Hello Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters. I hope that you guys have been enjoying my New Year's Eve chapters so far, and that you guys are ready for some more chapters. Thanks again for reading.
Chapter One Hundred and Six: Ringing in 2019
Part 6A: Shay and Ramona Casey
"Selfishly, I wanted to have a daughter named Shay Casey."
Casey Primary Suite – 9:25 PM
The idea that Gabby was being selfish when she said that she wanted to have a daughter first, a daughter to name after her best friend Elizabeth Shay; that was something that Matt could never fault her for, especially not when he wanted the same thing. But rather, he wanted to have a son named after his late best friend; which is something that they're doing thanks to the middle name that they chose for one of their sons, more specifically the one that they are going to name after himself. As you know, the couple have already settled on the names of their sons. Their names are going to be Gabriel James Casey (whose namesake will be his loving mother, Gabriela Marie Casey), and Matteo Andrew Casey (whose namesake will be his loving father, Matthew James Casey; along with his late best friend, Andrew Darden). Which is why, they are specifically not using the Hispanic version of the name Andrew (that being Andres). In fact, it was a condition of using Andy's name.
When Gabby wanted to name their son after his late best friend, she originally wanted to do Matteo Andres Casey; but Matt objected to the way that Gabby wanted to honor his late best friend, as he didn't want to use any other name that his late best friend's name as a middle name; and that's the reason why their son Matteo's middle name will be Andrew, rather than Andres. But back to what Gabby was saying, how she wanted to have a daughter named Shay Casey. For him to want to honor his late best friend, but to not let her honor her late best friend; that would be selfish, and hypocritical of him. And that is the exact reason WHY they are going to name their daughter Shay Casey in the future, which Matt is going to tell his wife immediately; he's going to tell her right now so that she doesn't have to worry that they aren't going to name their hypothetical future daughter after Shay. In fact, he wants to name their daughter after Shay too as he loves the name.
And that was another thing that he wants to tell Gabby, but he's also going to remind her that they need to do it fast before Kelly and Stella have a chance to do it; especially when Kelly's going to try and do it first, which is something that he refuses to let him do. He was married first, he had kids first, and he wants to name their kids after their departed love ones; their loved ones that they lost far too son, prior to them having a chance to do so. "Okay, just look at me okay baby." Gabby agreed with her loving husband when he told her that, proceeding to look at the man she loves; after all, she was well aware of the fact that he was about to talk to her about the thing that she was worried about at the moment. She was worried about Matt not being okay with them naming their (hypothetical) future daughter after her late best friend, even though that's something that she wants to do more than anything in the entire world as it would mean the world to her.
She hates the fact that her best friend never got a chance to meet their kids, and that's why she wants to name their kids after their departed love ones; so that it can feel like they get a chance to meet them, by being honored in their names whenever they say them. And that's because it will make them thinking about them, the friends that they lost far too son; each and every time that they say their children's names, the children that they are going to love more than anything in the whole wide world. And that's simply because they are going to be just that, they are going to be their children; which is something that both herself and Matt have wanted for the longest time. They have wanted to have kids, and are finally going to be having the children that they have always wanted. But now, it's not time for Gabby to think about all of this; rather, it's time for her to listen to what her loving husband has to tell her this evening as it seems quite important to him.
"What is it baby?" Matt smiled when he heard Gabby ask him what's going on in his mind before he went to intertwine their fingers as he held the most important woman in his entire world close to him this evening. "Baby, we are going to honor Shay in one of our daughter's names okay?" Gabby agreed with Matt when he told her that, smiling as she loved that idea. She loves the fact that Matt is already committing to honoring her late best friend in one of their children's names. "It's just fair." However, that statement did not make sense to her. "Okay, what do you mean that it's just fair? You lost me when you said that." Matt smiled at Gabby when she said that. "Babe, I get to honor Andy in one of our kids' names. It would be unfair and hypocritical of me to not let you honor your late best friend in one of our kids' names too, so that's one of the main reasons that we're going to do it; so that it's fair to the both of us when it comes to honoring our loved ones."
Gabby smiled when she heard Matt say that, slipping close to him before leaning in and proceeding to kiss the man of her dreams softly. Just taking things nice and slow with Matt, Gabby smirked due to the fact that she loves her husband more than anything in the entire world. He's just the best, and she's so proud of the fact that he is her husband. For him to be her guy, it's everything that she's ever wanted in life; especially since she's loved Matt more than anything in the entire world. "Okay, now I do need to talk to you about something else. Another name that I am not too sure that you're going to like, especially when it'll remind you every day about somebody who caused us problems." Matt looked at his wife when she said that, getting a bit worried when she said that. "Ok, who are you talking about so that we're on the same page here?" Gabby sighed as her husband asked her that. "How about I just tell you the name first? Because you'll know." Matt agreed.
Taking a breath, Gabby then went ahead and told Matt the name that she was thinking about naming one of their future (hypothetical) daughters. "Ramona Marie Casey."
Matt's POV:
When Gabby mentioned that she wants to name one of our daughters 'Ramona Marie Casey', I knew right away just WHO she wanted to name one of our daughters after; but if you don't know, then let me just clear it up for you guys. She wants to name one of our daughters after her father. And the truth was, I was a bit apprehensive to say the least about naming one of our daughters after somebody who did cause us problems in our marriage. I mean, he did live with us for a while; and it led to some fights between me and Gabby, which I would not like to be reminded of each and every day. Then again, I do like the name. God, this is such a horrible position that I find myself in. I love the name Ramona, yet I feel like it would just always remind me of some of the hard times in our marriage; the time when Gabby's dad Ramon lived with us, right before I said goodbye to her. Taking a breath, I just thought about how I can say how I feel about the name.
God, just how do I do it so that I don't hurt my hormonal, more sensitive (than normal), pregnant wife; the wife that I love more than anything in the entire world, and tell her that I am not the biggest fan of the name? Can I just tell her that we can consider it, when we probably won't consider it? God, here goes nothing…or at least, I thought I was going to be the one to speak next; but that turned out to be Gabby, again. "You hate the name." I just looked at Gabby when she told me that, not wanting her to feel like I hated the name at all; I mean, I love the name (as you know). But I just hate what it's going to remind me of each and every day, of her father and a bunch of the hard times in our marriage. The hard times that we've gotten past, and that've led to the position that we now find ourselves in; the position where we are in the best position that we've ever found ourselves in during the entire course of our marriage (in my opinion, of course). I then looked at her.
Grabbing Gabby's hand as we laid down close to each other in bed, I smiled as I intertwined our fingers as a way to make sure that I calmed her down. "Hey, look at me and take a breath Gabby." Gabby agreed with me as I told her to do that, going ahead and doing it; she did just as I told her to do, as she knew that was crucial to making sure that our daughters were okay at the end of the day. "Listen, it's not that I hate the name, because I don't hate the name. I love the name, I really do. I think the name is adorable, and I think that it would be a great name for one of our daughters." Gabby looked at me when I said that. "I heard a but coming." I took a breath when Gabby said that, because there WAS but coming. "Unfortunately, there is a but coming. And that's because of what it makes me think of." Gabby looked at me when I said that. "Yeah, it makes you think of my dad; why, are you not interested in naming our kids for ANY of our dads?"
I looked at Gabby when she told me that, as that was not the case. "Okay, that's not the truth and you know it. And you know full well WHY I don't want to name any of our children in honor of my father, regardless of the fact that he's partially the reason why we have this life now. Baby, just take a breath and please hear me out. I really think that you'll understand where I'm coming from if you just let me explain baby. And I mean that. Taking a breath, Gabby agreed with me as she decided to hear me out; wanting to hear what I had to say. "You're right, I need to hear you out and know what you have to say." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, bringing her closer to my chest once again. Putting my hand on her stomach, I smiled as I stroked it with my thumb. "In the past 7 months, we've made huge advances in our marriage right?" Gabby agreed with me when I said that. "Yeah, of course we have baby. But what does that have to do with Ramona?"
I took a breath when Gabby asked me that, proceeding to explain how I was feeling about it. "Babe, when your dad was living with us; we weren't in a good place, especially when he finally left. I said goodbye to you, and I truly believe that was really another one of the times where I didn't think we'd make it." Gabby took a breath when I said that, starting to realize where I was going with this conversation. "And as much as you would love our daughter, even if her name was Ramona; the 'Ramon' part of her name, it would just always bring you back to that time in our marriage." I took a breath when Gabby asked me that. "Gabby, we had a horrible first 7 months of our marriage. We lost Louie, we were fighting a lot, we had your dad move in, and we almost lost each other forever. I am not proud of the first 7 months of our marriage, and I hate saying that. And then, we had a good couple months; but then we had a few bad months again." Gabby agreed with me.
"And I just don't want to look back on those couple months, each and every time that I say our daughter's name if that makes sense. I mean, if you're insistent on it; then I can try and get past it, and we can do it since I want you to be happy. But that's just how I'm feeling about it, and we did agree that we would make these decisions together babe." Gabby agreed with me as I said that, just starting to laugh a bit. However, that was confusing me. "Okay, why are you laughing about this? When we're in the middle of a fight?" Gabby then looked at me. "It's so that we can lighten the mood a bit, because we're about to argue about a hypothetical." I then thought about it, and just started to laugh a bit. "I mean, what if we have sons again? There's no guarantee that we have a daughter again, let alone twin daughters." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that. "That's a very good perspective Ms. Casey." Gabby smiled when I said that, kissing me softly.
"However, I do still want to keep trying until we have a daughter; that isn't going to change, as daddy wants his little princess." Gabby smiled as I told her that, well aware of the fact that I want a little princess of my own. "To tell you the truth, I like that for a couple reasons." I was a bit confused when Gabby said that, not exactly understanding why she likes it; especially for a couple reasons, but I am definitely interested in finding out said reasons now. "Oh really, care to share those reasons with me?" Gabby smiled when I asked her that, agreeing with me. "Well, the first one…is because you are so open to having kids now. Before I left to go to Puerto Rico, you were set against it. But for us to now be able to actually joke about it, it makes me smile more than anything…because it's a huge change, and a true testament to just how far we've come in our marriage in the past 7 months." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, smiling at her.
"I agree. The past two years have been hell for us. We really haven't had it easy, and I just hate that; but one thing is clear to me, that this money had nothing to do with where we are now. We did this together, and we made the changes that we needed to make in order to make us stronger independent of the new life that we find ourselves in. Heck, I could just have the money sitting in the bank; and I could be with you, working at the firehouse in that home in Chicago…and I would still be a really happy man, because I have you as my wife." Gabby smiled, agreeing with me as I told her that. She then got nice and close to me, leaning in to kiss me softly as we both took things nice and slow with each other this evening. "God, I have such a great husband; and I am so proud to have the ability to call you mine." I agreed with Gabby when she told me that, smiling at her. "Maybe I can upgrade that great husband, to the best husband in the entire world?" Gabby smirked.
"And how exactly would you do that?" I smiled when Gabby asked me that. "Maybe I can go run us a bath? And we can take it easy in the bath like I know you want to. I know we said that we'd stay in bed but…" Getting close to me, Gabby put her hand on my neck and kissed me softly. "Yes, I want to take one last bath with you in 2018." I smiled when Gabby asked me that, having thought the same way. "I had a feeling that you were going to say something like that." Gabby smiled when I said that, agreeing with me. "Then can you go run me a bath baby?" I agreed with Gabby when she asked me whether I can go run her a bath. "That I can Ms. Casey, but can I join you in said bath?" Gabby smiled when I asked her that. "I don't know…my husband might get a bit jealous if I let another man in the bath with me." I smirked when Gabby said that. "I'm sure that he can forgive you for wanting to take a bath with me." I then stolen a kiss from my girl, smirking.
"One of your Christmas gifts?" Gabby agreed with me when I asked her that. "I'll put this lingerie on again, I promise." I smirked, agreeing with Gabby when she told me that. "You better, because you look absolutely stunning in that lingerie." Getting up out of bed, I smirked as I proceeded to grab my towel from the hook that was right next to our bed. "I'm going to change my boxers though, not bothering with a shower with in the morning." Gabby agreed with me as I told her that. "I love that idea. By the way, remind me to talk to you about something that I've been meaning to talk to you about." Hearing that as I was on my way to my dresser, I decided to turn around as that made me worried. "Is everything okay?" Gabby looked at me when I asked her that. "Hey, of course. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I looked at her. "Preview?"
Sitting up in bed when I asked her for a preview, Gabby agreed with me and smiled; at the same time, I decided to come back to bed so that I could hear the preview myself; after all, I do want to hear her right. "It's just about my blog. I have been meaning to update it. And I was thinking that we could maybe turn it to an official marketing place for the company." I looked at Gabby when she said that, shaking my head as I didn't want that for her blog. "No way. That's not what's going to happen to that blog of yours. That blog is the blog that you're documenting the pregnancy on. However, I would like to see an update. I have an alert for whenever you update, and I haven't seen one in a while." Gabby took a breath when I said that. "The past couple weeks have been busy, and I just have been overwhelmed." I looked at my girl when she said that.
Hearing her say that she's been overwhelmed recently just broke my heart as I didn't want her to feel overwhelmed. "Listen, I want you to talk to me about that okay? I want you to talk to me about what's going on, because you obviously have been keeping me out of the loop a bit. Gabby, are you sure that you're completely okay right now?" Gabby took a breath when I asked her that, just looking down. And it was clear to me then, that she wasn't okay. Hanging my towel back up, I knew right then and there that I wasn't taking a bath with Gabby tonight; rather, I was going to hold her in my arms. Hanging my towel back up, I went to climb back into bed with my girl so that I could bring her into my arms where she needs to be at the moment. "Hey, take a breath and come here. Come get close to me, and let me hold you baby." Gabby then took a breath when I said that, proceeding to crawl over to me as we both got ready to cuddle.
Gabby's POV:
Cuddling up to Matt once again as soon as he got back in bed, I took a breath as he closed the covers up on top of the both of us; just holding me in his arms, he put his hand on my stomach while leaving soft kisses on my forehead. And I could tell that he knew something was off right now. Another thing that I knew? Was that he was worried about me right now. I mean, that's just obvious as I'm his wife. And the truth was, I liked that he was worried; because it meant that he could worry with me about something, and that was my brother. As much as I hated what he did, I wanted to talk to him to try and patch things up before the new year; I didn't want to leave that hanging in between us after all. And I tried again earlier, while Matt was getting us snacks. Yet, he didn't answer; and that was the 5th straight day that I haven't been able to get in touch with Antonio, so I am really starting to get worried about him. And now, I needed to tell my husband.
He needs to know, so that he can help me out. "Baby, what's wrong? Gabby, I can tell that something's wrong. Talk to me babe." I took a breath when Matt asked me that, deciding to just tell him. "I have been trying to contact my brother, I want to try and patch things up between us before the New Year." Matt agreed with me. "And I haven't been able to do it for 5 days. We haven't gone this long without talking, and I'm worried since we're in Hawaii. What if he's gotten into a car accident, or into drugs or alcohol again? I'm sorry. I should've told you but…" Matt shook his head, turning my head to kiss my forehead softly. "Take it easy baby and relax, I'm sure he's fine." Matt then proceeded to grab his phone this evening, probably wanting to call him. "Here, let's call him together okay?" I agreed with Matt when he asked me that. God, I really hope that Antonio's okay. Going to open his phone, Matt proceeded to call my brother for me this evening.
Taking a breath, I just got worried. "Wait." Turning to look at me, Matt seemed a bit confused as to why I told him to wait. Closing his phone, he looked at me. "What's wrong baby?" Turning around to face me again, Matt laid down and cuddled up to me. "Why are you telling me to wait to call your brother?" I took a breath when Matt asked me that. "What if he doesn't want to talk to me?" Matt, getting close to me; proceeded to lean in and kiss me softly. "Baby, you are too loveable to not want to talk to. He's your brother, and he's going to want to talk to you; I promise baby." I agreed with Matt when he told me that, taking a breath because I knew that he was probably right in this case. Me and Antonio have this bond, a bond that comes with having grown up together; and we've been thick as thieves since we were kids, regardless of the age gap that we have in between us. So, for me to worry about him not wanting to talk to me truly is a really stupid idea.
"Baby, your brother loves you more than anything in the entire world. I'm sure that he's actually going to be thrilled that you called, and that you want to talk to him. And you know what? I bet that he's wanted to call too. He's wanted to call you, but he's been too worried to do so as he didn't know what response that he was going to get from you; just like how you're feeling right now, your brother has to be feeling the same way because he betrayed you. Baby, just take a breath for me okay?" I agreed with Matt when he told me to take a breath, doing just that. "And remember that your brother loves you like crazy, and that he's going to want to talk to you." I agreed with Matt when he told me that, smiling as I knew that he was right. "Let's just do it before I change my mind." Matt smirked, agreeing with me as he called my brother tonight.
Chapter One Hundred and Six: Ringing in 2019
Part 6B: Antonio and Christie?
The conversation between brother, sister and brother-in-law was going well; there was no drama, and things were quite easy between the three of them. But little did Matt know, was that this conversation was soon going to be between more than just himself, his wife and his brother-in-law. Rather, they were both going to be talking to each other's siblings-in-law. More specifically, they were going to be talking to her brother Antonio, and his sister Christie at the same time; and that could only mean one thing. They were together at the moment, on New Year's Eve 2019. But Matt swore that his sister was back in Chicago, or did she stay after her time was up? Did the drama push her away? Or did Violet make her stay? Or is she back with her dad in Chicago? There are so many questions that are on his mind as he and Gabby spoke to her brother. But this was not something that he wanted to think about, at least not until her heard the woman's voice once again.
Then, he would know for sure. He would know for sure if he even had to bring up the possibility that they were hooking up. The last thing he wanted to do right now, was accuse his brother-in-law of sleeping with his sister; especially when they weren't in the best of places. I mean, he just slept with his wife's enemy; and then he sleeps with his sister, a few nights later? Ok. Maybe they just met at a bar, and they both wanted to not drink. Maybe they haven't slept together yet, and they aren't even aware of the fact that their siblings are their in-laws. But god, if this does happen; then tomorrow will be quite interesting tomorrow, when they see each other at the baby shower that they are having tomorrow for Gabby. Yes, they are having a baby shower tomorrow with a bunch of their friends and family. It's actually why he and Gabby aren't going to be calling the firehouse tonight, as they are not on shift tonight; rather, they are here in Hawaii for the shower.
God, this is going to be quite an interesting few days if it turns out that his brother-in-law did in fact sleep with his sister; he just hopes that they are both going to be civil tomorrow. That's when Matt heard the woman's voice again. "Oh, I'm sorry Toni. Are you on the phone with somebody? I was just wondering if you were going to be joining me in the shower like you said." That's when he knew it. He knew the voice, as he's known it for years. That was his sister, and he didn't like the thought that was just in his head now. His brother-in-law and HIS SISTER in the shower TOGETHER. Oh my god. That's when Matt ripped his wife's phone out of his hand. "Hey! What are you…" Matt when went to speak on the phone (which is on speaker). "Christie Marie Casey! Is that you!" Antonio then got nervous when he heard his brother-in-law say that. "Hold on." That's when Christie spoke up. "Matt? Toni, why are you on the phone with my brother? Wait, is that my phone!"
Gabby then went to speak up. "No Christie, this is my brother's phone. Let me introduce you to the man you just called Toni. Christie, Toni is Antonio Dawson; as in my brother. Toni, meet Christie Casey; my husband's sister and new millionaire." Antonio then thought about it. "I just slept with a millionaire?" Matt then went to speak up. "Uhm, missing the point here. You just slept with MY SISTER! Oh god, I can't even think about that. Listen Christie, get dressed…and then you both can call us on video call. And I don't give a damn if I'm not wearing a shirt, at least I know whom I am really sleeping with at the moment." Christie agreed with her brother when he said that, proceeding to go get dressed so that she could talk to him (and his wife) this New Year's Eve. At the same time, Matt just took a breath as he tried to keep the thought out of his head. The thought of his sister in bed with his brother-in-law, especially right after he slept with Sylvie.
That's when Matt decided to bring it up. "Antonio, if you think this conversation is over; then you're kidding yourself. This conversation is just getting started."