Hi Readers: I hope you guys are liking the story so far. But before we begin, I want to let you guys know some personal life updates. As of this Friday, I am going to be working Friday afternoons and all-day Saturday. That means that I am not going to have as many days where I update. But still, I want to thank you for being patient with me as I restart this story, and I promise that I will be continuing it. Just not as often. Thanks once again for reading and I hope you enjoy the story. Now, how about we give you a nice update.
Chapter 3
Even with how comfortable he was in bed with Alex all cuddled up to him in bed, he just couldn't find it in himself to sleep. So, what he did instead was just count his blessings and concentrate on what really matters right now. And that would be holding his beautiful girlfriend on his chest, while making sure that she gets the sleep she needs on his chest; and that most certain is exactly what Alex is in the midst of doing, as she was currently going on an hour when it came to her sleeping since it was now ten in the morning. God, he still can't believe that it's only ten in the morning after everything that they've accomplished. Then again, they were up pretty early this morning due to his PTSD; let's just say that hospitals are not a nice place for him after how many times he's had to go to one on the battlefield to fix up the wounds that were all over his body. Wounds that Alex actually doesn't mind, as they're his battle scars. Battle scars that she admires and loves due to the fact that they're part of the man she loves, and she loves all of him; scars and all.
And that was precisely what she was in the midst of showing Matt at the moment, as she left a soft kiss on one of his bullet wounds; while she started to wake up from her nap on her own, which surprised her. After all, she thought that Matt was going to wake her up at some point; but that ended up not happening and Alex couldn't help but wonder why it didn't happen. I mean, it should've happened; however, it may also be due to the fact that she could see that her boyfriend wasn't even paying attention right now. And she could tell that based on the fact that Matt wasn't even looking at her. Rather, he was looking away from her, which can only mean that he has something on his mind; something that led to Ty getting much closer to him on their bed. And if Ty was closer to him, Alex could only imagine what Matt had to go through; alone, nonetheless. God, she hopes that she's wrong; because she told him to wake her up if he was dealing with PTSD. Then again, she also knows that her boyfriend wouldn't do that unless it was absolutely necessary.
And to him, she highly doubts that him waking her up for anything other than Jacob isn't necessary, which is why she (somewhat) understands why Matt is just staring off into space at the moment. It's due to the fact that he's caught in thought at the moment, which means that he isn't even realizing that she's awake; at least, not until now as she left a soft kiss on her boyfriend's chest. Meanwhile, he turned his head and pressed his lips to her forehead as he ran his hand down her back. "Hi, you, you just wake up from your nap?" Nodding, Alex agreed with Matt as he asked her whether she just woke up from her nap, while also slipping up his chest a bit as she kissed the man of her dreams; meanwhile, he wrapped his arm around her waist and placed his hand on her neck as they took things nice and slow with each other for a moment. "I love you but remember that you need to take it easy babe. Don't push it." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that she can't push it, not that she wants to go far. "I know, I need to take it easy and just relax."
Matt agreed with the woman he loves as she said that, smiling as he wrapped his arms around her and just took things nice and slow with the woman he loves. After all, what's better than the feeling of the two of them taking things nice and slow with each other? Well, I know one thing that's not; and that would be their kiss being disturbed by Jacob. Pulling away from the kiss, Matt just looked at Alex. "Seriously? Now? God, and I thought that he was going to be my wing man." Alex snickered as she heard Matt say that, while bending down and kissing the man she loves once more. "You need to take it easy and relax mister." Rolling off of Matt's chest, Alex smiled as she went ahead and laid down on her back as a way to get comfortable. However, that didn't go that well. "Oh, that hurt." Getting worried, Matt looked at his girlfriend. "You okay babe?" Moving to sit up, Alex agreed as she was okay. "Yeah, I'm good." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, even though he knew that she was lying; and the last thing she truly was is okay.
But still, he wasn't going to fight with her when he liked the kiss that he just got from her, which is partially to blame for the reason she's a bit sore. The other reason being that she just gave birth naturally yesterday. "And that's why we aren't having sex for a while." Alex agreed with her boyfriend as he said that, watching as he got up from their bed and adjusted his boxers; and damn was that a turn on for her. "Tease!" Turning his head, Matt smiled as he most certainly does know that he just teased her; not that he intended to due to the fact that he wants to keep her calm rather than get her all excited. "Take a breath and take it easy babe. Remember that we aren't having sex anytime soon. We're just going to take it easy and relax with each other." Alex agreed with her boyfriend as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I already know that mister; you have no need to worry about that." Matt agreed. Meanwhile, he also made his way over to Jacob's crib this morning where he was going to be grabbing him for Alex.
While at the same time, he turned to look at the woman he loves; the woman who was just wearing her underwear. However, he couldn't help but wonder whether she was warm enough (and whether she was going to stay like that after she feeds Jacob). "By the way, are you going to stay like that after? Or are you warm enough like that?" Alex smiled. "I'm fine babe, I promise. However, I will be needing a snack." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, as that most certainly is the truth. "I think that sounds like a great idea, just like my idea to put some sweats on." Alex looked at Matt as he said that, while also watching as he picked Jacob up in his arms. "You're going to put some sweats on?" Matt agreed with Alex. "It's colder than I expected here." Alex was shocked as she heard her boyfriend say that, while watching as he carried Jacob to bed. "Cold? What are you talking about? It's nice out!" Matt sighed. "Compared to the middle east, this is cold." Alex thought about it and agreed with Matt, as that made sense, which is why she's okay with it.
Because as much as she wants to get a chance to cuddle up to her hunk of a boyfriend while he's shirtless, she'd rather he be comfortable and warm as they cuddle up to each other in bed. "I hope you know that all that matters at the end of the day is that we hold each other close in bed." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling as he felt the same way. All he wanted to do right now was hold the woman he loves close to him, as they cuddle up to each other in bed and take it easy with each other. "And that's precisely what we're going to do. But first, I need to give you this little guy." Pressing his lips to Jacob's forehead, Matt smiled as he walked up to the woman he loves; after which, Matt bent down and proceeded to give Jacob to Alex so that she can feed him. "Wait, do you want to put the robe on first?" Alex thought about it and agreed, as she most certainly does; so, that's precisely what she decided to do. "Yes please." Matt agreed, backing up a bit while still having Jacob in his arms; while Alex got up to grab the robe.
After which, she went to put it on around her body; and damn was it nice and comfortable. "God, how come they can't make women's bathrobes this long and comfortable?" Matt shrugged. "Talk to my sister." Alex smiled. "Yeah, like she'll listen to just an employee." Sighing as he watched Alex get back in bed, Matt proceeded to walk up to her with Jacob. "Here." Alex agreed with Matt as she adjusted her robe, before opening it enough so that Matt could lay Jacob down on her chest, which is precisely what he did. "God, I love that sight." Alex agreed with Matt as she got Jacob all comfortable, while also watching him start to feed. Meanwhile, she went ahead and tugged the bathrobe on top of him as a way to make sure that he was nice and warm. And let's just say that sight warmed Matt's heart so much, that he didn't even realize that Alex just spoke to him (until she yelled at bit). "Babe!" Turning his head to look at Alex, Matt smiled. "Sorry, what'd you say?" Alex smiled. "I asked you to get me his blanket." Matt agreed with Alex, as he could.
And not only could he, but he will; so, he turned around and walked away so that he could get Jacob's blanket. "Babe, where'd your head go. That wasn't normal." Matt agreed, well aware that was the case. "I know. I guess, I just got caught admiring you and Jacob." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, as that most certainly is something that she knew he was doing; just like she was in the midst of admiring him as he walked around in those tight boxers of his. "I won't deny that I'm doing the same with you and those tight boxers of yours." Laughing as he heard Alex say that, Matt nodded as he knew that was the truth; something he decided to tease Alex about as he gave her Jacob's blanket, while also leaning over her. "Well, I know you really hate it when I wear boxers; because when we're in bed, you'd rather I do something else." Alex smiled as she placed her hand on Matt's cheek and kissed him softly. "Ok. Take it easy and relax. Go get dressed, now." Matt agreed. "You okay with the same shirt that I wore at the hospital?" Alex agreed.
After all, that one was nice. "The one that you started wearing today? Yes, of course I am baby." Matt agreed with Alex as she told him that, smiling as he walked into the closet so that he could get dressed ahead of him going downstairs to get them a snack. After all, his girl does need to eat more than usual, because she's still eating for two. God, he still can't believe that. She's eating for two: herself and Jacob, their beautiful baby boy. His dream come true, something that he really means. And that's due to the fact that he's always wanted to be a father. And now that he and Alex have Jacob, he's finally a father, which means that he's living the dream. He's finally a dad, and that will always be his favorite thing about his life. He can always do other things with his life, and he doesn't need to be a CEO or a soldier; all he needs in life is Alex and Jacob. Those two are the people that really make him happy, which is why he's really happy over the fact that they have each other in their lives now and forever. Because he will always be in Alex's life, forever.
Walking out of the closet in his sweats, Matt smiled as he finished putting his shirt on this morning; while also catching Alex looking at him, clearly noticing that he wasn't wearing the same shirt as this morning. "What happened to the other shirt you were going to wear?" Matt snickered. "I didn't change it overnight. So, I was still wearing it form the night before, which means that it's all sweaty." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that. "Oh no, no sweaty shirts in my bed please." Smirking as he heard Alex say that, Matt made his way over to her. "Oh, so this is your bed now?" Alex then got a bit nervous, while starting to stutter after what she said that. "I meant to say your, our…" Smiling as he made his way over to Alex, Matt proceeded to sit down next to her again as a way to calm her down as the last thing he wanted right now was for her to get a bit scared and overreact to him playing with her. "Hey, take a breath and look at me babe." Alex agreed with Matt, before doing just that for the man she loves more than anything in the entire world.
At the same time, Matt grabbed her hand and smiled as he stroked it with his thumb. "Just take it easy and remember that I was just playing with you babe. Everything is all okay and you have nothing to worry about. I mean it when I say that I was just playing with you." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as she looked into his eyes; while he got up once more and leaned over her while kissing her softly. "I love you." Alex agreed with Matt, smiling at the man she loves. "I love you too Matt, forever." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, while getting up and walking around their bed once more. After all, he needs to get something for the woman he loves, which is why he went ahead and opened up his side drawer. "What are you doing baby?" Smiling, Matt proceeded to grab the TV remote from his side table before walking around the bed (again) to give it to her. "Here, new mom gets to pick what we watch on TV." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, as that was something that she appreciates. "God, you are such a people pleaser."
Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that, as he most certainly is; he loves pleasing people by making their day better. But not as much as he loves pleasing Alex in bed. "Well, I like pleasing one person in particular if we're being honest with each other." Alex shook her head as she heard Matt say that, but not because she wasn't happy; she just didn't want him to be thinking that way right now when he needs to calm down and just take it easy right now. "OK. Calm down babe and remember that we have a new baby. We aren't going far anytime soon, especially not when I just gave birth." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that. "Just like you've been doing for a while, taking it easy." Alex agreed, which led Matt to wonder something aloud. "Just curious though, what have you been doing for work when it came to working at Casey? I mean, did you tell my sister that you were pregnant with our kid?" Alex bit her lip as Matt asked her that question, before things got quiet, which soon led to Matt sitting down again and getting Alex to calm down and just breathe.
After all, the last thing he wants is for her to get all stressed out after he asked her such a simple question. "Hey, breathe babe and take it easy. I promise that everything is all okay." Alex agreed with her boyfriend as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I know that everything is okay, and everything will always be okay just as long as we're together." Matt smiled, as that most certainly is the truth. "Now that's my girl. I am so glad that you realized that on your own." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, not that it was hard to figure out on her own. "Not that it was hard to do that." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling before placing his hand on the back of Jacob's head and stroking it with his thumb. "Listen, I am going to go get us a snack; okay?" Alex agreed with Matt, as that's something that she needs. "Yes. And for the record, I did tell Christie that I was pregnant with your baby. She was there for me, and I made sure to keep her up to date. After all, I was pregnant with the Casey Heir." Matt nodded. "Let's put a pin in that."
Kitchen – He was currently on the phone, hoping to speak to his sister after what he just heard Alex say to him upstairs; how she said that she was pregnant with the Casey heir. God, he hated the sound of that as that was not what he wanted Jacob to be in their eyes. In his eyes, Jacob is not his heir; nor will he ever be his heir. Rather, he's just his son. He's the son that he's going to teach how to ride a bike, the son that he's going to teach how to throw a baseball and shoot some hopes with. A son that he may support following in his footsteps when it comes to the military. But one thing that he will not support, is him being called the Casey heir. And that was precisely why he was calling his sister at the office, only to hear his receptionist. "Office of the Interim Chairwoman and CEO, Gabriela Dawson speaking; how may I direct your call?" Matt snickered. "God, that sounds like a mouthful." Gabby was alarmed as she heard her boss. "Oh, Mr. Casey. I am so sorry. I mean the sister of the…"
Snickering, Matt proceeded to calm Gabby down. "Gabby, it's okay. Calm down and take a breath. I'm not back at work yet; I'm on paternity leave." Gabby agreed. "I know, congratulations Mr. Casey. How is Alex doing? It's all the office can talk about. How you're finally a father to that adorable little boy." Matt smiled. "We're all good, mom and baby are safe at home. However, I need to speak to my sister for a moment." Gabby agreed with her boss as he said that. "One moment sir." Matt agreed, as he went ahead and grabbed some bread and cheese slices from the fridge where he plans on making Alex a grilled cheese for a snack; while at the same time, he also walked over to the counter and set his phone down while putting it on speakerphone as a way to make sure that his hands weren't full when he grabbed everything he needed. After all, that's precisely what his hands are now that he has the bread, cheese, and margarine in his hands; and he grabbed them right as his sister spoke up. "Christie Casey, Interim Chairwoman and CEO."
Matt laughed. "For now, how about you tone it down. For me, you're always going to only be the President and Deputy CEO of Casey Apparel." Christie laughed as she heard her brother say that. "Yes Sgt. Casey." Yes, you heard that right. Matt is a sergeant in the US military. That's a pretty high rank, which is why he likes to use it. "So, what can I do for you today? Because you're on leave still, which means that you are not getting any details." Matt sighed as Christie said that. "Oh, nothing like hearing my girlfriend and the mother of my child refer to her pregnancy as her being pregnant with the Casey Heir." Christie got nervous as she heard Matt say that. "Shit, she told you that." Matt agreed. "Seriously Christie? You called the baby the Casey Heir? You really think that was a good idea?" Christie sighed. "What? You were at war! Glad you came home safe by the way, but it was the truth. He's the heir to the Casey Fortune. I mean, the company is worth over $2.9 billion now Matt. That means that he would've gotten $2.3 billion if we sold the company."
Matt then went to add on. "If I was dead. Not if I was still alive." Christie agreed with her brother, well aware that was the case. "You're right. I'm sorry." Matt agreed. "Not that you could've sold it. I already had a power of attorney set up for him. Alex and Hannah are co-executors of my estate, as well as co-managers of Jacob's Trust Fund. Well, they will be when it's set up." Christie agreed with her brother. "I can do that for you if you'd like." Matt agreed, as he would like that. "Please, I appreciate that Christie." Christie agreed with her brother. "So, you like being a dad Mr. Casey?" Matt smiled. "I love being a dad, but right now I'm making Alex a snack. Just wanted to reach out quickly to tell you to stop calling my son the Casey Heir. I do not want him to think that way. Also, it probably put a lot of pressure on Alex not to screw up." Christie agreed with Matt, as she can see how that would be the case. "I'm sorry about that." Matt agreed with Christie as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Listen, can you do me a favor?" Christie sighed. "What?"
Matt bit his lip. "Before I come back, I want to review all actions that were taken while I was gone. So, I'd like to read over all the reports and board meeting minutes to see what I missed and whether I am okay with them all. That's another reason I need time, so that I can catch up on everything." Christie agreed with her brother, as that made sense; especially since he is the majority owner of the company, as well as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. So, he needs to know what happened while he was gone. And that means he needs to do reading. "Are you going to want us to keep you in the loop?" Matt bit his lip. "We'll see. Maybe just keep going with the things that worked for you. Let me review everything, and we can talk about it after I've done my review. Listen, I hope you know that I am not doing this because I don't trust you." Christie agreed, well aware that was the case. "You're doing this as a way to get a distraction." Matt sighed. "Christie, all I think about is the war right now. I need something to read that's boring."
Christie agreed with her brother as he told her that, while also getting quite worried for him. "You okay Matt? I hope you know that you can always talk to me if something's bothering you." Matt sighed. "Just a lot going on. Really regretting my stop in Arizona on my way home. I wish you told me." Christie sighed. "I know, and I spoke to Andy about it. But we agreed together that it'd be best if you go there first for your health. We both know that you always come back with a million things in your mind, which is why you go there to disconnect and take it easy. And as much as you thought that you'd be okay if you didn't go, then it'd be better. And when you came back, well it wasn't my job to tell you. That was Alex's job, or her friends' job." Matt agreed, well aware that was the case; so, he can't fault his sister for not telling him. "No, you're right. But listen, I guess…I just need something to get me grounded again and just let me figure out where I can help out. I need something to do at some point if that's okay." Christie agreed with Matt as he said that.
After which, she decided to tell him something. "I'm going to tell Natalie that you're home, she can send you PTSD stuff." Matt laughed. "Christie, she already knows that I'm home. Her husband Jeff Manning and I are in the same unit." Christie realized that. "Right." Matt agreed with Christie as she said that. "Yes. Now listen, I need to get Alex a snack and then I need to go rest. Can you maybe just get me the documents. Maybe get Gabby to do it?" Christie agreed. "We'll do it in a bit. Take it easy and relax, concentrate on Alex and your son Matt. They're only that cute, small, and young for a while; then they become brats." Matt laughed. "How's my favorite niece?" Christie laughed. "She's your only niece, or nephew for that matter!" Matt shook his head. "Ben and Griffin Darden are my godsons and honorary nephews. You know that me and Andy are like brothers." Christie agreed with her brother as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I know. Now, tell Alex I said hi and to feel better. Say hi to Jacob for me, and just take it easy and relax." Matt agreed.
After all, that's something he's more than ready to do. "Will do. Thanks again Christie." Christie agreed with her brother as he said that, before hanging up. Meanwhile, Matt went ahead with making him and Alex some grilled cheeses ahead of him going upstairs to spend some more time with his family; and maybe even holding Jacob in his arms as they get some time to bond.
