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

Chapter 135

Jay's POV: When Matt brought up the bomb that was found near our old place, I sighed because that was true. "Yeah, but I would rather not talk about it okay? It's too hard because of PTSD." Erin then put her hand on my leg and went to rub it to try and calm me down. I smiled when she did that because it worked. Grabbing her hand, I rubbed it and then kissed her head. "Thanks. I'm okay though Erin, I promise. Just not going to talk about it." Matt agreed. "Of course, I shouldn't have asked. I think you told us about that scene you dealt with in Afghanistan."

I nodded and sighed as I went to wrap my arm around Erin and then grabbed her hand. "Yeah, let's just say that I am glad that I told the military I am done. I got a permanent discharge and now have my military pension and benefits. I am just glad that I recently changed my PTSD support group." Erin then turned to look at me. "You did?" I nodded. "I used to go to the PTSD group a Gaffney Medical. Will was there so he came sometimes. But, it didn't help as much as I expected. Switch to the PTSD group at the military hospital. So much better."

Erin then turned to look at me. "Is that why I can't go with you to your meetings anymore?" I sighed and nodded. "Because compared to the hospital PTSD group, the people in my new group all have military security clearances. We can talk about our episodes in more detail since we don't run into trouble with security clearances. I swear, that is still a huge sticking point." Matt then sighed. "Is it a problem in your marriage sometimes? Him not being able to be truly open with you about his PTSD problems Erin?" Erin then sighed and nodded.

I hated hearing that and then moved to kiss her head. "It's hard. I mean, I want him to be open with me but...there are some things that he can't tell me because then, he would have to kill me." Gabby laughed when Erin said that because she thought she was joking. Turning to look at her, I just kept a cold face. Gabby then got scared. "Oh shit, you are being serious." I nodded and sighed. "Let's just say that the military is very strict about confidentiality. It's why I try and use my connections very rarely. It's so hard when I get info but can't share it."

Erin then went to grab my hand and just rubbed it, trying to get me to change the topic. "You need some air?" Erin then shook her head. "No, but I need you to change the topic. It's bringing me down and makes me feel bad. Like I am letting you down by you having to hold back when talking to me about your PTSD. I am also scared because you have told me some military stuff. And I can't help but wonder if it's classified." I then shook my head. "Believe me, it isn't Erin. I wouldn't have shared classified information with you. I am no Chelsea Manning."

Erin smiled and agreed with me when I said that before going to kiss me softly. "Listen, can we just change the topic. This is getting awkward?" I nodded and agreed before turning to look at Gabby. "Gabby, how's your recovery going? Hope all the moving hasn't had an adverse effect." Gabby then sighed and nodded. "It has unfortunately. With the change in time zone and all the work, I was in paid when I first got here because I literally gave birth...then a week later we were moving to Chicago. And a 10 hour journey with 3 kids is no fun."

I was confused when she said that. "I thought it was only a 5 hour flight." Gabby nodded. "Yeah, plus an hour packing and driving to the airport, being there an 2 hours early, a 5 hour flight, an hour at O'Hare to get the bags and then an hour driving home. That equals 10 hours." Matt then sighed when she said that and nodded. "And it was made even harder when you're grieving. But you have to push those feelings down when you have to concentrate on 3 kids." Gabby agreed and went to lay her head down on Matt's shoulder.

Matt then sighed as he kissed the top of her head. "You need anything to eat Gabby? A snack or anything?" Gabby then looked up at him. "Can you get some bottles ready for the kids and me a yogurt?" Matt nodded and agreed as he went to get up before walking away to the kitchen to get some bottles ready. "Want me to get anything out for supper tonight Gabby?" I then looked at Erin and went to whisper to her. "Why don't we offer to stay and make them supper? They are still quite emotional with what they are going through with both Antonio and Boden."

Erin nodded and smiled. "Guys, you just take care of your kids. We'll make you guys dinner while we are here and we can eat as friends. After that, you guys can be alone." Gabby then stared at us, shocked. "What?" Jay smiled and nodded. "You guys have been through the ringer in the past month. You are still hormonal from giving birth, Matt is overwhelmed with his job and the kids, you have 3 kids, one of them being less than a month old and you are both grieving for Boden. Oh, and your new niece was born premature. That's a lot on your guys' plate."

Matt then smiled at Gabby and agreed with us. "They are right Gabby. Let's let them make us dinner. But after, we are going to take time alone. We need to put the kids to bed and get to bed early. I have shift tomorrow and the day after starting at 8." I was confused when he said that he works 2 days in a row. "Since when is it 2 days in a row?" Matt then sighed. "We asked if we could do it that way because I want to be home with the kids each night. So, we work 24 hours over 2 days and then we get 48 hours off. All parents can do that thanks to the policy I implemented."

Erin smiled when he said that. "I bet Severide likes that." Matt smiled and nodded. "Yeah. But one policy I also implemented that I love is that families can come stay with their dad." Gabby laughed when he said that and smiled. "Gabby brings the kids to all my shifts. That way, she's not overwhelmed. She has help the entire shift." Gabby nodded and agreed. "I like that part the most. Oh and being able to see Matt there. And I always bring a change of clothes to stay overnight if we need to. And we still stay the next day's shift too."

Matt then turned to look at her. "You want to do that tomorrow? Or do you want to come here overnight?" Gabby then bit her lip. "Can we come back here? I like sleeping in our bed if we can. Plus, you don't work the overnight calls. So, we would be woken up for nothing." Matt then sighed. "Well, I technically do but...I do it from here. I haven't had to because I said not this month but...I might start sneaking out for the night calls eventually." Gabby then nodded and agreed. "Then you need to bring some turnout gear here."

Matt nodded and agreed. "Well, let's just stay there then. Easier. Plus, then I can do my reports there right away in the morning. And you don't have to cook breakfast then." Gabby smiled and agreed, liking that idea. "Tomorrow, I am so coming. Wait, is Lee Henry there?" Matt nodded and smiled. "He's going to come all the time and learn on the scene. He is just going to go into the academy for tests. Since he's our candidate, I want to train him my way. I am trying to get the academy to start a sponsoring program where houses pick their candidates ahead of time."

Gabby smiled and liked the idea. "And then they do the training in-house so that they are more accustomed to how things work at the firehouse when they start there. That makes so much sense Matt." Matt nodded and smiled. "I have experience. You always complained how hard it was when you first started and how it was nothing like the academy. So, I am trying to convince the other chiefs that the academy either needs to act like a firehouse more or they need to let the candidates train at the house. Maybe even paramedic candidates. About that, you're due."

Gabby then looked at me, confused. "No. Not already." I sighed and nodded. "Re-training. They want you to do it before the end of your maternity leave so that it's done." Gabby sighed and looked at Matt. "Ask them if I can do it at the firehouse." Matt nodded and agreed. "I will try. But, I am also trying to get your work in Puerto Rico to qualify as re-training." Gabby liked that idea. "Please do. I mean, it was a CFD mission. I did much more medical stuff than you do on an ambulance. So, that should work as my medical training." Matt smiled and nodded.

"So listen, what are we doing for supper? Because I can start a lasagna?" Gabby then smiled and nodded. "Go do that for me okay? That sounds great." Matt smiled and went to get up again so that he could start a lasagna for supper.