-For You

Melony walked down the stairs carefully as she could here Shannon and Matt in the kitchen carrying on a conversation. Lucas let out a bark and she shushed him. He ran over to the couch and settled into his favorite spot. She took in a deep breath and exhaled as she made her way to the kitchen. She willed her all her inner strength as she stood in the doorway.

"Hello Matt."

His face registered a million different feelings: shock, embarrassment, happiness, anger. Matt's face was pale and he had circles under his eyes but he still looked good. Slowly he stood up and made his way to her, Matt took her in his arms and hugged her tightly. "What are you doing here Mel?"

She returned his hug taking a moment to savor the scent of his skin. Her spot, he use to call it when they snuggled in bed and her head would nuzzle into his neck. Her spot was something she needed right now, as much as he needed to hold her close. They stood neither saying a word as their breathing fell in sync. It seemed like forever before they broke loose and she took a step back.

"Matt." She practically whispered his name as if she was seeing a ghost and after last night, it was a real possibility. "What are you doing to yourself?"

His head dropped. And for a moment, she swore he looked just like a little boy who was being scolded. She wanted to reach out and comfort him but his choices were causing her to half to play hardball. "Matt, you could have died last night!"

"Don't you think I know that? What do I have to live for?"

"Your family, they need you Matt. Your friends, your career…" She paused. "I need you."

Matt shook his head. "You don't need me. Look at me…"

"I am." She reached out and grabbed his hand locking it in hers. "I didn't come all this way to watch you die. And before you get any ideas I'm staying until you beat this."

Lucas let out a bark much to the relief of Matt who made his way to the sliding door to let him out. About that time the front doorbell rang and she suspected it was their food being delivered. She was fully aware now that Shannon had disappeared and Jeff was still asleep upstairs. Mel reached into her back pocket and thankfully had a hundred dollar bill. She opened the door accepted the box of food and paid the man.

She barely managed to carry the heavy box into the kitchen and set it on the table when Jeff and Shannon came down the stairs. "Where's Matt?" Jeff questioned as he wiped his eyes sleepily.

Even though he was out of sight, she knew where Matt was. "You guys go ahead and eat. I'll go find him."

Jeff wanted to protest but thought better of it. So he just nodded and she was out the door.

--------------------------

She found him right where she knew he would be, sitting on the bank of the lake he and Jeff had dug for their dad a few years ago for Father's Day. She sat down next to him and watched as Lucas walked along the waters edge. "Shannon ordered food from the little Greek place, if you're hungry."

"I'm not."

She sighed. "You need to eat Matt. You've got to keep your strength up. You know you're body's not going to react well when it realizes there's no alcohol in the bloodstream."

He took in a deep breath and exhaled. "I know. I really don't want you to see me like this."

"I'm not going anywhere Matt. I came for you and I'm not leaving until I know you have overcome this."

"What if I don't want you to leave?"

Her heart skipped a beat and the butterflies she had been fighting stirred in her stomach. There was no denying her love for Matt and she was stupid if she dare tried. She wanted to save him because in doing so she was saving herself. "Then I won't."

Silence settled between them. She wondered if she would stay and give it all up for the man sitting next to her. And he wondered if he was worthy of asking her to stay.

They sat together for the longest before Mel stood and reached out a hand to help Matt up. "I'm starving and I really want to get back before they eat everything."

Matt was slow getting to his feet. "Will you really stay?"

"Will you really sober up?"

They stood face-to-face, brown eyes meeting blue. "I will for you."

"Then I'll stay Matt, for you."

Together they walked back to the house with Lucas happily leading the way.