Dawsey: Starting a Family Part 3

Chapter 292

Matt's POV: After eating supper with the family, I smiled because we were now in the middle of relaxing in the living room together. Me and Gabby were sitting on the couch using my laptop while Louie was playing on the ground with some blocks I have. That's when I got a text from Severide. 'Yeah, we're good. Want to talk?' I nodded and agreed. "Severide is doing better and wants to talk. That okay?" Gabby nodded. "I want to give him a word. He does not get to assault you." I sighed when she said that. "Please don't babe. You need to relax." Gabby nodded and sighed when I said that, seemingly understanding. "Fine, but I get to defend you if he attacks you. That is the only way I am going to agree to that." I nodded and agreed with her.

Going to grab my phone, I went to call Severide (who answered right away). "Hey Chief." I smiled when he said that. "Listen, can we just agree to relax. I am sorry about today. I just needed to make sure you knew..." Severide just stopped me. "Matt, I have been texting Gabby all day. She's been trying to see what was up and she gave me your side." I then turned to look at Gabby when he said that and smiled. "I knew something was up with you texting a lot." Gabby smiled when I said that before going to lay down on my chest. "You are still suspended from your Lieutenant post for a while. You have to earn that back. That's not changing."

Severide agreed. "It's your house after all and I have to obey by your rules." I nodded and agreed with her. "Yes, but...I am thinking of giving you another job. Listen, I know you have a background in arson right?" Severide laughed when I said that. "If you mean I know how to investigate them, then yes." I nodded when he said that. "Yeah. Gabby needs something to occupy herself so...I am going to give her a job at the house. She is going to do preliminary arson investigations to see if any fires that I think are arson should go to OFI. What do you think of helping out with that for a while?" Severide then thought about it. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah, you be a good sport and help my wife catch arson fires...and you can earn your spot back as Lieutenant on Squad. Until then, you are just a normal squad firefighter. Does that sound like a deal? You earn your spot back as Lieutenant by showing me that you are a team player. You do it by helping Gabby do the investigations?" Gabby nodded when I said that and seemed to like the idea. "I think that's a good deal." I nodded and agreed with him. "Listen man, just remember that I am struggling just as much with this as you are. You are my best friend and I see you as a brother so...this isn't easy. Add in the pandemic and this is even harder."

Severide agreed with me when I said that. "So, I am working under Cruz effective immediately?" I nodded when he said that. "Yes. Are you okay with that?" Severide agreed. "Anything to earn back your trust. Now, am I coming back to house next shift?" I then bit my lip. "In your capacity as OFI investigator. I am going to have to talk to them tomorrow and see if they are okay with getting help. Gabby needs somethi..." Severide then spoke up. "Listen, I know Nick Duffy at OFI. I was the one who set it up during your first pregnant. Let me do this for you okay? As a way to start getting back into your good graces." I nodded and agreed with him.

"That sounds perfect. Just make sure you use the name Gabby Dawson." Gabby was confused when I said that. "Why? My legal name is Gabriela Casey?" I then sighed. "I don't want to feel like they have pressure on them to rehire you. I mean, you are the newest chief's wife...you don't think that might put a bit of pressure on them?" Gabby nodded and agreed with me. "Good point. Plus, I like going by Dawson at work." I smiled and agreed with her, kissing her head. "Listen Severide, you do that for me and I will see you next shift at the house as Arson investigator okay?" Severide agreed with I said that. "Thanks man."

I smiled when he said that before hanging up. Looking at Gabby, I went to kiss her cheek and smiled at her. "Listen, I am going to give Louie a bath okay?" Gabby nodded and smiled when I said that. "That sounds like a good idea." Looking at Louie as he played on the ground, I smiled at him. "Louie, you can play with your toys after....right now we are going to take a bath okay?" Louie nodded when I said that. He loved bath time and he especially loved it when we did it together. Helping him up, I smiled as we made our way upstairs to go give him a bath.