Hi All, many thanks for all the kind reviews and private messages, it's so encouraging when you take the time to write to me. I hope you enjoy this short chapter, hopefully the next one will only take a couple of days. Best wishes Mx

MATT

"I thought you'd be asleep." I say to Hannah as I enter the bedroom.

"No I thought I'd get some work done while the house was quiet." Hannah says as she closes her macbook and puts it on the floor beside the bed. "I also wanted to hear how your evening went."

"Good, Jack told dad everything." I say. I drag my clothes off and climb into bed. "Mrs Grey, you're wearing too many clothes."

"I was cold." she mutters.

"Is the house not warm enough for you?" I ask in concern.

"Yes of course it is, I was waiting for you to come to bed to warm me up but it's late. You were up early and after everything that has gone on today you need to sleep." she says.

"I need you more than I need sleep." I say as I kiss her. She deepens it and then pulls away.

"Your lip."

"It's not sore. Now let me make you warm and then we can sleep." I say as I pull the t-shirt over her head and kiss her once more before making love to her.

—
It's 5 am and I'm wide awake. I grab some clothes and head downstairs so I don't disturb Hannah. I quickly shower and dress then go into the kitchen. I'm surprised to see mom is already up.

"Morning darling boy, how are you this morning?" mom asks.

"Good, you're up early." I say as I go to hug her.

"I'm leaving for work in ten minutes so need the early start." she says.

"I need to get you the car keys to the SUV." I say.

"I can take dad's car."

"No mom, it's fine take one of mine, we don't need them all here. Besides we can get a lift with dad later and bring the SUV back on Sunday." I say. " What about Mia? Is she travelling with us later?"

"She's just having a shower and will travel back with me." mom says. " She'll be down in a minute. I'm looking forward to you coming home tonight."

"Mom it's only for the weekend and I..I'm really worried about it. I'm so nervous about everyone's reaction and expectations and actually it's probably a good job dad is driving as I don't think I'd be able to concentrate and what if it all gets too much with everyone being there on Saturday evening and are Grandma and Pop Pop Theo going to be there?" I say in a rush.

"Darling relax, it will be ok. You will have Jack and Lexie there on Saturday evening and you can disappear with them and Hannah into a quiet room somewhere. Yes your grandparents will be there but again that's nothing to worry about, they were more cross with me about your disappearance, apparently I've smothered you and being on your own for a while would do you some good was their opinion." mom says as she smiles at me. "It has done you good, I'm so proud of you darling."

"Thanks mom." I say as I give her another hug.

"Matt, you're up, I didn't think I'd see you this morning before we left." Mia says excitedly as she barrels her way into the kitchen and envelopes me in a hug.

"Oh what it is to be loved." I mutter.

"I have to make up for the missing time."Mia pouts. "Mom have I got time for a coffee before we go?"

"No, we need to get on the road." mom says.

"Here, take one of these travel mugs." I say as I open a cupboard and get one out. "Do you want one as well Mom?"

"Please." mom says as I reach for another and fill them both from the coffee pot mom must have put on. I then go in the pantry and get a couple of croissants and bananas and put them in a bag.

"For the journey." I mutter as I hand them over.

"You're very domesticated little bro." Mia says.

"I had to be." I say. "Now go, I want to get an hours works done before I wake Jack for breakfast." I walk to my study and they follow as I get them the keys for the SUV and give them instructions about the key fob for the gate. They both wish me luck for the exam this morning and then they hug me goodbye. I wave them off and then head back into the study. I force myself to concentrate on the economics book for the next hour and then go and wake Jack.

"I need more sleep." he groans.

"Not today, we need to leave in an hour if you want breakfast and then I'll drive." I say. Back in the kitchen I make more coffee, get the cereal out and start making some omelettes. I check my blood and am relieved to see that the levels are normal. I sit and eat and Jack soon joins me.

"Thanks for doing breakfast." Jack mutters as he tucks in.

"You're welcome." I say. "Last night...with dad...were you ok?"

"Yeah, he was so nice to me, he was so calm and professional and it was so easy just to tell him everything." Jack says as I frown at him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I mutter.

"Yes there is, you frowned, you're thinking about something I just said." he says.

"It's just dad being good with you and helping out my friend Jonty and also Lexie I'm kind of... now thing is going to sound silly but I'm kind of jealous." I say.

"I know how you feel." he replies. "Look at you and my dad, you get on great with him but I couldn't face him last night and if I do anything wrong he comes down on me like a tonne of bricks."

"I know that feeling." I say and grin at him, he smiles at me. "To be fair I totally deserved it, I was a real little shit at school when I was younger and they must have really despaired of me. Imagine how embarrassing it must have been for them to have been called to visit the principal every week and on one of those weeks it was every day. I hope my kids are better behaved."

"Good morning Matt, Jack." dad says as he comes into the kitchen. "Matt sorry I overheard the last part of your conversation, don't worry about me and your mom sat outside the principal's office, it certainly kept us amused, it was just part of your character to always be up to mischief and you know why I've been tough on you in recent years, I dreaded the paparazzi finding out everything about you and making things difficult and however your kids turn out you will love them unconditionally, it's what parents do."

"Thanks dad, can I get you some coffee or something to eat?" I ask.

"No thanks, I'll sort myself out. You just concentrate on getting yourself ready for school and getting there on time for your exam. What time do you finish?" dad asks.

"The exams are due to end at 11 and we're supposed to meet Dave the music teacher and Jane from GMG to present our song that we haven't done." I say.

"Do you want me to speak to her and explain?" dad asks.

"No we can meet them and then come back here so you can take Jack to the station, is that ok?" I ask. Dad looks at Jack and he nods unsurely.

"Jack please don't worry, when we go to make the statement they can keep your name out of it and you won't have to appear in court if you don't want to. I'll have more information for you after your exam and that's the most important thing for you to get through right now." dad says.

"Thank you Mr Grey." Jack says.

"You're welcome, now please get going before you're late." dad says but he's smiling at us.

"OK dad, we'll see you later and please tell Hannah that I said goodbye and will you make sure she eats and.."

"Stop worrying." dad says. "Good luck to you both, I hope everything goes well."

"Thanks dad." I say as I grab my bag and some car keys and head out of the door as Jack follows me.