Well, now this story sure is taking a turn; what are you thinking about this latest turn? Hope that you guys are enjoying this story and are liking this turn. Now, it's time for Matt and Gabby to deal with this together, together as husband and wife. Thanks for reading.
Chapter Forty-Five
Strategy Sessions: Our Legal Strategy
Just the idea that he needed to do this was something that made his heart hurt, that made him furious; this was the last thing that he ever wanted to have to deal with, his past. A part of his past that just so happens to also be related to his PTSD. This is something that he has vowed that he would never do, and he would make sure that the world knew that. Never in a million years would he hurt his son, and for the press to say that about him; well, that's just something that he refuses to let happen. This will ruin his company, and his reputation; and even worse, it may even risk him having his children taken away from him. And that was the last thing that he wanted. So much so, that Matt already spoke to child services; and he told them the truth, and why they had rumors out. And let's just say that it was really hard to deal with this, having to tell strangers his past, which is what he's in the midst of doing as he speaks to his lawyers, as well as some case agents from the Child Welfare Services Branch. Taking a breath, Matt looked at agent Vargas of CWSB.
"Mr. Casey, I am so sorry that we even have to do this; but I have a duty on behalf of your son, and I need to ask these questions." Matt took a breath, and agreed with the lawyer when she said that; after all, he was well aware of the fact that she had to do this. I mean, he did have to go through this in the past; and this was most definitely not the first time he's had to deal with an agency similar to this one, which was something that he hated. "I understand, because I have dealt with this in the past." Looking up, the agent got concerned. "Sorry, what…" That's when Matt's lawyer, John Serhant, tried to stop the questioning. "Sorry, may I please confer with…" Matt then looked at John. "John, sit down; I am not talking about Noah. I am going to deal with this, and I am going to defend my name. I need them to know the truth, because I want to see my sons again. And that's something that I want to mention. Right now, I am not with my sons; I am living here at my home at the office. My sons are currently with my mother-in-law, at my primary home."
The agent agreed with Matt when he said that, liking the sound of that. "Well, I am glad that you're taking this seriously…because there are not many father's that take so many steps." Matt agreed with the agent when he said that. "Listen, I am going to give you some background information that will make my statement make much more sense. And please bare with me, because I want to say this." The agent agreed with Matt when he said that. "First and foremost, I want to make it clear that I have never hurt my son; nor would I ever hurt my son, because that most certainly is not the truth." Matt then proceeded to grab some affidavits that he got. "So much so, that I have some affidavits here. They were taken yesterday by my lawyer, and they were done with some of my staff; staff that were with me when I was away this past Friday and Saturday on my private yacht, with my wife." The agent then proceeded to go grab the affidavits, agreeing as she proceeded to take notes about them. "Also, I have an affidavit in there from my doctors."
The agent agreed. "This past Friday, me and my wife took our sons to our family doctor for their checkup; and we also had their shots done, as well as their most recent checkup was due." The agent agreed. "In there is a sworn affidavit, that there was no marks or scrapes on my son at the time of the event. Also included is a report from the ER where my son was examined, after he was rushed to the hospital by my mother-in-law; while I was on my yacht, away from my children." The agent agreed with Matt when he said that, seeing that he was really good. "And in there, it says that he was not abused; rather, he was rushed there because they thought that he wasn't breathing at the time. He was not there because he was abused, he was there because my mother-in-law thought that he stopped breathing. And this is why I am furious, because my family did everything right. We took our son to the hospital right away when he wasn't breathing, and we flew there from our yacht right away. We were not away from our son, and we were with him."
The agent agreed with the father, clearly able to see that he was ready to deal with this. "Wow, this is something that I have to say; I am not used to parents already having everything ready to defend themselves within twenty-four hours." I smiled at her. "That's because I have dealt with this in the past myself, on a personal level." Sitting up against his desk, Matt looked at the agent. "Now, this is why I have my attorney here; because I want this to be covered by privilege, and it will not see the light of day. Is that understood?" The agent looked at him. "Are you threatening an agent of the law?" Matt took a breath. "Sorry, this is just hard. Uhm…I hate revealing this. Heck, I have barely revealed this to my staff. But I need you to understand something. When I say that I would never lay a hand on my sons, I mean that; because I made a vow to myself when I could start getting women pregnant, that I would never do that my father did to me." The agent was confused when she heard Matt say that. "What do you mean Mr. Casey?" Matt then took a breath.
Going to grab another file that he recently got, and also made a copy of. Going to give one to John, Matt smiled. "John, these are for future cases just in case this ever happens again." John agreed with his boss when he said that, before proceeding to grab the documents that his boss gave him; taking a look, he went to see that they were records from Chicago. "Sir, I must advise you that putting records from previous allegations are not the best idea." The agent then looked at Matt when she heard his attorney say that. "Ma'am, please let me explain before you go ahead and put that down. I want you to in fact read the name on the person who was making the report, before you assume the worst." The agent was confused, as was his attorney. After which, they both proceeded to read the case information. 'DCFS Case File of Casey, Gregory. Type of Abuse: Familial. Victims: Wife (Nancy) and Son (Matthew).'
Both the agent, as well as the lawyer looked up at the CEO when they read the information on the outside of the report; the report that included everything that they would both need to know when it came to why Matt wouldn't, and couldn't ever hurt his son. The son that he loves more than anything in the entire world. "And here is another case that had to be done, prior to my previous attempt to foster a child." Matt then proceeded to give them a case. 'DCFS Case file of Casey, Matthew and Gabriela re: Foster of Louie Thompson.' Opening the file, they went to see that not only was his case approved, but it was approved with glowing recommendations. Taking a breath, the agent looked at the CEO; the CEO who was really worried. "Ma'am. I am not sure what I can say when it comes to how you can believe me, but I can assure you that I didn't…nor would I ever abuse my son. The son I love."
The agent agreed with the father when he said that, clearly seeing that he was really worried right now; and that he was also furious at even the idea of somebody accusing him of abusing his own child. "Sir, I am so sorry for your past." Matt agreed with her. "And listen, I am so sorry that I am mad. But when you have the past that I have, and are accused of doing the same thing that your father did to you; it's something that I just can't stand for, nor will I ever stand for. I worked all day yesterday and today to make sure that I got this information for you, and I made sure that my sons are safe. They aren't with me, and I promise you right now; I would never, never abuse my sons. The mere mention of abuse, and my sons in the same sentence; it makes me sick, and I promise that I would KILL myself before I abused my children." The agent agreed with Matt when he said that. "Sir, do you mind if I take a moment somewhere to go read these documents? Maybe I can work this out right away." Matt agreed with the agent when she said that.
Matt then proceeded to pick up his phone, going to call his assistant. "Jacob, can you please come into my office for a moment?"
Coming into his boss' office shortly after being called to do so, Jacob Moore just nodded his head; clearly able to see that he was worried about all of this at the moment, Jacob just got right down to the point. "Can I help you Mr. Casey?" Matt then took a breath. "Please take agent Vargas to the small conference room, and please allow her to have a moment to look over the documents that I gave her. Please stay with her, and do not allow anybody to go into that room with her." Jacob agreed with his boss when he said that, well aware of what was going on; after all, he was briefed on the situation. "Of course, I will do just that Mr. Casey." Looking at the agent, Jacob smiled. "Agent Vargas, if you'd please follow me; I will take you to the conference room that you can use for the moment." Agent Vargas agreed with him, before turning to look at the CEO. "Mr. Casey, I believe that we can work this out. I promise to you, I believe you; and I can clearly see that you know what you're doing." Matt agreed with her. "Because I did it when I was young."
The agent agreed with the CEO when he said that, clearly able to see that this still pained him. "Mr. Casey, I will get right back to you okay?" Matt agreed with her before watching as she walked away to go do a quick investigation of the documents that he gave her. At the same time, Matt turned to look at his lawyer, well aware of the fact that he was probably not the happiest with him at the moment. "Okay, go ahead John; yell at me for not listening to you when you told me to shut up, and just let you deal with it."
John Serhant's POV:
When Mr. Casey told me that he wanted me to yell at him for not listening to him when he told me to shut up, I took a breath because I knew that was what I should be doing; however, I had to say. I was quite impressed when it came to what he just did. I was truly impressed when it came to how he delt with that, and it made me wonder whether he even needed me here. "Is there a reason why you even needed me here? Because last time I checked, you did a really good job advocating for yourself." Mr. Casey laughed a bit when I said that, agreeing with me. "I guess, I just knew that I had to say to her." I agreed with Mr. Casey when he said that, before smiling. "Mr. Casey…" Matt then went to correct me. "Please, call me Matt. I hate the title Mr. Casey when this is about my family." I agreed with Matt when he said that, smiling as I was glad that we were now on a first name basis; after all, I have grown close to his family, and I most definitely do not like what his family is going through right now. "First, let me say that I hate what's going on."
Matt agreed with me as I said that, well aware that was the case. "That goes without saying in my opinion." I agreed with him, before smiling. "And to tell you the truth, when you first gave me all of those reports; I didn't understand why you gave them to me, but I am so glad that you gave them to me." Matt agreed with me when I said that, before taking a breath. "I know that was not something you wanted me to do at first, but I think that they most definitely did come in handy when it came to me speaking to the agent." I agreed with my client when he said that, before hearing someone knock at Matt's door. "Sorry, I saw the agent go out." Looking up, I saw that it was Ms. Casey. "Ms. Casey." Taking a breath, Gabby looked at Matt. "What's going on? I saw her come out." I just looked at Matt when she asked the question, believing that I shouldn't be here for this. "Would you like me to…" Matt agreed with me when I said that. "Please, can you give me and my wife a moment?" I agreed with Mr. Casey, before getting up and looking at Ms. Casey.
After which, I made my way over to her. "Ms. Casey, I am so sorry that you even need to deal with this; this is unfair, and I am here for you." I then turned to look at Matt. "Mr. Casey, I will be drafting a defamation lawsuit; and we will talk about it when this blows over, because I believe that…" Mr. Casey then looked at me. "John, I was going to wait; but yes, we will be pursuing a lawsuit against the media for slander and what they did to my reputation. And for putting us through this hell, and the fear that came with the rumors; just the idea that we could've lost our son scared the crap out of us." I then saw Ms. Casey take a breath, and just saw that she was really worried at the moment. "Listen, I am going to go to my office here at the building. I am going to go talk to my team, and make sure that they are starting it while I'm with you; because I am going to be at the press conference, since I want to put my name next to yours. I am not sure if you know this, but there's something about a name partner being with you; it shows how serious that not only are you taking this seriously, but that the law firm stands behind you." Matt agreed with me as said that, smiling at him. "Thank you John, this means so much." I agreed with him, before smiling as I walked away; that way, the couple could be alone for a moment.
Waiting for John to leave them alone, Matt and Gabby both took a breath due to the fact that this is something that they are both really worried about; especially the fact that they were worried that they weren't just going to loose one of their sons, but both of their sons. And that was why Matt was no longer sitting in his chair, but was actually on the couch in his office while holding his wife close to him; the wife who has been worried for a while, worried that they would loose another one of their sons. Turning his head, Matt proceeded to press a kiss on her forehead. "This isn't fir." Looking down at his wife, Matt already knew exactly what she was talking about; and that was not just what they were dealing with when it came to the abuse allegations, but everything that they've been dealing with. First, about how worried they were about Noah, and then the way that they have been scared to even leave the house with their sons; so much so, that they actually ended up leaving the big house at one in the morning today.
And there was a reason for that. And that was so that they could come here, under the cover of darkness; that way, the press wouldn't be able to see them, not when they need to be with their sons. Just taking a breath, Matt looked at Gabby before pressing his lips against hers once again. He then looked down at his wife, while smiling as he bent down to kiss Gabby softly. "Hey, look at me." Looking up at her husband, Gabby took a beath as she proceeded to grab her husband's hand. At the same time, Gabby intertwined their fingers and held each other close; bending down for a kiss shortly afterwards, Matt smiled as he gave Gabby exactly what she needed right now. She needs love and comfort from her husband, and that's exactly what she's going to get right now. It's what she'll always get. "Are you going to work today?" Matt took a breath when he heard Gabby ask him whether he's going to work today, because he hates that he has to answer yes. "Yeah, that's something I haven't spoken to you about yet." Gabby agreed.
"I asked everybody to come here, and stay at their places here for a while; and I want to get my projects in order. I want to get the projects started, and I want to show that we aren't going to be stopped. I want to get some projects to a place where we can start putting out press releases, as well as making announcements so that we can put this behind us; and so that it's no longer at the top of the google searches and everything. And we need to do that. And I also need to talk to everybody, and make sure that they know that this is true; and that's why I plan on speaking to all of them first if that's okay?" Gabby agreed with Matt as he asked her that, before smiling as she leaned up and kissed her loving husband more than anything. After which, Gabby smirked as she felt him wrap his arm around her. Just holding the woman he loves more than anything, Matt proceeded to kiss her forehead softly. "Do you want to be there with me at the press conference?" Sitting up, Gabby looked at her husband; shocked that he would even ask her that.
"Matt, that's not a question that I ever want you to ask me. I want to be by your side as we deal with this, as husband and wife; and as Noah's parents. I want them to know that I stand by my husband, and that there are no truth to these baseless rumors." Matt agreed with his wife when she said that, glad that was the case. "And I want you to tell people that we were on the yacht this weekend, away from the outside world; and I want you to remind people that the boys are just babies, and that they are not…" Matt sat up when he heard Gabby say that, because that was something that Gabby should already know. "Hey, that's already something that I plan on doing Gabby. I am going to remind the media that our son is a baby, and that he isn't to be bothered; he's my son, and I love him." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before taking a breath. "Also, there's something that you need to know." Matt looked at Gabby. "And what's that?" Gabby smiled. "I just had my period." Matt agreed with his wife when she said that, smiling at her.
He then put his hand on her cheek, before smiling as he kissed her cheek softly. "I have to say, that I'm glad that's the case; I would not want you to be pregnant as we deal with this." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that. "How much work are you going to have to put in?" Matt sighed. "I'm not sure, but I am going to be at the office today so that I can speak to the staff here; I want to make sure that they all know that we are not going to be stopped, and that we're going to continue. And I want the staff to know that they are not to talk about this to the media. In fact, I need to go right now; I am going to speak to them first." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before smiling at her husband. "Did I ever tell you that I couldn't do this without you?" Matt put his hand on her back, before stroking it with Gabby. "Hey, I know that baby; and I promise that we're always going to be a team when it comes to our boys." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that, before leaning in and proceeding to kiss the man she loves more than anything. "I love you Matt."
Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that, before smiling as he bent down and started to kiss her slowly. At the same time, Gabby proceeded to cuddle up to the man she loves more than anything in the entire world; holding her husband close to her, Gabby smiled. At the same time, Matt proceeded to kiss the top of Gabby's head. "I promise, we're going to deal this together; and I am going to make sure that we're on the same page, and that this is not going to tear us apart." Looking down at his wife when she said that, Matt already knew that. "Hey, I already know that baby; and I promise okay?" Looking up at Matt, Gabby smiled at the man she loves. "Want to go for a quicky before…." Matt laughed as he bent down and kissed her softly. "Maybe upstairs, when I'm done work." Gabby looked at Matt when he said that. "How much work are you going to put in?" Matt sighed. "I'll figure it out. Remember, I need to talk to the staff, and then I am going to do press. Can you at least give me the morning?" That's then Matt heard a knock at his door.
Looking up, he saw Heather at the door. "Oh, PR time. Heather must have the statement." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that, before smiling. "Can I stay for this?" Matt agreed with his wife when she said that. "Of course, you can stay Gabby, you can always stay when it comes to this. You're Noah's mom." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that, smiling as she watched him get up; afterwards, he proceeded to make his way over to the door to his office so that he can let Heather into his office.