What did you guys think of that first chapter? I hope you guys liked it, as I am trying my best to get a story started. And I really hope that this story will stick due to the fact that I like the premise of the story. Now, here's another nice chapter to end the night.

Chapter Two

Casey Home, Chicago – October 6, 2012
God, she's missed this bed. The bed where she and the man of her dreams made love to each other all those months ago, when they conceived their little girl; the little girl who was currently fast asleep in her crib located right next to her side of the bed. The bed that she once more shares with the man she loves and truly missed during the entirety of her pregnancy, as he was deployed overseas; he was serving her country, while she was pregnant with their adorable little girl: Miss Noelle Jane Casey. Yes, they ended up changing her name as they thought about the name while they were still in the hospital, and they ended up really liking the name; or at least they do right now. They're still trying to figure it out, all of it out as they aren't even sure whether they're going to keep this name. But there is one thing that Alex knows, and that would be that her boyfriend as not okay at the moment; not when she could hear Ty making some weird noises at the moment, some that she could only assume was related to Matt's PTSD. As that's why he has Ty.

So, since she was already awake; she decided that she was going to do something for the man she loves, which meant that she (unfortunately) had to roll over and get close to the man of her dreams. And that's precisely what she did as she proceeded to wrap her arms around Matt and cuddling up to him as a way to make him feel safe. To make him feel loved and let him know that he's home. "Stop, help. Get off me!" Getting a bit worried, Alex proceeded to sit up; but that hurt. So, she decided to just let Ty do his job. Which is precisely what he did the moment she let go of Matt as he jumped up on the bed and then jumped on top of him, before laying down on his chest as a way to wake him up. And let's just say that she was quite happy that he woke Matt up without having to bark at him, which is precisely what Ty did. He woke Matt up without barking, something that he's trained to do due to the fact that he couldn't reveal his location to the enemy, which is something that he's an expert at. "Hey buddy, what's wrong?" Alex then smiled.

Getting close to him, she cuddled up to her man and put her hand on his chest. "You were just having a bit of PTSD baby." Turning to look at Alex, Matt smiled before wrapping his arm around the woman he loves; and the mother of his beautiful daughter: Miss Noelle Jane Casey. And damn, does he love that name. It's beautiful and precisely that he wants for his little girl, just like he wants to hold Alex close to him right now. "Off Ty. Get down boy." Ty agreed with Matt, before jumping down as a way to let him relax; while Matt rolled over onto his side and let out a sigh. "Sorry you had to see that." Alex shook her head, as that was the last thing she wanted to hear. She never wanted to hear Matt apologize for having PTSD, especially not when it's a result of him having served his country. "Babe, you proudly served our country; that's why you have PTSD. Don't be ashamed of that." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling as they laid down together side by side; here in the comfort of their bed, which they plan on sharing for the rest of their lives.

And Matt had to say, he wasn't opposed to that; especially not when Alex is the woman he'd be sharing the bed with, for the rest of their lives. After all, that's precisely what he wants. He wants to share this bed with Alex for the rest of his life, as they hold each other close and just take it easy with each other. That's precisely what they both want, and it's what they're going to get with each other. But right now, that Matt wants is a bit of time with his girlfriend; and it's something that he's getting now that he's sharing a sweet kiss with the woman he loves. "I love you." Alex agreed with Matt as he told her that he loves her, well aware that was the case; especially as she loves him too. "I just wish you could show me that sexually." Matt laughed as he moved close to Alex, before bringing her body against his chest. After which, he reached under the covers and placed his hand on her leg. "So, have I apologized yet for having hidden the pregnancy from you?" Matt agreed with his girlfriend, smiling as she certainly has done just that. She's apologized.

And not just once, but many times; so she doesn't need to apologize anymore. "Babe, you've already apologized enough. Please don't apologize anymore when there's no need to do so." Alex agreed with Matt as he told her that, smiling as that was precisely what she wanted to hear. That she no longer had to apologize, and that they were in a better place. And the truth was, that was all she needed to hear to know that it was the truth. But that wasn't the reason that she was smiling right now, as the reason she was smiling was due to the fact that she was happy to be back in Matt's arms, holding him close to her shortly after having given birth tor their little girl. "I am so glad that we're back in each other's arms, as I have really missed you babe." Matt agreed with Alex, as he's missed her too. "I missed you too, and I can already promise you this. You are stuck with me and our little girl over there for the rest of your life." Alex agreed. "Which is why I want to help with your PTSD, what was it about today babe?" Matt sighed as he looked at Alex.

After all, he's not sure whether he's ready to talk about it yet; not when it's all too raw. "I think it's still a bit too raw for me yet babe, especially since I just got back. I know, I should be able to talk about it with you but…" Matt sighed, as he wasn't ready to talk about this just yet, but now he has to. "I don't exactly trust you yet." Alex was confused. "What are you talking about babe?" Matt sighed as he looked into Alex's eyes. "Listen Alex, I love you; you know that. But you hid the fact that you were pregnant with our daughter from me for nine months. Hell, I didn't even get to be there when she was born; what if I had died? I would've never known I was a father." Alex agreed with Matt, hating that. "I am so sorry Matt; I didn't think about it. We just…I didn't want you to feel more pressure to come home to us." Matt agreed with his girlfriend as she said that, well aware that she means well. "Hey, at least we have her now. That's all that matters at the end of the day. That we have Noelle in our life." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say their daughter's name.

And boy does she love their daughter's name. "I love the name that we chose for our baby girl." Matt agreed, as he loves it too. "I love it too, just like I love you. Now listen, I think we both know that I need to get up out of bed for that big boy over there." Turning her head, Alex smiled as she looked at Ty. "I missed him." Matt agreed with Alex, as he missed her too. "We all missed each other, but that's done now due to the fact that we're back in each other's lives forever." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, as that most certainly is the truth. She and Matt are stuck with each other until the day they die. "Yes, yes we are. Now listen, I need something from you if that's okay?" Matt agreed. "What would that be?" Alex smirked. "Can you get me some of your sweatpants and a dress shirt? I'm sorry, but I am not staying like this the entire time." Matt smiled, as he never expected her to stay in her lingerie all day. "I never expected you to." Alex agreed with Matt as she leaned up and kissed him softly. "Clothes, now." Matt agreed.

He then proceeded to get up and smiled as he stretched this morning, before walking away to his closet to get some clothes.

Walking back out of the closet after getting dressed in his sweats this morning, Matt smiled as he looked at the woman he loves while carrying sweats that will be just as comfortable for his beautiful girlfriend this morning. "Here we go, some nice sweatpants for the woman I love, as well as a comfy flannel of mine that I remember you enjoy." Alex smiled, as the fact that he remembers which of his clothes she likes to wear makes her happy. "I love that you still remember what clothes I like to wear." Matt smiled at Alex. "Alex, we've been together for almost 3 years now. Sure, we've taken breaks and stuff; but still, three years is three years of love and devotion. Just because we broke up, doesn't mean that I stopped loving you." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as he walked over to her at their bed; after which, he sat down and just went to get close to the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. After which, he gave her the clothes she requested. "Are these the clothes you requested from me?" Going to grab them, Alex smiled.

After all, they most certainly where the clothes she wanted. "Thank you." Matt agreed with Alex, smiling as he placed his hand on her neck and leaned in to kiss her softly. "You have no need to thank me. All you have to do for the next nine months is sit in bed and relax." Alex was surprised as she heard Matt say that. "Nine months!" Matt agreed, smiling at his beautiful girlfriend. "I need to make up for lost time. I mean, that's how long you were pregnant with our little girl over there." Alex agreed. "Especially since you're about to get busy again with work." Matt shook his head as he proceeded to grab Alex's hand, intertwining their fingers in the process. "No. I am not doing work yet. Not when that's the entire reason we broke up in the first place. You were mad that I worked pretty much right up until I deployed, and I know now that was wrong. And I'm sorry for that babe. Maybe we could've stayed together then, and I would've been talking to you throughout the pregnancy and be here in the last couple weeks of the pregnancy." Alex agreed.

After all, that was the truth. "How long have you been back anyways?" Matt sighed. "Since early September. Right before the 9/11 anniversary. And like always, I went right back to work." Alex sighed as she heard Matt say that, while also looking into his eyes. "And I mean it when I say this Alex, I really regret that now. I could've instead been with you in the last couple weeks of your pregnancy. Heck, we could've made a real nursery here in our room rather than just throw this together." Alex agreed. "Well now, I hope you've learned your lesson; because you almost missed the birth of your daughter." Matt agreed with Alex. "And if that had happened, then I do not think I could've ever forgiven myself; unless I was still overseas at the time." Alex agreed with Matt. "Of course, that makes sense." Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that. "I promise though, I am going to change and never make those mistakes again; not when I have two of the most beautiful women in the entire world living here with me again. Now, are you staying for good?"

Alex agreed with Matt, as she most certainly was staying for good. "There's nowhere I'd rather be than right here, with the man I love as we raise our daughter together." Matt agreed with Alex as she told him that, smiling as he leaned in and kissed the woman he loves softly. "I promise babe, we're in this together for the rest of our lives." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, before watching as he leaned in to kiss her; only to be disturbed by Noelle. "She's lucky she's cute." Alex laughed as she put her hands on Matt's face, kissing her sweet boyfriend softly. "Listen, promise me that we just date for a while? I want to take it easy and relax. I know what you said but…" Matt agreed with Alex. "I think that's a good idea. We just date for a bit, get used to this parenting thing. Anyways, I need to get some things in line first." Alex was confused, as she didn't understand. "What are you talking about baby?" Matt sighed as he got up and went to make his way over to Noelle's crib. "My mental health." Alex sighed, well aware that her boyfriend has those issues.

The issues that happen a lot in veterans, especially when you do three tours of duty. "Is that why you're done going overseas Matt?" Walking up to his precious daughter's crib, Matt smiled as he looked down at Noelle and then went to rub her stomach. "Hi my princess." Matt then proceeded to pick Noelle up in his arms, cuddling her up to his chest while also grabbing her blanket. After which, he threw it over his shoulder and just smiled as he rocked her; something that made Alex smile in the process due to the fact that it's the most beautiful sight in the entire world. It's the sight of the love of her life holding their daughter in his arms. And speaking of the love of her life, he needs to answer her question. "Matt, is your mental health why you're done going overseas?" Turning his head, Matt sighed as he knows that he needs to talk to Alex about this as he really needs her. "Listen, how about this? I'll give you Noelle, you can feed her while I go make us some breakfast. Then, we can talk about that today." Walking to Alex, Matt smiled at her.

After which, he leaned over her and smiled as he gave Noelle to his beautiful girlfriend before sitting down next to her; while at the same time, Alex grabbed his hand and held him close while cradling their daughter in her arms. "Stay for a minute Matt?" Matt agreed with Alex as he stayed close to her, while holding her hand. "Matt, promise me that you aren't scared to talk to me. I don't care if you think I'm going to be scared of something you tell me from your time overseas. I want a fresh start, which means no more lying and no more keeping secrets. We both know that your PTSD was also a part of it last time. You didn't share with me what went on, and that scared me. And I think it was one of the reasons I ran. Because I was getting so worried and scared of what PTSD in a soldier could mean that…" Alex teared up a bit, which prompted Matt to get close to her and intertwined their fingers. "I just got scared, and I ran instead of being the compassionate girlfriend you needed at the time. And for that, I'm sorry." Matt agreed with Alex.

After all, he could clearly see that she meant what she was saying. She truly means it when she say that she's sorry, which is why he has to forgive her. "And that's why I forgive you, not that there's anything to forgive. PTSD can be daunting for people to deal with. Why do you think I partnered with a doctor friend of mine to create Casey PTSD Services? You know them actually, Dr. Natalie Manning? I served with her husband Jeff on my last tour of duty. They send their congratulations on Noelle by the way." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that. "Well, I'm glad you had friends in Afghanistan to help you." Matt agreed. "And I had you there with me. Even though we broke up, I still kept your picture in my vest right above my heart." Alex was surprised. "Really?" Matt nodded. "I had your name and contact information, as well as your address on it. I asked them to treat you as if you were my wife, because I wanted you to hear it firsthand. I even said that my dog tags go to you if I ever died in combat." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that.

She then put her hand on his cheek as he got close to her, leaning her forehead against his as he did the same to hers; while at the same time, she made sure that Noelle continued to feed. "Baby, I promise. I'm done overseas. And people are going to say it's because I want to take control of the company again. But the truth is, it's because I'm done putting our life second. My life in the military has been incredible. But now, it's time for us to start our life together; with our daughter." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, as that most certainly is the truth. "I love the sound of that baby. I just hope you know that I appreciate it more than you could ever know." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, before leaning in and kissing her softly. "I love you Alex, and I always have. I know we've had our good times and bad times, but is there any way we can start with a clean slate?" Alex sighed. "Can we talk about that after breakfast? Matt, there are some fights we need to talk about." Matt agreed, as he felt the same way. "I know, the job one."

Alex agreed with Matt. "Matt, can we just wait a bit? We just had Noelle." Matt sighed, while agreeing with his girlfriend to delay their fight about how she doesn't like how much he travels for work. "I don't think there is a fight needed to be had anymore." Alex looked at Matt. "So, it's like that? You just decide things on me again." Matt nodded. "Because I want to be here with Noelle. Why would I want to travel when my life is here?" Alex smiled, loving the sound of that. "Me too. Sorry I thought that it was going to be a fight." Matt agreed with Alex as she looked at Noelle while she fed her. "She's so precious." Alex agreed with Matt, smiling at her loving boyfriend. "Listen, can you go make us some pancakes? I'm starting to get hungry." Matt agreed as he got up, smiling as he leaned over her and then went to kiss his beautiful girlfriend softly. "I love you." Alex agreed, smiling at Matt. "No phone." Matt agreed, before kissing Alex again. "I love you babe." Alex agreed. "I love you too." Getting up again, Matt smiled as he walked away to make breakfast.