Hi Readers: Sorry for another delay, but I hope to get some nice chapters out to you guys tonight. Please let me know what you think, and give me some ideas if you have any, because I would love to have them. Now, let's get back to our story's main family.
Chapter Three Hundred and Twenty-Two
COVID Day 2 with the Casey Family
Manalua Bay – The water was still cool as he took an early morning swim. The father of four, and former firefighter, having needed to just take some time on his own before taking his family; and due to the fact that both his wife, as well as his daughters were still fast asleep…it meant that he had time to do just that. But even if they did wake up, Matt was still close enough that he would have the ability to rush inside at a moment's notice should the girls wake up for another feeding (which is something that they're probably going to need soon). But the truth was, the girls weren't going to need to be fed for a while; because his wife and mother-in-law just finished feeding them, before moving them to the living room. And that's because Gabby wanted to spend a bit of time with him.
Time alone, without the kids; as they took a morning swim together, and just took a moment to relax. Because even though they slept in their bed for the first-time last night, Gabby could still see that her husband had a lot on his mind. And that was the reason she was here, rather than taking care of the kids right now; because they had family who can do that for them, especially when they need to take time together. And right now, her husband needs her; especially when he woke up so early in the morning, which is probably why Matt got so scared when she ended up swimming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. In fact, he jumped and ended up pushing Gabby away a bit. "What the?" Turning around to face his wife, Matt soon realized that it was Gabby who did that.
Gabby was the one that was in the pool with him and was just holding him (until he forced her to get off of him). "Oh, hey. Sorry, did you call for me? Is it the girls?" Shaking her head, Gabby smiled as she got close to her husband so that she could hold him. "No, it's okay. Take a breath baby." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, doing just that for the woman he loves; meanwhile, she put her hands on his face and just cuddled up to him. At the same time, Matt grabbed Gabby's legs and wrapped them around his waist; while also moving his hands to her back, and just keeping the woman he loves close to him. After which, she leaned in and kissed him softly, which was exactly what Matt needed at the moment, for his beautiful wife to kiss him as she holds him close, and they relax together.
Because right now, that's exactly what Matt needs to do; but at the same time, she also needs to do something else. And that would be to make sure that he did something, which would be to ensure that he already did something; and that would be whether he took his medicine yet, or if he still needs to take them. "Okay, did you already take your medicine?" Matt agreed with Gabby as she asked him whether he took his medicine. "I did. And I already took a run and had breakfast myself." Gabby was a bit taken aback as she heard Matt tell her everything that he's already done today, as he's already done a lot. "How long have you been up?" Matt sighed. "Maybe an hour and a half, to two hours." Gabby was surprised as she heard Matt say that, before getting a bit concerned.
Concerned that there was a reason behind him having decided to wake up around seven (or maybe even earlier) this morning, rather than him having just woken up because he felt like it; and that would be PTSD, as she just felt like he had some. And that was why she was here, because she just felt it in her gut that she needed to be here so that they could talk about it. And that's exactly the topic which she decided to broach as she was thinking about it. "Uhm…did you…" Already well aware of what Gabby was going to ask him, Matt decided that it was useless to try and hide what he was dealing with as soon as he woke up this morning; because he knew that Gabby was going to be able to see right through his denials, as she can just read him better than anybody when it comes to PTSD.
"Yeah, that's why I'm up so early rather than in bed with you. Sorry about that. I know you were dead set on us waking up in each other's arms in our bed for the first time in a while this morning."
Shaking her head, Gabby proceeded to wrap her arms around his neck as she held Matt close to her; meanwhile, he moved his hands to her back and held her close to him. That way, she was right where he wanted her to bed; she was right against his chest, all comfortable in his arms as they relaxed with each other right now. And boy did Gabby love this feeling, especially since she just laid her head down on his shoulder; which allowed Matt to do something that really pleased her, which was to kiss her neck and make he quite happy; something that she showed her husband by doing something that he loves, which would be to moan for him. "Oh, you like that; don't you baby?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she most certainly does love it when Matt kisses her neck the way he does.
"I think we both know that there's just this way that you kiss my neck, that will always give me the pleasure that I love more than anything in the entire world, which is why I want it."
Matt agreed with Gabby, well aware that was the case. After which, he turned his head and bent down to kiss her shoulder softly, which is something else that Gabby wants, as it makes her happy. It makes her feel happy to be his wife, and the woman who gets to have this love from her husband each and every day. And not for the money, but due to the fact that Matt is the love of her life; that's the only reason that she wants to be with him, contrary to what some people on the internet. Yes, some people online think that their marriage is just for benefit; for a green card, and she's just been hiding it recently. Because she doesn't want to worry her husband, not when he already has a lot on his mind. But just because that's the case, it doesn't mean that Matt doesn't want to help her.
Nor does it mean that he can't tell that Gabby has something on her mind right now, something that he wants to know about, which is why Matt just started to kiss her neck, as a way to tease her and get what she has on her mind out. "What's going on baby?" Taking a breath, Gabby sighed. "There are just some comments online." Leaning back, Matt looked at his wife as she said that; because if there are comments online related to his family, then he would hope that she would've told him. "What type of comments?" Gabby sighed as she looked at Matt. "They don't matter." Matt shook his head as he heard Gabby say that, as they most certainly do matter; especially when they are causing her this much trouble. "If they are causing you trouble, then they matter to me baby."
Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before putting her hands on his face again; after which, she leaned in and kissed the man she loves softly as he has always been there for her. And that's something that she appreciates more than anything in the entire world. "I hope you know that I'm not worthy of you." Matt shook his head as he heard Gabby say that, as that's not what he wants to hear; rather, he wants to hear what's on her mind. "There's something on your mind, and you're going to talk to me about it." Gabby agreed with Matt as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, it's just these comments online." Matt agreed. "You already said that, but what type of comments are they?" Gabby sighed as she looked down, as she was not proud of the comments she read.
"They're saying that our marriage is just a business transaction, and that a man like you can't love a girl like me; a woman who probably is just using you for a green card and might have trapped you with kids."
Matt was absolutely shocked, and heartbroken as he heard Gabby say that; as that was the worst thing that he could ever hear, especially when Gabby is the love of his life. Running his hand up and down her back in the process, Matt sighed as he turned his head and kissed her neck softly. "Before you ask, I don't believe it at all. I know that's not what this is." Matt agreed with Gabby, as this is real; they have a real marriage, and they have been through too much for it not to be a real marriage. "Listen, I am going to call Heather and my sister; they can deal with it." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before hugging him; after which, Matt ran his hand up and down his beautiful wife's back. "Do you want to just stay in bed again today?" Gabby sighed, as she did want that.
"Do you mind if that's what we do today?"
Matt shook his head, as he was more than happy to just stay in bed with her. "I will do that, because I want to show you that what I said is the truth; we are more than just a business transaction, because our marriage is built on love." Taking a breath, Gabby agreed with Matt before leaning back and putting her hands on his face. After which, she went to kiss him; but unfortunately, they were interrupted right in the moment by Matt's phone. "Sorry babe." Matt then went to kiss Gabby again, but she pushed him away so that he could go see who it was. "No, go see who it is." Matt was a bit surprised as he heard Gabby say that. "Are you sure?" Gabby agreed, as she was sure. She was certain that she wanted Matt to see who was calling, as it may be part of their press team to help them.
"It may be your sister, or part of the press team trying to clean up the mess."
Matt agreed with Gabby, before kissing her softly. "Go lay down in bed, and just take it easy." Gabby shook her head. "I'm going to finish here first." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, before swimming over to the stairs so that he could grab his phone; but unfortunately, he missed the call. "I can wait to call back?" Gabby shook her head. "Call back now, I'm okay Matt." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, before going to get out of the pool. "Want me to come back?" Gabby shook her head. "Just get us breakfast, and we'll meet up in bed." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before going to call Heather back; that way, he can see what she wants. He just hopes that it's what he thinks, which would be her trying to fix the mess that is the press machine.
And in fact, it was exactly what Matt thought; as Heather just said the following the moment she answered and he put his phone up to his hear: "God, it seems like drama just keeps following your family."
"God, it seems like drama just keeps following your family." -Heather Darden
That was how the conversation with Heather started, as Matt spoke to her her on speakerphone while in the bathroom; while at the same time, he got changed into his boxers. After all, he did just finish letting his swim trunks fall onto the ground. "Tell me about it, and I absolutely hate it as it's related to my wife and family again." Heather agreed with the husband and father as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I know, and I was actually just trying to fix this for you with the hopes of you not having to deal with this at all." Matt sighed. "Actually, I wasn't the one that saw it in the first place." Heather got worried as she heard Matt say that, before realizing what that meant. "Oh no, does that mean…" Matt agreed with Heather, as that was exactly what he meant to say.
"Yep. Gabby was the one that saw the article before me."
Heather sighed as she heard Matt say that, while also feeling her heart break for Gabby; because the last thing that she wanted her friend to have to deal with, was this headline. "Just thought I'd let you know that I just texted Mr. Solano, and he's aware that I am taking care of this. Or are you back now, I forget." Matt sighed. "I'm back, so you can talk to me. But just try and make sure that we take it slow, as I need to be caught up to speed; I actually need to read something today." Grabbing his phone, Matt took a breath as he walked out of the bathroom before making his way over to the cribs. After which, he proceeded to look down at the girls and smiled due to the fact that they are the most adorable baby girls in the entire world; and he is so proud to be their father.
"Yeah, you girls just sleep for mommy for a bit; that way, she can relax and take it easy."
Heather snickered as she heard Matt say that, before taking a breath as she started to think about Andy, which is something that Matt most certainly knew, as he made his way over to his side of the bed and grabbed his AirPods. "Heather, give me a second okay? I am going to move to my AirPods and open my iPad so that I can read while we talk." Heather agreed with her boss as he said that, more than okay with him doing that. "Of course, I understand that you need to multi-task." Matt laughed, before going to make a joke to lighten up the mood between the both of them. "Well, I am an expert on that. I mean, a business, my PTSD, and four kids? Add in a bunch of children for senior executives, as well as my favorite nephews. How are the boys anyways?" Heather sighed.
After all, Ben and Griffin are already sick of being indoors. "I am ready to ship one of them off to boarding school, so that I just have to deal with one of them at a time." Matt laughed as he heard Heather say that, before shaking his head as he knew that wasn't really the case. "Heather, we both know that you aren't going to do that; especially not when you can just send them off to Severide." Heather laughed as she heard Matt say that. "Yeah, I think you mean your place." Matt shook his head, as he most certainly was not doing that. "No way! I have PTSD, a dog, four kids, my sister lives next door; and both my mother, as well as my mother-in-law live with me." That's when Matt heard Camila at the door. And based on what she said, he knew that he was in trouble after what he said.
"Are you really complaining? When I make you amazing breakfasts?"
He just hopes that what he says can fix it. "Camila, I was talking to my friend after she told me that her sons Ben and Griffin are driving her crazy. She said that if it happens too much, she was going to send one to me; I wasn't complaining, I was just explaining to her why it wasn't going to happy. I promise Camila, that I love all the help that you give to me and Gabby. Especially from when we were in the hospital, because you were such a big help then." Camila agreed with Matt as he said that. "Ok. That makes sense now. But do you want me to make breakfast?" Rather than have Matt answer, Gabby did it for him. "Yes please mom and check on the boys!" Camila agreed, before turning to look at Matt. "See you in a bit." Matt agreed with Camila as she walked away,, before sighing.
After which, he turned his attention back to the call that he was just having with Heather. "Heather, you almost got me in trouble!" Heather agreed with Matt, well aware that was the case. "Sorry about that." Matt agreed with Heather, before taking a breath. "But seriously, your boys are not coming here if you need a break. They are going to Severide's place. Because he gets to take a break, I don't get a break. I work every day to make sure that this company runs, and that we make a bit of profit so that I don't go broke. While also taking care of my PTSD, my mental health, and my family as I make sure that we stay safe. Oh, and I JUST GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL!" Heather agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case as he did just get out of the hospital.
"Right, sorry about all of this Matt."
Matt agreed with Heather as he said that, before bringing the topic of their conversation back to the original topic. "Okay, can we get back to the original topic?" Heather agreed with Matt as he asked her that. "Yeah, so what are we going to do?" Matt sighed. "I am going to defend my marriage, and make sure that people know that we're done being bullied. First you come after my kids, then you come after my marriage; well, you messed with the wrong father…as he most certainly is not going to turn his back on his wife and kids." Heather agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I know that, and that's why I'm here to help. What do you want to say? And do you want to craft a press release?" Taking a breath, Matt thought about it; before agreeing with Heather.
After all, he does want to release a press release; but he wants to do it with somebody else. "Here, let me add my sister to the call; she's going to sign the statement with you. I am not putting my name on it this time, as I am not going to be getting e-mails about this." Heather agreed with Matt as he said that, while waiting for him to add his sister to the call.
Answering the call that her brother just made to her, Christie Casey went ahead and asked whether they were talking about what she thought they were going to talk about. "The news story? Business transaction?" Matt agreed with Christie as she asked him that, as that most certainly is the reason for the call. "You're on the phone with me and Heather." Christie agreed with her brother as he said that. "Hi Heather. So, where are we?" Heather sighed. "We are just figuring out what we're going to do, and Matt was thinking that you could be the one to fix this; Matt says he doesn't want to release a statement, so he thought that you could do it." Christie agreed with Heather as she said that, as she most certainly can (and will) release a statement on Matt's behalf; because he's her brother.
"Matt, of course I'm going to release a statement on behalf of our family. Heck, I'm sure that Antonio will as well."
Heather agreed with Christie, as she was actually just getting an e-mail right now from Antonio. "Antonio just texted me and said that I need to shut this down before you guys see it." Matt laughed, before going to grab his phone; after which, he went ahead and texted Antonio. 'Gabby saw it before me, told me about it; and I'm dealing with it with my sister and Heather right now.' He then went ahead and sent the text to his brother-in-law, with the hopes of that making him happy. And the truth was, that's exactly how Antonio felt when he got the text message. 'Should've known that was the truth of the situation. Sorry about that. How's everybody?' Knowing that he wasn't just referring to the news, Matt made sure to answer the real question that Antonio was asking him.
'We're all isolating, and we're all safe; so is your mother, and the boys are fine. Gabby is taking it easy, and relaxing.'
Antonio agreed with his brother-in-law as he said that, thanking him for giving him the real answer to his question in another text. 'Thanks for answering my real question, rather than the one that I was asking.' Matt agreed with Antonio, before replying to that text once more. 'I knew that was the question that you were asking, because my sister is asking the same thing. We can talk later, as I am in the midst of trying to fix this. Talk later.' Matt then proceeded to set his phone down, before moving his attention to his iPad. That was, until he heard one of the girls cry out for him. "Hold on a second guys." Christie then went to ask her brother something. "Want me and Heather to deal with this Matt? Take care of your family, I got this if you want." Taking a breath, Matt agreed with his sister.
After all, he'd rather not have to deal with his; he already has a lot on his mind and was just dealing with some PTSD. "Thanks Christie, I was just dealing with some things before this too." Christie agreed with Matt. "Then take it easy and relax with the girls. Let me and Heather do this." Matt agreed with Christie, before speaking to Heather. "Heather, Christie is the boss, and she has my blessing to make whatever orders so that we can control this. Do what she tells you to do." Heather agreed with Matt as he said that. "Understood, and I promise that we'll have this fixed for you within the hour." Matt agreed with Heather as she said that, before hanging up the call that he was having with her and his sister; after which, he got up so that he could get the girls.
While at the same time, Gabby came inside after hearing the girls cry. "Hey, I thought that you were going to take care of that crisis." Matt agreed with Gabby as he walked up to her, before wrapping his arms around her; after which, she wrapped her arms around his back and smiled at him. "Christie and Heather are going to do it for us, which is something that I am very grateful for." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, while noticing that he was just wearing his boxers; after which, she walked over to the man she loves. Leaning over him, Gabby smiled as she proceeded to kiss him softly; after which, she extended his hand. "Come with me." Looking at Gabby, Matt was a bit confused; but at the end of the day, he trusts his wife more than anybody. So, he did as he was told.
He got up out of bed, grabbed her hand and then proceeded to follow her; and boy was he glad that he followed her, as she wanted to do the same thing as him this morning ahead of the girls waking up again. And that would be to take a nice shower with him.