***TISSUE WARNING SAD CHAPTER***

Matty smiled at his mother, "I will invite everyone. That's a good idea, Mom.

Let me continue the story. Dad and I finished our food. Well, I did. Dad did not really eat anything. He just picked at a roll.

After we were done eating. Irene escorted us to grandmother's room, and she left us alone to get some rest. You have seen it. It is an absolutely beautiful room. There is that gorgeous white canopy bed in the room. The handmade antique Victorian dollhouse that is in Leann's room now. A record player from the 1930's with lots of swing and big band records. Grandmother's books and journals. I remember not really wanting to touch anything because I did not want to break anything.

I remember dad just looking around the room in amazement. He had never seen this room before. This was his mother's room as a girl. But then all of the sudden I think it was all just too much for dad. He went next to the bed and sunk down on the floor while leaning against the bed. Dad put his head in his hands and just started sobbing.

I felt so bad for him. I wanted to help him. Make him feel better. I went and sat next to him. I patted his back gently. Then I reached in my pocket and pulled out the little model airplane toy the flight attendant had given me, and I handed it to him. Dad looked up at me through his tears and nodded no. But I did not accept his no, and I made him take the plane. I wanted him to feel better. Then dad just grabbed me and started to cry into me. I am not sure how long it was, but dad stopped crying after a little bit. That was the only time I have ever seen dad cry."

His dad interrupted his story and pulled out the little airplane from his pocket, "I still have that little airplane. I carry it around with me as a good luck charm. That was the only toy you had, and you gave it to me just to try and make me feel better. You are so much like your mom. So thoughtful and sweet. You are what got me through that time, kid."

His dad went over to Matty in the hospital bed and hugged him.

Then his dad said, "I'll continue the story. After I broke down, I went in the bathroom in my mother's room and washed my face. I came back out and Matty had jumped up into the bed and he had fallen asleep. I was tired too. So, I went and laid down next to him. I fell asleep for a little bit too. But I woke up about an hour later. Matty was still asleep, and I grabbed one of my mother's journals and started reading it. It was comforting being in my mother's room with Matty next to me and learning more about my mother's life as a young teenage girl through her journals.

There was a knock on the door. Irene stuck her head in. She had some bags of clothes and things. She asked me if we wanted to come down for dinner in an hour. I let her know we would. I showered and changed into the new clothes she had gotten. Irene had gotten me a razor so that I could shave but I decided that growing a beard would make me look different, so I didn't shave. I woke Matty up and he took a bath and changed into his new clothes.

We went down to dinner in the dining hall. My grandfather smiled at us when we walked in. "Did you lads have a good rest? You both look much better than you did when you arrived."

I answered him."Yes, sir. Thank you. Also thank you for setting us up in my mother's room. That is a beautiful room. We will try not to mess anything up in there."

My grandfather smiled, "Yes, well it does not matter if you do. Everything in that roomis yours now. My Jenny would have wanted you to have it. Now after dinner, I would like to discuss some things with you regarding your new identities. I have an idea that I would like to run past you."

I still was not that hungry, but I forced myself to eat some of the dinner. Matty ate enough food for the both of us.

After dinner we retreated to my grandfather's study. He poured me a glass of scotch. He pulled out a birth certificate and handed it to me.

"This is my son Michael's birth certificate. He went missing at the age of 17. He is most likely dead. I have had investigators looking for him for years with no luck. Now he is considerably younger than you. You were born in 1950. He was born in 1960. The age difference should not matter because I doubt anyone will question it. I think you can pass for still being in your thirties."

I handed him the birth certificate back, "You want me to assume Michael Winthrope's identity? What if he actually turns up? He might not be dead. I investigated him as well when I found out about him from one of my agency background checks."

My grandfather nodded,"Yes, well it would be a miracle if he turns up alive. I doubt he will. Even if he is alive. He does not want this identity. So, you minus well use it. You and the young lad can just stay here on the estate. I am an old man now. I have so many regrets. You are one of my biggest regrets. I have lost everyone in my life. When I thought I had lost you too. Even though it was for a couple of hours until you showed up on my doorstep. I thought I really was going to be the last of my family. I just kept you away because I thought it would be safer for you if we did not have a relationship. I know now that was utter nonsense. Stay here. Let me make it up to you. I am an old man. I do not have many years left in me. I would like to get to know you and the boy."

I remember thinking it would be nice to get to know him. I did not know that much about my mother's side of the family. It would be a good idea to just stay there. Nobody would look for me at the Hamilton Estate. Worst case is The Colonel might show up, but I knew I could trust The Colonel if that happened. But I doubted it would ever happen since the Colonel really did not like my grandfather very much.

I smiled a little at my grandfather, "Yes, Alex and I would love to stay here. Thank you, sir."

My grandfather smiled, "Very good. Now as for the boy. What do you want his name to be?"

I looked at him, "Well I don't want his name to be completely different because I am sure he is going to want to go home to Arlington one day when he's older. Just switch it. Call him Matthew Alexander Winthrope."

My grandfather nodded, "Very good. I will work on getting you some papers and a fake Canadian passport. I think this will work well. I have a guest house but well I have not had many guests since the 1950s. I will have it remodeled for you. As for transportation, I am a bit of a car collector. You are welcome to any car in the garage. I have also called Doctor Williams. He will come check you lads out in the morning."

I smiled at him, "Thank you sir. We are going to retire for the night. I really do appreciate everything you are doing for Alex and I."

My grandfather smiled back at us warmly,"I am very happy to have you both here. Get some more rest. I will have Irene wake you up at 7 for breakfast."

Notes:

Awww Lee needs a hug now.

This is the last of the chapters in this story that need a tissue warning.

Next chapter: Lee and Matty meet Doctor Williams.