Hi Readers: My apologies for starting fresh once more when I just started. However, I got an idea for another story I wanted to write. I hope that you guys like this. Thanks again for reading, and I hope that you like the story. Now, let's get back to it.

Chapter 1: The Objection

The Wedding, Chicago – February 24, 2024
She still couldn't believe just WHAT she was watching. The man she loves, the man of her dreams was currently standing at the front of a stupid fish store about to marry HER. She thought for the longest time that it was a joke. That he only proposed to her because she lied to him about being pregnant and that Julia was his daughter. Then, when she learned that she was adopted, she was even more surprised. God, she knew that Sylvie could be petty and was imitating her; but, for her ex-husband to be so gullible? To not see right through the charade that she was portraying to the outside world? How he was just being used to give her daughter a family. The family she never had when she was a kid. Now, that was rich. The truth was, there was no way in hell that he should be marrying her. Especially not when he has a daughter to take care of: their daughter, Sofia Andrea Casey. Andrea being in honor of Andy Darden.

The man whose sons Matt was currently raising. God, if he could only see the type of woman Matt was thinking he was going to marry. The woman who he knew was totally wrong for him, and that he was just settling for her. There was no way that he could TRULY love her when she's a vindictive bitch. All she's ever wanted in life was to be her: to have her man, to have her job, to have the respect of the paramedic community, to be so kind hearted that everybody in the firehouse loves you…and even more so, to be the Captain's wife. Hell, she might even think that she may make Matt a father. But, what she doesn't know is that she's already made him a father. That they already had a daughter from when he cheated on her…right before he proposed to her, when they hooked up in Portland at another fundraiser. And this time, just like last time, she got pregnant. But this time, she wasn't giving her daughter up.

Not when it could lead to her and Matt being happy once more. If anything, she should be the woman up there at the front. The woman who's marrying Matt once more, rather than the bitch who slept with both her brother and her ex-husband. But, there was no way in hell that she was going to let her get the name 'Ms. Matthew Casey' before she got a chance to have that name again. And this time around, it'll be forever. They'll be together for the rest of their lives, and she already knows it. That's just a fact. And now, it was time for her to finally make those feelings be known as Boden just asked the question that she's been waiting for. "Before we proceed, I need to ask. If anybody should have any reason why these two should not be married, please speak now or forever hold your peace." The room was silent for a moment while Gabby took a breath, as she needed to make sure she was ready. And now, she was.

She was ready, right as Boden went to continue. "Then, let's get…" Getting up, Gabby took a breath and decided that now was the time for her to stop this train wreck. "I object." Turning their heads, everybody was in shock when they saw her there. Their friend, Matt's ex-wife, Gabriela. And let's just say that Sylvie was excited (for now). "Gabby? You made it!" Sylvie said, thinking that she was here and happy for them. "God, nice way to tell us that you got here. Objecting to our wedding." Sylvie was then about to go hug her, but Gabby just crossed her arms. "Oh no. I'm not joking. I'm objecting." Taking a breath when he heard Gabby say that, Matt decided to make his way down the aisle to his bride and ex-wife. "Gabby, seriously? You're objecting? For what reason?" Gabby just looked at her ex-husband. "Because a man like you…shouldn't have to be married to a two-faced liar like Sylvie." Matt was offended.

After all, how dare she speak about the woman he loves like that. He doesn't care that she's his ex, that's wrong. "Gabby, you're making a scene at my wedding. Please just…" Gabby then turned her head and looked at Sylvie. "So, you never told him about what you did to me on my last shift?" And that was when everybody looked at Gabby, getting confused. "What are you talking about Gabby? The only thing that happened was that fight." Gabby looked at Matt, laughed. "Wow, she's even got you convinced. Damn. Hey Sylvie, you going to fill Matt in on what happened? Or, should I? Because I'm sure that your husband-to-be should know just WHO he's marrying, before he marries you. You know, your true colors…about what you did to me." Matt then proceeded to defend his bride (again). "Gabby, we've been over for a while. It's not her fault that…" Gabby then went to say it out loud.

She told the entire crowd what Sylvie did. "That Sylvie threw the ambo bag at me on my last shift? That she threw an entire kit filled with sharp objects and that was very heavy at me, while also abandoning a patient? Oh, and I heard about what happened last week. And I also got a reference call from the Portland FD for a job there…which is how I knew that you guys were getting married. By the way, no invite for me? Matt, I don't care if I'm your ex-wife. We have a kid." Matt laughed a bit. "Had, Gabby. We lost Louie." Gabby just looked at Matt. "So, you don't remember that ultrasound I sent you in May last year? After I surprised you for your birthday? You forget that?" Matt then realized something. "Wait, what…" Gabby looked at Matt. "Yeah. I'm telling you right now. We have a daughter. And I promise you this…you marry her, you aren't getting to know your daughter. Sylvie is not to be near my daughter."

Gabby just looked at Matt. "I'm at the same place as last time we got together in a hotel. You can either marry her, or you can come meet your 6-week-old daughter. But you can't have both. She will never be my daughter's stepmother. I don't care what happens. She will never be Sofia's stepmother." Turning around, Gabby went to walk away in order to give Matt a moment to think, which led to Sylvie grabbing Matt's hand. "Matt don't listen to her. Let's just get…" Pulling his hand away from Sylvie, Matt turned around and looked at her; that was, until he turned his head. "Everybody, I need a moment alone with Sylvie." Sylvie just looked at Matt. "Matt, baby…" Matt just looked at Sylvie. "Stop that. I'm starting to get mad now. Sylvie is what she said true! Did you throw the ambo bag at her in 2018!" Sylvie then went to defend herself. "Matt, it was a misunderstanding. It's…" Matt just looked at Sylvie.

After which, he yelled. "YES OR NO! Did you throw the ambo bag at my WIFE, your PIC!" Sylvie got nervous, as she knew that Matt was getting mad. "Yes, I did. But…" Matt was shocked. "And you don't think that would've changed my mind about whether I want to be with you! Sylvie! Gabby was my wife! You assaulted Gabby! You really think that I would want to be with you had I known that! God, I was thinking of adopting Julia with you! Of letting you near Andy's sons! What the hell! And you've lied to me during our entire relationship! Three years together, and you've acted as if you knew nothing about why Gabby left; when all this time, you knew that you were the reason she left!" Sylvie looked at Matt. "You aren't innocent here either. You slept with her while we were…" Matt looked at Sylvie. "We weren't together at the time; you weren't my girlfriend. You weren't my fiancé, and you certainly aren't my wife!"

Matt then went to grab Sylvie's hand and grabbed her engagement ring. "And under no circumstances are you going to be my wife." Turning his head to look at the entire firehouse, Matt decided to apologize. "Everybody, I need to apologize. But unfortunately, I need to cancel the wedding." Sylvie just looked at Matt. "Matt…don't…" Matt just looked at Sylvie. "Don't start." Matt then looked at Kelly. "Kelly!" Looking at Matt, his best man listened. "Can you take care of Ben and Griffin for me tonight?" Kelly agreed with Matt. "Of course." Matt then took a breath as he looked at his de facto sons. Walking over to them, Matt sighed. "Boys, I'm sorry about this but…" Griffin then looked at Matt. "Matt, hey. We get it. You need to figure things out." Matt sighed as he looked at them both, prior to hugging them. "Kelly, how about you do me a solid? I promised Ben that I'd take him to the house where Andy died."

Taking a breath, Matt looked at Griffin. "You remember what I told you Griffin? You need to be there for your brother when you're there, as I remember how emotional you got." Griffin agreed. "I promise. Now, you want me to help figure things out?" Matt smiled. "I'd love that. Now, listen. I need to go. Boden, thanks for…" Boden then looked at Casey. "Casey, go! Go find Gabby and figure things out." Matt agreed as he turned around, prior to running away to go find Gabby. At the same time, everybody walked up to Sylvie and crossed their arms, especially Stella. "You threw the ambo bag at my girl?" Sylvie just got nervous, while Boden walked up to her. "Sylvie, is that true?" Sylvie just got nervous, as she didn't want to say anything. "He cheated on me." Everybody just looked at Sylvie when she said that, as they recognized exactly what she was doing…and has been for a while: playing the victim card.

Rushing out after Gabby, Matt yelled out to her. "GABBY! SLOW DOWN!" He said, trying to get his ex-wife to stop. After all, he wants to talk to her. He wants to hear more about what happened. And last but not least, he wants to hear about his daughter. The daughter he just learned about, as it changes everything. What she said in the venue changes everything. I mean, how could it not change everything? Hearing that Sylvie hurt her just broke his heart, which is why he was here in the first place. And that was why Gabby turned to look at Matt. "Matt. You…" Walking up at Gabby, Matt agreed. "Hey, of course, just please. Stop running. I can't run in this thing." Gabby smiled when Matt said that. "Yeah. Listen, I'm sorry about ruining your wedding." Walking up to Gabby, Matt shook his head as he wasn't sorry. If anything, she may have saved him from making the biggest mistake in his life.

So, he just placed his hands on her arms. "Hey. Don't you dare apologize. You may have just saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life." Matt said, as he moved his hands to Gabby's neck as he got close to her. "Now, I need to ask. You said that we have a daughter. Not that I want to doubt you but…there's just so much going on. I just learned that my ex-fiancé is a lying bitch who hurt my then-wife. Gabby, why didn't you tell me?" Gabby sighed. "I was going to, but then you told me those horrible things." Matt agreed with Gabby, well aware of what things she was talking about. "I know what you mean." Gabby sighed as she wrapped her arms around his waist, only to look up into his eyes. "Matt, do you believe me? Please, I know that this is a lot. But, do you…" Moving his hands to Gabby's neck, Matt leaned in and kissed her softly. "Gabby, of course, I believe you. You wouldn't lie about something like that."

Gabby agreed with Matt, while also enjoying the kiss they just shared. "God, I missed those lips on mine." Smiling as he leaned in and kissed her again, Matt smirked until he heard people come on; more specifically, Sylvie. "Seriously? You couldn't wait until you at least left the venue!" Turning his head, Matt looked at Sylvie. "Oh, shut up Sylvie. You have nothing to shay. You lied to me during our entire relationship. Hell, you even played the victim card right after she left. How I could be with someone who could hurt the woman I love like that…that's just ridiculous. You aren't going to be with me forever. If anything,…" Matt then proceeded to grab Sylvie's engagement ring and whispered to Gabby. "I'll buy a new one later. This was hers, I'm sorry. I ripped it off her finger and…" Smiling, Gabby agreed. "We can get a new one." Matt agreed as he went to put Sylvie's engagement ring on Gabby's hand, prior to kissing her softly.

Meanwhile, Gabby ran her hands up his chest and smiled as she took things slow with him. After which, Matt placed his hand on her neck as he turned his head and looked at Sylvie. "If you think that you can ever get me back, then you're dreaming. You lied to me during our entire relationship, and I hope that you know you're no match for Gabby. Stay away from me, Gabby, the boys and my daughter. What's her name again?" Gabby smiled as she looked up at her new fiancé. "Sofia Andrea Casey." Matt smiled when Gabby said that. "Sofia. I love that." Matt said, as he wrapped his arms around Gabby; only to press his lips to her forehead as they held each other close. "Wait, where is she? I want to meet her. And we need to talk. Sorry, but there's things you need to know. I don't live here anymore. I live in Portland. And I have a job there that I can't leave. I'm taking care of Ben and Griffin. They're my wards."

Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as she cuddled up to him and just held him close. "Hey, hey. It's okay. I get that. We can figure it out. I promise, things are going to be different than the last time around. Oh, and just to let you know…the aneurysm's gone, so that means that I can have more kids." Smirking, Matt agreed with Gabby as he held her; only to turn his head and look at Sylvie. "I'll send your things back to your place here. Oh, Gabby. You're going to love the new place me and Sylvie just bought in Portland. It has a pool. Five bedrooms. One for us, each of the boys. A nursery. And then another room for another baby in the future. It'll be great." Gabby agreed with Matt. "What would be even better is us married, but in the future. Right now, you need to meet your daughter." Matt agreed with his fiancé, as he most certainly does need to meet his daughter. "Where is she?"

Gabby smiled. "She's at my hotel suite. Do you need a bag or anything?" Matt shook his head. "I already have a bag in the back. I just need to take the car seat out and then we need to put a new one in for Sofia." Gabby agreed with Matt, as that's what she wants to hear. "I love that idea. Now, I'm going to get in." Matt shook his head. "Stay out, protect me from Sylvie." Gabby laughed as she loves this idea. After which, she watched as Stella came out. "Gabby, hey." Turning to look at her best friend, Gabby smiled. After which, she went to hug her. "How are you girl?" Gabby smiled. "I'm better now that I have Matt back. Thanks for calling me about the wedding." Stella smiled. "No problem. By the way, what's this about you having a daughter?" Gabby smiled as she went to grab her phone. "Oh, Matt. Come here for a second." Matt then looked up as he went to grab Sylvie's bags and carried them over to her.

After which, he threw them onto the ground. "Here." Sylvie just looked at Matt. "Uhm, I can't bend down." Matt laughed. "I'm not your man anymore. Take care of it by yourself." Matt then went to the back of his car and went to grab the seat, only to take it out fast and carrying it to Sylvie. "Here you go. Have a nice life Sylvie. Oh, and never call me again." Walking back over to Gabby, Matt smiled as he looked at her. "Oh, Stella. By the way, quick update." Stella looked at Matt. "What's that?" Matt smirked as he looked at Gabby, who held up her hand and showed Stella that she was wearing a ring. "Shut up! When!" Matt smiled. "Just now. I want her to know that she's the only one I have a future with, especially since I was betrayed." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, only to give him her phone. "Here's Sofia." Grabbing her phone, Matt smiled as he looked at his daughter. "How old?" Gabby smiled. "Six weeks."

Matt was shocked. "You look like THAT six weeks after giving birth." Gabby smirked. "And I'm cleared." Matt smiled, as he likes that idea. Meanwhile, Kelly came out. "See you already stole my wife for a bit." Gabby just looked at Kelly. "Don't even get me started on that! Kelly, where the hell was my wedding invite!" That's when Kelly and Stella both got nervous, as they knew that they should've invited her…until they heard Gabby speak to Cruz. "The same can be said about you, Cruz. Where was my wedding invite!" Cruz agreed with Gabby. "Sorry about that." Wrapping his arm around Gabby, Matt smiled. "I promise, you'll get a real wedding this time." Turning her head, Gabby looked at Matt. "Oh, damn right I am! If she gets this, then you bet I get better when we have a BIOLOGICAL daughter together!" That's when Gabby realized something. "Oh, and don't think I didn't hear about THAT!" Matt gulped.

After all, she must've heard about that. "You literally proposed to her because she got accepted to adopt that girl. Yet, you don't support me when I want to adopt Louie! Oh, we're talking mister. And you owe me. By the way, I'm going to put my real engagement ring back on at the hotel. I have it with me, since I kept it in Puerto Rico." Matt agreed as he rubbed Gabby's back and pressed his lips to her forehead once more. "Listen, how about me and you say bye to everybody. I want to go do something which involves us going to the hotel." Kelly laughed as he heard Matt say that. "Let me guess, you want to celebrate your engagement." Matt and Gabby then both looked at Kelly, with Matt speaking up. "No, I want to meet my daughter Sofia! Then, have sex!" Gabby laughed, as she wants the same. But right now, she just wants to get out of here. "We can stay a couple days. I promised my mom…" Matt sighed.

After all, they can't. "Gabby, I already pulled the boys out of school for the past two days for the wedding. They need to go on Monday or Tuesday." Gabby agreed, while Matt turned his head to look at Kelly. "That reminds me. Ben and Griffin." Ben and Griffin then both got nervous. "Ben, you have that essay due on Tuesday. Either you finish it tonight, or you write it on our way home with no movies until you're done writing." Ben gulped and agreed with Matt. "And Griffin, you have that test on Tuesday, and you have the outline for your research paper due on Thursday. You can study in the car or here. But, I want you to at least pick out your topic so that you can start something on your iPad. I didn't buy you guys iPads for you not to use them." Gabby just looked at Matt. "You bought them iPads?" Matt sighed. "It was a requirement for school. It was either that, or they have to rent one. It was cheaper and better."

Kelly was confused. "How?" Matt smirked. "I have parental controls on them. I can make sure they do their homework by locking them out. And I've done it in the past and will do it in the future." Turning her head, Gabby smirked. "I like this fatherhood phase in your life." Matt smirked as gabby said that, only to kiss the side of her head. "C'mon, I want to go meet Sofia. Oh, boys. That's your new sister's name. Sofia." Ben and Griffin both smiled, only to see Gabby. "Welcome to the family Gabby." Griffin said, as he went to hug Gabby. Meanwhile, she smiled as she hugged Griffin. "Thanks Griffin. And I promise, I'll try and keep Sofia quiet when you study." Griffin laughed. "No problem. Now, go have fun guys." Matt agreed with Griffin as he went to hug him. "Now, I need to go. I want to meet my little girl." Ben and Griffin both agreed as they watched Matt and Gabby get in the car to head to their hotel.

Driving Gabby to the hotel with their fingers intertwined, Matt took a breath as he decided to speak to her. About what she said in the church, and how feels horrible over the fact that it happened while they were married. "Gabby, I don't want to talk about it too much but…I feel horrible for what you told me. How she hurt you like that. As your husband, I can't believe that happened on my watch." Turning her head, Gabby agreed with Matt as she kissed his hand. "I like the sound of that. My husband. Can I call you that already?" Matt laughed. "If you can promise me that you aren't mad I almost married Sylvie." Gabby shook her head, as she wasn't mad. "Hey, at the end of the day, you made the right choice to be with me." Matt agreed with Gabby, as he most certainly did. "I've always loved you Gabby. And had I known we had a daughter, then this would've never happened." Gabby agreed with Matt, well aware that was true.

After which, she laid her head down on his shoulder. "The aneurysm's gone, by the way." Matt smiled, as he likes the sound of that. "I love the sound of that. Means we can have kids in the future. Just, not yet. In fact, we need to talk first Gabby. This is a huge change for me and you need to give me a chance to get used to this. I mean, I was ready to marry Sylvie. I was thinking I was going to marry Sylvie. Now, you're my fiancé again. It's so weird, and a lot to sort out." Gabby agreed with Matt, understanding that it was going to be a lot to worry about. "And I get that Matt, I promise. Now, what do you say we not mention her name again? I just want to concentrate on us moving forward." Matt agreed. "And I want to snuggle up to Sofia in bed for the first time." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she wants that more than anything in the entire world. "You have no idea how much I want that too." Smiling, Matt drove Gabby to the hotel.

The hotel where he was going to hold his daughter for the first time. "By the way. Monday, courthouse?" Turning her head, Gabby smiled. "Let's wait until we're settled in Portland. We have Sofia to think about." Matt agreed with Gabby. "I promise, we'll figure this out. Right now, we just need to get to the hotel so that I can meet my daughter for the first time." Gabby agreed, as that's precisely what they need to do: go to the hotel so that Matt can meet Sofia for the first time.