Chapter 21

Guilt

The next morning Jack had to leave early. He was needed at the Hub. So while Lily warmed up left over ham and cooked eggs, there was a knock at the door.

She went to answer and on the other side was Matthew.

"Oh hi!" She greeted, smiling.

He smiled back, "Hey."

Lily stepped to the side, "Please come in."

Matthew came in and followed Lily into the kitchen.

"Can I get you anything? Tea or...?"

He shook his head in a negative response, "No that's fine. I am on my way to the church actually but I thought I'd stop in."

She smiled, "Right. Well please excuse me while I eat."

Matthew watched her as she put the hot food onto a plate and sat down opposite him at the kitchen table. He smiled when he saw her necklace as it caught the light, "I see you liked your gift."

Lily raised an eyebrow, "What gift?"

"The necklace." He pointed at it.

Lily looked down at the diamond snowflake around her neck, "Well yes...anything Jack gives me I'll like...or love rather." She smiled.

Matthew's smile however fell, "Jack gave you that?"

Lily nodded, "Yes...why?"

He slowly stood up, "It's nothing...I better go."

Lily frowned, "Matthew is everything okay?"

He nodded, "Yeah I've just gotta go. Bye Lily."

She watched as he left. She thought for a moment about what he said and then stood up and went into the living room. Lily bent down on the ground and found Matthew's abandoned gift behind the tree stand. She sat back on her feet and took the paper off of the gift. Inside was a black velvet box and inside was the diamond snowflake necklace. She sighed sadly...she loved Jack but felt bad for Matthew. Slowly Lily closed the lid on the necklace box and took it upstairs, hiding it in the back of her wardrobe. She went back downstairs to continue eating.

Once finished Lily grabbed her coat, gloves, and hat from the hall closet. She put them on and left the house, walking the short distance to the church. But she didn't go inside, instead she went to the cemetery.

Her parents graves were surrounded by dead grass. The ground was frozen but she sat down on it anyways. She sighed sadly, "Happy holidays mum and dad." She whispered.

It had been about two weeks since she had visited the graves and she felt guilty. Gently she pressed her fingers to her lips, and then pressed her fingers to her parents tombstones. Slowly Lily stood up and turned to see Matthew with his granddaughter coming into the cemetery.

The girl waved at Lily. She gave a small wave in return.

"Visiting the family for Boxing day?" Matthew asked pleasantly.

She nodded with a smile, "Yes...I meant to come by after Christmas Eve Mass but it was so dark."

"Oh do you attend this church?" He asked her.

She nodded, "Yes."

Matthew looked at the building, "It's where I was raised. My parents went here. It's a good church."

Lily gave a small smile.

"Your not here with your handsome friend." The younger girl...Lily's great niece pointed out.

"No he had to work."

"On Boxing Day?"

"He works for the government." Lily said slowly.

Her niece nodded slowly, "Right."

Lily paused, "I better be going. But..it was lovely seeing you again." She looked at her brother, "Take care of yourself."

He gave her an intrigued look that turned to a smile, "Alright I will."

Lily smiled and left the the graveyard. She didn't cry but she was a bit sad. Slowly she walked home.

XX

A/N Okay this chapter was really short...and a sort of just filler. I needed to close up some loose ends because I think the next chapter will be when the sadness happens....and I'll end this with 23 chapters. I have till midnight to finish this story...which is why I'm not writing a long authors note and I'm going to go try and start chapter 22.

Oh also if any of you have twitter feel free to add me. Let me know your a reader and I will follow you too! I'll be posting story updates and stuff there. My username is hushsoundislove

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Much love, Beccs! ^_^