Chapter 7: Seeing her again

Matthew POV

As everyone was singing I just stood there without words.

I simply forgot them.

It was so long when we last time saw each other.

Seems like every time I would come, she was away.

Yeah I never missed Noel's birthdays as if I was away I would Skype with Luke and Noel so we would have our own private party, but I am back and now I couldn't avoid it from happening.

I stood there and looked at her. Her long brown hair with light waves, green eyes that shone brightly….I shook myself out of my daze as I couldn't let myself go further.

Yeah, she looked amazing as always, slim, lightly tanned in her red with a dots summer dress.

I saw her lean down to Noel as she kissed his head and told him to make a wish and blow out the candles.

Noel took a minute as he scrunched his little nose and thought hard of his wish, then as he took a big breath he blew at the candles.

Everyone cheered and clapped their hands, including me.

She was happy as she kissed him again then she turned her gaze up and we locked our eyes.

I saw her light movement as her breath lightly hitched that moment. I was like hypnotized.

She shook herself and smiled as she stood up and took the knife to cut the birthday cake.

The plates were given to all with cake.

My eyes were nonstop going towards her, as I noticed hers did as well. Jeff sat next to me as he was eating his cake and eying mine.

“You don’t like cake?” I heard Noel asking me as I turned towards him and smiled.

I picked him up and placed him on my knee.

“I love cake but I was just waiting on your uncle Jeff to finish his so I can tease him a little bit.”

“OOO….” He turned towards Jeff then.

"Uncle Jeff, you eat like a pig. You can't eat the cake that fast. First, you eat this part then the other…see?" Noel took my fork as he showed Jeff how he likes to eat his cake and I couldn't hold back in the laughter as little thief eats on my cake.

“Noel sweetie, that is not ok. If you wanted more cake, you should have asked me.” Vivian said to him as she was coming towards us.

“I was just showing uncle Jeff how to eat it as he eats like a pig and uncle Matt doesn’t mind, right?” he turned towards me and gave me his puppy eye.

“Right.” I chuckled “Hi Vivian, it is good to see you again.”

"Hi, Matt, sorry I didn't come to greet you sooner was just a little busy with preparations."

“I understand, no worries about it. The party is great, are you enjoying it little one?” I asked Noel as he excitedly shook his head and kept eating on the cake.

"Noel that is enough. You eat Matt's whole cake." Vivian scolded him.

"Let him be, I don't mind," I told her with a slight smile as she looked at me and nod her head.

"Uncle Matt, are you going to have to leave again soon?"

“No, buddy I am staying home for some time.”

“Yeah!” he fist punched as he exclaimed happily making me laugh at the action.

"Then we can go to the ZOO as we talked about. Do you remember? You promised me." He was talking excitedly and I couldn't say anything but a yes to him.

The little guy had me wrapped around his little finger.

“When can we go?” he asked me.

“If your mom and dad allow we can go anytime you wish buddy.”

“Mom, can Uncle Matt and I go tomorrow to the ZOO pleaseeeeee?” he looked at Vivian with his pleading adorable big blue eyes.

It was always strange to me as Vivian has green eyes and Luke has brown, how Noel had blue eyes but yet again who am I to question anyone.

"Well, I guess if Matt is ok with that I don't see any problem for you not to go."

“Yey!” Noel excitedly shouted.

“Someone is rather happy. What’s going on?” Luke came and wrapped his arm around Vivian as he kissed her cheek.

"Well, Noel asked if he and Matt could go together to the ZOO so I agreed." She told him.

"Yeah that is fine, just, unfortunately, I will have a little busy week so I won't be able to join you two so what do you two say that we all go together in two weeks?"

“But that is so far away! Mommy can go with us. Will you mommy?” he pleaded with her.

She looked at her son then back at me and she nodded her head as she said ok.

Noel was excited again and seeing him this happy made my heart warm. Though Luke didn't seem too pleased with the development of the situation, it is what it is.

Later on, Nolan left to play with his friends, while I stayed with other men and hang out.

We joked and eat, and it was fun. Jeff came to me and asked if all is well as he noticed a little tension between Luke and me.

I had noticed he was a little nervous after our talk especially when I asked him about Tim and it got me curious as to why.

“Is there any more beer?” I asked guys as we were standing and talking together.

“There are some cold ones in the fridge in the kitchen.” Bob one of the guys that I spoke with informed me.

I excused myself as I left for the kitchen to get some more drinks for us.

Entering the kitchen I saw Vivian there, sorting some mini sandwiches on the plater.

Clearing my throat as I got her to look up at me.

“Everything ok?” she asked me as she continued with her task.

"Yeah, just the guys want some more drinks and said there are some in the kitchen," I said as I moved towards the fridge.

“If you need more, there are some in the back room.” Vivian pointed with her finger towards the room.

“Okay, thank you.”

“So should we then arrange all for the ZOO tomorrow?” she turned towards me and waited.

“Well, how does 10 am sound?” taking the beer from the fridge, I turned around towards her as I asked.

“That’s fine. You know I can take him alone I did plan on it.”

"No, I promised him and I won't back down on my word. I'll come and pick both up then at 10."

I turned around and rushed out of the kitchen to the yard.

I gave beer to guys. We spoke some more than I said goodbyes to them and Noel who asked me again about tomorrow and making me promise we will go.

He didn't want me to leave as he hugged me tightly. Luke then took him in his arms and they escorted me out.

I don't know why but little Noel always had a strange strong effect on me. He is an amazing little man and pretty smart at that too.

As I got back home and parked my Range Rover, I saw my dad sitting in the family room and watching TV.

"Hey, dad."

"Hey, son. How was the party?"

“It was good.”

“Did Noel liked his gift?”

“He was excited when he saw it.”

“I am glad. He is a sweet kid.”

"Yes, he is. Dad, can I ask you something?" I asked as I sat down on the couch.

He toned down the TV as he looked at me closely. “Of course son, what seems to be bothering you?”

"Has Tim ever tell you anything about who was the meeting on that day he lost his life?" I said it hesitating.

“No, only that he has to do something. Why? What are you thinking?”

"You know me as you knew him too. I just…I just have a hard time believing that he was reckless and lost the control as they said, I feel there is something more to that story just am not sure what yet." I confided at him.

"Son, I know it is hard to accept and let go because if you don't then you will get stuck in the past and life will just fly by you and I don't want that to happen to you. Your young and you need to live your life with full lungs. And your brother would want nothing less for you either."

I sighed, “I know dad, you’re right.”

“Now focus on your shoulder and get it back in function and go from there.” He said with a gentle smile to me.

“Yeah will do. Where are others?”

“Mike is still in classes, Meg and mom went to the mall.”

"Okay. Well, I will head up and change."

Getting up I left for my room. I heard my dad what he said and yes he was right but I just had that gut feeling that was making me restless.

Taking a shower, I used it to clear my head and think and I knew what I could try.

I got out of the shower and dressed as I took my phone and dialed the number.

The line was ringing three times, then finally it connected.

“Hello.”

“General Alvarez, Matthew O’Donnell here.”