The Solider Husband

1 August, Matthew's Villa, City K

Dominic looked up, started at Lexi and said, "Am I going to be a big brother?"

Matthew and Lexi stunned looked at each other before eventually Lexi said "Not now Dominic, but maybe in the future, if it is meant to be.  But do you want to be a big brother?"

"I do Mummy,"

Lexi relaxed and said, "But you can practice soon as your Aunty Sally is pregnant, and you will soon have a little cousin.  You need to remember though, it will b a little baby, not like you…"

Dominic placed his hands on the table and said "Do you think I am silly Mummy.  I know that it will be years before my little cousin will be ready to play with me.  Some of my school friends have little brothers or sisters and I have seen that they cannot play with us."

Matthew snorted in laughter and Lexi could not help herself but to punch him in the arm before adding "Stop being silly Matthew…

"Yeah Daddy Matthew.  I am smart and know things."

Lexi could not help herself but quickly cover her mouth to hide her own laughter, and she simply shook her head.

Matthew smiled and said "You can be smart Dominic, but your school report did not indicate that.  It said that you were disruptive in class, and failed to do your homework at times…"

"Not fair Daddy Matthew.  Many things have happened in the last school year."

"I do not dispute that Dominic, but even in troubling times you have to try your best, and my reading is that you did not.  That is why your Mummy and I have decided that you need to go to another school this year…"

"What about my friends…"

"They will still be your friends and you can invite them here on the weekends.  But, your Mummy and I have decided that you will do this coming school year at the school on the military base.  Provided that you improve yourself…"

"You want to focus on grades…"

Lexi held up her hand and said "Stop that, Dominic.  When have I ever worried about your grades?"

Dominic dropped his head slightly and said, "Never Mummy."

"And we are not worried about it now.  But your Daddy Matthew is correct, about you not trying your best, and we have decided another school for a change will give you the chance to change your attitude.  And if you do, you can then pick where you will go to school.  Where you have been or where you are going."

As he stuck out his lip, Dominic sulkily said "Fine!"

Over Dominic's head Matthew slightly shook his head and Lexi slightly nodded before saying "Can you promise the both of us you will try your best?"

Dominic lifted his head and said, "I will." .

Lexi reached over and kissed Dominic's forehead before saying "That is all we want.  Now, I told you I had something to tell you."

"You think I do not know something has been worrying you Mummy.  As I said I am not silly."

Lexi slightly shook her head and said "That is good Dominic.  Mummy has had a few things going on that she has had to try and deal with."

"Like Aunty Joan getting into trouble."

At the mention of Joan's name Lexi tensed before saying "Correct.  I have been trying to work with things, and you know I have…"

"Mummy I know you do not go into your studio.  You are not rushing as you previously has been.  Once I knew that, I guessed there was something happening."

Lexi relaxed and said "That is good Dominic.  I have  been trying to decide what to do.  You remember my friend Anna…"

"The Lady who Daddy Matthew described her brothers as Stupid Australian's…"

Matthew chucked at the description of Anna's brothers.  Calling them Stupid Australians was an understatement, but at the same time they had been fun to be around.

"That is the person, Dominic.  Mummy needs a short holiday, and she has said I can go and stay with here for a few days.  But when I come back, I am going to do something to help out your Aunty Rachael."

Shocked Matthew said, "You are going to take up her offer?"

"I am, at least temporarily on the basis she can look for someone more permanent.  And, before you ask Matthew I spoke to her earlier and she is quite happy.  It will keep me busy, but give me the time to decide what I want to do in the long term."

Before Matthew could respond, his mobile rang, and noticing it was Steven, he quickly answered before snapping "What is it?"

"Well, that is the type of greeting I want when I have news."

"Just give me a moment," responded Matthew before he stood up and added to Lexi "I need to take this."

As he exited the room, shutting the door behind him, Matthew snapped "What do you want?  Keep it short as you are intrupting my time with my wife and child."

Sensing the anger in Matthew's voice Steven said "I have news.  Everyone other than David Hwang and Joan cracked.  Bronwyn is finishing off the final video statements, but ȧssuming that we can cooberate everything they have said, we can bury those two."

"The deal?"

"Other than Gary Zhu, who already has his deal, the others are only guarantees to have the death penalty removed as a sanction.  Anything from there depends on what they give us, and what can be checked out through other sources.  Bronwyn and I agree, it will likely take two weeks to complete that, and I am so looking forward to watching David Hwang and Joan crumble when they know what we have."

"You want some intelligence help?"

"I do, but not from you because I need to keep you away from the case."

"Leave it with me, and I will get some military intelligence resources directed to ȧssist you."