Alice meets the Lawsons/Andersons! Vera was tons of fun to write and I based her relationship with Matthew very much off of my own with my brother, so enjoy the teasing and bantering between the two of them! This'll be the second to last chapter of A Little Burden, but be on the look out for its sequel! - Dee
"Do you mind… if I tell my sister about the engagement, sweetheart?" Matthew asked one day in the morgue. He'd come down to get some test results - Lucien off with Hobart and Parks following leads.
Alice shrugged and continued sewing up the dead body in front of her. "She's your sister… though she probably already knows through Rose."
He chuckled lightly, "If Rose told her, I would have already gotten an irate phone call from Vera."
"I don't see why not, Matthew. She's family… close family from all you've said about her."
Rounding the table, Matthew pressed a kiss to her cheek. Alice leaned into it with a smile - her hands still busy.
"Thank you, sweetheart. Or should I say, 'soon-to-be Dr. Lawson'?" He gently pulled the engagement ring - hanging on a thin chain around Alice's neck while she worked - out from under her blouse.
Alice laughed, "I thought you still wanted to become 'Chief Superintendent Harvey'?"
"Nah, it's too confusing for the boys."
She just shook her head with a fond smile, "By the way, the test results are on my desk. Inconclusive, but it's more than you had yesterday."
Matthew sighed, "That's true… thank you, Dr. Harvey."
He pressed another kiss to her cheek and scooped up the folder from her desk. "Will you be coming to the Blakes or should I meet you at your place tonight?"
"Jean promised me chocolate cake."
"Ah, so the Blakes it is," Matthew smiled and gently kissed her on his way out. "Have a good rest of the day, sweetheart."
"You too, and you'll let me know how it goes with your sister?"
He nodded and kissed her one last time as he left - catching her light humming to herself as he closed the door. Matthew grinned; he couldn't wait to marry her.
Matthew settled behind Lucien's desk with a sigh and dialed his sister's number. He drummed his fingers on the desk as it rang - nerves fluttering in his stomach as he waited. What if she didn't like Alice? What if Mum didn't like Alice?
His sister's voice interrupted his whirling thoughts. "Anderson residence."
"Vera."
"Matthew! It's been ages, how have you been? Your leg doing alright?"
He chuckled and nodded, even though she couldn't see, "Yeah, Vera, I'm doing alright. Work's been busy, but it's good. I… I, uh, I have some news."
"Good news, I hope."
"Yes, it's good news. I, uh… I'm gonna get married."
"What!"
Matthew winced and briefly pulled the receiver away from his ear at the volume, "Is that really so surprising?"
"This is the first I've heard of you being interested in marriage, let alone actually interested in someone, Matthew. I didn't even know you were seeing anyone! Does Rose know her?"
"Yeah."
Vera sighed heavily, "That girl… What is the point of having a daughter who works closely with your brother if she doesn't even pass on good gossip about him?"
"Vera."
"I mean she's known all along and said nothing!"
He ran a hand over his face, "Vera."
"She's supposed to give me all the bloody details, honestly the nerve of that girl, being more loyal to her grump of an uncle than to her own mother."
"Bloody hell, Vera," Matthew sighed, "this is why I never tell you things."
She nattered on - all in good fun, Matthew knew his sister didn't actually mean everything she complained about, she was just giving him a good ribbing as she always had growing up.
He shook his head with a smile - he wouldn't have her any other way.
A steaming cup of tea settled next to him on the desk and Matthew smiled up at Alice. She smiled back and raised her eyebrows at the phone.
Covering the mouthpiece, Matthew nodded, "It's going well, sweetheart, she's just giving me a bit of a hard time."
Alice covered her smile with her hand - her shoulders shaking in silent laughter. "I think I see where Rose gets it from."
She giggled when he rolled his eyes.
"Are you even listening to me anymore?"
"Yes, Vera, I am."
His sister let out a disbelieving (and annoyed) hum, "Sure you were. I was saying that maybe Daniel and Mum and I come for a visit. It's been too long since Mum and I have been to Ballarat, Daniel's never been, and we can meet this future Mrs. Matthew Lawson at the same time. Hang on a minute, Matthew, you never told me her bloody name!"
Matthew laughed and tangled his hand with Alice's as she leaned against the desk. "Alice, her name is Alice Harvey. She's a doctor and a pathologist - works with Lucien at the hospital."
"A doctor, huh? You're moving up in the world, Matthew Lawson."
"Very funny."
"But you're alright with the three of us coming to visit?"
"Of course. I know Rose would like to see all of you too. Let me know what days you'd like to come up and I'll coordinate with the Blakes - see if we can do either a lunch or dinner here at their house."
"Sounds wonderful, pass on my love to everyone and… Matthew…"
"Yes?"
"I really am happy for you. She must really be something if you're marrying her."
He smiled and looked up at Alice, "Yeah, she really is."
"Good. I'll talk with my husband and Mum, then ring you with the details probably this week. Love you, Matthew."
"Love you too, Vera, tell Mum I said hi."
Vera said she would and the line clicked as she hung up - Matthew did the same with a sigh and leaned back in the chair as he closed his eyes. He heard Alice shift and her hands trailed through his hair - nails lightly scratching at his scalp.
"So…?" She whispered as her fingers rubbed at the tense muscles of his neck and shoulders.
Matthew leaned back into the massage, "She was a bit shocked, but she's happy for us. Vera's gonna call later after she's talked to Daniel - her husband - and Mum about coming for a visit."
Her hands briefly halted and he heard her shift from foot to foot, "I get to meet your family then."
"Mm-hm," Matthew nodded and pulled one of her hands around to press a kiss to the palm. "They'll love you, sweetheart; Rose already does."
"Rose's approval is vastly different from the approval of your mother, Matthew," Alice chuckled and kissed the top of his head. "And she might approve of me as your bride, but who knows how she'll react when she hears about the baby."
"Happy as a clam."
"I never understood that expression."
He grinned and turned to face her, "Mum will be happy to be a grandmother again, she never really pressured me and Vera after Rose was born, but…"
"She wanted more."
Matthew nodded and kissed the knuckles on both of Alice's hands, smiling when he felt the cool metal of the engagement ring. "She'll be happy and she's gonna love you, sweetheart."
Alice leaned down and kissed his forehead, "I'll just… I'll be myself then, and try not to worry. Now, c'mon, Jean said dessert's ready and I'd like some of that cake before Lucien gets his hands on it."
"Alright, alright, give me a second," he laughed as she pulled him to his feet. Grabbing his cane, Matthew followed Alice out of the office - pausing to pull her back for a kiss before the kitchen.
She smiled when he drew back, "I love you, Matthew."
"I love you too, Alice."
Vera spotted her brother right away as she stepped off the train. Turning to help her mum as Daniel gathered their luggage, Vera smiled at Matthew has he loped up to them.
"Vera, good to see you," he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "And Mum! I see we match."
He wiggled his cane, sharing a laugh with their mother as she wiggled hers back.
"My Mattie, come here to Mum."
Elizabeth Lawson was a hardy woman, steadfast with a spine of steel, but she melted around her children. Neither Vera or Matthew grew up unloved by her.
Matthew bent down and hugged his mother with a smile as the Andersons looked on.
"How is everything, Matthew?" Daniel asked.
"Oh, wonderful. Work is busy, but it's interesting and Ballarat is the same as it's always been."
"And now you're getting married."
Matthew's smile was bashful, but warm, as he nodded. "Yeah, I am. We haven't really planned all that much for it - as I said, work's been busy, but Alice and I are looking for something small and quiet. Close family and friends really."
"We look forward to meeting her!"
He smiled and directed them towards the waiting taxi. They'd drop off their luggage at the hotel and then meet up at the Blake house for afternoon tea and dinner. Vera and Elizabeth pointed out what had changed in Ballarat since they last visited, and told Daniel stories on the way to the hotel and Blake house.
"How is Dr. Blake?" Vera asked as Daniel helped Elizabeth out of the cab and Matthew paid the driver once they'd arrived at 7 Mycroft Avenue.
"Causing trouble as usual," Matthew grinned. "Giving Jean grey hairs, that sort of thing."
Vera shook her head with a smile as Rose pedaled up to them.
"Oh good! I'm not late!" Rose parked her bike next to the garage and greeted her parents and grandmother with enthusiastic hugs. "You're gonna love Alice, Mum. Uncle Matthew's absolutely head over heels for her."
"Rose," Matthew grumbled as he limped past them all to open the front door.
"What! It's the truth."
"I have a bone to pick with you, missy," Vera grinned as Rose rolled her eyes - reminding her so much of Matthew. "How come I didn't hear about Alice before the engagement?"
"I'm going to go see if Jean needs help in the kitchen," Rose hurried ahead, avoiding her mother's outraged noise and her father's laughter.
Jean appeared at the end of the hallway, wiping her hands on her apron with a smile, "I see the guests of honor have arrived! Come in and have some tea, I'll tell Lucien and Alice to finish up in the study."
"The study?" Matthew asked right as Vera looked into the office near the door.
A man - one she recognized as Lucien (he'd grown up handsomely, she noted) - quickly ushered a woman out of a small side room as smoke billowed out of the door. They both ducked on either side of the opening as something crackled and popped before glass shattered.
Jean just sighed, "Lucien! What on Earth are you doing?"
"Just an experiment, my darling!" Lucien called out as the other woman laughed. "Excellent work, Alice, now we know the point of combustion. Though I was expecting a bit more of a… bang."
"Mm, yes, maybe the quantity was larger or the ingredient mixture was different? I do see now why you don't do these tests in the morgue," Alice grinned. "I'd have to replace the inventory a lot more often if you did."
"Ah… yes," Lucien ducked his head with a smile and gestured to the door. "Shall we, Dr. Harvey?"
"You'd probably better clean that up before Jean gets cross, Dr. Blake."
"Mm, true, go on ahead then."
Vera ushered her mother and husband into the kitchen as she stole a glance over her shoulder at Dr. Harvey. Matthew stood in the hallway with a fond smile as Dr. Harvey talked a mile a minute - explaining the circumstances of the experiment, the factors they took into account, and the somewhat explosive results - a brilliant grin on her face, her eyes shining with excitement. Her brother leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead - interrupting the doctor mid-sentence and Vera smiled at the bright blush that spread across the doctor's cheeks.
Matthew was definitely smitten, but Dr. Harvey was as well… and Vera couldn't be happier.
Vera sat next to her mother and watched Jean hand Dr. Harvey an already prepared cup of tea with a friendly kiss on the cheek.
"How bad is the damage this time, Alice?"
She grinned, "Not too bad. I made him clean it up at least."
Jean rolled her eyes fondly, "That man… take a seat, I'll have the shortbread out in a second. Matthew, ginger tea or regular tea?"
"Regular please, Jean. White with two?" he told her as he pulled out Dr. Harvey's chair - it was then Vera noted she had ginger tea.
'Interesting.'
"I remember how you take your tea, Matthew Lawson." Jean threw over her shoulder as Matthew grinned.
"Alice," Matthew sat at the table and took her hand - rubbing his thumb across her knuckles, the simple engagement ring sparkling under the light. "This is my sister, Vera Anderson and her husband, Daniel."
"Lovely to meet you finally," Alice smiled at her and Daniel - shaking their offered hands. "I've heard much about you from Matthew and Rose."
"Pleasure to meet you as well, Dr. Harvey, though I hadn't heard of you before this week," Vera teased her brother with a wink as Alice laughed.
"Vera."
"Oh, relax, Matthew, I like her."
Matthew harrumphed as Alice laughed again, "Please, call me Alice."
"Very well, Alice; I'm glad he's got someone to wrangle him in."
Matthew shook his head with a fond smile and turned to Alice again, "And this is my mother, Elizabeth Lawson."
"Hello," Elizabeth clasped Alice's hand in both of hers. "You seem like a bright girl, I see why my Mattie loves you."
Alice smiled, a faint blush spreading across her face and she ducked her head, "I'm grateful that he does, Mrs. Lawson."
"Call me Elizabeth, please." Elizabeth leaned in with a glint of mischief in her eyes, "You can even call me 'Mum' if you feel like it."
"Mum."
"You never brought a girl home that I actually liked, Matthew, let a mother enjoy this moment."
"He didn't bring home many girls in general, Mum," Vera deadpanned.
"Thank you, Vera, for reminding me of that," Matthew rolled his eyes again as Alice laughed. "I didn't bring them home because Mum was too busy chasing away your eager lads with the broom."
Vera just stuck her tongue out in response as the kitchen erupted with laughter.
"I didn't bring home any boys, if that makes you feel better, Chief Superintendent."
"A little, Dr. Harvey." He kissed her cheek.
"Are we telling embarrassing childhood stories of Matthew?" Lucien asked as he swept into the kitchen, "because I'm all for that."
"You barely have any, Lucien, so don't even start," Matthew snapped even as the room laughed.
Lucien said his hellos and stood behind his wife's chair, "Oh, but they're good ones, and plus I have ones from now that your family doesn't know about."
"If you pull me down, you're coming with me, Blake."
Stories were passed around, as was the laughter, as Matthew and Lucien tried to one up each other in telling the worst story - Matthew admitting more things than Vera ever thought he would in front of their mother, but one look at Elizabeth told her that she was enjoying everything. Alice excused herself about halfway, squeezing Matthew's shoulder when he paused in his story to watch her leave, and Jean followed not that long after.
"Everything alright?" Vera swapped seats with their mother and asked him while Lucien held court at the other end of the table. Matthew pursed his lips, chewing on his inner cheek, as he avoided her knowing look.
"Matthew…"
"What, Vera?"
"Is everything alright?" She nodded her head in the direction Alice and Jean had disappeared to. "With Alice, I mean? She's been gone awhile."
He sighed, "I can't tell you… not yet, Vera."
"Why not?"
"It's not for me to tell yet."
Vera narrowed her eyes at him, "Is that so? I'm your sister, Matthew, you can tell me."
"You won't wheedle it out of me, Vera."
"Is she sick?"
"No."
"Is she dying?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Vera, please. When Alice is comfortable with letting others know, you'll know."
She sat back with a slight huff - catching his amused look, one he wore all throughout her childhood when all she wanted to do was copy her older brother and do everything he did.
"Oh… oh, alright, but I'd better know sooner than when you told me of the engagement."
Matthew squeezed her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her cheek as Jean and Alice returned. He murmured a question to Alice as she sat and she nodded with a smile. Alice scooted her chair closer to Matthew's side and leaned against him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Vera watched as her brother dropped a kiss on Alice's hair as she and Lucien started bantering back and forth over antics in the morgue - including something about Matthew helping to dig up a grave in the middle of the night, much to Matthew's annoyance.
She laughed as Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose with a groan; her brother had found his home, he was happy and it filled Vera with warmth. All she'd wanted after his accident was for him to be happy, and here in the warm kitchen of the Blake household, his fiancé sitting next to him as they were surrounded by family and friends, Vera could see that her wish had been fulfilled.
"The baby giving you some trouble, sweetheart?" Matthew whispered in her ear as he stole an arm around her waist.
She'd escaped to the sunroom for a bit of fresh air - the kitchen feeling just a tad too warm, with too much noise, and too many people. Leaning back against Matthew, Alice smiled and hummed when he held her close - his thumb rubbing comforting circles against her hip.
"No more than usual," she replied. "There was just… a lot of people."
Matthew pressed a kiss to her temple, "Vera's asking questions. I haven't told her anything; I wanted to wait to ask you about it."
"What sort of questions?"
He shrugged, "She seems to have picked up on something going on. She doesn't know what and I won't tell her if you don't want me to. She noticed you and Jean leaving earlier."
"Ah, yes, when Baby Lawson caused a bit of a fuss," Alice smiled at his chuckle. "I suppose… we'll have to tell them eventually."
"Do you still want to wait, in case…?"
Alice turned towards him and kissed his cheek, "I passed the twelve week mark a few days ago, the risk goes down after that from what Jean and Lucien told me."
His shoulders relaxed and he pulled her closer, "That's good."
"So… if your sister is asking questions, you can tell her if you'd like."
Matthew chuckled and kissed her forehead, "At least now she won't be surprised when the wedding's soon."
"That's true. I was thinking of having it up in Melbourne, Matthew. It'd be easier for your family and I have some friends up there that I'd like to attend."
"Mm, that's a good idea, sweetheart. And then take… let's say a week for the honeymoon? I'm sure I can scrounge up some extra funds to spoil you with."
She laughed at his boyish grin and kissed him softly, "You already spoil me. Besides, as soon as I told Mac I was getting married, she told one of her friends and Miss Fisher is already insisting on putting us up in one of the higher-end hotels for a week as the honeymoon - a wedding present."
"That's awfully nice of her."
"She's very generous, yes. We just have to tell her when."
"Hm…" Matthew kissed the end of her nose. "Since you're past the twelve week benchmark… and we want it done before you start showing, maybe… no later than early July?"
"Maybe… maybe July 8th? It's a Sunday, but people could make a weekend out of it." Alice tilted her head, "That gives us roughly a month to finalize everything, and for me to find something to wear."
"You can wear a burlap sack for all I care, sweetheart, I'll marry you regardless."
She threw her head back and laughed, her hands cupping his cheeks as she shook her head with a fond smile. "You are a silly man, Matthew Lawson."
"I'm your silly man, Alice Harvey. And July 8th sounds perfect."
She smiled and kissed him, sighing as his hand smoothed up and down her back. Leaning her forehead against his, Alice stayed in his arms until Jean popped her head out to tell them dinner was ready.
One month, Alice smiled. One month and she'd be Matthew's wife and their child wouldn't have a stigma attached to them. One month for her to find a proper wedding dress and to tell friends and Matthew's family of the pending wedding.
"I get to marry you in a month," Matthew whispered in her ear as they walked back into the house.
"Exciting, isn't it?" She kissed him lightly, her fingers threading through his on their way to the table. "One month until I'm Mrs. Lawson."
"Doctor Lawson, sweetheart, and I can't wait."
"Me either."
"So, have you two settled on a date yet?" Lucien asked with a grin as they all settled in and around the living room for after-dinner drinks.
"Lucien," Jean narrowed her eyes at her husband as she handed Alice a cup of tea instead of her usual sherry.
"What, I'm just asking! They must have something figured out."
"We didn't have a date finalized until nearly six months into our engagement, need I remind you," Jean frowned while the room laughed.
Lucien waved it aside, "Mitigating circumstances, my darling."
"Actually, Lucien," Matthew spoke up, hoping to stop the Blakes' banter before it really started going, "Alice and I have decided on a date and where."
"Oh? Do tell! Am I the best man?"
"Lucien," Jean swatted at his shoulder.
Matthew just laughed, "Nah, I was gonna ask Jean. Yes, Lucien you're the best man."
"And we're going to have the wedding in Melbourne, July 8th," Alice interjected.
"That's really soon, Matthew," his sister's eyebrows rose nearly to her hairline.
He nodded, "It is, Vera, but… we don't want to wait much longer and…" He looked to Alice, who laced her fingers in his and smiled. "And there's more we haven't told you."
"I'm, uh…" Alice smiled, "I'm pregnant, and we don't want me to be showing a lot by the time we marry, so it has to be next month."
"Bloody hell, Matthew… you don't waste time do you?" Vera gaped, even as her mother chided her softly and Matthew rolled his eyes.
"It was as unexpected for us as it is for you," Alice answered. "Matthew had already planned on asking me to marry him, but, uh… I told him of the pregnancy first."
"A shock, certainly," he pressed a kiss to the side of her head, "but all in all, it just moved the timetable up, really."
Elizabeth walked over and kissed Alice on her forehead and then Matthew, smiling at the wide-eyed look she got from both of them. "I'm happy for you, both of you, and while it's unexpected, I'm glad you told us."
"Thank you, Mum," Matthew smiled as she hugged him.
"Yes, t-thank you," Alice stuttered as Elizabeth hugged her too and sat next to her.
She took Alice's hand and patted the back of it, "Welcome to the family, Alice. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Tears gathered in Alice's eyes and she blinked them back with a smile. "Thank you, Elizabeth," she sniffed. When a few tears escaped, Alice wiped them away with a laugh, "Hormones."
"More tea, Alice?" Jean asked as the living room laughed and all of them eagerly started discussing the wedding.
"I'll come with you, Jean," Alice said with a smile. When they were firmly in the kitchen, Alice turned to her.
"Thank you so much, Jean, for… well everything lately."
"Oh, Alice… you're a dear friend to both Lucien and me, of course I'd help."
Alice smiled and looked down at her feet before she pulled Jean into a hug - squeezing briefly before letting go. "I know… I know that, but I wanted to thank you regardless. And… I wondered if you'd stand with me at the wedding?"
"Of course!" Jean grinned and held Alice's hands tight. "I'd be delighted and honored, Alice."
Alice grinned back, "I can't see anyone else with me, well, except maybe Lucien."
"Maybe you and Matthew should switch?" Jean smiled when Alice laughed. "Were you going to shop for a dress to wear?"
"Actually… that's another favor I thought I'd ask of you. Do you… do you think you could spare a day or two and come with me to Melbourne? My friends want to help out since my… my family and I are estranged. Miss Fisher offered to pay for the honeymoon as a wedding gift, and Mac wants to help me with the dress. I'm under semi-strict instructions from both of them to buy something I like. I'm open to anything that's not white."
Jean chuckled, "They sound like very good friends, Alice. I look forward to meeting them. Would this weekend work? Or would you like to wait closer to the wedding so we know how much extra fabric to have with it?"
"I was hoping for a quiet weekend with Matthew, it's been a bit of a whirlwind lately."
"I understand completely. Let's say… a day trip or weekend in about two weeks? That'll give us enough time to shop and then I can alter it for you if you'd like."
Alice smiled and nodded. Jean pulled her in for another hug and then handed over a freshly brewed cup of tea. She gently chimed her own cup with Alice's in a small toast, "To the future Dr. Lawson, and to Baby Lawson then."
"Cheers," Alice grinned.