Hi Readers: What do you guys think of the idea of them rotating between staying in the RV and staying in a hotel every other night? I think I like that idea, but I want to hear from you guys either through message or comments. Let me know. Thanks again for reading, and please don't forget to vote on the chapters that you love; and let me know. Now, let's get back to the story and Chapter Eighteen of their road trip across America, which is much more exciting.

Chapter Eighteen: Future Chief Casey and Moving to Puerto Rico

They ended up making a quick pit stop to get some snacks, and to top up the gas tank, in between Matt proposing that they stay in a hotel every other night; and them deciding to talk more about said proposal. And that was exactly what they were in the midst of doing. While Matt stood outside at the gas pump, Gabby was inside the gas station store getting them some more snacks (and a quick meal that they can make while they drive). But that was not what Matt was thinking about while he was topping up the RV right now. Rather, he was both holding the gas pump and reading an e-mail; an e-mail that he just got from the brass at the CFD, and Chief Boden about something that they were in the midst of negotiating until he left. But, they didn't get a chance to get back to him; so, he really appreciates that they got back to him as soon as possible. And that was especially the case due to the fact that the e-mail was really good, and it was exactly what he wanted to see.

What he was seeing was the financing that he and Gabby need for their trip being approved, which was perfect. But, how can a simple email from the CFD also mean that their trip was now funded (other than by their personal finances); oh, and the fact that they were also renting out their home as an Airbnb (which they just got their first reservation for). But back to the thing that Matt, the CFD, and Chief Boden were negotiating over the past week; the thing that he hadn't hear back from them about, at least until now. Right now, the e-mail where the brass telling him that he's now on paid lead from the CFD for the rest of their trip. But, how in the world is that the case might you ask? Well, here's the thing…he just got the results from said negotiation that was just mentioned; and his proposal was approved, which was exactly what he needed to hear due to the fact that he was a bit nervous over whether they were going to have to cut this trip short due for finances.

But that was not going to be the case, as finances were no longer going to be a problem; in fact, they are now (with the Airbnb that they are doing at their home) able to stay at a hotel each and every night if they want to, that's how much money is going to be coming into their joint-bank account from this day forward. And the reason for that is actually something that he and Gabby are going to celebrate tonight; they are going to celebrate the fact that Matt is now on track to become a certified Battalion Chief in the Chicago Fire Department. God, he still loves this line from the e-mail. "Matthew Casey, after careful consideration…the Office of the Commissioner is proud to offer you the opportunity to join the Chicago Fire Department's Future Battalion Chief Educational Program. And per the negotiations that we had prior to you leaving on your trip, we have agreed that you will be getting paid to complete this program while you are on your trip with your wife."

And that just made him smile, the fact that the proposal was approved. Now, especially the fact that the approval came with financial assistance; god, he loves the end of the e-mail too. No more hiding where he really is from the CFD. "Per the terms negotiated prior to you leaving on your leave of absence, please remember that…one of the conditions of your paid leave of absence for education purposes was that you are required to study and complete the course of study that will be provided to you in your online account so that you can learn how to become a Battalion Chief. The assignments are, per the terms of the agreement, to be submitted on time with no exceptions other than bad connection and/or a medical exception for you and/or your wife. Please enjoy your trip, and welcome to the Future Battalion Chief Educational Program. -Chicago Fire Commissioner Carl Grissom". God, this truly was a dream come true; and it was exactly what he wanted to hear.

And it was especially what he needed to hear as well, as this opportunity came with money to finance their trip; money that means that a weight has been lifted off of Matt and Gabby's shoulders, since it now meant that they had a chance to take their time as they explored the country together; and just had a bunch of fun with each other. That worry (of course) came from the possibility that they would always have to use their credit card to finance their trip, but that was gone thanks to them getting the news that Matt has always wanted to get from his bosses. Now, he has no worries when it comes to them having the funds necessary for them to continue their trip. Now, just to tell Gabby this news. God, this is going to be perfect, and he can't wait to tell her that this is going to be their new reality; the reality that they are going to have the funds that will enable them to continue their trip for a while, especially when that's exactly what they both want to hear.

This is going to be perfect, and Matt's just glad that they are (and will be continuing to be) doing this; taking this time away that will help them get to a much better place in their marriage, a much better place for when they welcome children. Now, just to tell Gabby said news, which he can do right now as he just heard Gabby walk up to him. "Baby, you okay?" Snapping out of his own thoughts, Matt turned to look at Gabby and smiled at her. "Yeah, I'm good." He then realized that the gas was done. "Oh, it's done." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that. "Yeah, it is; that's why I'm concerned. You spaced out. What's wrong baby? Talk to me." Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that, smiling at her. "I'm fine baby. I just got some good news in my e-mail." Gabby was a bit confused when she heard Matt tell her that he just got good news in his e-mail. "Do you want to share the news with me?" Matt nodded when Gabby asked him if he wanted to share the news.

"How about you go sit in the RV? I will come sit with you where we can talk." Gabby agreed. "After you park the RV over there right? We can't leave the RV parked here." Matt laughed, putting his hand on Gabby's neck. He then brought her close to his chest, bending down to kiss her softly. He then took things nice and slow with his beautiful wife, smirking as she truly is the woman of his dreams. God, she is so damn sexy…and there's nobody that he'd rather be married to. I know, saying that a lot; but who cares, it's the truth and he's going to think it every single day for the rest of his life. That's just a fact that you can't ignore. "Listen, I'll go sit in the RV and wait for you. You finish out here, and then I'll wait for you to sit with me." Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that, proceeding to give his beautiful wife another kiss; afterwards, he let her go so that she can make her way into the RV. At the same time, Matt made sure to pay for the gas he just got.

Matt's POV:
As I finished parking the RV in one of the designated parking spots for RVs here at the service centre, I smiled as I got ready to go sit with Gabby in the back where we were going to eat; oh, and I was going to share my news as we spoke about the idea of us staying in a hotel every other night. And thank god I just got this news, because that's going to make the idea of ours about staying in a towel every other night even more practical (and possible). This being due to the fact that I'm going to be getting paid to take chief courses while I'm on the road. God, that's going to be nice, and I will definitely enjoy that. It'll be perfect, and there doesn't sound anything better than us taking nights to ourselves in a hotel. Shutting off the RV engine, I smiled as I went ahead and proceeded to make my way towards Gabby in the back of the RV (where she was waiting to talk to me). And the truth was, I am so damn excited to share the news with her over our lunch today.

But first, my beautiful wife seemed to want a kiss as she stood by the table of our RV. "Oh, does somebody want a kiss from me?" Gabby smirked when I asked her if she wanted a kiss from me. "Is it that obvious that I want a kiss from the man I love?" I smirked when Gabby asked me that, moving to get close to her as I put my hands on her sides before going to grab the shirt that she was wearing. The shirt that had buttons on it, and meant that I could reveal the nice, sexy bra that I wanted to look at right now. Smirking as she stepped close to me, Gabby moved one of her hands to the back of my head and the other to my chest. Afterwards, I leaned in and kissed the woman of my dreams softly. Damn, this woman is so sexy; and I'm positive that she knows just how sexy she truly is. She's the woman I love, and the woman I can't wait to celebrate with later. Bending down, I proceeded to kiss the top of her breasts while she moaned. "So sexy baby." Gabby smirked.

"Okay, enough for now." I just looked up at Gabby when she said that. "Excuse me." Gabby smirked. "Do it up, now. Or else you don't get it later." I agreed with Gabby, following my orders as I wanted to have her later. Afterwards, I put my hands on her hips and just got close to the woman I love more than anything in the entire world. Wrapping her arms around my neck as she got close to me, Gabby smiled as she leaned in and kissed me softly. "It's called a tease for a reason baby, it's not supposed to be given all the time; it's something you have to wait for tonight." I agreed with Gabby. "You know, we could stay for 2 nights." Gabby smirked when I asked her that. "Do you want to stay for 2 nights?" I then thought about it. "Actually, let's do 1 night in Charlotte; and then we do the next night in Savannah. We can do 2 nights there by the ocean." Gabby agreed with me when I said that. "Maybe we can even go to the beach, and I can see some of this." I smirked.

"We'll see what the weather's like. But right now, I want to look at this and just take it easy with my love." Gabby agreed with me when I said that, running her hands down my chest. Meanwhile, I leaned in and kissed her softly. Taking things slow with the woman of my dreams, I smirked due to the fact that she truly is the love of my life. God, I am so glad that she's all mine; and I am so ready to take things slow with her in Charlotte. "Oh screw it. Savannah, we just visit. 2 nights in Charlotte it is. Today, we can make love when we get there, explore tomorrow." Gabby agreed with me when I said that, smirking when I told her that. "How about we sit down on the couch? You can touch this." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, proceeding to sit down in the dinette that we have here. "After, how about we eat first? Then, we can go sit in the back for a bit. Maybe I can even take off my shirt for you." Gabby smirked when I said that, agreeing with me.

"No, let's just go to Charlotte okay? The faster we get there…" I smirked. "The faster we have fun in bed." Gabby agreed with me, smirking as I told her that. She then sat down in the both so we can eat. "Still, we are going to be doing the thing of a hotel every other night right?" Gabby looked at me when I asked her that, taking a breath. "Do we have the money to do that baby?" I nodded when Gabby asked me whether we had the money for us to be able to do it each and every night. "Hey, don't even worry about that. Baby, I already told you that we have the money." Gabby looked at me as I told her that. "Then how is that possible?" I smirked when she asked me that, proceeding to grab my meal that she just got for the both of us. "So, here's the thing. I just made that deal with Boden." Gabby agreed with me, smiling. "Yeah, what is it?" I smirked. "Instead of being on furlough, I'm on paid leave now." Gabby looked at me when I said that. "Really, how's that?"

I smiled at her. "Well, you're looking at future Chief Matthew Casey." Gabby was about to take a bite of her food when I said that, clearly shocked. "Sorry, what?" I nodded, smirking as I went ahead and took a bite of my own food. "Sorry, say that again. Did you just say that you're a future Battalion Chief?" I nodded, agreeing with my beautiful wife when she asked me whether I'm a future Battalion Chief. "Yes, I am a future Battalion Chief. I have been approved to start my courses, and I have been certified as a future Battalion Chief." Gabby was just shocked when I told her that, but she was also really happy for me. "Wow, I…I don't know what to say." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, smirking at my girl. "Trust me, that's why I want to go to a hotel tonight…" Gabby smirked when I said that. "Oh, because you want to enjoy what I'm wearing?" I nodded, agreeing with Gabby when she asked me if I wanted to enjoy what she's wearing. "Yes, I do."

Gabby smirked as I told her that, understanding exactly what I really want to do with her. Afterwards, I leaned in and proceeded to kiss the woman of my dreams. Taking things nice and slow with my woman, I smirked as she is very sexy; god, I just want to take her now, but I want to wait until we're at a hotel. "So, no Savannah." Gabby agreed with me. "Straight to Jacksonville after 2 nights in Charlotte. That way, we get to Puerto Rico faster." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, smiling as I loved that idea as well. "I know you want to go bad. How long do you think we're going to go?" Gabby shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. All I know, is that I plan on celebrating with you later. So, don't you dare think that you're getting lingerie until we're at the hotel." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, smirking. "I think we should just stay away for as long as we want. I can do all my courses. We go back when I'm done my chief course." Gabby agreed.

"Do you even want to go around the country? Or are we changing plans?" I looked at her when she asked me that, a bit unsure of what she means. "What do you mean baby?" Gabby took a breath. "Listen, you just said that we have all the time we want. We can be away and just have what we both want, you want me there; and I can work on my courses as we volunteer." Gabby agreed with me when I said that. "And we can have a baby somewhere safe." I agreed with Gabby when she said that, smiling. "I absolutely love that idea." I agreed with Gabby, smirking as I put my hand on her back and leaned in to kiss her softly. "Let's eat up, then we can go to the hotel and celebrate." Gabby agreed with Matt, smirking as he told her that; ready to do just that. God, nothing like celebrating that you're going to have a baby with the man you love more than anything in the entire world (oh, and trying at the same time).

Hi Readers:
I have decided that I want to jump ahead in the story and move them to Puerto Rico right away. I want to do a story there for a while, and I hope you will continue to read along. Thanks again. Now, the next chapter will be 2 weeks after this one; the day after they arrive in Puerto Rico.