A\N: Here is the next chapter, I think this chapter builds on Gabby and Matt's growing relationship. I know it's a short chapter but don't worry the next one will be longer.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Spoilers: None

Chapter 9

When the phone call woke Gabby up, she thought she was dreaming, as she woke up, though she unfortunately realized she wasn't. She managed to call her parents to ask them to watch Tommy and Sophia. The sun still wasn't up when her parents arrived at the apartment; she thanked them and silently let them in. Agreeing with her mother that it would probably be best if she didn't drive, she let her mother drop her off at the hospital.

One thing Gabby had learned in her years as an Emergency Department nurse and as the wife of a police officer was that you could always tell when a first responder was seriously injured. The hallways and waiting rooms of the hospital were filled with colleagues waiting to hear any news.

As Gabby walked to the Surgery waiting room, she tried to remind herself of what her grief therapist had told her: focus on the good things and what she can control. At least this time, she wasn't in the Emergency Department when it had happened. At least this time, Matt had a chance to live, unlike her husband, who had died in the ED.

Gabby found Firehouse fifty-one in one of the waiting rooms, and they all stood up. She entered. Kelly Severide urged her to take his seat, and Leslie Shay sat beside her.

"What happened?" Gabby asked as she slowly sat down in the waiting room chair, "You didn't say much on the phone," Gabby somehow found her voice as she looked at Leslie Shay.

Shay whipped tears away from her eyes, "We were at an apartment fire, a bad one. Casey returned to try to rescue a girl still trapped inside. He shouldn't have gone in, and it was unstable, but when the mother said she was one year old, he mentioned-"

"Sophia," Gabby cut her off as she started to cry again, "Was the little girl okay?"

"No," Shay answered sadly, "Matt fell two floors as the fire spread and…we got him out as fast as we could," Leslie Shay told her as she looked around at all of the other members of Firehouse 51. "He's in surgery, and the doctors aren't sure what's going to happen," Shay told her honestly.

Despite not wanting to cry, tears cascaded down Gabby's cheeks. She was feeling so many feelings at once it was as if she might explode.

"I'm sure you know we look after our own. If you need anything, please tell us. Who's looking after your kids?"

"My parents right now," Gabby answered, "I'll figure something out, I can't take any more days off from work either."

"I'm sure people will cover for you. I'm sure you'd do the same for them," Shay told her.

"Gabby, we've met briefly at Molly's. My name is Christopher Herman," A man sitting across from her stood up and held out his hand, "I have five kids of my own. If you need help with your kids, my wife and I would happily help. Our youngest is three now; your oldest, Tommy, is four, right? And your youngest is 21 months? I know my wife Cindy would love to have a baby around again.

"Did Matt tell you how old they were?" Gabby asked

"Yeah," Kelly Severide answered, "He loves your kids."

Gabby attempted to smile, "They love him… this can't happen again," She started sobbing.

Not knowing what to say, Shay hugged her.

Gabby spent the next six hours trying not to think the worst possible scenario had already happened. She didn't eat or drink much, even though Shay attempted to get her to. As the hours went on, her grief turned into anger, and she tried to figure out why this was happening again. Finally, a surgeon asked if they were Matt Casey's family.

"We're his family," Kelly Severide said.

"Does he have any blood relatives," The surgeon tried again.

"I called his sister, but they're not close," Shay responded.

"I'm his girlfriend, and I'm a nurse, so please tell me how he is," Gabby slowly stood up.

"Okay," The surgeon was pretty sure he recognized Gabby as a nurse from the ED, "Matt had an epidural hematoma. We performed intensive brain surgery. He is in a medically induced coma now. Unfortunately, the next 24 hours are critical. That's all the updates I can give you right now."

"I need to see him," Gabby stepped forward, "Please, I know I'm not family, but-"

"I can give you twenty minutes once he's settled into the ICU.

"Thank you.

The next four days were a blur for Gabby as she juggled working, looking after her kids and checking on Matt when she could. On top of that, she was also supposed to move into her new house the following weekend. After already giving notice at her apartment, she knew they couldn't stay there. She was still trying to figure out what to do when Leslie Shay told her everything had already been arranged. She had gotten everyone from Firehouse 51 to come and help out.

In early October, Gabby walked into Matt's hospital room. After nearly two weeks in the hospital, he was released the following day. He had made a remarkable improvement but would still be off work for one week following his release. Gabby and Matt had talked a few times, and Gabby had brought the kids to see him; she knew that he had been putting off a meaningful conversation.

"Hi," Gabby smiled as Matt looked up from the book he was reading and smiled at her, "I know I said you could stay with us tomorrow after you get out. I've been…." She started to cry, "When you got hurt, all I could think about was, what if you die? I know I haven't talked to you about that. I wasn't sure what to say to you, but then I realized how important you are to me and the kids. I'm falling in love with you; I know your job is dangerous but-

"I'd quit if you wanted me to," Matt interrupted, "I love you, Gaby, and I love Tommy and Sophia."

Gabby sat in the chair beside his bed, "I know you love being a firefighter. I'd never ask you to quit, but thank you for offering." She quickly kissed him, "Once you're out of here, we should date.

The following day, as Matt followed Gabby into her new house, he barely had time to remove his shoes before Tommy and Sophia collided with him. He tried to listen to them, but they were excitedly talking over each other, trying to get his attention.

"One at a time, Tommy, you first," Matt lifted Sophia into his arms and hugged the toddler.

"I'm in Kindergarten, and I have my room," Tommy told Matt, "Come and see it!" He took his hand and began pulling him towards the stairs.

"My room, too," Sophia added, "New toys," She grinned.

"Eva very nicely gave Sophia an old baby doll bed and stroller she doesn't use anymore," Gabby added, "Sophia loves playing with her dolls."

"I'd love a tour of the new house. First, say goodbye to Grandma and thank her for watching you," Matt told Tommy and Sophia as he walked them back over to Gabby's mother.

Once Matt had seen the house, he sat in the living room and played with Tommy and Sophia. Even though Gabby was there, both children wanted to play with him. Tommy wanted to play with his LEGO blocks, and Sophia wanted Matt to help her look after her baby dolls. After struggling to play with both children, Matt suggested they walk. It was still early enough in the fall that it wasn't too cold outside.

Getting both children dressed in fall jackets and into the wagon, Gabby and Matt started walking down the house's driveway. Matt offered to help unpack some of the boxes, but Gabby told him he was supposed to rest for the week. When they approached the park, they saw a family walking towards them.

"That's Liam!" Tommy attempted to stand up in the wagon, "My friend!"

Gabby knew Tommy and Liam were in the same Kindergarten class at school, and she had barely seen his mother at drop-offs and pick-ups.

"Hi, Liam!" Tommy waved as Matt lifted him out of the wagon, "I have a bike, too," He said as his friend rode a bike with training wheels.

"Hi, Tommy," Liam smiled,

"Hi, I'm Catherine, and this is my husband, Ben, our daughter Kate. She's two. You must be Tommy's parents," Catherine shook Gabby's hand.

Gabby took a few seconds to respond; she could tell Matt looked nervously at her. Gabby knew the other Mom didn't mean anything bad by what she suggested. A few months ago, she might have gotten upset, but her response told even herself she was ready to move on.

"I'm Tommy's mother, Gabby, and this is my daughter, Sophia; she'll be two in December. This is my boyfriend, Matt. He's not their father, but he loved them."

"Well, it's very nice to meet you both," Ben said, "It's so nice to meet you; Liam always talks about Tommy. Do you live around here? We live in that house," He pointed to a house across the street.

"We just moved in down the block," Gabby responded, "We should arrange a play date. I'm a nurse, and Matt's a firefighter, so our schedules don't always match up, but we can exchange numbers.

The adults talked a little longer before saying goodbye and moving along on their walks.

As he pushed the wagon further down the road, Matt looked at Gabby and smiled, "I love you and the kids. I know that must have been hard."

Gabby smiled back, "You're helping make it a little easier every day."

TBC

A\N: Please review.