Well people this is the end. I want to thank you so much for taking this journey to me. A special thanks to Therese and all the wonderful people who reviewed, sent me comments, and made this one of their favorite stories. Have a great summer.
"Did anyone ever tell you that you can be a real dick sometimes?" the voice questioned from the kitchen doorway.
"Only family. And friends once they get to know me," Matt replied, never once stopping his chopping of the vegetables.
"Where is Megan and who is the big, bully, pro-wrestling looking guy sitting at her desk?" Ridge demanded.
"Hello, Matt. Hello, Ridge. How are you? I'm fine. How are you- -" Matt said, correcting Ridge's lack of manners.
"I get it. Hi, Matt. Who is that guy?"
Dumping the vegetables into the pot, Matt placed the lid on the bubbling ingredients. Baby steps. Baby steps. He reminded himself whenever he had to deal with Ridge or worse yet, Ridge and Bridget together. When those two were together, he wanted to smack her smug self. "Good eye. Bruce is an ex-wrestler, ex-bouncer turned administrative assistant. As you know, Brooke, promoted Megan to VP of sales, so LF decided to give Bruce a chance. Isn't he working out?"
"Why do I have to announce what I want to talk to Brooke about to a complete stranger?"
"Remember we're turning Forrester into a place of business. Forrester family business has no place there," Brooke said, walking into the kitchen. "Good evening."
"Evening, LF."
"Logan. Forrester is a family business- -"
"That has let its personal business almost take over the company. I'm amazed that we actually got work done."
"It wasn't that bad," Ridge stated.
Matching raised eyebrows stared back at him.
"No more, Ridge. It's a place of business and it will remain so."
"Plus it keeps your mother's vicious attacks to a minimum and your father's 'why can't we be one big happy family' routine," Matt commented. "Wait, since Bruce has taken over for Megan, all that's stopped," he continued in mock shock. "I would hold out hope that your parents would clue in, but their track record says differently."
Reluctantly, Ridge had to agree with Matt's methods. Just last night, his mother had been on a tirade about how Brooke was keeping the oldest Forrester heir away from her. He had tried to interject and remind her that one, Matt wasn't a Forrester, and two, that based on her attitude, actions, and thoughts on Logan, Matt would never agree to meet with her, and three, Matt was a grown man with children of his own, he could see whomever he wanted when he wanted. It was almost on the tip of his tongue to tell her that he had seen Matt, Kristen, and Felicia at a café not too far from the office. A café his mother would never set foot in. But he refrained and finally he kicked her out of his house so he could call his younger children in Llanview. It felt good to kick her out. While Stephanie Forrester was in his house, she had to respect his rules or get out. It was slowly making a difference in their relationship.
"Besides, Ridge, if it's just business matters you want to talk to me about, then Bruce can hear about it. It's not like he doesn't listen in to my business calls, read my emails, or open my mail, plus depending on the conversation I would tell him about it anyway. I love Megan a lot, but it's nice to have a little eye candy around the office," Brooke smiled.
Matt laughed. There was the LF he was seeing more and more of. A woman finally coming into her own and realizing the world didn't revolve around the Forresters. His next plan of action was finding her a non-Forrester to date. Maybe even someone not in the fashion industry at all. But she wasn't quite ready for that yet, but when she was…
Ridge scowled. She better only look and not touch, he thought. He and Brooke had a nice friendship, but the idea of another man touching her, kissing her, dating her still got to him.
"Is there a party I don't know about?" Ric asked with the kids behind him.
"Daddy!" Annika and Michael screamed, running full force to Matt.
Scooping his two kids into his arms, Matt showered them with kisses then put them down.
"Granma," they yelled, running to Brooke.
"Grandkids," she yelled back, kissing them senseless before letting them go.
"Hello, Mr. Ridge," they said in unison.
Ric, Brooke, and Matt had to hide their smiles.
Ridge had done everything he could to get the kids to like him, but to no avail. Little Eric, he had eating out of his hand, calling him grandpa. But as for Annika and Michael, he was Mr. Ridge. And they never allowed him to call them Anni or Mikey. Brooke could almost feel sorry for him, if it wasn't so funny. Even Matt had tried talking to the kids about giving Ridge a break, but they just ignored his talk.
"Hello, Annika, Michael. How was your day?" Ridge asked in the sweetest of tones.
"It was fine, sir. Thank you for asking," Michael replied.
They were so proper with Ridge. It really was quite funny. She had told Ridge that if the kids were treating someone else like this, he would see the humor in it, too. He wasn't amused by her insight.
"Grandpa," little Eric exclaimed, walking directly to Ridge.
"Hey, E. How's Grandpa's big boy?" Ridge asked, giving his youngest grandchild a high five.
"Dad, I didn't know you were here," Bridget commented, putting her school books on the kitchen table, after entering from the backyard.
"I just got here, Princess," the clothing designer answered.
Brooke watched her family and marveled at how far they had come. She felt like she would spend the rest of her life getting to know everything about Matt. She was beginning to think that Bridget and Matt would never truly get along, though over the past few months she had noticed a change, a slight one, but still a change in Bridget's attitude. Maybe her little girl was maturing. Ric was crumbling around Ridge. It appeared they were on their way to a real father/son relationship. Matt and Ridge were- - well they were- - more than acquaintances, less than friends. What was it that Katie said? They were two men who loved the same woman and tolerated each other for her sake. That was an accurate description of their relationship. She knew Ridge wasn't happy with it, but he was keeping his mouth shut and accepting it. Her life wasn't perfect, but she was healing, becoming stronger, and was okay with where everything was right now.
She had come a long way from the woman who hadn't cared if she lived or died in the waters off of France a year ago. She was grateful for all she had and for all she had been through. She had made a lot of progress this year in both her personal and professional life. She was happier then she had been in a long while. She didn't know what her future held, but she knew it was bright and was looking forward to it.
