Hi Readers: I hope that you guys are having a nice weekend and liked the first chapter that I posted for you guys. But if you guys thought the meeting that Matt just had was routine, then you're mistaken. Find out why by continuing to read.
Chapter One Hundred and Eight
Expertise and Regrets
He was currently in the midst of analyzing the reports that he just got from the CFD, as they wanted him to give them some information about what might have happened at their Airbnb; which was their (former) marital home, the home where they came home to when they got married. Where they made love to for the last time, just a few months earlier; right before they left to go on their road trip. And it was really fun, but now it was gone; and there was a reason for that, which was his fault. And it was because he left something there, that he shouldn't have; something that he always promised himself he'd keep close…as it was something that he never wanted to risk loosing. And that would be his and Gabby's marriage certificate, which he ended up doing something that she's going to hate when she hears it. And what might that be? Well, it was that he scrunched it up and threw it in the fireplace while he was mad over the summer. He completely forgot about it, as well as forgetting to clean out the fireplace; and that's what happened.
A heat source went into their fireplace, and sparked all of the papers that they had in there. After which, it spread to the carpet that they had in their home; which just led to the fire growing, and growing. But still, that wasn't what he was thinking about; it was the fact that their marriage certificate was part of what started the fire, that was what was on his mind. "Definitely, so it would have to be through the fireplace. That's the only place that I can see it starting properly. I remember that we left it open." Lt. Seager from Chicago's Office of Fire Investigations agreed with the CEO (and former Captain) when he said that, before just looking at him. "Is everything okay Captain?" Matt perked up when he heard the Lieutenant say that, still finding it weird that he was addressed to by his rank; rather than by his name as a businessman, which would be 'Mr. Casey'. So, to say that he was still taken aback; well, that would be an understatement. So much so, that he just was frozen for a moment; and it led to Lt. Seager to speak to him once again.
"Are you okay Captain?" Taking a breath, Matt looked at the woman who came all the way from Chicago to speak to him. "Sorry, it's just been a long time since I was addressed as Captain Casey; ever since I started the company, I have been only Mr. Casey." Seager agreed, well aware that was the case. "Yeah, I can understand that now; and I wanted to let you know that all of Firehouse 51 says hi, as I made sure to talk to them before I came. And I am also well aware that I need to tread lightly with you, as they all made me aware of just what was going on." Matt agreed with Seager as she said that, taking a breath due to the fact that he did tell all of his friends from Firehouse 51 that he has PTSD. "Yeah, that most definitely is something that I'm still dealing with." Seager agreed with Matt when he said that. "I can only assume that's hard on you, as well as your family." Matt took a breath, before agreeing with him. "Let's just say that there is a lot to deal with, including a lot of adjusting; especially when it came to us getting adjusted to a new dog."
Seager agreed with Matt when he said that, before watching as a dog walked up to him. Feeling Andy walk up to him, before jumping up onto his lap, Matt smiled as he put his hand on his head; after which, he stroked it with his thumb and smiled. "Hey buddy, what are you doing out here?" Andy barked when he said that, before just looking at his boss; after which, he walked away to the bed that he has in Matt's office. The bed that he made sure to buy and keep right where Andy likes it, close to him. "I can see that someone likes to follow you." Matt sighed. "Service dog for PTSD." Seager then realized that, before taking a breath. "Sorry it got that bad Captain." Matt agreed with Seager as she said that, before going ahead with looking at the pictures of their (former) home again. He then went to look at the walls in the home, before seeing that there was something on the wall; more specifically, it was something that could most definitely could lead to them creating a fire. "Well, I can definitely see something is going on here."
Seager was confused as she moved closer to the desk and looked at the pictures. "I can't say exactly, but there are these marks here on the wall that I've never seen." Seager agreed with the captain when he said that, well aware that was the case. "Yes, we were actually wondering about that. It's why I was sent here, because we needed to know from your family whether you painted anything." Matt shook his head as Seager asked him whether he painted anything in the home, as he never had the time. "I never really had the time to paint, because I was always so busy. I had a construction company, the firehouse, and then Gabby had the bar. By the way, have you been to Molly's recently?" Seager agreed with Matt as he said that, before going to grab her bag; after which, she went ahead and opened it so that she could give him something. "This is from Herrmann by the way." Going to grab the envelope that Herrmann sent her with, Seager proceeded to give it to the CEO; after which, Matt proceeded to read it. "Molly's Income Q2, Q3."
Moving to grab it, Matt smiled as he set it down. "Thanks Seager, tell them that I appreciate that they sent it to me through you." Seager agreed with Matt when he said that, smiling at the CEO. "It was my pleasure, as I am glad that I was just able to be the messenger." Matt agreed with Seager, before going to set it down; after which, he went back to look at the pictures of his and Gabby's former home. That's when Matt heard Gabby come to the door, knocking on it. "Sorry, you were taking longer than I expected." Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that. "Sorry. Oh, Lt. Seager; I want to introduce you to my wife Gabby, former Paramedic on Ambulance 61." Seager agreed with Matt when he said that, before getting up to go shake her hand. "Oh, you're expecting." Gabby smiled. "Our third child." Turning his head, Matt looked at Gabby. "What happened to Matteo?" Gabby smiled. "I asked our moms to watch him again, because I could see that you were going to need a bit more time with me afterwards." Matt agreed with Gabby.
"Thanks, I appreciate that." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, before walking up behind him; after which, she put her hands on his shoulders and bent down to kiss the top of his head. "Here, move over; I'm going to grab my chair from my desk, then I can sit with you and help out." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, before doing as he was told to do; after which, Gabby walked away so that she can grab her chair from her desk. "Did you already stop at the hospital on your way here Seager?" Seager looked at Gabby when she said that, unsure of what she meant. "No, why?" Gabby smiled. "Did you hear about the Severides?" Seager then realized what she was trying to tell her. "Oh, did Kelly and Stella have their baby?" Gabby agreed with Seager, before walking over to Matt's desk with her chair; after which, she put it next to his and made sure that she was close so that she could look at the pictures again. "So, fill me in. Where are we thinking the fire originated from?" Seager sighed. "We're thinking that it's from the fireplace."
Gabby agreed with Seager as she said that, before sitting down next to Matt; after which, she grabbed some of the pictures so that she can take a look. "Did you guys already examine the fireplace?" Seager agreed. "There was no trace of any gas or anything." Matt agreed with Seager when she said that, before taking a breath. "God, I hate to even think this…but I know somebody that may want revenge on me." Gabby got concerned when she heard that. "What are you talking about Matt?" Matt sighed. "There's this company in Michigan, I think it's associated with a major car company; but they didn't get the design for the CFD fire trucks. I know that they were mad, since they already got a smaller one in the Chicago suburbs. And they made a deal with the NYFD to get a deal with them, on the condition that they get a deal with the CFD; but instead, we got that deal." Gabby took a breath when she heard Matt say that. "Do you think that we have something to worry about?" Matt shook his head. "No, because we're protected here; I promise."
Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case; but that didn't make this any easier. I mean, this is scary. This is their children, as well as their family that they're talking about; could that mean that they're at risk, again? And while she isn't sure about that, it didn't make things any easier right now. Rather, it just made things a bit harder; and that was due to the fact that it was quite scary, and something that she didn't want. "Do you think that we're being targeted? Do you think that they knew that we still owned that place?" Seager took a breath. "We spoke to the CPD and asked intelligence to take a look into that. But they've yet to get back to us, as they said that it isn't a priority right now." Matt took a breath when he heard her say that, before turning to look at Gabby; and in return, he also looked at Antonio. "What's not a priority for intelligence?" Matt sighed as Antonio asked them that. "Gabby, how about you just take care of the kids? I don't want you to get stressed out, for the sake of our daughter."
Gabby agreed with Matt (again), well aware that was the case; and she just knew that this is something that they're going to need to do together right now. "Just come see me when you're done." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before watching her leave so that she can take it easy; after all, she doesn't want to do anything that can put their children at risk. At the same time, Antonio came to sit down with Matt. "So, what are we looking at?" Matt took a breath as he proceeded to show Antonio the pictures that he just got from the CFD, which actually confused Antonio. "What are these pictures of?" Matt took a breath. "Our old place that we were using as an Airbnb in Chicago, and that was going to be the place we stay in if we had to do business there; at least, until we got a bigger place there." Antonio laughed as he heard Matt say that, well aware that he was going to be getting a new place there. "Only you guys would get a bigger place there." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that. "You could live there when you go to Chicago at times."
Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, not going to complain about that. "Oh, I am not going to complain anymore." Matt laughed as he heard Antonio say that, before going ahead with looking at the pictures once again. "So, what are we looking at?" Matt then realized something. "Oh first. Antonio, I want to introduce you to my brother-in-law Antonio Dawson. He's the former Senior Detective in the CPD's Intelligence Unit." Antonio got up, before getting up to go shake Seager's hand. "Antonio, this is Lieutenant Seager form the CFD's Office of Fire Investigations' Arson Division." Antonio smiled. "Nice to meet you Seager." Seager agreed with Antonio. "Same here Dawson." Antonio smiled as Seager said that, before going to look at the pictures. "This is your place in Chicago right?" Matt agreed. "It was. And I think that the fire started in the fireplace, as I know it didn't get cleaned out in a while." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that was the case. "And that is where I regret, because I think I killed someone."
Seager sighed. "A couple, pregnant with a daughter." Matt just looked at Seager when he said that, feeling horrible that was the case. After which, he just looked down at the pictures. But before he could say anything, he decided to get up and just walk away; as it was what he needed to do right now. Sighing as he watched Matt do that, Antonio already understood why he needed to do that. "Is he okay?" Antonio shook his head. "Gabby is pregnant with a daughter." Seager realized that and took a breath. "Listen, I'll try and help as much as I can, and I can give you information about their place; but I don't think that Matt is in a place to do that, not when he's having a daughter." Seager agreed with the detective when he said that, well aware that was (clearly) the case. "Oh, I understand." Antonio took a breath as he said that, just watching as Andy got up and went to go follow Matt out of the office; at the same time, Antonio moved behind his desk so that he can help Seager with the investigation of the fire that happened at Matt and Gabby's place.
He didn't even speak to her when he was in their room, as he just couldn't do it; heck, he could barely look at the woman he loves. And that was because of what happened to the people who were staying at their place when the fire happened, and because of the fact that the woman was pregnant; she was pregnant with a daughter, and that really hit close to him. It hit close to home, as Gabby is pregnant with their baby girl; which is something that they're going to talk about, when Gabby is in the pool with the man she loves. After all, that's what Matt needs from her right now. She needs to give him some comfort about what happened, and she needed to explain the fact that he wasn't to blame about that; neither of them are. So, that's exactly what Gabby is going to make sure that he knows; especially since she hates the sight in front of her, which is the sight of her husband in their pool. But he wasn't smiling in the pool, he was seemingly really sad in the pool; but she was (hopefully) going to be able to change that. And she feels the same way.
She hopes that she can make the man she loves feel better. And that will start the moment she gets in the pool with Matt, and just cuddled up to him (while also giving him some kisses); and she's positive that he's going to love the kisses that she's going to give him, as he always loves the kisses that she gives him when they're in bed (or in the pool) with each other. And let's just say that she hopes it'll happen again as soon as they're together. Walking over to the pool chair where Matt already had his things, Gabby proceeded to put her towel down on his; after which, Gabby made her way over to the stairs to the pool. That way, she can get into the pool with the man she loves. Quietly getting in through the stairs, Gabby couldn't help but smile a bit; but not for the reasons that you'd expect, as she most certainly isn't smiling that someone died. The reason that she was smiling, is due to the fact that her husband looks extremely handsome as he relaxes there in the pool. Swimming over to the man she loves this afternoon, Gabby got close to him.
After which, she cuddled up to him from behind and wrapped her arms (and legs) around his body; pressing her lips against his back afterwards, Gabby made sure that Matt knew that she was here for him. "Hey." Turning around to face Gabby when he felt her kiss her back, Matt took a breath as he leaned back against the wall of the pool; after which, he brought Gabby close to him (while wrapping her legs around his waist. At the same time, Gabby put her hands on Matt's chest as they both held each other close. Just cuddling up to her man, Gabby smiled as she stared into his eyes (which she most definitely loves to do); after which, she wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled at her dreamy husband. Moving his hands to Gabby's back as he looked at his beautiful wife, Matt smiled as he leaned in as he kissed her softly. "Someone died in that fire, and it's all my fault." Putting her hands on the side of Matt's face, Gabby shook her head as that most definitely isn't the truth. "Hey, of course not baby; this isn't your fault." Matt sighed.
"I mean that Matt, I never want to hear you say that this isn't your fault; because this is just the other people's fault, because we were thousands of miles away. We couldn't do anything. I promise baby." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, before running his hands up and down her back; after which, he leaned in and proceeded to kiss her softly once again. "God, I am not worthy of having you as my wife." Gabby shook her head as she heard Matt say that, before feeling him lean in to bring her body against his; which most certainly included Matt pressing her body against his chest, and then leaning in to kiss her neck. Moving to suck on her neck after kissing it, Matt smirked due to the fact that this really is exactly what he wanted to do right now. He wants to cuddle up to the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world, as they have fun with each other right now. "Sorry we left the boys." Gabby shook her head when Matt said that, as she didn't care about that right now. "I don't care about that right now Matt." Matt agreed.
After which, he leaned in and kissed the woman he loves once again. "And I want you to remember what I said, that this isn't our fault; it's the fault of the stupid people who used our home on Airbnb." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that. "Yeah, I know." Gabby just smiled as she took a breath before wrapping her arms around his neck, after which Matt ran his hands up her back; and that's when Gabby thought about something. How they wanted to be alone, and she can just tell that Matt has a lot on her mind; so maybe they should do something else, which can easily make him change his mind. Something that Matt might love. "You know, I just got this nice idea that I think you might like." Matt was confused as he heard Gabby say that. "Oh really?" Gabby smirked as she heard Matt say that, before running her finger down his cheekbone. "You brought the Yacht over from Hawaii right?" Matt smiled. "Yeah, I did." Gabby then smirked as she leaned in and kissed the man she loves. "Maybe we can get out of here and just take it easy?"
Matt smirked as Gabby asked him whether he wanted to go on the yacht, which is most definitely something that he's interested in doing. "I love that idea. But are we going to bring the boys?" Gabby smirked. "Originally, we weren't going to have them this weekend." Matt smirked as he leaned in and kissed the woman he loves; after which, he went to start sucking on her neck. "No work, let's have it a babymoon." Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that. "Deal." Gabby smirked as she heard Matt, ready to do it. "When are we doing it? Tonight?" Matt smirked. "Tomorrow." Gabby agreed with Matt, loving the idea.