Hi Readers: My apologies for the constant changes in what story I do or don't write. And while I wish I could tell you that this story is finally the one…I have no idea whether it is. But, I have hope that it is. Thanks again for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story.

Episode 1.01: Pilot, Part 1

October 9, 2012 – Casey Home, Chicago
He was hoping to be home before 7 to have supper with his wife, in order to see his son off to bed; but unfortunately, it just wasn't Matthew Casey's night. Nothing has gone to plan this evening: from him wanting to mend fences between his two best friends (and employees) Lieutenants Andrew Darden and Kelly Severide; or the fact that he wanted to get home on time to spend some quality time with his little boy, before he goes back to work tomorrow as the Battalion Chief for the 25th Battalion. And that was why, as he came into the house after a long supper with his best friends (which ended at 7:15, meaning that he got home at 7:30), he let out a sigh…which bordered on a groan…due to the fact that he knew he was late. And just how might he know that? It would be the fact that his wife of four months (exactly) was sitting on the couch in their living room, waiting for him to get home without their son Noah. "I can only assume that Noah is already fast asleep?" The father asked his wife Gabriela, truly hoping that he was just blind.

Blind in not seeing his three-week-old son in the living room, and that he truly was there with his wife; maybe sleeping on her chest after a feeding, just so that she could give up a chance to see his father one last time before he went to bed. But alas, that wasn't the case; rather, he was already asleep. "Unfortunately, I had to put him to bed. Believe me, Matt…I tried my best to keep him awake as long as I could. But he needed to go to sleep, as we're going to be joining you at the firehouse tomorrow." Taking off his jacket and boots this evening, Matt was surprised; after all, he didn't expect to hear Gabby tell him that. "You're what now? You're coming to the firehouse? Gabby…" Looking at her husband with her signature side-eye, Gabby didn't want to her it: she was coming to the firehouse whether he liked it or not, as she knew what he needed…he needed her help to deal with his two best friends. "I told you that I would give you one last night to deal with Kelly and Andy, and we both know that your efforts failed tonight. They probably went at it."

Matt sighed, as that's precisely what ended up happening while they were at the bar tonight: they went at it. "Unfortunately, that's precisely what happened. They went at it, and I hate it." Gabby agreed with her husband, well aware that was the case. "I have no doubt that you hate it. I mean, your two best friends are fighting with each other. I know that I hate fighting with Shay." Shay being Gabby's best friend, as well as her former ambulance partner; that was, until she quit ambo when her husband became a Battalion Chief. That way, she could be both a full-time mom, as well as the best support system that Matt could ever ask for. And based on the look on her husband's face as he finished hanging up his jacket in the closet and slipping off his shoes, Gabby knew that she made the right choice to not return to work. "I think we can both agree now that I made the right choice when it came to me not working, but instead just continuing with me being a stay-at-home mom." Walking into the living room this evening, Matt agreed with his wife. "You eat?"

Gabby agreed with Matt and smiled, as she did eat. "My mom came over to take care of me, remember?" And the moment Gabby told him that, he remembered. "God, I completely forgot. Sorry, I just…" Shaking her head as she opened the blanket which she had covering her legs this evening, Gabby smiled at the love of her life. "Come here. Come sit down with me and take it easy." Matt agreed with his wife and smiled as he made his way over to her, only to lean over her and kiss her softly; upon which, he placed his hand on her neck and smirked because of how much he loves her. "God, I love you more than you could ever know." Gabby agreed with Matt, well aware that was the case as she stared into his eyes; upon which, she felt Matt sit down with her and wrap his arm around her shoulders. Putting his feet up at the same time, he smiled as he cuddled up to the woman of his dreams. Meanwhile, Gabby pulled the blanket up on top of the both of them, smiling as she cuddled up to the man of her dreams. "Now this is nice."

Smiling as she looked up at Matt, she agreed with him. "I have no doubt that you enjoy holding me in your arms, especially after having had to deal with all that drama." Turning his head, Matt nodded as he looked down into his wife's gorgeous eyes; upon which, he leaned in and kissed her softly. "I just wish they could make my job easier. It's like they know how to push my buttons." Gabby snickered as Matt said that, as she already knew that was true. "What do you expect? You've been friends with them for years, so they most certainly do know how to push your buttons. Still don't know why they chose you to lead the 25th, when they know that your best friends work there." Matt agreed with his wife, as he knew that was the truth. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask…did you talk to Shay yet?" Shay being Gabby's best friend, who she's yet to tell that she's not coming back to the firehouse…even after her maternity leave is over in a couple weeks. And based on Gabby's silence, Matt just knew that wasn't the case.

She hasn't told Shay that she wasn't coming back. "Gabby, really? Are you going to make me tell her, when she's your best friend?" Gabby sighed as her husband said that. "She's really excited for me to come back, and I couldn't break her heart like that." Gabby was surprised to hear Gabby say that. "And you're going to make me the bad guy, on my first day as chief? Is that really what you're going to make me?" Gabby sighed, as she knew that was precisely the position she was putting her husband in as she laid down in his arms and held him close. Meanwhile, Matt placed his hand on her arm and sighed as he turned his head to press his lips to her forehead; in the process, he decided to apologize to his wife because the last thing he wanted to do was speak to her that way. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to vent my frustrations out to you. I'm just starting to wonder whether I made a mistake." Sitting up, Gabby was shocked that she just heard her husband say that when it came to him taking the position of Battalion Chief. "Did you really just say that?"

Matt nodded, as that's precisely what he just said: maybe he made a mistake in agreeing to take the position. "I mean, I'm basically putting myself in between my two friends all the time. I did it as Captain, but I also need to do it at some other houses." Gabby agreed with her husband. "Babe, listen to me. The CFD decided to take a chance on you with you being the youngest chief in the history of the CFD. If they believe in you, then why do you not believe in yourself? Plus, we both know there are other members of the Battalion who are mad at you for having gotten the position." Placing his hand on the side of his wife's face, Matt agreed with Gabby and smiled because he knows that's the truth. After which, he leaned in to kiss her…that was, until he heard their little boy cry out. "Seems like someone knows I'm home." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, only to get up so that she can go get their son. "No, sit down. I got him. He might want a bit of time with me." Gabby agreed with her husband and smiled. "I'll get you a bottle ready."

Matt smiled, as he loved that idea. "I love that idea. Oh, did you make any extra bottles for tomorrow? We all know that the house is going to want to hold Noah whenever they can, and maybe even feed him." Gabby nodded as she watched Matt walk away to go get Noah upstairs, only to decide that she's going to come join him upstairs. "Listen, how about you just stay upstairs? I was really just waiting for you to get home down here. I'd much rather just stay in bed." Matt smirked as Gabby said that, only to have her laugh. "Matt, I just gave birth to our son less than three weeks ago. You aren't getting anything other than time with your son. Meanwhile, I'm going to hop in the shower. Did you not notice that my shirt is a bit dirty?" Looking at his wife, Matt realized that she has spit up on her shirt. "Oh babe, I'm sorry." Gabby agreed with her husband and smiled. "Just go upstairs and get Noah. Get in bed with him and just take it easy." Matt agreed with his wife, more than ready to do just that as he made his way upstairs.

Meanwhile, Gabby decided to grab her phone so that she could do something for her husband: give Kelly and Andy a piece of her mind. He doesn't deserve this when he's a new dad, and the youngest chief in the history of the CFD. They should understand that.

With Matt upstairs in their room with Noah this evening, Gabby was in the clear. In the clear to contact the men who were currently giving him such grief…starting with the man who was a father. If there was anybody who understood just how truly tired he was right now, then it had to be Andrew Darden. After all, he has two sons with his wife Heather, and he was thinking of trying to get his wife to go for a daughter (good luck). But right now, Gabriela Casey didn't care whether her friend was in bed with his wife; all she cared about was her husband's first day as Chief tomorrow. "Gabby? What are you doing calling me at this hour? Matt said you'd probably be asleep?" The new lieutenant on Truck 81 asked his best friend's wife, only to hear Gabby let out a sigh. "Is Heather there with you?" Andy agreed with her. "Yeah, I just got in bed. Why?" Gabby agreed. "Put me son speakerphone please, because it's time for your wife to be made aware of the situation." Andy was confused when Gabby said that. "Gabby. What are you…" Gabby just interrupted.

After all, she had no time for this. "Andy, just do as you're told right now. Matt just had to spend his last night on paternity leave trying to clean up your mess with Kelly!" Andy agreed with Gabby as she said that, as he knew that was true. So, rather than delay any longer, he put the phone on speakerphone. "You're on speaker with me and Heather." Heather agreed. "What's up Gabby?" Gabby sighed. "Well, your husband is causing me and my husband grief." Heather laughed. "Like that's news." Gabby groaned. "Heather, it's not funny. Matt is already dealing with enough. Tomorrow is his first day as the Battalion Chief, which means he's in charge of 4 houses now. Add in the fact that we just got married four months ago today, and we have a three-week-old son…and that's a lot to handle. I don't need him to be dealing with you and Severide's crap on his first day as Chief." And the moment Heather heard that, she was disappointed in her husband. "Seriously? You're still fighting over who's to blame over Otis' death? I thought you were past that."

Gabby shook her head. "I thought so too, because I wish they would just get over it. Matt was the one that had to make the call to Otis' family, not you. He's the one who had to tell them that their son died…in Russian. So, you got off easy. You were only in charge as part of your training, while Matt had to end his career as a Captain by reporting a death to a family on the other side of the world. So, if you think that you have it hard, then you haven't met my husband!" Heather agreed with Gabby, as that most certainly is the truth. "I get that I'm supposed to take my husband's side here, but that most certainly is the truth. Matt's had it hard, and I can't believe that they're still fighting about it." Gabby agreed with Heather. "Yes. And if it happens tomorrow on shift, then you'll be hearing from me and Matt. Matt's going to talk to you as your chief, while I'm going to yell at you as his wife. I'm going to be on shift with him and Noah, as I may need some help and rest in the middle of the day. The last thing we need is for you guys to go at it when I'm there."

Andy agreed with Gabby, well aware that was the case. "I know. Do you want me to talk to Kelly ahead of time?" Gabby shook her head, as that was the last thing she wanted him to do. "No. He's my next call. So, you just talk to Heather." Gabby said, prior to hanging up; after all, he isn't the only one of Matt's best friends who she had to call right now. Rather, she also had to call the other idiot.

He groaned the moment he answered his phone this evening, as he hoped that he was done dealing with his best friend; the last thing he needed was another lecture. Though, what he didn't know, was that the lecture wasn't coming from Matt this time. "Casey, I get that you're mad. But this is between me and Andy." He said through the phone, trying to get his best friend to back off. However, as it turned out, he forgot to check which Casey was calling him. "Wrong Casey." Gabby said, as she leaned back against the counter in the kitchen. "Gabby." Gabby agreed with Kelly. "Kelly Severide, I thought I already stuck Shay on you. We both know that I spoke to her and asked her to speak to you. Yet, I heard what happened tonight from my husband. You and Andy were at it again?" Kelly sighed, as he knew that he was in trouble. "Gabby, stay out of it. This isn't your fight." Gabby shook her head. "When it involves my husband, as well as his top two lieutenants, it does. Kelly, we have a newborn, and he's the new chief; as a result, he's always tired."

Staying quiet, Kelly decided to listen to Gabby. That way, he could hear her out. "Kelly. You're an adult. This is enough. Or, is this related to your problems with Hallie?" Hallie being Kelly's fiancé (who he wasn't in a good place with, due to the fact that she didn't want to have kids). "How do you know about that?" Gabby snickered. "Did you forget who your roommate is?" Kelly groaned. "Of course, that's how information is relayed back to you. I'm really going to have to stop filling Shay in on my problems with Hallie." Gabby shook her head, as that was the last thing he was going to do. "But, we know that you won't. You need to talk things through with Shay, and you need to figure out the future with Hallie. And you can't take out your frustration out on my husband when he's a new dad and chief." Kelly agreed with Gabby as she told him that. "Ok." Gabby agreed. "Just a quick warning…I'm coming into work tomorrow. So, he's not going to be taking on the fight alone. If I see anything happen tomorrow that isn't good for Matt, I'm going to call it out."

Hearing Gabby say that, Kelly got nervous. "You're coming to shift tomorrow?" Gabby agreed. "Yes, me and Noah are coming to shift tomorrow so that we can introduce Noah to everybody, and so that I can be there to support Matt. And part of that will include watching you and Andy closely. The last thing I need is for you to screw this up for him. I don't want him to have a bad first day tomorrow, and you guys are going to help me out with that. I already spoke to Andy and Heather, and she's going to give her husband a stern talking to. Unfortunately, I needed to talk to you for longer due to the fact that you're in a bad place with Hallie. Now, I'm going to let you go so that I can spend some time with my husband and son before he has to go to work." Kelly agreed with Gabby, well aware that she wants to do that. "Of course. Talk to you tomorrow." Gabby agreed with her friend as she hung up, more than ready to head upstairs to spend some time with her guys. Time which most certainly was not going to be spent on their electronics.

It was just him and his little man as they sat down in bed with each other this evening, Matt getting a bit of cuddle time with his little boy as they held each other close. Though, that wasn't all he was doing; rather, he was also using his iPad in order to check his work e-mails. At least, that was what he thought he was going to be doing; instead, he was going to be taking it easy and holding his family close to him…which is all Matt needs to do tonight ahead of a busy day at work tomorrow. "Put it to the side." Gabby said, as she looked out at her loving husband from the washroom, prompting Matt to look up at her. "What?" Gabby nodding. "Put it away. Put your iPad away. You're already over-stimulated from your conversations with Kelly and Andy, so the last thing you need is to get even more stimulated when I want you to get some rest. It's why I moved Noah's crib to my side of the bed." And it was just as Gabby mentioned the fact that she moved Noah's crib to her side of the bed that Matt even realized that.

Even when he picked Noah up out of the crib, he didn't notice which side of the bed he was on. "Why did you move him to your side of the bed?" Gabby smiled. "I need to feed him tonight, while you need to get the rest you need." Matt shook his head, as that was something they needed to talk about. "Actually, I want to talk to you about that." Gabby agreed with her husband. "Can you put Noah back in his crib first? I want him to get some sleep. He's missing his first nap of the day since we're going to be travelling, so I put him to bed a bit earlier than normal. I mean, if that's okay. If you want to spend time with him…" Shaking his head, Matt smiled as he held Noah close to his chest, only to open the covers and get up so that he can carry him over to his crib. "Hey, take it easy and breathe. Everything is okay. I promise." Matt said, as he made his way over to Noah's crib and smiled as he proceeded to lay him down this evening; after which, he turned to face his wife and smiled as he made his way over to the woman he loves more than anything.

The woman who makes him so happy, especially when she looks like that. "I have to say, you look quite nice when you're just wearing one of my shirts and those short shorts." Gabby agreed with her husband, well aware that was the case as she watched him walk up to her; upon which, he placed his hands on her hips as they stood close to one another this evening. "Hi." Matt said, while smiling at his beautiful wife and leaning in to kiss her softly. "What took you so long to get back up here?" Gabby sighed as she looked at her husband, only to grab his hand. "I may have called Darden and Severide." Grabbing his wife's hand as she told him that, he didn't know what to say. "Gabby, you…" Gabby agreed with Matt, as she already knew precisely what he was going to say: that she didn't need to do that, that she could let him take care of it. "I know. I know what you're going to say…I should've just let you take care of it tomorrow." Gabby said, prior to walking back into the bathroom so that she could finish getting ready for bed this evening.

Meanwhile, Matt followed her into the washroom so that they could keep talking. "Yeah. That's precisely what I wanted to tell you. I want you to rest and take it easy, because you just gave birth." Gabby agreed with Matt, well aware that was the case. "And I know that. However, that doesn't mean that I feel like I can just stand idly by and not do something to help. They need to realize that this is going to be hard on all of us. Do they not understand that you're dealing with this just as much as they are? That you were the Captain when he died?" Matt agreed with his wife as he walked up behind her, prior to wrapping his arms around her waist as they held each other close; upon which, he bent down and kissed her shoulder softly. "Sorry I had to do that. You know that, right? I was supposed to take a couple weeks off in September ahead of my start tomorrow, because it was always tomorrow." Gabby agreed. "I know. And I know that you're sorry that you didn't get a chance to do that for me and Noah." Gabby said, while turning around to look at Matt.

Upon which, Matt moved his hand to Gabby's neck and smiled as he leaned in to kiss her softly. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt, well aware that he loves her. "I know you do, and I'm so proud of the fact that I'm the woman who gets to call you my husband." Matt smirked as he agreed with Gabby, prior to placing his hands on her hips as they each held each other close in the comfort of their washroom. And while they probably should be in bed now, this was all they needed to do for the moment: hold each other close as they took it easy with each other. "I love you so much, Matt. And I know that things haven't gone the way we expected them to go this year, I'm grateful that we have everything we have. We have each other and Noah, which is all that matters at the end of the day." Matt agreed with his gorgeous wife and smiled as he placed his hand on the side of her face; upon which, he leaned in and kissed her once more. "Listen, you look tired. How about you finish in the washroom, and I'll go lay down in bed?" Gabby agreed and smiled.

After all, that's precisely what Gabby wants him to do: lay down in the comfort of their bed so that they can hold each other. "I'll be there waiting for you so that we can go to sleep, as you're probably going to need it tomorrow." Matt agreed and smiled as she told him that, only to let her go so that she can go lay down in bed this evening. Meanwhile, he turned around and looked at himself in the mirror. As he did so, he let out a sigh due to the fact that this could easily be a hard day tomorrow…he can only hope that his friends behave and that everything can go okay with the both of them. If not, he doesn't know whether he could deal with them together.

Sitting on the edge of the bed in his boxers this evening, Matt decided to check his e-mail one last time before getting in bed; something which Gabby didn't like whatsoever as she laid down behind him and rubbed his back. Upon which, she got up and moved even closer to him in order to kiss his back; as a result, Matt turned his head and smiled at Gabby (who was giving him a bit of stink-eye). "I know, I know. You always tell me not to use my phone in bed." Gabby agreed with her husband as he said that. "Yes, that's precisely what I tell you. So, why exactly are you using your phone right now?" Matt sighed as Gabby asked him that question, as he knew that he had no good answer for her right now. "You don't have a good answer, do you?" Matt shook his head, as he had no good answer for her; so, instead of fighting her, he proceeded to set his phone down on his side table so that it was out of his hands. After which, he climbed into bed with the woman he loves (who soon laid down next to him in the comfort of their bed).

Meanwhile, he laid down on his side and smirked as he placed his hand on her stomach. That way, he was already holding her close as they stared into each other's eyes; something they always enjoyed doing whenever they were in bed with each other. It was just something so special, especially when they end up getting lost in each other's eyes…something which they most certainly were doing right now as they held each other in bed. Though, at the same time, Matt also decided to remind his wife of something. "Listen, I want to talk about something before we head to bed." Gabby agreed with Matt. "What is it, baby? You okay?" Matt nodded. "Yes. But, I just want to talk to you about something I want you to remember tomorrow." Gabby agreed with Matt. "What is it, baby?" Matt smiled at her. "I just wanted to remind you that I'm your husband and Noah's father first. Yes, I may be Battalion Chief; but, if you need me, then I will do my best to give you want you need. At least, when it comes to support. No promises on sexy time at the firehouse."

Gabby smirked as Matt said that, prior to placing her hand on his neck as she stared into his eyes. "Awe, does that mean that I don't get any sexy showers at the firehouse with my husband anymore?" Matt shook his head, as that most certainly wasn't the truth. Rather, she was going to get time with him in the shower…in a much better shower than they've ever used before. "No, you're going to get me in a better shower. A private shower, which we have all to ourselves in my office." Gabby agreed with Matt and smiled as she felt him lean in and kiss her softly. "I love you; I love our life with each other, and I'm glad that we're in this together." Gabby agreed with Matt and smiled, as she felt the same way. "And I don't know if I told you this, but you're the reason why I can do this. Without you, I don't think I could be Chief." Gabby was surprised to hear Matt say that. "Really?" Matt agreed with his wife. "You're the one who's going to help me the most, especially when it comes to our family. Your love and support means everything to me."

Smiling as he said that, Gabby agreed with the love of her life as he leaned in to kiss her once more. That was, until they each heard Noah wake up. "Seriously?" Gabby smiled as she looked at Matt. "Lay down, I…" Matt shook his head. "Not a chance. Daddy is going to get some time to cuddle up to his little guy. I'll rock him to sleep and then we can go to bed." Gabby agreed with Matt as he got up this evening, prior to watching him walk over to Noah's crib on her side of the bed; after which, he leaned over and smiled as he picked him up in his arms. "Hi little guy. Is everything okay?" Matt asked his son, as he brought him close to his chest and held him close. Upon which, he pressed his lips to the side of his head. "Yeah, you need to get some sleep buddy." Smiling as she heard Matt say that, Gabby felt extremely relieved in her choice to let Matt grab Noah this evening. That way, his dad could put him to sleep; something which he always does quite well, while also teasing her as he walked around the room in his tight boxers this evening.

It took him a bit of time, but he eventually got Noah to sleep. He got him to relax and take it easy so that he and Gabby could do the same, as they laid down in bed with each other and just took it easy. With Matt's hand rubbing Gabby's arm as he wrapped his arm around her back, and his soft lips on her forehead as he hoped to help her fall asleep this evening. Though, as he looked at her, he could just tell that she had something on her mind right now. "You have something on your mind, don't you?" Gabby sighed as she ran her hand up and down his chest. "I just feel bad for you." Looking down at his wife, Matt was confused. "What do you mean?" Gabby sighed. "I mean, this is your dream life. The life you always wanted: to be a dad. But now, you're being thrust into this new job. Is this even what you're ready for?" Matt agreed with Gabby, as he (strangely) felt ready for it. He felt like he was born to do this job for some reason, one which he can't explain. "I can't explain it, but I feel like I'm just born to do this job." Gabby agreed with Matt.

Meanwhile, she bent down and kissed his chest softly. "I get that. You're a real leader, and I can't wait to see how you do." Matt sighed as Gabby said that. "I'm just worried that I'm going to fail." Gabby shook her head, as she already knew that he couldn't fail. He already knew what to do, and that was precisely what he was going to do: a good job, at a job he was born to do. "That's never going to happen, as you were born to be a chief. We both know that's the truth, and I'm just glad that you're finally doing it." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, only to reach over to his side table to check on the baby monitor. After which, he smiled because of how adorable their son looks as he laid down in his crib. "By the way, I already got our room ready at the firehouse. It was why I went out a bit earlier with Andy. We helped me set up the bedroom we have there for you and Noah. We already have a crib set up there and a changing table. It's the same layout as we have here, and I made sure that you have similar blankets and everything."

Looking up at Matt as he told her that, Gabby was surprised as that wasn't something she expected him to do for her. "Matt, you didn't need to do that." Matt shook his head. "It's for you and our little boy. I mean, I hope to help as much as I can when you're at the firehouse; but, if I can't…then I can at least make sure that you're comfortable. Though, you don't always have to come." Gabby shook her head, as that was always going to happen. "I like being on shift, as it gives me time to spend with our friends. Plus, they all want to meet Noah." Matt snickered and agreed with his wife as he scratched her arm. "Kelly and Andy both thought he was adorable when they saw his picture." Gabby looked up at Matt as he said that. "Was that one of the few times where they were calm?" Matt agreed with his wife, as it was. "I just wish that things were easier for them. I don't get why they need to fight with each other." Matt agreed with Gabby, well aware that was true. "I know what you mean. But, we're just going to have to figure things out."

Gabby agreed with her husband and smiled as he told her that, only to feel him run his hand up and down her back this evening; meanwhile, she yawned due to the fact that she was getting tired. "Oh, someone's getting tired." Gabby agreed with Matt and smiled, as she was getting tired. "I think we need to get to bed…long day tomorrow." Matt agreed with his wife and smiled as he proceeded to press his lips to her forehead. After which, he reached over to his lamp and shut it off. "Goodnight Gabby." Gabby agreed with Matt and smiled as she slipped up his chest, only to kiss him. "Goodnight Matt." Smiling, Matt agreed with Gabby as she laid down on his chest and cuddled up to him this evening; upon which, he tugged the covers up on top of the both of them so that they can get some rest. He just hoped that Noah let them get as much rest as possible. Though, he doubted that was going to happen when he was going to need to wake up every couple hours to feed. "I'm feeding him alone tonight, understood." Matt looked down at Gabby.

After all, he didn't know whether or not he liked that idea. However, Gabby wasn't going to take no for an answer. "If you say no, then count on taking a shower alone and no pleasure." Matt snickered, as he didn't need any more pleasure from her than the feeling of her topless body on his chest at night. "This is everything I need when it comes to pleasure: your topless body on my chest." Gabby agreed with Matt and smiled as he told her that, loving the feeling of his skin under her hands as they held each other in bed tonight.