Hey there everyone! I've got the next chapter of this one for you and I'm really happy with how it came out. It's just a nice little Casey family centered one, so I hope you enjoy it!
Happy reading, and I'll see you all next time!
Chapter One Hundred and Ninety Nine
"You feel okay, babe? Are you comfortable?" Matt asked as she leaned back onto the familiar bed at the doctor's office, Gabby glancing up at him after adjusting the pillow behind her head while he stood beside her.
"I'm alright." She replied, seeing his eyes trail over her before he began to nod. "...Though I wouldn't mind a blanket." She added on lightly, seeing the almost immediate smirk that covered his face, like he'd been expecting that request as he took a few steps backwards to grab the beige blanket that was sitting on the chair. "Thank you."
He didn't respond verbally, Matt instead offering her a gentle smile before he undid the blanket and laid it out across her body, taking extra care to make sure she was comfortable as he knew how sometimes these appointments with Dr. Tanner could take a while.
Once he'd gotten the blanket situated just up underneath her chest, with the rest of the material warmly covering her legs, Matt ran his hand lovingly up and down her thigh before finding her gaze. "You need anything else?"
She pretended to mull over his words for a moment with her bottom lip tucked between her teeth, in an effort to hide her growing smile. "A foot rub." She replied shamelessly, earning an amused look from Matt while he gave her leg a squeeze. "And a hot bath sounds nice."
He chuckled in response, Casey shaking his head a bit as he moved closer to her. "Does it, now?"
"It does." She answered while scrunching her nose up.
"Well, that would be a little difficult to do here. But once we get home, I'll see if I can make it happen." He told her, Gabby's smile widening as she reached her hand out towards him, prompting him to come to stand up by her torso before she grabbed ahold of his forearm.
"You're the best." She replied as he brought his free hand up to rest over the top of her head.
"It's been said." He quipped, hardly giving her a chance to smile at his response before he leaned down and gave her a kiss. One Gabby reciprocated as the two easily moved together before separating. As he pulled back, Gabby took a second to let her eyes trace over him, the two watching each other while he ran a comforting hand over the top of her head.
He looked happy, content. Like the man he always was. And it was something that was easy to see with just one glance, the sight bringing a soft smile to her face as, thankfully, this was something she'd seen a lot from him the last few weeks.
Her husband was doing well; very well. And she could tell he'd been feeling more like himself recently, especially over this past week or so as after opening up to her, Matt had slowly been able to start letting go of a lot of that guilt and regret he'd been holding onto. There was no immediate fix to this, this wasn't something he could just move on from at a moment's notice. But from his own admission, their talks and her being there for him had helped more than anything in moving past this, and while he'd told her that he would never be okay with the way he acted back then, he was done letting it control him. He didn't want to let it affect him now.
He couldn't change what happened in the past, he couldn't undo any of it, and after some time he'd realized that the last thing that would help him- or any of them, was letting those past regrets change things for them. He wouldn't let it affect his family, and all of that is part of what got them to now.
Where Matt was back to being the caring, strong, and loving man she'd known for a long time. Who was not only now feeling more sure of himself as a husband, but as a father. And Gabby couldn't have been more grateful to see him work his way through this.
"You okay?"
His gentle voice pulled her from her thoughts, Gabby's vision refocusing on him as her lips started to turn up into a smile. One Matt matched almost instantly.
"I lost you there for a second." He continued on when she had yet to say anything, his thumb stroking lightly across her forehead while she leaned into his touch.
"Sorry… I was just thinking about my husband." She told him, seeing his eyes light up at her words before his smile widened.
"You were, huh?"
"I was." She played along, Matt giving her thigh an easy squeeze while tilting his head to the side.
"Anything good?" He teased, prompting that familiar feeling of warmth to start spreading through her chest as she ran her teeth over her bottom lip, a few recent memories coming to her mind while his deep blue eyes stayed locked on her.
"...Eh, not really." She joked back, though the smile on her face told a different story, Matt letting out a soft laugh before he began to shake his head.
"Well, then you're obviously not thinking about last night… or this morning." He replied pointedly, Gabby feeling more heat rush through her as he let out a chuckle.
"You're right, I wasn't… But I definitely am now." She spoke lightly, pulling another laugh from him while he leaned down close to her.
"God, I love you." He murmured, more to himself than anything before he placed a sweet kiss to her lips. One she reciprocated instantly, the two staying connected until they heard the door open.
Pulling back from one another, Matt glanced up to see Dr. Tanner step into the exam room, a soft, yet knowing smile written across her features at the position she found her patient in. But she said nothing, Casey clearing his throat as he stood up a little straighter, before their doctor moved further into the room.
"Hi Gabby, Matt." She greeted them, earning a soft smile from Dawson while Dr. Tanner pulled the stool over towards them and sat down. "Sorry it took me a little while to get back here, it's been a busy morning."
"That's alright, we haven't been waiting too long." Casey replied, Gabby nodding in agreement before earning a courteous smile from the doctor. "And we were able to keep ourselves busy."
"Yes, I noticed." Dr. Tanner said pointedly, Gabby biting back a smirk while Matt shook his head in amusement.
"I kind of walked myself right into that one, didn't I?" He laughed back.
"You did, babe."
"Yeah, you did." The older woman echoed lightheartedly, Matt merely shrugging proudly while rubbing a strong hand over Gabby's leg.
"Oh well." Matt replied, before leaning down to steal another quick kiss from his wife, Dr. Tanner letting out a soft laugh while Gabby scoffed a bit as he pulled back.
She could tell he was in a good mood, a great mood even, and even though public displays of affection in front of their doctor were something they didn't do all that often, at least not without a reason, with how things had been going for her husband as of late Gabby was just glad to see him like this.
"So Gabby, you're nineteen weeks along today." Dr. Tanner spoke up a moment later to shift the conversation along, though the smile had yet to leave her face while Matt returned to his close position by Gabby's side.
"I am, yeah." She replied after clearing her throat, earning a small smile from her doctor before she started moving towards the ultrasound machine.
"We'll go ahead and get started on your scan, if you don't mind getting ready." She told her patient, Gabby nodding before she began to adjust herself on the exam table.
Matt began helping her, moving the blanket down past her hips before Gabby started to lift her shirt and unbutton her pants, moving the clothing down far enough to give Dr. Tanner the access she needed. Once situated, Casey pulled the blanket back up just a bit, covering as much of her legs as he could in an effort to keep her warm. Though with this much of her skin exposed, he knew that would be no easy feat.
"How have you been feeling?" The doctor asked, doppler in hand while the machine turned on.
"I've been good." She answered, glancing up towards Matt to find his eyes focused on her rounding stomach. His hand was still moving absentmindedly over the top of her head, but even though his gaze wasn't on her or their doctor, she could tell he was paying attention to every word.
"Yeah?" Dr. Tanner checked as she grabbed ahold of the gel.
"Mhmm, I feel good. Really good." Gabby assured her with an easy smile, seeing her husband nod out of the corner of her eye. "I'm still pretty tired some days, and can get a little worn down faster than I'm used to. Especially chasing two little girls around." She added on lightly, earning a knowing look from her doctor. "But overall, I feel great."
"That's great to hear." Dr. Tanner replied before she applied some of the blue gel on Gabby's stomach, prompting a shiver to course through her spine. "Sorry Gabby, I know it's pretty cold in here." She added on, Gabby giving a slight shake of her head to tell her it was fine while she focused on the feeling of Matt's gentle hands on her. "But I'm glad to know you're doing well… No pain or discomfort or anything like that, in the past few weeks since I last saw you?"
"No, not really." Dawson replied, knowing her doctor was just going through the routine questions she was asked every visit. "Just the usual soreness, in my chest especially. But nothing I'm not used to." She explained further, Dr. Tanner giving her a nod while her concentrated eyes moved between her patient and the screen in front of her.
"No cramping? Any bleeding or anything?" She checked.
"No, nothing like that." Gabby voiced, as Dr. Tanner moved the doppler over her stomach.
"Good, that's good. What about during intercourse? Any pain there?" Dr. Tanner continued on, seeing Dawson shake her head in response. But another voice popped up before she could verbally respond.
"Definitely not." Casey answered underneath his breath, Dr. Tanner giving him a knowing look while Gabby let out a scoff, before lifting her arm up to smack his chest with the back of her hand. But the movement only caused his grin to widen, the proud gleam in his eyes impossible to notice while their doctor held back an amused laugh.
"So that's a no?" Dr. Tanner asked, Gabby letting out a soft huff before nodding.
"It's a no." She clarified before looking back up at her husband, where she found a beaming grin waiting for her. One that caused Gabby to shake her head once more, before rubbing her hand over his chest. "You're so dumb." She spoke lightly, clearing not meaning her words while Matt gave her thigh another squeeze.
"Yes, but I'm also right." He replied shamelessly, Gabby rolling her eyes even though she wasn't able to keep the smile off her face, Dr. Tanner watching the two of them with an entertained smirk.
"Well, as your doctor I'm glad to hear you're not experiencing any pain." She interjected, regaining the couple's attention while pausing her movements with the ultrasound. "And as you know, as long as you're up for it Gabby, sex can be very beneficial to you while you're pregnant. Just don't push your limits."
"I won't, and he wouldn't let me if I tried." Gabby replied, nodding up towards Matt who still had that same wide grin on his face, Dr. Tanner knowing just how true Dawson's words were.
"Good. Now, sort of on the same subject, you're still not doing too much?" The woman questioned. "Just in general, throughout your daily life, you're taking it easy? As much as you can, at least."
"I am." Gabby assured her, while Matt nodded in agreement. "I mean, with two kids there's always things going on, but things have been pretty easy on me at home. Matt's been amazing." She boasted, as both her and Dr. Tanner glanced towards the only man in the room, who was now smiling shyly. "And our sweet Caity and Sof, they've been trying to help me too. But Matt's done so much for me since we found out about the baby. He's always been great about sharing the workload around the house, but now he's taking care of almost everything. For me, and for the girls."
"Well, I can't say that surprises me." Dr. Tanner replied, earning a head shake from Casey. "But I'm glad he's keeping things easy for you."
"He really is, and he's always making sure I don't overexert myself… Things are about as calm as they can be for me right now."
"That's great, Gabby." She responded, before continuing to move the doppler over her stomach. "And what about work?" The doctor asked, prompting Dawson's eyebrows to raise. "How's that been? You're still handling everything there okay?"
"I am." Gabby replied with an easy grin. "Work has been pretty busy lately, for Matt especially. He's getting slammed most days." She explained, Dr. Tanner glancing over to him before he shrugged.
"It's definitely been busier than normal, for me. Not so much for Gabby, but it's alright." Matt elaborated, waiting for their doctor to nod before his wife continued on.
"But as far as me and work, it's been really good so far. I feel good, and everyone at the firehouse has been really accommodating when I need it. Jemma especially has been great."
"Yeah, she does a lot to help her out." Matt voiced. "She's taken on a lot of the heavy lifting, and kept Gabby out of harm's way. As much as she can, anyway. She's awesome."
"She is." Gabby echoed, before returning her gaze towards her husband. "And I have a pretty incredible Chief looking out for me, too." She added on as Matt ducked his head, Dr. Tanner watching on at the couple with a soft gleam in her eye. "It's a little different this time around, because not only is Matt there with me, but he's the one in charge. And he knows me better than anyone else, he's the only person who understands what this is like for me… So it's definitely made it easier on me, to know I have a little more leeway if I need it. Not to say Boden didn't help me, because he did. More than he ever had to. But with Matt, I'm his wife first, paramedic second. Which has helped a lot cause he's always there if I need anything." She explained, her words causing Casey's face to soften before he leaned down to place a quick, yet gentle kiss against her forehead, as all he wanted was to make this pregnancy as easy for her as it could be.
"I'm so glad for that, Gabby." Dr. Tanner spoke up. "That you've got such a great group of people- a great husband, around you. To help you when you need it."
"Me too." She replied softly as Matt kissed her head once more, the sweet gesture saying more than words ever could.
"But all of this does bring me to my next question." The doctor said, with her eyes still lingering on the ultrasound in front of her. The same one Gabby and Matt had yet to see. "...Have you thought about how much longer you're wanting to work?"
Gabby and Matt both looked at her before the former began to shrug, while Casey's gaze moved between Dr. Tanner and his wife's stomach.
"I know you mentioned before that you weren't wanting to work too far into your pregnancy. At least not as far as you did with Sofia. And given everything that happened last time, I still think that's for the best." Dr. Tanner added on.
"I do, too." Gabby agreed, while Matt nodded beside her. "I haven't thought about it too much lately, just cause things at work have been going smoothly. But I probably will get off ambo here soon… Just in case." She told her, earning a small, yet knowing smile from her doctor. "And since Matt's already set up everything for me to keep working in-house, just not in the field… Really, I guess I could stop working at any time."
"You could." Matt reminded her, earning a soft smile from her before he looked back towards their doctor. "But she's being careful, and everyone's looking out for her… I don't think she's changed her mind or anything, about stepping down soon," He continued on, as Gabby nodded in agreement. "Just when she's ready… Unless you're seeing something that says otherwise." He said somewhat pointedly, causing Dr. Tanner to glance his way with raised brows, only to find his gaze focused on the monitor he couldn't see. "...You haven't said much since you started looking at the baby, and then you started asking about Gabby stepping back from work… Is everything okay?"
Dr. Tanner's face softened, the woman giving them both her complete attention as now Gabby was watching her as closely as had Matt been. And, given their history, she understood it. How they both read into every little thing, even if there was no reason to. "Everything's fine, Matt. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry." She assured them, her calm demeanor easing the slight uncertainty he'd been feeling while his hand continued to move over the top of Gabby's head. "I was just looking over your daughter's measurements, and checking Gabby."
Matt nodded once more, his softened gaze moving between Gabby and her stomach, that was securely carrying their little girl. "So Gabby's alright?" Matt questioned once more, missing the way his wife looked up at him while his focus stayed locked on her belly.
"She is, she's looking great." Dr. Tanner said once more, those words bringing a wide smile to Dawson's face.
"And the baby?"
"They're both great." She repeated, knowing Matt needed to hear it outloud from her. "Everything is as expected at this stage of pregnancy. There are no signs of any complications, with Gabby or your baby. Which is exactly what we want." She told him, Casey nodding in agreement while tightening his loving hold over Gabby's thigh. "And what I was looking at a moment ago was seeing how big baby girl Casey is, and she seems to be growing well."
"Yeah?" Gabby asked, her features lighting up as Matt couldn't help but match her smile.
"Mhmm, she is. She's small, but within the targets for nineteen weeks. And we also have to take into account that you two just make small babies." Dr. Tanner reminded them, as Casey let out a soft chuckle.
"Yeah, we seem to… Is she smaller than Sofia was?" Gabby asked, while reaching her hand out to grab ahold of Matt's arm.
"If I remember correctly, she is. Only a little bit, but she's smaller than Sofia was at this point."
"Wow." Gabby breathed out.
"It's hard to imagine having a baby smaller than Sof." Casey commented lightheartedly, Dr. Tanner letting out a quiet laugh of her own before she nodded.
"I'm sure it is, but if everything goes according to plan and we can get both Gabby and your baby to full term, then she'll likely be bigger than Sofia was." She explained to them, seeing them give her a few quick nods. "But that's only something we'll be able to find out in time. For now, just looking at your daughter I'm happy with everything I'm seeing."
Those last few words caused Gabby's grin to widen before she looked back at her husband, Matt feeling her gaze on him while he glanced her way, the two sharing another bright look before he moved to kiss her once more. It was fleeting, but meant everything to them as Matt stayed as close to her as possible.
"Though if I'm being honest, it's actually a little difficult to see her right now." Dr. Tanner continued on, moving the wand along Gabby's stomach while the doppler glided over her skin. "She's really active today."
Casey smiled, a rush of warmth spreading through him as his focus returned to Gabby's stomach. "She is?"
"Definitely. She doesn't want to stay still." Dr. Tanner replied with an easy laugh, as Gabby and Matt only continued to smile. "Have you been feeling her a lot?"
"Yes."
"No." Matt spoke the same time as his wife, Gabby chuckling a bit while Dr. Tanner shook her head, both of them clearly amused by the man next to them, even though he wasn't nearly as thrilled about the fact that he hadn't been able to feel their baby move yet.
For Gabby, she'd started feeling their daughter a few weeks ago. At first it was just some flutters, something she'd hardly noticed as it only happened here and there. But after a while it was unmistakable; that she was feeling their little girl move around inside her. And even after experiencing it with Sofia, it was still one of the most surreal things in the world. But for Matt, he hadn't gotten to experience that during this pregnancy yet.
And he'd be lying if he said he wasn't getting a little bit impatient.
"I have been feeling her, yeah." Gabby said again lightly, while Dr. Tanner nodded with a slight grin.
"I'm not surprised, with how much she's moving. And Matt, as I'm sure you remember it'll happen for you in due time… She just has to get a little bigger first."
"Yeah, yeah I know… I guess I can wait." He breathed out dramatically, Gabby rolling her eyes at his playful antics while the doctor released another laugh before she began to turn the screen towards them.
"I know the waiting isn't easy, but would getting to see your daughter help?" She questioned, the light demeanor between them immediately falling away as Matt and Gabby both focused completely on the monitor in front of them that was showing their little girl. And in that moment, it was like nothing else mattered, Matt feeling a few tears spring to his eyes as the sight of his daughter was something he'd never get tired of.
Though, as Dr. Tanner had said, she wasn't nearly as little as she used to be. She'd already gotten so much bigger since the last time they saw her, at least to him, and for whatever reason that sent another rush of warmth through his system, Matt feeling an overwhelming sense of pride not only for their daughter, but for Gabby too.
"God, she's perfect." He breathed out while Gabby let out a watery laugh. "She's so perfect."
"She is, just like our Caity and Sof." Gabby replied, Matt's smile growing at the mention of their daughters before he leaned down to give her a steady, passionate kiss. One that held onto all of the emotions they were both feeling as Gabby gripped onto him tightly, like she never wanted to let him go.
"They're all perfect." Matt repeated her as they separated, the two sharing a few more tear-filled smiles before moving their gazes back to the monitor. "...They're just so perfect." He said, the couple continuing to admire their daughter for as long as they could while they held onto one another.
And for Dr. Tanner, she had no issues in letting Matt and Gabby sit with their child for a couple moments longer. There were some more routine things she needed to go over, a few questions she had for Gabby, but it was nothing that couldn't wait. For now, she'd give them this time with their daughter, as she knew there was nothing either of them cherished more than their children.
And there never would be.
"One!" Sofia spoke excitedly as her dad held her on his hip, the three members of the Casey family currently standing in the hallway of Caitlyn's school while they waited for her class to be over.
It was just a little before two, the parents deciding to all come and pick up their oldest daughter today, as after getting some one on one time with Sofia in the time between their appointment with Dr. Tanner and now, they were ready to all be together again. And they were sure Caity was too.
But as they waited, Matt had taken to playing this little game with Sofia where he'd hold up a number with his fingers and have her tell him what it was. And while she hadn't actually made it past the number three- and the only reason she got that one was because Matt had told her a few times what it was, they were still having fun nonetheless, Gabby watching on in amusement while Matt and Sofia were off in their own little world.
"That's right, baby! Good job." He boasted, giving her a high five before continuing on. "And what about this one?"
"Two!" She giggled through her broken speech as he held up two fingers, Dawson unable to stop the smile on her face while Matt pressed a loving kiss to their daughter's cheek.
"That's right again, man you're so smart, Sof." He said, giving her a few more kisses before he pulled back enough to see his wife watching them, the look on her face only making his eyes brighten that much more. "You hear that, babe? We've got a little genius on our hands… Yeah, you're a genius aren't you?" He said back to Sofia, earning more laughs from both his girls as Gabby reached out to rub over Sof's back.
The movement caused Sofia to smile even wider before she turned her head around to look at her mom, the happy smile on her face filling Gabby with so much love and warmth that sometimes didn't even feel possible. But it was, as it was the same feeling she got every time she was with her family.
"She is, she's so smart." Gabby agreed moments later, leaning forward to place a kiss against Sofia's curly-haired head before pulling back, all while leaving her hand on her back. "But, you know, while we're on the subject, it's probably time we start thinking about looking into preschool for her." She told her husband after a beat of silence, Matt letting out a breath before shaking his head slightly.
They had briefly talked about this in passing a few times, but with everything else going on it never really anywhere. Not when they weren't in any rush, seeing as how Sofia was still pretty young. But as they got closer and closer to summer, they knew that if they wanted to get Sofia into a preschool in the fall, these were conversations that needed to be had sooner rather than later.
"I don't know, don't you think she's too young?" Matt questioned back, like he heard exactly what was going on in her head as Gabby suppressed a smile.
"She is, but she'll also be three in August." She reminded him, Casey scoffing before he kept on shaking his head. She knew he was just messing around, that he also knew it would be good to start her in preschool, but it also was easy to see that this next step in Sofia's life was a little harder for him. And she completely understood the feeling. "I think it would be good for her to be around more kids her age. And to get her used to the whole school thing."
"She doesn't need to go to school, she's practically still a baby." He countered jokingly, Gabby letting out a soft laugh while leaning her head to the side.
"Baby, she's not really a baby anymore." Gabby reminded him.
"Yes she is, she'll always be my baby." He replied without a thought before holding Sofia a little closer, Gabby watching on with a loving gleam in her eye while she and Matt lightheartedly went back and forth. "Isn't that right, Sof? You're still my baby, huh?" He told her, his daughter's eyes lighting up as she watched her dad with the biggest grin on her face. "You don't wanna go to school, do you?"
"Sool!" She said back quickly, Gabby chuckling in response as Matt sighed.
"No, no school Sof." He responded, the toddler merely bouncing up and down in his grasp while Dawson fought to hide her smirk.
"Sool!" She repeated lightly.
"Yeah, you wanna go to school like Caitlyn, huh?" Gabby finally spoke up, those words causing Sofia's eyes to widen even further before she started to move around more.
"Kay Kay sool!"
Knowing this was a battle he was losing, Casey let out a soft, yet playful sigh before he brought his free hand up to rub over Sofia's stomach. "You're supposed to be on my side, Sof." He said with a smile, Sofia merely grinning back at him while holding onto the collar of his shirt.
"Nah, she's on Momma's side. Aren't you, baby?" Gabby replied while rubbing over her back.
"Mama." Sofia spoke, Matt and Gabby both smiling before they looked at one another.
"Yeah, I should've known I wasn't gonna win this one. She's always been a Momma's girl." Casey responded lightly, Gabby letting out a soft laugh before moving to rest her hand against the back of his neck. "And, in all seriousness, I know you're right… We should start figuring that out, preschool would be great for her… I just wish she'd stop growing up so fast."
"I know you do." Gabby said softly, the teasing between them now gone as she stroked her thumb along the side of his neck. "But unfortunately, that's not possible… So yeah, I think it's time to start talking about it." She continued on, seeing him nod in agreement. "I know sometimes preschools can be a pain to get into, but I was thinking about maybe trying to see if they had a spot for her here."
His eyebrows raised at the suggestion, Matt already starting to feel a bit better about the idea of Sofia going to school as her and Caitlyn being in the same place would help ease his uncertainty. They loved this school, and more importantly they trusted the people here. This place had been nothing but great for and to Caitlyn, and their entire family, and he could only imagine they'd be just as welcoming to Sofia.
"They have a preschool program here. And we would probably only start her off going a few days a week, maybe once she gets settled we'll have her here the days we're at work just so she can get used to it. Being in school, and away from us. But I think it would be good for her, and Caity and Sof would love being in the same school." Gabby kept on, Matt moving his gaze back to Sofia who was still watching him with that big, bright smile.
"Yeah, they would." Casey agreed, pressing a kiss to Sofia's head before he glanced back at his wife.
"...So?" She asked him, Matt letting out a soft breath as he began to nod.
"We'll talk to the school, see if their preschool has a spot for Sofia in the fall." He told her, Gabby's smile widening before she pushed herself up to place a soft kiss to his lips. "But I'm gonna complain about it the entire time." He added on after they separated, his joking words prompting her to roll her eyes before she tapped the back of his neck.
"Yeah, I don't doubt it." She murmured, Matt giving her a knowing look just as the door to Caitlyn's classroom opened, the parents' focus soon shifting while the teacher led the students out of the room.
It didn't take long for them to find their daughter, Caitlyn close to the front of the line as she walked with her large backpack resting over her shoulders, the smile on her face already telling them that she'd had a great day at school.
And it was a look that only got wider when she saw her family standing there waiting for her, as it wasn't often they picked her up inside.
"Mommy! Daddy!" She spoke excitedly before breaking away from the group and hurrying towards her parents. The teacher's assistant guiding the kids paused for a moment, but once she saw the Casey family standing there she merely gave them a smile before continuing on her way, knowing Caitlyn was safe and looked after with her parents.
"Hi princess." Matt greeted first as the six year old slammed into his legs to give him a hug. "How was your day?"
"It was great!" She replied, though her words were a bit muffled by his body until she pulled back. "We talked about colors, and I painted a picture!"
"Wow! I can't wait to see it." He said with just as much enthusiasm, Caitlyn's smile growing before she looked up at her younger sister.
"Hi sissy!" She greeted, Matt helping to angle Sofia down closer to the ground so Caitlyn could give her a hug and a kiss. "I missed you."
"Hi Kay Kay!" Sofia giggled back, the sisters greeting one another until Caity then moved to her mom.
"Hi Mommy." She said last, stepping over to her and giving her a hug.
The girl was much more gentle with her mother, her hand resting over her stomach while she hugged her side.
"Hi my sweet girl, we missed you today." Gabby told her, Caitlyn nodding against her body while Dawson hunched forward to kiss her head. "But I'm glad you had such a good day."
"Me too." She agreed, pulling back just enough to look up at her mom. "Did you see the baby?" She questioned, quickly enough to where Gabby and Matt both could tell those words had been on her mind for a while.
"We did, we saw her this morning." She replied, Caitlyn's smile growing as she nodded. "Your sister is doing great, and we have new pictures to show you."
Her entire face lit up, Caitlyn hugging herself to Gabby a little tighter before kissing her stomach. "I'm so excited, I can't wait." She replied, both parents nodding as Matt adjusted Sofia in his grasp, shifting his body towards his wife and oldest daughter.
"How about we get out of here and head home, and you can show us your painting while we get the pictures of your sister." Matt offered, Caity's eyes widening in excitement before she began to nod. "That sound like a deal?"
"Deal!" She agreed easily, while reaching for Gabby's hand, Caitlyn holding on tightly as she looked back at her father. "Daddy, I'll help Mommy if you help Sof."
Gabby and Matt both couldn't help but laugh at her words, Caitlyn's protective nature over her mother and youngest sister making them smile as Casey reached his free hand out to rub over the back of her head.
"Alright Caity, that sounds like a plan." He responded lightly, the girl smiling before she began to walk down the hallway with her mom.
"Come on Mommy, I've got you and the baby." She spoke proudly, Gabby smiling once more as she gave her daughter's hand a squeeze before the family started the walk outside, all of them more than ready to spend the rest of this day together.