Hello Readers: What are you guys thinking of Matt and Gabby's vacation so far? Do you think that they made the good call to just get away? And what do you think of the new toy that they bought to get away? Well, I hope you're enjoying it, because you're going to be getting more of it later. But right now, I'm going to do something while the couple sleep in for a bit; and that's check in on their sons. So, let's get started. Here we go with Chapter Twenty-Three of our story, at the Casey Family Home.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Saturday, June 1st, 2019
Like father, like son. That was the only thing that the abuelo couldn't think, as he stood in the kitchen of his daughter's home while trying to clean off his shirt; the shirt that his son-in-law's namesake just threw up on while he was feeding him this morning, and later made him spill his coffee on. And here he was smiling at him, just because he thought that he did something cute; and he sure was cute, but that didn't mean that he liked what his nieto (grandson) did to him. And nor did his nieta (granddaughter) like the sight that was in front of her, as she walked into the kitchen to make herself some breakfast; the sight of her abuelo standing shirtless at the sink, revealing his hairy back. "Oh, I think I'm going to be sick." Turning to look at his nieta as she said that, Ramon Dawson shook his head because he was not impressed. Did she really have to say that. "Eva!" Eva just looked at her grandfather when he yelled her name, clearly able to see that she made him mad. "First of all, what are you doing awake this early my dear?" Eva sighed.

"I couldn't sleep. The damn dog that lives next door was yapping at 8 am this morning, and then I got hungry." The abuelo agreed with his nieta, before going ahead with putting his shirt back on; the nieta clearly able to see that it was wet. "Why are you in here? I thought that you fed Matteo and Noah in their nursery, because you like the chairs that Tia Gabby and Tio Matt have in there." The abuelo agreed with his nieta, before smiling at her. "Unfortunately, your cousin here had other ideas; he apparently didn't like the shirt that I was wearing today." The abuelo said, doing up his shirt before making sure that his collar was well place. That's when Eva decided to help him, her abuelo clearly quite tired. "Let me guess, you're tired abuelo?" The grandfather agreed with his nieta, chuckling a bit as she asked him whether he was tired right now. "I haven't woken up this early, or that many times in the middle of the night in almost 15 years mi amor." Eva was confused when her grandfather said fifteen years, as her Tia Gabby was much older.

"Fifteen? But Tia Gabriela is…" Ramon then realized why his nieta was confused, as she didn't recall that he did help her parents at times when they were out; or when they were out trying to have his other nieto, and her brother Diego. "Eva, you do realize that I did the same for you right? When you were a baby, me and your abuela did watch you and Diego at times, which meant that we had to feed you, change you, and get spit up on by you. And now, we get to do it all over again." Eva agreed with her abuelo when he told her that, finally realizing that as she walked over to the fridge to see jut what she can make herself for breakfast. "I can only assume that you're thinking of what you can make for breakfast?" Eva sighed. "Normally my papa makes breakfast on the weekends, but he said that I'm on my own today; he had to wake up late last night to help with Noah, as he was a bit fussy." That's when the father heard his eldest child walk into the kitchen this morning. "Doesn't help that I chose the room that was right next to their room to sleep in."

Ramon couldn't help but snicker a bit, well aware of where his son slept the night prior; that being due to the fact that he caught his son falling asleep with his nephew on his chest. "I have to say, I did quite like the sight that I saw the night before; it reminded me of the early two thousands, your first Christmas as a father when Eva was just a baby." Antonio was confused when he heard his father say that, while walking over to the coffee maker so that he can grab himself a cup of coffee; he then decided to offer his father one while waiting for some more information about what exactly his father means. "How exactly did it remind you of that?" Ramon Dawson smiled. "Your first Christmas with Eva, you fell asleep on the couch with her nuzzled into your neck; Laura almost woke you up when she moved your arm so that she could feed her, and then when she put her right back on your chest once again. Yet, you didn't move, and you just kept sleeping." Antonio laughed as he heard his father tell him the story, really enjoying the memories.

"Oh, those were the much harder times; the times where I was working my ass off, in the VICE unit. I still think that was when I really started to use, and really started becoming an addict." Ramon then thought back to that Christmas. "Yeah, I think we actually later learned that you weren't just tired because of VICE; you were also hungover, because you had a shift on Christmas Eve." Eva just turned to look at her father when she heard that her father was high on her first Christmas, not happy. "Seriously? Seriously PAPA!" Antonio just looked at his daughter, nervous. "You were high, on my first Christmas!" Antonio then looked at his daughter. "Eva…" Eva then shook her head, just walking away as she was not happy with her father. At the same time, Antonio turned to look at his dad. "Seriously? Why did you…" Ramon just looked at his son when he tried to blame this on him, which he is not going to take. "Oh no. Not happening Antonio. This is not my fault; you were the one that brought up the alcoholism; and then I remembered something."

Antonio sighed when he heard his father say that, well aware that was the case. That was when he heard his mother come into the kitchen, carrying the other one of his nephews. "Can someone explain to me why I just saw Eva run away to my bedroom?" Antonio sighed as he looked at his mother, well aware of what he needed to do; he needed to go talk to his daughter before this got any worse. Turning to look at his father, Antonio sighed. "Can you tell her what happened?" Ramon agreed with his son when he asked him to tell his ex-wife what just happened, which he will gladly do. At the same time, Antonio ran away so that he could find his daughter and speak to her. "She went towards the room that I slept in last night Antonio." Antonio agreed with his mother, proceeding to make his way there so that he could talk to his daughter; so that they could try and fix things, because he knows that must've hurt her. At the same time, Camila turned to look at her ex-husband while also holding Noah in her arms. "Okay, can you please explain to me what just happened?" Ramon took a breath as Camila asked him that. "I told him about how I found him sleeping with Noah the same way that I found him sleeping with Eva once on her first Christmas, the one while he was still working with VICE; and he was…"

Camila then understood why her granddaughter ran away, that probably hurting her. "Eva, of course, was here; and she heard that her father was high on her first Christmas…" Camila sighed. "That must've been hard for her to hear." Ramon agreed with her when she mentioned that it was hard for their granddaughter to hear that her father was high on her first Christmas, which it was; he could tell based on the emotions that his granddaughter showed before she ran away. "She was mad, almost as mad as you were when I did what I did to you." Camila just looked at her ex-husband when he said that. "Listen, about that; we've been meaning to talk about that for long enough. So, how about me and you go to the living room and talk about it after we get the bottles ready?" Ramon agreed with his ex-wife when she said that, ready to do just that so that they can finally get it out of the way; after all, it's been long enough for them to wait to get it out. They need to talk about it, and he really needs to apologize for how much he hurt his ex-wife that night.

She was mad, mad after what she learned her father did on her first Christmas shortly after being born; he was high, and probably barely remembered how they celebrated their first Christmas as a family. His first Christmas as a family. She was the one that made him a father, and he doesn't remember his first Christmas as a father; just because he was high at the time. Yet, he didn't think that was the wake up call he needed? That was the real reason that she was mad. Sure, she was mad that he forgot (and slept) through her first Christmas; but for him to continue to use, and risk missing (or forgetting) those milestones while she was young is something that really hurts her even more. That should've been the wake up call that he needed, but it wasn't; rather, he soon turned to alcohol instead, and then back to drugs. She gets that he's an addict, but that's something that just really hurt her in the moment; and she let her emotions get the best of her, rather than being rational and remembering that her father is an addict. It's hard, she understands.

But at the same time, isn't she allowed to be hurt? God, all these emotions that she has to deal with; and they're just so hard to deal with, especially when all she wants is for her daughter to be clean and happy. But for him to be high and just out of it, sleeping on her first Christmas (even if she was sleeping with him on his chest) is just something that hurt her too much; she couldn't stand to see him right now. But that was a choice that was going to be taken away from her, and there was no way that she wasn't going to see him; especially not when her father was going to bribe her to talk to him. When he was going to bring her favorite breakfast to her. Chocolate chip pancakes, covered with her favorite maple syrup and honey blend on top of it. And even worse, she could smell it since he always heated up the maple syrup and honey; and that allowed her to smell it from her room already. "Eva, can I…" Not wanting to let the pancakes get cold, Eva just spoke up. "You're lucky that you brought me my pancakes, or else I'd be shutting you out."

Antonio agreed with his daughter when she said that, hearing (and understanding) the hurt that was came with the tone that she used to speak to him this morning; a tone that he wouldn't normally tolerate as her father if this were any other situation, but this is another situation that he needs to be very mindful of. His daughter is quite hurt at the moment, and it's his fault; while it was years earlier, for her to learn this all these years later probably still hurts. If his own father did the same thing that he did to Eva, then he would probably feel the same way as she was feeling right now; which was the main reason why he was giving her a pass, and he was going to tell her that as he walked into the bedroom. "And you're lucky that I understand that you're mad at me, because then I would not be so understanding, let alone tolerating the tone that of voice you just spoke to me in." Turning her head to look at her father, Eva sighed as she looked at him. "I'm sorry papa, it's just…" Antonio then put his hand up, shaking his head. "Eva, it's okay. I understand."

Eva agreed with her father when she said that, before watching as he made his way over to the bed; setting the food down next to her, Antonio smiled as he hoped that he'd be able to sit down in bed with her. But first, he decided that he would go close the door; that way, the father and daughter could have a bit of alone time. A bit of quality time that he hasn't had with his daughter in a while, and that he wants to have with her; heck, maybe they can even do something today to make up for what he did to her that Christmas. But that's not something that he's going to propose to her until they're in a better place. Right now, he needs to make things right with his daughter; and that means that he needs to sit down in bed with her, and he needs to make sure that they just talk about it. Taking a breath, Antonio went to take his phone out of his phone and then set it down on the side table. Climbing into bed with his daughter, Antonio smiled as he went to grab the coffee. "I made myself coffee, that's you're drink over there." Eva agreed with her father.

She then brought the tray of food close to her, making sure that she could eat properly; while her father soon wrapped his arm around his daughter, making sure that she was okay with it before hand. "You can do it. I like the feeling of it." Antonio agreed with his daughter when she said that, smiling as he turned his head and then kissed her forehead softly. "Listen, how about right now…we just breathe and take it easy? We can just eat breakfast, and I can have my coffee. Afterwards, we can talk about it okay?" Eva agreed with her father when he said that, as she really liked that idea. "To tell you the truth, I think I need that; especially due to the fact that I am still trying to wrap my head around it, especially the part where I'm both mad at you…and I am trying to understand too." Antonio was confused as he heard his daughter say that, not quite sure what she means. "I'll explain it to you after I eat. Can I do that now?" Antonio agreed with his daughter, just letting her eat for a moment so that they can talk with her having eaten breakfast.

The breakfast that her father made for her was quite good, and she was glad that he made it for her; as it gave her a chance to calm down. A chance to think about what she wants (and can) say to her father, whom she knows is a recovering addict. And that's what makes this conversation hard. The fact that she knows that her dad is a recovering addict, and because she doesn't want to insult him when he's improved so much; he's made huge strides from the man that he was back then, that she doesn't feel like it's right to be mad at him about this. Yet, she also feels like she does have a right to be mad at her father about this; because it was a special time in her life. It was her first Christmas, and he may not even remember it. And that's where Eva decided to start. She decided to start by asking him whether he even remembered her first Christmas, or if it was all just a blur to him. "Papa?" Looking at his daughter, Antonio Dawson makes sure to give her his full attention. "Si mija?" Eva then sighed as she looked up at him.

"Not that this makes any difference. But, how much…" Before asking the question, Eva took a breath and just thought hard as to whether she even wanted to ask him this question; after all, it's a question that could very much hurt her father. And that was why Antonio decided to ask the question for her. "You want to know whether I remember any of your first Christmas, don't I?" Eva looked up at her father, and just took a breath because that was the exact thing that was on her mind. She then let out this big sigh of relief, glad to hear that her father did have this angry tone in his voice when it came to how he was responding to the question that she just (indirectly) asked him by him saying it for her. "I know, it's a horrible question to even ask. I don't want to ask you, and you can deny but…" Antonio stopped Eva, grabbing his daughter's hand before intertwining their fingers. He wanted to make sure that she stopped, and just took a breath while listening to him speak to her. She doesn't need to feel embarrassed or ashamed for this question.

Heck, if he were in her situation right now; then he would be asking his own father the same question that she has on her mind at the moment. "Eva, please. Don't feel guilty whatsoever for wanting to know the answer to that question. Please mija." Eva agreed with her father when he said that, glad that he understands why she wants to know this; because she truly does, she wants to know that her papa remembers her first Christmas. She was his only child at the time, and that's why it's even more special to her; because it was his first Christmas as a father. "It's just…my first Christmas was also your first Christmas as a dad. And, I just feel like it's more…meaningful if that makes sense, or if that's the right word? Sure, I don't remember it because of my age; so, I know full well that I would be a hypocrite. But I think I'm madder for your sake, if you did forget." Antonio agreed with his daughter when she said that, before smiling as he went to leave a kiss on her forehead. After all, that was definitely something that he loves. She's so sweet.

"Eva, let me first say that I wouldn't blame you if you took it the other way; for your sake. But for me, I know that I do remember. I remembered it…because I remember OUR first Christmas." Eva was confused when she heard her father say that, not exactly understanding what he means by that. "Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by that." Antonio smiled as he looked at his daughter, completely understanding why she wouldn't understand what he means; and that was due to the fact that they celebrated two Christmases, simply for his job. "It was actually because of the job. Now please, just life me explain. I know you hate it when I blame it on my job, but there's a good reason for me to explain it this way." Eva agreed with her father when he said that, just letting him explain; that way, she could get the entire story, and a grasp on the entire situation.

Antonio's POV:
As I looked at my baby girl, I couldn't help but smile as I thought back to how beautiful she was that Christmas; the one that we celebrated just her, myself, and her mother. Our first Christmas as a family, my first Christmas a father. The Christmas that we celebrated a week before Christmas, because of my job. "Okay, so let me say this. What your abuelo said, it was true okay? That happened, I am not going to deny that." Eva was confused when I said that. "Then what is there to talk abou…" I then continued. "But that was not our first Christmas. The first Christmas that I celebrated with you. Just me, you, and your mom." Eva was confused. "Eva, you remember that I used to be in VICE. I used to have to go undercover, and I had a mission that would keep away on Christmas." Eva sighed when I said that. "So, I was lucky to just get you." I shook my head. "No, I was the lucky one. Let me explain, before you assume okay mija?" Eva agreed with me, letting me do that so that she could understand the entire situation.

"You remember the party we always go to, with the extended aunts and uncles that you always hate getting kisses from; all of those aunts and uncles from Florida, Milwaukee, Texas…" Eva agreed with me. "Oh, do we have to go this year?" I laughed. "Depends on what Matt and Gabby do. Remember, they may want to introduce the boys." Eva agreed with me. "Now, that was the Christmas that I got drunk at okay? That was the one that I got drunk at, because I was depressed; depressed that I didn't get to be there on Christmas Day. Christmas that with my girls. I thought that I was going to be away, undercover with VICE; so I was sad, and I drank a bit too much." Eva agreed with me when I said that. "But here's the good thing, God granted me a miracle that year. Me and the team ended up catching the perp on Christmas Morning at 4 AM." Eva was shocked. "Really?" I nodded. "And I told my boss. I don't care if you want me to do paperwork, I have a 4-month old daughter; and it's her first Christmas. I'll do it next shift, I'm going home."

Eva laughed when I told her that. "Did you get…" I shook my head. "My boss understood, he told me to go home and to get sleep. So, I did. I climbed into bed, and you were feeding that morning. I got in bed with you and your mom, and we didn't leave bed that entire day; that's why your abuelo thinks I was working that day, because that was what we told the family. Your mom told our families that I did drugs overnight after we had a fight, and that I was too high and intoxicated to go to Christmas; so she said that you weren't going, and neither was she. The real truth is that we were sitting in bed, the three of us; while I was holding on my chest, and just enjoying my first Christmas as a father. And to this day, nobody in our family knows the truth; because we didn't want to face the backlash, over a decision that we made to spend our first Christmas as parents…and as husband and wife with our family, when I was blessed with it."

Eva looked at me when I said that, doing the math. "Hold on a second…" I nodded while scratching the back of my head. "We may have gotten married a month and a half before we had you…" Eva just pushed me. "So much for waiting for marriage." I looked at her. "Me and your mom were engaged. You know your mother's father, and how strict he is…" Eva looked at me, and just agreed. "We couldn't live together until we were engaged." Eva was shocked. "Wait, but Gabby and Mat…" I agreed. "That would've never happened with him. Before I could ask your mother to move in, I had to ask for her hand in marriage, and get down on one knee; then I had to ability to ask her to move in. And honey, I was already a police officer, and it was the 90s. Crime was up, the job was stressful…" Eva then stopped me. "Okay, I don't need to hear that part. I already get it!" I agreed with my daughter when she said that, smiling as I was really happy that she understood. "Eva, I didn't miss your Christmas. I was there, I promise." Eva agreed with me.

"I'm glad that was the case." I agreed with her, smiling as I went to hug my daughter; I then went ahead and went to grab some of her bacon, the bacon that I made. "HEY!" I then went to take a bite, while turning to look at her. "I made the bacon, and you have like six strips. I don't care if I was using it to bribe you to get into the room, I'm in the clear now and I want to have bacon. Plus…." I reached over her and went to grab her phone, before putting it in my back pocket. "HEY!" I just looked at her. "Your grandparents are watching the twins, and I have time to spend with my daughter. I haven't spent time with you in a long time, so I want to talk to you before you get all busy and find friends here." Eva sighed. "Uhm, I was actually thinking that I could go back to Chicago for independence day." I agreed with her. "You'll have to talk to your uncle Matt okay? But I'm sure that you can get him to do it, because I know that you miss your friends too." Eva agreed. "I just hope you know that it's not enough to not want this." I agreed with Eva.

"This opportunity that I have is way too much, and I need to…" I shook my head. "Eva, I'm sure that your mom would love it. She gets you for the summer, and I get your brother for the summer." Eva smiled. "Oh, then you're not getting me until I'm back in school and at work. If I can get away from my brother for the entire summer…" I just looked at my daughter when she said that. "You do realize that your brother is coming in two weeks, and is staying for the summer right?" Eva just looked at her dad when he said that. "It's father's day in two weeks, and he's staying so that he can spend the summer with me and get to know his cousins." Eva then realized that, agreeing with her father. "And I expect you to stay with me during the week. I haven't had both my children under the same roof as me in almost a year. I am not taking NO for an answer. Is that understood?" Eva agreed with me as I said that, smiling at me. "Listen, how about you eat up? I'm taking the day off, and telling my parents to behave; I'm taking you out, you need to drive."

Eva was confused when I said that. "You need to do your hours so that you can get your full license. I'm not your taxi!" Eva smiled. "Does that mean I get a car?" I laughed when she asked me that. "Maybe if your uncle buys you one, but I'm not buying you a car. Now listen, let's eat up." I then went to kiss her cheek, and smiled as I just spent some time with my daughter; laughing the entire time, as we missed each other dearly.