Hello there everyone, I'm here with the next chapter for you guys. Sorry this one is a day late, with work and everything I haven't had much free time and it took me a little longer to complete this chapter. But I hope you all like it regardless!

That's pretty much all I've got, thanks so much for reading and I'll see you all next time!

***UPDATE 1/9/23: Hey everyone, just letting you know there won't be any updates from me this week. I had a pretty rough weekend, and then there's a few things going on in my life this week that I just don't think I'll have time to get any writing done. Sorry for the late notice, but I should be back with my normal schedule next week! Thanks for much for understanding, have a great week everyone.

Chapter Two Hundred and Three

"Sofia, slow down please."

Gabby's stern, motherly voice filled the otherwise empty waiting room at the hair salon her and her daughters were currently at, Sofia's hurried steps that had been taking her around the play table coming to an almost complete stop before she glanced over towards her mother. From the gleam in her eye, Gabby could tell her youngest daughter was considering challenging her; that she wanted to test her limits and see if she could get away with playing her game some more. But when she got that knowing stare from her mom, she decided against it, Sofia instead giving her a bright, loving smile- one Gabby could never resist, before she moved back to the table where Caitlyn was sitting.

"Thank you, sweetheart." Gabby told her, Sofia giving her another happy grin before she plopped herself back down in the seat beside her sister, Caitlyn immediately handing her one of her crayons before going back to her drawing.

"Here Sofi." The seven year old spoke, Sofia taking the crayon instantly as Caity used her free hand to slide a blank piece of paper in front of her. "You can draw with me, so Mommy doesn't get mad."

From the spot beside Gabby, Camila let out a soft laugh at the exchange between sisters, Gabby's eyebrows raising before she glanced over towards her own mother, who merely shrugged.

"They're just like you, mija." She spoke easily, Gabby pausing for a moment before releasing a soft laugh.

"Yeah, yeah." She replied, Camila smirking a bit before she looked back towards Sofia and Caitlyn, who were both now coloring away wildly while waiting for their turn to get their haircut.

Which, as far as Gabby was concerned, was long overdue.

When Caitlyn first finished up school last month, Matt and Gabby had talked about taking the girls to get their haircuts at the start of summer. Just as a fresh start for the season, and with the weather warming up Dawson knew shorter hair would be more comfortable for them. But with everything going on, between the baby and her adjusting to her new job, this specific thing had sort of fallen through the cracks. Not intentionally, but there were other things that had been taking up their time, and with Gabby now into her 28th week of pregnancy, she was beginning to lose a little bit of that steam she once had.

It had hit her a bit suddenly, but she noticed it soon after starting in her new role at the firehouse, that she was starting to feel less and less energized. And now a month later it was as evident as ever, this point of her pregnancy surely hitting her hard.

She felt good, great most days, she just didn't have nearly as much energy as she once did. Which meant she also wasn't the most on top of things as she had been before, hence it now being well into June and they had yet to get the girls' haircuts.

Though thankfully, that would all be changing today.

There wouldn't be much of a change to Sofia's hair, as all Gabby was going to have them do was trim some off the ends. She didn't want to cut it too short and risk losing any of her daughter's precious curls, and with her hair only going about as far down as her shoulders, Gabby knew it wasn't in her way too much. But Caitlyn was another story entirely.

Their daughter had some of the most beautiful, thick blonde hair. Just absolutely gorgeous. But with that meant that it grew, and a lot, as her hair was now halfway down her back. And while it was pretty, it was also hard to maintain. Especially with as rambunctious as their oldest daughter was.

But past that, the main reason they were doing this is because it was what Caitlyn wanted.

If Caity wanted to keep her hair long, they would. No matter how much more work it meant for the parents, they'd never cut her hair if she wasn't on board. But she was, very much so. She'd wanted to do this for weeks, and now that they were she was over the moon with excitement. She had been ever since they told her a few days ago that they were finally going to get haircuts, and that enthusiasm never went away as this was bound to be a great day for the Casey family.

One that could only be made better if Matt had been able to join them.

When first making this appointment, both parents planned on being here as this wasn't something either of them wanted to miss. They didn't like to miss anything when it came to their girls, but especially this, they wanted to be there. But shortly after waking up this morning Matt found out he wouldn't be able to, when he'd been called into headquarters for a sudden meeting.

It was unexpected, especially on their day off, but it was a meeting he couldn't really get out of. So he'd decided that he would go and see what the department wanted, while Gabby kept their appointment to go and get the girls' their haircuts- with the promise that there would be plenty of pictures and videos taken for him. And with Camila here, Gabby knew they'd be able to easily do that for him, even if it wouldn't be able to beat him being here in person.

"Do you need to get up, Gabriela?"

Her mother's voice broke through the thoughts running around in her mind, Gabby glancing to her side to find Camila's questioning eyes on her. With raised brows, the younger Dawson's head tilted to the side, prompting her mom to continue on.

"You look like you're uncomfortable, I wasn't sure if you wanted to walk around a bit." She elaborated, as Gabby soon realized what she was talking about.

She hadn't noticed herself doing it, but while caught up in her own head she must've been shifting around in her seat. Something that happened more and more frequently as of late with her expanding stomach, that soreness in her muscles almost constant. Even though her body was accustomed to pregnancy, at least more than it had been with Sofia, that didn't make it any less uncomfortable for her while she grew to accommodate their daughter. And moments like this, where she'd be sitting in one position for long periods of time, only emphasized that.

"Eh, I think I'm alright." Gabby responded a moment later, Camila looking over her before nodding. "The girls should be called back any minute, I'm fine to sit here a little while longer." She told her.

"Alright sweetheart, as long as you're sure. But feel free to get up if you need to." She reminded her, Gabby nodding back at her before she returned her gaze over towards her daughters, just to make sure they were alright. Which they clearly were, Caitlyn and Sofia both still coloring away happily while sitting together at the children's table. "So, I was talking to Matthew this morning before he left," Camila spoke up once more, shifting the conversation as she regained Gabby's attention.

"Oh yeah?"

"Mhmm. And he mentioned how Nancy was gonna try and get up here for a visit." She explained, Gabby's face softening before she nodded.

"Yeah, he was talking to her last night after she Facetimed with the girls." Gabby replied. "She wants to make the trip here to see Caity and Sof, and we haven't seen her since finding out about the baby. So it'll be nice to have her here." She continued on, her hand instinctively moving to rest over her stomach while she spoke.

"It will be, I'm glad the girls will get some time with their grandmother." Camila replied, earning a knowing smile from her daughter.

"Yeah, it'll be good for them. And for Matt, too." She added with a gentle look in her eyes, before her gaze carefully moved back over to her girls. "We're getting so far into this pregnancy, and I know he wants her to be here for at least some of it."

"I can understand that. I've loved getting to be here with you during this, I'm sure it's the same for Nancy." Camila sympathized. "I know it's a little different with Matthew, but her coming to visit would be nice for everyone… Especially because this pregnancy has been going by pretty fast."

"You're telling me." Gabby deadpanned before Camila chuckled. "I'm already into my third trimester and I have no idea how it happened. It feels like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant, everything's going by so fast… And Matt and I still have so much to do." She breathed out, Camila nodding sympathetically as she understood the feeling all too well. "There's things we still need to get, we have to get our room ready for her. There are things we want to do with Caity and Sof before little girl gets here, and what feels like an endless amount of other things."

"Including choosing a name." She spoke pointedly, Gabby then letting out a soft groan before Camila shook her head in amusement. "You all still haven't talked about it?"

"Not really, no." She responded, though she knew her mother already knew that answer.

"But you have some ideas?" She prompted, as Gabby shrugged.

"A few."

"...That you don't want to share, I take it?" She asked lightheartedly, before the younger Dawson gave her a coy smile.

"Not until Matt and I decide, no." Gabby told her as Camila gave her a smile.

"I understand, mija. It's a big decision, something you and Matthew need to decide together. Your father and I are just excited to find out what her name will be, whenever you choose it."

"Yeah, and Matt and I are, too." Gabby joked, earning another laugh from her mom.

"I know it seems a bit stressful right now, but I'm sure you two will choose a beautiful name. You did with Sofia, that little girl has the most beautiful name." Camila reminded her, Gabby smiling softly before she looked back at her youngest daughter who was still coloring away.

She was sitting up on her shins in her seat, hunched over the table while she scribbled hecticly, her tongue poking out between her teeth determinedly as she focused. Truthfully, she looked a lot like Matt in that moment, the thought making Gabby smile until she heard her mother's phone buzz from beside her.

Glancing over, she watched Camila look at her phone and read over whatever had just been sent, the look on her face causing Gabby to raise her eyebrows. "...That's not Matt checking up on me, is it?" She asked lightly, Camila letting out a laugh before shaking her head.

"No, no. Not this time.. It's your father." She replied, Gabby pausing for a moment before she nodded, as Camila began to respond to his message.

Though whatever it was had the older woman smiling an awful lot, Gabby continuing to watch her with an almost expectant look in her gaze while glancing between her and the phone in her hands.

"...What?" Camila asked her after noticing her stares.

"What's going on with you and Papa?" She asked bluntly, Camila scoffing back at her as she placed her phone down into her lap.

"Gabriela."

"Mama." Gabby matched her exasperated tone, the older Dawson unable to stop the amused laugh that left her lips. "Come on, I've seen how happy you two have been since you got back. And we're both adults here, you can tell me." She reminded her, Camila sighing softly as she adjusted her positioning in her seat.

"There's not much to tell, honey. Your father and I are just… enjoying getting to spend time together." She spoke, Gabby getting a good feeling of what her mom was saying. But she didn't need any more details than that. "It's nice to see each other again, and we've loved getting all this time with you and the girls. And Matthew." She continued on, Gabby smiling softly before nodding in agreement. "And anything past that, for him and I, I don't really know. We haven't talked much about us, or where things stand after the divorce… We know how much pain that put everyone through, especially you. So we're just sort of taking things one day at a time." She finished vaguely, Gabby thinking over her words before she nodded.

"I understand that, I know it's hard to kind of step back into something you used to have." She breathed out, getting a knowing look from her mom. "But I'd also say that I think Matt and I are proof enough that divorce doesn't have to mean the end of a relationship. Obviously you never want it to happen, it's not ideal. And there's nothing I wouldn't give to take away the needless pain Matt and I caused each other. But things happen, and if it's something you both want to get through, it's possible." Gabby told her, Camila's face softening as she nodded.

"Oh sweetheart, I know that. I know things can change. But your father and I are not you and Matthew." She replied with a small smile. "You and Matthew, you two are just… different. You always have been, you love each other in a way I don't know if I've ever seen. So I'm not surprised in the slightest that you got through everything that went wrong, and have the life you do now." She told her, Gabby feeling a bit of warmth rush through her chest at her mom's genuine words. "But that's you two, that's not your father and I… And right now, we're just happy with the way things are. Getting to know each other again, and spending this time with our family." She finished, Gabby taking in another breath before she nodded.

"Okay Mama, then that's all that matters." She responded, earning a small smile from her mom. "All I want is for you to be happy, you and Papa both."

"I know, mija. And we are." She assured her, the mother and daughter sharing one last knowing look before a voice interrupted their moment.

"Caitlyn and Sofia Casey?" One of the hairdressers spoke, Gabby glancing over just seconds before Caitlyn did.

"That's me and my sister!" Caity spoke brightly, dropping her crayons onto the table as she stood up, Gabby letting out a soft laugh while slowly shifting her weight to the edge of the chair.

"Is it their turn?" Gabby asked her, the woman nodding easily.

"Yes ma'am, it is." She replied, before Gabby gave her a small smile.

"Alright girls, let's go get your haircut." Gabby told her daughters, Caitlyn beaming as she reached her hand out for Sofia to take.

"Come on sissy!" She instructed, Sofia eagerly taking ahold of her sister's palm before she began to get down from her chair.

Caitlyn waited patiently while Sofia got to her feet, the seven year old even helping her a bit before she began to pull her towards the woman.

"It's time for our haircuts!" Caitlyn told her sister, Sofia grinning up at her while Gabby watched on at her girls, their sweet nature making her heart soar before she slowly began to get herself up and head over towards them, the Casey girls excited for the day ahead and the haircuts Caitlyn and Sofia were about to get.

But most of all, they were excited for Matt to see it.

Casey blew out a heavy sigh while he shoved his keys into the lock of their front door, the warm June air covering his skin as he got the door open before stepping inside, a rush of contentment going through him the moment he got inside as after his long day at headquarters, he was more than happy to be home.

The sound of the television was the first thing he noticed, given how loud it was, Matt recognizing it to be one of the girls' favorite movies playing as he shut the door once he got inside, his gaze moving further into his home with an easy grin on his face. From across the room he could see both his daughters sitting on the floor, their attention completely on the tv while Gabby was on the couch next to Camila, her feet propped up on the coffee table in front of her.

None of them had noticed him at first, and he didn't mind it in the slightest as it gave him a chance to admire the people he loved more than anything else in the world, Matt taking a few steps forward while he continued to take in the sight of his family.

Like she could sense his presence, Gabby soon turned towards him, the smile on her face growing as their eyes met.

"...Girls, look who's here." Gabby prompted, Matt letting out a soft chuckle as Caitlyn immediately looked at him, before Sofia followed seconds later.

"Daddy!" She shouted happily, shooting up from her spot on the ground while pulling Sofia up with her. "Wait- close your eyes!" She nearly yelled, her excitement taking hold of her as Casey laughed a little louder. Though he closed his eyes regardless while stopping just inside the living room.

"Why am I closing my eyes?" He asked while standing there blindly, unable to see the way Gabby was smiling as Caitlyn and Sofia walked towards him.

"Because our hair, silly." Caitlyn chastised him, the parents both laughing before he nodded, all while keeping his eyes closed.

"Oh, right. My surprise, how could I forget?" Matt played along, knowing his daughters' were close just by how loud they were while they walked. "When can I open my eyes? I wanna see how pretty my girls look."

Even from her spot all the way over on the couch, Gabby knew how wide Caitlyn was smiling, both girls bouncing up and down happily as they stood in front of their dad.

"You can open them… Now!" She instructed, Matt immediately opening his eyes to find his daughters' standing in front of him.

And the second he saw them, a heavy gasp left his lips, Casey looking over his girls and taking in the sight of their freshly cut hair, before a bright smile formed over his face.

"Oh my goodness, look at my babies. You two are so, so beautiful." He spoke, love shining in his eyes as he squatted down to the ground to be on their level, prompting Caitlyn and Sofia both to move closer to him. Caity stopped just short of him, while Sofia launched herself into his arms, Matt catching her easily while he continued praising them. "I love your hair, it looks so pretty."

"You do?" Caitlyn asked, like she needed to know for sure that she had her father's approval, as that meant everything to her.

"Of course, I love it so much." He assured her, Caity's smile widening before she stepped forward to hug him.

"Yay!" Caitlyn replied, Matt letting out a soft laugh before he kissed her head. "Mommy helped me decide how short to cut it, but I love it."

"I love it too, it's beautiful." He said again. "And so is Sof's… Yeah, you look so pretty, baby." He told his youngest after gaining her attention, Sofia grinning widely before digging herself into his embrace. "Both of you, I love my beautiful girls."

Matt stayed on the ground with Caitlyn and Sofia for a few more moments, completely focused on them as Caity began to walk him through their entire appointment, Casey listening to her every word while she spoke animatedly.

Across the room, Gabby watched on with a gentle smile across her face, Matt's love for his girls seeping through their every interaction as he was paying attention to them like what they were saying was the most important thing in the world to him. And right now, it was.

"You know, that man is setting the bar so high for them." Camila spoke up after a moment, her words causing Gabby's smile to widen before she tore her eyes away from her family to find her mom grinning just as much.

Because they both knew she was right.

Matt treated them so well, going above and beyond for them every single day of their lives, showing them how they deserved to be loved and appreciated. With nothing but constant support for them, Gabby knew how Matt was setting an example for their daughters, to where they'd grow up knowing their worth and how they deserved to be treated. By anyone who may come into their lives.

And Gabby would never stop being grateful that they had that.

"He really is." She agreed, Camila giving her a knowing look before Gabby returned her gaze towards her husband, who was now standing up from the ground.

Caitlyn had finished her story a few seconds ago, and though the girls were staying near him they'd given him enough room to move, Matt stopping to press kisses to both their heads before he continued on towards the couch.

"Hey babe." Gabby greeted as he got closer, the smile on her face widening when she saw the two little girls trailing close behind their dad. "So I take it you like their hair?" She asked him, Matt's grin widening before he nodded.

"Oh, I love it. They look so beautiful." He said again, knowing both his daughters could hear him as he got over to the sofa. "And you look beautiful, too." He complimented his wife without a thought, Gabby letting out a soft laugh as he leaned down to give her a welcoming kiss. "Hi baby." He spoke against her lips, kissing her quickly a few times before moving his focus down to her stomach. "And hello my other baby."

Gabby smiled softly as she watched him kiss her stomach, Matt crouched down beside the furniture while he greeted their unborn child.

"See what I mean?" Camila asked lightheartedly, Gabby letting out a chuckle as Casey glanced up towards them with an inquisitive look on his face.

"Mean about what?" He questioned, his hand rubbing over Gabby's stomach while he felt Sofia begin to climb onto his back, like she just wanted to be close to him after not seeing him all day. And Caitlyn evidently did as well, as the seven year old wedged her little body between him and the couch, allowing the family to all be close together.

"It's nothing." Gabby told him, though the smile on her face told a different story. But Matt didn't question it, the man simply letting out a soft scoff before he nodded.

"Alright then… Hi Camila." He told her.

"Hi Matthew." She replied with a small grin.

"Thanks for coming over today, and going with Gabby and the girls. We really appreciate it." Matt responded, Camila soon waving him off.

"Oh, there's nothing to thank me for. I'm glad I got to be there, they were so cute." She said, Matt smiling before he nodded. "I'm just sorry you had to work."

"Eh, it's alright." He responded with a shrug, before bringing his free hand up to rub over Sofia's arm that was currently clinging around his neck.

"How was your meeting?" Gabby then asked him, watching as Matt let out an almost immediate sigh.

"Long." He replied vaguely, Gabby's eyebrows raising in question. But he only shook his head. "We'll talk about it later." Matt added on softly, seeing a bit of hesitance from his wife before she nodded.

Gabby was curious as to whatever today's abrupt meeting was about, but she understood he didn't want to talk about it right now and instead just spend time with his family. And that was something she would never deny him.

"Daddy?" Caitlyn's voice came in, both parents looking towards her while her attention was solely on her father.

"Yeah princess?"

"Can we show you all the pictures Mommy took of our hair?" She requested, Matt's face softening before he started to nod.

"Absolutely baby, I'd love to see them."

Caity smiled brightly, bouncing up and down excitedly before patting her hands against his arm. "Okay! You can get Mommy's phone and then we can go lay on the floor!" She instructed him, giving no room for comments before she was running back over to her earlier spot on the carpet, with Sofia following after her seconds later.

Letting out a quiet chuckle, Matt glanced towards his girls in amusement before pushing himself up from the ground. "I guess I'm going over there." He told Gabby, seeing his wife match his grin as she nodded.

"I'd say you are." She replied while holding her phone out to him, Matt taking it from her grasp as their gazes locked on one another. "I'm glad you're home."

His smile widened at her words, Matt letting his thumb rub over the back of her hand before they separated. "Me too." He agreed, the man blowing her a kiss before he went over and laid down on the ground with girls, letting them get comfortable against him before they started showing him all the photos and videos from today.

And the rest of their evening went similar to this, just spending time together as a family.

Camila had left shortly after Matt got home, Gabby staying in her comfortable spot on the couch while Casey kept the girls occupied, Matt spending almost half an hour letting Caitlyn and Sofia show him all he missed from today- the father still making sure to praise and compliment their girls every chance he got.

Then once they had finished that, Matt offered to make their dinner tonight so Gabby could continue to rest, though she tried to fight it. But he was having none of it, Matt insisting that she stay on the couch while he cooked. And, with Caity and Sof's help, he prepared a delicious meal of some steak and broccoli, and some quick mashed potatoes, knowing that was something the entire family liked.

And from what he could tell, they all certainly enjoyed it as there was nothing left by the time they all finished, Matt making quick work of the dishes before taking the girls upstairs to get ready for bed. He kept Sofia busy in her room while Caity took a shower, as that's what she wanted to do, Matt supervising when needed to make sure she was okay before giving Sofia her bath.

As she usually did, Sofia made quite the mess of the water in the bathroom, the little girl loving to play more so than she loved getting clean. But eventually Matt had managed to get her bathed and ready for bed, the family of four then enjoying a quiet evening together downstairs before it was time for them to get to sleep.

And now, thankfully, they were, Matt having just gotten Caitlyn to fall asleep after three bedtime stories. And after a quick check on Sofia, he knew his younger daughter was still sleeping soundly as well, Casey turning off the hallway light before heading downstairs.

The main floor was just as quiet as upstairs had been, Gabby having apparently gone to bed at some point while he was getting the girls to sleep. While it was still pretty early for them, he knew his wife was tired more often than not these days. And with them having to go back to work tomorrow, he had no problem with them both getting to bed a little earlier than normal.

Before heading that way, Matt stopped to do one last check of the locks and curtains, as well as stopping to get his wife a glass of water, Casey having all he needed before he went into the bedroom.

When he stepped inside the room he found Gabby exactly where he expected her to be, laying on her side in their bed with her pajamas on. Or his shirt on rather, Matt grinning softly when he saw her as he walked closer to their bed. She looked up from her book when she noticed him, Gabby then placing it down onto the mattress before matching his look.

"Girls asleep?" She asked him, Matt coming over and sitting down in front of her as he nodded.

"They are, they're passed out." He told her, Gabby laughing softly in response.

"Yeah, I'm not surprised about that." She replied, Casey's grin widening as he reached out to rest his hand over his thigh. "But thank you, for taking care of everything tonight."

"You don't need to thank me for that."

"I know, but I want you to know how much I appreciate it." She told him, Matt nodding at her while rubbing his hand along her leg. "Especially since you had such a long day yourself."

He grimaced for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, that wasn't the most fun way to spend my day off." He replied, Gabby looking over him for a moment.

"Wanna talk about it?" She asked him, knowing they never really had the chance to go back to their conversation from earlier as Matt gave her a shrug.

"The meeting wasn't too bad, it was the same old stuff." He started, Gabby nodding at him while propping her head up in her hand. "But afterwards, the District Chief pulled me aside and told me about this conference that's happening in about two months, towards the end of August. Some midwestern firefighter's thing, talking about ways to strengthen fire departments. I don't even know… But it's a big deal, and I was basically told that I have to be there." He explained to her, Gabby taking in his words before she slowly nodded. "It's after Sofia's birthday, I already checked cause I told him I wouldn't go if I was gonna be gone on her birthday. I'm not missing that."

"Well, that's good at least." Gabby tried, Matt nodding back at her.

"Yeah, it is… But yeah, so I guess I'm gonna have to go to this thing. I'm not even sure why, I'm sure I'll find out eventually."

"How long is it?"

"Four days." He answered, as Gabby began to gnaw on her bottom lip. "Which I'm also not very happy about, especially as we get later into this pregnancy. I don't like the idea of being away from you or the girls for that long."

"I know, but we'll be fine, baby." She assured him, Matt mulling over her words before he nodded. "Where is this thing happening?"

"Detroit." He answered her, Gabby soon matching the look on his face as she was beginning to understand more and more of why he didn't want to go. Because it wasn't just him being gone, but how far away he would be, both of them well aware of how he'd never traveled that far away from her and the girls before. "Yeah, that was my reaction too… I really don't want to go, but I have to." He continued on after a moment, getting a nod from her. "But I was thinking about it, and I figured we could maybe ask your parents and see if they'll stay with you and the girls while I'm gone." He suggested, Gabby smiling a bit as his words. "I mean, I know you're more than capable of handling things on your own. But you're also going to be very pregnant, and this is different from me just going to work. Where I'm close by if you need me, or something happens. With this, I'm gonna be hundreds of miles away… I'd feel better knowing you all weren't alone."

He finished his rushed words with a heavy breath, Gabby offering him a small smile while reaching up to place her hand over his, the movement causing him to regain their eye contact.

"I understand, babe." She first told him, seeing him take in another breath before nodding, Matt continuing to stroke her thigh while he copied her grin. "And I think it's a good idea, having my parents here. Cause you're right, trying to take care of everything here without you would be hard. Plus I know my mom and dad will say yes." She added on, Matt letting out a quiet laugh as she shot him a knowing look. "But really babe, I know you don't necessarily want to do this. But me and the girls, we'll be fine. And I think we both know the reason they're choosing for you to go is because you're the best person for the job." She complimented him, Casey releasing a soft sigh while letting his head hang forward.

"Yeah, yeah… maybe you're right."

"Of course I am." She replied back without missing a beat, the smile on her face infectious while Matt gave her leg another squeeze. "You're gonna go and help the department, and the girls and I will be fine here… We'll just be missing you like crazy."

His smile grew a bit, Matt then nodding while shifting his body closer to her. "I'm gonna miss you all, too… All four of you." He responded, Gabby's body relaxing just as he moved to give her a soft, sweet kiss. One that didn't last nearly long enough for their liking. "...But you're sure you're okay with this?" He checked one last time after they pulled back, Gabby moving her hand up towards his face before she nodded.

"I am." She verbalized, watching as his eyes traced over her features before he gave her a slow, yet sturdy nod, Matt then turning his head to press a kiss against the inside of her palm.

"Okay." He said again, kissing her skin once more while sliding his hand up to her hip.

"Now that we've got that all figured out," Gabby started after a few long seconds, Matt feeling her warmth underneath his touch while waiting for her to continue on with her thought. "I want you to hurry up and get ready for bed." She instructed before he laughed softly. Though Gabby wasn't fazed by it. "I've barely seen you all day, I want to spend some time with my husband."

Her words were like music to his ears, Matt's goofy grin widening before he leaned down to kiss her again.

"Yes ma'am." He replied against her lips, the two sharing one last sweet moment before he carefully pushed himself up from the mattress and headed for the bathroom, Matt intent on taking as quick of a shower as possible so he could go back to his wife and enjoy the rest of his evening with her.