Chief Casey Season 1: Chicago's Newest Chief (Dawsey)

Chapter 124

Matt's POV: After finishing up with breakfast and packing everything, I was now in the midst of packing up our van when I saw Antonio just standing on the porch outside his house. Once I finished putting our duffle bags in the van, I went to close the hatchback before deciding to walk over to Antonio. "On a scale of 1 to 10. How much do you want to have a drink right now?" Antonio then turned to look at me when I said that and sighed. "How could you tell that's when I was thinking about?" I then went to lean against the balcony and sighed. "Because when I was in this situation a few years ago...that's all I wanted to do while Gabby was in surgery."

Antonio then turned to look at me, seemingly confused with what event I was talking about. "When did Gabby have surgery that was stressful?" I sighed and then looked at him. "First pregnancy, when we learned the pregnancy wasn't viable. I swear, I panicked so much. I mean, that was our first child. I had all these dreams for us. Us getting married, us having more kids...us climbing the ladder at the CFD together. And all of that was on the line because she was in surgery. So Antonio, I am fully aware of how you feel. I was so scared. Gabby was my girlfriend at the time but...to go through it with your wife. I can't even think about it."

Antonio sighed and nodded. "I guess you understand better than I thought." I nodded and agreed. "Plus Antonio, I have a personal stake in this." Antonio was confused when I said that. "What do you mean? How are you personally invested in whether my wife survives?" I then turned to look at him, scared after what he just said. "Hold up, Sylvie is at risk?" Antonio sighed. "Blood loss remember?" I nodded and remembered. "But, I am personally involved because of who my wife is. Antonio, Sylvie is her best friend. You really think that this isn't hard on her too? We are talking about our niece. I know what it's like to loose a child, I've lost 2. And I don't want you to go through that man."

Antonio looked at me again and nodded. "Louie was the second?" I nodded and agreed. "Yeah. So Antonio, I know how you are feeling okay? Sylvie is my sister okay? Screw the in-law. She's my sister. She's the closest thing to a sister that Gabby has had in almost 8 years." Antonio then turned to look at me, knowing what I was talking about. "We both know that their relationship is not the normal sister-in-law relationship. They are sisters because of things they've been through together. Heck, the stories I could tell you would worry you. Some of it was scary."

Antonio nodded and agreed. "So man, to say that I am not just as emotionally invested in this...that's BS! Gabby is scared out of her mind and I am basically just holding us together. That's my job right now. So, you want to talk to someone...call me. You want to yell, I'll meet you somewhere. You want to go shooting? Call Jay. I am positive that he'll gladly join you at the gun range. You can get some frustration out and just talk to a friend. Antonio, I really want to be there for you...I really do. But, I need to be there for Gabby first. Please understand." Antonio nodded and agreed before coming to give me a hug. "God, you are good brother."

I smiled and agreed with him. "Listen, you tell me what you need and I will get it. However, I want you to talk to Med and get them to bring the chaplain in okay? Just go to the chapel and pray. I don't know how that shit works but...it might help." Antonio nodded and agreed. "You guys going to get your kids baptized?" I thought about it and nodded. "Yeah, maybe we can do a joint-baptism with Hannah. You do Theo yet?" Antonio shook his head. "No time." I laughed and agreed. "Then let's work towards that. This year, we'll do a family baptism. Sound good."

Antonio smiled and agreed. "Gives me something positive to think about." I agreed and nodded before going to hug him again. "Listen, I have all my stuff. But I need to go help Gabby with the kids. Then, we're going to get going okay?" Antonio nodded and agreed. "You leave room for Eva." I then looked at him. "She's going with you remember?" That's when Eva came outside. "Dad, can we get going?" Antonio then looked at her. "I just need to wait to lock up." Eva agreed and smiled. "Go sit down in the car, I'll lock up." Antonio then went to hug her. "We'll do it together."

Eva nodded and agreed as they stood there together. Meanwhile, I walked inside to see Gabby finished with the diaper bag and now had the kids near the door. "We have everything right?" Gabby looked up at me. "Yeah, let's get out of here." Smiled and agreed as I walked up to her. I then went to put my hands on her hips and then kissed her softly. "Let's grab the kids and then get out of here." Gabby nodded and agreed as we both grabbed the kids together so we could bring them out to the van and then head home.