Hi Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters. I hope that you guys enjoyed the chapters that I posted yesterday, and the story so far. But now, it's time for us to get back to the story; here we go with Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen. Enjoy readers.
Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen
A Toast to Fatherhood
He just finished putting the steaks that he was going to be making for supper tonight on the grill, already loving the smell of some nice steaks that he and Kelly were going to make for their wives; at the same time, they were going to be sharing some nice beers and cigars while they both make supper. And let's just say that's exactly what Matt wants to do, especially since he's been wanting to talk to his friend about something specific; something that he can't help but wonder whether he was feeling the same way about, and that was Andy (and how much he misses him). And no, he isn't talking about his golden retriever; rather, he was talking about their late best friend. The best friend that he most certainly would love to be sharing all of these experiences with, and he has a feeling that Kelly feels the same way; but only time will tell, as he has yet to talk to him about it. But now, he most definitely will be talking to him as he was now outside with him. "Well, it looks like somebody is ready to have a nice beer with me." Turning to look at his friend, Matt smiled at him. "Yes, I am. I am ready to just share a beer with you, as we haven't had one in a while." Kelly agreed with his best friend.
"And even better, our wives are on board with us having a beer." Taking a breath when he heard Kelly say that, as he just had this gut feeling that there was another reason why Gabby was doing it; and it was due to the fact that he's been having a bit of trouble in the past couple weeks. But more specifically, ever since the seventh anniversary of their late best friend's death; and the truth is, Matt has felt that way as well. But now, he needs to talk to his best friend about it; and that's because he knows that he needs to make sure that his best friend is on the same page as him. Taking a breath, Matt just looked at Kelly. "Yeah, but there's another reason why that's the case." Kelly was confused when he heard Matt say that, before thinking about something. "Oh, because you've been having PTSD." Matt bit his lip. "Well, yes; but there's something else that I want to talk to you about. But first, we need to do something first." Kelly was confused as he heard Matt say that, before watching as Matt grabbed the beer that he got for Kelly. "This is for you, remember?" Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that, as he most definitely does want to have a beer with his best friend. "Our wives?"
Matt just looked at Kelly when he said that, because he already knows that they've approved that they're going to have a beer. "Kelly, we both know that they're okay with us having some beers." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that. "Right, so we can toast to fatherhood." Matt smiled. "Yes. Now, how about you go sit down over there? I will be right over, but first I just need to check on the steaks as they get started." Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as he walked away so that he could sit down. At the same time, Matt looked down at his Andy. "Andy, go see Kelly. Go relax boy." Andy then barked, agreeing with Matt as he proceeded to walk away so that he can make sure that he goes to relax with Kelly; at the same time, Matt opened the grill to take a quick look at the steaks. At the same time (while he was sitting down), Kelly looked at his best friend. "Man, you just put them on there; and I think that we're okay with them right now." Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, before smiling as he turned around and made his way over to the chairs that they have in their backyard; that way, they can sit down together and toast to fatherhood with a couple of beers.
Sitting with his best friend shortly after he made his way over to him, Matt smiled as he looked at him as he was really happy to have his friend home; it's been weird not having him here, and it's been quiet. And it's even been a bit weird, as he's only had his brother-in-law here with him; but right now, he has his best friend back to talk. Just looking at him, Matt smiled as he put his beer up. "To fatherhood." Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that, before going to hit his beer against his. "To fatherhood is right." Matt smiled as he heard Kelly say that, before going to take a sip of the beer that he was sharing with his brother. "So, how was the trip home today? Did everything go okay with the boys? Was it scary driving home?" Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that. "God, I was so scared driving them home. I thought I was going to do something scary, and just ruin everything." Matt laughed as he heard Kelly say that, as he knew exactly what he was talking about. "Oh god, I know exactly what you mean." Kelly agreed with Matt, before smiling at him. "So, how's Gabby doing? I heard that you guys finally learned the gender officially?" Matt smiled, before nodding at his friend.
"Oh yes we did." Kelly just looked at his friend, seeing the huge grin on his face. "You're getting a princess Casey, aren't you?" Matt agreed with Kelly as he asked him whether he was going to be getting a daughter. "Oh, I most definitely am having a daughter; and I am thrilled." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that. "I already told Stella that I want a daughter next." Matt laughed. "Oh, I know that. But hey, don't you dare try and steal mine after she's born." Kelly smirked. "No promises." Matt shook his head. "So, how are things with Kyle and Stephen so far? You sleep?" Kelly groaned. "God, it's like they know it's three in the morning automatically. They just know it's 3 am somehow, and they always wake up then." Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, trust me. I know what you mean. Try having to do it with a puppy too." Kelly then realized that. "Oh, you needed to take him out too? Didn't you?" Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that. "Yeah." That's when Matt felt Andy jump up on the couch with him, going ahead with laying his head down in his lap (which he always does when he wants to relax with his human handler anywhere).
Taking a breath as he put his hand on Andy's head, Matt smiled as he scratched it as they both held head each other close. After which, he smiled at his best friend. "So, I can only assume that you have something else on your mind right now?" Matt was about to say something, until he heard his mother-in-law speak to him. "Matt? Is that you?" Matt agreed with Camila. "Yes. What's up Camila?" Camila then spoke up. "Me and your mother just did a grocery run, can you come grab the boys while we bring the food in?" Setting his beer down, Matt smiled. "Want to hold one of the boys as we talk?" Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that. "Dibs on Matteo." Matt smiled as he heard Kelly say that, before thinking about the reason why he wants to hold that; and that's due to the fact that his middle name is Andy. "Yeah, that's something that I want to talk to you about when we're back out here." Kelly was confused as he heard Matt say that. "What are you talking about man?" Matt sighed as Kelly asked him that. "I'll explain when we come back out here, okay?" Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, that way they can both figure out what's on Matt's head, maybe even Kelly's.
Both of the father's just finished making their way back into the main house so that they could get Matteo and Noah from Camila, who just came back from getting groceries for the house. Going to grab Noah, Matt smiled as he looked at his mother-in-law. "I didn't know that you went ahead and got groceries." Camila smiled as she heard Matt say that. "The boys needed to get out for a while, and that was most definitely something that they needed to do; and they were really having a lot of fun with their abuela." Turning his head as he held Noah in his arms, Matt smiled as he looked at him. "Oh, did you now?" Noah then cuddled up to his daddy some more, smiling as he missed him; after which, he bent down and cuddled up to him. Kissing the top of his head, Matt smiled as his baby boy. "Hey, you, what are you so scared about?" Camila smiled as she heard Matt say that. "I don't think he's scared; I just think he likes to cuddle up to his papa as he holds him close." Matt agreed with Camila when she said that, smiling at Noah.
At the same time, he turned his head and looked at Kelly (who was holding Matteo). "Seems like Matteo is nice and comfortable in his godfather's arms." Kelly smiled as he heard Matt say that, before thinking about something. "That reminds me, we need to talk about a couple things while we're outside; and we can do it while we also talk about what we were also going to talk about, you know what you mean right?" Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, well aware of what he was talking about; at the same time, Matt smiled at Camila. "Is that okay with you Camila? I'm making supper outside anyways." Camila smiled as she heard Matt say that, as he most definitely can continue to make supper for all of them. "What are you making for supper?" Matt smiled. "We're having Steak and Salad." Camila smiled. "Then I will definitely make the salad…" Matt stopped his mother-in-law as she said that, as that most definitely isn't something that he wants her to do. "Camila, it's…" Camila then stopped her son-in-law. "Matt, I'm doing it okay?"
Matt agreed with Camila when she said that, well aware that was the case. "Okay." Camila then smiled as she looked at him. "You concentrate on making supper out on the barbecue, and then I will concentrate on making supper in here; after I bring the groceries in." Matt agreed with Camila as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Thanks Camila. Now, I am going to go take care of supper. Now, I am going to go keep making the steaks outside before they burn." Camila agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as he turned around to walk away; at the same time, Matt smiled due to the fact he was ready to get back to his beer. At the same time, he turned to look at Noah. "You ready to spend some time with daddy and uncle Kelly? Yeah, I think you most certainly are; aren't you Noah?" Kelly smiled as he heard Matt say that, as he most definitely loves the sight that comes with Matt being a father. "I swear, you truly are a role model when it comes to being a dad." Matt smiled as he heard Kelly say that, before continuing to walk outside with him.
Moving to set Noah down on the couch (quickly), Matt smiled as he made his way over to the grill so that he can check on the steaks; at the same time, Kelly sat down on the couch with Matteo while cuddling up to his godson. "How are the steaks looking?" Matt laughed as he heard Kelly ask him how the steaks are coming along, because he most definitely knows that they're fine. "Kelly, you have nothing to worry about; I'm going to make the steaks perfectly." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that was the case. "I know what you mean." Kelly smirked as he heard Matt say that, continuing to hold Matteo in his arms; at the same time, Matt proceeded to grab the beer that he had on the barbecue. He then took a sip while smiling at his friend. "Thanks again for letting us stay here while we…" Turning his head, Matt just stopped him. "Hey, no need to say thanks. I'm happy to have you here. You're my best friend, and I want you here." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, before taking a breath as he thought about that.
"Do you want to talk about our other best friend?" Matt sighed as Kelly brought Andy up, as he most definitely does want to talk to about him; and that was due to the fact that they both have things on their mind, specifically how they miss him. "So, what's on your mind?" Kelly sighed. "I think we can both agree that it's due to the fact that we miss him." Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, because he most definitely does miss his best friend. "Yeah, I think that's something that's really been bothering me lately. I remember when Ben and Griffin were still babies because we were like always over there." Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that. "More like you were, because you thought that you would never have kids as Hallie didn't want to have kids; then you wised up and married Gabby." Matt just looked at Kelly. "Okay, that was not the entire truth; but I know what you mean, because I most definitely do like having kids." Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that. "Oh, you would've found a way to convince her." Matt smiled, nodding.
"I mean, I convinced you to quit the CFD." Kelly agreed with Matt. "Okay, that was because of my dad too. Now, have you heard how good Cruz is doing as Lieutenant?" Matt agreed, smiling. "Yeah, and I actually heard a little rumor that Herrmann is going to be the next Captain at Firehouse 51." Kelly smiled. "Do you ever think that they would let us do a shift if we went back to Chicago for a business trip?" Matt laughed as he heard Kelly say that. "Not since my diagnosis with PTSD, as that's something that disqualifies you from serving in the CFD. Heck, I was surprised that Clark was ever able to serve on Squad." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that. "I still hated how I couldn't pick my own crew at that time. By the way, sorry for having stolen Cruz from you." Matt shook his head. "No problem, gave me a chance to have my girl on my truck for a while, the only time that I'm ever going to be a boss when it comes to my wife." Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that, as that most definitely is something that he knows all about. "Hey, you said it."
Matt laughed, agreeing with his best friend when he said that. "Shut up, because we both know that we love our wives." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, because he does love his wife. "So much so, that you already got your wife pregnant again; I mean, at least give her a break!" Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, smiling as he knew that was something that everybody was going to tell him. "I know, everybody has told me that we should've taken a bit of a break; but I am not going to complaint hat we got another baby on the way already, especially not when I love my wife more than anything in the entire world." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, smirking. "So, are you and Stella going to start looking for a place of your own?" Kelly was a bit taken aback when he heard Matt say that, as he thought that Matt was okay with them staying here. "I thought that you were okay with us staying here?" Matt agreed with Kelly when he asked him whether he was okay with them staying here, as he was okay with them staying here.
"I am okay with you staying here, but I am just wondering what your plans are…in case you need to get some help?" Kelly shook his head. "For now, we want to stay here so that Stella can keep working on ELLA with Gabby; and that's because we both know she's not going to come into the office that much, so that means that she has to come here anyways. Plus, you're going to want to work from home as much as you can." Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, as he most definitely does want to work from home as much as possible. "Oh, I definitely am going to want to work from home as much as I can, for the simple fact that Gabby is going to need some help the later she gets into her pregnancy." Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that. "How far along is she again?" Matt smiled. "14 weeks." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, having thought that was the case. "Yeah, I thought that was how far along she was." Matt smiled at him before going to look at the barbecue. Noticing that it was steaming a bit, he proceeded to get up to check on it.
Making sure that Noah was in his arms first, Matt set his beer down and just cuddled up to Noah as he held him close. "Hold on to daddy Noah." Noah then cuddled up to Matt, who soon walked over to the barbecue. "Let me guess, you want to check on them again?" Matt agreed with Kelly as he asked him whether he wants to check on the steaks again, as that most definitely is what he wants to do right now. "Yeah, that's what I want to do right now." Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that, before watching as Matt went to check on the steaks. "So, back to the topic about the CFD. Do you ever miss it?" Matt sighed as Kelly asked him whether he was missing the CFD, because that did bring up a topic that he was still thinking about. "I have mixed feelings. I mean, I loved the rush, and the helping people part; but I also don't miss it because I love the life that we have here, and the life we have with the boys." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, clearly able to see that. "Yeah, I can understand why that's the case." Matt smiled at him.
"Plus, being a father has just changed everything for me; it's made me want to stay safe, and not go into fires anymore. It makes me want to do whatever I can to make sure that I always come home to my family, which is just more the case ever since me and Gabby learned that we were having a daughter." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that. "God, I am still shocked that Jay and Alex had a boy and a girl. I swore they were going to have two girls." Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that. "Yeah, that was a huge surprise. But I still don't like to talk about it, because it brings up some PTSD from after Gabby gave birth to the boys; Gabby got into a fight with Antonio, and Alex got into a fight with her dad." Kelly sighed as he heard Matt say that, having just put those two things together. "And does that bother you guys?" Matt agreed with Kelly as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Wow, I didn't even put that together until now." Matt agreed with Kelly as he said that, as that most definitely was the case when it came to premature births.
"I just hope to god that it doesn't happen for our little girl." Kelly smiled. "I can only imagine that you love the fact that you're having a daughter." Matt smiled as Kelly said that, before going to flip the steaks; after which, he closed the barbecue and went to make his way back to where he and Kelly were just sitting. "Grace Marie Casey." Kelly was about to take a sip of his beer, until he heard what Matt just said; and he just told him the name that he and Gabby are going to use for their daughter. "Is that the name that you and Gabby are going to use for your daughter?" Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, smiling as he continued to make his way back over to the couch (where he can sit back down with Kelly) and continue his beer. Going to grab his beer, Matt looked at Andy. "Go run boy, run in the backyard." Andy barked when he said that, before getting off the couch and going to do as he was told; at the same time, Kelly turned his head and looked at Matt. "You're okay with him running away right now?" Matt agreed with Kelly as he asked him that.
"Kelly, he does it all the time. He goes to the washroom, and he's trained to come back. He's literally trained to always be with me because he needs to be by my side as much as he can. He needs to be with me, so that he can make sure that I don't have PTSD." Kelly agreed with Matt when he said that, before taking a breath. After all, this is something that he's yet to talk to Matt about; and he most definitely does want to talk to him about this. "Matt, can I talk to you about something?" Matt agreed with Kelly when he said that, before going to take another sip of his beer. "Of course, you can; you know that you can always talk to me about stuff. What is it man?" Kelly sighed when Matt said that, before going to tell him what he thinks is going on with him right now. "Listen, I hate to even say this but…I'm starting to wonder whether I have PTSD." Hearing his friend say that, Matt stopped drinking; as he was taken aback, and shocked as he heard that. And that was due to the fact that he didn't expect them to have this conversation right now.
Just putting his beer down, Matt looked at his best friend. "You do?" Kelly sighed as he heard Matt ask him that, as that was something that he's yet to talk to anybody about. "God, I have been meaning to get it out. I know that it's not something that I can really diagnose alone; but I think that I most definitely believe that it's true, and I have just been trying to say it to somebody before I talk to Stella about it. I don't want to worry her when…" Matt just stopped his best friend when he said that, as that was the worst thing that he could ever do for his marriage. "That is the worst thing that you could ever do for your marriage. I know that it really caused me problems with me and Gabby before I got diagnosed, as she could tell that I was pulling away. And I can only assume that Stella feels you're doing that too?"