Fic - Going Home: Chapter Two
Title: Going Home
Author: Jayne Leigh
Matt Albie has a family emergency and has to go back home.
Rating: R
Characters or Pairing: Matt, Danny, Matt/Harriet
Disclaimer: I don't own them!
Going Home - Chapter One
Going Home: Chapter Two
Matt had his seat reclined backwards and his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. He was pretending because that meant he didn't have to talk to Harriet. He thought it was a good idea her coming with him, until he overheard a conversation she was having on her cell phone with Luke. Judging from her side of the conversation, he wasn't happy that she was dropping everything to help Matt out. She had stuck up for him though but that wasn't the point. It brought everything back from the dinner when they had a big fight. He didn't want to think about that now, all he wanted to concentrate on was getting his niece home and safe.
Harriet glanced up from her magazine and looked up at him. She knew he wasn't asleep, she could just tell. She didn't say anything though. He must have a lot on his mind, so she decided to leave him to his thoughts. She sighed, closing her magazine and leaning her head back against the seat, closing her own eyes. Matt must be going through hell right now. She thought back to the first time she met his family. It was his Mom's birthday, Matt was flying in to surprise her and asked Harriet to go with him. She remembers being so nervous about meeting them. After all Matt was Jewish and she was Christian, even though Matt had assured her that his family was okay with it. However as soon as she stepped into the house everyone made her feel welcome.
Matt had one older brother, Nathan who was 13 years older than Matt. Then there was Rebecca, who was 10 years old than him. Matt's second sister, Sophie was a year younger than him. He told Harriet, whilst growing up Nathan and Becca looked after the two of them and were very protective of them. Even though he was close to both of them, he was closer to Sophie. It was Sophie's little girl, Megan who had gone missing. Matt adored her and she adored him. She was so shocked at how good he was with her. He'd play with her all the time and she'd follow him around, she was like his shadow. She knew this was tough on Matt, which is why she decided to come with him, to give him support. She noticed the last time she went home with him, when they were still dating, that his parents, brother and sisters always tried to protect him from the truth, if it was bad. She thought back to a few years ago, when she had gone with him for Christmas. His brother had let it slip that his Dad had been in hospital ill a few months before. Matt went crazy because no one had told him, but they didn't say anything because they knew he'd be on the first flight out. They were all so proud of him and loved 'Studio 60.' They'd all get together on a Friday night and have a family meal just to watch it.
She wished her family were like that. Even though she was close to her family and had a good, loving childhood... None of her brothers were like her at all. Sometimes she thought they didn't even understand her and if she weren’t their sister, they wouldn't even like her. One thing she loved about Matt's family was at mealtime, there was never a quiet, dull moment. Someone was always making a joke or they were teasing each other. It was refreshing to see Matt not being the only one who could give as good as he got and to come up with fast witty comebacks.
She looked at him one more time, before stretching her hand, taking his and squeezing it gently. She was going to be there for him and help him through this. Even though he probably wouldn't admit it, he needed someone to be.
XxXxX
The journey from the airport to Matt's parents' house was silent as well but Harriet just put it down to Matt being worried about Megan. Matt was sat staring out of the window. He shouldn't have let her come with him. He should have told her to stay. She was going to distract him when he needed to concentrate on his family. He knew that she meant well and she wanted to help but she had no idea the effect she had him when she around.
Harriet slowly got out of the cab when they arrived. She loved this house. It was somewhere like she always imagined she would settle down and raise a family. Matt's parents had lived there for years. It was where Matt grew up. It wasn't really big but not small either. The thing Harriet loved the most was the garden. It was huge and there were so many flowers and plants which Matt's mother took pleasure in doing herself. Matt offered to give them money so they could buy a bigger house when he first started to become famous but they always refused, they never wanted to take the money he earned. His brother and sisters were the same, Matt was always trying to get them to move to LA but neither of them had the heart to leave their home. Harriet knew that Matt sometimes felt a little envious that they were all in walking distance of each other whilst he was miles away in LA.
Matt paid the cab driver and grabbed their bags. When he turned around, he saw his Mom walking towards him. Harriet watched as she wrapped her arms around him.
“Hey, Mom...” He whispered, bending down a little to hug her back.
“Oh, I've missed you so much...” She stated, hugging him a little tighter before stepping back. She turned and looked at Harriet. “Oh, honey...I'm so glad you came with him.... you look wonderful.”
“Thank you, Mrs Albie.” She smiled slightly.
“Oh please call me, Beth....” She replied. “I just wish it was for a happier time.”
“Has there been any news?” Matt questioned as they started to walk up towards the house.
“No, not yet...” She sighed sadly. “Your sister is beside herself.”
“They'll find her.” Matt claimed. “It'll be okay.”
“I hope you're right.” She smiled at him again. “It's good to have you home.”
“It's good to be home.” He returned the smile.
Matt left their bags in the hallway and followed his Mom and Harriet into the kitchen.
“Matty, I heard you were coming back.” Nathan stood up and hugged his brother.
“Are you sure this is okay?” His Dad, David asked. “You can't just go taking time off whenever you want when you're running a big show...”
“Nice to see you too, Dad...” Matt rolled his eyes. “And yes I can, I'm the boss.”
“Of course it’s nice to see you, I just don't want you getting into any trouble.”
“Yeah, little brother, we could have handled this...” Nathan said. “You didn't need to come all the way out when you're so busy...”
Matt sighed; he knew there was nothing he could say that would make them think any differently, so he just decided to change the conversation. “You all remember Harriet, right?”
“I thought you broke up?” Nathan replied, earning himself an elbow in the ribs by his Mother.
“Yes, it's good to see you again, sweetheart.” David smiled at her.
“You too.” Harriet replied.
“Why don't you two go upstairs and settle in...” Beth suggested. “You must be starving, I'll fix you something.”
“Oh, no... I'm fine thank you...” Harriet assured her.
“It’s no trouble...”
“Mom, we're okay... you don't need too...”
“Matthew Isaac Albie, I'm not taking no for an answer, you need to eat!” She cut in. “Now go upstairs and I'll fix you both a sandwich.”
“Okay, okay...” Matt backed away slightly.
“Now, Matty you're going to have to sleep on the couch...” She told him. “Harriet can have your old room and Sophie is staying with us, so she's in her old room.”
“Oh, no... I'll take the couch, I don't mind.” Harriet stated.
“Harri, you're not sleeping on the couch.” Matt rolled his eyes. “I'll be fine.”
“It's your room you should have it...”
“You're not sleeping on the couch.”
“Okay fine, how about we share?”
“What?”
“Come on, it's only for a few days, it's not like we've never done it before.”
“Uh, okay, if you're sure.”
“Of course.” She smiled slightly.
Matt saw Nathan, raising an eyebrow before winking and smiling suggestively.
“Shut up.” Matt told him.
“What?” Harriet asked, thinking he was talking to her.
“Uh, no nothing...” He replied. “Come on, let’s take our stuff upstairs.”
“Okay...” She said slowly, looking at him for a moment before following him.
“So, Isaac?” Harriet questioned as they walked upstairs.
“It's an old family name.” He rolled his eyes. “So don't even bother saying anything.”
“I didn't say a word!” She claimed innocently.
“You were going to...I know you.” He replied.
She laughed and turned to look at him. “I guess you're right.”
“I'm always right.” He answered.
“Whatever, Matt.”
“I am.” He insisted, there was a few seconds of silence before he spoke again. “Thanks... for coming with me.”
“It's no problem at all...” She assured him. “You're one of my closest friends... I know you'd do it for me.”
“Yeah...” He nodded in agreement, smiling slightly. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad having her here after all.
Matt glanced into what use to be his sisters' bedroom and saw Sophie, sitting staring out of the window.
“Why don't you go ahead and get sorted...I'll be in a minute.” He told Harriet.
“Okay.” She reached out and squeezed his hand gently. “It'll be okay.”
He smiled. “Thanks.”
He slowly pushed open the bedroom door and quietly walked over to his sister but she was so caught up in her own thoughts she didn't hear him.
“Hey.” He said when he was stood behind her.
She jumped and spun around in her chair to look at him, tears running down her face.
“Matt... You...you came.” She whispered.
“Of course I did.” He answered.
She didn't say any more instead she stood up and fell into his arms.
“It's okay...everything will be okay, I promise.” He whispered, holding her tightly.
TBC