Hope you all had a very Happy Christmas/Holiday! It's been such a busy time for me over the last few weeks with my family but things are starting to be relaxed and less hectic once more. Hope you enjoy this chapter, please review if you have a moment. Best Wishes Mx

I feel Hannah's lips gently brushing mine as I'm woken, I'm lying on my back but still have my arm around her.

'Morning beautiful.' I say with a smile as I open my eyes. 'What time is it?'

'Morning handsome.' She replies. 'Just after eight.'

'I slept straight through.' I say totally surprised.

'How do you feel this morning?' Hannah asks.

'Good but I'm still lying down and I'm next to the most beautiful girl in the world.' I say and take her nipple in my mouth. I tease it with my tongue.

'Matt no, it's time to get up.' She says.

'Up in my favourite place.' I say hopefully.

'No not now, you can wait til tonight and then go straight to sleep again afterwards.' She says. 'I'm going to shower.'

'Can I join you?' I say hopefully.

'No because we know what will happen.' She says as she climbs out of bed and I watch her walk round the bed. 'Here's your blackberry, you need to call your mom.' She adds as she disappears into the bathroom. I check for messages first. There's a few from Christian, he's landed at SeaTac, then he's back at Escala and everything has been put away and finally he's at work and I can call him anytime. I hit the speed dial and he answers straight away.

'Grey.' He says abruptly.

'Hey big bro, were you not expecting me to call.' I say.

'Hang on.' He says and then adds 'I'll be back in five, I need to take this call. OK Matt, I can talk now. How are you?'

'Great, I slept for ten hours straight.' I say. 'I got your texts thanks.'

'No problem. How are the girls?' he asks.

'Hannah is good, she's in the shower. I haven't seen Mia yet cos I'm still in bed.' I say. 'I had to go to hospital last night.'

'Why haven't I been told before now?' he says angrily.

'Because I'm telling you now. You were flying home and Dr Richards took me last night as a precaution instead of going today.' I say. 'If you're going to get angry I won't tell you anymore.'

'Sorry, tell me what happened.' He says. I proceed to tell him about the dizzy spell and hurting my arm and the tests I did.

'The results of the blood tests came through really quickly and I need to take iron because I'm anaemic.' I say.

'You should eat more steak.' He mutters.

'I don't need to now I can just take a pill.' I say.

'Are you sure you're OK?' he asks.

'Yes absolutely fine.' I say 'Why what are you thinking?'

'Why I wasn't informed? Mia hasn't told me and security haven't said anything.' He says.

'I bribed Mia, I'm taking her shopping today and I told security not to bother you as you couldn't do anything and I didn't want any fuss.' I say. 'Christian you can't know every detail of my personal life. If I put myself in danger and there are any risks being taken then I can understand it but if I'm being careful, cautious and sensible then you don't need to know. I don't know everything that you have ever done and I don't need to.'

'What are you saying?' he asks.

'I just need some space, some privacy.' I say.

'Fair enough.' He says and hangs up on me. I groan and flop my head back onto the pillow. He's over reacting as usual. I then smile to myself, I won't let him ruin my good start to the day. I climb out of bed and pull on a pair of sweat pants and head out onto the balcony. The view is idyllic and I sit on one of the loungers and call mom.

'Hi darling boy.'

'Hi mom.' I say. 'Mom I didn't have a bath last night I was at the hospital because I fell on the beach and hurt my arm and Dr Richards decided to check me out but I'm Ok just got a muscle strain and my spleen is ok but I'm anaemic and have to take iron pills.'

'Slow down darling.' Mom says but I can tell she's smiling.

'I bribed Mia not to tell you because I didn't want you to worry.' I say. 'I'm sorry.'

'And you were feeling guilty so you just had to blurt it all out in one go.' Mom says.

'Yes.' I say quietly.

'Don't ever change Matt, you are so funny.' Mom says.

'When I told Christian he put the phone down on me.' I mutter.

'He'll get over it, I'll speak to him later.' Mom says.

'I'm not bothered, I asked him to give me more space because he can't know about everything in my life.' I say

'You're finally standing up to him.' Mom says.

'Is that a bad thing?' I ask uncertainly.

'No darling not at all.' She says.

'Mom I love it here, I've slept for ten hours straight through and I met Mrs Richard's dogs. I'm going to take them for a walk on the beach later.' I say excitedly.

'You sound so happy darling.'

'I am mom.' I say. 'I'm missing you though, it doesn't feel quite as bad today but I have just woken up.' She laughs.

'I miss you too, the house feels so empty and it's too quiet. There's no one bashing the piano in the middle of the night.' She teases.

'Mom I hardly bash the keys, you could get Elliot round to do that.' I say and again she laughs.

'I miss your hugs.' She says quietly.

'I miss yours too, I asked Mrs Richards for one yesterday but it's not the same as hugging you mom.' I say.

'Oh Matt.' Mom sobs.

'Mom, please don't get upset, not for me.' I say. 'I love you and will be home in a week and I can hug you then.'

'I'll hold you to that.' She says.

'I better go mom, I still need to have breakfast and then the girls are dragging me round the mall.' I say.

'Did they promise you ice cream?' mom asks.

'Yes.' I say and she laughs again.

'Take care darling, I'll speak to you soon. Love you.' Mom says.

'Love you too mom.' I say and click off. I stand and go back into the bedroom where Hannah is drying her hair.

'I thought you'd gone downstairs already.' Hannah says.

'No I was calling mom. Shall we go and have breakfast, I'm hungry.' I say as I take the drier from her and finish the back of her hair.

'When did you learn to do that?' Hannah asks.

'Ages ago, Mia used to get me to dry hers.' I say with a shrug and she smiles at me in the mirror.

'This is a luxury, I feel so spoilt.' She says.

'Good, I want to spoil you.' I say as I finish up. I kiss her cheek quickly and then take her hand. 'Let's go.'

'Matt, you're in sweat pants and nothing else.' Hannah says.

'So, I'll be eating food and then I need to have my shoulder iced and massaged so there doesn't seem any point in getting dressed.' I say.

'You're getting lazy.' She says.

'I'm relaxing baby. It doesn't happen very often.' I say and then change the subject. 'You're having a swimming lesson later.'

'And if I say no.' she says.

'I'm not arguing on this one, you need to learn to swim.' I say. 'Please.'

'OK, I'll do it for you.'

'You'll thank me one day, when we have kids you'll be more relaxed if you can swim when we go on vacation.' I say.

'That's years away.' She mutters.

'So, you'll be good by then.' I say as we walk into the kitchen. 'Morning Mrs Richards.'

'Morning Matthew, morning Hannah.' Mrs Richards says. 'Pancakes.'

'Yes please and some fruit and bacon.' I say.

'I take it you're hungry.' Mrs Richards says with a smile.

'Extremely.' I say. 'What about you baby?'

'Just some fruit for me please.' Hannah says and I frown at her. 'I'm not hungry.'

'Go and sit on the terrace and I'll bring it out to you, Mia is already out there but she was waiting for you to eat.' Mrs Richards says.

'Thanks Mrs R.' I say and smile at her. She smiles back at me.

'You're getting cheeky Matt Grey.' Hannah says.

'He's always been cheeky.' Mrs Richards says and I grin as we leave the kitchen.

'Morning you two.' Mia says as we sit down at the table with her. 'There's still coffee in the pot if you want some.'

'Not for me thanks, I'll have the juice.' I say as I help myself. 'Hannah.'

'No thanks.' She says. 'I'll just grab some water.'

'Are you ill?' I ask her with concern.

'No, I just don't feel right.' She says. I pass her a glass of water.

'Come and sit in the shade. Do you want Dr Richards to check you over?' I ask.

'Matt, stop worrying. I'll be OK after I've had a drink and some fruit.' She says.

'OK.' I say quietly and look at Mia for help.

'Stop worrying.' Mia says. 'I've been trying to call Christian but he keeps cutting me off.'

'Perhaps he's in a meeting.' I say. Shit, maybe he's angry with Mia as well. I don't admit that I've spoken to him today.

'Then he would normally let the voicemail pick up, I'll try again later.' She says.

'Mia look at it as a bonus, he's not hassling us about what we're up to.' I say.

'He doesn't normally anyway. He just lets me get on with what I want.' Mia says.

'Well you're lucky then, he seems to want to know everything I'm up to.' I mutter. 'I spoke to mom earlier and she was OK that I didn't speak to her last night.'

'Good, so what are the plans for today?' Mia asks.

'I've got a few things to do but don't worry I'll take you both shopping this afternoon and then I thought we could have dinner out somewhere.' I say before turning to Hannah and saying 'That's if you feel OK baby.'

'I'll be fine by then. I probably just need to rest.' Hannah says.

'Cool.' Mia says. 'Shopping and dinner, you do know how to spoil a girl.'

'I think I need some more practise. 'I mutter and Hannah takes my hand and kisses it. I smile shyly at her and she grins back at me. Mrs Richards brings out the breakfast and I've soon demolished mine. Once the girls have finished I stand and start stacking the plates before taking them into the kitchen.

'Thank you Mrs R that was great.' I say.

'You're very welcome. Dan is coming to check on you soon and he's bringing the dogs.' She says.

'Fantastic, is it OK to go to the beach with them.' I say excitedly.

'Yes but calm down. Sit yourself on the bar stool I want to check your shoulder out.' she says.

'It doesn't feel as bad today. Will I still be able to swim?' I ask.

'As long as you don't strain it anymore.' She says as she starts to massage it.

'That's where it hurts.' I say as she touches the tender part.

'OK, I'll work on that area.' She says as she continues the massage. 'Feeling any better?'

'It doesn't feel quite as sore.' I say.

'Good, let me take a look when you've been for a swim.' She says. 'I think I hear the dogs arriving.'

'Great.' I say as I jump off the stool. 'Thanks Mrs R' I add as I dash out of the kitchen and back onto the terrace. All four dogs greet me with the same enthusiasm as last night.

'How are you feeling this morning?' Dr Richards asks as the dogs calm down.

'Great.' I say.

'Did you take the iron?' he asks and I nod. 'Good, you can take three of those a day and we'll test your blood again at the end of the week.'

'OK, can I take these four to the beach now?' I ask.

'Sure. I'm going to catch up with Ruth before I leave for the hospital. I'll see you this evening.' He says.

'Thanks, please could you also tell Mrs Richards that we'll be out this afternoon and will stay out for dinner so she can have the afternoon off.' I say.

'Thanks Matthew.' He says as I set off down the garden with the dogs. Joe doesn't leave my side but the others walk on ahead. Once on the beach we walk towards the ocean and are soon splashing about in the surf. When I feel tired I sit on the beach and the dogs sit beside me. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I turn Hannah kisses my cheek.

'You looked so happy.' Hannah says.

'I was.' I say quietly as she comes and sits between my legs and I hug her. 'Joe.' I add as the dog growls. I put my hand on his head and he goes quiet before putting his head on my knee. 'Hannah, this is Joe.'

'Hello Joe.' She says and then strokes him.

'You took photos.' I say.

'OF course. I don't think I've seen you that happy and relaxed before. Ever.' She says.

'You make me happy and relaxed.' I say.

'You'd be happier with a dog.' She says.

'Not just yet. I've always wanted one but can wait until we have finished university and we're ready to settle down.' I say as I kiss her neck. 'Besides we can always come here for a few days and then I can see Joe.'

'What's so special about Joe, there are four dogs here.' She says.

'He would have been mine. Daddy never got to collect him.' I say.

'Oh Matt, I'm so sorry.' Hannah says.

'Don't be, it's OK. One day we'll have our own dog.' I say. 'Come on let's take these dogs back and then go for a swim. I want to feel your body next to mine in the water.' I say as I stand and take her hand to pull her up. As we walk hand in hand the dogs follow and I take them to the kitchen door for Mrs Richards whilst Hannah goes to get changed.

'Thank you Matthew.' Mrs Richards says. 'Dan said you're staying out for dinner.'

'Yes, that's right, we're shopping first so you can have the afternoon off.' I say. 'Is that OK?'

'Of course it is. I'll leave food in the fridge as well in case you change your minds. It will just need reheating.' She says.

'Thank you.' I say. 'Mrs Richards, are we creating too much work for you? I don't want to take advantage.'

'Oh you're so considerate but of course you're not. I've waited so long to be able to look after you once more, it's an absolute pleasure seeing you everyday.'

'Thank you, but please say if it's too much. We can help you with all the chores.' I say.

'You're too kind.' She says.

'No, I'm just looking after you.' I say. 'I'm going for a swim now.'

'I'll check your shoulder when you get out. Enjoy your swim.' She says.

'Thank you Mrs R.' I say and she smiles fondly at me. I walk through the kitchen and up the stairs so that I can get changed into my swim shorts. I stop outside the bedroom door, Mia is hugging Hannah and then she wipes away a tear.

'I'm not good enough for him.' I hear Hannah say and I freeze.

'He loves you.' Mia says gently. 'You make him happy. Stop having all these doubts.'

'I don't know why I'm so all over the place. I used to be strong and confident. I even stood up to Christian. Now I'm wreck, I worry about everything.'

'Hannah, you've been through so much the last few weeks. You sat by Matt's bed almost every minute that he was in hospital. You had the row with your mom and family and now you're speaking again and you miss her but are so far away. You'll be back to being strong again soon.' Mia says.

'But he has all the money and houses now.' Hannah says.

'And you think that will make a difference to how he thinks about you. Hannah, he had you before he knew about all those other things. You know if he had to choose between everything, you would win every time. You're his number one priority.' Mia says. I love my sister so much at the moment. 'Now get your bikini on for your swimming lesson, you'll enjoy it. Matt will ensure you have fun. Even with his ups and downs he was always the brother I could rely on to cheer me up.'

'Thanks Mia.' Hannah says.

'You're welcome, anytime.' Mia says as I move out of the way and into the bedroom next door.

'Mia.' I whisper as she exits my room. I wait until she in the room. 'Is Hannah OK?'

'You were listening.' Mia accuses me.

'I only heard a little bit.' I say guiltily looking at her cautiously.

'Don't you start, you both need your heads banging together. Go and talk to her and reassure her. You'll be fine baby bro, you both just need time to readjust to everything that's going on. Whilst you're teaching Hannah to swim I'm going to have a bath and call mom and then Elliot and hopefully Christian might answer my calls.' Mia says.

'Thanks Mia, I love you.' I say as I give her a quick hug.

'I love you too baby bro and I'll love you more this afternoon at the mall.' Mia says with a huge grin as she leaves the room. I sigh, I guess I owe her lots on this shopping trip.