Author note: hey guys, thank you again for your reviews. Sorry this has taken longer to get to you, I got myself in some trouble with my Dom and haven't been allowed my phone or laptop for the past few days. :(
I'm currently working on a few chapters, but haven't decided on the order or if they will be back to back yet. One of the ones I'm working on is based on what caused me to lose my privileges this weekend gone. Let's just say when you read it you can assume that as I was writing it I wasn't sitting comfortably myself. I'm thinking of inserting it in about 2/3 chapters time so keep your eyes peeled. Keep reading and enjoying :)
Anyway here is the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it.
Please review :)
Three weeks later.
It was the night of the wedding rehearsal and Gabby and Shay had been getting ready at her apartment for the past few hours, they'd kicked Matt out to get ready at Severide and Shay's, which is where he would be spending the night before the big day tomorrow. The girls had got the music on low and Shay was helping Gabby with her hair.
"I want loose curls" she'd told her, "something like this?" she pulled out one of the bridal magazines and showed Shay a half up, half down style with a loose bun and soft curls flowing downwards.
"I will try my best" Shay told her, "how are you feeling?" she asked. Gabby had been rather quiet for the past half an hour.
"Nervous, excited, everything in between."
"I think that's normal" Shay soothed "Pass me those bobby pins please?"
Gabby handed her the bag of bobby pins they'd brought while out shopping the previous day. "I think I need a drink" she giggled, "these butterflies are making me super nervous. What if I fall over?"
"I'll catch you or fall down next to you so everyone thinks it was meant to happen." Shay giggled, causing Gabby to laugh out loud too.
"Thanks Shay. Only a true friend would do that."
"Always got your back girl!"
Gabby poured them both a glass of wine, handing one back to Shay she took a huge swig and topped it straight back up, causing the blonde to raise her eyebrow at her.
"What?" she asked noticing the action in the mirror.
"I wouldn't be knocking them back like that if I were you, you heard Matt before he left." her voice had a touch of fear in it, "I'm almost positive if you turn up drunk on my watch I'm going to be in just as much trouble as you will be." she paused watching Gabby's expression change, "and..." she added "do you really want to wake up on your wedding day hungover and with a sore butt?"
"No." Gabby replied stubbornly, she too remembered very well Matt's warning as he'd left earlier on.
"Girls have fun! But remember the rules, ok?"
"We will" They assured him.
Matt pulled Gabby to one side, "I mean it Gabriela, do not drink too much. If you do you'll be walking down that isle tomorrow with a extremely sore backside am I understood." he planted a firm and sharp warning slap on her ass.
"Crystal" she replied.
"Good." he gave her one last kiss, "I'll see you at the church."
"A few glasses won't hurt" she continued, "I won't have too many before the rehearsal."
Shay smirked at her "Does that mean you may later?", Gabby laughed, she knew her far to well because that is exactly what she meant.
"What time are your mum and dad arriving?"
"I'm not sure, Antonio is picking them up from the airport but he didn't give me a time."
"And they are staying with him tonight right?"
"Yup. He's got Diego and Eva as well so it's going to be a little packed in his tiny apartment but he said he didn't mind."
"Are they excited?"
"Yea. It's Eva's first time as a bridesmaid, she was really excited when I took her for the final fitting last week."
"I bet she looks beautiful in it." Shay exclaimed, Antonio's daughter was tall and slender with beautifully long dark hair, every time Shay saw her she seemed to get prettier and prettier, something she made sure to tell her and something Antonio wished she wouldn't. He would scold her and tell her not to encourage her, after all at 13 she was beginning to be interested in boys and them in her.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Hey baby." Matt said holding the car door open for Gabby to get out and pulling her in for a kiss. "You have a good afternoon?"
"Yup, me and Shay had a couple glasses of wine, she did my hair and we listened to music. It was quite relaxing actually," she smiled at him.
"Glad to hear it."
"You ready?" she asked.
"Never readier" he smiled.
They headed inside the church to meet with the chaplin and Gabby was shocked to see her mum and dad already sitting there alongside her niece and nephew and Antonio. "Hey guys, I didn't expect to see you here on time."
"Well Gabriela there are times and places to be late to and your only daughters wedding rehearsal is not one of them." Her dad said pulling her into a tight hug. "How are you?"
"I'm fine papa."
"Are you sure mija?" he said looking from her to Matt. Her parents had been in close contact with him ever since her meltdown and knew all about the ups and downs she'd been having. Her dads gaze landed on her causing her to wither slightly but she soon recovered.
"Honestly dad, I've been doing loads better. And I've been seeing Dr Charles, three times a week."
"I know that, but I also know you." he said pointedly.
"Ramon, she's doing loads better." Matt stepped in, "we had a rocky start but she's getting there. Even been back at work a week now."
Hearing it from Matt made Ramon feel better and he backed off the interrogation. Shaking Matt's hand firmly he said "It's good to see you again Matt."
"You too Ramon," turning to his mother law to be he added "Nice to see you Camille how are you doing?"
"Very well thank you Matthew."
"How was your flight Mama" Gabby asked hugging her mother.
"It was fine dear, you know nothing out of the usual."
Gabby nodded knowing that her mum meant her dad had fallen asleep within minutes of boarding the plane leaving her to read her book in peace. Before they could continue the conversation any further, Chaplin Orlovsky rounded the corner with his arms outstretched.
"Gabriela, Matt, hello and welcome."
"Good evening Chap." Gabby smiled.
"So are we ready to do this then?" he asked after the pleasantry's and introductions were done.
"Never been more ready." they both told him.
The rehearsal went well and Gabby was less nervous about falling on her face and more nervous about forgetting what she was supposed to say and when. Shay laughed at her and told her she was winding herself up over nothing, and there was absolutely no way she'd forget what to say as the Chaplin would tell them to her and all she had to do was repeat them.
They all headed over to the reception to meet the rest of their friends and family, as they pulled up Shays mouth dropped open.
"Oh my god Gabby, it's beautiful."
It was the first time anyone but Matt and Gabby had seen the spot they'd chosen. But it was also the first time Gabby and Matt had seen it set up, there was a huge white tent set up, around the edges were trimmed in a deep shade of purple to match the bridesmaids dresses, a stage was to the right and a dance floor set up in front of it. Tables and chairs were neatly set out in the order Gabby had wanted and a red carpet style runner ran down the centre to the top table. The table decorations were huge martini glasses with fairy lights and aqua beads inside, sat on top of mirror plates and surrounded by tea lights and scatter crystals. It was exactly what Gabby had invisioned, her smile spread widely, holding Matts hand tightly she whispered, "it's perfect. They've done everything and more."
"I'm glad your happy." He replied. She knew he'd been working closely with the company to make sure it was just the way she wanted, and although he'd had some video calls and pictures with them over the set up, he had been nervous they'd get something wrong. But watching his girls face told him that they had got every detail right.
The members of firehouse 51 were gathered around the pop up bar, Molly's were providing and Hermann stood proudly behind it in his tux.
"Drink guys" he offered as they approached the bar.
"Yes please" they both answered.
As the night began to get into full swing Matt and Gabby slipped away to steal five minutes to themselves.
"Do you know how gorgeous you look tonight." He whispered as he wrapped his arms around the back of her.
"Do you know how hot you look?" She countered.
"Touché." She smirked spinning her round to kiss her. "You going to be ok tonight?"
"Yea, me and Shay are planning on a nightcap and then she's going to sleep in with me."
Matt grinned widely causing Gabby to slap him playfully.
"Head out the gutter you!" She teased.
"Sorry? Me?" He said pointing to himself and pretending to be confused. "I wasn't thinking anything."
"Uh huh? Sure." She replied sarcastically.
Chuckling slightly he leant forwards and took her in a passionate kiss, his hands sliding down to her ass and gripping her tightly. Pulling back he asked again "you sure you'll be ok?"
"Yes Matt" she said rolling her eyes at him "I'll be fine."
"Ok." He paused before slapping her ass hard.
"Ouch!" She jumped "what was that for."
"Don't roll your eyes at me!" He warned.
She smirked "or what?" She decided to push.
"Or you'll be going over my knee." He said landing another stinging slap on her other cheek.
"Ok ok. I was only teasing." She pleaded giggling slightly.
He shook his head at her, "you Miss Dawson are such a naughty girl."
She pulled her lip in between her teeth and bit down shyly "and you love it." She replied.
"Sometimes." He agreed. "Now come on let's get back before anyone realises we're gone." Taking her by the hand he led her back in the side of the tent, everyone was dancing happily and the beers were well and truly following. As the evening draw to a close Severide tapped his glass for everyone's attention, the music stopped and everyone turned to look at him.
"Tomorrow two of my best friends and two members of our family will create their own family." He started "so I just want to say before we part tonight and head our separate ways that Gabby, Matt it has been an honour to watch your love for each other grow these past few years." He smiled at them holding his beer up slightly and then taking a swig, "when Matt told me about him and Gabby I didn't quite understand what he was telling me." Everyone laughed, "no I'm serious. They had always been close and I'd just assumed they were a couple anyway. So when he officially told me I thought he was pulling my leg. It wasn't until later on that I realised that Miss Dawson over here had played hard to get for several months. And Matt has chased her around with his tail wagging."
"Not true" Gabby shouted playfully. "It was Matt playing hard to get." Everyone laughed again.
"So maybe they both did a little. But they got there in the end and now we wouldn't be without Dawsey. Matt keeps Gabby grounded and Gabby brings out the best in Matt. They work like bread and cheese. So I'd like to raise a toast. To Gabby and Matt, May they have many years of happy marriage, and may they sleep well tonight!" Everyone shouted "to Matt and Gabby."
OOOOOOOOOOO
"Gabs do you have any mouthwash?" Shay shouted from the bathroom.
"Yea under the sink."
"Thanks."
The girls climbed into bed, Shay drifting off quickly leaving Gabby listening to her slow shallow breaths as she slipped into a deeper sleep. Unfortunately for Gabby sleep didn't come so easily for her, she lay on her back drumming her fingers gently against her stomach, and watching the shadows of the trees outside dance around the room in the moonlight that lit it up. Her eyes fell upon her dress hanging on the outside of the wardrobe, the sequins sparkled as the the moonlight gently danced across them. It took her breath away how gorgeous it looked, simple yet elegant she'd gone for a figure hugging A line style with a sweetheart neckline and simple embroidered sequins across the bust area that were matched in the same style around the bottom, covered in a thin lace all over. She smiled to herself remembering the first time she'd tried it on, she had known instantly that it was the dress. Her mum and Shay had been with her when she chose it. They had all cried happy tears and her mum keep repeating how beautiful it looked on her.
She reached across to her phone and pressed the screen, squinting as the brightness invaded her eyes. Noticing the time she groaned, it was two o'clock and she'd yet to have a minutes sleep. Putting her phone back on the side she closed her eyes and desperately tried to switch her mind off, half an hour later she was still awake so she decided to try having some warm milk and hoped that would help her sleep. Getting up as quietly as possible she pulled a hoodie over the top of her vest top and sleep shorts and picked her phone up, exiting the room and pulling the door closed she tiptoed across the lounge and into the kitchen. Opening the fridge and pulling the milk out she poured herself a cup full and placed it in the microwave to heat up. As she waited she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, wondering who would be texting her at this hour she squinted once again at her phone.
Hey babe, you're probably sleeping right now but I just wanted to let you know I love you and I'm missing you tonight. XOXO
Gabby smiled, it would appear neither of them slept well without the other anymore.
Hey. Not sleeping. Can't seem to drop off, decided to make myself some warm milk to see if that helps. I miss you too XOXO
She waited expecting her texts to buzz again but was shocked when her phone began to ring instead. "Hey" she whispered as she answered it.
"Hey"
"You can't sleep either then." she asked.
"Nope. I wasn't expecting you to be awake though. Do you want me to come home?"
"No I'm ok"
"You sure?" she could hear the concern in his voice as he spoke softly.
"Honestly I'm fine, once I've drunk my milk I'm going to go back to bed and hopefully I'll get some sleep. Don't want to look like a zombie when you see me tomorrow."
"I'm sure you'd be the hottest zombie around." he chuckled, "seriously though if you still can't sleep and need me I can come home."
Gabby smiled to herself, he was always so concerned about her well being and never concerned with his own. "You need to sleep too Matt."
"I know and I will, I'll text you in half an hour and if your not sleeping I'll come home ok?"
She sighed "Ok."
"Night baby"
"Night"
They hung up and she shook her head, taking her milk out of the microwave and sitting down to drink it. She hoped this would help her sleep she didn't like the thought of Matt coming all the way home because of her but she also knew if her texted and she was still awake she couldn't just ignore it. He could read her like a book and would know if he questioned her about it and she lied.
Finishing her drink she placed the cup in the sink and slipped back into the bedroom where Shay was still sleeping soundly.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Your getting MARRIED today!" Shay shouted as she shook Gabby awake.
Opening her eyes Gabby stared at Shay, "Was it really necessary to shout at me to wake me up?" she pushed her gently, Shay dramatically rolling to the end of the bed and falling out, pretending Gabby had pushed her out of it. "Really Shay" Gabby asked with her eyebrow raised. "Such a child." she chuckled and climbed out of bed holding out her hand to help her friend up. "Come on lets get some breakfast" she smiled.
Gabby's phone pinged and she smiled as she saw it was a message from Matt.
Good morning beautiful. Did you sleep ok?
Yeah the milk did the trick. You?
Yup went out like a light after I text to make sure you were sleeping. I gave it ten minutes before deciding you must have dropped off.
See you soon XOXOXO
"Is that lover boy" Shay teased noticing the smile on Gabby's face.
She chuckled at Shay's smug expression, "your just jealous." she teased back.
Before Shay could respond the door went, "They're early" she said looking at the clock.
Gabby got up and opened the door, greeting her mum, Eva, Dad, and Matt's niece Violet. "Come in" she said greeting them "your early we were just going to grab some breakfast." Camille held up some bags indicating that was exactly why they were early and headed straight to the kitchen, greeting Shay as she passed.
"Girls how you doing?" she asked the teenagers "Excited?"
"Yes" they both squealed.
Ramon seated himself in the lounge and flicked the tv on low, he knew his best course of action this morning was to stay out of the way as much as possible as the girls started to set up. Before long there were curlers, straighteners, hairdryers and make up dotted around the room. Gabby had entrusted Shay to do everyone's hair and she'd be doing the girls make up and her own. Matt had tried to encourage her to hire someone but she had insisted she felt better doing it herself, so he hadn't fought her on it.
"Eva your up?" Gabby shouted into the bathroom.
"Coming" she shouted back wrapping herself in a towel and pulling her robe over the top.
Gabby got to work on her nieces make up while Shay did her hair, and Violet showered.
"How's school" Gabby asked.
"It's school." Eva answered with a shrug.
Gabby looked at her raising an eyebrow, Antonio had told her that Eva had been having trouble at school recently, when they'd chatted a few day's ago he'd asked if she'd try and talk to her.
"Come on Eva, your dad told me."
"What?" She asked with a hint of attitude, causing Gabby's face to turn into a frown, "What did he tell you Aunt Gabby? Because whatever it was I guarantee it's not everything!" She crossed her arms across her chest. Gabby held back a smirk, her niece reminded her of herself at that age, and knew Antonio could be very like her papa when he wanted to be.
"Well why don't you fill in the blanks? I'll tell you what he told me and you can tell me if he's missed anything? Deal?"
"Ok." She agreed looking over to where her grandfather sat "but can we not do it in front abuelo?"
Gabby nodded "papa, do you mind seeing if mama needs help please?"
"Huh?" Ramon looked up completely oblivious to the conversation his daughter and granddaughter were having but sensing he was needed out of the room anyway. "Yea no worries." He got up and headed towards Camille who was still busing herself in the kitchen.
"Right" Gabby said turning back to face her niece "what's been going on?"
"I'm just having a hard time!"
"Try again Eva! Your dad said you've been skipping classes? You've been getting detention? You've not handed in homework?"
"I've had like four detentions!" Eva said defensively.
"That's four too many in my book young lady." Her tone reflecting her frustration at Eva's sudden attitude problem. "Lose the attitude." She warned.
Eva looked down at the ground, "I know" she whispered "I'm sorry."
"So why?"
"There's this boy." Gabby frowned "don't look at me like that. He's not a bad boy, but we have different free periods."
"So you've been skipping class to see him?"
"Yea."
Gabby shook her head "look up" she instructed while pulling out the eyeliner pencil. "Eva I'm not happy about you skipping class, or any of the other things you've done especially if it's because of a boy. Does you dad know?"
"He doesn't know why." She admitted "he grounded me for a month already. He'd never let me out again if he realised I'd broken our dating rule."
"Well first of all you deserve to be grounded! You know that don't you?"
"Yea."
"So you also deserve whatever punishment he decides for lying and breaking rules yes?"
"I suppose." Eva met her aunts gaze "I'm sorry aunt Gabby. Are you going to tell him?"
"No. You are but not today. And I'll be there when you do if you want?"
"Yes please." She hugged her aunt. "Thank you."
"What for?"
"Not going all Dawson on me. Dad hit the roof when he got called to school."
"Yea well he gets that from abuelo."
They both laughed as they knew it was true. Finishing up her make up, Gabby sprayed a special spray on Evas face to help set it and so that it would stay on all day and told her to go grab Violet.
At 1pm they were all dressed and stood waiting in the lounge for Gabby to appear, Shay hadn't long come out of the bedroom to say she was ready for her entrance. Stepping out of her bedroom she smiled widely at the family stood in front of her. Camille started to cry and Ramon beamed with pride. "You look beautiful mija." He said kissing her cheek.
"Thanks papa."
After they took a few photos and Shay had made sure they'd got any emergency supplies for make up or hair touch ups on them they headed out of the apartment to the waiting cars outside. The good thing about being such close friends with the Hermanns was that Christopher had dabbled in a lot of trades and the limousine business had been one of them. He'd made a few calls and had arranged the cars for them with an old friend.
Camille rode with Shay and the girls while Gabby and her dad rode in a separate limousine up front. Pulling up outside the church Ramon turned to his daughter.
"Some words of advice mija?" He asked.
"Sure papa?"
"Always compromise, always talk, never go to bed on an argument and always be honest. Your a very lucky girl and Matt is a very lucky man. You just remember those points and you'll have as many years happy marriage as me and your mama have."
"Thanks papa" she said leaning in and placing a kiss on his cheek.
"You look beautiful" Matt said as Gabby met him at the alter, giving her a gentle kiss.
"You don't look too bad yourself" she smiled.
"Are you ready?" Ovlisky asked, they both nodded and he began the service.
"Now I believe you have both written your own vows?" He said. "Matt you go first."
Matt cleared his throat and pulled a piece of paper out of his inside pocket "Gabby the day I met you, you changed my life. You are kind and sensitive, you are loving and caring, you are everything I've ever wanted and more. Today I stand here in front of all our friends and family to make a promise to you. I promise to always have your back, to always kiss you goodnight, to always hold your hand and to always be understanding. I promise to love you from today until the day I die and I promise to always come home to you at the end of the day."
Ovlisky gave him a wink before saying "repeat after me."
"I give you this ring."
"I give you this ring."
"As a sign of our marriage."
"As a sign of our marriage."
"To love you and cherish you."
"To love you and cherish you."
"Until death do us part"
"Until death do us part."
Gabby cleared her throat before starting her vows "Matt, you are my rock, my best friend and the person that keeps me grounded. You have been there by my side through thick and through thin and today I stand here to promise you that as your wife I will stand by your side like you have mine. I will always do my best to make you smile and even on a rainy day I promise to keep the sun shining on our lives."
Ovlisky proceeded with all the formal and legal bits and they signed the paperwork to officially become Mr and Mrs before he pronounced them husband and wife.
Matt kissed Gabby and everyone cheered and clapped.
OOOOOOOOO
The reception was in full swing, speeches had been made, toasts had been held and people were making there way onto the dance floor. Severide tapped Matt on the shoulder "can I borrow you a sec?" He asked.
"Yea sure." Matt winked and Gabby who turned and began dancing with Shay.
"What's up?" Matt asked.
"Nothing just we've got something for you guys but we didn't know if you wanted us to present it officially in front of everyone or quietly." Matt raised his eyebrows at him, he hadn't expected anything, in fact they'd specifically told people they didn't want anything.
"Depends what it is?" He questioned.
"Well how about I show you and you can decide ok?"
"Yea ok."
Kelly signalled for him to follow him over to the bar where Hermann, Boden, and the guys were stood. "So we know you two have had a rough time of late so we pooled together and we've got you a gift." Matt raised an eyebrow again.
"Now we know you said not to" Boden continued "but after hearing your postponed your honeymoon we wanted to do something for you both. This here is a weeks break up at a private lodge, it is for you a Gabby and is good for this week coming."
"Chief." Matt's mouth dropped open "guys I don't know what to say."
"Say yes!" Shay said coming up behind him.
"Ok. You can present it if you want."
Severide smiled at him and headed towards the stage. Matt went to find Gabby.
"Everything ok?" She questioned.
"Yea just watch." He pointed towards the stage.
"Ladies and gentleman" Kelly started "if I could have your attention please," everyone fell silent looking at him. "All of us at 51 and most of the team at the 21st have pooled together to get the new Mr and Mrs Casey a gift. Now we know you guys have postponed you actually honeymoon for another year due to furlow. However we have made an agreement with the chiefs and it has been agreed you can have next week off. And this here is a mini moon for you."
Gabby looked at Matt "did you know about this?"
"They just told me."
Kelly signalled for the couple to join him on the stage.
"Gabby, Matt the past year for you guys has been tough, tougher than any one or two people should have to deal with. That's why we wanted to do this for you, this is a private lodge for you two to enjoy for the next week. Inside this envelope is also a couple of extras. We have got you a private dining experience at a Thai restaurant that Donna reccomended, a couples massage, and some surprises." He winked at Matt.
Gabby hugged him tightly "thank you. Thank you everyone" she said out to their friends and family. "You don't know how much this means to us."
OOOOOOOOOOO
"Now I've had the time of my life and I owe it all to you, now I've had the time of my life.
Matt and Gabby were in the centre of the dance floor, the final dance playing softly and they swayed gently together. The smiles on their faces never once faltering, today had been everything they'd wanted. They had enjoyed every moment and it was a day they would never ever forgot.
Yes I've had the time of my life, I've searched through every open door and I found the truth.
"I love you Matthew Casey" Gabby whispered in his ear.
"I love you Gabriela Casey." Matt smiled back.
She loved the sound her new name made.