Dawsey: Starting a Family Part 2

Chapter 219

Matt's POV: After the funeral was over, I sighed as I wrapped my arm around Gabby because I was still a little emotional. Kissing her head, I just looked at her. Putting her hand on my chest, Gabby smiled at me. "Matt, your eulogy was beautiful." I nodded when she said that and then sighed. "I just feel like sometimes it was missing something." Gabby then shook her head. "It was perfect." I nodded and kissed her head again. "I hope it wasn't too personal. You know, the part when it came to the stuff that happened during our first pregnancy?" Gabby smiled and nodded. "It was fine Matt. It was perfect because that is what a eulogy is supposed to be, all about the good things that you want people to know about him." I smiled and agreed.

That's when I saw Donna walk up to me. "Matt, your Eulogy was beautiful." I then smiled when she said that. "Listen, I meant everything I said after I finished...Terrence and you are always going to be welcomed with open arms at the firehouse. We are here to help you grieve in any way we can." Donna nodded and smiled when I said that. "I appreciate that Matt and we might take you up on your offer someday. But for now, I think we are okay. Anyways, you are going to be busy." I smiled when she said that. "Are you coming to the reception I am hosting at the Firehouse or are you changing your mind?" Donna then bit her lip when I asked her that.

That's when I heard Chief Walker walk up to us. "Donna, you should take time alone. I saw you were quite emotional in there." Donna nodded and sighed. "I already have the shadow box with the flag. And if it's okay Matt...I would like to ask that it only be the family when we do the burial. I hope you understand. We did the funeral with the house but...I want to have one last minute with him alone. Just me, him and Terrence." I nodded and understood. "Donna, of course. I promise that we will do that. I will go talk to the house right now. If you want to come to the reception...just come. We are going to talk about him at the house. Gabby, that okay?"

Gabby nodded when I said that and smiled. "Of course." She then walked up to Donna and went to hug her. "If you need anything, give us a call and I can come talk to you okay? I am sure that Matt would be okay with that." I nodded and smiled at Gabby. "Of course I would. Now listen, how about we tell the firehouse what we are doing. Are you going to want to get Louie before we go to the firehouse or..." Gabby then shook her head. "No, he's with my mom until tomorrow. I still need you alone for a while." I nodded and understood. "Of course." I then looked at Donna. "Listen, Donna...at least come for lunch at the firehouse. Let me at least feed you there."

Donna then smiled when I said that and nodded. "One last time. Anyways, I think I want to see his office one last time before you change things." I nodded and agreed with her. "I am not going to do it right away, I promise." She agreed and smiled, giving me one last hug before walking away. I then looked at Gabby and smiled at her. "How are you going? I should've asked you that already." Gabby then went to hug me. "I'm okay right now. Maybe not as much later." I nodded and agreed with her before going to walk over to the firehouse. I then looked at everybody and smiled. "Okay, so I am starting to wonder whether the word has gotten out about my new role?"

Cruz then turned to look at me and smiled when I said that. Going to hug me, he just held me close. "Congratulations Chief." I smiled when he said that. "Listen, I am going to tell you this right away. I have already spoken to HQ. We are not working until April 1st. We have the house closed...so we have all the time in the world to grieve. The house will be open to you and we will have a counsellor there at all times. And I am going to try and be there as much as possible. We are grieving together. However, April 1st...we are back at it and we are all on shift. However, I would like to speak to 3 people today about firehouse business before the reception. Hermann, Severide and Stella. You are all to come into the Chief's office when we arrive at the house."

Hermann then looked at me. "You just want to get stuff out of the way don't you?" I sighed and nodded. "Listen, I get it's the day of the funeral but...I want to just get it done. I want to speak to you because it touches on this a bit." I then turned to look at Gabby. "That okay Gabby?" Gabby nodded and agreed with me. That's when I saw my sister walk up to me. "Mind if me and Antonio join you guys at the firehouse?" I nodded and smiled. "You can stay with me as long as you want. At least until we go home. Then, I am going to grieve alone with Gabby." She nodded and smiled. I then went to look at everybody when I thought about something. "Actually first...I want to talk to Donna one last time. We need to offer him something." 

Gabby then looked at me. "What?" I then smiled at her. "He is going to get one final ride on Engine 51." Everybody then turned to look at me when I said that. "Of course." Walking back over to Donna, I then went to rub her back. I was just glad she was still close. "Donna?" Donna then turned to look at me as she stood next to the coffin. "Donna, I want to do one thing regarding the burial. I know you have a herse but...let's do this the right way. Boden is going to get a ride on the firetruck one last time." She then looked at me when I said that and smiled. "I guess that's fair. And you know what, you guys should come. You are family." I nodded and agreed. "Let me get the crew and we will do that for you?" She smiled and nodded.

Walking back over to the crew, I smiled as I prepared to tell them the plan for the burial.