Chapter 57 - Welcome back Matthew (8)

27 December, Club TJs, City K

"As if, now are you two coming to join us?"

Chester looked at Phillip, who slightly shook his head. Phillip had been getting more and more tired as the night he had been going on. Even before Phillip had gone to collect Matthew, they had argued about coming tonight. However, Phillip simply gave him a look and pleaded with him, and he relented.

Despite everything, the night had been a good one. Their friends had a quiet celebration for their engagement and to welcome Matthew back. Hearing those words, a shiver went up Chester's spine, because he knew eventually Lexi would have to confront the truth about Dominic's parentage. Rather than moving Chester carefully took Phillip in his arms, and the two of them simply sat there watching their family and friends.

After a while, Chester looked at his watch and notice it was just before 11pm. Phillip was almost asleep, so he decided he needed to take him home. This cancer fight was draining him quicker than his previous two fights. Chester just hoped that this was not a sign that this fight would not have a good result. It just meant that he needed to take him directly home, rather than to the hotel they had planned to go to, earlier than they really wanted.

They had planned to go to the hotel, as Phillip's parents were due to arrive the following morning at the family villa for a visit. They did not know that they had become engaged and like his parents were conservative to view that their sons should marry women regardless of their feelings. He knew how much of a disaster that was as they did not care about who their children loved.

In the past Phillip had always been able to tell his parents where to go, but Chester was worried that Phillip would not be able to stand up to his parents given his health situation. The weird thing was, that Richard's parents were the only ones that were supportive of him and Phillip. Unknown to Lexi, they had come and cared for Dominic for a night here or a weekend there to allow the two of them to spend time together. Their only thing was they did not do anything to cause problems publicly until the Law changed.

He tapped Phillip on the shoulder and quietly said, "Phillip, I will make arrangements for Matthew to get home. We need to leave and get you to bed. And no, despite the fact that I was looking forward to spending the night with you at the hotel, I am taking you back to your Family Villa, but I will be sleeping in the spare room, in case your parents arrive to early in the morning."

"Chester, you know I want you with me …"

"Phillip pleading will not change a thing tonight. Your parents do not know we are engaged, and we will talk to them about out engagement and not shove it in their face. You know they cannot help themselves when the arrive to force their way into your bedroom…"

"Fine,…" came a sulky response.

Quietly, Chester signalled to Andrew who came over and spoke to his older brother asking "What is it?"

"We are heading, I need to get Phillip home. Can you organise for someone to take Matthew back to his villa?"

"Leave it with me, now go you two before I regret it."

Around twenty-five minutes later, Matthew looked at his watch and realised it was 11:30pm. He knew that he needed to leave, as despite all the arrangements made on base, he had a busy day tomorrow. He realised that despite everything it was good to catch up with people who, despite the past, considered him to be a friend.

Matthew even found it hilarious that he and John were able to arrange another meeting to discuss matters as well as agreeing to some one-on-one training for the situations where the special forces were cooperating with the police, without anyone realising what was happening. Their long-standing relationship was a blessing as there were excuses for the two of them to time together without arousing any suspicions of their true positions. Thank God, despite his alcohol consumption he kept one of Matthew's secrets.