Matty went home from the hospital the next day. He could still talk, and his hearing was better. It was also strange because he could remember everything now. Whatever drugs they had given him or maybe it the trauma of the intense pain. Telling his mom his story with his dad was therapeutic for him.

When his parents took him home. His parents just tucked him into bed. He just slept most of that day. When he woke up it was dark outside. He looked at his alarm clock. It was a little after midnight.
He felt hungry. He had been sleeping since he came home around 10AM that day. He got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Then he walked to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and made himself a sandwich with a glass of milk.

He went and sat on the couch and started eating it. That was when his mom came down the stairs.
She came over and touched his forehead to see if he had a fever, "Oh, sweet boy. You are awake. Are you alright? How are you feeling?"

Matty nodded, "Yeah mom, I'm fine. My ear is just a dull throbbing pain now. Nothing I can't handle. I just got hungry. I didn't want to wake you up."

His mom put her arm around him, "I'm your mother, sweet boy. You can wake me up anytime you need me. But you didn't actually wake me up this time. I was reading. I just saw it was after midnight and came down to get your daddy. He's down in the basement watching the football game. I'm guessing he fell asleep down there. I was going to wake you up for a minute anyway to take your medication. Let me go get it. I had saved you a plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I can heat that up for you too if you would like."

Matty looked at her, "You don't need to heat up the meatloaf. I'll have it for lunch tomorrow. I really am alright, Mom."
His mother kissed his forehead, "You better be. I'm going to go get your pills. How about I make you some hot chocolate to go with them?"

Matty smiled at her, "Yeah, that would be nice. Thanks, Mom."

Then Matty heard the basement door open and his father came in the room. "Hey buddy, you're awake. Everything ok?"

His dad came over and sat next to him and put his arm around him.

Matty smiled, "Yeah, Dad. I'm ok. I just got hungry. Who won the game?"

His dad sighed, "The Giants. It was a shutout. I don't think this is going to be The Redskins year. "

Matty smiled at his dad, "Well, I'm glad I slept through it then."

His dad smiled at him, "Honestly, I kind of slept through most of it too. It's been a hell of a couple of days."

His mom came into the room. She handed Matty a couple of pills. Matty took the pills and finished the milk he had poured himself.

His mother went over and kissed his dad on the lips, "I am going to make him some hot chocolate. Would you like some too, Lee? "

His dad nodded, "Yes, I would love some but make mine the adult kind, would ya?"

She kissed him," Yes, I'll put some Scotch in ours."

Then she went into the kitchen and started making the hot chocolate. His sister came down the stairs. She went to the couch and sat between him and their dad.

His dad spoke, "Did we wake you up, Junior?"

His sister nodded, "Well, a little. I just heard voices downstairs, and I was worried maybe something was wrong with Matty. I wanted to make sure he was alright."

Then Matty heard his mom call their dad to come help her in the kitchen. His dad got up and went into the kitchen to help his mom.

Matty smiled at his sister. "I'm fine, sis. I totally just got hungry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake the whole house up. I was trying to be quiet."

His sister came over and sat on the other side of him. "It's alright, Matty. It just was scary the other day. Especially because you are never sick. Or even when you are you just kind of tough it out. You need to learn to milk being sick. You have to learn to take advantage of that. Dad will buy you stuff, and mom will let you watch whatever you want on tv. Plus, Mom lets us eat all the junk food we want. Oh, you missed, Jamie too. He's staying over at Phillip's tonight. You were fast asleep anyway. But he'll be back to hang out with you in the morning."

Matty smiled at his sister, "I love you, sis. I'm sorry I slept through Jamie coming home. I don't really need anything. You want me to ask Dad for something you want though? I mean it should probably not be anything too girly, or he'll be on to us."

She laughed, "I love you too,bro. Dad would get it for me anyway. He will get us both anything we want. You just have to know how to ask him right and keep your mouth shut so he doesn't get in trouble with mom."

His dad yelled from the kitchen, "You know we can hear you both, right? But yes I have clearance to go to the mall tomorrow. Your mom is even letting me take Irene with me. Says its clearance with special circumstances."

Leann looked over at him, "Oh wow. Mom and Phillip never let them shop together anymore. You are going to make out good. The new Death Demon game doesn't come out until next week though. Maybe Dad can bribe Conner again to get it for you early. Although he almost got him fired last time."

His parents came back in the room carrying mugs for both of them. His mom handed Matty a mug of hot chocolate with a little bit of whipped cream instead of marshmallows.

Matty spoke, "It's ok. You really don't need to get me anything. Being able to speak and hear is good enough for me."

His mother put his arm around Matty, "You need a little spoiling, alright? Your dad and Irene are just the people for the job. You have been through so much. Your sister is right. You don't take advantage of your Daddy's inability to say no to you kids enough."

Matty laughed, "I'm sorry. I'll work on doing a better job on taking advantage of Dad. He just makes it too easy though. I like more of a challenge. Its more fun doing it to you, Mom."

His mom hugged him, "Well that's not too hard either. Those beautiful eyes of yours are very hard to say no to. Once we finish the hot chocolate. You kids need to go back to bed."

All four of them sat on the couch together. Leann was sitting on their dad's lap. And Matty was in between his parents. His mom had her arm around Matty's shoulders. They were all quiet while they drank because it was so late and they were all very tired. It was a very relaxing comfortable silence that was full of love.
When they finished, his Dad brought Leann to her room. His mom followed him to his room and tucked him in again.

She smoothed some hair off his forehead, "You go back to sleep. I'm going to leave our door a little open. You come in our room if you need anything. It will be safe. Ok? Your Dad and I are not locking the door tonight. You won't have to knock."

Matty nodded, "Thanks, Mom. I love you. Can you stay a minute until I fall asleep?"

His mother smiled gently at him, "Yes. I love you too, sweet boy."

The next morning, Matty woke up. It was around 9AM. He went down to breakfast. His grandmother was in the kitchen.

His grandmother came over to him, "Good morning, angel. How are you feeling?"

Matty smiled at her, "I'm ok Grandma. I am sorry for causing such a fuss."

His grandmother touched his face, "Well, I for one like fussing over you. So you don't need to apologize. It is so wonderful hearing your cute little voice again. Even though your voice has changed and is so much deeper. It's still very cute and sweet like you."

Matty hugged her. "Thanks Grandma. I appreciate it."

His mom came into the kitchen and kissed the top of Matty's head. She touched the side of his face and said, "How are you feeling today? "

He smiled at her, "I feel better, Mom. The pain is there but it is nowhere near as bad as before. Can I stop taking the drugs now? The pain isn't like before."

His mom smiled, "No, you are going to take them exactly like they are directed. We all know your a tough guy like your daddy, but you will heal faster if you take them and be in less pain."

Matty sighed, "Ok, Mom. Is everyone else still asleep?"

His mother nodded no, "No, your father went over to Phillip's to pick up Irene to go to the mall. Jamie will come home when Irene gets back. He's watching the kids for them. Phillip had to work this morning. Leann went to her bluebird meeting. Everyone will be home this afternoon. Also Rachel called earlier. She is going to come by tomorrow to come see you."

Matty smiled, "Cool, it will be great to see Jamie. Rachel wasn't mad I didn't call her when I got my voice back, is she?"

His mother smiled, "Oh my gosh, sweet boy. She is just worried about you. Jeff Kenwood called as well. He is going to come visit next weekend. I told him that was ok. But I don't want you playing basketball in the driveway yet. You can play video games or watch whatever sports are on tv with him. The doctor said nothing strenuous for a couple weeks"

Matty nodded, "Cool, he's going to be super happy for me when he finds out I can hear."

His mom gave him a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs. Matty happily ate them. He really was feeling better.

After breakfast, Matty went downstairs and started playing video games. His dad and Irene came downstairs a couple of hours later. His dad had a big bag of video games.

His dad handed it to him. Matty smiled at him, "Oh wow, you got all the new games. What are you going to get me for Christmas now? I mean you're going to just have to buy me my own Game Stop."

His dad looked at him like he was seriously considering that suggestion, "Oh I hadn't thought of that. That might be a good idea. What do you think, Irene? I mean he sure can afford it."

His dad looked at Irene. Irene was laughing. "I think he was jesting, Lee. But if you want your own video game store. You can afford it."
Matty looked at them, "I was kidding. I don't actually want my own Game stop. This is good enough. This is too much actually but I really appreciate it. Thank you. Irene, let Jimmy and Mandy know I got a new supply of games if they want to borrow any."

Irene smiled, "Yes, well I think they will have more fun playing them with their Uncle Matty. I know that I will."

Matty pulled out Death Demon IV: The Revenge out of the bag. He smiled, "Oh wow, you totally got it. Mom told you not to bribe Conner to go into the back room anymore. You almost got him fired last time for selling you games early. Am I going to get kicked out of Arlington High now?"

His dad laughed, "You are safe, kid. I went above Conner's head this time. I bribed Tyler the store manager. Look before you say anything. I have a free pass. I can't get in trouble with your mom. It was all her idea. Speaking of ideas, buying you a Game stop might not be all that bad of one. I can't get Conner into trouble anymore and you could work at the store this summer if you want, kid."

Matty nodded no, "No, Dad, I still want to work at the Agency this summer. I'm sixteen now. Mom let Phillip work there when he was sixteen. Jaime worked at the agency the summer he turned sixteen, too. I want to help people. Help you bring down Karbala once and for all. I hate feeling so helpless."

His dad ruffled, "Yeah, I know. Your mom is not going to be happy about that."

His mother came down the stairs. " Lee, I told you to go nuts. Whatever you bought him is fine. You didn't get Conner in trouble again though, did you? Matty is going to Arllington High now. Alma and I are friends but if you keep getting her son in trouble at his job. She may stop looking out for Matty."

His dad walked over and kissed his mother, "No, Amanda. I didn't get anyone in trouble. I bribed Tyler the store manager this time. He's not the son of the principal. Matty was just wondering what I was going to get him for Christmas now that we bought all the new games. I offered to get him his own Game Stop. I thought that might be a good idea for a summer job for him but he said no because he wants to work at the Agency this summer because he's sixteen now."

His mom laughed, "Gosh where did the time go? Look, Matty. I know you want to work at the Agency. But just because your daddy, brother and I work there does not mean you have to."
Matty knew his mom did not want him to be an agent. "I want to help people, Mom. I want to help bring Karbala down too. I hate feeling so helpless. I hate that I always need protection. I want to be the one that protects people like Dad, Phillip and you do. I know I can't ever be a field agent because of my hearing. But I can help in other ways. Let me."

His dad spoke, "Actually we've had deaf field agents before. The whole lip-reading thing comes in handy. People usually underestimate them. Except you aren't fully deaf anymore, kid. You might be able to become a full agent one day."

His mom whacked his dad in the stomach. and gave him a dirty look, "You aren't helping, Lee."

His dad looked at his mom and they had a conversation with their eyes. His mom sighed and touched Matty's face, "Look I'll give you the same deal I gave Phillip. You can work for the Agency in the summer. Nothing dangerous. No milk runs. Office work only. You go to college and weigh your options first. If once you graduate college, you still want to work for the agency. I won't stop you. You will be an adult. It will be your decision, but I want you to consider other options as well. You are a very smart boy. You can do anything you want."

Matty smiled at her, "Mom, I can remember before I was taken. Even back when I was Alex, I wanted to work for the agency. I want to be like you and dad. Help people. I don't think that's going to change."

His mom hugged him, "Well you finish school and if that's what you still want. I will support you. But I want you to try other things. You don't have to go into the family business."

Matty smiled, "I know but I kind of want to. I don't think I am going to change my mind, but I'll finish college before I make a final decision."

His mother kissed the top of his head, "That's all I ask."

Notes:

Next Chapter - Everyone comes home. It's a very full house. Matty & Rachel reunite.