CHAPTER 27
"Gabby... Anna and I want you to live with us..."
Gabby's eyes widened and looked back at him.
"Look," he grabbed her hands. " You don't need to answer me right now. It's a big decision..., no pressure, take your time, I'll wait...," he said smiling.
"Thank you, babe," she kissed him on the lips. He encircled an arm around her waist, pulling her to sit on his lap... they kissed a couple of times.
"Ugh" Anna murmured as approached the happy couple.
"We were caught, babe..." Gabby spoke as staring at Matt, before Anna could run, they both tickled up and down her sides, making the girl laugh out loud...
"Please, stop...Please!" Anna gasped, in a few seconds they stopped altogether.
"I love you, baby girl..." Gabby told Anna with her in her arms.
"I love you, Gabby...," Anna said hugging her. "I'm tired," Anna announced.
"How about buying a pizza on our way home?" Matt suggested.
"I love pizza" Anna clapped her hands, cheering up at her dad's decision.
"Of course you love," Matt said as lifted her into his arms and put her on his shoulders.
...
After dinner, Anna brushed her teeth and went to bed, she felt exhausted... Gabby and Matt stayed up a little longer watching a movie in the living room. They were cuddling on the couch...
"Hmmm this is so good... being here with you," her hand was over his on her stomach... A few minutes later…
"I've been thinking... next year we could go to Disney. I never had the chance to take Anna there... It would be amazing traveling together...," Matt stated.
His plans wouldn't work if she accepted the scholarship, Gabby considered, the single thought made her sad, her eyes teared up.
Her silence worried Matt... "Gabby... are you awake?" he asked.
"No, I heard you before... I've been to Disney, I'm sure Anna will love it," she told him.
"I won't tell her now, I believe we can do it at Christmas..."
"Yeah, yeah...," she wiped a tear.
"Hey...," carefully Matt turned her head back to look at him. "Are you okay?"
"Yes...," she stroked his hand. "... little tired, that's all..." giving him a half-smile.
"Okay," he kissed her lips. "Let's go to bed?"
"Not now," she turned her body to him and snuggled up against him. "I'm comfortable here."
"You're saying I'm comfy?" he raised his eyebrows.
"Something like that," staring at him for a couple of seconds... she closed her eyes...
Matt soaked up at the moment... happy to be a pillow for his girlfriend... he watched her dozing off for a few minutes, then he took her to bed...
...
One month later...
Gabby wasn't living with Casey yet... he reminded her last week that his offer was still up since there wasn't a good reason to pay rent when she has been staying in Casey's house most of the time... Although, Gabby asked him for a few days to give her final word...
Gabby was in the stall shower, getting ready to go home after another shift at Firehouse 51... Casey was brushing his teeth, a towel wrapped around his waist..." Baby, your phone is ringing," he said.
"You can take a message, baby?"
"Sure," he read on the screen display: University of Florida.
"Hi..., good morning... Matthew Casey, Gabby's boyfriend...," he frowned while listening to the caller. "Okay... I'll tell her...," he eyed the stall shower where Gabby was hidden by the curtains. "Got it... okay... 8 a.m., 10th... thank you."
Gabby came out from the shower "Who was on the phone?" she smiled warmly at him.
Casey pressed his lips together as digested the message...
"Babe, what is it?" she asked walking up to him.
"You will have to tell me because I didn't know until now you have a meeting with the admission counselor of the University of Florida next month..."
"It's not important," she said passed by him to get her clothes on the bench...
"You won a scholarship, this is important, from my point of view... this is huge...", he crossed his arms over this chest.
"Yes, but-" and Casey interrupted her.
"You are going to Florida. When were you planning on telling me? I mean, how long have you known about it, Gabby?"
"Look-," he cut her in, his voice harsh.
"Answer me, please...," he was upset, he didn't pretend he was not.
"... Month ago I received the college letter saying of the medical school in Florida...," she looked down.
"Got it... Why did you let me insist on the invite you live with Anna and me then? What was the point?"
"I wouldn't deceive you about it... I want to be with you... and Anna... live with you guys..."
"It's a strange way of showing it, don't you think? No one needs more than a couple of days to decide to live with somebody..., I-I don't know how I get to this point that I thought it was okay you to take a while..." he said unsettled.
"You're getting it all wrong," she said stepping forward...
"Am I?" looking hurt...
"I agreed on visiting the university to know about their program, that's all..."
"When you get that you'll change your mind about staying in Chicago, I could never ask you to stay and give up your dream..."
"What you're saying, Casey?" she got concerned.
"I'm saying you should accept it if that's what you really want."
"You don't want me to stay?" she said with teary eyes.
"You weren't going to visit the university if you wanted to stay...," he stated disappointed.
"Matt," she tried to grab his hand, but it was too late, he left her alone...