Hello there everyone! I'm back with the next chapter for you all, and I hope you enjoy it. I'm sorry that it's a little shorter than normal, especially after I didn't update for a couple weeks, but I had a very unexpectedly busy last few days here and I didn't have as much time as I would've liked to write. But I still wanted to get something posted for you all so you weren't left waiting for another week.

I know a lot of you were eager to see what Casey's reaction would be to Gabby going to see Christie, and that's definitely gonna be covered in this one, along with some more things involving the Casey's and Dawson's. So I hope you all like this chapter, and I'll see you next time!

Happy reading, everyone!

ONE HUNDRED AND NINE

Dawson's leg shook up and down steadily while she sat on the couch in her quiet apartment, the woman working her way through a novel she'd been reading for a few days now as she did her best to focus on the writing on the pages in front of her. But with each second that passed by she found it becoming harder and harder to concentrate, Gabby stuck on the same page for the last ten minutes as her thoughts couldn't help but wander off to Matt, and where he was right now.

It had been a few hours since he left to go meet with Christie, and ever since then Gabby had been doing what she could to spend this time getting some things done around the apartment. Whether that was by picking up a bit, catching up on laundry, or doing some deeper cleaning here and there, she was trying to keep herself busy until he got home.

But she was only able to distract herself with those things for so long, given now that she'd been sitting here for a while it was hard to keep her mind off of everything, as all she could think about is how things were going with Matt and his sister.

And if she'd made a big mistake by not telling him she'd gone to see her before he left.

Deep down, a part of her knew she messed up by not saying anything before he walked out that door. It wasn't something she could change now, but a part of her wished she could. Because she knew there was no way Matt would come out of that lunch without knowing that she'd gone to see Christie. And it wasn't that she wanted to keep it from him, or that she hoped he'd never find out, but she should've been the one to tell him. He should've known what he was walking into before he left, instead of being blindsided by it from his sister.

It should've been her that told him, but it wasn't. And it was entirely her own doing.

But just because it was on her, that didn't change how terrible she felt about letting him leave today without filling him in on everything, those hard to swallow feelings becoming more and more difficult to manage as the hours ticked by. Because the longer she had to think about it, the more she worried about how he would react.

Knowing Matt, there was the possibility he wouldn't mind. That he'd see her intentions for what they were, knowing her heart was in the right place, and he'd be okay with what she did. But she also knew the opposite could be true as well. That he'd be mad at her for going behind his back with his family, when she knew how delicate of a situation this was. That he'd be upset with her that she kept this from him. And as far as she was concerned, he'd have every reason to be.

He would have every reason to be upset with her about this, as not only should she have told him, but this went much deeper than that because she knew how much it hurt her when the roles were reversed. When Matt had gone to visit Walker behind her back, and didn't tell her everything that was going on, that upset her. Because she felt like she deserved to know, the painful irony of this situation not lost on her as she knew that she had now done the exact same thing to him.

And maybe Matt wouldn't see it that way, because the situations weren't entirely the same. But when it came down to it, she just didn't know. She didn't know what to expect from him here, and that uncertainty was enough to make her stomach ache.

Gabby was pulled from her uneasy thoughts when she heard the sound of the front door being unlocked, her breath catching in her throat momentarily as it hit her that she would soon find out if she had any reason to worry or not as she placed her book down on the coffee table. Her body was already angled towards the entryway, Gabby perching herself up a bit with her arm resting over the back of the couch as she listened to the front door open and then shut a few seconds later, Matt obviously taking some time to put his keys and wallet down before coming further into their home.

The wait seemed like an eternity, Dawson all but holding her breath when she heard his steps coming closer before he came around the corner soon after. And, to put it bluntly, the look on his face wasn't one she'd been expecting.

There was a wide grin across his lips, Matt smiling from the moment he came into view as the gleam in his eyes only brightened when he saw her, Casey changing his path from the kitchen towards the living room as his long strides got him there rather quickly.

"Hey baby." He said easily, his demeanor helping her relax a bit before he leaned down to greet her with a kiss.

"Hi." She murmured against him, like she was having a hard time finding her voice as he kissed her once more before pulling back, his palms pressing into the back of the couch while he hunched down towards her.

"I wasn't expecting you out here, I didn't hear anything when I came." He commented, the gentle smile returning to his features before he lifted a hand up to brush some loose hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, I was just reading." She replied, Casey nodding with an understanding look in his eye.

"Did you have a good day?" He pushed on, his tone soft and genuine as she leaned into his touch.

"It was fine." Gabby responded, seeing his head tilt to the side slightly. "I cleaned up a bit, did some laundry… All your clothes are clean now."

A soft chuckle left the back of his throat, Matt rubbing his hand lightly against the base of her neck before he leaned down to kiss her once more.

"You didn't have to do that, but thank you." He spoke against her, feeling her smile before pressing another kiss to her lips.

"You're welcome, babe." She replied, the two sharing a few more tender moments before they separated, Matt returning his hand to the back of the couch while Gabby squeezed his arm. "So… how'd everything go?"

The air around them went quiet for a moment as they neared the topic she'd been hesitant of, the one she was a little surprised he hadn't brought up yet as she watched him draw in a thoughtful breath, their eyes locking before he answered her.

"It went well, I think." He responded, seeing the somewhat hesitant smile that appeared over Gabby's face before she gave him a few short nods.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah… It was good to see her." He started, Gabby continuing to rub her hand along his arm while he spoke. "Things were a bit awkward, and uncomfortable at first.. Cause it's been so long, but overall it went well. We were able to talk some things out, clear the air and everything." He explained, earning a nod from his fiancée before she used her free hand to reach out and pat the cushion beside her, silently prompting him to come and take a seat.

Which he immediately did, Matt moving around to the front of the couch while Gabby shuffled her body to give him room before he sat down beside her, her hand soon reaching out to rest over his leg while she waited for him to continue.

Over the next few minutes or so, Casey went through some of what they talked about during their meal, Gabby staying quiet as she found it best to be a supportive presence by his side while he spoke.

"Her and I, we're both still in the same place we have been…" He said once more, earning an understanding nod from Dawson. "She can't forgive mom, and I would never ask her to. But she wants to be a part of my life- our life." He corrected himself, while she kept a comforting hand on him. "We've both missed out on so much, we don't want to do that anymore, so we're making an effort to try and fix our relationship. As much as we can, at least."

"That's great, baby." She murmured, Matt shooting her a slight grin before he nodded.

"Yeah, I'm happy about it… I know we won't ever be some big, happy family again. That my mom and Christie will probably never be able to have any sort of relationship like they used to, but she understands that if she wants to be a part of my life, that means being a part of mom's life too. And really it's just nice to have my sister back." He said while relaxing into the sofa. "We've got a long way to go, but today was a good first step."

"It sounds like it." She replied, searching his eyes for a moment until she continued. "So I take it you're glad you went?"

Another laugh left his lips, Casey mulling over her words for a second or two before responding. "Definitely."

She smiled back at him before leaning forward a bit for a quick kiss, the two staying together for a few long seconds before she started to pull back. But Casey never let her get very far as he wrapped his arm around her waist, the man bringing her in for a tight, secure hug as he dug his face into her neck. The angle was a bit awkward, but Gabby wrapped her arms around him regardless while holding onto him with as much strength as she had, sensing that was what he needed right now.

They sat there for a few seconds, Matt breathing her in before placing a soft kiss to her skin, Gabby rubbing her hand up and down along his back while everything was quiet between them, before he eventually spoke up.

"...Thank you."

His voice was muffled by her body, Gabby's eyebrows furrowing a bit as it was hard to make out what he was saying.

"Thank you for going to see her."

Her muscles involuntarily tightened as there was no mistaking what he said this time, a thick lump beginning to form in her throat when the two of them began to separate. Neither of them said anything at first when they locked eyes, Gabby studying him for a moment while she tried to figure out where his head was at. But she was coming up empty.

"Christie, she uh… She mentioned you had gone to talk to her." He said when she had yet to speak up, Gabby pursing her lips together while Matt gently ran his hand over the side of her arm. "Which, I really wasn't expecting.. I just figured it was my mom who spoke to her."

His pointed words caused her to take another breath, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest as all those nerves she had been feeling throughout the afternoon came rushing back.

"Matt…" She started, her mouth opening then closing while she tried to figure out what else to say. But nothing ever came out.

"That's what you wanted to tell me before I left, wasn't it?" He asked her when it became clear to him she wasn't sure how to respond, his gentle eyes tracing over her before she ducked her head down towards her lap. "When you stopped me, you wanted to tell me that you'd gone to see her…"

"I did." She replied almost defeatedly, Matt picking up on her tone as a curious look crossed his face. "I… I went to see her a couple weeks ago, to tell her about you and us, and our wedding. To let her know you want her there. And I didn't mean to go behind your back, I just- I was afraid of what it would do to you if you knew I went and she said no." She rambled out, Casey's face softening as he listened to her nervous words. Though they were nerves he wished weren't there.

"So I never said anything, but then she called you and I wanted to tell you then I just never found the right time. And then it became me not knowing how to tell you, cause I wasn't sure if you'd be mad." She continued on, his features falling a bit before he started shaking his head. "I know it isn't my place to go and see her, and I'm sorry for inserting myself in this, I just wanted you to be happy. I was trying to help, and-"

He cut her off with a quick, yet emotion-filled kiss, Gabby's body falling almost instantly into the movement as he brought his palm up to cradle her cheek, their foreheads falling together for a second once they pulled back while they took in slow breaths.

"I could never be mad at you." He said, feeling the need to get that out first as he didn't want there to be any doubts in Gabby's mind. "Especially not for this, there's nothing to be mad at you for." Casey assured her, feeling her relax a bit more before he leaned back enough to look at her. "I know why you did it, you were just trying to protect me. And help me, which you did… More than you even know." He spoke easily, Dawson swallowing thickly as he began stroking his thumb along her skin. "...So thank you, for doing that for me."

Blinking quickly a few times, Gabby gave him a sturdy nod, Matt seeing a bit of a weak smile start to form over her lips before she spoke up.

"You've done everything for me." She told him, those words holding so much meaning as Casey felt his heart tug in his chest. "So I thought if I could talk to Christie, and let her see how much this meant to you… But I'm still sorry I didn't tell you." She apologized once more, her mouth moving quickly as he could practically feel the regret pouring out of her. "I never wanted to lie to you, or keep anything from you, I just…"

"I know, Gabby." He replied, making sure to keep his voice light as he looked at her, his hand sliding down to her side before giving her a gentle grin. "I know, and it's okay. You don't need to keep apologizing, I understand… And as far as I'm concerned, you don't have anything to feel bad about because you're the only reason Christie and I were able to see each other."

That small smile gradually started to return to her face, Gabby taking a couple more breaths before she nodded.

"If you hadn't gone to see her, she never would've called me. And she certainly would've never agreed to come to our wedding."

A look of surprise mixed with pure elation covered her features, Matt matching her grin as he started to nod quickly before she could even say anything.

"She's coming to the wedding?" She questioned happily.

"She is, she said she'd be there… Her and Violet."

"Baby, I'm so glad." Gabby breathed out before pulling him in for a hug, Matt moving his hand around to her back for the few seconds they were together. "I can't believe she agreed to come."

"I can't either, if I'm being honest." He replied when they were face to face once more, before he reached out to grab ahold of Gabby's hand. "Even though she was the one to call, I still didn't think she'd come- not with my mom there. But she is, and that's all because of you." He repeated himself, watching as the love of his life looked down between them once more after he gave her hand a firm squeeze. "She kept telling me how everything you said really stuck with her, how she needed to hear what all you told her and how she's glad you went… You're the only reason she's gonna be at our wedding, and because of you, I have the chance to be in my sister's life again… So please, baby, stop apologizing for this. Because this is one of the greatest things you've ever done for me."

With a watery smile resting over her lips, Gabby let his words sink in for a moment or two more before she began to nod slowly, her previous nerves and worries disappearing into the air as she leaned back in to hug him. But this time she never pulled away, Gabby tucking her body into his side once he'd adjusted them on the couch, his arms wrapped around her smaller frame while her head found it's comfortable home against his chest.

Silence fell over them once more, the steady beating of his heart filling her ears as his hand ran up and down her side, Gabby unable to ignore how much lighter she felt now that this huge thing was no longer between them while she pressed an innocent, soft kiss against him.

"I love you." She all but whispered, Gabby practically able to feel the smile on his face as he tightened his hold on her. "But I am sorry for not telling you, I need you to know that. And I promise not to keep anything like this from you again."

A soft chuckle left his lips, Matt shaking his head lightly once more before he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Okay, deal.. And I love you, too."

His reply was just as quiet, the couple knowing there was nothing more that needed to be said between them as they sat on the couch together, the world around them going silent as all they wanted to focus on right now was each other, and this much needed moment.

Which was exactly what they did.

Dawson followed a few steps behind Shay while they made their way into the firehouse, the paramedics having just returned from a rather long call to start off the day as they stepped through the double doors to find nearly all of firehouse 51 seated inside the common room, the first responders just waiting for when they'd be needed as Shay stepped into the room.

"Hey guys." Mouch was the first to greet them, Casey looking up from his seat at the head of the table before his eyes immediately found Gabby, the two locking gazes for a moment as she continued inside.

"How was the call?" Otis questioned, Dawson drawing in a deep breath while Shay spoke up first.

"It was fine, just some drunks."

"This early?"

"Mhmm.. Must've never stopped from last night. But they were harmless… for the most part." She added on with a laugh, her light words gaining the attention of almost everyone in the room as Casey's focus moved back to Gabby.

"Did something happen?" Severide asked, Shay unable to hide her laughter as she perched herself up on the table, Gabby already rolling her eyes in anticipation of her partner's response while she walked past her.

"Nothing really. Some of the guys were just a little handsy." She spoke with a grin, a few snickers already being heard around the room while Gabby made her way towards the kitchen. Matt's eyebrows raised at her words before he glanced towards his girl, only receiving a mere head shake from her in response as she passed him, her hand sliding gently along the back of his neck while she moved. "Especially with Dawson, they seemed to really like her."

Those words caused Casey's spine to straighten, her head turning back towards Gabby to find her standing behind the counter with a near indignant look on her face, before she started shaking her head.

"Shay…"

"What did they do?" Matt asked, Shay's smile only growing before she craned her neck back to look at him.

"They didn't really have the chance to do anything, don't worry lover boy." She replied, her nickname earning a couple more laughs from their friends as Matt shot her a glare. "And besides, your woman can handle herself."

"Oh, I know she can." He said without any hesitation, Gabby smiling softly as Casey pushed himself up from his seat. "She always has."

"Good answer, Mr. Dawson." Shay taunted back, Matt unable to resist the urge to flip her off before he turned away from her and walked the few steps towards the kitchen, where Gabby was standing behind the counter pouring herself a bowl of cereal.

The two of them were quiet for a moment while Shay continued to talk to the room, Casey standing close beside her as she finished making her second breakfast of the day, Gabby putting a spoonful of cereal in her mouth before she finally looked up towards Matt.

"I'm fine, you know." She told him after she swallowed the bite she'd taken, Casey offering her a small smile before he nodded.

"Okay." He replied, Gabby slowly taking a few more bites before placing her bowl down.

"I know you're gonna worry, because you're you." She started, Casey wincing slightly as he knew he had no room to argue her words. But he couldn't help it, not when it came to her. Not after everything she'd dealt with in the past, his automatic reaction would always be to worry when someone put their hands on her. "But I'm okay, it was just some guys being stupid. And they were drunk out of their minds… This isn't anything new, I've dealt with it before. A couple times, in fact." She reasoned, Matt tilting his head from side to side before he spoke up.

"I know, but that doesn't mean I like it." He countered, Gabby giving him a weak smile as he nodded in agreement. "But Shay's right, I know you can handle yourself… As long as you're okay, that's all I care about." Casey finished while resting his hand over the top of hers, the two sharing a soft look before their moment was interrupted.

"She's okay, Casey." Shay chimed in, the couple turning to find her and Severide both now standing across the counter from them. "And I am too, thank you for asking." She added on, Severide and Dawson both laughing softly as Casey pursed his lips together.

"I'm glad to hear it." He replied, the edge of sarcasm in his tone not going unnoticed by any of them.

"Uh huh, I can tell… But really, you can cool it on the protective fiancé thing, Dawson's fine. They only tried to grope her ass a few times." She said with an amused gleam in her eyes, Casey's eyebrows raising a bit before he forced out a breath.

"Yeah, that doesn't really make me feel better, Shay." He responded dryly, Gabby shooting her friend a quick, yet playful glare as Kelly had yet to control his laughter.

"I figured, considering how that belongs to you." She continued to tease them, Dawson and Casey both rolling their eyes, before the PIC reached for an orange out of the bowl sitting in the middle of the counter and tossed it at her. Though Shay caught it rather easily. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." She replied, placing the fruit down before holding her hands up in defense. "And you know I'm only making fun of you because everything's fine, believe me Casey I would've kicked their asses if the situation warranted it."

"I know you would've." Matt replied honestly, Gabby smirking softly before taking another bite of her food.

"But nothing even really happened, no one got a piece of Dawson. She moves too quick." She said, Casey and Dawson both laughing in response as Severide shook his head.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it… And I'm glad you two are alright."

"Yeah, we're fine." Shay said, waving him off. "It's all just part of our glamorous job." She added, Gabby scoffing back at her before she picked up her bowl once more.

"Yeah, something like that." Dawson mused, Matt biting back a smile as he watched her take another bite to eat, her focus mostly on her food while he lifted his arm over to rest on her back, Casey rubbing her waist in a slow, easy pattern before she started to lean into him.

And that was the position they stayed in for a few moments, Matt keeping his attention on her while she ate her food, and occasionally handed it off to him for a few bites, the two ending up sharing her bowl until it was gone.

"Want anymore?" She asked while placing the empty bowl down onto the counter, Matt shaking his head in response as he slid his hand along her hip until it fell from her body.

"I'm good, thank you though." He responded, seeing a sweet smile cover her lips before she nodded. "But now that you're done, can we talk for a minute?" Casey asked somewhat suddenly, those words causing her eyebrows to raise in question. "While you were at that… eventful call, I've been thinking about something."

"That's never good." Severide cut in, the squad Lieutenant having never left his spot across from them as Matt shot him a deep glare, Gabby scoffing a bit before she returned her attention back towards her fiancé.

"What's up?"

Drawing in a deep breath, Casey took a slight step back from her before he nodded out towards the hallway, that gesture alone telling her that he was looking for a place to talk that was a little more private. Where the prying ears of the firehouse wouldn't necessarily be able to hear them, Gabby nodding back at him before they left their friends and exited out of the side door in the common room, the two walking a few feet down the hallway before Casey came to a stop.

"Sorry, I just didn't want to talk about a bunch of family stuff around everyone." He spoke while turning to face her, earning a knowing nod from her before she crossed her arms over her chest.

"It's fine babe, what is it?" She asked, those words causing Matt to draw in another steadying breath before he spoke up.

"You know how after I went to see Christie, I told you how she wanted us to come over and have dinner with her, and Violet?" He prefaced, Gabby needing a second to take in his words before she nodded once more. "Okay, well I definitely think we should still do that when we have a chance, but I've also been thinking that maybe we should try and have a dinner with everyone." He suggested, seeing the slight look of surprise that covered her features before she quickly tried to mask it.

"I thought it might be nice, for us and you parents, and Antonio. My mom… And Christie, to all get together." He listed off everyone, Gabby gnawing on her bottom lip while she listened to him. "Cause ever since I went to see her, and she and I decided to be in each other's lives again, it really started to sink in that there's so much of my life she doesn't know about. A lot of your life, that's my life too… And it occurred to me that I don't want the first time my sister meets your family to be at our wedding." Casey breathed out, his vulnerable words causing her face to soften before she reached out to grab ahold of his hand. "I want her to meet Ramon and Camila, and Antonio. But I also really don't want the first time mom and Christie see each other to be at our wedding, either… So I was thinking it might be good to try and have a family dinner." He finished with a heavy breath, Gabby giving him a soft, comforting smile until she spoke up.

"I think that's a great idea, baby." She replied, seeing his shoulders visibly relax as he started to nod. "You're right, it's probably best that everyone's met before our wedding so I think we should do it… As long as you think Christie would go for it." She said carefully, watching as a slight wince pulled on his features before he shrugged.

"I think she'd come." He responded after a moment of thought. "I couldn't be sure until I ask, but like we talked about the other day she knows she's gonna have to see mom now… I just don't know if she'd be okay spending time with outside of things for the wedding." Matt breathed out, like he was saying his thoughts as soon as they came to mind. "I can't really blame her if she doesn't want to see her, because I know this is hard on her. All of this stuff with my mom affects her a lot."

"I know." She murmured supportively as she gave his hand a squeeze.

"And I don't want to try and diminish that, or act like it's not a big deal- because it is… But I also know Christie wants to try. Not with our mom, but for me and our wedding, she wants to try. So maybe she'd be alright with it, I'm not sure… But I'd like to get everyone together, if we could." He said, only stopping to take a breath. "I mean, if Christie agrees to come I don't think she'd want to bring Violet, at least not the first time. But if we could get our parents, and Christie and Antonio to all get together I think that would be really nice… I don't know, it's probably a dumb idea." He rambled out, Dawson quickly shaking her head as her thumb ran along the back of his hand.

"It's not, it's not dumb at all." She promised him, knowing he still felt a little unsure of himself when it came to his family. "I think it's a great idea, and we should do it." She continued on, seeing a small smile start to fill his lips before he nodded. "I know my parents would love to meet your sister, and for everyone to be together… I mean, you know how my mom is, she's always in the mood for a family party." She added lightly, his grin beginning to widen as a soft laugh left his throat.

"Yeah, she is." He agreed while taking a slight step forward.

"And I'm not sure what you were thinking, if you were wanting to go out somewhere, but what if we had dinner at my parent's house?" She suggested, watching as his head tilted to the side a bit like he was waiting for her to continue. "We could have a big family dinner at the Dawson's. I already know my parents wouldn't mind, they'd probably insist on it actually, and it might be good to do it there… somewhere that's kind of neutral ground, while also not being out in public." She said gently, giving Casey a second to think over her words. "Something like that might make it easier on your sister, and Nancy… Cause the way I see it, they're going to have to at least be able to be around each other eventually, but if we do it at my parent's it might help take some of the pressure off of the situation. Because there will be other people around, but it won't be overwhelming."

She stopped herself to take a deep breath, Gabby not even realizing her own rambling until she'd already finished, the woman worried that she might've said too much when Casey had yet to really respond.

"But it was just an idea, we don't have to do that." She said after a moment, catching his gaze once more. "This is your thing, we can do whatever you think is best… I'm not trying to overstep or anything, so whatever you want is what we'll do." She finished with a soft smile, Casey immediately shaking his head in response.

"You're not overstepping, you never could." He murmured, the two locking gazes as he brought his free hand up to cradle the side of her neck. "This is your family now too… Even though we're kind of a mess." He said lightly, Gabby laughing softly before she nodded. "And it's a good idea, doing it at your parent's house… It gives us some privacy in case things go poorly, but it's a good way for them to try and be in the same room again, with some other people there. And who knows, maybe with your family there they'll be on their best behavior… As long as you're sure Camila and Ramon won't mind."

"They won't." She replied almost instantly. "All I'd have to say is it's for you, and they'd do it no questions asked."

Her words caused the grin on his face to widen a bit before he nodded back at her. "Yeah, well your parents are nice people." He responded, stroking his thumb along her jaw before he met her gaze. "I guess I'll talk to Christie, see if she'd be up for something like that and if she is, we'll ask your parents."

"That's fine, baby. Whatever you want to do." She told him, Gabby's eyes tracing over him for a moment before she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him. Casey soon reciprocated the gesture, the man bringing his arms around her tors as well as they stood in the quiet hallway.

She could feel his breathing became steady the longer they held onto one another, Gabby rubbing her hand along his back while he pressed occasional kisses to the side of her head, both of them so lost in their moment that they didn't even notice all the stares they were getting from their friends in the common room. But they wouldn't have cared even if they did, Gabby giving herself the time to breathe in his scent as he tightened his hold on her, the pair only separating when the bells suddenly went off above them.

Letting out a soft sigh, Matt pulled back first, Gabby sliding her hands around to his waist as they listened to all companies being called out to a building fire, the two sharing one last look that said more than words ever could before they hurried out to the garage, knowing they had a job to do.