Hi Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters. I hope that you guys are liking where this story is now headed, and are ready for more chapters related to this new storyline that I am starting right now. And you're going to get them story. So, here we go.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
How to Balance
He just finished making him and Matt some coffee to enjoy this morning, while also toasting to the fact that him and his sister are going to be having another baby in the new year (which Antonio was thrilled about). Walking out carrying the coffee that he got for him and Matt, Antonio smiled as he saw him playing with Andy. "Yeah, that's a good boy. You want to run again? Yeah, you want to run again." Matt then went to grab the ball thrower that he had with him, before going ahead with throwing the ball. After all, it wasn't like he needed to be inside at the moment. Right now, he can just concentrate on Andy; and he can also speak to his brother-in-law while they shared some coffee. Walking over to Matt, Antonio just smiled. "Here you go, something that you're going to be drinking a lot in the middle of the night until she gives birth." Turning to look at Antonio, Matt laughed as he heard him say that. "Did you make sure to tell Kelly that he's fired if he burns down my house?" Antonio laughed as he heard Matt say that, before nodding.
"Oh, he's not jut fired. He's dead." Matt laughed as he heard Antonio say that, before going to take a sip of his morning coffee; a coffee that most definitely didn't taste like normal coffee, and there was a reason for that. Turning to look at Antonio, Matt was confused. "OK. What did you do to my coffee?" Antonio laughed as he proceeded to take another sip of his own coffee, smiling at Andy as he ran over to Matt again with the ball. Bending down, Matt proceeded to grab the ball so that he could throw the ball for Andy; at the same time, Antonio proceeded to make his way to the stairs. "Hey, where are you going? I thought we would talk." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that. "Yeah. I just didn't sleep the best last night. Laura called me in the middle of the night to check on the kids, because she heard something on the news." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that, after which he looked at Andy (who was in the midst of coming back to him). After which, Matt just looked him before grabbing the ball. "Ready to go again boy?" Andy barked, agreeing.
Matt then proceeded to throw the ball for Andy, watching him run away; after which, Matt finally made his way over to the stairs so that he can sit down with his brother-in-law. "Oh, is someone already starting to get tired?" Matt sighed as he heard Antonio say that. "I didn't sleep good last night, because I was starting to get really worried about Gabby; I mean, I knew that this was a possibility. But I didn't expect it to happen so fast…not that I'm complaining." Putting his hand on Matt's back, Antonio made sure that his brother-in-law knew that he understood what he was trying to say. "Hey, Matthew. Look at me." Turning his head, Matt agreed with his friend when he said that, smiling. "First of all, talk to me as your friend right now okay? I know right now; you need a friend, not a brother-in-law." Matt laughed as he heard Antonio say that, before going to take a sip of his coffee. "Oh, trust me Antonio, I wish I could. But you have to remember, I don't just see you as my brother-in-law." Antonio smiled when he heard Matt say that, thinking another way.
"You see me like a brother, like you do Kelly?" Matt laughed as he heard Antonio say that, before shaking his head; as that most definitely was NOT how he felt when it came to his brother-in-law. If anything, he saw him more as a second father-in-law rather than a brother. "Oh Antonio, not a chance." Antonio just looked at Matt when he said that, seemingly offended. "Excuse me?" Matt sighed as he turned his head to look at the ocean. "Antonio, remind me whose blessing I asked to marry Gabby?" Antonio laughed as he heard Matt say that, well aware of the fact that he was the one that Matt asked to marry Gabby; which is something that still makes him laugh. "God, I still remember the face you made when I tried to play with you." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that, well aware that was the case. "Yeah, but I was asking you for a reason; because you're the one that knew me the most." Antonio looked at Matt when he said that. "Care to explain what you mean by that?" Matt sighed as Antonio asked him that, ready to explain.
"I know, this is not what should've happened. I know that I should've really maybe met your parents more before I even thought about asking for her hand in marriage." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that it was something that was probably something that he should've done; but in the long run, it doesn't matter for the simple fact that Gabby is extremely happy with her husband. "Matt, I think we can both agree that's far behind us, especially when Gabby is extremely happy when you." Matt smiled as he heard Antonio say that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I know that she's happy with me; but I'm also really happy with her, happier than I have ever been." Antonio smiled as he heard his brother-in-law say that, well aware that was the case. He's known Matt (almost) as long as his sister, and he can clearly see that Matt is madly in love with his sister. "To tell you the truth, I always thought you were in love with my sister; I even thought that way while you were still engaged to Hallie." Matt agreed with Antonio, smiling.
"You remember how I was Gabby's date to your family Christmas party in 2012?" Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware of the fact that he was Gabby's date. "I have always regretted not going…." Matt then stopped while he was ahead. "Yeah, not the best thing to talk about with you." Antonio laughed as he heard Matt say that. "I get what you're trying to say though." Matt agreed. "Me and Gabby were going to share a kiss on the stairs, but I just could do it for some reason; maybe it was due to the fact that I just ended my previous engagement, but…I just didn't think it was the right time. And in the long run, I actually think that I did Gabby a favor then." Antonio looked at his brother-in-law when he said that, unable to understand what that means. "What do you mean by that?" Matt sighed. "My heart wouldn't have been completely hers yet. I was still dealing with my breakup with Hallie." Antonio thought about it, and agreed with Matt as he said that; and honestly, he can respect that decision he made. "And for that, I actually respect you for that Matt." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that, smiling at him. "There are still times where I wish I didn't stop, then we would've been here so much sooner." Antonio then put his hand on Matt's back, agreeing with him.
"Hey, let's not live in the past; all we can do now, is live in the present. But we said that we needed to talk about something else you wanted advice on? Or at least that I was going to offer to you." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that, sighing. "I honestly think that you can really give me this advice, because you're the only one that I can really relate to in this situation." Antonio was confused when Matt said that, as he could probably talk to his sister. "You could've spoken to your sister?" Matt shook his head when Antonio said that because that isn't the truth. "I need to talk to a guy. A guy who's already had to balance his job, his marriage, another young child, and a pregnant wife…while also having his own demons." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that. "Sorry I put it that way. I didn't mean to…" Antonio shook his head when Matt said that, as that most definitely was not something that he needed to apologize for; especially when it's the truth. "Hey, you have no need to apologize for how you worded that, as that's exactly what I was dealing with. I actually was dealing with a bit of alcoholism at the time, but having kids really woke me up." Matt agreed with him.
"Until you got back into it. By the way, the same thing goes for this pregnancy. If you're drunk, or high; I don't want you near my family. I don't care where you sleep, but you aren't coming home, and you aren't coming near Gabby; just like our last pregnancy, this one is high risk due to the fact that this pregnancy is happening so soon after our previous pregnancy." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that was the case. "So, I hate to ask this. What does this mean for the future? I know that you're probably thinking about this already." Matt sighed as he looked at Andy as he sat down close to him and then rubbed his head. Kissing the top of his head, Matt smiled due to the fact that he was really happy to have Andy here with him. Scratching his head, Matt smiled as he bent down and then kissed the top of his head. "Yeah, you like it when daddy scratches you behind your ears." Antonio laughed as he heard Matt say that. "You're adorable with both him and your boys." Matt smiled as he heard Antonio say that, before grabbing the ball thrower for Andy. He then went ahead and threw it again. However, it wasn't long before someone else ran out to run after it.
"MAX!" Matt just laughed as he heard Jay run out, before turning around and looking at him. "If you want, I can take care of him for now Jay." Jay looked at Matt when he said that. "You sure? I don't want you to be overwhelmed by two dogs." Matt just looked at Jay when he said that. "Jay, I already know how to balance two kids, a wife, a dog, and a business. I'm sure that I can balance two dogs while talking to my brother-in-law." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that, before turning to look at Antonio. "By the way Antonio, Eva just left to go for a run; I don't think she saw you. I already told her though that we're celebrating her aunt's birthday today, and that she has to come back." Turning his head, Antonio smiled as he went to grab his phone. "I'll send her a text. Thanks Jay." Jay agreed with his friend when he said that. "If Max gets to be too much…." Matt just looked at his friend when he said that. "It's fine Jay." Jay smiled when he heard Matt say that, before watching as he turned to look at Antonio. "Antonio's here to help me with him." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that, before looking at Antonio. "You okay with that Antonio?" Antonio then turned to look at Jay,
"Of course, go ahead Jay and make breakfast. Anyways, I just thought about something that I need to talk with Matt about; something that you aren't a part of." Jay agreed with Antonio when he said that, before walking back inside; after which, Matt turned to look at Antonio as he was unsure as to just what he needs to talk to him about. "What do you need to talk to me about?" Antonio sighed as he looked at Matt. "It's something related to Eva, because I just thought of something that comes with all of this." Matt sighed, nodding. "You want to stay here in California with us, don't you?" Antonio sighed. "Yeah, that's what I'm thinking about. And the truth is, I'm not sure if I'm okay with having Eva all the way in Hawaii for law school, while also working for the company. If she's going to work for the company, then I want her to be under the supervision of the lawyer that you deal with on a daily basis." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that. "Listen, if you want to keep her in Hawaii…when you already paid some of it, then I will understand but…" Matt laughed. "I haven't paid anything yet. I just finished getting things ready for the company, and got the money to do it."
Antonio laughed as he looked at Matt when he said that. "Plus, I know how brilliant your daughter is; and I am still waiting for her to apply for some scholarships, that way I don't have to pay as much." Antonio then put his hand on Matt's back, well aware of the fact that this new father is a genius. "Well, you sure are a smart one." Matt was confused when he heard Antonio say that, before getting a bit angry. "Careful, because I can always switch you and Jay's seniority." Antonio looked at Matt when he said that. "Excuse me? Last time I checked, I'm family; and I also have more seniority." Matt shook his head. "Actually, Jay does in my mind. I'm adding his military and police years together, and them I'm multiplying them by two for the number of years. Listen, I get that he wasn't a cop for as long as you were; but he was in the military, had to go to the military academy. Then, he did speciality for military intelligence training, before also going to the police academy and doing CPD intelligence training. That's a lot of work, and I would rather have him there."
Antonio looked at Matt when he said that. "I'd rather have a buffer in between us. If you're the Deputy CEO, then we go head-to-head. If I have Jay as the Deputy CEO, then we have a buffer." Antonio thought about what Matt said, before agreeing with him. "Well, that's a good point." Matt agreed with him when he said that, before smiling at him. "I know. But listen, can we get back to some of the questions that I have for you?" Antonio agreed. "About how to deal with work, already having the boys, and then a pregnant wife?" Matt sighed, before agreeing with Antonio when he asked him if that's what he wants to talk to him about. "Yeah, that's what I want to talk to you about. I mean, I don't want to let Gabby down and fail her." Antonio shook his head when he heard Matt say that. "You aren't going to fail my sister, I already know that Matt." Matt agreed with his brother-in-law when he said that, well aware that was the case. "I know that I won't, because I don't plan on it." Antonio smiled as he heard Matt say that, before proceeding to take a sip of his coffee; doing the same, Matt just smirked due to the fact that he loved sharing a coffee. "I swear, you just being a business executive is much nicer than you being a police officer. It makes you much easier to talk to." Antonio laughed as he heard Matt say that.
"To tell you the truth, I have always wondered whether Voight was one of the reasons behind me having a big drinking problem." Matt laughed as he heard Antonio say that. "You're just wondering that now? Antonio, I only had to work with him every once and a while. And just working with him for a bit gave me stress, especially since things have always been awkward in between us." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, before chuckling a bit. "Yet you married one of his detective's baby sister." Matt shook his head as he heard Antonio say that, as that's not what he did. "No, I married a co-worker of mine. I didn't marry one of Hank Voight's detectives' sisters. I married the co-worker that I fell in love with." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, as that most definitely was the case. "Yeah, I like the sound of that more." Matt laughed as he heard Antonio say that. "Me too." Watching as Andy came back to him, Matt just watched as he set the ball down before coming to get close to him. After which, Matt rubbed his head and smiled at him. "Yeah, you're enjoying playing with me; aren't you Andy?" Antonio smiled as he turned to look at Matt and his dog today.
After which, he watched as Max walked up to him. "Hey Max, how are you this morning?" Antonio then went to rub Max's head and just smiled due to the fact that he was happy. At the same time, Jay came out and looked at Max. "He okay?" Turning his head, Antonio smiled as he looked at his friend. "It's fine Jay, take a breath and relax. Oh, and go take a shower like Matt said! I smelt you when I came out too!" Jay agreed with Antonio when he said that, before smiling at Max. "I'm on my way after I get a protein shake for Alex." After which, he went ahead and made his way back inside to keep making breakfast; at the same time, Max decided to head inside with Jay. "Hey Jay, Max is on his way inside." Jay agreed with Antonio when he said that. "Thanks Antonio."
Walking inside to get a drink of water this morning, Max took a breath due to the fact that he was a bit hot since he just ran in the California sun. So now, he needed a break. But there was another thing that Max needed to do this morning, and that was say good morning to his 'mom' Alex (who just woke up). And that was why Max came inside in the first place, due to the fact that he saw her come down from her and Jay's bedroom. Smiling as she saw Max come inside, Alex looked at her husband's dog as she bent down (as much as she could) so that she could say good morning to him. "Hey bud, have a good run this morning?" Hearing that his wife was awake this morning, Jay smiled as he turned around and looked at the woman he loves more than anything. "Hey, I was just about to come into our room to see you." Alex agreed with her husband as he told her that, smiling as she walked up to the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. After which, she got close to him to give him a kiss this morning; a kiss that they both want.
Walking into the center of the kitchen, Jay smiled as he went ahead and proceeded to wrap his arms around his wife as soon as she's close to him. Putting her hands on Jay's (sweaty) chest shortly after he stepped close to her, Alex smiled as she leaned up and proceeded to kiss the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. Just taking things nice and slow with Jay, Alex smirked. "Morning." Jay smiled as he heard Alex say that, glad that she was awake. "How'd you sleep?" Alex smiled. "Good, but I missed your arms around me this morning." Jay agreed with his wife when she said that, well aware that was the case. "Yeah, I know; but I had to take Max out and go for a run." Alex agreed with her loving husband as he told her that, before smiling as he kissed her again. "How much would it take for me to convince you to come join me in bed again? That way, we can wake up together." Jay smirked as Alex asked him how much it would take. "Not much really, because I was going to come there for a bit." Alex agreed with Jay.
She then proceeded to grab his hand and smiled as she intertwined their fingers to lead him towards their primary suite, yes primary suite. The nice home that Matt and Gabby purchased here in Malibu is a seven-bedroom, eleven-bathroom home; and it features two primary suites. Now, to be clear; Jay and Alex did not ask, nor did they request one of the largest bedrooms. That was, until they saw what the view was from that room. When the saw what the view was from the room, they asked them to have that room as they believed that it may assist them with Jay's PTSD. But boy is it a nice room to stay in, and they most definitely will not complain that they got the room. Especially when they have to make a couple cribs, since they are going to be giving birth here in Los Angeles. Well, that's if they stay here. They aren't sure, but if they could; then they most definitely would as it would be much less expensive. Looking at Jay, Alex smiled. "We should talk to Matt about letting us stay here permanently." Jay was shocked when he heard that. "What?"
Alex sighed. "At least while the kids are young." Jay sighed. "How about we go ahead and talk about this in the room? Because this is not something that we want to talk about in front of Matt yet, at least not until we've spoken about it together." Alex agreed with her husband when he said that. "In bed, before we take a shower?" Jay smirked, agreeing with Alex when she asked him if they can lay down in bed for a bit before they get in the shower; which is something that he most definitely wants to do, especially when his wife is clad in her lingerie right now. "I mean, you are probably wearing lingerie under those clothes right now." Alex laughed as she heard Jay say that, as that was exactly what she was wearing; she was wearing some nice lingerie for her dreamy husband, as she wants to feel him run his hands all over her body. She always does after all. Shaking his head once he heard that, Jay smirked as he decided to turn his wife around and then got close to her; picking her up in his arms, Jay smirked as he wrapped her legs around his waist.
Putting his arms on her legs, Jay smirked as he felt Alex put her hands on his chest. After which, Alex leaned in and proceeded to kiss the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. Just taking things nice and slow with the woman he loves more than anything, Jay smirked due to the fact that they're both really happy with each other. "I love you so much." Alex agreed with Jay when he told her that, smirking. "I can't wait to cuddle up to you so that we can talk." Jay smiled as he heard Alex say that, as that's most certainly how he feels as well. "Oh, I feel the exact same way. I love the fact that we're going to cuddle up to each other, especially in your lingerie." Alex smiled as she heard Jay say that, kissing him again as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Just taking things nice and slow with the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world, Jay smirked as he proceeded to carry Alex to their room (where they plan on holding each other and relaxing for a minute). And maybe even get sexy with each other for a lil' bit.