Chapter 16 - What would you do?

25 December, Visiting Officer Barracks Capital City and Rong Family Villa, City K

Matthew, recollecting the events up to his enlistment was hit by a wave of longing to spend time with Phillip. The on and off visits that they had over the last few years was never enough, but this new deployment would ensure that this would happen. He pondered would he made the call and tell Phillip or wait until he arrived back in City K and simply show up at JL International.

After sitting there for a while, he decided that the latter would be the best option, as he could see Phillip's reaction when he told him the news. However, given it was Christmas Day, he was going to telephone Phillip to at least wish him Merry Christmas.

Meanwhile, at the Rong Family Villa, Dominic was having a blast opening all the presents that were waiting for him under the Christmas tree, and helping share out the presents that were there. Quietly when no one was nearby Phillip lent over to Chester and quietly said "This is so magical, I never thought …"

"I know, Dominic makes Christmas. Having a child around, as an a.d.u.l.t makes Christmas."

"I just am sorry Matthew is not here for this, he would love it."

"Lexi however would run to the hills, and we both know why."

With that Chester leant over and gave Phillip a kiss on the cheek. Dominic spotted this and called out "Mum, Uncle Chester and Uncle Phillip are showing me kissy face."

Lexi simply turned and laughed, before saying "Dominic you are going to have to get use to that. Uncle Chester and Uncle Phillip love each other."

"Just as much as you loved Daddy?"

Before Lexi could respond to that comment Phillip's mobile started ringing and he quickly answered it, with "Matthew, it is so good to hear from you."

"Phillip I am just sorry that I could not be there. I was so looking forward to having Christmas with you for the first time since I joined."

"If you had been here the day would have been perfect."

"Brother, what are you saying?"

"Chester decided to surprise me this morning, and …"

"He proposed. Damn, you better put him on the phone brother, or I will kill you."

With a laugh, Phillip handed the phone to Chester and said, "He wants to speak to you."

"What is it Matthew, we are enjoying Christmas here and you are disrupting it."

"What is this I hear about you proposing to my brother?"

"You know how I have always felt about him…"

"But you married that b*tch of an ex of yours, who, from all my information, made not only his life hell but your life hell. She will start causing problems as soon as she hears about this. Are you ready to protect him from her? The last thing he needs with this cancer battle is having to deal with her."

"You are his little brother, I am his fiancé and me, not you needs to be over-protective of him."

"Chester do not try my patience. You forget who you are talking to."

"Yes, Sir Mr Colonel," came a laughing response from Chester. "Seriously Matthew you know I will, and I apologise for not asking your approval to propose to Phillip. Your parents would have been dismissive, and it was only last night that I found out you would not be here to ask."

"That is better Chester, now when are you going to marry him?"

"As soon as we can travel somewhere, we can legally get married. The new law changes will mean that our marriage will be recognised here." Chester briefly paused "Now I will wish you Merry Christmas and hand you back to Phillip with the warning that you better get yourself here as soon as possible to see us."

"OK Chester, I will. Please take care of him and let me know if there are any issues with his treatment. I will, if needed, get emergency leave to come and see him if things get worse."

Chester handed the phone back to Phillip who immediately said "Stop tormenting my fiancé Matthew. He does not need my over-protective little brother in his face about everything."

"Phillip, you forget I know how much you were hurt when he married that b*tch of an ex of his, and what she has done to both of you not only during their marriage but afterwards. If I must play an over-protective brother I will, as I do not want to see you hurt."

"You do not need to; I am happy so leave it be."

"Just promise me you will let me know if you have any issues, or there are problems with your treatment. I will try and get emergency leave to come back for a few days to see you."

"You sound disappointed."

"I am, I was so looking forward to a Christmas with you, but things have changed with my new deployment. I am sitting, alone in the visiting officers' quarters before my flight tonight for my new posting. I just wish I could have spent Christmas with you, even just for a few hours. Who knows what the future will bring with your current cancer battle?"

"Matthew, I will be around for years."

Before he could respond there was a knock on the door, and Matthew responded "Sorry Phillip, I must cut this call short, I have been summons to a meeting. I will let you know when I am settled in my new post."

"Talk soon baby brother."

Before Matthew could let slip anything, he ended the call. He was being truthful to Phillip, and would let him know when he was settled, the only thing was it would be face to face, not the call he was talking about.