A/N: Hello again! I hope you enjoyed the insight from the last two chapters. This chapter is heavily based on discussion. I am ending the angst. Physically hurts to write it. Hahaha! Enjoy!

PS. Not sure when I'll be able to update again. We are in the midst of Irma here in New Port Ritchey. We're scared, but with family! Update when I can!

A: Hey, did you still want to meet today? I know I called you kind of late last night.

M: As long as you're still okay with it. I'd rather not pressure you.

A: You couldn't Matt. I'm more than ready to speak with you.

M: I'll be seeing you soon then Amelia just be safe getting here please.

A: See you soon!

I didn't spend all day getting ready. I didn't spend long in the shower – just took enough time to wash my hair so it fell easily down in curls. It had gotten longer since the last time he'd seen it.

My car seemed so much smaller as I climbed in to make the trek to his house. My fingers thrummed repeatedly on the steering wheel to no rhythm in particular. It was only a fifteen-minute drive and as soon as I arrived the cold feet settled in.

No matter how much this hurt me he needed this, closure or opening. I had no idea what to expect.

I took a deep breath before knocking on his door and was pleased when he opened the door in relaxed attire as well. He wore a pair of dark blue jeans and a grey shirt. His hands stuffed into his pockets as he rocked back and forth on his heels.

"Hello."

I stood there wearing my heart on my sleeve due to the soul-bearing nature of this arrangement. "Hello."

"Come in please."

Matt ushered me in and I took in the arrangement of the living room. It was as if nothing had been touched from our time here together.

"So, not much has changed," I smiled and twirled to eye to photo of us from Universal still on his mantelpiece.

He gave a half smile before, "I really didn't… never mind that." (I didn't expect you'd really be gone forever. Prayed you wouldn't be).

"Um, thank you for inviting me."

I was incredibly unsure of what I should be doing so I turned to face him fully.

"I wanted to apologize actually… Please, come sit."

His statement completely confused me so much that it took me watching him pat a spot on the couch to actually begin moving my cement feet slowly across the floor. He wanted to apologize to me. What the fuck for?!

I awkwardly sat on the other side of the couch imploring him with my eyes to tell me what the hell he was talking about.

He pushed his hand through fringe and let it nearly fall back into his face. "An apology for being so hot and cold as I'm sure Rob and Brittany spoke with you when they could over the months is necessary. I was quite ungracious during our conversations before. That wasn't fair to them and consequently – you." I watched as sparkling green eyes begged for a forgiveness that was not needed.

"The apology isn't in your court Matthew. It's in mine. So much happened so fast that I'm afraid I'll never really get past it all."

This was the part I never wanted to mingle or entwine in our lives. The part where I have to tell him the family demons span fucking generations.

"I know I have no right, it's your family after all, but what happened M?"

I scoffed, "what happened?" My face fell into my hands. What had happened? I failed to see her falling again? No, these were the words Jason told me not to speak. None of this was my doing. How long would it take for me to believe that?

Matt mistook my silence for frustration or aggravation. Either way he huffed out a breath.

"I'm sorry – I…"

"No, not at all. It's just," I exhaled heavily. "It's a loaded question." And I'm steeling myself for your reaction.

I should just lie – I cheated on you, it's not you it's me… out of all those one had to work, right?

A finger under my chin implored me to look up at him.

"That's why we're home Amelia. Not at a fancy dinner. We're here to talk and if you still feel that for me then we're here to sort it all out. It won't happen in one talk and I understand that, but a good start is at the beginning." He scooted closer and took my shaky hands in his apprehensive ones. He was trying not to move to fast.

I shouldn't have been surprised, but at the feeling of our hands entwining together a feeling of relief settled over my body. It didn't radiate far, but it was still something. He felt good, as he always had.

"The beginning…" I dumbly mumbled looking down at our hands.

"You left…" he said sadly.

To the life I'd never get away from and one that he could be a part of if he was fucking crazy enough…

"Ah, that beginning," I began sarcastically. I took a deep breath steadying myself. He didn't deserve that. "My mother was… sick."

You're avoiding Amelia.

"How so?" I watched as his lips moved in slow motion to ask the question I could no longer avoid.

"Sometimes her head isn't right and she doesn't catch it until it's too late."

"Schizophrenia?" He asked immediately. His eyes darted between the two of mine and searched for an answer.

"No, no nothing that serious," I chuckled cynically. It wasn't funny, but the day I couldn't try to make light of it was the day it became game over for me.

"Amelia," he began seriously. "Do you remember what I said to you the night we left Florida?"

When we were blissfully blinded by a clear new start at a love we'd never experienced before.

"No ones' issues should be lessened. I suspected it was something psychological based on your reactions and responses on the phone to your grandmother that night, but I didn't want to push you." His shoulders rose with a deep breath that he did not let out until he spoke again.

"I fear I must push you tonight," he spoke softly.

"No, you're not pushing. I want to tell you, but I'm afraid of what's next after this. How you'll…" react, went unspoken.

"You're afraid it will alter how I feel for you?"

I nodded, "Yes." The thought of being alone again cause the first of many shudders to wrack my body.

"You needen't be," he began reassuringly. "I've been hurt, angered, and frustrated with you, but I've never lost love for you."

He cupped my cheek and looked apprehensive again. Scared like I wouldn't let him in.

"That's a kindness I don't deserve," I looked down – shamed.

"Hush. Shift up here," he said pulling me closer to him. (I need contact with her… does she need it from me?)

I didn't pull away. I just sat quietly for a few moments before I took a deep breath with my head on his shoulder. Grateful I wasn't looking him

"She's um, bipolar. And I may be as well. I've already been diagnosed with anxiety; which is nowhere near the same thing, but I sometimes have trouble with sadness or… anger. And that's what happened: she went to the doctor after essentially attacking Rose. She smashed glass knickknacks and cut herself repeatedly. She verbally attacked the Doctor, which is when Grandad decided he needed to have her Baker Acted."

I took a deep breath getting ready for the second half. Long enough for Matt to react. He pulled me tighter to him so that I could no longer look at him. My head was resting on his chest and I let his deep breaths guide mine.

"Amelia… I…" (Jesus, no wonder she left).

"Sh, just – just let me get through this, for us."

I stayed tight in his arms and willed him to listen a little closer – to understand that this was a part of me too.

"The first time she was out in the normal 72 hours, but they'd changed her pills. The second time was worse. She went because she couldn't stay awake. Grammy said she lay on the bench at the office and slept. Then there was some mumbojumbo with the Insurance covering the care, so they Baker Acted her for Insurance to cover it. Well – she lost it. They called it a psychotic break. Orderlies took her to 'The Room' as she called it. She said for three days she wasn't even any resemblance of herself. They went as far as taking her clothes because she wouldn't attend group and just… talk. She wasn't supposed to be there. This wasn't her doing. She didn't understand."

Your grandmother did this. They're taking you away from me again. I might as well be locked up. This is pointless.

"I spoke with her every chance she got. I could gauge if she was medicated, pissed, or depressed. The anger was the hardest because she felt it at everyone. There was no exception this time." I sniffed, but didn't wipe at my face. There were no tears I'd already cried all of those this time.

"She's out now so…"

(What had her mother said to her? What words did she hear with no comfort?)

"Are… are you alright now? Being in the UK?" Her Grandparents words rung in Matt's ears as he stroked her hair.

She's much stronger than you'd think.

"Yeah, Jason actually made me realize I was putting my life on hold and that's not fair to anyone," I glanced up at him for a split second. His face was unrevealing. Hiding some sort of emotion.

"You are the strongest woman I know. You're mom's important to you and I realize that, but don't ever hide part of her or yourself to me if you intend to be… close with me, which I hope you do because I don't know if I…"

He placed his nose directly upon my hair and I listened to him inhale deeply. He'd be pissed if I tried to comfort him right now so I spoke simply.

"Me either Matt, me either."

It didn't solidify anything. It didn't erase it all, but we could, at the very least, speak to one another now.

He was stroking my hair and stopped suddenly. "Let's have dinner."

"Dinner?"

"A proper one. A date. Texting. Scones. That bit!" He replied excitedly.

I laughed and sat up to look into his gleaming greens, which were now a deep forest green. Interesting…

"Um, when?" I asked with a smile, pushing my hair around on one shoulder. He lightly fingered it admiring the length.

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow then," I nodded my head.

"But stay. I want to talk." His hopeful voice called.

"If we talk it all out tonight what will we discuss tomorrow?" Unconsciously I bit by lip and his eyes were immediately drawn to the action.

"I don't know that I can wait that long…"

"Just a day silly. Come, walk me to the door."

I stood and grabbed my purse and doubled back. He was still sat on the couch watching my small movements. On it's own accord my hand reached out to take his in mine.

We stood at the doorway and a war seemed to rage in his mind before he asked, with wild eyes, "Can I kiss you?"

If someone made a portrait of relief it would have been my exact facial expression at that very moment. I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding in.

"You don't have to ask," I exhaled.

"I intended it to be a motion of gentlemanly – whatever…" he stepped closer, wrapping an arm about my waist.

"No need to be so form – "

We were kissing. We kissed so hard I braced myself against his closed front door. His hand rested tenderly against my cheek despite how hard we were kissing.

Too soon he stopped and pulled away to rest his head against my forehead.

"Are you sure you won't stay?"

"I've no right to ask, but give me one more night?"

He stepped away letting his hand slide down my arm. "Don't ever stifle what you need. Go love, before I kidnap you," a smile graced his features.

I took the chance to lean into him in a slight hug before stepping away. I knew everything I needed to do, but I could take this. Just this. Just tonight.

"Goodbye Matthew."

"Till tomorrow darling."

He waved and I gave him a show – swaying my ass for him to enjoy. I heard the sound I had longed for. A dark chuckle that burst through his kiss drenched lips and it stuttered my heart. We could do this. We could make next the very best.

A/N: Prayers for The Keys and the rest of FL this storm 3 If you're anywhere near it or have family near it you're in our prayers as well. I'm hunkering down writing The Date.