Well, if that wasn't a nice breakfast between husband and wife. But now, it's time for us to get down to something that we've been waiting a while for. And just what might that be? Well, it's time for me to write a shift for you my dear readers. I hope you guys are ready for this. Now, just be warned that the shift will be written over a couple chapters. I have seen some authors who decide to cram a shift into a chapter, but I would rather not do that as I want to separate it. So, we'll see where this chapter leads us to. Now, let's get at it; here's Chapter Forty-Five, our first shift chapter of my story for y'all.
Chapter Forty-Five
First Shift Back – Part Two: The Arrival of Mr. & Ms. Captain Casey
He could feel the nerves rushing through her body as her grip on his hand got tighter and together, and that could only mean one thing; she was really nervous about him going back to shift today, probably more nervous than she was really comfortable telling him. And that was really making him worry, as he didn't know what affect that would have on their children. As much as Matt wants to go back to the firehouse, and go back to the profession he loves; he has already made a promise to himself that he wouldn't do this if Gabby wasn't ready. If Gabby changed her mind (which she could at any time), then he would switch to OFI and he would make sure that he was safe for the sake of his kids. And let's just say that Matt was glad that Boden said that they can take time to make their way to the house, as Matt was not ready to keep driving when he felt Gabby shaking with nerves. As her husband, he couldn't do that (even if he was the captain at 51).
His main priority is, and always will be, his wife and family; that's a fact that he made crystal clear to the fire department when he renegotiated his re-entry package. (Yes, he negotiated it). He made sure that he would be able to put his marriage ahead of the department if it was required, as that's what really matters to her. And if Gabby wasn't ready for him to go back, even after all of the reassurances that they got from their friends; then they would turn around, and he would stay at home with her. That's something that he can promise her, and it's what he needs to ask her. Just looking at the woman of his dreams as he decided to pull over, Matt just went to look at his wife. "Hey, why are you pulling over baby? We're almost there." Matt then turned to look at Gabby when she asked him that question. "Baby, you're shaking." Are you sure that you're okay?" Gabby looked at Matt. "It's just nerves baby, I promise that I'll be fine." Matt just looked at Gabby, doubtful.
"Baby, are you sure? If you aren't ready for this, then I can call Boden right now. We can turn around, and we can just take it easy for another day. I mean it Gabby." Gabby took a breath when Matt asked her that, not wanting him to wait anymore. "Baby, I'm not making you wait. And I need to face my fears too. I mean yes, am I nervous that you're going back? Of course, I'm a bit nervous over the fact that you're going back. But I'll be fine, because I know that you know that you're not going to do something stupid…not when you'd rather meet our children." Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that, smiling at the woman he loves. He then put his hand on her stomach, smiling at her. "I promise, I'll take it easy; and I can ask Stella to stay on my hip today okay? I will ask her to stay on my hip. How does that sound?" Gabby thought about it, before smiling at the man of her dreams. She then grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers as she was happy.
"I love that idea." Matt nodded as he heard Gabby say that, stroking her hand with his thumb. "I promise baby, I'm going to make it back to you. You're not going to lose me anytime soon, because I love you too much." Gabby agreed with her loving husband when he told her that, smirking as she knew that was the case. And there was no doubt in her mind that he truly was going to be very safe for the rest of his career, as he wants to be a dad more than anything in the entire world. "I promise baby." Gabby then proceeded to get close to the man of her dreams, leaning over the dash before kissing him softly. At the same time, she took things nice and slow with him. And let's just say that she's very happy over the fact that they're home, as this is where she wants to be. "Baby, I'm sorry for being nervous." Matt shook his head when he heard Gabby say that she was sorry for being nervous. "Hey, look at me and listen to me good." Gabby agreed with Matt.
"Baby, you never have to apologize to me for being nervous; as my wife, you have every right to be nervous because you love me. And as the future mother of my children, you have every right to tell me that you don't want me to work. Now, if you want me to go home with you…" Gabby shook her head when Matt offered to stay home with her, not wanting that. "I think you just saying it again made me feel better." Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that, proceeding to put his hand on her stomach. "Baby, if you ever doubt that I want to come back to you…just look down at this." Gabby then put her hand on his, looking at her stomach. "Just think about our daughters, and how much I want to be a father baby." Gabby agreed with Matt when he told her that, well aware of just what he's talking about when he's saying that to her right now.
"Baby, I want to be a dad more than anything in the entire world. But you also need to remember that I am not going to put my life ahead of someone I need to rescue, as that's part of the job. But I promise you baby, I will do everything in my power to make sure that I go home with you tonight. And you can take that to the bank, because I want to be a dad more than anything in the entire world; and that's something that you know about me baby. You know that I want to be a dad, and you know that I will never but that at risk." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that, smiling because she did know that about him. She knew that he was not going to put his chance at being a father to their twins at risk, because that really is completely unlike him. He's going to do everything he can to make sur that he gets to raise their twins with her. "Baby, I love you…and you're my world. I am never loosing you ever again, that's a promise that I can make to you." Gabby agreed.
"I know, sorry I was scared." Matt shook his head when he heard Gabby tell him that. "No, don't apologize Gabby. Just remember that I want to be a dad more than anything in the entire world. So, I am going to do everything I can to make sure that I get to be a father, and that means that I am going to get back to you; and we also have Kelly and Stella on our sides, and they're going to make sure that I get back to my beautiful wife and family." Gabby agreed with Matt when he told her that, smiling as she knew that was the case. "I love you." Matt nodded when he heard Gabby say that, madly in love with the woman he's very proud to call his wife. "How about you do me a favor and breathe? I'm going to keep driving to the firehouse so that I'm not late for shift, or too late compared to the other people." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that. "I promise to breathe a lot today." Matt nodded. "And I promise to be available to talk okay?" Gabby agreed with him.
"Matt, can you promise me something?" Matt nodded. "Hey, of course." Gabby took a breath. "Tomorrow, can me and you talk about today? We can see how things go today and then…" Matt just agreed with Gabby. "I think that's a great plan Gabby. Remember, this is just the first shift. But, I promise…after each and every shift, you can tell me that you want it to be my last shift until we have the twins; and my next call will be Boden, and I will tell him that I need to transfer for the health of our twins. I mean that okay? So let's just take it one day at a time, just like our marriage; okay baby?" Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that, smiling as she watched him continue to drive to the firehouse this morning ahead of shift.
Matt's POV – Part One:
Walking into the firehouse with Gabby once we finally got here, I smiled as I carried our bags while holding her hand with our fingers intertwined. She then looked ahead and saw everybody there. Seeing Kelly out of the corner of my eye, I smiled at Gabby before getting close to her. I then wrapped my arm around her and whispered in her ear. "How about you go sit down with Stella? Talk to her and make sure that you guys are on the same page okay baby?" Gabby turned to look at me when I said that, smiling as she turned to look at me. She then put her hand on my face, leaning up to kiss me softly. "I love you." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, smiling as I watched her walk away. It was only then that I let my face show a bit of nervous, as that's exactly what I was; I was nervous that Gabby would be too stressed, and that would do our daughters some damage. "Here, need me to take some baggage off your chest?" I laughed when Kelly asked me that.
"Yeah, I'd like that. However, if it's okay…I need to go talk to Chief for a bit. I promised I'd go talk to him before briefing. So, I can either go put these in my room or…" Kelly smiled at me. "I got it man. I know that you have a lot on your mind." I took a breath and just looked at Gabby. Afterwards, I put my hand on Kelly's back so that I could bring him to the side. "Sorry, just need to talk to you for a moment." Kelly agreed with me when I said that, well aware of just what this was all about. Moving to the side (towards the tower), I took a breath and just looked at my best friend. "Let me guess, she was a bit worried today?" I nodded. "On our way here, she got all worried. I gave her all the reassurances this morning, and we made the call…and she was still worried. I'm just hoping that she's okay. Today is really just a test shift." Kelly was confused when I said that. "What are you talking about man?" I took a breath when he asked me that, turning to look at my girl.
"I just promised Gabby that we're going to talk tomorrow…and I told her that I'd move to OFI if she doesn't like it here, or me going into fires anymore." Kelly was shocked when I said that. "Really?" I nodded when he asked me that. "Things have really changed for me and Gabby, and I'm not going backwards; we're going to talk more, and my main priority is to make sure that we have our twins." Kelly then realized that. "And stress isn't good for babies." I agreed with him when he told me that, starting to walk through the firehouse so that I could tell Chief Boden that I was here. "Yeah, and that's why I have to talk to Chief Boden. It's something that me and Gabby agreed to, but he didn't agree to it. I just hope that he can agree to it." That's when I heard Boden walk over to me. "Uh oh, another condition?" I took a breath when I heard Boden. Kelly then realized that I needed to talk to Boden alone. "I'll put your bags in your office." I agreed, smiling at him.
Afterwards, I looked at Boden. "Do you mind if we go talk in your office?" Boden agreed with me when I asked him whether we can talk in his office, especially since we need to talk. "I was just coming to get you anyways. Before we do the morning briefing, I need to give you an update on everything." I agreed with Boden when he told me that, well aware of just what he was talking about. After all, I am the captain here at Firehouse 51; and that means that I'm his representative here when he's out of the firehouse, and that means that I need to be up to date with a lot of information. "Well, of course. You already know that we have new paramedics." I agreed with Chief Boden when he told me that, well aware that was the case. "I see they've really loosened the dating policy." Boden laughed when I said that. "Yeah, I don't think they really had a choice when the captain everybody loves is married to a fellow firefighter." I agreed with Boden when he said that, smiling.
"Sorry, I'm taken, married and expecting twins with my beautiful wife." Boden laughed when he heard me say that. "Oh calm down Casey, I wasn't talking about it that way." I sighed. "Just getting the first day jitters out of my system." Boden agreed with me when I said that, well aware of the fact that I was going to have first day jitters. "That makes complete sense, and I understand Casey if you need to take it easy." I just took a breath when I heard Boden tell mem that. "I think that it's not just that, it's the fact that I need to take it day by day. It's something that me and Gabby talked about, and I just needed to let you know about it; especially since it's going to be something that I need you to agree to as well and hopefully help me out with." Boden was confused when I said that. "Casey, if it's me doing my best to keep you safe until you meet your kids, I've already promised you that…and I truly do promise to do that. Are you doubting my promise to you guys?"
I was shocked that Boden was even thinking that way. "Oh, no. That's not at all what I'm trying to say Chief. It's another promise that me and Gabby made to each other, and it's one that you're going to need to understand." Boden agreed with me when I told him that. "You want to tell me it now?" I sighed. "In your office?" Boden agreed with me when I said that, continuing to lead me towards his office. God, I just hope that Boden can understand where I'm coming from with this.
"Tomorrow, and after every shift…I promised Gabby that we could talk; and if she said that she stopped being comfortable with me going into fires at any point and time, she can tell me…and I'll transfer to arson." That was the promise that Matt made to his wife earlier today, and he really just hoped that Boden could help him keep that promise that he made to Gabby. He knows full well that it's a big promise to ask him to help him keep, but he would really appreciate it if he was able to keep that promise that he made to Gabby. It's something that he knows that she's really appreciate too. Just looking at his chief, Matt couldn't tell whether he was in favor of what the captain promised his wife, or whether he was against what he promised his wife, and that was definitely something that was making him worry at the moment as it was crucial that he agreed to this promise that he made to Gabby for him to be able to keep his promise to Gabby. It's up to him right now.
"I think that we can make that work." And just like that, it was as if Matt could breathe again, like he could release the tension that was in him. Just breathing a bit, Matt came back to reality. However, the way he was breathing did start to worry his chief; the chief who wants to make sure that his captain is in a condition where he truly is ready to be back here at the firehouse. If he's not ready to be here at the house, then he's not going to be any use to anybody. Rather, he'd just end up sending him home if he wasn't going to help out here. But it turned out that was not the case. "Are you okay Casey?" Matt smiled. "Sorry, I was just on pins and needles whether you could make that work. I couldn't read whether you were going to say yes or no, and I really didn't want to have to go out there and tell Gabby that I can't keep the promise that I just made to her. But knowing that I can keep the promise, that just makes everything so much better Chief Boden."
Boden agreed with Matt when he said that, clearly able to see that he was much less worried that he just was; and that was exactly what he wanted to do for his captain. He didn't want him to be worried on this first shift back. "How are you doing Matt? Are you feeling good?" Matt smiled when Boden asked him how he's doing. "I'm doing really good. Me and Gabby are in a great place, and I'm just glad to be back home; here at the firehouse, and back in Chicago over all." Boden agreed with Matt when he said that, smiling when he said that. "Well, I'm happy to hear that. And how are you feeling about the fact that you and Gabby are having twins?" Matt bit his lip. "Is it wrong to say that I'm a bit scared of what might happen?" Boden laughed when Matt asked him if he's allowed to say that he's a bit scared. "Of course not Matt, as I think that we can all relate to the idea that you're scared when it comes to you and your wife having twins." Matt agreed with Boden.
"Do you guys know the genders yet?" I laughed when he asked me that. "Trust me, everybody including myself wants to know that; and I have to remind you that we did just talk about this yesterday, I think at least. But no, we don't know." Boden agreed with Casey when he said that, glad that he brought up yesterday. "I saw that you guys left early yesterday, was it due to the fact that Gabby wasn't feeling good?" Matt agreed with Boden when he asked him if they left the bar early yesterday because Gabby was sick, which was true. "Yeah, and we were both tired. Moving and stuff, and I wanted to be ready and I just had a lot to do. I had to go over all of the notes from Lieutenant Pelham, check how the truck is and everything. I noticed though that the truck is due for an oil change, so I need to get those forms; then I can submit those." Boden shook his head. "I can do it for you. Today, just take it easy and relax on your first shift. Concentrate on Gabby."
Matt agreed with Boden when he said that, smiling at him. "That reminds me. Monday, I need the lieutenant here on time because…" Boden agreed. "Because of an appointment that you guys have at 9 am at the hospital, I remember that and I've already spoken to him to make sure that he can be here on time. If not, I will take care of it and take Truck out of service." Matt agreed, smiling at his boss. "Did I ever tell you that you're my favorite Chief in the entire world?" Boden snickered. "Thank you Matt. And I'm glad that you're back, we missed you here." Matt agreed, proceeding to get up so that he can shake Boden's hand. "Thanks Chief. Now, I can't wait to go see how Gabby decorated the office." Boden laughed a bit when he heard me say that. "Oh boy, she's decorating the office." I looked at him when he said that. "Okay, calm down. Remember that she's my wife, and she's going to do whatever she can to make sure that she's comfortable here."
Boden agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that's going to be the case. "Do we have a briefing today?" Boden shook his head. "I thought we'd give you a break and delay it to later, or whenever Gabby's taking a nap at some point." Matt smiled when he heard him say that. "I love that idea. Now listen, I'm going to go see what Gabby's already done to my office." Boden snickered a bit when he heard Matt say that, well aware that he's joking; yet he also isn't.
Matt's POV – Part Two:
Walking over to my office shortly after finishing up with Boden in his office, I smiled when I saw Gabby in there setting up after having taken off her jacket. Seeing her putting her fluffy blanket on my bed, I smiled as I knew that meant that she was going to be very comfortable. And I liked that idea. Slipping into my office, I smiled due to the fact that my gorgeous wife looked comfortable. "My bed looks pretty comfortable." Turning around to look at me, Gabby smiled at me. "You look like you're back in your element." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, proceeding to walk over to my girl. Afterwards, I wrapped my arms around her and just smiled. Holding her close, I felt Gabby put her hand son my back while looking up at me. "How'd your meeting with Boden go?" I smiled as I proceeded to push a strand of hair behind Gabby's ear. "He agreed to everything I wanted to talk about, and how I need to put our marriage and your health first." Gabby agreed with me.
"Even if that means that I need to leave the house, because that's an option if it's required. You and the twins are my priority." Gabby agreed with me when I said that, smiling at me. Putting my hand on her neck, I smiled as I leaned in and then proceeded to kiss her softly. Just taking things nice and slow with my girl, I smirked due to the fact that she's very beautiful. "I love you." Gabby agreed with me when I told her that I love her. "I love you too baby, forever." Gabby agreed with me when I said that, smiling at me. Afterwards, she looked at my bed. "When's your meeting? Think you have time to cuddle up to me for a bit?" I smiled, agreeing with Gabby when she asked me if I have time to cuddle up to her for a bit. "Get on the bed, and I'll sit next to you." Gabby agreed with me when I said that, smiling as she went ahead and got on my bed here in my office. Afterwards, I went ahead and got on the bed with her this morning. And god, I really love this feeling.
Just wrapping my arm around my beautiful wife, I smirked due to the fact that she really is beautiful, and I am a very lucky man to have her as my wife; and I hope that she always knows that. "I hope you know that I'm a very lucky man to have you as my wife." Gabby agreed with me when I told her that. "Oh, I'm well aware of the fact that you're a very lucky man to have me as your wife." I smirked, agreeing with my beautiful wife. Afterwards, I bent down and proceeded to kiss her softly. Just taking things nice and slow with my girl, I smirked due to the fact that she's really sexy. God, this is perfect; and I am a very happy man. "So, I spoke to Boden." Gabby nodded when I said that. "Care to share?" I nodded. "Boden agreed that I'm allowed to transfer to OFI whenever I need to. If you ever get too worried, we can just tell him; and he'll transfer me." Gabby agreed with me when I said that. "And you're okay with that baby?" I looked at Gabby, smiling at my girl. "Yes."
Gabby just looked into my eyes when I said that, clearly doubting whether I'm telling her the truth. But I am telling her the truth, I am more than ready to leave the firehouse if she doesn't feel good with me working here. "Hey, look into my eyes." Gabby agreed with my when I told her that. "Gabby, you're my wife; and we're having kids. You're my priority. You're going to be my priority for the rest of my life. That's just a fact, and it's something that the CFD is going to have to live with. If that means that I need to leave the firehouse and move to OFI, then I will do just that; because us having these kids is more important to me than this job here at the firehouse. And I mean that more than anything baby." Gabby agreed with me.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me." I smiled, agreeing with Gabby when she told me that. "I had a feeling that it would make you happy, and that's why I agreed to it baby. You're the love of my life, and I just want to do whatever I can to make sure that you're happy. And if that means that I'm not working here during your pregnancy, then I won't work here during your pregnancy. Rather, I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure that I find a place that we can just take it easy with each other. I want you to just get whatever you want when it comes to relaxing, and just taking it easy with me. I love you, and that's going to be my priority for the rest of my life." Gabby agreed with me when I told her that, smiling at me. She then laid her head down on my chest, cuddling up to me at the same time. "And you're really okay with that?" I nodded. "Gabby, you're my wife; and I love you more than anything. You're my priority. Our marriage is my priority."
Gabby looked up at me when I said that. "And I hope you know that our marriage is my priority too baby, I mean it this time." Putting my hand on her neck, I smiled as I stroked her cheek as I stared into her eyes; well aware of the fact that she's going to prioritize our marriage this time. "Baby, you don't need to keep reminding me of that fact; because I know that you're going to prioritize our marriage this time. I know that you are because I believe it in my heart." Gabby nodded when I said that, just smiling as he laid her head down on my chest.
At the same time, out in the common room:
Kelly's POV: Walking out of my bunkroom office shortly after seeing Matt and Gabby cuddling in there, I smiled as I made my way over to Stella so that I could give them a bit of privacy. Sure, I can't exactly hear what's happening in there; but I'm sure that they'd still appreciate a bit of privacy when it comes to them. That's when I heard Stella talking to Violet. "So, I was thinking of talking to Gabby about Shay today?" I shook my head when she said that. "I don't think that's the best idea today Violet." Violet was confused when I said that. "And why's that the case?" I sighed. "I have a feeling that today is going to be hard on Matt and Gabby, this being his first shift back since they both moved back from Puerto Rico. Add in the fact that Gabby's pregnant, and I highly doubt that's really going to help; so I think maybe you should just take it easy and relax when it comes to asking Gabby for anything about Shay today." Hawkins agreed with me when I said that.
"Yeah, I think that sounds like a reasonable reason Violet. I mean, we're talking about a pregnant woman…and you want to ask her about her late best friend." I agreed with Hawkins when he said that. "But I'm good at talking about it, me and her actually almost had a baby together." Stella turned her head when I said that. "I thought you said that she was a lesbian." I nodded when my girlfriend asked me that. "She was. But we were thinking of doing IVF. I'd be the sperm donor or something." Herrmann then spoke to me. "God, I remember that. Shay was so excited for that." I nodded when he said that. "Just remember what we agreed to today Herrmann. Today we're on our best behavior, because we want to help Matt out and reduce the stress that Gabby has. By the way, I need to tell you about the deal that Matt just made with Gabby." Stella turned her head when I said that. "What's the deal?" I smiled at her when she asked.
"Gabby gets to decide whether or not he stays at the house, based on how he feels. If the stress starts to become too much for her, then he's going to move to OFI." That's when I heard Boden come in. "Yes, and we're all going to respect Casey's decision if that's what he chooses to do." I turned my head, nodding. "Of course, Chief, I promise that's what we're going to do. I'm just filling the house in on what's going on right now. I wanted them to be aware of just how they're both feeling at the moment. That way, they can all help Casey and take care of him and Gabby today; after all, we do all want the best for the both of them. It truly is time for Matt to become a father, as it's what he's always wanted in life." Boden agreed with me when I said that. "Agreed, especially after what happened last time." I nodded, agreeing with him when he said that. Herrmann then took a breath. "Yeah, that was brutal on the both of them; thank god that isn't the situation this time."
Herrmann then turned to look at me. "It isn't right?" I nodded. "Yes, they both did the test. I already know that, so take a breath; and I promise they are going to have kids. So, get used to not having her help around the bar." Herrmann laughed. "I've been used to it for months. However, your girlfriend needs to pick up more shifts if she wants to keep her job." That's when we all heard Gabby come out. "Herrmann, you threaten her job again; and I'm coming for Shay's shares in the bar!" Herrmann agreed with Gabby when she said that. "And she's back." Gabby then looked at him. "And I'm moving up. Not sure if you guys know, but Matt started chief courses. So watch it Herrmann, but I may soon be your boss' wife!" Herrmann was shocked when he heard Gabby say that. "Tell Matt congratulations for all of us." Gabby agreed with Herrmann when he said that, walking back to her and Matt's room to get a drink. Meanwhile, Herrmann turned to look at me.
"You okay with him being the chief?" I snickered. "Honestly, I was expecting it; I mean, he's already a Captain. Not like they're going to pick a Squad Lieutenant/former…." That's when I heard something I hadn't expected to hear. "Ambo 61 to 2366 South Elm St. Cardiac Arrest.' I was just in shock when I heard that. "Herrmann, did they say 2366 South Elm St?" Herrmann nodded….and then I got up and looked at Squad. "Squad 3, let's go. We're going with Ambo." Everybody was confused when they heard me say that, especially Cruz. "Lieutenant, it's a Card…" I then went to tell them. "At my father's house!" I then went to rush away first, followed by the rest of my truck.