Hi Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters. Before we begin, I want to apologize for leaving you guys on a bit of a cliff-hanger last night (and for only having posted two updates). But, I hope that you guys liked it; and have been anxiously waiting to see what happens as a result of Matt saying that. And the truth is, so have I. I really just post some of these chapters on the fly and don't plan them out (too) much, which means that I'm learning where this story is going to go just moments before you guys learn about it; but that's what makes it fun. Learning where things are going to go as the same time as my readers. Now, I am not going to make you guys wait any longer than you have to; and I am just going to get started. Here we go with Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Seven.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Seven
Time

"Gabby, I will ALWAYS make time for you; and I am not going to go back on my word, because I made that mistake in the past."

That was the god's honest truth, because he did go back on his word in the past; his word to put her above all else, as she is his wife (and the love of his life). He knows what he should've done when she left him for Puerto Rico in May last year, and that was run after her. He should've run after her, and he should've made it right then; rather than wait to do it, while they were on a road trip. And that will always be something that he regrets, one that he's yet to share with Gabby; but he has a feeling that he should do just that, share the regret that he has from that time with her. That way, she'll know more about how he's been feeling since that happened. Yes, their marriage has been rocky since it started; and yes, they are still trying to find their way. The way that's right for them, and for their children. But that's just what you have to do when you're married, you need to readjust and figure things out as you go; with the hopes of making your marriage work and making time for each other. And that's just what Matt plans on doing, for the rest of his life.

He and Gabby's marriage is the most important relationship that he has in the world, because it's what led him to becoming a father (which is something that Matt loves being almost as much as being Gabby's husband, Matteo, and Noah's papa). He loves them almost as much as he loves Gabby, and he will most certainly love their baby girl (Bella) just as much as he loves his sons; and that's due to the fact that he's going to try his best to not have a favorite, but could you really blame a father for wanting to call his baby girl his favorite? Okay, but that's enough for now; because right now, he needs to make sure that Gabby knows that what he's saying is the truth. That she's his priority, and that will never change. The relationship that he and Gabby have with each other is the relationship that he treasures more than anything in the entire world, and it's the relationship that he always needs to work on the most; because of what their marriage means not just to him, but to their children. Their love, and their marriage is the foundation of their family.

Without their marriage, and without them loving each other as much as they do; there would be no Noah and Matteo, and there most certainly would not be a Bella (in the future) …and someday, he hopes to add even more children to the mix. The mix of children that they have and are going to raise together as husband and wife, which is what he and Gabby are going to be for the rest of their lives, until he dies with her in his arms. Taking a breath as he wrapped his arm around Gabby's back, Matt turned his head so that he could kiss Gabby's forehead softly. That way, she can relax and just take it easy; because that's what she needs to do for Bella's sake, she needs to relax and take it easy as they cuddle up to each other in bed. And she also doesn't need to worry, because worrying brings stress; especially when it comes to her worrying about whether he's going to make time for her, because that's always something that he's going to do. Running his hand up and down Gabby's back as she cuddled up to him, Matt smiled at his beautiful wife.

After which, he turned his head and just smiled due to the fact that he was really happy right now. He was happy to be holding the woman he loves in his arms, and just making her feel like the most beautiful woman in his world, which she most certainly is, and will always be. She's his gorgeous wife, and the love of his life. Taking one last breath, matt then proceeded to start speaking to the woman he loves. "Okay, now we're going to talk about this; and we're just going to relax and take it easy okay?" Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was something that they had to do together; that way, he can explain to her what he just said to her. How he plans on making sure that he's always going to make time for her, and how he's not going to go back on his word, which is something that Gabby can't even believe that she would believe in the first place, and that's why she feels like she needs to apologize before anything else. "Okay, but first; I need to say something Matt, and I want you to listen." Matt agreed with Gabby, letting her do just that.

"I want to apologize for the fact that we even need to have this conversation, because I feel like an idiot for even bringing this up now." Looking down at his wife, Matt took a breath because that was the last way he wanted her to feel, like an idiot; because that most certainly is not what Gabby is, because she is the smartest woman in the entire world. "Hey, I never want to hear you call yourself an idiot; because that most certainly is not what my wife is, is that understood?" Gabby took a breath, before laying her head down on his chest; still feeling that way, regardless of what Matt just told her. Wrapping his arm around Gabby's back, Matt turned his head and kissed her forehead softly. "Gabby, you are not an idiot; you are brilliant. I mean, think about all you know, and all the information that you had to keep in your head while you were a paramedic. And you had to come up with that on a moment's notice. So no, you are not an idiot; and I am never going to be okay with you calling yourself an idiot, is that understood?" Gabby agreed with Matt.

At the same time, Matt turned his head and kissed her forehead softly. After which, he ran his hand up and down her back to calm her down. "Thanks for reminding me of all that." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that. "Hey, it's no problem; especially not when it's my job to do just that as your husband, and the love of your life." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, just smiling as they cuddled up to each other (and held each other) in bed. And let's just say that this is extremely comfortable, especially because Matt is currently in the midst of holding her in bed; which is exactly what makes this comfortable, just him holding her in bed. Putting his hand on Gabby's back as he continued to hold her close to him, Matt smiled due to the fact that this is everything that he wants to do right now. He wants to hold the woman he loves, and just make sure that they relax with each other right now. "Just promise me that you take it easy and just relax, okay baby?" Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before smiling as she felt him kiss her forehead softly.

"And I mean it, okay Gabby? I mean it when I say that I am going to always make sure that I spend time with you, away from the kids; because I want to make sure that we keep our marriage strong, because our marriage is the foundation of our family." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I am well aware that's the case." Matt smirked due to the fact that he's glad that this is what they're in the midst of doing, holding each other close as they relax in bed right now; after which, he turned his head and just kissed her forehead softly. "So, listen; there's something that I want to talk to you about while we're here in bed with each other." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, and what might that be?" Looking down at his beautiful wife, Matt smirked before bending down and proceeding to kiss the woman he loves softly. "Just how this is the right decision that we made, how we made the right decision to move back to Hawaii; and spend the rest of our life here."

Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, well aware that was something that they were both thinking about; just how glad they were that they moved back here, especially since they are always so relaxed. This is where she needs to be right now, with the man she loves. "Now, I think you left me hanging when it came to you not giving me an answer to the question that I just asked you; about how you're doing in the pregnancy. How's it going?" Looking up at Matt, Gabby smiled as she leaned in and proceeded to kiss the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. "Oh, I am feeling really good as we hold each other close." Matt laughed as he heard Gabby say that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I know that you're happy right now; and that you are very comfortable in my arms. And I also know that you're always going to be comfortable in my arms, for the simple fact that we're here with each other." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, just smiling as she said her head down on his chest to relax tonight.

Turning her head, Gabby smiled as she bent down and kissed his chest softly; at the same time, Matt ran his hand up and down her back while turning her head so that he can kiss her forehead softly. After which, he whispered to her. "Can I take off your bra?" Gabby smirked as she looked up at Matt, because that most definitely is something that she wants to have him to; but not yet, because something was in their room. More specifically, Jay Halstead. "Hey, sorry. I was just waiting until I was in the elevator to call you." Hearing Jay say that, Gabby got a bit nervous. "Halstead!" Looking up, Jay was shocked as he heard Gabby's voice. "Oh shit."

He was embarrassed at the moment, especially since he should've really concentrated on what he was doing; more specifically, he should've concentrated on making sure that he hit the right floor. Jay then turned his head and looked down at Max, who started to tug on his leach so that he could get out of the elevator and see Andy. "Hey, Max.. Down." However, it was too late; because Andy just walked over to him, which led to Gabby moving out of Matt's arms and laying down in bed (that way, Matt can take care of Andy). "Andy!" Getting close to Max, Andy proceeded to sniff him so that they can say hi; at the same time, Matt made his way over to him so that he could grab his collar. "Hey Alex, I'll give you a call right back okay?" Jay then hung up his phone and took a breath as he slipped his phone into his pocket; after which, he looked at his boss who was there. "God, I am so sorry Matt. I was just…" Matt then proceeded to look at him. "Let me guess, you didn't pay attention?" Jay took a breath as Matt asked him that, as that was the truth.

At the same time, Gabby proceeded to get up out of bed and grabbed her robe; after which, she walked around her and Matt's bed so that she can get him a towel. "Yeah, I was on the phone with Alex. And I was just…" Gabby then proceeded to put her hand up, calming the father down. "Hey, take a breath and just calm down Jay. Relax, and just breathe." Jay took a breath as he heard Gabby say that, before watching as Gabby gave Matt his towel. "Here baby, how about you put this on around your waist so that you can hide?" Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before proceeding to grab his towel so that he can wrap it around his waist; but first, he made sure to let go of Andy's collar. That way, he could spend a bit of time with Max; after all, he does want to say hi to him while he was here. And that was more than okay with Matt, as he needed to make sure that he got a bit of time with his friend; meanwhile, Matt and Gabby turned their attention to Jay. Taking a breath, Jay looked at the both of them. "Listen, I am really…."

Gabby then stopped Jay again. "Hey, take a breath and just relax Jay." Jay nodded as he heard Gabby say that, glad that she was okay with this. "I was just…" Gabby then proceeded to finish his sentence. "You were distracted, and on the phone with Alex; she was making sure that you had everything?" Jay sighed as Gabby asked him whether he was just making sure that he had everything, since he needed to make sure. "Yeah, I mean that." Matt agreed with Jay as he said that, before getting close to Gabby; after which, he wrapped his arm around her and looked down at Andy. "Andy, calm. Take it easy." Looking down too, Jay proceeded to tug on Max's leach so that he can make sure that he stays calm; and that was due to the fact that they need to get out of here as soon as possible, because they want to get back to the hospital…where they are still spending the night. "So, how are things at the hospital?" Jay sighed as Gabby asked him how things are at the hospital. "I think that things are much better than they were at Cedars-Sinai."

Matt was a bit confused as he heard Jay say that, unaware of the reason why he would say that. "I would have to say that the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children is pretty much the same as when we were there, what's changed?" Jay took a breath as he heard Matt say that, before remembering that they weren't aware of the fact that they changed hospitals. "Oh shit, I have been meaning to send an e-mail to you guys if you ever wanted to visit; I am so sorry that I haven't done that yet, but we ended up changing hospitals." Matt was confused. "Excuse me?" Turning to look at her husband, Gabby could tell that he was getting a bit agitated right now. "Hey, take a breath baby and remember that it is their choice at the end of the day." Matt took a breath, before agreeing with Gabby as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Right, okay. So, where are you guys instead?" Jay smiled. "Okay, first of all. I want to say that I understand why you're mad, because you think that you're paying for the NICU stay."

Matt was a bit perplexed as he heard Jay say that, as he thought that he still was paying for the NICU stay. "Aren't I?" Jay shook his head. "Actually, the VA is paying for our hospital stay." Matt then looked at Jay. "Oh." Jay nodded. "And we actually aren't staying at the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children; rather, we're staying at the Tripler Army Medical Center." Gabby then just understood why that would be the case, before feeling Matt wrap his arm around her and smiled. "Well, that makes sense." Jay agreed with Gabby as she said that, smiling. "Plus, they have a great clinic for PTSD; and they have a special doctor that deals with veterans, and I am very happy." Matt agreed with Jay when he said that, glad that was the case. "Well, I guess that's all that matters at the end of the day; that you guys are happy." Jay smiled as he heard Matt say that, before shaking his head. "Actually, all that matters is that our kids are okay." Gabby agreed with Jay as he said that because that most certainly was the case.

"We actually just spoke to Will and Natalie and asked them how they were; but we would love to hear it firsthand." Jay agreed. "We should be out of the hospital by the end of the month, and I should be back to work by December 2nd." Matt just looked at Jay as he said that, as that most definitely is not going to happen; if anything, he's not coming back until the New Year. "Absolutely not." Gabby was confused as she heard Matt say that, before turning to look at him. "What do you mean baby?" Matt smiled. "You are not working until the New Year. You are not going to get right back to work, right after you get out of the NICU; you are going to get what you should've gotten in the first place, which is some time with your children at home. You're going to get some time to relax, and you're going to get some to concentrate on Alex, Michael, and Olivia at home." Turning to look at her loving husband, Gabby smiled as she thought that was the right thing. "I love that idea baby." Matt agreed with Gabby as he wrapped his arm around her back.

After which, he turned his head and kissed the top of her head. "I am going to do that, I promise. And Jay, I am not letting you work; or if you do work, you are not coming into the office." Jay sighed. "Can I at least come to board meetings so that I can stay up to date?" Matt sighed. "Listen, we're not going to talk about that, because we're just going to concentrate on making sure that your kids are okay." Jay agreed with Matt as he said that. "Well, I actually have an update on that; which I would love to share." Gabby agreed. "And what's that?" Jay smiled. "They're breathing on their own." Gabby smiled as she heard Jay say that, as that most definitely is a huge milestone that needs to be celebrated. "Oh, I am so glad that's the case Jay." Gabby then proceeded to go hug him. "That's really great news, and I remember when we got that news; it was the best news we got, until we learned that we could leave." Jay agreed with Gabby as she said that, smiling. "We only have another month, but I am hoping that they can fight; then, we can be out sooner."

Matt agreed with Jay as he said that, as that most definitely is something that he wants; but he doesn't want him to believe that will change anything, especially not when it comes to work. "Regardless of when they get out of the hospital, that doesn't mean that your return to work will change. You will not be coming back to work until the New Year, because you need to take it easy and relax." Matt then turned to look at Gabby. "Actually, how about I get dressed? And I can lead you downstairs. I want to explain what I mean." Jay was a bit confused as he heard Matt say that, unsure why. "Why?" Meanwhile, Matt turned to look at Gabby; wrapping his arm around her afterwards, he proceeded to kiss the side of her head (as he whispered to her). "I am going to tell him about the first couple weeks, and how I was." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was something that he was still haunted by. "Of course." Matt then smiled at Jay. "Stay here, and we'll go out together; okay?" Jay agreed with Matt as he said that, unsure what he meant. Then again, he will for sure listen to Matt, because he knows what he's going to be talking about.

Walking into the elevator with Jay shortly after getting dressed (and getting Andy ready to go out), Matt took a breath as he got ready to tell Jay about some things that he needs to know about; that he needs to know about from when he brought the boys home, and how he acted while he was home with them. And now, that was exactly what he was going to do. Turning to look at Matt as he stood next to him in an awkward silence, Jay smiled at his friend. "So, what are you going to tell me?" Matt sighed as he looked at Jay. "I'm going to talk to you about how I was when we just came home from the hospital with the boys, and just get you ready for when you bring the twins home." Jay took a breath, clearly able to see that this was a topic that was hard on Matt. "You sure?" Matt nodded. "Yeah, because you need to know the reality Jay; and what you really need to expect, because you are dreaming if you think that you're really going to be ready to come right back to work." Jay agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case (now).

Making sure that they were still at a high enough floor for there to be a long conversation, Matt took a breath as he got ready to tell his friend the reality of just how everything really goes after you bring your children home from the NICU. "Jay, I haven't shared this with anybody; because I don't want to scare anybody, but you need to know, because you're in the same position that I was." Jay agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Jay, you don't think that I see the bags under your eyes? The fact that you're exhausted right now?" Jay took a breath as he heard Matt say that, as that was clearly something that he could see. "Jay, I know that you don't want to believe this; that you want to believe that it'll all be okay the minute you get home, but that isn't the truth. Rather, it won't be; because you're going to need to adjust your entire mentality, and you're going to need to adjust to the new reality that you have." Jay just looked at his friend as he said that, unsure what he was talking about right now.

But regardless, he decided to listen to his friend. "Jay, right now; your kids are being taken care of by nurses, by doctors. You are just recovering from birth, and just taking it easy. And believe me, that's a big change; you go from having your kids being taken care of by nurses, to you being in charge of this human being. It's a lot of work, and things are so different. And believe me, it is really scary; because you also have to deal with your PTSD, and the stress over you wanting to always know that they're okay." Jay took a breath as he thought about that. "Jay, I need you to hear me when I say this." Matt then proceeded to hit the stop button, as he wanted to make sure that he and Jay could speak. Turning his head as he saw Matt do that, Jay just knew that he really needed to listen to Matt right now. "Jay, you're going to need to really concentrate on your new life; and you're going to need to adjust everything. And Jay, I am not just talking about the life that you have with Alex; I am talking about another thing that you need to adjust to."

Jay was confused as he heard Matt say that, unsure as to what he's talking about. "What are you talking about?" Matt sighed. "Jay, we're not like other dads; we don't have to just deal with the fatigue, the wife needing to recover, the kids that are dependant on us for everything…" Taking a breath, Matt looked at his friend. "We're also dealing with your PTSD, and you're going to need to change how you deal with it. You're going to need to adjust to the fact that you're going to have to figure out how to make sure that your kids are safe, while you are having your PTSD episodes; and you're going to have to show that to Alex. That your kids are going to be safe, even when you're having a PTSD episode." Jay gulped as he heard Matt say that, having just realized that was the case. "I'm not going to lie Jay, but that's hard; it's hard to do, and you are going to need to do that. And the truth is, I wish I could go back and maybe not get back to work so fast; that I could've taken the time, and that I could've stopped working for a while." Jay took a breath.

"But Jay, I couldn't; because I'm the CEO, and I'm the head of the company. That means that I'm responsible for everything top to bottom, and that meant that I couldn't just let someone take over; not when we were just starting. So yes, do I wish I could go back and change things? Of course, I do. But I also wish I had someone close to me who went through this in the past, to tell me the reality; to tell me what you really are going to experience, and what you're going to need to do when your kids are released from the hospital. So, I'm here to do that for you. Jay, you aren't going to be ready." Jay just agreed with his friend (and boss). "Jay, you are going to need to be at home for a bit, and you're going to need to relax. You're going to need to take care of Alex and be there. You're going to need to get into a routine; and even when I think you are ready to go back to work, you can't do it full-time, because you're going to need to make sure that you do it slowly." Jay nodded, continuing to listen to Matt as he said that; knowing that he has experience.

"Jay, you have a friend as a boss who wants you to take time off to take care of your family; and I'm doing this because we're friends, so take advantage of it. Take advantage of what I'm letting you do, and just make sure that you relax and take care of Alex and the twins; do what I couldn't do for Gabby and the boys, promise me you do that." Jay agreed with Matt as he said that, before going to hug him. "Thanks Matt." Matt smiled as he heard Jay say that, before going to resume the elevator; after which, he made sure that they were going to go down to the garage. And that was due to the fact that he needs to let him leave to go back to the hospital. "Now, does that mean I can't work from home?" Matt laughed. "We'll see. Just take it easy and relax for now, okay Jay?" Jay agreed with Matt as he said that, ready to do just that; after all, what's better than your boss (who just so happens to also be your friend) telling you to relax and just take it easy. And right now, that's exactly what he's going to do; especially at the hospital.