“No.” Matthew responded immediately, tone darkening somehow, a frown finding its way onto his face. I kissed his chest reassuringly. “So…” I licked my chapped lips, shifting uneasily “what does that make us?”
Silence followed. I raised my gaze to meet Matthew’s- his hazel eyes held so much fondness it filled me with warmth. I loved him. I loved him so much it hurt.
“You mean are we a couple?” He clarified softly, tenderly.
I nodded once. That was exactly what I meant.
“We could be. If you want, of course. I know I do.”
“And you’d be my boyfriend?” I said, seeking confirmation “and I’d be yours?”
Matthew laughed, the sound just as affectionate as the look in his eyes “that’s generally how it works, yes.”
“I want that.” I whispered, allowing my eyelids to win their battle and close, focusing on the steady thump of Matt’s heart under my ear and the rise and fall of his chest.
“Then we’re a couple.” I felt him shrug “simple as that.”
“Simple as that.” I agreed in a slurred mumble, smiling at the kiss he pressed to my forehead before sleep dragged me under.
CHAPTER 33
Matthew
Theo got the letter from Stryker about the birth of his baby girl on the 10th of June. I hadn’t expected him to be so exited over it, and I certainly hadn’t expected to find myself standing outside the front door of the address he’d written down beside Jack whilst Theo practically bounced on the balls of his feet the very next day.
“Huh. It’s very quiet, isn’t it?” He observed, looking at us.
I shook my head fondly, because his lack in logic was adorable sometimes “what were you expecting, a party? They’ve just had a kid, Theo.” I tried to explain.
“Exactly why I was expecting them to be celebrating.”
I laughed. Of course he had.
“They partly didn’t even want it in the first place.” Jack pointed out as Theo turned back round and knocked rather insistently- whilst I glared at Jack for his untactful comment-until the door swung open.
Stryker was standing there, hair dishevelled and wearing nothing but sweatpants, looking franklyveryexhausted and holding a bundle of blankets in his arms.
All that could be seen of the baby was a little round face with rapidly blinking eyes and a small hand, fingers outstretched. Stryker was cradling the tiny child like she was the most fragile thing in the world.
“Hey.” He greeted softly “didn’t expect you to turn up so soon.”
“Theo couldn’t contain himself.” I explained, grinning at the insolent exclamation that got out of him. “Congrats, by the way.”
“Thanks.” He smiled, stepping back so we could come in.
“So… a girl?” I asked for confirmation, even if I already knew as such from his letter.
“Yes.” Stryker replied “Isabelle.”
“So…no teaching the little fella how to kick ass?” Theo asked with a pout.
Stryker grinned “well, you can. Just a little more gracefully, maybe.” He glanced up the stairs “Raven’s asleep. Her mum’s just gone out. She was exhausted.”
“Can’t blame her, S. Must take some effort, giving birth.”
“Seventeen hours of labour” Stryker grimaced “and a little over an hour just to push her out”
“Jeez.” Theo remarked.
