1 June, Matthew's Villa, City K (a few hours later)

Lexi paused and watched Matthew turn his head to look at her directly.?Sensing his tension, she smiled at him and motioned him to move closer.?As he did, Lexi quietly said "What is it?"

Matthew turned and looked at Dominic, before turning back and saying, "He seems too relaxed, I am worried."

Lexi shook her head and quietly added "That can only be a good thing.?Unlike how he has been with the two of us, tense and arguing all the time he is relaxed and willing at least to be civil to everyone else."

Matthew tilted his head slightly before saying, "There is that.?But, with his attitude recently, I just worry he will explode at everyone the moment he hears something he does not want to hear."

Lexi gently shook her head, "We have to have faith in our son."

Lexi paused and added "I had a quiet discussion with Sarah and Rachael, and they both made comments that appear logical.?Rachael reminded me; he is an eight-year-old child attending primary school.?How can we expect him to take things well, particularly when I am to blame for hiding the truth."

Without realising it, tears started running down Lexi's face quickly prompting Matthew to reach over and wipe them from her eyes, saying "Stop blaming yourself, blame me, blame your parents.."

Smiling weakly, Lexi whispered in response "How can I not blame myself.?We were both old enough to know what we were doing when he was conceived and neither of us really cared.."

Matthew shaking his head moved and knelt down in front of Lexi, before saying "We both know that is not the truth, Lexi.?We knew how we felt about each other and had committed ourselves to each other.?How many of our friends here would be able to say they knew who they wanted to marry at our ages, and made that commitment.."

Letting out a weak laugh, Lexi said "Joseph, Ben, David, Monica, Jessica and Sarah..?"

Smiling Matthew said "Remember Monica, Jessica and Sarah are older that you, miss bright and intelligent.."

With a slight smirk Lexi said, "At least you have that right."

Chuckling Matthew knowing he had gotten through to Lexi, came off his knees and moved to sit beside Lexi before saying "Truthfully..?"

"Yes..?" came Lexi's somewhat hesitant response.

"You were somewhat right with your comment about Joseph, Ben and David.?Those of us in the military tend to realise when we find the one person, we want to spend our lives with, that we want to secure the commitment of that person as soon as we can.?In the first few weeks of training, it is drilled into us that as part of our commitment of service, we are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the country and the people.?That makes us want to grab our happiness and secure the commitment of the person we love.?I knew when I joined, I loved you and wanted to spend my life with you, but you were too young.?As soon as I could, you know the steps that I took."

"But is was what we did afterwards..?"

Shaking his head Matthew said "How many times do I have to say this to you, we can never regret what we did.?That expression of our love, gave us Dominic, and despite every challenge thrown at us we can never regret his conception or being in our lives."

Tilting her head slightly left Lexi pondered Matthew's statement before quietly adding "It is what happened afterwards.."

Matthew closed his eyes at the trailing off, of Lexi's words.?He knew where she was going, and she was right.?That was the problem.?He was determined to pursue his career not really caring about the consequences of their actions at the time knowing Lexi's parents' hatred for the military.

After opening his eyes, Matthew said "You can never regret what happened.?You did what was right and did everything to ensure that our son was born.?You did what was necessary, physically, and emotionally, to survive what Richard did to you before his death in that so-called relationship.?When he died you needed to heal, not only physically, but deal with all the emotional consequences of what happened."

"If I had stayed.."

"No If's Lexi.?Looking back, we both can understand your parents would have done everything to stop us marrying back then, and you would not have had the opportunity to heal, that the decisions you made with Chester's support gave you or become the person you have now.?The successful businesswoman, the loving wife, and most importantly the mother you are to Dominic, dealing with the challenges that get throw at you.."

A loud voice said "Sweettalking my sister.."

Lexi and Matthew turned and noticed Chester approaching them before Lexi said, "Eavesdropping Big Brother?"

"Eavesdropping, me, never.." Chester quipped in a mocking tone.

As Matthew laughed, Lexi shook her head, but before either of them could speak, Chester said "Darling baby sister, that idiot who is your husband has at least one thing right.?You did what was right, both to make sure Dominic was born and then to deal with the consequences of what our parents force you into.?I just wish I had stood up to them and then you would not have had to go through everything.?If anyone is to blame, blame them and the idiot."

"Idiot, who are you calling an idiot.?You agreed to a marriage that was never for you.."

Chester shook his head and said "At least I knew what I was doing Matthew.?Just shut up otherwise I will tell your brother.."

Matthew quickly said, "You play dirty."

"Well, I know you love my husband, your brother and there is no way that you will go running to him.."

Lexi, interrupting said "Go, leave us.."

Sticking his tongue out, Chester said "Fine.?However, tell me why that criminal is here," pointing towards Warren Gong.

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