Chapter 10 #7
“She’s home.” Cleo’s voice was quite raspy, the obvious after-effects of having been intubated.
Matt released her hand and quickly went about pouring her a small cup of water.
He held the cup to her parched lips, murmuring instructions about small sips.
When she’d had enough, he sat back down and they silently assessed each other.
Both probably remembering their last meeting.
Matt held her clinical stare, secure in the knowledge that whatever she had to say to him would change nothing.
Madi was his wife now, and Cleo could either accept that or not, the choice was hers.
She moved her hand onto her lap, breaking their silent look.
“You were holding my hand.” she said.
There was still a roughness to the edges of her voice, but her words were a shade firmer.
“Why?”
Matt shrugged then motioned to Madi.
“I promised her I would and I am a man of my word. It was Jenny’s idea actually, ensuring someone always held your hand so you’d somehow know they were with you.”
Cleo fiddled with her hands before leaning further into the pillows.
“Jenny told me about your marriage to my niece,” Her mouth twisted into a harsh line.
“Read about it on the internet.”
Matt regarded her for a minute, silently reminding himself the woman had recently awoken from a coma.
“Well, perhaps if you hadn’t turned your back on her you-”
“She chose you over her family.” Cleo cut him off sharply.
Her nostrils flared as she noisily dragged in air.
Matt’s jaw clenched in anger, as did his hands, but his tone was polite.
“You forced her to, Cleo, and every subsequent thing after that was a direct result of your action. You made her chose.”
Cleo let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly.
“I did.”
Matt wasn’t expecting her soft admission.
A subtle insult perhaps, but not her remorseful admittance.
He refrained from saying what he truly wanted to and simply nodded in agreement.
“I – we all missed her.” Cleo continued after a few deep breaths.
“She missed you terribly,” Matt confirmed.
He knew the accusatory look he levelled her with would prick the guilt she obviously felt, but he’d witnessed the turmoil his poppet had been going through these past months.
Cleo deserved it and more.
Once again he had to remind himself she was still unwell.
“Is she happy?” Cleo asked, unable to meet his eyes.
Matt smiled, then chuckled under his breath.
“As happy as she’ll allow me to make her.”
Cleo tried to laugh herself then stopped after a short fit of coughing.
“I guess you do know her after all.”
Matt, against his better judgement, grasped her hand.
“I do, and I love her, Cleo, every little thing about her. She’s my wife and if there’s anything I can say or do to prove exactly how much she means to me, then make it known and I’ll show you.” He blinked once as he observed her, noticing for the first time the very subtle similarities between her and Madi.
Shape of eyes, the narrowness of nose…
DuMont traits.
“But know this,” Matt continued and his eyebrows lowered in warning.
“I will not let you or any member of your family hurt her again. I won’t tolerate anyone hurting her. Madison is the most important person in my life, she’s everything to me and I will do everything in my power to ensure no one hurts her. I love her too damn much to allow that.”
Cleo noted his vehement pledge with a thoughtful expression on her round face.
“I-I owe you an apology.”
Matt moved to release her hand, but she held on.
“I judged you before knowing you,” Cleo huffed at herself.
“Not very Christian-like. I was afraid for her, you see. Please understand, over here things are,” She appeared to flounder for her words.
Matt had an idea to what she was referring.
“Different?” he offered and she nodded.
“Yes, very different.” She moistened her mouth with the tip of her tongue and squeezed his hand lightly.
“I didn’t want anyone making her feel ashamed of who she was. I didn’t want her to get hurt.”
“So you hurt her first?” Matt shot back dryly.
Cleo let go off his hand and took a deep, shaky breath.
“I deserved that. I’m not proud – I’m sorry.”
“Yes, well, I’m not the one you should be apologizing to,” Matt drawled.
She shook her head then winced slightly.
“You are the coldest man I’ve ever known. I’ve just woken up from a coma! Five days. It’s only by the grace of God I’m alive.”
Matt shrugged.
“Then you should be thankful you have the opportunity to make things right.”
“You’re older than my Madi.” she said.
“And you can’t possibly understand the struggles of a black woman like a good black man could.” she paused to take a ragged breath.
“You’re a rich white man who has never had to fight tooth and nail for what he has a right to. You can’t understand her the way a real black man can.”
Matt chewed his inner cheeks, battling the urge to tell Cleo exactly where to get off.
Again, he reminded himself about her state of health.
Honestly, the woman appeared as if she would slip back into an unconscious state the very next moment.
“So you’d like me better if I were black?” he mocked.
Cleo huffed again.
“Maybe.”
“Your niece loves me just the way I am. Do you understand what I’m saying to you? She loves me.” Matt stated without doubt.
“I accept there are important issues concerning our racial differences and how it can affect us, but I refuse to let it become a problem. I don’t care about the money. I personally don’t care if you ever accept me. The only thing I care about is my wife and making sure she’s happy.” He leaned forward in the chair.
“And therein lies my problem, because as long as you disapprove of my relationship with her, she’ll be unhappy.”
At that moment Madi snored loudly, drawing both their attention to where she slept.
Cleo coughed and put a hand to her chest.
“You’ll take care of her?” she asked.
“Yes.” Matt replied.
“I’ve tried to do right by her. I didn’t give birth to her, but she’s one of my babies, you know. She’s fragile,” Cleo started to cry and Matt hesitated before patting her hand lightly.
“She’s strong but she’s fragile too. I didn’t know how to make her whole, I tried, God knows I tried, but when my brother died – she never – I tried. I needed her to be strong because he was. He was such a beautiful man and when he died a part of me died too. It used to hurt looking at her. She reminds me of him so much, so much; the smile, they have the same smile…and sometimes it hurt too much,” The tears were racing down her cheeks.
“I pushed her away, told myself she had to learn to stand on her own two feet because no one gives you anything. God forgive me! I pushed her away because she reminded me of her mother too. That woman took my little brother away from me, he was all I had, and she took him. I – God forgive me-”
“It’s ok.” Matt said quietly.
It was uncomfortable witnessing the pain etched on Cleo’s face.
The rawness of her confession, it was as if she was unburdening her soul and he was the chosen ear to hear it.
“I’m tired.” She slumped against the pillows.
“My head hurts.”
Matt patted her hand once more.
“Try to rest, I’ll go fetch a nurse.”
“Do you know the Lord’s Prayer?” Cleo asked out of the blue, her tears had slowed to a trickle.
“Ah, yes actually, I do.” Matt replied somewhat unnerved by the change of topic.
“Will you say it with me?” she asked.
Matt couldn’t keep the shock off his face.
She wanted him to pray?
Of all the bloody things- “Why not?” he finally replied dryly.
“Just know I’ll expect your behaviour towards me to improve if I do this.”
Cleo’s mouth fell open.
“You expect something in return? For praying with me?”
Matt arched an eyebrow at her, the tiniest of smiles at the corners of his own mouth.
“I’m a businessman for Christ’s sakes. Of course I’m going to negotiate favourable terms for myself.”
The look she gave him was a carbon copy of the one Madi used whenever she wanted to smack him a good one.
“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, Matthew .” She managed to infuse quite a lot of self-righteous reproach in her tone, considering she’d spent the last few days in a comatose state.
For the first time since meeting the woman, Matt felt something more than animosity.
He flashed her a charming smile and a quick wink.
“Shall we begin?”
It was the noise that woke me.
I grunted, unhappy and wanting to remain in the arms of sweet slumber.
Laughter.
Someone was laughing, loudly may I add.
That made me crack one eye open.
Urgh.
There was a long line of drool beginning from the corner of my mouth and ending in the wet patch of my sweater-clad arm.
Damn it.
Maybe a mouth guard would help.
Again another bout of laughter, it sounded like Jamal.
Why was he - I jerked up as if shot.
Halfway out the chair and on high alert.
Then I saw my aunt sat up in the hospital bed with Uncle David holding her hand and my cousins sat on the bottom of the bed, even Matt was around the bed.
His usual reserved smile when around my family had been substituted with a genuine grin.
“Auntie Cleo!” I cried, scrambling like a ferret on speed to get to her.
Sobbing hysterically I flung myself at her.
Uncle David just about managed to get out of the way in time.
“Jesus, cuz.” Jamal yelled.
“Take it easy with my ma.”
“Hush, Jamal.” Aunt Cleo chastised as she wrapped her arms around me and stroked my tangled curls.
“It’s alright now.”
“Oh God.” I wept.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll be good, I promise. Please don’t leave me again. I’m sorry.”
Uncle David tutted over my sobs, patting my shoulder briskly as he said, “There, there, no need for all this. Your auntie’s fine now.”
I told myself to ease up on the grip I had on Aunt Cleo, but for the life of me I couldn’t do so.
She kept stroking my hair, murmuring it was alright while I promised to be a good niece, to go to Church, um, sometimes; to move back home-
“Poppet,” Matt called over my blubbering.
“We’re not moving to the States. Not ever.”
“What’s wrong with the States?” Jenny asked curiously.
“You have something against us?”
“Not at all,” Matt replied smoothly.
“But we’re still not moving here.”
Jamal joined their discussion, listing all the advantages of living in America, Matt shot down each one and expounded on the benefits of residing in England.
I cried out days of pent up stress as I held onto Aunt Cleo while Uncle David beamed.
She was ok.
My link was restored and all would be well in the world.
Thank fuck for that.
With dwindling tears I raised my head to peer at her.
My gaze roved intently over her familiar face.
Her hair was a hot mess and she still looked unwell, but her brown eyes were alert and full of remorse.
“I’m sorry, sweetie.” Aunt Cleo said and the room fell silent.
“You know we all love you, right?”
I nodded slowly, my heart was bursting with joy.
Aunt Cleo cut her eyes at Matt, wrinkling her nose slightly; that action made me tense.
What was she planning on saying?
“We’re family, that’s never going to change. Matt’s part of our family now and I owe you all an apology for causing a rift between us.”
Jenny gasped out loud and exchanged a look with Jamal.
“She must’ve seen Jesus in that coma. It’s the only explanation.”
“God, Jesus, the angels,” Jamal elaborated.
I ignored them, my attention stayed on my aunt.
“I got married without you there.”
She dabbed at my moist cheeks.
“I know,” she glanced at Matt again.
“He makes you happy?”
It was my turn to look over in Matt’s direction.
“Yes. He does.”
Matt smiled at me, his expression was one of pride, of love.
“I guess that’s it then.” Aunt Cleo decided firmly.
Then she muttered, in her usual tart way, “God only knows why you couldn’t find a good black man.”
“Cleo.” Uncle David muttered under his breath, not quite reproachful but close.
Matt raised an eyebrow at my aunt and with a deadpan expression replied, “I’ll have you know I tan quite well.”
The rest of us were speechless, astonished at Matt’s nonchalant response.
I chewed my lower lip for a second while Matt and Aunt Cleo had a stare off.
I knew my husband had the stare skills, but he was up against the Master.
If I didn’t do something -
“He’s joking. It takes a while to get used to British humour.” I piped in abruptly.
Jamal chuckled, then Uncle David joined in.
Jenny just shook her head at me.
And my aunt and husband?
Well, they just maintained the stare off until Aunt Cleo sighed and averted her gaze.
Wow!
She must’ve seen Jesus.
“Lord help me,” she muttered.
“At least he’s easy on the eyes.”
Uncle David sent Matt a mock glare and my cousins promptly reminded their father about his wife’s crush on the great Timberlake.
Maybe my aunt had a secret appreciation for fine white men?
Hell, hot was hot, whatever the shade.
I still remained uncertain over this about-turn change in her acceptance of Matt.
There was only one explanation.
Yep.
She definitely saw baby Jesus, teenaged Jesus, grown Jesus.
It had been divine intervention for sure.
I remembered the fervent prayers of supplication I’d made before bringing Matt to meet my family last year.
It seemed God did answer prayers, but on his own schedule.
Damn.
I definitely needed to start attending church…
Envy.
One of the seven deadliest sins, and I was currently drowning in a sea of envy.
I snorted under my breath and sent another hidden scowl in Matt’s direction.
Stupid gazillionaire with his warm smile, quick wit and attentiveness.
My husband was on a charm offensive, wasting no time in securing his place in my family hierarchy.
And I shit you not, he was ranking higher than me at the moment.
Huh.
“Silver tongued devil.” I grumbled to the seasoned lemon soles neatly lined on trays as they awaited their final journey.
The oven was hot.
Perhaps similar to hell, where silver tongued devils hail from .
I mused to myself.
Yeah, I was jealous of my husband.
Out of my peripheral vision I saw him sip the Oolong tea Jenny had made.
The barely visible tightening of his mouth let me know he was secretly comparing it to a proper cuppa and finding it sorely lacking.
The doorbell went, signalling the arrival of Uncle David’s family and Jamal yelled he would get it.
I sighed while exchanging a weary look with Aunt Cleo.
She was sat at the kitchen table with Uncle David and Matt.
They were having a lovely conversation, chuckling amongst themselves.
It had started the first day Aunt Cleo had come home from the hospital.
Cosy chats where my input wasn’t really needed.
I know, yes, it was obvious my bat-shit craziness was on hyper-drive.
Sue me.
I should be ecstatic my family were finally making every effort to know the man I’d fallen in love with and married.
But hell if Matt hadn’t stolen my thunder.
I was the prodigal niece returned home, once again a part of my beloved family.
Gorgeous, grey-eyed devil.
He had drugged me and stolen my freaking thunder!
If I hadn’t let him bully me into taking those darned sleeping pills I would have been the person holding my aunt’s hand when she woke up.
Not only would I have been the prodigal niece returned, I would’ve been the prodigal niece returned whose very presence drew my aunt into wakefulness.
It also didn’t help that I knew my family were genuinely trying to accept him.
His parents still weren’t fond of me, and they weren’t even trying.
I was freaking jealous.
Matt had the luck of the Irish.
The man could win at any given situation.
How?
Why did everything always work out for him?
Stupid in-laws.
It wasn’t fair Matt was winning my side completely over when I only had half of his.
His siblings and the twins, yes.
Grumps, I remained unsure about, and Matt’s parents…
well, they wouldn’t mourn if I got hit by a bus.
Matthew Bradley always came out on top, and I was jealous of my freaking husband.
I shot daggers at his profile then froze when he suddenly turned to catch me in the act.
His mouth twisted into an unsure line at the storm clouds swirling over my face, and I did what any loving wife would in such a situation; smiled prettily and fluttered my eyelashes at him.
Bloody Adonis.
I put the trays of lemon soles in the oven and set the timer before checking the venison.
By the time the soles were baked to perfection, the meat would’ve rested enough and we could all eat.
Within minutes people were walking into the kitchen.
I wiped my hands with a paper towel and forced my expression into one of serenity.
“Cleo Meyers,” Ms Regina started.
“Don’t ever put my boy through that hell again. You need to take care of yourself instead of-”
“Hello, Ms Regina,” I interrupted her tirade.
“You look nice.”
“Didn’t you hear me talking?” she asked sharply before resuming to berate my aunt for falling ill.
I glanced at Aunt Cleo who slowly moved to get up.
Uncle David immediately touched her arm, silently requesting she remain seated.
My aunt wasn’t 100% as yet, and the only reason we were having this damned family dinner was due to Ms Regina kicking up a fuss.
Saying family needed to be together during times like these.
Fuckers.
Now they wanted to act all sweet and nice?
What about all those years they stressed my aunt out?
My face hardened as I observed Aunt Cleo’s tired face.
She got tired so easily.
My estrangement had been horrible, I loved my family, and by family I meant: Aunt Cleo, Uncle David, Jamal and Jenny.
The rest of them could kiss my black ass.
No one was going to mess with my family, especially now the rift between us was going through the healing process.
The woman who taught me so much had almost been taken away from me.
There was no way in hell I would allow them stress her out today.
“Look, if you guys are going to cause a drama tonight, I’ll show you the door.” I said coldly.
Matt hid his smile.
“David,” Gemma called out shrilly, the latest addition to her family was snug and cooing in her arms.
We had yet to be officially introduced.
I narrowed my eyes at her.
Had she already forgotten our last encounter?
Jenny slipped past them and made her way to stand next to me, peering at the cooked venison.
She put one hand on her hip.
“Don’t start nothing and there won’t be nothing. Mom’s only been home three days. She should be resting not entertaining, and Madi’s been cooking all afternoon when she should be packing. They leave tomorrow. So,” Jenny beamed at me and I beamed back.
We had found a shared peace.
All girls need their mommies, grown or not.
I shared her mommy.
“I suggest y’all chill out,” she continued.
“Damn straight.” Jamal agreed, walking over to stand in the space between his seated parents.
“You need to take your pills, Mom. Come on, let me help you up.”
Jenny and I anxiously moved towards them.
“Stop fussing,” Aunt Cleo murmured, but we could all see the strain on her face as Jamal helped her to her feet.
“And stop swearing, Jamal.”
Uncle David was already standing, carefully slipping an arm around her waist so she could lean against him.
The four of us; my cousins, uncle and I, exchanged a look.
It was unnatural, my aunt needing help.
Her stint in the hospital had shaken us all.
She was our glue and I’d kill anyone who fucked with my glue.
“Right,” I said, my gaze rested on each member of our extended family as Jamal and Uncle David gently led Aunt Cleo out the kitchen.
“Dinner is in half an hour. Jenny will get you some drinks,” I glanced at her and she nodded quickly before setting about the task.
“And if any one of you even looks at my husband in a bad way I will rip you a new one.”
Matt kept his face blank and resumed sipping the Oolong tea.
They all shuffled on their feet, warily watching Matt then me.
“What are you having to drink, Granny?” Jenny asked sweetly, her light brown eyes twinkled.
“I’ll take a beer.” Uncle David’s brother chimed in.
He grabbed his wife’s arm and began to hustle her out the kitchen; Latisha, that meddling cow.
I could hear her low muttering about uppity black women who forgot their roots.
With a sigh I turned around to check on the rest of dinner.
Jenny sorted everyone out with drinks then shooed them out the kitchen with a reminder not to mess with her mother, or else.
“Madi,” She spun from the door and walked right up to me.
“What?” I asked, suspicion filling my eyes.
She was chewing on a fingernail.
A nervous habit we’d broken her out of years ago.
Hmm, what did she want?
“I love you,” she whispered, grabbing me in a quick hug.
I just stood there, shocked for a few seconds before I spoke.
“I love you too, Jenny penny. Now what do you want?”
Jenny leaned back but kept her arms around me.
“Nothing. Thanks for taking care of us when Mom was,” she blinked fast.
“Just – I’m glad you’re home. I couldn’t have handled – I’m glad you’re home.”
I was not going to start blubbering like an idiot.
“I’m glad too.”
“I told you about my job at the library on campus. Right?”
“Yes,” I grinned at her.
“You did, and I’m very proud of you, Missy.”
Her mouth trembled as she stepped away.
“I’m not – you are my sister and I won’t ever forget it. I promise, I’ll never-” Jenny turned and fled the kitchen.
Matt got up from his seat and sauntered over to where I stood fighting back silly tears.
I was an emotional wreck.
“I think your cousin is finally growing up, poppet.” he said, encroaching on my personal space.
“And I’m pleased to say your aunt is warming to me. By the way, she expects us to spend Christmas here this year, I didn’t want to tell her no, so be a dear and do it for me.”
“Nope.” I buried my face into his chest and inhaled deeply.
“You stole my thunder now deal with the consequences.”
“What are you on about?” Matt kissed the top of my head.
I rubbed my face against the soft cashmere sweater he wore over his shirt.
“Matt,”
“Yes, poppet?”
“You’re the best husband,” I raised my head to gaze at his handsome face.
“Ever.”
He nodded once then bent his lips to mine.
He had stood by my side when I needed him the most, held my hand when it needed to be held.
Wiped my tears when I feared the worst and he’d done it all without being asked.
He did it because I was his wife, and he loved me.
The doubts, those pesky doubts that dwelled in the recesses of my mind; the ones that plagued me since the first night we met.
My doubts faded away into nothing.
Matt, a man who kept his emotions closely guarded, had always tried to be upfront about the way he felt about me.
He loved me.
And being with him made me a better person.
I kissed him back with everything I had.
I was the luckiest woman alive.
“I can’t wait to return home.” Matt said when we broke apart.
My fingers trailed across his smooth jaw.
“I guess.”
Matt’s eyebrows shot up.
“We are not moving here, Madison. Not now, not ever. I’m invoking my rights as the head of our household and laying the law down. Don’t even think about it. Our lives are based in the UK,”
I tuned him out after the mention of him invoking his rights, instead my gaze wandered over his features while he continued to vehemently oppose any possibility of leaving England.
I laid my head against his chest and closed my eyes.
Home was with him, wherever he was, I was home.
I belonged, and for the first time in my life the hollow ache deep inside me stilled.
I belonged.