Page 107 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

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 thechange 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.”

---