Hi Readers: And welcome to a new story that I hope to write for you once more, somewhat. The truth is, this isn't an entirely new story; rather, it's a story I've written before. The name of the story? Well, it's Miracles. Hopefully, you remember the story. If not, then maybe you'll like it. Thanks again for reading, and I hope that this story works out this time around.

Chapter 1: The Reunion

August 29, 2020 – Gaffney Chicago Medical Center Maternity Ward - She could still feel the way his hands felt on her skin, the way his lips kissed hers as they held each other close in bed that fateful evening. The night she and the love of her life held each other close for what she thought was the final time, but which may not be the truth anymore; after all, Gabriela Casey was alive. At least, for now. Things could always change based on her situation, one which her husband never wanted to put her in. The reason? He always thought it was too risky for her to get pregnant. Too much of a worry, especially considering she could die if something went wrong while she gave birth, which was truly her worst fear, and precisely why she wrote a letter to her husband, which he was reading.

Matthew James:
I hope you know just how much I love you. Though, if you're reading this letter; it's due to the fact that I'm no longer with you. Rather, it's due to the fact that I died…just like you worried I would. I died giving birth to our child, a child I thought we could name after your late best friend, Andy. Though, that's up to you now due to the fact that your prediction has been proved to be true: I died giving birth to our son, which I know has always been your dream. You've always wanted a son, even though you said that you always wanted a daughter; but, I know you. I know you Matt, and I know that you always wanted this. And that's why, the moment I knew that I was pregnant…I knew that I had to stay pregnant for you. Because I love you more than anything, and I wanted to do this for you.

Plus, what were the odds that I even got pregnant with our child? It's never happened when we were together, so why would it happen now that we're separated; or, have we divorced. God, I wanted to talk to you about that the last time I was in Chicago, but we just got carried away. So carried away, that I ended up becoming pregnant with our child. The child I hope more than anything to meet. But, if I can't…then I hope you'll tell him all about me. I hope you'll tell him about the way we fell in love, and I want you to tell him all about his aunt Shay; and how she and his loving mommy will be looking over the two of you for the rest of your lives. Matt, I know that this was the last thing you wanted for yourself. But, it was precisely what I wanted for you as you deserve to be a father.

More specifically, you deserve to be a father to our child. And today, that's precisely what you are.

I love you, Matt.
Gabriela Maie Casey

And to say that Matt was taken aback when he read the letter, which just confirmed the fact that his wife was pregnant with their child…that was something that Matt never expected to think about, nor did he ever expect to see her here in Chicago ever again. In fact, he's been waiting for months to get the divorce papers she must've wanted to send him, due to the fact that he refused (for a second time) to go to Puerto Rico with her. And now, he couldn't help but wonder if that was a mistake because of what he saw in front of him: his wife was pregnant with their child; not only that, but she was due to give birth to their son. The son who could easily kill her, but who she still decided to try and carry to term; something which he found remarkable, as it was a huge risk. But, here Gabby was. She was here, safe and sound; at least, that was what Natalie was in the midst of telling him after he found her here in the ED. "So, she's okay? The baby's okay and viable?" Matt asked, while still holding the letter she wrote to him in his arms, as he's yet to find a way to wake her up from her nap. The nap he wants her to take, at least for now, due to the fact that he had no doubt in his mind that this was going to be a long and hard day for her. But now, he was here and more than ready to take care of her.

And that's precisely what he was going to do, right after he learned about the baby (and whether it was viable). "Yes. I double checked everything, Matt. The baby is viable, and she's okay. She already spoke to me and told me about her aneurysm, so I already paged her doctor and she's joining the team. I'm just surprised that you weren't here 2 hours ago when she got here." Matt sighed, as that was something he'll always regret: not being with her in this journey from the start. "That's a regret I'll always carry with me, not being here from the start. You see, I never wanted her to get pregnant due to the aneurysm. I was scared to lose her, just like how I lost Hallie." Natalie agreed with Matt as she proceeded to rub her back, well aware of how Matt lost Hallie. After all, he lost her in the most horrible way. It was tragic, and the worst way for a firefighter to lose the woman he loves: in a fire which they respond to. But now, he was here with his wife, which is all that matters at the end of the day, as he'll be able to take care of her the way she needs him to take care of her. And that's precisely what Matt plans on doing for the rest of his life. "Is she asleep voluntarily?"

Looking at Matt when he asked her that question, Natalie was confused. "What do you mean?" Matt sighed. "She's in a treatment room; so, I thought that maybe she was asleep because you want to slow her heartrate down for the aneurysm." Natalie then realized that. "Oh, that makes sense. But no, she's not asleep because we put her to sleep. She's sleeping because she wants to sleep." Matt agreed with his friend as he turned his head and looked at his wife through the door of her room. "You want to go in and sit with her?" Taking a breath, Matt turned his head to look at his friend. "Should I? I mean, I said some horrible things to her before she left. Hell, I told her that she can't have a baby." Natalie sighed, as she understood why. "Matt, I don't think that really matters right now. I think, at the end of the day, she'll be happy that you're here." Matt agreed with Natalie as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Do you mind doing me a favor while I go in there?" Natalie agreed. "What is it?" Matt sighed. "Can you see whether Antonio's coming?" Natalie agreed, as that was something she could do. "I'll try and contact him. Let me guess, you want support here?"

Natalie agreed with Matt, as she could see just how scared he was at the moment. "Here, come here Matt." Matt agreed with Natalie, only to hug her this morning. "Thanks Natalie." Natalie agreed with Matt, well aware that he was scared. "Want me to contact anybody else?" Matt took a breath. "I think her name is Dr. Grace Letts, she's the specialist Gabby went to go see when she got diagnosed with her aneurysm. I forget if this is the hospital she was at, but it'd be nice to have her part of Gabby's team if this is the hospital." Natalie agreed with Matt, as this was the hospital. "Yes, she works here. So, I'll give her a call for you. Meanwhile, you go see Gabby and spend some time with her. She's going to need you to get through this." Matt agreed, as he knew that was the case.

Taking a breath as he walked into his wife's hospital room, Matt couldn't keep his eyes off of her for multiple reasons: first, he was finding it hard to believe that she was here in Chicago in the first place; second, it was due to the fact that she was pregnant with their child; and most importantly, that she was still alive. He thought that she could die simply due to the fact that she was pregnant. But, it turned out that it wasn't the case, due to the fact that she was still alive at this very moment. And that was precisely why Matt needed to be here, due to the fact that he needed to support his wife and give her everything she needs right now. Whatever she needs, he's going to be here for her; not just due to the fact that he needs to be here for their child if something goes wrong, but due to the fact that he loves her more than anything in the entire world. And that's why he's going to be here for her, so that she can lean on him and just know that everything is going to be okay at the end of the day. And that all starts with right now, as he got close to her. Now, just to wake Gabby up; something Matt didn't know how to do at first, only to realize that he could do precisely what he wants to do.

He wants to kiss his gorgeous wife, as he holds her close and just take sit easy with her; and now, that's precisely what he's going to do as he made his way over to her. After which, he placed his hand on Gabby's stomach and stroked it with his thumb; but unfortunately, that creeped Gabby out. "Ok. I get you guys want to wake me up, but that's a really creepy way to do so. I mean, that's something that only my husband should do." Smiling as he went to sit down next to Gabby, Matt then went to speak to Gabby for the first time in months. "What if I told you that it was your husband?" Hearing Matt's voice this morning, Gabby was surprised as she opened her eyes and looked at the man she loves. "Matt?" Matt nodded as Gabby looked at him with those gorgeous eyes he loves more than anything. After which, he stroked her stomach again. "How are you feeling?" Placing her hand on top of Matt's hand, Gabby got nervous due to the fact that she didn't know how to feel. "Depends, how are you feeling about this?" Matt took a breath as Gabby asked him how he was feeling about this. "I'm not going to lie and say that I'm not a bit scared about this idea, Gabby."

Gabby agreed with her husband when he told her that, only to feel him move his hand to the side of her head; after which, Matt leaned his forehead against hers and smiled. "But, not scared enough to not be here for you, babe." Gabby teared up as Matt told her that. "You mean that?" Matt agreed with his wife as she asked him whether he meant it when he said that he was going to be here for her, as that's precisely what he's going to be: he's going to be here for her. "Of course, I'm going to be here for you, Gabby. I'm your husband, and I love you more than anything. Sure, things have been hard for us over the past two years, but we're still married, and I want to be here for you." Gabby agreed with Matt, as she appreciated. "Can I ask you something, though?" Gabby agreed with her husband, as he most certainly can ask her something. "Of course, you can ask me a question." Matt sighed as Gabby said that. "Why didn't you tell me, babe? Why didn't you tell me that you were pregnant?" Gabby looked into Matt's eyes when he asked her that question. "Matt, you already know why. You didn't want this. So, I thought that I would be in it alone whether I told you or not."

Grabbing Gabby's hand, Matt just felt horrible over the fact that she felt that way; after all, it was the last way he wanted her to feel: that she was on her own, because she wasn't. He was here for her, something she should already know. Then again, he understands why she didn't know that. "Gabby, I'm sorry that I made you feel that way. You have no idea how much it pains me to hear that." Gabby agreed with her husband as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "Gabby, I love you. And I hope you know that I want to be here for you. Now that I know, can you let me be here for you?" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she can do that. "If you can forgive me if this goes horrible wrong." Matt agreed with Gabby, as he most certainly can. "Of course, I would forgive you Gabby. I could never hate you if the worst happened. I promise." Gabby agreed with Matt as he told her that, only to take a breath as she grabbed his hand. "You would've told me at some point though, right?" Gabby took a breath. "Honestly? I didn't think that far ahead." And the moment Gabby told him that, Matt felt blindsided and hurt. "Excuse me? You didn't plan on telling me about our child?"