Huge thanks to each and everyone of you that took time to review the last chapter. I really appreciate everyone one of them. Sorry I didn't warn you it was an emotional one though and some of you might have needed the Kleenex! Happy Reading, Best Wishes Mx

My sobs subside and I sit staring at the water in my own world. I feel a hand on my shoulder and as I turn and look Hannah kisses my forehead. She kneels next to me and hugs me hard.

'I love you so much Matt Grey, don't ever forget it.' She says smiling at me.

'I love you too baby.' I whisper as I lean in to kiss her cheek. She hugs me once more before standing. Mia takes over swooping in for a hug in her over the top way.

'Hey little bro, wipe away those tears. Your big sister loves you so much.' She says loudly and she's squeezing me tightly. She then pulls me to my feet and hugs me once again. 'Come on, you haven't time to sit around, you're taking me and Hannah on holiday.' She says grinning at me. I smile at her then look at Hannah and she's grinning as well. They stand either side of me, one holding each hand and as we turn around mom and dad are stood watching us. Dad has his arms round mom. We walk towards them and as we get closer Hannah and Mia let go of me and continue towards the gate in the wall. Mom and dad walk towards me and then they are both hugging me.

'I am so sorry.' I say as I hug them back.

'Darling, what are you sorry for?' mom asks.

'Everything mom. Everything is my fault.' I say looking at her.

'No Matt darling, it isn't.' mom says.

'Matt, last night's argument wasn't your fault. It was mine. I shouldn't have had a go at you. I was shocked by your reaction though, I didn't think you had it in you.' Dad says gently. 'I'm sorry about last night.'

'I'm sorry too dad. I shouldn't have lost my temper.' I say.

'Friends again?' mom asks and we both look at her and smile and nod. 'Good, now the other matter. Matt, you are not to blame for your mommy and daddy being killed. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It certainly wasn't your fault. Have you blamed yourself all these years?' she asks steering me and dad towards the swing seat. Mom and dad sit either side of me.

'Yes, I've always felt it was my fault. That's what I've always had the nightmares about. I feel so guilty about them dying, I think I could have prevented it happening if I'd hugged mommy back.' I say.

'Oh darling no. I wish you'd told me earlier and then you wouldn't have carried this around with you all these years.' Mom says.

'I thought if I told you then you might not want me anymore. I thought you might hate me and would stop loving me.' I whisper. Mom takes hold of my hand and kisses it.

'Matt please start accepting the love we have for you. Do not feel guilty again about your parents accident.' Dad says as he takes my other hand. 'We certainly don't blame you and no-one else will either.' I look at dad and then mom and they both squeeze the hand they are holding.

'I love you both so much.' I say.

'We know darling and we love you so much, the whole family does.' Mom says. 'That's why I left you sat by the shore. I knew you weren't going anywhere but I needed to get dad, Mia and Hannah for you.'

'Thanks mom.' I say.

'Matt we had a talk not so long ago about me being so tough on you and you know why that is. It's not because I don't love you, it's because I love you so much.' Dad says.

'Did Christian tell you what I said?' I ask and dad nods. 'I thought you didn't want me.'

'I didn't want you in my study arguing with me, that's why I said what I did. You reminded me so much of your daddy last night. He was the calmest of men but when something happened that threatened you or your mommy he would just explode. If you did something that he thought wasn't safe so you might hurt yourself he would shout at you to stop but then you'd go into your quiet world and he'd instantly regret it. He'd end up feeling guilty. You're so like him.' Dad says. 'In a way I'm glad you argued back with me, it shows you won't be a pushover when it comes to dealing with people that might take advantage. The others have never shouted back at me.'

'That's what Christian said. You know how I've always got to take it further than they have and push the boundaries.' I say with a smirk.

'Yes even from when you were small you were like that. I'm sure Elliot and Christian covered up for you a lot.' Dad says.

'They did but then they did discipline me as well if I took it too far.' I say.

'Hence the hosing down.' Mom says and raises her eyebrows.

'Mom, that's one thing I am not going to tell you why they did it. It was thoroughly deserved and I'm totally embarrassed by it.' I say.

'I thought it was because you skipped school and got drunk with my beer. I thought they were sobering you up.' Dad says.

'There was a bit more to it than that.' I say squirming away. 'So mom, why has Christian delayed the wedding by two weeks?' I ask changing the subject, I really don't want them to know what I was doing when I was twelve.

'Your mommy's parents, your grandparents were like parents to me as well. Pretty much like your mommy and daddy were to Elliot, Christian and Mia. I would go on vacation with your mommy and her parents and she would come with me. I saw them every day and was really close to them. They doted on your brothers and sister as if they were their own grandchildren. For them it was like having another set of grandparents. The original wedding day was the date your grandmother died and also when Emily Grace was born and died. It's a pretty sad day for me. I told Christian I would manage and get through it but he said it wasn't just me it was everyone else as well. He said he'd rather have a different date as well. Matt, you've probably never realised but it's one of those days that we have a family day. We've always taken the day off work and spent the day together. From breakfast first thing to dinner in the evening. Whether we've sailed on the boat or been for a hike and picnic, we've just had the company of the six of us.'

'There's other dates in the year that we all come together as well to do something, I thought it was just you wanting us all to be together mom.' I say.

'Matt darling, they're pretty special dates as well. Dates for having our loved ones around us and remembering those that are no longer with us.' Mom says with tears in her eyes. I grip mom's hand tightly in understanding and she smiles at me. The blackberry buzzes in my pocket. 'Aren't you going to read your texts?' mom asks.

'They can wait mom.' I say not wanting to ruin this moment.

'No they can't, read them.' She says so I get my phone out of my pocket.

'Love you so much little bro. Have a great holiday. Laters E'

'Hey little bro, I hear you're having issues accepting our love. Start believing. I love you. Christian.'

'They're from Elliot and Christian.' I say.

'I thought they might be.' mom says smiling. 'Come on let's walk next door. You need breakfast.' We stand , mom and dad either side of me as we walk up the garden and through the gate.

'Are you looking forward to your holiday Matt?' dad asks.

'Yes, it will be good for me. Time to think and sort some things out.' I say.

'If you need any help I'm only a phone call away. Don't worry about the papers, Christian and I will deal with anything that happens here. We'll be limiting what they can and can't have. Do you have any thoughts on that?' dad asks.

'I only have one thing I'm worried about at the moment. If for any reason they find out we're in Hawaii I don't want any photos with my shirt off. I don't want my scar on public display. I'm sensitive enough about it as it is without the rest of Seattle seeing it. Can we make that happen?' I say and mom squeezes my hand.

'Yes we can keep them out. As with Christian we'll draw up a contract so that they have to send us what they're going to publish before it goes to print. It's a two way thing so we have to give them information as well but we just give them what we want and enough of it to keep them happy.' Dad says.

'Thanks dad.'

'No problems. I'm going to work now. Call me if you need anything. Have a great holiday, plenty of rest. I love you.' Dad says as he gives me a hug.

'I love you to dad.' I say as I hug him back.

'Go and play the piano for me whilst I make your breakfast and say goodbye to your dad.' mom says smiling at me. I smile back and head to the family room to sit and play some more of mom's favourite tunes.