Hi everyone! Here's the next chapter for you all! I'm so sorry for the delay, but I hope it was worth the wait.
Thank you so much for reading!
part eleven
"Damn, Dawson, what are we gonna do when you go back to Puerto Rico and we're stuck with Cruz's cooking?"
A chorus of chuckles could be heard around the room, Gabby looking up from the huge pot of chili she was stirring as 51 sat around waiting for lunch, the warm food sure to help them combat the chilly temperatures outside. A soft smile formed over her lips as Capp's words registered, the woman shaking her head slightly before she returned her attention to the food in front of her.
"Oh, I think you guys will be just fine." She replied with a light laugh, Gabby's eyes flickering back towards the group before she spoke up again. "I don't think you all have been starving since I left, I'm sure you'll be alright." She continued sarcastically, the former paramedic catching Kidd's amused gaze as she heard a few scoffs.
"Yeah, but there's nothing quite like having your cooking, kid." Herrmann spoke up, the older man turning around from his seat on the couch to get a good look at her, Dawson continuing to stir their food in the large pot as it simmered. "And having you here too has been nice." He added with a soft smile, the woman matching his look as the chatter around them quieted down. "Having you here for the last two weeks has been great… We've missed you."
Gabby's back straightened slightly as she felt the eyes of nearly every firefighter in the room on her, the woman forcing herself to take a deep breath before she nodded, Dawson catching Severide's watchful gaze before her eyes moved back down to their lunch, no one missing the way the feeling in the air had changed.
"I've missed you all too, Herrmann." She replied softly, Gabby keeping her focus on the food in front of her. "It's been nice being back here for a bit with you all. Though I'm sure you all are tired of me hanging around all the time." She added jokingly, Dawson doing what she could to keep things light.
"Like anyone could ever get sick of you, Dawson." Herrmann responded with a bright grin. "We're just glad we got some time with ya, though we all wish you could stay a little bit longer. But we know you've got things to get back to." He told her, Gabby giving him a soft nod.
"Yeah, unfortunately I can't be away from work for too much longer, but I'll be here next shift."
"And you're leaving the day after, yeah?"
"Mhmm." She clarified, her words earning a few nods from around the room. "I fly out that afternoon."
"Do you know when you'll be back?" Cruz asked from the table, Gabby's eyes flickering over towards him before she gave him a slight shrug.
"I don't know… It'll just depend on work and everything. But I'm hoping it's not too long." She responded, Gabby flashing the group a small smile before she focused back in on the firehouse's lunch, the woman not wanting to ruin the meal she'd been working on as chatter began to filter through the room again and everyone went back to their own conversations. But she wasn't focused on much of that, Gabby's mind wandering as she stood by the counter.
It had been about two weeks since she first surprised Casey here at the firehouse, and though her time back in Chicago was quickly coming to an end, her trip here had gone better than she could've ever imagined, Gabby feeling happier than she'd been in a long time as she'd gotten quality time with not only the love of her life, but with the people she thought of as family.
As expected, her and Matt had spent as much time as they possibly could together. She came here for him, and her main priority was getting as much quality time with him as she possibly could before leaving to go back to work. But something she hadn't been planning on was getting as much time with her old friends as she had, though she was more than grateful for it.
Before coming back to Chicago, Gabby wasn't exactly sure what all she'd be walking into. Her and Matt hadn't really planned much of her actual time here, so she had no idea how often she'd be seeing her friends at the firehouse. But, to her surprise, she'd ended up spending every day on shift with them. Before getting here, she figured while Matt was on shift, she'd be spending most of her time around the apartment, or maybe catching up and getting some time with her father while she was in town, but that hadn't been the case at all as Gabby had spent most of her days at the firehouse during second shift.
It wasn't her idea, in fact she'd been against it when Matt first brought it up, Dawson feeling a little uncomfortable about spending so much time around the house when she didn't work here anymore, that hesitance making her a little reluctant to be at 51 that often. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her friends, because she did, but she was worried about overstepping her boundaries. Because 51, and that firehouse, it wasn't her home anymore. Not in the way it used to be, so she was a little wary of being around that often, Dawson unsure of how everyone would react to her presence. But after multiple assurances from not only Matt, but Severide and Kidd as well, that everyone was more than happy to have her around, she decided to go. And she was beyond happy that she did.
Though she had still been a little uncertain at first, that feeling went away pretty quickly during the first full shift she'd spent here, and pretty soon, it was like she'd never left. There were some differences, Gabby obviously not going out on calls with them, though she had gone out on a few ride alongs with 61, and there were some days she wouldn't be around the entire shift, but regardless of the fact she didn't work here anymore, it had started to feel just like old times for the former paramedic and firefighter, Gabby fitting in seamlessly with her old friends.
And she couldn't be more grateful for that.
The sound of the timer going off pulled her from her thoughts, Dawson's vision snapping into focus before she moved back towards the oven, the sound of 51's conversations filling her ears once more as she slowly regained a sense of her surroundings. After she pulled the cornbread out of the oven, Gabby turned it off and closed the door before walking back to the counter, giving her a view of everyone in the room.
"Alright guys, lunch will be ready here in a minute or so." She informed them, her words earning some thankful groans and nods from her friends, as well as a chorus of appreciation from a few of them as she went back to stirring the chili.
While she waited for the bread to cool, movement in the doorway off to her right caught her attention, Gabby looking up just as Casey and Boden walked back into the common room, Brett and Foster following close behind them before they broke off from the men and headed for the table. When 81 had returned from their call half an ago, Matt had soon been called in the Chief's office, Casey having to leave Gabby's side in the kitchen to go speak with his boss despite the fact he'd only gotten a few minutes with her. And this was the first she'd seen him since, as well as Brett and Foster when they returned back to the house shortly after everyone else, as they were called to Boden's office nearly ten minutes ago.
She hadn't thought much of it at first, Gabby figuring it had something to do with one of their calls from today, or something that had happened during a prior shift, the former first responder remembering those meetings in Boden's office well. But when she caught Matt's gaze as he stopped by the table, and she saw that familiar look in his eye; the one that was bright and full of joy, the one that always told her he was excited about something, she could only assume that whatever had been discussed was more than just something that had happened on shift.
"Dawson, can I speak to you for a moment?" Boden asked, Gabby's eyebrows raising slightly as she looked towards the man who used to be her boss, her gaze flickering back to Casey before she gave the Chief a quick nod.
"Yeah, of course… You guys can go ahead and eat, it's ready." She addressed the room, earning a loud round of thank yous as she stepped away from the counter and towards Matt, Boden having already turned around and headed back out towards the hallway. As she moved in that direction, Casey stayed beside the table until she got to him, the knowing look in his eyes causing more wonder to flood her body as he followed her out into the hallway, the wall giving them some distance from everyone else as Matt and Gabby came to a stop a few feet from Boden. Her eyes flickered to Matt as they stood there, Dawson crossing her arms over her chest as Chief spoke up.
"So, Dawson, I know you've been spending a lot of time here since you've been in town, and you've got out on a few calls with 61 here and there…" He started, Gabby not missing the way Boden's eyes flashed to Matt, Gabby's uncertainty only continuing to grow.
"Yeah…" She replied, her eyebrows furrowed as she saw Casey biting back a smirk, which was admittedly a look she recognized well from him. "Is, uh- Is that okay?" Her voice was unsure, Boden's eyebrows knitting together as Matt's smile grew, the Chief immediately nodding.
"Of course, Dawson. We've all loved having you around." He was quick to assure her, Gabby giving him a slight nod before her focus moved back to Matt, the man clearly failing at keeping a straight face as he looked at her, the Captain amused by her reaction. "But since you have been spending a lot of your time here, and with next shift being your last here before you go back home, I was thinking you could work out one last shift here at 51." He told her, Gabby's eyes widening slightly in surprise as Casey's smile grew. "I've already spoken to headquarters, as well as Brett and Foster, and Casey here thought it was a great idea, but everyone's on board with you getting back on 61 for a rotation."
Gabby looked to Matt, finding his proud grin still shining brightly across his face as they locked eyes with one another, the firefighter giving her a supportive nod before reaching his hand up to grip her shoulder, Boden releasing a soft sigh before he continued.
"Now, I won't lie to you, this would more so be just a ride along like you've been doing, but you'd actually be working. Since you're not still a part of the CFD, and it's been over two years since you've last worked as a paramedic, there are some parameters you'd have to follow. You would be allowed to help, just no administering medications or doing any procedures, but you could still get out there with everyone and work one last shift here, if that's something you'd be interested in doing."
Dawson drew in a deep breath, feeling Matt squeeze her shoulder tightly before she gave a quick nod, the woman not needing any more time to think about it. "I'd love to, Chief." She replied, Boden responding with a knowing grin. "As long as you're sure everyone's okay with it…" She added, Matt's eyebrows furrowing slightly as the words left her lips, Boden mimicking his look. "I don't want to overstep or anything." Her voice sounded a little unsure, the Chief immediately shaking his head as Casey moved a step closer, his side brushing against her arm.
"Well, I've only spoken to Brett and Foster, and Casey," He started, though both men knew Matt wasn't the person she was asking about, "and they are happy to have you back for a shift. And I'm sure everyone else will be, too… It'll be like old times." He spoke, Gabby pausing for a moment before she nodded, her head turning to the side to find Matt's soft gaze on her.
"Alright, well then yeah- I'd love to." She responded, her words bringing a bright smile to his face before he nodded.
"Good, that's good." He told her, reaching out to grip her shoulder before he began to walk past her. "I'll let you tell the house… It's been great having you back, Dawson."
"Thanks Chief." She replied softly, Gabby nodding with a soft smile before he headed back towards his office, the woman turning to face Matt as he took a slight step towards her, the grin on his face widening as they stood alone in the hallway.
"Looks like paramedic Dawson is back." He spoke smugly, Gabby suppressing a scoff as he reached out to gently squeeze her arm.
"Hardly… But I guess this explains why you were so smiley back there in the common room." She said with a raised brow, Matt's grin widening before he shrugged.
"Maybe." He responded shortly, Matt leaning in to kiss her quickly, the action ending far too soon for her liking as he pulled back after a second or two. "But it'll be fun… Us working together again." He added, the look of pure joy on his face causing butterflies to erupt in her stomach, his shining blue eyes nearly making her fall in love with him all over again.
"It will be, babe." She agreed, Matt's smile widening before he kissed her again, their movements much more steady as she wrapped her arms around his neck, the two momentarily forgetting where they were as they got lost in one another.
But they were soon brought crashing back down to reality when the bells rang out above their heads, Gabby jumping slightly as they pulled away from each other, the firefighter unable to hide his smirk as 81 and squad 3 were called out to an accident.
"Guess I won't be able to enjoy your food until later." He breathed out, Gabby shaking her head slightly as her hands slid down to his chest, Matt grinning for ear to ear before stealing another quick kiss.
"You need to get out there, Captain." She prompted, Matt nodding as he stepped away from her, the sound of boots hitting the tile filling her ears as everyone began running to the garage.
"Yes ma'am." He replied, giving her a quick wink before he headed for the corner, Gabby drawing in a deep breath as she clasped her hands together in front of her stomach.
"Be safe out there." She called after him, Casey stopping for a split second to turn back to her, the man nodding swiftly before tapping his hand against the cinderblock wall.
"Always." He promised, Matt offering her a reassuring smile before he headed for the garage, Gabby watching him go until he was out of sight before she headed back for the common room, the woman stepping inside to find the two lone paramedics left at the table. Brett caught sight of her first, the blonde offering her a bright smile, which Dawson reciprocated, before she headed towards her abandoned lunch, the former paramedic deciding to get herself some while most of the house was out.
"So, you're gonna work a shift with us, huh Dawson?" Foster spoke up, Gabby lifting her head up to look back towards them, finding both of them watching her with soft grins, Dawson nodding slightly.
"Yeah, I am… As long as you're sure you don't mind." She said, Brett immediately shaking her head.
"Definitely not." Foster responded first, Gabby drawing in a slow breath before her gaze moved to Sylvie, the woman giving her a nod.
"Of course we don't mind." She replied softly, her words earning a slight smile from her former partner. "It's been great, you being here these last couple of weeks, and I can't think of any better way to spend your last shift here than you working back on 61." Brett assured her, Gabby feeling more at ease as she listened to the PIC.
Though things with her and Brett had been rocky, in her time back in Chicago, the former best friends had slowly worked their way through the fallout they'd had long ago, Gabby finding more comfort in having her friend back than she realized. After taking some time to talk things out a few days after she got here, they'd been able to let go of all that uncertainty around them and find their footing again, and it had been nice for Gabby to spend some time reconnecting with Brett while she'd been here.
And while Dawson wasn't sure if they could ever get back exactly what they had, she was glad things were good between them, and they were able to work on rebuilding that friendship they'd lost.
"Yeah, I think it'll be fun, too." Gabby replied brightly, her words earning a joyful nod from Brett before she went back to her meal, the women glad to be able to enjoy the peace and quiet the nearly empty firehouse gave them as they ate the food Dawson had prepared.
Gabby drew in a deep breath as she stared at herself in the mirror, the woman running her hands along the tight dress currently hugging her figure, the dark purple material contrasting perfectly with her skin as she eyed the plunging neckline the clothing provided. It wasn't anything too drastic, Gabby having worn more revealing things in the past, but it was definitely different than anything she'd worn in awhile, the dress giving her all the support she needed while accentuating everything she wanted it to. Turning to the side, she continued to look over herself, Gabby more than happy with what she saw.
And she knew Matt would be too.
The thought alone made a slight smirk tug on her lips as she heard him getting ready in the bedroom just a few feet from her, the woman turning to face forward once more before reaching for her lipstick, Gabby wanting to perfect the last few details to her look before her and Matt left for the night.
It was a special evening for the two of them, the couple looking forward to spending their first Valentine's together since getting back together, and it was a night Gabby had been especially looking forward to, yet dreading all the same since she arrived back in Chicago. She was excited, because while Casey had given little away about their night, she knew they'd be staying at a hotel until tomorrow, as he'd made her pack an overnight bag earlier this afternoon, but regardless of her limited knowledge of their plans, any time spent with him was something she looked forward to. But part of her had also been wishing for this day never to come, because it being Valentine's Day meant her time in Chicago, her time with Matt, was almost up, Gabby knowing here in a few days she'd be back on a plane to Puerto Rico, and that didn't sit well with her at all.
But there was nothing she could do about it, aside from not focus on that, and not let it ruin any of the fun she was sure her and Matt would be having tonight. From dinner, to whatever else he had planned for them, to the time they'd surely be spending together in that hotel room, she didn't want anything to ruin that, Gabby more than ready to live in the moment, and let herself enjoy this evening with the man she loved more than anything else in this world.
"Damn."
The soft word, followed by a heavy whistle, pulled her from her thoughts, Gabby feeling heat rush to her cheeks when she heard his vocal appreciation for her outfit, the woman finding his wanting gaze through the mirror as his eyes trailed up and down her body. He took a few long moments to drink her in, Gabby feeling more and more confident the longer he stared at her, his eyes lingering on a few certain areas of her body before finally meeting her eyes, the shameless grin on his face growing as he took a step towards her.
"I definitely didn't see this dress when you were unpacking." He breathed out, Gabby shaking her head slightly before turning back towards the mirror, Matt coming up behind her and immediately reaching out to touch any part of her he could as soon as she was within reach, his hands sliding around her hips as he came to a stop at her side. He was still partially behind her, his palm wrapping around her front over her hip bone as she felt his warmth radiating through his white button down shirt, the tie around his neck matching her dress perfectly as she took a moment to take him in as well.
"I can be sneaky." She replied after a moment, her eyes finding his through the mirror once more as he tapped his fingers gently against her side, Matt raising his eyebrows before he leaned his head forward, the man pressing gentle kisses over her bare shoulder.
"Well, I can't wait to see what other surprises you have for me." He murmured against her, the heat of his breath sending a chill through her spine as he slid his hand around to rest over her stomach, effectively pulling her closer until her back pressed into his chest. Her eyes fell closed as she enjoyed the contact, Gabby releasing a deep breath as he continued kissing any skin he could find.
"Yeah, I might have one or two things." She responded just as softly, the woman feeling him smile against her before he pressed one last kiss against her shoulder, Matt lifting his head to meet her eyes once more. "And you have a few things you're hiding too, mister… Considering I don't really know anything about you we're doing tonight," She added with a pointed stare, Matt biting down gently on his tongue to hide his smile as her eyes narrowed slightly. "And you refuse to tell me, even though I told you we didn't have to do anything."
"Because it's a surprise, baby." He practically whined, just as he had every other time she'd asked, his childlike tone causing the grin on her face to widen. "And plus it's Valentine's Day, and we're able to spend it together, so you're just gonna have to let me spoil you, okay?"
Gabby pursed her lips together as their eyes stayed locked on one another through the mirror, the man cocking his head to the side before squeezing her stomach gently, the action prompting her to give him a nod in response. "Fine." She gave in, Gabby immediately seeing the proud smile that formed over his face. "But only if that means I get to spoil you, as well." She added, her words falling from her lips like honey as her eyes darkened, Matt trying to keep his breaths steady as he felt the blood in the body start to move south, Gabby well aware of the effect she had on him.
"You'll never catch me saying no to that." He replied after a moment, his words causing a knowing smirk to fall onto her lips. "But they'll be plenty of time for that later, we need to get going or we'll be late." He told her, Matt tapping his hand against her before he took a few steps back, Gabby noticing the way his eyes trailed over her body once more, the man clearly wanting to take in the view one last time while they were by themselves as another whistle escaped his lips. "Just… God, my girl is beautiful."
He was almost speaking under his breath, like he wasn't even talking to her, his genuine reaction to her causing heat to rush through her as she turned back to look at him, Matt's smile widening when he locked eyes with her.
"And I think it is a good thing that Severide and Kidd are here, because if they weren't we'd never be getting out of this apartment." He continued, an amused smile forming over her face as she shook her head. "But really, we gotta leave soon, babe." He reminded her one more time, Gabby giving him a nod.
"I'm almost done, I'll be out in a minute."
Nodding slowly, Matt backed out of the room, Gabby not missing how he paused to look at her one last time before stepping into the bedroom, the woman shaking her head before she checked over her appearance once more, wanting to make sure everything was perfect before their night together. And, if you were to ask her, her hours of getting ready paid off, Gabby smiling softly before she walked towards the door Matt had just disappeared through, the sound of her heels against the tile alerting him to her presence as he looked up just as she came into view.
"Are you ready?" He questioned, Gabby giving him a nod before she walked across the room towards the chair in the corner where her purse was sitting, Matt grabbing his phone, wallet, and keys off the dresser before turning around to look at her, his eyebrows furrowing when he saw her pause her movements. He waited for a moment, Matt wanting to see what she was doing, but when nearly thirty seconds had passed and she hadn't moved, he began to walk towards her, the man wanting to see what had suddenly grabbed her attention. "You okay?"
When she registered his voice, Gabby snapped out her trance, the woman turning around just as he got to her, Matt glancing down to see her purse in her hands before he met her eyes once more, his uncertainty written clear across his face as he titled his head to the side.
"Everything alright?" He asked again, Gabby furrowing her eyebrows slightly before she gave him a nod, Matt relaxing slightly when he saw the small smile that formed across her face.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm good, I just- I remembered that I actually have a little present for you." She told him, Matt's eyebrows raising in wonder before she continued. "I meant to give it to you before now, but I mean, I guess it can just be a little Valentine's Day gift…" Gabby trailed off as a sheepish look covered his face, his smug grin letting her know exactly what he was thinking before she released a heavy scoff. "Yeah, no, it's not that… Get your mind out of the gutter." She chastised, her words earning a chuckle from him before he nodded.
"Alright, well what is it?" He asked her, Gabby drawing in a deep breath before she reached into her purse and pulled out a single silver key, the woman holding it out to him without any sort of explanation as more confusion flooded his features. "What's this?"
"It's, uh… A key, to my apartment. In Puerto Rico." She replied, seeing the immediate grin that formed over his face as he met her eyes. "I mean, I don't even know how necessary it is… I can't see you being there when I'm not, but I thought you should have it." She rambled, his smile only continuing to grow as he saw how nervous she was. "And after our whole conversation about me leaving some stuff here, I figured you could do the same at my place, next time you're there. Bring some extra clothes to keep there, so you don't have to pack so much. And, I don't know… I just wanted you to have it-"
Her words were cut off by Matt crashing his lips into hers, Gabby smiling against him before she returned the favor, the two getting lost in each other momentarily before Casey pulled back first, their chests heaving as they stared at one another, that sly smirk returning to his face before he spoke up.
"Gabriela Dawson, did you just ask me to move in with you?"
Gabby shook her head in amusement, Matt chuckling as she lightly pushed against his chest, the man clearly entertained by the situation. "You better be careful, or I'll take that key back." She warned, though they both knew it was an empty threat. Though that didn't keep him from playing along.
"Nope, you can't. It's mine now." He replied with a satisfied smile, Gabby tilting her head to the side as she watched him begin to fish around in his pockets, Matt soon pulling out his key ring before he proceeded to put her apartment key on there with everything else he needed. "You're not getting this back."
"I suppose you can keep it." She joked, Matt's grin widening before he kissed her again, the couple knowing they needed to keep things relatively tame, though neither of them wanted to. But after a few moments, Casey pulled back slightly, his lips ghosting over hers as she felt him smile softly.
"Thank you for the key, baby." He murmured, his words causing her own smile to widen. "...And I'll definitely make sure to bring extra clothes next time."
"Good."
"Although I know the only reason you want them is so you can keep sleeping in my shirts." He joked, Gabby rolling her eyes before she kissed him again, her movements hard and quick before she abruptly pulled away from him, leaving him in a bit of a daze as she began to walk towards the door.
"You'll never know… Now come on, Captain," she all but whispered, Matt's eyes falling closed as he bit back a groan, Gabby knowing just how much that word had an effect on him when she said it like that, "We don't wanna be late." She prompted, the man blowing out a sigh before he followed after her, the two of them more than ready to get out of this apartment and enjoy their Valentine's Day together.
Gabby leaned into Matt's side as they walked down the hallway, her body tucked into his as his arm was wrapped around her shoulders, the man holding onto her purse and their overnight bag with his other hand as they made their way to the hotel room.
It wasn't too late as it was barely pushing eleven, the couple having made the most of their night out, celebrating the holiday together as they enjoyed an evening filled with great food, along with some impromptu dancing as they soaked in every moment they could together. And it had been absolutely wonderful, Gabby knowing this would be a night she wouldn't soon forget as Matt had done everything in his power to remind her just how much he loved her.
And she could only assume that trend would only continue through the night once they got to their room.
Releasing a content sigh, Gabby's steps slowed as they came to their room, the small amount of alcohol in her system giving her a little buzz, but she still was clear headed enough to understand what was going on around her as Matt reluctantly dropped his arm from around her body to unlock their door.
Without a word, he got the door open, the man stepping aside while holding it open to let her walk in before him, Gabby offering him an appreciative smile before reaching up to run her hand along his smooth cheek, the action causing him to smile as she walked past him into the room. The smile on her face grew when she stepped further inside, the large room welcoming as the lights were dimmed, the cart in front of the bed holding flowers, champagne, and different fruits catching her eye as Matt stepped in after her. She heard him pause to secure the lock, before he walked over to her, Matt placing the bags down on the bed from behind her before his arms slid around her waist, the man gently pulling her back against him.
"The room is beautiful." She murmured, feeling him sigh before he pressed a light kiss to her jacket-covered shoulder.
"Well, I thought it was warranted for tonight." He responded just as softly, his hands giving her stomach a slight squeeze before he carefully turned her around in his grasp, his palms never leaving her body as they locked eyes on one another. From their close proximity, he could feel her chest moving against him as she breathed, her brown eyes darkened with want and desire as a small smile formed across her lips.
"Hi." She nearly whispered before reaching out towards him, her hands coming to rest against his chest as he tightened her grip on her waist.
"Hi… Have you enjoyed your night so far?" He asked her, though from her actions all night, he felt like he knew the answer already. But that didn't stop his chest from flooding with warmth when he saw the genuine look of happiness that shone in her eyes.
"I have… Thank you, for doing all this. You really didn't have to."
"I know I didn't, but I wanted to." He was quick to reply, Gabby biting down on her bottom lip before she nodded. "Having you here, getting to spend all this time with you… It's made me so happy." He breathed out, Gabby rubbing her hand along his chest as she felt a rush of emotion swell within her, the woman knowing the exact feeling he was talking about. "So the least I could do is make sure we have an incredible Valentine's Day."
As soon as he finished talking, Gabby leaned forward, pressing her lips against his in a heated, firm kiss, the force of her movements catching him off guard before he quickly gained his footing, the man kissing her back with just as much passion. The two soon got caught up in one another as they so often did, Matt making quick work to get her out of her jacket that had been protecting her from the cold weather outside, the man getting it off of her without pausing their movements before he tossed it to the floor.
With her jacket now out of the way, Gabby felt a chill move through her spine as more of her skin became exposed, the woman sliding her hands underneath his suit jacket before pushing it off of him and letting it fall to the floor with a silent thud, her hands wasting no time as they soon moved towards his tie and begin to work on that as well, all the while they only separated enough to breathe before they continued their movements with a vengeance.
When she got his tie undone, she roughly yanked it from his neck, Matt's hands having been roaming her body the entire time, making it hard for her to concentrate as she felt his desire for her pressing against her body, his palm brushing over her chest before he slid his arms around her back. While Gabby's hands were fumbling around with the buttons on his shirt, Matt was blindly feeling around for her zipper, the man soon finding it as Gabby hadn't gotten his shirt half open.
But when he began to pull her zipper down, Casey desperate to get her out of this dress as he'd been thinking of ripping it off of her all evening, Gabby suddenly stopped their movements, the woman pulling away from him while pushing against his chest gently, her actions stopping him with seconds as he pulled back to catch her gaze. At first he was confused, the man assuming something was wrong as the last thing he expected was for him to stop what they were doing, but the look in her eye soon told him otherwise, her wanting gaze causing him to swallow the thick lump in his throat as they worked on catching their breath.
"Remember… how I told you I had a few surprises?" She questioned in between heavy breaths, Matt's eyes focused on her heaving chest before he nodded, the man's mouth going dry as her once tight dress was now a little looser against her skin. "Well, I think you should make yourself comfortable, give me a few minutes, and I'll show you one of them…" She murmured, her words heavy as she tried to steady her breathing, Matt doing what he could to keep himself calm before he nodded once more. Gabby leaned forward to press a quick kiss to his slightly swollen lips before she reached down to grab their overnight bag, the woman running her tongue along her bottom lip before she headed for the bathroom, Matt's eyes following her retreating form until she was out of the sight, Gabby closing the door behind her as she went to get ready for whatever surprise she had for him.
And he couldn't wait to find out what it was.
Running his hand through his short hair, Matt released a heavy breath before he began shedding the rest of his clothes, the man stripping down to nothing but his boxers as he laid his clothes on the back of the chair in the corner, Casey picking up her jacket as well before moving towards the windows. Though they were far up off the ground, Matt wanted no reminders of the outside world around them as he moved to close the curtains, completely cutting them off from everything except one another before he walked back towards the spacious bed, the man making himself comfortable for while he waited.
He wasn't sure how long she was in there, but each minute that passed was near agony, Matt wanting nothing more than for Gabby to get back in here and let him show her just how much he loved and appreciated her. But he also knew that whatever she did have for him would be worth the wait.
Though he didn't realize just how right he'd been, Matt's gaze moving back towards the bathroom when he heard the door open, his eyes widening as his mouth opened slightly when he saw Gabby step out from behind the door, the man unable to form one coherent thought as he took in the sight of her.
Her dark brown eyes were what caught his attention first, the shy smile on her face causing him to nearly shiver in excitement as his gaze began to take in the gorgeous sight in front of him, the sheer black material covering her left nothing to the imagination as his eyes slowly trailed down her form, her little outfit hiding none of the body he knew so well.
Though he'd seen her in plenty of outfits like this in the past, she'd never worn anything quite like this before, the material completely see through from her chest down to the top of her thigh, the loose clothing sitting delicately against her soft skin as she rested her hand against the door frame to the bathroom, Gabby having not made a move as she let Matt drink her in. Her bottom lip fell in between her teeth, Gabby watching as his gaze focused on different parts of her body, the woman unable to hide her smirk as she saw the effect her presence had on him, his very thin boxers doing little to hide his desire for her.
"I… Damn, baby." He breathed out, Matt lifting himself up to rest on his elbows, his eyes never leaving her as she slowly walked into the room, the man swallowing the thick lump that formed in his throat when he got a closer look at her.
This was something he'd never take for granted, Matt knowing he was one lucky man to get to witness Gabriela Dawson like this, the man spending each second appreciating every inch of the view in front of him, Casey not even trying to hide his grin as he stared at her nearly naked form.
"So you like it?" She asked softly, Matt scoffing lightly as he pushed himself up into a sitting position while Gabby came to a stop just beside the bed. He reached out for her as soon as she was close enough, his palm resting against her side, the contrast of the thin material and her warm skin sending shivers down his spine as his mouth continued to lose all it's moisture, Matt unable to look away from her chest as she breathed steadily.
"You're so damn beautiful." He managed to get out, though it didn't exactly answer her question, Gabby smiling proudly as she reached her hands out to his chest, the woman pushing lightly against his skin, signaling him to lay back down as Matt complied easily. "I don't know where you've been hiding this, but please wear it more often." His words were a little unsteady, Matt having a hard time focusing as Gabby climbed onto the bed and straddled his hips.
"I'll see what I can do." She murmured, Matt's hands immediately gripping onto her waist as her little dress, if you could even call it that, bunched up at her hips, Casey rubbing his palms along her body as she leaned forward slightly. Her hands came out to balance herself against his chest before she fell down to capture his lips in a slow kiss, Matt groaning when he felt her barely covered chest rub against his, both of them feeling his want for her grow as he gently ran his hand along her side.
Their movements were easy at first, Matt and Gabby both content with the pace they'd set for themselves, until Casey decided to pick things up, the man deepening the kiss before sliding his hand up underneath her clothing, Gabby moaning into his mouth as she slid her hand down towards his waist.
It was as if with each passing second, their actions were getting more and more needy, Matt taking her by surprise when he took her moment of weakness to flip her onto her back, Gabby gasping softly before he captured her lips in his once more, the two continuing their needy pace. And within moments, they were both completely bare, Matt taking a little more care to remove the clothing covering her, knowing the last thing he wanted to do was mess up the outfit as he'd definitely want to see her in it again.
Though with as amazing as she looked in it, she looked even better out of it, his eyes moving over her completely bare form as she laid underneath him on the bed, Matt's hands touching every inch of her he could as her chest rose up and down with each deep breath.
"I love you." He spoke gently, his words barely audible as she responded with a soft smile, Gabby reaching for his arm to guide him back down towards her as his body settled in between her legs, her knees bent around his hips to keep his close as he hovered over her.
"I love you, too." She whispered, Gabby reaching up to run her fingers through his hair, the man turning his head to the side to kiss the inside of her wrist before he reached down to guide himself inside of her, Matt waiting for her nod of approval to continue any further, which she soon gave.
And within seconds, they were slowly moving at the familiar pace together, Gabby's nails biting down into his back as he slid in and out of her, their moans and pants the only sounds in the room as they slowly worked up to that euphoric release they both so desperately wanted, while also wanting to hold onto this moment for as long as they possibly could.
Which was exactly what they did, all night long.
Dawson stood in front of the mirror in Matt's bathroom, the woman tucking in the gray, long sleeved shirt she hadn't worn in a long time before releasing a soft sigh as she adjusted the material, Gabby looking herself over as a weird feeling settled in her stomach. It was strange, being in these clothes again, the paramedic uniform feeling almost foreign against her skin as her eyes focused on the emblem painted proudly on her chest.
She wasn't sure how she would feel being in this uniform again, Gabby never having imagined being in a position where she'd need it after she left, but while there were a lot of nerves flooding her system, there was also an overwhelming sense of certainty. That for as odd as this was, going back to work at 51 for one last shift, part of it felt right. Like she was returning to her home, even though everything was so different from what it had once been.
But that didn't mean she wasn't also incredibly nervous, Gabby drawing in a slow, slightly unsteady breath as she continued getting ready.
"Now this feels just like the old days."
Dawson looked over towards the door, the woman smiling softly when she saw Matt standing there in his Captain's uniform, though she wasn't sure how long he'd been there, his unbuttoned pants and undone belt hanging off his hips as he padded his way across the bathroom floor, the man coming up to stand beside her while finishing the process of tucking in his shirt.
"Yeah, I guess it does, doesn't it?" She replied with a soft smile, Matt grinning from ear to ear before he leaned forward to press a kiss to the side of her head.
He'd been like this since they woke up this morning, all excited and ready for the day, which was surprising considering the long night they'd had. With Gabby leaving tomorrow afternoon after shift, last night had served as part of their goodbye before Gabby would be back in Puerto Rico, the couple wanting the chance to properly say their goodbyes without being in a firehouse full of people. So they'd spent all night, and into part of the morning, showing one another just how much they were going to miss each other. So Matt's alertness this early in the morning had caught her a bit off guard after the late night they'd had. Though, she guessed she shouldn't have been too surprised by it, seeing as how he'd been like this since last shift, as it was clear to Dawson just how excited he was to have her back at the firehouse. Even in a limited capacity, the Captain was bouncing off the walls from getting to work with her again, and Gabby couldn't say she didn't find his excitement adorable.
And it had helped her feel better, too. Matt was nothing but ecstatic at the idea of having her back at 51, and that alone had done wonders in helping ease her worries. Though they were worries she was sure he didn't know she had.
"We used to do this every morning." He added, Gabby catching his gaze through the mirror, her small smile widening when she saw the pure look of joy covering his face, Matt quickly fastening his belt before he placed his hand along her back.
"We did." She responded, her head cocking to the side slightly as she saw the twinkle in his eye. "...What?" She asked with a slight laugh, Matt shaking his head as his smile grew.
"Nothing, it's nothing… I'm just glad you're here." He replied softly, Gabby meeting his gaze through the mirror as their eyes locked on one another. "I know I keep saying it, and you're about to go back home- to Puerto Rico," He corrected him, Gabby drawing in a deep breath as her smile faltered slightly. "But having you here has been incredible, and I'm glad we're getting to work together one last time before you go back." He added, rubbing his hand along her lower back before leaning down to kiss her head once more. "...I'm just happy, is all."
"Me too." She replied, her voice barely audible as she leaned back into his side, the action causing him to smile. "I've loved being here with you, baby, and I'm so excited to work with you, too." She agreed, her words causing his grin to widen before he pressed another kiss to her head. "And I'm happy that you're happy."
Matt gently turned her body around when she finished speaking, the man's grin never faltering as he lifted his hand up to cradle the sigh of her face, Casey stroking his thumb against her cheek as his eyes focused on her, the strong look of love shining in his gaze enough to flood her body with warmth.
Without saying a word, Matt pressed a passionate, yet gentle, kiss to her lips, the tame action welcome this morning as they slowly moved together, Gabby lifting her hand up to hold onto his wrist before he deepened their kiss.
They weren't sure how long they stood there, as it wasn't until Severide's voice filtered into the room that they broke apart.
"Come on, you two, we can't be late on Dawson's first day!"
His teasing tone earned a scoff from Gabby as Matt chuckled softly, his hand dropping down to her shoulder as she leaned her cheek against his forearm.
"I guess we do need to get going." He murmured, Gabby nodding in agreement against his arm, Matt offering her a soft smile before they carefully disentangled from one another, the temporary paramedic knowing she still had a few things she needed to do before they could leave. "And you heard the man, we wouldn't want you being late today, Miss Dawson." Casey joined in on the teasing, Gabby narrowing her eyes playfully before pushing against his chest and nodding towards the door.
"Yeah, yeah, get out of here." She joked back, Matt chuckling as he headed for the door, the man's laughs still being heard even after he left the bathroom, the lighthearted sound only continuing to ease any worries she had about stepping back into her old role at firehouse 51, the woman more than ready to get back out there and work with her friends one last time.
Well, there's another one. Again, I wanna say I'm so sorry for the delay with this update. I struggled with this chapter, for some reason, and it definitely didn't come very easy for me. But I hope you all enjoyed it nonetheless.
We are getting closer to the end here, but, to no one's surprise, my original plan has already changed a bit and I've added more chapters than I thought I'd have, so we do have a little more of this story to go. I just hope you all are still liking it, and don't mind the sporadic updates.
Hopefully this next one won't take me as long. Thanks again for reading! I'll see you all next time!
