"Lieutenant"Otis says. "We thought we'd lost you"said Mills. "You scared us all"Mouch said. "Well I'm still here not going anywhere, I've just got a long road ahead of recovering"Matt said. "Daddy home" Louie tries to say. "What's with all the bags"Capp says. "The good news is that Matt has been discharged from hospital under strict rules to follow" Gabby says. "How are you getting home"Herman says. "Will has ordered a taxi for us any minute now it should be here".

"Some of us will be round later"Christie said as Herman was thinking the same. "Give us a couple of hours to get Matt settled in and then I'll text you later guys"gabby said as Louie was getting into the taxi that his mum told him. "Bye guys" Matt said. "Babe let's get you in the taxi" gabby said. 10 mins later the family arrive back home together. "Louie why don't you open the door for daddy" gabby said. "Yes mummy"said Louie

"Firstly babe when you get inside you will be sitting on the sofa without moving we don't want you to get another injury"gabby said as Louie tries to help daddy inside. "We need to make a schedule so we know what our days will be as you fully recover as well as myself recuperating from exhaustion of what I went through at the hospital the last 3 weeks. "That's a good idea babe"Matt said a bit clearer than he first spoke after the tube was removed. They all arrive in the house and as gabby walks in Matt and sits him down on the sofa with Louie, she unpacks the clothes she suddenly has one of her thoughts when she and Matt finally got together.

Flashback

It was a cold morning in Chicago Nat the firehouse and who walks in Gabriela Dawson just as usual ready for our shifts and they've been flirting with each other for weeks. They've been trying to deny their feelings but after one long shift Casey decides to ask this woman out for a date. "Matt I've seen you flirting with her, have you asked her out yet" Kelly said. "Just about to" Matt said.

"Hello Gabriela Dawson I was just wondering what your doing tonight after shift"Matt said. "nothing" gabby said. "How about a date tonight, I'm asking you out"Matt said. "Yes I'd love that"gabby says. "I'll pick you up at 7 outside yours"Matt said

End of flashback

As gabby snaps out from her thoughts she realises that she's soo lucky that Matt is alive and their 4 year old son is with the. "Hey babe why don't you come over here and sit with us both on the sofa" Matt said. "I'd love that" gabby said. "Firstly can you bring my drink over please"Matt said. It's only 12pm and the family are having a lie down together while watching a film with Louie asleep on them."Babe I've got your exercise list here, it says you've got to do 2 hours in morning of your throwing and catching, 2 hours in the afternoon using your parallel bars and whenever we eat to try and feed yourself"gabby said. "We could start this afternoon when Louie wakes up and film has finished you've got to do them babe you'll be back to normal hopefully before this one's born"gabby says. "Your right" matt said. "We've got loads of family and friends to help us if we need it" gabby said.

It's now 1:30 and Matt's physiotherapy session at home as arrived. "Bud can you put your toys away please daddy needs the floor for him to walk with the help of his parallel bars to build up his muscle strength"gabby said as Louie picked up his toys so daddy can do his exercises. "Thanks buddy"Matt said. "You know what you got to do babe" gabby said. "Yea I know love walk to end turn around and keep on doing it for a while then stand up for 5-10 mins"Matt said. Mummy I'm thirsty"Louie said. "There's water in the fridge door bud"gabby said. "Thanks mummy". "You know you can do it love just think about what we've said to you"gabby said. "Yea baby I remember do it for family" Matt said as Louie was watching daddy pulling himself across the floor using the bars.

"Daddy you can do it not long til your session is over"Louie said ti daddy. "Well done babe for today keep it up and the doctors will be proud of you" gabby said. 3:30 has arrived now and Matt's first physiotherapy session at home is done. "Babe do you remember that your friends from work wants to come over and see you"gabby said. "Yes I remember babe"Matt said. "Who do you want me to call love" gabby said. "Can you ring my sister please" Matt said. "I'll see if she's available tomorrow love" gabby said as Louie was sitting with daddy.

Meanwhile Christie's phone rings and Gabby's name appears on the screen. "Hello Christie Gabby here Matt and I was wondering if you and Violet are free tonight for tea and a catch-up we've got the food already here" gabby said. "Yes we're both available" Christie said. "What time do you want us to come over"Christie said as Violet listens on. "How about whenever you can and can you do us a favour and grab us eight bottles of water from the store" gabby said. "No problem gabby"Christie said. "See you both soon" gabby said.

Meanwhile Christie and Violet are at the store picking up some bottles of water they also pick up dessert and something for Louie then they head ti the Casey's house. They arrive within 10 mins of leaving the store.

"Hello gabby" Christie said. "Hello Christie hello Violet there both on the sofa"gabby says as Violet who is excited to see her uncle and cousin who she's missed loads. "I've brought dessert and a little something for Louie" Christie said. "We better go and join the others in the living room"gabby said. "Hello Violet Matt said as she runs straight into his arms giving him a massive kiss and cuddle. "Hello Uncle Matt I've missed you loads and I was scared of losing you"Violet said. "Im not going anywhere" Matt said. "Hello bruv it's been a longtime coming and this needs to happen more often"Christie said as the two cousins was playing on the floor.

"I agree sis"Matt said. Before Christie and Gabby go to the kitchen to put the food in the oven Matt yells out. "I'll put it in the oven" Christie said. "Thanks"gabby said. As Matt yells out "I need the the bathroom, "I'm coming babe"gabby said. "Let's do this you know what you've got to do babe" gabby said. "I know love holding onto the bars to help me with my balance as I sit down " Matt said softly. "Don't rush yourself babe"gabby said. This felt like it was taking ages. 10mins later Gabby walks out the bathroom with Matt. "Let's get you seated back down on the sofa while I talk to your sister"gabby said. "Ok babe"Matt says as gabby sits him back down.

"Gabby are you ok" Christie said. "I'm getting there slowly I've got back ache all the time and trying not to get stressed out as I don't want Matt to know just yet as he's only just got out of hospital" gabby said. "If you need me or even your brother to help we're only a phone call away" Christie said. "Thanks Christie I will need someone to pick up the baby's furniture etc" gabby said. "Just let any of us know what to pick up and where"Christie said. "Thanks again for tonight Matt and Violet enjoyed themselves. Christie and Violet leave after w good time with Gabby Matt and Louie first one on in 28 days as a family before the new arrival comes along in less than two months. They all say their goodbyes and reflect on the days events.


27th February

It's 7am and Matt has had a bad night, he dreamt that he fell out of bed and no one was there to catch him let alone help him up. "Morning baby"Matt said. "You don't look right babe did you have a bad night sweetie"gabby said. "Yes love but right now I can't speak about it as I need to go to the bathroom please" Matt said as Louie wakes up. "mummy where are you" Louie said. "We're in the bathroom Louie why don't you go and wait for us on the sofa we won't be long son"gabby said. They both come out of the bathroom and join Louie in the living room.

"Are you ready for your breakfast bus"gabby said as Matt was sitting on the sofa. "Yea mummy"Louie said. "Here you go bud"gabby said. "You stay here with daddy while you eat your cereal" gabby said.

"Babe I won't be long just gonna get dressed and then set up the equipment ready for todays session but before that you've got to eat some food to build up your strength"gabby said. "we ok love"Matt said as gabby was walking to the bedroom to get dressed and bring out the equipment for her husband's physio session. "Babe do you want to try gripping a spoon to eat your breakfast you've got to try babe"gabby said. "Ok love I'll have a go"Matt said. "Remember what I've said to you before about not giving up" gabby said as their baby kicking inside her.

It's now 10am and it's time for Matt's first physiotherapy session of the day but shortly before he starts with the balls he notices something wrong with his wife. "Sweetie what's wrong"Matt said to observe wife. "I'm fine honestly"gabby said trying to hide it all from husband Matt. "Sweetie I can tell that there's something wrong you go all quiet live just tell me please"Matt said.

"Darling ever since the doctors put you in a coma I've been getting back pain and cramps while you've been asleep for 21 days"gabby said. "Why I'm haven't you spoke to anyone"Matt said. "I told Chief and Kelly when they found me after 3 days missing and your sister last night"gabby said. "I guess it was hard on you and Louie seeing me like that all hooked up to machines"Matt said. "Yes babe it was hard on both of us but also you mum sister and Violet took it hard too"gabby said. "You need to tell me or someone else before it eats you up again"Matt said as he was doing his therapy session.

Meanwhile Antonio is very worried about his sister Gabby having loads of things going on he phones her. "Hello gabby I was wondering if I can come round today just for a quick talk" Antonio said. "Yes bruv that's ok is 12 ok"gabby said. "That's good with me out can have my break then" Antonio said. 12 pm arrives and Antonio has arrived at the Casey's house to talk to sister Gabby before Matt's second therapy session of his gruelling4 week schedule.

"Hey sis can you b tell me the truth please I can tell that there's a problem if you can't cope all you have to do is ask us we're all here for you both"Antonio said. "Bruv I'll be fine I'm exhausted and tired now that Matt is awake and home we can relax whilst he's recovering"gabby said. "Don't forget only a phone call away" Antonio said. "I know bruv"gabby said.

Meanwhile everyone is working and they're all worried that Gabby is doing too much too quickly. "Chief have you heard from gabby recently since Matt returned home"Kelly said. "Only a few messages about Casey improving and listening to his family and friends"Chief said. "We really ought to phone her or even pop down but Christie pops down and speaks to everyone there. "Hello everyone need to talk to Kelly Sylvie and Stella please"Christie said as Capp leads them to Kelly's office.

"Thanks Capp"Kelly said. "Hello guys I'm worried about Gabby and her unborn child"Christie says. "Christie what's wrong with her"Sylvie said. "I have notice something wrong with her on the morning that Matt as released from hospital "Stella said. "She's suffering from exhaustion back pain and cramps ever since me and Chief found her missing" Kelly said. "Yes she's keeping it from Matt cos of his recovery but I think they need someone to help with Louie" Christie said. "You're right Christie I'll get there after shift has ended"said Stella.

It's now 2pm back at the Casey house and Matt has done his physio for the day abs the family decide ti curl up on the sofa together thinking about what could've happen if it was different.


Four days later and Will comes round to check on Gabby since she collapsed when Casey was sedated.

"Hello Gabby how have you been lately" Will said. "I've been fine just having more back pain exhaustion and my feet are getting swollen"gabby said. "Remember what we've all told you about the baby" Will said. "I remember Will" gabby said.

"Matt how are you doing since being released from hospital"Will said. "I'm getting there slowly my legs are still giving way but I get myself up again and my hands are getting there"Matt said. "Are you still doing your exercises. "Yes he is"gabby said as Louie was with Christie and Violet for the day. "Just keep it up Matt and you'll get there eventually"Will said as he was explaining that before he gets signed off from the docs he needs to be assessed again at least two days before shift starts"Will said. "I haven't forgotten Will"Matt said.

The evening came and over at Antonio's house and Sylvie is thinking about hosting a baby shower in a months time she'll get help from Stella of where to host it but for the moment she just talks to boyfriend Antonio. "Babe what do you think about me and Stella hosting a baby shower for Gabby when Matt's better"Sylvie said. "I agree it will be something for everyone to look forward to"Antonio said. We can do guess the weight/sex and guess the name of the baby.


Matt has been doing his physiotherapy now for the last 22 days he's still wobbling on his feet as his muscles are still not strong enough without a stick being used.

"Matt where are you babe"gabby asks. "I'm in here with Louie"Matt said. "How long have you both been up"gabby asks her boys. "We've been up for about two hours"Matt said. "Mummy daddy got my breakfast"Louie said. "You can't grip things without them falling out your hands"gabby said. "Mummy look at daddy with the spoons forks and knives" Louie said. "Baby look at you I told you that you'd be able to hold things again...