A\N: Thank you again to everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story. I am so glad you like it. This chapter was a little harder for me to write as I wasn't sure how to address the first anniversary of Gabby's husband's death. I didn't want to skip over it as it's important to the story so I wrote it in the best I could.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chicago Fire or NBC

Spoilers: None

Warnings: This chapter does mention how a death in the family affects people.

Chapter 3

Firehouse fifty-one had just gotten back from a call, and Matt was still in the garage where the trucks were. He saw Antonio Dawson and his family walk up the driveway. He walked outside to meet them halfway.

"Hey Antonio," Matt greeted as he shook the other man's hand. Antonio worked only a few blocks away at District twenty-one of the Chicago Police Department.

"Hi," Antonio greeted, "This is my wife Laura, our daughter Eva, and our son Diego. They were a little upset that Tommy got to see your fire truck and they didn't. I need to speak to Boden for a few minutes, is it okay if they wait here? I told them we needed to ask you first."

"It's fine," Matt smiled as he turned to look at the kids, "I can show it to you, maybe we can get you up there sitting on the firetruck too,"

"Yay!" Five-year-old Diego yelled excitedly and took off into the firehouse.

"Diego, be careful!" Eight-year-old Eva sighed as she followed her younger brother, "Don't break anything."

Laura tried not to laugh at her daughter, Eva took her job of being an older sister very seriously. She was often trying to help look after her younger brother and cousins. She especially loved helping with Sophia who didn't mind her dressing up in clothes and treating her like a doll.

As the adults walked into the firehouse as well Matt turned to Laura, "Gabby told me about your new bakery. I've been meaning to stop by, how is everything going?"

"Busy," Laura answered as Antonio walked into the main part of the firehouse, "I'm very happy it's July 4th this weekend, we could all use the holiday," She responded, "I'm not sure if Gabby told you and I don't know how she'd feel about me saying something-" Laura paused as she took a breath, "Tomorrow it'll be a year since her husband died," She lowered her voice slightly so Eva and Diego wouldn't hear.

"No, she didn't tell me. I can't imagine how hard of a year it's been for all of you."

Laura nodded sadly, "He was Antonio's friend too and he introduced them. He still feels responsible for his death, even though he wasn't there. He's always been an overprotective older brother to Gabby, he didn't like the idea of them dating in the first place."

"Matt!" Eva tugged Matt's hand, "I work for Mommy now." She stated proudly, "I count money and I'm cute and well behaved, so I get lots of tips."

Laura laughed, "Eva loves to help at the shop. I recently hired a new employee who lets Eva help at the cash register. She never fails to get tips; the customers love her."

"It's so good of you to help your Mom," Matt told her.

The Dawson family stayed for a few more minutes, after Antonio returned as Diego loved being able to pretend to drive the fire truck. When they left Matt went back to his office and attempted to figure out what to say to Gabby about the first anniversary of her husband dying.

For reason's Matt understood Gabby didn't reach out all weekend. He thought about calling or texting but talked himself out of it each time. He wanted to respect her time alone, but he also wasn't sure what to say. He's only known her for two months.

The following week, after Matt still hadn't heard from her, he texted and invited her and the kids over to his house for a day. She agreed and she and the kids came to his house with bikes, chalk, and some water toys. Matt came to help them unload Gabby's car and noticed Gabby was unusually quiet. The kids also seemed a little not like themselves.

"Mommy, can I ride my bike now?" Tommy asked as Matt set his new bike with training wheels on his driveway.

"Yeah Tommy, put on your helmet though and stay in the driveway. I'm still not sure you're ready for that big bike," Gabby put her son's helmet on his head. She then got Sophia's riding toy set up and placed her on it.

"No Mommy I'm big enough," Tommy told her as he very started to ride the bike. He was having difficulty with it though and kept losing his balance. He kept on going though, very determined to learn how to ride a big bike like his cousin Diego.

"I have an idea!" Matt approached Tommy, "Let's make a training course with chalk. We can make places for you to stop and practice turning. I sometimes run child bike safety classes, and this is what we do."

"Thank you!" Tommy excitedly jumped up and down and hugged Matt. He got out the chalk and helped Matt make up the training course. When the small training course was finished Tommy started using it right away. Gabby saw how much he was improving and for the first time in a few days smiled.

"Thank you, Matt," She walked over to her friend, "I'm sorry I haven't been… it's been really hard," She tried not to cry but despite her best efforts started crying.

"Mama," Sophia attempted to climb off her small bike to hug her mother, Matt lifted her up and she hugged Gabby's leg, "Mama sad," She babbled.

Gabby lifted Sophia and hugged her, "Mommy's thinking about Daddy. Daddy would have loved seeing what a big girl you are now. Last year you were still a baby." Sophia didn't understand what Gabby was saying but just kept hugging her.

"I'm so sorry Gabby. If there's anything I can do to help please let me know," Matt told her.

"No," Gabby whipped away her tears, "This was just what we needed, I'm glad you texted me.

"It's no trouble really, I'm glad to help. Whenever you guys want, we can go inside, and I can get dinner ready. We have hamburgers and hotdogs for a BBQ and a salad."

"I can help BBQ!" Tommy offered as he got off his bike.

"I'm sorry Tommy the BBQ is just for adults. It's hot and if you use it, you might get burned. If you want to help with something you can help set the table."

"Thomas," Gabby saw her son was frowning and about to cry, "You know you're too young to be near the BBQ. It's okay you're upset but remember don't get angry," She tried to explain what the child psychologist had been working with him on.

Tommy started to cry and stomp his feet he pushed Sophia down and screamed. Sophia started to cry, and Gabby was getting angry. Matt saw she was about to say something when he decided to step in.

"Thomas, come here," He motioned the boy over to him. He took a deep breath and attempted to speak in his stern Lieutenant voice "You do not hit your sister. You're all finished on your bike for now, come inside with me."

"No!" Tommy started to cry, "I hate you! I want Daddy!"

Matt took a deep breath, lifted Thomas into his arms, and carried him inside his house. "I know you miss Daddy," Matt hugged him. "How about we start getting everything we need for making the hamburgers?" Matt put him down on the floor and took his hand leading him into the kitchen. "We need to get things out of the fridge. Do you think you can help?"

"Yeah," Tommy nodded his head.

Gabby came into the kitchen carrying Sophia a little later. She had stayed back to put all their toys back in her car and to take a minute to calm herself down as well. Walking into the kitchen she smiled as she saw Thomas handing Matt items from the fridge. He appeared to have calmed down a little.

Gabby put Sophia on the ground the young toddler stood up, still a little wobbly on her feet and looked around her new surroundings. She took a few steps forward and took hold of Matt's leg. She then sat down on his foot and held on.

"Oh no," Matt laughed as he looked down at Sophia, "I have a Sophia on my foot. What should I do," He started walking slowly and Sophia squealed in delight. Matt shook his foot a little more.

"My turn!" Tommy sat on Matt's other foot.

Matt took a few steps with both children laughing. "Alright, let's get back to work," He lifted Sophia off his foot first kissing her on the cheek before placing her on the ground.

"We should get you two some toys and things for here maybe?" Matt talked out loud. "Does Sophia need a highchair?"

"She can sit on my lap," Gabby spoke up, "She's a good eater so it shouldn't be a problem. Just let me help with her meal as things need to be cut and prepared differently," She picked up Sophia again as she started wandering away.

"I'm sorry sweetie but without any baby gates you have to stay with Mommy," Gabby told the toddler.

Matt grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, "Baby gates, high-chair, toys," He said out loud as he started to write, "I'd get car seats, but a truck isn't ideal to have with young kids."

"I appreciate you wanting to get things Matt, but you don't have to," Gabby told him, "Especially a new car," She attempted to add some humour to the conversation.

"Well maybe I won't get a new car," He laughed "But I want Sophia and Tommy to be safe here too," Matt told her, "It's not a problem. I have a job tomorrow fixing a deck but maybe next week."

"Can I help you build?" Tommy asked hopefully.

"Not this time bud, but maybe another time. We can get you a hard hat and a child-safe tool belt. You could practise by pretending to fix your toys."

Once the vegetables were cut and the salad prepared Matt walked over to the door leading to the back deck, "There's a small fenced-in yard out here," he told Gabby as he walked out onto the deck.

"I think Sophia could use some time to run around, she doesn't like not being able to explore inside on her own. We have a soccer ball in the car."

When Gabby came back with the soccer ball she stood in the small backyard and watched as Tommy and Sophia chased the soccer ball around the yard. She found herself finding hope for the first time in a week. She'd be forever grateful to Matt and to her other family and friends for helping her when she needed it the most.

TBC

A\N: Please leave a review.