Dawsey: Starting a Family Part 2

Chapter 223

Matt's POV: Once I finished grabbing me and Gabby some food, I came to sit with her, Antonio, Christie, Jay and Erin. "Here we go." I then set her plate down and then smiled at her. "I just need to do something okay?" Gabby then looked up at me. "What?" I then smiled at her and went to look at the firehouse. "Okay, quick thing to say." Everybody then turned to look at me. "First of all, I want to remind you all...like I said in my eulogy, I have been appointed Battalion Chief effective April 1st. Well technically effective right now since I am already acting Battalion Chief."

Everybody nodded when I said that and smiled. "Now, we are not going to change anything yet. We are going to continue as usual. However, I will give you the time to grieve. Just know though that, eventually...we are going to make a few changes. New Chief right...you have to expect this." We all agreed and nodded. "We will have a meeting when we are back. But, I have asked the CFD to close the house for a few days so that we can all grieve. After today's celebration of Life...we are all off shift until April 1st. However, I am going to ask that Truck 81 be patient with me."

Stella then looked at me when I said that. "Why?" I then sighed. "Stella, I am going to ask you to take over as the leader on Truck 81. I will try and find my replacement for a spot as soon as possible. Until then, I am going to put in for a floater." She agreed and smiled when Gabby looked at me. "You can also take control of the Truck until then." I nodded and smiled at her. "Now, we will make changes as I go so...please be prepared. That is all. Now, let's raise our glasses and toast to Boden. May he rest in peace and watch over us every shift."

Everybody nodded and agreed with me when I said that. Taking a drink, I then went to sit down and looked at Gabby. "Hey listen, if you ever want to come back to Truck...you let me know okay? I will keep a spot open for you after your maternity leave." Gabby smiled when I said that and then put her hand on my cheek. "I will definitely think about it." Antonio then looked at her. "Gabby, think about that okay? You really want to go into fires when you have 4 kids?" Gabby then sighed and thought about it. "I said I would think about it. And I never said right now."

I then sighed and looked at her. "Then I am going to put in for a replacement okay? I can always work it out that you can join the house later. I can figure something out." Gabby nodded and smiled when I said that before watching as I grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers. Spending the next couple hours with our friends, we all laughed and smiled as we remembered Boden and thought about all the happy memories we had with him over the years both here and outside of work. And this was exactly what we needed today, just time with our friends.

NOTE: I am running out of ideas for what to do for the rest of the celebration of life so...I am going to skip to when Matt and Gabby are home. Sorry in advance for all the skipping. Maybe I'll come back and write something in between the chapters if I come up with something.