Hi Readers: I want to first apologize for the skip once more, but I truly was running out of ideas for what I could do when it comes to unpacking. So, I decided to skip to a day that I did have ideas for. And that would be Matt's birthday. Hope you guys like this new day.
Chapter Three Hundred and Sixty
Happy Birthday Daddy, Part One
March 24, 2020 – He found himself waking up confused, the father of four waking up to the feeling of the covers moving around on top of him; after all, he thought that he had the covers wrapped around him and Gabby pretty tight. After all, she was currently laying down in front of him…or at least she was, as he soon realized that he was alone in bed. Well, not entirely alone; as rather than have the love of his life in bed, he instead had one of the loves of his life in bed. And that would be Mr. Matteo Andrew Casey. Rolling over in bed, Matt smiled as he looked at his son as he sat there and played with some of his toys that were here on the bed; after which, he decided to sit up and stretch while going ahead with speaking to his son. "Hey, what are you doing in here mister?" Moving to lean over his son, Matt proceeded to kiss the top of Matt's head; after which, he smiled and went ahead and picked him up off the bed.
That way, he could set him down in his lap; but that wasn't what Matteo wanted unfortunately, as he instead wanted to play with his toys. So much so, that he ended up yelling a bit. That was, until he was under the covers with his daddy and sitting in his lap; with Matt's hand on his stomach, Matteo soon realized what his father was doing. And that was getting him on his lap so that they could cuddle up to each other. And that most certainly is exactly what Matteo wants to do, as he rolled over and cuddled up to his papa. Meanwhile, Matt wrapped his arm around his back and smiled as he looked down at his young son; the young son whom they just brought to the doctor lately to check on his motor skills, as he's been falling a bit behind. But it turned out he wasn't, and that they just weren't seeing it. And that made him feel sad, that he was missing his milestones, which was something he didn't like at all.
So, he made a promise that he was going to be more present in the kids lives; and that he was going to make sure that he spent time with them as much as he could. And right now, that was exactly what he was in the midst of doing now that he was awake and sitting in bed with Matteo. But still, he couldn't help but wonder just where the other love of his life is; his wife to be exact. But it wasn't long until he figured that out, as he just heard her walk into their room with Noah. "Ok. Now remember what I said Noah, daddy is still asleep, and you need to stay quiet." Matt snickered as he heard Gabby say that. "No, mommy needs to explain why she left bed without giving daddy his birthday morning kiss." Looking up to see Matt awake, Gabby smiled as she was happy that he was awake; so much so, that she made a beeline towards him so that she could give her husband something he wants when he wakes up.
And that would be a nice kiss, from her of course. I mean, yes he can get a kiss from his children; but he would much rather have a kiss from her. Because that's how he always loves to start his day, especially his birthday, with a morning kiss from the love of his life. "Sorry I wasn't here when you woke up, I hope Matteo didn't startle you." Matt shook his head as he watched Gabby make her way over to him with Noah, before seeing her lean over and kiss him softly; meanwhile, he put his hand on her neck and smiled as he took things nice and slow with the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. "Hi baby." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, smiling due to the fact that she was happy to see him as well. "How are you doing? Feeling good?" Matt sighed as Gabby asked him that question, well aware of what she was talking about; she was talking about the event that occurred last night.
The PTSD that he had to deal with, as he had a bad dream about one of the kids getting COVID; which then brought him back to when they were in the hospital and living in the warming beds (which they couldn't take them out of). "Yeah, sorry for waking you up." Gabby shook her head as she heard Matt say that, before smiling at him. "Here, how about you put Noah on the bed? I already fed the girls, and I fed both of the boys. You can just take it easy and wake up, as I cuddle up to you in bed." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before going to slip Matteo over a bit. "Hey bud, can you stay there? Daddy needs a bit of room here." Smiling as she heard Matt speak to Matteo that way, she just watched as he moved him over on the bed; after which, he turned to look at her as he reached up to get Noah from her. "Here, give me my little guy." Gabby agreed with Matt, doing just that for her birthday boy as she watched him get up (before giving him Noah so that he can set him down on the bed with his brother).
After which, Matt proceeded to set him down on their bed; in the process, he looked away from his wife while she took off her robe. But once he turned to look at her once more, let's just say that daddy loved what he saw. Because it was the sight of his gorgeous wife wearing sexy lingerie, that she presumably bought for him on the occasion of his birthday. "Woah." Turning around, Gabby smirked as she heard Matt say that. "You like." Matt agreed with Gabby. "Stay there right now, and don't move." Gabby agreed with Matt, doing just that for the man she loves; meanwhile, he proceeded to make his way over to the cribs that they have in their rooms. After all, he already said good morning to his sons; but that doesn't mean that he doesn't want to do the same to his daughters, which is exactly what he proceeded to do as he leaned over the cribs. "Hello my sweet princesses." Matt then went to kiss Bella's forehead.
After which, he rubbed the side of her head and got up so that he could go do the same with Sofia; all the while, keeping them asleep so that they didn't need to take care of them for the moment. And there was a reason for that, which was that he wanted to kiss his beautiful wife and see what lingerie she was wearing for him right now as he can only assume that it's very sexy lingerie. Lingerie that she can wear for him all day, as they cuddle up to each other in bed. Well, after he takes a shower of course. He just hates that he can't take a shower with his girl due to the fact that their kids are in here. And he's going to say that, as he decided to complain a bit. "OK. This lingerie better be really sexy, because if not; I may not be the happiest birthday boy as I can't get a morning sex…I mean shower." Gabby just laughed as she heard Matt say that, while watching as he made his way over to her so that he could touch her.
So that he could put his hands on her hips and kiss her on the morning of his birthday; meanwhile, she put her hands on his chest the moment he was in front of her and leaned up to kiss the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. "I love you." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before going to undo the little robe that she was wearing; only to reveal the sexiest piece of lingerie that he's seen in a while. "Oh, damn." Gabby smirked as she heard Matt say that, while feeling him start pushing the robe onto the ground; after which he just took a moment to look at her body. "Wow." Gabby nodded as she felt him grab her robe, while also setting it down on the end of their bed; after which, he moved his hands back to her hips where they belong. "God, so sexy." Gabby agreed with Matt as she got close to him, and then proceeded to kiss him softly this morning. "I love you." Matt agreed.
After which, he moved his hand to the side of her face as he took things nice and slow with the woman he loves, while also picking her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. "Wrap your arms around my neck." Gabby agreed with Matt, doing as she was told. "Any reason why?" Matt smirked as he moved his hands to her sides and leaned in to kiss her softly. "Because you're coming with me for a moment." Turning around, Matt smirked as he proceeded to carry his beautiful wife to their washroom, where he needs to take his morning medication for his PTSD. His prescription that he finally got filled yesterday, at a local pharmacy, rather than the pharmacy in Hawaii. After all, he doesn't live in Hawaii anymore. Instead, he lives in Chicago with his family, which includes the woman he just started to kiss as he carried her to the washroom. And damn, did they both enjoy the kiss that they shared on their way in there.
He was currently holding his wife against his chest, while also setting her down on the edge of the counter as he took his morning medicine; the medicine that was going to help him with his PTSD today. Because if there was one day that he was going to take his PTSD medication, it was today as he didn't want to have any PTSD on his birthday,….even though he already had some in the early morning hours of his birthday, which is exactly what he and Gabby are talking about. "So, you're okay after your morning bout of PTSD?" Matt sighed as he ran his hand up and down Gabby's side, while also feeling her run her hand down his chest and kiss it. "Because if you need to talk…" Matt then went to stop. "Gabby, you can stop." Leaning back, Gabby looked at the man she loves, while placing her hands on his face. "Sorry." Gabby shook her head as she heard Matt say that, as she knew something was up.
"Hey, I can see that something's bothering you. What's wrong Matt?"
Matt sighed as he ran his hand up and down her side, while admiring the lingerie that she was wearing; at the same time, he put his hand on the counter and just stood close to his wife. "Matt, talk to me babe." Matt agreed. "It was just a really bad dream." Gabby shook her head as she heard Matt say that, as she knew her husband's tells; and it was more than a bad dream. "Matt, it was more than a bad dream. You don't act that way in the middle of the night when you have a bad dream." Matt sighed, as he knew that was the case. And he also knew that he needed to tell Gabby what was really going on, which prompted him to sigh, and led to Gabby putting her hand on the side of his face and kissing his cheek softly. Putting her hand on his chest, Gabby took a breath. "Baby, talk to me and tell me what's going on." Matt agreed with Gabby. "Bad dream, Bella got COVID. Became PTSD." Gabby was confused.
After all, how can a bad dream of Bella getting COVID…turn into PTSD? "Sorry, I'm not understanding how the two co-relate. How can Bella getting COVID, relate to your…" And that's when Gabby remembered what part of his PTSD is, and that would be the part where it's about the kids in the hospital, which would happen if Bella got COVID. Heck, she would easily have to go on a vent; just like she did when she was in the NICU. "I know, I shouldn't think that way; but, I…." Moving her hands to his cheek, Gabby shook her head and then ran her fingers down his cheekbone. "Hey, take a breath. Look at me." Looking up, Matt agreed with Gabby as he did as he was told to do. "There's those beautiful eyes that I love that I get to stare into each and every day." Matt snickered, and agreed with his beautiful wife as that most certainly is exactly what she gets to do each and every day. She gets to stare into his eyes and kiss him.
Leaning in, Matt decided that he wanted to do just that right now; he wanted to kiss his wife to make himself feel better. And Gabby understood that, so she wrapped her arms around his neck; before urging her husband to take things slow with her and picking her up in his arms (if he wants to). "Do you want to pick me up and head back to bed?" Matt nodded, as that was what he wanted to do. "Right after I go make breakfast." Gabby shook her head. "You are staying in bed today, and your mother is making breakfast already. She helped me feed the kids, as we wanted to let you sleep after the right night; just wish that you told me it was due to the fact that you had PTSD." Matt agreed with his wife, well aware that was the case. "I know, and I'm sorry about that." Gabby nodded, before leaning in and kissing the man of her dreams. "Listen, want to head back to bed? We can cuddle and talk about it." Matt agreed.
After all, that was exactly what he wanted to do; lay down in bed and talk about his PTSD that he had the night before.
She was now all comfortable in bed as he leaned over her, giving her a sweet kiss to start his birthday, which was exactly what they both wanted this morning. They wanted to share a sweet kiss with each other, which was extremely sexy as well; as Matt ended up surprising her, by asking for a bit of tongue action. And she was not in a place to say no, due to the fact that he's the birthday boy; and she felt a duty as his wife, to say yes to him wanting some French kisses. But now, she was no longer kissing him; as he was instead doing something else. And that would be to give his mother a hug this morning, just as soon as he walked over to her. "My apologies for not wearing something more appropriate at the moment." Nancy shook her head as she heard her son say that this morning, as it was clear to her that he just woke up on his first birthday as a father. "You probably just woke up." Matt agreed with his mother.
After all, that was exactly what he just did; he just woke up on his first birthday as a father. And he still couldn't get that fact out of his head. How today is his first birthday as a father. And neither could Nancy, as she was currently in the midst of mentioning it. "First birthday that you celebrate as a father." Matt agreed with his mom as she said that, smiling as he looked at her. "I love it so far. Well, some of it." Nancy was confused as she heard her son say that, unsure as to what he might not like. "What are you talking about Matt?" Matt sighed as he looked at her, until Gabby went ahead and told his mom what happened. "Matt had a bad dream last night, which turned into PTSD." Nancy agreed with Gabby, while also feeling horrible for her son; so much so, that she hugged him again. "I'm so sorry Matt, I hate that this happened to you on your birthday." Matt agreed with his mother, as he felt the same way about it.
"Thanks mom, I really appreciate that."
Nancy smiled as she heard Matt say that, before rubbing his back and holding him close. "Just to let you know, I finally figured out the TV and it works great. Love that I can watch TV on my iPad, as well as my TV. By the way, no more electronic gifts for me. That iPad you got for me was enough as it is." Matt snickered. "Mom, you deserve it. After all you've been through, me and Christie both agreed that you deserve it. It was a joint gift from us. Please, just let us spoil you, especially Christie. You didn't hear this from me, but she still feels horrible about how she treated you for over fifteen years. From after the abuse ended…" For clarification, the family has chosen to refer to Matt's "father's" murder, as when the abuse ended; and they are also putting air quotes around the word father due to the fact that Gregory Casey is only Matt's biological father, and never acted like a real father to him.
But now, back to what Matt was saying. "…to the time that you got out of jail, and that was thanks to Christie's statement." Nancy agreed with her son as he said that, well aware that her daughter's statement was really the thing that made all the difference in whether she would get paroled or not. "And I will be forever grateful to her." Matt agreed with his mother. "And you, of course; for always being on my side." And that was when Gabby decided to speak up. "Nancy, we will always be on your side. That's a fact that you never have to worry about." Nancy smiled as she heard her daughter-in-law tell her that, before smiling at her. "I'm going to hug her, then I'll go see my grandkids." Matt laughed, letting his mother go so that she could go see Gabby. "Good morning." Gabby agreed with Nancy as she sat up. "Good morning to you too." Nancy then leaned over her, hugging her daughter-in-law this morning.
While at the same time, she whispered in her ear. "I got this under control. All the food, and everything. You guys just take it easy and relax, because you deserve it after all the moving in that you guys have done recently." Gabby agreed with Nancy as she said that, before smiling as she kissed her cheek. "Best mother-in-law and grandmother in the entire world." Nancy snickered as she heard Gabby say that. "Not sure about that, as I think your mother is that." Gabby shook her head. "You're living here with us last time I checked." Nancy smiled as she heard Gabby say that. "Hey, you can thank your husband for that. He was the one that made sure that I was the one that lived with you guys." Matt agreed. "That's due to the fact that I want you to be with me so that I don't have to worry about you as much. Plus, we both know that Christie already has enough to deal with." Gabby was confused as she heard that.
"What's Christie dealing with?"
Matt sighed. "Jim wants to see Violet again." Gabby sighed as she heard Matt say that, well aware that Jim is always a pain in the behind when it comes to Violet. "She's thinking about it." Turning their heads as they heard Nancy say that, Matt and Gabby were both shocked, especially Matt. "You're joking with me, right mom?" Nancy nodded. "She said that she's thinking about it, and that she's going to set conditions. Like that he can't ask for money, and that he needs to keep her safe." Matt agreed with his mom. "I'll get her in contact with the legal department to protect her." Turning her head, Gabby sighed. "Nancy, do you mind if I speak to my husband for a moment?" Nancy agreed. "Of course, I'm going to make you breakfast." Matt agreed, before turning his head to look at Gabby; after all, it was clear to him that she had something on her mind.
She decided that they were going to feed the girls while they spoke about what she had on her mind, so she decided to do that ahead of the two of them talking about what she wants to talk to her husband about. And that would be that she doesn't want him to get involved in his sister's life, and that's due to the fact that he already has enough to deal with. I mean, he's already the head of the company, he's her husband, he's a father, and he has PTSD. His sister is a grown woman and can make her own decisions when it comes to her child. And she can also defend herself, which is something that Gabby hopes that Matt can understand as she spoke to him; and that's exactly what she plans on doing him right now. "Matt, can we talk for a minute?" Turning his head, Matt agreed with Gabby. "Do you have something on your mind?" Gabby sighed, as she did. And that was why she was going to talk to him.
"I don't want you to get involved in Christie's drama with Jim."
Matt was taken aback as he heard Gabby say that. "What?" Gabby agreed with her husband. "Can you please just hear me out?" Matt agreed, as that was something that he owed his wife; he always owed her a chance to speak her mind and give him her advice. "Of course, baby, what's up?" Gabby sighed. "Matt, I'm just worried for you. I mean, you have a lot to deal with already. We have 4 kids, you have your PTSD, a service dog, we have our marriage, and you're the CEO of a company; while also have to deal with the pandemic." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that those were all things that he had to deal with at the moment. "And Matt, I'm just worried that you're go overextend yourself, to the point of exhaustion. Matt, I can see that you're worried." Matt agreed with Gabby, as he was worried. "Gabby, of course I'm worried! We have four kids!" Gabby agreed with her husband.
"Hey, take a breath and relax. That wasn't anything against you."
Matt agreed with Gabby, well aware that was the case. "I'm just saying that you already have enough to deal with. Matt, I can see it in you already. You're worried about a lot of things. Our family, the company, the pandemic, your health. Heck, I wouldn't blame you if you needed to keep things from me to stay sane and not admit that they're on your mind." Matt sighed, agreeing with his wife. "I know it's wrong, but…" Gabby then proceeded to grab his hand, wanting him to relax. "Hey, take a breath and look at me." Matt agreed with Gabby. "Matt, I'm not mad if you do that. I know this is a lot. We just moved home, and we're in a pandemic. But that's why we're here in Illinois. Or can we say Chicago? I know we're an hour away, but…" Matt snickered. "Let's just say Chicago, as it's easier." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, as that most certainly is the truth. It's much easier to say Chicago.
"Okay, Chicago. By the way, I think we made the right choice in living far from the city."
Matt sighed as he looked at Gabby. "There was another reason." Gabby was a bit confused. "I didn't want to hear the sirens of the trucks and the ambulances. I was worried…" Gabby agreed. "That it would trigger your PTSD more often." Matt agreed with his wife, as that was exactly what he was thinking about. "And I know, it maybe would've been better to have our friends be our first responders; yet at the same time…" Gabby stopped Matt from saying another word. "Hey, I already agreed with you. This is our home." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before leaning in and kissing her. "Plus, we got a way better deal out here! 6 bedrooms, and over 12,000 sq. ft. of living space; for $2.4 million. For almost double the price, we got just over a quarter of the square footage!" Gabby laughed, well aware that was the case. "And even better, already paid off the mortgage!" Gabby agreed with Matt.
And the truth was, that was probably the best thing. "I love that fact too." Matt agreed, as he leaned in and kissed his wife softly. "Baby, we're much better here. And I think we're really good here in Wayne. Plus, this way, we just know that we're safe. And we have way more opportunities. And we can still be normal people out here. People don't need to know who we are." Gabby agreed with Matt. "Heck, if we want a date night in Chicago; we just drive down to Aurora, and we take the train into the City." Gabby smiled, before shaking her head. "Not a chance, because I'm not taking a dog on the train. Not when we need to also take a bowl, his food, his bed…" Matt then realized that, even though he would never stay the night in Chicago. "Oh, you thought we would stay the night in Chicago? Oh, you're dreaming honey! I'm not staying in a hotel. We would bring the kids to Chicago with us and leave them there!"
Gabby thought about it, and smirked due to the fact that would be a great idea. "We bring the kids with us, drop them off at my parents; we have our date night in Chicago, and then come home for sexy time as mommy and daddy." Matt agreed with Gabby, as that was exactly how he was thinking about it. "Yes! Now you get it! Why do you think I didn't want your mom living here?" Gabby then thought about it. "YEAH! Now I understand!" Matt nodded. "Your parents live in town; they can take care of the four kids together and give my mom a night off just like us. Then, they drive them back; and we have a family meal together the next night." Gabby just smiled as she heard Matt say that, as that most certainly is exactly what's going to happen. "Next weekend, we do a private birthday celebration." Matt smirked, loving the idea of them doing a private birthday celebration next weekend.
Well, maybe not yet. "Actually, maybe not yet…uhm, have you spoken to Antonio yet today?" Gabby sighed, as she hasn't. "I wasn't going to as it's your birth…." Matt stopped his wife. "Hey, don't you dare play the birthday card. Gabby, this is serious. Diego has COVID, just weeks into this pandemic! And he's living with your former sister-in-law. Babe, you have every right to worry about him right now; because I know for the longest time, you were a surrogate mother to him." Gabby agreed with Matt. "Do you mind if we call him before breakfast? If I can just get it out of the way, then maybe I can…" Leaning over, Matt interrupted his wife once more before kissing her softly. "Let's finish feeding the girls, eat breakfast; and then we can call your brother to check on Diego. Give him a bit of time to do the same. Let him eat breakfast, calm down and maybe just relax." Gabby agreed with Matt, as that was a good idea.
"I have such a smart husband. Doesn't mean you're getting sex tonight!"
Matt snapped his fingers as he heard Gabby say that, playing with her. "Shucks, I thought that I could convince you to give me some." Gabby laughed, shaking her head as that was exactly what she needed to at the moment. She needed something to cheer her up. "Thanks for that, I really needed that." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife, well aware that she needed to laugh for a moment. "And that's why I did it. Now, how about we do some breathing?" Gabby agreed with Matt, doing just that for the man she loves.