Hi Readers: I know, starting over again. I think we all know that I hate it just as much as you do. But I feel like I just need to figure things out, as I try and write you the best story I can. And to do that, I feel like there are just times where I need to restart so that I can give you the best quality writing I can. And of late, I haven't been giving you that. Still, I thank you for all the chances you have given me. I just hope that this one is the last time I try and start a story. Thanks again for reading, and I hope that you guys enjoy it.
Chapter One
Gaffney Chicago Medical Center – October 4, 2012
He couldn't get out of his business meeting and to the hospital fast enough after getting a call from his former girlfriend's best friend. The best friend whom he always asked to keep an eye out on the woman he loves, even though they aren't together at the moment; or at least they weren't for now. Because after the news that he just heard, there was no way that he wasn't going to get a chance to be with the woman he loves. The woman of his dreams, and the woman he truly believes is the love of his life, Miss Alexandra Marie Jacobs. But now, she was more than that to him; as apparently, she's been pregnant since they broke it off last year. Pregnant with the child that they conceived before one of the worst fights and break ups he's ever had with her. The fight? It was about him deploying overseas one last time. Because you see, the man running to his girlfriend's hospital room is not just a businessman; but he's also a Military Veteran who just finished his last tour of duty in Afghanistan a month ago and has been trying to get in touch with his girlfriend for the longest time; he just thought she wasn't answering due to the fact that she was mad that he re-enlisted one last time.
But the truth was, she wasn't answering as she didn't want to have to tell him that she was pregnant; as she thought that he would tell her to get an abortion, at least that's what was conveyed to him by her best friend. But that couldn't be further from the truth, as the last thing he would want is to have his girlfriend get an abortion; not when he's wanted to be a father his entire life. And that's precisely why he was currently rushing into the maternity ward, so that he could meet his child; he just had to get past the nurses' station first. "Hi, sorry." Looking up, the nurse was confused. "Can I help you?" Matt sighed. "I'm looking for Jacobs, Alexandra. I just got a call saying that she's giving birth." The nurse looked at him as he said that, before smiling. "Husband?" Matt sighed. "Boyfriend…ex and the father of her child. Also, a military veteran. I just got back a week ago and learned she was giving birth; I was gone for the past ten months and had no idea. We broke up." The nurse, clearly able to see that the new father was frazzled then went to look on the directory so that she could call the room and see whether she wanted to have a visitor, which is when Matt saw Jessica.
Alex's best friend who called him. "Jessica!" Turning her head when she heard Matt calling for her, she smiled due to the fact that she knew he would come; she knew he would be here so that he could take care of his family. It was just who he was. He was going to be here so that he could take care of his family, regardless of whether or not he and Alex were together right now. And that was precisely why he was here, so that he could take care of the woman he loves and his daughter. "Jessica, thank god you called me." Jessica agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as she walked over to him so that she can hug him. "Congratulations Matt. I am so sorry that I didn't call until now. I meant to call sooner, but Alex needed me." Matt agreed with Jessica as she said that. "And sorry I left work, like I said…" Matt put his hands up. "Hey, don't say another word. You were there for Alex when I wasn't. But now, I need to see her now that I know I'm having a baby." Jessica sighed as she looked at Matt. "Unfortunately, you missed the birth. She just gave birth 20 minutes ago. Naturally." Matt sighed as he heard Jessica say that. "Wait, is she okay? The baby?" Jessica smiled, as they both were.
They were both beautiful. "Alex is fine, and so is your daughter.." Matt just teared up as he heard that he had a daughter. "A daughter?" Jessica agreed with Matt, smiling as he proceeded to hug him. "Congratulations Matt. I'm just sorry that you didn't know about this until now." Matt sighed. "Yeah, me too. Now, uhm…is it just you, or is Anna here?" Anna being Jessica's girlfriend. "No, Anna is at home. I came because Alex needed some backup. I know, I should've told you sooner, but I was with her, and the baby was coming fast. But listen, I just told her that I was going to get some food. She said that she was going to take it easy. So, she's not expecting me to come back for a while; maybe you two can spend some time as a family, talk things out?" Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, as that most certainly will happen. Just as soon as his friend joins him in here. "Damn man, you ran fast. What was the hurry?" Turning his head to see his best friend and service dog, Ty. "Hi Ty." Bending down, Matt smiled as he waited for his dog to walk over to him, which he did right away. "Thanks for going to get him man." Andy agreed. "He was in your office while you ran off."
Matt agreed with Andy. "Why'd you run off anyways?" Matt snickered as he went to grab Ty's leach. "Well, I'll tell you; but first you need to promise me that you're going to do something for me." Andy was confused as he heard Matt say that, while he turned to look at Jess. "Just curious, does Alex already have everything she needs for the baby?" Jessica agreed. "Yes, at our place. We live together." Matt agreed, smirking as he turned to look at Andy. "Ok…" Matt then proceeded to grab his keys, before going to take his house key off. "Here, Andy. Take this." Andy was confused but went to grab the key that Matt was giving him. "What's this?" Matt smirked. "The key to my…I mean, me and Alex's place." Jessica snickered as she heard Matt say that. "Of course, you're going to make her move in." Matt nodded. "Yes." Jessica agreed. "Ok. Andy, here's what you're going to do. You're going to get me everything I need for a night at the hospital. Or wait, is she being released?" Jessica shook her head. "One night." Matt agreed, smiling at his friend.
He then went to tell him what he needs. "Whatever I need for a night at the hospital. Comfy clothes and stuff, food for Ty and everything. Hell, maybe you can even take Ty home for a bit so that you can walk him and give him exercise, while I get some time with Alex and my little girl. Just so that we can talk and take things easy as I meet my little girl." Jessica agreed with Matt, as that made sense. "Jessica, thank you for helping her until now. But, I am going to take over from here as it's my job to take care of the woman I love and our child." Jessica agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case as she proceeded to hug him. "Congratulations again Matt." Matt smiled as he agreed with Jessica. "I promise, I'll be good with Alex. We'll put this behind us." Jess smiled. "Thanks Matt. I know that she'll appreciate that." Andy smiled as he heard Jessica say that, before walking up to his best friend. "Congratulations by the way man." Matt agreed as he hugged Andy. "Thanks. Now listen, you guys get to work." Andy agreed.
But before he and Jessica left with Ty, he decided to give Matt some advice. "Maybe you can do something nice for Alex." Matt was confused. "Like what?" Andy smiled. "Go get her some flowers." Matt snapped his fingers, as that was a great idea. "Thanks Andy." Andy agreed with his best friend as he said that, smiling as he went to hug him. "Congratulations man, you're going to be a great dad." Matt smiled. "Wait, Jess. Do you know if we're staying the night?" Jessica agreed, as they were staying the night. "She asked to stay the night since she has nobody to take care of her, and she needs to get things set up." Matt agreed. "Well, that most certainly is precisely what we're going to do at my place. Jess and Andy, you guys will same my life if you can do that for me this afternoon and overnight. I want it done by the time I'm home with Alex tomorrow." Andy and Jess both agreed with Matt as he said that. "By the way, did she name the baby yet?" Jessica smiled. "She's deciding between Emily Marie and Emma Jane Jacobs-Casey." Matt smiled.
After all, he loves both of those names, with the exception of the last name. "Not too sure I like the Jacobs-Casey last name since we're going to get married someday." Jess smiled as she heard Matt say that. "Dibs on being the maid of honor." Andy agreed, before saying the same. "Dibs on being the best man!" Matt agreed with Andy as he said that. "You're not going to be it unless you go get my things you idiot." Andy agreed with Matt as he said that, before turning around and walking away with Jessica so that they could both go get his and Alex's things with Ty. Meanwhile, Matt took a breath as he proceeded to make his way over to Alex's room this afternoon so that he can go see his beautiful girlfriend, as well as his newborn baby girl Emma Jane Casey.
He decided to stop at the hospital gift shop on the way to get something for both of his girls. For Alex, he decided to get her a bouquet of red roses. But for his little girl, he decided to get her a teddy bear and a blanket. A blanket that was going to be something she gets to keep from her daddy. God, he still can't believe he's a daddy. Well, that's just the truth now and he just hopes that Alex is open to him spending some quality time with her and Emma today, and for the rest of their lives; as that's something that Matt wants. He wants to be with Alex and their little girl for the rest of their lives, as they live this life together. After all, he's already ruined things once; he doesn't want to ruin things again when he loves Alex more than anything in the entire world. And just hopes that him coming here even when they aren't together (for now) shows her just how much he loves and cares for her and their daughter. And boy were they both the most beautiful things in the entire world, especially as he looked at them from the door of her hospital room.
God, just the sweet sight of the woman he loves holding their daughter in her arms truly is paradise and precisely what he wants to look at right now; the woman he loves holding their daughter in her arms as they bond together. Yet at the same time, he wants to be in there on his way in, which is precisely what he's more than ready to do. He just hopes that he doesn't scare Alex, which is why he decided to knock. "Come in." Smiling, Matt came to do just that before speaking to the woman he loves. "How'd it go?" Turning her head, Alex was surprised to hear Matt's voice, while also getting a bit worried. Not that she has anything to be worried about, not when Matt is really happy right now and more than ready to just take it easy and relax with the woman he loves. "Hey, it's okay. Take a breath and relax babe." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, loving it when he calls her babe. "I love it when you call me babe." Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that, while walking over to Alex with the roses that he got for her. "I got you these." Alex smiled.
After all, they are beautiful. "They're beautiful baby." Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that, while walking up to the woman he loves; setting the flowers down on her side table before looking at the woman he loves, as well as the spot next to her on their bed. "Come, sit." Matt agreed with Alex as he proceeded to sit down and then wrapped his arm around Alex so that he could take a closer look at their little girl. "Oh god, she's beautiful Alex." Alex agreed with Matt, smiling as she held Emma close to her; while at the same time, she turned her head and looked at the man she loves. "Matt, I'm sorry I hid this from you." Matt shook his head, as he didn't want to talk about this right now. "No, not right now; okay? All that matters right now, is that we're together babe. Me, you and Emma Casey. Sorry, but my daughter is taking my name." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, as that sounded nice. "And someday, I'm hoping you will too." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that. "Matt, I've missed you. Is there any way…" Matt smiled and agreed.
After all, that's precisely what he wants as well. He wants to get back together with her, and he wants to start over with her. He wants to live with her and their daughter, as if nothing happened. He was to be her man. "Alex, I love you and Emma, I want you to live with me. I want us to start creating a life together. I made a huge mistake before I left to go overseas, I should've never broken up with you; I should've proposed and asked you to wait for me. I know I should have. But I was scared." Alex agreed with Matt, clearly able to see that was the case. "But you're not scared now?" Matt smiled. "After what I saw during my last tour of duty before retiring, hell no. I'm not scared anymore because I know what I want, and that's you and Emma being my family forever." Alex smiled, as that was precisely what she wanted as well. She wanted to be with Matt forever. "Well, looks like you aren't staying here tonight then; as you need to go home and set stuff up for me." Matt shook his head. "I told Andy and Jessica to do it for us. I'm never leaving your side again."
Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, as she loves the sound of that; of the two of them being united forever thanks to the little girl that she had in her arms at the moment. And damn is she one adorable little girl, who looks a lot like he pretty mommy. "She looks a lot like you." Turning her head, Alex shook her head as she thought that she looked like him more. "I think she looks like you." Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that, while leaning in and kissing the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. "I love you Alex, and I'm sorry that things got so hard between us." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I just need to learn more about PTSD considering I'm stuck with you now." Matt smirked as he heard Alex say that, as she most certainly is. She's stuck with him for the rest of his life. "Oh, you most certain are stuck with me for the rest of your life." Alex smiled, not that she's really complaining as she wouldn't have it any other way. "I wouldn't have it any other way." Looking at Emma, Matt smiled.
After which, he turned his head and kissed Alex's forehead. "So, you want to just sit here and talk for now?" Alex smiled. "About what?" Matt smiled. "Let's catch up. I mean, it's been a couple months since we've talked. What's new in life?" Alex smiled. "You mean, other than the new baby I just had with my handsome CEO/veteran…boyfriend." Matt agreed with Alex, hearing her question in there; the question as to whether or not he's done fighting in wars. "I promise, I'm done. I'm not going anywhere, especially not when I have you and this little bundle of joy here to keep safe." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that. "Do you like the name?" Matt agreed with Alex, as he most certainly does love his daughter's name. "I love it, but not as much as I love you. And I promise you this, we're in this together." Alex smiled as she heard the man she loves tell her that, as she loves him too. "I love you too Matt, forever." Matt smiled as he kissed the woman he loves once more, so happy to be reunited with her; as well as their newborn daughter Emma.