Hey there everyone! I'm here with this next chapter for you all. But first, I want to apologize for not being able to update last week. There were a few things outside of my control that came up, and I didn't have time to finish this chapter. That certainly wasn't part of my plan at all, but I do want to thank you all for being so understanding. I really appreciate that.

Also, there is a Rated M scene starting off this chapter, so you all know. You guys always seem to enjoy those, so hopefully it helps make up for no update last week.

That's pretty much all I've got, I'll see you all next time. Happy reading everyone!

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN

Casey rested on his side in their king sized bed, his body relaxed in the middle of the mattress while his eyes focused on the woman sleeping beside him. Her back was to him, Matt feeling her side rising and falling with each slow breath she took as his palm was placed over her waist, in the same place it had been ever since he woke up about half an hour ago. And it's where he planned to stay until she got up, which he had a feeling would be any time now given how it was nearing eleven.

Most days, either of them sleeping in this late would've been out of the norm as they both were the type to get up rather early. But after their late night out just hours earlier with Shay and Severide, where they hadn't gotten home until close to three in the morning, Matt figured a late morning in bed wasn't too unexpected. Not with all the alcohol that had gone through their system, as they certainly had made the most out of their first night out since before the shooting.

In the six weeks that had passed since that day, and the four since Matt and Gabby had gone home, the married couple hadn't been doing much outside these walls of their apartment. Aside from going to their checkups and therapy at the hospital, as well as a few trips out to the store here and there, all they'd done was stay home and get better. But after Gabby's last appointment with Dr. Lewis a couple days prior, where she'd gotten the all clear to get back into every aspect of her life- work included, Shay had made the decision to take her and Matt out to celebrate.

And, if their late night was any indication, that's exactly what they had done, the group of four going out, letting loose, and having the best possible time they could. Gabby especially seemed to enjoy herself, now that she was officially off all of her pain medication and didn't have to worry about limiting her alcohol, she'd had a great time. And Matt was glad for that, as after everything they'd gone through a fun night out with their friends seemed to be exactly what she needed.

Truthfully, it was what they both needed.

Movement underneath his hand soon pulled Casey from his thoughts, Matt looking back towards Gabby just as she drew in a deep breath before a soft, almost inaudible groan left her lips while she slowly began to wake up. He could tell she was fighting it, Matt biting back his smile while continuing to rub over her side, his methodic movements helping to pull her from her slumber as Gabby let out a soft sigh.

"Matt?" She murmured into their otherwise quiet bedroom, Gabby feeling his warm hand through the fabric of her shirt before she registered anything else, her eyes slowly starting to open while she stretched out her tired limbs.

"Good morning, baby." He whispered back, keeping his hand firmly over her side while he leaned forward to press a kiss against her covered shoulder blade. "How'd you sleep?"

"Good." She replied through a yawn, Matt doing what he could to hold back his smile as she continued to wake up.

"How's the head?" He asked her after a beat of silence, Casey unsure of how hungover she'd be this morning just from the shots alone.

"I feel surprisingly okay." Gabby answered after a moment, before slowly turning to lie down on her back in an effort to see him, the smile already on her face growing once they locked gazes. "I've definitely felt worse. It's probably because of all the water you kept making me drink throughout the night."

His smirk widened while he thought back to his continuous efforts the evening before to get glasses of water in front of her, Matt's hand now resting over her stomach as he moved down to press a soft and slow kiss to her lips. "You remember that, huh?" He spoke against her, tasting a bit of the alcohol still on her breath while he felt her smile, before kissing her again.

"Vaguely." She replied when he finally pulled back, her nose scrunching up a bit while she tried to wade her way through all the murky memories she had of the night before. "But thank you for that."

"Of course." He responded without a thought, Matt placing one last gentle kiss to the top of her arm before he let himself relax back into their bed. "I'm just glad you're not feeling too bad today."

"Me too." Gabby spoke after letting out another yawn. "Hangovers suck in general, but I would hate to feel like shit when we're supposed to go see your mom." She told him, Casey biting back a smirk before he nodded. "Especially when she was nice enough to invite us out for dinner."

Matt then chuckled, nodding towards her while she rolled the rest of the way over to face him. "Yeah, I'm not sure that would be fun for anybody." He teased, Gabby shaking her head in response before he reached out to brush back a few strands of unruly hair that were covering her face.

"What time are we supposed to meet her, anyway?" She asked, ignoring his joking words as Matt moved his hand down from her head towards her arm, gingerly running his palm over her now healed shoulder.

"Six o'clock." He reminded her before she gave him a nod.

"Good, that'll give me more time to lay in bed." She spoke lightly, Matt letting out a laugh as their eyes met.

"So I take it you don't want to get up?" He questioned, though he already knew her answer.

"Nope." She responded, the word popping as it left her mouth.

"You sure?" He asked with that signature smile. "Cause while I was laying here waiting for you to get up, I was thinking about making us a big breakfast… Well, lunch now I guess." Matt spoke, seeing her brows raise in response. "But to do that, you'd need to get out of this bed."

She pondered over his words for a moment before shaking her head. "I think lunch can wait, I'm staying right here." Gabby said while a devilish grin formed over her face. "...And so are you."

He immediately recognized the tone in her voice mixed with her darkened gaze, Gabby's mind evidently focused on one thing and one thing only.

And that was him.

"Oh am I?" He played along, her smile widening before she pushed herself up enough to be eye level with him.

"You are." She all but whispered, not giving him a chance to respond before she pressed her lips into his. Though this wasn't like the innocent and sweet kisses he'd given her minutes earlier. There was an intensity in her movements that hadn't been there before, her desire for him evident as her hand slid up his bare chest to his neck in an attempt to pull him closer, while she pressed her chest into his side.

They only separated when air became a necessity, Matt nearly panting while she moved back just far enough to see him, that recognizable smirk returning to her face as she traced her thumb over his swollen bottom lip.

"Gabby…"

"Instead of getting up, I think we should make up for last night." She told him, Matt feeling his body instinctively tighten as he knew exactly what she was referring to.

Before they had left to go out last night, there were some promises and mentions from his wife of certain plans she had for them once they got home; all of which involved them naked in this bed. But with her inebriated state by the end of the night, sex hadn't been anywhere near his mind once they got home. Not when Gabby was nowhere near coherent enough to agree to anything.

In fact, by the time they'd gotten home earlier this morning he'd done well enough just to get her into something to sleep in, as the second Gabby walked in the door she was stripping off her clothes during the walk to their bedroom, the alcohol in her system making her body feel warmer than it was. Then once they'd gotten to their she was already naked, Casey barely managing to get her into one of his t-shirts before she'd collapsed into their bed and fell asleep within seconds.

So with all of that, he hadn't even considered trying to have sex last night. But evidently, Gabby hadn't forgotten about her earlier plans. And if the look in her eyes right now was any indication, she wanted to make good on her promise.

And there was no way in hell Matt was going to say no.

"Unless you don't want to." Gabby added on when he had yet to say anything, Matt merely grinning before he reached down to grab her hips and lift her body up onto his, a soft yelp escaping her throat as she straddled him. Her legs were on either side of his waist, her body pressed down into him while there was nothing but his thin boxers separating them, prompting a low, guttural moan from deep within his chest as he tightened his fingers into her hips.

Neither of them moved for a second, Matt content to just stare up at his gorgeous wife while he brought his hand up to cup over her cheek, effectively pushing some of her hair back in the process as she felt his want for her growing beneath her.

"...So is that a yes?" She questioned simply while Matt let out a laugh, before slowly guiding her down to him.

"Yes." He answered before capturing her lips in his, his palm staying flush against her cheek while his other hand moved up and down her side, causing his t-shirt covering her body to bunch at her waist.

For as quick as he'd moved moments prior, his actions were now slow and delicate, Matt wanting to savor every second with her just as he'd done each time they were together since the shooting.

Over the past two weeks since her doctor gave her the go-ahead to do the things she felt up for, they hadn't shied away from getting this part of their life back, the newlyweds making up for as much lost time as they could being together. But each time they did anything, whether it was just fooling around or sleeping together, Matt had been nothing but tender and loving with her. And even if there were parts of her that missed when he'd take a little bit more control, these moments with her husband over the last couple of weeks had made her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

"I love you." He murmured against her while sliding his lips along her jaw, Gabby releasing a low moan as she pushed down against him once more.

"I love you, too." She breathed out into his ear, Matt placing one more lingering kiss to her skin before he slowly pulled back, prompting Gabby to as well.

She sat up on top of him, her hands resting easily over his bare chest while she smiled down at him, the love between them almost suffocating as Matt gently ran his hands along the top of her thighs, before coming to stop at the ends of her shirt. Waiting for one last nod from her, Casey then grabbed ahold of the end of the t-shirt- which happened to be one of her favorites of his to wear, before slowly peeling it from her body and tossing it aside to the ground, leaving her completely bare to him.

His eyes drank her in for a long second, Matt forever in love with this view as he continued to touch any part of her he could, from her legs to her sides up until he reached her chest, Casey cupping one breast in his hand while his other continued to brush over her body. A soft moan left her lips, Casey taking his time looking over her naked form like she was the most perfect thing in the world.

Because to him, she was.

Blowing out a soft sigh, Casey looked her over one last time before he started to keep things moving, knowing that's exactly what his girl wanted from him.

Not wanting her to have to do too much of the work, Matt held onto her before slowly rolling them over until he was on top, Gabby now resting comfortably against their mattress while his weight over her made her feel safe and secure.

Without saying a word he placed his lips back on hers, their kisses slow and gentle while Gabby arched her back up against him, her hands anxiously moving down towards his waist in an effort to push his boxers down, needing to feel him against her. Matt chuckled for a moment at the hasitiness of her actions, but gave her what she wanted regardless as while keeping his lips on hers, he reached down to help her guide his boxers off, the material bunching down in with the sheets at the bottom of the bed while they both laid bare together.

Their kisses then got deeper, but Matt never went faster as his hands started to roam over the body he knew so well, Casey keeping their lips together for a few more moments before he started to press hot, slow kisses down her body. He started along her jaw to her neck, taking his time to assault her skin before moving his lips along her collarbone to her shoulder. He took extra care there, Matt pressing continuous gentle kisses over the rough patch of skin that had scarred her shoulder, the mark that was now a part of her.

He stayed there for a moment, before hearing her gasp softly as he continued down her body, Matt placing long, open-mouthed kisses down her arm until he moved over to the top of her chest. He could feel her heavy breaths beneath him, Gabby clearly anticipating his every move as her rising chest brushed against him.

"God, you're so beautiful." He spoke, more to himself than to her as her smile widened, Gabby lifting up enough to look down at him while he ran his mouth along her sternum and the side of her breast, seeing him completely focused on her. "So fucking beautiful." He repeated, not giving Gabby a chance to respond before he moved over her breast and took her nipple into his mouth.

A heavy moan came from the back of her throat when she felt his tongue run over her sensitive skin, his palm coming up to grip her other breast while his antentitive mouth took care of her. After all this time together he knew exactly what she liked, and what she didn't, Matt alternating between using his tongue and his teeth while taking more of her with his lips, his complete attention on pleasing her before he alternated to her other breast.

Heat was building within her, her entire body tense and ready as he moved, Casey making an effort to touch every part of her he could- except maybe the one place she wanted him most, while Gabby could feel her desire building. To the point where she'd be more than ready for him right this second, another moan leaving her lips when she felt his free hand sliding over her lower stomach.

"Matt…" She gasped, the desperation in her tone evident as he smirked, before grazing his teeth over her nipple. "Baby, please."

Smiling against her, Matt kept his mouth on her for a few more seconds before finally pulling back to find her hooded, hazy eyes on him, her body clearly wanting for him as she reached out to grab ahold of his arm. The silent movement told him all he needed to know, and that was that she didn't want to wait any longer, Casey then slowly kissing his way back up her chest and neck before landing on her lips once more. All while their mouths moved together, Matt settled between her legs and reached down to grab ahold of himself, before slowly guiding into her.

She gasped against him, Matt pausing for a moment to give her time to adjust before he continued deeper, the groans and moans coming from beneath him prompting him to keep going until he was as far in as he could go. He stilled yet again, placing slow and lazy kisses over her lips and face while he waited for her to be ready for more.

And within a few seconds, she was, Gabby tightening her legs around his waist to keep him close while pushing her hips up against him, that being all the assurance Casey needed before he started to gently, and fully, move in and out of her.

They kept their pace steady, the sound of their movements combined with their pants and moans filling their bedroom while their lips found each other, Matt sliding one hand underneath her to hold on to the back of her neck, while the other was clasped in hers, their conjoined palms resting against the mattress while he continued his deep movements. There was nothing rushed or frantic between them, nothing but love surrounding Gabby and Matt as they clung to each other, both of them eager to hold onto this moment for as long as it lasted.

"I'll have the 14oz steak, medium… With the vegetables and roasted potatoes, please." Casey finished up their order while handing the menu to the waiter standing by their table, the man nodding before looking back around the table at the three people sitting there.

"Excellent choice, sir. I'll get your orders in here shortly… Anything else I can get for you while you wait?"

"Some more bread would be good, and another glass of wine for my wife here." Matt replied, earning another polite nod from their water. "And some more water, when you have the time."

"Of course, I'll get that right away."

"Thank you." Matt told him, seeing their waiter give him a small smile back before he walked away from their table, leaving Casey with his mom and his wife.

"Thanks again for inviting us here, Nancy." Gabby spoke up from her seat beside Matt, the small circular table they were at giving them the ability to all talk freely. "This place is so nice, you really didn't have to go to all this trouble."

"Yeah, mom. We would've been happy just meeting up at the diner or something." Matt echoed, but Nancy merely waved her hand in the air before reaching for her water.

"It's not any trouble at all." She replied after taking a sip, their conversation pausing momentarily while their water brought back the drinks and their bread before making himself scarce yet again. "I've been wanting to bring you two here for some time, but then after everything…" She trailed off, Matt nodding knowingly while Gabby cleared her throat. "I just never got the chance to do it. But now that you two are feeling better, I wanted to come eat here with you all. And have a nice night out with my son and daughter-in-law."

Casey smiled at her words while reaching over to grab ahold of Gabby's hand, giving it a light squeeze before he responded. "Well, we really appreciate that Ma, thank you." He responded, Gabby nodding in agreement while Nancy gave them both a bright smile.

"You're welcome, sweetheart… Now, while we're waiting for our food, how about you get me caught up. How have you two been since I last saw you?" She questioned, Matt drawing in a thoughtful breath before glancing over to Gabby.

It hadn't been too long since they'd seen his mother, as she'd been a frequent visitor to their apartment. But after a quick stop by their place at the end of last week, they hadn't really seen her much as her busy schedule made it hard to find time to come by.

"Well, let's see. We've been good, just taking things day by day… But we did get some good news." He started, Nancy raising her eyebrows curiously while Gabby nodded at him to continue. "We found out a few days ago that Gabby is finally cleared to go back to work."

The older Casey's eyes lit up as she took in his words before she looked over to Gabby, who was nodding with a smile on her face as well.

"Really?" She asked, excitement for her daughter-in-law laced in her tone.

"Mhmm." Gabby hummed back, while Matt ran his thumb along the back of her hand.

"She is." He added on, reaching for his beer. "We had her last doctor's appointment a few days ago, Dr. Lewis gave her the green light to go back to work… With the understanding that she has to take it easy for a few shifts, until we know her body can handle it." He finished with a pointed stare, but Gabby merely rolled her eyes.

"So yes, I'm ready to go back." Dawson cut in, Nancy laughing a bit as she clasped her hands together on the table.

"Well, I think that's great news. Definitely a cause for celebration." She replied, as both Matt and Gabby nodded. "When are you starting?"

"Tomorrow." Gabby told her, seeing the immediate surprise that flickered in Nancy's gaze before she began to nod.

"Wow, that's soon."

"Maybe a little, yeah. But I'm ready to get back, I'm pretty sure I'm going insane being cooped up in the apartment." Gabby replied lightly, both Matt and Nancy laughing. "We waited one shift from when Dr. Lewis said I could go back, just to give myself a little more time. But I feel ready so I'm gonna try."

"Well, I think that's wonderful sweetheart." Nancy responded warmly. "I know all of this was really hard on you, but you've done so great in getting better. So if you feel ready to get back at the firehouse, then I think you should." She encouraged, prompting Gabby to grin back at her before Nancy turned her attention to her son. "...What about you, Matthew? You're going back too, I presume?"

"I am." He told her, while glancing towards Gabby, the couple then sharing a soft smile.

It was no secret to anyone in their life how Matt had been waiting to go back to work until Gabby was ready. Even though he'd been cleared for duty for well over a week now, he chose not to. Because he didn't feel comfortable returning to the firehouse until his wife was able to, as well.

"I think that's great." Nancy repeated, regaining their attention before Casey took a drink. "I'm sure everyone at the firehouse has missed you two, it'll be good to get back there."

"I think so, too." Gabby told her easily. "It's been a long six weeks, for both of us, so I'm glad we're both at a point where we feel like we'd be able to work." She spoke, both Nancy and Matt listening to her every word. "And we know it might take some time to get reacclimated to everything, with my shoulder and Matt's leg…"

"I'd imagine so. But your shoulder is okay?" Nancy checked, before Gabby nodded.

"It is, or it's good enough… It's not one hundred percent yet, but it's getting there. I should be able to work on it, I'll just need to be careful like Matt said. And it's the same thing with his leg." She explained softly. "We won't really know for sure until we get back into things, but we know we need to be cautious. And we've already talked to Boden about that, and Shay and the guys on truck- they all know we might be a bit limited for a few shifts. That we'll need to ease back into everything since it's been so long. But we're ready."

"We are." Matt agreed, knowing he didn't need to say much else as Gabby had covered all the bases, Nancy glancing between them before she gave them a sturdy nod.

"Well, then that's all that matters." She replied, Casey and Dawson sharing another smile just as the waiter got to the table with their food, their conversation soon shifting as the family was ready to enjoy the rest of their night together, with their incredible meal.

"Thanks again for tonight, Mom." Matt spoke as he and Gabby walked hand in hand on the sidewalk, the pair heading towards their apartment with Nancy in tow.

"Yeah, thank you Nancy. We had a great time." Gabby replied, the older woman smiling contently as they started up the few steps to their front door.

"You're welcome, I'm glad you two enjoyed yourselves. It was nice to go out and spend time with you all."

"Yeah, it really was." Casey agreed before shoving the key into the lock and pushing their door open, holding his hand out for Nancy to enter first, before he and Gabby followed after her.

But when they stepped into their foyer they immediately noticed something felt different, Gabby and Matt both wearing looks of confusion as he shut the door behind them, the sound of soft Christmas music filtering into their ears while they saw a couple different holiday decorations placed across the entryway to their home, as well as a few they could already see in the kitchen from their place by the front door. But they were all decorations they hadn't put out, and they certainly had not left any music playing before they left, either.

"What is this?" Casey asked, shock laced in his voice as Nancy encouraged them to step a little further inside.

"See for yourself." She prompted, the smile on her face telling both Matt and Gabby that she knew exactly what was going on, before the couple cautiously walked down the hallway and into the main part of their home.

And when they did nothing could prepare them for the sight in front of them, as their once bare living room was now completely decorated for the holidays; from some festive blankets and throw pillows on their furniture, to the stockings hung up above the fireplace, to the rather large, and fully decorated, Christmas tree now placed over by their back windows, their entire home now felt ready for the holiday season.

"Surprise!" Camila yelled first, as she stood in the living room between Ramon and Antonio, the three of them evidently the ones who had come in to decorate while Gabby and Matt were out.

"Surprise, mija." Ramon echoed while Casey let out a hearty chuckle.

"Oh my God, you guys." Gabby breathed out, still in a bit of shock at what she was seeing as she stepped further into their home, Matt walking close behind her. "I can't believe this, you guys did all this?"

"We did… Though it was Nancy's idea." Camila was quick to tell them, Matt's smile widening before he looked towards his mom. Though Nancy merely shook her head.

"It was a group effort, I couldn't have pulled it off without them." She replied, gesturing towards the rest of the Dawson family. "But we just wanted to make sure you all had a nice Christmas."

A look of pure gratitude covered Gabby's face while Ramon nodded at Nancy's words. "Nancy's right. With everything you all have had going on, we knew you didn't have much time to get ready for the holiday and that you might've not been able to do it yourselves. So with Christmas coming up in a couple weeks, we wanted to help." The father added on.

"I… I don't even know what to say, thank you all. So much." Gabby told them, stopping to give Nancy a tight hug before she went over to her parents and Antonio.

"Thank you, mom." Matt said before hugging her, holding onto her a little extra tight before they separated.

"You're welcome, honey… Like we said, we just wanted to do this for you two. It's the least we could, honestly." She said with a soft shrug, but Matt shook his head.

"No, it's… It's perfect, mom. Really." He reiterated, before glancing over towards Gabby to see her wrapped up in a hug with her brother. "Gabby and I hadn't really talked about it, but we didn't think we'd be doing a big thing for Christmas this year. So thank you for this."

"Of course, Matthew." She said, bringing him in for one last hug before they went to go and join the rest of their family, as Camila was already pulling Gabby back to her.

"Oh, mija… I also made some of those sugar cookies you and Matthew love." Camila spoke, rubbing over her daughter's back before glancing towards Casey.

"You did?" Matt asked back, standing beside her as the mother let out a light laugh.

"I did, and I made extra just for you."

"You're the best." He replied lightheartedly, Matt then giving her a hug before moving down the line of the Dawson family, making sure to give them each a grateful thanks at what they had done for him and Gabby.

"We thought we'd all hang around for a bit and show you more of the decorations. And enjoy some cookies and coffee if you're up for it." She offered, Matt immediately nodding while clasping Antonio on the shoulder.

"That sounds great." He replied with a bright grin, Gabby nodding in agreement before Camila excitedly took a step backwards.

"Perfect… I'll get the coffee going."

Matt sat comfortably on their couch with his girls in his arms, his eyes focused ahead at the television that was softly playing a movie for him and Gabby. She was curled up into his side, her head resting on his chest with her hand over his stomach, one of their new Christmas blankets thrown across them as they enjoyed their quiet evening, the lights on their new tree helping to keep the room bright.

It was nearing eleven or so, the couple already dressed for bed as they'd changed into their pajamas soon after their families left for the night. But neither of them made any effort to get to bed quite yet, the two content to just sit here holding onto one another while they watched their movie, as well as occasionally watching the snow falling down onto the city through their window.

Drawing in a deep breath, Casey shifted further down into their sofa, bringing Gabby with him as his arm was secured around her back down to her hip, his hand resting over the bare skin below the small pair of shorts she'd worn to bed, his wife only digging herself deeper into his embrace before letting out a heavy breath of her own.

"Today was a good day." She murmured into the air, Matt unable to stop the soft smile that started to form over his face before he leaned his neck forward to press a kiss to the top of her head.

"Today was a great day." He told her, practically able to feel the smile on her face before she nodded. "And to end it with our family breaking into our home and decorating for the holidays was just the cherry on top." He teased, Gabby laughing against him before she slowly started to sit up. She didn't move from his hold completely, but enough to where she could see him as he moved his arm up to the back of the couch.

"It definitely was." She agreed, Matt shaking his head a bit before he gave her a quick kiss. "But I'm glad they did it, because it actually feels a bit more like Christmas now. Which is nice."

"It is." He agreed, while moving his hand to rub along the side of her head, the movement prompting her to tilt her eyes down before her bottom lip fell between her teeth, Matt's head tilting to the side a bit with raised brows. "What is it?" He asked after a few moments.

She looked back up at him, a similar look of confusion now on her face before she responded. "Hmm?"

"That look, you always do it when something's on your mind." He explained, Gabby smirking a bit before she let out a scoff.

"Yeah, I'm not sure that I love how well you can read me." She teased him, Matt letting out a laugh before tapping the side of her head with his finger. "But it's not anything bad. I was just thinking about… Well, everything, I guess." She started, Casey staying quiet while she worked through what was going on in her head. "I was thinking about today, and how incredible our family is. That they'd do something like this for us… I was thinking about Christmas in general too, this time and year and everything… And, you know, I was thinking about us." She finished, as Matt offered her a sly smirk.

"Uh, huh?"

"Mhmm." She replied with a growing smile. "Because the holidays, all of it… It always reminds me of you."

The grin that appeared over his face nearly made her melt, Gabby's own smile continuing to get bigger as she reached out for his arm.

"I just always think of us during Christmas, because it's when we met… A little over two years ago from night now is when we met each other for the first time at the bar, and then you came to 51." She continued on, his eyes sparkling as Gabby couldn't help the heat that rushed through her body.

"Two years, huh?" He asked her, though by the look on his face alone Gabby knew he hadn't forgotten. "Two years since I met the love of my life."

Her heart clenched in her chest before she nodded, Matt then reaching back out for her and pulling her towards him, not stopping until she was straddling his hips with her arms wrapped around his neck. He resituated the blanket over them and placed his hands over her waist, wanting to keep her as close as possible as she wore that big, beautiful grin on her face.

"The love of your life, huh?" She joked, Matt nodding before he gave her a kiss.

"Yup." He said easily, Gabby laughing softly as she settled down on top of him.

"Well, it just so happens that it's also been two years since I met the best thing to ever happen to me. So we'll call it even." She reminded him, the crinkle by his eyes deepening as he gave her hips a squeeze.

"That's funny, because I feel the exact same way." He said, the two sharing another smile before she leaned down to capture her lips in his, their movements much deeper than they had been previously as Gabby hands clutched onto his neck, the couple not separating until moments later. Both their chests were heaving, Gabby leaning her forehead down to rest against his while they caught their breath. "...I love you." He whispered.

That unforgettable smile returned to her face, Gabby letting out one last heavy breath before she claimed his lips yet again.

"I love you, too."