Hi Readers: Just like I said last time I tried to write this story, I know that I've changed things up a lot recently. And that's due to the fact that, just like last time, I've been struggling when it comes to what I want to write. I've tried to write a Jay story, a Matt story with another love interest, another Dawsey story, and just so much more. So, I've decided to return to the last time I was successful in writing a story, and I've decided to try and make it longer. Thanks again for reading my story once more, and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter One
Surprise

September 21, 2018 – Miami
It was her last weekend as a member of the team who was doing recovery work in Puerto Rico, as next week she was due home. Home in Chicago with the man she loves, who she couldn't wait to see due to the fact that she's missed him for the longest time. But what she didn't know, was that she was in for a surprise this weekend, a surprise which she was going to truly enjoy as it involved the man she loves; the man she hasn't seen for months, but that was her fault. And just what surprise might that be? Well, Matt decided to come down to Miami to pick her up. However, it wasn't just to be kind. It was also due to the fact that he wanted to make sure that his wife came home. However, only after a they have a bit of quality time with each other here in Miami; time that they should've taken when they first got married, in the form of a honeymoon. Yet, here they are, married for almost twenty-two months, and they've yet to go on a honeymoon. But, that's going to change now that Matt was here, in Miami with the woman he loves.

In fact, he's already here and she doesn't even know. And that was actually his plan, as he wants to surprise her; and he's hoping to do so in her room. But first, he needs to get a key in. So, he made his way over to the front desk. "Hi. I'm looking for Peter Jacobs." Matt said, specifically asking for a clerk he spoke to on his way here from Chicago. Looking up, the female clerk smiled. "Is there anything I can help you with sir?" Matt sighed. "I already spoke to Mr. Jacobs, and he knows my situation." That's when a man came out from the back office. "Oh, Peter, there you are." The female clerk, whose name is Berna Moore, said when she saw Peter. "This man was just asking for you, he says that you spoke on the phone." Matt smiled when Berna said that. "Oh, you must be Matthew Casey." Matt agreed. "Yes. The one who's wife is here at the hotel but doesn't know I'm here. I wanted to surprise her, but the reservation isn't in both of our names." Peter agreed with Matt when he said that, only to smile as he already got things ready for him.

And that also included checking with his wife that it was true. "Just to let you know, we did make sure that you were her husband." Matt got worried when he said that. "Wait, did you…" Peter laughed. "No, we didn't spoil the surprise. We just told her that her husband named John Phillips called. She said that wasn't her husband, so I asked her the name of her husband and where he came from. It checked out." Matt smiled as he went to take out his wallet, only to grab one of his wedding pictures. "Here's a wedding picture if you need one." Going to grab his wedding picture, Peter smiled. "You both look extremely happy." Matt agreed with Peter, as that's the façade that the two of them were currently putting out to the world: that they were a happily married couple. But the truth is, they aren't a happily married couple; rather, they're a couple who are feuding at the moment over one of the most basic decisions that a couple can make in life: whether and how they start a family…a dream of theirs from before they got married.

But, it was a hard decision due to the fact that it was also a dangerous decision due to the aneurysm Gabby has on her right iliac artery. An aneurysm which can kill both her and their child, should it burst while she was pregnant. But, he was trying not to think about that right now when he instead wants to think about something else: what it's going to be like to hold his wife in his arms for the first time in a long time; something he's more than ready to do for the first time in months. But first, he needs to get up to their hotel room. "Ok. Here we go, a new key just for you Mr. Casey." Matt agreed with him and smiled as he reached for the key. "Just curious, do you know where the event is going to be happening? I was going to try and surprise her in our hotel suite, but I just checked the time and I highly doubt that she's going to be there when she may instead be preparing for the event." Berna smiled when Matt said that. "A very smart man." Matt agreed with Berna, prior to bending down and grabbing his bags this afternoon.

After which, he went to follow her towards the event space. "So, your wife has no idea that you're here in Miami right now?" Matt shook his head, as Gabby truly has no idea that he was here in Miami. "This is all a surprise for her, one that I hope she's going to enjoy." Berna smiled as she heard Matt say that, while leading him out of the lobby towards the room where his wife may very well be this afternoon. That way, Matt can surprise the woman he loves and see her for the first time in a while. "So, is there a reason why you came to Miami?" Matt smiled. "I haven't seen my wife in a couple months since she's been in Puerto Rico. She stopped here on the way home to do some fundraising for Puerto Rico, then head home to Chicago. So, I thought…maybe she needs a date to the event." Matt said, while deciding to stop carrying his suitcase and instead set it down to pull it. "So, I came down in an RV, which is part of the other surprise." Berna was confused. "We're going to do a road trip back to Chicago rather than fly." Berna agreed with Matt.

After all, that sounds nice. "Well, that sounds nice." Matt agreed with the man, smiling as he continued to walk with him towards the conference room. "By the way, you better be telling me the truth that she's your wife. Sorry, but I need to just keep my guests safe." Matt agreed with the clerk when he said that, as that makes sense. "I understand. And I appreciate that as a husband." Berna agreed with Matt, smiling as she turned the corner towards the conference space. "Oh, I just realized. I didn't tell you the room number." Matt smiled. "It's ok. I think that me and my wife will be going up there together." Berna agreed with Matt as he said that, as that makes sense. "Well, I'm glad that you're here to get your wife. I know that you guys must've missed each other." Matt agreed with Berna, as he most certainly has missed his wife. "I can't wait to see her. Now, I would really like to see my wife if possible." Berna agreed with Matt as he said that, while continuing to lead him towards the conference center where the fundraising event will be held.

"Almost. Almost. God, just an inch higher." Gabby said, trying to get the last ribbon up to the space here it has to go, while standing a bit too high up on the ladder she was using; if anything, she was standing dangerously high on the ladder. Past the sticker that said that you shouldn't go above that step. So, to say Matt rushed into the room when he saw that, that would be an understand. He rushed right over to his wife and placed his hand on her butt since she was trying to fall. "Oh, wow. Careful man, I'm a married woman." Matt smirked as Gabby said that. "I'm pretty sure that your husband is very happy to be touching you for the first time in months." And that was when Gabby realized just who was touching her: her husband, Matthew Casey. But, she had to make sure. So, she turned around and just smiled. "Matt!" She said, while jumping off the ladder. And lucky for her, Matt caught her and smiled as he wrapped his arms around her back, while Gabby wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled at the man she loves.

After which, Matt grabbed her legs and wrapped them around his waist prior to kissing her softly; while Gabby wrapped her arms around his neck and just smirked as she took things nice and slow with the man she loves. "Wait, what the hell area you doing here?" Gabby said, as she watched Matt set her down onto the ground and step close to her; while he got close to her and smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "Well, I thought…maybe you'd need a bit of help to bring your things home." Gabby agreed with her husband, as that's something she most certainly does want some help with: bringing her things home. She just didn't know how long it'd take for them to actually get home. "Plus, I missed you and wanted to come see you for the first time in a while." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, smirking as she wrapped her arms around his back and leaned up to kiss him softly. "Does someone mean sexually?" Matt smiled as Gabby asked him that question. "Can't I just miss you?" Matt then sighed as he looked at his wife.

After all, there was another reason. "Well, another reason too…" Stepping close to Matt, Gabby wrapped with him as she wrapped her arms around his back. Meanwhile, Matt placed his hand on the back of her head and smiled as he pressed his lips to her forehead. "By the way, you like your upgrade?" Looking up at Matt, Gabby was shocked. "You were the one that upgraded me to a king-size bed with a nice jacuzzi tub?" Matt smirked as Gabby asked him that question. "Can't I get a nice suite for both me and my wife?" Gabby smiled, as she realized that now. "Well, I love the sound of that. Me and you being the same bed for the first time in months." Snickering as she heard Gabby say that, one of her friends smiled. "Let me guess, this is your husband, Gabby?" Turning her head, Gabby smiled at her friend. "Oh, Matt. This is Pearl. She's the head of fundraising. And yes, this is my husband Matt." Smiling as he extended his hand, Matt looked at the woman who's been taking care of his wife for him. "Thanks for taking care of Gabby for me." Pearl agreed.

After all, it was her job to keep her workers safe. "It's my job to keep my workers safe. So, it was my pleasure." Matt agreed with Pearl as he said that. "Well, I love the sound of that. But, listen. I've had a long day and I just wanted to say hi to Gabby quickly." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that. "Let me guess, long day after shift yesterday?" Matt agreed with his wife as he grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. "Yeah. And the truth is, I'd like to go lay down if that's okay." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, only to get close to him and hug him. "Go ahead and lay down baby." Matt smirked as he wrapped his arm around her. "I'd like it if you came with me, though." Gabby smiled, as she already knew why he wanted her to come with her; especially since she wants that too. She wants to be in bed with him too, but she also has a job. "Gabby, go ahead. We can take care of it. I know that you've missed Matt dearly. Go ahead and spend time with your husband, we can take care of things down here; I promise."

Walking over to Pearl, Gabby smiled as she went to hug her since she was very happy that she was getting this time with Matt. "I hope you know how much that means to me Pearl. I've missed Matt too." Pearl agreed with Gabby and smiled at her friend. "By the way, are you sure that this is your last fundraising event." Matt laughed. "Oh, she's sure. She's coming home with me after this event. I've missed my wife so much, and I want her back with me." Gabby smiled as she agreed with Matt, because she's missed him too. "Yeah, that's right pearl. This is my last one because I've missed my man." Smirking as Gabby said that, Matt wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her body against his chest; only to press his lips to the side of her head as they both held each other close. Meanwhile, Gabby turned and cuddled up to Matt's muscular chest and just held him close here in the ballroom. "I made sure to bring a suit, just to let you know. So, I want to take you to the event as your date, hopefully." Gabby smirked as Matt said that.

After all, she'd love to be his date to the event. "As long as you know that I do need to work it." Matt agreed with his wife, smiling as he bent down and kissed the woman he loves. And let's just say that Gabby loves that feeling, especially since she's missed the feeling of Matt's soft lips on hers. It's just the best feeling in the entire world, especially since she's missed him more than anything, which is something that Pearl could clearly see, which led her to making her an offer that she knew she (probably) wouldn't be able to resist. "Gabby, if you want today to be your last day with the charity, then we can go without you tomorrow at the charity event. Well, at least when it comes to working. You can just attend the event with your husband, and it can be your first date in a while." Wrapping his arm around Gabby, Matt smiled as he really liked that idea. "I love the sound of that, to be honest." Gabby agreed with Matt as she cuddled up to him and just held him close. Meanwhile, Matt turned his head and pressed his lips to her forehead.

After which, he looked down into her eyes. "Listen, I need to go set my bags down in our room. Then, I need to get some rest before the event tonight." Gabby looked at Matt as he said that. "Baby, the event is tomorrow." Matt then realized that. "Right." Gabby smiled as she heard Matt say that, only to grab his hand and intertwine their fingers. "You want to go upstairs to our room so that we can get reacquainted with each other?" Matt smirked, as that's something he wants to do more than anything. "Oh, I most certainly do want to do that. I mean, if that's okay with you Pearl." Pearl agreed with Matt, only to walk up to Gabby. "Thank you so much for your help Gabby." Gabby agreed with her friend as she said that. "By the way, you let me know if there's any fundraising in Chicago, okay? I'd love to catch up and maybe help out." Pearl agreed with Gabby, as that's something that she'd love to take her up on, while Gabby just hopes that Matt's okay with that. "I mean, if you're okay with that." Matt agreed with Gabby. "As long as I get to take you home."

Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that, as that's precisely what she wants to do as well: she wants to go home with her husband, back to the life she's wanted to live with him for a while; though, she knows that it'll also involve some hard work. "How about we get out of here? We can go to our room." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, prior to turning around and walking out of the room so that they can head upstairs to their hotel suite; however, they didn't do it as easily as Matt had hoped, as Gabby was nervous. The reason? This is the first time they've seen each other since the fight they had in Chicago about having a baby.

His back was against the door of their hotel suite the moment he walked into the room as they took things nice and slow with each other, while he also placed his hands on her lower back to keep Gabby right against his chest. Meanwhile, Gabby placed her hands on his face and just smiled as she kissed Matt softly. "God, I love you and I am so glad that you decided to come here and surprise me. This is the best surprise in the entire world." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife, as he had a feeling that she'd like this surprise. "I had a feeling that you'd enjoy this surprise I had for you." Gabby agreed with her husband as she felt Matt pick her up in his arms, only to wrap her legs around his waist as they continued to take things nice and slow with each other. At the same time, Matt moved his hand to her back and just smirked because of how happy he is, which is why he reached down and just grabbed his bag right away. I mean, why waste time. "How've you been anyways?" Gabby asked Matt, as he carried her into the hotel suite they were staying in.

At the same time, Matt smirked as he carried his bag over to the dresser and set it down next to Gabby's bag. "I've been okay. I've just really missed my wife." Gabby took a breath as Matt said that, only to run her fingers through his hair as she cuddled up to him; which just confused Matt. "Hey, is everything okay baby?" Gabby sighed as she held Matt close, while he sat down on the end of their bed and rubbed her back. "What's wrong Gabby?" Leaning back, Gabby sighed; while Matt placed his hands on her back to keep her against his chest. "Hey, look at me. What's wrong Gabby?" Gabby sighed. "I've just glad you're happy to see me…" Matt was shocked that Gabby even said that. "Hey, why wouldn't I be happy to see you?" Matt asked, as he placed his hand on the back of her head and just held her close. "I mean, I left you and that had to hurt." Matt sighed, as he knew that this is hard for her. "I can tell that this isn't just related to that Gabby. What's going on?" Gabby sighed as she leaned back and looked at Matt. "That fight." Matt agreed.

After all, he had a feeling that it was really related to that. "Yeah, I had a feeling that it was related to the fight we had." Gabby agreed with her husband, while just taking a breath as she looked at him. "Listen, I don't want to talk about it right now. Not when we just got back together. I've missed you and the feeling of your strong arms around me." Matt smirked as Gabby said that, only to run his hands up her shirt. "Does that mean you want some of this?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as that's precisely what she wants. She wants some intimate time with the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. "I want you Matt. I want to feel your hands all over me, as we get sexy with each other." Matt agreed with his wife and just smirked as he went to grab her shirt and started to tug it up over her head, which led to him taking it off. And let's just say that Matt loved the sight of his wife topless; especially since she's not wearing a bra. "Now, this is a nice sight." Gabby agreed with her husband as she leaned in and kissed him softly.

I mean, how can he not like the fact that she's not wearing a bra. "I had a feeling that was the case." Matt smirked as Gabby said that, prior to leaning in and starting to take things nice and slow with the woman of his dreams. "I missed you Gabby, I really have." Gabby agreed with her husband, as she missed him too. "I'm just glad that you came for the event." Matt smiled. "Of course, I came to the event. I was starting to get worried about you. I thought…this is my first chance to see you in a while, and it's one where we can just have a nice time with each other. Plus, means that we can have a little bit of a vacation with each other." Gabby smirked as Matt said that. "You extended our stay, didn't you?" Matt agreed. "Yeah, I did. Just a couple extra days. Then, we're going on another trip." Confused, Gabby looked at her husband as she didn't understand. "What are you talking about?" Matt smirked as Gabby asked him that question. "What do you think of us doing an RV trip back to Chicago?" Gabby smiled, as she loved the sound of that.

It sounds like a lot of fun. "That sounds like a lot of fun, honestly." Matt agreed with his wife, as he felt the same way. "You want to know what else sounds like a lot of fun?" Gabby smirked, as she most certainly does want to know what sounds like a lot of fun. "Oh, I most certainly do." Matt smirked as he leaned in and started to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves. "Me taking you in my arms so that we can make love to each other." Gabby took a breath when Matt asked her that question. "And you're okay doing that when it could lead to a pregnancy…" Matt sighed, as he knew that they had to talk about that first. "Let me guess, you're scared?" Gabby sighed as she looked at her husband, as she didn't want to admit it. "Yeah, can we just concentrate on us right now. I missed you and I want to take things slow with you." Matt agreed with Gabby, as he wants that as well. So, he picked her up in his arms once more and just smirked as he proceeded to carry her to what's always her side of the bed. "Let me lay you down, then get you ready."

Gabby smirked, more than ready to have Matt do that now that he had the covers open and was sitting down on the edge of the bed. After which, he grabbed her shirt and smirked as he went ahead and undid it for the woman he loves. "God, I missed you so much." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she missed him too. "I missed you too Matt. And I'm sorry I was gone so long." Matt shook his head. "No apologies, just happy time." He said, as he leaned in and started to take things nice and slow with his wife; after which, he took off her shirt and pushed it off her shoulders. Meanwhile, Gabby grabbed his shirt and went to tug it up so that she can take it off. After which, Matt smirked as he decided to help his gorgeous wife, only to throw it onto the ground too ahead of wrapping his arms around Gabby; picking her up afterwards, Matt smirked as he leaned in and kissed his beautiful wife softly prior to turning around and laying Gabby down in bed. "God, you're pleasing me baby." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife and smirked as he knew that.

After which, he bent down and went to grab her shorts to take them off. And let's say that Gabby loved the feeling of Matt taking off her shorts, as it's very sexy; so sexy, that she moaned. "Oh, Matt!" Grabbing the covers, Gabby just shook her head because of how much of a turn on her husband is. After which, he slipped off her shorts and just smirked as he threw them onto the ground. Meanwhile, Gabby sit up and just smiled as she went ahead and grabbed his shorts. "I hope you didn't expect to take your shorts off." Matt shook his head as he felt Gabby grab his shorts and undo them, while he stepped close to her and placed his hand on the back of her head as he watched Gabby tug his shorts down. After which, he kicked them away as he bent down and kissed the woman he loves more than anything. "I love you Gabby." Gabby agreed with Matt and smiled as she moved to get in bed ahead of him, while also admiring him in his tight boxers. "God, I love the sight of you in your tight boxers." Bending down to grab their clothes, Matt smirked.

After which, he carried their clothes away so that he can set them down. "And I like the sight of you in general. God, I've missed you so much." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she's missed him too. "I missed you too Matt." Setting their clothes down, Matt smiled as he turned his head and looked at the woman he loves. "Enough to finally come home?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she's more than ready to come home. "I'm just glad that you came to get me here, as I think we need to be together somewhere other than Chicago first." Matt sighed, agreeing with his wife as he felt the same way. "I know. Us being in Chicago might not be the best place for me to apologize." Gabby was confused as she heard Matt say that. "Apologize for what, baby?" Matt sighed as he walked up to their bed and then climbed into bed with the woman he loves. "Can we not talk about it yet baby?" Tugging the covers up on top of the woman he loves, Matt smiled as she's very beautiful. "Right now, I'd like it if we can just concentrate on each other." Gabby agreed.

After all, that's all she wants to do with Matt right now: concentrate on him as they take things nice and slow with each other. "Matt, can I ask you something?" Matt agreed. "Always." Gabby took a breath. "Can you ever forgive me for how long I was gone?" Matt nodded, as he most certainly can forgive her for how long she was gone. "Of course, I can forgive you for that baby, I promise." Gabby agreed with her loving husband as he told her that, only to lean in and kiss the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. "For what it's worth, I forgive you for what you said. I know you didn't mean it." Matt agreed with his wife, as he most certainly didn't mean it. "No, I didn't. But, right now….I just want to concentrate on the fact that I have my gorgeous wife back in my arms, if that's ok?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she's more than okay with that. "Sounds good." Matt agreed with Gabby and smirked