Hello Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters revolving around Matt's birthday. I know that this day is long, but I seem to be getting some ideas for this day that I am going to continue for a bit. I hope you guys continue to enjoy the story, as I am not sure just how long this story is going to go. I mean, we are almost at four hundred chapters. Then again, we have gone through a lot over the entire saga. We have done a year and a half in six months of writing, with many more to come. Hope you continue to enjoy.
Chapter Three Hundred and Sixty-Eight
Happy Birthday Daddy, Part Eight
Taking the stroller out of his truck, Matt smiled as he went ahead and started to set it up for him and Gabby; while also ensuring that Andy stayed nearby, as the last thing he wanted was to have to run after him and leave this expensive stroller they have unattended. And when he says it's expensive, he means that; due to the fact that he wanted to give his four children the best (which was another reason why it was a bit more expensive than a "regular" stroller that you would get for your children). I mean, is there ever a regular stroller now a days? Strollers come with all sorts of attachments now, as did the one that he and Gabby have for their children. They specifically got a big hook at they could use for a certain someone when they took a walk, and that would be Andy. With the big hook on here, he could stay nearby without them having to hold onto him and the stroller, which let Matt have another free hand.
A free hand to take care of the kids, or just to hold Gabby's hand with their fingers intertwined as they strolled together, which is what they are going to do today as they get some fresh air. Fresh air that was needed with them now having to stay inside all the time. He's just glad that won't be the case in the summer, as they'll have a pool to play in; another reason why he wanted to get this place here. Because if there was one thing that Matt wasn't going without here at his home in Chicago, it would be a pool; especially when it came in handy while they were in Hawaii during those times where he needed to clear his mind. Clear his mind of the thoughts that we stuck in there, related to all the PTSD that he has from his hard life. And while he was trying to get past it, he also knew that wouldn't be entirely possible now that he has this diagnosis; because things stay with you when you have PTSD. And he finds them to be clear.
Almost as clear as they were the day they happened, as they replay in their head during those PTSD events that he has to deal with either in the middle of the day; or more often, in the middle of the night while he's trying to get the most amount of sleep possible. Sleep that can lead to him having a good day the next day, as he needed to be rested for everything that he always had to take care of during the day. Between their four children, Andy, his marriage, and then the company; he had a lot to take care of, and he knew that he always had to be on top of his game when it came to what he needed to do. And that meant that he had to pay attention, especially when Gabby was calling for him as it may mean that she needs help with something related to the kids. And unfortunately, he hasn't heard her calling for him until now, which got Gabby worried. So much so, that she came outside to check on him.
And that was the only way that Matt finally realized that he was being spoken to, due to the fact that Gabby just placed her hand on his arm and stroked it with her thumb. "Matt?" Turning his head, Matt started to come to. "Oh. Hey. Did you say something?" Getting close to her husband, Gabby could clearly see that something was on his mind; something that really took him out of it for a moment. "Hey, where did your head go there?" Getting close to Gabby, Matt wrapped his arm around her and just held the woman he loves close to her. "I was just thinking about how we bought this stroller for a life in Hawaii." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, well aware that they bought the stroller for a life in Hawaii; because it was a stroller that could be very useful when they go off road due to the tires that they have on it. The tires that allow them to have good traction when they're off roading on trails in Hawaii.
But now that they live in Chicago, they don't have that much of a use for it here; but that wasn't the case due to the fact that their home backed onto some wooded area. "Babe, we can go into the woods over there." Gabby said, while pointing towards the trees that lined their backyard fence, which also cover up a trail there. "Right, I forgot about that." Gabby agreed with her husband, before smiling as she stepped close to him and put her hand son his chest; after which, she looked up into his eyes. "Hey, look at me." Agreeing with Gabby, Matt looked down at his beautiful wife; smiling the entire time, Matt then proceeded to vend down and kissed her softly. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she loves him too. "I love you too birthday boy." Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that, before stepping close to her and wrapping his arms around her as they held each other close this afternoon.
He then proceeded to press his lips to her forehead, as he and Gabby cuddled up to each other here on the driveway. "You happy that we're home?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she most certainly was happy that they were home. "I want to talk about all of that on our walk, let's wait for that; okay?" Matt agreed with his wife, as that sounded like a good idea. "Yeah, probably one of the last walks that we're going to be able to take without the boys talking." Gabby agreed with her husband, as she can already see that happening; she can see their sons starting to talk soon, as he mother told her that this is when she previously started to speak. "Yeah, my mom said that this is the age where I started to speak." Matt snickered as he heard Gabby say that. "Oh boy, then I'm in for a rude awakening." Turning her head to look at her husband, Gabby wondered just what he means by that, because it doesn't sound like the best.
"And what do you mean by that Mr. Casey? And remember that your birthday sex is up to me."
Snickering, Matt agreed with Gabby. "I mean that I can see them being like you. All energetic, and having minds of their own; very independent, and wanting to go on those investigations like you did in the past." Gabby sighed as she grabbed Matt's hand on their way back towards the house, while also intertwining their fingers as she started to think about what he just said…and whether they need to talk about it again. "Do you want to talk about what I did again?" Turning his head, Matt smiled at his wife before shaking his head. "If we need to, we can do it on our own time. Right now, we are with our kids and your mom." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case; and that was why she decided to talk to her husband about something. "Promise me that we don't fight on the walk?" Matt agreed with his wife, as that most certainly is something that he doesn't want to do on their walk.
He doesn't want to fight with the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world, when they are spending some quality time with their beautiful children. "I promise, as I would much rather just take it easy and concentrate on the kids instead." Gabby nodded, as that was exactly what she wanted to do as well. "And if we do need to talk about that again, then we can do it on our own time in bed; because we both know that we're going to head back to bed after our walk." Gabby laughed, agreeing with her husband as that most certainly is the truth. "While my mother goes to stay in the guest house with your mom." Matt shook his head. "No, she can stay somewhere else." Turning to look at her husband, Gabby got a bit upset as she thought that they already agreed she could stay here. "I thought that we already agreed that she could stay here with us, after she had a fight with my dad?" Matt agreed with his wife.
After all, that's exactly what his mother-in-law is going to do; she's going to stay here with them on their property, just not with his mother. In fact, there was somewhere else that her mother can live; as there's a suite of rooms inside their home, on the first floor that they can use as a mother-in-law suit. The only reason that Matt didn't put his mom in there, is due to the fact that he wanted her to just have some more room as she didn't have a home to go back to. Camila however, he's used to living with her; and would be more than okay with her living in their home once again. "I promise babe, she's not going anywhere." Gabby was confused as she heard her husband say that, but continued to follow him back inside where he was going to show her something in their home.
Casey Mother-in-Law Suite – Walking through his and Gabby's home towards a suite of rooms that they have near the front door of their door, which actually is a bit independent of the main house, which would be perfect for what they need. "Oh god, I completely forgot about this place as we didn't unpack it." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that was the case; he then watched as she made her way into the room, while taking a breath. "Listen, I know it's less than the guest house. She wouldn't have her own kitchen and dining room, and the bedroom is smaller. And if my mom moves out, then I am sure we can move your mom in there. And if you want her to live here full-time, then I'll…" Turning to look at her husband, Gabby made her way over to him as he needed to relax. Grabbing his hand, Gabby smiled as she looked at him. "Hey, take a breath for me and just relax baby." Matt agreed.
Taking a breath, he took a moment to relax as he looked at Gabby as she stood right in front of him right now; after which, he looked around the room a bit. "I mean, we could probably add a bit more storage for her; or just whatever she needs." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that. "We have options, and it all depends on what we do with your mom." Matt agreed with Gabby, as that most certainly is the truth. It all depends on the relationship that they have with his mother, as he would really like it if she could stay. "I know that we need to figure it out, but I would like it if she could stay; but we can figure it out as we go if you don't feel comfortable having her here right now. And I would understand completely if that was case, after what happened." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case as she proceeded to get close to the man she loves. She then hugged him and smiled.
Wrapping his arms around her too, Matt smirked as he bent down and proceeded to kiss the woman he loves softly. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt as he told her that he loves her, well aware that was the case until she heard her mom walk in. "So, this is where you are." Turning his head, Matt smiled and agreed with Camila. "Yeah, we just were thinking about something." Camila agreed. "Let me guess, this is going to be the temporary head office for Casey." Gabby shook her head as she wrapped her arm around Matt's back. "Or it can be where you live, if you and dad are giving up again?" Camila sighed as she looked at her daughter, as she wasn't sure what she and her father are doing. "Sorry about that Mija." Gabby shook her head, while walking away from Matt so that she could hug her mother. "It's okay mom. Just know that you have a home here, which you can move into right away if you want."
Camila then turned to look at Matt, as she wanted to make sure that was a sentiment that he shared as well. "Camila, you've lived with us since the boys were born; do you really think that I am going to be opposed with you living with us? Plus, I wouldn't mind having those breakfasts when I have to work in the morning." Camila laughed as she heard Matt say that, well aware that he is a big fan of her breakfasts. "Oh, I always knew that you only loved me for the nice breakfasts that I make for you." Matt shook his head, as that most certainly isn't the truth; it was also due to the fact that she was the one that gave birth to the love of his life. "You're also the woman who gave birth to the love of my life." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, before shaking her head a bit. "Yeah, you are just trying to charm me, aren't you?" Matt smiled as he agreed with his wife, all the while walking up to her and hugging her.
He then kissed her forehead, smiling as they both held each other close at the moment. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case; she then proceeded to look at her mother. "Listen mom, if you want to move in here; then you go ahead. Just stay here and relax here on us." Camila agreed with her daughter as she said that, more than ready to just that; before pointing to her bags in the corner. "Uhm…" Matt then turned around, only to see that there were already bags in the corner. "Right, I forgot about that." Camila agreed. "Listen, we can figure it all out. If Nancy stays here, then she can stay in the guest house; or she can move in here and you can leave the guest house for other people." Gabby then looked at her husband. "Isn't your mom with Christie right now?" Matt sighed. "She's in the guest house right now. We said that we don't want her here after that, remember?"
Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "And that's right. So maybe…" Matt sighed as he looked at Gabby. "Maybe on the walk?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she thought that was a good idea; for them to talk about it on the walk.
Strolling down the street with Andy attached to the stroller, and all four of their children placed in it; Matt and Gabby both took some deep breaths ahead of talking to one another as they collected their thoughts. Thoughts related to just what they wanted to do, and how they wanted to approach this situation. And while Matt does love the fact that he has his mother close to him, he already knows that Gabby is already worried about her being around the kids. And that was probably something that he was the most worried about as he stroked her hand with her thumb, while continuing to hold it with their fingers intertwined. "So, what are you thinking about right now?" Gabby sighed, as she had a lot on her mind right now. "How we can talk about this without offending each other." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, well aware that was exactly what she was hoping to do as they spoke to each other today.
She doesn't want to offend him with anything she says, but Matt knows that there are going to be words that she has to use so that she can accurately convey the message that she wants to give him. And that's why Matt feels like he needs to go something, which would be to promise that he won't get offended. "I promise Gabby, I'm not going to get offended if you talk to me about something I don't like. I'll just understand and make sure that we keep talking about it." Turning her head, Gabby was a bit surprised as she heard the man she loves say that. "Are you sure?" Matt agreed with Gabby, as he was positive that was something that he could do for her. He could make sure that he isn't offended, but instead just understands and listens to what his wife has to tell him; because that's something that you do when you're married. You listen to your spouse's point of view on the situations that you encounter.
"Baby, it would be hypocritical of me not to let you talk to me; and give me your honest truth about something…when I would want the same thing from you when I'm honest with you."
Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, as it most certainly would be hypocritical. "And I appreciate that baby." Matt nodded as he held the woman he loves close to her, continuing to stroke her hand as he pushed the stroller during their family walk today. "So, what are you thinking right now baby?" Gabby sighed as she proceeded to talk to her husband, knowing that she needs to be honest with him. "The truth is, I'm not sure whether I can trust your mom right now. Whether I can trust her around the kids, after what she did." Matt agreed with Gabby, clearly able to see just how shaken up she is at the moment. "I can see how shaken up you are with this." Gabby agreed with her husband, before taking a breath as they both just walked through their neighborhood together. "Listen, I love your mom. Don't get me wrong. But I think that it's just…we've been living with other people for a while now." Matt agreed.
"Yet, we're inviting your mom to live with us."
Turning her head, Gabby looked up at Matt. "We can rescind the invitation if you want." Matt shook his head, as he was just making a joke. "Sorry, I was making a joke baby. I wasn't trying to offend you." Gabby nodded, realizing now that he was just playing with her. "Yeah, that makes sense now." Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that, while stroking her hand with his thumb. "I guess, it's just hard for us to figure out what we want when we keep changing what we want in life." Gabby snickered. "Yeah, like how at one point I wanted to go for another baby." Matt agreed with Gabby as he stroke her hand with his thumb. "Yeah, that isn't happening. We have each other, and four beautiful children; that's more than enough for me." Gabby agreed with Matt as she laid her head down on his arm, cuddling up to the man she loves more than anything in the entire world as they held each other close on their walk today.
The walk that they needed to take, so that they can relax and just take it easy with each other. "I'm glad that we decided to go outside with the kids. I feel like this is something that we needed to do." Matt agreed with Gabby, as he felt the same way when it came to what they needed to do with the kids; they needed to get outside and just be together as a family. "And I'm glad that we decided to do this, as it also gives us time to talk about those things that we said that we wanted to talk about." Gabby agreed with her husband, before deciding to bring up the first one. "How about we start with the investigation thing?" Matt agreed with Gabby. "We just need to remember that we're a team, and that I am going to be the one to help you on those investigations; especially now, in the era of COVID." Gabby agreed with her husband, as that most certainly is a reason that she needs to do it with him now more than ever.
She needs to do it to stay safe, both for her sake, as well as for the sake of their children. Their children whom they love more than anybody in the entire world and are extremely proud to call their children. "I am so glad that we are the kids' parents, they are so adorable, and they make me so happy." Matt agreed with Gabby, as he felt the same way about their children. "I feel the same way about you, as you truly make me feel very happy when we're together." Turning her head, Gabby smiled as she looked up at Matt; while he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and continued to keep her close to him on their walk. "So, we need to talk about something else that was brought up at home. And that would be what you're thinking when it comes to an office." Matt sighed, well aware that they need to figure that our at some point. "I just don't know if I like the headquarters being in Hawaii." Gabby agreed.
After all, if they're going to call Illinois home again; then they should have the headquarters as close to them as possible. "I feel the same way, when it comes to the fact that we should have the headquarters as close to us as possible if we're staying here in Illinois." Matt agreed with his wife, glad that they were on the same page when it came to the fact that they need to have the headquarters as close to them as possible if they are staying here in Illinois (which they are). "Okay, I just want to say this. We can stop saying if we're staying here in Illinois, the correct terminology is since we're staying in Illinois. We tried calling California home, we tried calling Hawaii home, but it didn't work out; it seems like Illinois is the only state that we can truly call home." Gabby agreed with Matt, as that most certainly is the truth; Illinois has always been homme to them. "I am so glad that we're back here though." Matt agreed, smiling.
"It feels nice to be close to all of our family and friends, who can also help us out by testing things for us."
Gabby agreed with her husband, as that has to be something that he likes the most. "Is that something that you really like? The fact that you can get honest opinions out of the people that we have testing out products that we're going to put out on the market?" Matt bit his lip, as that was something that he most certainly did like the idea of; but he just hopes that Gabby's okay with that. "Listen, I'm not going to say no due to the fact that I really do like the idea. However, I like being here the most as this is our home. The place we fell in love, and just starting this journey we're on with each other." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "God, can you believe that it's already been six years since we started our relationship?" Matt agreed with Gabby. "I know, time flies when you're having a bunch of fun…" Matt then proceeded to whisper in her ear. "in bed."
Gabby laughed as she heard Matt say that, well aware that they do have a lot of fun in bed. "Yeah, we do have a lot of fun in bed. I'm just glad that we aren't going for another baby here." Matt sighed, as that was the second time that Gabby brought that up in recent days. "You brought it up twice now." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, well aware that she's brought it up twice now, which is something that she doesn't know why she keeps doing it. "I'm not sure why I keep doing it." Matt agreed with Gabby, well aware that was the case. "Gabby, we have four kids; we have enough as it is. Let's just relax." Gabby agreed with her loving husband as he said that, well aware that was the case. "And I love the kids. Thanks again for them." Matt smirked. "Well, I am the one that created them." Gabby then slapped his side. "What? I am!" Gabby shook her head as she heard Matt say that, but she was still happy.
Happy to be here with the man she loves, as they just walked together right now; especially when he kisses the top of her head and just holds her close to him like he is right now. It's perfect, due to the fact that it makes her really happy. Just the way he holds her always makes her happy, and she will always be happy when she's in Matt's arms. "I want to cuddle in bed for a bit after our walk." Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that. "Last time I checked, I was the one that chose what we did on my birthday." Turning her head, Gabby agreed as she looked up at her loving husband. "And of course, I want to stay in bed with you and the kids, that's my happy spot." Gabby agreed with Matt as she leaned up and kissed him, before taking things nice and slow with the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. "I love you." Matt agreed with Gabby, as he loves her too. "I love you too." Gabby smirked.
She then turned her smirk into a smile, as they continued to walk together during their family walk on Matt's birthday.