26 February, Military Base, City K

Ten minutes later, crossing the base, they reached the obstacle course, just as the other buses were leaving to head towards where they had just been.

Matthew could see that the special forces members had just completed their work on the course, slightly earlier than had been planned. While the solider operating as a guide on the bus he was on was speaking, he stood up, and quickly exited the bus, and moving away slightly before calling out "Golf Oscar. Attention."

At those three words, the members of the go team, turned and seeing Matthew, immediately ran forming lines in front of him, standing at attention, but not saluting. Seeing a few faces, Matthew knew he could get away with what he was about to do.

"Ladies," which drew a round of laughter from the group. "I know your day has been interrupted with the school group that was here, but it is going to be further interrupted. We will do a shortened, non-pack demonstration on the obstacle course, but I want this group which includes my stepson, to have a little fun doing something simple. Can you handle a group of rich children and their parents, or are you the ladies I think you are?"

"We are soldiers' boss, we can handle what you throw at us," came the reply from Joseph who was hiding in the backrow. Before he added "It is you I doubt that can cope given you have been missing in action lately from such training."

This drew a further round of laughter, before Matthew responded, "I can, but give me a minute."

With that he headed back and whispered to one of the soldiers what was about to happen. As he headed back, removing his hat and sunglasses, sitting them with the packs, he heard the one of the tour guide soldiers say "We are in for a treat. Some special forces soldiers have agreed to do a sort demonstration on the obstacle court, along with Dominic's stepfather, and have said that will take each child out and let them have a little go on something simple on the course."

Matthew turned, and signalled to the soldiers to start a quick warm up before they headed out onto the agreed shortened version of obstacle course they would do at full speed. As they moved through the obstacle course, Matthew could hear the children cheering as they went through the course.

Once they finished the course, Matthew made sure they moved back to where the packs had been placed to warm down. In a quiet voice, Matthew said "Ladies, other than my wife.."

One soldier interrupted "Boss, we get to meet the lady boss?"

In response, someone quipped "Do you think the boss will let you around the lady boss, you have to be kidding," which drew laughter.

"Let me finish ladies. Of the civilians in the group, only my wife knows my role. I am ordering you to ensure that you keep that secret, or.."

"You will send us back to general duties, boss how many times to you issue that threat. We know what to do," responded Joseph. "Now head back or I will tell my wife and you know what that will result in."

Placing his hat and glasses back on Matthew headed back to where Lexi and Dominic were standing.

Meanwhile, when Matthew had exited the bus, Lexi had looked at the soldiers and realised that one of them looked like Joseph. That meant it was likely that these were special forces soldiers and Matthew was going to have them do something. Lexi tuned out to the tour guide and watched what was happening outside. It was only when she felt Dominic tugging her hand, that she turned.

"Come on Mummy, everyone is getting off. Do you know what Daddy Matthew is doing?"

"I have no idea what he is up to, Dominic." Lexi, taking Dominic's hand headed out of the bus and assembled with the rest of the group listening what the guide had to say, while watching Matthew.

After a couple of minutes, Matthew came over and whispered something. He started to head back before she heard the guide say "We are in for a treat. Some special forces soldiers have agreed to do a sort demonstration on the obstacle court, along with Dominic's stepfather, and have said that will take each child out and let them have a little go on something simple on the course."

Dominic, tugged Lexi's hand and said "Mummy, what is Daddy Matthew doing?"

"Dominic, watch and you will see." Despite the situation of their relationship Lexi was happy that Matthew was willing to go over and above to make this special for Dominic and the other children.

Very quickly they saw Matthew at the head of the group throwing themselves into the obstacle course at what could only be described at fast pace. Watching this, Lexi tensed, as she remembered when they were younger Matthew had always told her that it was more common for soldiers to injure themselves in training that it was when seeing active service.

She looked down at Dominic who was engrossed in what he was watching, and like his classmates was cheering what they were seeing but adding occasionally "Go Daddy Matthew."

After they had finished the obstacle course, and come back, Matthew walked over to Lexi and Dominic. Dominic threw himself for a hug at Matthew, saying "That was so fun to watch Daddy Matthew. I had no idea you could do that."

Crouching down, Matthew looked Dominic in the eye and responded, "All soldiers can Dominic, we do it for fitness."

Lexi, in observing this could see who cute these two looked together. It was just luck, that no one had so far put everything together to know Dominic's true parentage. She observed Matthew stand up and move toward her.

Putting her hands up, she firmly said "No way Matthew. You need to shower before you can even think about getting close to me."

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