Hello there everyone! I'm finally back with this next chapter for you all.

First off, I just want to thank you all for your patience with this one. I'm sorry I couldn't get it out to you last week, but hopefully this chapter makes up for it. I know with how we left things, you all are eager to see what happens and I'm so excited for you to read it. I tried my best to portray how I think a conversation like this would go for them, given what all they've been through in their lives- Gabby especially, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. I just hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank you guys so much for reading, I can't wait to hear your thoughts and I'll see you next time!


ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO


"And if you're ready… I want to start trying to have a baby."

The silence that fell over them was almost deafening, at least to Gabby as she watched her husband with baited breath. Her heart was practically pounding out from her chest, like a part of her couldn't believe she had finally said the words out loud.

It was no secret they both wanted this. That, for as long as they'd known each other, having a family was something they both wanted, and shortly thereafter they came to realize it was something they wanted together. But they had never decided when it was that they were going to start trying, and having this conversation directly brought up a lot more emotions for Gabby than she might've expected.

She was excited at the possibility of what was to come for them. At just the idea of having a child with the man she had given her entire self to. But along that came nerves, and a lot of them. Not even just from how he'd react, though logically she knew she had nothing to worry about there. But just from everything else that came with it, other memories and parts of her life this brought up, it was a lot for her to take in. And something about voicing it out loud made all of those feelings so much more intense.

But for as many nerves as she was feeling right now, the same couldn't be said for her husband as that wide, bright grin never left his face. Not since he realized what she was asking him, that look telling her all she needed to know before he could even say anything.

Though she still wanted to hear it from him.

"I know we, um… We've talked about this." She kept on when he had yet to speak up, his shining eyes focused on her as he gave her an encouraging nod to continue. There was a lot he wanted to say, a lot he could say, but right now he wanted to know what she was thinking. "A few times, it has come up. And I know our lives have been so busy, there's been a lot going on… So much good, and some bad this past year." She breathed out, Matt giving her a sad, knowing look before he soon recovered. "But lately, everything with us has been so great."

"It has." He agreed, Matt glad to see that soft smile return to her face.

"Yeah… Things have just been really steady, maybe the most they've ever been for us. And I know doing this now would change that. There's no rush for us to start our family, we just got married and maybe it's too soon in some ways, but I-" She stopped herself, Matt reaching out for her hand while she worked through whatever was going on in her mind, Gabby drawing in a deep breath before she found his soft gaze. "...I want to have kids with you."

An intense rush of warmth went through his body, Casey unable to stop his already wide smile from growing even further as he was sure those were some of the best words he could ever hear from his wife. Even though he already knew them, something about hearing it in this moment made it all the more surreal.

"It's all I want, is to be a mom. And to watch you be a dad. I want that for us so badly." She got out, Matt seeing a few tears beginning to form in her eyes before he gave her head a healthy squeeze. "So that's where I'm at… I'm ready to try to have a baby, if that's something you want."

Gabby released a heavy, yet somewhat relieved breath once she finished speaking, as even with the nerves still rushing through her body she felt better now that this was off her chest. That they'd directly started the conversation, Gabby feeling his hand continue to tighten in hers while he watched her with that beaming look. But even then, he said nothing. And she wasn't sure what to make of it.

"...What are you thinking?" She asked, a little quicker than she probably should've as she knew she'd kind of dropped this on him out of nowhere, and it was a big decision. But she couldn't wait any longer, her nerves winning out while she adjusted her positioning more towards him.

He didn't respond at first, Gabby sure she'd be feeling even more uncertain of his silence if it weren't for the bright smile resting over his face. One that showed just how happy he was at the thought of this next step in their lives, even if he hadn't voiced it quite yet.

"Matt…"

She didn't get the chance to say much else before he was excitedly, yet carefully, pulling her forward, her body weight coming up off the couch and into his lap as a surprised squeak left her lips. One that was quickly silenced by him as within seconds his mouth was on hers, Matt kissing her before she could even fully settle into his lap while her legs rested on either side of him. His hands were holding onto her like his life depended on it, keeping her as close as possible while he kissed her with enough passion to make her melt into him. But it was a feeling she never wanted to end, Gabby giving just as much back to him as her arm came up to wrap around the back of his neck.

Her hips were pushing down into him, his fingers tightening around her waist while they continued moving together, the pure joy he was feeling put into every movement until they eventually had to pull back once the lack of air became too much. But even still they never went far, Gabby leaning her forehead down to rest against his while they fought to catch their breath, chests heaving as Matt used all the leverage he had to push her hips closer until she was flesh against his stomach.

"So… you want to have a baby with me?" She asked a few long moments of nothing but their panting being heard throughout their home, Matt releasing a heavy chuckle before he slowly pulled back. Only enough to be able to see her while bringing one of his hands up to cup her neck. She leaned into his touch, the warmth between them comforting as neither of them could hide their deliriously happy smiles. And they wouldn't want to.

"There is nothing I want more than to have a baby with you." He spoke clearly, letting his thumb rub over her jaw while he saw her features light up even more, something he didn't think possible until he saw it happen. Her tear filled eyes were beaming, Gabby holding onto him with as much strength as she could muster while he firmly nodded his head up and down. "I've wanted this for so long, to be a father. For you to be the mother of my children, I already know you'll be the best mom in the world. But I needed to know you were ready."

"I am, I'm more than ready." She was quick to tell him, laughing through her tears as Matt too felt himself getting emotional. "And I think it's the right time for us to try and have a baby."

She could barely get the words out before he was kissing her again, Gabby feeling complete and utter love coming from her husband as he moved his other hand down around to her back, before trailing down below her waist. Like he was just so desperate to touch her, and be close to her, a few tears then falling from her eyes as they continued on with their movements.

"God, I love you." He said between kisses, tightening his hold on her while simultaneously shifting them both closer to the edge of the couch, Matt kissing any part of her he could reach before he had suddenly lifted them both up.

Gabby hadn't been expecting the movement, surprised laughs coming from her while she held on a little tighter, Matt carrying her weight easily before he started to walk across the room.

"Where are we going?" She asked him, amusement in her voice while he pressed a hard kiss to her neck.

"To celebrate." He answered back like it was the most obvious thing in the world, Gabby releasing another laugh as they moved through the hallway into their bedroom.

Matt was careful with her the entire way, until he gently sat her body down onto their mattress, Gabby wasting no time in beginning to shed her clothes while Casey followed suit until they were both down to their underwear. But before she could remove anymore he was suddenly on top of her, the two settling in the middle of their bed while their lips moved fiercely together, his hands on either side of her head to support himself as Gabby did all she could to pull him down to her.

There was a desperation between them like there typically was, but there was also something incredibly different as well. Like something had shifted, and within seconds Matt was already slowing them down, his once brutally passionate kisses now soft and sweet while his hands roamed over her body, Gabby not missing how they'd linger on her stomach every now and then. But the gesture only made her that much more sure of her decision, Gabby kissing him with as much love as she had to give until he gently pulled away from her.

Though he never went far, his lips continuing to trail over her skin while his fingers teased her in the same path, Matt moving down her neck to her collarbone, across her upper chest and over her bra, before trailing down to her stomach. And it was there he stayed, Matt continuing to press tender, caring kisses all over her torso; on the place that would one day hopefully be carrying their child, Gabby unable to stop the tears that kept filling her eyes as she could almost feel what was going through his mind right at this moment. And it only confirmed what she already knew.

How she loved Matt so much, more than anything else in the world.

And she couldn't wait to have a child with him.

To watch this wonderful, loving man become a father. To do the one thing she knew he was born to, it would be one the most special things to see. And Gabby was so excited to experience that. To go through all of it with him, to be together and continuing on with the life they dreamed of almost felt too good to be true.

But it was. Here soon, that would be their reality. And Gabby had never felt more grateful for anything in her entire life.

"I love you." He said again, his lips moving over her stomach once more while his arms reached behind her back to unclasp her bra, Gabby giving into the movement without question before he removed the clothing and tossed it to the floor, her underwear and his boxers soon following. "I love you so, so much."

"I love you, too." She barely got out as Matt moved up until he was eye level with her, the amount of love and adoration in his eyes for her drawing out everything else while he settled between her legs.

Pulling the sheets up to cover them, Matt checked to make sure she was ready before he slowly began to guide himself into her. Gabby gasped at the feeling, but her secured legs around his waist prompted him to keep moving until his hips were pressed into hers, the couple knowing there was nothing that could ever feel more right to them than this.

Her hands were clutching onto him, Casey keeping still for a moment as she adjusted to him before he slowly started to move, his lips on hers a second later while he moved at a steady, yet slow pace.

The passion in his movements left her breathless, her fingers scratching over his back while soft pants and moans filled the room, Matt moving in and out gradually as they savored every second of this that they could, knowing that tonight was when everything changed. From this moment forward, nothing for them would ever be the same.

Because they decided to try and have a child, and they had never been happier.


Gabby snuggled deeper into the warmth behind her while she slowly came into consciousness, her euphorically aching body already begging her for more sleep as even though she couldn't be sure what time it was, she knew it was too early to get up. And with as comfortable as she was, she had no intentions of moving anytime soon, Gabby pushing her body back into the person next to her as she tried to let her mind drift off enough to fall back asleep.

But before she could she felt her husband shift from his position behind her, Matt angling his body to mirror hers while sliding his arm underneath the covers to rest over her stomach, his bare skin against hers keeping her somewhat alert while he gently pulled her back as close to him as he could.

"Good morning, baby."

His voice was raspy from lack of use, Gabby able to tell even in her own haze that he had just woken up, the sound of his easy words bringing a smile to her face as her body nestled back into his. Even though she couldn't see him, with their proximity and lack of clothing she could tell that it was a rather good morning for him as a soft, sleepy smile came to her lips, Gabby pressing into him a bit more as she reached down to place her hand over his on her stomach.

"Morning." She replied, her voice just as sleepy as Matt placed a kiss to her shoulder.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Incredibly well." She answered without a thought, Gabby practically able to feel the smile she knew was on his face while he kissed her body once more. "One of the best nights of sleep I've had in a long time."

"I'd say so, seeing as how I almost lost you before we even finished last night." He lightheartedly teased her, prompting an intense heat to begin moving through her chest as she knew just how true his words were.

Though their first time together after deciding to take this next step in their lives had been nothing but slow and gentle, the same couldn't be said for everything that followed, as the excitement from just the idea of becoming parents together had made for a rather spirited evening. One Matt put his all into as he'd elicited feelings so intense within her body that it almost gave out of her.

But their night had been nothing short of amazing and she wouldn't have changed a single thing, as there was something so incredibly special about being together, knowing that they both wanted to expand their family. That they wanted to create another life, together. It was unlike anything else she'd ever experienced, and she could only hope that feeling would never go away.

"Well, you can't really blame me… That was some of your best work." She said back after a few moments, Matt smirking proudly while letting his hand rub along the front of her stomach, before leaning his head down to rest his chin over her arm.

"Yeah, I'm no doctor… But I think we pretty much nailed the whole 'trying for a baby' thing last night." He went along with an amused tone in his voice, Gabby's nose scrunching up at the terminology before she felt him begin to shake his head. "Okay, maybe not the best choice of words, but you know what I mean…"

"Uh huh. I think you know exactly what you were saying." She joked back lightly, the couple sharing a laugh before Matt turned his head down to kiss her arm. "But you're right, I think we've got that part of it down."

"We definitely do." He said with a chuckle before a soft, comfortable quiet fell over them. One that neither of them were really in any hurry to disrupt. But as the seconds ticked by, Matt got the sense that Gabby's thoughts were a little deeper than he'd expect, especially this early in the morning as he gave her body a light squeeze before speaking up. "...Everything okay in there?"

His voice was easy, like he wasn't exactly sure if there was something wrong or not. But he felt like he needed to check, Gabby unable to stop the small smile that tugged on her lips from his tenderness before she began to nod.

"Yeah… I'm just thinking."

"About what?" He prodded, as after the whirlwind that had been their last twelve hours, he knew there were many different things that could be going through her mind at the moment.

"You, mostly." She answered softly, Matt smiling in response as his head shifted on her arm. "And us… the whole having a baby thing. Just all of it." She added after a breath, his arms like a safe space for her while Matt just let her talk. "And I guess I want to know how you're feeling about everything."

His eyebrows furrowed at that. "About us having a baby?" He checked, pausing for a moment until she nodded.

"Yeah, and I… I don't know, just now that we've slept on it, I want to know where you're at."

Her words threw him for a moment, as Matt wasn't sure why she was asking him this. But even through his uncertainty, it didn't take him long to realize she was looking for some assurance from him. That she needed to know nothing had changed for him since last night. And he was more than willing to give her that, especially because he had this feeling in the pit of his stomach that something for her had.

But before he responded he gave her stomach a few light taps with his hand, as well as pulling back from their close hold of one another, the movement familiar enough to where she knew he was wanting her to turn around and face him. Which she soon did, Gabby shifting her weight until she was now resting on her other side, face to face with her husband as he adjusted the bed sheets over them in an effort to keep her covered.

He waited for another moment for her to settle, Matt then bringing his hand up to rest over her arm while he felt her reach for him underneath the covers, Gabby not stopping until she had her arm wrapped around his back, the closeness comforting to them both before he gave her a bright, yet genuine smile.

"Where I'm at, is I am so goddamn excited about this." He told her after a breath, Matt practically able to feel her body relax as that smile he loved so much returned to her lips. And he wanted nothing more than for it to stay there. "I don't know if I've ever been happier than when you told me you wanted to have a baby… The only times I can think of are when you agreed to marry me, and when you actually married me." He added on lightheartedly, pulling a quiet laugh from her while her hand traced gentle patterns along his back. "But believe me when I tell you that I am so, so excited, Gabby. For every part of this. I've never been more sure of anything in my life than I am about wanting to have a child with you… You're the love of my life, the best part of me. And I can't wait to bring someone into this world that's a part of us."

He spoke with conviction that brought tears to her eyes, his words seemingly exactly what she needed to hear as she stayed quiet for another moment or two before nodding, Matt letting his hand slide up towards her face and push back some of her hair as he leaned in to give her a sweet kiss.

"What about you?" He asked once they separated, regaining her gaze while he continued to gently touch her face. "How are you feeling?"

That silence returned, Gabby giving herself some time to think over whatever was going on in her head before she answered almost a minute later. "I'm excited." She told him, and while her words were soft he knew she meant them. "I feel the same way you do, I'm so excited… But I think part of me is also a little nervous." She confided, Matt taking in a breath before he nodded back at her. He wasn't sure what was coming, but he could tell there was something on her mind that hadn't been there last night. And whatever it was, he'd be there every step of the way. "From everything that happened before, with the miscarriage.. it's hard to not think about it."

The last part of her admission is when he truly began to understand what this was, and where her hesitance was coming from. Not from him, but herself. That she was the one feeling a little unsure, and given all she'd been through he'd never blame her for that. It must've just not settled in until this morning. But it still hurt him all the same, knowing this was something she carried with her everyday.

"I wish I wasn't thinking about it. The last thing I want is for what happened then to ruin this now, because I am so happy. I am ready and I want to have a baby with you, but when I miscarried, it just… It was hard." She told him, her voice barely above a whisper as Matt stayed a quiet, yet supportive presence by her side while she opened up to him.

This wasn't something they did often, rarely ever did they talk about this part of Gabby's past and what she went through. Especially considering how the first time he got a glimpse of what happened to her, it almost tore them apart. But whenever it did come up, Matt made sure she knew she could come to him. About any part of it, he'd be there for her, even if he could never fully understand what this had been like for her.

"I lost them so early on, it was so sudden. All the exams and doctor's visits, there was nothing wrong. There were no signs that anything like that might happen, and so when it did I… It broke a part of me." She said, her words like a deep knife through his chest while he kept his hand over her cheek. "They could never tell me why it happened, except maybe from stress. Because everything with Bryan, it was-" She stopped herself, a deep frown forming into his features as he hated to think about what all she went through then. What Walker had put her through made him sick, especially knowing that she went through so much of it alone. "The whole situation was just a nightmare, I see that now. And truthfully, I was in no place to try and bring a child into that… But they were still my baby, and I lost them."

It was like he could feel pieces of him breaking with every word she spoke, Matt wishing there was anything he could do to help comfort her. Anything he could do to make this better, as he hated that even in great moments like this, where they had decided to try and have a child together, parts of her past still came back to haunt her. It felt cruel, and wasn't at all fair to her as Matt wished more than anything he could take that pain away.

But he couldn't. All he could do was help her navigate through it.

"And not only is that still hard to think about, but I also don't know if that caused any problems for me, medically." She continued on, his breath catching in his throat as that wasn't something he'd considered before. But just the thought of it was hard to stomach. "After it happened they told me I was fine, but they also told me I was fine when I was pregnant, and I don't know if something's wrong now… So all that's kind of scaring me, because if it happens again I don't know what I'd do. The thought of losing another child, of putting you through that-"

"Hey, hey hey." Matt finally spoke up as he pulled her body into his, feeling the need to intervene as he didn't like where this conversation was headed. For so many reasons he needed to stop her before she got too far ahead of herself. Though he knew why she was.

She had very real fears. Fears that were completely understandable, but he didn't want her making this about him. About something that might not even happen, he didn't want her to worry herself sick over it.

Though he knew that was easier said than done.

"First of all, you wouldn't be putting me through anything." He said quietly, feeling her grip on him tighten as her head was tucked into his neck. "If anything were to ever happen, it wouldn't be your fault. I need you to believe that… And secondly, as far as we know, you're fine. Right?" Matt reminded her, as from his own knowledge he was aware of how she went to all her yearly checkups on time. That nothing alarming ever came from them, and he wanted to make sure she remembered that too.

"...Yeah."

"And they've never said anything about something possibly being wrong, yeah?" He repeated himself for her benefit, feeling her take a breath until she nodded, Matt letting out a soft sigh of his own before placing a kiss against the side of her head. "I know this is hard, and scary for you. But baby, I don't want you getting caught up in your own head about this… And I know, it's not that easy. You've been through hell and everything you've endured, that's gonna stick with you. You can't just turn it off, but from what we know you're okay. You're fine Gabby. And unless we're ever told differently, that's what I'm going to focus on… I hope, when you're ready, you can try to do that, too."

More tears were prickling her eyes by the time he finished, his words that held no judgment helping more than she ever could've realized as she was beginning to see how right he was. She couldn't let her past control her; she'd said it over and over again when she was moving past what Bryan did to her, and she had to use that same philosophy now.

This was a good thing, a great thing, her and Matt trying for a baby. And no matter how hard losing her first child was, or how it had left her a little bit scarred, there was nothing she could do to change what had happened. It was a part of her, something she had come to terms with long ago, she may have just needed that little reminder.

And her husband had given her that.

"How about we go and see your doctor?" Matt said somewhat suddenly, causing Gabby to pull back and find his loving gaze. "Or we can find you a completely new doctor, if that's what you want… But why don't we go and see someone before we get too far into this, just to make sure everything's okay. Maybe it'll help you feel a little better." He suggested, Gabby sure she couldn't love this man more than she already did as a small smile came to her face, while her hand slid around to his side. "Would you want to do that?"

She was nodding before she could respond. "I would, yeah." She answered, Matt matching her words with a smile before he leaned in to give her a sweet kiss. One that didn't last nearly long enough for Gabby's liking. "...And you'll go with me?"

She didn't even need to ask him, they both knew it. But for some reason she wanted to, Matt immediately nodding before he pulled her back to him. "Of course, baby." He said while kissing her head, the two shifting for Matt to lie on his back while she was partially on top of him, both needing to be close to one another. "I wouldn't be anywhere else. No matter what, you've always got me… Every step of the way, I'm right here."

His soft promises left her feeling a bit more whole than she had been when they started this conversation, Gabby's eyes falling closed as an intense sense of comfort washed over her. She was already feeling better, and that was all thanks to her husband, Gabby taking in a slow breath before letting out the last thing on her mind.

"I truly am happy about this, I need you to know that." She murmured, Matt's eyes opening once he registered what she'd said even though he couldn't see her face. "No matter how worried I might get, that doesn't change how much I want this… I still want this so badly."

"I know." He assured her as fast as he could, Matt not wanting this to ever be something she worried about. Because she had no reason to, not with him. "I know you do baby, and we'll have that… One day soon, we'll have our family." He promised, contentment washing over them both as nothing more needed to be said between them. Not right now, Gabby holding onto him a little tighter while they continued laying together in the middle of their bed, wanting nothing more than to stay here for just a little while longer as she couldn't help but think over everything he had told her.

Because she knew what he said was true, every word of it. Everything was okay, she was okay. And that one day, they would have their family.

And it would be the best time of their lives.