Are you truly family if your a Ghost? [Emma]

[Nurse Emma]

I smiled inside of myself, hearing just how much he did love me and Elayne. If anyone was listening, I think they'd be shocked at what he was saying. He sounded like a family man and I don't think it was quite anticipated of his character. If anything, you'd think he'd be awkward in regards to family matters.

"Actually, Elayne has school tomorrow and I don't think she likes many movies unless they're recording of speeches made by some of the idiots in England. She finds them to be comedy." I tightened my grip and snuggled into him a little more. "Besides, I can be a little selfish with you for one night, can't I? Elayne will start getting spoiled if she doesn't have someone to share toys with, you know. I don't think I'd mind a bigger family, either."

I got up slowly, kneeling beside him and leaning against the wall so he could get up too. "Oh, and with you gone all these years, I've been able to do absolutely nothing to make my parents roll in their graves. Having Elayne on my own was about it."

It was never my intent to use Mat to make my parents mad. Merely, it was a very convenient perk. I honestly hoped he knew what I was talking about when I said 'be selfish'. Having to explain it would be absolutely ridiculous. I loved the guy, but I really wanted him to want what I wanted. A big happy family would be perfect.

[Matrim Aldon]

He got up with her and smiled. Elayne had school, that would put a whole in that plan, but then Emma pulled some innuendo on him which only made him grin and shake his head. Sounded like Emma, plotting things and trying to move people around with words. He had fallen in love with her and loved to play the mind games that came with it. They were pretty evenly matched but he always had that little edge that dipped it in his favor but she pulled some good moments herself too.

He began to count in his head all the times he had those mind games. Hmm....99-98 in my favor...I guess we will have to see who wins this one. He looked at her and moved towards her grinning.

He held her close, placing a hand on her hip and another on her stomach. "Well, that depends. Is this on a whim? Wait, let me rephrase that... How much do you want another child?" he said softly as he pulled her close and kissed her.

He hoped with all his heart he got to stay with his family this time around. But this time he knew what he had to lose more so then last time. This time, however he will do anything and everything he could to stay here. Love was his strongest weapon now, not his hands.

He looked into Emma's Royal blue orbs and lightly took her jaw as he had done a few moments before. He grinned and his clover green eyes sparkled and kissed her lightly. "But either way, I get to put Elayne to bed tonight alright?" he told her softly, barely above a whisper.

[Nurse Emma]

I grinned as he pulled me closer, placing a hand on my waist and the other on my stomach. He was most definitely getting ready for one of our "games". And he would lose so I could tie the score, that I was absolutely sure of.

"Well," I said, sitting myself in his lap, "where Elayne's concerned, it's up to her on who she wants. Quite frankly, I think she's afraid you're going to leave again and not come back this time. But, where another child comes in, I really really want to have another. You were spared my pregnancy and Micha had to endure how whiny I can really get. Honestly, I think it's only fair for you have to expierience the trips to the store or taking me to a fast food place. Then there's the shopping, the seeing how big my stomach gets, and all the baby hugs and kisses and my favorite part, diaper changing."

I grinned at him, toying with his hair as I listed all of the...wonderful things of pregnancy and babies. Micha had really been a life saver with Elayne. Sure, we got funny looks at the doctors' offices, but they knew absolutely nothing. And I think I owed her quite a nit for saving my sanity. Without her, I think I could've lost it pretty quickly.

I gave Mat a heated kiss, pulling away after a good while.

"That's how much I want another child."

[Matrim Aldon]

He grinned as she kissed him and listed all the things that had come with her pregnancy. He knew all about them from witnessing it with his sisters and his father doing all those things but he believed in himself he was ready for the challenge. Hell, he loved to find a good challenge. He looked back at Emma and kissed her back and touched the small of her back softly pressing it closer to him.

"Your wish is my command my love." he said sweetly as his clover green eyes twinkled at hers. Not from the lust of having sex but from the ideal that he would make his wife happy after all these years and this time being able to be there for the child. Where most fathers would loathe the idea of doing all those errands for their wives he felt crushed that he had missed out on all of it and wanted to show her that he loved his family the most.

He then wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close as they moved back into the room and he smiled at Elayne. "Elayne, sweetie." he said smiling at her letting go of Emma, he didn't want to leave her but knew he would rejoin with her in a few moments. He walked over and picked up his daughter holding her high into the air and smiled. He then brought her down swiftly to his face and kissed her cheeks and forehead. "So Elayne, tonight do you want mommy or daddy to read you a story?" he asked her grinning.

[Nurse Emma]

I smiled as he played the role of genii and agreed to it, all of it. His eyes shined and I didn't know the last time I'd been that happy. Maybe when we'd gotten married, but I wasn't too sure. At this moment, we were finally getting to be a family. An actual happy family that wasn't from the television.

We went back inside, his hand on my waist, until he made a break for Elayne. It seemed like a race to see who could get to our daughter first to ask her the all important question...

"So Elayne, tonight do you want mommy or daddy to read you a story?"

I smiled. He suited the role of father so well. It was like he had practiced while he'd been gone. I knew that wasn't the case, but still.

I felt like I was dreaming as I walked to the fridge, smiling lightly. I got out the apple pie and dug out some ice cream and fixing three plates and making sure there was enough for a fourth. I was planning on inviting Micha to have Mat and her catch up. Okay, I knew they weren't the vest of friends, but Micha had been a lifesaver and Mat was my husband. They could learn to to get along.

Elayne gave a happy screech as I made dessert. She hugged her Dad tightly, saying 'Daddy, Daddy!' I smiled to myself. I think she was adjusting well to this already. Good job, Elayne.

"Okay, you two," I said, turning around and laying their plates down before grabbing my own, "stop playing long enough for dessert. You'll have after school tomorrow, and the next, and, come to think of it, just about every day for the rest of your life."

Two of my three favorite people in the world. Happy and together. Please don't say I'm dreaming.

[Matrim Aldon]

He looked at Emma and smiled as she got out dessert. He held Elayne close letting her rest on his side and kissed her forehead. "Yeah, well today is the first day I've been able to see her and her me, so give us a little slack Emma." he said laughing and set Elayne down in her chair and picked up the dish giving it to her.

He took his up his own plate and walking over to Emma and kissed her. "So Elayne, what did mommy tell you when you asked about daddy? I mean did she say daddy left or what?" he asked her softly.

He then looked at Emma awaiting Elayne's reply. He had an idea of what Emma had told her but it didn't matter sometimes parents sugar-coated things to soften the blow but it wouldn't really matter anymore since he was back and Elayne knew the real reason he was gone.

"Mommy said about Daddy...?" Elayne blinked at him as he kissed her and asked that particular question. "Mommy said that my Daddy was far away and she didn't know where he was or why he left. She always acts like it doesn't matter, but I know she missed him...whoever he was. But, now I knmow that Daddy is you and I can see, kind of, why she missed you. You're a really fun man!" She finished.

Mat smiled as Elayne finished her pie and he moved to pick her up and set her on his shoulders. So Elayne hadn't known anything about him but she knew that Emma had missed him. "Alright, my little princess, what would you like to do now?" he asked her walking out of the dining room.

Elayne smiled and point to the TV. "C-span!" she shouted and cheered. He grinned and walked over to the TV sitting on the couch. He turned on the TV and handed her the remote to change it to C-span. He set Elayne down in his lap and turned back to look at Emma. "Come on sweetie, lets watch this together." he said smiling.

[Nurse Emma]

I sat, eating my pie as Mat proceeded to ask Elayne a question. I paused, my fork in mid-air and my eyes growing wide, as she answered, slowly at first and then gaining in happiness and speed. I gave a slight sigh of relief as she "saved" me. But, I couldn't help but wonder...

How did she know?

I stayed buried in my thoughts as Mat and Elayne went to watch C-Span. How did she know? How did she figure it out? I was always careful, always guarded.

How did she know?

"Um...I can't find C-Span." Elayne said from Mat's lap. I went to answer her, realizing I'd finished my dessert without even noticing. Or tasting much of it...

"Then we'll just have to watch a Disney movie. Cinderella good?" I asked, smiling and taking out the DVD.

She clapped her hands and I loaded the DVD. I sat on the couch, laying my head on Mat's shoulder. I wanted to figure this out, but I also didn't want to worry Mat. I gave him a light kiss and then went back to laying on his shoulder.

Elayne didn't notice any of it. All she knew was that her favorite movie was starting and she had two happy parents. Happy. Yeah. Right.

[Matrim Aldon]

He smiled as Elayne was still in his lap. They were now watching Cinderella since C-span wasn't able to be found. Emma had finished her pie and sat next to him with her head on his shoulder. He looked at her as she kissed him and rested her head on his shoulder again.

He placed a hand on her side and pulled her closer in and tilted her head up to look into her eyes and kissed her softly missing the opening credits but having it be totally worth it as he was with his two favorite girls in the world.

He sat with them for the next hour and a half watching Cinderella. Elayne getting into the movie and holding onto Mat in the child sort of way when they are happy to be with their parents. He smiled and held her close as he did Emma.

Once the movie was over he looked over at the clock. It was nearing 8pm. He didn't know what Emma had set for bed times for Elayne but in his opinion for a girl her age she should be in bed soon. He looked at Emma. "Its nearly 8 should we put her in bed now?" he asked her. He turned to Elayne, "but of course you will get your story before you fall asleep." he said smiling and hugged his daughter.

[Nurse Emma]

I half-smiled as we missed the opening credits while involved in a soft, sweet kiss. Elayne loved the movie and was glue to the screen, holding on to Mat for most of it. I smiled again as the movie ended and Mat said bed time for the little one. I got up, stretching.

"Yeah, little one, you have your first day of school tomorrow." I said, glancing at my watch. "Go get on your pajamas and you Dad'll tell you a story."

I headed towards my room, looking back and winking at Mat. I was going to change into pajamas myself. Just, not the cute kind Elayne was going to. I slipped on a slinky little silk number and I brushed my hair out. I sprayed on some light perfume and checked the clock. It had been about 5 minutes so Mat probably would have been just starting.

I walked out of the room and pushed the door to Elayne's room open a bit more to look in. Just as I predicted. Elayne was beneath the covers and smiling as she listened. I smiled, leaning against the door way, and listened as well. What was the story of the night?

[Matrim Aldon]

Mat got up and walked with his family to their rooms. Emma had gone ahead to her room and winked at Mat as she glided inside. Elayne went into her room and closed the door while Mat was left out in the hall, she put on her pajamas and opened the door taking his hand and pulling him in. Well trying to pull him as she was still small and he was many times bigger then her.

He smiled and picked her up as she was in some loose pants and a matching loose fitting shirt. Both with kitties on them and he laid her down in bed and tucked her in and kissed her forehead. "You ready little one?" he said grinning. She smiled and nodded and he sat on the edge of her bed and began to tell a tale that had finally reached its other time.

"Well this story is fantasy with knights and princesses and the like." he said and looked at her mystically. "The story begins tragically as a boy, a commoner, had fallen in love to a girl. Now this may seem happy but it wasn't you see as the boy had started to fall with this girl an evil witch plotted to get the girl to fall in love with the boys friend. She had succeeded and gotten the boy very angry. His friend feeling horrible went with him to the witches house to confront her." he said taking a breath.

"What happened next is the friend even though he was in love with the boys girlfriend and the girl had fallen out of love with him and in love with the friend he helped take out the evil witch. Oddly enough after the boy, the one who had his heart broken had defeated the witch he found a princess inside the house with the witch." He continued looking to see Elayne was entranced with the story.

"The princess who was disguised as a commoner and a plotter to rule the area for her own so she would still hold her nobility but be away from her mother and father as they had forced her to marry someone she did not love. So while the friend journeyed back to the girl he had taken the boy forgave him as he just wanted his friends to be happy. The princess then asked him to have a picnic with her as it was still light out. He agreed and they left the house while the witch was defeated on the ground. They reached a fountain and ate and talked for awhile." he said articulating it perfectly.

"The princess then unfolded her plan to the boy and wanted to have him rule with her in the new area. He shot her plan down as he knew she wouldn't be able to win against the current heads of the region who were stronger then she had thought. She then started falling for him as he seemed to somewhat care about her. They spoke some more and see tore the ring from her finger throwing it into the fountain and kissed him. She wanted to be with him and only him. By then he had the same feelings for her and kissed her back. They were young and adorable but they would stay together for a long time." He said smiling as he looked at his daughter who was now deeply embedded into the story. "However that is where we will leave off for tonight" he said grinning.

He looked at the clock, it was 8:30pm now well past her bed time. She looked at him and pouted. "Awww, but I want you to finish it." she said folding her arms as she was under the covers. He smiled and laughed. "Well there is always tomorrow now isn't there?" he said as he got up and kissed her forehead. "Now go to sleep little one and I will see you in the morning, and this time I will cook breakfast for you and mommy alright?" he said and she grinned and hugged his neck. "Yay!" she shouted and dropped her arms and laid down going to sleep.

He kissed her cheek one last time and walked over to Emma and kissed her as he turned out the light. "Well what do you think my love?" he asked as he closed the door and touched the small of her back.

[Nurse Emma]

I smiled as I realized the answer of my question. He was telling the story of out love.

I smiled the entire way through, especially at the parts of Micha being a witch. If she heard that, I doubted she'd be happy, but it was still a cute story. He told her about that time at the fountain. Mat...

I grinned as he walked out of the room with me, kissing me and placing a hand on my back. I looked at him, leaning against the wall next to the door to my room, and tried to act coy. Emphasis on tried.

"So, I'm a princess, huh? And Micha an evil witch? You realize she lives next door and she and I had two doors placed between us so Elayne could go over if something happened. I don't think she'd be too happy to hear you tell that story." I said, cocking my head to the side. "Hmmm...what am I ever going to do with you?"

I grabbed his hand suddenly and lead him to my room, giving him a heat kiss all the while. I stopped as we entered, dimming the lights down a little and smiling at him.

"You know," I said, pulling away, "I don't believe you qualify for the rank of commoner." I gave him a little kiss. "Try knight in shining armor tomorrow night. Oh, and can I not be a damsel in distress? That role would get really annoying, really fast."

A hand in his hair, my head cocked to the side once more, and a smile lingering on my lips. I was truly happy. A little confused on how the hell Elayne knew so much, but I'd get over it. For tonight, the only thing that mattered was the man that was my husband.

[Matrim Aldon]

He grinned that 253 grin of his and ran a hand through the edge of Emma's hair and down her jaw line just in front of her ear and kissed her. She had spoken about how she shared another door with Micha. He truly despised her as she was on his shit list and the only way to get off the list is to well...expire.

"Well for one I made it so it was fantasy and able to be extremely vague, also you haven't told her of how we first met so I doubt she will know and also if she DOES find out that might give insentive enough for Elayne to dislike Micha as she is the evil witch." he said looking at her pressing her body closer to his own.

"Also back then I was a commoner, I have never truly been a knight, not in a long, long time." he said putting a pause between the longs to show he didn't think he was that. "And well you weren't the damsel in distress, you were just the princess who had been with the evil witch." he said softly kissing her yet again.

He then picked her up and carried her to the bed and laid her down and stood over her kissing her. "Now my love, what was it you were saying about doing to me back in the hallway?" he said and held her in his arms, kissing her yet again

[Nurse Emma]

I smiled a sad little smile as he explained the reasoning for Micha being the evil witch, being quite affectionate to me all the while. I didn't understand how he could spit out such hate and be so loving at the same time. It reminded me a bit of my parents and the way I used to be. It was saddening.

He suddenly pressed closer and excused himself from knighthood and I from being a damsel in distress. I really didn't understand why I asked him those two things, but something was nagging at my sub-conscience that, for some reason, Mat couldn't be a knight and I couldn't be a D.I.D.

He picked me up and laid me back down on the bed, kissing me while asking what I was going to do with him. I smiled and giggled a little. I was in his arms again, one of the few places I felt safe, and that was really all I should be worried about.

"Well," I said, giggling a little, "I was thinking I'd just have to bloody you." Wink wink. "But, then again, if you let me go, I may just have to bloody you in another sense of the word entirely. And, you wouldn't have the chance to expierience all those enjoyable little things I told you about in the hallway."

I played with his hair a little, thinking back to the last time I had been telling him to never let me go. That had been five years ago, when I was boarding the plane to England and leaving Mat behind. I told him to never let me go because I didn't want to leave him behind. He said that he'd be with me again in just a few days. We didn't know anything about how wrong he was.

"Besides, I'm not leaving you behind this time. I can't let myself."

[Matrim Aldon]

He looked at her and kissed her again and again. She wanted to be with him that was all he had ever wanted, to be with her and have a family he had been robbed the first 5 years of that only thing he wanted but would just have to play catch up until he had made atonement for his absence.

He held her closer in his arms and spun around so he was beneath her but still had her close to his body never wanting to leave her ever again. He kissed her lips again lingering his lips on her own. He then slowed it to where it felt like an eternity before he had taken his lips from her own making her want to chase after them.

Then he looked up at her, into her beautiful royal blue eyes and smiled. A happy smile, a sad smile, and a weak smile all rolled into one, he had been happy he was finally with his family once again, sad that it took him this long to know of them and weak because he felt like he was going to cry for not being there to protect and care for them.

He then pulled her closer still bringing his head to the side of hers where his lips were a hair breath away from her ear. He then said something to her that he hadn't said to her in 5 long years. "I love you Emma...With all my heart and soul and being. You are the small dwindling lap in the encroaching darkness and I'll do anything to keep you safe and alive to stay with me as long as I live." he said softly. It was a bit melancoly for what they would be doing soon but it was how he felt.

He couldn't imagine life without Emma, without Emma he would be on a path to self destruction, without Emma he wouldn't have Elayne, without Emma...He'd have died years ago, without Emma...It would have been darkness all around corrupting and killing him slowly until there was nothing left to kill. He could never let anything bad happen to Emma or Elayne, they were his life now, and he'd give anything and everything to make them happy.

[Nurse Emma]

"And I love you as well. And I will never let you go."

---------------------------------

We slept, holding on to each other and we were both smiling in our sleep. I didn't want the night to end. I wanted time to stop eternally just so I could stay with him and never have to leave. I wanted to never again have to worry, 'is this the last time I'll see him again?' I wanted so much. And that night held it all.

I woke up with a jump, my dreaming of a memory scaring me. I panicked for a few seconds, not realizing, not remembering. My eyes flew around in the darkness, my breath coming fast and weak. Then, my hand felt the flesh on his chest and I relaxed as I remembered again. Mat was here. Mat was with me again.

"Mat," I whispered, "I need to talk to you. Wake up. I just remembered something that could be very bad for us if Elayne thinks to connect the dots."

Mere months ago, the anniversary of Mat being gone for five years, I had told Elayne the story of how we met, Mat being a knight in shining armor and I, a damsel in distress. I pushed the barrier between fact in fiction and ended up telling the story until I realized that Elayne was fast asleep and my story had reached the end of my time with Mat.

"I told her that story. It was just a little different. She may not remember all of it, but I know I told her that story." Then, I realized something else. I knew this was probably the best time too. "And I need to know, what did Micha do? What happened?"