Hi Readers: I know that I left you guys on a cliff-hanger last chapter. But rather than do the call, I have decided to just start at the hospital where the best friends are going to meet up. Let's just hope that everything goes okay. Find out readers!
Chapter Forty-Six: Here for You
AN HOUR LATER, CHICAGO MED – The entire firehouse was currently gathered in the ICU ward of the hospital where Benny was currently being hospitalized for a heart attack, and it's where they've been ever since they got the call. In fact, it was where the entire firehouse has been since they first got the call. The house didn't even hesitate in all leaving at the same time, even though it was originally just a call for ambulance to respond to the call. But, they had a motto at Firehouse 51. And it was a tradition that they are still continuing to this day, that they come to the hospital if one of their friends (or one of their family members) are in the hospital. And that was exactly what was happening right now, as they were all worried for the squad lieutenant; the squad lieutenant who has yet to leave the side of his father's hospital bed, as they tried to figure out his prognosis at the moment. However, Matt was not the only Casey who was going to be joining Severide.
Rather, his wife was on her way here. While it was something that he wasn't the biggest fan of (her driving herself here), he knew that Gabby was not going to stop herself from behind here; especially when both her husband, and her best friend are taking this hard. Yes, Matt and Stella are taking this hard too. It's hard for Stella because this is a hard time for the man she loves. And Matt? It's hard on him due to the fact that Kelly is his best friend. So, regardless of the fact that it was going to mean that she had to drive here (which is something that Matt, as you know, isn't the biggest fan of); she had to drive here so that she could be here for her husband, his best friend, and her best friend. And that was exactly where she was right now. She was just making her way upstairs to the ICU where the entire firehouse was currently gathered, that way she can be with her husband; and she can tell already as she walked through the halls that things were currently tense over there.
Just walking up towards the waiting room where her husband is currently sitting with the rest of the firehouse, Gabby Casey took a breath due to the fact that she might've ran faster than she should've; especially when it's still a bit early (it's only 10 am), and because she's pregnant with twins. So, it was quite easy for her to get winded. Yet, she felt like she had to get here as fast as she could so that she could support her husband; and so that she could support her best friend through this hard time that she now finds herself in. But right now, that was not what she was going to think about; especially now that she's here, and that she can finally take a breather and relax. Just walking into the waiting room, she set her eyes on her husband for the first time since they got the call that his best friend's father was having a heart attack at the moment. Just walking in, she could see that he had his hands in his head; and that he was worried right now. He was worried for Kelly and Benny.
But that was not who Gabby was worried about at the moment. Rather, she was worried for her husband and how he was doing as he watched his best friend go through this; and she was also trying to breathe after having a bit of trouble getting here in the first place. The reason? Gabby got a bit worried on her way here. She got worried that this might be her future, her husband being on the edge of death; because he had a heart attack after her career, and whether it would be soon. And that was frightening. Whether he would meet his children, the children that he's already wanted. And even worse, it was only happening an hour and a half into their shift (it was currently 10:30); the firehouse left for the call an hour earlier, and they've already been here at the hospital for about 30 minutes. But Gabby just needed a bit of time to breathe, and she wanted to make sure that she was okay at the moment. She needed to make sure that she could do this and be here now.
And after she realized that she was ready to come here, she came so that she could be with her loving husband as she supported him. Coming up to the waiting room, she and Matt finally locked eyes; and she could just see that he was worried about her right now, as he was staring her up and down so that he could make sure that she was okay. Getting up, Matt walked over to his wife so that he could see if she was okay; as he was really worried right now, but he needs to do that right now. Just walking over to his wife, Matt took a breath as he looked at her. Walking up to his wife, Matt just looked at her. "Hey, you okay?" Gabby could tell that Matt was really worried at the moment, and she hated that he was this worried for her. He could see it in his eyes, and she just wanted him to take his easy for his friend; he didn't need to make his friend think that something else was wrong, when everything was already okay…and now, she was here with the man she loves.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just decided to take a bit of time." Walking up to his wife, Matt took a breath as he looked at her right now; well aware that there might also be something else on her mind, her father's heart attack the year before. So, she knows exactly how Kelly might be feeling right now. And that really was something on the husband (and Captain)'s mind at the moment, whether that was on his wife's mind at the moment; and whether that was the reason why she delayed coming here to join the both of them. Getting close to him, Gabby took a breath as she looked up at Matt. "I'm okay baby. I'm okay." Matt looked down at Gabby when she said that, not exactly believing her. "Baby, don't lie to me if you aren't okay? I want to know the truth." Gabby took a breath when she heard Matt say that. "Can I just go talk to Kelly and see how he is? Or at least Stella? I want to know how they are first. Then, we can talk.." Matt just looked at his wife. "Baby, you ok…"
Gabby took a breath as she looked at Matt. "Can we go sit down for a moment?" Matt agreed with his wife. "Of course. Like alone?" Gabby sighed as she looked at her husband. "Yeah, I would like that." Matt smiled. "Maybe we can talk, and then we can go check on the twins while we're here?" Gabby thought about it, and agreed with Matt. "I think I'd like that, especially after all that's been on my mind since you got the call about Kelly's dad." Matt agreed with Gabby when she said that, grabbing her hand. "Gabby, I'll tell Chief that we need to take a bit of time. If you aren't ready…" Gabby shook her head when she heard Matt say that. "Not yet. Just…not yet. Just get Boden…" Matt got close to his wife when she said that, putting his hand on the side of his face. He then leaned in and proceeded to kiss her forehead softly. "Everything's okay, got it? I promise that everything's okay right now, and we'll talk." Gabby agreed with her husband, smiling at him.
She then felt him bend down, giving her a soft kiss as they both held each other close right now. "I love you." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife when she said that, agreeing with her. "I love you too, forever." He then watched as Gabby proceeded to walk away so that she can go see Kelly and Stella, and send them her love. Meanwhile, Matt had another task. A task to tell his chief that this might've already been too much, especially based on what happened already today. If Gabby is already this worried, then he doesn't know whether he can really do this. And that worries him at the moment, whether he can really do this for right now; and whether it's even the best thing for him to be working when Gabby is pregnant with their first children. God, Chief is going to hate this; but they just had this conversation, and he hopes that he understands. Walking over to his chief, Matt took a breath. "Boden, can I uhm…speak to you for a moment? Maybe, in private?"
Looking up at his Captain, the Chief got a bit concerned by the way that he was looking at him; yet, at the same time, he could tell by the tone of his voice that he was worried at the moment. "Of course." Matt smiled. "Maybe down there, away from the house?" Boden nodded, getting up before going to grab all of his things. "I'm going to tell Gabby that, then I'll come join you." Boden agreed with his Captain, watching as he proceeded to grab all of his things. Matt then proceeded to walk away so that he could go see his best friend, and support his wife.
Chief Boden's POV:
There was just this way that Matt spoke to me, a way that he looked at me; it was something in his body language that already made me know about the topic of this conversation, that this conversation was not going to be good. He never speaks to me in such a manner, and he just had this tone of voice that was so serious; just as serious as the tone of voice that he used to speak to me about how he needs to re-evaluate whether he can really work at the firehouse after each and every shift. And that was the feeling that I was having right now, that it was going to be the topic of our conversation. That he wasn't ready yet, that he wasn't ready to come back; and that he needed more time, and he must have his reasons. He always has a reason. He had a reason to leave the first time, and that was to save his marriage; and he did that, and they are now pregnant with their first children. But now, there's something else that's pulling him away from the firehouse.
And I can feel it, I'm certain that we can all feel it right now. In fact, I needed to talk to Herrmann about it. Just walking over to him before I went to speak to Casey, I took a breath as I needed to sit with him. Looking at him and Mouch as they sat together, I took a breath. "Can I speak to Herrmann alone Mouch?" Mouch looked up at me when I asked him that. "Of course, Chief." I agreed with him, watching as he got up so that he can walk away. At the same time, I proceeded to sit down next to Herrmann; turning to face me right away, Herrmann looked at me. "What's up…" I then went to tell him right away. "Casey's not ready to come back." Herrmann seemed taken aback when I said that. "Wow, what?" I sighed when he asked me that, leaning back in my chair. "Herrmann, I need to ask you to take over Truck 81 while also taking control of 51." Herrmann was shocked. "Really?" I nodded. "Just for now. I'm going to go speak to Matt, and he's going to tell me that."
Herrmann nodded when I said that, taking a breath. "Of course, Chief, whatever you need. I will take care of truck." I nodded. "They're out of service for the moment as they're down 2 members. Casey needs to stay with his best friend, and Stella is going to stay because Kelly's here." Herrmann agreed with me when I said that. "Oh definitely, I can already see that happening." I took a breath. "So, they're going to leave shift today. Now, I need to go talk to Matt and get confirmation. But can you just take it easy for now?" Herrmann agreed with me, smiling when I asked him that. "Of course I can chief, I promise that I have everything. You have my word that we're going to be here right now." I agreed with him when he asked me that. "Thank you Herrmann. Oh, maybe call Molly's and get us a round of food?" Herrmann agreed with me. "Oh, I will definitely do that for all of us. See you in a bit?" I agreed with Herrmann, getting up to go talk to Casey.
I then thought of something, let's just send the house home. "Actually Herrmann?" Herrmann looked up at me. "What's up?" I took a breath. "I'll call the Commissioner and get relievers. Take everybody back to the house and go get Casey, Severide, and Kidd's things; bring them back here for them. I'm not going to keep the shift when I have 2 out of my 3 officers out for this." Herrmann thought about that, agreeing with me. "Of course, that makes complete sense. I got that for you Chief, just take it easy." I agreed with him, taking a breath so that I can go talk to Casey and hear the news that I already knew that I was going to get; the news that he's not ready to come back. Or more specifically, that Gabby isn't ready for him to come back to the firehouse yet. It's just too soon, especially when they're expecting their first children together. It's what the couple have always wanted, so there's no way that they're not going to give up that chance of having kids.
Captain Casey's POV:
Taking a breath as I sat down right outside Kelly's dad's hospital room, I took a breath due to the fact that this was going to be a hard conversation that we're going to have. But first, I just needed to make sure that Gabby was okay. Putting my hand on her stomach, I looked at her as I felt her grab my hand. Stroking her hand, she looked at me. Meanwhile, I kissed her forehead softly. "Hey, I'm safe baby. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." Gabby agreed with me when I said that, tearing up. "I'm sorry Matt, I'm sorry that I…." I shook my head when Gabby started to apologize for not being ready for me to go back. "Hey, take a breath and look at me." Gabby looked up at me, nodding. "Baby, you're my girl, and you're pregnant with our children. What did I promise you that when we came back?" Gabby smiled. "That I'm your husband, and the twin's future father first. If you want me to be at OFI, then I will be at OFI; is that okay baby?" Gabby agreed.
"I just feel bad that it didn't even happen…" I shook my head. "Gabby, take a breath and remember that I love you. I love you, and you come first; you and our children come first." Gabby agreed with me when I said that. She then leaned up and proceeded to kiss me softly. That's when I heard Chief Boden walk up go the both of us. "Do you want to stay with us as we talk Gabby?" Looking up at Boden, Gabby shook her head. "No, I'm going to go make a call. Matt, I'm going to go call Dr. Jameson and see if we can get an appointment right now. I just want to check on the twins." I agreed with Gabby when she said that. "Yeah, I like that idea. We can make sure that you're okay with all the stress, especially after your restless night last night." Gabby agreed. "I'm going to check on Stella, then I'll make the call." I smiled at her. "Make the call first baby, and make sure that she can squeeze us in right now okay?" Gabby agreed with me, kissing me softly. "I love you. Thanks."
I agreed with Gabby when she said that. "No problem. You're my girl, and my life baby." Gabby agreed with me, proceeding to walk away so that she can go see Kelly and Stella. Meanwhile, I took a breath and just waiting for her to leave. I then turned to look at Boden. "Hi Chief." Chief then looked at me as I sat down. "I think that's already all I need to know, don't I?" I took a breath when Boden asked me that. "Chief, I promise. I was ready to come back. I was all ready to just come back and be a Captain for you again…but this is not easy for Gabby." Boden looked at me. "Care to share more?" I sighed when she asked me that. "Her dad had a heart attack last year. And with me being a firefighter, and a future dad…she doesn't know. I think, with Kelly's dad having a heart attack, her being pregnant; it's just freaking her out. And she doesn't want to go ahead and raise the kids without me. So, she's scared out of her mind that might become a reality if…is that crazy?"
Boden shook his head when I asked him that. "Hey, of course it's not crazy Matt. Gabby has every right to be scared." I took a breath when Boden said that. "I think what made it worse was the fact that (1) it was our first call of the day, and (2) it hit so close to home. We see Kelly and Stella as our brother and sister. So, for it to be Kelly's dad; heck, I've seen Benny as one of my dads for the longest times. Since I met Kelly, we became best friends; and then I've seen Benny as a surrogate father for the longest time. So, for him to have a heart attack; and it happens around a year or so after her dad had a heart attack." Boden then realized that. "Oh god, that close?" I agreed with Boden when he asked me whether it was as year after her dad had a heart attack. "Pretty much. So, Gabby is just really scared at the moment. And it's not a reality that she enjoys. She just….she can't even think about it at the moment, and she just wants me to be safe." I took a breath.
"And can I give you some context?" Boden agreed. "Always." I nodded. "Up until the last minute, like right before we walked into the firehouse; she was shaking, she was that scared. I had my hand on hers, and I could feel her shaking. And it only got worse the closer, and closer we got to the firehouse. So the truth is, I don't even think that I would've been coming back next shift regardless of whether or not this would've happened. Gabby is still so scared, especially with her being pregnant. She's scared that she can't do it alone, and she just doesn't want me to be scared." Boden agreed with me, putting his hand on my shoulder. I then took a breath. "Maybe for now, I can just concentrate on my courses while working at OFI?" Boden then thought about something. "Or, if you're interested, I could reach out to the academy? See if they have anything open for you to teach there. I know they just started courses for officers." I was confused. "Courses?"
Boden nodded. "They aren't content with just doing exams anymore, they want to have courses; just like you're doing for Battalion Chief as you need to learn a lot. I mean, being a Captain does come. I can maybe also get you into Battalion courses there, so you can do a couple; and there's also an opening for a Phys Ed course to train candidates." I laughed. "That'd be fun, keeps me fit for duty if I ever come back for a while. I think this might be for a while though, as Gabby just isn't ready yet. She's still too scared." Boden agreed with me when I said that. "I understand Casey, and I respect your decision to put your wife first." I agreed with Bode. "I always promised Gabby that she would come first. Her and our kids will always come first in my mind." Boden agreed with me when I said that, smiling at me. "I'm glad that's the case. I know that you guys want kids more than anything." I took a breath, agreeing with Boden. "Can I just go on leave for a while?"
Boden was confused. "Again?" I nodded. "I'd rather not start courses in November." Boden nodded. "That makes sense. Maybe I can have you come in, and just help me out with my Battalion Stuff." I smiled. "We'll figure it out. Right now, I just don't think Gabby's ready for me to go back; and I can already see that her BP is already sky high. So, if that's what's happening right now, when it's just my best friend…then I can't do that to my wife each and every time that I go to shift, especially not when she's pregnant with twins. Chief, I have always wanted to be a dad; and I am not putting this at risk." Boden agreed with me, smiling. "I swear, that wife of yours is a lucky woman." I turned my head when Boden told me that. "No, I'm the lucky one. She completes me, and I'm just glad that we came home; this is where we need to be. But listen if you're ever down a Captain…I can maybe do it occasionally. But I can't do it all the time. We rushed me coming back."
Boden agreed. "That probably didn't help, with Gabby not having been here for a shift in…" I went to finish his sentence. "6 months." Boden seemed shocked when I said that. "It hasn't been 6 months." I nodded. "May. Funny enough, we're set to give birth on the anniversary of her leaving to go to Puerto Rico." Boden laughed a bit when I said that. "Sorry, I shouldn't laugh at that fact…" I nodded. "It's a bit funny, I know. But seriously, I'm still really sorry for al…you know what, I'm not sorry for this." Boden looked at me. "Really?" I agreed. "Protecting my wife's pregnant vs. leaving my job. Sorry, my babies come first." Boden laughed a bit when I said that. "Honestly, if I was in your place when Donna was pregnant with Terrence; then I would definitely have done the same thing as you. You need to do this for your wife, and I respect your decision." I agreed with Boden when he said that, smiling as I went to grab his hands. "2 weeks before we celebrate 2 years."
Boden was shocked when I said that. "Really?" I nodded. "Yes. However, I think that you are putting me on paid leave?" I said, hoping that he would. "Of course, Matt, I understand." I smirked. "Then I plan on doing something for Gabby to get her to relax. A little R&R in a romantic getaway." Boden agreed with me when I said that, turning to look at my beautiful wife when I said that. "I think that Gabby would love it if you took her away on a romantic getaway, especially after all of this." I agreed with Boden when he told me that, smiling. "Me too."