''Happy birthday baby!'' Gabby smiled as she came walking into his room. He was on the bed, surprised she was here so early and smiled. She kissed him, so excited to see him and tell him about the party she had organized for him.
''Thanks babe.'' He smiled, smiling at her.
''I got you a gift….'' She smiled as she rummaged through her bag and handed him a wrapped card and gift. He opened the card first.
''I love that, thanks so much.'' He said as he read it. She had arranged a weekend in January for them together at a lodge near a forest and national park, not too far from the city.
''I called them…and it should be all accessible, so it should be fine.'' She said and even though he wished it wasn't needed, he did not want to run into problems. It would be so nice to spend time together like they did at the cabin.
Opening the gift, he saw the gift was new jacket for their getaway at the lodge and they kissed.
''Thank you, I really love it, already one of the best birthdays ever.''
Gabby chuckled, knew that this was not it and he looked questioning.
''We are celebrating it today. I am taking you to Molly's and we are all gathering there. Invited the firehouse, your mom, your sister and Violet, my family, it's going to be fun.'' She smiled, kissing him again.
''You didn't think about running that by me first?'' He said, looking a bit upset instead of happy.
''Well you better get that frown of your face because we are going to celebrate your birthday.'' She told him.
''Easy for you to say. You just make up these parties, you don't have to look at your mom and sister fighting at your birthday.''
''Maybe they will be fine. They are excited to see you.'' Gabby assured him as she was getting the clothes she had taken for him from her bag.
''Yeah worst-case scenario is they throw drinks at each other's head, best case scenario is mom minding her own business and Christie hitting it off with Antonio.'' Matt said a bit annoyed.
Gabby chuckled, couldn't help but found what he said a bit funny, as well his scowl. She knew it would only make him more annoyed, but he looked cute with the scowl.
Finally he seemed to light up a bit as well and looked at the clothes she had taken for him.
''I like it though, thanks.'' He smiled a bit and while he was getting showered, she cleaned up his room a bit. In recent talks the doctor had said that the aim was Matt would be able to go home in December, before Christmas.
Out of the shower, he was getting dressed, Gabby only helping him with what he asked.
''Babe, you are going to need to help me if you want me to wear that.'' He said as he pointed at the white button up shirt she had taken for him to wear.
''Sure.'' She nodded, not thinking about how his fine motor skills in his hands weren't good enough to close the buttons. She got it from the hanger and helped it get it over his arms, buttoning it for him.
Grabbing the wooden board, he used for transfers, he got in his chair and made his way to the bathroom.
''Need a hand?''
''No, I can do it on my own.'' He smiled.
''Okay.'' She smiled, standing in the doorway as he got to the sink, grabbing the comb and doing his hair.
''It is getting long.''
''Still looks good.'' She said as she stood behind him, laying her arms on his shoulder and kissing him on his head.
Soon they got to the car, Matt getting in on his own now with the wooden transfer board. Even though it took a lot of his energy, he was glad he could do these things on his own again.
They made it to Molly's and only Otis and Hermann were there yet. Even though Gabby had wanted it to be a surprise party, Matt preferred being already there as people arrived.
''Happy birthday!'' Otis greeted him first and Herrmann came walking his way as well. ''happy birthday.''
''Not going to call me kiddo now?'' Casey asked with a wink after their talk in the office when he had come to the firehouse for the first time.
''You are old now at 35.'' Herrmann joked and they laughed.
''You look a lot better, you really do.'' Herrmann said and Casey gave him an appreciative nod.
The bar was already decorated a fair bit, but Gabby was still running around with balloons.
''I never told my mom.'' He suddenly said when she came running by.
''What?''
''You invited my mom, but I never talked to her after the accident. She doesn't know.''
Gabby stopped, looking at him, feeling bad about inviting his mom now.
''Are you going to be okay?''
''She has to find out sometime.'' Matt smiled a little bit, looking down. He was nervous about what she was going to say.
Everything was done, and most of the people of the firehouse arrived a little bit earlier, making sure there was nothing they could help with anymore.
His mom was the next to arrive, and Gabby was quiet, nervous how Matt was going to react.
''Hey mom.'' He said a bit awkward as she hugged him, kissing him on his cheek. He had not seen her for years, and he knew he was to blame for that as well. He was sure she had heard about his accident, but while pushing everybody away after it, he hadn't even contacted her at all, and he did feel a bit bad about that.
''Matt…'' She said, a bit puzzled but glad to see her son.
''Maybe we can talk in the back for a second.'' Matt said and they made their way there. He was silent as she sat down on a chair in the kitchen. He didn't know what to say and his mom got impatient.
''What happened? What is going on?'' She said a bit angry as he wasn't saying a thing.
''I uh, had an accident on the job. Damaged my neck and back…and paralyzed from the chest down. Still regaining function in my hands and arms…but other than that, it is not looking very good.'' He tried to explain.
''Oh Matt, when did it happen?'' His mom said, tears filling her eyes.
''June.''
''Dammit Matt, it is almost October, why did you never tell me!'' She said angry.
''It has not been easy mom! I ended up from being a firefighter to not being able to get out of my bed.'' Matt said a bit angry as well.
''Sorry... I am just glad to see you now. I am just sorry this happened.''
''I can't change it. Now let's enjoy the party.'' Matt smiled as he and his mom made their back into the bar.
His sister and niece were waiting for him, Violet holding a gift for him, excited.
''Hey Violet and Christie, it is so good to finally see you again!'' Maat smiled.
''Gabby said you wanted this.'' Violet smiled as she handed him the gift and he ripped it open. There was a watch with fitness tracker in it and he knew he had to get it someday, so it would be easier to track his body temperature but hadn't thought about asking it for his birthday.
''Wow I love it, thank you so much. It will be handy.'' He smiled.
''Mom has one too, she said it works well.''
''I am sure it will, thank you, this is so thoughtful of you.'' He said as he tried to open the box.
''Can you give me hand? I would love to try it today, hope it monitors how much cake I ate.'' He joked and she nodded, getting git out of the box for him and around his wrist.
Christie smiled as well, glad he liked their gift.
''You two should get some cake.'' Matt smiled, saw there were more people that wanted to congratulate him and Christie and Violet did so.
All of the firehouse members had gotten him a gift together; a day out with the whole crew and it made him very excited. This morning he had not been so sure if he wanted to celebrate his birthday after this hard last few months, but now he was really grateful Gabby did this for him.
Looking at his family, he felt bad he had shut them out completely after the injury had happened. Except for his sister, he had not been in touch a lot, and not at all with his mum.
Seeing Violet looking at him, he grabbed an extra plate of the cake that Cindy had made for him.
''I got us some extra cake.'' Matt winked at Violet and she followed him. They were at one of the tables, chatting as they were enjoying the extra cake.
Nancy and Christie were sitting next to each other when he looked their way, and he was surprised to see his sister and mother talking to each other.
''Its hard to see to see him like this.'' Nancy admitted to Christie.
''I know, he is being really strong and positive, but it is still hard to see him like this.''
''Did he tell you if he is going to walk again?'' Nancy felt bad having to ask her daughter, that Matt hadn't told her.
''He said it is almost impossible, that he is focusing on his arms and hands instead.''
Nancy looked down, but then at the girl sitting next to Matt.
''Violet has grown up so much.'' Nancy smiled as they looked at Violet, chatting with Matt.
''She is a great girl…maybe…maybe you can spend some time with her?'' Christie said and Nancy looked excited.
''Í would love to.''
They smiled at each other. Even though there was a lot more to talk about, the last thing they wanted at Matt's party is to have a fight again.
''Having a good time?'' Gabby asked as she came walking his way as he and Violet had finished the cake.
''Definitely.'' Matt smiled, and she was glad to see him cheerful.
''Violet, Herrmann behind the bar there is making some mocktails, you should get one too.'' Gabby smiled at her niece. Violet got up excited and Gabby sat down beside her husband.
''And I got you a beer, birthday boy.'' She said as she put it down on the table and careful but managing so he brought the glass to his mouth and took a sip, Gabby taking the glass before he could drop it.
''I love that all these people took the time to the party, and all the gifts…and I also want to thank you for arranging all of this.'' He said grateful.
''You are so welcome!'' She kissed him on his cheek.
He joined the other men of the firehouse now with his beer. Kelly was glad to see his friend had improved more again. He was able to hold his glass now, although it was still hard.
''Thank you so much for the day out again, I am already very excited for it!'' Matt thanked them. In the card it said that he was invited for a sport match all together, a dinner and a surprise on the same day.
They chatted for a while, talking about some of the latest calls as well as the latest Blackhawk match. Even though it was hard to think he was no longer a part of the shifts, he was still excited to hear what they were dealing with at work. Some left a little earlier as they all had a shift earlier tomorrow morning.
Matt made his way towards his sister as the party was nearing its end.
''I saw you and mom talking earlier. Hope it was good.''
''Yeah, you know, maybe I should try to rebuild some bridges with her.'' Christie smiled and Matt laughed, really happy to hear that. It was nice that with everything going on, they could finally talk to each other, and Matt liked his family coming together.
Soon the party was ending. It had been really nice and Matt had really enjoyed it. After the accident he had bene worried that his life would be changed so much. It still was, but there were so many nice thing in his life now as well that even though things changed, he was so glad everybody was around him, supporting him.
Kelly went with him and Gabby to the car, knew his friend was tired and figured he needed a hand.
''Think you can give me a hand?'' Matt asked Kelly, feeling a bit bad about asking, but he was so tired. Kelly lifted him into the car.
They drove back to the center. Matt wished he could end this great day by sleeping at home, but he was so tired he knew he was also going to need some help when he got to the center. He had worked hard and was managing more and more on his own, but now that he was tired it was hard to do things himself.
In the center Gabby helped him getting ready to bed and helped him get in bed.
''So, did you enjoy your birthday?'' She asked as she sat down on the edge of his bed.
''I had a great time.'' He assured her. The day had drained him, but in a good way.
''I am glad to have you as my husband, and I am so proud of you. I am glad this has not brought you down.'' She said, talking about his injury.
''I know a lot changed and sometimes it makes me sad and angry, but Gabby – I can't change it, and I am alive, I have you and all our friends, and I know it is going to be okay.''
She kissed him, so glad for these words. A lot had changed since his last birthday, but their love had not changed at all.
Here is chapter 11 with Matt's birthday party! I hope you liked this chapter, thanks so much for reading. Please leave a review and hopefully till next chapter!