June, 9 years ago, City K at various locations.

The day after Matthew's eighteenth birthday, he and Lexi met in the centre of town. The last ten months had been blissful, spending whatever time he could with Lexi, and their relationship slowly grew to the point that Matthew certain that he wanted to marry Lexi. There was, however, no way that he was going to force Lexi to commit to him too early. She deserved to explore what she wanted, despite her indications that she wanted to marry him as soon as she turned eighteen in just over eighteen months' time.

He had, though a both he and Lexi had a couple of days before their next school exam convince her to meet him today. He needed to have a good long talk to her about what he was about to do and see if she was able to accept the reality rather than the theoretical discussions that they had previously had.

He had wanted to join but knew what his parents would do in cutting him off financially. While he could survive in the military on a soldier's salary living in provided accommodation that would not do for Lexi in the future. He had been resigned to waiting for a few years and then joining but the surprise came yesterday from his grandparent's lawyers.

He had multiple discussions with his grandparents three years ago about his desire to join the military for a few years before heading into the family company. Both his grandfather and grandmother promised him that they would help support him, but when they were killed in a traffic accident two years ago, he knew that he would have to alter his dream as from what he understood his parents controlled their estate and he received nothing.

As the lawyers told him, his parents and to a point Phillip had hid the truth. The letter the lawyers handed him, they said explained everything regarding their estate, but he was not to open it unless he joined the military. Last night he so wanted to open the letter, but he resisted temptation to respect their wishes.

Looking around he spotted Lexi, who as soon as she saw him came running and threw herself into his arms. After giving Matthew a brief kiss on the cheek she said, "Now what is going on?"

"Lexi, we need to talk about the future."

"You have made your choice. What is it?"

"You know my dream has been to join the military .."

"And you have decided to do so."

"Can you cope if I do that?"

"Matthew, we have talked about this. You know I want you to stay and not put yourself in harms way. I love you and do not want to lose you."

"Sweetheart, you know staying and joining JL international will not make me happy, and neither of us will be able to follow our dreams. I know, that you want to become a designer, and not join Jax Corp, like your parents Chester and Andrew want."

"I know, they refuse to accept that I have my own plans. It is just so unfair."

Gathering a now crying Lexi into his arms and rubbing her back, Matthew said "Lexi do not worry, you know I would do what you want."

Lexi pulled back, "But that means sacrificing your dreams."

"Lexi, you know I think you are worth sacrificing everything for."

Pausing, Lexi looked directly at Matthew and she realised that he was serious. But there was no way that she wanted him to be the only one to make the sacrifice. She believed that they would always be together. "Matthew, you cannot be the one to make that sacrifice."

"Lexi, for you I would."

"How about you join the military, follow your dreams and make the arrangements for us, after I turn eighteen to have a military marriage. No one can stop us then, and I should be able to find ways to follow my dreams through online courses."

Those were the words Matthew wanted to hear, but could he do that to Lexi. Force her into being a military wife, being dragged from location to location as his postings changed and exposed to the risks when he was in the field of becoming a widow. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Now if you have all your identity doc.u.ments, let us go and you join up today. Hopefully they will wait the few weeks for you to finish your exams and the results to come out before you have to report."

Given Lexi's support, Matthew decided that he could do this. Lexi had promised to be with him and losing everyone else would make this worthwhile especially if their marriage was a military marriage. If their families decided to try and interfere once it happened, they would face the consequences.

Matthew, with Lexi accompanying him, left the city centre and headed to the military recruitment centre about fifteen minutes away. After speaking to the recruiter, he was able to delay his starting date just as Lexi predicted. Calling Lexi his girlfriend meant that while he was undertaking his medical, they escorted her to a waiting room.

Three hours later, Matthew returned to Lexi's side, and confirmed that he had been accepted. The only thing, as he whispered that he wanted to do was to place her on his records as his partner, which would allow her to have contact with him while he was training, but other visits that his family would not have. Lexi happily agreed, and they returned to speak to the recruiter that he had been dealing with to complete this.