a/n: I'm sorry about the delay of this chapter but both Milady and I (sarrabr4) have been busy with our own stories as well as in life in general. So this story is finally coming to an end and I'm sad to see it go but I loved collaborating with Milady on this story and even more because we've become such good friends so I hope you guys will enjoy it. - Sarra
Matt woke up to soft giggles coming from Ryan's room. He stretched and realized that Gabby's side of the bed was empty. He ran his hand along the sheets, wishing he could cuddle close to her a little bit but today was a big day and they had a lot of things to do. He slowly got out of bed and tried making as little sound as possible so he could catch a sweet moment between his wife and their son. He padded lightly towards his room and leaned against the doorframe, just watching the beautiful scene in front of him. Gabby was sitting in the rocking chair with Ryan lying on his back against her legs as she tickled his sides, making him laugh even louder.
"Who's turning one today huh?" She leaned down and rubbed her nose against his. "Yeah, you are." She kissed his cubby cheeks. Ryan looked up at his mother with a cute little smile and they looked into each other's eyes.
Ryan had been a surprisingly good baby since he was born and he was growing up so fast that Matt couldn't believe it had already been a whole year since he came into this world. They had been so happy about the news but the journey to that happy moment had been filled with fear mixed with joy as the invesgitation had taken turns that they hadn't expected but looking at Gabby with their son now made it all the more Worth it. He looked at them a little bit more before he made his presence known.
"I hope you didn't wake mommy up too early this morning bud." He leaned down to kiss Gabby's head. "Morning beautiful."
"Good morning." She smiled up at him. "Tell daddy that you just woke up half an hour ago and that we've been having loads of fun." It was true that he had just woken up, giving his parents some good sleep. He had started sleeping his whole nights early on but he had been fussy in the last couple of months, teeth starting to come out everywhere in his mouth, sometimes keeping his parents awake at night.
"Are you ready for a real party bud?" He offered his arms up and Ryan did the same, Matt taking him in his arms and running his hand through his messy blonde hair. He was a spitting image of Matt and Gabby loved watching them together. "How about we get something in that tummy of yours before getting you dressed." He poked at his stomach, making him laugh. "Alright, it's just you and me, let's go." Gabby watched as both her boys left the room and she took a few minutes before she got up to get showered and changed. She and Matt had spent the previous evening decorating their house to receive family and friends to celebrate a first real milestone for Ryan.
Gabby quickly showered and changed in some casual boyfriend jeans and a nice navy crop top with a longer back, letting her curls fall on her shoulders. She made it down the stairs and couldn't help from laughing at the sight in front of her. Matt had fed their son a chocolate spread toast ad the boys had it smeared all over his mouth and cheeks, a glint in his eyes and a matching look from his father.
"I can't leave the two of you alone one minute can I?" She chuckled.
"What? You're lucky that we didn't dress him before breakfast."
"No you're lucky that I didn't dress him before he ate but you will be the one to clean him in the tub so I can finish getting the food ready so everything is done when everyone gets here."
"We'll both be ready on time I promise. I made you some fresh coffee with some pancakes." He pointed to the steaming hot plate that was waiting for her with the two pancakes and fruit before he proceeded in getting Ryan cleaned up a bit and out of his high chair so the both of them could get ready.
Gabby finished eating and took the cake out so she could put the icing on it and smiled at the end result. All there was missing now was a candle and little hands digging into it. Matt came down with Ryan about thirty minutes ago, both of them wearing navy pants and a nice short sleeve shirt that made their eyes pop.
"My two handsome boys." She kissed them both and took Ryan from Matt's arms, planting a raspberry on his cheek before putting him down on the ground where he started running around, finally glad to be set lose.
Gabby and Matt stood in the kitchen doorway and admired their handiwork. "I think it turned out great."
"I think so too."
"I think we have a few minutes before people start getting here." She turned into him and got on her tip toes to kiss him tenderly. A few minutes the doorbell rang, Ryan getting all excited to see who was there. When he saw that it was Kelly, he went into a Frenzy on excitement, bouncing on his chubby little legs.
"My favourite little man." He picked him up and threw him in the air. Everyone started arriving shorty after, the house quickly filling up with people from co-workers that had become friends, friends that were now family and their real respective families. Ryan was of course more than happy to be the center of attention and everyone just loved having him around.
Gabby was busy with Sylvie's help to feed all these people and Matt made sure no one was running out of something to drink, everyone just enjoying themselves. After everyone had stuffed themselves, they proceeded in opening présents and a lot of présents there were. Ryan had been spoiled, each present getting a more excited reaction but they had kept the best one for last. They had talked about getting a puppy for a while now and even though they knew it would be a good amount of work, they thought that it would be fun for Ryan growing up so Matt sat down on the ground and sat Ryan on his lap, the little boy trying toget up but as soon as he heard it bark, all he wanted to do was put his eyes on it and Gabby had the small pup in her arms in a blanket while Kelly had his cell phone up to make a video of his reaction that was priceless once he was at eye level with the dog. It was a cute barnese mountain dog and he would become around 50 pounds as an adult but it just seemed to make their family even better.
The last hoora was the cake and Matt and Gabby blew the candle with Ryan, everyone clapping and Kelly snapping a nice picture of the family as a souvenir but everyone was waiting for the best moment. Ryan eyed the cake and when he saw that no one was taking it away, he took two handfulls of it and smashed it in his face, everyone laughing as he ate almost half of the small cake Gabby had made for him. She passed around some cake for the adults as they kept mingling, Matt taking care of cleaning Ryan and giving him a bottle of milk. Even though people were still there, Matt went upstairs to put him down and he instantly put his head on his mattress, a little balled fist rubbing his eyes.
"Happy birthday bud" Matt kissed his temple and ran his fingers through his hair before closing the door and going back down to enjoy the end of the party with the rest of the grown ups. Everybody started leaving slowly after they helped with cleaning up a little bit so Gabby and Matt wouldn't have to do everything. They finally managed to sit down on the couch and they simply ordered in, cuddled up together, a movie playing in the background.
"Today was fun." Gabby sighed contently.
"Yeah it was. Our son is exhausted and so is the dog."
"Speaking of the dog, we haven't named him yet." She looked at the sleeping dog next to the tv.
"How about Chase? He kept chasing after his tail all afternoon." Matt laughed at the thought of it.
"I like that." Gabby smiled and snuggled into him once they were done eating.
They made sure Ryan was settled for the night before they retreated to their own room, both of them changing into something more comfortable for the night. Matt was browsing through the channels when Gabby came out of the bathroom, something hidden behind her back.
"What do you have there?" He inquired as she sat down and looked at him with a smile.
"I have one last surprise for you today." She took the blue box from behind her back and put it on his lap.
"What is that?" He looked at her with a smirk.
"Open it." He looked at her and did what she told him and his eyes grew wide when he saw what was in there.
"Is that?" He looked at her again as his smile grew wider.
"Yeah." She laughed, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm pregnant again." He put the box aside and kissed her tenderly. They made out, Matt's hands cupping her cheek and he pressed his forehead to hers as he laughed happily. He pulled her to him in bed and they cuddled together, his hand resting on her tummy.
"I can't believe that this is happening again." He whispered in her hair. "When you were pregnant with Ryan, I got so scared when we looked into that arson case that something would happen to you, to us that when Ryan was born, I thought my life couldn't be more perfect but I couldn't have been more wrong." Gabby just loved hearing him talk like that. "And now, our son is one year old, we have a new puppy and a brand new life is growing Inside of you and now I know what a perfect life looks like. Thank you for giving be the best family in the world. I love you Gabriella Casey."
"I love you too." She looked up at him and they kissed, finally getting all that they had wished for after getting back together.
a/n: I can't believe that it's finally the end. Thank you to everyone who read this story and reviewed it, it means the world to me and I really hope that you guys enjoyed reading it as much as we loved writing it so stay tuned for some new and in progress stuiff from both of us in the future. Love-Sarra