Never Again Separate
By Cypher
Chapter Eight
Matt sighed and pushed the piece of chocolate cake on his plate around. Today was his birthday, and he was turning twenty-two. Unlike his previous birthdays, he had opted not to celebrate with John and the Hamiltons, but with his real siblings.
Lucy suggested he fly up and stay with her family. It was the only one he hadn't met, and she wanted her brother to meet him. So he agreed. Ruthie was still in school and couldn't make it, but Mary was due to show up within the hour. He flight in was detained, so no one expected her to arrive until the party was dead, around nine or ten at night.
It was currently eight, and despite the balloons, the hero worship from Lucy's brother Kyle, even having Lucy with him, he couldn't get into the birthday spirit. He set the plate down and sat back in his chair, brooding.
Five months. Five months since I started searching, four since I've found Lucy. Four months with no news on him. None. The fact that Simon hadn't been located, and in fact seemed to have vanished from the planet, weighed heavily on him.
Lucy picked up on it, but tried to distract him by telling him about Kyle and having her parents chat with the movie star. She even went so far as to propose going to see Matt's movie, which had just been released a week before. Nothing worked, though, and she gave up.
I was so hoping that God would come through. That He would help me, help us become a family again. Instead He seems to have forsaken Simon. But why? The thought that Simon was dead had crossed his mind numerous times, but he always dismissed it, telling himself that if that were the case there'd be a certificate of death, a tombstone, something. Despite the odds, he kept holding onto the ever thinning strand of hope.
"Kyle, you should head for bed."
"No way, Luce. This is so cool. You were right, he's a great guy."
Lucy sighed and closed her eyes. "Kyle, I really think you should go to your room or help with the dishes or something."
"Forget it." He picked up a book Lucy had bought Matt as a gift. "So you like these types of novels? Me too."
"Kyle, scram."
Kyle looked over at his sister, his green eyes filled with anger. "Lucy, I'm-"
Lucy glared at him with her piercing blue orbs.
Kyle received the message loud and clear. "Eh heh, maybe you're right. I am feeling a bit tired from my new migraine. It was great meeting you, Matt. See you tomorrow, right dude?"
Matt nodded, giving him a halfhearted smile. "Yeah."
"Cool." Kyle glanced at Lucy again, then left.
Lucy waited a few minutes, watching Matt stare at his cake. "You've got to stop worrying. We'll find him. It'll just...take a little more time, that's all."
"Lucy, it's been four months. Sean hasn't gotten even a false lead. It's starting to take its toll. I'm trying to hold out, but...but..." Matt bent over and put his hands on his forehead. "Oh God, Lucy. What if we never find him?"
Lucy frowned. "Matt, what's with you? So Simon's a bit tough to find, but you shouldn't be worrying this much. I mean, you didn't for Ruthie or Mary or me, did you?"
"You don't understand."
Lucy sat on the edge of the table, facing her brother. "Then make me."
Matt didn't move, but Lucy thought she detected a slight shudder go through him.
"I was taken before him."
Lucy nodded. "You've told me that."
"What you don't know is that when mom and dad died, something in Simon started dying too, and I was the only thing keeping it alive. Be it his soul, his compassion, whatever, it was barely hanging in there. When I told him I was going, it snapped." He looked up at his sister. "His eyes went completely dead. He fled before I could explain how much I tried to get him adopted, and I'm afraid...I'm afraid the Simon we knew died on that day. That the kind, curious, and great kid I remember...will be dead. I want to tell him the truth, though. I want to sit him down and explain that I tried my best to get him adopted. I resorted to getting on my knees and begging for him." Matt looked at the floor again. "I don't want him resenting me, hating me, forever."
Lucy closed her eyes. It was a lot to digest, and Matt's story obviously had a strong impact on her. "I didn't know..."
"Only the Hamilton's knew. I've tried to keep that memory hidden, tried to remember him as the smiling kid who loved his family, who followed me around when we were still together. But that memory has been fading, being replaced by my last moments with him." Matt's hands closed into fists. "I have to fix it. I have to make him understand, to make up for what happened."
Lucy sat there a few minutes, debating what she could say next. Deciding that nothing was adequate, she leaned forward and hugged him.
Matt hugged her back, grateful for the support. They both ignored the doorbell when it began ringing repeatedly.
Kyle, on the other hand, was rather annoyed by it and rushed down the stairs. "I'm coming! Jesus Chr-"
"KYLE!"
Kyle winced at his father's yell. "Oops." He opened the door, and his jaw dropped. Standing before him was, in his eyes, the most beautiful woman in the world. She was tall, beautiful, and had a great smile. "Please be looking for me."
"Is Matt here?"
Kyle hung his head and pointed towards the dinning room.
"Thanks." She went right past him, not giving him a second glance.
"Ouch." Kyle shut the door and dragged himself back up the stairs towards his room.
"Matt!"
Matt pulled away from Lucy and looked at the doorway, where Mary was standing with one of the most insane grins he had ever seen. What's going on?
Lucy didn't pick up on the strange look, though. "Mary! It's me! Lucy!"
Mary's attention was diverted from Matt and she did a quick double take at her little sister. "Lucy!"
What followed was much squealing and hugging.
Kyle's voice rang down from the stairs. "HEY CAN YOU KEEP IT DOWN! I'M TRYING TO STUDY!"
Lucy looked at the ceiling and rolled her eyes. "We all know that's a lie."
Mary looked back at Matt, who had a look between being happy for his sisters, and being upset. "Oh! That's right! I caught the earliest flight I could. I've got great news! You're gonna love it!"
Lucy looked at her sister, then at Matt. "Well? Don't keep us waiting."
"I think I've found Simon!"
Matt stared at his sister. Simon? She...found Simon? Part of Matt warned him that she might be mistaken, that he could be in for a big let down, but his faith in God grew a little stronger. "Where? Where is he?"
"Okay, get this. I was in the airport in Chicago to change planes, and I had about two hours to kill. Well, I was going over some of the information on Lucy and Ruthie's family, and also an update on what Simon might look like, some areas he might be in, and I looked up and there he was. He was getting on a plane heading for Maine, I think. He didn't respond when I called his name, but I just know it's him!"
Lucy looked at Matt. "She's found him!"
Matt stared at Mary, processing everything she explained. Then his eyes teared up and he lunged for her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you! This is the best birthday gift you could've gotten me!"
Marry hugged him back. "Hey, I could be wrong, you know."
Matt shook his head. "No, no. It has to be him." He pulled away, then looked at Lucy. "Luce, thanks for inviting me, but tomorrow-"
Lucy put up her hand. "Say no more. We'll catch the first flight we can to Maine."
"Great-" Matt blinked. "We?"
"You don't think you're going to let you get our little brother without us, are you?" Mary crossed her arms and smirked. "I know the east coast better than the two of you combined."
"And the Weiss' have a family cabin there. You need me to get free lodging."
Matt wiped his eyes. "You two are the best." He wrapped his arms around their shoulders and squeezed them. "The best. Tomorrow, we find our brother, and the Camdens will be reunited. Forever."
~*()*~
"I'm afraid there's no Simon Camden here. You're mistaken."
Matt sighed. "Thanks." Matt hung up the phone.
Mary, looking through recent high school yearbooks she had checked out at the library, shook her head at Matt.
She hasn't found anything either.
Lucy stepped into the room, shaking off some of the snow that had gathered on her while she was out and moving close to the fire of the cabin.
"You find anything around town? I'm having no luck with the yearbooks."
"You won't." Lucy rubbed her hands together. "He stayed only to catch a connecting flight."
"You went to the airport? That's pretty smart."
Lucy bowed her head at Matt. "I figured someone there might remember him." She sat in front of the fireplace. "Unfortunately, they don't remember what flight he connected to. Only that it was somewhere south."
Mary shut the yearbook. "Great."
Matt rested his head on his fists. South. That doesn't help much. He glanced at the decorative map that hung on the wall, one supposedly from the late 1800s. For some reason, his instincts drew him to the southeast part of the picture, to Florida. I can't follow a gut instinct though, can I?
"Matt? What're you thinking?" Lucy, warmed up from the fire, moved over to sit by Matt.
"I think we should go to Florida."
Mary raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"It sounds strange, but I feel like he might be down there."
Mary shook her head. "I'd love to join you on this, Matt, but I've got to get back by tomorrow."
Matt nodded. He understood. They had lives, while he was out of work for another couple weeks. Thank heavens that sitcom didn't last long, and that the movie is such a success.
"I'll go with you. I have a couple more days off."
Matt shook his head. "No. You two should head home. When I find Simon, I'll contact you, I promise."
"Matt-"
"Luce, you and Mary have lives. I have two weeks before I go back to work. Go back now so you can take time off later, when I do have him."
Lucy shook her head. "Fine. But I don't like it."
"I know you don't, but it's for the best for now."
~*()*~
"Blond teen, yeah high, has a double pierce?"
Matt nodded. I can't believe Simon got his ear pierced.
"Yeah, he passed through a couple days ago." The baggage claim man scratched his head. "Rough looking kid. He's only here for a day or so, though. He's going back to...to...Arizona I think after this. Don't know why. Nothing much in Arizona."
So he's still here? Matt's hands began to tremble. "Do you know when his flight is? When he's going to return to the airport?"
"Fraid not, son. Sorry."
Matt sighed and handed the elderly man a twenty. "Thanks."
"Anytime, anytime."
Matt walked off and stuck his hands in his pocket. Now what? I can't hang around the airport for the next week, but if I go out looking I may miss him. He was so invested in thought that he failed to notice the person walking towards him until he shoved Matt aside.
Matt rubbed his shoulder. "Hey! Be more careful!"
"Bite me!"
Matt frowned as he spotted the teenager that had knocked into him. Blond kid. Double pierce. What really tipped him off, though, was the voice. "Simon?"
The teen hesitated in his step, then started walking faster.
Gotcha. "Hey, Simon!" Matt hurried after his brother. "Wait! It's me! Matt!"
Simon, if that was indeed who it was, pushed his way through the throng of people at security and went through the metal detector quickly, hurrying towards his gate.
Matt saw the retreating form. I can't lose sight of him. Eyeing the security line, he decided to risk it and jumped over a closed off area. As he ran, he sensed he was being followed, but he didn't dare glance back. He couldn't risk losing the teenager. "Simon!"
Whoever was following finally caught up and pinned him against the wall. It took Matt a moment to realize it was the airport security. Ah damn it! They probably think I'm a terrorist or something.
As the officers searched him, he risked a glance down the hall.
The teenager was at the third gate, boarding a plane for Tucson, Arizona.
And he was staring at Matt.
Matt would recognize those gray eyes anywhere. Simon. Before he could do anything, though, security dragged him off. I'm coming. After I get out of this I'm coming, and I'll explain everything, I promise.
~*()*~
~*()*~
~*()*~
Author's Prattle: Word of advice: never jump security at an airport. Saw a guy get into big trouble for that. They're a bit anal, though. I mean, when I went through they thought my old sandals were a weapon and they spent five minutes examining them. Sometimes they can be such idiots. Any who, the first glimpse of Simon. Not much description, but I'm saving that for later. Simon's going to be the most drawn out of all the Camden reunions, for reasons that'll be explained shortly. This also signals that this fic is nearly over, only a couple more chapters to go. Then it's back to focusing on "God's in 7th Heaven, All's Right with the World." Hope you liked this chapter, and as always, please review.