Chapter 359 - We are a Family (1)

2 May, Matthew's Villa, City K

Matthew walked through the villa door, glad to be home after his first full day back on duty. Yes, the medics were still restricting some activities but at least he was not stuck generally at home and only allowed on base for his rehabilitation sessions at the hospital.

As he walked in, he noticed Lexi waiting there for him, with a concerned look on her face. "What is it?"

"We need to talk," came Lexi's quiet reply.

Following her, they walked to the family lounge room, where Dominic was waiting for them. Matthew was concerned but did not want to force anything from them. As he sat down on a sofa, Lexi sat beside him and Dominic ran over climbing onto Matthew's lap. As he gave Matthew a hug, he said "Daddy Matthew."

Returning the hug, Matthew turned his head and looked a Lexi sitting beside him.

Lexi turned her head and looked up. How wonderful it felt to simply be a family in that moment. While Dominic and Matthew though that the only connection between them was her, the look the two of them had on their face was almost identical. Did she tell the truth? As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she dismissed it. What they had to deal with was more challenging.

Leaning her head on Matthew's shoulder Lexi said, "Dominic has his doctor's appointment today?"

"And he was mean Daddy Matthew. He made me to a whole lot of things. And he knows I hate needles, but he jabbed me with a needle and took blood."

"Were you good?"

Smiling Dominic said "You have to ask Daddy Matthew. Mummy would have gotten angry with me if I did not cooperate."

Reassured, Matthew sensing Lexi wanted to tell him something said, "How about you go ask Uncle Adam to bring your mummy and I a pot of tea, and you could have an orange juice Dominic."

Dominic quickly scrambled down and headed out the door. As he left Lexi quietly said, "I am worried Matthew."

"What is it?"

"The paediatrician is concerned. He just hopes that Dominic has some virus that as a result he has the symptoms he has, but he said his real thought is based on his symptoms Dominic has Leukemia."

"Leukemia? Cancer?"

"Yes. But he wants to be certain before we tell Dominic, hence all the tests today. It terrified me, as I have seen what Phillip has gone through, and the idea that Dominic has to face that…"

Matthew noticed the tears, and reached wiping them, before gathering Lexi into his arms saying "It will be alright…"

Lexi moved so she was more in his embrace and added quietly "That is what the paediatrician said. He talked about various types of Leukemia, but said as Dominic is generally healthy, treatment has a greater chance of success. But such treatment involves a bone marrow transplant. If that is the case the paediatrician said the most likely candidate for a successful match are family, but no guarantees. That would rely on a stranger match, so he suggested having our friends get tested in case someone will be a successful match."

Matthew gathered Lexi close, and said "Count me in. And you know our friends will do that for Dominic. And I would suspect if it is the case and it becomes known on base the majority of those posted there will volunteer to be tested. A few years ago, I had been assigned temporarily to a base where six weeks before everyone on base volunteered to be screened by military doctors for compatibility for an enlisted woman's daughter who had just before there been diagnosed with leukemia. No matches, but when I asked one of the enlisted men why they volunteered, the response I received was that this was a child that deserved the best and that for a comrade in arms trying their best to help in the situation was the best support that they could all give. But Lexi do not get ahead of yourself. Let us just wait for the test results to be released. We can deal with what comes then."

Lexi just moved to snuggle deeper into Matthew's embrace. This was jus the safest place to be at this moment in time. As she just got comfortable, Dominic came running back into the room, saying "Mummy, Daddy Matthew, Uncle Adam is bringing our drinks, but I have a question to ask?"

Lexi looked at Matthew, what was this about? Dominic had not hinted to her that he had something to ask. Quietly she said, "Ask Dominic, but that does not mean that you will get the answer that you want?"

"Mummy, I know that daddy and my grandparents are an important part of my life, but I have never had a real daddy. You tell me he died just after I was born. I know you have tried to stop me from finding out about all the stories in the media, but I know the technology and can work my way around what you have put in place to stop me from accessing news…"

Lexi sat up and firmly said "Dominic!"

Matthew, added "The rules are there for a reason young man."

"Mummy, Daddy Matthew, my classmates were quite willing to tell be about what they read and what their parents said, and you expect me not to do something. What do you think I am, a little child…"

"Dominic Yao!" came Lexi's sharp response. "You are a child, my child, and you know I set limit. Never without reason, but going behind my back to circ.u.mvent those limits, that is unacceptable."

"So, what mummy. You want to hide things from me, I will find things out."

Yelling Lexi spat out "Dominic!"

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