Hi Readers: My apologies ahead of time for having just posted a single chapter. I got distracted like I always do, and that meant that I haven't really been updating. But now, I'm back and ready to update some more. Here we go, and I hope I can stop getting distracted.
Chapter Three Hundred and Thirty-Five
Firehouse 51 Reunion
Walking over to the couches that they had here in the restaurant after saying hi to all of their friends, Matt, and Gabby both took a breath as they looked at the breakfast menu; because even though they both own part of the restaurant, they are not the best at remembering the menu…especially when they're distracted, which is exactly what Gabby is at the moment. And that was why Matt was glad that he and Gabby were alone for a moment, as it allowed them to talk while they looked at the menus; but first, a quick ice breaker. "I was just thinking of getting an omelet with a black coffee or a French vanilla." Turning her head as she heard Matt say that, Gabby finally snapped back into reality when it came to what he was saying. "Right, I think that'd be good too." Matt agreed.
After which, he took a breath and looked at his wife. "Are you still shaken up by seeing Stella there?" Gabby sighed, before sitting up again and getting close to her husband; after which, Matt wrapped his arm around her more and pressed his lips to the side of her head. At the same time, Gabby grabbed his hand and held him close. "Gabby, things are okay. I'm here, and I promise you that I'm never going to let what happened in Hawaii happen to you again." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case as she turned her head and looked at him; after which, she kissed him softly. "I know you will." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before smiling at her. "I'm going to look for some offices just to let you know, might try and get one in the southside."
Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, as she loves that idea. "Oh god, you just gave me a great idea." Matt was a bit confused as he heard Gabby say that, before just letting her talk. "And what might that be?" Gabby smirked. "Mentorship program. Matt, I know you want people with degrees who know what they're really doing. But you know Chicago, there's a huge population that is uneducated and impoverished." Matt smirked as he heard Gabby say that. "Mentorship, internship and training the workforce." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, because it seems like he was open to it. "Thoughts?" Matt smiled. "Maybe in the future, okay? I know I shouldn't dismiss it off hand, but right now is not the time." Gabby (reluctantly) agreed with her husband, before nodding.
But at the same time, she did feel at bit sad, which led to Matt putting his hand on the side of her neck and pushing it up. "Hey, take it easy and relax. I'm not saying no Gabby, we just need to get the office set up. And since we're moving back, I need to really look for a good office; heck, I may even try and build an office." Gabby was surprised as she heard Matt say that. "Really?" Matt agreed. "If we're going to live here for the rest of our lives, then I'm going to make myself my dream headquarters. I've already been looking for land here anyways." Gabby looked at Matt. "For those training facilities." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, liking that idea. "Wait, what about the one in Hawaii?" Having overheard some of the conversation, Severide made his way over to Matt and Gabby.
"You better not be cancelling that facility, as I put a lot of work into that facility."
Turning his head, Matt sighed as that was something that he knew that he was going to have to talk to Kelly about. "Okay, I want to remind you that you did sign a non-compete and confidentiality agreement; that is still valid, and that's the only way that I can talk to you about this. Understood." Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that. "Mind if I sit down?" Matt agreed with Kelly. "Where's Stella?" Kelly laughed. "In the ladies' room, pumping for the boys." Gabby smiled. "How are Kyle and Stephen?" Kelly smiled. "Oh, you know. Growing." Matt snickered. "God, just wait until you have a daughter. I swear, those girls grow each and every day." Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that, before smirking. "Me and Stella are thinking of trying for a daughter." Gabby smiled, agreeing with Kelly.
After all, she could see him being a good girl dad. "Just take your time. Honestly, if I could go back…I think I would've waited to have the girls." Turning his head, Matt thought about it and agreed with Gabby. "I would've waited too, as I think it would've helped to maybe get over the boys' premature birth a bit longer." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case; after which, Matt felt Andy jump up on his leg to see if he was okay. "I'm okay boy, lay down. Yeah, lay down buddy." That's when Matt heard Herrmann walk over to the both of them. "Here we go, some plates." Turning his head, Matt agreed with Herrmann as he proceeded to grab the plates. "Thanks Captain." Herrmann agreed, smiling at Casey. "No problem Chief." Kelly just looked at Matt.
"Honorary Chief. Gave them a discount on the vehicles."
Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that. "Phew, thought I had to bow to you now." Matt laughed. "You still do. Heck, I was thinking of throwing my hat into the reliever pool for COVID." Turning her head, Gabby looked at her husband. "You do that, you don't get sex until the end of the pandemic. No exceptions for birthdays, holidays, or our anniversary." Matt just agreed with his wife as she said that, as that was the last thing that he wanted. "Yes honey." Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that, while watching as Matt (finally) unwrapped his arm from around Gabby; after which, he proceeded to set his plate down on the table. "Sorry, need to eat my omelet like this." Gabby agreed with Matt, smiling at her husband. "So, where are the kids?" Matt smirked. "At the in-laws for the weekend."
Kelly smirked as he heard Matt say that. "Birthday boy must love that." Gabby just looked up at Kelly. "Hey babe, didn't we keep them on the corporate health insurance? You know, the one that covers way more than the CFD insurance!" Matt agreed with Gabby as she asked him that. "Yeah, I think we did." Gabby then turned to look at Kelly. "Last time I checked, I'm welcoming a firehouse into my home to help us move. The home where I'm going to live with my husband and our kids, the kids who spent time in the NICU! One of them thanks to your wife…" Kelly gulped as he heard Gabby say that. "So, buddy, I would shut your mouth before you loose your health insurance." Stella laughed as she heard Gabby say that. "Yeah, because I can't cover him through my benefits that you give me."
Matt agreed with Stella as she said that, well aware that was the case. "By the way Stella, I want to remind you that you're still on probation until the summer. One wrong move, and you're out." Kelly looked at Matt as he said that. "Mat…" Matt just looked at Kelly. "Kelly, I gave her a second chance; don't complain. I was more than ready to keep her away from Gabby and the company, because of what she did that led to (1) our daughters being born premature, and (2) me having more PTSD!" Kelly got nervous as he heard Matt say that. "How bad is it?" Gabby sighed. "He's had to go up a couple doses since we moved home." That's when Gabby saw that she was getting a text message. Going to grab it, she saw that it was from his mom.
'Going to do your medicine cabinet, hope that's okay.'
Gabby then got worried. "Fuck!" Turning his head, Matt looked at his wife as he got concerned. "What's wrong?" Turning her head, Gabby sighed. "Your mom's in our bathroom going to do our medicine cabinet." Matt got worried. "Fuck, I need to…" Gabby then proceeded to put her hand on her husband's arm. "Baby, I can…" Matt shook his head. "She's my mom Gabby, I got it." Matt then got up, before leaning over his beautiful wife and kissing her forehead. "I'll tell her to wait and just take it easy. It's too early to start." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, well aware that's the case. "Thanks baby. And I know you have some in your container but…" Bending down, Matt kissed Gabby to shut her up. Breathe, and enjoy your breakfast. "Herrmann!"
Turning his head to look at his former Captain, Herrmann listened. "Can we get a water for Gabby? She's a bit stressed at the moment." Herrmann agreed with his former Captain, before nodding. "I got it Matt." Matt smiled as he agreed with his friend, before looking at Gabby. "Stella, make sure that she breathes if you want to meet my daughters in the future." Stella agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was something that she's yet to do; after which, Matt looked at Gabby again. "You okay?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she's okay; at least, she will be once he talks to his mom. "Can you just talk to your mom?" Matt agreed with his wife, ready to do just that as he proceeded to walk out of the restaurant. That way, he can call his mom and get her to stop unpacking.
Standing outside the restaurant, Matt took a breath as he waited for his mom to answer. "C'mon…" It just took a while to answer, but eventually Nancy Casey did answer her son's call. "Hey Matt, everything okay?" Matt sighed. "Mom, are you already started in our bathroom?" Nancy was a bit confused as she heard her son ask her that. "Why?" Matt sighed. "Mom, can you please just answer my question!" Nancy agreed with her son. "Geez, calm down Matthew. No, I just finished bringing the box in here." Matt agreed. "Then mom, can you please just go relax right now. Or go start in the kitchen, please don't do the medicine cabinet." Nancy was confused. After all, she's done a medicine cabinet before. "Matt, I've done a medicine cabinet before." Matt sighed, and then told her.
"Yes, you have. But not one that contains a very powerful anxiety medication, while also having four babies."
Nancy then started to understand why he didn't want her to do it, and it was due to his medicine. "Oh." Matt agreed with his mom. "Mom. I can't take the risk. And neither can you. I'm sorry, but my kids are my world. If something happens to them on your watch, then I am not saving your ass mom." Nancy agreed with her son as he said that, well aware that he would not save her ass when it came to his children. "Of course, you wouldn't." Matt agreed with his mother as she said that, before taking a breath. "Listen. Just take it easy mom and relax. We're just having breakfast with our friends, and then we're coming home to unpack. Maybe just have breakfast or order yourself something on the Uber Eats app mom. I already put my credit card in for you to use." Nancy agreed.
After all, she isn't going to say no to that. "Understood." Matt agreed with his mom, before taking a breath. "Mom, for future reference. Can you promise me that you won't touch my medication? It's too risky. And it also scared the crap out of Gabby." Nancy agreed with her son as he said that, well aware that was the case. "By the way, how did you get into my place? Last time I checked, you were at Christie's." Nancy agreed. "The two of us are already here, we wanted to be here to start early." Matt sighed. "Listen mom, I'm going to text Christie an address. Come join us here, because we're not starting for a bit. Talk to you soon, okay?" Nancy agreed, and proceeded to hang up; meanwhile, Matt proceeded to call his sister as she was next on his angry call.
"Hey Matt, I was wondering where you were."
Matt sighed. "Like I told you last night, we're having breakfast with our friends ahead of us bringing them back to our place to unpack." Christie then realized that. "Oh." Matt agreed with her. "Christie, mom was in my bathroom unpacking!" Christie was confused as she heard Matt say that. "Isn't that a good thing?" Matt sighed. "Not when I have strong drugs in there!" Christie got worried. "Matt are you…" Matt groaned. "Christie! PTSD! I take anxiety meds, and I have four kids! What if mom spilled them and missed one of the meds? One of the babies grab it, they overdose and die!" Christie got worried as she heard Matt say that. "Oh god." Matt agreed. "Listen. I love you, and I love that you're ready to start. But please. Either come have breakfast with me or go out with mom."
Christie agreed. "And please, go double check my bathroom just in case. You know mom has a hard time with little white pills, and I would rather you check for me; because you have better eyes, and a better attention to detail with your marketing skills." Christie understood. "I'll do that for you Matt. Sorry again." Matt agreed with his sister. "Listen, I have to go check on Gabby. She was scared." Christie agreed with her brother as he said that, well aware that was the case; meanwhile, Matt ended the call with his sister while hearing Gabby speak to him. "So, your mom and sister are both there." Matt agreed with his wife as he turned around, before letting out a sigh; after which, he made his way over to her and wrapped his arms around her this morning to calm her down.
Wrapping her arms around Matt's back as they held each other close, Gabby laid her head down on his shoulder as she breathed a bit. "I told my mom why she can't do the bathroom, and I asked my sister to go upstairs and check on the ground just to be certain. And I will do it again when we're home, I promise first thing." That's when Matt got a text. 'Hey, we're just going to have breakfast here. Mom is craving some eggs. That okay? You have those ones from Hawaii still?' Going to grab his phone, Matt sighed. 'Christie, can you just leave the house and I'll call you when we leave to go home. I'm not okay with having you there right now.' Christie agreed with her brother, before texting back. 'Right, see you later.' Matt agreed with Christie, before putting his phone away.
After which, he wrapped his arms around Gabby once more and kissed her forehead softly. "I'm sorry about that baby." Gabby shook her head as she held him close. "It's okay, it's not your fault." Moving to look down at his wife, Matt sighed as he put his hand on her neck. "I should've spoken to my mother, and told her no. Or, I should've already done it; but I just…" Gabby already knew what he was saying, he was tired. "Baby, take a breath and just breathe. Everything's okay, and I already know that you're tired; that's why we don't have the kids for a few days. And we can always celebrate your birthday with the kids later if we need more time without them." Matt agreed with Gabby, before smirking. "I have to say, I love the idea of sexy alone time with you on my birthday."
Gabby laughed a bit as she heard Matt say that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I am well aware that's the case. But that's for later, and let's just say that you aren't going to keep your hands off of me." Looking at his wife as she grabbed his hand to lean him inside, Matt was surprised. "Excuse me?" Gabby smirked while leaning Matt back inside, well aware that she just turned her husband on in a way that was exactly what he wanted to hear; he wanted to hear her say that she was wearing lingerie for him, which is exactly what she's wearing for her birthday boy husband. "C'mon birthday boy, let's go have breakfast so that we can get home and take care of that." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife as he made his way back inside with her. "I want a beer." Gabby laughed.
After all, it's way too early for a beer. "Not happening, and I am not having sex with you while you're drunk." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I already knew that." Gabby nodded as she and Matt both made their way back into the bar together, so that they could finish breakfast with their friends ahead of them working at the house with all of them.
Sitting down with their friends once more as they ate breakfast, Matt, and Gabby both laughed as they listened to stories about Kyle and Stephen. "Speaking of which, who's watching the little guys today?" Kelly smiled. "I asked Will and Natalie if they could watch them while we helped you unpack." Matt agreed with Kelly as he said that, while also looking down at Andy. He then went to point down, as he wanted him to lay down where he's supposed to lay down; somewhere that Andy already knows is his place, which would be at his feet. But it seemed like the new smells of the restaurant were getting to him. "Andy!" Turning his head, Andy realized what Matt was doing before moving to lay down where he's supposed to be; and that would be at his feet, just relaxing there with him.
"So, you ready to find a new replacement for Squad 3?"
Kelly laughed. "You mean for Cruz?" Matt agreed. "You okay with me taking him?" Kelly agreed. "I think it'll be better for our relationship, as I think we were just working too close for too long." Matt agreed with Kelly as he said that. "I hope you know that the offer to come back is always there, but it may be in another role." Kelly smirked. "Build the training facility here in Chicago, and you got yourself a head of the Casey Fire Academy." Matt sighed. "Shit, you were going to help me design that." Kelly agreed. "Maybe I can stay on and take care of that part for you, while having a full-time job at the same time." Matt thought about it, before looking at Stella. "You have to take a lower salary, taking away what the CFD pays you from what I pay you." Kelly agreed with Matt.
"And you would only finish that project, then you're out."
Kelly agreed. "And you share an extension with Stella, as I've already reassigned yours to Cruz since he is taking your office." That's when Matt remembered something. "Shit, I need to get him to sign the contract." Turning her head, Gabby agreed with her husband as she was already aware of that. "Matt, I know that you need to do that. But right now, we have priorities; and that would be that we need to unpack our home, and just take it easy. Please, relax baby." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Thanks baby." Matt agreed with Gabby, before smiling as he forgot to say something. "Oh, by the way guys!" Everybody turned their heads and looked at Matt. "Just to let you know, breakfast is on me as a thanks for your help today!"
Everybody cheered as they heard Matt say that, happy that was the case; meanwhile, Matt turned to look at Gabby. "That okay?" Gabby agreed with her husband, smiling as she turned her head and then kissed him softly. "That's perfect, because that's just fair. We pay for their breakfast, in return for them helping us unpack our home." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, smiling at the woman he loves before bending down and kissing her neck softly. "Can't wait until we're all unpacked." Gabby smiled, before turning to look at Stella. "By the way Stella, you're working on call until the end of march. If I want to work on something, then we can work over the computer. If I don't call you, work on unpacking your home." Stella agreed with her friend/boss and smiled at her.
"Thanks for giving me a second chance Gabby."
Gabby agreed with Stella as she said that. "Hey, what you did isn't as bad as what Sylvie did to me." That's when Gabby heard Sylvie come in. "Really? Stella caused you to go into premature birth! I did it worse." Turning to look at Sylvie, Matt was shocked. "What are you doing here?" Sylvie just looked at Matt. "I came to say…" Matt then went to look at her. "No, I mean what are you doing this close to us?" Kelly was confused. "Man, calm down. It's a bar…" Matt shook his head. "No, because I have a 500-feet restraining order. And per the terms of the order, which I got transferred to Illinois and California; Sylvie is not to be within 500-feet of (a) The Casey Family, (b) The Dawson Family, and (c) any Casey Owned or Operated Property." Sylvie looked at Matt as he said that. "Matt…"
Matt just looked at Sylvie, not happy with her. "Gabby, I am going to talk to her if that's okay?" Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, before putting her hand on his arm and going to kiss him softly. "Kelly, go with him. I trust my husband, but I most certainly do not trust her." Kelly agreed with Gabby as she said that, before looking at Sylvie. "Outside, now!" Sylvie agreed with Kelly, before walking away. Meanwhile, Matt looked at Gabby as he put his hand on her back. "I will take care of his and talk to her about how pissed off I am about the vow renewal still." Gabby agreed with her husband, as that most certainly is something that she knows he's mad about. "I know baby." Matt agreed with his wife, while moving his hand to the back of her head once more.
After which, he bent down to kiss her one last time before walking away so that he can make his way outside with Kelly; while at the same time, Stella looked at Gabby before taking a breath. "Just curious, uhm…can I ask you a question Gabby?" Gabby agreed with her friend. "What is it?" Stella sighed. "Who did you worse? Me or Sylvie?"
Gabby's POV:
As Stella asked me who I believe betrayed me more, I took a breath due to the fact that I haven't thought of this question before; and while me and Stella did have a big fight, I also had a big fight with Sylvie. "Honestly girl, I can say that you both. And I hate that. Stella, you put my life, and the life of my daughters on the line. Oh, and you made my husband's PTSD worse three days after my anniversary! Stella, I mean c'mon. I'm your boss! And even if I wasn't your boss, do you really think you should've argued with me when I was that far along? When it was already a high-risk pregnancy? And that I was carrying a dead third child." Taking a breath, Stella agreed with me. "How are you guys dealing with that?" I sighed, as it was quite hard still. "It still feels weird, knowing there was another baby."
Stella a greed with me when I said that, well aware that was the case. "Gabby, you had to know that I felt horrible; heck, I couldn't even get Kelly on my side." I was shocked as Stella said that. "What?" Stella nodded. "When we were home that night, we talked. And Kelly flat out told me, that he loves me; but he couldn't condone it, and that he wasn't going to give me sympathy. He said I was wrong, and he wasn't going to stand up for me." I smiled as I heard Stella say that, before sighing. "I'm sorry that you had to deal with that Stella, I really am. I know that you love Kelly, but that's just…" Stella agreed with me. "Gabby, listen to me." I agreed. "I'm not mad. I know that you and Kelly are like brother and sister. And I also know that he was in a really hard spot." I sighed.
After which, I took a breath. "I'm sorry if it put a strain on your marriage, but I think that he had another reason why." Stella was confused as she heard me say that. "What would that be?" I sighed. "He wanted to be there for Matt, as his brother. I mean, Matt tried to turn to Jay some since he went through it too but…" Stella understood. "There's just something about their friendship that is more like a brotherhood." I agreed with Stella. "Stella, our husbands, and Andy were thick as thieves before he died; their relationship has gotten better, but it's never been the same. And I worried at the time what this might do to their relationship, because I knew that Matt needed someone to help with his PTSD; someone to turn to, other than me sometimes. And I'm glad he had Kelly." Stella agreed.
After all, she knows how close our husbands are. "And I hope you know that I do hope to be close to you like that again; but I just need space, and time to work this out. This is a lot to deal with Stella, and our girls are still dealing with some things. And I am still grieving a bit too for the baby I lost. And there are times where I wondered whether I would loose all three of the babies." Stella agreed with me as I said that. "I hate that Gabby, especially since I know what it's like to loose a baby. Remember, I did that right after me and Kelly got married." I agreed with Stella as she said that, well aware that was the case. "I know and I just hope that you're doing better." Stella agreed, as she was doing better. "I'm doing much better, thanks for asking." I smiled as I heard her say that, before agreeing.
Meanwhile, outside with Matt, Kelly, and Sylvie; Matt was currently in the midst of standing close to her, but not close enough for her to be able to touch him. And that was due to the fact that he needs to talk to her right now. Talk to her about what made her believe that she could actually come to his vow renewal. "Okay, I am really going to ask you this Sylvie. But what the hell were you thinking?" Sylvie looked at Matt. "Matt, I was going there for you." Matt was absolutely shocked as he heard Sylvie say that. "What?" Sylvie looked at Matt. "Matt, be honest with yourself. The only reason that you're with Gabby, is due to the fact that she trapped…." Getting close to Sylvie, Matt got in her face. "Careful what you say next Sylvie Brett. My children are my miracles." Sylvie looked at him.
"Last time I checked, any woman could've given you a baby."
Matt looked at Sylvie. "Wow, you are still as delusional as ever! You still think that I would EVER want you after what you did to my wife! How you then slept with my brother-in-law…who's married by the way!" Sylvie looked at Matt. "He's…" Matt agreed. "So don't you dare think that you can slither your way back into our lives, as he's married, and you lost your chance with him permanently. And even better, we love his new wife. She's incredible." Kelly smiled as he heard Matt say that. "What's her name?" Matt smirked. "Sascha, and she's really nice. But back to what I was saying. Sylvie, you are nothing compared to Gabby. Gabby is my soulmate! And I will never want you, especially when you should be IN JAIL! You assaulted my wife, and you sexually harassed me!" Sylvie was shocked.
"Matt, I didn't…"
Matt just looked at Sylvie. "You did the same thing that Gabby did to me when I was still engaged to Hallie, and you thought it would work. But it won't, as Gabby is my forever. And I am warning you Sylvie, stay the hell away from us. I have a restraining order, and you do not want to see me angry. Did you ever read that statement I made to the press?" Sylvie gulped, agreeing with Matt. "You want to mess with me and my family, or my wife…then bring it on. And trust me, the only prize you're going to get; is a ticket to the Cook County Jail. Me and Gabby can always go to the CPD with the assault claims, and I can add on sexual assault claims. Now, if you don't want to go to jail; then I suggest you stay far away from my family, because I'm giving you a free pass." Sylvie was confused.
"What do you mean?"
Matt smirked. "You leave right now, and never come near me or my family again…then the CPD doesn't have to know this ever happened. This is your final warning, because I will call the CPD the next time you come near my family; and I will get you charged with stalking, because you also applied to my company. Sylvie, this isn't a threat, but it is a warning. Stay away or go to jail. Those are your two options, and I think we both know that you would rather be free to live your life than rot in hell." Sylvie agreed with Matt as he said that, before walking away; meanwhile, Kelly clapped his hands and smirked. "God, I need a drink." Kelly laughed. "Let's just get you eating and then let's go back to your place to unpack." Matt agreed with Kelly, as that was exactly what he wanted to do.