A/N: Hey everyone, thank you to you all that left comments after the last chapter i was very happy to hear there are still people enjoying this story and following the updates. I've been working on this story lots the past couple of days and have already written some later chapters. An idea came to me while out running and I couldn't get it out of my head. What I might do is jump a head a little in a few chapters and then I'm thinking I may continue the story in a sequel. I'm not fully decided yet. Let me know if you have any preference. Here's the next one for you, I hope you like it.
"Matt" Gabby shouted from the bathroom, "Matt."
"What? What's wrong?" he asked appearing in the doorway, the sight of his wife lying in the tub sending a shiver down his spine. She looked absolutely radiant, with the bubbles surrounding her as she relaxed and he couldn't help tracing his eyes down her body, his tongue wetting his lips as he took her in.
"Nothing.. well erm I may be stuck" she admitted with a smile.
"Huh?"
"I erm, I can't get out.."
"Oh" he said understanding the problem, "here let me help." Offering her his hand, Gabby held on tightly as she used him as leverage to get up. Working together they managed to get her safely out and into her towel and robe, her twenty seven week bump protruding out underneath both. Matt thought she looked absolutely beautiful, in fact he'd told her earlier that day that he didn't think he'd ever seen anyone look as gorgeous as she did while she walked around their kitchen in her underwear. The woman complaining it was far far too hot for clothes, the warm April air flooding in through their open back door. Gabby however disagreed she was fed up of feeling like an overgrown whale, the woman listing all the aspects of her body that she currently hated.
"Do you want a picture?" She asked tilting her head to the side, her sarcasm earning her a slight scoff from her husband.
"I think you know the answer to that" he teased, wriggling his eyebrows at her.
"Yeah ok, I'm going to put some clothes on" she said going to walk past him but Matt stopped her his lips crushing against her as his arms wrapped around her back his hands moving down to grip her bottom tightly, the action pulling her as close as they could get.
"Have I told you lately how sexy pregnancy is on you" he asked pulling his head back slightly so he could look her in the eyes.
"I think you may have done, a few times today" she said rolling her eyes at him.
Matt landed a sharp slap to her behind making her jump slightly the thin material of her towel and robe not offering much protection against his hand coming down on her. "Don't roll your eyes" he warned.
"Sorry"
"Yeah, don't do it again. My leg may be injured but my hands are just fine."
"Yes sir" she replied the last word rolling off her tongue playfully, a small smirk resting on her lips when she felt her husbands body tense underneath her.
"So god damn sexy" he said shaking his head.
He attacked her lips once more, Gabby pulling back only when air became a priority, her chest heaving as she tried to calm herself down. She couldn't allow them to get carried away, it wasn't safe at the moment, her cyst bursting had put far to much strain on her body and that had resulted in her doctor telling them they would have to abstain until after the babies were born. Then with Matt getting injured a few days ago she knew his body needed as much rest as hers did. Not that it had stopped him from trying.
"We can't babe, you heard the doctor."
Matt groaned as he kissed her once more this one a lot gentler and timider than previously. He knew she was right, he'd heard what the doctors had said and he would do everything in his power to keep Gabby and their children safe and if that meant he had to have many cold showers then he would do it without hesitation.
"Do you want me to rub your feet?" he asked, pulling her across to the bed and sitting down with her perched on his lap. He knew she was aching all over, and he knew hers ankles and feet were giving her the most grief, the warmer weather causing them to swell quite rapidly.
"That'd be wonderful" she replied kissing him gently. "Let me get dressed first."
"Ok." he said placing a last kiss to her temple, watching as she stood up and dried herself off.
Gabby pulled on on of his old faded CFD shirts, the logo long ago faded, the word candidate on the back only just visible after its many years of washing. Matt loved watching her wear his clothes, and this particular shirt was one of her favorites, the woman choosing to wear it almost ninety per cent of the time to sleep in. Pulling on a pair of sleep shorts she made her way back to their bed, her wet hair resting over her shoulder.
"What times your appointment tomorrow?" Matt asked as he poured some oil into his hand. He'd done a lot of research in how to help his wife ever growing body and recently brought looks of oils and creams to reduce her swelling.
"Not until one" she responded. "And then yours is straight after."
It had been just over two weeks since Matt's fall and tomorrow he was due to have his first check up, he was hoping that it would be the day he got the stitches out and cleared to do a bit more than sit around the house. But he also knew that the likelihood of him being cleared for full duty was unlikely. Still if he could get cleared to do some smaller construction jobs it would help them greatly. The house was almost finished but he still had a few small tasks to complete and after he got injured Gabby and he had discussed her going on maternity earlier than planned. Gabby finally admitting to herself and him that she couldn't hack it anymore, that her body was just too tired. So between that and him being off sick they had very little in the form of any income, something that he couldn't help but blame himself for.
"Yeah" he mumbled.
"What's wrong?" His wife sighed, she knew him well enough to know that something was on his mind.
"I just.. I was just thinking hopefully I can get cleared to take on a few small jobs. I know the Hopkin's said they had a few odd jobs that needed doing, and if I can get cleared to do them, then at least we've got something coming in."
"Matt don't start worrying about that again, I told you I've checked and we're ok, we can survive for at least another couple of months before it may become an issue." She hated how he was so concerned about money, the only thing he should be worrying about in her opinion was getting himself well again.
"I know, but I still don't like the fact we are having to dip into our savings so much."
Gabby sighed again, partially out of frustration but also because he'd just hit a really sore spot on the sole of her foot and the relief his gentle pressure was giving her felt like pure bliss. "Babe please don't push yourself to hard, I know it's not fun having to rest so much and not being able to work but the last thing we need right now is for you to get more injured because your stubborn."
"I'm no more stubborn than you" he was quick to shoot back.
Gabby had to stifle her urge to roll her eyes at him, he was after all right. They were both equally stubborn, but she hadn't fallen through a building he had. "Well how about we just wait and see what your doctor says and then we can discuss it, IF she says your well enough."
It wasn't often that Matt let his wife take the lead on such things, and he certainly didn't usually allow her to speak to him in the firm tone she had been the past couple of weeks but he knew that it was the only thing making her deal with everything that had happened. After the night he came home and her meltdown, they'd spent the entire evening talking, the two hashing out a lot that was probably long over due. Gabby had told him they needed to make some decisions, decisions they'd been avoiding but no longer could. That conversation had lead them to calling their two best friends over the next day and asking them if they would be the children's god parents officially, of course both Shay, Kelly had immediately agreed. After that the two expectant parents had maybe an appointment with a local family law firm, leading to them only a couple of days ago signing paperwork that said if anything happened to the both of them, then custody would be transferred to the children's god parents. It made them feel better knowing that if the worst were to happen their children would be well taken care of and that they would stay within the firehouse family. Both of them aware that the aunts and uncles the children had at fifty one were going to be some of the most present people in their little lives.
"Ok" he replied smiling at her, "What you'd say we get you into bed and we both get some rest?"
Dawson tried to mask a yawn but failed as she nodded her head in agreement, pushing the covers back and climbing on to her side while Matt switched the lights of and readily joined her, his arms automatically wrapping around her waist and pulling her back against his chest.
"Goodnight baby" he said kissing her shoulder.
"Night" she replied before the exhaustion took over.
"How are you feeling Gabby?" Dr Manning said entering the room dragging the ultrasound machine behind her.
"I'm ok" she replied although her voice was not at all convincing. She'd had a rough night, the woman struggling to get comfortable resulting in her tossing and turning almost constantly. Then this morning when she woke she had been immediately hit with overwhelming nausea resulting in her spending the best part of an hour emptying her stomach.
"She's not sleeping too well and the morning sickness seems to be getting worse" Matt offered, the man shooting his wife an unimpressed look. They'd spoken at length about her lying to her doctors and here she was once again trying to pass it all off as nothing.
"I'm fine Matt" she hissed through gritted teeth.
"Ok" Said Dr Manning sensing there was a lot more going on then just Gabby's need to convince everyone she was ok when she really wasn't. "Shall we get a look at your babies and then we can see what I can do to help you get some more sleep and maybe halt the sickness again."
Pulling her top up and unbuttoning her pants Gabby shot her husband a look, the classic Dawson look that he had come to know she was as unimpressed with him as he was with her.
"So let's take a look at your son first" Dr Manning said moving the wand around on Gabby's belly, "looks like he is very active today."
"So Seb's the culprit to who's been making me run to the loo all morning." Gabby laughed, her husband smiling at her softly.
"Looks like it babe." Matt said.
"Everything looks good with him, let me just have a listen to his... there it is" she said the soft thumping sound filling the room. "Nice and strong as always. And from my measurements today I'd say his about four pounds already."
"Is that good?" Matt asked.
"Yes, with twins we always say they are more than likely going to be born at a low birth weight, but it looks like your son is growing really well and I wouldn't be surprised if he was a decent weight when born." Moving the wand around again she said "now let's take a look at his sister. When's your next fetal medicine appointment?"
"Next week"
"Ok, well hopefully by the time I see you next we will have a good idea on the action plan for her birth. As you know we can't be certain what will happen but we are working in having a plan for every outcome. But we can talk about that again in a minute, let me get her measurements and then we can go through to my office."
Both Matt and Gabby nodded in agreement, both parents keen to see and hear their daughter on the screen in front of them.
"There she is, she's a lively little thing too. Looks like you have two very active little people growing inside you Gabby."
"Is she ok?" Gabby asked, it was the same question she asked every scan, her nervousness of something else being wrong only intensifying with each appointment.
"She's absolutely fine. Here." Dr Manning turn the nob on the machine and the steady thumping noise of their daughters heart beat filled the room, just like there sons had moments before. "She's got a steady rhythm, and is also growing well, I'd say she's a little under three pounds at the moment."
"Is there a reason she's smaller?" Matt asked concerned to hear the difference in size of his babies.
"It could be her heart but it could also just be she's a smaller baby. There's nothing to worry about, she's still within the normal healthy limits for twenty seven weeks gestation." She said, handing Gabby some tissue and putting the machine away. "I took some photos for you so I'll go and get them printed and meet you in my office once your cleaned up." She smiled, heading towards the door.
Ten minutes later both Casey's were sat in Dr Mannings office, the couple not saying much while they waited for her to return. They knew some of what needed to be discussed today, the option of csection or natural birth not being completely taken off the table yet. Matt knew his wife had said she wanted to try for a normal delivery but he wasn't sure if that was still a viable option now that they had to think of Maddie's welfare. However they hadn't really discussed it much since the first mention of a possible csection and now the conversation was here and decisions needed to be made he wasn't sure which way his wife would swing.
"You ok?" Matt asked.
"I'm good babe I promise."
"Have you erm... thought anymore about the delivery?" He asked carefully, "I know you said you'd prefer a natural birth but we haven't really spoken about it much."
"I don't know" Gabby said truthfully, "I've done some research into it and both a csection and natural have their risks for both me and the babies. Seb not so much but Maddie would possibly benefit from a planned csection. But the recovery is long for me and I'm not sure the restrictions on my body will be good with two newborns. Especially if Mad's needs surgery straight away."
"I'll take as much time off as we need me to Gabs, you won't have to do it alone."
"I know that, I'm just a little nervous and unsure. Hopefully Dr Manning will have a better idea of what would be best because I'm really torn between what I wanted and what may be best. Obviously I will do whatever is safest for these two but..." her words trailed of a single tear running down her cheek.
"Hey, hey" Matt said pulling her towards him "what's wrong?"
"I feel like.. like having twins, having one of them poorly it's kinda ruined this pregnancy for me, for us. I feel like I can't fully enjoy it because I'm always thinking of all the things that could go wrong before and during birth. And.. part of me feels cheated."
"Cheated?" Matt asked confused.
"Yea, like I've not been able to experience the same joy and happiness that other first time mothers do. And a part of me feels like that feeling is only going to get worse if I have to have a csection and then Maddie gets rushed off for surgery."
Casey was slightly stunned by his wife's words he'd never imagined that she was feeling this way, and to be truthfully he really didn't know how to deal with it or help her. All her reasoning made sense, she was right a part of the joy and happiness they should be feeling had be squashed by the knowledge that their daughter was poorly, that when she was born she could be even more poorly. And then idea of giving birth to their children causing more issues was only making the young couple more nervous.
"Gabs.. whatever happens I know your going to be an amazing mother, it's in your genes. You are amazing with children, you always have been. And I know that this pregnancy has been a bit of a whirlwind for lack of a better word, but I know you and I know how excited you are to meet these two. And even if your pregnancy hasn't been everything we imagined, even if it's had some fairly huge bumps in the road, we are going to enjoy what's left of it, saviour every moment and I'm going to be with you every step of the way."
Gabby opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by the door opening.
"Sorry sorry" the doctor said as she rushed into the room. "I was on my way here and got called for a consult, I'm sorry."
"It's fine don't worry" Matt said reassuring the doctor they didn't mind waiting.
"Right so we have a few things I need to discuss with you today" Dr Manning said sitting down across from them while tapping on her iPad, "first off lets deal with the sleeping issues."
"It's not really an issue, I just can't get comfortable" Gabby said.
"Ok, so tell me about what you've tried and we can see if there's anything else we can do."
"I've tried the maternity cushions, and lifting my legs up, I've tried sleeping more upright, having a bath before bed, a massage from Matt, all of the oils and smells and nothing seems to help. I'm comfortable for maybe half an hour and then it takes me forever to get back to sleep. And I'm getting a lot of leg cramps which are really painful."
"How much water are you drinking in a day?"
"Erm I don't really know, maybe two or three glasses. I've been drinking a lot of ginger ale to try and help with the sickness."
"Ok well that's going to be some of the body, the leg cramps is your bodies way of telling you that you are dehydrated. You need to be drinking a least a full glass of water every hour throughout the day and I'd recommend taking a glass to bed with you too."
"I can do that" Gabby smiled, Matt nodding in agreement next to her. He had suspected she hadn't been drinking enough recently but had refrained from saying too much about it to her as he knew she was struggling. But now that the doctor had confirmed his suspicions he'd be making sure she drank water regularly throughout the day.
"As for the sleeping I'm going to suggest you get another pillow, I can recommend a few that are great for twin pregnancies and hopefully that will help you immensely. I'd continue with having a bath and massage before you go to sleep, the combination of all three things should help you. If they don't we can discuss some other opinions at your next appointment."
"Thank you" Gabby said taking the piece of paper that Dr Manning had just scribbled the name of the pillow down on.
"As for the sickness is it as bad as it was at the beginning of your pregnancy?"
Gabby shrugged her shoulders, she didn't really know how to answer the question, some days it was horrific and she spent most of her day with her head in the toilet but other days it wasn't too bad.
"I'd say it's worse" Matt spoke up, "last week alone I think she brought up all but two meals."
"Ok, we'll that won't be helping with the dehydration so water water water." She said, looking directly at her patient "and I'm going to prescribe the anti sickness pills again for you. But if you are being sick more than three times a day when I next see you I may admit you for rehydration and until we can get it back under control."
"Ok" Gabby said although she was anything but happy about the prospect of being readmitted.
"Now I know we spoke a little about the birth" Dr Manning started, putting her iPad down and looking between the both of them. "Have you had a chance to think it over?"
"I have, we were just discussing it before you came in. I'm torn between what I want to do and what I think may be best." Gabby said biting down on the inside of her cheek nervously. "I was hoping you could..."
"I see, well from a medical perspective a csection would be safer for your daughter, obviously that has some big implications for you. The recovery from a csection is roughly six weeks, it's a major surgery and is in no ways an easy ride. You'll most likely have a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. And you wouldn't be able to do much in terms of lifting and carrying." Dr Manning told them, the two listening carefully to everything she was saying, "however a natural birth, which I know you'd expressed a desire for, that also has its complications, as your daughter is twin two she will be more likely to come out breach, or get stuck. With her heart condition the stress could be fatal for her. And although the recovery and impact on the mother is less, you have to weigh up the potential of having one or two healthy babies."
"I'll do whatever it takes to have them both healthy" Gabby said quickly, there was absolutely no doubt in her mind about that. She would do whatever it took to deliver their babies into the world safely. And if that meant she had to be brave and have surgery then so be it. "I'll have the csection."
"You can take a moment discuss it" Dr Manning said.
"No, it's my body, my choice right?" She asked her gaze turning to her husband for the first time since the discussion had started.
Matt nodded, "whatever Gabriela wants to do we'll do. She's right she's the one that has to go through it, it should be her decision. I'll support whatever she wants to do."
"Ok then, we'll that's settled then. We will want to schedule you in a little earlier than your due date to try and reduce the chances of you going into labour naturally. With twins we usually hope to deliver as close to thirty seven weeks, the babies will be slightly early but they won't be classed as premature." She picked her tablet back up, tapping away at the screen as she worked something out, Matt and Gabby watching her as she silently made notes before glancing towards the little flip calendar on her desk. "Ok so you hit thirty seven weeks on June eleventh, so if we try and schedule you in for then." She spoke although her attention was still focused on the tablet in front of her. "Ok, so I can't do the eleventh unless you go into labour naturally and then of course we'll have no choice but I can do June twelfth."
"Ok" Gabby said nervously. That meant that from now till then they had just over nine weeks until they would meet their babies, suddenly it all felt very real. "Wow."
"You ok?" Matt asked concerned at her tone.
"Yeah I'm good just... it's so soon. I didn't even realise."
He smiled at her, the man understanding how she was feeling. It didn't seem like only yesterday they were finding out she was pregnant and now they had the date their babies were going to be born. Everything seemed to be going by so fast. "I know, but we'll be ready. And between now and then we are going to do everything to enjoy these last few weeks."
"So with that booked in we are almost done. Like I said earlier hopefully by your next appointment we will have a plan in place for your little girl when she's born. But I'll warn you now there will be a lot of people in the OR when you do give birth. We will want to cover each possible outcome so there will be teams from the NICU for both babies, as well as a cardiology team ready to prep her for surgery if she needs it straight away. Hopefully it won't come to that but I want you to be prepared. I've printed some information off for you guys to read through about csections and the recovery. And if you'd like I can plan for you to see the NICU just so you're a little more prepared when it comes to it, if it comes to it."
"That would be great" Matt spoke, his wife having gone completely silent the more the doctor had spoke. He knew something was on her mind and he knew they'd have to talk about it later, but right now they were pushing it to get to his appointment and he knew them being late would only increase Gabby's anxiety. "Is that everything?" He asked.
"Yes, that's everything for today. Remember I'm just the other end of the phone if you need anything."
"Thanks doc, we've got to get going to my appointment now but we'll look through all of this and get the pillow and tablets to help with everything."
"Ok then, just schedule in for two weeks time before leaving and I'll see you soon."
"Thanks" Matt said once again, helping Gabby out of her chair and walking towards the door.
"Matthew Casey" the nurse called not long after they'd entered the waiting area. Matt pushed himself up and walked towards the double doors leaving Gabby out in the waiting room. She'd offered to go in with him, the couple discussing it all the way from the maternity unit to here but Matt had insisted she sat down. He was concerned at how tired she looked and didn't want her having to sit on the hard chairs or stand at his bedside while he had the stitches removed.
"We just need to weigh you, and get you to sign some paperwork before Dr Mitchel comes in to check your leg and remove the stitches." The nurse said indicating towards the scales.
It didn't take very to complete the tasks needed, Casey changing out of his jeans and shirt into a hospital gown, the looser material making it easier to access the long line of stitches. He was just settling down on the bed when his phone pinged.
I'm just going to go and grab a coffee and something to eat.
Ok babe just let me know when you're back or I can meet you downstairs if you like?
I'll come back up here if you're not done by the time I'm finished. Take it easy.
"How are you feeling today Matt?" Dr Mitchel said entering the room just as Casey placed his phone back down on top of the clothes piled on the chair.
"I'm good, the leg feels good. I'll be glad to have the stitches out and be able to shower properly" he chuckled slightly at the last thing. He never really minded taking baths, but he much preferred a shower unless he was sharing the tub with Gabby. And not being able to get his leg wet had made that impossible lately.
"I know what you mean, I'm not a fan of baths either" the doctor laughed back, washing his hands in the sink before moving to take the bandages off Matt's leg. "Well everything looks good from what I can see, looks like you're healing well and I can definitely take those stitches out."
"Thank god." Matt sighed, he had been becoming increasingly frustrated with how the stitches in his leg had been restricting him and hearing they were about to come out made him very happy. "What about being cleared for work?"
"Let's not run before we can walk ok." He said smirking at the firefighter before him, "lets get the stitches out and assess the damage. Then I can see what I can clear you for. But Matt I've got to want you it won't be full clearance, I can't allow you back to work at the firehouse yet."
"No I know that but I am hoping to be cleared to do some of my smaller construction gigs. With two babies on the way it's not really practical for neither of us to be working."
"No I understand that, but I can't clear you before you're ready."
"I know" Matt said, the previous excitement fading quickly as he listened to the doctors words and phrasing. The more he spoke the less likely he believed it would be that he was cleared but he couldn't second guess things, Dr Mitchel had said he'd assess once the stitches were out and they weren't there yet."
"Shall we do this then?" The doctor asked, preparing the numbing agent.
"Yup" Matt said popping the word.
A little over half an hour later all of the stitches were out and Matt was heading back out to the waiting area. He'd been cleared to exercise gently and given some strengthening exercises to do daily, the doctor being very clear that he had to keep up with the physical therapy if he wanted any chance of being cleared for full duty when he came back in a further two weeks time. He'd reluctantly agreed to to allowing Casey to take on a few small construction jobs, but made in perfectly clear that he didn't want him doing anything bigger than changing hinges, and hanging shelves. Which hadn't pleased Matt but he had agreed none the less.
"So?" Gabby asked when she saw him walking towards her "how was it?"
"Stitches are out and I'm healing nicely, might even get fully cleared for work in two weeks time. For now I've got some exercises to do and I'm cleared for small construction jobs. Just got to take it easy."
"Ok, well as long as you don't push yourself too much" she said, her eyes narrowing in on him. She knew her husband well, better than anyone, and she knew he wouldn't think of the consequences of pushing further than his limits until after the event, something that neither of them could afford to happen at the moment.
"I won't babe, I promise" he said helping her up and placing a kiss to the side of her head. "I just need to book my next appointment and then we can get going ok?"
"Sounds good to me. I text Stella earlier and asked her to come over later, I hope that's ok?"
"Of course baby."
"Thanks" she said, a sheepish look covering her face.
"What is it?" he asked raising a brow.
"Erm, well I... I still haven't apologized to her. Actually I haven't spoken to her since your accident."
"Gabby" Matt sighed, "Why not?"
"I didn't really know what to say to her, so I just haven't said anything. But when I was waiting for you I had a lot of time to think over everything and the way I acted towards her."
"Ok." he said in a tone that told her to continue.
"I was horrid to her, really horrid. And I wouldn't blame her if she doesn't accept my apology, I always promised her I'd be there for her for everything and we went from speaking everyday to not speaking at all over the past two weeks. I'm not sure a simple 'I'm sorry' is going to cut it. So I was thinking when we get home maybe I should write it down, you know. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea but Gabriela.." he waited for her to look at him again, her deep brown eyes meeting with his blue ones after a few moments. "You'll write it by hand and then afterwards I want you to write me a five hundred word essay on why treating people like you did Stella is wrong. I want it by dinner tonight."
"Yes sir." She knew when she admitted to him that she still hadn't apologized and patched things up with her friend that she'd get some form of punishment but she wasn't expecting an essay.
They walked towards the exit of the hospital in silence, Gabby's mind already running with all the things she needed to say to her friend and all the reasons why the way she'd behaved was inappropriate. When they got to the truck Matt helped her in before jogging round and climbing into the drivers seat.
"Gabby" Matt called from the front door.
"Coming" she shouted back from the upstairs office.
After a quick snack and something to drink when they got back from their appointments Gabby had headed straight to the office to begin work on Stella's apology letter and the essay she was expected to write before dinner. That had been three hours ago and she still hadn't appeared. Matt had checked on her a few times, along with bringing her several refills on her water but apart from that the two hadn't interacted.
"Have you finished?" He asked as she rounded the top of the stairs, the paramedic seeing Stella stood next to him.
"Almost, I'm only two hundred words out." She responded coming to stop in front of her husband and friend. "Hey Stella."
"Hey" Stella responded a slightly nervous tone to her voice.
"Gabby you've got about an hour before dinners ready" Matt warned walking towards the kitchen, his wife nodding in understanding. He had already told her what would happen if her essay wasn't finished by the deadline and now Stella was here she wasn't sure how she was going to complete it and say what she needed to, to her friend.
"What was that all about?" The taller woman asked looking towards the direction her captain had just gone.
"I.. he.. I told him I was going to apologise to you two weeks ago and he found out today that I hadn't yet."
"Oh" she said, a knowing look flashing across her face. "Are you Erm.. is he going to... you know? Because really it's not a problem I know you didn't mean it."
"He's only going to if I haven't finished the essay I'm supposed to be writing. Five hundred words on how ignoring you and how I treated you was wrong."
"Gabby, honestly you don't need to say anything. I'll talk to Matt, punishing you over this is unnecessary because it doesn't matter."
"But it does Stella" Dawson sighed grabbing her friends arm as she tried to move towards the kitchen. "I promised you I'd never do that to you, that I'd never turn my back on you the way your family did and then I went and broke that promise. And I'm sorry, truly I am. I can't tell you how much I regret what I did, that was worse than anything I could have ever said. And don't tell me you weren't affected by it because I saw your body, I saw how upset I made you. I'm just sorry it's taken me this long to say anything."
"I forgive you Dawson truly, it was a rough day and I knew you'd be mad. Yeah it stung when you shut me out of the circle even more so when you wouldn't let me in to see Matt but I don't hold any hatred or animosity towards you for it." She said pulling her friend into a side hug. "Let me speak to him, get him to drop the essay thing."
"Honestly it's ok, as long as I get the last two hundred words done before dinner I won't be in anymore trouble." She said shaking her head gently, "Erm and this is for you."
Stella took the note Gabby was handing to her "Gabs."
"Please just read it, there are things that I need you to know."
"Ok. How about I read this while you finish that essay and then we can have dinner together and maybe a bit of a girls night. I can text Shay and Brett and we can kick Casey out with Kelly."
"Sounds good to me."
An hour later and some extra cooking from Matt and there kitchen was full of their closet friends. The six of them enjoying a simple chicken croquet and fresh veg. Gabby had just managed to finish her essay when Matt called her down as the rest of their impromptu guests arrived. With a little help from Stella and a last push through the cramp she was getting in her hand she managed to avoid any further punishment. Although Kidd still insisted it was unnecessary and had even mentioned it to Matt a few times, she'd pushed through and all was forgiven.
"I'm so glad you two have made up" Shay said popping the top off a bottle of beer before sitting down at the table.
"Yeah poor Stella here looked like she'd lost her right arm these past couple of weeks." Brett agreed, the blonde being given a look she didn't quite understand from the brown haired firefighter. "What?"
"I was not."
"You were a little bit" Severide agreed sitting down next to his girlfriend. "But I too am glad you've made up. I'm not a fan of being stuck between my friends wife and my girlfriend."
"I was not that bad" Stella said firmly, the woman wishing they'd drop the subject soon. "Anyway I deserved the anger being pointed towards me, he could have died."
"I could have but I didn't and the way Gabby acted was wrong. She knows that don't you Gabs?" Matt said joining them at the table.
"Yeah" she said nodding her head. "Tell us what's been happening at the house?" She asked hoping to change the subject.
Severide jumped straight in at that telling them all about the crazy calls they'd had over the past few shifts. Before Shay and Brett took over telling them about a few crazy calls sixty one had received.
"It always happens when I'm not on shift" Matt complained.
"Talking of any news when your going to back we miss our captain." Stella asked.
"Not for another two weeks at least but I'll only be back once I'm completely cleared. Hows the cover captain doing?"
"Oh he's brilliant." Kidd said rolling her eyes. "Amazing, absolutely loves having a woman on truck."
"That had hey."
"It's worse than that he treats all us woman like we are something for him to stare at. He gives me the creeps."
"Yeah he's not the nicest of blokes." Severide agreed, "we could definitely do with you hurrying up and getting back to fighting shape."
"I'm working on it."
The rest of the evening went by far too quickly, Matt and Kelly joining the girls in staying in, the six friends happily content to catch up and enjoy each other's company. It was late before they all left, Gabby having made her exit up to bed about an hour or so before they called it a night. Matt locked up and followed her up after saying his last goodnight. Poking his head into the office to look over the essay he still hadn't had a chance to read before heading to the bedroom. His wife spread across the bed, curled around her new pregnancy pillow which seemed to be helping her get the most peaceful rest he'd seen her get in a while.
Not wanting to disturb her he padded quietly into the bathroom only switching the light on above the sinks after he'd closed the door behind him. Going through his bedtime routine of brushing his teeth and washing his face. It was only twenty minutes before he was climbing into bed, the man trying his hardest not to disturb his wife as he manoeuvred his way behind her, placing a soft kiss to her head before settling down on his pillow.
"Night Matt" she murmured into the darkness.
"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's ok, has everyone gone?"
"Yeah they left not long ago. You go back to sleep. I love you."
"Love you to." She whispered back, before succumbing to sleep once more, Matt not far behind her.