Chapter 30 - The last time we were together (8)

ay-June, 8 years ago, various locations City K

As Matthew and Lexi entered his Villa, Andrew and Chester were standing there behind Uncle Adam, ready to drag Lexi away. Not wanting to leave, Lexi threw herself into Matthews arms, crying. He simply gathered her in his arms, before turning and saying "Andrew, Chester. Lexi has had a fright, so let her be and do not drag her away, as you will only hurt her more. I will bring her back to your family Villa in the morning."

The two of them were ready to kill him, but Matthew continued "And no, neither of you are staying here. Chester, you have a wife so go home to her now that you know Lexi is safe. Andrew, I do not trust you here in my home after what you did when I joined the military. Now, and before you kill me, I did this as it is the best for Lexi. At the scene I stated that Lexi was my partner. They interpreted one way, but I was truthful, for the dance she was my partner, date whatever you want to say. Doing that, however, means that for the next twelve months, if she needs it, she can access support through military family services rather than having to rely on the police services which will become overstretched given the number of people at the dance."

Andrew, looked ready to kill Matthew, but Chester said, "There is something else as well."

"There is Chester, and this will test all of you. For the balance of time of my leave Lexi needs to spend time with me, otherwise it would impact her, and that help would be withdrawn from her."

Andrew, hearing that was incensed. Matthew was going to use this to hurt his little sister, no way. "No damn way you b*stard, you will hurt her."

Matthew was ready to snap. They were not getting it. "Andrew, I am respectful of civilians. You are the people who I am to protect, but even you are testing me. This is about your sister, my friend, and her needs. She needs support and people who care for her around her, not us fighting."

Lexi by now had enough of her over-protective brothers. "Chester, Andrew. I am safe, go home. I will come home tomorrow, and Matthew is right. I know given what happened I will need help and therefore I will take it from where I can get it. If that means what I need to do certain things, I will. Despite your issues with Matthew joining the military he is still my friend and I want to spend some time with him, this means that I can and there is a reason for it."

Chester looking at Lexi realised that she was determined and knowing her she would not change her mind. More importantly he was aware how much Susan was already making Lexi's life a misery. He never wanted to get married unless it was to Phillip, but the law would not allow it, and Susan was as much pressured into marriage as he was by elders.

He turned to Andrew, who was determined to drag Lexi away, and said "Damn it, Andrew. Just leave her be. He will only be here for a short time and gone therefore so leave her be." With that he grabbed Andrew and dragged him out of the Villa quietly telling Lexi he would have clothes sent over for her later.

Once they were gone, Lexi moved out of Matthew's arms saying "Matthew, I want to go to bed…"

"Lexi do not tempt me."

"I just need to sleep in your arms tonight. I need to know that I am safe."

Matthew knew how she felt. He was just so grateful that the situation was just a few thugs rather than anything more serious like a terrorism incident involving the Devil. He took Lexi be the hand and led her to his suite, before locating a tee-shirt for her to wear while he found a pair of pyjama pants to wear. Quickly the two of them settled into his bed.

Later in the morning when Matthew awoke, finding Lexi in his arms he realised how perfect this was, and how he looked forward to this being the reality for his future. It was about an hour later that Lexi finally awoke and he chased her into his en-suite to shower. As he opened his suite door, he located a bag which followed Chester's promise, a change of clothes for Lexi. He moved and carefully slipped those into the en-suite while he grabbed a change of clothes and slipped into another bedroom and used its en-suite himself.