As Christmas quickly approached the vibe in the firehouse was one of excitement and anticipation. Second shift being on duty over the actual holidays had arranged to celebrate the weekend before, Gabby and Matt hosting and almost all of the station coming for dinner. Gabby roping both Shay and Stella into helping her prepared the meal and Matt asking Severide to come to for moral support. The big day approached and the apartment smelt delicious, everywhere you turned decorations were hung, Gabby going full out in making their last Christmas as the two of them extra special. The scent of pine and chestnut emitting out of the candles that burnt slowly on the dining table, Gabby checking over Matt and Severides one job to make sure they'd set it up correctly.
"What times everyone coming?" Shay asked, watching her from the breakfast bar.
"We said four, that way we can exchange gifts and settle in before dinner at six."
"Cool so can I shower then?" the blonde asked, looking towards the clock. "I mean I could attend like this but I don't want to show your presentation up." She waved her hand downwards at her jeans and shirt covered in flour and stains from their endless prep, glancing up at the long table set with the couples best dining set, the plates and bowls etched with a gold tint around the edge. It had been a wedding gift from Gabbys parents and this would be the first time in was used, the gold etching matched the golden table runner, and candle sticks that lined the table, setting the festive feel. Each chair covered in a red and gold cover, matching that of the serviettes positioned gracefully inside the wine glasses.
Gabby laughed softly at her friend, "of course, you know where everything is."
"Thanks"
Gabby made her way back into the kitchen as Shay made her way towards the main bathroom. Gabby picking up a dishcloth and starting to dry the dishes Stella was stood washing.
"So erm, is this a yearly thing?" Stella asked nervously.
Gabby noticing the on edge vibe coming from the other girls body. "Yeah, me and Matt have hosted pretty much every year since we got together. It kinda became a tradition for those of us that didn't have family commitments."
"So Hermann doesn't come" Stella asked.
"Not usually no, him and Cindy usually spend the day with the kids and visiting family, but they've decided to join us this year as we aren't sure what will be happening next year." Gabby smiled, pointing towards her belly.
"Yea I suppose having your own kids may change things a bit won't it?"
"I'd like to say no," Gabby said seeing a look flash across Stella's face, "but we are family at fifty one, which mean these two are going to have a lot of extended family wanting to see them over the holidays." She paused thinking over her next words carefully, "Are you ok Stella? You seem a little.. off" her eyes tracing over her friends face carefully trying to get a read on her.
Stella nodded, "I've never been one for the holidays, when I was younger it just meant my parents would be home drunk instead of at some bar, and that meant me and my sister witnessed the ugliness of that." A weak smile forming on her face, "I'm just hoping that I can make new holiday memories that don't involve someone I love being taken to the ER."
Gabby nodding, she knew a little about Stella's past. The two speaking about it once at the academy after a night out, she hadn't pushed it but she got the sense there was more to the story than Stella had let on. Drying her hands quickly she closed the space between them and wrapped her arms around her, "You will always be welcome at our house Christmas, or not ok?"
"Thanks. That means a lot." She didn't spend much time with her own family, their relationship passed strained. She occasionally saw her younger sister but even that hasn't happened in a long time, the only family she really had now was the one she'd made at 51.
Gabby pulled back slightly seeing the unsure look covering the taller woman's face, "I mean it, these pair are going to need their crazy Aunt Stella to help their mumma make trouble" she flashed a devilish grin at her friend the pair of them laughing loudly. The previous tension gone from the air.
"Let's get this put away shall we" Stella asked pulling away and turning her attention back to the dishes. Gabby silently following her lead, making a mental note to try and get deeper than the surface with her another time, sensing it was something she needed to really open up about before she could move past it.
The afternoon went by quickly the girls taking up the master bathroom and bedroom for the most part, the boys being ushered to the spare bathroom and office space to get ready. Matt groaning about how it was his place too and Gabby whispering something in his ear as he walked away, a smug grin on his face.
"Whatever you just whispered I do not need to know" Shay said putting her hands in the air, "but please remember you have company later"
Gabby chuckling at the suggestive tone in her best friends voice, "Don't know what you're on about Shay, I'm sweet and innocent." She pulled a angelic face at her friend, towel drying her hair as she did.
"Nothing about you two is sweet and innocent" Shay shot back, "I remember last Christmas very well thank you, and the sounds that came from this very room."
Gabby chuckling as she remembered the hot sex they'd had that night, Matt being a bit of an animal when drunk.
By three o'clock they were all ready, Gabby had put the Turkey in the oven and was working on the nutmeg stuffing when Matt finally found her. His eyes tracing up and down her body, the little black dress clinging in all the right places and her little bump starting to show through her clothing making his heart beat that little faster, there was something very sexy about her being pregnant, something that sparked feeelings inside of him that he couldn't explain, and couldn't act upon with guests here but if they were alone. He shook his head trying to squash the dirty thoughts flooding his mind, he wrapped his arms around the back of her resing his hands on her swelling belly, kissing her neck softly.
"You look amazing?" he said, Gabby smiling widely at the compliment. "Can I do anything to help?"
"Could you slice the oranges please?" she asked pointing towards the bag of oranges sat on the counter top, "I need to get started on prepping the starters, and I'm never going to have it all ready in time."
Matt looked over her face seeing the clear exhaustion setting in, Gabby not having had a break all day. "Why don't you sit down, I've got this?" he said pushing her gently out of the kitchen, "You look whacked already."
"I'm fine babe, just need to get this done" she tried to move back into position behind the counter, Matt's eyebrow furrowing upwards at her. "I'll rest afterwards I promise, we've only got an hour though. And I don't want to be spending too much time in the kitchen when we're hosting." Matt maneuvered her gently onto the stool across from where she'd been working, looking over her features carefully. Taking in the pale face underneath the make up she'd put on to try and cover it.
"Gabby, sit her for a minute ok?" he said. She nodded at him, before he turned and headed into the living area returning with Stella and Shay close behind him. "Does she look pale to you?" he asked the two woman, both of their eyes lingering over her face for a short while before nodding in agreement.
"She does look a off color" Shay agreed, "have you eaten this afternoon?"
"Erm, yea I think so" Gabby said trying desperately to remember what she had eaten, "I had croissants this morning, and some pancakes, then I had, erm, I'm sure I had something."
Matt's eye bore through her, "Gabby, did you forget to eat?"
Gabby looked up into his eyes slowly, seeing only worry and concern reflecting back at her. She slowly nodded her head "I think I did."
"Ok, let's get you something now." He said turning and walking to the fridge, opening it up and pulling out the butter and ham, Gabby watching his every move silently worrying she was in trouble again. She glanced at Shay and Stella, her eyes telling them all they needed to know as the two watched Casey work his way around the kitchen.
"Casey," Stella began, the blonde looking up at her as he placed ham in between two slices of bread.
"Yes"
"I think we've just been so busy getting everything ready that no one really thought about it. I don't think this was a conscious decision from Dawson." She flashed her friend a reassuring smile.
Matt turned to face Gabby, seeing the worried look on her face he reached out across the counter top, taking her hand in his. "I know. You're not in trouble." Gabby sighing a breath of relief at his words, a small smile spreading across his face as he pushed the sandwich towards her, "But you will be if you don't eat that and let us finish up here." Gabby silently nodding as she took a bite. Matt signalling to the other to ladies to come help him.
Between them they managed to get everything prepped not long before the first knock came on the front door, Kelly opening it as Matt finished putting the last bits to the salad bowl, placing the duck under the warmer as he made his way across the apartment. Looking over to see Cindy and Hermann hanging up their coats, presents in hand. "Hey guys" he said moving towards them, "How is it out there?" It had been snowing all afternoon and from what the could see from the apartment window was showing no sign of letting up any time soon.
"It's lethal" Herrmann complained, "especially when so many people can't seem to drive in it. But we're here safely now." He flashed a smile to a now better looking Gabby, Shay and Stella, who had all just moved into the living area. Gabby stepping forward and taking the bag of gifts from Cindy, placing them under the tree with the rest and offering them a drink. Before they could answer the door went again, opening it up to find Otis, Mouch, Trudy and Cruz shaking off the remains of the snow that had settled across their coats and boots.
"Come in" Matt said cheerily, standing back to let them into the warm apartment. Everyone taking a step closer to the living area giving the new arrivals some room to hang their coats up, chatter filling the apartment as everyone said there hellos. All the first responders settling down in front of the fireplace, Gabby heading to the kitchen.
"So we're just waiting on Boden" Gabby said as she returned handing out glasses of wine, before sitting down and sipping on her ginger ale. Matt joining her in solidarity with a sparkling apple cider, Gabby raising her eyebrow at him. "You know I don't mind if you drink" she chuckled. Matt eyes twinkling at her as he lent forward and kissed her softly.
Pulling back he said "I know, but I'm good with this." Gabby nodding softly at him, the two locking eyes as the room grew blank around them. The pair completely lost in each other. Matt swallowing thickly as his eyes tried to say words he couldn't in front of present company, Gabby's eyes matching his in conversation. Shay coughed loudly bringing them back into the room. "Sorry did you say something" Matt said smiling at the blonde paramedic.
"I said, shall we start?" Shay laughed indicating towards the now over flowing tree.
Gabby glanced at the clock seeing it was a little after quarter past, before looking around the room. All the firefighters thinking the same thing but no one wanting to say it out loud. The chief was never late, and if he was he always called ahead. "Erm, lets give them a few more minutes and then maybe one of us should call to make sure everything is.." The door went before she could finish her sentence. Matt pushing up from his chair and heading to open it, a very wet and annoyed looking Chief and Donna standing the other side.
"Sorry" he said is his deep ruff voice, "The car broke down about a block away, we ended up walking here."
"You should have called" Matt said, moving back to let them in noticing Gabby moving in the corner of his eye towards the bedroom.
"No no we're good, all be it a bit late and wet."
"This should help" Gabby said returning with some towels in her hands.
Both Donna and Boden nodding in thanks. "Come on, I'll get you both a drink."
The next hour was filled with pleasant conversation and gift exchanges, the men starting out discussing the chiefs car trouble, Matt and Kelly offering to go with him to look at it after dinner before the conversation moved on to sport, the girls blocking them out as a debate rolled out over who was playing better at the moment. The ladies discussing the gifts they had brought each other and their partners before the conversation lead round to Gabby's pregnancy and how she was getting on. Gabby told them that she was due to see the doctor for another check up and scan the week of new year and apart from the rough start she'd had with sickness and the relentless insomnia she was now experiencing she was actually enjoying being pregnant, and how it had done wonders for the fun her and Matt had. All the woman laughing at the not so subtle hint to the couples sex life.
"And what about the houses?" Donna asked, knowing from Boden that they had been looking for a new place to live, "Wallace said you'd seen a couple of potentials."
"Yea but we can't agree." Gabby said shaking her head, "I like both but think one is more practical, Matt however is in love with the other one." She flashed a smile across to him, when she saw his head turned in her direction at the mention of his name.
"Houses can be tricky" Cindy agreed, "it took Christopher and I forever to decide on our place after Lee Henry was born. But you'll make the right choice in the end. And if you need any help on the design front just give me a call." Gabby thanked her and the conversation turned to how the kids were doing, Gabby knowing that Hermann had said that Lee Henry was about to learn to drive.
"I can't believe he's old enough" The younger woman said, "Seems like yesterday he was coming into the station with his class for tours."
The woman all laughing loudly "Yea, they grow up far too fast, word of advice take lots and lots of pictures. One day it'll be all you have left to remind you of them being sweet and innocent."
Gabby looked up to find Matt at her side, "Hey" he spoke softly, placing a kiss to her head, "You ready to get this party started."
Gabby nodded, "Excuse me ladies, duty calls." she chuckled pushing up and following her husband into the kitchen. "Can you toss the duck in the pan real quick, a couple of minutes will do it and I'll set the salad bowls" she said opening the fridge and pulling the salad bowl and bowl of orange slices out. Matt pulling out the pan and quickly heating it up, throwing the duck in and give it a quick toss. Five minutes later eleven plates of Duck and Orange salad were made up and everyone was moving around the table.
"This smells amazing" Cruz said, "Guys I'm going to say it, if you stop hosting Christmas when those two are born I'm going to need take away meals." Gabby smiling broadly at the compliant to her cooking.
"Well I'm sure we can figure something out." She joked back.
Plates cleared and main set up the conversation turned to what was going on in everyone's personal lives. They may spend twenty four hours together three times a week but being one of the busiest houses in Chicago didn't give them much chance to sit about chatting. Cruz saying he was seeing this new girl but he wasn't sure if it was going anywhere, Otis agreeing that their was something defiantly off about her. The guys laughing at poor Cruz's disaster of relationships, Severide quickly listing off the worst few.
"Aww Cruz, don't worry it's not like he has the best track record." Shay teased, Severide giving her a playful glare as he took another sip of his beer, placing it back on the table he said.
"Well you don't either"
"No but I know I don't, your in denial" she teased, causing Stella to laugh loudly, louder than she meant to the alcohol consumed clearly clouding her judgement.
"Talking of your relationships" Gabby said looking across at Shay "what happened to Maisy?"
Shay shaking her head "I wondered how long it was going to be before one of you asked" she sighed, rubbing her hand across her mouth. "We just lost touch."
Gabby sensed there was more to it than that but knew better than to push it in front of everyone, if Shay wanted her to know the details she'd tell her in private, "ok." She said nodding at her friend, the blonde smiling in thanks at her.
Before long everyone's bellies were full and they were all departing back towards the living room, Stella putting some music on the stereo as her and Cruz began to dance around the room. In the kitchen Shay helped Gabby clear up taking the opportunity to speak with her best friend about how she was feeling, noticing that she had been fairly quiet in what had been the last half hour of their meal together.
"I'm ok, I've just got a bit of a headache and I'm a little tired, I'll splash some water on my face and be fine. Don't worry."
Shays face twisted in to a more worried glare, watching as her friend loaded the dishwasher and poured herself another ginger ale. The brunette leaning against the counter for support as the room began to spin slightly. The blonde seeing the exact moment her legs gave way, reaching out and catching her before she could hit the ground and placing her down on the stool. "You ok?" She asked, as Gabby's eyes flickered open again.
"Yea, just went a bit light headed, I'm going to lie down for a bit can you get Matt to come through when they get back from checking Boden's car please?" she asked, pushing herself up gently, steadying herself against the counter again as she slowly moved towards the bedroom door. Shay hooking her arm around her friends waist as she helped her across the room. Pushing the door open as they manoeuvred there way through the frame.
"Try and sleep, I'll check in on you in a little while." Shay said, helping her out of her dress and into some shorts and a shirt.
"Thanks Shay, I'm sorry about this. Do you mind hosting until Matt get's back."
"Sweetheart just rest ok?" Shay said, ignoring her apologies, and kissing the side of her head. She walked towards the bedroom door before glancing back at Gabby who was already giving into her bodies exhaustion, deciding on leaving the door open slightly she quietly made her exit and headed back to the group of friends in the living room. Stella instantly noticing her worried expression and the lack of their PIC.
"Everything ok?" she asked concerned, knowing that Gabby hadn't looked great earlier.
"Yea, Dawson just needs to get some rest I'm sure she'll be fine after a little sleep." Stella nodding and turning the music down slightly while Shay grabbed some games of the shelf. The two friends very at home within the Casey's apartment, knowing where everything was and safe in the knowledge that neither of the young couple would mind them making everyone feel at home.
It was nearly an hour later that Matt, Severide and Boden arrived back in the apartment, Donna immediately asking if they got it fixed, the older man shaking his head and telling her Matt had offered to drive them home later if they wished.
"Or you can stay here?" Matt offered, "everyone else is."
"I'll call my mum." Donna said looking at Boden, "I don't want you driving back home in this weather by yourself, we'll stay until the morning and call the breakdown service."
Matt nodded in agreement and began moving further into the apartment scanning the area for his wife, his body tensing as he noticed her absence. "Shay" he said approaching the couch she was perched on playing poker with Stella, Cruz and Otis. "Where's Gabby?"
"She's lying down" Shay said nodding towards the bedroom door.
"Is she ok?"
Shay sighed before pushing herself up from her seat "Guys I fold, carry on without me." Turning to Matt she said "We need to talk Casey." Her face held a hard, worried look and the sight of it sent shivers running through Matt's spine.
The man nodding as he followed her through to the kitchen "What's going on Shay?" he asked turning to face her, his face twisted into a painfully scared look.
"She passed out on me." She said gently.
"What?" Matt said shocked, "When?"
"Not long after you left." she explained, "We were tidying up and I could see something was wrong but she brushed me off and then she just went. I caught her and she wasn't hurt or anything but I made her go lie down. I'm worried Matt."
Matt nodded, he too was worried. It wasn't the first time she'd passed out since the incident at the firehouse and each time it happened she brushed it off, but he was beginning to wonder if there was more to it than her just overdoing it sometimes. "What do you thinks causing it?"
"I don't know for sure, but I think maybe anemia." Shay paused watching Matt's face, "It would explain a lot, the constant tiredness, the insomnia, the extreme sickness she experienced, the passing out."
"What can I do?" Matt asked, listening carefully to the words leaving the young paramedics mouth.
"First of all go check on her, I've been going in every ten minutes. She's flat out, but she needs you more than me, don't worry about us guys, we're good to entertain ourselves. But tomorrow you need to call her doctor she's going to need blood tests to confirm my suspicions and depending on how severe it is will determine whether she needs shots or iron tablets. But either way you're going to have to keep a close eye on her. We all are. I guarantee what happen in the kitchen this evening has happened more times than we know about." Matt nodding, knowing that she was most probably right. Gabby had an annoying habit of keeping things like this to herself not wanting people to worry about her and not wanting to make a fuss.
"Thanks Shay" Matt said hugging her tightly, before heading towards the bedroom to check on his wife.
Walking through the doorway as quietly as possible as not to wake her, his heart swelled when he saw her lying there seemingly peaceful in her sleep, the sheets bunched up around her waist, his pillow squeezed between her arms as her body produced sweet little snores. Walking over to the bed, he couldn't help but allow the goofy grin to spread across his face, not only had she stolen his pillow but it would appear she was wearing his shirt too. A sure sign to how she had been feeling when she climbed into their bed. Sitting down next to her he stroked her head gently, her body automatically leaning into his touch as she opened her eyes, blinking quickly trying to focus on him.
"Hey" she croaked, the sleepiness in her voice evident.
"Hi" he said kissing her head and opening his arms up, the action bringing a smile to her face as she crawled into his embrace. "Sorry, I was just tired" she said hoping Shay hadn't mentioned her episode in the kitchen, but knowing it was unlikely the blonde had kept it too herself.
"Gabby, how many times has this happened?" he asked his eyebrows raising at her white lie.
"A few times" she confirmed, sighing slightly to herself. "I'm ok, I just over do it sometimes."
"Shay thinks it's more than that?"
Gabby nodding in acknowledgement to his words, she wasn't surprised that they had spoken about it. The friend obviously having the same idea she had. "Yea me too" she admitted quietly.
The two of them lying in a peaceful quiet for a long time, Matt stroking his hand up and down his wife's back as she rested her head on his chest. Gabby was kinda annoyed with herself for spoiling their evening, knowing that Matt had been looking forward to hanging out with the guys as much as she had and now they were locked away in the bedroom because she wasn't feeling great. Her body tensing in anger at herself as she thought about the amount of times this had happened recently, after the bathroom incident she'd been passing out two or three times a day, usually she could get herself to her bed, or the couch making it appear she was just resting and not having to say anything. But today it had come on suddenly and there had been nothing she could do, to stop the dizziness she had felt take over. Matt felt her body tense in her grip.
"What's wrong?" he asked pulling back slightly, "Are you in pain?"
"Nothing" she lied "I'm fine."
Matt sighed "Gabby?"
Puffing out a frustrated breath she sat up and turned to face him fully, "I'm just annoyed that I've spoilt the evening, all our friends are out there and you're in here missing the party because of my stupid head."
"Hey!" he said firmly taking her hands in his, "Firstly you're not stupid and I don't want to hear you say that again. And secondly you haven't spoilt anything once you feel up to it when can return to the party, right now you just rest up. Shay and Severide have got it under control out there."
Gabby nodded against him "Ok sorry."
"Stop apologizing" he whispered, pulling her back into him.
The two of them lying in each others embrace for another half an hour, the comfortable silence between them only disturbed by the sounds of laughter coming from the main room of the apartment. Gabby finally pushing herself upwards off the bed, the sudden movement catching Matt of guard. "You ok?"
"Yea, let's go join them." She said, pulling a sweatshirt over the top of her head. Matt's eyes never leaving her body as she made herself presentably.
"You sure?" he asked one more time, waiting for her to nod in confirmation before taking her hand in his and leading them out of the room, everyone's heads turning towards them as they walked back to the group.
"How you feeling?" Shay asked, as Gabby sat down next to her, curling her legs underneath herself.
"I'm ok." she smiled weakly, patting her hand on her friends knee, "thanks for earlier."
"Don't mention it babe" Shay said winking at her.
The reminder of the evening was full of laughter and jokes, Severide being the butt of them mainly. The atmosphere in the apartment relaxed and calm, everyone including Matt having a few beers, his resolve only lasting a short time before accepting a beer from Kelly. Gabby has laughed loudly about it telling him she knew he'd never last long. As she watched them all play silly games and dance around her body flooded with an over whelming sense of happiness, the young woman curled up on the couch happy to just observe them all, silently thankfully for the amazing family she had found at 51 and the amazing people that were going to be amazing role models for their children. By midnight everyone started to make plans to get there heads down, Matt guiding a almost asleep Gabby back to their room where they both collapsed down onto the bed, arms entangled around each other as sleep took over their bodies.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Matt opened the door for her, smiling softly as they walked into the all to fimilar doctors office. Squeezing her hand slightly as they approached the desk, Gabby having called earlier on that day and making an appointment for some blood tests, she'd briefly explained what had been happening and her doctor had agreed that it was definitely something they needed to check. The young couple having left their friends at the apartment, Shay saying she'd prep some lunch for when they got back.
"Can I help you?" The young receptionist said when they came to a stop in front of her.
"Mrs Casey, I called this morning. I'm here for some bloods tests."
"Oh yes I remember, through that door there and you need to speak to the nurse at the desk. They are expecting you." She said pointing towards a door behind the couple.
Matt thanked the receptionist before they both turned and headed into the small office of the main reception. "You ok?" He asked for the hundredth time, Gabby looking up at him and smiling. She'd been really quiet all morning and it was unnerving him. After falling into bed last night she'd been unable to sleep despite her body being physically exhausted, spending most of the night tossing and turning, her dreams unpleasant when she did drift off. She'd heard people say that woman experienced fluid dreams when pregnant but she had never realaized just how haunting they could be. She wasn't sure if it was the fact they saw some horrible and traumatic things In their profession or just her brain playing tricks on her, but her dreams consisted of horrible things happening to her, Matt and the babies. She spent a lot of her evening trying to convince herself it was safe to go back to sleep only to be woken again by another dream shortly afterwards.
"I'm good" she said somewhat unconvincingly, Matt sensing it wasn't something she was ready to talk about just yet. Wrapping his arm round her shoulder and pulling her close to him as they waited to be called in. The wait being only short for the young couple. The actual drawing of blood taking longer than they'd waited, due to Gabby's veins 'not playing ball' as the nurse had referred to them. Thirty minutes and a lot of bruising later the two left the doctors office and headed home to enjoy their quiet afternoon. Entering through the front door Gabby noticed the apartment was spotless, Severide winding up the cord for the vacuum as they made their way inside.
"You didn't have to clean up" Gabby said, patting him gently on the back.
"We know but we thought the least we could do was help a little" he smiled softly at them, "how did it go?"
"They finally managed to get some blood but not after poking me several times. Apparently my veins don't like being prodded."
Severide laughing at the idea her veins had a choice. "Did they say when they'd let you know?"
"Later today" Gabby said moving towards the kitchen, knowing that that's where she'd find the girls. "Hey" she said when she saw them both.
Shay quickly pulling out a stool for her, "sit" she ordered, Gabby smiling as she did as she was told. "I'm almost finished here, do you need anything? Ginger ale, water, coffee?"
"Shay you know this is my place don't you?" Gabby chuckled "I should be offering you things."
"Ssh you" Shay said smirking at her.