Hi Readers: Hope you liked the quick glimpse at the Halstead's Life right now, but now it's time for us to go back to the Hospital so that we can see how Matt's appointment went. Hope you guys like this chapter.
Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety-Five
Stronger
He was thankful that it didn't take him long to get new medication, as he really needed it; but now, he was back and ready to talk to Gabby about it over breakfast. Because if he knew anything, it was that Gabby was going to want to talk about the fact that he went to the doctor without telling her. But first, he had to do something else; and that would be to say good morning to his little boy who just crawled out of his and Gabby's bedroom. "Hey, Matteo. Get back here!" However, Matteo was not going back to the bedroom yet; especially not when Matt was loving the sight of his little guy crawling over to him, which must mean that he missed him. "It's okay Gabby, he's crawling out here because of me." Hearing her husband's voice this morning, Gabby felt so relieved. "Okay."
After which, Matt smiled as he went to set his medicine down on the counter and bent down to look at Matteo. "Morning buddy, you want to come say hi to daddy?" Crawling over to Matt, Matteo let out a big smile as he was happy to have him home; after which, Matt crouched down and put his hands out as a way to get him close to him. But at the same time, he also knew that he had to do something else, which was another reason why he crouched down, and that was to take Andy's leach off…especially when he was standing right next to him. "Okay, I know you first buddy." Confused as she heard her husband say that, Gabby yelled out. "Matt, who are you talking to?" Matt snickered. "Andy, he walked up right next to me to get his leach off." And that's exactly what Matt soon did.
He grabbed Andy's leach and unclipped it from his collar so that it was no longer attached to him. Slapping his ass shortly afterwards, Matt smiled. "Go lay down boy, and just take it easy." Andy agreed with Matt, before walking away so that he could go take a sip of water; meanwhile, Matt put his hands out and looked at Matteo until he was right in front of him. And let's just say that Matt still loves the sight of his son crawling, because it's the best sight in the world; the sight of his son growing in front of his eyes and doing things that they didn't expect him to do for a while. But now, Matt was no longer watching his son crawl; rather, he just picked him up in his arms. Turning his head, Matt smiled as he kissed his cheek and looked at him. "Someone's growing way too fast for us." Matteo smiled.
After which, he cuddled up to Matt just like they both wanted him to do; meanwhile, Matt wrapped both of his arms around him and rubbed his back with his hand. Kissing his forehead afterwards, Matt smiled as he just held his son close to him as it was the best feeling in the entire world. The feeling of his son cuddling up to him, as they spend time with each other here in the hospital room. "Somebody missed daddy this morning, didn't they?" Kissing his forehead once more, Matt smiled as he held his son close to him; after which, he proceeded to grab his medicine once more so that he could bring it into the bathroom. But first, he had to make his way into the bedroom where his gorgeous wife and his three other children were. Well, them, and Natalie as well. "Oh, hey Nat."
And that's when Matt thought of something. "Oh shit, did something happen while I was gone?" Looking up at her husband, Gabby shook her head as everything is okay. "No, no. Baby, Natalie just has to do this every day; remember?" Taking a breath, Matt agreed as he knew that was the case. "Sorry, I guess I'm just a bit more cautious right now." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case; at the same time, she also knew that he was a bit more than cautious. Rather, he was a bit overprotective. But that's okay, as she finds it quite attractive. The way he's so overprotective, because she loves it when he protects her; he's an expert at it, and she's very proud to call him her husband. "I'm just glad that you're back, and is that a donut or something for me?"
Shaking his head as he set Matteo down on the bed, Matt smiled at Gabby. "I'll talk to you when I come back. I need to go put this in the bathroom, away from the prying hands of our children." Gabby just looked at her husband. "Matt, you didn't need to buy me anything. And even if the kids get it…" Hearing that, Matt went to stop his wife. "Okay, stop talking right now." Gabby was confused as she heard her husband say that. "Okay, what's with the yelling baby?" Sighing, Matt proceeded to walk over to Gabby so that he could show her the bag; and that was when Gabby realized what the bag was, it was a bag of prescriptions. "Oh." Matt nodded, and agreed with his wife; after which, he leaned over her and proceeded to kiss her softly. "I'm sorry for yelling." Gabby agreed with her husband.
After which, she put her hand on his face and leaned her forehead against his. "It's okay. Just take a breath baby and relax." Matt agreed with his wife. "Sorry, I just want to get it safe and tucked away as soon as possible. Things are so hectic, and we already have three children in the hospital. As much as I know I'm going to watch Matteo like a hawk around my medicine…" Gabby then proceeded to finish his sentence for him. "You don't want to take any chances." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before bending down and kissing the woman he loves softly; after which, he leaned his forehead against hers. "Listen, how about you order us some breakfast as I go put my meds away?" Gabby agreed with Matt, while watching him stand up and walk away to the washroom.
Meanwhile, Natalie turned away from their daughters and looked at Gabby. "Do you mind if I ask?" Gabby sighed. "Matt just got a new round of medicine." Matt then proceeded to add on from the bathroom. "Which are a couple doses higher than the last ones." Gabby agreed with Matt. "I already knew that baby, because I was the one that said it was a good idea over text; heck, I was ready to kick you out of bed last night after you slapped my stomach." Hearing Gabby say that, Matt walked out of the washroom with the medicine bag still in his hands; after which, he turned to look at Natalie. "Can you check her stitches after you finished checking on the kids?" Natalie agreed with Matt as he asked her to check on Gabby's stitches, even though Gabby didn't think Natalie needed to. "Matt…"
Looking at Gabby, Matt just stared at his wife. "Gabby, I hit you last night when you're recovering; you're getting checked out, and that's final. We will talk more in a minute." Gabby agreed with Matt, well aware that they were going to talk more when he was done in the washroom; meanwhile, Natalie made her way over to Gabby. "You do realize that he's just doing this because he's worried about you, right Gabby?" Gabby agreed with her friend as she mentioned that, as she's well aware of the fact that Matt is just worried about her. "I know that's the case, and I know that he just wants the best for me." Natalie agreed with her patient, and smiled as she proceeded to go check on her abdomen to make sure that everything is okay; that way, Matt can relax and take it easy.
Coming out of the bathroom after putting his prescription away, Matt took a breath as he looked at Gabby as he still hated that he yelled at her; that was a bad thing to do, and it could easily raise her BP (which is the last thing that he wants to do). Rather, he wants her to relax and just take it easy. And if she doesn't, then he most certainly will blame her for any extra day that she has to stay in the NICU here; because the last thing he wants, is for them to have to extend their stay in the hospital past March 9th (which is their release date). Or at least, his birthday at the latest (which is March 23rd). So, he wants to be released anytime between March 9th and 22nd; and that's due to the fact that he wants to be home and waking up in his own bed on his birthday. But that's not his priority.
Rather, his priority is talking to Gabby about some things that they need to talk about. "So, how are my girls and Noah doing Natalie?" Turning her head as she got up, Natalie smiled. "Everything's fine Matt. And in fact, Gabby's looking really good. And I doubt that you really hit her hard, because there isn't even a scratch." Gabby looked at her husband as she said that. "What did I tell you Matt?" Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that, before walking over to her; after which, he leaned over her and kissed her forehead softly. "Better safe than sorry." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, while watching him turn his head and kiss her softly. "You order breakfast yet?" Gabby shook her head as she heard Matt ask her that, and there was a reason why she didn't order breakfast yet.
"I heard there were fresh pancakes in the cafeteria today, and I would love it if my husband went to make me some."
Snickering as he heard Gabby say that, Matt bent down and proceeded to kiss the woman he loves once more. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt as he told her that, loving him just as much. "I love you too, and I am so glad that you're back here." Matt smirked as he heard Gabby say that, while also taking things nice and slow with her. "Go get me two and a half pancakes please." Matt was a bit puzzled as he heard Gabby say that. "Half?" Gabby nodded. "We can give Matteo and Noah some pancakes. And maybe we can even hold both of the boys in our arms as we all sit in bed today?" Gabby said the last part while looking at Natalie, as that's who the question was really directed at. And let's just say that Natalie was more than okay with letting Noah sit in bed with his parents.
"I think that he's doing much better, and I'd even say that I could clear him to leave; after all, we did just bring him in as a precaution."
Standing up straight, Matt smiled as he looked at his friend. "So, does that mean that we don't need to worry about him as much?" Natalie smiled and agreed with the father. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say." Gabby let out a sigh of relief as she heard Natalie say that, as that really was something that she's been waiting to hear. And the truth was, Matt was just as relieved as he sat down next to Gabby and put his hand on the side of her face; after which, he leaned in and kissed her cheek as a way to just calm down and relax. At the same time, Gabby put her hand on top of his and just smiled as they are both extremely happy right now; and it's all due to the fact that they just got this news, which is the best news that they've gotten in a while. And that's why they're so happy.
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Walking back over to bed shortly after having breakfast with Gabby this morning, Matt smiled as he really liked the sight that was in front of him right now; and just what sight might that be? Well, that would be the sight of his sons and wife in bed; and he was more than ready to join them, just as soon as he checks on his little princesses. Walking over to them both, Matt smiled as he looked at his beautiful Bella while putting his hand on her chest. "Hello there, my beautiful princess, how are you doing today? Yeah, daddy's here to say hi to you and just look into those beautiful eyes that I love more than anything." Moving his hand to the side of her face, Matt smiled as he bent down and then kissed her forehead softly. Meanwhile, Gabby looked at the man she loves and smiled.
"I think I know why you like their eyes so much."
Turning his head, Matt smiled as he proceeded to make his way over to his bags so that he could get changed. "Oh, do you now?" Gabby smiled and agreed with the man she loves. "Because they're part of my eyes. Now, are you going to be taking off your shorts today?" Matt bit his lip as Gabby asked her that question. "Would you be opposed to that? Maybe I should keep my shirt on." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that. "Preferably, I would like it if my husband was shirtless in his boxers." Matt smirked as he heard Gabby say that, before going to set his shorts down; after which, he took off his sandals and stood up while picking up his shorts. "Then I think we both know exactly what I plan on giving the woman I love today, as I hold one of the boys in my arms." Gabby agreed.
Smiling at his wife as he set his shorts down, Matt then took a minute to think about taking off his shirt before taking it off; and that was something that Gabby could clearly tell he was doing, which is why she decided to make the following comment: "If you don't want to take your shirt off baby, then you don't have to. Just come join me and the boys in bed." Turning to face Gabby, Matt sighed. "I just want to take it easy and not get you too turned on." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that. "Sounds good. But are you comfortable in what you're wearing?" Matt agreed with Gabby as he most certainly is comfortable in what he's wearing. "Very." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, while extending her hand. "Then come join me in bed Mr. Casey." Matt smiled and agreed.
What she thought was going to happen when Matt join her in bed was completely different than what really happened, and that was due to the fact that he didn't come onto her side of their bed; rather, he went to his side of the bed and set his phone down. "OK. Is there a reason why you didn't come join me on my side of the bed?" Matt smiled as Gabby asked him that question. "Because you need to relax, and just take it easy. Meanwhile, daddy wants to hold one of his boys. More specifically, I want to hold Noah." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that. "I think I know why that's the case." Turning his head, Matt was a bit confused; however, that didn't mean that he had to wait very long before Gabby revealed why she knew that was the case because it was obvious.
"Baby, you've been worried about him ever since he was admitted to the hospital."
Matt agreed with his beautiful wife as she said that, as that's the truth; but it's also the truth that he's been worried about all of them. And that was why he wanted to keep his shirt on, because he wants them to relax and not risk them being all over each other; and that's due to the fact that he knows Gabby, and he knows that she's going to want to be close to him and cuddling up to him. And maybe they can do that later, but he wants to spend time with their boys right now. And that's a feeling that Matt was going to convey to his wife right now, so that he can let her know his plans. "Listen, can we talk about why I'm not holding you in my arms right now?" Turning her head, Gabby agreed with Matt as he asked her if they can talk about why he's not holding her in his arms.
After all, that's something that she wants to know. "The truth is, I'd like to know the answer to that question myself." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that. "I just want to take it easy, and not risk it. We both know that we still act like horny teenagers when we're in bed with each other." Gabby laughed as she watched Matt bend down and pick Noah up in his arms, after which he turned his head and looked at his little guy. "Hey, you, you ready to cuddle up to daddy today?" Cuddling up to Matt, Noah nodded; meanwhile, Matt kissed his forehead and smiled. Meanwhile, Gabby smiled as well as she loves the sight of that. "Okay, I definitely want that more than you holding me in my arms; you are so adorable when you hold Noah in your arms." Matt agreed with Gabby and smiled at his wife.
After which, he turned his head to look at Noah again and proceeded to kiss his forehead once more. "Do you like this Noah? Do you like it when daddy holds you in bed?" Noah agreed with his daddy, while holding onto him; after which, Matt decided that it was finally time for him to get in bed. After all, he did owe Gabby something. And that would be an apology, which he was going to give her right now, as he sat down in bed with Noah and got comfortable. But first, he hand to get her attention, which he did by grabbing her hand and getting her to turn her had. "Hi handsome." Thinking that Matt wanted her to lean in and kiss him, she did just that; however, he didn't want that yet. Rather, he wanted to talk to his wife and apologize to her. "Gabby, not yet."
Confused, Gabby leaned back and looked at the man she loves. "Okay, why not yet?" Matt sighed. "I owe you an apology for snapping at you." Gabby sighed as she heard Matt say that, before nodding. "Gabby, I hate it when I snap at you; but I guess…" Taking a breath, Matt looked into Gabby's eyes. "I guess I'm just paranoid." Gabby shook her head as she watched Matt tug the covers up on top of him. "Hey, that's not at all what you are Matt; you're not paranoid, and you just need to talk to me." Matt sighed. "I just…" Matt then turned to look around at all of his kids, while also feeling Noah cuddle up to him more; so, he decided to slip down in bed and move his hand to his back. After which, he kissed the top of his head. "You're just really worried right now." Matt agreed with Gabby.
"Yeah, I am. Gabby, you do realize that me and Matteo are the only ones in our family who aren't admitted to the hospital."
Thinking about it, Gabby agreed with her husband while taking a breath. "And that's been on your mind the entire time, hasn't it?" Matt agreed with his wife as she said that. "I just hate that we're only 4 days in, and I already snapped at you. So, you need to accept my apology." Gabby agreed with the man she loves as he said that. "Baby, of course I accept your apology. We both know that this is a stressful situation for the both of us, and we're going to deal with it in our own ways." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before wrapping his arm around Noah some more. After which, he looked at the woman he loves. "But listen, there's another reason why I had to get in the washroom." Gabby agreed with Matt. "I had to get my medicine away from the kids." Gabby nodded at Matt.
"The medicine that Dr. Kloefer gave me is stronger than the medicine that I had last time around."
Gabby was a bit taken aback as she heard Matt say that, as she didn't expect to hear that. "Really?" Matt nodded. "I know, I'm surprised that I did that. But my bloodwork came back, and I was on the wrong dose." Gabby agreed with Matt, before smiling at her husband. "I can only imagine how hard it was for you to accept the higher dosage, because I know that you don't like taking high doses of medicine." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that. "Well, not in this case; I swear, I barely slept last night. I was so worried the entire time, and just woke up a couple times in the middle of the night." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that. She then grabbed his hand again and rubbed it. "Matt, I promise that it's all going to work out at the end of the day." Matt agreed with his girl.
"I have no doubt that's going to be the case, especially since we're doing it together."
And that was when someone else decided to join the family cuddles, and that would be Andy as they just felt him jump onto the bed; but that doesn't mean that he crawled up close to Matt and Gabby, as he instead just laid down at their feet. And boy was Matt glad that was the case, as it meant that he could get closer to Gabby and wrap his arm around her. Meanwhile, Gabby thought about something; and that would be how she wants to lay down in Matt's arms, but she knows that now is not the time. Rather, it was time to just relax; and it was also time for Matt to give Andy a treat. Opening his side table, Matt smiled as he proceeded to grab some of Andy's treats. "Here Andy." Seeing his treats, Andy smiled as he sat up; after which, Matt grabbed one and threw it to Andy.
Catching it, Andy smiled as he ate it right away; however, that didn't mean that Gabby thought it was the best idea. "Matt, you remember what his trainer said; not too many treats, as he is still a working dog." Matt agreed. "At night he's a working dog, he's a family dog during the day. And you shouldn't be talking, when you used to give him treats all the time." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, because she most certainly did. "What? He did a lot for us during my pregnancy." Matt was confused as he heard Gabby say that. "What are you talking about?" Gabby smiled. "He stopped you from hitting my stomach." Matt agreed with Gabby, well aware that was the case. "I'm glad that was the case. But I hope that doesn't happen anymore with my new medication."
Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that. "Matt, you know that I'm proud of you right? Taking the initiative to get what you need without being pushed to do it, that takes a lot of guts. I know that you hate it, and I'm glad that you finally gave in to using medicine." Matt sighed. "Gabby, it's unbearable now; I'm sorry, but I've been lying to you about how bad it's gotten recently." Looking at the man she loves, Gabby smiled as she knew that; so much so, she grabbed his hand and stroked it with her thumb. "Baby, you don't think that I already know that? I know that you haven't been completely honest with me when it comes to how bad your PTSD is." Matt sighed, before agreeing with Gabby about how he's been hiding how bad his PTSD is. "And that's okay." Matt was shocked.
"Really?"
Gabby agreed with Matt as he questioned whether it was really okay, because it was. "Matt, I know that you were thinking what was best. And with everything that's been going on lately, you knew that I couldn't deal with more stress than I already was." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before leaning in and proceeding to kiss the woman he loves more than anything. "I love you Gabby, I hope you know that." Gabby agreed with Matt as he told her that he loves her, because that most certainly is something that she already knows. "Matt, I know that you love me; because I love you more than anything in the entire world, and you're the one that gave me our beautiful children." Matt smirked as he heard Gabby say that, before sighing as he had to remember a sad time.
"To think, 19-months ago I didn't want this."
Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that. "But we're never looking back, because we both know that our life is much better now." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife as she said that, as that most certainly is exactly what he was thinking about as well. How they're moving past everything, and just taking it easy with each other. "I think that this is really what we need to do today; we need to take it easy, and we need to relax as we just spend time with our family." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before smiling as she turned her head and then proceeded to open her side drawer. "Maybe we can put a movie on?" Matt shook his head. "I'm still tired, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to take a nap as I will wait until the boys are asleep." Gabby agreed with Matt.
"I hope you know that you can take a nap, if you need to take a nap."
Matt nodded. "And I will, but only when the boys are asleep as I want some time with my little boys." Turning his head, Matt smiled as he bent down and kissed the top of Noah's head. "I swear, I love it when you do that; it's the most adorable thing in the entire world, and it just makes me feel so blessed that we have this life we have with each other." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before moving his hand to the back of her head; after which, he proceeded to lean in and kiss the woman he loves more then anything in the entire world. "And I am very proud to have the honor to call you my wife, and I am so glad that this is what we're doing right now. Because this reminds me of the old days, when it was just the three of us." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before sighing.
"Matt, can I ask you a question?"
Matt agreed with his wife, nodding as she can always ask him a question; but never in a million years did he expect to get the question that Gabby just asked him.
"Do you ever regret going for the girls so soon after we had the boys?"