Hi Readers: My apologies for starting fresh once more. It just seems like I can't get a story to stick right now. However, that doesn't mean that I'm not going to keep trying to get a story out. But, this time is going to be different. This time around, I'm going to take my time and make sure that I make sure that the chapters I post are of high quality; the best quality that I can make for you. That means that I need to take my time so that I can get the details right, along with making sure that I tailor the chapters to the storyline which I want to write. And if that means me not posting as much, then so be it as I want to give you the best story I can. And this is that story.

Chapter 1: Four Months, Twenty-One Weeks

Firehouse 51, Chicago – September 24, 2018
It's been four months (and a half) months since she was last here, here at her (former) place of employment. The place where she met the love of her life, her husband…and the father of her child, Matthew Casey. This was the firehouse where he was the captain, that handsome captain who stole her heart and made her fall in love with him…regardless of the fact that he was engaged to another woman at the time she fell in love with him. And now, she may have screwed everything up. Why? Well, it's due to the fact that she's been gone for so long. And as much as it breaks her heart to even think this way, she can't help but wonder whether he's moved on. Whether he's decided that it was time for him to move on, due to the fact that he may (or may not) believe that she's coming back. Yet, she also has hope. Hope that he hasn't moved on and that he's going to be here for her now that she needs him the most.

After all, there's a reason why she's stayed away for so long: her growing abdomen. More specifically, their child who was currently growing inside of her…their little boy. The boy she can only dream of meeting and hoping that he looks like his handsome father. But, she can't know that yet. She can't know what he's going to look like, nor does she even know if she's going to get a chance to know what he looks like due to the fact that she has an aneurysm. An aneurysm which could easily kill her if it bursts, which was why she hasn't come back yet. She hasn't come back due to the fact that she doesn't know how Matt's going to react to the sight of her being pregnant, when it was the last thing he wanted before she left to go to Puerto Rico. And since they haven't exactly spoken about it since, she has no idea what he'd even say when he saw her…pregnant with their first child. And that was why she was scared.

So scared, that she originally thought about staying in Puerto Rico until she gave birth to their child, prior to flying home to Matt. But, then her brother knocked some sense into her and made her realize just how bad of an idea that was due to the fact that she has an aneurysm. And that may mean that she doesn't survive, which is her worst nightmare: that she doesn't survive to meet their son. But something in her just wants to make her believe that she's going to survive and that she's going to be there to raise her child with Matt, which is her dream come true; that is, if Matt still wants her. If he still wants to be with her after all she's put him through. Though, they have still been speaking. And as she got ready to get out of the car to go see him, he called her. So, she took a breath and reached over to look at his picture which was flashing on her phone. And even better, he was calling her on video call.

God, she's so nervous and can't help but wonder whether she should even answer the call. Yet, she also knows that she wants to answer the call more than anything so that she can speak to the man of her dreams. So, she decided to do just that. She decided to answer his call so that she could tell him where she was: home, right outside the firehouse. After all, she'd rather have a private reunion with her husband, especially if he's going to yell at her. So, she answered and smiled at her handsome husband. "Hey." Smiling as she heard his voice for the first time in a while, Gabby looked at her husband. "Hi, yourself. How's shift?" Matt smiled. "I can't say it because then I'll be out the door rather than talking to you." Placing her hands on her stomach, Gabby agreed with Matt as that's precisely what would happen. "I know, those darn words are always bad luck for us." Matt agreed with his wife, happy to see her.

Though, he also knew he had to apologize. "Sorry about not calling last night. I was with Severide, and we drank a bit." Sighing, Gabby could tell that something was going on with him. "Everything ok?" Matt bit his lip, unsure as to whether he should tell his wife. "I miss you Gabby. I miss holding you, kissing you and just making you laugh. That's all and I want you home babe. You know that. But, I can only assume that you haven't called me because of our last fight about you extending?" Gabby nodded. "Amongst other things." Matt bit his lip. "Sorry about what I said, you need to know that. I'm just starting to get frustrated. I want you home Gabby. Please, just come home so that we can work things out. I've waited four months, but I'm starting to get a bit impatient as to when you're going to come home to me. Is this you punishing me or something?" Gabby sighed as Matt asked her, as that wasn't why it took her so long.

Rather, it was because she was scared of his reaction to her news. "No, it's my fault. I've been a bit dishonest with you about something, and still am right now." Matt was a bit confused as he looked at his wife. "What are you talking about?" Taking a breath, Gabby turned her head to look at the firehouse. "How about you tell Otis to go inside, and we can talk alone for a minute?" Shocked when he heard that, Matt just looked at his screen. "Are you here?" Gabby nodded. "Matt, there's something you need to know before you see me for the first time. And I don't want you to be…" Unfortunately, Gabby couldn't tell him what she needed to tell him. That she was pregnant with their child, and that was why she was gone so long; because she knew that he would be mad over the fact that she was pregnant as it was the last thing her ever wanted. He didn't want her to be pregnant because it was too risky. But, she is.

She's 21-weeks pregnant with their first child, their son. The baby she hopes that she and Matt can raise together, if she lives. And that's a bit if, due to the fact that she has that stupid aneurysm which has thrown a wrench into all of her plans. Her plans to start a family with her husband, prior to raising that family with him. The life that she could've been guaranteed when she first got pregnant is now at risk, due to the fact that she's pregnant with the aneurysm. It means that she could very well die before she even gets a chance to meet their child, which scares her more than anything in the entire world; especially since she loves her husband so much and wants to be with him forever as they raise their family together. Now, she can only hope that everything works out for them and that she can raise their son with him in the future, after she gives birth here at the hospital. The hospital which can save her life.

He came rushing out of the firehouse as soon as he heard that his wife was up front, just waiting for him to come see her. He could already feel it. That was the reason why she was still out here: so that they could have a moment alone with each other before she has to go see everybody else. And honestly, he loves that idea. The idea of them having a quick moment alone with each other, before she has to go inside and see everybody else. However, it seems like she isn't here as he can't see her. That was, until he saw her car. So, he decided to yell out to her. "Gabby!" After which, he went to run down the driveway to her car. Meanwhile, Gabby just took a breath as she knew that now was the time she's been dreading: the time where she has to tell her husband the news he's feared. The news that she's pregnant with their child and that her life is at risk. Though, she can only hope that he'll be okay with the news as she's home.

So, after taking one last breath to give her the confidence she needed to get out of the car, she got out so that she could see her husband for the first time in months. At the same time, she revealed her secret to him: the secret that she's pregnant with their child. And let's just say that Matt was shocked when he saw her get out of the car, only to see her baby bump. So, he stopped walking and just stood on the driveway. "Sorry, what?" Gabby took a breath as she looked at her husband. "Yeah, we need to talk." Taking a breath, Matt tried not to overreact due to the fact that he doesn't want to embarrass him, or his wife here out front of the firehouse. Yet, on the other hand, he also knew that this was his dream come true: his wife is pregnant. So, he just walked up to her and took a breath as he went to hug her. Meanwhile, Gabby wrapped her arms around his back and took a breath as she held her husband close.

Kissing his chest, she took a breath due to the fact that she was scared at the moment. "Matt, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me." Leaning back, Matt placed his hands on the sides of her face, shocked that she would even think such a thing. "Hey, I could never hate you Gabby. I love you. You're the love of my life and that's the last of it." Gabby agreed with Matt as she looked down at her stomach. "But you said that this isn't what you wanted. You told me that I can't get pregnant." Taking a breath, Matt wrapped his arms around Gabby and smiled at her. "Gabby, I love you. At the end of the day, that's all that matters. And I promise, I'm going to make it up to you." Taking a breath, Gabby agreed with Matt as she cuddled up to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Matt, can you promise me something?" Matt agreed with his wife. "What is it baby?" Gabby sighed. "Don't be mad at me." Matt agreed.

After all, he doesn't want to be mad at me. "I don't want to think this way…but, I don't want to spend the last couple months of my life fighting with the love of my life." Leaning back, Matt looked at Gabby as he agreed with her. After all, that's the last thing he wants: to spend the last months of her pregnancy fighting with her. "Hey, let's just take a breath and relax. That isn't going to happen. I want to make sure that we have a nice time. I promise. Now, how far along are you?" Gabby smiled as Matt asked her that question. "I'm 21-weeks pregnant with our son." Matt was shocked when he heard Gabby tell him that they're having a boy. "Wait, a boy?" gabby nodded, smiling as she let out a few tears. Meanwhile, Matt placed his hands on her cheeks prior to wiping her eyes. "Hey, it's ok." Gabby took a breath. "Matt, I love you and I don't want this to be the end of us." Matt agreed with his wife as he felt the same way.

He doesn't want this to be the end for them either. "Gabby, I love you. I want to be with you, and I'm sorry I let your dream of getting pregnant with our child get in the middle of what I want most: you. I want you to be my wife, I want to have a long life with you. And clearly, I made you feel like you had to stay away for months due to the fact that you couldn't come home." Taking a breath, Gabby agreed with Matt. "I was scared that you would make me get an abortion…." Letting out a sigh, Gabby looked at Matt. "…even more so when I learned that our little boy was viable." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, prior to getting close to her and placing his hands on the sides of her face. After which, he pressed his lips to her forehead as they both held each other close. "Matt, I need you to not be mad at me right now. Please. I need you to help me through this, support me. I'm scared." Matt agreed with Gabby.

After all, he could just hear it in her voice: the fear that came with knowing that her life was a risk now that she was pregnant. Yet, she was still ready to take the risk. And that was precisely what they were doing. They were going to take the risk and have her be pregnant. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come home. I was just scared of what would happen and…" Matt shook his head as he held Gabby close to him. "Hey. We're past that. You're home and we're having a baby. That's all that matters at the end of the day." Nodding, Gabby agreed with her husband as she grabbed his hand and held him close. "Listen, you look like you haven't slept in a while. You want to stay here and take a nap in my office?" Taking a breath, Gabby looked up at her husband. "I'd rather go home, if that's ok. Hell, I was going to tell you tomorrow but…" Looking down. "I thought it'd be better to tell you right away." Matt agreed.

After which, he placed his hand on her cheek and stroked it with his thumb. "Then how about you go home and rest?" Gabby just looked at Matt as he said that. "Is there any way that you can try and leave work early?" Taking a breath, Matt grabbed his wife's hand and intertwined their fingers. "Listen, I'll try my best to get a reliever here to take over for me. I promise Gabby. Had I known you were coming home, I would've taken the day and met you at the airport." Stepping close to his wife once more, Matt pressed his lips to her forehead. "I promise, I'll talk to Boden." Gabby bit her lip. "Can you do it now? Matt, I need to sleep, and I haven't slept well without you. And I'd…" That's when Matt and Gabby were disturbed by Chief Boden. "I thought I saw you both out here." Turning their heads, Matt and Gabby looked at Chief Boden. "Hey Chief." Chief then looked at Gabby. "Wow, are you…" Gabby took a breath.'

After which, she looked at Matt. "I'm not ready to tell anybody here yet. But, I want to be with you. Please babe…" Stepping close to Gabby, Matt just agreed as he knew what he needed to do: he needs to go home with his wife. "Listen, just take a breath, and concentrate on me. Chief Boden here loves us, and I think he'll understand." Boden looked at Matt when he said that. "Gabby, you want to go say hi to Sylvie? Tell her our news? Or are we keeping it private?" Gabby sighed. "I want to keep it private. I'm scared and…" Matt then realized that he just needs to go home. "Okay, okay. I got it." And it was just then that Boden knew what Matt needed right now: he needed to go home and be with his wife. "Something wrong?" Matt took a breath as he looked at Gabby. "Can I tell him?" Gabby nodded, as she knew that was the fastest way to get him home. "Yes." Taking a breath, Matt did just that: he told Boden.

The moment Boden heard the entire story of why Gabby left in the first place, including some things that Matt didn't even know, he just knew that his Captain wasn't going to stay here. He was going to leave so that he could go be with his wife. And honestly, he doesn't blame him. Of course, he wants to go home and just take it easy. And that's precisely what Matt is planning on doing for a week right now as it's what Gabby needs. But first, Boden needs his signature as he walked up to his Captain at his locker. "Casey, do you mind if I speak to you for a minute?" Turning his head, Matt nodded. "What is it Chief?" Boden smiled. "First of all, congratulations on the news that you guys are…" Matt then put his hand up as a way to remind him that they aren't telling anybody yet, which is why Gabby wasn't in here. So, as requested, Boden shut up like Matt wanted. "Right, sorry." Matt took a breath then sighed.

After all, this was a time where he just needs to concentrate on Gabby. "Right now, I'm just worried and I need to take some time with Gabby. I really hope you understand that based on the situation we find ourselves in." Boden agreed with Matt, as he most certainly does understand their need to be with each other at the moment considering they need to talk and just relax. "I'm not proud to admit it, but things got really tense before she left, and I would really like to work things out with her. I want to talk to her, and I want to welcome her home and just make her relax. And honestly, she looks like hell right now." Hearing that, Gabby made a comment as she walked into the locker room. "Thanks babe." Turning their heads, Matt was surprised to see Gabby in here. "Hey, what are you doing in here?" Gabby sighed. "I couldn't resist coming to say hi to Stella. I told everybody in the process as they noticed."

Matt agreed with his wife, smiling as he extended his hand. "How was your reunion with Brett?" Gabby sighed. "Yeah, let's just say that I'm shocked she still has a job after that report I sent in. Please tell me you read it Chief?" Boden was confused. "The one about how Sylvie threw the Ambo bag at me and abandoned a patient?" Matt just looked at his wife as she said that. "Sorry, she did what now?" Gabby sighed, as she knew that Matt was going to be mad over the fact that she didn't tell him. "I promise, we can talk and clear the air at home. I'm just tired and need to go lay down in bed. Maybe even take a bath." Matt smiled at that idea, as he can only hope that he can join her. "Can I join you?" Boden then looked at them. "Ok. I'm leaving. Maybe take next shift off and be with Gabby Matt." Matt smiled, as he loved that idea. "I think I'll do that." Gabby agreed with Matt as she smiled at him, prior to getting close.

Wrapping her arms around Matt, Gabby smirked as she looked up at the man she loves, while he wrapped his arms around her too. Looking down into her eyes, Matt smiled as he bent down and kissed the woman of his dreams. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she loves him too. "I love you too." Kissing Gabby once more, Matt smirked. "Thanks for giving me next shift off Chief. I think me and Gabby need it." Boden agreed. "Congratulations again on the baby." Smiling, Gabby went to hug Boden prior to him walking away. After which, she looked at Matt. "Are you happy about the baby like him?" Matt agreed with his wife, smiling as he was happy. "I promise. Now, let's head home so that we can rest and take it easy with each other. We need it." Gabby agreed with Matt. "Promise me that we can work things out? I want to do this together Matt, and I want to survive." Matt agreed with his wife, as he wants that too.

He wants her to survive because he loves her and wants to be with her forever. "And we're going to do anything and everything we can to make sure that you survive. I promise Gabby." Matt said, as he stepped close to Gabby, grabbed her hands, and intertwined their fingers; only to lean in and kiss the woman of his dreams softly. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she loves him too. "If you couldn't tell, I love you too." Matt smiled as Gabby told him that, as he knows that she loves him. "Listen, let's head home. You need to take it easy and get some rest." Gabby agreed with her husband. "I need to drive my car home." Matt agreed with his wife. "Then, I'll see you at home in my truck." Gabby agreed with Matt as they both walked out of the firehouse hand-in-hand to make their way home. "I want some attention when we get home. I'm hormonal." Matt laughed, as she'll get some. "I promise, you'll get a bunch."