Hello Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters. I really hope that you guys always like the chapters that I write for you, as I pride myself on doing the best I can; and doing the story justice, while not bringing the story too far away from who the characters were on the show. Hopefully, you guys can let me know whether you guys think I am doing that; that way, I can fix things. But before we begin, I just want to do something. I am posting this chapter, and a few of the chapters that you will read after this one on April 24, 2023. And if you didn't get the news, this was the day we learned that Len Goodman (former judge on Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing) passed away; I therefore want to just take a moment to send all my love to his family, because he truly was a nice man. He was strict on some of the dancers that came through that show, but we all know that he did it with love. I also send my love to the entire Dancing with the Stars, and Strictly Come Dancing communities as I am sure that they are just as heartbroken. Thanks again for the memories Len and keep judging from high up above. Now, let's get to today's chapters. Thanks again.
Happy Birthday: Another quick message before we continue. I know that this was actually yesterday, but I forgot to send this message; and that message was a happy birthday message to Jesse Lee Soffer. We miss you on Chicago PD, but we'll see you again. Happy 39th.
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"How are Jay, Alex, and the twins?" -Gabriela Casey
That was the question that was on everybody's mind right now, even if you didn't say it out loud; as they are all family here, and they are hoping and praying that things go well for the Halstead Family. That's what friends do, and that's exactly what they are. At the end of the day, they aren't co-workers, nor are they just corporate executives; rather, they are friends from Chicago. And that means something, especially when they do not know many people here in Hawaii (yet); hopefully, that will change as time goes on. And, they hope that it will not just be some people at the company; but friends that they meet outside of work, like when they go out to events and stuff that may happen in the future. One of those events could very well be something that Gabby plans on doing in the future, and that would be an ELLA fashion show; but that was not something that she was planning anytime soon, as it's not the time to do it. Not when part of their (extended) family are currently in the hospital, and not when she's eighteen weeks pregnant with their daughter. In fact, Gabby doesn't even know whether she wants to do a fashion show for a while, as she's just not ready to do that.
But when it comes to what she is ready to do, well that would be listen to Natalie; listen to her, as she tells her how Jay and Alex are doing. Or, at least, as much as she can tell her; or wants to tell her, as she does know that she may want to keep things in between the Halstead family unit (even though they all treat each other as an extended family here). "I mean if you want to say anything. If you can't say anything, then you don't..." Natalie shook her head as Gabby asked her whether she can (or can't) say anything about how Jay, Alex, and their twins Michael and Olivia are doing. "Honestly, they're getting better each and every day. They are both over the moon that they had one of each gender, because that means that they're okay with not having another baby anytime soon; Alex got an IUD recently, and she's going to wait to have another baby." Gabby agreed with Natalie as she said that, before smiling at her. "Okay, just make sure that she gets it checked; I ended up getting one after we had the twins, and you know what happened." Gabby said, as she put her hand on her stomach and rubbed it; referring to the fact that she ended up getting pregnant, with their Bella.
"I mean, not that I'm complaining; because I'm more than happy over the fact that we're pregnant with Bella." Natalie smiled as she heard Gabby tell her that, really liking the name that they chose for their daughter. "I can already see it now. Bella the ELLA model." Gabby laughed as she heard Natalie say that, as that most definitely is something that she's thinking about. "Natalie, you read my mind. We're definitely going to be using her for publicity, because I can already see her being the most adorable thing in the entire world; I mean, have you seen Matteo and Noah?" Natalie smiled as she heard Gabby say that, as she most definitely has. "I still can't believe that they're six months old." Gabby laughed as she heard Natalie say that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I know exactly what you mean. I mean, they are so damn adorable; and I am just glad that they are growing like normal now." Natalie agreed with Gabby as she told her that. "Just like I promised you that they would, while you were still in the hospital." Gabby agreed with Natalie as she said that, before smiling at the doctor. "Speaking of in the hospital, can we maybe turn the topic back to the question I asked?"
Natalie agreed with Gabby as she asked her whether they can return to the question that she asked her, which would be how Jay, Alex and their twins are doing; and that is something that she's glad that she can talk about, especially since she can see Jay relaxing more and more each and every day. "I can tell you this, they are in a much better place than they were a few weeks ago." Gabby agreed with Natalie as she said that. "And have you told them that? Because I know when I was in the NICU, I needed to be told that all the time." Natalie laughed as she heard Gabby say that, as she was well aware that was the case. "Gabby, you don't think I remember that? Remember, I was your doctor for crying out loud!" Gabby smiled as she heard Natalie say that, well aware that was the case. "I'm just glad that they're in the NICU here, because I trust this place more than anything in the entire world." Natalie agreed with Gabby as she said that, well aware that was the case. "And how are you guys feeling? Being back in Hawaii?" Gabby smiled as Natalie asked her how she felt about being back in Hawaii again, and the truth was...she was really enjoying it, especially the warm weather that they have.
"Honestly, I didn't expect to feel this happy to be back in Hawaii; nor did I even realize just how much I truly missed Hawaii. Being back here with Matt and the boys has been everything, and I am so glad that this is where we decided to live. In fact, we recently decided that we need to share with everybody; and I think we were going to do it at a group meeting, but we might as well just talk to you guys about it now that you're up here." Natalie was a bit confused as she heard Gabby say that, unaware of what (exactly) she was talking about right now; I mean, what decision did they need to make...and why would it affect them? "Okay, I am just going to play dumb here; and I am going to ask you what the heck you're talking about Gabby. I mean, you're not exactly making that much sense right now. What do you mean you need to talk to me about something? And that you might as well do it while I'm up here?" Gabby took a breath as Natalie asked her what she was talking about, because she knew that she was (originally) planning on talking to her about it when Matt came to join them up here (again). But now that Natalie has asked her, she doesn't feel like she can really hide it.
Especially not from her doctor, whom she has promised to be completely honest with; as she wants to have the same in return, during her entire pregnancy. And that's why she feels a need to tell Natalie what she was talking about, even though she was certain that they were (probably) going to talk about it over supper; the four of them, as soon as Will and Matt were back with supper. "It's about the future on the company." Natalie got a bit concerned as she heard Gabby say that, as she thought that they were going to change courses. "Oh god, are you guys thinking of no longer doing the PTSD c..." Gabby just stopped the doctor right there, as that most definitely was not the case; nothing is going to change when it comes to their plans for the company itself, which is a message that she plans on telling her (along with telling her what was going to change). And that was the location of their headquarters, which was the only thing that was changing; the fact that they have decided to make Hawaii their permanent home, and that they are done going back and forth. They are going to stick it out here, and they are going to deal with whatever they need to deal with here in Hawaii.
"Oh god, no. That wasn't at all what I was going to talk about Natalie. Please, don't even think that way; because I can assure you this, Matt will never give up on that project. And we both know why that's the case." Realizing that, Natalie let out a sigh of relief; after all, that was how she was employed here at the company. The clinic was where her job was, and there was no job at Casey for her if there was no clinic. "Sorry, I was just worried." Gabby agreed with Natalie as she said that, clearly able to see that was the truth. "I promise Natalie, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to that. We are staying here in Hawaii, and we are also dedicated to make sure that the clinic starts as soon as it's ready, which we are really hoping to get it done soon, so that you can start working there full-time." Natalie agreed. "Or, at least; whenever we're here in Hawaii." Gabby smiled as Natalie brought that up, as it was the perfect transition for the actual topic that they needed to talk about right now. "Actually, that's the exact topic that we need to talk about right now." Natalie was a bit confused as she heard Gabby say that, but she decided to hear her out for that exact reason.
After everything that she just put her through, she knows that she's not going to do anything similar to what she just did. "Okay, so stop pulling my leg; and stop holding me in suspense, as I want to know what's going on." Gabby laughed as she heard Natalie say that, before looking at the doctor. "Okay, so here's the thing. After trying out living in Chicago, Hawaii, and Los Angeles...me and Matt have realized where we want to live with our family, and where Matt's mental health is the best." Natalie then started to understand what she was talking about, she was talking about where the executive offices are going to be located; more specifically, in which city and state they are going to be located in. "Okay, now I'm following." Gabby agreed with Natalie as she said that, well aware that was the case. "I know you are, and that's why we're going to talk about it; and you're going to take it easy for the sake of that baby of yours." Natalie agreed with Gabby as she said that, until she heard Will come upstairs. "What's this about you being all stressed-out Natalie?" Turning her head after hearing Will come upstairs, Natalie snickered a bit as she wasn't stressed. "Just come here and listen."
Will agreed with his wife as she said that, proceeding to do just that for her this afternoon.
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Walking over to Natalie with their supper this afternoon, Will smiled as he got ready to sit with his wife as they enjoyed supper together; while at the same time, they were going to talk to their friends (while they also have supper). And, of course; they're going to get some answers to all of their questions. With the first one being from Gabby, who just realized something. "Wait, I thought that you guys were working today?" Natalie agreed. "Yes, we worked during the day. We started at 5 am and finished at 5 pm." Gabby just shook her head as she heard Natalie say that, really hating those hours. "God, how can you work those hours?" Natalie agreed. "We put up with it. And lucky for us, the hospital isn't far from home." Gabby agreed with Natalie as she said that. "You guys work tomorrow too?" Will shook his head. "Every other day. But back to the question that I asked. Are you stressed Natalie? We both know that's not good for the baby." Natalie agreed with her loving husband as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Okay, take a breath and relax; I'm not stressed, I'm fine. We just got a bit heated in our conversation." Will agreed with Natalie, smiling.
"Like you always do when you're passionately about something." Gabby agreed with Will as he said that, smiling at the couple. "Okay, back to the conversation we were having now." Natalie agreed with Gabby as she said that, well aware of what she was talking about. "Yes, now we were talking about how we're moving to Hawaii." Will was confused as he heard Natalie say that, as they are already in Hawaii. "Last time I checked, we're already in Hawaii." Gabby laughed, agreeing with the doctor. "Yes, we are bushy." Will just turned his head and looked at Gabby, while also taking a bite of his pasta. "What did you just call me?" Gabby smirked. "Bushy, because you have curly hair." Will agreed with Gabby as she said that, well aware that was the case. "I know I have curly hair, but that doesn't mean that you have permission to call me bushy." Gabby smirked as she heard Will say that because she most definitely does. "Hey Halstead, you like living rent-free in our building? Our would you like to have to pay rent, which cuts into your paycheck that we give you?" Will gulped as he heard Gabby say that, well aware that he was in fact living rent-free here in the headquarters; and that shut him up.
"Yeah, because last time I checked...raising a baby costs a lot of money, so I would be grateful that you don't have to pay sky high rents like they have in downtown Honolulu; they are really expensive, and you live without rent. And you get all of your utilities, as well as your health and fitness facilities paid for by us. That means, that you just have to pay for food; and things that are going towards that child of yours, because you don't even pay for your health insurance. Add in the fact that your commute to work is walking, that at least adds up too $500-600 a month? Just based on your savings alone, you already make more than the average American each and every year; and then you add in the fact that you are also paid a salary on top of it, along with your medical licensing fees. And that's a lot of money that you can only get, thanks to me and Matt." Will gulped as he heard gabby say that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, and don't forget what we're doing for your brother, giving him a free stay in the NICU with his kids, and a bunch of paid time off. So, Will, shut up and let me speak to you." Will agreed with Gabby when she said that. "God, I am so in shit with your husband."
Gabby laughed. "Oh, no need to tell him. I already lectured you, and you got lectured by a pregnant, hormonal Latina! You know us Will, and you know how I react when I'm mad at my brother. You really think that I am not going to be just as mad at you? Don't think I haven't forgotten what you did to me. You screwed up, and you could've killed me. Yet, I am giving you this life; so, shut the fuck up, and enjoy your life here with Natalie...before I tell my husband to make you start paying dues to the Casey HOA." Turning her head, Natalie just looked at her husband. "I don't even have to say anything to you now, because everything that Gabby said is true. And if you say shit when we're down in the condo, then you're sleeping in the guest room; and you aren't joining me in the shower in the morning." Will agreed with Natalie as she said that, well aware that was the case. "So, yeah. Like I was saying bushy. You guys liking your life here in Hawaii?" Natalie nodded, smiling. "Wish we never left." Gabby agreed with Natalie as she said that, because she and Matt were feeling the same way. "Yeah, me and Matt were feeling the same way about that." That's when Matt came back up.
"Feeling the same way about what?" Turning to look at Matt, Gabby smiled. "Oh, we were just talking about how we love our life here in Hawaii; and I was giving Dr. William Halstead here a lecture." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before walking over to her; giving Gabby some water, as well as a salad, Matt smiled. "Here, I thought that you could enjoy this while you just wait for me to bring up the pizza. And maybe, I can take Will back down with me so that he can help me out? Give you some time to relax?" Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, really liking that idea. "I love that idea baby, thank you." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before leaning over her so that he can give her a quick kiss; after which, he whispered to her. "I can also see that you're agitated a bit, so I am going to leave Andy up here. Calm down for me and Bella, okay baby?" Putting her hand on Matt's face, Gabby agreed with him before kissing him softly. "I promise, I will; and that guy over there will tell you just why I am agitated in the first place." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, as Will most certainly will do just that; turning his head, Matt then went to say just that. "Oh, yes he will."