt entered her house. "I suspect she didn't sleep well last light... she asked me for aspirin..."
Matt nodded as pressed his lips together.
"Would you like some coffee?" she asked as they headed down to the kitchen. "I am about to make some pancakes..."
"Yeah, thank you, sis... I didn't have breakfast at the firehouse," Matt took a seat at the counter.
Christie was across from him standing in front of the oven, the pan was heated enough when she poured batter for the first two pancakes, "Gabby and I talked for a couple of hours before she went to bed...," Christie peeked at him over her shoulder, "you know, she is not exactly the person who follows rules or gets as grounded as you expect-", Matt cut her off.
"It's only temporary until the police get Dominic arrested, I understand if you won't want her here-", this time Christie cut in.
"I didn't say that Matt", she flipped the pancakes with a spatula, then turned around to look at him. "I am totally fine with Gabby being here, my only concern is you, I had one glimpse of you together last night, and I have the feeling you are more attached to Gabby than you think", she tilted her head.
Matt opened his mouth to speak but suddenly his phone ringing in his pocket interrupted him, "Look, Christie-".
"Take it, we have time to discuss your feelings for Gabby later, she'll be here in a few minutes, so...", she turned back to the oven.
"Hey, Brett. Good Morning...", Matt stood up, he turned around and looked out the kitchen window.
"Morning, Matt... I realized this morning you never answered me back about going with me to my parents' wedding anniversary," Brett cleared her throat, "... If you are going, I imagine we could easily go by car, what do you think?"
He scratched his forehead, "I-I'm not going with you to Fowlerton, sorry Sylvie. Something came up, I can't leave Chicago in next few weeks-," she intervened.
"Is there something I can do for you? Maybe I can help, I know we haven't been in a relationship long... Actually, I feel as if you are distant lately, if I said or did something wrong, you know you can be honest with me, Matt-"
"No, no, you haven't done anything wrong...", he ran a hand through his hair, "... I have this friend who needs my help that's the reason I can't leave Chicago..."
Brett gave a Stella a knowing look, they were having breakfast together after shift, Stella had invited her. "Okay... I'd really love to have your company, but I imagine your friend needs you more," she stated upset. "Anyway, you are still up for tonight? I hope you didn't forget you promised me to take me to the new Mexican restaurant downtown?"
Matt pressed his lips together, "Of course,mI didn't... I'll pick you up around 8 p.m. That okay?"
"Yeah... See you..."
"I'll see you later... Alright... Bye...," he hung up.
"You should go-", Gabby stated as she was leaning against the counter.
Caught off guard, Matt took a few seconds to return to his original spot, which he did in silence.
"If a girl invites you to meet her family, it's because she is in love with you, it's a big deal, Matt... Don't waste your time worrying about me, I'm safe here... You can go with her..."
His eyes roamed Gabby's face, "My place is here, we already know what Dominic is capable of", he shrugged. "I'm not going anywhere."
Gabby folded her arms over her chest, "I can't believe you are gonna bail on your girlfriend because of me, Matt. It doesn't make sense", she shook her head.
"It does for me, Dominic could be miles from here, but I won't give him a chance to do anything to you-"
Christie had finished cooking, she put a plate full of pancakes over the counter. "He did hurt you one time, Gabby-", Christie chimed in.
Casey's eyes widened, "What-What did you just say, Christie?" Then he fixed his gaze on Gabby. "Why didn't you tell that me he laid his hands on you?" he sounded angry.
"Matt, calm down, please... Violet is sleeping upstairs", Christie looked into Gabby's eyes, "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
Gabby reached her arm and squeezed it, "It's okay, Christie...", sighing deeply, Gabby stared at Matt, "It only happened once, he tried to stop me from looking for Shay when the Stiletto's was on fire... He hit me in the face, I fell against the wall, that's it..."
"You can't keep things like that from me, Gabby... that man is dangerous, I hope you listen to me this time, I can't help you if you do not cooperate, I've been right while you dismissed my concerns..."
Gabby looked down as clung to the edge of the counter, "Okay, Matt, you might be right about that, but you might be wrong for not being there for your girlfriend as well...", lifting her head, she exclaimed: "I don't need you here, let's get my stuff and you call Brett", she walked out of the kitchen leaving brother and sister astonished.
"Would you know who the friend is that Matt is helping out?" Brett asked while holding her mug with both hands. "I can't shake off the feeling it's a woman..."
Stella sipped her tea a couple of times before responding, "It's hard to admit, but you are right, she is a long-time friend...", Stella watched her reaction.
"I knew it...", Brett shook her head lightly. "Should I be worried? Is she pretty? Does she have a nice body?"
Stella frowned, surprised to hear her asking such question, Brett's insecurity showing. "I don't know that much about her... Severide and Matt don't talk openly about other women in my presence..."
Brett abandoned her mug and covered her mouth with both hands, "Oh my god, I am not that kind of girl who has to have attention from a guy," pressing her hands against the table surface, "... but in this case, it's my boyfriend, so I am right for being jealous, right?"
"I guess, I've never seen her... I can ask Severide if you really want to get to know who she is... Still, I don't think you have to worry... Matt likes you... after Hallie, you are the only girl who he has been in a serious relationship with...," Stella reached for Brett's hand. "You two are meant for each other, you are nice, hard-working people, have hearts of gold..."
"Thank you... I wish Matt would change his mind, it'll be really hard to bump at Harrison in my hometown, I-I'd feel better if Matt were there with me, holding my hand..."
"Your ex-fiance... do you still have residual feelings for him?"
"Not at all, we are done," she looked tense for a second, "... besides I don't see myself back in Fowlerton permanently. Chicago is home now...", Brett gave her a tight smile.
"Alright...", Stella eyed her suspiciously over her tea mug.
A few days later... Firehouse 51
"You are sure about this? I mean, you know how I love that place...," Matt was talking to his friend Zachary in his office.
"A hundred percent, man," he replied crossing his arms over his chest. "I've been thinking about this for a while", he wore a huge smile. "The first person that came to mind when we decided to sell the cabin was you..."
"I am surprised that Sophia agreed with you... it's her favorite place in the summer... I have great memories of there... with Hallie...", he said with a nostalgic smile on his face.
"Before offering you the cabin, I went to Kenosha last week to check on its condition, and I'll be honest, the place needs some renovation-".
"Then you know you are talking to the right person, I don't mind, you know..."
"Alright, but before making your decision, I'd feel better if you go there and see it with your own eyes..."
"I trust you," Matt raised his hands on the air, "however it'd be good checking what is waiting for me... So, did you bring the keys?"
Zachary dug in his pocket for the keys, "Here, there is no rush... give me a call..."
After Matt had the keys in his hands, "Okay..." They chatted for almost twenty minutes more when Severide knocked at the door.
"Hey, man...," Zachary and Severide greeted each other. "It's nice to see you. How have you been?"
"I can't complain... The last time we talked you promised me a poker night at your apartment, but I never heard anything else... By the way, how's is Stella? I've heard she has been working to become a lieutenant... I bet you are proud of her."
"She deserves it more than anyone, in my opinion-"
Zachary chuckled, "Is that the squad lieutenant talking or the boyfriend?" he winked at Matt.
"Both," Matt answered smiling. "All her training and hard work paid off... it is about time..."
"Please, tell her to not forget my invite to the celebration at Molly's, the first round is on me. Guys, I wish I could stay and hear all the news but I have to go, my mother-in-law's flight is gonna land in a few minutes," he said while looking at his wristwatch.
"It was great to see you both...,", he pointed a finger at Matt, "...I hope to hear from you soon," next he turned to Severide, "...Bye, my friend...", he patted him on the shoulder and left the room.
"Guess what? Zachary offered his cabin to me," he folded his arms over his chest.
"No way, wow... that place is amazing... You should buy it, no doubt...," Severide uttered.
"I'm going to do that... an opportunity like this is rare. I can already see myself spending my next summer there... fishing..."
"It sounds perfect to me..." Severide rubbed his neck with a hand, "Hey, I know it's not my business but are you sure about not going with Brett to Fowlerton?" Severide asked. "It would be a great chance for you two to get to know each other... It might help clear your mind about your feelings towards, you know..."
Matt scoffed, "I respect you, Severide, but I don't want to talk to you about this, okay? My relationship with Gabby is not open for discussion, so if you will excuse me, I need to make a call," Matt opened the door and left Severide alone.
Next Day... Christie's house at night...
In the backyard of the house there was a playset, Matt found Gabby there sitting on the swing staring up at the sky...
Quietly he made himself comfortable on the other swing... Gabby kept her head up while admiring the stars...
He stared at the side of her face for a few seconds, smiling warmly, he rubbed her back...
Gabby looked down at him with question eyes...
"How are you holding up? Christie told me you skipped dinner... Are you coming down with something?"
"No, it's nothing like that," she pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth as shaking her head. Looking up at the sky, "It has been a rough day, I haven't felt this empty since-since-", Gabby paused.
Matt narrowed her eyes at her, he got up and crouched down in front of her, "Tell me, what is it?" He touched her chin.
Lowering her gaze as fighting to hold back her tears, "My mother died on April 25th," in tears she opened up to him. "It was in a car accident, six months after we left Chicago... I miss her dearly..."
Matt wiped her tears, "I'm so sorry, Gabby... Believe in me when I say she is watching over you from heaven, you are not alone...", he smoothed back her hair.
She nodded, "Thank you..."
Matt knelt and pulled her to a hug... They clung to each other for a couple of minutes...
Pulling away first, "There is something I want to ask you, a friend of mine is selling his cabin in Kenosha. Would you like to go with me to take a look at it? I have been there a few times before, I love that place I'd be happy if you would join me next weekend-,"she cut him off.
"You are supposed to go with Brett to her hometown, we agreed on that-," Matt cut in.
"No, we didn't...," Matt stood up, "... my plan involves going to Kenosha and you are invited, my mind is made up-"
"Don't come at me all Gabby Dawson, Lieutenant," Gabby got up from the swing.
Matt folded his arms as raised his eyebrows, "Take it or leave it."
A few days later...
"Give me a few minutes and you are going to start to feel warm soon...," Matt said as he lit the fire in the fireplace.
"I'm glad we were lucky enough to find some firewood already chopped outside...," Gabby stated from the sofa in the middle of the room, Matt's back to her. "Besides I brought this awesome blanket to keep me comfy and warm."
"I'm afraid we didn't bring enough food though...," Matt confessed as while working on the fire.
"We are gonna be okay...", Gabby turned her head to look out the window behind the sofa. "This view is breathtaking..." Silence fell upon the living room...
"I told you so," Matt seated next to her feet. "I'm glad to be here... with you...", he spoke look into her eyes.
"Your eyes are so beautiful...", she whispered, cupping his face. "Sorry," she removed her hand and avoided his gaze, turning her attention to the fireplace.
Matt smiled at her like a damn fool, "I don't know how long I am gonna last without kissing you..."
Gabby gazed at him, "You better you keep your hands off of me, Lieutenant, you are taken, and I am a strong woman, capable of resisting your charm..."
"Good to know you think I am charming", he cradled her face in his warm hands.
Gabby eyed his lips for a moment, "It was a mistake to come with you, I knew I-I'd be in trouble-"
Matt rubbed her lips with his thumb...
"Listen to me, I've already been fighting my feelings towards you, not because of Brett or anyone else, but because I fear you don't feel the same about me-"
Gabby stopped his words by pressing her mouth to his, leading Matt to pull her body against his... seconds later they slowed down their kiss and Matt slid his tongue between her lips, Gabby parted her lips to welcome his warm tongue... They never broke the kiss when Matt laid her on the sofa... They made out for several minutes...
Drawing back, both breathing heavy, "I'm in love with you, please don't ask me to leave you alone, I can't focus on anything but... you, Gabby. When Brett comes back to Chicago, I'll be honest with her..."
"I-I," Gabby traced his face with her fingers, "I'm in love with you...," they stared at each other.
A huge smile formed on Matt's face, as he bent to brush his lips against hers.
Time passed and Matt deepened the kiss... later they discarded their clothes... their naked bodies moved in sync while they made love in front of the fireplace... Gabby's moans were music to Matt's ears... positioned between her legs Matt lifted himself onto one of his elbows, he used his other hand to reach her leg, then Gabby wrapped it over his hips... and threw her arms over his shoulders... their lips closed around each other once more...
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