Chapter Twelve
ELIZA
I waketo the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains, Matt's arm draped protectively over my waist. I lie there, enveloped in the heat of his body and the vivid memories of the night before.Our first time together had been tender, passionate, and everything I'd hoped for. We made love again in the early hours of the morning, and I can still feel the echo of his touch on my skin.
This, I realize, is what forever should feel like—safe, loved, and completely at peace. I turn in Matt's arms, studying his face in the soft light. Even in sleep, there's a hint of happiness on his lips. My heart swells with emotion. This is what I want, every morning, for the rest of my life.
The harsh buzz of the satellite phone slices through the peaceful quiet, pulling me from sleep. Groggily, I reach for it, realizing I left it in Matt's cabin after the storm. I squint at the screen, my heart skipping when I see it's my dad calling. It's too early for casual conversation, and a knot of unease twists in my stomach.
“Dad?” I answer, my voice still rough with sleep. “Is everything okay?”
There's a pause before he speaks, his tone tight with emotion. “Eliza, I'm glad you charged the sat phone. Listen, sweetheart, it's about your mom.”
The world seems to tilt on its axis as I listen to him explain. The test results are back. It's cancer. Terminal. The words wash over me, each one a blow that leaves me reeling.
“We're coming home,” he continues, his voice breaking. “But Eliza, I need your help...”
He trails off, and I can hear the exhaustion in his voice, the struggle he’s been through. “I haven’t been able to reach your brothers, and I ... I can’t bear saying this again. You know how they are. I don’t want your mom’s last months to be filled with grief. Can you help them process this?” His words hang heavy in the air, and my heart clenches. I know he's asking more of me than anyone else has in years.
I swallow hard, forcing myself to be strong. “Of course, Dad. I'll make sure they understand. When will you be home?”
When the call ends, I sit in stunned silence, the phone still clutched in my hand. The joy I felt moments ago seems like a distant memory now, replaced by fear and sadness.
Matt stirs beside me, still half-asleep but concerned. “Eliza? What's wrong?”
I turn to him, tears already forming in my eyes. “It's my mom,” I say, the words catching in my throat. “She's ... she's sick. Very sick. Terminal cancer.”
Matt pulls me into his arms without hesitation, and I bury my face in his chest, letting the tears flow. It feels like a dam breaking, all the emotions I’ve been holding back crashing over me at once. The reality of what I’m about to face hits hard—telling my brothers, breaking the news that will shatter their world. They’ve always been so protective, always shielding me, and yet, here I am, about to be the one to carry them through this.
What will their reactions be? Rhys will try to stay strong, but I know the cracks will show. Kane's anger will rise to the surface, the way it always does when he's hurting. And Finn—God, Finn—how can I expect him to hold it together when I barely can? The thought twists in my gut, and fresh tears spill over. I've never been the one they turned to for strength. I've always been their little sister, the one they protected.
But now, I'm the one who has to help them process the unthinkable.
Matt's hand strokes my hair as I sob, his silent comfort the thing keeping me from falling apart completely. His steady heartbeat is my anchor, pulling me back when the storm inside me threatens to drown everything.
When I've cried myself out, I pull back, wiping at my eyes. “I'm sorry.”
“Hey,” Matt says, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Do you want to talk about it?”
I nod and tell him everything. The diagnosis, the prognosis, the uncertainty of it all. As I speak, new fears bubble up to the surface.
“What if ... what if she's gone before I get married someday? Or have a child of my own?” My throat tightens, and the words stumble out, thick with emotion. “How am I supposed to survive surrounded by all these men? Girls need their moms.”
Matt listens attentively, his hand never leaving mine. “I can't imagine how hard this is for you,” he says. “But I want you to know, I'm here for you. Whatever you need.”
Doubt flickers in my eyes, a shadow of insecurity I can't shake. “I know you mean that, Matt. But ... will you really?” My voice wavers. “You'll be leaving soon, back to the rig. How can you be here for me when you're gone?”
Matt's expression softens, his eyes full of emotion. “Eliza, I love you,” he says, his tone tender but firm. The words catch meoff guard, and I forget to breathe. He continues, “I know I have to go back to work, but that doesn't change how I feel about you. We're in this together, no matter the distance.”
My heart races at his confession. “Matt, I...” I begin, my words trembling. “I love you too.” The admission feels right, natural, as if I've been waiting to say it all along.
He pulls me closer, his hands resting on my shoulders. “We'll make this work,” he says, his voice soft but steady. “I'll be here for you, even when I'm not physically present. You're not alone in this, Eliza. Never.”
Tears threaten to spill over again, but this time from different emotions—fear, love, gratitude. “I'm scared,” I whisper. “Everything's changing so fast, and I don't know how to handle it all.”
Matt wipes a tear from my cheek. “We'll take it one day at a time, together. Even when I'm away, you've still got me, Eliza. For as long as you need me.”
His words soothe my worried heart. I lean into him, drawing comfort from his steadiness and the love we've confessed. Despite the challenges ahead, a sense of hope stirs within me. Whatever the future holds, we’ll face it together.
