Hi Readers: What are we thinking of the new story so far? I'd love to know what you guys are thinking, as well as whether you think I am on track for the story. Now, I do want to say something before we continue. I know that at the end of the chapter I threw you through a curveball, related to the asbestos storyline that I added. And while I know that Matt and Gabby's condo was still there at this point in the show, I decided that I didn't want to go back there. Rather, I want to just start fresh in a new home. I hope that's okay with you guys, as I am excited to start fresh in a new home. Now, let's just keep going. Here we go with the next chapter today.

Welcome Home
Part One: Home Sweet Home

Like the gentleman he is, Matt told his wife that he'd take care of the bags; the bags that he had to bring up from the underground parking garage that they have in their new condo, up to their new home. The place where they're going to talk and just work things through, while also admiring the great view that they have out the windows of their home, which is precisely what Gabby was in the midst of doing right now as she looked out at Lake Michigan, which was still clear of ice even though it was starting to get cold here in Chicago. Much colder than it was in Puerto Rico. I mean, then again, is it ever going to be warmer here than in Puerto Rico? Probably not due to the fact that they live so far north of Puerto Rico. But, Gabby can live with it due to the fact that she has her husband back. She's back in Matt's arms. Well, she will be when he's in their room and concentrating on her once more, which he wasn't doing as he was instead on the phone. "Yeah, I know it's last-minute Chief, but I'm going to need to take some time to be with Gabby."

Hearing a worrying tone to his Captain's voice, the Chief knew that something was up. "Is everything okay Casey? Wait, is Gabby pregnant like you said here?" Matt sighed, as she was pregnant. "Yes, Gabby is pregnant." Perplexed when he heard Matt sigh before telling him the great news that Gabby's pregnant again, Boden was confused. "Is everything okay Casey? You don't sound happy over the fact that you're going to be a dad, when we all know it's everything you've always wanted to be." Matt agreed, as that is the truth. "It's complicated Chief, related to the miscarriage we had in the past." And that's when Gabby decided to tell her husband that it was okay for him to tell Chief Boden. "Go ahead and tell him Matt, then he'll understand." Turning his head when he heard Gabby say that, Matt placed his hand over the mouth piece of his phone to make sure that he could speak to her quickly. "Are you sure?" Gabby agreed. "He needs to know so that you can come with me to my appointments." Matt agreed with Gabby. "Ok." Gabby smiled.

After all, she was happy to be home; just like she was happy to go unpack her things, which is precisely what she went to do while Matt spoke to Chief over the phone in the kitchen. "Matt, you still there?" Matt agreed with Boden. "Yeah, I am. So, listen. There's some things you need to know about Gabby's pregnancy." After he heard Matt say that, Boden decided to just stay quiet as that was probably the best thing to do, which it was as Matt leaned back against the counter. "Well, you see, it's related to our last pregnancy. The one that was a miscarriage." Boden agreed. "I'm still sorry about that." Matt agreed. "I know you are. But, we may have lied when we said it was a miscarriage. While it was a loss, it wasn't exactly a miscarriage as it was an abdominal pregnancy." Boden agreed, as he knew what that was. "So, the baby was never viable." Matt agreed. "Yes. And as a result of that pregnancy, Gabby now has an aneurysm on her right iliac artery, which the doctors told us could be fatal for her if it bursts while she's pregnant."

And just then, the phone went silent. After all, how can Boden even say anything after that? After getting the hard truth that his former paramedic-in-chief could die simply due to the fact that she's pregnant, something which isn't fair since he knew just how much they wanted to have their last baby; so, he can only imagine just how much they want to have this baby. "God, I am so sorry Matt. This is just…" Matt sighed, as neither of them had words for what this is. "How's Gabby?" Matt sighed. "She's hanging in there. I know it's a lot to take in, for the both of us. It's why I had to leave so soon to make sure it was viable, so that we knew what was going on. We're going to go see a specialist for the pregnancy, so I'll have to let you know when that is. But…I just need a bit of time right now Chief. I don't know how long, but I need some time to get her settled and maybe even until we see the doctor. I need to know what happens next and…" Matt sighed. "God, I don't even know if I should come back to reduce the stress."

Boden agreed with Matt, as he knew he must have a million and one things swirling around his head at the moment. "Matt, I can't imagine what situation you find yourself in right now…the situation you both find yourselves in right now. And as a husband, I feel for you. I know what it's like to almost lose your wife when she gives birth, so I can't imagine what this situation is like. And I also completely understand why you want to take time to be with Gabby right now, because you both clearly need to be with each other as you figure this out. So, I will make sure that you get the time you need to figure things out. Matt, I promise that you can take the time you need right now, and I will keep a floater here." Matt agreed with Boden. "We'll try and see a specialist as soon as we can. But, until that happens, I just don't think I can work when I'm going to just be thinking about Gabby. So, I think it's best if I just concentrate on her. I hope you understand." Boden agreed once more. "Matt, of course, I understand the tough situation you find yourself in."

Matt agreed with Boden. "I'm glad you do, as I have no idea what I need at the moment; how long I need to be out and concentrating on Gabby. I need to explore my options and see what I can do. Just, maybe keep this between us for the moment? I would rather not get all the texts from our friends when we have no idea what to tell them yet. I need to figure that out before I can even tell Severide." Boden agreed with Matt, especially when he said that he didn't know whether he could tell Severide. With Severide being his best friend (and someone he can share anything with)….if he can't share it with him, then he probably has a lot to deal with still. "I get it Matt. And I can hear it in your voice that you have too much on your mind for you to be effective and safe here at work, the later of the two being a prerequisite that the moment due to the fact that Gabby is pregnant." Matt agreed, as he couldn't agree more. "Precisely why I feel like I need time off, especially with our situation; I hate to think about it, but I do need to think about it unfortunately."

Boden sighed, as he already knew precisely which situation Matt was talking about; he was talking about the situation where Gabby could die at some point while she's pregnant. And, if the baby survives, Matt would be a single father from the moment the baby is born. "We just need to think positively and hope for the best." Matt agreed, as he felt the same way. "Yes, that's precisely what we need. I promise, though, I am going to keep you up to date with how I am, and we can figure things out. Maybe I can get a desk job or something." Boden agreed with Matt, as he thought that might work. "Right now, concentrate on getting Gabby moved home and talking to each other; I think we both know that's what you guys really need to do at the moment because of how worried you clearly are for Gabby." Matt agreed with Boden as he said that, as he felt the same way. He felt like he just needed to concentrate on his wife as he took care of her at the start of their pregnancy. "Thanks Boden. I promise to keep in touch with my status." Boden agreed.

After all, that's something he's going to need Matt to do for him. "And if you ever want to go to OFI, then we can work that out too. There are a bunch of options, and I promise that we're here to help you. And Matt?" Matt just listened after hearing the end of Boden's last comment, having a feeling that he was going to teel him something important. "If you ever need to talk to someone other than Gabby…just know that I'm here for you. Until you tell other people, just know that you can talk to me, and I promise to be there for you. Day or night, give me a call and I can talk to you so that we can help you through this. We're a family at the house, and we're going to make sure that you guys get through this together for the rest of your lives." Pausing for a moment to catch his breath, Boden regrouped as he found the right words to tell his Captain what he needs to tell him. "And when you're ready to tell the house, we'll be ready to support you. We're here for you, and I promise that we'll be thinking of your guys." Matt agreed with Boden.

After all, he knew that the house was going to think of them. "Maybe, for now…you can tell them that we decided that it'd be best for me to take time away so that we can talk and get our marriage back on track, before I go back to work. Tell them that me and Gabby needed to concentrate on our marriage for a bit, so that we can make sure that our marriage is strong." Boden agreed with Matt, especially since that's something they really need to do. "And Matt, I hate to tell you this but…based on the things you spoke to me about in the past when you came for counselling at times; I think it'd be a good idea for you to truly do that, rather than have it just be a cover story for you guys taking time away to concentrate on each other. Matt, you know that Gabby is the love of your life, and that you would be lost without her. Speaking as a man who's been divorced, I know for a fact that you don't want to go through it. Hell, I can already see just starting the paperwork has been hell for you." Matt agreed, as starting the paperwork has been hell for him.

It's been sad and depressing, as it meant the end of his and Gabby's marriage. "And I know that you're probably still dealing with the mental anguish that comes from that. You've been off ever since you started the paperwork. Add in the fact that your life has taken a complete 180…going from thinking you're divorcing Gabby, to have her back in your life. Then, add in the baby and everything that goes with you guys being pregnant; I just wouldn't be comfortable putting you in fires or in dangerous rescues. Matt, this is what you need to do both for your marriage, as well as for your own safety and the safety of Truck 81. You are in no condition at the moment to work, not when you have so much on your mind. So, take the time you need to get in a better place with Gabby, in a better head space, and then we can see about getting you back to work slowly. For now, just take it easy and relax." Matt agreed, as that's precisely what he needs to do right now. "Thanks Chief, I appreciate this more than anything." Boden agreed, as he could hear it in his voice.

He could hear just how much he appreciates the fact that he was getting the time off that he clearly needs, so that he can take it easy with Gabby as they did what they needed to do to fix things in their marriage, while also dealing with the start of this journey which can lead to them having a family…or Matt being a single father. And while they hope that the first situation comes true, they'll also have to prepare themselves for the worst if it does happen. So, Boden understood why he needed to take this time off, which is why he was going to give it to him. "Casey, you need to do what you need to do for Gabby. Taking this time off is the right thing to do as your wife needs you right now. It's part of you being a good husband, which is what you are. We both already know that." Matt agreed with Boden, as he loves being a husband to Gabby. Just like he loves the idea of being a father; but first, they need to talk and figure stuff out…like how they're going to deal with it. "Thanks again Chief, and I'll keep in touch." Boden agreed as he hung up.

Doing the same, Matt turned to look at Gabby prior to taking a breath. After all, he could just hope that what he said was okay. "Was what I said okay?" Making her way over to her husband in the kitchen, Gabby agreed as she smiled at him. "It was prefect." Matt smiled as he heard Gabby say that, glad that she liked what he told Chief Boden. "Good. Now, did you already take your bags into our room?" Gabby agreed as she stepped close to Matt and wrapped her arms around his muscular torso. "Yes, I did." Smiling, Matt set his phone down on the counter prior to placing his hands on Gabby's arms. After which, he leaned in and kissed the woman he loves softly. "How much of that did you hear?" Gabby sighed. "Pretty much all of it. I heard you tell him about the aneurysm, how you're scared, how we need to work on our marriage…and how you don't know if you can work right now because you're worried about your safety." Matt sighed, as that was the truth. "Everything I said is the truth." Gabby agreed with her husband as he told her that.

Not that she was doubting that truth. "Hey, I never doubted that for one minute. I know that you'd never lie about that just so that you can get some time off with me." Matt agreed with Gabby. "Just like I said that I have no idea how to talk to Severide about this, tell him about the situation that we now find ourselves in. And I know that I shouldn't worry about that, but I am going to need to tell him eventually. Yes, I can talk to Boden since he knows now…but I can't always talk to him, like when I may need to drink." Gabby agreed. After all, he can only drink and talk with Severide as it isn't the most appropriate for him to drink with Chief Boden. "Hey, I get that." Matt agreed with Gabby. "And eventually, I'm probably going to want to tell the entire firehouse so that we can get their support and love. We're going to need it Gabby, because this is scary." Gabby agreed with her husband, well aware that he was scared…especially when it came to her dying; something which he believes would be his fault. "I know you're scared of that thing you mentioned."

Matt agreed with Gabby, as he knew precisely what she was talking about. She was talking about his admission about how he thought he'd be responsible for killing her if she died. "Do you want to wait to talk about that? I remember you told me that you didn't get much sleep." Gabby smiled, as she'd love to cuddle up to her husband as they held each other close. "I want to hold you close to me, but I also want to talk about it. Is there any way we can do both at the same time?" Matt agreed with his wife, as they most certainly can do both at the same time; they can talk to each other as they cuddle in bed for the rest of the day. "We can cuddle in bed if you want." Gabby smiled, as she loves the idea of them cuddling up to each other in the comfort of their bed. "I love that idea, as it means that I get to have you back in my arms like I want you to be. I want to hold you close to me, as we just take it easy and relax with each other." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife, well aware that was the case as he placed his hands on her neck.

After which, he leaned in and smirked as he started to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves: the woman of his dreams, his wife Gabriela Casey. Meanwhile, she wrapped her arms around his back and just smiled as they took things nice and slow with each other right now; just like Gabby wants to do with her husband as she's scared. Yet, she's also curious to talk to her husband about what he said, which is why their kisses haven't been long for the most part, as she just can't get what Matt said off her mind. And, in the process, she also got her husband worried because of how short their kisses were. "Hey, everything okay Gabby?" Gabby sighed. "It's what you admitted, it's on my mind and…" Matt agreed. "You want to talk about it." Nodding, Gabby agreed with her husband. "Can we?" Matt nodded. "Of course. That's what we need to do anyways. But first, you want a tour of our new place as I go set your bags down in our room?" Gabby smiled, as she'd like that. "I'd love that." Matt agreed with Gabby as he walked back over to her bags.

The tour he gave her was perfect, especially since there were things she missed when she first walked around alone; including the in-house laundry set up that they have (which she's always wanted). Before, they had to go to a laundromat or use the facilities in the condo due to the fact that they didn't have space to do it at home. Now, they can do it at home, and she loves that. "Got, I am so glad we have that now." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, prior to walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "I thought of you when I saw it and just knew that you'd like it." Turning around in Matt's arms, Gabby stepped close to the man of her dreams as she wrapped her arms around her back. "But we were getting divorced." Matt smiled as he held her close. "I still had a glimmer of hope. Hope that you'd see the light and realize that this is where you belong. With the man you love." Wrapping her arms around Matt's neck, Gabby smiled as she kissed him softly. "Well, I'm very happy to be home. Home with the man I love."

Matt agreed with Gabby as she mentioned that she's happy to be home with him, as he feels the same way; he's really happy to be home with her, even though he knows they need to talk. And that's precisely what he decided to bring up: the fact that they need to talk about what he said at the hospital. "So, uhm. You want to get in bed so that we can have that talk? I can just slip some sweats on and…" Gabby shook her head, as she didn't want him to just wear sweats. She wanted him to be dressed as if he was going to bed, because she's missed that intimate time with him. She's missed the feeling of his strong arms around her, which she feels like she needs right now. "Not a chance. I want you to hold me in bed as if we were going to bed for the night." Matt smirked as Gabby said that, well aware of what she was talking about as he grabbed her hand and went to lead her into their bedroom as they were still in the living room. "Well, that means that we need to be in here." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, as that was true.

They needed to be in their room, next to their bed so that Matt can get her undressed, which is precisely what Matt's about to do. He's going to get his wife undressed, before he gets undressed and joins her in bed. After all, they have missed each other. "So, you sure that you want to go like this right away? You don't want to talk first?" Turning around once they were in their room, Gabby shook her head as that's the last thing she wanted to do when she wants to be close to her husband in bed. "Who knows how much longer I'm going to be able to hold you like this." Taking a breath when he heard Gabby say that, Matt proceeded to get close to the women he loves; wrapping his arms around her afterwards, Matt kissed the top of her head and just sighed as he knew that this was hard on Gabby. Hard on the woman he loves. The woman who's putting her life on the line for them. "Baby, it's okay. I'm here. Listen, how about we get you undressed and then we can hold each other close in bed like you want?" Gabby agreed with Matt.

After all, that's precisely what she wants right now: she wants to get her husband undressed and hold him close to her in the comfort of their bed; the place where they made love to each other and conceived their child. The child that she was pregnant with and could easily kill her. And as much as she hated to think about that, she knew it was something she had to think about. "Sorry I had to bring that up, you must hate to think about it." Matt sighed, as he did hate to think about it; but, he's also determined not to let it get in the way of them being a happily married couple. After all, that's precisely what the two of them are: a happily MARRIED couple; especially since the two of them cancelled the divorce. "Listen Gabby, how about we just get undressed and then we can get in bed? You've had a long journey home, we've gotten a lot of news today, and you just need to take it easy and rest right now. If you want to wear sweats, I understand because what I want for you right now is to take it easy and just relax in the comfort of our bed."

Gabby smiled, as she was grateful for him telling her that; but what she wanted was him in his boxers so that they could hold each other close like they did on the night she got pregnant. "I want to hold you the way I said I want to hold you, and that's final. I haven't been held by you like that in a while and I miss you. I miss the feeling of your skin on mine, as we hold each other in the comfort of our bed; while you kiss me and just take things nice and slow with me. Right now, that's what I want Matt and I hope that you understand that." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife, as he most certainly does understand what she wants. So, he's going to make sure that she gets precisely what she wants; she's going to get him in his boxers, so that they can cuddle up to each other in the comfort of their bed. "Do you want me to get us a snack first? Or do you need some lunch?" Shaking her head, Gabby smiled at Matt. "I'm ok for now. All I need is what I've needed since I first found out I was pregnant…" Matt agreed with Gabby. "Your husband's arms around you."

Gabby agreed with Matt as they got close to one another once more, with her wrapping her arms around his back as they both cuddled up to each other here in their room; while her husband grabbed the back of her head as he pressed his lips to her forehead as a way to make the woman of his dreams feel better. The woman he loves more than anything in the entire world and wants to make feel better. And if that means that he needs to get undressed to make her feel better, then that's precisely what he's going to do. But first, he's going to get Gabby undressed, which is why he grabbed her shirt as he smirked at her. "Here, let me help you get undressed. Then, I'll go get undressed for you." Gabby agreed with Matt, as that's precisely what she wants her husband to do. She wants him to get her undressed, then he can go get himself undressed. Anyways, he needs to take a shower first. "Anyways, you need to take a shower first." Matt smiled as Gabby said that. "Care to join me in the shower?" Gabby smiled, as she wanted to do that so bad.

She wants to hold her husband in the shower, as they took things nice and slow with each other. That way, they can (maybe) even have sex with each other. "Depends, do I get to have a bit of fun with my husband while we're in the shower?" Matt smirked, as Gabby can expect a bunch of sexy time in the shower with him should she decide to join him. "If you join me in the shower, then I promise you that I'll make it worth while for you." Gabby smiled as Matt said that, while also watching him walk away so that he can go to his dresser, while also taking off his shirt at the same time. And with Gabby now being pregnant, her hormones were already starting, which meant that she was very turned on when her husband took off his shirt. "Now that's just not fair and such a turn on." Turning his head, Matt smirked as he knew that she was very pleased at the moment. "Hey, you're the hormonal one, not me." Gabby smiled as Matt said that, while watching as he set his shirt down in the hamper and then took off his pants. "It's your fault."

Smiling as Gabby mentioned that it was his fault that she was hormonal and wanting him, Matt smirked as that most certainly is the truth. "Yes, yes it is." Grabbing his towel from the hook he has next to his dresser, Matt smiled as he put it over his arm and then proceeded to make his way over to Gabby. "Listen, how about I help you get undressed? Then, I can go start the shower." Gabby smirked as she watched Matt get close to her; especially since she wants him to get her undressed. "Be lucky that I want you to get me undressed, even though I didn't get the chance to get you undressed." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife, well aware that she didn't get a chance to get him undressed. "Oh, you owe me for months now." Gabby agreed with her husband. "Fair point." Stepping close to him, Gabby placed her hands on his chest and smirked as she took things nice and slow with the man of her dreams. "I love you." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife, as he loves her too. "I love you too, forever. Now, I am going to go start the shower."

Gabby agreed with Matt, as that's precisely what she wants him to do; she wants him to go start the shower so that it's nice and warm when she joins him. "Sounds good. See you in a minute." Matt agreed with his wife, prior to leaning in and kissing her quickly; after which, he walked away so that he could go start the shower. All the while, Gabby smiled due to the fact that she's madly in love with that man. The man she loves more than anything in the entire world: her husband and the father of her unborn child, Matthew Casey.