The Solider Husband

1 August, Matthew's Villa, City K

Matthew, noticed that Lexi was quietly sitting on the window seat, watching Dominic who was outside running around.  As he moved over, he quietly said "He is amazing."

Lexi turned back, smiled, and responded "He is.  He constantly is bounding back from his treatment, and the specialists are confident that within the next few weeks they will be able to pronounce that he is in remission."

Sitting down, Matthew smiled and at Lexi, before adding "That is good news.  Although, I would say the time he has been spending with Phillip has helped him.  No matter what we say to him, we have not experienced what he is going through.  While it is a different cancer, Phillip has and he is seeming to reach Dominic on a level that we cannot."

Lexi tilted her head to the right slightly before saying "He does, but you know my view…"

Matthew touched his middle finger on his right hand to Lexi's cheek before saying "I do.  We need to lessen the time that Dominic spends with Phillip and Chester.  I agree with you on that, but we have to remember the role Chester has played in his life."

Lexi pulled back and sharply added "Are you blaming me?"

Shaking his head, Matthew added "No.  I blame myself, as at the time I was a selfish man.  I ignored everything other than what I wanted.  You, my love made the right choice at the time.  Never doubt yourself on that.  We just need to remember that our choices always have consequences.  For Dominic, that has resulted in how close he is to his Uncle Chester and by extension his Uncle Phillip."

Lexi nodded and said "Strangely the other person he seems happy to spend time with is Richard's Uncle Warren.  I cannot figure out why."

"Calling him a criminal is an understatement, but the difficulty for everyone is getting the evidence to convict him.  But I have learnt something about him and his ȧssociates, one thing they prioritise is family.  Protecting the ones, they love and care for is paramount."

Lexi after looking at Matthew, said "What is it?"

Matthew closed his eyes, briefly, and as he opened them, he said "I know what has been running through you head the last few weeks.  You want to go away and deal with everything in your own time.  A fresh start for you, and potentially not the baggage that you feel you have here."

Seeing Lexi's nod, Matthew added "I have told you what I think.  I want you here with us, so I can not only try and help you, but that we give everything the best shot possible.  While that is still what I want, I also made the decision that in the end this has to be about you, not what I want, so I had some discussions with senior General's about my options, particularly so I can remain stationed here if I leave the special forces, given I had been provided with the guarantee that I would remain posted here for at least 4 years when I took the posting, unless something happened to General Li."

Lexi quietly asked, "You would do that for me?"

"If that is what was needed.  They think there is a way, but I made it clear that if I was going to be posted elsewhere, I would retire.  I can always go and work for Phillip, if needed."

Matthew leant over and gently kissed Lexi on the forehead, before turning and looking at Dominic, outside, adding "I know now that my career, my choices, mean nothing unless you and Dominic are happy.  If that means retiring, then that is what will happen.  You have my word, that I will put you and Dominic first."

Lexi placed her hand on Matthew's arm before saying "Thank you for telling me that.  I just needed to hear that, because it has been a constant challenge to figure out what I want to do,"

Puzzled, Matthew turned to Lexi and asked, "Have you made a decision?"

"I have, even before what you just said, but saying that, it has just reinforced my decision."

Matthew quietly asked, "Do I really want to know?"

Lexi slightly turned her body before resting her head on Matthew's ċhėst and saying "You do.  The last couple of weeks have shown me that I was burnt out with the business.  Yes, I had good staff, but my problem had was that I still wanted to micromanage everything, which given its growth was not humanly possible.  I need to step away, not completely as it is my company, and there are always designs that fill my mind.  I have let the commerciality of a design impact me from the outset, rather than designing the item, and then working on the latter.  It was that that ȧssisted me in developing the business.  Stepping away, will allow me to go back to that, still design, but allow those who can manage and grow the business." .

Matthew chuckled and said, "I give you three months before not being there will drive you insane."

"That could be a possibility," came Lexi's laughing response.

After a minute Lexi added "You know how LY came about."

"That is well known Lexi."

"I have been able to get my head around a few things, as I start to work through things.  I have gotten it through my head that family is the most important thing.  You, Dominic, and our siblings firstly.  The comes the friends we know we can trust.  People, who will do anything for me and that I will do anything for."

"I sense a but there…"

Lexi laughed before saying "You know me too well Matthew.  Starting to work through what Joan not only did to me and set me up for, but what she was willing to be involved in.  Working through what Joan set my up for, and was prepared to be involved with and do to others has been the wake-up call."

Matthew looked out at Dominic who was still having fun outside before saying "Honestly, I knew things about David Hwang, but even with your clearance you did not have the ability to know.  And despite that I did not suspect that Joan had sunk into his world.  So do not blame yourself."