Hi Readers: Sorry for the delay in this chapter, as I keep getting distracted. However, I need to ask you guys what you thought of the last chapter that I wrote, but more specifically, the pregnancy diary that I started to write. Let me know what you guys thought of it.
Chapter Eighty-Six
Painting a Nursery?
Alex was mad at him. That was something that he knew. He knew that she was mad at him, which was due to the fact that she felt like crap. And it was all his fault because he was distracted. Rather than concentrating on making the food properly for his wife, he was thinking about how he can talk to his boss about something that he isn't too sure about; more specifically, he needs to talk to him about what he and Alex are going to be able to do for a nursery. As much as he knows that this isn't his home, there's just something in him that wants to paint a little nursery; a nursery that's going to be located in the corner of their room (hopefully). But that can only happen if Matt approves of it. Going to grab another piece of the bacon that he was making for Alex, Jay took a breath as he hoped that this was good. And that was when he decided that he was going to do something, and that was text his wife; that way, he'll know ahead of time whether she thinks that she can eat the bacon and eggs that he's going to make for her this morning.
Jay: I'm thinking of making you Eggs, Bacon, and Toast for Brunch?
Hitting send, Jay took a breath as he really hoped that she would reply to him quickly; that way, they can already know ahead of time whether he can make them for her. That's when Jay heard Matt walk into the kitchen. "Well, it looks like she's already starting to train you." Turning his head, Jay was confused as he heard Matt say that. "What do you mean by that?" Matt snickered. "When Alex was pregnant with the twins, she always texted me when I was cooking for her; she wanted to let me know what I like." Taking a breath as he heard Matt tell him that, Jay proceeded to lean against the counter; after all, that most definitely was something that he wished was the case. "Uh oh, it's the other way around." Jay was a bit confused when he heard Matt say that, before watching as he made his way over to the fridge; after which, he opened the door so that he can find some of the leftovers that he already made for him and Gabby. "What do you mean by that? And I'm talking to you as your friend right now, hopefully." Matt laughed as he heard that.
Turning his head, Matt agreed with Jay. "Yes, you're going to talk to me as your friend/your ex-girlfriend's husband." Jay snickered when he heard Matt say that, before shaking his head. "Yet, you still hired me and trusted me with some of your billions." Matt smiled as he heard Jay say that, before proceeding to find some of the pasta that her mother made for her; more specifically, some of the shrimp pasta that she made for the both of them. "Wait, is that pasta?" Turning to look at his friend, Matt shook his head. "Not for you to touch. These are made by Camila for me and Gabby, for when we need fast food." Jay snickered when he heard Matt say that. "Yeah, because it's so hard to open the Skip the Dishes app and order some fast food." Matt just looked at his friend when he said that, before walking around the island so that he can use the microwave. "I swear, this is going to be a pure pain in the ass when the boys can walk." Jay was confused when he heard Matt say that. "What are you talking about?" Matt sighed as he crouched down.
After which, he proceeded to push one of the buttons on the microwave; more specifically, the button that opens the door to the microwave. He then set the leftover pasta down in the microwave, before closing the door; he then went ahead and started to show how their boys can play with the microwave, and the door. Laughing as he watching Matt do that, he shook his head. "Damn, that's going to be a problem." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, before putting the pasta leftovers; after which, he went ahead and started to heat them up. After which, he got up and proceeded to make his way back over to the fridge so that he can get him and Gabby some drinks. Opening it, he smiled as he went ahead and looked at the drinks that he could have; after which, he decided to grab some flavored waters for him and Gabby. At the same time, he turned his head and looked at Jay. "I can see that you have something on your mind." Jay sighed when he heard Matt ask him that and was about to say something when he got a text.
Alex: I love that idea. Thanks bb. XO
Laughing a bit when he saw that, he just agreed so that he can make his way over to the fridge too. "Can you grab me the eggs and bacon?" Turning to face the fridge, Matt agreed with his friend so that he can go grab the eggs and bacon. After which, he carried them over to Jay. "Let me guess, you just texted Alex about what she wants?" Jay snickered as Matt asked him that, before nodding. "Yeah, I did. Just wanted to make sure that I got something that she likes. I don't want her to not enjoy something I make for her." Matt agreed with Jay as he said that, walking past him while putting his hand on his shoulder; after which, he made his way over to the cupboard where he and Gabby kept their water bottles. Grabbing some of the big ones, Matt walked up to the sink so that he can fill them up. "Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. But listen, I was actually hoping that I could talk to you for a moment while you're out here." Going to open his water bottle first, Matt turned on the water so that he can start filling it up.
Turning to look at his friend when he said that, Matt agreed with him. "Sure, what's up? Wait, first. Business or personal?" Jay laughed. "Oh, I am not talking to you about something business related today. I want to concentrate on relaxing today." Matt agreed with his friend when he said that. "Agreed, because Gabby doesn't want me talking business today; well, other than her showing me some of the designs that she and the girls are working on." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that. "You excited to do that?" Matt smiled as Jay asked him that. "The truth is, I am. And I think that it's time I do it, especially since she's been on this journey with me. She's been supporting me every step of the way in creating the company, and I need to make sure that I support her in creating the clothing like that she wants to create. After all, she is the namesake of the company." Jay laughed. "Yeah, I can yell that's the case. I mean, it is ELLA Apparel." Matt laughed. "Yeah, it's why I wanted to name it that. It's her and Stella's clothing line, and I am just funding it."
Jay laughed as he said that, before going to push his shoulder. "Oh, shut up. We both know that when Gabby makes some men's business attire, you're going to be the first one to buy it." Matt laughed. "Who said that I have to pay anything for it? Last time I checked, I'm already going to be paying to make the garments; so no, I am not going to be paying for suits that my wife is going to create for me. Nor are we going to have to pay for the baby line she's going to be starting." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that. "Does that apply to us as well?" Matt thought about it. "No, I think we can work it out so that Casey Employees get it for free; I mean, they would just get the money back." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that. "I just love that we get to influence the designs that they make for men, because we're married to them; heck, we're probably the inspiration for them." Matt agreed with his friend when he said that, well aware that's the case. "Ok, I'm just going to say this. Come out and say it because you're rambling."
Jay laughed as he heard Matt ask him that, before shaking his head. "Is it that obvious that I have something on my mind?" Matt agreed with Jay when he asked him that, before smiling at him. "Yes, yes it is. So, what exactly do you have on your mind right now?" Jay sighed when Matt said that. "Okay, so it's about me and Alex's twins. I have no idea how long we're going to be staying here, because I know that we want to move out but…" Matt laughed. "You want to wait a bit to move out?" Jay sighed. "Matt, I think we both know that all of our business meetings are going to be here for a while; and that's due to the fact that we're all going to have young kids." Matt agreed with Jay as he said that. "So, what I'm wondering is what that means for our rooms. I mean, I get that they aren't 'our' rooms; and they're kind of like hotel rooms for now." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, listening to him. "But what I want to know, is what that means for nurseries and stuff. Because, I'm in no place to buy a home here in Los Angeles."
Matt agreed with Jay when he said that. "But at the same time, I selfishly don't want to be deprived of the chance to…" Matt then proceeded to finish his sentence. "To make your kids a mini nursery?" Jay sighed. "Yeah, I know. I am just not sure what we want to do. I mean, I like the house." Matt agreed with Jay, snickering a bit. "Jay, just so something special. But no painting." Jay looked at him when he said that. "Really?" He said, sounding disappointed; but Matt was adamant. "Jay, this is not permanent. I do eventually expect you to move out. And by then, we might be really busy with the company; and that means that I would have to go into each and every room so that I can paint it." Jay agreed with his friend when he said that, well aware that's the case. After all, that does make a lot of sense. "Yeah, that makes sense." Matt smiled as he heard Jay say that. After which, he heard the microwave start to ding. Making his way over to the microwave again, Matt proceeded to grab the pasta that he just heated up in the microwave.
After which, he proceeded to carry it over to the counter so that he could set it down; after all, it was quite war. And that's why he and Gabby weren't going to be eating out of those containers but were going to be eating out of actual bowls; bowls that are always much cooler than the containers that the pasta. Going to walk over to the cabinets, Jay opened the one where the bowls were before carrying them towards the container which contained the pasta that he and Alex were going to have for supper. That's when Matt looked at Jay. "So, four months now." Laughing as he heard Matt say that he only has four months, Jay agreed with him. "Yeah, that's the case. I'm so excited." Matt nodded. "Listen, that reminds me of something." Matt agreed with his friend. "I know that I don't need to point this out, but I'm obviously going to try and take some pattern…" Matt stopped Jay when he said that, not wanting him to have to say another word; after all, he knows full well that he's going to take some paternity leave. "Hey, look at me Jay." Jay agreed.
"Jay, under no circumstances…am I going to expect you to work, right when your daughters are born. You're going to take time off, so that you can concentrate on Alex, and your daughters." Jay smiled when he heard Matt say that, before proceeding to tell him the names that they're going to use for their daughters. "Our daughters' names are going to be Madeleine 'Maddy' Marie Halstead and Olivia 'Livy' Grace Halstead." Smiling as he heard Jay tell him the names of their daughters, Matt couldn't help but love them. "They're adorable." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that. "Me and Gabby are thinking of using the name Grace Elizabeth Casey if we have a girl." Jay smiled when he said that, loving the name. "Aw, that's an adorable name for your daughter. Little Gracie Casey." Matt laughed. "You call my daughter Gracie again, and you can find your own place to live in Los Angeles." Jay gulped, agreeing with Matt when he said that. "By the way, that brings up a question I have for you. Say we do want to buy a house…" Matt agreed.
"How far are you okay with us living? Because there's no way me and Alex can afford to live in Malibu. So, we were actually looking in either Thousand Oaks or Santa Clarita." Matt was confused when he heard Jay say that, as he thought that they were going to stay here (after all, he did ask to paint a corner of their room). "I thought that you and Alex are going to stay here?" Jay sighed as Matt asked him about whether he and Alex are going to stay in Malibu. "We're debating it right now. We're just thinking…what would be better. I mean, me and Alex love being close to the ocean; as it's great for my PTSD." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, smiling at him. "Why do you think I bought this place? I love it for that reason." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that, as that makes complete sense now. "Oh, that makes sense." Matt laughed as he heard Jay say that. "Let me guess, you want to be close to the ocean too?" Jay agreed with Matt as he asked him weather he wants to be close to the ocean too. "No, we want to be somewhere quieter."
Matt agreed with Jay when he told him that, understanding now why he wants to go either to Thousand Oaks or Santa Clarita. "Yeah, that makes sense why you want to move to Thousand Oaks or Santa Clarita now." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that. "I guess that this is me asking for your permission to do that." Matt was confused when he heard Jay say that he's asking him for 'permission' to move out there. "Why do you need my permission?" Jay sighed when Matt asked him why he needs his permission. "Because I want to make sure that you're okay with how far we'd be from the office, wherever it is. I know that you haven't picked it out yet, but I want to let you know that we're thinking about moving out there." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, smiling. "I was actually thinking about doing mini offices, rather than doing a big office. That way, we can have more places. I mean, we already have the Hawaii Office. So, we can just do satellite offices. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do yet when it comes to offices." Jay agreed with Matt.
"Yeah, I can understand that." He then took a breath, thinking about something. "So, do you want us to wait until you figure out what you do when it comes to offices? Then we can buy a place?" Matt shook his head. "No, I think you should go ahead. We can work out meeting schedules based on where everybody's living. I mean, Heather, Ben, and Griffin, are currently living with Andy Darden's parents in Glendale. And my sister has a place in the Pacific Palisades. So, they are both a good forty minutes to an hour-and-a half drive away." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that was the case. "Okay, so I know that I have freedom." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, smiling. "Jay, I want you to know that I would understand if you wanted to live close to the ocean too. If you think that's where you want to be for your PTSD, then I think you should." Jay agreed with Matt when he said that. "I did actually see a place in the Pacific Palisades that I would love. But it's $1.4 million." Jay then took out his phone and went to show it to Matt.
Going to grab Jay's phone, Matt smiled as he proceeded to go look at the place. "It's 3 beds, 3 baths. I know that's a lot for us, but I was thinking that me and my brother can go in together. So, it'd just be $700,000 each. And then I can maybe try and get help from the military, but I highly doubt that we're going to be able to get a loan for that." Matt smiled when he said that. "Well, there is another option." Jay was confused when he heard Matt say that. "What are you talking about?" Matt smiled. "I could always give you an advance on your salary." Jay was shocked when he heard Matt say that, as that was not what he was expecting. "What?" Matt nodded. "Yeah, I want you to be able to have a place to live other than my place. Plus, we have income now; and I can give you a loan from the company, that you can pay back through a part of your salaries." Jay sighed. "I don't think that I'm going to do it though. We're just going to talk about it. It's a penthouse, and we're not sure yet." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, smiling at his friend.
"Listen, you need to do what you think is best. And if you want me to help, then I'll help you. Jay, you've moved so many times for me recently; and it's just right that I help you." Jay smiled when he heard Matt say that, as he most definitely does like the fact that he wants to help him. "You really need to be careful Matt. Your big heart is going to get you in trouble." Matt was confused when he heard Jay say that. "How exactly am I going to be in trouble?" Going to put his phone back in his pocket, Jay proceeded to go back to getting some brunch ready for the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. Walking over to the toaster, he proceeded to grab some bread and put it in. Pushing it down, Jay smiled as he turned to look at Matt. "You're going to be taken advantage of if you continue to just offer people to pay for things." Matt laughed. "Oh, I've already offered to pay for my niece's law school." That's when Matt heard Antonio come out. "Oh, you didn't just offer; you're paying for it." Turning his head as he said that, Matt smiled.
"Oh, I am well aware of the fact that I'm paying for Eva's law school. By the way, how's the transfer from the University of Hawaii to UCLA?" Antonio laughed. "We just completed it, and it took a while. Luckily, we got the deposit back and transferred it to UCLA. And there was some tuition left over, so she can use that for books if that's okay?" Matt agreed with his brother-in-law as he said that. "Of course, you can tell Eva that she can use the leftover money for books." Antonio smiled as he heard Matt say that, glad that was the case. "So, what were you guys talking about?" Jay smiled. "Me and Alex are looking at a place in Downtown Los Angeles. And I was thinking of going in it with my brother, but it's only a 3 bed, 3 bath home. So, we need to have all three bedrooms." Matt was confused when he heard Jay say that. "Why? You only need two." Jay laughed. "One for each kid." Matt snickered. "Why not just have one nursery? Then you can use the other for your brother, or you can use it as an office?" Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that.
"Oh, I think that's a great idea." Jay nodded, smiling at his friend when he said that. "Well, looks like I'm going to have a lot to think about." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, before smiling at him. "Yes, you most definitely do. So, how about you grab your food, go see Alex, and you can talk about everything that we just talked about?" Jay agreed with Matt when he said that, before proceeding to go hug his friend. "Thanks again Matt." Matt agreed with his friend when he said that, well aware of the fact that he appreciated what he did; after which, Jay walked away to go be with Alex. At the same time, Antonio walked over to the fridge with the hopes oof getting some of the leftovers that he saw when he made breakfast. Opening the fridge, he went to go find the pasta; that was, until he saw that it was gone. "Hey, where's the pasta that my mom made?" Turning to look at the microwave, Matt went to get the pasta out. "You mean the leftovers that your mother made for me and Gabby?" Turning his head, Antonio looked at his brother-in-law.
"That was for you and Gabby?" Matt nodded, smiling at him. "Yeah, because Gabby wanted to have something from yesterday. She wanted to have something that she can enjoy, because she doesn't remember what we ate on her birthday yesterday." Antonio sighed when he heard Matt say that, clearly understanding what's happening with his sister right now. "Let me guess, she's already starting to have morning sickness?" Matt sighed. "I'm not sure to tell you the truth. But if it is morning sickness, then it's really early." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that was the case. "Yeah, that makes sense. I just hope that she feels better soon." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that, as he feels the same way. "Yeah, I feel the same way." Antonio sighed when he heard Matt say that, well aware that was the case. "I hope you know that wasn't what I meant Matt. I just meant that…"
Matt smiled as he heard Antonio say that, well aware of what he was trying to say. "Hey, take a breath and just relax. I know what you were trying to say, and I know that you weren't trying to insult us." Antonio agreed with Matt as he said that, as that most definitely was the truth. "Thanks for understanding." Matt smiled as he heard Antonio say that. After which, he went to set the food down on the island; walking over to him afterwards, he proceeded to hug him. "How are the boys? I know that you're helping your mom take care of them." Antonio smiled when Matt asked him how his sons are. "They're good. I promise, they're being taken care of." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that, well aware that's the case. "Hey, I have no doubt that's the case. Please don't think that's the case Antonio." Antonio agreed with Matt when he told him that, smiling as they were both really happy. "Listen, Gabby probably wants to eat." Matt snickered as he heard his brother-in-law tell him that, as she most definitely does. "Yes, she does."
Antonio then smiled at him. "So, what was Jay talking to you about? I hope it wasn't business." Matt shook his head. "No, he wanted to paint the corner of the room for the nursery." Antonio smiled as he heard Matt say that, well aware that was the case. "Well, I'm glad that you're going to let him do that." Matt smiled before shrugging. "We can just paint over it. But he's also thinking of moving out, and I told him that we can work out a loan." Antonio got a bit nervous when he heard Matt say that. "Shouldn't you talk to Gabby about that first?" Matt then realized that. "Yeah, I probably should." Antonio smirked. "Or you can do it through the business." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that. "I'll go talk to her about it." Antonio smiled as he heard Matt say that, well aware that he needs to do that. "Okay, well you have a good conversation with Gabby." Matt agreed with Antonio when he told him that, before proceeding to walk away so that he can go having lunch with Gabby, while also talking to her about what he was just talking to Jay about.