Hi Readers: And welcome to another story I hope to write for you guys. I know that it's been a while since I wrote a new story, so I can only hope that I can figure something out. Though this time, they'll be no wealth in this story. Rather, Matt and Gabby will just be normal people again. In fact, I think that's where my problem is…doing the story with money. Let's hope that this changes everything.
Chapter 1
Firehouse 51, Chicago – October 1, 2018
It wasn't her choice to stay away from Chicago; rather, it was a necessity if she wanted her dream to come true. Her dream to have a family with the man of her dreams, who she's more than ready to risk her life for. And while Antonio Dawson understood his sister's decision to stay in Puerto Rico to reduce the stress (and the risks that come with having an aneurysm), what he didn't understand was her husband's decision not to go be with her when he learned the news. The news that she was staying in Puerto Rico for (at least) the remainder of her pregnancy, which she told him a few days ago. God, just the fact that he didn't book a flight right away and was instead here at work; that just made him furious, especially since she was at risk of dying because of him. And that was precisely why Antonio was here at the firehouse, ready to talk some sense into his brother-in-law. But first, he had to get past Brett.
The woman he despises after what she did to his sister. The way she treated her was unacceptable, and he can't believe that she even has a job here, which is just one of the reasons why Antonio flipped on her after she greeted him. "Antonio, what are you doing here? I thought you…" Looking at Sylvie, Antonio was furious. "Don't talk to me. After what you did to my sister, don't talk to me." Gulping, Brett just looked at Antonio as she worried that he would find out; find out that she threw the ambo bag at his sister, prior to abandoning her at a call. "I'm surprised you even have a job here still. Now, get out of my way. Is Casey in his office?" Sylvie nodded. "Yeah, I think he's trying to distract himself. God, Gabby really is hurting him." Antonio then looked at her. "You have some nerve to say that, considering what you did to my sister." And that was when Matt came out, having heard Antonio's voice this morning.
After all, he's heard it often enough to recognize it from the moment he starts talking. "Antonio, what are you doing here?" Matt said, as he approached Sylvie and his brother-in-law; after all, he didn't even know he was in town. "Sylvie, I need to talk to Matt alone." Sylvie agreed with Antonio, prior to walking away. "What was that all about? I thought you liked Brett?" Antonio was surprised when he heard Matt say that, as that was not the reaction he expected to get. "After what happened between her and my sister? Yeah, I think that's going easy on her." Confused, Matt turned his head and looked at Sylvie. "What happened between them?" Antonio just looked at his brother-in-law. "You don't know?" Matt shook his head and sighed. "Me and Gabby haven't really been on speaking terms since she left." Antonio just looked at him when he said that. "I wonder why. Might it have been something you did and said?"
Sighing, Matt had a feeling that he was here for that reason: to talk to him about what he said to his sister, now that he finally knew what he said. "She tell you when you visited last week in between your sessions at that rehab place in the Bahamas?" Antonio scowled as Matt asked him that question. "Seriously? You ask me about my condition, but not about your wife's condition? I would expect you, as her husband, would want to know whether she's ok." Matt then got worried. "Woah, slow down. What's wrong with Gabby? Is she okay? What happened to my wife?" Antonio looked at Matt, thinking that he was playing dumb. "Seriously? Are you really going to play dumb right now? Matt, god!" Antonio said, prior to walking away so that they could talk in his office. "Come in. Let's go to my office." Turning his head, Antonio looked at him. "Do you really want me to yell at you in front of your friends?" Matt sighed.
After all, that was the last thing he wanted. So, he turned his head and looked at Stella. "Stella, go talk to Boden for me. Tell him that Antonio is here, and that he needs to talk to me about Gabby." Stella agreed with her Captain, more than ready to do just that for him. "Got it Captain." She said, prior to getting up so that she can go talk to Boden about giving Matt some time. Meanwhile, Matt started to walk with Antonio to his office. "So, when did you get in town? Wait, is Gabby in town?" Turning his head, Antonio was confused as it didn't seem like he was at all concerned about his wife. "She's not. Oh. She okay in Puerto Rico then? We haven't really spoken much?" Antonio sighed when Matt said that, as it was now clear to him that the reality was that Matt had no idea about the pregnancy. Or that it was the reason why Gabby wasn't coming home, because she couldn't come home to him after what he said.
She couldn't come home, because she was scared about what he would make her do, which is completely understandable now, especially since he could clearly see that Matt was worried. "Antonio, you're being too quiet. Oh god, no. Please, don't tell me that something happened to Gabby and her aneurysm." Upon hearing that, everybody turned their heads as they got worried. Meanwhile, Antonio shook his head. "Gabby's fine and safe. She's alive, for now." Matt was confused when he heard Antonio say that. "Ok. My office, now. I need to know everything about what you're talking about, because I am so lost in all these details; and I have no idea what you're talking about anymore." Antonio nodded, as he could see that was the case. "And now, I'm glad that I came. I promise, I'm going to give you the answers that you want and need from me." Matt agreed, more than ready to get those answers.
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Casey's Quarters – He could tell the minute he walked into Matt's office that he missed his wife dearly, especially with him having moved her picture to the most prominent of places on his desk: right in front of him; that way, he could look at it every time he sat down and looked forward. And when he saw that, Antonio just knew that he's been thinking about her the entire time, which meant that he owes him an apology now that they were alone. "Matt, listen." Turning around when he heard Antonio say that, Matt went to move some stuff off his bed so that he could sit down. "Yes, of course. Sit down, though. You look tired." Antonio nodded, as he was tired; so, he decided to sit down on his bed just like he offered. Meanwhile, Matt sat down in his chair and turned to face his brother-in-law so that they could talk. "So, ok. Listen Antonio. It's just us now. And I can only assume that you know about Gabby's…"
Antonio nodded, as he knew about the aneurysm. "Yes, Gabby filled me in on everything. The aneurysm and all." Matt nodded, glad that his brother-in-law knew. "Did she tell you the part where she can die if she gets pregnant?" Biting his lip, Antonio didn't know that, which just makes this situation all the more awkward. The reason? Gabby is pregnant with her and Matt's first child. That was why he was so mad that he wasn't in Puerto Rico with her at the moment, as he clearly thought he knew. But, it was obvious to him now that he had no idea. "So, I can only assume that you guys haven't talked much since she left?" Matt sighed, as he's tried. "I've tried calling, but she doesn't answer all the time. And when we do get through, it's like 2 minutes. The reception isn't the best with her being in the field." Antonio sighed, as that was another lie that his sister must've told her husband. "She's not in the field of late."
And let's just say that Matt was worried the moment those words came out of Antonio's mouth. "What? Why not?" Antonio bit his lip. "Matt, you need to promise me that you don't freak out when I tell you this." Matt just looked at his brother-in-law, as there was no way he could promise him that now. "Hell no. You're worrying me. What's wrong with my wife? She's there to work in the fields and do humanitarian work, so why isn't she in the fields if that's why she's there?" Antonio sighed as he went to grab his phone, as he wanted to show his brother-in-law a picture. "Because that's not the only reason she's there, Matt." Matt was confused as Antonio told him that. "It isn't?" Antonio shook his head, prior to taking a breath and opening his phone. After which, he went to find a picture which would reveal something to Matt. Something which she should've revealed to her husband herself, but clearly hasn't done so.
So, it was up to him to let her husband know why his wife hasn't come back to Chicago yet; that she hasn't come back to Chicago yet, as she couldn't come back since he was going to hate what he saw when he looked at her. Looked at her in her current state, as it was the last thing he wanted to see. But, he had a right to know since he was her husband; and he was also the person who needed to be in Puerto Rico, by her side if something went wrong. And not just for her sake. "Here, this is a recent picture of Gabby. We were out at a party for Labor Day in Puerto Rico with our teams." Going to grab Antonio's phone, Matt proceeded to look at the picture of his wife. A picture of the woman he loves, and who has been lying to him about how she's doing of late. The biggest lie of them all? Her current condition in Puerto Rico and status as an expectant mother. "She's pregnant with our child?" Antonio nodded, as she was.
His sister, Gabriela Dawson-Casey, was in fact pregnant with their child. "She's twenty-one weeks." Just taking a breath when he heard Antonio tell him that, Matt bit his lip. "Give me your phone. I need to call Gabby." Confused, Antonio looked at Matt. "Why can't you use your phone?" Matt looked at him. "She barely answers my calls as it is, and I think we both know why she's not answering my calls at the moment. You know, considering she's pregnant and risking her life." Antonio then realized why Matt wanted to use his phone: so that he could guarantee a chance to speak to his wife. "Matt, please don't be mad at her. She loves you. And all she wants to do is make you a father. Also, this is technically not ALL her fault." Matt nodded. "When she due?" Antonio bit his lip. "End of January. She has a specialist in the Bahamas." Matt agreed with Antonio. "Great, that means that I could be a widow by my birthday."
Getting up, Antonio walked up to him. "Hey, let's think positively. Matt, you have to remember that your wife is strong. And right now, I can tell you this. She's also scared. And that's why I was furious with you when I came in here, because I thought you knew. And since I thought you knew, I was furious because you weren't there with your wife. The wife who needs you now more than ever. Matt, I hear what you're saying. I hear you when you say that this is risky, and that you didn't want this." Matt sighed. "What I didn't want is to kill my wife." Antonio just looked at Matt when he said that. "How would you kill my sister?" Matt sighed. "I created the pregnancy, which puts pressure on the aneurysm. If the aneurysm bursts because of the pregnancy and she dies, I'll blame myself because I created the pregnancy that killed her." Antonio just looked at Matt when he said that, having never thought of it that way.
But for Matt to see it that way just breaks his heart, especially since he's always wanted to be a dad. "I wish I could say that I don't get where you got that idea. That I can't understand that logic. But, as a father, I can see that logic. I can understand Matt. And for that, I am so sorry that you're in the situation that you find yourself in." Matt agreed with Antonio as he went to hug him. "Antonio, I'm sorry I didn't go sooner. Believe me, had I known she was pregnant, I would've been there long ago. Hell, I would've tried to get her to terminate." Antonio shook his head. "Gabby would never do that, as she's Catholic. You know that, Matt." Matt then realized that, as he knew that was the truth. "Then Antonio, I need you to do me a favor." Antonio nodded. "What is it?" Matt sighed. "You can't blame me if anything goes wrong. I tried to say no. She wanted to go ahead. Now, she's left me in the dark for months!"
Antonio agreed, as that was precisely what his sister did. "This is the last thing I wanted. Antonio, may I remind you that my last fiancé died in a fire? A fire which I responded to, and wasn't able to save her from?" Antonio gulped, as he knew that was true. "And that was one of the reasons why I didn't want this. I didn't want to be the cause of Gabby dying. So, please remember that…if something goes wrong, this wasn't what I wanted. And I need you to remember that." Antonio nodded, as he will remember that. "Wait, does Boden know?" Matt shook his head. "No. Just tell him that Gabby's pregnant and can't fly home because of how far along she is. You're family, so you get the details. I don't want them to worry." Antonio agreed as he proceeded to hug Matt again, well aware that he was scared. "I'll tell him you need to go. Then, we'll get out of here. Get you home to pack up, then we'll fly to the Bahamas."
Upon hearing that, Matt was confused. "I thought she was in Puerto Rico?" Antonio bit his lip. "She moved to the Bahamas where I was, so that I could take care of her and just be with her. She's been resting, and the doctors are much better there. She has a specialist there and stuff like that. Matt, you have no idea how much I wanted to tell you; but, this is my sister we're talking about and you know how she gets." Matt nodded, as he knew precisely how his wife got sometimes. "I know, she's very bossy. You Dawsons are all that way." Antonio nodded, as he knew that. "That we are. Now, how about you call your wife so that you can check on her and let her know what's going on." Matt agreed. But before he did so, he got close to Antonio and hugged him. "Thank you, Antonio." Leaning back, Antonio was confused. "For what?" Matt sighed. "For telling me before it was too late." Antonio nodded and agreed.
After which, he let his brother-in-law go and just sighed; after all, he was about to make a call to his wife so that they can have a hard conversation with each other about something she's been lying to him about. "Good luck with my sister." Matt nodded, as he knew that he was going to need it. "I'm going to need it." Antonio nodded, having a feeling that was going to be the case as he walked out of Matt's office. "Oh, can you tell people I can't be disturbed for a moment?" Antonio agreed, as he can do that for his brother-in-law; so, as he walked out of his office, he proceeded to close the door so that he and Gabby could have some privacy. Meanwhile, Matt walked up to his desk and sat down in his chair; after all, he had to talk to his wife. If only she had told him the truth sooner, maybe they would be having this conversation in person. But, that wasn't going to happen until he was in the Bahamas with her.
Taking a breath as he waited for his wife to answer his call (using Antonio's phone), Matt just looked at the screen as he decided to FaceTime his wife so that he could see her face for the first time in a while. He wanted to see her, and just get a sense of whether she was okay by looking in her eyes. And luckily, it seems like his plan to call using Antonio's phone worked, as they connected right away. "God, seriously Antonio? You're literally right down the street from me. If you want to see me, then just come to my place. I'm in bed today, and you know that." Matt sighed, prior to speaking to his wife. "How bad's the morning sickness? Is it as bad as it was the last time you were pregnant?" Hearing her husband's voice, Gabby was shocked. After all, he was the last person she thought she'd be hearing from today. "Matt?" Matt sighed as he looked at his wife. "Can you let me look at you babe? Let me see your face."
Gabby nodded as she went to turn the lamp on, only to sit up a bit so that she could hold the phone comfortably. Meanwhile, she took a breath. "What are you doing on my brother's phone?" Matt looked at Gabby when she said that. "Gabby, this isn't the time to talk about that. Right now, me and you need to talk about something else. You know, the secret you've been keeping from me?" Gabby groaned. "Matt, why would I tell you when you don't want this?" Matt shook his head. "Babe, that isn't true. You know that. Do you really believe that I don't want us to have a baby? I want nothing more than that, and you know that." Gabby nodded, as she knew that was true. "What I'm not in favor of, is you risking your life. Gabby, we both know what the doctor said, and that's why I'm scared. Gabby, I wasn't ready then to burry another woman I love." And that's when it hit Gabby, this was related to Hallie and more.
And the moment she heard that, her heart just broke. "Matt, I…" Matt sighed. "Gabby, you know that I don't like to bring Hallie into our marriage, that's the last thing I want to do. But, this is just worrisome for me, and I hate that you didn't tell me. And I hate that I even said what I said. Gabby, I mean that. I hate what I said to you, and you need to know that. I could've used other words. And if I could go back, I would use those words. That I can't risk killing another woman I love." Gabby just looked at Matt. "Kill me?" Matt sighed once more, as this wasn't the time or place to have this conversation. "Gabby, we can talk about this another time. But, the short version is that I created the pregnancy that could kill you. And in my mind, that's me indirectly killing the love of my life." Hearing Matt say that, Gabby sat up and just looked at her husband. "Matt, I had no idea that you thought that way." Matt sighed and nodded.
After all, that was the truth. "I know, and I wish we were together to talk about it. And soon, we will be. Gabby…had I known, I would've been there already. I mean that. Yes, I didn't want this; but, that doesn't mean that I'm not going to live out my vows. I vowed to love and support you through sickness and in health. And right now, that's what you need as you need me there with you. I refuse to let you go through this alone, when this is our child you're pregnant with." Gabby agreed, as she is pregnant with their child. "It's a boy." And the moment Matt heard that they were having a boy, his face lit up. "Does he have a heartbeat? Oh, and is it IUP?" Gabby nodded, as that was precisely why she didn't tell him. "Yeah, it's why I didn't say anything. This is not like our last pregnancy. And I was just scared that you would make me have an abortion. Make me chose between you and our child."
Hearing Gabby tell him that, Matt could feel his heart break; after all, that was the last thing he wanted to hear Gabby tell him: that she was worried he would make her chose between him and their child, which is the last thing any mother and wife should have to do. Chose between their husband or their child. And now that Matt knew that, he just teared up as he hated that he ever put his wife in this position. "Gabby, I'm sorry. I truly am. I hate that I put you in this position, of having to chose to lie to me so that you didn't have to make that choice. And as a result, you did have to make that choice. You chose our child. And I know that this is scary…" Gabby agreed with her husband. "Oh, I'm scared. Believe me." Matt agreed with his wife, as he could see that she was scared based solely on the way she was looking at him with those gorgeous eyes. "I can see the fear written all over your face Gabby, I mean that."
Gabby agreed with her husband once more, as she was terrified over the worst possible outcome. "I'm scared of the worst possible outcome; and that I'll never get a chance to be with you again, which is what I want to be more than anything. Matt, I promise. I'm coming home the moment I survive this. But now that you know, I…" Matt then went to tell Gabby what was going to happen. "Now that I know, I'm not staying away any longer. Gabby, did you really think that I would stay away? That I would stay here, now that I know that you're pregnant with our son?" Gabby shook her head. "Gabby, I promise. I'll be on the next flight. I'm going to come to you, and we'll work things out. We'll figure out a way forward, and we'll pray that everything works out for us. Gabby, we may not have been in this together from the start, but we'll be in this together starting right now. I'm in this with you, babe."
Gabby nodded as she teared up, as that was precisely what she wanted to hear. "You have no idea how much I love the sound of that Matt, and just how much I love you." Matt nodded. "I know you love me Gabby, because you're risking your life to try and make my dream come true. I promise Gabby, I'm going to come be the husband you need right now. I'm going to take care of you the way you need me to take care of you, which is what I should've done in the first place when you asked me to try. And we're going to make sure that we have our baby. And even better, we're going to make sure that you survive." Gabby agreed with her husband. "And we can start our new life. Sorry Matt, but I can't come back. I know…" Matt just stopped his wife. "We can talk later. Right now, just get some rest and take it easy. I'll talk to Boden and book a flight. Gabby, I love you and I'll be there soon." Gabby agreed with her husband.
After all, she loves him too and can't wait to see him. "I can't wait to see you too, and feel you run your hand on my bump." Matt smiled, as he liked the sound of that. "Do me a favor and send me a picture if you can? I want an updated one. Oh, and maybe the ultrasounds? Wait, never mind, you're…" Gabby then stopped her husband and smiled. "Matt, of course I can send you an updated picture of me, as well as the ultrasounds. I promise." Matt nodded. "Uhm, quick thing. I'm at work, so that means that our friends are here. Do you want me to…" Gabby nodded. "Do they need to know about the aneurysm?" Matt bit his lip. "Gabby, I want them to know that this is scary. I need them to know that you might not come back. I just…I need to tell somebody so that I can call home and talk to someone. And I'd rather it be one of us that tells the firehouse, rather than have it leak through Kelly and Stella."
Gabby agreed with her husband, as that made sense. "That makes sense. Plus, it's not like you can vent to Antonio." Matt snickered, as that was precisely what he was thinking about. "Listen, you need rest. Do you want anything from home?" Gabby agreed, as she would love stuff from home. "Can I send you a list, and you can get it for me?" Matt agreed, as he could do that. "I can do that for you, I promise. I'll have it with me when I get there. I'm going to book a ticket for today, then be there tomorrow morning. I promise, I'm coming right away. I'm not going to wait to see you in the Bahamas." Gabby then realized that he knew she was in the Bahamas. "My brother tell you I'm here with him?" Matt agreed with his wife. "Yes, he told me that you moved there so that you could have someone help you. And I think that was a good idea, though I wished it could've been me." Gabby sighed, while Matt continued.
After all, he already knew why it couldn't be him. "Gabby, I already know why I couldn't be me. I promise. Now listen, you get the rest you need so that you're okay and just relaxing. I'll call you in a bit, okay? I'll call you either from home, or when we're on the way. Not sure yet." Gabby agreed. "Just be safe on your way here." Matt agreed. "I will. I love you, and just take it easy. Call me if you need to talk, and I'll make sure that I talk to you. Gabby, I love you and I'll be there for you as soon as I can. For you and our little boy." Gabby smiled, as she liked the sound of that. "I love you too. See you soon." She said, as she hung up. Meanwhile, Matt sighed as he just set Antonio's phone down. After all, that was a hard conversation he just had to have with his wife. And based on how Matt was acting at the moment, Kelly could tell that something was going on with his best friend as he stood near his door. "Everything okay?"
Turning his head when Kelly asked him that, Matt decided to tell him first. "Gabby's pregnant." And the moment Kelly heard that, he understood why Matt was feeling that way; after all, he was the one person he told about the aneurysm. So, he walked in and made his way over to his friend. "Come here, man." Matt agreed as he got up, prior to going to hug his best friend. "Thanks." Kelly agreed. "Does she know that you told me?" Matt shook her head. "I'm going to tell the firehouse now. Uhm, Kelly. About that. I'm going to tell you something first." Kelly then realized what Matt had to tell him. "You're leaving, aren't you?" Matt just took a breath. "Kelly, she's pregnant with our kid and risking her life. Do you blame me for wanting to leave in case something happens to Gabby?" Upon hearing that Stella walked in. "What's wrong with Gabby? She ok? God, please don't tell me it's cancer?" Matt shook his head.
After all, it wasn't cancer. "She's pregnant." Stella smiled when Matt said that, only to have Kelly place his hand on her back and remind her. "The aneurysm." Stella then realized that and just shook her head, only to make her way over to Matt and hug him. "Let me guess, that means that you're leaving?" Matt nodded. "Yes. I need to. I mean…" Stella shook her head. "No, I get it." Matt agreed. "Listen Kelly, can you do me a solid and go pack up my locker for me? I need to go talk to Boden so that I can get out of here. I can't finish shift; I need to be on the next flight to Puerto Rico. Then, gather everybody up. I'm going to tell them before I leave. Just, maybe not the aneurysm stuff. Please, can we keep that between us? I only told you guys so that I could call you. That has to stay close to the vest. Nobody else, especially not Herrmann." Kelly and Stella both nodded, as they knew why; he was, after all, a horrible secret keeper.
If he knew the truth about Gabby, then it would be around the firehouse instantly. "Listen, I need to talk to Boden." Going to grab his keys to his locker, Matt gave them to Kelly. "Can you go pack me up?" Kelly agreed, as he could do that for him. "Yes, I can." Nodding, Matt took a breath as he went to walk past his and Gabby's best friends so that he could go talk to Boden in his office.
Chief Boden's Office – Walking up to Chief Boden's office, Matt took one last breath as he knew that this was going to be a lot to drop on him last minute. After all, he was going to have to find a new leader for Truck 81 on a dime; though, he really didn't have any other option. His wife was pregnant, and she needed him in the Bahamas. That way, they could take it easy and just relax there; in the place where he should be right now, due to the fact that she needs her husband. And if she needed her husband (which she most certainly does), then nothing will stand in his way of getting to Gabby. He just needs to talk to Boden first. "Hey Chief, you have a minute?" Looking up at Casey when he asked him that question, Boden nodded. "Thank god. I am so glad that you're here. Maybe I can dump some of this stuff on you, so that you can help me." Matt sighed when Boden said that, prior to placing his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, about that. I actually need to talk to you about Gabby." Looking at Matt when he said that, Boden got concerned.
After all, he always saw Gabby as a surrogate daughter; so, if she was in trouble, then he was all ears. "Is she okay?" Matt sighed as he went to close his door, as this was private. "Sorry, this is private. Health related." Boden got concerned. "Wait, is that why Gabby's been in Puerto Rico for this long? Does she have cancer?" Turning around, Matt was surprised that his head went there. "Oh god, no. That's not the case at all, Chief. I promise. Though, I will have to say that I was worried about that until I spoke to Gabby just now." Boden nodded; glad he finally spoke to her. "Good. Any news on when she's coming back?" Matt sighed. "Actually, this is why I need to talk to you. I actually need to leave." Boden then went to take off his glasses, as he wanted to know more; but, he would have to talk to him. So, he invited his Captain to have a seat so that he could talk to him. "And why do you need to leave?" Boden asked, truly curious as to why Matt was stating that he needed to leave, rather than asking him to leave. "Last time I checked, I needed to grant it."
Matt then proceeded to sit down, only to let out a sigh. "Ok. Here's the truth. You remember when me and Gabby were pregnant last time?" Boden was confused when he heard Matt bring up his last pregnancy. "Ok. What does what happened three years ago have to do with you leaving?" Matt sighed. "When Gabby lost the baby last time, it created an aneurysm on her right iliac artery." And it was then that Boden realized why Matt was here. Something must've happened, which is what led to him getting quiet. "She okay?" Matt sighed. "No, she's pregnant." Boden then smiled. "Talk about burying the lead. Congr…" Matt then put his hand up. "This is where the aneurysm and the pregnancy come in together, okay? Please, let me explain." Boden nodded, as he could see Matt was concerned. "Gabby's pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy. I didn't even know she was pregnant until today, as it was one of the things we argued about before she left earlier this year." Boden sighed, as he knew what that meant. They weren't in a good place.
And the truth was, he always liked them as a couple; they truly were great together, and to hear that they're having problems is truly devastating to him. But, that wasn't the worst part. "So, here's the thing. The pregnancy is going to put extra stress on Gabby's body. And if that happens, then the aneurysm could rupture." Boden nodded, hearing Matt start to get a bit more choked up. "And if the aneurysm ruptures while Gabby's pregnant, then both she and our child could die." And it was at that moment that Boden felt his heart drop for the Captain and his wife, because it was the last thing he wanted to hear. In fact, there was no doubt in Boden's mind that it was the last thing either of them wanted to hear. "So, what does that mean? Is she going to come back?" Matt shook his head. "Gabby's already 21 weeks pregnant. It's actually why Antonio's here today. He came to tell me, as I had no idea that my own wife was pregnant, or that she was in the Bahamas now rather than in Puerto Rico." Boden was surprised to her Matt say that.
After all, neither did he. "Wow. So, that's probably a lot of news to take in all at once. Your wife isn't where you thought she was, and she's currently pregnant with your child, which could kill her because of her condition." Matt agreed, as that was precisely the situation that they found themselves in. "And Boden, I know that this is last minute; but, you can't reasonably expect me to stay here when my wife is pregnant in the Bahamas with a life-threatening condition." Boden shook his head, as that most certainly is the truth. The last thing he would make him do is stay here, when he instead needs to go take care of his wife. "Matt, of course not. We both know that what you need to do is go take care of Gabby, right away." Matt nodded, as that was why he was here. "I need you to call a reliever in. I already talked to Kelly and Stella, and they know that I'm leaving. I just…I'm not ready to tell anybody else. This is already a lot to take in, and I don't want to delay leaving. I need to just get on a flight to the Bahamas." Boden agreed with Matt.
And since he needed to get on a flight as soon as possible, he wasn't going to stand in his way. "Of course. You can definitely leave right now. Pack up your things, head home and then go to be with your wife in the Bahamas." Matt agreed with Boden, more than ready to do just that as he got up. After which, Boden did the same and made his way over to Matt. "Matt, I'll be thinking of you guys. And I promise, you can come back when the time is right, and your spot will be here." Matt sighed. "We'll see what happens. I'm not coming back for a while, and the last thing I want is to come back to the cold. And who knows, maybe I'll just want to stay away for good. I'm not sure yet, and I just need to see what happens." Boden agreed. "If you need a reference, then let me know." Matt shook his head. "I'm not doing anything risky for the duration of the pregnancy. If something happens, then I need to be there for my son." Boden smiled when Matt said that. "You and Gabby are having a son?" Matt agreed, as he and Gabby are having a son.
Though, he can only hope that he and Gabby get a chance to raise him together. "And hopefully, we'll get a chance to raise him together. Listen, I wish I could stay longer; maybe even make the announcement right now, but I need to get out of here to be with Gabby. I need to hold her in my arms and tell her that everything will be okay, or at least make her feel like everything will be okay. Who knows whether I can even make her feel that way, since we're both going to be worried." Boden agreed with Matt, as he knew that was the truth. "And that's why you don't know when you're coming back." Matt agreed, as that was precisely why he didn't know when he was coming back, if he was coming back at all. "I need to be with my wife, as well as our child. That's all I'm thinking about. I'll figure out work another time. I just need to get to Gabby so that I can hold her in my arms and tell her that everything will be okay." Boden agreed, as that was precisely what Matt needed to do. "Then you go do that Matt, I'll do everything else."
Matt smiled as Boden said that. "Maybe not right now, but I think Stella would be a great candidate in the future to be a lieutenant. Just, not yet. I think she needs a bit more time. Just, do me a favor and maybe try and start teaching her? I was planning on doing that soon. Oh, and watch out for Kelly? I've been doing it ever since Andy died, and the last thing…" Boden nodded, as he already knew. "Hey, Matt, I know that already. I know that the last thing you need is to lose another one of your friends, when you're worried about your wife and child. You just take it easy and concentrate on Gabby." Matt nodded, as he hoped to do just that once he was in the Bahamas with her. "And when I'm in the Bahamas with her, I hope to do just that. Now, I need to go. I need to just get down there and see my gorgeous wife again." Boden agreed as he went to hug him. "Call me anytime you need to talk, I'll always answer." Matt smiled. "I hope you know that I've always seen you as a surrogate dad Boden. Always will." Boden agreed with Matt and smiled.
After all, he's always felt like he needed to protect him. "And I've always seen you as a surrogate son, because I know that your dad isn't here anymore. So, you can always call me. I'll tell Donna so that she knows that…if you call in the middle of the night, then you just need to talk because you're worried." Matt agreed with Boden. "We aren't telling the entire house, yet. I only told Kelly and Stella because they're our best friends, and I told you because I don't know what the future holds for me. Right now, I'm not ready to say anything until we figure out what's going to happen. I think we both know that we've learned from our past." Boden agreed, as that was understandable: him not wanting to say anything until he knew what was going to happen. "And that's precisely why I'm going to keep this close to the vest. Now, go pack up and leave. Go be with your wife, so that you can help her through this hard time." Matt agreed and nodded, more than ready to do just that as he turned around and walked out of Boden's office.
That way, he could pack up and go to the Bahamas to be with his wife…and just hold her in his arms to (try and) make her feel better; especially since she's quite scared at the moment, which is why she needs her husband in the first place.
