Many, many thanks for all the reviews and Private messages. All are very much appreciated. So here's the next chapter from Matt's POV. Please let me know what you think. Many thanks Mx

MATT

'What time do you think you'll set off tomorrow?' I ask dad. We're sat opposite each other as we finish dinner.

'Your mom's on an early shift and finishes at two, I only need to be in the office in the morning so can go back to Bellevue to collect Hannah and then we can collect mom and come straight here. Is that OK with you?' dad asks.

'Sure, I can finish at two but I have track till four.' I say.

'Then go to track.' Dad says. 'Do what you have to do and we'll work around you. We can always stop at one of the coffee shops and wait for you.'

'Thanks dad. I enjoy track, the coach is strict but all the running helps clear my head.' I say before changing the subject. 'If I give you my home phone and cell numbers would you pass them on to Hannah tonight?'

'Of course. Can I put them in my cell?' dad asks.

'Yes and you can give them to mom but that's it for now.' I say. Dad nods so I continue. 'Mom earlier on the phone, I know she's upset with me but tomorrow…'

'Hey, don't worry. I'll talk to her tonight.' Dad says.

'Will you make her understand that I'm happy here.' I say.

'Yes and I'll tell her not to fuss.' Dad says and I smile at him as he understands where I'm coming from. 'I thought I might take her out to dinner tomorrow evening. Is there somewhere that I could make a reservation?'

'Yes, either DD's on the cove or the Lighthouse have good recommendations but I haven't been to either. Are you sure mom will be OK with that?' I ask.

'She won't have a choice. We'll aim to be here for four thirty, she can do her hugging and checking you over for ten minutes before you give her a tour of the house and show her what work you've done and then she can go and get herself ready. I'll make the reservation for six.' Dad says.

'I could cook.' I say.

'No Matt, not tomorrow. I think we both know you and Hannah need time alone to sort things out and you can't do that if mom's here fussing.' dad says and I smile at him gratefully. 'We'll probably be back sometime between nine and ten.'

'I'm good with that but will you ask Hannah if she's happy with it as well. I don't want to mess up dad. I've got to get this right.' I say. 'When you give her the numbers tell her she can phone or text if she wants, whatever she's comfortable with and only if she wants to.'

'Do you want her to?' dad asks.

'I'm desperate dad, a text will be fine but I'd give anything to talk to her. I'll have to learn to be patient and go at her pace but I want to make this work.' I say and stand to clear the dishes. 'Do you want some dessert? I have ice cream.'

'Some things haven't changed.' Dad says and I grin at him. 'I'm good though and thanks for dinner.'

'You're welcome.' I say.

'Matt, I need to start heading back soon.' Dad says almost nervously.

'Dad, I've lived here on my own all this time. I'm OK here. I'll drive you to your car when you're ready.' I say.

'You've got a new car as well.' Dad says. 'Your others are in the garage at home.'

'But they have trackers on so Christian would know where I was.' I mutter and shudder at the thought of that.

'Your last confrontation was that bad.' Dad says as he notices me shake.

'Yes.' I say and grab my car keys from the side. I pick up my backpack, take the school books out and check that I have my wallet and medication. 'I'll drop you now if that's OK and then I can go to the supermarket and get some stuff in for the weekend.'

'That's fine but Matt…..' dad says but I cut him off.

'No dad I'm not talking about it.' I say loudly.

'Do you still want to give me your phone and cell numbers?' dad asks gently.

'Sure. I'm sorry for shouting.' I say as dad hands me his phone and I punch the numbers in for him.

'No worries and you don't need to go to the supermarket just for us.' Dad says.

'I do cos I'd quite like mom to make pancakes for breakfast on Saturday and I need to go anyway as I've run out of cereal and bread for breakfast and lunch tomorrow.' I say.

'Mom will be delighted to make pancakes.' Dad says.

'Can I be cheeky and ask you to bring your own beer and wine. I haven't got any and I doubt I'll be able to get any with my ID.' I say.

'No problem.' Dad says and grins at me. 'I'm surprised you haven't got a fake ID for getting beer.'

'Nope and what I said earlier about faking all my school records, the principal knows who I am and has agreed to keep it quiet. Do you think Judge Griffin will tell her husband, he's the editor of the local newspaper.' I say as we head out of the house and towards the garage.

'It won't matter if she does, Jack was friends with your daddy.' Dad says quietly.

'Really, I might go and see Judge Griffin in my study period tomorrow, hopefully she won't be in court.' I say.

'Shall I call her?' dad asks.

'No it's OK I'll just turn up tomorrow.' I say as I hit the remote on the key fob and one of the garage doors opens automatically. Dad looks at me with a puzzled expression. 'Each car has a different fob for the automatic doors.'

'There's four doors, does that mean you have four cars?' dad asks.

'No only two.' I say and smile at him.

'What?' dad asks before saying 'Oh, a pickup truck.'

'I needed it for all the trips I made to the hardware store.' I say as I climb in and dad follows into the passenger seat. 'I had this garage built but there's another over there that's attached to the house. It needs a lot of work doing to it but I thought I might convert it into something else.'

'Like what?' dad asks.

'I was thinking of offices and recording studio but I might change my mind after this weekend.' I say as I swing the truck onto the drive and head down the lane. Dad sits quietly so I continue. 'Maybe if things go well with Hannah I'll convert it to an art studio and playroom for the babies. Do you think she'd like that?'

'Probably though she does get on really well with all the family.' Dad says gently.

'Even Christian.' I say.

'Yes.' Dad says.

'Fuck, I don't stand a chance.' I say angrily as I stop at the junction at the end of the lane. I hesitate before pulling out. 'I'm sorry dad but I can't play happy families, not even for mom and Hannah.'

'Matt don't worry about that now. We've just met today and things have gone well. Let's see how the weekend goes. Remember your words earlier, you took one day at a time and one day became a week, everything will take time to heal and it won't be an overnight fix.' Dad says.

'Where did you park?' I ask now so that I can change the subject.

'Just round the corner from the courthouse.' Dad says.

'We'll be there in two minutes.' I say. 'Dad, you won't say anything to mom about me and Hannah being married will you.'

'No, that's up to you to tell her but be ready for her to be upset when you do.' Dad says.

'Thanks dad, I'll make sure I get the timing right.' I say as I pull up behind his car.

'Are you sure you're going to be OK?' dad asks.

'Yes I'll be fine. Will you let me know when you're home?' I ask. Now that the time has come to say goodbye I don't really want him to leave.

'Of course. Take care and we'll see you tomorrow.' Dad says and he shakes my hand and then pulls me into a hug.

'Bye dad. See you tomorrow.' I say as he pulls away.

'Bye son.' He says as he climbs out of the truck. I sit and watch as he climbs into his car and when he drives away I follow but only as far as the supermarket. It's quiet at this time in the evening. I grab a cart and am soon wandering the aisles aimlessly as I toss things inside. If mom could see the cart now she'd be surprised, yes there's all the stuff I've always eaten like the fruit, salad, vegetables, cereal, milk and juice but I've also got pizza, fries, chips and I've even put in Hannah's favourite cookies. It doesn't take me long to get through the check out and then before I know it I'm home and the shopping is unpacked and the whole evening stretches before me. I can't settle, I watch TV, read a book and finally start some homework even though it's not due in until next week. I can't concentrate and soon put the books back in school bag.

Taking my phone out of my pocket I look at it and expect it to beep in the hope that a message will come through. Nothing. I sigh and head upstairs so that I can make up beds ready for tomorrow. I turn left at the top and enter mom and dad's room first, it's the biggest of the two guest rooms and has an ensuite. It also overlooks the back yard and has a view of Puget Sound. My room is to the right of the staircase and in the middle is a smaller room but it doesn't have the luxury of an ensuite. I decide to make this room up for me and remake the bed in my room for Hannah. I'm hoping that by the end of the weekend we'll be sharing it but I have to be prepared in case she's not ready. I bring a few things through into the small room, alarm clock, book, lamp and spare clothes. I can use the shower room downstairs for the next few days.

Now what. There's still no text from dad and he should be home by now. I didn't take his cell number so can't text him. I subconsciously punch in the home phone number and listen to it ringing, one, two, three rings.

'Hello.'

'Dad' I say.

'Wrong.' I gulp, oh fuck. What's he doing there? Mom was supposed to be in the house on her own. I click end call and for good measure switch my cell off completely.