Hi Readers: And welcome to another new story I hope to write for you guys. Well, somewhat. The truth is, I've already written this story in the past, a couple times. But, I have yet to post it here on . That is, until now. Now, I'm going to do just that. I'm going to post it here so that you can have the same story on here. Well, somewhat. I've also decided to re-write it and try to put as much of the original in a new one which is much longer. Hope you guys enjoy the story, and thanks for reading.

Chapter 1

"It could be fatal…for the mother" -Dr. Grace Letts, One for the Ages

Gaffney Medical Center, Chicago – August 20, 2020
Those were the words that were replaying in Gabriela Casey's mind as she laid down in a hospital bed, here in the emergency department of Gaffney Medical Center in Chicago. The reason they were playing in her mind? It was due to the fact that Gabriela was currently pregnant with her first child, one whose father had yet to find out about due to the fact that she's been very discreet over the fact that she was even pregnant. Though, it's been hard at times, especially since she's been back in Chicago for the past five months. The reason? Well, it was all related to the quote Gabby just thought about. The statement which a doctor specializing in infertility made when she was giving them information about just why they were having trouble getting pregnant back in 2018. Back when they were married, in love, and when they were in this life together. Well, at least when they were still considering themselves married, which is something they haven't done for quite some time, due to the fact that they don't even live in the same city. And they haven't for some time, because she was volunteering in Puerto Rico up until a couple months ago when she came back; that way, she could be close to a really good hospital in case something happened. And now, something did happen.

Though, it was a good thing: she was in labor and waiting to be checked into the hospital so that she can be in the suite which she booked here; something she did months ago, when she first learned that she was pregnant, as this was always where she was going to give birth. Yes, this hospital is the same one in which she lost her last child (and which created the aneurysm); but, it was also a hospital she knew would take the best care of her due to the fact that they're all family. The entire first responders community here in Chicago, including the doctors and nurses at Chicago Med, are quite close to one another as they share a common hang out space: Molly's. The bar she co-founded with her (late) best friend Shay, her (late) friend and co-worker Brian "Otis" Zvonecek, and her former co-worker Christopher Herrmann. The bar, which was constructed for her by her dashing husband, who she loves more than anything in the entire world…and who was the reason why she was taking this risk, just like she always said that she wanted to do. She wanted to take this risk due to the fact that she wants Matt to be a dad, which he's going to soon as she's ready to give birth to their son.

Yes, the two of them are having a boy; Matt just didn't know that yet, as Gabby wanted to protect him from the worst-case scenario: her dying in childbirth. That way, she could protect him from the guilt that would come with her dying. And if the worst happened in which he lost both her and their child, he would also be able to live his life without the knowledge that the two of them lost another child, which was precisely what she knew she was going to have to tell her doctor, Dr. Natalie Manning. "Well, look who we have here. The runaway bride is my doctor." Natalie shook his head. "Oh boy. It made it to Puerto Rico." Gabby nodded. Smirking at the thought of it, Gabby just loved the fact that the rumor most certainly did make it all the way to Puerto Rico. "Plus, I still have my connections. You do realize that my husband was at your wedding, right?" Natalie then realized that. "Oh right, Matt was there. I completely forgot. But now that you mention it, I remember due to the fact that he was dateless." Gabby sighed and nodded, as she and Matt weren't in the best place back then. "It's hard. I haven't been in a good place with him for a while." Natalie sighed, as she felt horrible for Gabby.

After all, the two of them were good together. Though, she's sure that she'll find someone else. "You guys were great together, but you're a catch Gabby…" And that was when Gabby knew she needed to clarify something to Natalie. She needed to make it clear to her that she and Matt are still married. "Oh no, we're still married." Natalie was surprised when she heard Gabby say that, but also knew that she needed to ask her a question now. "Ok then. Do you want me to go call him? Let him know that you're here so that he can be here for you?" Gabby sighed as Natalie asked her that question, as she didn't know what to do; then again, she also knew that it may be best for her to just do this alone. "You see, Matt didn't want me to get pregnant. So, he's…" Natalie then realized what she was trying to tell her: Matt has no idea that she's pregnant. "Oh god. He has no idea that you're pregnant, does he?" Gabby shook her head, as her husband most certainly does not know that she's pregnant with their child. He doesn't even know that she's in town. "As far as he knows, I'm in Puerto Rico right now. Matt doesn't have to know unless I give birth successfully and survive. If the baby doesn't survive, he doesn't have to live with the guilt." Natalie sighed, as she knew how strong Gabby was.

Though, she also knew (from experience) that it's hard to give birth without your husband being present. "Gabby, can I give you a piece of advice?" Gabby sighed. "If I said no, would you give it to me anyways?" Natalie nodded, as she would; so, she decided to sit down and just got close to Gabby. "Gabby, listen. I know that your situation is nothing like mine was. Jeff died on the battlefield, and he didn't get to see it. But, Matt is here. He's alive. I know I would've wanted Jeff here by my side if I could." Gabby sighed, as she knew that was the truth; if she didn't have Matt by her side when she gave birth, then she would regret it due to the fact that she would've deprived him of a chance to watch her give birth to their child. In fact, that's what she's doing right now by not letting Matt be here. She's depriving him of the chance to watch her give birth to their child. Then again, what if that just makes things worse. "Natalie, there's something you need to know." Natalie nodded. "I have an aneurysm on my right iliac artery." Natalie was surprised. After all, she knew what that meant: this pregnancy was high-risk, and she could die if something went wrong.

And that just made her even more determined now to convince Gabby that it was a good idea to have Matt be here. "Gabby, I hate to tell you this; but, as your doctor, I need to strongly recommend that you call Matt. He needs to be here for this. Not just due to the fact that he's the father and should be there to witness the birth, but due to the fact that this is risky for you. Think of your child. Do you want him or her…" Interrupting Natalie, Gabby corrected her on the gender. "It's a boy." Natalie smiled. "Oh boy, Matt's always wanted a boy." Gabby nodded, as she knew that. She knew that her husband has always wanted a son. "I know that, and that's why I did this for him. I did it so that he could be father. It was a miracle that we even got pregnant when I came back for a charity event, and I just couldn't give up the baby. I don't want him to be mad at me if he sees me. That's why I don't want him here Natalie, so that he doesn't yell at me over the fact that I'm pregnant." Gabby said, while also starting to cry as this was hard on her.

Of course, she'd love it if her husband were here, by her side, as she gave birth to her first child; she wanted him here more than anything, but she also needed to think about her life. She already made the tough choice of coming here to give birth in this hospital, which is where the aneurysm was created in the first place; something which was really difficult, as they were dealing with another situation that involved pregnancy. But now, she had no idea whether she would even get to meet their child. "Natalie, I'm scared. If I see Matt, I could just…" And unfortunately, her worst fear just came true…as she just saw Matt walk into the hospital with the rest of Truck 81. And not only was he walking into the hospital, but he was walking right past her room. "I swear, how did this happen? Why in the world did we have to get sprayed by a skunk? God, I swear. Brett is going to hear from me. She sent us here because she thought that we got poison on us. It's just skunk!" All of Truck 81 laughed as they said that, while Stella turned her head and saw Gabby.

Surprised that she was even there, Stella decided to ask her Captain whether she was seeing things. "Hey Casey, is that Gabby over there?" Turning his head the moment Stella asked him that question, Matt was shocked; after all, it was her. She was here, and he had no idea. "What the…" He said, while stopping in his tracks. After all, he had no idea she was in town; nor did he know that she was pregnant with their child. But, as he looked at her this afternoon from a distance, he could clearly tell that she most certainly was.

Walking up to his wife's hospital room, Matt was quite worried based on what he was seeing. First, Gabby was here in Chicago rather than in Puerto Rico; also, she was pregnant with their child. God, this is a lot to take in and he had so many questions to ask her right now. The first one being: "Are you okay?" Looking at Matt as he asked her that question, Gabby bit her lip as she didn't know whether she was okay. After all, she didn't know whether he was going to support her or not. And right now, that meant everything to her; whether he was going to support her or not, as she was scared of what was going to happen. "Matt…" She said, worried about what he would say. Whether he would yell at her, or whether he would take it easy on her. "Matt, please don't yell at me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Seeing that Gabby was worried, Matt just took a breath as he turned his head and looked at Natalie. After all, the two of them needed a moment alone with each other. "Natalie, can me and Gabby have a moment alone?"

Nodding, Natalie agreed with Matt when he asked her whether they can have a moment alone. "Matt, remember to take it easy with her. Gabby told me that you didn't want this." Matt sighed, as he knew that. "I promise Natalie. But, can you do me a favor in return and get…" Turning his head, Matt looked at Gabby. "What's her name again? The doctor we went to go see before you left in May of 2018. The one that told us about the aneurysm?" Thinking about it for a moment, Gabby then remembered the name. "Grace something." Natalie then said the name. "Dr. Grace Letts?" Gabby snapped her fingers, agreeing with Natalie. "That's her name. Thank you." Matt then turned to look at Natalie. "Natalie, can you get her to come join us? She was Gabby's doctor here, and I would feel very comfortable if she was here with us right now." Natalie agreed, only to walk out of their room so that she can give them some time to talk. After all, this was the first time they were talking about something which was important: the fact that Gabby's pregnant.

Looking at his wife as he looked at her in shock, Matt was just scared right now; scared over the possibility that he would lose his wife, due to the fact that she was pregnant with their child. Though, he was also furious over the fact that she didn't tell him. She could die because she's pregnant, and she would let that happen without him knowing that she was pregnant? What if she did die without telling him that they were supposed to have another baby? As scared as he is right now, did she not think that he would want this? That he would want to have a child with her? It's always been a dream to have a family with her, due to the fact that she's the love of his life; he just wishes that she told him, as then they could've been in this together. However, as angry as he was with his wife at the moment…he knew that he couldn't yell because of her aneurysm. "Ok. Let's start with this. Let's get you breathing, Gabby." Gabby was surprised when she heard Matt say that. "You aren't mad at me? You aren't going to yell at me about this?"

Sighing as he walked up to Gabby, Matt proceeded to grab her hand. "Can I sit down with you? Then, we can talk." Gabby nodded, as that was precisely what she wanted her husband to do: she wants him to sit down with her, so that they could hold each other close and take it easy with each other. And the moment she opened the covers to let him do so, Matt made sure to climb right on and get comfortable with her on the bed. "God, now this is comfortable." Matt said, as he wrapped his arm around his wife and held her close. Meanwhile, Gabby decided to look up at him and say something that's been on her mind for months. "Just like we could've been all comfortable in bed together when you woke up naked in bed with me, had you stayed." Matt sighed, as he knew that his wife was mad about that. "Yeah. I know. That was a mistake I made, and I definitely should've stayed." Gabby agreed, as he most certainly should've stayed with her. At least until she woke up, then he could've left if that was what he wanted to do.

But, they weren't going to talk about that right now; rather, they had something more important to talk about: the situation which they find themselves in. "Gabby, why didn't you tell me?" Turning her head, Gabby teared up as she stared up into Matt's eyes. "I didn't want to get your hopes up in case we lost the baby…or one of us died. I couldn't make you go through that again. It would have killed you Matt." Nodding, Matt agreed with his wife as that was the truth; it truly would've killed him. "I couldn't make you go through the pain of having lost another woman you love, or another baby." Matt sighed. "Gabby, I would've found out eventually." Gabby nodded. "I know. I just…I didn't want to have to hear you yell at me. I didn't want the last thing you said to me was something that you'd regret saying, just like the last thing you said to me before I went to Puerto Rico the first time." Matt agreed with his wife. "Plus, we haven't truly been married for a long time." Matt shook his head, as that was where he drew the line.

The two of them have continuously been married since December 2016, and that hasn't changed. He's still madly in love with Gabby, and that'll never change. He loves her, and he's going to be there for her for the rest of her life. "Gabby, I still love you. Why do you think I went to the charity event with you? I literally went because I wanted to spend whatever time we had together, here in Chicago, with you. And we've talked every single day. God, I'm surprised that I didn't know you flew home." Gabby sighed. "I've been here for a couple months. You know, pregnant." Matt then realized that. "Right, that makes sense." Gabby agreed with her husband. "Sorry I didn't tell you, I just…." Gabby sighed. "Matt, this was never supposed to happen. I mean, we got pregnant at a charity event. It was a hookup." Matt shook his head. "No, it was a night we spent together. A great night." Gabby agreed, as it was. "And the moment I found out, and that the baby was viable…I just didn't want to risk you telling me to get rid of it, as that would've killed me."

Matt agreed, as he knew his wife; and him telling her to get an abortion truly would've killed her (metaphorically speaking, not literally), though that could still happen due to the aneurysm. "Were you at least going to tell me at some point?" Gabby git her lip. "Matt, I…I didn't think that far ahead." And the moment Gabby said that, Matt felt mad due to the fact that it really hurt his feelings; that was, until he heard what Gabby said next. "Matt, I haven't planned anything. All I thought about was myself. And I know, that's a sticking point in our marriage, but I don't mean it that way. I meant surviving. I thought about the best way to survive, and I was worried that telling you would just put stress on me and the pregnancy that I couldn't afford. Matt, I love you…I truly do. But, you can't blame me for this. This is my life and health we're talking about, and I had to put that first. I know you're scared, but so am I Matt! I'm the one who can die here, not you!" Nodding, Matt agreed as he knew that; he knew that she was the one who could die.

That was the entire reason why he didn't want this in the first place; at least, not until now. "Plus, you would've been so confused if I called you today to let you know about this. I just…I had plans to just get Antonio to tell you after the fact. I wrote you a letter too, but that's just the backup plan. It would've told you everything." Matt agreed, as that made sense; just like her holding onto him nice and tight made sense, as he knew that she was scared right now. "Listen, all that matters at the end of the day is that I'm here now. I promise, I'm here. You aren't going to have to do this alone, because I'm not going anywhere." Gabby smiled as she turned her head and looked up at the man of her dreams, truly appreciating that. "How about you go to the firehouse and get your things?" Matt shook his head. "I'm calling Boden but staying here. I'm not leaving your side for the rest of my life." Gabby agreed, as that makes sense. "Kiss, first?" Matt agreed as he bent down and kissed his gorgeous wife, just taking things slow with her this morning.