CHAPTER 9
Firehouse 87...
"Gabby, I have good news and bad news," Antonio declared.
She has been restocking the ambulance before starting the first call of the day.
"Split out...".
"We got Brian, I mean he was in Milwaukee."
"Okay. And what's the bad news?" Gabby asked apprehensively.
"He owes more than we thought so I think you won't see your money."
"How much Antonio?" she asked angrily.
"About $ 20,000."
"Damnit, Antonio...".
"I know... we talk later, sorry, sis...".
Gabby was sick to her stomach, how she never saw that coming...
...
Firehouse 51...
"Stop looking at the number. Call her...", Severide prompted him as he was laying on Matt's bunk, staring at the ceiling.
"I can't do it," he said frustrated.
"Then why did you ask her number?"
"Because I'm an idiot? Besides, there is no Tom Miller."
"Yeah, wait next week or give me her number and I'll call her. She's hot."
Severide was trying to annoy him.
"She's my mysterious girl, forget it."
"Okay, I was just kidding..." Severide laughed.
"I have to see her."
"Call her, go!"
"Okay, you won. But I need to talk to someone first...", he said before getting up and leaving.
"Who?" Severide asked.
...
"Thank you for coming, Antonio...", Casey led him to the meeting room.
"Okay, what do you need?" Antonio spoke worried.
"I know this will sound a little strange, so sit down, please...", Matt sighed.
"What's up?"
"It's about your sister. How do I say this? The first time I've seen her was at the park a while ago, once again at a call, she was around helping people, I didn't know Gabriela was your sister... That day she was at the apartment, it was a nice surprise... Then I saw her a few days ago at Molly's and I asked for her number...".
Antonio thought their comings and goings funny, though Matt seemed nervous like he was about to ask his sister's hand.
"You know, we've hardly known each other, but if you want you might check my life, you are a cop, no problem...".
Antonio thought, "Man, he likes my sister!"
"I will do, no worries! But please, continue...", Antonio said trying to take him seriously.
Matt was glad, Antonio was listening to him.
"I want to go out with Gabby. Of course, if she wants. The problem is that I don't tell her my real name, you know... I said to her I'm Tom Miller".
"I see... Next week, the apartment is ready, right?"
"Yes." Matt was eager to be done with everything.
"Fine with me!" said Antonio.
Casey was surprised, "Are you sure?".
"Absolute. My question is you are sure?" Antonio pressed him.
"I am, I just don't like to lie to her".
"We'll sort it all out, first hurry up... do your part of the deal. What could go wrong?".
"I don't know, anything can go wrong...", Matt rubbed behind his neck, he was tense.
"Like what? she thinks you are annoying and boring..." Antonio said laughing.
"Are you enjoying it?"
"If you hurt my sister I'm will kick your ass! You get it?".
"Sure, I'll treat her right, I assure you".
"Okay".
They shook hands.
When Matt went back to his office, he had someone waiting for him.
"Hi, Shay! Do you need something?"
"Yes, information about a brown-haired girl, a smile that lights up all around...," she said staring at him.
Casey was sat down, looking at some report on his desk. It would be a good time to organize those papers, but Shay disagreed.
"Come on, Casey! I tried, but I can't, I'm curious to know who is that girl."
"Shay, she just a friend."
"What's her name?"
"I'm not telling you."
"Casey!" she said upset and decided to give up for the time being because he seemed decided to keep his mouth shut.
...
"Pick up, pick up!" he whispered, anxious to talk to Gabby.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Gabby, is Tom", he sighed relieved when she picked up his call.
"Tom, I think I haven't caused a good impression on you...", Gabby acted sassily.
"I-", Matt gasped, "Gabriela, you have been on my mind, believe me, I can't stop thinking of you...," he spoke honestly.
"Remember, call me Gabby, Gabriela is too formal. Gabby is better...", she said as she checked herself in the mirror.
"Okay. Gabby, you got a minute?"
"Yes, of course."
"I was wondering if you would like to go out with me...", he was nervous, still ready if she declined his invitation.
"It depends on-".
He didn't wait for her to continue, "... what?"
"If you want to go out with me, a Blackhawks game, some of my co-workers will be there. I think it'll be fun".
Matt expected to be just the two of them, however, he would do anything she wanted to.
"Yeah, yeah... It's fine by me."
"Good, then you and I can have dinner later, what do you think?"
It was all he wanted. "I'll love it. May I give you a ride?"
"Yes, you call me later?" asked Gabby.
"Okay... Later...", smiling widely.
...
Gabby was in the bathroom when Denise told Chief Clarkson wanted to see her in his office.
"Yes, sir."
"Sit down. I've got news for you, headquarters asked me to transfer you to another firehouse...".
"Why, Chief?"
"The PIC of the ambulance 61 at Firehouse 51 is leaving Chicago, ... you have excellent references, you'll fit just fine there, I can see it. What do you think? It's a busy Firehouse... you're gonna learn a lot...".
"I don't know what to say, I like here. It's something a have a say or not?"
"Kind of, they ordered me to transfer you to Firehouse 51 as soon as possible... I know Chief Boden, you will like him, he is great...".
"Okay, Chief, thank you."
Gabby was used to working at Firehouse 87 already, but she wasn't afraid of challenges in her career.
...
Christie's house...
"Be good, okay? When your aunt says it's bedtime, it's bedtime."
"I know, daddy, every time you say the same thing."
"Anna!"
"Okay, I love you...", she hugged him.
"I love you, princess."
Anna went back to the living room to watch a movie with Violet.
"Don't worry Matt, she's a great girl."
"Thanks, Christie", he kissed her on the cheek.
"Have a good time!"
...
Blackhawks's game... a couple of hours later...
"I know, it was amazing!"
"Yes, it feels different watching here..., I can't wait to do it again...", Matt affirmed.
"It's not my first, but this time was different!" Gabby said looking at Matt as they walked to the parking lot.
"I agree. The company makes all the difference...", he confessed.
They flirted during the game, it's like they couldn't help themselves, they were enjoying each other company. Gabby felt butterflies in her stomach while Matt couldn't take his eyes off her.
"The last time I brought my nephews, they loved it."
Matt hadn't told her had a daughter...
"One day, I want to bring my daughter...". Matt didn't know what would be Gabby's reaction to his words...
"I think, she'll love it...", she said smiling.
He didn't expect a better answer than that.
They were gonna have dinner at a Mexican restaurant, Gabby had suggested the place. Matt took less than 15 minutes to drive them to the restaurant.
They had chosen a table where they could have some privacy.
"So, tell me about your daughter."
He was taken aback by her question, and he happily talked about the person who he loved most in the world.
"Her name is Anna and she is seven years old, intelligent, creative... Now and then comes up with some different ideas like petting a frog...".
"I adore her already!" Gabby said with a laugh. "I had a turtle when I was little, I called her Rex. I miss her...", they laughed.
"It's the first time I come here, I loved your suggestion...", Matt said.
"Can you handle a very spicy dish?"
"I can handle anything you send on my way, Gabriela...", he winked at her.
Twenty minutes later their food was served...
"Gabby, this is delicious... some many flavors...".
"I'm glad you liked it. My family always comes here, and I like to bring my friends here too."
Matt hoped he would be more than a friend in the future... Gabby wished that as well.
They asked for dessert so they were just waiting to bring it to them.
"So?"
"What?" Matt said.
"What are you waiting for? You know... a kiss would be welcome... Unless you don't want to."
Matt wanted to do this all night but he was nervous and hesitant. Tom Miller was the biggest obstacle, he wished he could kiss her being himself, Matt, not Tom. They were sitting across from each other, then he moved to the chair next to her.
Gabby had her arms resting on the table. Matt caressed her face, their lips a few inches from each other... Matt gazed at her lips, next he leaned over to touch her lips with his. Gabby closed her eyes, and before he could kiss her fully, he smiled warmly at her as her eyes were still closed.
"Matt? Matt-", a voice stopped him, suddenly Gabby and Matt opened their eyes.
Matt looked up, Sophia was before them.