Hi Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters. My apologies first of all for starting so late, but I am back now and ready to write for you guys; and give you guys the updates that you deserve, starting right now. I hope you guys like them, and thanks for reading.

Chapter Three Hundred and Eighteen
Pain

Casey Primary Suite – They decided to wait to feed the girls. Wait until Matt was done giving each of them a bath, as they've started to notice something about their girls; and just what their last feeding does to them. And that would have put them to sleep. During their entire hospital stay, their girls tended to fall asleep during their nighttime feeding; making it almost impossible for Matt to give them a bath, without having to wake them up first. But it took them a while to realize that, and they had to suffer through the endless cries of not getting their milk right before being placed in the crib; but now, they remedied that with a system. A system that works perfectly. And that would be what they were in the midst of doing right now, starting with what Gabby was in the midst of doing.

And that would be pumping. She was pumping some bottles of milk, which Matt was going to put in the fridge as soon as he finished washing up the girls, which should be soon, because they've been there for a while. But at the same time, she knows her husband; and she knows just how much he loves being a father, especially to his little girls. Because let's face it, as much as Matt says that he loves all of his children equally; there's just something about his daughters that make him smile more, that makes him a much happier father than when he was just a father to the boys. But that was okay, because Matt has every right to be happy about the fact that he has the most adorable little girls in the entire world. Girls whom he loves with his entire heart, almost as much as their mother.

But that can never be the truth, as he could never love his daughters more than he loves his life; as she was the one that gave him this life, the life that he has as a father. A life that he's always wanted, from even before he was in a relationship with her; because if you forgot, Matt Casey used to be engaged to a certain doctor named Hallie. But she didn't want to have kids, so he doubts it would've ever worked out; so, who knows, maybe this was always the life that he was meant to be. But right now, even though he has a lot of time to do so with them being stuck at home, it was not time for Matt to think about these things; not when he has some jobs to do. The first one being to make sure that his daughter's diaper is done up securely, as he doesn't want to have it come undone.

Because boy would that create a mess when he has to change her, either in the middle of the night or tomorrow morning; because that is not a pretty sight, when she's not only all messy down there…but at the same time, she's also all messy in her pajamas. And that isn't something that this daddy is okay with, because he hates the idea of his princesses sitting in filth. Filth that doesn't need to be there, not when he'd rather they just take it easy and relax, which is exactly what Matt was going to do now that he was done getting Sofia changed for the night, and that meant something else. And that would be that she's ready to spend a bit of quality time with her daddy in bed. So, he went ahead and picked her up so that they could do just that; but first, he kisses her cheek.

The most adorable cheek in the entire world, as she truly is an adorable baby girl. "Yeah, Sofia's ready to go snuggle up to daddy in bed; isn't that right princess, you want to cuddle in bed with daddy? Then he can give you a sweet bottle of warm milk, before you fall asleep in his arms like you always do." Kissing her cheek again, Matt smiled as he wrapped his arm around her and laid her down on his shirtless chest; because that was something else that he was, undressed. And that was due to the fact that the girls were not the only ones who took a bath this evening, as Matt decided to do something he's wanted to do for a while. And that would be to take a nice bath with his daughters as he cuddled up to them, which was exactly what the father did with each of his daughters tonight.

But Gabby didn't know that yet, which was why she was still perplexed as to why he was taking so long; and why he took so long with Bella in the first place, ahead of her feeding him (which she's doing right now). "Okay, are you coming out now baby? You've been in there for a half hour, fifteen minutes per daughter." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, smiling as he made his way out of the washroom with Sofia in his arms; while also clad in nothing but his boxers, which is something that Gabby always loved to see. After all, her husband is a real hunk; and she feels so blessed to have him as her husband, and the father of her children. "So, what in the world too so long? And why are you soaking wet?" Gabby asked him, wondering why his hair was all wet, which was a nice story.

"Well, that's due to the fact that our daughters were not the only ones who took a bath this evening."

That's when it hit Gabby, just why Matt took so long; why he was in the washroom for so long, rather than out here with her in bed. And that was due to the fact that he took baths with the girls, rather than do it in the sink. And that made her smile more than anything, as it just proved to her even more than she made the right choice all those years ago when it came to who she wanted to be the father of her children; the man that she would vow to love for the rest of her life and have take care of her until the day she dies. "I swear, you really make it hard to be mad at you when it comes to things that you do for me and the girls." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, well aware that was the case. "I know it is, and there's a reason for that." Gabby smiled, agreeing with Matt tonight.

After which, she admired the sight in front of her; the sight of her husband holding their daughter, right against his shirtless chest. But unfortunately, her moment of staring was soon interrupted by her husband speaking to her. "So, you decided not to use a bottle for Bella tonight?" Turning her head, Gabby nodded as she looked down at her sweet little girl who was enjoying the feeling of being fed by her mother's breast. "She likes the feeling, and I want to do it for as long as I can." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that was the case; and the truth was, that was exactly what he wanted. He wanted Gabby to breastfeed the girls as long as she could, because he knows that she missed out on that the first time around with the boys (as they got pregnant so fast).

And that's actually something that Matt wants to talk to Gabby about, as he's always wondered whether that's something that's bothered her; whether she had to give up breastfeeding the boys so fast, due to the fact that she got pregnant with the girls so soon after giving birth. So, he decided that he was going to ask her that exact question; but first, he had to get into bed with Sofia, which was something that he always enjoyed. He loves holding Sofia in his arms, and cuddling up to her whenever he gets a chance to do just that; so that's exactly what he plans on doing right now, as he climbed into bed with the woman he loves. After which, he adjusted himself against the pillows and sat back while holding Sofia in his arms. Closing the covers, Matt smiled at his beautiful daughter.

However, it turned out that Matt was not going to be the only one joining Gabby and Bella in bed; because Andy decided to do the same thing, as he jumped up onto the end of their bed before laying down. Turning his head, Matt smiled as he looked at Gabby. "Seems like everybody wants to be in bed with us tonight." Gabby agreed with Matt, not that she really minds that Andy is here with them. "I don't mind if Andy's with us at all, due to the fact that I know it's where he needs to be." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, as that was the truth. It was where he needed to be, as it was how he could easily get to Matt if he has PTSD in the middle of the night; and that was when Gabby remembered something,. "Oh baby, you remembered your night pills; right?" Matt agreed.

"I did baby, I promise."

Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that he would never lie to her when it came to whether he took his PTSD medicine; especially since it really helps him, especially since he upped his dosage. "I have to say, I am so glad that you upped your dosage. I think it truly has made a world of a difference, and I'm proud of you for realizing that you needed more medicine." Taking a breath as he continued to look down at Sofia, Matt agreed with Gabby. "As reluctant as I was to do it in the first place, I've come to realize that it's better to get the help you need through medicine; then to suffer and have a miserable life." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, while also being extremely proud of him. "I'm proud of you baby." Matt agreed with Gabby, smiling at her.

After which, Matt heard somebody from the door. "I'm proud of you too sweetheart."

Turning his head after hearing another voice, Matt smiled when he saw his mother there. "Thanks mom." Nancy agreed with her son as he said that, while admiring him and his wife feeding their daughters. "Sorry about barging in, Noah just wanted his blankie as we're going to watch a movie tonight." Gabby smiled as she heard Nancy say that, as she thought that was a great idea. "I think that's a great idea." Nancy agreed with Gabby as she said that, before smiling. "By the way, I forgot to tell you guys. You guys sleep in tomorrow, and just stay with the girls. You need to get your sleep back, in your own bed." Matt smiled as he heard his mom say that, as he would not be opposed to that; but at the end of the day, it all depends on Gabby. But the truth was, she was interested in it as well.

"I was thinking of asking whether we could stay in bed tomorrow anyways."

Hearing Gabby say that, Matt smiled for a moment; but only until he took a moment to look into Gabby's eyes, when he realized that there was another reason why his wife wanted to stay in bed tomorrow. And though she didn't tell him that, he just knew in his heart that there was another reason. A reason that he was going to ask her about when he got a moment alone with her, because that's exactly what he's about to have. "Want me to close the door?" Matt agreed with his mom as she asked him whether he wanted her to close the door, which he does (for the reasons that he just mentioned). "Thanks mom." Nancy smiled as she waived to the both of them, before walking out of the room and closing the door in the process; meanwhile, Matt turned to look at Gabby tonight.

"How much pain are you in?"

Turning her head, Gabby was shocked as she heard Matt say that. "What?" Matt snickered a bit as he heard Gabby say that, as she just had to know that he was going to pick up on it. "Are you really going to lie to me, and tell me that you aren't hurting right now?" Taking a breath as Matt asked her whether she was hurting, Gabby nodded as she was a bit sore, and still in a bit of pain. "I guess I'm not used to it yet." Matt agreed with his wife, having already expected that. "Gabby, of course you aren't used to it yet; until yesterday, you were on morphine, and a bunch of pain meds to keep you happy. Heck, your last surgery was last week." Gabby took a breath, as she knew what he was talking about. "I know, and maybe it was a bad idea to get it all double checked before we left." Matt sighed.

But at the same time, he knew that Gabby was going to think about this for the rest of the night if they didn't talk about it, which is why they need to talk about it, and why they need to clear the air surrounding it. "Gabby, you need to talk to me if you're in pain; because I want to help you, and I want to take care of you since that's my job as your husband." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. After which, she took a breath as she looked at the man she loves. "I just don't want to get addicted." Matt agreed with his wife, well aware that was her worst fear since it happened to her brother in the past; but she doesn't need to worry about it, not when she has him in his life. "Last time I checked, you have a husband to help you Gabby." Gabby agreed.

Because that was something that she did have, an incredible husband who was more than ready to help her when it comes to treating her pain. And right now, that's exactly what she's going to need when she's done feeding the girls. "Can you get me some pain meds when we're done feeding the girls?" Matt agreed with Gabby as she asked him whether he can get her some pain meds after they finish feeding the girls, as he most certainly can. "And I will get them when you need them, as I do not want you to suffer baby. Promise me that you tell me if you're ever suffering." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, as that most certainly is something that she can do for him. She can tell him when she's suffering, and in a bunch of pain; pain which requires her to take pain medicine.

Walking out of the bathroom once more, with some pain medicine for his wife this time; Matt smiled as he looked at her as she sat down in their bed. The bed where she is very comfortable, and very relaxed. But at the same time, she also knew that this was the right thing for her to do; she should take pain medicine when she needs it, and this most certainly was one of the times that she needs it. She needs to take the pain medicine that her doctor gave her, so that she can ensure that she isn't always hurting; because if she doesn't take it, then she could easily prolong her recovery. A recovery that she thought she would've finished in the hospital, due to how long she was there; but the truth was, that was just the start of her recovery as she and Matt are nowhere near done.

And that's due to the fact that everything still hurts. Heck, she was even in pain while they were taking a swim; but she was just trying to get through it, which most certainly is not what Matt wants. He doesn't want his wife to be in pain, but he can clearly see that's exactly what she's in right now; and they're going to talk about it, as he made his way over to her side of the bed and put his hand out to give her some medicine. "Here, take this." Turning her head, Gabby agreed and went to take the pain medicine, which Matt was going to make her take, whether she likes it or not. After which, she watched as Matt grabbed her water bottle and opened it for her. "Here, water." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before going to grab the water and taking a sip to make the medicine go down.

The medicine that most certainly was going to help with the pain that she's coping with and was all due to the fact that she had to give birth prematurely; but now, she was also going to have to talk about it with her husband. After all, she can see that he's quite concerned right now. "I can see that look of concern in your eyes." Taking a breath, Matt sighed as that's exactly what he was; concerned for his wife, due to the fact that she's been hiding the fact that she's in pain. "Here, how about you move over? I will sit with you? Or do you want me to lay down so that you can cuddle up to me?" Thinking about what she wanted, Gabby smiled as she slipped over in bed; after which, she proceeded to lay down on her side so that her man could do something for her.

And that would be to lay down right in front of her, and just look into her eyes as they cuddle up to each other in bed. "I think that this is how we really like to lay down in bed with each other now." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, as that most certainly is the truth. He loves holding Gabby in his arms like this and will always love holding Gabby in his arms like this, which is the exact reason why he just got into bed with her and moved close to his beautiful wife this evening. After which, he brought her body close to his chest and put his hand on her back; meanwhile, Gabby put her hands on his face and leaned in to kiss him softly. "God, I have such a handsome husband." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before leaning in and kissing her once more this evening.

"I love you."

Gabby agreed with Matt as he told her that he loves her, before telling him the same. "I love you too." Taking a breath, Matt then proceeded to talk to his wife about how he needs her to be honest with him. "Gabby, if you love me…then why aren't you letting me do my job as your husband?" Taking a breath, Gabby looked down as she knew exactly what he was talking about; he was referring to the fact that she's been hiding the fact that she's been in pain and needed something to help with the pain. But if there was one thing she didn't want, it was to lay down next to him. "Can you lay down on your back?" Matt agreed with Gabby as he rolled over so that he was laying down on his back for the woman he loves, who soon climbed on top of him so that she could cuddle up to him.

And boy was the comfortable, as he wrapped his arm around her and proceeded to kiss her forehead softly, which was exactly what Gabby wanted. "Gabby, we need to talk about this; okay?" Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that. "And then we can go to bed. I want to sleep some before the girls wake up in the middle of the night." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, before kissing her forehead once more; after which, he looked into her eyes. "Gabby, I need you to tell me when you're in pain. I don't want you to rush back into it. I want you to be okay, and I want you to be safe." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was something that he wanted for her; he wants her to be safe, and he wants her to take it easy as they both recover from this time.

Because yes, Matt has to recover too from all the emotional trauma that they've been through, which is one of the reasons why he got a higher dose for his medication, which he is already very grateful for since it's working. "So, are we going to fall asleep now? Or do you want to do something else?" Smiling as he turned his head, Gabby stared up into her husband's gorgeous eyes; after which, Matt bent down and proceeded to kiss the woman he loves softly. "I love you." Gabby agreed with her husband as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "I love you too." Kissing Gabby once more, Matt just smiled as they decided to take things nice and slow with each other until they (eventually) fell asleep in each other's arms. After all, that's exactly what they both wanted to do.