Dawsey: Starting a Family Part 3

Chapter 297

Meanwhile, at Firehouse 51 as Matt prepares for a press conference:
Matt's POV: As I stand in my office at Firehouse 51 with Gabby, I sigh considering this was not where I wanted to be right now. I got a call in the middle of the night from the Commissioner saying that the media was going to attack my house because of the outbreak. He wanted me to fix it and he wanted me to do it now. I told him I would call a press conference for this morning even though I should be at home. I told him the house is still staying closed thought because we need to clean the house after the outbreak. Looking at Gabby, I practiced my speech.

"By the way, thanks for getting up early and trusting Louie with my mom." Gabby nodded when I said that, grabbing my jacket as she held me close. "Hey, I am your wife first. I need to support you in this. You are keeping the house closed though?" I nodded. "Yes, until further notice. With 3 cases of COVID-19 here at the firehouse...I need to keep it closed." Gabby nodded when I said that. "At least they are all young and it should be fine." I nodded when she said that, putting my hand on her stomach before kissing her forehead softly. "I am not taking questions though."

Gabby sighed when I said that. "You sure that's a good idea?" I nodded when she asked me that. "Gabby, they are just going to eat me alive. They are not going to give me a break. I need to stand my ground and they need to know that I am not going to answer to my actions..." I then thought about that. "Shit, I am accountable to the community. They deserve answers as to what happened." Gabby nodded and agreed with me. "You want me to call the CFD and see if they can get their press person down here too?" I then sighed when she said that scared.

That's when I heard Commissioner Grissom and the Head of Publicity for the Office of the Fire Commissioner, Dana Rhodes walk into my office. "That is where I come in." I then looked up at saw Commissioner Grissom. "Grissom, I am so sorry this happens. If you need to hold me accountable, I intend to take whatever actions are required so that the CFD regains their trust in me being the right person to be Battalion Chief here at Firehouse 51." Grissom nodded and agreed. "Chief Casey, this was a harmless act. You wanted to have all your shifts together."

I nodded. "I wanted my first day to be with all of the people who worked with me. I never expected this to happen. Now we have 3 COVID-19 cases here...I am just horrified that I even did this. I already put out a statement, I hope that's okay." Dana then looked at me and sighed. "It was good. You must have some background in it." I laughed and agreed with her. "Do you not remember the firefighter alderman?" She then looked at me and recognized me. "Now I recognize you. Grissom, why didn't you tell me this was him...I know him."

I then nodded when she said that. "Right, you worked on my campaign." She agreed and smiled. "Nice to see you again Matt. I mean, if it's okay I call you that." I nodded and smiled. "Dana, we've known each other longer than I have been married to my wife. I think we are okay to be on a first name basis. Now, what is the way we are going to approach this? Am I speaking to the media again?" Grissom nodded and agreed. "You already spoke so, they assume you speak for the CFD. Plus, we need to get your credibility up again. I am going to be with you."

I nodded and agreed with Grissom when he said that. "Listen, I can promise you that this won't happen again. I am not going to be a pain in your behind. I am going to be professional and I am going to make sure that my firehouse is run properly." Grissom nodded and agreed with me. "Can I see your speech that you are going to give to the media?" I sighed and looked at him. "I haven't written it. I have been worried all night. My brother-in-law, sister and niece all could be COVID positive. And that's before the fact I may have exposed my wife and our son."

Grissom nodded and understood where I was coming from. "You just doing questions?" I nodded and agreed with him. "I'll go ahead and give a quick speech Dana and then we can just go from there. I don't want to do anymore damage." She nodded and agreed with me when I said that. "Then let's go do the press conference." I nodded and agreed with her before turning to look at Gabby. Stepping close to her, I went to kiss her softly. "Which me luck. I promise we are headed home after." She nodded and agreed with me when I said that.

Walking away with Dana and Grissom, I took a few breaths as I prepared to face the media for the first time since becoming Battalion Chief at Firehouse 51.