Wow! I really did forget about this update. Sports Carnival training on Friday afternoon did a number on me and I collapsed into a heap when I arrived home from school ~ And I'm still bruised from last week's excursion :( Plus this always happens when I don't write things in my planner and then also forget to open it. So it was when I was in the coffee line and chatting to R this morning when she said something that reminded me that I hadn't updated. We'll just add that to the many thanks that I owe R x Thank you too to everyone who has reviewed.

And I apologise for my Spanish (Australian Chinese-Welsh and I didn't learn Spanish in school), it was all Google Translate - please do let me know if it's incorrect

Hope you enjoy the latest week in the Casey pregnancy ~Em

Week Nine

~ Candidate is now about the size of a medium green olive ~

"Are you sure about telling them, Babe?" Gabby questioned as she dug through her wardrobe only wearing a dressing gown.

"Hmm?" Matt questioned as he walked into the bedroom, the remaining water droplets from his shower glistening on his bare chest. "What did you say?"

Gabby had to tear her eyes away from Matt's body and force herself to shake her head to clear her mind of any thoughts that were forming. They were going to be late for dinner at her parents' house unless they hurried up. Sighing slightly she repeated her question, "Are you sure about telling my parents tonight?" the uncertainty was very evident.

Matt paused mid-dressing to stare at her. It had been her idea to tell her family before she reached her twelve week mark, whilst they had only known for two weeks she needed the support from her family. She had meant what she had said about not being able to live through the heartache again, she wouldn't be able to take all the sympathetic and 'poor you' looks from everyone around her, not again. Adriana and Miguel had been in the Dominican when it had happened and Gabby had insisted that they stay and finish up their planned time over there rather than rushing back to Chicago where they couldn't do anything. Gabby at the time just wanted to move on with her life, not have her parents coming back to console her.

But this time, this time, was different. So far everything was going okay, Gabby was feeling good, rested for the most part. Boden had been happy for them and understood why she was so hesitant to tell anyone. And it was only going to be another three weeks until they were past that safe point and then she would be comfortable sharing her news. Just three long weeks.

If Matt had had his way, he would be standing on top of the CFD Academy building and shouting it to everyone, but he respected her fears. This was her body and after the trauma, she had suffered previously, he was willing to do whatever it was she wanted. Granted he would have preferred telling a few more people, but it was her decision.

"Matt?" she questioned, breaking through his thoughts. "You may want to put some pants on before we go… As much as I appreciate the hot lieutenant look, I'm not so sure Antonio would really like it," she commented as she came over to him. Unbuttoning his top, she slid her warm hands across his torso, playing with the waistband of his boxers.

"Gabby," Matt groaned trying to untangle her arms as her fingers danced lightly over his body. "Gabbbs… We need to go," he mumbled as she started to kiss him. He struggled with the overwhelming need for her against the knowledge that he really did not want to be late for dinner with his in-laws. She sighed as she pulled back, tugging on the back of his neck. Matt got the hint leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers. "So what was the question about?" he gently asked.

"Are you sure about telling my family tonight?" she repeated again. Matt spun her around in his arms, resting his hand on her still flat stomach. Looking up into the mirror, Gabby could see he had his eyebrows raised, a questioning look on his face. "I just… I just… I'm not sure about telling them. What if something goes wrong? And we have to go through everything again?" she questioned as tears began to well in her eyes.

"Hey, hey… Look at me," he commanded, hooking a finger under her chin causing her to twist slightly in order to face him. Gabby was still having her good days and more concerned days about the baby. Matt would never question her about wanting the baby, he knew she wanted this family more than anything else in life, but he understood her fears. To love and for it to be unexpectedly taken away, and in a way that there was nothing that anyone could do to make it right was heartbreaking. For that alone, he knew that she needed the love and support of her family along with his support, especially from her mother. "You can't think like that. We don't know what the future holds. But don't go there Gabby, we've got every reason to believe that Smudge is going to be okay. And yes I'm okay with telling your family. Why won't I be?"

"It's not like you've been talking to your family. And I don't know where you stand with your mother. Christie and Violet are in our picture, to a certain degree. I just wish that we were closer to Christie so that we could be telling them together. I really want them to be as much a part of Smudge's life as my parents are. I want Smudge to know Aunt Christie as much as Tio Antonio. And I know telling my family is going to be a big thing and I just didn't want you to be left out."

"Babe, your family is my family," he reminded her placing a kiss on the tip of her nose. The elder Dawsons had made him feel like he was one of the family, no questions asked. It had taken Matt and Gabby quite a while to get their acts together, hell they had been engaged, broken up, she fell pregnant and then lost the baby and then they had nearly broken up again. Yet Adriana and Miguel had never questioned him, they had just opened their arms, hearts and home to him. They had left the questioning to Antonio. "I firmly believe that we should tell them. You need them around us… Plus I'm surprised you haven't spilt to Antonio already, you share everything," he teased her.

He sometimes would watch Antonio with Gabby, him being the protective older brother and sharing everything with her, and his heart ached for that too. Matt could remember as a young child spending time with his elder sister, but those precious memories were far and few between. Christie and he had started to mend their bridges, especially as Violet had started wanting to spend time with them more, but the Casey side of the family still remained a touchy subject. Maybe a new baby would be the way to bring them back together, work on a relationship that he wanted to have with his sister… Only time would tell.

Gabby spun back around in his arms, resting her head on his bare chest, letting his steady heartbeat wash over her. They stood silently for a few moments with Matt pressing kisses to the crown of her head. "We can tell everyone when you want Gabby. Even so, I might feel just a bit more comfortable if you at least told Brett. Then she would be able to look out for you during shift Babe."

"Three weeks Matt," she breathed. "I just need three more weeks; I need to know that we're going to be okay. I just don't want to jinx it. I can't have the house giving me those looks again. And I know what would happen if I told Brett, she would insist that I, or more likely we, tell Kidd, who is such a blabber mouth. She would either tell the whole house or at least Severide. And I just do not need everyone and his dog knowing. Babe, I'm on Ambo, which is where I would be if I'd happened to still be on Truck. Just this one thing Matt, it's all I ask," she pleaded looking down, twisting her wedding ring with her thumb and little finger.

Matt watched as the diamonds on her ring caught the light, shimmering as they spun around her ring. He continued to watch as she sat on the side of their bed, her left forefinger coming to rest on her lips, her ring still being nervously being spun around her finger. Making quick work of his buttons Matt glanced over at the dresser that stood in the corner of their bedroom. Gabby's engagement ring sat atop a pearl-like plate, in the same spot it would sit after each shift if she hadn't put it back on. She had a routine, depending on whether or not she was able to shower at the house at the end of shift; if she could she would shower, put both of her rings back on and gather up her and Matt's washing to sort out at home. She wasn't without her rings for very long, today hadn't been on of those days. The pregnancy induced fatigue had meant that Gabby had walked into the house in a daze, undone her necklace, placing the engagement ring on the dresser and fallen into bed without so much as a shower or breakfast. Knowing that they were expected at her parents for dinner, she hadn't done much at all that day, so her ring was still where she had left it. Matt swiped it up, rocking the ring back between his fingers.

Moving the bedclothes slightly, he took a seat next to her and offered up the ring waving it just under her nose. "What do you say, fourth time's a charm?" he teased in an attempt to make her smile.

Gabby gave him a weak smile, "Is that the best you can do?" She reached out for the ring, just as Matt pulled it out of her reach, Matt gave her a cheeky smirk as he dropped to his knee, proffering the ring up to her. Gabby dissolved into fits of giggles despite herself.

"Well?" he asked in mock indignation, trying to keep the smile off of his face. Gabby gave him a look, claimed back her ring placing it back where it belonged before pulling Matt back up to meet her lips.

"Well Mr. Casey…" she drawled, "since we've just become engaged, don't you think we need to celebrate?" she quipped, pushing him down onto the bed, flopping down next to him, attempting to kiss him.

Allowing her a few moments with their lips pressed together, Matt groaned and helped her into a sitting position. "Come on now, we really do need to get to your parents' house."

Gabby pouted, bottom lip on full display before whining about not being able to find anything to wear. Matt gazed back at her shocked, gesturing at the open doors of her walk-in closet, "You don't think you have enough clothes to wear right in there?" he questioned. The main bedroom had these two amazingly built in walk in closets that had more than enough room in each, honestly compared to their previous apartment or even the place that Matt had shared with Hallie, they could have easily shared a closet. But Gabby liked that she could spread her items out, there was actually a space in Matt's closet purely for their work gear, he had offered to store it all, it wasn't like he was using much space in his closet.

"Yes Matt, I know that I have many many clothes, but I can't quite find anything to fit me right" she grumbled. Matt tugged at the cord of her dressing gown, pulling it free, before running a hand over the still taut stomach that Gabby had. "That's not the problem," she commented, gesturing upwards. "I can't find anything to cover my chest… Or something that at least draws attention away from it," she moaned, curling up into the fetal position.

Sighing, Matt hauled himself up from the bed and wandered over to the closet. He would have been lying if he hadn't noticed an enhancement in her already ample chest, it was definitely one of the many benefits that her pregnancy had brought to him, but he knew better than to actually make mention of it. Who knew what sort of reaction she would give him, there were likely going to be tears or shouting, he figured based on her past emotional responses, yes mood swings were in full flight in the Casey household. Looking back at his wife, Matt flicked through a number of Gabby's more flowing tops before coming up with a suggestion.

"Gabs?" he prodded at her as he lay the clothes on the bed. She lifted her head to find that Matt had fished out a pair of stretchy skinny jeans, a tank top and a flowing solid black button up. She grinned slightly, who would have thought that the tough Truck Lieutenant Matthew Casey would have such good taste in clothes. This was perfect for concealing parts of her body, she wouldn't really need to button it all up, and even if she did, she could tuck the shirt into her jeans and fluff it slightly so it didn't sit too snug against her body. A grin slowly grew on her face, as Matt pulled her into a seated position. "Come on Babe. We're going to be late!" Giving her a slight pat on the behind, he scurried off to make sure everything was ready to take to the Dawsons' place.

"Look who's finally decided to grace us with her presence," teased Antonio as he pulled opened the door to allow Matt and Gabby into the house. Shaking her head at her brother, she simply pushed passed him intent on heading towards the kitchen where she was sure her parents would be. "Well, well," he continued as he followed after her. "So why are you so late? You're never late… Unless... Oh no," he mock groaned looking back and forth from Gabby to Matt and back again. "Really sis? You two really can't keep your hands off each other can you?"

From behind him, Matt could only stand and shake his head, however with Gabby's emotions the way they were, her temper flared as she turned to face Antonio. "Antonio Dawson! People do not need to hear things like that!"

"Yeah," contributed Matt, "Just 'cause you're not getting any," he teased. That was the wrong thing to say Matt quickly found out as Gabby turned on him and gave him a dirty look, causing him to lift his hands in surrender as she tossed her bag into the living room.

"Whoa!" Antonio interjected, "What's eating you?"

"You!" Gabby bit back as she turned on her heel before running headfirst into her father's chest. "Dad?" Miguel Dawson was a fairly tall man, into his 60s now, not that one would have guessed it on first glance. There had never been any question who Gabby and Antonio belonged too, she was the spitting image of her mother, Adriana. And Antonio was a younger version of Miguel, right down to the chiselled jaw, although the elder Dawson's hair was now more of a salt and pepper look colouring as opposed to Antonio's jet black mop. Gabby secured her arms around her father, squeezing him close, it had been awhile since she had made it home. When her parents had decided to come back to Chicago on a more permanent basis, she and Antonio had decided that they as a family would come together more often, but with her 24/48 hour swings and his unpredictable work hours, it didn't happen as often as they would like it to. So when Adriana had rung about dinner, Gabby had quickly made up her mind that it was going to be a good time to make their announcement.

"Your mother is in the kitchen, I'm sure you want to see her," he told her. Grinning slightly she pushed herself up onto her toes to place a kiss on her father's cheek.

"Thanks, Papá." Turning back around to Antonio and Matt, she gave them a stern glance, "And you two behave yourselves," with a wag of her finger she flounced out of the room and into the kitchen. Antonio stopped mid-walk to look over at Matt, confused look on his face. Matt just shook his head before advancing to greet his father-in-law with a handshake and hug.

Gabby paused in the doorway to the kitchen to take in the sight of her mother bustling around the kitchen, stirring pots on the stove and just generally fluffing around making sure that everything was in order. Taking a deep breath, Gabby felt the tears pricking at her eyes. As she closed her eyes, in her imagination she could see a little girl wandering around unsteadily on her feet, weaving in and around both Gabby's and Adriana's legs as they cooked together… Soon Adriana would pull her granddaughter up onto her hip and start to murmur words about how these were important dishes to the Dawson family and that she too must learn how to cook them to perfection. Gabby saw it all so clearly, just as she remembered doing the same thing with her Mamá and Abuelo when she was a little girl.

Her sniff brought Adriana's attention to her, "Gabriela? How long have you been standing there? Is everything ok? I'm sure I heard you sniff, are you feeling okay, have you a cold?" she continued to fuss over her as she came closer. Gabby's eyes popped open.

"Mamá!" protested Gabby as she tried to swat away her mother's hand from her own forehead. "I'm fine. One little sniff does not make me sick…" Watching her mother give her a concerned look, "Mamá, I'm a paramedic, I think I would know if I was sick! … Now what can I do to help?" she enquired looking around the kitchen where it seemed like Adriana seem to have everything under control.

"All I'm saying is that you two can't seem to keep your hands off of each other, and I'm surprised that you haven't announced anything yet, that's all," Antonio's voice floated into the kitchen as the men entered. Gabby looked up just in time to see Matt's eyes go slightly wide at the comment.

"Antonio Miguel Diego Dawson!" Adriana's stern voice cut through Antonio's ramblings, "Leave your sister alone!" He stopped short and at least had the decency to look sheepish.

"But Mamá, they were late… And we all know why…" he grumbled.

"Enough Hijo," she commanded. Matt smiled slightly as he surveyed the scene taking place in front of them. It was just more confirmation that Gabby was certainly her mother's daughter, he had been at the receiving end of that tone of voice and glare when he was in trouble before.

"Adriana," he greeted moving over to greet his mother-in-law, smirking slightly at the warning look he received.

"Matthew," she warned him. He was always known as Matthew by his mother-in-law.

"Sorry, Mamá," he corrected himself before placing a kiss on her cheek. In all of the short time that he and Gabby had been married Adriana had insisted that he call her Mamá. And as weird as he had found this at first, it did make him feel like he was accepted and genuinely part of the family. And this was why he supported Gabby telling their family tonight because it was their family. He had never felt any different in the Dawson family house, he was accepted and loved by Miguel and Adriana just as much as Antonio and Gabby were. "How can I help?"

Adriana ushered her children out of the kitchen, sending them towards the dining room where Miguel was pouring wine for everyone. Gabby didn't even have time to protest before she was handed a glass, she exchanged a glance with Matt before bringing the glass to her lips without actually tasting it. Placing her glass back onto the table she made noises about going to help her mother serve the food.

"Mamá?" she questioned as she pulled off a cover on a large pot that had just been placed on the table. "Is that what I think it is?" Matt gave her a slightly bewildered look, still not as confident with all the traditional food and what they were called yet. Over the years he had become more and more accustomed to the different and traditional dishes that were regularly served here, but there were still many that caught him off-guard and he would have no idea what they actually were. Luckily for him, his mother-in-law was always happy to supply him with more new food to try.

"Is that Sancocho de Siete Carnes?" Antonio interjected, trying to stick a spoon into the pot to get a taste.

His mother slapped his wrist gently, reprimanding him. "Is that special?" Matt asked as they sat down ready for dinner.

Miguel nodded, "It is a seven meat stew, it is one of our dishes that is usually prepared for special occasions," he informed the young man. "We had it for the engagement party. In the Dominican, we would have it for engagements, weddings, baptisms. Also at a girl's 15th birthday, that birthday is a rite of passage, a celebration of the symbolic passage into adulthood. Gabby had it at hers along with a feast of other traditional dishes."

"Along with a pink frilly poofy dress too," Antonio told Matt, his eyes dancing with laughter.

Matt's eyes widen in delight, "Are there photos?" he asked of Gabby. He hissed as she poked him in the stomach. "Urgh, mean wife," he teased. "And what's the occasion today?"

"Our family is together," Adriana spoke up, "That is all the celebration what we need," she told them, looking fondly at each of the members of her family.

Dinner was a fairly lively affair, with the elder Dawsons updating them on the family back in the Dominican Republic and Antonio in turn telling them all about what Eva and Diego had been up to, he himself didn't get to see his children as often as he would like either. Gabby soaked it all in, they had always been a close family and even though they couldn't have a family dinner once week as she knew her mother would have liked, she was determined to be present in the moment and enjoy all of the stories that were being shared around the table. Maybe that would something that they would able to start doing again soon, Gabby hoped.

"Gabriela?" Her father's voiced pulled her from her own thoughts as the dinner plates were cleared away. "Are you okay?" She could sense the concern from her father.

Looking over at him, she shook slightly, "Hmm? What was that Papá?" she questioned distractedly.

"Hija, you haven't touched your wine at all. Are you feeling okay?"

"Fine Dad, I just didn't think that the wine was suiting my meal tonight," she tried to cover. Matt glanced over at her, picking up that she was reaching a point of exhaustion. A glance up to the clock told him that it was nearing 8:30 and she would be struggling to keep her eyes open for much longer. Stretching out, he slipped his hand into hers, as they follow the family into the living room for coffee. Gabby braced herself for the smell of coffee that was about to hit her, hoping that she would still feel 'normal'. Shaking her head in rejection of the coffee as it was passed to her, she took a seat warily next to Matt.

"Gabs?" Antonio broke through again. "So no wine or coffee?" he began, obviously hinting at something. She shot him a look, of course, he would pick up on something like that, between being her older brother and a detective, there wasn't too much that would slip by him.

Hesitantly Gabby reached over into her bag pulling out two presents, pausing for a moment she steeled her nerves and passed one to her parents and then the other to her brother before curling up on the couch next to Matt, tucking her feet under herself, to watch what was about to happen. Her parents began to question her about it in an attempt to find out what was going on, but she stubbornly shook her head as Matt gestured towards the present before slipping his phone out of his pocket to capture their reactions.

Delicately Adriana began to unwrap the present that had been laid on her lap, all eyes including Antonio's on her, everyone interested in what was contained in the box. A breath caught in her throat as she pulled out a pacifier and note.

Dear Abuela and Abuelo, it read

Please hold onto this for me, in case I need it when I come to visit. Knowing Mamá, she'll probably forget it. See you in April!

Love baby Dawson-Casey.

Adriana looked over at them with wide eyes, lost for words. Miguel, noticing something else still left in the box, dug it out. Pulling out the little onesie that Matt had stuffed in, his face broke into a large grin at the sight of a fire truck printed on. "Oh I'm not sure about this fire truck here, Matthew," he said in jest.

Antonio craned his neck, trying to see what was on the article of clothing. "Yeah! I second that!" before tearing into his own present. He withdrew a t-shirt, laughing at what was on it - 'World's Okayest Uncle'. "Gee thanks, sis," he commented as he pulled it over his head. "Wait there's more." He picked up the card that had been accidently discarded onto the floor.

Brother, you're great.

Handsome, smart.

A real charmer.

You're so great,

That we've been thinking a

Promotion

Is in order.

Does Uncle

Work for you?

"Something for you to put up on your fridge," Matt told him and the spell was broken.

Adriana swept Gabby into a hug, "Oh mi querida Hija , no podría estar más feliz para usted y Matthew . No puedo creer que este día finalmente ha llegado para ti . Y su papá y no puedo esperar para recibir a nuestro nuevo miembro de la familia," she whispered into her ear before allowing Miguel to hug her too. Looking over, she saw that Antonio had Matt in an embrace too, tears starting to form in his eyes.

"I'm so happy for you bro. Having children, you know that there is nothing more magical in your life," he told Matt. "And you," he turned to Gabby, who's face was damp with tears, "I love you Hermana... so much." He reached up to wipe away the tears that had fallen before leaning down to her stomach, tickling it slightly, "And you in there, Tio loves you too," he finished with a final poke.

Gabby laughed as she slapped him on the back of the head, "Oi, don't poke!"

~ Candidate has graduated from embryo to fetus. His digestive tract and reproductive organs are formed this week ~

Translation of the Spanish:

Oh my darling daughter, I could not be happier for you and Matthew. I can't believe that this day has finally arrived for you. And your father and I can't wait to welcome our new family member.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter ~ Of all the chapters that I have written so far I think this one is my favourite. I love the whole Antonio/Gabby relationship. Much of this chapter was inspired by Arielle and Adam Jacob's version of A Whole New World on YouTube. You have to check out these two amazingly talented siblings – I'm sure I have a tweet about it too

Hopefully, you also liked my interpretation of the elder Dawsons. Very much looking forward to seeing them on our screens – Rebecca and I were talking about this the other day, and I'm wondering if they are the push that Matt and Gabby need to actually make it to the altar. And following along on that vein – maybe that's where Antonio and Brett hook up – Just our musings