When I wake I'm alone in bed though someone has left a glass of juice for me which I drink gratefully. I climb out of bed and quickly drag on some sweat pants and make my way downstairs.

'Morning baby.' I say to Hannah who is sat at the kitchen table eating a bagel. I hug and kiss her. 'Where is everyone?'

'Your mom and dad have gone to work. Mia has gone to the mall to shop for our holiday tomorrow. Sawyer is collecting us in an hour so that he can take you to your hospital appointment.' Hannah says.

'OK, is that all you're eating for breakfast?' I ask and she nods. 'Can I tempt you with an omelette?'

'No, I'm fine with this. Do you want me to make it for you?' she asks.

'No, I'll make it. It will be the first thing I've been able to do without everyone fussing over me.' I say as I start taking things out of the fridge.

'Matt, I know you eat omelettes, pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Anything else?' Hannah asks.

'Toast or cereal. I always drink juice or milk and very occasionally coffee.' I say smiling at her.

'Lunch.' She says

'Peppered turkey sub with salad and mayo.'

'Not every day.' She says.

'No, that's what I have when I have a cold lunch. Depending on what I've had for breakfast I'll have an omelette, cheese quesadilla or lasagne.' I say.

'Cheese quesadilla that's different for you.' She says and I shrug. 'Apart from lasagne what else do you eat for dinner?'

'Elliot's chicken curry. Mrs Jones chicken casserole. Mom's roast chicken or beef. Pizza. Quiche. I will have salad or veg with any of those and for dessert it's always ice cream, chocolate cake or sometimes Mrs Jones apple pie. I also eat lots of fruit.' I say.

'We didn't have any of that at the ball.' She states.

'I know and I hated it all, I hardly ate any of it. Mom was supposed to have ordered something different but I guess she was too angry with me to chase it up. I didn't want to make a fuss so forced some food down.' I say as I sit down with my breakfast. 'Christian is totally different to me, whatever you put in front of him he eats because he doesn't like to see any food go to waste. I guess it's to do with our early years being so different. He sometimes gets annoyed with me if I won't eat because I don't like anything on the menu when we go out.' I start eating and look at her. 'OK so I'm fussy, I just know what I like and always stick with what I know. I suppose everyone in the family got used to it and they just leave me to get on with it now.'

'What will you do when we're away?' she asks.

'Mom was going to call Mrs Richards giving her a list of what I'll eat but I said not to. I'm going to try and have whatever is put in front of me. We'll see how it goes the first few days.' I mutter.

'What about fast food, burgers and fries?' Hannah asks.

'No never had them.'I say.

'Sweets and chocolate?'

'Are you going to go through everything?' I ask.

'No, that's the last question.' She says smiling at me.

'No, I haven't had chocolate for a very long time.' I say and look down at my plate that's almost empty.

'Don't you like it?'

'That's another question.' I say as I now look up to her, my eyes are probably shining from unshed tears.

'I've upset you, sorry I didn't mean to.' She says.

'It's OK.' I say and then add with a whisper. 'My daddy always brought me chocolate back from his business trips to England.'

'You haven't had any since then.' She says in amazement.

'I always used to put in a request for certain things and he always brought loads for all four of us. I guess we all haven't really eaten any since. Mom never gets any from the supermarket because when we used to get dragged to help out we never asked for it. I don't know if the others just buy it for themselves now but it's not something I'd buy. When I went out with Christian or Elliot they would just get me a cookie or muffin.'

'Oh something else you'll eat.' She says grinning at me.

'Very occasionally and sometimes I have a milkshake or smoothie.' I say smiling. 'See I have quite a range.'

'Hopefully when we get back from holiday it will be bigger.' She says.

'Hopefully.'

'Matt, we're being collected in ten minutes you'd better go and get ready. You can't go out in just your sweatpants.' Hannah says.

'Sawyer will wait if I'm not ready.' I say.

'That's not very polite. Go and get ready.' She says bossily.

'That's another thing you'll have to get used to, I'm always rushing around at the last minute and am frequently late for things.' I say smirking at her.

'Go, I'll tidy up in here.' She says and I kiss her cheek before going back up the stairs. Ten minutes later I've showered dressed and I'm heading back down the stairs.

'Was that quick enough for you?' I ask Hannah as I hug and kiss her.

'Yes' she says hugging me back. 'You're just in time, Sawyer has just pulled up on the drive.'

'How did he get my SUV?'

'Your mom drove it this morning to work and he collected it from there. Apparently he's driving me and your mom to see my mom after your appointment.' She says as we lock the front door behind us. We climb into the back seat and Sawyer sets off.

'Morning Sawyer.' I say.

'Morning Mr Grey. Miss Sullivan.' Sawyer says.

'Sawyer, please call us Matt and Hannah. It sounds too formal otherwise.' I tell him.

'OK but I'll have to call you Matthew in front of Mr Grey and Taylor.' Sawyer says.

'That's fine I can live with that just not Mr Grey, it makes me sound like my dad or brother.' I say smiling. I sit back in my seat and let the view blur in front my eyes as Sawyer drives. Hannah squeezes my hand.

'You're quiet, are you OK?' she asks.

'Just thinking.'

'What about?' she asks.

'What if there's still something wrong and the doctor says I can't go away.' I mutter.

'Oh Matt, I'm sure you'll be fine. Your mom must think so otherwise she wouldn't have agreed for you to go and she wouldn't have helped me do the packing for you.' She says.

'I suppose.' I say as Hannah's phone beeps. She reads the message and smiles at me.

'Christian is requesting that you switch your phone on, he's been trying to get hold of you.' She says giggling at me.

'Requesting or demanding?' I ask her as I roll my eyes.

'Demanding.' She says.

'I knew he would be, he never requests anything.' I say as I switch the phone on. It vibrates into life and I scroll through the messages that he's sent. 'I suppose I'd better call him.' I hit speed dial and he answers on the first ring.

'Matt, are you OK?' Christian asks.

'Yes, why wouldn't I be? Sawyer is just driving me and Hannah to the hospital for my appointment.' I say as I hold Hannah's hand. I raise my eyebrows at her and smile. She smiles back at me as I pull her hands towards my lips and kiss her knuckles.

'Last night.' He says.

'Oh.' I say 'Have you spoken to mom?'

'No, I haven't spoken to anyone. I've just been trying to get hold of you in between trying to work.' He says and it sounds like he's getting frustrated with me.

'Are you busy?' I ask him.

'Yes very, I've got back to back meetings all day. Are you trying to distract me and avoid answering my questions?' he asks.

'Yes.' I say quietly.

'Why?'

'Because I don't want to talk about it right now. Will I see you today?' I ask.

'Andrea, cancel my meeting at twelve.' I hear him say. 'Taylor will pick you up from the hospital after your appointment, we can have lunch together before you see Flynn.'

'Thanks Christian' I say and he clicks off. I smirk at Hannah. 'I'm having lunch with Christian.'

'You just manipulated Seattle's hotshot CEO so that you could have lunch with him.' She says.

'He's my brother.' I say with a shrug.

'I know that but he's probably busy all day.' She says

'So, I wanted to see him.' I mutter.

'Do you always get what you want?' she asks and I look at her wondering where she is going with this conversation. 'Matt, you could have just spoken to him properly on the phone and had a normal conversation. Instead you had a bit of a strop and a sulk and he cancels meetings so that he can see you so that he doesn't upset you. I mean it's absolute genius on your part and after the weekend he'll do anything for you to keep the peace and be in your good books but you can't take advantage of that just so that you can get your own way. You're acting like a spoilt brat.' I let go of her hand and stare out of the window. Shit, is that what she thinks of me. I lose myself in my own thoughts and it's a surprise when Sawyer opens my door for me to get out, I didn't realise we'd arrived at the hospital.

'Thanks Sawyer.' I say.

'You're welcome.' He says. Hannah is stood at the side of the car and I look at her warily.

'I'm sorry.' Hannah says and comes to hug me. I back away from her. 'Matt, please. Don't get silent and stroppy just because I told you what I was thinking.' I shove my hands in my pockets and walk into the hospital as Hannah follows behind me. Mom is at the reception desk talking to another doctor.

'Morning darling.' Mom says, coming to hug me. 'How are you today?'

'OK mom.' I say quietly. She looks at me with concern and then at Hannah. Hannah looks away but I can see that she looks upset. I take her hand and squeeze it gently.

'I'm sorry.' I whisper in her ear.

'Matt, you have thirty minutes before your appointment.' Mom says and I look at her astonished. 'Yes, you are early. Do you two need to go somewhere private to talk?' I look at Hannah and then back at mom.

'Yes mom.' I say.

'Follow me, I'll come and collect you in twenty minutes.' Mom says and shows us to a room. As Hannah enters I hang back.

'Thanks mom.' I say quietly.

'What's the matter?' mom asks.

'I don't know, but I don't think she likes me much at the moment.' I say and she looks at me questionably. 'She called me a spoilt brat.'

'Oh Matt, go and sort it out. I'll be back for you soon.' She says smiling at me.

I enter the room, Hannah is sat on one of the chairs and I go and sit next to her on the other.

'Have I upset you?' I ask her.

'No. Why would you think that? You let go of my hand in the car. You wouldn't let me hug you. You walked off and left me to follow. The list is endless, would you like me to go on?'

'Sorry.' I whisper

'What for? It's an easy word to say but do you mean it?' She hisses at me.

'Yes. I'm sorry I upset you. I didn't mean to.' I say and look down at the floor. Where has this come from? Everything was fine until I spoke to Christian. 'Shall I phone Christian back and cancel lunch with him?' I ask her.

'Why are you asking me? Just do what you want as always.' She says and I look up at her shocked.

'Hannah, why are you being like this?' I ask.

'I don't know. Watching you in the car manipulate your brother into having lunch. Getting me to see my mom today. Does everyone always do what you want?' she asks.

'I didn't realise they did. Hannah, it's up to you if you want to see your mom. I can't make you go.' I say.

'I'm scared.' She whispers.

'Oh baby, come here.' I say and she comes and sits on my knee and I envelope her in a hug. 'You're scared to see your mom so you took it out on me.' She nods. 'Hannah you should have just told me. I thought I'd done something really bad to upset you and I didn't know what to do to make it right.'

'I'm sorry.' She says.

'It's OK.' I say. 'Mom will be with you today. I would come but I don't think I'm the right person as I'm sure your mom won't want to see me. Baby you will be fine. If you're unhappy then just leave, Sawyer will be waiting in the car.'

'OK.'

'Happy?' I ask her kissing her cheek.

'Happier than I was.' She says.

'Am I still a spoilt brat?' I ask grinning at her.

'Yes, you always will be.' She says smiling back at me.

'Thanks.' I mutter.

'Matt, your whole family adores you. Christian will always spoil you.' She says.

'Are you jealous?' I ask.

'Extremely. I wish I had that with my family. Though your family have been great and make up for it. By the way did you transfer some money into my account? She asks.

'No, I only transferred money to Christian that I owed him. Oh and I transferred enough for what he gave you whilst I was in hospital. Was it twenty thousand?' I ask her.

'Yes and how does he know my bank account?' she asks.

'I don't know, he knows everything. He said the money was a gift and he didn't want repaying but when I was angry with him I just transferred it back to him. I guess he didn't want to give it back to me so he gave it to you. Just keep it there, I don't need it and he certainly doesn't.' I say.

'Thank you.' She says.

'You're welcome.'

'I love you.' She says and kisses my lips.

'I love you too, but no lip kissing. It's too tempting for me to kiss you back properly and I'm so desperate to. I'm not sure how I'll cope the next couple of weeks.' I say moving so that she shifts off my knee slightly. There's a knock at the door and mom enters. We both smile at her.

'You two look happier than when you arrived.' Mom says.

'We are.' We both say together and look at each other and grin.

'Good, it's time for you appointment' mom says and we stand to follow her. As mom walks out I grab Hannah's hand and place it on my crotch, her eyes widen.

'That's for you baby.' I say and then walk out of the room pulling her along. I grin at her.

'How can you do that here?' she asks.

'Because I can.' I say with a smirk. 'Think about it whilst you see your mom, it will put a smile on your face.'

'Matt, your mom might hear you.' She whispers.

'So' I say. 'Mom, how long will this appointment take?'

'Hopefully not too long. You need to wait in here, the doctor will be along soon. Hannah we'll have to wait outside.' Mom says.

'Why, can't you stay with me?' I say looking surprised. 'Mom, what aren't you telling me?'

'Matt, they just want to run some tests and do a scan. They won't want us in there getting in the way.' Mom says gently.

'Not another MRI?' I ask.

'No, just an ultra sound this time.' Mom says pulling her fingers through my curls and kissing my cheek. 'Darling it won't take long, an hour at the most.' I look at her through my wide eyes. 'Darling boy, you don't need to be scared, it's only a check-up.'

'Do they need to take blood?' I ask.

'Yes.' She says quietly. I put my head down. 'Matt, don't be scared.'

'Mom, look at my arm. I've still got the bruise from last time. When they saw it forming I was hooked up to all those machines again and pumped full of drugs.' I say. I look at her and then Hannah and then enter the room. I don't want to be in here all alone again. The doctor approaches me and shakes my hand.

'Morning Matthew. How have things been this weekend?' he says.

'Morning Doctor. Good.' I say rather hesitantly. He looks at me questionably. 'I went for a swim and that was good. I had a headache later in the evening.'

'The headache might not be anything, did you sleep lots during the day?' he asks.

'No not really. About an hour. I slept more yesterday though. A few hours in the afternoon.' I say.

'Good, I think you were probably overtired on Saturday. OK, can you take your shirt off and lets get you on the bed and get the tests started.' He says. I pull my shirt over my head and place it on the chair before climbing on the bed. 'Wow that's an impressive bruise, is that from tests last week?'

'Yes.' I say

'OK, we'll use the other arm today.' He says as a nurse approaches me with everything to take the blood. I offer her my arm and she smiles at me as she takes it. 'I hear you want to go away tomorrow?'

'Yes, will that be a problem?' I ask.

'It shouldn't be. Private jet?' he asks.

'Yes, my brothers.' I mutter.

'That's good and I've spoken to Dr Richards. He's doing some research into glandular fever and would be delighted to have you as a study case if you're agreeable.' He says.

'More tests?' I ask.

'Sort of, I think he'll need some blood but then it will be more to do with your sleep patterns, diet, exercise. Your mom will be happy that you're being kept such a close eye on.' He says smiling at me.

'OK, I'll agree.' I say.

'Good, it makes me feel happier as well as your mom. Your scar is healing well and Dr Richards will take out the stitches on Wednesday. I'm just going to do a quick ultrasound to check your spleen.' He says.

'Thanks' I say as the nurse now puts gel on my chest. I sit quietly as they look at the scan pictures. They are talking quietly and pointing to the picture which I cannot see. Shit is something wrong. I look at the doctor now and the worry must be etched on my face.

'Sorry, we didn't mean to cause concern. Your spleen has healed beautifully. You can hardly tell where it has been stitched.' The doctor says. 'Everything is looking good at the moment for your trip tomorrow. We just need the blood results and whilst we're waiting for those we'll hook you up to the machine for your blood pressure and pulse. Hopefully no more than fifteen minutes now and then we'll know if you can go.'

'Thanks.' I say and lie down against the cool pillow as the nurse attaches various things to my arms. The doctor and nurse leave me alone and I stare at the ceiling, I really don't want to fall asleep now and I know that if I close my eyes I will. I feel someone pulling their fingers through my hair and open my eyes to see mom smiling at me.

'Did I fall asleep? I ask 'What time is it?'

'Darling, it's OK. You've only been asleep for thirty minutes.' Mom says gently.

'Hannah?' I ask.

'She's literally just gone to get a cold drink from the restaurant.' Moms says. 'We've had a good chat together and she feels guilty about earlier with what she said to you.'

'She has no need to be.' I say.

'I told her that darling. She's always been so strong but I think she's feeling a little insecure at the moment. You and Mia will need to take care of her whilst you're away. Remember you are both lucky enough to have travelled lots but Hannah hasn't been away much.' Mom says. 'She's only flown a couple of times so this will be so much different because you'll be using Christian's jet, just be patient with her darling as everything is going to be new experiences for her.'

'OK mom. I don't want to frighten her away by it all being too much.' I say quietly.

'I don't think you will but just be aware that she's not used to all that we sometimes take for granted.' Mom says. She wanders over to the door and a few minutes later the doctor comes in. I sit up.

'Good news Mathew, you can go away. Lots of rest still and you can swim in the pool.' He says.

'Surf.' I say hopefully.

'Matt.' Mom says cautiously.

'Leave it a few days but providing Dr Richards is happy and there's someone in the sea with you then it should be OK, just don't overdo it. If you have any headaches or dizziness please tell Dr Richards straight away, don't try and cover it up hoping it will go away. I faxed all your notes to him so he is fully informed and he will be sending me reports back. I'll see you again in three weeks. Have a good time and try and take it easy.'

'Thank you doctor.' I say jumping off the bed and dragging my shirt over my head. I shake the doctor's hand and thank him once more.

'Come on mom. Let's go.' I say smiling at her.

'Calm down.' She says but she's smiling back at me. Hannah walks into the room and I go and hug her picking her up and twirling her round.

'We're going on holiday tomorrow.' I say excitedly and kiss her cheek. She grins back at me.

'Matt, you're supposed to be taking it easy.' Mom says.

'I will mom, I promise. I'm just so excited. Come on, let's get out in the fresh air.' I say and I take Hannah's hand as we walk through the hospital. Sawyer is waiting with the SUV, I hug Hannah before she climbs into the back.

'Don't worry about meeting your mom, it will all be OK. Mom will be with you. I love you baby.' I say to her.

'Oh Matt I love you too. I'll call and let you know how it goes.' She says as she hugs me back.

'Bye mom, see you at home later.' I say.

'Darling boy, we'll wait a few minutes. Taylor is on his way but I'm not leaving you on your own until he's arrived.' Mom says.

'Mom, I'll be fine. Stop fussing.' I say.

'Please let me fuss darling, you'll be away from tomorrow and I won't be able to fuss then.' She says.

'OK mom. I do love you.' I say as I envelope her in a hug.

'And I love you. Ah, here's Taylor. We'll see you at home later. Remember, take it easy. No kickboxing with your brother.' She says as she climbs into the back of the SUV beside Hannah. I close the door for her and Sawyer drives away.