Chapter 450 - Forgive me? (16)

12 May, Military base hospital, City K

Andrew, annoyed with Lexi spat out "With that idiot, you always need help. I should have…"

As Sally placed her hand on Andrew's arm, Lexi shouted "Just shut up Andrew. Where was the over-protective big brother when mother and father forced me into marrying Richard. Where were you when I had to pick up the pieces. Nowhere."

Turning to look at Chester, Lexi continued "Yes, you where there in the end, and stepped in, so you have some ability to say something. Unlike me who was still legally a child, you agreed to a marriage that never was you, so do not even go there in criticising me. You still allowed our parents to do what they did in forcing my marriage to Richard."

With that Lexi could see Chester dropping his head. And she turned back and looked at Andrew and while she could still see the anger in his eyes, she knew she had hit home. Hopefully, now they would listen to her.

After taking a calming breath, Lexi continued "I get that you are all ready to kill Matthew as of how he reacted, but as I said I have my own part to play in how he reacted, but Andrew," with that she looked at Andrew, before turning to Chester and Phillip.

Continuing Lexi said "Chester, the main culprit is our deceased parents. They held onto their, if we are honest, old fashioned views about their children. You could not be an unwed pregnant teenager, nor could you love who you wanted, you must fall within their narrow view of a relationship. That damaged all of us. Chester, you into an unhealthy, unhappy marriage with someone you hated forced away from the love of your life."

Seeing Chester nod, Lexi continued "And Andrew, you hid the most important relationship with Sally because you did not want to be seen to fall into their expectations for you. How long had the two of you hidden your relationship from everyone, and but for John finding you would you have continued to hide it."

"Me, they forced my into a marriage that was hellish. Yes after Richard's death I have acted to protect Dominic, and I can only thank the two of your for that, but it damaged me psychologically, and had me willing to hide the truth to keep the peace. As I remember from those Sunday School classes our parents forced all of us to go to was the phrase 'The truth will set you free'…"

Laughing Sally said "That I remember, as it was a running joke for John and I, given it came from John in the new testament. I always told him that it was never the case for him."

Andrew seeing the irony in that chuckled with his wife, before adding "John would not know, most of the time, if the truth bit him. He was the one that hid from all of us his career choice until he pulled some of us over."

That drew a round of laughter from everyone. Lexi seeing the tension had gone from her brothers and their spouses, she said "But there is some truth in that saying. While I did not sleep on Thursday night, because I was so wound up, in some respect I felt as a huge weight had been lifted from me. But I need you all to promise me something…"

Silence filled the room before Andrew broke the silence in asking "It depends on what you are asking."

While she knew she did not want to agree to a condition, Lexi seeing the seriousness on Andrew's face realised that she would push her luck too far with her brothers, as she needed their help for a few days until the medical staff agreed to let Matthew out. In just their brief discussions as to his admission she believed that there was something more than checking his shoulder recovery, his annual physical and six-monthly psychological review. But she needed to figure that out. Could the truth about Dominic be part of that?

Sighing as she took a deep breath, Lexi said "I can agree to that. I need the four of you for a few days to look after Dominic. I am going to be here for some time, and Matthew is due to have his annual physical and a major review of his shoulder from being shot. They decided that, and I think it is so he can spend time with me, is to admit him. I will convince Matthew one he is out to live at his on-base accommodation until I am released for Dominic to spend as much time with me as he can."

"You have to ask?" came Phillip.

"Yeah sister, you have to ask, you know we all love spending time with Dominic," added Andrew.

Closing her eyes for a second, Lexi knew the easy part was done. Now for the harder part to get them to agree to.

As she opened her eyes, she heard Chester firmly say "That was not specifically what you want to ask us about. Quit stalling and ask us what you really want."

Sighing, Lexi said "I need you all to give me some time to properly talk to Matthew, on my own."

"No damn way…" yelled Andrew

"Yes Andrew. Would you want me interfering in your marriage. I know your wife would not."

"That does not matter."

"It does. I need to talk with him without interruption, without the lot of you around, as we will not resolve our issues if you are standing with me. I must take responsibility for my actions. But I will give you this promise, if he does anything to raise concerns with me, I will tell you…"

"No…"

Angrily Lexi retorted "Just get it through your head Andrew, Matthew and I will talk. I am being honest with you about that. If you cannot accept that you will be stopped from coming in." Lexi turned and looked at Chester, adding "That goes for you and Phillip as well."

Lexi watched Chester look at Andrew, an the two of then nodded before saying "Fine, but you better give us a report."

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