Well, looks like we have company. Finally, we have Andy back in the story. And even better, we have Andy and Gabby in the same room again; that way, they can talk and have some time with their friends. But before they do that, Matt needs to explain to his wife just what he meant when he spoke to Andy this morning. Here's how that conversation is going to go this morning.

Chapter 7

"What are you talking about, baby? Everything okay?" -Gabriela Casey

He knew there was no getting out of this question, the one which Gabby asked what Matt was talking about when he spoke to Andy. After all, she was going to know that he was lying if he said that everything was okay; especially with her senses being heightened, due to the fact that she just had Gabriel. Apparently, that's something that happens when women just give birth. Their senses are heightened, and they're able to see things in a different light than before; meaning that they can tell when their significant other is lying. So, Matt knew there was no use in trying to lie; rather, he just decided to come out with him. "Ok. So, here's the thing. When I was downstairs, I just had this feeling that Andy was going to bring something up here in our room that we weren't ready to talk about." Gabby snickered, as she already knew what that was going to be: him and Heather being the godparents.

After all, he was just that predictable. "Matt, you do realize that I used to work with Andy; so, it's not like I didn't already suspect that. Andy is just that predictable. Of course, he's going to wonder whether he's going to be the godfather." Matt agreed with his wife, as he thought that he was going to bring up that topic as well. "I wasn't sure whether you were ready to talk about that, yet." Gabby agreed with her husband, well aware that was the case. "And you have no idea how much I appreciate that, baby." Matt nodded, while looking at the breakfast which Heather and Andy brought for them. "You brought us breakfast?" Andy agreed. "Heather made it, so we decided to bring it. I hope that you guys didn't order anything, yet?" Gabby shook her head, as they haven't ordered anything yet. "No, we haven't ordered anything yet. So, thank you for bringing breakfast." Heather smiled when Gabby said that, only to look at Matt.

After all, he did the same when she was in the hospital with the boys after giving birth. "It's something I vowed to do years ago, but I finally get to do it." Confused as they both looked at Heather, Matt and Gabby were unsure of just what she was trying to say. "Ok. I'm going to act dumb here, because I have no clue what you're talking about Heather." Heather smiled when Matt said that. "Do you seriously not remember bringing me breakfast when I was in the hospital after giving birth to Ben." Matt agreed with Heather when she said that. "God, I still can't believe he's 16." Gabby was shocked when she heard Matt say that. "You're kidding, Ben's 16 already? He can drive?" Andy agreed. "Griffin just graduated from the fire academy.." Gabby was shocked when she heard Andy say that, as time flies. "Wow." Gabby then turned her head and looked at Heather. "Wow. Heather, are you okay with him being a firefighter?"

Heather laughed, as she already knew it was going to happen. "Oh, I already knew it was going to happen. There was no going back when he was always around the truck. He's really happy that he got accepted, and just learned his placement. I'm shocked that it even happened." Matt smiled, agreeing with Heather. "Heather, did you really think I wasn't going to put in a request for him?" Gabby was confused when she heard Matt say that. "What? How do you have room for him on Truck. You already have 4 firefighters." Matt smiled. "You can have 5. I never maxed the team out, though I asked them if we could for COVID. And now, they assigned me a candidate. Though, I said that I only wanted Griffin due to the fact that it makes things easier. He doesn't need to bring COVID home to another house, as he's already going home with Andy. Just makes things easier on the CFD. I know, I played on the pandemic."

Andy shook his head. "Matt, it's fine. You know what the academy said, it was fine." Matt agreed with Andy and smiled. "I just wish I was going to be there when he starts. I don't know what's going to happen now." Gabby looked at Matt when he said that. "Matt, you should go back in to take care of his training." Shaking his head, Matt smiled as he made his way back over to his wife. "Not a chance. I'm not going back during COVID. I'm going to figure something out, I promise." Gabby agreed with her husband, as she could just see it in his eyes: he was deadly serious when it came to this. There was no way he was going to the firehouse during COVID. "Gabby, you put your life on the line. You just about died giving birth to Gabriel. If you thought for one second that I'm not going to take that into consideration when it comes to what I'm going to do during COVID, then you're crazy. I'm not taking any chances with our health."

Gabby agreed with her husband, glad that was the case. "Plus, you need me now with your dad's status." Gabby nodded, as she knew that was the case; however, Andy was confused as to what Matt was talking about. "What are you talking about? What did Ramon do now?" Matt sighed. "He's in a coma from complications with COVID." Looking at Gabby when Matt said that, Heather began to make her way over to her. "Oh, Gabby. I'm so sorry." Gabby agreed with her friend as she sat up, only to hug her. "Thanks." Heather agreed. "If you need anything, just let me know. I know how hard it is to start a family. And I know that you guys have been through a lot to get to this place in life. You guys finally have everything you guys have ever wanted, and I know that neither of you want to take that for granted." Matt agreed, as he felt the same way. "How are the boys doing? They tired of being stuck inside?" Andy laughed.

After all, that was the last thing his boys were. "Well, Griffin is ready to get started at the CFD. So, that's going to be fun for him. He can't wait to start work, though I may ask him to wait until you get back. I want you there for his candidacy." Matt agreed, as that made sense. "If he protests, then call me and I'll talk to him. I'll tell him that I want to train him so that he can take over Truck 81 someday." Andy was shocked when he heard Matt say that. "Excuse me? I think you mean me!" Matt laughed. "Bud, do you really think that we aren't going to have the same length of careers? Unless I get promoted to Chief, then you aren't going to be put in charge of Truck 81! And even if I do get an offer to be promoted to Chief, I don't want to leave the firehouse. Firehouse 51 is home and will always be my place of employment." Heather agreed with Matt, as that made sense. Though, she didn't know about Gabby.

Was she going to return? "And what about you, Gabby? Are you going to return to Ambo 61?" Taking a breath when Heather asked her whether she was going to go back to Ambo, Gabby turned her head as she had no idea what she was going to look; so, as she looked at her husband, she bit her lip due to the fact that they were going to need to talk about that. "We're going to have to talk about that. I haven't…" Matt just knew what Gabby was trying to say. "Heather, you know the situation Gabby was in when she came to give birth." Heather agreed. "I know, the aneurysm." Matt nodded. "So, she didn't exactly plan for the future when she came here. She just thought about giving birth and thought we would figure stuff out as we go." Andy and Heather both agreed when Matt said that, as that made complete sense. Of course, Gabby wasn't going to plan that far ahead when she didn't know if she'd survive.

So, they just need to take it one day at a time. They couldn't make decisions right now, as Gabby was tired and in no condition to think that far into the future. Right now, she just needed to concentrate on her recovery and feeling better. And that was why Matt decided that he needed to talk to Andy for a moment. But first, he needed to ask Heather something. "Hey Heather, did Andy talk to you yesterday?" Turning her head, Heather looked at her husband as he didn't. "No, he didn't. About what?" Matt sighed as he looked at the two of them, while Andy went to clarify something. "I wanted to wait to see whether Gabby would be okay or not before I said anything. If she was okay, then I decided that it wasn't going to be a problem. I thought we could just push it to the side, and not have to worry about having that conversation." Matt agreed, as that made sense. Though, they still needed to have the conversation.

The reason? COVID-19. "Well, you still need to have that conversation with Heather, but I can have it with her instead. So, let's all sit down and eat as we have that conversation." Still confused, Heather looked at her sons' godfather to get clarification as to what conversation they had to have. "No, I want to know what you're talking about." Matt sighed as he looked at Heather. "I need to talk to you about your second honeymoon with Andy." Heather nodded, as she understood now why they needed to talk.

Sitting back down in bed with Gabby, Matt smiled as he wrapped his arm around her, while also grabbing some of the pancakes they just got from room service. "God, this is like a hotel here. You get to have your pancakes brought to you in bed." Gabby agreed as she proceeded to take a bit of her pancakes, as they were hot. "Of course, they bring food right here. I mean, I just gave birth. Also, COVID." Andy agreed with Gabby, as that made sense. "I'm just glad that the visitation rules have been relaxed right now. Things are calm, and it's nice and easy at the moment." Matt agreed, as he felt the same way. "I know what you mean, it feels great to know that I can be here with Gabby without any troubles." Heather smiled, as she could see just how truly happy Matt was to finally be a dad. "I can only imagine how happy you are to finally be a dad, Matt." Matt agreed, as he was thrilled to finally be a dad to his little boy.

It's everything he could've ever wanted, with the exception of COVID. "It's everything I've ever wanted, with the exception of COVID. And now, that brings up the topic that we need to talk about." Heather agreed, as she knew that they needed to talk about that. "Listen, Heather. I know that this is a lot to ask. And I know that you need time away with Andy, especially after being stuck inside with the boys and having to do home schooling online." Gabby groaned, as she heard that was horrible. "I heard that sucked." Heather agreed, as it did. "Tell me about it. I'm just glad that the schools are re-opening in the fall." Gabby agreed, as she felt the same way. "But now, I just want to go back to the topic. I know that you said that you wanted to go away for a few days, but I'm just not sure whether that's a good idea." Matt then looked at Andy. "Andy, you're the only other certified Lieutenant at the firehouse."

Gabby was surprised. "When did Andy get his certification?" Andy smiled. "I got it last fall. I was going to tell you while you were here, but you didn't want to spend much time with us. And now, I think we both know why." Andy said, while raising an eyebrow as he referred to the fact that she instead wanted to spend some quality time in bed with her husband. "Oh, shut up Andy. We both know that wasn't the reason why Gabby wanted to come here. Well, not the main reason!" Turning her head, Gabby was offended. "You think that I came here because I wanted to have sex with you?" Matt snickered as he gave his wife a bit of side-eye. "Oh, because you weren't thinking about it on the plane ride here. How we could have each other in bed, hold each other…and you could run your hands all over my newly muscular body." Gabby smiled. "I have to say, you do look really good." Matt agreed.

After which, he wrapped his arm around his wife and smiled as he leaned in and kissed her softly. "I love you." Gabby agreed with her husband, as she loves him too. "I love you too, forever." Matt agreed, smiling as he went to take another bite of his pancakes. "Now, back to what we were talking about." Andy agreed. "Yeah, your paternity leave. How long are you thinking?" Matt shrugged, as he had no idea how long he was thinking yet. "I mean, we need to do what's safe for us and Gabe. If that means that we need to stay out for a while, then I think that's what we're going to do. Health comes first, especially after how much Gabby risked just for us to have Gabe." Gabby agreed, as she appreciated that. "I appreciate that." Matt agreed with his wife and smiled as he pressed his lips to the side of her head, well aware that she appreciated that. "And I appreciate you. Always will, for what you did for us." Gabby agreed.

After which, she leaned in and kissed the man she loves once more. "By the way, we do still have a place to live; right? I think I heard something about us not having a place to live." Matt sighed, as that was something they had to talk about. "Yeah, I've recently moved in with Andy and Heather. I live in their basement." Gabby agreed with her husband. "And how does that work with COVID?" Matt smiled. "It's a basement apartment, so it's isolated from their home. It's nice." Andy agreed with Matt. "It's also free. You just pay your utilities. I mean, it's the least I can do for Matt. Plus, he takes the boys when we need time together." Matt smiled, as that was something he loved to do. "It's nice. I just hope you know that they can't just come downstairs anytime, and neither can you." Andy looked at Matt when he said that. "Not even to use the home gym?" Matt sighed, as he knew this was going to be hard.

Then again, maybe he and Gabby should just do something else like stay in a hotel. "Maybe we should look into getting a long-term hotel until we find a new place for our family." Gabby smiled. "Maybe even a nice cottage, by a lake where we can relax." Matt smiled, agreeing with Gabby as that sounded perfect. "I love that idea, and I think we should do that. Then, when we're allowed to go; we can pack up, and just head to the place we like. Or, I can pack up ahead of time and then we can leave right from the hospital." Andy agreed with Matt. "Then again, you do still need some things to take Gabe home, like a car seat." Matt agreed with Gabby, as that was why he was here; after all. "It's why you're here, remember? You're going to help us out, right Heather?" Heather agreed, as they most certainly were going to help them out. "It'll be fun. I haven't shopped for a baby for years." Andy smirked.

After all, they could do it again if she wanted. "You know, we can try and have another baby if you want." Matt just rolled his eyes when he heard Andy say that, as he knew that was coming. "Seriously? You can't do that on your own time? We don't need to hear you try and get your wife to try and have another baby, Andy. Do that in private." Andy snickered. "What privacy? Last time I checked, we don't have it anymore. This is the most alone time me and Heather have had without the boys in months!" Heather agreed with Andy. "We really need to figure out what we can do so that we can get away on a vacation." Andy agreed, as that most certainly is the truth. "Not yet, of course. I need to be at the firehouse since Matt is taking time off to be with Gabby and Gabriel." Heather agreed, as that most certainly is the truth. "On a long overdue honeymoon." Gabby agreed, as she loved the sound of that.

After spending the past thirty minutes with Heather and Andy enjoying some breakfast, Matt and Gabby were finally alone once more; and Gabby had to say, it was really nice to be alone. It gave them some quality time with each other, while also getting some peace and quiet. And right now, that was precisely what the two of them needed after the chaos of the past couple days. Between the drama of her almost dying, to them getting back together…it was just a lot to handle, and Gabby really liked that she and Matt were alone right now; especially since it meant that he could take off his shirt for her, which is precisely what Matt just did. "God, you are such a turn on when you do that." Turning his head when he heard Gabby say that, Matt smiled as he knew that was the truth. He knew that Gabby was turn on now that his shirt was off, so he made sure to go set it down on his bag as soon as it was off.

After which, he started to make his way over to her so that he could sit with her; but first, he made sure to check on Gabe. "Hi buddy, you just get some sleep for us. You just got a nice feeding from mommy, so you should be okay for a while." Smiling as she heard Matt say that, Gabby couldn't help but fall deeper in love with her amazing husband because of how adorable he was with their son. "You have no idea how cute that is. The way you talk to him is perfect." Matt agreed with his wife and smiled, well aware that was the case as he started to make his way over to her. "And I'm sure that the other thing which is going to be perfect, is the way I'm going to hold you in my arms." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she was more than ready to cuddle up to him in bed. But first, he actually had to join her in bed. "Then, come join me so that you can hold me in bed." Matt agreed, more than ready to do just that.

After all, there was nothing more he wanted to do than spend some quality time holding his beautiful wife in the comfort of their hospital bed; so, he opened the covers and got in right away. After which, he leaned back against his pillow like Gabby wanted him to, so that she could lay down in his arms like he wanted her to. "Come here, time for me to hold you in my arms now." Gabby agreed with Matt, smiling as she crawled over to him this morning; after which, she proceeded to lay down in his arms once more, while wrapping her arms around his muscular torso. And she had to say, this was very comfortable. "God, now this is comfortable." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, only to grab the covers and tug them up on top of the both of them. After which, he wrapped his arm around her back and smiled as he turned his head and kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling right now?"

Looking up at Matt, Gabby smiled as she felt extremely happy at this very moment. "I feel happy, mostly due to the fact that I have you back in my life. I missed you more than anything, and it feels great to be holding you in my arms again." Matt agreed, as he felt the same way. It was so nice to have her in his arms, which is precisely why he just leaned in and kissed her softly. "I feel the same way, and I hope you know that you're stuck with me." Gabby agreed with her husband and smiled as she laid her head down on his chest. After which, she rubbed his chest and smirked due to the fact that this is everything she's ever wanted in life. "This is everything I've ever wanted in life, and I hope you know that Matt." Matt agreed, as he did know that. He always knew that. They've always wanted a family, so there was no doubt in his mind that this was always what she wanted for the both of them in life.

And now, they have precisely what they always wanted: a family. "Well, we have it now. We have a family, and we have each other. And I think that's all that matters at the end of the day." Gabby agreed, as she felt the same way. It was perfect, especially since she was very happy. She was happy in Matt's arms, because of how much she loves him. "I love this feeling. The two of us, holding each other in bed. It's so damn comfortable, especially with you being so muscular now." Gabby said, as she turned her head and kissed her man's chest once more. "I mean that, this is very sexy Matthew." Matt smiled, agreeing with Gabby as he kissed her forehead. "And I hope you know that the only way you can have this for the rest of your life is by staying." Gabby agreed, as she knew that. "And I plan on staying. I promise Matt, I'm never leaving. The last thing I want is to leave you when I love you as much as I do."

Matt agreed with his wife, well aware that she loves him more than anything. "And I know that you truly do love me, because of the risks you took. I mean, sure, they were quite stupid if you ask me…" Looking up at her husband, Gabby gave him a bit of side-eye. "Oh, you know that's the truth. They were risky, and it was scary. You almost died, babe." Gabby agreed, well aware that she almost died. So, she knew that she needed to let Matt say that he was scared. "But now, you're safe in my arms and that's all that matters at the end of the day. And that you and our little boy are never leaving me." Gabby agreed, as there's nowhere she'd rather be than right here in his arms. "Not that there's anywhere I'd rather be, other than here in your arms. You're my home, Matt." Matt agreed, as he's come to realize that. "I feel the same way. And I'm sorry for calling Chicago my home before you left in 2018."

Gabby shook her head, as she knew that was the truth. Chicago is his home, so there's no need for him to apologize about that. "Matt, there's no reason for you to apologize for that. Chicago is your home, and we both know that." Matt shook his head once more, as that wasn't the truth. How can Chicago be his home, when she wasn't here with him? "Gabby, you're my home. That's the truth. You're the woman I love, and you're the woman I always feel happy with. You're my home, because I love you more than anything in the entire world. So, if I ever say that Chicago is my home again, you can correct me and tell me that you're my home." Looking up at Matt as he told her that, Gabby smiled as she truly loved the sound of that. It was truly perfect. "I love the sound of that." She said, while leaning up and kissing the man of her dreams. "But not as much as I love you, because you're the love of my life, Matthew Casey."

Matt agreed, as he felt the same way about Gabby; she's the love of his life, no doubt about it. "And you're the love of my life Gabby, no doubt about it. That's just the truth, and you're going to have to deal with it for the rest of your life. Whether that life is here in Chicago, or in Puerto Rico; we're always going to be in each other's lives, I promise." Looking up at Matt, Gabby was surprised when she heard him mention Puerto Rico. "Do you mean that? You could consider Puerto Rico home?" Matt shrugged, as he wasn't sure yet. All he knew was that he didn't want to lose her ever again. "All I know is that I don't want to lose you ever again, so that means that we need to be together for the rest of our lives. We'll figure it out, I promise." Gabby agreed, as she loved the sound of that: them figuring it out, including just where their home is. "I think we can stay put for now." Matt agreed.

After all, the pandemic was unpredictable at the moment. "Honestly, I was hoping you'd say that considering we're in a pandemic. I have no idea what things are like in Puerto Rico right now, and I don't want to be blindsided." Gabby agreed, only to realize that she did that when she came back pregnant. "Does that mean that you're mad that I came back pregnant? After all, that blindsided you." Looking down at his wife, Matt shook his head as he wasn't mad that she came back pregnant. "You gave me the most beautiful gift in the entire world: a child of our own. So, no, I'm not mad that you came back pregnant. If anything, I'm glad that you came back pregnant as it means that our dreams finally came true. You're my dream come true Gabby, and I'm so happy to have you back in my arms." Gabby agreed, as she felt the same way. Just the way he was holding her right now made her very happy.

He makes her happy, because he's the love of her life. "God, you're going to make me cry with all these hormones." Matt agreed with his wife as he ran his hand up and down her back, only to press his lips to her forehead. "And if you need to cry, then just know that you can do that if you need to. I'm here, I'll always be here, and I'm just happy that you're home. That you and Gabe are home." Gabby smiled, as she most certainly was home. She was home with her boys. "And I'm never leaving again, because you're the man I want to spend the rest of my days loving." Matt agreed with his wife, smirking. "Now, if only we could have sex the moment we got to a home or a hotel." Nodding, Gabby agreed with Matt as she felt the same way. She wants to have her husband in bed as soon as possible. "You can wait a bit longer, just so that I can recover. Afterwards, we can have a bunch of fun and try for another baby."

Matt smiled, as he liked the sound of that. "You sure that we shouldn't wait a bit and take our time? We literally just had Gabriel." Gabby nodded, as she knew that was the truth. "You're right, maybe we should wait a bit." Matt nodded and smiled as he pressed his lips to her forehead. "We have years to have a bigger family, because you and me are forever. I promise Gabby, we'll have another baby in the future. Maybe even two kids, as that's what I would love to have. A big family, for us to raise together." Gabby agreed, as she knew that was precisely what they would have one day: a big family to raise together. "First, we need to get home. God, I want to be home with you and just holding you in our own bed." Matt agreed, as he wanted that too. Though, he couldn't help but wonder if that meant them going to live with Andy and Heather. "Are we going to go live in Heather and Andy's basement?" Gabby sighed.

After all, it wasn't like there was anywhere else they could go on such short notice. "I think for now, that should be good. It's a place where we can live and start our life as a family, and where we can look for a new place. Right now, what we need is a place which we can call our own, and I think their place is somewhere we can do just that." Matt agreed, as he felt the same way. For now, Heather and Andy's place was somewhere they could call home. "I like that idea. Plus, just means that we can take it easy and relax, rather than have to worry about finding a place and moving in. I'll just have to set up a crib there for Gabe, move your things in, and then we'll be good. Everything will be okay, I promise." Gabby agreed, as she felt the same way: everything would be okay.

Hi Readers: I've decided to end our time here at the hospital, as I instead want to just have them be home. I wanted to try and do as much as I could at the hospital, but this is as much as I think I can cover. I just want to have the family home, as that sounds perfect. What do you guys think about that? Let me know what you think in the comments as we continue this journey together.