Chapter 14: Cut loose

Entangled. Matt and Kelly lay naked on the floor of her apartment. The rug saving them from the cold of the hardwood floor, the plaid loosely covering their lower body parts. Both were laying on their left sides, him pressing his entire body into her backside, holding her, spooning her, his chin on her right shoulder blade. His right leg in between hers, his right arm covering hers - perfectly parallel until where their hands met and entwined. All was silent, all was good. Matt softly pressed a kiss on Kelly's spine. She stirred and slowly she stretched out, Matt copying her every move so their bodies never lost touch. Kelly looked at their fingers, playing with each other. She wriggled her fingers loose from Matt's. He let his hand slide down to the swell of her hip and drew a lazy pattern over it while she leisurely turned around to her right side. Her eyes were still closed, but she still managed to find his lips in the dark. She enclosed his lips with her own and snuggled into his neck, resting her nose on his chest to inhale his smell. 'What time is it?' she whispered. 'It's still early, still dark' Matt spoke, 'try to sleep some more'. She nodded her head, moved her left leg around Matt's thigh and kept her eyes closed to let sleep overcome her once more. Still entangled.

It was 6.30 when suddenly the doorbell rang and Kelly and Matt woke up abruptly. 'Who could that be this early?' she wondered. Matt kissed her forehead and let go of her. 'I'll go see who it is'. He got up and tried to find his boxers or pants but couldn't find them. The doorbell rang again. 'I can't find my pants, I'll just take this' Matt smirked as he pulled the plaid away from Kelly's body leaving her completely naked on the rug. 'Matt', she squealed. But Matt was already on his way to her front door. With the plaid around his shoulders, he opened the door to find Kelly's brother standing there. 'Hey Anthony' Matt said with a husky voice before welcoming him in by opening the door a little further: 'Come on in' Matt could obviously see the surprise in Kelly's brother's eyes when it was not his sister who opened the door. Both men were walking further into Kelly's apartment. They found her in the living room, hurriedly tying the knot of her robe. 'Hey sis', Anthony said with a smile on his face before taking her into his strong arms and rubbing her back. 'How're you holding up?' he asked. Kelly didn't say anything. She had her eyes closed, her head on his shoulder. Again, she was overcome with emotion by this entire situation. 'I'm going to France later today', she said. 'Good, I'm coming with you'. Kelly looked at him in awe. Just as she was about to ask why and how, he said he got himself a ticket to France. 'I also got you a ticket so you don't have to depend on Daniel giving you your tickets. I also booked us a lovely beach house in Nice so we can stay there for a couple of days with the kids'. Kelly couldn't help but smile at her brother's persistence. 'Thank you' she said before hugging him again. Matt stood there, collecting his clothes while watched the siblings share a private moment. He didn't mind one bit that the woman he loved was entangled with someone else.

Around 7.30 Kelly, Matthew and her brother were out and about. She had packed some things that she thought she would need in France. When their luggage was in the trunk of the cab, they took off. They were on their way to the Good Morning America studios where she was to give an interview about her custody battle. They stopped for breakfast on their way. 'Are you coming to the interview with us?' Anthony asked Matthew. Matt looked at Kelly and nodded determinedly. 'Yes, I am.' Anthony nodded and couldn't help but smile watching how his sister and Matthew were so close to each other, sitting in front of him, having their breakfast. He was happy Kelly had someone to rely on in New York while her kids were stuck in France and the rest of her family was living in Los Angeles. Matt and Kelly were practically glued to each other and he was happy for her.

They arrived at the GMA studio right on time. Kelly managed to get herself through the interview but let the tears stream freely once the cameras were gone. They discussed the case with Dan Abrams backstage until it was nearly lunchtime. 'Come on', Anthony said while placing his arm around her shoulder, 'let's go see those kids. How do you guys feel about lunch first?' The three of them were on their way again, they had lunch at Le Pain Quotidien and soon it was time to leave for the airport. 'Do you mind giving me and Matt a moment?' Kelly asked her brother. 'I can always come to the airport with you' Matt interrupted, wanting to spend as much time as he possibly could with Kelly. 'You don't have to do that', Kelly answered. She took his hand and led him a bit further away from the cab in which Anthony just took place to give them both some privacy. Matt looked deeply into her eyes. He saw in them there was something she needed to say. He waited patiently until she spoke: 'Besides, you have some things to take care of here,' Kelly said with a sad and worried face. Matt pulled her close knowing all too well she was referring to Maria. He nodded and assured her: 'Don't worry, Kell. I'll tell Maria everything about us, today. I don't want to spend another day, yet another minute with another woman but you.' Kelly nodded and let out a long sigh. 'You just focus on spending time with Hermes and Helena and bringing them back home', Matt stepped closer and put his arms around her waist. 'Call me when you get there, okay?' She placed her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly as she whispered 'I will'. They stood there for a couple of moments. Entangled yet again.

'Thank you for everything, Matt. Last night, today. ' she said before loosening her grip around his neck. 'Don't forget tomorrow, the day after that, and every day after that' he smiled. 'If there's anything you want me to do, just call me!' She nodded and hugged him again. She heard her brother's voice calling for her: 'Kel, it's time to go, we're gonna miss our flight if we don't leave now'. She let go of Matt, kissed him hard on the lips before she turned to leave. Matt was just in time to grab her wrist, twirl her around, taking her head in between his hands and placing the softest of kisses on her lips. She opened her mouth a little and whispered: 'I love you'. He kissed her forehead and whispered: 'I love you too'. He let her leave him this time, leaving him standing there alone on the corner of the street. No longer entangled but painfully cut loose.