Undying Love

THE GRADUATE

Before the food arrived, Kathy wanted to get the baby's stuff situated. Matt excused them so he could go help Kathy set up the crib for the baby in her room. He closed the door and sat down with her.

Kathy said, “Matt, I’m still processing all that’s happened.”

He put his arm around her. She leaned into him. “I know, we’ve both had major changes in our lives happening all at once."

She said, "We have both grown up a lot." She paused. "Matt, I’m just happy that you’re alive, and I’m so happy Matthew will know his father.”

Worried, Matt asked, “Kath, you keep referring to being here, not being back here. Are you leaving again? Weren't you planning on moving back?”

“No Matt, I wasn't planning on moving back. And do I have to go back,” Matt was speechless. “But now that we have you, we can move back. I'll have to go back to clear out my apartment and take my exam for my RN license.”

“How long will you be gone for?” he asked.

“I’m not sure, maybe a month or so.” She could see Matt was visibly upset. She asked him, “Why don't you come with us?”

His eyes lit up. “When are you leaving? I’ll take time off from work. Guess I now qualify for paternity leave,” he chuckled.

“I’m returning in four days.”

“Fine, I’m coming with you. I’m not letting you out of my sight again," he said. "I can arrange it when I get to work Monday."

She said, “My mom can keep Matthew for me, I mean us now.”

“No, he's coming with us," Matt insisted. "We are a family now. I’ve already missed 18 months of his life.”

“Oh Matt," she smiled. "He can be a handful anymore.”

“I don’t care. I need to step up and be his father.”

She replied, “Matt, you don’t have anything to prove.”

“I know Kath, but I need to be with you and Matthew too.”

“Alright, I’ll book you a seat, but he’s sitting on your lap.” She chuckled.

“No problem,” Matt said. "That's fine."

“Ohh hoho, you have no idea what you’re in for,” she smiled.

“It’ll be fine.”

The doorbell rang. They knew the food had arrived. "Come on, let's go eat," Matt said. He helped her up and gave her a kiss.

"Wow, that was quick," Kathy said. "It arrived so quickly, faster than in LA."

Josephine ordered plenty of food. Charlene helped her set it all up. They all talked and enjoyed the food and each other. It truly was a celebration. The guys filled Kathy in on all the things that had happened there in the last two years. She told them all about LA and what she had accomplished there.

Matt told Charlene, “I'm going to spend the night.”

Charlene and Jeff got ready to leave. She asked, “What do you want me to tell the parents if they call looking for you?”

“Nothing. They’ll be fine.”

“Alright, if you say so.” She hugged Matt and Kathy. She kissed the baby and said, “Ooo, your Auntie is gonna spoil you little man.” After they left, the rest of them followed soon after.

Matthew looked exhausted. Kathy took Matthew to her room to put him down to sleep. Matt helped Josephine clean up.

Josephine said, “It’s fine, Matt, it can wait until morning. Go, be with your family. You have a lot of time to make up for.”

He gave her a hug. “Thank you, Mrs. C.”

"And Matt?"

"Yes?"

"I'm so happy you survived. My daughter was empty without you. Today has been the second-best day she's had in two years."

"I'm never letting them go. You know that, right?" Matt asked.

"I do Matt. Go be with your family."

Matt smiled and got up. He gave her a hug and went to the bedroom.