A/N: Hello Hello! For my dear friend Nour who is my best supporter about this story, here's the third chapter. It'll be a simple one, just Gabby and Matt's dealing with the afterwards of Jake's appearance at the hospital, and a romantic one with the baby announcement. As always, I'm really unsure about this chapter so I hope you'll enjoy it. Don't forget to leave me a little review, it's a great motivation.
Sorry for possible mistakes in grammar or conjugation.
Have a good read!
Gaëlle
MATT'S POV
The road to our apartment was made in the greatest silence. Gabby has her face against the window of the car and looks into the void. She seems lost in her thoughts, which is understandable between her father's return, her accident and all that have followed. I decide to leave her alone, I just lay my hand on her thigh as I am used to, and I concentrate on the road, thinking of Gabby's words to Jake, of Jake's words, of this letter he confided to me. With these thoughts, my hand tightens Gabby's thigh more and more strongly which prompts her to turn her attention to me. She looks at me, still without a word, and puts her hand on mine.
We arrive at the apartment, tired, both physically and psychologically. Gabby goes straight to the sofa, falls into it and sinks her head into the cushions while grunting, her back ache bringing her back to reason.
« Be careful, baby, sit well for your back and neck! » I said to her from the kitchen, where I went to put some water to heat. I look at her from the counter of our open kitchen, even after ten years together, I still find her beautiful, even with a few scratches in the face. I approach her and I see her eyes closed. I sit on the edge of the sofa, put one hand on her arm and the other on her cheek. She turns her face more against the palm of my hand, seeming to find comfort there. « I love you, Gabby... You scared me, you know, » I whisper. She nods her head against my hand, her eyes still closed. « Never do that to me again, you're the love of my life and I love you more than anything in the world, I don't know what I'd do without you, » I continue. She opens her eyes, they are shining and foggy. Tears begin to flow, I sweep them with my thumb and I put a kiss on her forehead. Her eyes close again, I hear the ringing of the kettle. I install her more comfortably on the sofa, has the cushions in her back, and covers her with a soft blanket. « I'm coming back, » I said as I got up to go into the kitchen. I pour the water into two large cups that we received on the day of our wedding "Mr. Casey" and "Mrs. Casey. " I put two bags of citrus black tea that Gabby loves so much and puts the cups on a tray with some cookies when someone rings at the door. I hurry to go open to avoid waking Gabby, who seems to sink to sleep.
« Hey, » Kelly tells me when I open the door, and I smile.
« Hi Kelly, please come in! »
« You saw, I did not use my key! » He is laughing. « Where is Gabby? »
« In the sofa, I think she needs sleep... Do you want a tea? » I asked him, looking at the two cups I had prepared.
« With pleasure, it's freaking cold! » He answers, glancing briefly at the living room to make sure Gabby is well before settling on the other side of the counter. « How did it go at the hospital this morning? » He asks me.
« It was... How to say... Interesting! »
« What do you mean? »
« Uh, Jake… »
« What, Jake? »
« He... He was there…» I said, Kelly raises his head.
« No? Are you kidding me? »
« Kelly, really, you think I'd laugh with something so important! »
« What did he want? »
« He wanted to talk to Gabby, »
« And how did she react? »
« Like Gabby… At first she was decomposed, disoriented, and suddenly she pulled herself together and told him his four truths eyes in her eyes, more sure of her than ever. She told him he was nothing for her, she did not want to talk to him, not see him, and had nothing to do with him. Basically, she told him he was still dead to her, and she left... I found myself alone with him, he begged me to convince Gabby to listen... I refused, of course, saying that I will support my wife at all costs… » I told him.
« I know it's not my place, and I don't want to force her hand or find excuses for Jake, but I think she should listen to him... I mean, no one knows what has happened to him, why he did that, what he lived in that time... I don't know, I cannot help but think it's more complicated than that… »
« To tell the truth, he gave me a letter… »
« A letter? What do you mean? »
« He gave me a letter for Gabby, I don't know what it contains, I did not talk to Gabby about it yet... But I took it because, knowing her, she looks good now, she thinks that all this will fade and that after their conversation this morning, everything is over... But deep inside her she is shocked, sad, edgy and I'm sure she will want to know the truth sooner or later, »
« You did well, but you have to give it to her, she must read it, she must understand what happened all these years… » Kelly said.
« She doesn't want to know anything yet, I'll give her when the time comes, »
« I will be curious to know what it contains… » Kelly adds, understanding that he would not win this battle with me.
« Yes, me too,» I sigh. « I... I don't know how to handle all of this, I don't know what to do for her, I … »
« Matt, don't make yourself sick, just be there for her as you always have been... That's all she needs right away, her husband and his support, » I smiled at him as a sign of thank you when I hear footsteps coming to us. I raise my head and I see Gabby, in my old sweatshirt too big for her. She holds her back and rubs her eyes. Kelly follows my gaze, and turns around.
« Hey, come give me a hug! » He opened his arms wide. Gabby approaches and her little body is quickly encircled by Kelly's big muscled arms. « Remember, I will never abandon you, we promised it and I will stick to it. I will always, always, be there for you! » he said to her. Gabby walks away and kisses him on the cheek before approaching me. She sits on my lap, I surround her waist with my hands and tightly clasps her against me, placing my chin on her shoulder: «Do you feel better? » I asked her, and she nodded her head in reply.
« Thanks for everything, to the both of you… » she said in a voice almost inaudible. She turns her head towards me before turning her attention to Kelly and opening her mouth again: « What ... What are we doing now? » And we all look at each other thoughtfully.
« I... I think you should open… » Kelly starts talking before he stops short when he sees that I glare at him
« What? What do you both have? » Gabby wonders. « I know you, you hide something from me… »
« Let's just say that our opinions differ on what to do, but we agree on one point: the decision belongs to you… » Kelly catches up.
« Right now, I just want to put it all on pause, » Gabby said after taking a deep breath. « There's something else I need to concentrate on, » she said, taking a cookie and getting up.
Kelly looks at me questioningly, I shrug my shoulders for only answer.
Three days later
GABBY'S POV
I spent the last three days recovering both physically and psychologically. Matt was very attentive, he stayed with me at home, and we dragged together on the couch, in bed, just the need to find ourselves both cut off from the world and the latest news. Today we both go back to work. We get ready together in the bathroom, me in the shower and Matt at the sink. He hands me a towel when I get out of the shower, and I smile as he looks at me with concerned eyes.
« It will be fine? » He asks me.
« Of course, don't worry, » I answer, stroking his cheek.
« Gabs, it's recent, you should stay a little longer at home... The time the media storm passes, you know... And… » he presses his face into the palm of my hand. I look at him, knowing that there is more, to encourage him to continue. « And if, your... Uh, if Jake was there, if he followed you, if he wanted to get in touch with you at all costs... I'm afraid for you… » he confesses.
« I think that with what I told him the other day, it's pretty clear… »I said sarcastically.
« Gabby, you're my wife, I love you more than anything in the world and I don't want anything to happen to you… »
« Matt, I love you for that, but I'm sure everything will be fine, and even if he came across my path, which I don't really hope for, I don't think he would hurt me… » I cross my hands behind his neck.
« Maybe not physically… »
« Matt, he will not break me, I can promise you that! » I brush my face closer to his and kiss his lips. He finds comfort and kisses me in turn, before deepening our kiss and putting his hands on my hips to squeeze me hard against him. I break the contact and stroke his hair: « I'm fine, I promise you, » I told him, before I escape his arms and go get ready in the bedroom. He watches me from the threshold of the door, his arms crossed on his chest. I feel his look on me, but I don't turn around. I know he's worried, I know he would do everything to make me forget all the events of the last few weeks, but that's now part of my story, and although I'm not happy with it, I have to accept it and go forward. I put on my underwear before turning towards him, half naked. « Tonight, you and I, a restaurant by the lake to celebrate our ten years, if that's okay with you? » I ask him. He doesn't answer me, his eyes scan me up and down, I roll my eyes: « Incredible! Matthew Casey! Here the earth! Earth to Matthew Casey! » I say more and more loudly, clapping my fingers in front of his eyes.
« What? Sorry, I was distracted… » he smirks.
« It's reassuring that after ten years of relationship I always have the same effect to you! » I laughed, getting closer to him to caress his bare chest. He places his hands in the small of my back, which makes me shudder.
« I could say the same thing, » he said in my ear before I kissed him passionately. He breaks the kiss, totally titillated, « Uh, thank you for that. In short, let's resume our minds, what were you telling me? »
« Tonight, a romantic dinner by the lake! »I threw away from him to join our dressing room.
« Tonight I'll be at the firehouse, my love, »
« Oh yeah, where I'm headed! Well, it will be tomorrow night then! » I smiled as I put on my pants. I'm surprised when I see that I have trouble closing it.
Matt continues to watch me from the other side of the room and the situation seems to amuse him: « Need help perhaps? » He asks as he watches me waddling to try to close this damn button. I manage to close it, I straighten up and as soon as I breathe, the closure and button crack. The button ends up landing at the feet of Matt, who cannot help but laugh before my sulky pout. « Well then, Mrs. Casey, we ate too many cakes? » He teases me, before crouching and picking up the button.
« You don't think so well… » I whisper, so that he doesn't hear. I fall on another outfit, and this time it's at the level of the chest that it blocks. I resign myself, and tells me that it's really time that I announce it to Matt. I will plan everything for tomorrow night, it will be the perfect gift for our ten years. « Okay, we're going to be late, I'm dropping you? » I suggested to him as I made my way to the entrance of the apartment to put on my shoes and my coat. Matt follows me, already in uniform.
« Let's go, beauty! » He slams my butt.
I arrive in court thirty minutes later. Many journalists are present in front of the building, cameramen, microphones... I park on the side where Paul is waiting for me to escort myself inside.
« What's all this bazaar? » I asked him, groaning.
« The case does not fade, the media want to know the truth, » Paul announces. « I'm glad you're okay! » He hugs me quickly.
« Thank you for everything, » I smiled, and we go back through the emergency exit, away from all this media hustle. I join my office under the pity of everyone. When I get to my office, I look at the people around me, including Paul, Robin, my clerk, and representatives of the Prosecutor, « Well, listen, it's not going to be possible! What happened happened, but I'm fine. I'm not porcelain, I'm strong and I'm fine, I assure you. I will ask you just one thing: to work in the more normal conditions possible, and not to be bound in this case in any way whatsoever. I understand that the investigation is continuing, that many questions will arise, that language will loose, that rumor will run, but I don't want to be involved in all this. »
« Gabby, you know working here is going to be complicated? » Robin remarked to me.
« Of course, I'm aware that I'm going to hear about it, but I don't want you or Paul or anyone working on this investigation to talk to me directly about it. I don't want to work on it, I don't want to know the details, I just want to pursue my life as normally as possible… »
« Well, we respect your choice, » Paul said, putting his hand on my shoulder. « But, I just want you to know that you may be heard in this case, »
« Obviously, and I will answer all the questions that can be asked, don't worry! » I smiled before entering my office, sitting comfortably, and making a first sort of all the documents and files on my desk.
« Mrs. Casey? » Ellen knocks at my door.
« Yes, Ellen? What can I do for you? »
« I just came up to you on your next hearings, » she said as she walked into the office. She goes to the piles of files: « I have prepared everything, files are sorted by audience and by order of role, I have noted the dates and hours on it… »
« Thanks for everything, Ellen! » I smiled at her.
« There's something else, » she said, embarrassed, on the threshold of the door.
« Yes? »
« I... I'm constantly disturbed by reporters on the phone… » I look at her, amazed. « They... They want a statement from you about your father… »
« Don't call him like that, I beg you! » I cut her.
« Excuse me, they want a statement from you on this whole situation. I don't know what to tell them… »
« I... I will contact a friend of mine who works in a newspaper and I will see what I can do. Thanks, Ellen! »
« Please, » she said before closing the door of my office. I sink into my chair, sighing and crossing my hands on my stomach. I lower my head to look at my little belly, I caress and tries to focus on this positive event. For the moment that's all that counts.
MATT'S POV
At the firehouse, everyone goes about his business. Some watch the news, others read the newspaper, but the main information remains the same. I sit at the end of the table, a coffee in my hands, everyone looks at me without daring to approach the subject. They all know Gabby, she's like a sister, like a daughter to them. I know they're worried, I know they're dying to ask questions as well. Kelly enters the common room and watches the scene in front of him. Never before has the common room been so quiet. He sits down beside me before turning his chair towards the rest of the room: « Guys, you know you can talk, right? »
« We know, Lieutenant, it's just that we don't know what to say… » Cruz answers.
« How is she doing? » Hermann finally ended up asking the question.
I raise my head, and look at them one by one: « As one can go in such a situation… »
« She' said she's fine,» Kelly completes.
« Maybe we could have a little party at Molly's tomorrow night to change her mind? » Otis suggests.
« Uh, no, not tomorrow night, we already have something planned! » I announced to them, as I got up to go and get some more coffee.
« Oh, hot plans? » Kelly teases me, loud enough for everyone to hear and turn to us.
« No, Kelly, you see, we're going to celebrate something you're not ready to celebrate… » I laughed and he looked at me pretending to be upset. « Gabby and I have been together for ten years… » I smirk.
« What, already? » Hermann questions.
« And yes, guys! » I laugh.
« Ten years around them, you cannot imagine the calvary! » Kelly laughs loudly.
« When is a little Casey coming? » Otis asks.
« Yes, it would be about time! » Cruz added.
« Oh, you know, with what's going on, I'm not sure it's the right time... But between us, I cannot wait to start a family with Gabby! » I smiled proudly.
« He is handsome. She is beautiful. They are romantic. They are in love. What more could the people want? » Hermann starts, like a proud father of his children, but he is quickly interrupted by the bells calling us on a burning building.
« Let's make a time-out in this pink world with sequins! » Severide shouts as he heads to the apparatus floor.
The next day
The calls were chained, and between the fires and road accidents caused by the ice and snow, we did not have time to have breakfast. We go out of the firehouse, and I see Gabby, dressed warmly, leaning against our car, holding two cups of smoking coffee in her hands.
« He really has the perfect wife… » Otis whispers to Cruz.
« And yes, Otis! » I slapped his back, passing by them and running with small strides towards my wife. « Hey you! » I smiled as I approached her, being careful not to slip.
« Good morning my love, » she smiled as she handed me my cup. « Happy anniversary, » she said before I kissed her. Then I whisper the same words against her lips. « Ready to go warm up at home? I cooked you a great breakfast! » She said, taking my bag.
« What have I done to deserve this? » I ask as I get into the car.
« Being the perfect husband on a daily basis? » She answers me as she starts the car.
« It's because I have the best wife in the world… » I lay my hand on her thigh and lay a kiss on her neck.
Once at the apartment, we sit comfortably on the sofa for breakfast. Gabby is pensive and seems lost. «Are you okay? " I ask her.
« I... I don't know what to do… »
« What do you mean? »
« Journalists don't stop calling to my office to ask me questions about this whole story, the investigation continues before my eyes and although I don't want to hear about it, it comes back to my ears every time… »
« This is not surprising, it still makes the headlines... And knowing that you are a judge, it must make things more exciting for them! They are vultures, vipers, who only want crunchy to sell... So obviously the father of a judge who simulated his death and come back years later, it interests them, you doubt… »
« Thank you, Matt, it's very reassuring what you tell me… »
« Baby, you know very well what I mean. The decision belongs to you once again, and I would support you no matter what you decide: talk to your father or not, talk to journalists or not… »
« Matt, I know you're supporting me, but what I need is your honest opinion… »
« I... Actually, there's something you need to know... I did not tell you everything, »
« What do you mean? » She frowns.
« The other day, at the hospital… » I start talking. She places her fork, and turns to me. « After you left like a fury, your father, well Jake, stopped me and told me he wanted to talk to you, that he wanted me to convince you to talk to him… » she glared at me . « Relax babe, I told him that I would always support my wife in her decisions and that what he had done was unforgivable. I told you, I am on your side, always, don't ever doubt that, » I take her hands in mine. « What I want is that you consider this possibility… »
« I ... I can not, Matt, you know it very well... Not now, it's too much, I cannot bear it, » she sobbed. To comfort her, I stroke her hands delicately.
« I know, I know... That's why I took a letter that he wrote to you and he asked me to give you, » I said, standing up and heading toward my office to give it to her. I sit again on the couch and hand her the envelope. She takes it in her trembling hands. She places each of her hands on the sides of the envelope, as if to tear it. I put my hands on her forearms to prevent it. « Don't do that, I don't want you to regret it. You will open it when you're ready, but do not tear it... Keep it somewhere, even if you never open it, but keep it there, you might need it one day… » I tell her. I lay my hands on her cheeks and erase her tears with my thumbs before putting a kiss on her forehead.
« And... And for the media, what am I doing? » She asks me, placing her head on my chest.
« Make a statement, a simple and brief statement. It will calm the ardor of the journalists… » I caress her brown curls.
« I thought I would give a call to Jane for that, that she publishes it in her columns… »
« Very good idea, call now, do what you have to do and afterwards we will enjoy this special day, together, only the two of us… » I pose a kiss on her temple.
« Thank you my love. Thank you for everything, I love you, you know, » she kisses me on the lips.
« I love you too! Never doubt it! » I smiled at her.
« I will never doubt it, you are always there for me… »
« In the good as in the bad times, remember? » I lay my forehead against hers and fixed her gaze.
GABBY'S POV
In the evening, after a day under the duvet with the man I love, I'm preparing for our anniversary dinner date. The day before, I bought a little black dress covering my nascent forms, the dress Matt offered me for my birthday a month earlier, already no longer as comfortable. I also went for more detailed medical exams than last week to find out the details. According to Natalie I am more than three months pregnant, which explains the changes of my body. When I think that I had not noticed anything. I put on fine black tights, my flared dress in black cloth tied at the front and a pair of flat black boots. I put make-up slightly and smooth my hair. Matt is in the room, wearing a white shirt and a black suit. I like when he leaves the first button unbuttoned, it's sexy. I prepare my handbag and take care to put a small package inside without Matt seeing it.
« Wow, my wife is resplendent! » He said when I entered the room.
« And, my husband is sexy! » I wrap my arms around his waist.
« We throw it away! » He laughs before kissing me languorously. I caress his chest through his shirt, I feel his muscles and his abdominal and I feel him shiver under the effect of my movements. «I think we should go, otherwise I will not resist… » he moans.
« Let's go! » I took his hand.
We arrive at the restaurant and we settle on the panoramic terrace which offers a splendid view on the lake. The waiter offers us a glass of champagne, which I decline in favor of a cocktail without alcohol while Matt decides to take a whiskey. I am surprised that he does not question my choice, but reassured. The waiter takes our order and brings us appetizers. Around our meal, we rewrite the world, we discuss the last ten years, all that we have lived, everything that we have gone through.
« I have a gift for you, » Matt told me once our dishes were cleared.
« Me too… » I smiled. I take the packet out of my bag, while Matt pulls a box out of the inner pocket of his jacket. « Oh, a feeling of déjà vu, » I smiled, remembering the evening when he asked me to become his wife. He smiled too, and handed me the open box: « I saw this wonder ring the other day and it made me think of you. It perfectly complements your wedding ring and your engagement ring, it's fine so you can carry it with and I had it engraved our initials and our anniversary date... Somehow it's the ring that I never could offer you when we first meet… »
« It's so beautiful, Matt… » I say, moved. It's a petite twisted vine diamond ring in which ribbons of pavé set diamonds and high-polish precious metal appear gracefully woven together in a nature-inspired design. Matt passes the ring on my finger, where it joins my wedding ring, a petite shared prong diamond ring, and my assorted engagement ring with a carat round diamond. « Thank you my love, » I kiss him passionately. We are interrupted by the waiter who bring our chocolate desserts. We thank him and I admire my three rings, each more beautiful than the others, all symbolizing a period of our history. « I also have a gift... a special gift… » I announce to Matt, who takes my hand in his.
« Special? What do you mean? » He asks me, surprised.
« It's not a gift I can give you right away, but it doesn't mean that it's not invaluable… » I reply. He looks at me, amazed.
« I don't understand… »
« Let's eat our dessert first, then you'll understand… » I smiled, tears rushing to my eyes.
MATT'S POV
I look at Gabby, surprised, but I execute. I drink a sip of wine before attacking my chocolate cake. We enjoy our dessert in a comfortable silence. Gabby watches me, scarcely touching her dessert, I wonder why. A few minutes later, I take the last bite on my plate, and I see an inscription on the plate. I turn to Gabby, who smiles at me and makes me eat the remaining custard. I execute and I see the inscription better and better: « You're going to be a dad ». I turn to Gabby, who has a big smile and fuzzy eyes. She nods to confirm that I read, before stretching a gift box. I open it, and discover two small packages. Inside the first one is a pregnancy test. At the top, a label is hung with a cord: « Baby Casey will join you next year. I'm planning to make my arrival on the first day of summer! ». I open the second package, this is a black baby pajamas. In the middle, the logo of the fire department of Chicago is printed as well as a helmet bearing the number '81' and a truck. Around, is inscribed: « Future Firefighter In Training (just like daddy) ».
I take Gabby in my arms and hold her tight against me. I put my head in her neck and kisses her. I walk away from her, put my hands in her hair and kiss her full mouth. Our smiles and our tears of joys mingle with the rhythm of our kisses. « "t's the most beautiful gifts, » I said against her lips. « I am going to be a dad! » I yelled in the restaurant, as if we were alone in the world.
« Yes, you're going to be a daddy. Our life will change, our life will become something new. You'll hold so close and tenderly a tiny part of you, you'll feel a love you can't explain, that strengthens every day. You're going to be a daddy and you'll be perfect in every single way. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be able to call you my husband, and this baby will be the luckiest baby ever to be able to call you its daddy… I love you so so much, » Gabby tells me before kissing me again.
« That's the positive thing you were talking about the other day? »
« Definitely! We're building our own little family, and these days, that's all that matters, » she kisses me again. « My goal now is to build up the wall of positivity so high around us that no matter what negativity comes our way, it can't get through but bounces off and no longer affects our well being. The only thing we need to focus on right now is us and this little human being, nothing else. That's why I wanted to move forward and forget this whole story… » she explains. I just nodded, understanding my wife's choice but knowing full well that it's going to be more complicated than she thinks. Having a child while her own father just resurfaced is not going to be easy. I take her in my arms again, hold her tight against me and tell her that I love her. That's all she needs right now, and she's all I need.
A/N : Here! I do not think this is a very good chapter, but now that it is written, so much publish it. Do not hesitate to tell me what you think. See you later for another update. Love, G.