Matty headed downstairs. His mom, Phillip, and Irene were sitting on the couch laughing. Matty walked over. "Hello little dude." Phillip said. "Phillip why do you call him little dude?" Irene asked. "Well Jamie and I called Lee dude all the time. He's Lee's son hence little dude." Irene smiled at him. Phillip & Irene were sitting next to each other on the couch. His mom was in the recliner with Leann fast asleep on her lap.

His mom said, "I think it's time for her to go to bed for real. Phillip, will you carry her up for me?" Phillip nodded. "Sure mom." Phillip walked over and gently picked Leann up off her lap. She stirred a little but didn't wake up. Then his mom followed behind Phillip as he carried his little sister up the stairs.

Matty went over and sat next to Irene. "I love your family. They are all so nice. I cannot believe you have a sister too? I am so happy for the both of you." Matty snuggled up against Irene. "I wish you hadn't been on vacation when Dad got shot." Irene put her arm around him. "I do as well. I am sorry that you had to come alone. You were very brave. I am so very proud of you."

Matty nodded. "I am glad you are here now though. Even if Uncle Joe can't get you off. You could just live here in the basement. Nobody can get you in here." She smiled. "Oh sunshine, if your Uncle Joe cannot help me. Your father is going to help me to disappear. Start a new life." Matty looked at her. "You could just pretend you are someone else like dad and I did. Just stay here. Use a fake name and marry my brother Phillip."

Irene looked at him. "I am not going to marry your brother Phillip. We have only just met. If I marry again, it will be for love not convenience. But your brother is very handsome and funny. I am seeing the resemblance between Tony & him. Except Phillip is less of a nerd. You will not tell Tony I said that will you?" Matty smiled pointed to his lips and said. "Can't speak remember?"

Phillip came back down the stairs. "Mom is tucking Leann in for the night. Hey little dude, you took my spot." Phillip just went over to the recliner and sat down on it. "What are you two tapping about? Give me a couple of weeks and I'll be able to do it without writing everything down too. Mom bought a bunch of books on Morse Code, ASL & BSL. We will all be able to talk to Matty soon."

Irene smiled. "We were just discussing your family. It is so very nice to put faces to the stories I have heard about everyone. I wish I could have met you all under better circumstances. I am looking forward to meeting your grandmother in the morning as well."

Matty tapped on her. "My grandma is really funny. You will like it when she gives dad a hard time about breakfast." Irene laughed. Phillip said, "What's so funny?" Irene said, "Sunshine says your grandmother is funny. That I will like it when she gives Lee a hard time about breakfast. Jonathon liked to give Lee a hard time about not eating breakfast as well."

Phllip laughed "Irene can I ask you why do you call Matty,sunshine?" Irene smiled, "It is a common nickname in Britain. But it fits Matty. He has an aura about him that feels like sunshine. I cannot really explain it except now that I have met your mother. I think he gets it from her. She has the same type of aura."

Just then his mother came down the stairs. "Sorry. After I put Leann down, I went and talked to Lee for a few minutes." Phillip looked at their mom. "Oh yeah, I'm sure you were just talking. Just remember Matty's deaf mom and he has been traumatized enough in his young life." His mom gave Philip a dirty look. "Matty & Irene would you like to look at some of Phillip's baby pictures?" Phillip looked horrified. "Not cool mom."

His mom smiled. Then she sat on the other side of Matty. She started playing with Matty's hair. Then Phillip said, "Mom where's Doofus? Just realized we haven't seen him since dinner." She looked at her. "Oh, he and grandma went to the loft. She had mentioned that she made chili for Leann & Matty. But grandma left so she could go freeze it in. Jamie wanted some. They have not really spent any time together since he has been home. So, I think he just wanted to spend some time with grandma." Phillip looked at their mom. "He just wanted to spend time with the chili. Oh man, he better not eat it all."

Matty yawned. His mother looked at him. "Oh, it's almost 10PM now. Well, I can bring you upstairs to your father." Matty tapped on Irene and she translated for everyone. "Dad wanted me to sleep with Phillip and Jamie tonight." His mother smiled and laughed a little. "Oh, he did, did he? Will you be ok sleeping with your brothers? Whose bed do you want me to put you in?"

Matty tapped on Irene "Tell her Jamie's since that is going to end up being my bed anyway. And Jamie does smell better than Phillip." Irene started laughing.
Phillip looked hurt. "Wow little dude. Really? You are almost getting as bad as Jamie and Leann. I do not smell." Their mother responded. "No you don't smell sweetheart. But the socks that you always forget to put in the laundry hamper on that side of the room do."

His mom took his hand and led him up the stairs. They went into the room that was going to be his. He changed into his pajama pants. Then his mom came back in and helped him with the pajama top and gave him a pain pill.

She started stroking his face. "What a day sweet boy. Are you sure you are going to be ok sleeping in here tonight?" Matty nodded yes. She looked at him. "Ok but if you need your daddy and me. We are just down the hall. But knock first." Matty nodded. His mom's eyes filled with emotion. "I really do love you. It is so nice having you home where you belong." She kissed his forehead and stayed with him until he fell asleep.

Notes:

Next chapter - Matty has a nightmare.