Hello again, for those of you that read 'Matty at the Greys' yesterday you will know that I'm back and writing once more. Thankyou so much to everyone that left reviews and sent messages, they are all very much appreciated. Hopefully a chapter of 'Matty' will follow tomorrow. Hope you are all well. Enjoy the chapter. Best wishes Mx

MATT

'Why does shit like this never happen to you?' I ask Christian. He looks at me and frowns. I gulp.

'Do I really need to answer that question?' he asks.

'No.' I mutter quietly.

'I don't want to lecture you but it could have been avoided.' He says.

'I know, I'm sorry.' I say as I look away.

'Just learn from it.' Christian says.

'This is the moment you would normally go thermonuclear.' I say with a smirk.

'Not today, you don't need it today.' He says gently.

'Thanks.' I say and then change the subject. 'How's Jonty?'

'Good. Grateful that I've helped him but he knows if he screws up again then I won't be as lenient with him. He's looking forward to seeing you. He's missed having you around.' Christian says.

'I feel guilty, I should have been there for him. He promised me in the summer that he'd stopped.' I say.

'He got back in with the wrong crowd and his parents were always too lenient with him. He always had too much money to spend.' He says.

'Total opposite to me then.' I mutter.

'Mom was pretty easy going with you.' He says with a smile.

'Dad certainly wasn't.'

'You know why though and dad is pretty relaxed with you now, probably more so than me and mom. You always seemed happy though and never mentioned that you never had any cash.' Christian says.

'I was happy, I never needed anything or went without stuff.'

'You should have told me or Elliot.' He says.

'You both paid for plenty of things when you took me out. I couldn't have asked for anything else.' I say.

'You know you only have to ask if you need anything now.' He says.

'I'm fine moneywise thanks.' I say.

'I realise that, though you didn't touch your bank account.' He says.

'I knew you would check. I used the one I found in Hawaii. I've been careful though, there's plenty left in there.' I say.

'OK but you know to ask if you need help with anything else.'

'Yes.' I say quietly.

'I mean it.'

'I know, I called this morning and you came.' I say.

'I'm pleased that you did.' He says and I look at him in surprise. 'I am.'

'I am too.' I say and he comes and gives me a brotherly hug just as mom walks in.

'Oh my, you two boys certainly know how to make me smile this morning.' Mom says.

'Morning mom.' Christian says as he goes to greet her and kiss her cheek. I stand where I am and put my head down so that she can't see my face.

GRACE

'Stay calm mom. He's terrified of your reaction.' Christian says in my ear as he hugs me briefly. 'I'll explain more when I get a chance.' I nod at him and then cross the room to where Matt is.

'Darling.' I say quietly as I stand next to him. He looks up slowly and I see the fear in his eyes.

'I'm sorry mom, please don't get angry. I'm sorry.' He says. I don't give him chance to say anything else but put my arms around him and pull him into a hug.

'It wasn't your fault.' I say as he hugs me back.

'It was, I should have had security.' He mutters.

'Hush, it's too late to worry about that now. Let me take a look at your face properly.' I say. He lifts his face and looks straight at me. 'It's not as bad as I thought, the bruising will go down quickly.'

'Dad.'

'Will be here later with Mia.' I say. 'When can you go home?'

'I'm not sure. The doctor wants to do a scan. I might have to stay in overnight.' He says and looks at Christian.

'Overnight for a few bruises.' I say in surprise.

'Mom it's not as simple as that.' Christian starts to say as Hannah walks into the room with a boy about Matt's age.

'Hannah lovely to see you.' I say.

'Morning Grace. I didn't expect to see you so soon.' Hannah says. 'Your toast.' She adds and gives a wrapped package to Matt before hugging me.

'Thanks.' Matt says. 'Mom I'd like you to meet my friend Jack. Jack this is my mom Grace.'

'Lovely to meet you Jack.' I say and I can see Matt smirk at him as I shake his hand.

'Likewise Mrs Grey.' Jack says.

'Did you both eat?' Matt asks Jack as he starts to eat his toast.

'Yes, I made sure Hannah had a proper breakfast.' Jack says and grins at him.

'How much do I owe you?' Matt asks.

'As if I'd let you pay.' Jack says.

'Please.'

'No way. It's about time I got to pay for something.' Jack says.

'In that case I'll take you to Hawaii for New Year. Hannah wants to go and has said you can come. You and dad can come as well if you want.' Matt says generously.

'That would be lovely darling.' I say.

'Do you think your mom will let you come?' Matt asks Jack.

'Yes but Hawaii. I only bought you a slice of toast and Hannah some pancakes.' Jack says quietly.

'Well you should have let me pay for them, let that be a lesson to you in future.' Matt says jokingly. I haven't seen him like this in a long time and it makes me smile.

'Does the offer extend to the rest of the family?' Christian asks.

'I was hoping you would let us use your jet, there might not be enough room for everyone especially as you will insist on taking security.' Matt says cheekily.

'I'll charter a bigger one.' Christian says as he looks at Matt. Matt looks at Hannah then whispers something in her ear, she nods and smiles at him.

'My beautiful wife has given me permission to let you crash our New Year get together in Hawaii but you need to charter a fucking awesome jet.' Matt says to Christian.

'Consider it done.' Christian says with a smile.

'And you young man are not too old to have your mouth washed out with soap.' I say.

'Not today mom because it might react with whatever I was knocked out with. I'm hoping breakfast number two will stay in my stomach.' Matt says cheekily. I smile at him, I could never be cross for long with my youngest boy especially when he was in one of his charmingly good moods.

'You've been sick, is that why they want to keep you in?' I ask and Matt nods. 'Shall I go and speak with the doctor?'

'Yes mom. You know him. It's Dr Anderson.' Matt says.

'That's good. He was one of the doctors that…..' I start to say.

'I know, he told me. He recognised the scar.' Matt says.

'I'll come with you mom.' Christian says.

'We'll be back soon darling boy.' I say and give him a quick hug.

'Take all the time you need mom, I've no plans to go anywhere.' Matt says cheekily with a smirk.

'No mischief. Security will be outside.' Christian says as we leave the room.

'So why was Matt terrified of my reaction?' I ask as we walk down the corridor.

'He blurted out like he does that he's scared of doing something one of us doesn't like and then we won't want him again. He's dreading being with everyone this weekend and I think he only agreed to it to please Hannah and he's worried he might make a mess of something between now and Christmas and you'll have spent all the money on the flights and to cap it all he's scared to let anyone get close in case he gets hurt again.' Christian says. 'I think he needs a session with Flynn.'

'I think we just need to give him time to adjust. You saw how he was with Jack. It was like he was when he was younger, the cheeky, confident boy.' I say.

'Yes, Matt and Jack are pretty close, they've formed a tight bond in a short space of time.' Christian says.

MATT

'Two down, three to go.' I say as I look at Jack. He gives me a puzzled look. 'You've met my mom and one brother, there's just dad, Elliot and Mia to go and if you're still coming to dinner tonight I'm sure dad and Mia will be there.'

'I can't just turn up for dinner if you're still in here.' Jack says.

'Mom and Christian will sort something out. We still need to write a song and you have to go swim training.' I say.

'Again.' Hannah says.

'Yes because your husband put me to shame this morning. I still don't know how you did it.' Jack says.

'To be honest I thought you'd beat me hands down, I wasn't even trying. I think I could go faster.' I say and Jack groans. 'Perhaps you were trying too hard, when you do it again tonight just relax and it will happen.'

'And when I don't the coach will go mental at me again.' Jack says.

'Trust me. Relax, stretch out at each turn and you will surprise yourself.' I say as I pull Hannah close and hug her. 'You look tired baby, I want you to go home and rest.'

'I will be OK.' Hannah says.

'Please baby, even if you just go home and do some more work on your essay. Remember we're going to Bellevue tomorrow afternoon.' I say and then looking at Jack I add. 'It's Elliot's birthday, we have a compulsory family meal on Saturday evening and these things tend to last the weekend.'

'You'll miss Sky's party on Friday.' Jack says.

'I know, I'm a bit gutted about that but there's stuff I need to do on Friday.' I say.

'You didn't tell me there was a party, we could have delayed going until Saturday morning.' Hannah says.

'I'm playing golf on Saturday.' I say.

'I suppose that's something else that you're good at.' Jack says.

'Yes he's brilliant at everything.' Hannah says.

'Everything.' Jack says and raises his eyebrows. Hannah blushes. 'I take it from your reaction that's a yes and I'm so jealous of you.'

'Jealous of me.' Hannah says.

'Yes, hasn't Matt told you?' Jack asks.

'Told me what?' Hannah asks.

'I think we'll save this conversation for another day when there isn't a chance of my mom and brother walking in on us.' I say and look at Jack.

'Tell me.' Hannah says.

'No. I'm going to get Andrews to take you home. No arguing.' I say and then whisper in her ear. 'It's only what I told you the other day. Please go home now.'

'OK.' Hannah says quietly and goes to pick up her bag from the chair. Jack watches with interest. I open the door and nod at Andrews before giving him instructions about taking Hannah home.

'I'll call you baby. Call me if you need anything.' I say as I hug her and briefly brush my lips against hers.

'I'm not happy about this.' She says quietly to me.

'You will be when you get so much work done.' I reply before letting her go.

'Do you want me to leave as well?' Jack asks when I turn back into the room.

'No, you can stay if you want. Christian found out why the old coach attacked me. He saw me with Hannah last night and thought I was cheating on you. He didn't want you getting hurt.' I say. Jack gulps. 'Have you had any contact with him since that night?'

'Briefly. He kept texting and leaving voicemails to check that I was OK. I answered one of his calls about two weeks after you dragged me out of his office. I asked him to leave me alone and that I was happy. I sort of led him to believe that I was with someone but I didn't mention your name.' Jack says.

'And then he will have seen us round town together all the time.' I mutter.

'Probably, but I didn't know he was following us.' Jack says.

'Fuck, what a mess.' I say. 'I want you to come to Bellevue this weekend.'

'What will your mom think of that?' Jack asks.

'She won't mind but I want you out of town.' I say.

'Why?'

'Because I meant what I said before. I'm not going to press charges because I don't want you dragged through the courts. I'm going to get Christian to get his security to deal with him.' I say.

'What will they do?' he asks.

'They'll just speak to him and get him to leave this area. Before I ask Christian to do this you have to want it to. If you're happy to still have him living in town then I won't ask.' I say and look at Jack. He pauses. 'I know this isn't easy for you but I don't think I can live here if he does.'

'You'd move back to Bellevue.' Jack says and I shrug before picking up my backpack and searching through it as if there's something important in there. For something to do I check my blood and am relieved it's normal. I look at Jack once more and he's watching me closely. 'I want him to leave, I'd rather have you and Hannah here. At the age of eighteen I've finally found my best friend and I couldn't imagine my life without you.'

'Thanks mate.' I say and we hug each other. I'm not sure how long we've been stood in the same spot in each other's arms but we pull apart when Christian and mom walk in.

'Everything OK.' Christian says as he looks at me through narrow eyes.

'Yes it's good.' I say. 'Andrews has taken Hannah home so that she can do schoolwork and rest.'

'And she agreed to that.' Christian says.

'Well she's not here now.' I say.

'I can see that.' He says.

'Boys that's enough. The doctor will be in here soon and he's arranged to do your scan within the next thirty minutes.' Mom says.

'And if all is OK will he let me go home?' I ask.

'As long as your blood is OK.' Mom says.

'I've just checked it and its fine.' I say. 'Mom would you mind if Jack came to Bellevue for some of the weekend?'

'That's fine darling boy.' Mom says. 'Now Jack is there anything you won't eat….' She adds as she starts to fuss. I smirk at Jack as he politely answers her questions.

'What's all this about?' Christian hisses at me. 'First you're hugging him and now you want him with you this weekend.'

'I want him out of town.' I say and Christian raises his eyebrows at me so I go on to explain and ask him if he can arrange for his security to get the coach to move away and leave Jack alone for good. 'I don't want him around while it's going on in case he tries to contact Jack again.'

'OK. I'll make all the arrangements. When will Jack come?' Christian asks.

'Probably Saturday lunchtime. There's a party here on Friday evening that he's going to.' I say.

'Would you have gone?' Christian asks.

'Yes but I'm trying to keep Hannah and mom happy.' I mutter. 'And I bet you booked for us to be out early on the golf course.'

'Yes but only because Elliot doesn't perform as well early in the morning.' Christian says with a smirk. I smile back at him.

'Good thinking bro.' I say and Christian smiles at me again. Things are getting slightly easier between us.

'Will Jack drive or will he want a lift to Bellevue?' Christian asks.

'He doesn't have a car, he can use the Saab.' I say. Christian raises his eyebrows at me. 'Yes Christian we're that close and he means a lot to me.'

'If you didn't have Hannah would you…..' Christian starts.

'I do have Hannah and she knows there will never be anyone else.' I say quietly.

'That wasn't the question and you know it.' Christian says.

'No I wouldn't. He's my best friend, I would do anything for him and the feeling is mutual. I trust him.' I say.

'Do you trust me?' Christian asks.

'Yes of course.' I say without hesitation.

'Good. I need to call dad.' Christian says and as he takes his blackberry from his pocket he leaves the room.

'Is everything OK darling?' mom asks from the other side of the room where she is still talking to Jack.

'Yes mom.' I say as I walk over.

'You and Christian….' She starts to say.

'Are getting on at the moment.' I say as I interrupt her and then change the subject. 'So do you know Jack inside and out and back to front?' I smile at Jack and he grins at me.

'Well I'm looking forward to having him stay at the weekend and finding out more.' Mom says. 'Especially finding out what you've been up to the last three months young man.' I groan.

'You only have to ask mom, though I thought it would be pretty obvious when you saw the house photos and how it is now.' I say.

'He has worked very hard and non-stop.' Jack says.

'I've had fun as well.' I say.

'He's very popular, especially with the girls. Everyone wants him at their parties. Sky will be disappointed on Friday.' Jack says.

'I'll pre-warn her and make it up to her. She'll forgive me.' I say confidently. 'I'll catch her tomorrow after the exam.'

'Is the exam that important?' mom asks.

'Yes. I want the credits now. Much as I'm enjoying school I want to finish early and spend the time with Hannah.' I say.

'Will you finish early Jack?' mom asks.

'No Mrs Grey. I didn't build up enough credits last year. My twin sister is the clever one, she graduated early and is studying at Washington University in Seattle.' Jack says.

'Grace please.' Mom says and Jack smiles at her. 'What is she studying?'

'She's an undergraduate on the Bio-medical course.' Jack says.

'Excellent. Does she want to be a doctor?' mom asks.

'A paediatrician.' Jack says and mom smiles.

'Good choice.' Mom says.

'That's what mom is.' I say to Jack.

'You never told me.' Jack says and mom gives me a look.

'I didn't tell anyone anything.' I say in explanation. 'I'm sorry.' I look at mom and then Jack.

'Your dad?' Jack questions.

'Is a lawyer. Elliot is a builder, Mia is studying History at WSU Seattle and Christian is a control freak.' I say and smile at mom sweetly.

'Matthew.' Mom warns.

'Sorry, Christian has an empire that includes telecommunications, shipbuilding, transport, agriculture, feeding the worlds poor and a few other sidelines.' I say with a smirk before asking mom. 'Was that a better explanation?'

'It will do.' Christian says from behind me. I freeze, Shit, he heard.

'I…I..I'm sorry.' I manage to stutter.

'Don't worry, I'm not angry.' He says gently as he places a hand on my shoulder. 'Mom, Dr Anderson wants to confirm a few things with you and they'll be doing the scan in five minutes.'

'OK Christian, I'll go and find him.' Mom says.

'I'll come with you.' Christian says. 'I need to know what's happening so I can arrange a flight plan to Portland.'