Hi Readers: What did you guys think of the last dream chapter? Do you want that to be the reality in the future? Let me know what you think. But right now, I am going to do something else. I think I might go back to a bit of business as Gabby takes a nap as I have a nice idea for you guys. Hope that you guys enjoy it. Thanks again for reading.
Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Nine
Let's Start Casey Police Plans
He decided to be productive while Gabby took a nap. With his beautiful wife still fast asleep, Matt decided to go to his office. But no, not that office. Rather, he went to his home office. Yes, Matt has both a home office, and an office downstairs. While he did just work (a bit) downstairs, it was mostly him setting up his office and sending an e-mail. But it was not related to his main part of the company right now, and that would be Casey Fire; rather, it was related to another part of the company that he plans on working on in the future. And just what might that be? Well, that would be a future division of his company that he wants to have. That part? Casey Police. Yes, Matt wants to also get into the police department, so he wants to see what they can do for the police. And that means that they are going to have to get Jay and Antonio to work on it, which was why he got dressed and went downstairs to work in his home office for a bit.
It was so that he could send an e-mail to his brother-in-law (Antonio) and friend (Jay) with something that he wants to tell them next week. But he's also going to write some notes as to what he wants to work out with the rest of his executive team over the next couple week as they get their company off the ground. However, that was not his plans for next week; as he was not going to have all of his executives at work. Some of the conversations that he was (originally) going to have with all of his executives, is one of the first board meetings. And that would be related to budgets, and more related things. And just some stuff that relates to the day-to-day operations of the company. But now, with Kelly and Stella out for a while; he can't exactly do that, as he needs to just let them be. But that doesn't mean that he can't get to work on laying the groundwork for the plans for Casey Police (you already know that though). Now, time to figure out which to do first.
Should he call Antonio first? Or should he e-mail Jay first? Taking a breath, Matt just thought about it before thinking about which would take longer. And that was why he decided to write the e-mail first. It wasn't going to take him long to write his e-mail, so that was going to be quick and easy. And that was especially going to be easy due to the fact that he already knew what he was going to write, and Antonio's call would ultimately turn personal (they always do). So, he did just that. He went ahead and sent Jay his e-mail first. So, he opened his e-mail and went to start composing his new e-mail. Hitting 'new e-mail' with his mouse, he went ahead and went to start typing. 'Jay Halstead' into the to part of the e-mail. However, he wasn't sure whether he should or shouldn't add Alex into the e-mail. So, he just decided to do it. He then typed in, and added in 'Alex Halstead' to the e-mail thread, so that she could join the meeting if they are interested in joining them.
He then went ahead and started to type the message that he was going to send to Jay and Alex.
From: Casey, Matthew
To: Halstead, Jay; Halstead, Alex
CC: Dawson, Antonio; Casey, Gabby
Subject: Casey Police Meeting
Hi Jay and Alex:
I am not sure if you are aware of what's going on with Kelly and Stella, but I am not going to be the one who tells you as that is not my place to do so. Or maybe I already did, not sure. But right now, that is not the reason for this e-mail. Rather, I am e-mailing you to let you know that I am going to turn my attention to a future plan that I have for the company; a part in which you are going to be executives, and you are both aware of. If I am not being crystal clear, I am talking about Casey Police. I know that we haven't started that yet, and I am sorry if you feel like you are being a bit under utilized at the company. If you feel that way, I am truly sorry; and I hope that this can be the start of something great between us.
So, in light of the sad news that Kelly and Stella have given to me; I have decided to change plans for next week, and change the meeting that we had planned for the company on February 19th at 10 AM and February 21st at 9 AM to Casey Police Meetings rather than Casey Fire Meetings. During those meetings, I am hoping to lay the groundwork for the future expansion plans I have for that division, and what I believe that we can do for now. And I also want to set out a timeline that you guys can work with for whatever project ideas that you guys have for me related to your division. Yes, I am calling this your division; after all, you guys are the experts, and I want you to tell me what you think I need to hear first and foremost.
If you guys are okay with the meeting plans that I have, and I hope that you guys can come. Please note that I have CC'd Gabby and Antonio to this e-mail, and I hope to have Antonio join us as well; but I am not sure yet what Gabby is going to do. I hope that she can join the meeting, and we're going to have these conversations between myself and Gabby here alone. I just hope that you guys can make the meetings. Once again, they will be February 19th at 10 AM and February 21st at 9 AM in the conference rooms that we have downstairs. Thanks again, and I hope that you guys can make it.
FYI: I attached some of the notes that I already have written recently for things that I think I may want to talk to you guys about, which are things that we can start without Kelly and Stella; maybe you guys can look them over for me prior to us having the meetings on Tuesday and Thursday?
Thanks again, Matt.
Matthew Casey
Chairman and CEO, Casey
Office: 1 (808) 837-2938 x 101
Taking a breath as he read over the e-mail that he just composed to Jay and Alex, he made sure that everything in the e-mail was accurate, and that everything in there was going to be easy for the both of them to read; and in his opinion, it was. However, he was also taking in the points that he made on the e-mail so that he could remember them when he called Antonio, which he was planning on doing shortly after he sent the e-mail. That way, he could speak to his brother-in-law and give him the same message that was in the e-mail. Just hitting send, he then took a breath has he really hoped that he got the message out to the best of his abilities. Sure, there were times that he wondered whether the e-mail that he sends are good, but he thinks that this one is good. But now, there's something else that he has to do; and that's call Antonio. Going ahead with grabbing the phone in his home office (which is connected to the one downstairs), Matt went to call him.
Luckily for him, he can just dial his extension. He made sure that all of his executives have their office phones connected to their cell phones so that he can always reach them when they are on the go. He then proceeded to put his Bluetooth in his ear after calling his brother-in-law, with the hopes that he answers his call. That was when Antonio answered. "God, are you seriously at the office right now? I thought we all got sent home." Matt laughed when he heard Antonio say that. "No, I just have my office extension up here in my home office. That way, if I want to work from home when Gabby is napping…I don't have to dial the office and then add the extension. Just makes it easier." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that. "You have the same thing in your home office, so you can always work from home too. I think I might let us work from home, especially since that's where Gabby might want to work. Especially since she's quite comfortable working in bed."
Antonio agreed with the CEO when he said that, deciding to take this opportunity to ask him about his sister before he gets down to business. "Listen, how about before we talk business; you give me an update as to how my sister is. I need to just take a breather since I'm currently at the gym, just finishing up my work out." Matt agreed with Antonio when he said that. "Yeah, she's doing good. Like I said, she's taking a nap and I am just working on something." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, listening to his boss as he continued to finish his workout. "I hope that you guys aren't working too much." Matt laughed. "I haven't really worked much since I got home, as we did something else." Antonio thought of something else when Matt said that. "OK. I didn't need to know about that." Matt then decided that he needed to clarify. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean that. I meant that me and Gabby made the cribs in our room." Antonio then realized that.
"Oh, that makes sense." Matt then spoke to his brother-in-law. "Do you really think I would talk to YOU about my sex life? Heck, I barely like Gabby talking about it with anybody. But you of all people?" Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, well aware that was the case. "OK. Let's get off this conversation. Now, what exactly are you doing in the office?" Matt took a breath. "I was just sending you and Jay an e-mail, and I wanted to tell you over the phone though; family." Antonio agreed. "So, what exactly do you wish to tell me over the phone?" Matt sighed. "Are you in the know when it comes to what's going on with Kelly and Stella?" Antonio was confused. "No, what's going on?" Matt took a breath. "Uhm, don't bring this up but…Kelly and Stella just learned that they are pregnant after having miscarried, and they want to take some time to celebrate and just take it easy after their scare last year. So, they are going to take the week off to celebrate."
Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that. "Well, send them my congratulations." Matt agreed with Antonio when he told him that. "I'll do that for you. But, now this comes as to our plans for this week. Just because they're not working, doesn't mean that I don't plan on working. Rather, I am actually going to be working with you and Jay more specifically." Antonio was confused when he heard Matt tell him that. "And what would that be exactly?" Matt snickered. "As you know, I do plan on eventually doing something related to Casey Police. So, I am going to meet with you both so that we can work out some preliminary plans. Stuff that you guys can work on, and just figure out for me; as I think I am going to give you guys some leeway when it comes to starting this company, due to the fact that you guys are the real experts when it comes to what we can do with Casey Police." Antonio agreed with his brother-in-law when he said that, well aware it was the case.
"Well, that makes sense. And I will definitely make sure that me and Jay work on that." Matt agreed with his brother-in-law when he said that. "Now, this will be Tuesday and Thursday; because Friday me and Gabby have an appointment." Antonio got a bit worried when Matt said that. "Are you guys okay? If you need to do counsel…." Matt then went to stop his brother-in-law from saying that, not wanting him to think that way; as they were fine. "Hey, that's not at all what I was talking about. Antonio, she's pregnant! She's 24 weeks on Sunday. After our last pregnancy, we go every 3 weeks." Antonio understood what Matt was saying, and just agreed with him. "Oh, I am so sorry. And that makes complete sense when it comes to how often you go, especially when you add in the fact that you are still worried after your last pregnancy." Matt agreed with his brother-in-law when he said that, just taking a breath as he tried not to get too emotional about it.
"I am worried every single day that it's going to happen again, that she's going to miscarry…and that I'm not going to be there for her. I mean, I know that the last time was tragic; and it was really hard on the both of us." Antonio just agreed with his brother-in-law, letting him speak; after all, he felt that it was exactly what Matt needed to do at the moment. He just needs to talk to him and get it out; and if that's what he needs help with, Antonio is going to be here every step of the way. "But I still struggle with the fact that she had to go through that without me. Well, not the entire thing; but the start. It's scary, and I hate that. It's why I always want her close, and why I flew back so early from Chicago. I know you were mad at me a couple days ago why we flew back so early. I mean, you knew about the vow renewal, and I know the original plan was to just surprise her there. But…I just needed to be here in Hawaii in case it happened, so that I could be here fast."
Matt stopped for a moment so that he could catch his breath, before continuing to speak to his brother-in-law. "I'm always on edge, and worried over the fact that she's going to go through those early parts alone." Antonio's heart couldn't help but break as he heard his brother-in-law tell him all of that, as it was just horrible; and even worse, he could truly hear the pain that was currently coming out through the CEO's voice. It was clear as day, and Antonio just knew that he was still hurting over that each and every day. "Matt, you can't keep beating yourself up over that. It's going to eat you alive." Matt took a breath when he heard Antonio say that and was quite shocked. "I never thought that I'd ever hear you say that." Antonio laughed when he heard Matt tell him that, as that was the truth. "I know, shocking right?" Matt agreed with him, before smiling as he let out a chuckle. "God, this is so complicated at times." Antonio was confused as the CEO told him that.
"What's so confusing?" Matt sighed. "How there are times where we act more like friends, but you're also my brother-in-law and employee. God, things are going to get so complicated between us; I just hope you remember that Gabby's pregnant and that she can't take you complaining to me when she needs to take it easy during her last trimester." Antonio agreed with Matt when he said that, completely understanding why that's the case. "Have you guys decided the date that you guys are giving birth?" Matt smiled. "We're giving birth in 95 days. May 21st, 2019. That's when we're scheduled to give birth if you want to get your kids down here around that time." Antonio agreed with his brother-in-law when he said that. "So, when are you starting your paternity leave." Matt took a breath when he heard Antonio ask him when he's going to be starting his paternity leave, as he hasn't exactly shared this with many people.
And what would that be? Well, that's the fact that he's not taking a paternity leave. As the CEO of the company, he has to keep working; but he's just going to be working from home a majority of the time, so that he can take care of his wife. He just hopes that his brother-in-law understands his situation, and doesn't judge him based on his scenario.
Matt's POV:
Taking one last breath before I went ahead and told Antonio about the fact that I'm only taking a partial-paternity leave, which is what I am calling working from home; I took a breath as I knew that he was going to give me some shift. But, at the same time, we are starting a business; and I am the Chief Executive Officer. With me being the head of the company, and us being a start up; I feel an obligation to be available during the entire process, at least until we're really set up. So, I am really not going to be taking a paternity leave for a while. Just taking a breath, I went ahead and told my brother-in-law the truth of the matter. "Okay, so I want you to just hear me out before you go ahead and give me your opinion; as I have a reason for what I'm doing." Antonio agreed with me when I said that. "Either you do that, or I order you to do it as your boss." Antonio laughed when I said that, because that was the truth. "Oh, you can definitely do that. So, what's going on?"
I took a breath and then proceeded to tell him what was going on with regards to my paternity leave. "So, here's the thing. I am going to take a paternity leave. That's a fact. However, it's not going to be the paternity leave that you're thinking of." Antonio was just confused when I said that. "OK. I am going to need a lot more details when it comes to that, as I am very confused about what you're just saying. How is there a different type of paternity leave?" I took a breath and went ahead to explain it to him. "OK. So, you know the status of the company right? How we're just starting, and I'm quite hands on with all of the decisions; including hiring at the moment." Antonio agreed with me when I said that. "Yeah, I get that; this is your money we're dealing with after all." I took a breath, and agreed with my brother-in-law. "That's where my situation comes in. So, because this is still a start up; I am not taking a paternity leave like you would think." Antonio was confused.
"Okay, you need to explain." I sighed. "Okay. What I am saying doesn't mean that I am not going to be with Gabby, taking care of the kids. I am going to be at home, taking care of her and the twins. However, I am also going to be working from my home office or in bed at the same time. We're at a point in the creation where, we don't have the infrastructure set up to allow me to take all the time off that I wish I could; yet, at the same time, we do have the people I trust to run the company. But since we're dealing with my money, I need to be involved. So, it's a tricky situation where I need to be involved; yet I wish I would be at home. So, I'm going to work from home; and I will travel to the office if I need to give someone hell. So, that's what I'm thinking of doing." Antonio agreed with me when I said that, understanding. "I think that I can understand where you're coming from, and I completely agree with your reasoning; because you're right, this is your money."
I took a breath, and just let out a sigh of relief. "Thank god you agree with me, I was so worried about what you were going to say. It's why I haven't said anything yet, as I know that you have a huge say in this; and I know that you always judge what I do quite harshly. But there are times where I really need to make these decisions on my own, as they matter to me; and I want to make sure that I made them for what's best for me and Gabby, and I think that this is what's best for me and Gabby. For me to work from home, while taking care of the company and the kids all at once." Antonio agreed with me when I said that. "Plus, they are just going to be asleep in the early weeks; that's why I am so supportive of it. I mean, you're going to get bored just sitting in your bed, watching your wife and kids sleep." I laughed when I heard Antonio say that. "Probably not, as I will love them unconditionally." Antonio agreed, knowing that was the case.
That's when I decided to turn the conversation back to where we started this call. "Okay, now we need to get back to the reason for the call." Antonio agreed with me when I said that. "Yes, yes we do. So, what are we thinking that you need from me?" I sighed. "Well, I am thinking of just what we can do when it comes to police. What you guys think you can do, that's easy for now. If you want to start something small, maybe we can get Casey Police started. I am just trying to get something started. Gabby is already designing some clothes, so we're going to be able to get ELLA off the ground in a couple months. I want to wait until after she's given birth, and just maybe a few months post-natal so that she can be involved in more of the hands on stuff. So, that's going to wait." Antonio agreed with me when I said that, obviously understanding. "Now, when it comes to Casey Policing, I am starting to think that maybe we can start with simple stuff. Maybe we can sell equipment?"
Antonio agreed with me when I said that, seemingly liking the idea that the I was coming up with for how we can easily start Casey Policing. "I can definitely see that working, and I think that me and Jay can figure that out." I then took a breath. "But listen, I don't want you to do anything without talking to me Antonio; unless you're dealing with your own money. If you want to invest in the company and get shares that you can use to buy stuff; go ahead, and we can work out a deal. But I need to be involved in purchases at the money, as I am the one who is funding this entire operation after all." Antonio then thought about something. "Or you can give me a starting budget, or an allowance every week?" I thought about it and took a breath. "Right now Antonio, I am going to try and dedicate my resources to Casey Fire and ELLA Apparel since that's what I know we're going to really launch this year. I was going to wait a bit for Casey Policing just to get profitable."
Antonio agreed with me, seemingly understanding where I was coming from. "I know, I have you to do it; but I just want to concentrate on what I know personally, that way I know what I'm doing and I can learn from you what we can do. So, maybe you can do research; and then give me a report, and I can figure it out. And I just…I just want to do it right, and I want to make sure that we do it in order. I don't want to put my money in Casey Policing without knowing what I'm investing in, until I see a detailed plan; because I know the fire side, as I have done it for over two decades. And right now, I already have a lot on my plate; especially with my own health battles." Antonio was confused when I said that. "Health battles? What do you mean Matt? You okay?" I took a breath when Antonio asked me that, still scared to share; but still, I felt like it was time to tell people the truth. The truth of what I am dealing with. "You remember how I went to the doctor when we were in Chicago?" Antonio agreed with me when I asked him that. "Yeah, what was that about?"
Taking a breath, I went ahead and told my brother-in-law the truth. "I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD."