Hi Readers: Unfortunately, I can only give you a quick update tonight as I had to work today; but fear not readers, as I have the weekend (and Monday) to write some more for you. I hope that you guys are enjoying this re-write of the story, which I hope will also include new material at some point. But for now, let's just keep going with the current storyline.

Chapter Sixteen
The Arrival of Kelly & Stella

Casey Home, Honolulu – The couple were in awe as they looked out of windows of Matt's Tesla whilst they pulled up to the Casey home, both of them being in complete shock that this was the home where their best friends now lived, where they would be staying for the duration of their stay. After all, their new home was large and expansive; if anything, it was more like an estate; which is precisely what stella decided to tell her host as they pulled up the long driveway to his home. "Ok, no way this is your place." Matt snickered, agreeing with his best friend when he made the comment which signified that he didn't believe that this was his and Gabby's home. "Yes, this is me and Gabby's home." Stella laughed. "More like an estate, this place is gorgeous." Matt agreed. "It's gorgeous on the outside, but it also feels like home on the inside. It may look daunting and quite fancy on the outside, but it's actually really cozy on the inside." Matt said as he pulled up the driveway towards the garage, before opening it with the remote.

While at the same time, he also made sure that he was in front of the right garage door, which he was per his observation of what he didn't see in front of him, which would be wheels in the garage. "Thank god." Turning his head to look at his best friend, Kelly was confused as to why his best friend was so relieved over the garage door opening. "Has the garage door been acting up? The power supply? I mean, you must have power outages at some point." Matt snickered, as that wasn't why he was grateful. "No, I just mess up sometimes. Still getting used to a garage and having two cars now. So, I hate it when I have to close one garage and open the other." Stella agreed with Matt, as that made sense. "Yeah, that makes sense." Matt smiled. "Oh, and as for the power outages, that doesn't happen here as we have solar power." Kelly agreed with his best friend, smiling as he watched him pull into the garage. "But another reason I'm grateful that I got the right spot, is that I need to charge my Tesla." Stella agreed with him, as she could see the warning.

Even from the passenger seat, it was clear to her that the battery light was flashing. "Yeah, I can see the flashing." Matt agreed. "Also, by the way you two; I need to tell you something." Kelly and Stella both agreed, while Matt turned to look at Gabby's car. "That car over there, it better be here when we're home." Stella was confused. "Why?" Matt sighed. "It's our baby emergency car. It already has the baby bag in there and stuff. I also taught my mother-in-law to drive it already, so that means she can drive us to the hospital if required." Stella agreed with the pending father when he said that, well aware that was a possibility. "Now, listen, how about we stop talking about cars? I want to go inside and see Gabby." Stella agreed with Matt, as that's precisely what she wants to do. "Hello, me too!" Matt laughed as he grabbed his keys, before going to hold them out to Stella. "What do I look like? Your valet. If you need to move the car more, do it yourself." Matt smiled. "The car is fine, but the door to the house is…" Stella then went to snatch the keys.

She snatched them right out of his hand, as she wanted to get into his place as soon as possible; but, she didn't want to hit the emergency button. Which unfortunately, she did when she snatched the keys out of his hand; in the process, she scared Gabby…who just called him based on the Caller ID which just appeared on his Bluetooth. Answering the call, he went to calm his wife down. "It's ok Gabby, nothing to worry about. I gave the keys to Stella so she could head inside to you, but she hit the car alarm button by mistake." Gabby agreed with her husband as he told her that. "God girl, please don't scare me like that!" Stella agreed with Gabby, before apologizing to both her and Matt. "Sorry guys, I know that must've worried you, which is the last thing you want for the baby." Matt just looked at Stella when she said that, as that was the last thing he wanted to think about. "THANKS A LOT!" Stella was confused. "What?" Matt groaned. "Now you got me worried about her blood pressure, and whether it just spiked because of that!"

Gabby agreed with her husband, as that made sense. "Matt, I'm fine and upstairs in bed. I'm drinking my tea and just taking it easy. And soon, I'm going to be doing it with my best friend in bed. Matt, Kelly; you guys are in charge of the bags. Stella, take off your shoes and come up here. Matt, I still need something more to eat. I just had two slices of toast but need more. Thanks babe, love you." Hanging up on her husband, Gabby waited for Stella to come downstairs; while Kelly looked at his best friend, in awe of how Gabby just spoke to him. "Seriously? You let her speak…" Turning his head, Matt looked at his best friend. "What did I tell you about last night and testing my patience?" Kelly gulped, agreeing with Matt; while Stella got out of the car and went to make her way out of the car so that she can go see her best friend, while Matt took a breath and looked at Kelly. "Kelly, please remember that you need to take it easy here. I actually WANT to be a father. Don't cause me trouble with Gabby." Kelly agreed with Matt, well aware that as the case.

After which, both gentlemen made their way out of the Tesla and proceeded to make their ways to the back to grab their bags; while also closing both of their doors. "So, how was the flight? Surprised I didn't even ask you that." Kelly sighed. "Stella slept most of the way, I couldn't." Matt agreed with his best friend. "Thinking about your dad still?" Kelly agreed with Matt, as that's precisely what he did. "Yeah." Walking over to his best friend, Matt took a breath and look at him. "Come here." Kelly agreed with Matt as they hugged each other. "This time around, we're going to be here for each other; okay?" Kelly agreed with Matt as he said that. "Just like we should've been when Andy died." Matt agreed with Kelly. "God, have you seen the most recent picture of Ben and Griffin?" Kelly was surprised. "When did you get a picture?" Matt smiled. "Thanksgiving." Kelly was shocked. "Let me see." Going to grab his phone, Matt smiled as he opened it before showing his best friend a picture of his godsons/Andy's sons. "Damn, they're growing up so fast!"

Matt agreed as he turned his head. "Griffin just started middle school." Turning his head, Kelly was shocked. "No, not already!" Matt nodded. "I know, I said the same thing. Last time I saw him, he was just below my shoulder? Now, he's my height." Kelly was shocked. "Damn, what's Heather been feeding them?" Matt shrugged, as he had no idea. "Well, we can talk about that later. Right now, I want to get you guys settled. And, I want to go say good morning to my wife." Kelly agreed with his host as he said that, before going to grab some of his bags. "By the way, you weren't kidding when you said the weather here is nice." Matt agreed with Kelly, smiling. "Now do you get the shorts and flip flops?" Kelly agreed with Matt, as that most certainly is something he's going to do when he gets a chance. "I'm going to go get changed when I get the chance." Matt agreed with his best friend, smiling as they both grabbed their bags so that they could join Stella inside; while also being grateful that his best friend is here, as he's missed him. "I've missed you man."

Turning his head, Kelly agreed with Matt as he's missed him too. "I've missed you too. Now, let's not get all emotional about this; I want to go see Gabby." Matt snickered, agreeing with Kelly as he said that as they finished grabbing their things to head inside.

Matt's POV, Part 1:
Walking into me and Gabby's home shortly after getting all of our friends' bags out of the car, I smiled as I walked through the front door to the sight of Gabby hugging Stella and just talking to her (while they sat on the couch) as if no time has passed. That truly was something that I loved about our friendship(s) with Kelly and Stella, that time and distance don't seem to affect our friendship. Rather, we can always just pick up where we left off as if no time has passed. "God, I love the fact that you guys decided to come here for Christmas; I know it's far for you guys, so for you to make the trip is really sweet." Stella laughed as Gabby said that, while I just smiled at me wife and her best friend. "Gabby, me and Kelly needed it; plus, I've been missing my girl." And that was when I decided to add in. "And I may have asked if they could come." Turning their heads to look at me, Stella nodded, while Gabby was confused. "You did?" I sighed. "I'm worried for Kelly." Stella agreed with me as I said that, well aware that was the case. "You'll talk to him?"

I sighed. "it's why I wanted you guys here, so that I can check on my best friend; do what I didn't do for him when Andy died." Gabby smiled as she told me that, while reaching her hand out so that she could hold my hand. After which, I got close to her and smiled as I held her hand and stroked it with my thumb. "I love you." Gabby agreed with me, smiling. "I love you too." Stella snickered. "Ok, break it up you two. Now, when do I get a tour?" Gabby smiled, before going to get up. "How about now?" Sighing, I looked at Gabby. "Gabby, you need to rest; remember?" Gabby just looked at me. "And, the doctor also told me that I need to get exercise." I bit my lip when she said that, well aware that was the case as well. However, she can do it later. "Can you at least eat breakfast first? I'd be more comfortable with that." Gabby laughed. "Baby, I've already…" Coming out of the kitchen with some breakfast, Camila was all cheerful as she came out. "Gabby, I made you my eggs after hearing you come downstairs. Or would you rather Matt make you breakfast?"

I just look at Gabby when I heard Camila say that, not too happy that she lied to me about eating, while also hearing Kelly come inside. "Hey, where are we headed Matt?" Turning my head, I took a breath. "Camila, can you show our friends to the guest room where they can put some of their stuff down? I need to talk to my wife for a moment." Camila agreed with me, smiling. "Of course, I will do just that. C'mon…" I then went to remind them of our friends' names. "Kelly and Stella." Camila agreed. "Then follow me Kelly and Stella, and I'll show you to your room." Kelly and Stella both agreed, following my mother-in-law to their room; meanwhile, I walked over to Gabby on the couch. Grabbing the plate of food on the way, I went to put it in her lap and just sighed as I sat down right next to her, while also facing her as I got close to her. "Gabby, what did I tell you about lying to me about eating?" Gabby sighed as I grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers. "I know baby, I'm sorry." I nodded, agreeing with Gabby as I got close to her this morning.

After which, I pressed my lips to her forehead as we both held each other close at the moment. "Gabby, I'm sorry that I treat you this way. Make you feel like you need to be treated with kid gloves and everything. But, I'm just worried for you. I want to make sure that you eat properly and get enough nutrients for the baby. For our little girl." Gabby smiled when I said that. "I really want this little one Gabby. I want to be a dad to our little girl, which means that you need to eat enough food to ensure that we get to meet our little girl." Gabby agreed with me, as she feels the same way. "I want to meet her too." I smiled, agreeing with the woman of my dreams as I leaned in and kissed her softly; while also moving my hand to the side of her face as I just make sure that we both enjoyed a sweet kiss each other. "Want to head up to bed and take it easy for a bit?" Gabby smirked. "Baby, our friends." I shook my head. "We said we were going to take it easy, and just relax. That's what you need now; and they need rest." Gabby agreed with me, smiling.

After which, I leaned in and kissed my wife slowly. "Gabby, I love you and I just want the best for you. And right now, the best thing for you to do is take it easy and relax. So, can you please just do that for both my sake, and for the sake of our daughter? Plus, you had a hard night last night; so, I at least want you to rest with Stella. Or, you can rest with me. I don't care who you rest with today, all that matters is that you rest in bed. And I mean that." Gabby agreed with me when I said that, while also smiling at me; something she does a lot, because of how happy we are with each other. So much so, Gabby grabbed the back of my head and smirked as she leaned in and kissed me softly. "How did I get so lucky when it comes to having such an amazing husband and baby daddy?" I smirked when Gabby asked me that question, before leaning in and kissing her, while also whispering to her. "I so want to take you up to bed, rather than spend time with Kelly and Stella right now." Gabby laughed and smiled as she kissed me softly. "I'll be in bed shopping."

I smiled, as I had a feeling that was going to happen. "I already gave you your credit card, right?" Gabby agreed with me. "It's already in all the stores me and Stella plan on using. Well, that's if she wants to shop already. I mean, it's early and she must be tired." That's when me and Gabby heard Kelly come out. "Yeah, we were thinking we'd just relax in bed today if that's okay?" Turning our heads, me, and Gabby both smiled at Kelly. "Long flight and tired?" Yawning, Kelly nodded. "We tried to sleep a bit before we left, but we couldn't. Then, we tried to sleep on the plane; but we couldn't. So, we barely slept since before shift. I mean, we got naps in but…" Getting up, Gabby smiled as she made her way over to Kelly. "Hey, no need to explain." Walking over to him, Gabby smiled as she hugged Kelly. "I get it. How are you, by the way?" Kelly sighed. "We can talk about it another time." Gabby agreed with Kelly as he said that, while I looked at him. "Whenever you need to talk man, you let me know and we can talk." Kelly agreed with me, smiling.

That was, until he dropped a bomb on me. "Yeah, about that. I was actually out here for a reason. Hopefully, I can talk to you about something in person." I was confused when I heard Kelly say that, until I realized what he was talking about. "No." Kelly sighed. "He died las week, the heart attack put him in the hospital; then he had a stroke in the hospital." Getting up, I made my way over to my best friend so that I could hug him. Wrapping his arms around me too, Kelly just held me close and teared up a bit. "Yeah, I am so glad that I'm here." I agreed with Kelly as he said that. "Kelly, why didn't you tell me? I don't care if I'm in Hawaii, you should've told me. You know that I see him as a surrogate father." Kelly agreed with me when I said that, nodding as he wrapped his arms around me and just gave me a hug. "Sorry man." I agreed with him when he told me that. "It's fine. Just uhm, go relax and take it easy. Now I get why you wanted to get here so fast." Kelly agreed with me as I told him that, while Stella walked over to him. "Want to go lay down?"

Kelly agreed with Stella as he went to grab her hand so that they could go lay down, while I stopped them. "Actually, can I talk to you Stella for a minute?" Turning to look at me, Stella was confused. However, she stayed back so that we could talk for a minute.

Matt's POV, Part 2:
Looking at me as I asked her to stay back, Stella was clearly confused due to the fact that she had no idea just why I asked her to say back; however, I had my reasons. The reason this time? I wanted to know why she didn't tell me and just check on Severide. Sure, he isn't my boyfriend (I'm straight and married); but, he is my best friend. I wish she told me this, that way I could know ahead of time. I mean, he was also my surrogate father; but that's a conversation for another day. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?" Looking at me as she held my hand, Gabby rubbed my arm as she was just as much in the dark as Stella. So, I took a breath and looked at them both. "I'm just concerned. I mean, why didn't you tell me that he already died. I've been talking the entire time like he's okay and he'll make it through this. And at no point did you tell me that he already died? Had I known, I would've been way more sensitive." Stella sighed. "You already have a lot on your plate with Gabby." Gabby shook her head and looked at her best friend.

Letting go of my hand, she walked up to her. "Hey, Stella. It's us. It's me and Matt, and you know what we told the entire firehouse when we left. We said that we want to know if someone from the house dies, or someone in their family dies; because we're still a family. Sure, we left the CFD and aren't living there anymore, but that doesn't change the fact that we still see you guys as our brothers and sisters. And we mean that from the bottom of our hearts. You're still my sister Stella." Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that, smiling as she got close to her and hugged her. "We just wanted to make sure that you guys concentrated on what matters right now, your baby." I agreed with Stella, appreciating that. Though, I can multitask. "Stella, I can multitask. I can worry about my wife and best friend at the same time. Hell, I am worried about him now that I know all of this." Gabby agreed with me as I said that, before making her way back over to me and grabbing my hand; after which, she intertwined our fingers as we held each other.

As we held each other close and just breathed, as this is the last thing I really want to be doing right now. I don't want to be mad with my best friend and his girlfriend, but that's just how I feel right now. "Actually, maybe I should go talk to Kelly again." Stella shook her head. "He needs to rest. The truth is, he hasn't been sleeping that good since his dad died; so, we need this. We really need this time to take it easy and relax, which is why we jumped at the chance to get away." I agreed with Stella. "Listen, you guys stay as long as you want; I mean that. I can talk to Boden, and I can figure it out with him. If I call him and tell him that Kelly isn't in the right headspace to work, then he'll grant you extra leave. He trusts me, and he trusts me to make those calls; because I used to be his captain." Stella agreed with me as I said that, smiling as that's something she already knew I could do. "I have no doubt that you could do that." I agreed with her, before getting close to her. After which, I hugged her. "You made the right decision to come here Stella."

Stella agreed with me as I told her that she made the right decision to come here. "Matt, I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth. You just couldn't do anything form here, and I didn't want you to concentrate on us when you needed to concentrate on Gabby." Turning my head, I smiled at Gabby as that most certainly was the truth; I needed to concentrate on her and getting ready for our baby. "Now, if that isn't the truth." Stella smiled at the both of us, clearly quite happy for us. "I hope you know that the entire house is happy about this. What you guys have is a great life, and we aren't jealous at all." Gabby looked at Stella as she said that. "Not even Herrmann who always plays scratch tickets?" Stella laughed. "By the way, did he reach out to you about what we wanted to offer you guys yet?" Gabby was confused. "What about?" Stella sighed. "He wants to buy you out of the bar since you don't need the money anymore." Turning my head, I looked at Gabby. "I mean, that does make sense Gabby." Gabby sighed. "I was actually going to give it to someone."

I was confused. "Who?" Gabby smiled. "I was going to give it to the charity so that they have a constant source of donation." I thought about it and smiled, as I liked that idea. "I love that idea babe, that sounds great." Stella agreed with me. "It sounds like something that you would do, just tell Herrmann so that he doesn't bother me about it when I need to relax and take it easy with Kelly. Just know that we may be here a while." We both agreed with Stella as she said that. "Stay for as long as you need to. I mean that Stella, stay as long as you guys feel like you need to be here so that Kelly can heal." Stella agreed with me as I said that, before walking up to me and hugging me. "Thanks for this Matt, it really means a lot to us." I agreed with Stella and smiled as it means a lot to me that she's here too. "I'm just glad you guys decided to come. I think it's exactly what you and Kelly need right now." Stella agreed with me, smiling as I said that. "Thanks again." Turning around, she went to walk away so that she can go back to her and Kelly's room.

Meanwhile, I turned to look at Gabby and let out a sigh; while she got close to me and grabbed my hand. Intertwining our fingers, Gabby looked up at me with concern in her own eyes. "You okay?" I sighed as I got close to Gabby, wrapping my arm around her before placing my hand on the back of her head. After which, I kissed her forehead softly as we both held each other close here for a moment; because that's precisely what I need right now, I need to hold my wife close to me as I leave some kisses on her forehead. "Listen, you want to head back to bed Matt? We can hold each other; you can breathe and just take it easy." I agreed with Gabby, as that's precisely what I want. "Let's have breakfast first, then we can go get in bed again." Grabbing my hand, Gabby agreed with me. After which, we both walked to the kitchen where we were going to enjoy a nice breakfast with each other; a breakfast Camila made for the both of us already. God, I am so glad that it's already ready as I feel like I just need to relax and take it easy right now.