Thank you, swimmingclara

...

Gabby knocked softly at the Captain's door, he looked over his shoulder to see his wife walking into his office then returned his attention to the reports at his desk.

"Can we talk now, since you seem to ignore me during breakfast?" Gabby sat down on the edge of his bunk; her hands clasped together on her lap staring at Matt's back.

"I wasn't ignoring you, I just don't want to discuss it again, Gabby. I think I made pretty clear my opinion on the matter last night," he didn't turn to look at her as he was speaking.

Gabby sighed deeply as she considered her next words carefully. The last thing she wanted having a little argument with her husband at work.

"Babe..."she said softly, " Please just talk to her before we decide anything last year, she had us worried, but she is fine now believe-", Matt cut her off.

"I feel that..." he turned around to look at his wife, "... I know what's better for my daughter, Gabby".

His harsh tone took her aback making Gabby blinking several times as her mouth remained slightly open.

Matt knew that hurt on his wife's face was a sign that he went too far on handling things.

"Look." he started saying, however, Gabby stood up and responded quickly:

"I'm done, here."

"Babe." he reached for her hand as she was passing by him without glancing at him. He got up from his seat as he was still holding her hand in his.

"She says she is fine, but I know she is not", his voice calmly trying to catch Gabby's attention, though was in vain.

Looking at the outside of his office, "Yeah, because you know our daughter better than me." she voiced looking at him in the eyes.

Matt's eyes widened.

"I have to help Shay to make an inventory of our supplies, excuse me." abruptly, she pulled her hand from his hold.

Matt watched her leaving as he ran a hand over his mouth.

He knew he was a protective father, but anyone could say he was doing it at his kids' best interests.

...

"Hey, why did you take so long? I almost send Capp looking for you." Shay said as she saw Gabby coming in her direction.

"Sorry, I was trying to convince the Captain to talk to our daughter about the whole dancing thing...", Gabby sounded upset. "She said to me, she is ready to return she misses her friends."

"Oh, he still not okay with it?" Shay asked adjusting a few papers on the clipboard.

"No, not at all." Gabby climbed in the back of the ambulance.

"I'm sorry." Shay verbalized as gazing at her friend. " I can understand both sides, but Maya seems excited to start school and join the group dance again."

Looking around the rig and going through some material, Gabby stopped what she was doing. "Sadly, Matt can't see it he's certain she is going to get herself hurt once more and there will be a couple of kids laughing at her."

"It wasn't her fault she slipped and she was nervous at her first presentation with an audience... and that they are kids, they don't matter." Shay climbed into the back of the rig as well.

"I'm really frustrated, Shay... you know how Maya is selective in what things she likes to do... dancing is something she loves; I don't want taking it from her." Gabby explained.

"Don't even start Sean is only 8 years old and Kelly wants his kid to decide what he wants at his anniversary party in 5 minutes. Kids don't work like that I'm tired of telling him that...", Shay expressed as shaking her head.

"I hope Severide gives my godson all he wants in his party if not I will kick his ass...", Gabby smiled.

"Don't worry, my kid is learning from the best me so..." trying to go back to the main issue between Gabby and Matt.

"You know I'm not going to dig in it anymore, tomorrow I'm going to say Maya our decision and I'll deal with the outcome later I'll take her to the mall or something."

"Maybe next year Casey changes his mind." Shay tried to reason.

"Maybe, he's really protective over her... she is her princess as he usually says, it's his first kid, you know they have a special bond but he can't prevent everything that happens to her, he is not around her all the time."

"I saw it first-hand since she was born so little, my mama... Although, I totally agree with you in that." Shay handed her two boxes. "He has to accept that she is growing up and needs to experience different things and learn from that."

They stayed quiet for a few minutes.

"So, I was thinking... This weekend we could take the kids to the park near your house Anthony and Jacob love it there."

"Of course, we can have a picnic with the kids." Shay suggested.

"Perfect, later we decided what each one will take to the picnic. Matt has a construction job, he's not going." Gabby pointed out.

"Alright. Oh, I almost forget when is your appointment as we'll need someone to fill in your shift?" Shay was writing something on the papers at the clipboard.

"In two weeks, I have to check, though... I'd rather not missing a shift and leave you with another person..." Gabby moved some supplies to count them.

"I appreciate that, but don't worry about me, baby Alice is our priority here."

"You really think I'm having a girl?" Gabby gazed at Shay.

"I'm and if I am right, I name her." Shay pointed her pen at Gabby.

"Okay for me, you only have to make her dad's mind as you know is hard to win over." Gabby shrugged her shoulders.

Shay narrowed her eyes "I'll think about it."

Gabby laughed at her.

...

Next day... at night

Gabby has been leaning against two pillows as she was reading a book. Her husband had a construction job today because he missed dinner with Gabby and the kids. Still, he had a half-hour before his kids get told to sleep, Gabby wished Matt gets a chance to say good night to the kids while they are awake...

"Hey..." he exclaimed getting into their bedroom.

"Hey" she glanced at him briefly and returned her eyes to her book.

"Sorry for missing dinner, it won't happen again. I don't like not having some time with the kids before bed." he said as he was getting undressed.

"They understand..." she stared at him as he was throwing his dirty clothes in the hamper, "... But I hope it doesn't happen next time as well", her face unmoved by her husband's naked body across the bedroom.

"It won't, babe I promise", he repeated himself.

Things were still unsettled between them with respect to their daughter and dancing group.

After Gabby taking kids from school and bringing them home, she took some time to tell Maya she wouldn't join the group dance this year, that they would going to revisit their decision next year. As Gabby expected she cried, but she didn't throw a tantrum. To help her to feel better Gabby promised her a day of fun on the weekend.

"Okay...", getting back to her book as Matt went to have a shower.

15 minutes later he was ready to say goodnight to his kids, changed into his pyjamas...

"Did you talk to Maya?" he asked as wiping the water from his hair.

"I did, she got sad but she'll be fine", Gabby responded avoiding to look at him. He put the towel in the hamper.

"I'm sorry for today", he pressed his lips together making a beeline for their bed.

Gabby cut in, "You should go... the kids will be sleeping in 10 minutes." her eyes still glued to the book.

Matt eyed her for a few seconds "Okay, I'm going... I hope we can talk when I get back." He waited for her answer he got nothing from her. "I love you, Gabby."

Gabby sighed slowly she turned her head and looked at him, "I love you too."

Just then Matt left her alone.

...

"Mamma said we are going to Aunt Leslie's house on the weekend", Antony said from his bed, Matt was sat at the end of it.

"We are having a play date with Sean I miss him", Jacob told his dad.

"But you saw him today, buddy, at day care." Matt smiled at him.

"I know, dad... he's my best friend", he added.

"I bet he is so it's time to sleep, I've read two books already okay?"

"Okay..." Anthony and Jacob responded together.

"Love you from the moon and back." Matt got up and leaned down to his Anthony's forehead.

"Love you lots and lots, dad", then Anthony turned to his side and Matt covered his body.

"Daddy, one more book." Jacob tried his dad.

"No, buddy you need your rest come on. Love you." Matt kissed his head.

"Love you lots and lots and mamma too and Maya." Matt smiled at his antics.

Slowly Matt made his way out of his sons' bedroom. His next stop was Maya's bedroom.

When he entered, she was reading a book.

"Hey, princess what are you reading?"

Matt noticed she was a little sad, however, she was hiding behind a half-smile. Maya showed him she was reading the book he had given her on her last birthday.

"You love this book, don't you?"

She nodded at him.

"You know dad loves you, right? Mama and Dad, loves you so much", he caressed her cheek as her blue eyes shined at him.

"I know, Dad", she spoke softly.

"So, your mother said that you'd like to join the group dancing... you sure about that? You recalled that when you slipped on the stage you said to us you wouldn't go back." Matt was running a hand through her curly hair.

"I'm good now and... I miss my friends." she muttered.

"If we let you return to it, you're going to tell us if you don't feel good?" his tone more serious.

"Yes, I always tell everything to you and Mamma, Dad." She laughed at her Dad.

"Yeah okay, I'm going to talk to your mother... now it's time to sleep."

"Okay love you, Dad."

"Love you, princess always." Matt kissed her head a few times.

...

Gabby was laying on her side of the bed, eyes were closed when she felt Matt's hand touching her face.

"Babe, sorry for waking you up", Matt worded as his eyes roamed her face.

"Everything fine with the kids?" she questioned.

"Yeah, they are fine I need you to know that I've done what you asked me... I talked to Maya."

Gabby took a few seconds to register what he said, then she decided to sit down.

"You did?"

"I love my kids, I'll never regret being protective of them, still we have to trust they will be fine and if anything happens will be there to support them."

"Thank you, I know it's a lot for you and Maya is a tough kid, you know, we have amazing kids."

"Thanks to you, baby... I love you. Forgive me for today." he rubbed her thigh.

"I forgive you; I love you but please remember they are our kids you both know what is best for them." Gabby ran her fingers through his hairs.

"You're right as always... our kids... I love our life... I don't know where I'd be without you, Gabby..." he smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her on the lips.

"Soon we'll be six can you imagine it's crazy, right?" she dropped her head to look at her flat belly.

"I don't know... I think it's pretty normal... if we had two more , then I'd say it's crazy", she cut him off.

"Don't even think about this one is the last we agree with that." She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Yeah but I recall you had me drunk to agree with, babe."

Gabby got offended and slapped his shoulder.

"Ouch," he smoothed the area where Gabby hit him.

"Matthew Casey, you sleeping on the couch tonight." She acted angry with him as she laid down turning her back at him.

"No way, since we are married, I've never slept on the couch." he spoke as he snuggling his head against her neck, slipping an arm around her. "You know I can't sleep without you."

"Then don't tell lies."

"I love you."

"I love you too... now turn off the light you need your rest you're taking kids to school tomorrow." Gabby remembered him.

"Yes, ma'am".

...

I'll add a few chapters to this story in the future.

See you.

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