Thanks so much for all your latest reviews. Sorry for the delay, I had problems uploading, though on a positive note the next chapter is coming along nicely and might be ready tomorrow. Enjoy the read. Best Wishes Mx

CARRICK

'Gracie, what are you doing?' I ask as I walk out of the ensuite bathroom and towards the bed. Grace is sat up in bed looking at her cell phone.

'I'm just wondering if I should call Matt and ask if everything is OK.' Grace says. 'I know Hannah has called him, well I assume it was him because I heard her giggling.'

'Don't fuss and don't meddle. If you have to do something then just send a text saying that 'you're looking forward to seeing him tomorrow, hope he has a good day at school, night, love mom' or something along those lines. At least he'll get your cell number then if he wants to get in contact.' I say as I climb into bed next to her. She's already busy, her fingers furiously typing in her text. 'Grace, when Matt was still living here he was almost like a little boy even though he's eighteen. We all smothered him, he couldn't do anything without one of us knowing what he was up to, he was always eager to please and would do anything for any of us. He's changed and for the better in my opinion. He's had to do his growing up fast. In the three months that he's been gone he's bought a house which he's almost rebuilt though there's still some work that needs doing, he still going to school so that he can graduate, he's doing work experience at the court one day a week and he's managing everything else that goes into running a house. I'm very proud of the way he's handled everything, he matured into a fine young man.'

'Oh Cary, I can't wait to see him. Did he look healthy?' Grace asks.

'Extremely. He's obviously coping with everything OK. He has a machine that checks his blood, he did it while he was showing me round as if it was just something he's always done and then he had what looked like a pen that he stuck in his arm.' I say.

'Are you sure he stuck it in his arm?' Grace asks.

'I think so, it all happened so quickly. He had the machine in one hand and then he had the pen in the other but he did lift his t-shirt slightly and then just said ''It would have been easier if I'd had these three months ago.'' I say and Grace smiles at me.

'He would probably have put it in his abdomen. Those pens are quite new over here, they've used them for a while in other parts of the world especially the UK where almost all diabetics use them. I'm glad he has them though, which sort was it a refillable or durable?' Grace asks.

'Jeez Grace, I don't know. I was a bit overwhelmed by it all, he was so calm with it. He just chatted away and it was all over so quickly, I obviously didn't even catch where he stuck it in himself.' I say. 'You're the doctor, he might tell you more about them.'

'I'll ask him.' She says.

'No, wait until he approaches you to tell you.' I say gently.

'But Cary, I just want to know.' She says.

'I know you do darling but if you start asking he'll just close in on himself. I found if I just sat back and listened he talked. Remember when he first told us about getting Hannah pregnant and we got angry with him.' I say and Grace nods. 'I admit I didn't handle it well. He threatened then to leave school and the first thing he said to me today was that he'd made that promise to me to finish and get his diploma so he'd registered for school as soon as he moved there and then he said 'I wasn't doing drugs dad I promise'. He knew that Christian would have told us about that day and he was terrified of our reaction, he must have thought we would have believed Christian's version of events over his. I absolutely dread to think what Christian actually said to him, I know Christian said he lost his temper but he does it so often we're all used to it now and Christian never remembers what he's said half the time. I'm just hoping Matt will open up and say something this weekend to one of us and that's why we have to let him do it in his own time with no pressure. I'm going to talk to Hannah on the drive to pick you up tomorrow because I think she could be the key to get everything out in open. If he's had her laughing and giggling already then that's a good start that they're communicating as normally as possible as soon as they made contact.'

'OK I'll wait for him to talk.' Grace says with a sigh.

'You'll also be pleased to know your youngest son is actually sleeping all through the night and even sleeps in on weekends.' I add.

'Wow Cary he must have changed. I don't remember a night when he didn't get up to read or play the piano. He never liked sleeping much.' Grace says.

'I've just had an idea for a joint house warming and Christmas present for him.' I say excitedly. 'A piano, he doesn't have one though I think we'll check with him before we buy it.'

'What's he been doing then? He's always played the piano whatever mood he was in.' Grace says.

'He's been painting. Either walls in the house or his artwork for school. Apparently he's quite talented and won some sort of competition. His picture was in the local art gallery and could have sold many times according to Olivia but he refused to sell it. You'll see it tomorrow, it's hung in his kitchen. I'm also excited for you seeing the house, he's done a good job with the renovation.'

'I'm excited too, what else did Olivia say about him?' Grace asks.

'She didn't realise he was our boy and just spoke in general about how her mom had taken a shine to him, how polite he was and had obviously been brought up well.' I say before adding quietly.' She also said he had the potential to be a good lawyer.'

'Oh Cary.' Grace says and hugs me.

'I didn't tell him what she'd said but then when he told me he'd enrolled at the community college to study law I was a bit shocked. He knew I was and gave me the biggest grin ever.' I say.

'Why doesn't he go to Harvard then?' Grace asks.

'The community college is like doing the first couple of years of a degree. He can still live in the house and get a foot ferry across to Bremerton. Remember he wasn't overly fussed with Cambridge or Harvard but who knows in a couple of years he might think differently and decide to finish his degree at somewhere like that. We thought he would either live here or his house next door and work for Christian so this is a huge step for him.' I say.

'It won't be easy with the babies.' Grace says.

'He'll take it all in his stride and make it look easy. What's he's achieved so far is unbelievable.' I say. 'Let's get some sleep, we've got a big day tomorrow, I'll get up early and drive you work.'

'Thanks Cary.' Grace says. 'I love you.'

'I love you too, now sleep.' I say as I kiss her and turn out the light. Her phone beeps and she switches the light back on.

'Matts replied.' She says and as she reads the biggest smile comes on her face. 'He says he's looking forward to seeing me as well and that he's desperate for a hug because he knows I will be and that Hannah phoned and the conversation was good but we assumed that anyway and he's asked if I'll make pancakes for breakfast on Saturday.'

'Oh he did mention something about that, after he dropped me at my car he was stopping at the supermarket to get some groceries for the weekend.' I say.

'And then he just says night mom love always Matt.' Grace says. 'Should I reply?'

'No Grace, turn out the light and let's get some sleep, he won't be expecting a reply and remember to just take a step back. Just treat him like Elliot and Christian.' I say.

'But he the youngest, it's different.' Grace says.

'No it isn't. Turn out the light.' I mutter.

'Don't get grumpy.' She says but does as she's told before lying next to me so I can wrap my arms around her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

'Come on Grace, stop flapping and let me get you to work.' I say as I open the door ready to leave to head to the city.

'I just want to make sure I have everything for later. It's all these bags here that need to go.' Grace says as she points at the mountain of bags in the hallway.

'Grace we're only going away for two nights.' I say with a sigh.

'Well I sort of packed a few of his things.' Grace says.

'He didn't ask for anything. Which bag is ours?' I ask.

'The black one we usually take for an overnight stay.' She says.

'OK that's the only one I will put in the car.' I say. 'If he decides he wants some of his old stuff we can either go and visit again or he can come and collect it himself. Besides if I put all this stuff in there'll be no room for Hannah and her things. I'll move it all back upstairs when I come home at lunchtime but right now we need to leave.' I usher Grace through the front door and then open her car door for her so she can get in.

'Will you remind Hannah to take her pregnancy notes with her, she should take them wherever she goes.' Grace says.

'Grace.' I say and then think about what I'm going to say.

'I'm fussing again aren't I?' she says.

'Yes.' I say.

'I'm sorry. I'm just so nervous about later.' She says.

'Don't be, you're worrying unnecessarily. By the way Matt's had all his curls cut off, he's got a buzz cut.' I say.

'No.' she says in surprise and I turn to her and smile. We continue to talk as I drive into the city and luckily the traffic is light at this time of day so it doesn't take long. I drop Grace at the hospital and then make my way to my office. I catch up with all the paperwork that I need to and as I prepare to leave the phone rings.

'Grey.' I say.

'Hi Dad.' Christian says.

'Hi Christian, to what do I owe the pleasure. You don't normally call me at work.' I say.

'I was wondering if you've heard from Matt.' Christian says.

'Why? Are you worrying he might tell us what went on that afternoon to make him disappear for three months with no word.' I say.

'You can tell you're at work, you're in lawyer mode.' Christian mutters.

'No Christian I'm just concerned.' I say.

'Did he call the house again?' Christian asks now.

'No he didn't.' I say truthfully. He didn't call, Hannah called him and Grace texted but he didn't make the first contact.

'I'm concerned about Hannah being in the house on her own, what if he makes contact. Do you think I should send security over there today?' he asks.

'No.' I say bluntly as I can picture the mountain of bags in the hallway and can only imagine his reaction to them. 'I'm finishing early today and told Hannah I would be home for lunch so will be there in an hour. She was also going to call me if she needed anything.'

'Well I can arrange some for next week while you and mom are at work.' Christian says.

'I'll speak to her about it over the weekend and we can discuss it on Monday.' I say. 'I thought you would be getting ready to leave for Portland.'

'Mrs Jones has packed and Taylor is collecting me in thirty minutes and then we will get Ana. Elliot and Kate are meeting us there.' He says.

I hope you all have a good weekend.' I say politely.

'You too dad.' Christian says.

'Thanks, I'm going to try and convince your mom to start thinking about Christmas as it's only three weeks away.' I say.

'Do you think mom would mind if me and Ana weren't there this Christmas. We came for thanksgiving and I was thinking I could take her to visit her mom for a few days. Would you be able to broach the subject and break it to her gently, I was going to ask her last night but I didn't want to upset her further after Matt phoned.' Christian says.

'I'll tell her and I'm sure she'll be fine. You go ahead and make your plans.' I say.

'I just thought if I'm not there and Matt isn't either and what if Elliot spends the time with Kate?' Christian says.

'It won't be a problem, mom was only saying yesterday that she didn't really want to celebrate so she won't want to make any fuss. It will be ideal if you and Elliot make plans, Mia will spend the holidays in her usual social whirl so mom and I can just have a quiet time.' I say.

'And Hannah?' Christian asks.

'Will make her own mind up and decide what she wants to do.' I say.

'OK dad, thanks. I'll call you next week.' Christian says and then he is gone without a goodbye. I put the phone down and sigh, I might as well make tracks back to Bellevue as I'm not in the mood to do anymore work. The drive home is good as the traffic is once again light. Hannah is sat at the kitchen table, concentrating on something on her laptop.

'Hi Carrick.' She says without looking up.

'Hi Hannah. Are you busy?' I ask.

'I'm almost finished. Another five minutes and it will be another assignment completed. I'm trying to get well ahead before these two arrive to interrupt the proceedings of my diploma.' Hannah says and smiles as she lovingly strokes her stomach.

'I'll leave you to it. I'll move some of those bags back upstairs that Grace had packed.' I say and head back out into the hallway. Three trips up and down the stairs to leave the bags in Matt's room. When I leave the final bags I glance around the room in which I thought he was happy in, sometimes I think I failed my best friend and my youngest son. Yes there have been happy times but also lots of sad ones, the loving happy go lucky boy who lost his parents so young, at times too scared to speak, too frightened to eat, upset at any change and oh so set in his ways but on the other hand, so loving, so trusting, and so so clever. The trouble always being that he would never move away from me or Grace, especially Grace who had been his one constant throughout his life. The one who delivered him into this world, who almost lost him on the operating table six months ago when he ruptured his spleen and then did lose him three months ago when he and Christian met that fateful afternoon in Matt's office at Grey house.

'Carrick.' Hannah says as she pops her head around the door. 'Are you OK?'

'Yes.' I mutter. I'm sat on the edge of his bed, blinking I remember what I'd been doing. 'Sorry I lost track of time.'

'That's OK. I was just wondering if you could carry my bag downstairs please. I could probably manage it myself but I know how everyone fusses.' Hannah says.

'Of course I can.' I say as I stand.

'I hope you don't mind but I packed two bags, one with clothes and one with all my school work. I thought I could always find somewhere quiet to study if things aren't working out.' Hannah says.

'Do you want to work things out?' I ask.

'Of course.' Hannah says immediately.

'He texted Grace last night to say that you'd spoken to each other, has he contacted you today?' I ask nervously.

'Yes, there was a text waiting when I woke up wishing me a 'Good Morning', another to say he was leaving for school and a third to remind me to pack plenty of warm clothes and walking shoes cos it's going to be cold but he wants to show me around.' She says and smiles. 'I'm not sure how far he's expecting me to walk.'

'It won't be far, Port Orchard's quite a small place.' I say as I pick up her bags. 'Are you sure you've packed enough?'

'Yes. I didn't want to pack too much in case he got his hopes up and thought I was staying longer. We'll just have to take it a day at a time, in fact to start with it will be hour by hour.' She says.

'Port Orchard would be a lovely place to bring up children and the house is amazing.' I say.

'One step at a time Carrick.' Hannah warns. 'When we spoke last night it felt like we hadn't been apart though at times I felt like shouting at him. A couple of times I felt my words getting a bit harsh and he would just whisper I'm sorry and then go silent on me and I remembered what you told me about being gentle with him but I'm not sure I can be like that all the time.'

'Hannah I wouldn't expect you to be all the time. Just get through this evening and see how it goes. Let him know how it's been for you as well these past few months.' I say.

'I don't want to upset him.' Hannah says quietly.

'You won't, he'll be trying so hard to make you happy and anyway he still has two rooms downstairs to decorate and five rooms and about three bathrooms upstairs plus he was talking about converting the old garage that's attached to the house into something so he can work his upset and temper tantrums out on them. Last night when I was saying to be gentle it was more for Grace's benefit, you know what's she's like.' I say.

'I do but Matt's still her baby.' Hannah says.

'I know that's the trouble.' I say and grin at her.

'Carrick, can I ask you a favour?' Hannah asks with a shy smile.

'Sure.'

'Have we got time to stop at Target on the way to collect Grace? I want to get some things for Matt as a sort of house warming gift.' Hannah says.

'Have you got any ideas as to what to buy?'

'Of course.' She says and is grinning. 'When we went away in the summer to Hawaii, London and New York most evenings or even sometimes in the afternoon we would always play games, scrabble, monopoly, connect four, boggle and even snakes and ladders. We had so much fun and I'd like to get a selection of games for the house.'

'That's a great idea, I'm going to get him one of those sets with checkers, chess and backgammon. We used to play lots together especially on vacations. With the weather so cold at the moment it will be the perfect way to spend the afternoons.' I say. 'I said to Grace last night about buying him a piano for Christmas.'

'He hasn't got one.' Hannah says in surprise. 'All his houses have a piano. I don't think I've spent a day with him and not heard him play. What's he been doing?'

'Renovating a house for his family.' I say and she smiles shyly at me.