Chapter 25

Today Matt was off work, so he didn't startle when he read 9:30 a.m. on the alarm clock, though he arched his eyebrows realizing Gabby wasn't sleeping by his side. Still, on the bed, he leaned back his elbows as looking around, not a single sign of Gabby. He waited a few seconds and decided to get up... He chose some pants and an old t-shirt, then brushed his teeth...

He heard familiar voices when he got to the bottom of the stairs: Anna e Gabby's voices made him smile.

"Good Morning," he exclaimed as he entered the kitchen, looking first at Anna, who had an apron around her waist.

"Morning, daddy," she ran to her dad and hugged him, in return, Casey kissed her head.

"You are good?"

Anna nodded effusively her head and went back to her spot beside Gabby.

Casey walked up to Gabby, who was preparing dough cookies on the counter with Anna's help.

"Morning, baby," he said as Gabby turned her head to welcome his lips on hers.

"Morning," she responded. "How was your sleep?" she asked as he continued by her side.

"Fine until I didn't see you, but I think you had a good reason...," he spoke watching her working on the dough cookie.

"Great, I thought you needed those extra hours..." she said as peered at him.

"Thank you, after our...", he blushed, "... you know... last night... you wore me out," he whispered in her ear giving her goosebumps.

Gabby chuckled, then moved to the sink, Matt followed her behind her. Glancing at Anna for a second, she was still focused on the dough cookie... Matt rested a hand over Gabby's butt.

"I guess tonight I will give you some rest then..., we can't risk you being tired on shift," Gabby said seriously.

"Baby," he raised his voice for a moment, changing his tone, "you will have me restless on shift if I don't have you in my arms tonight... " he declared. his breath warmed her neck. Gabby turned around to look at him.

Gabby eyed Anna shortly, and back to Casey, "I'll have to kick you out of my kitchen if you keep turning me on...", she bit her lower lip.

He ran the tip of his tongue over his lips, "I-I love you".

Gabby wrapped her arms around his shoulders and looked at up him for a few seconds. "I love you, Matthew Casey."

Their lips were a few inches apart when Anna cut in.

"Daddyyyyy" Anna said as watching them.

Both looked at her expectantly, with their arms around each other.

"Gabby and I have to finish the cookies, please!"

"Okay, okay, sorry," his hands were on the air as he stepped back. Gabby laughed. Casey took a seat on the counter, next to Anna's, "you are doing a great job there," he said pointing at the dough cookie.

"Thank you, I hope Greta likes it" Anna stated. Matt had never heard that name.

"Who is Greta?" Matt asked confused.

"It's a new student, she just moved here. She ..." Anna went quiet. Gabby stood next to her and put a hand on her back.

"It's okay, Anna... it's okay sweet...," Gabby said as changing a look with her boyfriend. Anna lifted her head and looked at Matt, there were tears in her eyes.

"Greta's mom died last month. Gabby and I...," she gazed at Gabby, "we are making some cookies for her". Anna looked at her dad, "...she said that her mother used to make cookies when she was sad, maybe she might feel better eating some, besides her father doesn't know how to make, Greta told me. Do you think she'll like it, dad?"

Matt was so proud of her daughter for what she was doing, his eyes were teary. "I bet she will love it, you're amazing for doing this to her," he said. Matt pulled her to a hug, Gabby couldn't help as a few tears rolled down her face.

...

Two months later...

Gabby, Matt, and Anna were used to the following routine: Gabby sleeps in Casey's house on the days he didn't have shift and when Matt has a construction job, Gabby would take care of Anna. In addition, Gabby and Christy became great friends, they have planned playdates for the girls every other week.

Matt has planned to ask Gabby to move in with them before he had to talk to Anna, what would be her thoughts about the matter, though one day she caught him off guard when she questioned her father why Gabby wasn't living with them already. Matt took it as a good sign to make the question to Gabby...

He would do that in the next few days during a romantic dinner, first, he needed to make a reservation at the restaurant that Gabby loved...

...

A few days later...

Gabby was in her apartment getting some things done before going to Matt's house... She was going through her email when one message got her attention... She clicked on it, there was a college acceptance letter, she read it at least three times, Gabby couldn't believe her eyes... a scholarship was waiting for her in Florida...