Hi there! I'm here with the next chapter for you all, and I have a feeling you all are going to like this one. We're gonna see some cute Dawsey moments, as well as see more of Severide and Jemma, along with finishing off with a pretty important Dawson and Casey family scene. So I hope you all enjoy it, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

I hope you all have a great week and I'll see you all next time. Happy reading!

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety Two

Dawson pulled her long sleeve shirt over her head while she stood in their master bathroom, tucking the gray material into her pants before she began to secure her belt around her waist, Gabby going through the motions of her usual process while she got ready for shift. It was a little later in the morning than when she usually liked to do this, but with how tired she'd been since she woke up today, right now just being up and moving seemed like a minor miracle, as being a little over halfway through her first trimester had certainly messed with her system a bit. So she continued on through her routine as best she could, Gabby knowing she needed to take things at a slower pace until she was truly awake.

She finished getting herself dressed and fixed her hair, pulling it back into a tight bun and making sure it was secure before putting on the slightest bit of makeup to make herself look a little more presentable, the entire task taking her maybe ten minutes before she was back in their bedroom and sitting on their bed, getting ready to get her shoes on.

"Hey babe?"

She halted her movements when she heard the sound of her husband's voice, Gabby placing her boots down onto the ground before she turned towards the door just as he walked into their bedroom. The soft smile on his face is what she noticed first, before her eyes moved down to see the very obvious stain sitting on the front of his Chief's shirt, an amused gleam forming in her gaze before she glanced back up at him.

"Sofia had a juice incident." He replied before she could say anything, the soft huff that left his lips causing her to smile as he started to unbutton his shirt.

"Sorry baby." She replied easily, though he merely shook his head.

"Eh, it's fine. She's cute, so it makes up for it." He joked back, prompting her smile to widen while he shed the soiled shirt from his body. "And Becca said she'd wash it for me while we're gone."

Gabby gave him a nod, her brows furrowing ever so slightly while her eyes flashed back towards the door. "I didn't realize Becca was here already."

"Yeah, she is. She got here maybe ten minutes ago." He answered with a smile, before disappearing into their closet to get another shirt.

With it now being past the New Year and a few days into January, the parents decided it was time to bring their nanny back from the break they'd given her during the holidays. The time Caitlyn and Sofia had spent with their grandparents had been nothing short of wonderful, Gabby beyond glad her girls had gotten to bond with them. But now that they were moving into this next year, and with Caity due back to school here in a few days, it felt like it was time to get the girls back into their usual routine. Especially considering how here shortly Ramon would be the only grandparent left in Chicago; now that Nancy had gone home the day before yesterday, with the promise to come back soon, and Camila was getting ready to leave in a few short days, it wasn't fair to ask him to keep watching their daughters by himself.

Not to mention, the girls just completely adored their nanny. She was like family to all of them, and though it was nice for both sides to have a little break for the holidays, they were more than ready to have her back.

"I'm sure Caity and Sof were excited." Gabby replied after a moment, hearing him laugh from the small room before he stepped back through the door, his fresh white shirt resting over his shoulders while he held the dirty one in his hand.

"Oh they were, they nearly attacked her when she came through the door." He chuckled, seeing her smile widen just slightly while her gaze flashed to the door. "I still don't think Sof has let her go, that's part of what caused this." Matt continued on, holding up the soiled clothing before tossing it onto the bed. "And Caity, she was so happy… Then I think it took her all of ten seconds before she started telling her about the baby."

Dawson smiled back at him knowingly, her head falling to the side as he walked up to stand in front of her while working on the buttons on his shirt.

"But Becca's being a good sport about it, she pretended she didn't already know." He added on with a laugh, Gabby mimicking him while he finished buttoning his shirt.

After they'd told their family about the newest addition to the Casey household, it hadn't taken long for Gabby to reach out to Becca as well, knowing that she was one person who certainly needed to know about this baby. If anything because this was another child she would, one day, have to help them take care of, and they didn't want to spring that kind of thing on her.

And, as expected, when Dawson called and told her the good news, she was beyond thrilled for them. To the point where she was nearly brought to tears while speaking with Gabby, Becca so overjoyed to hear about this child, while also profusely saying how she'd be there for anything they needed, before and after their baby was born, her reaction alone just cementing what Matt and Gabby had known from the beginning; that she was the best nanny they ever could've asked for.

"Well, we'll have to thank her for that… I swear, Caity can't stop herself from talking about it. Her whole class is gonna know before lunch on Monday." Gabby joked, Matt matching her laugh while he tucked in his shirt.

"They definitely will. Which is why we're gonna have to keep her out of the firehouse until we're ready to tell them, because she won't be able to stop herself." He responded knowingly, Gabby nodding back at him in agreement before he crouched down in front of her.

"You're right about that." She replied, a look of confusion starting to cross her face as she wasn't sure what he was doing. Not until she watched him pick up one of her boots before gently grabbing a hold of her foot, and beginning to put her shoe on for her, Gabby's face softening while her hands rested in her lap. "You don't have to do that." She told him, Casey looking up at her with a genuine grin before he went back to his task.

"I know I don't, but I don't mind." He replied, the softness of his voice sending a rush of warmth through her body. "You're doing all the hard work right now, growing our little baby. So I just want to help you when I can." Matt added on sweetly, finishing tying her first boot before moving to the second. "And besides, it's never too early to get ready for when our little girl has made it hard for you to even reach your feet." He teased her, earning a scoff from his wife before she started to shake her head.

"Yeah, for your sake I'm gonna ignore that comment." She started, Matt letting out a deep chuckle while he slid her shoe on. "...But you think we're having a girl, huh?"

The smile on his face widened, Casey not surprised that his wife picked up on his wording while a knowing look began to shine in his eyes. "I just have a feeling." He replied with a shrug, Gabby letting her tongue run along the inside of her bottom lip while he finished with his task, the two of them staying silent until both her boots were securely in place.

"...Is that what you want?" She asked him once her foot was back on the ground, Matt then glancing up at her with a somewhat unreadable expression on his face. "You want another girl?"

He pursed his lips together, thinking over the question carefully before he started to shift his weight closer to her, Casey gently pushing her legs apart to give him room while resting his hands over her thighs. "I want us to have a healthy, and happy baby." He began, earning a content smile from Gabby while she nodded back at him. "At the end of the day, that's all I want. Is for our child to be okay… And preferably, to look exactly like their Momma." Matt added, seeing her grin widen while she lifted her hand up to run through his short hair. "But yeah, I guess if I had to choose one way or another, I'd love another little girl." He confided, Gabby continuing to rub over the side of his head with a bright smile on her face.

She knew her husband would be an amazing dad to any child, he had been an amazing father to their children. Starting back when Louie was in their lives for just a short while, he was the best father to him. And now every day with their girls, Gabby was able to see over and over again what an incredible man and dad he was. And any child they had now, no matter who they were, would feel that same love and support and security Matt gave their family every single day. But with that, she'd be lying if she said he wasn't the best girl dad she'd ever known. Every time he was with their daughters, it just felt like that was what he was meant to do.

And the thought of getting to experience that all over again with this baby made her heart soar in her chest.

"But I'd love to have a son, too." He continued on when she had yet to say anything. "Us having a little boy would be great, and getting to be the type of father to him that I wished I'd had…" He trailed off, not missing the soft, yet understanding frown that began to appear over her lips as he ran his hand against the top of her thigh. "It would just be amazing… And it would help me not be so outnumbered around here." He finished lightly, causing Gabby to laugh while her thumb ran along his temple.

"You love being outnumbered." She countered, seeing him smile back at her before he nodded.

"I absolutely do." He answered without any sort of hesitation, Matt then turning his head to press a light kiss against her hand. "But you know, evening us out a little bit wouldn't be so bad, either." Matt teased, as both their faces softened.

"No, it wouldn't." She murmured in response. "Us having a little boy… A mini Matt." Gabby spoke with a grin, while he leaned closer to her. "I think I'd die from cuteness if we had a son like you."

He let out a soft scoff before starting to shake his head. "Don't even joke about that." He replied lightly, Gabby giving him a knowing look while he stroked his hand along the side of her leg. "But no, you're right… Having a son would be incredible. But so would having another little girl. Honestly, I don't care who or what they are, just having another child is more than enough for me." He finished, Gabby smiling gently at him before she leaned forward to place a slow, sweet kiss to his lips.

"Me too." She whispered against him, feeling him grin before she kissed him once more. Neither of them were in any hurry to pull away, the softness of their movements comforting to the both as Gabby scratched her fingers gently across the side of his head, while Matt moved his hand up to her waist.

It wasn't until they heard the familiar sound of giggles that they pulled apart, Gabby biting down on her lip while Matt looked past her to see Caitlyn standing in the doorway, the girl grinning wide as she was still dressed in her pajamas.

"Hi baby." Matt greeted her, Caitlyn's laughs getting louder before she hurried into the room and around the bed to where her parents were.

"Hi Daddy… You and Mommy were kissing." She commented with a scrunched up nose, Gabby smiling in amusement while Matt moved back enough to give her room to stand beside him.

"We were." He replied, grinning widely before he reached out to grab ahold of their daughter. "And now I'm gonna kiss you." He responded brightly, Caity already laughing before he started to press quick, light kisses all over her face, the six year old giggling constantly while she pretended to push him away, even though that was the last thing she wanted.

"You're so funny, Daddy." She spoke after letting out a happy squeal, Gabby smiling at the interaction between her husband and their oldest daughter before Matt finally finished his loving attack on Caity.

"He is funny, isn't he?" Gabby replied, while Matt ran his hand up and down Caitlyn's back.

"Yeah, he's silly. But I still love him." She continued on proudly, Gabby and Matt both letting out soft laughs before Casey placed another kiss to her cheek.

"I love you too, Caity." He told her, while she wrapped her small arm around his neck. "Did you and your sister finish breakfast?" Matt shifted the conversation, seeing the six year old start to nod.

"Mhmm, we did. It was yummy. Sof and I shared my eggs." She spoke brightly, Gabby and Matt listening to her every word. "She ate lots of them, but I don't mind. Then we helped Becca clean up. And then sissy needed to go potty, so Becca took her and then I came in here because I was bored." Caitlyn rambled out quickly, Dawson laughing softly as she recanted her morning while Matt rubbed his hand over her side.

"Well, that all sounds great baby, thank you." Matt replied lightly, Caitlyn nodding with a bright grin. "But I guess it's probably time for all of us to head back out into the living room, your Momma and I are gonna be leaving here soon." He reminded her. "But we'll be back in the morning, you think you can keep being good for Becca while we're gone?" He questioned, but Caitlyn was already nodding before he could finish his sentence.

"Yeah! I'll be a good helper." The little girl promised, Gabby smiling appreciatively while Casey gave her one last kiss.

"Thank you, baby." Matt replied as he got himself up off the ground, the movement instinctively causing Caitlyn to move a little closer to her mother. "You ready to get back out there?"

"Yeah! But first, Mommy gets a kiss, too." She reminded him, Matt's smile growing as Caitlyn moved to stand where he had just been, before pushing herself up on her tippy toes to give her mom a sweet kiss. "I love you, Mommy."

"I love you too, Caity." Gabby responded with a genuine grin covering her face, her hands currently resting over her daughter's side.

"Be safe at work." She added on, Matt biting back a quiet laugh while Gabby gave her a nod.

"I will, sweetheart. Promise." She assured her oldest daughter, Caitlyn seemingly content with her response as she nodded, before moving her attention to her mom's stomach, the child reaching out to touch her lovingly before she crouched down to place a soft kiss against her belly.

"You be safe too, baby sister or brother." Caitlyn spoke sweetly, her gentle voice combined with those heartfelt words causing tears to spring to Gabby's eyes, while Matt smiled warmly at his girls, both parents continuously blown away by how loving their daughter could be.

"They'll be safe, honey." Casey promised after seeing the tears threatening to leave his wife's eyes.

"Okay, that's good." She said, giving her younger sibling one last hug before she stepped back from Gabby. "But Daddy, you need to take care of Mommy and baby today." Caitlyn chastised him, Matt and Gabby both laughing at her words before she got a strong nod from her father.

"I will, princess. I always do." He responded, Caitlyn nodding sharply as she shifted her weight between her feet.

"Good." She said quickly, flashing them a bright smile before suddenly scurrying out of their bedroom, leaving behind an amused Matt and Gabby while the former was shaking his head.

"She really is just like you." He commented while holding his hand out towards his wife, Gabby grabbing it willingly as she stood up from the bed.

"I know she is… And I'm taking that as a compliment."

Casey smirked at her words, reaching his arm out to wrap low around her waist before he pressed a quick, yet blinding kiss to her lips, the action taking her breath away until he eventually pulled back. "It is…" He told her, watching her catch her breath as a soft smile tugged on her lips. "It always is." Matt finished, kissing her one last time before he started to lead her out of the bedroom to their girls, the parents wanting to spend a little more time as a family before they had to head off to work.

"Yeah, that's fine… Totally, yeah. We don't mind at all. Thanks for letting me know."

Casey's voice filtered out into the hallway as Severide approached his office, the open door making it easy for him to be heard before the Lieutenant came to a stop in Matt's doorway, seeing his friend currently on the phone while he sat at his desk.

It took only seconds for Casey to register his presence, the Chief waving him inside while he balanced the phone between his ear and shoulder.

"That sounds fine, yeah. Just let me know when you leave." He continued on his conversation while Severide sat across from him, leaning his body weight back in the chair as Matt finished up on the phone. "Okay, you too… Yeah, tell her I love her too. Both of them. Alright, bye." He finished, Kelly's eyebrows raising as Casey placed the phone down before looking up to his friend.

"...Chief duties?" Severide questioned teasingly with a smug grin on his face, Matt letting out a heavy scoff before mimicking Kelly's stance and leaning back into his chair.

"Hardly, I was talking to Becca." He explained, though it wasn't needed.

"The girls okay?" Kelly asked first, prompting Matt to nod.

"They're fine, she was just letting me know that Ramon called and asked if she wanted to bring the girls over to his place for dinner tonight with him and Camila. So Gabby and I knew where they were." Casey elaborated, earning an understanding look from his friend

"Ah… Well, Caity and Sof will enjoy that."

"They definitely will. And with Camila leaving soon, it's good for them to get as much time with her as they can." Casey added on.

"She's leaving in a few days, yeah?"

"Mhmm, she is. And the girls are sad about it, Gabby definitely is… But she's been here almost a month, she's gotta get back home." He replied with a shrug.

"Does she know when she'll be able to come back?" Kelly questioned, glancing back to make sure they were alone before saying the next words in his mind. "I mean, between the girls and the pregnancy, I figured she wouldn't want to be gone for too long." He added on, dropping his voice a bit to ensure no one other than Matt could hear him.

"She doesn't, no. But it's also not that simple… She can't leave behind her life for nine months, you know?" He said, while Severide nodded. "Even more than that once the baby is born. But she's mentioned wanting to be around more. So hopefully she'll be able to visit, if anything for Gabby's sake." Matt breathed out, not missing the curious look that began to appear over Kelly's features, prompting Casey to continue on. "She just… misses her mom, you know? Especially with something like this, and her not being here for her first pregnancy, it's a little hard on Gabby knowing she'll be gone again here in a few days."

"Yeah, I get that man." Severide spoke with a sympathetic look. "But hopefully you all can at least enjoy these last couple of days… And, I know it's not at all the same thing, but you know if you or Dawson, or those kiddos need anything, you just gotta call." He reminded him, Casey smiling softly before he began to nod.

"Thanks Sev."

"Of course, Case… I mean, as the godfather to two, soon to be three, of your little squirts, that's what I'm here for." He continued on lightly, Matt letting out a soft laugh in agreement before Severide moved the conversation along. "So, aside from all the Camila stuff, how's Dawson been doing?" He questioned, as Casey raised his eyebrows. "I know pregnancy can be pretty brutal on her…"

"Yeah, it can." Casey agreed with a sigh, before his eyebrows narrowed. "But she's hanging in there… Some days are harder than others, and the morning sickness hasn't been great. That hits her pretty hard, at least during the first trimester. But she's been a warrior through all of it." He boasted, his immense pride towards his wife evident as Severide offered him a knowing smile.

"Sounds like Dawson." Kelly agreed, resting his hands over his stomach before he kept on. "...What about you?" He asked, catching Casey's gaze before his head tilted to the side. "How are you doing with this pregnancy?" Severide questioned, seeing Matt take a moment to think over his words while the room went quiet around them.

In the near week that had passed since finding out about the Caseys' pregnancy, Severide admittedly had been keeping kind of a close eye on his friend. Knowing that everyone else would, rightfully, be focused on Gabby, Severide wanted to make sure Matt didn't get lost in all that. Especially after everything they went through during their first pregnancy, where Kelly saw up close what all Matt went through, maybe more than anyone else, he was determined to be here for his friend now. Even if he was alright.

"I'm doing great." Casey eventually replied with a small, yet genuine smile written across his lips.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, of course… I'm so excited, knowing we're having another kid. The whole thing has been incredible." Matt reiterated, Severide looking over him for a moment before he gave a sturdy nod. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wanted to check." Kelly said easily, Matt then raising his eyebrows expectantly. Like he was waiting for him to continue. "Just, I knew you all were happy about this… But I also know this is sometimes a hard subject for you two." He continued on, seeing how his friend started to tense immediately. "After everything last time, with Sofia-"

"This isn't that." Casey cut him off quickly, his rigid features matching his tone as Kelly went quiet, a bit surprised by the sudden defensive outburst from his Chief. Though he figured a part of him should've expected the response he got, as he knew a lot of that time during their pregnancy with Sofia was a sensitive subject for him.

"I know, I didn't mean…" He trailed off, shaking his head slightly before sitting up a little straighter. "I didn't mean anything by it, sorry man. I shouldn't have brought it up." Kelly apologized, prompting Casey to take in a slow breath before he began shaking his head.

"No, no, you're fine. It's fine." Matt said back, his voice much lighter now as Severide gave him a weak smile. "I just meant that back then, Gabby being pregnant with Sofia.. It's not the same situation as now." He repeated, almost like he was telling himself as much as Kelly.

"I know it isn't." Severide assured him, Casey forcing in another breath before he nodded, the obvious shift in the air around them impossible to ignore as Kelly had unintentionally struck a nerve with his friend. He just wasn't entirely sure why. "...You okay, Casey?" He asked after a moment, meeting Matt's gaze before he nodded.

"I'm fine… Just tired." He replied after taking a breath, seeing a bit of uncertainty coming from his firefighter. "Gabby was up a lot during the night, so I didn't get much sleep."

Severide got the sense that there was more to the story, but that he didn't want to talk about it anymore, Kelly merely nodding as he knew better than to push this right now.

"I think I'm gonna take a break, go get something to eat." Casey spoke up seconds later, shifting the subject entirely as he slid his seat back before standing up.

"I'll head that way with you." Severide replied, the two sharing a nod before they moved for the door, Kelly doing nothing more than placing a supportive hand on his friend's shoulder before they walked out of the office.

The closer they got to the common room, the louder the rest of the firefighters were, Matt and Kelly turning the corner into the main hallway as they continued in their path. Though their steps slowed when they saw Jemma walking in through the double doors, his and Severide's previous conversation now far from his mind as he waited with a smile for his wife to come in behind Norris. But she never did, his face faltering a bit as the door closed behind her, while the look on Jemma's face then told him enough before she even opened her mouth.

"I think she's in the bathroom." Norris said, her voice helping him understand exactly what was going on as a deep wince dug into his skin.

"Did she get sick?" Severide was the first to ask, the group of three staying a few steps off from the common room so as to not draw the attention of anyone who didn't know about the Caseys' newest child.

"She did." Jemma answered, causing Matt to let out a heavy sigh. "I could tell she didn't feel well while we were out, but she managed to hold it together… But then once we got to the hospital, she got sick. And on the way back here, she almost threw up again. I'm not sure if she made it to the bathroom or not, I was about to go check on her…" She trailed off, Casey breathing in deeply before shooting her an appreciative look.

Jemma was always attentive when it came to Gabby. Ever since they first met, she's always looked out for her partner. And that protective nature only became stronger when his wife was pregnant; it happened during Gabby's pregnancy with Sofia, and she was already falling back into those same habits now, as Jemma made extra care to watch out for Dawson. In any way she could; which included keeping him updated on how Gabby was feeling.

"But she'd probably rather you do it." Jemma finished, Casey giving her another weak smile before he nodded.

"Yeah, thank you Jemma… I'll go see how she's feeling." He replied, giving her arm a thankful squeeze before he all but jogged towards the bathrooms, Matt not bothering to keep a slow pace as he wanted to make sure Gabby was alright. Or as okay as she could be whenever their child was making her sick.

The second he got to the bathrooms, he could tell that Jemma had been right about where his wife had gone, as he heard her gagging from the moment he stepped inside, Matt frowning deeply while letting the door fall closed behind him.

"...Babe?" He asked once she went quiet, Matt hearing her release a heavy, yet shaky breath before responding.

"I'm okay." She got out, while he walked around towards the stall she was in, the two separated by a shut door.

"You need anything?" He asked her, wincing as he heard her cough a few more times.

"Uh… Can you get my other shirt? From my locker."

"Yeah, of course." He told her, hearing her give a sound of acknowledgement before he hurried through the bathrooms to their locker room, Matt going straight for his wife's locker and unlocking it before grabbing the other long sleeve shirt she kept in there. After shutting her locker back up, he followed in the same path he'd come from, Matt getting back into the bathroom maybe a minute later just as his wife stepped out of the stall. "Here you go."

Gabby looked up at him, seeing him giving her a warm, supportive smile while he held out the clean piece of clothing, Matt not even fazed by the bit of vomit on the front of her shirt. "Thank you." She murmured, Casey softly nodding before stepping out of the way to let her get to the counter, his hand running along her back while she passed him.

She worked on undoing her belt, Gabby then shedding herself of the soiled shirt before starting to put on her new one, letting it slide over her head while Matt grabbed the dirty one from off the counter.

"I can get this washed for you."

"Thank you." She said again, Matt only continuing to smile her way while she adjusted her clothing in an effort to look presentable, both of them staying quiet for a few seconds as Casey couldn't help but watch her, needing to know for himself that she was okay.

He knew this was all part of it. That there wasn't much he could do to stop this from happening, and she'd just have to deal with it. She was already taking the medication Dr. Tanner prescribed her, and changed her diet as much as they could; and those things helped. Given how Gabby was prone to severe morning sickness, they both knew it could be a lot worse than it was now. But that wasn't much of a comfort to him while she was sick, as he hated to see her like this, Matt wishing there was anything else he could do to help her.

"Are you feeling any better?" He asked after she rinsed her mouth out, Gabby looking at him through the mirror while she felt his hand move its way up and down her side.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She told him, forcing a soft smile while she stood up a little straighter. "Not nearly as nauseous anymore, which is a plus."

"Yeah, that's good." He murmured back, continuing to rub his hand along her waist while he leaned forward to press a kiss against the side of her head. "You wanna head out there with everyone? Or go to my office?"

"Probably your office." She said after a minute, earning a quick nod from her husband. "It'll be quieter."

"Alright.. I'll stop in the kitchen and get you some crackers, maybe a ginger ale. Just to get something on your stomach if you have to go back out." He told her, Gabby nodding before he kissed her head again. "I'll take care of this then meet you there." Matt spoke, gesturing towards her shirt before taking a step away from her.

"Thank you." She told him one last time, the two sharing a smile before they went their separate ways, Gabby heading to his office while Matt made his way to the laundry room, both silently hoping they'd have a bit of a break here for Dawson's sake.

"You want more water, Gabriela?" Camila asked as she and her daughter sat at the table in the dining room of Ramon's home, Gabby glancing over towards her mom before she began to shake her head.

"No, I'm alright right now Momma. Thank you." She responded with a soft smile, as the sound of Caitlyn and Sofia's laughter filtered in from Ramon's living room, the girls evidently still playing just as they had been ever since the Casey family arrived about an hour ago.

When Gabby and Matt first got off shift this morning, they hadn't planned on coming over here to her father's place. At least not this early, as once they got home to their girls and relieved Becca of her duties, they'd figured they'd have a pretty quiet morning as a family. But after spending some time with their kids, and talking on the phone with her mom, Gabby and Matt thought it might be a good idea to bring the girls back over here for a late breakfast. Just to get some extra time with her mom before she left Chicago, so after getting the girls ready they'd packed up and headed over here, now with no plans to leave anytime soon.

"So, how are you feeling, mija?" Camila questioned, pulling the younger Dawson from her thoughts before she met her mom's soft gaze.

"Pretty exhausted." Gabby replied easily, seeing the sympathetic frown that appeared over Camila's face before she nodded. Though the mother hadn't been around to see a lot of what Gabby had dealt with during her first pregnancy, she'd heard enough to know that this was pretty typical for how her daughter's body responded to this type of stress. But just because it was expected, that didn't make it any easier to witness first hand how worn down her daughter was. Even if it was for the best reason.

"Yeah, I can tell." Camila murmured with a gentle look in her eyes. "When is your next appointment with Dr. Tanner? Just so you can talk through all of this with her."

"Not for a few more weeks." She replied with a soft smile. "Which truthfully, is a little weird, after how frequently I was having appointments with Sofia." Gabby continued on, while Camila gave her an understanding nod. "But it's also nice, because it's just another reminder that everything is fine with me and this baby." She breathed out, her hand subconsciously moving down to her stomach while she spoke, the gesture causing Camila's own grin to widen.

"I bet it is, sweetheart." She agreed, Gabby matching her smile as she shifted her weight in her seat, before she began to get up.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." She told her mom, Camila nodding immediately before Gabby excused herself from the room, leaving the older woman there on her own for a few minutes.

She could still hear the rest of their family out in the living room, and what sounded like them playing a game that Caitlyn was no doubt orchestrating. But Camila decided to stay put as the minutes continued to tick by, at least until Gabby came back and they could go and rejoin the rest of their family.

A few more moments passed before she heard footsteps approaching, but they sounded heavier than her daughter's. And after a second later she understood why, as Ramon was the first person around the corner, her former husband clearly having left the group out in the living room to come in here.

"…Wanna come join us? You're missing all the fun." Ramon spoke lightly, Camila offering him a small grin before she shook her head.

"I'm alright, thank you.. Just waiting for Gabriela." She replied, the man nodding back at her before he drew in a slow breath, his eyes glancing back towards the entrance to the dining room while a few words sat on the tip of his tongue. And Camila noticed. "…What is it?" She pressed, gaining Ramon's gaze once more as his lips pursed together.

"I just… I was wondering if you had told her yet." He spoke pointedly, Camila's face tightening for just a second before she began to shake her head.

"Not yet." She answered shortly, Ramon giving her back a pointed look while he rested his hands down on the back of the chair in front of him, leaning his weight into it as his head fell to the side.

"Well, don't you think you should?" He prompted, Camila taking in a slow breath of her own before she nodded. "Probably sooner rather than later."

"I know, I need to tell her… I want to tell her, I just hadn't found a good time. They haven't been here very long." Camila reminded him with a look of her own. "But it's good news, I'm excited to tell her. And Matt… I just want it to be the right time. And then-"

"Tell me what?"

Gabby's voice hit her ears as their daughter stepped around the corner, Ramon and Camila both turning back instantly to find Gabby watching them with an expectant, and curious look on her face. Her eyes moved back and forth between them, like she was trying to figure out who she should press first before she crossed her arms over her chest.

"What are you two talking about?" She pushed on when neither of them had answered her, Camila running her tongue along the inside of her cheek while Ramon gave her a beaming smile.

"Well, Gabriela, your mother has something she wants to talk to you about." He prompted, Gabby's eyebrows raising before she focused her attention on her mother.

"Okay… Is it bad?" She prefaced, both her parents soon shaking their heads while Ramon let out a soft laugh.

"No, mija. It's not, it's good news." He promised, seeing her body physically relax before she began to nod.

"Alright, well then what is it? You know I love good news." She spoke lightly, all three Dawson sharing a laugh before Camila nodded towards the exit.

"How about we go out into the living room, and I can tell all of you out there." She suggested, Dawson thinking over her words for a moment before she gave her a nod, Camila then standing up before they began the short walk into the living room.

When they got there, Matt was where they'd left him in one of the chairs across the room as Sofia sat in his lap, while Caitlyn was entertaining herself on the ground.

"Hi Mommy." Caity greeted while sitting up on her shins, Gabby giving her a soft smile as she made her way towards the couch.

"Hi sweetheart." She replied before she sat down, her eyes then moving towards her husband who was already watching her curiously.

"Hey… what's going on?" He questioned, after Ramon and Camila sat down on either side of their daughter.

"That's what we're about to find out… They want to talk to us." Gabby told him, Casey glancing between all of the Dawsons before a quiet laugh left his lips.

"Uh oh, that doesn't sound good." He replied, Ramon letting out a chuckle of his own as his son-in-law adjusted Sofia's weight in his lap. "Are we in trouble?"

"Still unclear." Gabby played along.

"Oh Gabriela, Matthew, hush the both of you." Camila chastised, Matt biting back another laugh before he nodded.

"Sorry Camila… What is it you want to talk to us about?" He questioned, the room around them suddenly becoming just the slightest bit more serious as the older woman took in a steadying breath, before angling her body towards her daughter.

"Alright, well… I hadn't exactly figured out how to have this conversation, so you'll have to bear with me here." She started, Gabby mulling over her words before she ultimately nodded, still unsure of what was coming. "But your father and I have been talking about some things, figuring a few things out," She told her, the younger Dawson's brows furrowing tightly before she glanced back to her dad, who merely gave her a nod. "Or he's been helping me figure a few things out, rather."

"What do you mean, Mama?"

Camila pursed her lips together, as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. "I've been doing some thinking since I came back into town- well, before that actually. But being here sort of kickstarted all of this, and made me realize that… I don't want to be away from my family anymore."

It took Gabby a moment to truly understand what she was saying, but once she did a noticeable smile began to form over her face, her eyes flashing towards Matt who was already grinning as wide as she was.

"Mama, what are you saying?" Gabby asked, needing to hear the words from her as she couldn't quite wrap her mind around this.

"I'm saying that I don't want to miss any more of your life, or Antonio's life. I don't want to be away from my children, and I don't want to miss being away from your children… I've missed so much of seeing your babies grow up, and experiencing how incredible of a mother you are. I've missed holidays, and birthdays- all of it. And I don't want to do that anymore." She told her, Gabby's smile only continuing to grow over her face while tears started to form in her eyes, Camila matching her look as she reached out to grab ahold of her hands.

"And this is something I've been debating for a while, long before I came back to visit. But being here with you all, seeing you all every day and getting a first hand look at what I've been missing, that's when I started to seriously consider this… Then after Caitlyn's recital, things started to be put into perspective. How I've missed so much of your lives, time I can never get back. And I didn't like that feeling." She breathed out, giving her daughter's hand a squeeze while Ramon placed his palm on Gabby's back. "But what really made this decision for me was when you told me about this pregnancy…"

Gabby bit down on her lip while she spoke, more tears clouding her vision as Camila gave her a loving smile.

"The second you told me you were having another baby, I knew there was no other choice to be made. I promised myself then and there that I wasn't going to miss any more of your life, that I'd be here for you during this pregnancy, and while you raise your children… So I'm coming back home." She declared, Gabby letting out a soft, yet elated breath as a lone tear slid down her cheek. "And I'm not sure when I'm going to live just yet, or what I'm going to do. Your father, God bless him, he's offered to let me stay with him until I figure everything out. And he's going to travel back to the Dominican with me to help my things, but that's for us to work out. All that matters right now is I've decided to come home, to move back to Chicago.. So I can be here for you, and your brother. So I can be in your daughters' lives while they grow up, and-"

Camila's words were cut off by Gabby launching herself into her arms, the mother and daughter hugging tightly while thick tears continued to fall from Gabby's eyes, her joy evident as Matt couldn't help getting a little misty eyed while he saw just how happy his wife was.

"Gabriela…"

"I've missed you so much, Mama." She got out, that statement going straight to Camila's heart as she held onto her daughter a little tighter, Ramon continuing to stay a supportive presence behind them while he rubbed comforting patterns over Gabby's back.

"Oh mi amor, I've missed you too." Camila spoke, her voice a little unsteady as she placed a kiss to the side of her head before they finally separated. "I've missed you so much, but now we won't have to worry about that anymore." She assured her, rubbing over her hand while a bright, watery smile covered Gabby's face. "Because I'm coming back home, then never leaving you all again."

A couple more tears escaped Gabby's eyes before she began to nod enthusiastically, her smile growing before she leaned forward to wrap her mom up in a hug once more, the entire room watching on at the sweet moment as Gabby basked in this unexpected, but incredible news. News that she'd been silently hoping would happen for a very long time.

"I love you, Mama." She spoke softly, prompting Camila to hug her tighter while Gabby dug her head into her neck.

"Oh mija, I love you too.. Always."