This is long and I apologized, sorry it took so long, I've been busy. Hope you enjoy :)
"Remember when you rented this place for Mina's birthday, and we slid her across the ice from one end to the other on her back?" Kelly reminisced, his eyes fixed on the busy rink where Ben Darden's little league hockey team was practicing.
The three of them stood just behind the Plexi glass of the hockey arena. Kelly was positioned to Matt's right, and Andy stood to his left. Their collective breaths hung in the air, creating clouds that vanished into the cold. The clock monitor that hung at the heart of the arena read a bit past 8:30am, and they had already spent about an hour there, engrossed in watching the young players.
As Kelly reminisced about the birthday celebration, a nostalgic smile played at the edges of Matt's lips. His eyes danced with the memory of his daughter's radiant smile on that special day. It was a smile he cherished and would go to great lengths to ensure she continued to wear every day.
"Oh, she was having the time of her life," he replied, his voice filled with amusement. "She could barely fit the smallest size skates, I wanted her to enjoy it. Gabby didn't talk to me for a whole week after that stunt. When she finally did, she was fuming." Matt's tone carried a hint of mischief, as if he still found the whole episode rather entertaining.
Kelly couldn't help but laugh at the recollection. "You got the better end of it," he quipped, chuckling. "Her and Shay smacked me right on my forehead when I tried to talk to them."
"Looking back, it was dumb as hell," Andy said, still unable to stifle his laughter, much like his best friend. They continued to talk about anything and everything to pass the time until Ben's blades brought him closer to the three.
"Hey, Uncle Matt. Hi, Uncle Kelly," Ben greeted, earning a hair ruffle from Matt.
"Hey, Buddy."
"Looking good out there."
"Thanks. Are you guys going to come to my game later?" he asked, hope filling his little eyes.
"The next game, we'll be there, but we have a thing we have to go to, tonight" Matt replied as Andy helped Ben take off his gear.
The Gala was scheduled for later that evening, and Matt had already prepared his attire at his house. With some errands to run before the event, he decided to ride with Kelly to his and Leslie's apartment to get back to his truck.
When they arrived, Kelly swung open the door, and they entered the apartment. They found Leslie and Gabby in the kitchen. Gabby had her back to them as she stood at the stove, focused on her cooking, while Leslie sat at the kitchen island, typing on her laptop.
Leslie didn't look up from the screen as she asked Gabby, "Did you get your window fixed yet?"
Gabby sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into her expression. "Not yet" she replied. "I've been too busy to call someone. I tried to patch it up myself, but..."
Her friend didn't hesitate to chime in, "You made it worse," stating the matter matter-of-factly, earning a disapproving look from Gabby. "It's true, it leaks water whenever it rains," Leslie added, shrugging as she stood her ground on the issue. "Just get Casey to fix it."
Gabby shook her head softly, "I'm sure Matt has far more important things to do than fix my window."
"I'm glad we didn't stop for breakfast," Kelly remarked finally making themselves known and earning a scoff from Gabby as she turned to look at them, her expression showing a hint of surprise upon seeing Matt.
"Who said this was for you two, as well?" she challenged, her eyebrow lifting up before returning to the pan. Her playful defiance was clear as she continued cooking, suggesting that perhaps the meal was intended only for her and Leslie, which wasn't true.
"Yea, I'm the one who bribed her to cook," Shay said. "Find your own method of payment,"
Gabby had a hunch that Kelly might be back soon, even though he had left the apartment before she was summoned over. They weren't exactly on speaking terms, or to be more precise, Gabby wasn't talking to Kelly at the moment. Still, she had cooked up more than enough for herself and Shay, thinking he'd probably be hungry when he got back. As for Matt, his arrival had caught her off guard, but she had made sure there was still more than enough food to accommodate him, even if it meant she would need to cook a bit more, she'd happily do so.
"Come on, Dawson," Severide whined, inching closer to Leslie until he was standing next to her.
Gabby continued her tasks, unfazed by Severide's antics. She calmly asked, "Have you gotten your back checked?" Her voice remained steady as she focused on her work. When she didn't hear a response from him, she added, "Thought so."
Shay couldn't hold back her laughter at the ongoing bickering, while Kelly dragged her towards the living room.
A comfortable silence enveloped them for a few minutes before Gabby felt a familiar presence near her. Matt's arms planted both hands on each side of the counter, gently trapping her between himself and the stove, bending down to rest his chin on her shoulder. She continued flipping the French toast strips with her bare fingers, a skill she executed effortlessly. Even a firefighter like himself couldn't fathom how she managed it with such ease.
"Are you here to advocate for your friend?" Gabby asked playfully, adding a sprinkle of brown sugar to her cooking. Matt couldn't help but laugh at her teasing, shaking his head while choosing not to respond. Gabby continued to focus on her culinary tasks, attempting to hide the effect his closeness was having on her. She maintained the conversation, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for tonight?"
Matt chuckled, shifting into a more comfortable position as he wrapped his arms around her waist, in the most platonic way he thought possible. Their affectionate gestures had always been a part of their relationship, even after their breakup, so it wasn't unusual. Gabby still couldn't help the palpable thumb in her chest, though, even if it was familiar. "It's 9 am, Gabby," he teased. "Not everybody takes 10 hours to get ready."
She let out an audible gasp, turning to face him fully. "You are dangerously close to going hungry this morning, Casey..." She playfully warned, but Matt's laughter put her at ease. His head gestured for her to get back to the food, not wanting to interrupt her cooking.
"So, you are going to feed us?" he teased, feeling a stinging pinch on his hand in response. Another chuckle escaped him. Their interactions felt natural and comfortable, with no awkwardness despite their history. The fact that Gabby had ended things still puzzled him at times, but he didn't question it when they were like this. "Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for tonight?" Matt's asked the same question to her.
The statement made Gabby sigh, knowing only one way he knew that she would now be attending the Gala. "Alicia told you?" She asked.
"Yeah, she called yesterday, suggesting that I should pick you up for it," Matt confirmed. "But I told her that if you wanted me to, you'd ask." He added this with a reassuring tone, letting her know that he hadn't expected her to want that.
She knew it wasn't a good idea with the possibility of her parents being there. Them arriving and leaving together. No matter how much she would want for him to, she couldn't put him in such a position. Their proximity right now, she is only comfortable with simply because they are in the comfort of themselves and their closest friends.
"Matt..." She started, her voice tinged with uncertainty, before focusing on arranging the French toast on the wide breakfast tray before her. The tray also held eggs, sausages, toast, seasoned potatoes, an assortment of fruit and more. She probably made enough to feed more than half of Chicago.
"Like I said, Gabby, you'd ask if you wanted a ride," Matt said, trying to ease her concerns. He sensed her discomfort about the Gala and decided to change the subject, gently unwrapping himself from around her, physically giving her a bit of space "I thought you and Mina would still be asleep."
As soon as he moved, Gabby missed the warmness of his body as the cold consume her once again. She realized she might have been too obvious about how much the Gala topic bothered her, but she didn't intend for him to distance himself from her.
"Oh, um..." She cleared her throat, "I needed to check on a young patient of mine earlier, so I had to drag her out of bed this morning. She's asleep in the guest room," she explained, her voice carrying a note of relief, hoping to bridge the distance that had unintentionally formed between them.
He nodded, helping her move the food to the island along with empty plates. He wanted to bring the topic to her broken window that he overheard about when entering the apartment but decided against it, not wanting to make her even more uncomfortable.
She'd ask if she wanted him to. But one thing he's figured out about her over the years is that she also wouldn't ask even if she wanted him to. That's one thing about her that gets to him. It frustrates him. She doesn't like asking for help, whether it's for something as minor as a broken window or as major as being sick.
"Children, breakfast is ready!" Gabby exclaimed loud enough for Severide and Shay to hear, causing Matt to chuckle as he noticed the two shoving each other out of the way to get to the kitchen.
"I'll go get Mina," Matt offered simply, and Gabby looked at him as he walked away, feeling a cold strain settling between them.
"Thank you," Kelly said to Gabby, taking the plate from her hands and motioning for her to sit. Before she had an opportunity to protest, he added, "I'll fix your plate. Go sit."
"I can fix m—"
"Sit!" He slightly raised his voice, and she rolled her eyes but complied, muttering, "Pushy."
Matt had entered back into the kitchen with a drowsy Mina who clung to her father with her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Morning, Mini G." Kelly said poking at her stomach, eliciting a tiny giggle from her.
"Good morning, Uncle Kelly." She rasped with dark curls untamed all over her head. She reached for Leslie who happily took her into her arms and showering the girl with kisses before taking a seat on one of the bar stools.
Matt began putting small portions of food on Mina's plate before sliding it over to where she sat on Shay's lap. "Thank you, Daddy."
"You're welcome, sleepyhead."
Once everyone's plates were full, they all sat around together eating and engaging in random conversation. The comfortable atmosphere was interrupted when they heard the doorbell ring, causing them all to furrow their brows in curiosity.
"Oh, that's April," Shay realized before hoisting the 3-year-old onto her hip to open the door.
"April?" Matt asked with curiosity.
"The new ER nurse I told you about," Gabby replied, looking at him almost immediately and taking a sip of orange juice. It was the first thing he had directly said to her since they started eating.
"Casey, Kelly, this is April," Shay introduced. "And you know Gabby."
Gabby gave a friendly wave, unable to talk with food in her mouth. "Morning, April. Please help yourself, there's plenty" she added, motioning to the dramatic breakfast platter in the center of the table.
"Kelly Severide," he said, standing from his seat and moving over to shake her hand slowly, his eyes not leaving her. "Come on, have a seat."
Gabby couldn't resist rolling her eyes as she witnessed Kelly's almost identical reaction to meeting April as Leslie's when she first met April. It was uncanny, and she couldn't help but feel that the two were the same person in different bodies. Leslie, on the other hand, shot Kelly a knowing glare before he raised his hands and backing off before handed April a plate.
April greeted Matt and Kelly warmly before taking a seat and turning her attention to the youngest girl. "And is this who I think it is?" she asked, her eyes filled with excitement.
Mina, who was back perched on Leslie's lap, greeted April with an enthusiastic wave. "Hi, I'm Mina Casey," she chirped, causing April to giggle and wave back.
"Don't mind her hair, she just woke up." Gabby said playfully.
She couldn't help but smile at April's compliment. "She's adorable Gabby," April said, and the other four in the room smiled warmly, looking at the toddler who was now stuffing her face with scrambled eggs.
"Didn't you have work today?" Gabby inquired, breaking the silence, and directing her question at April.
April nodded her head. "I did until 5, but they over-scheduled us, so Goodwin let a few of us leave early to get ready for the Gala," she explained.
With everyone gathered around the breakfast table, a sense of ease gradually settled over the group. Conversation flowed naturally, with Matt and Kelly in their own world of stories and jokes, while the girls engaged in their chatter. Mina, in her morning drowsiness, was happily engaged in creating colorful drawings with her crayons.
In the atmosphere, an unspoken tension lingered in the air, noticeable to Gabby. Matt hadn't directed a word her way since breakfast began. This silence weighed on her, and her mind couldn't help but overthink. She wondered if something she had said earlier had upset him or if he was simply just being quiet. Among her conversations with April and Leslie, Gabby couldn't resist the urge to steal glances in Matt's direction.
As breakfast came to a close, gracious thanks and compliments were showered upon Gabby for the incredible meal. Gabby gathered her and Mina's belongings, prepared to leave. Leslie kindly offered to help them to the car, but Matt quickly stepped in, insisting that he would take care of it.
"I'll see you later, at the Gala." Shay said and Gabby nodded.
She followed Matt out of the door, carrying the two bags she had brought while he held their child. As they reached her car, Gabby couldn't contain her concern any longer and spoke up.
"You didn't have to help," she remarked, her voice carrying a hint of worry, her eyes studying his face for any signs of tension. "I could have managed."
Matt let out a sigh, without saying anything, his shoulders sagging slightly. After ensuring Mina was safely secured in her car seat, he closed the car door, saying a brief goodbye to both and began to walk away, but Gabby's soft-spoken question stopped him in his tracks.
"Matt," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Are we okay?" Her eyes bore into his, seeking answers to the unspoken questions that had settled between them.
Matt paused, his gaze drifting momentarily as he debated whether to address the underlying tension. He realized that sidestepping the issue and proceeding with their morning would only leave Gabby feeling unheard, as if he were dismissing her concerns. Her expressive brown eyes, those big, soulful doe eyes, remained locked onto him, filled with genuine worry and curiosity.
If only they had access to each other's thoughts, he wanted to know what goes on in her head.
The only certainty he had was that something had shifted that day years ago, something had made a 180-degree turn in her mind. He had never fully understood it, nor had he gone to great lengths to uncover it, convinced that she would tell him in due time. Deep down, he knew she wouldn't. But he never pressured her, not when she was carrying their baby girl. Why add to her stress?
And just this morning, he realized that whatever happened that day might not ever spill from her lips. She'd keep it locked away forever. Even if it was something he did to upset her enough to break things off while pregnant, she'll never tell him. Because she's Gabby… the person that would keep the darkest things bottled up if it spared someone else.
"Yeah, we're good," he replied, going against the internal script he had crafted in his mind. Gabby, however, stayed put, her gaze sticking.
"Matt," she said knowingly, shifting her weight to one leg as a subtle sign that she wasn't ready to let the matter slide.
With a soft sigh, he tried to change the subject. "Thank you for breakfast," he continued, pointedly ignoring her persistent look, and offering a smile. "It was great."
His attempt to redirect the conversation was very clear as he walked away toward his truck.
Only a few minutes had passed since Gabby parked her car in the valet pit outside the upscale venue. She sat in the driver's seat, her fingers lightly gripping the steering wheel, taking a moment to gather her thoughts and mentally brace herself for what the evening might bring. The anticipation of potential chaos lingered in the air, threatening to consume her carefully planned night.
A sharp knock echoed on the tinted window of her car, causing her to jump in her seat. Her heart raced for an instant before she realized it was a valet usher, dressed in a crisp uniform, standing by her door, patiently awaiting her vehicle. With a smile, she opened the door and gracefully stepped out, handing him the keys to her car.
As she walked up the wide staircase towards the entrance, she knew all too well that there was a significant chance she'd run into her parents at some point tonight, and that alone hung over her like an anticipating storm cloud. The room was beyond big enough for her to not interact with every single body that occupied it, maybe the universe would spare her.
The attendance this year seemed to have swelled significantly compared to the past few, and she suspected that the sponsors played a significant role in this.
"Aren't you beautiful," came a warm voice that tugged at her heartstrings, and Gabby's attention was instantly drawn to the man, familiarly known as Christopher Herrmann. He had seemingly just arrived, dressed sharply in a grey tuxedo. His words brought a smile to her face, as they always did. "Save the world yet, kid?" he asked with a playful tone, a greeting she was accustomed to, and it earned a giggle from Gabby.
He closed the gap that distanced them, offering his pointed elbow for her to attach to, which she gratefully accepted. As they began to walk further into the room, she responded, "I think it's beyond saving at this point." She glanced at him and added with a compliment, "You clean up nicely, Herrmann. Very sharp."
He chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Ah, don't try to flatter me to cover the fact that you haven't come to see your bonus old man," he teased. "Where's my girl?" he asked, referring to Mina.
"With Donna Boden," Gabby responded as she kept her focus on Herrmann. Donna had often looked after Mina when she was a baby, especially during those hectic times when Gabby's demanding med-school schedule clashed with Matt's unpredictable firehouse shifts. "Mina couldn't wait to see her again, and Donna says she needs a little more practice before baby Boden comes."
Herrmann let out a chuckle. "She's practically ready to pop," he remarked, humor dancing in his voice as he continued, "The Chief's presence seems to stress her out, so he's been at my house a lot lately."
Gabby, with a knowing smile, nodded in agreement. "I haven't seen her much recently," she admitted, her voice tinged with fondness. "My abuelo dropped Mina off with Donna after spending the day with her, along with my grandma. They took her to a few meetings. I think they just wanted to show her off to their colleagues."
Herrmann grinned, "I don't blame them, she's a smart kid," he remarked, his eyes drifting toward the bar as he subtly guided them in that direction. "Annabelle would love to see her."
On the opposite end of the lengthy, crowded bar, Matt, Kelly, and Andy were deeply engrossed in their own conversation. While his two best friends animatedly discussed the repairs to Kelly's Camaro, Matt's gaze remained fixed, unwaveringly directed toward Gabby. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her, captivated by her presence the moment she walked in.
Every detail of Gabby drew his undivided attention. Matt's eyes traced every contour of her being, starting with the deep wine-red silk chiffon dress that clung to her form like a warm glove. The dress carried a subtle, barely visible shimmer that caught his eye instantly. Delicate straps gracefully sat on her shoulders, providing support for the dress as it flowed down, transforming into a three-tiered, mermaid-like ruffle that began at her shin and ended just at the top of her ankles. It was so Gabby, and it made all the earlier frustrations he felt with her vanish for the moment.
Her hair hung just past her shoulders, framing her face in a way that enhanced her natural beauty. Then there was the purse he had personally chosen and gifted her for her birthday, without any assistance from Shay. It was a thoughtful gesture, now cradled in her palm.
"Casey!" The exclamation pulled Matt out of the entrancing spell cast by the woman's presence. He turned to see Kelly following his line of sight. He noticed the knowing look on Matt's face and offered a reassuring squeeze to his shoulder.
"You need a drink," Kelly declared, his determination evident as he turned to Andy. "Andy, get him something. I'll be back," he added as he walked away, his stride purposeful as he headed in Gabby's direction.
Matt tore his gaze away from Gabby reluctantly, knowing he needed to regroup. He directed his attention to the bar, where a shot had been placed in front of him and with a sigh, he accepted it.
"Dawson," Kelly spoke softly, his voice carrying a soothing undertone as he gently took her hand and guided her toward the balcony doors. The cold night air hit her the moment they stepped outside, and Gabby couldn't help but shiver.
"It's freezing out here, Kelly," Gabby remarked, her tone dismissive, as she made an attempt to turn back inside. However, Kelly positioned himself in her path, blocking her way, and she let out an annoyed huff.
"Just wait," he insisted, his voice remaining calm and unwavering.
Slightly irritated by his persistence, Gabby looked up at Kelly. He moved with a sense of urgency, as if Gabby would try to go back in without hearing him out, reaching into his back pockets and retrieving several crumpled papers. With careful movements, he unfolded them, creating a brief pause in their conversation, and then extended them toward her.
Gabby accepted the papers cautiously, her eyes scanning the text with a mix of curiosity and concern. As the words on the page came into focus, she recited, "Lumbosacral strain," a feeling of relief washing over her. It was not the dire diagnosis she had feared.
Her shoulders visibly relaxed, and she let out a calming sigh, finally meeting the gaze of the taller man. Kelly's face broke into a relieved smile. "You stress me out," she admitted, her voice carrying seriousness beneath the playful words.
"I don't mean to." he said truthfully, bringing her closer and wrapping his arms around her. "You worry too much." he added, mumbling into her hair before Gabby pulled away returning her eyes to him.
"You run into burning buildings for a living, Kelly…" She pointed out the obvious and he nodded, immediately catching her point. "Does it still hurt? Your back?"
"I'm fine." He said definitely. "Will you stop ignoring me now?"
She shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly, the silence was just to push him to get checked out, and it did so yes, she will stop ignoring him. "Maybe." She mumbled. "If you tell me if it still bothers you…"
"Have fun tonight," Kelly said as he walked backward into the crowded room, seemingly ignoring her question entirely. "You look great." His words hung in the air, unanswered, and Gabby couldn't help but think about the conversations that both of the men in her life had chosen to ignore.
As he disappeared into the growing crowd, Gabby hadn't realized just how much the audience had multiplied. The sight of the calm but buzzing group left her feeling a bit more overwhelmed about going back inside. So, she chose to stay put for a few minutes, allowing herself a moment of quiet before the event officially began.
Despite the chill in the air, she knew she could handle it, and the scenery was quite relaxing. She made her way over to the banister and leaned gently against it, her gaze fixed on the arriving attendees below. She wondered if her grandparents had arrived yet. She hadn't spotted Leslie or April either.
"Mi Gabriela," she heard a familiar voice, and she turned quickly, the sudden sound startling her.
"Abuelo" she exclaimed with a smile, moving toward him as he dropped a loving kiss on her cheek. "Wow, you look very nice."
He chuckled warmly. "Well, I don't hold a candle to you, now do I?," he said in his husky voice. "Why are you out here? The fun is about to begin."
"Oh, um... I was just waiting for it to start. Enjoying the view," she offered as an explanation.
He gently guided her back inside, leading her toward a table that had been placed just in front of the grand staircase, where the speakers would soon address the audience. "It's beautiful here, Abuelo. You two did great."
He continued to modestly shake his head. "Oh, nosotros no hicimos nada," he reiterated, "We did nothing. We simply gave the designers an idea, and they did the rest," he said with a note of gratitude. "I informed Leslie that you were possibly here already, and she demanded me to bring you to her."
Gabby chuckled at Alejandro's tone. "Demanded, huh?" she asked, gently hooking her arm onto the darker Dominican man's, ensuring she wouldn't get lost in the crowd.
"She's still pushy, as I remember" he remarked simply. "You and your friends will be seated here, your grandmother and I will join you later," he added, pulling out a crystal acrylic chair for Gabby to sit in, and she gratefully accepted. "I hope you enjoy your night, Gabriela. I mean it."
As Alejandro walked away, Gabby couldn't help but have a decent feeling about the rest of the evening. A sense of confidence washed over her, and she looked forward to the night ahead with more assurance.
"My god, I just might knock you up, Dawson," she heard, and her nose scrunched playfully at her best friend who had taken a seat next to her. Leslie looked stunning.
"Looking like that, I just might let you," she fired back with a grin before shifting her attention to April, seated beside Leslie. "You look beautiful, April," Gabby complimented, leaning over to give her friend's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm glad you decided to come," Shay remarked, offering Gabby a warm smile.
"Me too," Gabby replied sincerely, her gaze wandering over to the three men approaching the table. Her breath caught in her throat as she locked eyes on a particular blonde-haired, blue-eyed firefighter.
He held an almost empty glass of scotch in his right hand, while he subtly fixed his tie with his other. Once his piercing blue eyes met her warm brown ones, Gabby couldn't help herself; she averted her eyes slightly in an attempt to hide the heat that crept onto her cheeks. Her gaze was now fixed firmly on her hands resting in her lap, her heart racing as she tried to compose herself.
She's not sure whether it is the unfinished talk they had earlier, or he was simply just that handsome. Both.
Leslie leaned in closer to Gabby, her voice barely above a whisper. The soft hum of conversations and laughter surrounded them as she began, "You know," her tone held a hint of sarcasm, "I genuinely admire how you still get all nervous and starry-eyed even though you two have a kid together. Truly very impressive."
Gabby shot Leslie a firm but understanding look, causing her friend to raise her hands in surrender, acknowledging that it was indeed a touchy subject.
A few seconds later, as the chatter of the event continued around them, Gabby felt a warm presence approaching. It drew closer, so close that she could sense it even before she turned her head. Matt leaned down, his familiar musky scent enveloping her, and his warm breath caressed the outer shell of her ear as his whispered words filled her.
"Words can't describe how beautiful you look," he murmured, his voice slow and articulate. Gabby's heart skipped a beat at the tenderness in his voice. With a gentle, lingering kiss on her cheek, he then gracefully settled into the next empty chair, almost directly across from her. She was mostly shocked at his gesture, simply because of the seemingly cold shoulder he had with her this morning.
She couldn't find the courage to even glance in his direction, fully aware that her face was probably as red as her dress. Turning to look at Leslie was equally out of the question. Gabby was well aware of the kind of knowing, teasing look she'd get from her best friend. A look that would only stoke the already blazing internal fire. She felt hot, and she wasn't talking about her looks, although that was also true, she was referring to her rising body temperature. The sudden warmth compelled her to reach for the glass of ice water in front of her, taking a sip in an effort to cool down and regain her composure.
Luckily, Gabby's grandmother decided to make her entrance via the grand staircase to personally welcome the guests at the big event. She made it clear that her main goal was to ensure that everyone not only had great drinks and food but also experienced a warm and inviting atmosphere. Then, she gracefully shifted the focus to Director Goodwin.
Director Goodwin stepped forward easily gathering the attention of the attendees. "Good afternoon, everyone," she said, and her words were met with a choir of greetings in return. "I won't keep you here long. I just wanted to give you a brief preview of what you can expect for the evening." She chuckled softly, a gesture that lightened the mood in the room. "First, I'll let you all enjoy some free time to mingle and savor the company of your peers."
After a moment's pause, she added, "But don't stray too far. Later tonight, we'll gather right here to listen to our guest speakers. We've got a roster of some really impressive folks, each with their own unique insights and stories to share. Though I have to confess, the one that's got me most excited, and the topic I'm especially looking forward to diving into, is the Illinois Med 6 program and the privilege we have of hosting two young alumni right here at our very own Chicago Med. One of them will be sharing her experience and journey with us. Doctor Gabriela Dawson"
The announcement earned her a series of stares, which would typically have bothered her, but they were mostly brief glances except for the one across from her. He couldn't seem to take his eyes off her, his gaze filled with awe, and she couldn't ignore it anymore.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, Gabby finally mustered the courage to turn her head. Her gaze met Matt's, and it elicited a small, almost mischievous smile from him. It was the kind of smile that suggested he had been caught in the act of stealing a glance at her.
Meanwhile, Ms. Goodwin concluded her introduction, her words fading into the background as the two of them remained locked in their own world.
"I'll release you all now. Eat, dance, drink," Ms. Goodwin suggested to the gathered crowd, her words carrying the promise of an evening filled with enjoyment. "The donation box is in the corner by the entrance," she added, making sure that the charitable part of the event remained at the top of everyone's minds.
The guests spread throughout the spacious room to participate in one of the suggested activities. Gabby's attention, however, remained firmly fixed on one person, Matt.
Without the need for words, Gabby looked up at him as he rose from his seat and walked around until he was before her, extending his hand, which she took without hesitation. He led her through the crowd, intentionally positioning them a bit away from the center of the dance floor where most people were. He believed she deserved to be the center of attention in this dimly light room, but he also knew her well enough to understand that she wouldn't necessarily want that.
Once they had found their chosen spot, Matt turned toward Gabby, his movements gentle and attentive. He took both of her arms gently in his hands, before guiding them to rest on his broad shoulders. Gabby followed his lead, interlocking her hands behind his neck, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint.
Their familiar banter came to them so easily. "How long did it take you to nail that move?" Gabby teased, her voice light and teasing, as Matt's arms circled her waist. Her words were accompanied by a smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. "Very smooth, Matthew Casey."
He sighed contently, his smile growing wider. "I practiced twenty-three hours a day, just for you." he replied, looking down at her with a sense of pride. Gabby knew that his charm was completely natural, not something rehearsed or practiced. It was one of the many things she had always admired about him, and it made their dance even more enjoyable. She was content having him here right now even if it kind of caused confusion within her. She was happy to have him… in this capacity, even if it was just a dance and a casual conversation. "You're speaking later?"
"Oh, yeah," she nodded slowly. "Ms. Goodwin actually asked me a couple of days ago, but at the time, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it, so I declined. But since I did end up coming..."
Matt nodded in understanding, "Making friends and taking up public speaking. This isn't the Gab-"
She cut him off and lightly hit his shoulder, "Hey! You are cruising. I swear to God." she scolded, her tone lighthearted.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." He backtracked with a laugh.
"It's not really public speaking..." She started. "They want to bring the program back, but the state needs support from a few people in D.C.," she explained, pausing for a moment, and shaking her head. "It's a lot of political stuff that I want no part in. I'll just say my piece, and it'll be over."
Matt nodded in understanding as he pulled her a bit closer, allowing room for someone to pass by them on the crowded dance floor. His question carried genuine curiosity as he inquired, "Do you think they should bring it back?"
Gabby's response was thoughtful because she had the question in her mind for a while. "I don't know," she admitted honestly, her shoulders shifting in a subtle shrug. "I don't think it's the best idea, but it's not the worst either…" She looked up at him with sincerity, her eyes searching his for understanding. "I wouldn't put Mina through it if she was at the age, but they can take what I say with a grain of salt."
Years ago, Matt's first encounter with Gabby, she was working her way through that very career program. Back then, she had been the embodiment of youthful drive and determination, leaving a lasting impression on him with her intelligence and bullet-proof ambition. Her qualities had intrigued him right from the start, and over the years, despite the time that had passed, that same drive and intelligence continued to shine through in everything she did. Matt found himself continually amazed by the accomplishments she had achieved at her age.
As they continued to sway together on the dance floor, they fell into a comfortable silence deepening with each passing moment, both of their minds swirling with similar thought.
Finally, Gabby broke through the tension, her voice filled with sincerity. Her fingertips brushed gently against the nape of Matt's neck as she spoke. "You look really handsome," she said, her words infused with genuine warmth that enveloped him. "I wanted to tell you as soon as I saw you, but..." She trailed off, her eyes locked onto his, without the need to mention the embarrassing rapid acceleration of her heart rate when she had first laid eyes on him earlier.
He gave her a warm smile, silently thanking her as she laid her head on his chest, savoring whatever this was they were doing, because it won't happen again if she can help it.
"Gabby." he said softly.
As she slowly lifted her head from his chest, she made a strong effort to not look at his lips, fearing she would act on what her heart wanted. Yet, temptation proved to be irresistible. Her eyes darted to his soft, pink lips and then back to his eyes. She knew she couldn't act on this impulse, no matter how badly she desired it. Her gaze locked onto his, and in that intimate moment, it felt as if he was silently pleading with her, silently asking for just one kiss.
Her mind and heart reached their limits as she moved her eyes from him entirely.
"Matt..." She began, her voice soft and delicate.
Her intention was just to provide a brief distraction, but the sight of a particular individual entering the room stirred waves of emotions within her.
Time seemed to slow as her heart raced, and a sudden dizziness washed over her, making her feel unsteady on her feet. She could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears, each beat echoing like a distant drum. Her grip around Matt's neck weakened as her vision blurred, as if a sudden fog had come upon her surroundings, and the figures in the room became a blur of indistinct shapes and colors.
"Hey, Gabby," Matt said, his voice filled with concern as he tightened his grip around her, fearing she might collapse at any moment. Worry surged through him, and his initial impulse was to usher her away from the crowd, but he decided to give her a moment. "Gabby," he repeated, gently turning her head towards him, striving to recapture her attention. However, she seemed momentarily frozen, before she took a step away from him.
"I, um..." She stammered, and Matt took a step closer, concern etching his features. However, in reflexes she moved back, creating some distance between them. Her voice trembled with a mixture of emotions as she managed to say, "I just need some fresh air. I'm okay," in a poor attempt to reassure him.
Helloo, sorry for the wait. I've been a bit busy, but I dont think the next chapter should take as long since it is already halfway written.
Anybody have any theories? Or are you all just confused right now? If so, it'll make sense eventually.
Please excuse errors and thank you for reading!