Well, if that wasn't interesting. Who would've expected THAT to happen. Now, I want to say this; I know that I have been describing their house differently every once and a while, and I know that continuity is something I am lacking. But I want to reassure you that I think I found a house that I like, because I actually am using real house layouts that I find online to write my story. But now, what do you say we get back to what we were doing with our lovely couple? Now let's get back to some more time as a family.
Chapter Three Hundred and One
COVID-19 Committee
Matt's Office – They haven't even been home for an hour, and Matt and Gabby have already done a lot: they've got the girls in their cribs, taken a sexy shower with each other, and have taken a sexy swim with each other. Heck, they've been naked more often than clothed; but now, they were going to stay clothed…especially since Matt has a meeting. And what meeting might the new father have? Well, that would be his bi-weekly meeting with his new COVID-19 Committee. And today just so happened to be the inaugural meeting, which he completely forgot about; so, here he was in his office struggling with his shirt until Gabby came into his office. "Struggling?" Turning his head to look at his wife, Matt sighed as he looked at Gabby. "I'm sorry about this." Gabby shook her head.
After all, she's glad that Matt is getting this meeting done this morning; but first, she needs to get something from him. "Here, turn around in your chair." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before smirking as he already knew that she was going to do; and he was more than happy to get what she was going to give him, as she moved into his lap this morning. Meanwhile, Matt moved his hands to her back and smiled as he felt Gabby put her hands on his face and bend down to kiss him softly. "I love you." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, while holding his beautiful wife close to him and just cuddling up to her. "I love you too, and you really were delicious both in the shower…and in the pool." Gabby smirked as she heard Matt say that, before kissing him softly again.
And this time, it was a kiss that lasted a while as Matt was hungry for her kiss. "I promise, this is going to last maybe thirty minutes at the most; then I can come join you in bed again." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, before getting up out of his lap; after which, she looked at the man she loves. "Baby, take all the time you need. Remember what I said in the car? I said that you need to work if you need to. I know that this is a lot of stress on you, and I know that you working will help you calm down." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before smiling at the woman he loves more than anything; after which, he grabbed her hand and smiled at her. "Listen, how about you take one of the boys and go spend some time with him? But just remember to take it easy." Gabby agreed.
After all, that most certainly was something that she needed to do; she needs to spend some time with her sons, while also taking it easy. "I know, and I am so glad that you're such a great husband and father." Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that. "But you're positive that you don't mind if I chair this meeting, because I can always…" Moving her hands Matt's face again, Gabby bent down and kissed him softly. "Baby, you need to do this for the company; we have a lot of stuff to do. Plus, I need to get back to it." Matt was a bit confused as he heard Gabby say that. "What are you talking about?" Gabby smirked as Matt asked her that. "I'm going to go back to designing for a bit." Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that. "Do you just want to design right now?" Gabby took a breath.
"Would that be okay?"
Getting up, Matt agreed with his girl as he got close to her; after which, he turned her and picked her up in his arms. Setting her down on the edge of his desk, Matt smiled as he got close to her and put his hand next to her on the desk; meanwhile, Gabby put her hands on his arms and smiled. "Oh, now that was sexy." Matt smirked, agreeing with Gabby as he leaned in and kissed the woman he loves. "I love you. But when it comes to what you want to do, I think you need to do what you think is best for your recovery. And honestly, I think that's the best idea for you; you have been under a lot of stress since you gave birth, and I am just want you to take it easy. If you just want to design instead of leading the company, then we can figure it out." Gabby agreed with the man she loves and smiled.
After which, she put her hand on his face and smiled. "Gabby, you do what you think you need to do. I just don't want you to get bored. But I think you designing is the perfect way for you stay busy, because we're going to go stir crazy here in the house." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before hugging him; after which, Matt wrapped his arms around her and just smiled. "I love you Gabby, and I am so glad that we're home. But you need to relax and take it easy. But can you do me a favor?" Gabby was a bit confused as she heard Matt say that. "And what would that be?" Matt smiled. "My mom hasn't really come to see us in the hospital, as she's been concentrating on the boys; so, I would…." Moving her hands to Matt's face, Gabby smiled as she kissed him again.
"I love you Matt, and I am so proud of you. And that's why I'm going to do exactly what you want, and let you work for a bit; while I also let your mom spend some time with the girls."
Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, really appreciating that. "Thanks Gabby." Smiling, he leaned up and proceeded to kiss his beautiful wife softly; at the same time, Matt took things nice and slow with the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. "It's no problem Matt, and I know that you want your mom to do that; so, we're going to do that, and you're going to work for a bit. After that, we can spend time with each other in bed." Matt agreed. "It shouldn't be long." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, giving him one last kiss before walking away so that she can go back to take care of the girls. "Gabby?" Turning her head, Gabby smiled. "Do you mind closing the door? I have my phone…" Gabby just agreed with her husband. "And maybe take a nap."
Gabby smiled as Matt said that, as that most certainly is something that she might try and do. "Oh, I most certainly do like the idea of me taking a nap." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife as she said that, while smirking as she walked away; closing the door behind her in the process, Gabby knew that it meant that he wanted to concentrate. And she was fine with that, especially since it meant that she could spend some time with his mother as she walked up to him. "Let me guess, Matt's going to work?" Gabby agreed with Nancy as she asked him whether he was going to work, as he was. "He has a meeting regarding COVID. However, he asked me to do something." Nancy was a bit worried as she heard Gabby say that. "Gabby, what is it? I'll do it and talk to Matt about…" Gabby just smiled.
"He asked me to let you spend time with the girls."
Nancy smiled as she hard her daughter-in-law say that, as that most certainly is something that she wants to do. "I will do that in a minute, I just want to say hi to Matt first. You guys have been busy, that I just want to check on him as his mom; that okay?" Gabby agreed with Nancy as she asked him whether she can check on her son, as his mother. "Nancy, of course you can." Getting close to her mother-in-law, Gabby proceeded to hug her. "You never need to ask that question, because he's still your son. And you lost a lot of time with him, so please don't ever worry about that. I know you worry about Matt, we all do." Nancy agreed with Gabby as she said that and smiled at her. "I promise, just give me a minute and then I'm coming to spend time with the girls." Gabby agreed.
"Oh, quick thing. Who's taking care of both of the boys? I hope my mother isn't alone."
Nancy shook her head. "No, Christie's here." Gabby smiled as she heard Nancy say that. "Well, that's good. Then listen, I am going to go rest like Matt told me to do; thank you so much for all the help." That's when Christie walked up to Gabby. "It's more than okay Gabby, and I'm just glad we can help." Walking over to Christie, Gabby smiled. "Why didn't you tell mem you've been isolating?" Christie smiled. "It was early, and I knew you wanted to get in bed, which is exactly where you should be right now, in bed with the girls. Not in the pool." Gabby smirked. "Oh, shut up, I missed my husband." Christie was a bit disgusted as she heard Gabby say that. "I'm going to act like I never heard that and go spend time with my nephews." Gabby agreed with Christie as she said that.
"I appreciate that Christie, because I Just need to rest and enjoy a good bed. God, my back hurts!"
Christie agreed with Gabby as she said that, really happy that she's home again. "I'm glad that you're home." Gabby smiled as she heard her sister-in-law say that, before going to hug her again; after which, she proceeded to walk away so that she can go relax in bed. Meanwhile, Christie turned to look at her mother. "See you in the living room?" Nancy agreed as she proceeded to hug her daughter. "I'm so glad that we're in a better place." Christie smiled as she heard her mom say that. "I feel the same way. Now listen, I am going to talk to your brother before he gets too busy." Christie agreed with her mom. "Let me guess, you're worried about him?" Nancy agreed with her daughter as she asked her whether she was worried about Matt, as she most certainly was worried.
"I just want to make sure that he knows that he's not alone in this, and that he has a lot of help."
Christie agreed with her mom as she said that, before turning around to make her way back to the living room; meanwhile, her mom made her way into Matt's office ahead of his meeting. After all, she's hoping that she can have a moment with her son. Knocking on the door, Nancy smiled as she looked at her son as he sat in his office. "Mind if I disturb you for a minute?" Turning his head as his mom asked him that, Matt snickered. "Mom, you can never disturb me." Getting up, Matt smiled as he made his way over his mom; after which, he proceeded to wrap his arms around his mom. "It's nice to see you here at home." Matt agreed with his mom and smiled as he hugged her. "Thanks so much for all the help that you've been giving us around here." Nancy agreed with her son.
Not that she needs to be thanked for it. "Matt, I'm his grandmother; I am going to do whatever I can to make sure that he's okay, and that's exactly what I did. And we're going to keep doing it, as you take care of the girls." Matt agreed with his mom as she said that, as that most certainly is exactly what he's going to do; well, as he also takes care of the company. "Well, and the company. I know, I just got out of the hospital; but, I just…" Looking at her son, Nancy smiled. "Matt, you need to do what you think is best for the company. If you need to do that, then you need to work; and I think that you most certainly are going to do a great job." Matt smiled as he heard his mom say that, before going to hug her. "Glad to see that you decided to go casual for the meeting?" Matt snickered.
"I at least had to put a dress shirt on for the meeting."
Nancy agreed with her son as he said that, smiling at him. "Well listen, I know that you need to get to work. Just remember to take a breath and relax. I know that you have a lot on your mind, but you got this Matt." Matt agreed with his mother as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Thanks mom." Hugging Matt one more time, Nancy then proceeded to walk away to spend some time with her family; meanwhile, Matt took a breath as he walked over to his door and went to close it. After which, he proceeded to make his way over to his desk so that he can get to work, because that's what he needs to do right now. He needs to get to work on this meeting, which is something that will be critical and trying to figure all of this out. He just hopes that it isn't too overwhelming.
He just finished setting up the meeting and was now waiting for the rest of his COVID-19 team to join him on the meeting; that way, they can talk and just figure things out. He's just glad that he already has his vice-chair on the meeting. "So, first day home and you're already back at work?" Matt sighed as he heard Rafael, his Principal Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and the Vice-Chair of the COVID-19 Committee, say that. "Oh, calm down Rafael. We both know that I need to be here as the head of the company. This is going to be a hard time for the company." Rafael agreed with his boss as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I'm just glad that you guys are out of the hospital, and back home where you belong." Matt agreed with Rafael as he said that, as he most certainly agrees.
"But that doesn't mean that we aren't going to miss you at the hospital?"
Seeing Natalie join them on the Zoom call, Matt laughed as he most certainly was not going to miss being at the hospital and seeing her each and every day. "Unfortunately, Natalie, I don't exactly agree with you there; as I am not the biggest fan of being at the hospital, in the NICU with my children." Natalie agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Not that I'm even allowed to be at the hospital right now, as my husband has basically grounded me and is going to be keeping me here for a while." Matt laughed. "Oh boo-hoo. At least that means that you get to keep being pregnant until the end of your pregnancy, so I am not ready to hear you complain on here; is that understood Dr. Natalie Halstead?" Natalie agreed with Matt as he said that.
"Yeah, I should really shut up when it comes to that; as I would rather not be laid off, when I like my paycheck."
Matt agreed with Natalie as she said that. "Don't worry, you're going to stay employed here at the company; and that's due to the fact that I don't want you to not have independent income going in, which you currently are doing since you aren't working at the hospital." Natalie agreed with Matt as he said that. "However, that doesn't mean that you can slack off in your role as VP and COO of The Casey Mental Health Clinic, as I still want you to manage that from a distance." Natalie agreed with her boss as he said that, before going to take a note; that was, until Jeff and Ethan joined the call. "There are my two other doctors. Now, is Will joining us Natalie?" Turning her head, Natalie went to look at Will as he came to join her. "I'm coming, right here. Calm down Matt." Matt sighed.
"Will, I am worried about my investments and the future health and safety of my employees; including your pregnant wife, whom I do not want to have catch COVID."
Natalie smiled at Matt, appreciating that he did that for them. "I appreciate that Matt. 29 weeks." Matt smiled as he heard Natalie say that. "I know, and my daughters are 3 months old today; and I am already back at work, so I would really like to just get this started. The sooner we can get started, the sooner I can get back to my gorgeous daughters." Everybody snickered as they heard Matt say that, well aware that was the case. "So, let's start with the update from Rafael; what are our status when it comes to all the staff? I know that we have a lot of offices, and I want to know how your meeting with our lawyers Hannah Ryan, and Miguel Adams went." Rafael sighed. "They actually had to reschedule that meeting to Wednesday, as they are spending today and tomorrow setting up."
Matt was confused as he heard Rafael say that, unsure of what he was talking about. "Care to explain what you mean?" Rafael agreed. "They have been asked to work from home as well, but they need to spend today and tomorrow getting set up; including all the security measures that they need for client files, and they said that they had to cancel our meeting. I hope that was okay." Matt agreed with Rafael, before going to open his calendar so that he can add a meeting. "Have we already rescheduled that meeting?" Rafael agreed with Matt. "We are doing the meeting on Thursday at 9 AM." Matt agreed with Rafael. "9 AM our time?" Rafael agreed with Matt as he asked him whether he was talking about their time. "Oh, definitely; we are doing it at 9 AM our time." Matt agreed.
After which, he proceeded to open his calendar so that he can put it in. "Rafael, I want you to still sit in on my meetings in case I need to take more time off; I need to make sure that I prioritize my mental health at that time, which actually brings up something." Turning his head, Matt looked at Natalie. "Natalie, can you maybe take the lead on that and make sure that we all get regular checkups over the computer?" Natalie agreed with Matt as he said that. "Well, I most certainly can do that." Matt agreed with her, before going back to Rafael. "Rafael, I also want you to speak with your colleagues at our Los Angeles and Chicago Offices. I want them to please send us representative from their offices for this committee's next meeting." Rafael agreed with his boss as he said that.
"Can I just confirm my contacts there? That would be David Isaacs for the Los Angeles Office, and Adam Michaels for the Chicago Office?"
Taking a breath, Matt proceeded to bring up his list of employees. "Rafael, I am going to add you to a document that I have. It's a list of all of our employees, including their contact information and their role." Rafael agreed with his boss as he said that, glad that he was going to do that for him. "Thanks Matt, I appreciate that." Moving to open his e-mail, Matt took a breath as he went to go compose and e-mail for Rafael; until he heard Natalie speak up. "Matt, can you send that to me as well? Maybe I can be the go-to contract for COVID-19 operations, and just figure it out for you so that you can take it easy and have an expert take care of it?" Sighing, Will wasn't too sure. "Natalie, you're pregnant." Turning her head, Natalie looked at Will as he mentioned that.
"Will, I have just as much ability as any other woman to work. Please do not make me feel like I can't work."
Matt laughed. "I am just going to send you the document so that you can take care of it." Natalie agreed with Matt as he said that. "Thanks Matt." Matt agreed with Natalie as she said that, before going to compose the e-mail that he's going to send to Natalie.
FROM: Casey, Matthew
TO: Halstead, Natalie
SUBJECT: Contacts
ATTACHMENTS: Company Wide Contacts
Hi Natalie:
Per our conversation during the meeting today, I am sending you my list of company wide contacts to assist you in co-ordinating our COVID-19 policies when they change. I truly do appreciate the fact that you're going to work from home while you're resting during your pregnancy, and I am more than ready to let you work. Thanks again, and I hope that this allows Will to relax some more.
Matthew Casey
Chairman and CEO
1 (800) 827-2938 x. 101
Sending the e-mail that he just wrote to Natalie, Matt smiled as he proceeded to tell her that she should have it. "Natalie, you should have it in your inbox right now."Natalie agreed with Matt as he said that, before going to check her e-mail. "That I do." Matt agreed with Natalie as she said that. "Will, just remember that she knows her limits. This is going to be nothing compared to what she deals with at the hospital, and what she's had to deal with in the past." Will agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I can always help her out when I'm home." Matt agreed with Will as he said that, as that most certainly is the truth. "Thanks, Will, I appreciate that. But I would also like to remind you that you do already have a job with our company." Will agreed, aware of that.
But at the same time, he's also worrying for his wife. "I promise to keep doing it, while also taking care of Natalie." Matt agreed with Will as he said that, before getting back to the topics at hand. "Okay, next up. Rafael, I want you to speak to the technical support staff and I want them to make sure that they open up the servers to remote access. I have a feeling that we're going to be dealing with this for a while, and I want to make sure that we have everything set up in the long run." Rafael agreed with Matt as he said that. "And you think that we may be doing this for a while?" Matt sighed, as he was hoping that wouldn't be the case. "Not that I want it to be the truth, but we can never know when it comes to the health conditions around the world." Rafael agreed with his boss, sighing.
After which, he heard Jeff Clarke speak to him. "Hey Matt, sorry if I haven't spoke up yet; but have you spoken to Chief Boden? Do you know whether they are going to still be ordering the trucks?" Matt laughed as Clarke asked him that question. "They already got the Ambulances, and I have yet to receive their reports; but give me a second and let me check with Boden." Grabbing his cell phone, Matt proceeded to send Boden a text. 'How's the house liking the new Ambo-Truck?' Matt then proceeded to grab a picture that he has on his phone, before smiling as he proceeded to send it to Clarke. 'Here's the new Ambo 61.' Hitting send, he waited for Clarke to see the new vehicles at Firehouse 51. "Wait, are those the vehicles that we provided to Boden?" Matt agreed with Clarke as he asked him that.
Because that most certainly is exactly what they are. "I just texted Boden asking him what he thinks of the trucks. The trucks that are setting us up with making our first million dollars by March 2022." All of the executives were shocked as they heard Matt say that. "Really?" Matt agreed with them, smiling as they most certainly are. "Yes, and I am proud of that. Oh, and here's Boden." Going to open the text from Boden, Matt smiled. 'So far, so good. But we're mostly using it as an ambulance right now due to the pandemic. Will give you an update when we use it as an engine.' Matt agreed with Boden as he said that, before texting him back. 'That's more than okay Boden. Just take it easy and stay safe there at the firehouse.' Boden agreed with Matt as he said that.
After which, Matt set his phone down and smiled as he went to look at his employees. "Sorry for all the texting." Natalie shook her head. "I can only assume that you were texting Chief Boden?" Matt agreed with Natalie as she asked him whether he was texting Chief Boden, as he most certainly was. "I wanted to see whether he was liking the new product that he finally got. God, I am so glad that we finally got a product out." Will agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I think we can all see that's the case. Now listen, while we're on here; I have just a few questions about what it comes to how much I need to balance hospital and Casey work?" Taking a breath, Matt just knew that this was going to come up at some point. But he also knows the right answer.
And that would be that he needs to let Will work at the hospital as much as he needs to for the pandemic. "Will, if they need more help at the hospital; then I think that you should definitely do that, just remember to stay safe." Will agreed with Matt as he said that. "Thanks Matt, I appreciate that. I just didn't want to…" Matt then went to speak up. "Will, don't harp on it. I just want to get this updated. If you need to work it out, please deal with Rafael. Rafael, I am putting you in charge of day-to-day operations for the pandemic. I have four kids, and I have a bunch of stuff to take care of along with my mental health." Rafael agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that this may very well have a hard impact on his mental health; especially with all he's dealt with lately.
"Matt, I can do whatever I can. If you want me to be the CEO, and you just be the Chairman…then we do that. Your choice."
Matt took a breath, as he wasn't sure. "Honestly, I am still tired. I just needed to have this quick meeting before I go rest, because I wanted to make sure that we're on the same page; and that I spoke to my doctors here, so that you guys can keep me in the loop. I don't want to have to deal with having to watch for all the updates, not when I have experts to do that. Maybe a weekly update on Mondays Natalie? Or I'm not sure, just something." Natalie agreed with Matt as he said that, as she knew that he has a lot on his mind. "Maybe you should just take it easy and relax for a bit Matt, I can see that you're already stressed. You just got home today." Matt sighed. "I just need something to concentrate on, and that's this right now." All the doctors agree with their boss, letting him work.
After letting Matt work for a good hour, Gabby smiled as she made her way into his office around eleven to see that Matt was working with the finances; but at the same time, she could see the stress that comes with his job. And that was why Gabby wanted him to take a breather even though he's only done an hour of work, because she knows it's what he needs. She just hopes that Matt feels the same way as she walked up behind him and then proceeded to wrap her arms around his neck and kissed the top of his head. "Hey." Turning his head, Matt smiled as he looked up at the woman he loves. "Hey." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that. "Listen, I know I said I'd let you work but…" Matt agreed with Gabby. "You want me to do it in moderation, and only work a bit each and every day?"
Gabby sighed as she looked at Matt. "How about you come with me? I want to lay down in bed with you for the first time, and I need someone in there as I might take a nap." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before going to close out everything that he's working out. "Boden says hi. I just texted him." Gabby smiled. "Right, he got the prototype." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife as she said that. "In bed?" Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before grabbing his hand as she wants him to come lay down. "I asked our moms to take care of the boys again, and I am just too tired." Matt agreed with Gabby. "We can wait a few days, and I think that's a good idea." Gabby agreed with Matt, happy that he thinks it's a good idea as they made their way back to their room.