Hello there everyone! I'm finally back with the next chapter for you guys.
I'm so sorry it's been two weeks since I last updated, that was not at all my plan but things have just been pretty hard lately. I did have most of a chapter done for last week, but then decided to delete it and start over at the last minute because I wasn't liking the direction it was going. The pace was just moving too slow, and it felt redundant so I decided to start over. And while I like how this turned out a lot better, I didn't have time to get it done and post last week, so I really am very sorry about that. I hate leaving you guys hanging like that, and not being able to update. Especially two weeks in a row, I feel so bad. But hopefully I'll be able to be more consistent for you all going forward. I'm going to try my absolute hardest.
But that's pretty much all I've got to say right now, aside from I hope you all have a great rest of your week and hopefully you guys enjoy this chapter. Happy reading!
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE
The soft sound of Dawson humming along to the music playing through her phone was all that could be heard throughout the spacious Casey home, as she made her way down the upstairs hallway. Walking past the few framed photos lining the walls, all of which were from their wedding, Gabby continued in her path towards the guest room with fresh sheets in her hands, intent on finishing up her day-long task of getting this bedroom put together.
It was something she'd been working on most of the morning, something she'd been wanting to get done for a few days now, she just hadn't had the time. But with Matt out of the house for most of the day, and with nothing else on her schedule she had a chance to put some finishing touches around their home.
And after spending the last three weeks here, she couldn't have been happier to see their new home finally coming together.
In their long list of things to do since moving in, this bedroom wasn't high on the priority list as they just didn't have much of a need for the guest room right now. So they'd shifted their focus to other things; like setting up their master bedroom and the living room, getting their laundry room and kitchen organized the way they wanted, as well as decorating all the bathrooms. There seemed to be a never ending list of things to do now that they were homeowners, but it was some of the most fun they'd had together in their relationship, as there wasn't much better than getting the chance to fix up your dream home with your dream partner. And it helped that everything was coming together beautifully.
Their bedroom was one of the first things they'd taken to finishing, Gabby and Matt making it a priority as they not only got all their furniture in place by just the second day here, but it had only taken them another day past that to get all their clothes and belongings put away, the room now looking like they had lived there for ages as their things were in their rightful spot. And the same could be said for the living room and office as well, the couple taking whatever free time they had to unpack as many boxes as possible, and get everything into its new home. And now that they had done most of that, there were only a few odds and ends left, a few miscellaneous boxes here and there that had been slowly making their way over from the old apartment, as they hadn't been able to get everything moved that first day. Not with how tedious and exhausting it had been, so over the last few weeks they'd brought over the rest of their things when they had the time, until their old home was completely bare with nothing left but the memories they'd created there. Which, admittedly, made it a little difficult to say goodbye to that part of their lives together. But it was for the best, and after one final goodbye to their first home they'd handed over the keys and officially put that part of their lives in the past.
Now, nothing was ahead of them except the future. With Gabby and Matt's main focus being their new place together and settling in here, while making this house into a home.
Their home.
And if you were to ask her, they were doing a damn good job, as with each passing day here it felt more and more like the place for them. It just felt right being here, and that giddy feeling they'd gotten ever since finding this house had yet to go away, each day here holding nothing but excitement and adventure for the couple while they navigated this new part of their lives together.
Though regardless of their elation, she'd be lying to say their first couple nights here weren't a little strange. Being in a new environment, after living in that apartment together for as long as they had, it was different being here. But that feeling didn't take away how incredible it was to be in their new house together, and it didn't take long for them to adjust at all, as even after only a couple weeks they felt completely at home. They absolutely loved it, not only being here with each other but creating those new memories, in a house they found together, it was an indescribable feeling. One that only made each day here more and more amazing, while they continued settling into this new home.
Blowing out a soft, relaxed breath, Gabby continued into the guest room before moving to start put the sheets on the bed, the simple bed and dresser around her helping to make this room feel more home-y as they'd just gotten this furniture in place a few days ago. It was a pretty decent sized purchase for them, but one they knew needed to be done as they didn't want all their rooms to remain bare. Even if they weren't sure what they were doing with the others yet, they wanted at least one of these rooms to be ready, and as she finished getting the bed together Gabby was beyond glad with their decision, the comfortable and quaint guest room having come together better than expected while she stood back and admired her work. But what she didn't realize in that time was that she was no longer alone.
Between being caught up in her own thoughts, and the music still coming from her phone, she wasn't able to hear much around her, so she didn't notice the heavy and familiar footsteps coming down the hallway. She didn't see her husband come to stand in the doorway, with that unmistakable grin on his face, or feel him start to step behind her while her eyes moved over the room. She didn't sense his presence until there were suddenly hands sliding across her side, Gabby jumping slightly at the unexpected movement before she immediately relaxed, letting a small grin appear over her lips as Matt pressed his chest into her back.
"Sorry." He murmured, placing a kiss to her covered shoulder once she let herself lean back into him, Matt feeling her rest completely as his hand slid around to her stomach.
"It's okay… I didn't hear you get home." She told him, Gabby almost able to feel his smile against her before he kissed her shoulder once more.
"I'm stealthy that way." He teased, earning a grin from her as she shook her head.
"I'm not so sure about that." She joked back, the two sharing an easy laugh while he stroked his thumb up and down across her waist, Matt moving his lips over to her neck and giving her a few gentle kisses until she spoke up one more. "Did you and Severide have a nice time?" Gabby asked him, getting a nod back from him as his arms tightened around her.
"We did, it was fun." He spoke of the afternoon spent with his best friend, Gabby mimicking his nod while his head nestled in the crook of her neck. "I missed you the whole time, though."
Those words brought the smile back to her face, Gabby leaning back into her husband's embrace even more as she knew he would keep her steady. And he did. "After only a couple of hours?" She questioned lightly, Matt shrugging in response.
"I miss you all the time I'm not with you." He replied like it was the easiest thing in the world. Though to Gabby, it meant everything. "But today especially, I don't know, I just missed you a lot."
Her smile never faltered, Gabby bringing her hand up to rest over the side of his head while her other gripped onto her wrist that was cradling her body. "I missed you, too… House was quiet without you." She told him, Matt grinning slightly before he pressed another kiss to her skin.
"I bet… But it looks like you got a lot done. Things look great in here." He complimented with ease, his simple words flooding her body with warmth before she started to scratch her fingers through his short hair.
"You think so?"
"Absolutely." He replied without hesitation.
"I do like it." She agreed with him, feeling him nod once more before she leaned her head closer to his. "It's a really nice guest room, and it's another thing we've gotten done. Parts of the house are still a mess, there are still things we need to unpack. But I'm glad we're making progress." Gabby finished, Matt taking in a breath before he slowly pulled from her embrace, the two moving apart seamlessly before she turned to face him.
"I don't think I'd call it a mess." He countered, seeing her nose scrunch up in amusement while his hands moved back to her waist, Matt just wanting to touch any part of her he could as he slowly guided her closer to him. "It's all just a process, baby. But I think we've done great." He encouraged, letting his palm rub over her side as her hand came up to rest against his chest. "And besides, it's our house. So we can take as long as we want to get it perfect."
Those words left his lips proudly, Gabby unable to stop herself from smiling as her head tilted to the side. "Yeah… it is our house." She agreed, seeing him release a gentle laugh while feeling the vibrations underneath her hand. "So I guess you're right."
"I am." He replied easily, seeing her scoff before he continued. "And besides, hasn't it been fun, getting to go through a room at a time and put everything together?" He continued on, seeing her visibly mull over his words before she shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah… Maybe you have a point." She conceded lightheartedly, his smile growing at her reluctance as he laughed from deep within his chest. "No, you're right. It has been fun, getting to do this and do it together." She added on, Matt nodding in agreement while reaching up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, before she gave him a coy look. "And I know you especially have thoroughly enjoyed it." Her statement wasn't subtle, Matt letting out another chuckle as he immediately knew what she was talking about; how over the last couple weeks here, they certainly hadn't shied away from having any intimate moments throughout the house.
True to his promise when they first moved in, Matt had made sure they christened every part of their home that they could. From the obvious places like their bedroom, and the bathroom. Their living room and kitchen, and even in the office one night with Gabby ending up on top of their desk, there wasn't any part of the home that was off limits to them. And, based on the way he was looking at her right now, if Matt had it his way she was sure he'd lay her down on the mattress right now and check off the guest room next.
"I don't know," Matt started, pulling Gabby from her thoughts as her bottom lip fell between her teeth. "I'd say you've enjoyed it just as much as I have… Maybe more." He joked back, the memories of their days and nights together sending an intense rush of warmth through her system before it spread up her chest, Matt letting out another laugh when he noticed the almost shy look forming in her eye.
"Maybe." She gave in, Casey continuing to grin at her while rubbing his hand along her side. "But don't get any ideas in here, I just made the bed."
He laughed once more, Matt glancing down towards the bed before he nodded. "Alright, I won't… At least right now." He compromised, as Gabby leaned into his chest. "But it would be fun."
"It would be, and one day we'll… take advantage of the space in here." She told him, Casey smirking knowingly as he nodded in agreement, before he noticed the quick shift in her demeanor, Gabby beginning to run her finger over his chest. "But for now, I'd say if you go downstairs and draw me a bath, you might get lucky."
His eyebrows raised, Gabby challenging him with a simple look before he leaned in to give her a quick, and rather chaste kiss. "I'd do that for you regardless of sex." He said first, Gabby smiling as she moved to kiss him again. "But I can definitely do that."
"Thank you." She replied, the couple kissing one last time until Matt forced himself to pull away.
"You're welcome… Just give me ten minutes, and it'll be ready." He told her, Gabby nodding as her arms crossed over her chest, seeing her husband smile once more while heading for the door. But he didn't get very far before her voice stopped him.
"And Matt?" She questioned, prompting him to turn around, Gabby letting her teeth run over her lip before she nodded towards the door. "...I think you should join me."
He immediately smiled, Matt unable to hide his excitement at the idea as he nodded enthusiastically. "I'll definitely do that, too." He repeated his earlier words, Gabby releasing a soft laugh as he winked, before disappearing through the doorway, Matt leaving his wife in the guest room with a wide smile on her face.
One she was sure wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.
"I'm so damn tired." Shay huffed out as she collapsed down onto the bench in the locker room of the firehouse, Gabby raising her eyebrows in her direction while she stood in front of her open locker, adjusting her shirt into place. This was the first Dawson had seen her partner this morning, and from the looks of it she was all ready for shift, even though her exhaustion was evident.
"Did you have a hot date or something?" Gabby asked back teasingly, earning a soft glare from her friend before she shook her head.
"God, I wish." She spoke dramatically, Dawson chuckling back at her while closing her locker, letting her weight then lean into it as her arms crossed over her chest. "Severide had Stella over."
"Ahh." Gabby replied knowingly, while Shay gave a pointed look.
"Exactly… I swear, sometimes I miss when he refused to bring her by." She continued on, forcing Gabby to bite back another laugh. "At least then I got some sleep."
Dawson smirked, tilting her head to the side. "Well, he's happy, Shay." She tried, but the blonde was having none of it as she waved her hand into the air.
"I don't care so much about that, I'd rather sleep." Shay deadpanned, Gabby scoffing lightly before shifting her weight between her feet, feeling her partner's eyes stay on her. "...What about you?" She asked her, Dawson meeting her gaze with a questioning look. "You seem pretty well-rested."
"Because I am." Gabby said simply, as Shay began to shake her head.
"Yeah, I would be too if I had that big old house." She teased, not missing the smirk Dawson gave her in response. "Although with Casey, I'm surprised he's letting you get much sleep at all." Shay kept on at Gabby's expense, but the PIC didn't give her the satisfaction of an answer as she merely ran her tongue along her bottom lip. But Shay knew exactly what was going on in her head, the blonde chuckling before continuing on. "Speaking of the Captain, where is he this morning anyway?"
Grateful for her friend's shift in the conversation, Gabby smiled softly before nodding out towards the direction of the hallway. "He's in a meeting with Boden."
"Oh, right… He gets pulled into a lot of those these days." She replied, prompting Gabby to shrug.
"Part of the job, I guess."
"Well, thankfully he's good at it." She replied easily, Dawson unable to stop her smile from widening as she knew just how true Shay's words were.
Matt had always been good at his job, that was never anything in question. But there was something about seeing him as a Captain that just proved that even more. Like this was a role he was born to do, as Matt had settled into his new position as seamlessly as one could. All while being as strong and dependable of a leader that he's always been. And Gabby absolutely loved it. She loved getting to see her husband shine in his work, to be praised and appreciated for how good he is on the job. As his wife, it was one of the best feelings in the world, and if these last few months since his promotion showed her anything, it's that she would never stop being proud of the incredible man and Captain he was.
"Yeah, he is." She murmured in response after pulling herself from her thoughts, Gabby looking back towards her friend only to find her grinning smugly in her direction. "...What?"
"I lost you there for a second." Shay replied lightly, watching as Dawson ducked her head towards the ground. "Wasn't sure what you were thinking about… Although I have some ideas." She added on, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively before Gabby scoffed back at her.
"I can guarantee you it's not what you're thinking." She responded, seeing the blonde's eyebrows raise challengingly. "I was only thinking about Matt-"
"Mhmm." She interrupted, causing Gabby to roll her eyes.
"And his job." Dawson corrected her, before Shay let out a soft huff.
"Well, that's boring." She joked before Gabby let out a laugh.
"I told you… But no, it's like you were saying. I was thinking about his work, him being a Captain and how good he is at it. How everything's been going well for him here since he got promoted, that's all. I was just having a proud wife moment, I guess." She admitted, Shay's face softening as the teasing feeling in the air between them began to diminish, and turn into a much more serious one.
"You should, I'd say you should have all the proud wife moments you want. There's a lot for you to be proud about." Shay spoke genuinely, seeing Gabby's smile widen at her words. "And for Matt too, you both have been doing so well lately. Everything has been going well for you, which is good. You two deserve it." She continued on, Dawson nodding slowly as Shay's statement sunk in.
"Thank you, Shay." She said with a light look, one Shay echoed in response. "Yeah, things with us have just been… Perfect. Our relationship, our house, work. Everything is pretty damn perfect." Gabby added, as Shay grinned in amusement.
"You wouldn't change a thing, would you?" She asked easily, though she already knew the answer.
"Never." Gabby replied quickly, the two friends sharing another smile just as the bells went off above their heads.
Ambulance 61, person in distress. 165 Adams Street.
Shay pushed herself up from the bench while they got their directions, knowing their conversation would now be on pause as it was time to work, the blonde's eyebrows furrowing before the two paramedics headed for the exit.
"That's pretty close to here, yeah?"
"Just a block or two away." Gabby replied while picking up her pace, both of them moving rather quickly through the firehouse. But just as they got down the hallway to the double doors, Gabby saw Matt heading their way, a soft smile forming over his face as they met just at the turn.
"Hey babe, you headed out?" He asked her, Gabby nodding as Shay continued out towards the ambulance.
"We are. How'd your meeting go?"
"It was good." He replied simply, Gabby offering him a similar grin before she leaned forward to give him a quick, yet meaningful kiss, knowing they didn't have much time together. "Be safe out there."
Dawson smiled at the reminder, rubbing her hand over his cheek before her backwards steps led her towards the door her partner just disappeared through.
"Always." She promised, the couple sharing a last look before going their separate ways for the morning.
"Help! Help me! Help my baby!"
The sound of a broken woman's sobs hit their ears as soon as Dawson and Shay arrived at the scene, the PIC climbing out of the ambulance while this woman was running out of her home with a child in her arms, the medics already on high alert as they had no idea what they'd be dealing with. They just knew it wasn't good.
"Shay, get the gurney." Gabby ordered while running around the front of the rig, desperate to meet up with this person so they could help her child.
And the closer she got, the more Gabby could see why this woman was so distressed, as the baby in her grasp was nearly blue, clearly not getting enough oxygen.
"Ma'am, what happened?" Gabby asked, forcing herself to keep a level head as the older lady in front of her was so panicked. With good reason. "Shay! I need you over here!"
"Coming!" Her partner called back, before the child was all but shoved into Gabby's arms.
"My baby, she's not- She can't breathe. She was having breakfast and she started choking and now I- Oh God, please help her!" She pleaded through her tears, just as Shay got over to them with the gurney.
With one closer look at this child, Gabby knew she was running out of time. That was she getting in some air, but not enough, and here soon that would be detrimental to her health, the PIC thinking over all of her options as quickly as she could before she got to work.
"Alright, come here honey.. I've got you." Gabby spoke softly before she started fishing around her mouth with one finger, hoping she'd be able to remove whatever it was that was stuck. But after a few seconds of looking, she couldn't feel anything, that telling Dawson whatever it was she was choking on was farther down her throat. Which meant this process was about to get a lot more scary, at least for her mother. But she had no other choice.
"What was she eating?" Shay asked while Gabby adjusted the baby in her grasp, placing her weight down across her forearm while her hand supported the little girl's neck.
"She was just sucking on some fruit, but I cut it up. It should've been small enough, I.. Oh God!" She cried out in horror just as Dawson struck the girl's back.
She wasn't moving too hard, but with enough pressure to try and dislodge the food that had gotten stuck, Gabby knowing this was her only option at this point as they likely didn't have time to make it to a hospital.
"Ma'am- Ma'am, I know this is terrifying but she's doing what she has to do." Shay tried to assure her, Gabby silently wishing she'd had more time to prepare the mother for this. But she didn't, and right now her only concern was saving this child, Dawson not noticing the crowd beginning to form around them as many of the neighbors had heard not only the sirens, but this woman's cries for help.
With another blow between the shoulder blades, Gabby could feel the baby starting to respond. Like her body was trying to expel the stuck food, Dawson blocking out the heavy cries she heard with each attempt she made before she performed the manuever once last time, with as much force as she knew was safe for a child this size.
And thankfully, it worked, as not a second later the baby coughed out the fruit, the food falling into the grass before loud cries from the child followed a moment later. But it was a good sound, the best sound; because it meant she was okay.
"Oh my God!" This mother cried out, but for a much different reason as Gabby got the baby into a more comfortable position, seeing her breathing out her own while she let out confused and tired cries.
"It's okay, it's okay." Gabby tried to soothe the young girl, keeping her voice soft and warm while rubbing gently over her back. "You're okay, sweetheart."
"She's okay, my girl's okay." The mom cried out, before Gabby handed her over.
"She is, she's alright… She'll be fine." Dawson promised, those words followed by more tears while the bystanders who had gathered around began to clap, everyone just so overjoyed to know this child was now okay.
"My girl, oh my God. Oh my God." The woman continued to cry, completely overwhelmed by her emotions as she cradled her daughter to her chest, Gabby watching on for a moment before she took a step back, needing a second of air for herself as this had been one of the more terrifying calls she'd been on as of late.
This job was never easy, not when people depended on another person for help. But something about when it was children in distress just made it that much harder, and for Gabby now she needed a bit of time to regain herself, as even though she was acting solely on impulse and experience, having a baby's life in your hands wasn't something she would ever take lightly.
"You did good, Dawson." Shay murmured, rubbing over her back supportively as Gabby leaned forward with her hands resting against her thighs, taking in breath after breath. "You did really good." She repeated, Dawson not doing much more than nodding while she took the time to let everything sink in, before gradually getting back into her paramedic mindset as she knew there was still work to be done.
Over the next twenty minutes or so, things continued to settle around them considerably. The crowd had thinned out, they'd gotten the little girl, who they found out to be named Maya, and her mother, Jamie, taken over to the ambulance, Dawson and Shay doing their routine tests on the child while the police spoke with her mom. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary with the cops, only what they needed to ask after being sent out to a call like this, the men letting Jamie stay with her daughter the entire time while asking all the necessary questions, before leaving them both with the paramedics.
And now, with little Maya perched up on the gurney with Jamie next to her, Dawson and Shay were able to finish up all the exams needed to make sure everything was alright with the baby.
"Her breath sounds are great." Gabby commented while holding the stethoscope against the child's chest, Maya having regained almost all of her color as there were no signs of the traumatic event that had happened to her only moments ago. "Everything's sounding really good." She added on, hoping to ease some of the mother's worries while Maya reached out to grab ahold of the equipment in Gabby's hand.
She was a curious baby, and had been ever since she calmed down, Gabby more than willing to let her explore as much as she safely could, in an effort to not only making things easier for Maya, but for Jamie as well.
"Yeah, that feels funny, huh?" Dawson spoke to the baby with a light voice, her words causing the child to smile while she continued to hold onto the stethoscope, the interaction pulling the smallest grin from Jamie as well while she watched her daughter.
"So she's okay?" Jamie checked a second later, causing Gabby to look back towards her.
The mother was still a little rattled, that much was obvious and she had every reason to be. But she was doing much better than when they first got here, which was all Dawson wanted as she couldn't even imagine what this had been like for her.
"She is, she's great." Gabby assured her, figuring she needed to hear it as Jamie let out a deep breath before she nodded, her hand reaching out to rub over Maya's back while taking in Dawson's words. Like she needed to feel her daughter's breaths for herself. "I don't see any cause for concern, all her responses and reflexes are good. She's alert, and breathing normally. As far as I can tell, she's alright… Isn't that right, Maya?" She asked the baby while reaching out to tickle her stomach, Maya's loud, shrieking laughs filling the air.
And the sound was like music to Jamie's ears.
"She really is okay…" She stated to herself, Gabby nodding once more as she kept a supportive hand on Maya.
"She is." Gabby repeated, as Jamie met her gaze. "Your girl is okay-"
Dawson barely finished getting the words out before Jamie had her wrapped up in a hug. She was caught off guard at first, Gabby a little surprised by the movement, but she hugged her back regardless, Dawson sure this woman needed as much comfort as her baby did right now. Considering how, as far as Gabby could tell, there was no one else helping to take care of her daughter.
"Thank you." Jamie whispered, her voice almost inaudible as Gabby nodded strongly, hoping to keep her emotions at bay. Though with Shay's sad, and understanding eyes on her, it was becoming a little more difficult. "You saved her, I don't- I don't know what I would've done had something happened. Thank you." She said over and over, the PIC clenching her eyes shut to gather herself until they pulled away.
"I'm just glad she's alright." Gabby told her, seeing Jamie nod before they both looked back towards Maya, who was now playing with the sheets on the gurney. "Now, Shay and I, we've finished up our exams. But I still think we should take Maya to the hospital, just to get her checked out." She suggested, seeing Jamie hesitate for a moment before nodding in agreement. "She's fine, but after what happened it's protocol to get her seen by a doctor. And I'm sure it would help you feel a bit better, too." Gabby reasoned.
"Yeah… I think that would be good." Jamie replied, Dawson smiling understandingly before she reached out to rub over her arm.
"Alright, that's what we'll do. We'll get you all loaded up and head that way… You're more than welcome to sit in the back of the ambulance with your daughter." Gabby told her, Jamie nodding thankfully before the paramedic turned her attention back towards Maya. "Come here, sweetheart." She murmured, carefully lifting the girl up into her arms and settling her weight on her hip, Maya having no protests to being held by Dawson as she curled into her side. "Yeah, that's better than the uncomfortable bed, isn't it?" She asked her, rubbing a light hand over her back while Maya looked up at her, the baby clearly enthralled by Gabby.
And Dawson was feeling the same way.
"You can go ahead and get in, ma'am." Shay spoke towards Jamie, but her eyes were only focused on Gabby and Maya as she reached out for the handle to help her climb into the rig.
"...I don't think I've ever seen her so content with a stranger before." Jamie commented somewhat suddenly, Gabby looking away from Maya to find her mother watching them with a gentle smile on her face. "You're so good with her." She continued, pulling a smile from Gabby as Maya almost instinctively leaned in closer to her.
"She's a great baby." Gabby responded, Jamie nodding softly while she continued to watch the two of them.
"Are you a mother?" Jamie asked, her question taking Dawson by surprise as she paused for a moment, feeling Shay's eyes on her before she slowly shook her head.
"I'm not, no… Not yet." She spoke honestly, Jamie smiling back at her with an understanding look in her eye before she took the first step up into the rig.
"Well, when that day comes, you'll do great.. You're a natural." She said before climbing inside, Gabby unable to stop the small smile that began to form over her lips as she looked back down towards the content child sitting in her arms.
But it was only seconds later when she registered Shay's stares still focused on her, Gabby taking in a breath before she looked up, to find nothing but a knowing gleam shining in her eyes.
"Don't start." Dawson warned her, Shay holding her hands up in defense before shaking her head.
"I'm not saying a word." Shay replied, the medics glancing at another other before Gabby started to step inside the rig. "...Momma." She added on, Dawson's steps pausing momentarily before she continued on without looking back, getting Maya settled back in the arms of her mother while Shay closed the doors and headed for the driver's seat, ready to get them to the hospital. Which is exactly where they headed once they were all securely seated.
But while they moved through the streets of Chicago, Gabby couldn't help but linger on Jamie's words, and how important they were to her. And she certainly couldn't stop the slight bit of warmth that moved through her chest every time the mere idea came to her, of one day getting to become what this woman thought she was already was.
And that was a mom.
Gabby's eyes focused straight ahead as she sat on the couch in the living room with her husband, the couple enjoying a quiet evening together while they both read their books. Or while Matt read rather, Gabby a bit too caught up in her own head to focus much on what was in front of her, as she'd been stuck on the same page for half an hour now while her mind was miles away. Though admittedly, it had been since yesterday, Gabby unable to keep her head away from that first call of shift and what Jamie had told her. It had stuck with her the entire day, but past that it was now bringing all these other thoughts to her mind, of her and Matt. Of their lives together, and the next steps they'd take in their marriage. The step they wanted to take.
The one thing they'd been dancing around for months was now at the forefront of her mind, and she couldn't get it to go away.
And that alone is how she knew she needed to talk to her husband.
Glancing over towards him, she took a moment to watch him as he focused diligently on the story in front of him, one of his hands holding his book while the other was massaging her feet that were in his lap, Matt as content as he'd been ever since they sat down earlier in the night. If he'd noticed the deep thought she was in, he hadn't said anything, Gabby keeping her eyes on him for a few more seconds before she closed her book and placed it down on the end table.
"Hey Matt?" She spoke, getting the words out before she could stop herself as he immediately looked up, the easy smile on his face comforting as their gazes locked.
"Yeah?" He questioned back, his palm continuing to rub over the side of her foot while she opened her mouth to continue. But she found it difficult to come up with the right thing to say, Gabby suddenly wishing she'd planned this conversation better as all she knew to do now was say the first thing that came to mind.
"...Our lives are good right now, yeah?"
She wasn't sure where that came from, Gabby confusing even herself as she spoke. But it was too late to take it back now, the wife seeing Matt's eyebrows furrow deeply as he didn't know where she was going with this.
"I mean, with work. And with us, our lives and everything… It's all really good right now." She elaborated, though she still wasn't making much sense.
But Matt nodded regardless. "Yeah, everything's great, baby." He replied with ease, his voice soothing to her as she matched his nod, before offering him a small smile. "...Why do you ask?" He pressed, but she merely shrugged, as now that they were here she wasn't sure how to get the words out.
"No reason." She replied back, his head tilting to the side before letting out a soft, slightly amused breath.
"Somehow I don't believe that." He said lightly, Gabby ducking her head a bit while his eyes stayed locked on her, Matt angling himself towards her so he could get a better look at his wife. "What is it, Gabby?"
Dawson drew in a deep breath, taking a moment to remind herself that she had no reason to worry about this conversation before she looked back at him, her husband's loving gaze helping her relax as she slowly spoke up.
"...Can we talk for a minute?"
"Of course we can." He said without any hesitation, Matt quick to put his book down while Gabby pulled her legs back close to her, tucking one of them underneath her body as the couple faced one another once more, Casey then making an effort to move closer to her.
He stayed quiet, giving her the time to come to him as Gabby took in another breath, before finally speaking up.
"There's something I've been thinking about." She prefaced, waiting for him to nod until she continued. "And it's not new, I've been thinking about it for a while. We've been thinking about it, but since that call yesterday, I just… Can't stop thinking about it." She explained to him, giving him a moment to digest her words. "And it's okay if you don't feel the same way right now, or think we should wait… I know everything with us is calm and settled at the moment. And I'm so happy with where our lives are, and how things are going for us." She rambled out.
"Me too." He agreed softly, prompting her to smile. "Everything's been so great lately."
"It has, but what I've been thinking about might… disrupt that. Or change it at least, and so I'm not even sure if it's the right time. But I want to talk about it, and see where you're at." She got out.
"Okay." Matt replied, no judgment in his voice while he waited for her to continue. "What is it?" He encouraged, knowing she might need a little prompting to get those next words out.
"I, um… With where we're at in our lives, our marriage- I think… I think I'm ready." She breathed out, an inquisitive look appearing over his face.
But that was only for a moment as Matt slowly started to put the pieces together of what she was saying. What she was trying to tell him, that genuine smile returning to his lips while a familiar tinge of excitement coursed through his system, Matt eager to hear her say it out loud as Gabby couldn't help but mimic the bright look on his face.
"And if you're ready… I want to start trying to have a baby."