Matt woke up as the sun was shining inside the tiny bedroom. Gabriela was still asleep and he kissed her in her neck, looking at the ring around her finger. She had mumbled yes and she had started to cry from happiness. He had shoved the ring around her finger and their kiss had been the most special kiss had shared, with the firework still banging from the other side of the lake.
Gabriela started to yawn and she turned his way.
''Goodmorning, fiance.''
Matthew kissed her on her cheek with a playful laugh.
''Feel g-good to say that, hmm?''
She nodded and laid her hands around his face.
''Don't cheer to early, you haven't asked my dad. Maybe he doesn't approve the marriage.''
''I d-did ask him yesterday. He approved.'' Matthew smiled and she looked surprised as she heard her parents in the kitchen.
''I am s-sorry I am still not wearing make-up.'' He laughed as if she was looking at him that surprised as she heard the sounds in the kitchen. A knock sounded on the door and Gabriela sat up.
''Do we really have to go back to Chicago today?'' She complained as she stepped out of bed.
''N-not until evening. B-but I was thinking, maybe we can go to Molly's.'''He mumled as he also sat up and took the clothes Gabriela handed him.
They joined her parents for breakfast and her mom put a large plate of pancakes on the table.
''Mom, dad.'' Gabriela smiled as they finished breakfast. ''We are engaged.''
Her mom threw her hands up in the air and started to cry. ''I am so happy to hear that.''
''Congratulations.'' Eduard smiled and he did look really happy for the couple. They kept talking about the wedding for nearly an hour when it was time to pack their bags.
After packing both bags Gabriela walked to the porch where Matt was standing up against the railing.
''Hey, glad to see you standing up.'' She walked up to him and stood next to him.
''I am not sure how m-much longer I can manage.'' He mumbled while he gritted his teeth.
''I am glad to see you standing up, even for just a minute.'' She mumbled as she laid her hand on his shoulder.
''Dont w-worry, I can walk with you through the aisle, before that I am not going to marry you.'' He mumbled with a smile as he sat down again.
''I am just happy we are getting married, don't put too much pressure on yourself.'' She mumbled as she sat down on his lap and he laid his chin on her shoulder as they looked at the lake.
''You know, I always wanted to go to Europe for my honeymoon, you know, travel from country to country.''
''How l-long do you want our honeymoon to take?'' Matthew mumbled surprised.
''Europe is not that big. Most countries are less than a day to drive through. For instance, Illinois is nearly 3 times as big as The Netherlands. Germany is only twice as big as Illinois.''
''H-have you ever been in Europe?'' Matt asked as she seemed to know so much.
''Just in Paris as school trip. They told me there aren't even customs when you drive from country to country.''
''Well, Europe it is.'' Matt smiled. ''B-but only if you speak European.''
''You really never had geography in high school?'' Gabriela laughed as she pinched him in his nose.
''Ouch! N-no, I only followed the technical subjects.'' He said indignant.
''Which country is above the U.S?'' Gabriela teased him.
''Mexico.'' He mumbled very serious but as she looked at him with big eyes he started to laugh. ''I am just k-kidding.''
''Ik hou v-van jou.'' He mumbled as they looked back at the lake.
''What language was that?'' She asked raising her eyebrow as she looked backward.
''Dutch. It means I l-love you. I think.''
''So you were kidding about European the language as well?'' She huffed.
''I bet I k-know more about Europe than you. I just loved your e-enthusiasm when you talked about it.'' He said with a cheeky smile.
''Oh, you have been there already?''
Matt nodded, although that he didn't say anything else. ''France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.'' He finally sighed.
''So, we have to choose another destination hum?''
''You k-kidding me? You make everything better.'' He smiled and he pulled his head back as his lips traced her neck.
''Hmm...I actually would also love to go to Florida.'' She mumbled as she thought about how far they would have to go to get to Europe. It was not like they had a golden credit card to pay everything.
''Whatever you d-decide. I would love everything, as l-long as I am with you.''
Gabriela turned sideways on his lap so she could look him in the eyes.
''I am not kidding, it is y-your decision to make.'' He kept smiling.
''When did you go to Europe?''
Matt looked backward to make sure his soon-to-be-inlaws were still inside and out of hearing difference. It was not that they weren't allowed to know, but his long was free now and he wanted that if they ever met his mother, it would be without prejudgment.
''A few weeks after my mom killed my dad.'' He finally mumbled. ''I just finished the academy b-but I just couldn't get a candidate ship and people kept l-looking at me and Christie as if w-we killed our dad.''
''So you went away for a couple of months?'' Gabriella mumbled, caressing his back.
''D-days. I got pick-pocketed in Hamburg and could only afford the b-bus to the U.S embassy in Hamburg.'' He chuckled. ''I think I t-there for fifteen full days. Christie had t-to pay for me to actually get back. I also l-lost my passport, which was worse.''
Gabriela laughed but immediately slapped her hand in front of her mouth.
''Sorry.''
''L-laugh all you want. Christie still won't stop ranting about me calling her from the embassy. It wasn't s-so funny when I was stuck there but n-now it is.'' He said with a honest smile.
Thinking back about his little adventure in Europe he smiled, especially thinking about Christie's face when he arrived back in Chicago, which also reminded him of another arrival at that airport.
''Matty, we have to go.'' His mom handed him his coat while she took Christie's stroller.
''Daddy, daddy!'' Matthew cheered as he held the drawing in his hands. Today he would finally see his dad again after months. The last time he had seen his dad was ten months ago when he had been on leave for Christmas. Christie started to cheer as well in the stroller and their mom laughed. They left their house to the car to get to the airport.
''Are you excited to see your daddy?'' Nancy asked as she fastened her seatbelt. When she had been thinking about her future years ago in school the least thing she had thought about was raising two kids alone, but she was very proud of her husband.
''I want to see daddy!'' Matt kicked with his feet.
''Hey, you waited ten months, you can wait another twenty minutes.'' Nancy laughed and Christie was babbling to her plushy in the back. The plushy her dad had given her for Christmas. When they arrived at the airport multiple families were waiting there for their beloved ones, as the airplane had landed that would bring them back home. The base had been farther away and although Nancy had offered to pick him up there Alan had insisted he would take another in country flight so they wouldn't have to drive so far.
When his mom had parked the car near the airport Matt hardly couldn't wait and he jumped up and down. Would his dad like his drawing? What would he say? Would he have changed.
He ran in front of his mom and Christie to the arrival hall and waited there as passengers of another place were walking out of the doors now.
''Here.'' His mom handed him one of the helium balloons that said welcome home. A few women from other families greeted her as they knew each other. A lot were carrying signs and banners.
''Hey, you made a drawing for your daddy?'' A woman named Kendra asked her, who had been at their home a few times. He showed the drawing to her.''
''I am sure you dad will love that.'' She mumbled as she rubbed over his head and walked back to the other woman. Finally the doors opened again and a man in uniform walked out and Kendra started to cry as her husband ran towards her. A few more men left and their woman cried as they walked away. They were standing there alone a few minutes. Matthew looked around with shaking hands, were was his dad?
Nancy looked around. ''His luggage is probably just late.''
Matthew looked around, maybe his dad hadn't seen him? Maybe he was getting some coffee, waiting for them?
Finally the doors opened again and Alan Casey ran out, throwing his bag on the floor as his son ran up to him and he pulled him in his arms.
''Daddy!'' Matt cried as they were finally reunited.
''Hey, don't cry! I am back! I am not leaving again!'' Alan smiled as he put Matt on the ground and kissed his wife.
''Hey little girl.'' He greeted Christie whom also hugged him.
''Such pretty drawing, thank you Matt.'' He smiled as Matt handed him the drawing as they walked back to their car.
''Do you promise to never leave again?''
''I promise.''
''T-these two steps up aren't really Matt-friendly.'' Matt complained as Cruz and Herman helped him inside. Molly's hadn't changed for a bit in the last few months and Matt was glad to finally be here for once again. The other men greeted him and Gabriela walked away with Shay and they stood a little farther away. After Gabby held her hand out Shay embraced her and laughed. Matt looked at Gabby telling her friend with a big smile and finally ordered his drink.
''We are buying t-this round.'' Matthew mumbled and the guys looked at him. Gabriela left Shay and stood next to him.
''We are engaged.'' She smiled as she rubbed over his shoulder and a loud cheering burst loose.
''Oooh I told ya!'' Hermann cheered and Otis handed him twenty dollars with an annoyed expression.
''Congratulations, the both of you.'' Severide congratulated them.
''Cruz should be your bridesmaid!'' Otis yelled as Cruz gratulated them.
''I am so happy for you!'' Kelly clapped Matt on his shoulder and smiled at his friend. He truly was happy for his friend, it was as if it was own marriage. After all, the couple deserved it to become happy together.
''T-thank you.'' Matt thanked his friend.
''You will be a great couple.'' Matthew nodded.
''I hope.''
''I am sure you will. You will probably be one of the best husbands a woman can wish.''
Kelly and Matt got pulled back with the group and all together they drank on the marriage, except for the couple themselves. After a few soft drinks the couple left again, as Matthew had to be back in the centre before twelve.
''Tonight was such a good night.'' Gabriela smiled as she stepped in after helping Matt in. Matt just nodded as she drove away and closed his eyes, laying his head back. Gabriela figured he was exhausted after this long day and looked in the rearview mirror to see if she could drive away and looked back at Matthew, smiling as he was asleep.
''I f-feel s-strange.'' He suddenly mumbled, opening his eyes again and he tried to lift his right arm, but there was no movement. Gabriela stopped the car.
''I-i see d-double.''
''Sweetie look at me.'' She mumbled but before he could turn his head his head dropped backward and he lost conciousness.
'''Matt?'' She shook him by his shoulder.
''Matt!'' She tried again.
''MATT!?'' When he still didn't react she started the car and drove away as fast as she could. If this was a second stroke, the ambulance would take too long to be here. The hospital was about eight blocks away and she waited nervous as the traffic lights kept showing red light. Although she kept telling herself to stay focussed, tears started to burn in her eyes. Why Matt? Why did he had to get a second stroke! She knew the change had been increased because of the first one but why!? Mad she started to drive again as the traffic light finally jumped to green and she looked aside.
''Please Matt, don't let this be the end.'' She mumbled.
She couldn't lose him like this, not again.
NOTE: Told ya bad things were going to happen. Is Matt having a second stroke? Will he be okay and will they still get married?
A part of this chapter is based on reality, except it was my passport that was missing in Orlando. Luckily we found it back before driving all the way back to Miami to the embassy -it turned out to be in lining of my suitcase. Who says fanfiction isn't full of life lessons haha!
I hope you liked this chapter! If you still read this you kept up with my writing pretty long! Thank you a lot for that! :)
Please leave a review before you go!