Dawsey: Starting a Family Part 3

Chapter 310

Meanwhile with Matt and Gabby in their hotel room:
Matt's POV: As I sit in bed while reading a book I have been meaning to read, I sigh considering the stuff I am still learning as Chief is hard. You see, while I have been appointed Battalion Chief...I am still required to complete the course and I have to do courses on workplace management as well as human ressources because I am technically now a human ressources officer. Oh and my least favorite course that I am required to take? The course on how to deal Workplace Sexual Harassment when it comes to firefighters, lieutenants and captains.

"What are you doing babe? You seem like you are not really enjoying what you are reading." I sighed and looked at her. "As part of my appointment, they required me to still take all the courses you have to take before you are qualified to be a chief. Because they needed one as soon as possible and they wanted to honor Boden's wishes...they are making me take them. I am just glad they are easy and shouldn't take long. I am going to work on them while we are here okay?" Gabby nodded when I said that before going to grab some of her sweats. "Sounds good."

I nodded and sighed as I went to grab my iPad to keep reading. "I swear, I am just going to rush through this part of the course. I am doing the one on human ressources/staff management." Gabby nodded when I said that. "Then why are you making faces?" I then sighed. "Because I am on the chapter the deals with in-house relationship as well as potential relationships that might start between a candidate and his or her lieutenant." Gabby turned to look at me when I said that and laughed. "Sorry if I find that a little funny. I mean, you were my lieutenant."

I sighed when she said that. "I don't find it funny. I mean, had we not met at the firehouse and started dating...we wouldn't have Louie in our lives nor would we have twins on the way." Gabby sighed when I said that. "Matt, please don't start a fight. We might be stuck in this little room for 2 weeks straight. We need to get along." I nodded and agreed with her when I said that. "And believe me, we will...I guess I just hate doing this course a lot and I have a lot on my mind. The biggest thing on my mind is how I let Boden down already."

Gabby was confused when I said that. "Okay, how have you already let Boden down? You are going to have to explain that one to me." I nodded and then went to close my iPad while opening the covers for her. Going to brush her hair quickly before coming to join me in bed. That's when I got a text from Kelly. 'Test just came back. I'm positive like Stella.' I then just stared at it and was shocked. "Holy shit..." Gabby then turned to look at me. "What's wrong?" I sighed and then just leaned back. "Kelly and Stella both have COVID."

I then went to grab my phone so that I could call Kelly. Regardless of the fact that I didn't know where our relationship stood right now, he was still my best friend and I cared for him like a brother. "Hey Matt, you get my text I guess?" I sighed when he said that. "Yeah, how are you guys doing? Man, I am so sorry for this...feel partially to blame. Had I not sent you..." Severide then stopped me when I said that. "Hey, don't do that to yourself Matt! You did the right thing. I screwed up and Boden would've done the same!" 

I sighed when he said that. "I think recently, I've let the power go to my head and I haven't put our friendship first. You know that I really value our friendship right? We've been at the same house and we've had each other's backs through a lot...like 17 years I think." Severide agreed. "Yeah, we graduated the Academy together in 2003. It was us, Andy, and I think Cruz." I laughed when he said that. "Listen man, I am so sorry we got in it recently. And I am sorry for stripping you of Lieutenancy. But...I still have to do it for a bit man, you disobeyed my command."

Severide agreed with me when I said that. "Of course man, I understand. Just remember that this is going to be an adjustment for all of us." I agreed. "Listen, I'll figure out how long I want you to be suspended. Maybe your suspension can run until you have finished dealing with COVID. I mean, that's punishment enough." Severide laughed when I said that. "I only have to agree if you feel that way. When you are ready to put me back in as Lieutenant, then I will take my place back when you are ready to trust me again."

I then sighed. "I trust you man, I always have and always will. Listen, when we go back...you are Lieutenant again. Now listen, you enjoy this little rest we all have and I am going to do the same with Gabby. I mean, unless you want to work on OFI stuff together?" Severide then laughed when I said that. "Nope, Stella has me roped into doing some wedding planning." Stella got mad when he said it that way. "Roped into planning OUR wedding?" 

Severide then sighed and decided to end our call. "Listen man, I have to go put a fire out here on my side." I laughed when he said that and agreed. "Talk later man." I then went to hang up before looking at Gabby as I went to grab her hand. Looking at me, she intertwined our fingers and went to cuddle up to me. Wrapping my arm around her, I put my hand on her stomach before kissing the top of her head while she grabbed my hand. "I am proud of you, you know that right? You were the bigger man there and that was the right thing to do." 

I smiled when she said that and nodded. "Listen, what do you say we turn the TV on or do you want to do something else?" Gabby then bit her lip. "Listen, I know this might sound out of the blue but...what if we used this year to plan our wedding?" I was both confused and shocked when she said that. "What?"