Hi Readers: Before we begin, I want to just say something; and it's about the other stories that you have may have seen on my profile. Recently, I have been trying to write more stories; however, I keep giving up because I loose my way. And I truly believe that it's due to the fact that I struggle writing two stories at once. And that's why I have decided to return to only writing The Caseys full-time. That means more chapters each and every day, rather than just your usual one chapter per day. Hope you guys like that idea. Thanks again for your patience in my attempts to write other stories, but I promise that I'm back and ready to give you more of this long story.

Chapter Two Hundred and Eighty-Eight
Always Expect the Unexpected and Unintended Consequences

Kapiolani-Tripler AMC – That was not the answer that he was hoping to have to deal with for the last question, the question that was related to Stella; as he wasn't ready to go down that path, since that was just going to cause him a bunch of pain from many people. That, and she's Gabby's best friend still; and he was still hoping to try and fix that, but in the future. And of course, she's also his best friend's wife; and that was why he wasn't thinking of doing that, because he knows that his friend is not going to like that answer. In fact, he already knows that he doesn't like the answer to that question as he just texted him. 'Stella is suspended until you're out! That's ridiculous man. I want to support you, but that's not fair when it comes to our finances!' And that was why Matt was mad.

Taking a breath, Matt just read the text all over again before trying to calm down; after all, the last thing that he needs is to have to deal with this when he has three kids and a wife in the hospital. Those are the people he should be concentrating on, and why he was on leave at the moment; but now that Antonio said that, he was going to have to deal with a bunch from many other people. Why couldn't they just not answer questions when he's not there? He told them not to answer anything that could make his life harder, but that's exactly what they did; and now, Matt was going to have to deal with it here in the hospital right now. And that was something that Gabby could tell. "I can only assume that something went wrong with the press conference?" Matt took a breath and sighed.

Especially since it had to happen today, when he's about to leave to go be with somebody, which was actually one of the reasons why Kelly was texting him, and why he wasn't at the press conference today. 'I'm going to be at the hospital in 20 for my appointment. Expect us to talk if you decide to join me.' Taking a breath, Matt put his phone up to his forehead and shook his head. "Oh, just your idiot of a brother screwing things up for me." Gabby was confused as she heard Matt say that, unsure as to just how Antonio screwed things up for him. "Okay, what are you talking about?" Matt sighed as he turned his head and looked at Gabby. "Kelly listened and heard everything that your brother said when he answered that question." Gabby just looked at Matt as he said that.

"I thought that we were suspending her for what she did to us?"

Taking a breath, Matt looked at his wife as he saw that her BP was raising. "Okay, take a breath and relax first; okay? Remember that you're in the hospital and need to breathe." Gabby agreed with Matt as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "But listen, here's the thing. The truth is, I was planning on keeping Stella on right now. We need someone there who's been there from the start." Gabby was shocked. "Are you kidding me Matt? You want me to work with her?" Matt sighed. "No. And she's not working here in Hawaii. Just hear me out." Gabby agreed with her husband, agreeing to do just that as he normally has pretty good ideas. "I was going to send her to work out of the Los Angeles office for a while, until we can work things out over the phone." Gabby bit her lip.

After all, is that really going to work. "Do you really think that would be something that would work?" Matt shrugged. "Who knows? Gabby, I love Stella; she's my sister and Kelly's wife. But what she did to you was unforgivable." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "But that doesn't mean that I'm going to just punish her, when they have twins. We barely pay them enough, because they delayed their salaries. They have twins, and I want to help provide for them. I may be mad at Stella, but I'm not mad at Kelly; and I am not punishing him and his kids, just because I want to punish Stella." Taking a breath, Gabby agreed with her husband as that most certainly was something that she truly loved about her husband; how selfless and loving he is.

So much so, that she decided to lean in and kiss the man she loves. "I love you." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, well aware that was the case. "I love you too. But one person that I do not love, is Antonio right now as he just made my life hell. Because guess who's coming here today?" Gabby was shocked. "Kelly is coming here today?" Matt sighed. "Today is the day that Kelly gets diagnosed with PTSD, and I was going to go support him." Gabby remembered that. "Right, that's why my mom was coming today instead of tomorrow with Matteo." Matt smiled, and agreed with his wife as he kissed her forehead softly. "I'm so sorry about this Gabby but…" Gabby sighed. "You need to go fix things that my brother screwed up?" Matt sighed and agreed with Gabby, as that was it.

"Well first, I am going to call him and tell him just why he screwed up; then I am going to calm Kelly down, ahead of his appointment."

Gabby agreed with Matt, as that most definitely was something that he was going to have to do. "I know, and I am proud of what you're going to do. Maybe we can work together on writing a reply to all of those questions? We can send out some answers and more questions to the press in an e-mail?" Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that, as that was exactly what he was thinking as well; after which, he kissed her forehead and smiled. "That was exactly what I was thinking, Ms. Vice-Chair, President, and Deputy CEO of Casey Creations." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that. "Love that we're doing that." Matt agreed with his wife, before smiling as he bent down and kissed her; after which, he took a breath. "Listen, I need to go talk to Kelly." Gabby agreed with her husband, sighing.

After all, she knew that things might get hard between the two of them today. "Do you think that you're going to need to take a walk after?" Matt agreed with Gabby as she asked him whether he was going to have to take a walk afterwards, as he most certainly was. "I have to take Andy out, and that's why I asked someone to come join us." That's when Matt and Gabby both heard Camila at the door. "Did someone call for us?" Turning her head, Gabby smiled as she also saw that her mom was carrying a big bag. "Wait, is he?" Matt smiled as Gabby asked him whether Matteo was staying, which he most certainly was but right now, Matt was going to do something. And that would be to walk over to him and get his little guy out of his mother-in-law's arms.

Picking Matteo out of Camila's arms, Matt smiled as he brought him close and then proceeded to kiss his cheek. "Oh, there's my big boy. How are you Matteo?" Smiling at Matt, Matteo was really happy to be here with him; after which, he went ahead and slapped his face to show him that. "Oh, I can clearly see that someone's really happy that they're getting a bunch of attention from daddy." Leaning back, Matt made sure that Matteo didn't hit him too hard; but that was okay if he did, as he loves to play with his son. And that was something that he was going to do. "Camila, how about you go in and say hi to Gabby?" Camila smiled. "Don't mind if I do. But first, what did you think of the press conference?" Sighing, Matt just looked at her as he was not the happiest about it today.

"Let's just say that I need to call your son."

Sighing, Camila looked at Matt. "Oh great, he said something wrong?" Gabby agreed with her mother as she asked that question, while also watching as she made her way over to her in bed so that she could hug her. "How are you doing first?" Gabby smiled. "Good, considering I've only given birth a few days ago; and then Noah is here." Camila agreed. "I hope you know that it was a mistake Gabby." Looking at his mother-in-law, Matt agreed as he knew that it was a mistake as well. "Camila, of course we know that it was a mistake; you are not to blame, and we won't blame you. Please, we love having the boys here with us too." Camila then remembered that. "Right, I brought his things and the toys; where do you want it?" Matt smiled. "Just by the crib there. Matteo is getting one."

Camila agreed. "So, am I going to need to come here to visit all four of you now?" Matt snickered. "Depends on which four you're talking about." Gabby and Camila both turned their heads as they heard Matt say that, unsure of what they were talking about; so, Matt had to clarify. "Last time I checked, there were six of us in this family." Camila then realized that. "Oh lord, I already forgot." Matt smiled as he heard Camila say that, before turning his head and kissing Matteo's forehead again. "How are you feeling buddy? You happy to be here with papa?" Matteo nodded, as he most certainly was happy to be here. "Listen, I need to go make a phone call; so how about I put you in bed with mommy, and then I'll be right back?" Kissing his forehead again, Matt carried Noah to bed.

After all, that was where he wanted to be. In bed with Gabby, so that he can spend time with here. "There we go Matteo, all comfortable in bed with mommy." Smiling, Gabby looked up at her husband. "I love you." Leaning over her, Matt smiled as he kissed her softly. "I love you too." He then got up once more, smiling as he proceeded to walk over to Camila so that he could hug her. "Thank you so much for all your help." Camila agreed with Matt as he said that. "Matt, it's my pleasure. I am just glad that I get a break now; means that I get to be away from Ramon for a bit." Gabby smiled as she heard her mom say that. "Christmas, he's here with us." Camila agreed. "I know Gabby. Now listen, I am going to go to the washroom." Matt agreed with Camila, smiling at her.

"Here, let me show you on my way out? I have to go call Antonio anyways while I take Andy out."

Camila agreed with her son-in-law as he said that, before going to walk to the door; after which, Matt proceeded to grab Andy's leach. "Andy." Getting up off his bed, Andy made his way over to Matt so that they could go out to the bathroom together, which is where Matt is going to call Antonio, and bite his ear off for what he said back there. Because he most certainly does not appreciate what he said, because it wasn't good. "Oh baby, maybe you should get changed before you leave." Thinking about it, Matt agreed as he most certainly should get changed into some shorts. "I might stay in them afterwards, for the next time I have to go out." Gabby agreed. "That makes sense, and just remember to stay calm and take it easy." Matt agreed, ready to do just that today.

Now these, these were a set of clothes that he could wear for a while. A nice t-shirt and a comfortable set of shorts, which he'll wear until he's cold again; then he'll probably put some sweats on again, just like he was wearing while he was still inside. But he wasn't inside right now, but outside in the front where they have a pen where dogs can run; and that's actually where Kelly is going to meet him, so that they can talk ahead of his appointment. 'I'm in the service dog pen with Andy, come here when you get there, and we can talk.' Hitting send on his message to Kelly, Matt took a breath as he listened to some music with the hopes of calming down ahead of his phone call with Antonio; then again, it might be better for him to just talk to him about it before Kelly gets here.

So, that's what he decided to do; he decided to call him right away, so that he could get it out of the way. Opening his phone, Matt took a breath as he went to hit Antonio's phone number; while at the same time, he made sure that the phone call was routed to his AirPods so that he could speak to him through it. And let's just say that Antonio could only imagine what this conversation was about. "Oh, I can only imagine what this is going to be able." Matt sighed as he heard Antonio say that. "Antonio, of course I'm going to call you about the press conference." Antonio agreed. "So, why am I just hearing your voice?" Matt sighed. "Because your sister is upstairs with the boys, while I'm down here with Andy; and I'm about to go in with Kelly to go help him with his appointment."

Antonio agreed with Matt as he said that. "And you want to thank me for what I said?" Matt sighed, because that most certainly is something that he wants to do first. "Okay, that is something that I need to do. I want to say that, because I loved how you defended us and everything; that was something that I like that you did, and I am so glad that you did that. So, thank you for that." Antonio agreed with Matt as he said that. "You let me know if they bother you, as I will put out another…" Matt stopped him right there. "Oh, you are not making any other statements; not when you just made my life a living hell." Antonio was confused. "What did I say that was wrong?" Matt sighed. "What you said about Stella." Antonio agreed. "You like the statement?" Matt sighed.

"No, I don't like what I said; because you screwed up my plan, which I have a plan to deal with that."

Antonio was shocked. "So, she isn't suspended?" Matt sighed. "Antonio, you aren't the CEO. I am allowed to do this, and I already spoke to Gabby about this. So, Gabby is aware of what I am going; but I am telling you this. I was going to make them work from home for a while, so they're away from us for a while." Matt then looked down at Andy, and wen to grab the ball that he had in his pocket; after which, he threw it so that he can run. "So, you were just making her work from home, and she wasn't going to be suspended?" Matt sighed. "I don't know yet Antonio, things are so fluid. I am so unsure of what's going on. I have so much on my mind, and you literally had to go through all of this. Antonio, you know everything that's going on, and I thought we were doing press tomorrow."

Antonio was confused as he heard Matt say that. "No, it was set for today. It's not a good idea to do press conferences on Fridays, because the media doesn't get it much." Matt agreed. "I know, and I am not talking about that. It's just…" Taking a breath, Matt sighed. "…today is Kelly's PTSD diagnosis, and I was going to go help him; now I am not sure whether he's going to want me there, when I know that I need to be there." Antonio just sighed as he heard Matt say that. "God, I have really put you in a bind; haven't I?" Matt agreed with Antonio. "Antonio, I approved a statement, and we weren't going to do questions for a reason; because the media will spin it the way that they do. And now, we're going to have to deal with the fallout of those comments." Antonio understood.

After all, he knew that was the case. He knew that the media was going to spin it, and that meant that he was going to have to get a bunch of calls. "Now listen, I am going to have to do what you were supposed to do and clear things up with the media in the future; I will be releasing another statement through Heather, or through myself. And you are not going to comment on it, because I do not want to deal with you right now. Not listen, I need to go; I have stuff to do." Hanging up his phone, Matt took a breath as he went to go put his phone in his pocket; while at the same time, he heard Kelly walk up to him today. "So, are you trying to make us go broke? Last time I checked, we were helping you create a company in return for money!" Turning his head, Matt sighed.

He knew that this was going to happen, that his friend was going to be mad at him; especially on today of all days, when he's going to be getting his PTSD diagnosis. But first, he needs to do something else; well, Matt does. And that was why Matt decided to sit down with him, so that they can talk about all of this; because he needs to apologize for what Antonio said, especially since that was not his plan. "Okay, listen…I am going to just preface by saying this. This is not how I wanted things to go, as I did not script it that way." Kelly laughed. "Well, I couldn't tell that. Because last time I checked, you just basically told me that I don't have a job when I have two sons!" Matt sighed as he heard Kelly say that, as he knew that was what he was going to think; but it wasn't the truth.

"Okay, I should've expected that. But I am telling you this, that isn't the truth."

Kelly looked at Matt as he said that. "Then why did…" Matt sighed. "Kelly, that was during the Q&A session; that means that I couldn't expect any of that. Please, just look at me. You know that I see you as a brother, and that I see Stella as a sister. I mean, I did until what she did to Gabby." Kelly sighed as he heard Matt say that, well aware that was the case. "Yeah, I know. And I am so sorry about that man. I am telling you right now. As much as I love my wife, I do not condone what she did; that was wrong, and I hate that this is happening to you. But first, can I ask how Gabby, Noah, Bella, and Sofia are?" Matt smiled. "The girls are doing much better, and so is Noah. Thanks for asking." Kelly agreed with Matt, before smiling at him. "Hey, we're still brothers. And always will be brothers."

Matt agreed with Kelly as he said that, and that was why he was going to do this for him. "Kelly, you need to know that I am not going to do this to you. What Antonio said was wrong, and I am not going to let you guys go broke; I am going to make sure that you have money to provide for your family, and I am not going to be as drastic as Antonio." Kelly agreed. "I had a feeling that was more hiem than you." Matt sighed. "But this part is all me. I need to tell you something, and you may not like it." Kelly looked at Matt. "And what would that be?" Matt sighed. "For now, I am going to have to ask Stella work from home if she wants to work. Right now, I don't want her near the office; not when I can't trust her at the office right now." Kelly was a bit taken aback as he heard Matt say that.

"You don't trust her at the office?"

Matt sighed as he looked at his best friend. "Kelly, what did she just do at the office? And what consequence did it have? My daughters were born prematurely, and we're back here at the hospital until March. We're three days into a three month stay here at the hospital again." Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that, as that makes sense. "Yeah, that makes sense now." Matt agreed with his friend as he said that, before looking at him. "Listen, I'm sorry about this. I really mean that, because I know that this is causing a lot of stress on you; between what this means for your marriage, and our friendship. I hate this, and I hope that you know that." Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that. "And I'm sorry too, because I know that you're already dealing with enough as it is." Matt agreed.

He then looked down at Andy, before biting his lip. "Yeah, we have all four of the kids here; and we are worried about all of them, especially Noah after he stopped breathing." Kelly looked at Matt as he said that, as he didn't know that. "Okay, that I didn't know. I just knew that he was admitted because Heather told me, and she didn't give me much detail; she didn't want it to get to Stella, and just…" Matt agreed with Kelly, before going to hug him. "I know, things are just complicated." That's when Andy finally noticed that Kelly was here, and wen to run over to him. Looking down, Kelly smiled as he bent down. "Hey buddy, you miss me?" He then went to rub his head and smiled as he was happy. "So, did you already speak to your brother-in-law?" Matt sighed and agreed with him.

"Oh, I most certainly did. I reminded him that he isn't the CEO, and he isn't in charge of the company at the end of the day; oh, and that he literally left me with a mess. I mean, you did text me."

Kelly agreed. "What does this mean for Stella? Is she still suspended?" Matt shook his head. "No, she's not suspended. She's just working from home, and you can do that too if you want. I know that you're going to want to do that anyways, because you like spending time with your little guys." Kelly snickered. "Yeah, they are growing so much." Kelly then went to grab his phone, so that he could show Matt some pictures. "Here, you want to see some pictures." That's when Matt realized something. "Oh my god, you've become one of those dads!" Kelly just looked at Matt when he said that, before realizing what he meant. "Oh my god, I am one of those dads!" Matt smiled as he heard Kelly say that, before sitting down comfortably.

Taking a breath, Kelly decided that it was finally time to do something that he knew that he should've done a while back. "So, how does it work?" Matt was confused as he heard Kelly say that. "What do you mean?" Kelly sighed. "How do you get the diagnosis?" Matt sighed. "Now this one is going to be hard. But you're going to need to tell them how you deal with your flashbacks, and just everything that you do when it comes to your PTSD; they may even ask you about what your PTSD is about." Kelly was shocked. "Oh wow. Wait, how in depth?" Matt sighed. "I'm not sure. I just told them that I'm a former firefighter, who had a guy die in front of me in a fireball; and then I added that my father molested me when I was a kid." Kelly sighed as he heard Matt say that, before rubbing his back.

"Yeah, I'm sure that would get you a diagnosis."

Taking a breath, Matt looked down and bit his lip. "Yeah, there's a lot more now." Kelly was confused. "What are you talking about?" Matt sighed. "Ever since I got this money, I've felt like I've had to prove to my dad that I'm not a screw up; and that he…" Kelly interrupted Matt as he said that, as that was the last thing that he wanted to hear. "Hey, you look at me CAPTAIN at age 38!" Matt smiled as he heard Kelly say that, as that most certainly was his age when he became a captain. "Heck, I wasn't even married for a year before I became a Captain. Maybe me and Gabby should've gotten married right away, then we would've had this life earlier." Kelly agreed. "I promise, you're going to celebrate your fourth anniversary at home." Matt smiled as he heard Kelly say that.

"I might take Gabby on a real honeymoon next year, or the year after for our fifth anniversary. Go to Paris or something."

Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that. "And go for baby five, maybe baby six?" Turning his head, Matt just glared at his best friend. "Because me and my wife want to risk loosing another baby, when we're grieving our sixth child. Or did you forget that we had a partial miscarriage?" Getting up, Matt looked at Andy. "Andy, come here boy!" Matt then went to pick up his ball. "Matt…" Turning to look at Kelly, Matt just shook his head. "I'm trying to be nice to you and be supportive of you and you do this. Fuck that Kelly! You know what, maybe I should suspend your wife…and YOU at the same time for what you said." Matt then proceeded to walk away.