Matthew's POV
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHp1tPaZmM
It's much the same as it always was after months and months away from them all, the sun still shines over their personal paradise. The birds still chirp and the olive trees still sway in the breeze. The water shimmering in their private pool, an entirely different blue to the water in London. Jay Gilbert Scott firing up a BBQ shirtless, Ross helping Taylor out at any opportunity he gets. Christopher eyeing me like I'm a threat, I see past his easy breezy exterior as he plays with the toddlers. Bouncing on the bouncy castle like he's the party entertainer, Jay's new best bud.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OCghYUrnJ
Rachel eyeing me inquisitively, it's honestly uncalled for, it's not like I have my hand under the table resting on Taylor's thighs like I would love too. However my staring at Taylor is not the reason for Rachel's inquisitiveness as I charm Taylor's mother and speak with her about London. Rachel's eyes lingering over my suit jacket that is slung over a chair and my Aston Martin car keys. The white shirt I have on unbuttoned slightly as she wonders.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu30M5bkzk
It's feasible to come to the conclusion that I'm different, from the suit and the sophisticated look. Jay hasn't yet acknowledged me, apart from the eyes wide stare he gave me once I walked in behind his wife earlier. Like I never left his perfect little family life. Gilbert Scott has kept his physique and I couldn't help but to notice a new tattoo on his side, one I couldn't quite decipher from so far away.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafmfISEhiV
"Matthew you have a place now?" Rachel asks slowly from across the table. Of course seen as she married a rich guy she considers herself above me. The difference between the two of us of course is that I earn my money. The luxuries that I can afford are well earned rather than handed to me by some familial allegiance or by a rich partner.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCC1Z1GuVr
"I have a Manor House" I say smiling at Taylor's mother who congratulates me instantly. Taylor nods she has seen pictures before anybody else knew where I would be in the world. She fastens her straps tighter on her crimson bikini and rubs the bump.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLt8nXMyTD
I track her movements as Taylor's mother swipes through my phone looking at my home, eyeing me curiously at the shots of Taylor that I still have from our relationship in my gallery. My eyes focus on Taylor's hips sashaying over to Jay as she leans on his shoulder. Watching him kiss her still sets off a pang of jealousy, Ross rolls his eyes at me as I stare forward again.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm0AfkCgRS
"Mattheuuw" Henry garbles appearing by my side as I smile down at him and he climbs up to my lap. Henry had called me clearly by name the second he saw me, my mind baffling over his size and his absolute likeness to his father. How he can now run and is beginning to talk. It had astounded me to watch him sitting with Rachel eating on his own and how he said Grazie to Claire, Jay's mother, thanking her for his plate of food.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPYByvnNZt
"You must be so proud of your accomplishments Matthew" Taylor's mother, Evelyn announces and I nod looking at Taylor again. Evelyn follows my eye-line and smiles softly. I tickle Henry as he wriggles and hugs me giggling.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1On1xV7Dy
"Turns out I'm pretty good at photography" I quip as Ross begins talking about New York. Glad of the break I lean forward and place Henry in Evelyn's capable hands before biting the bullet and addressing the man of this farmhouse. Jay Gilbert Scott and I will never totally see eye to eye ever again since his marriage to the love of my life however it is important that I speak with him at least. The other toddlers have left along with their parents and the sun is beginning to dip below the horizon line.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGP7PQyeuS
"Jay, how are you" I say casually as he turns placing the prongs down and embracing me. It takes me utterly by surprise as I hug him back and Taylor eyes me from over his shoulder. The bouncy castle deflates behind her and Christopher waltzes over.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSlfmSeifM
"How are you man? We haven't heard from you in ages" Jay says looking over my pristine white shirt and smiling from ear to ear.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25K3c4YJ26
"I’ll deal with the bouncy castle man" Chris calls out and Jay nods to him placing his arm around Taylor.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WNipGKPxY
"I'm good, new house and new surroundings. Hey you got a new tat" I laugh and he gazes down at the scrawl that says Henry over his ribs.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx9MMsqfvJ
"Yeah man" he says looking at me before checking that Taylor is okay. He brushes her waist as she pants slightly and my eyes widen.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj63VWDtGP
"We're having a home birth don't be alarmed Matthew I've got it all under control" Taylor smiles breathing steadily again as I eye her.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKb2728YcM
"Like not on the kitchen floor type more prepared this time" Jay laughs easily and I smile reminding myself of how Henry was born a year ago at his baby shower in California.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk7DhFfj1t
"Hey we may have them sharing a birthday at this rate" Jay laughs along with Taylor.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYZYzbvkr6
"Stop it labour is much more painful I'm nowhere near that level yet" she giggles as I watch her, in all of my time away I could never quite imagine her beauty. Lips that are parted slightly as she smiles and eyes that glow. My art books have remained untouched since my departure from her life; but now as I gaze upon her with the sun setting I can just imagine the portrait I would draw.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDNcstABef
"How's London man?" Jay asks when I tap back into their conversation again, his eyes imploring me to stop staring at her. The music booms and Taylor smiles looking over at Rachel as she moves her hips appreciatively at the switch up from the baby tunes.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKH0rstoy2
"Ugh yeah London is good. I'm ugh" I begin trying to keep my eyes off of her as Jay watches me. Attempting to clear my brain of thoughts of her and the amount of times I've kissed her and held her, I look up at him and he grins at me self righteously. I almost look at him apologetically until he scoffs and holds her in his possessive hands, aware of his success in keeping her to himself.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2oFDX5Fvm
"My darling we need to do presents" Taylor announces looking between both of our faces as Chris lights up the outdoor fire pits. A warm orange glow illuminates the space as she strokes his hair back and he finally looks from my eyes to her own, resolving to ditch our long term feud over who Taylor loves more.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4LnU6eSHh
"Let's do that now honey" he whispers grinning at her, it's a new term of endearment. The kind of name a man calls his wife. Taylor skips ahead; her brunette locks reaching her hips, light caramel highlights swirling into waves down her spine. The way in which she moves is both sexy and carefree, her skin has taken on the Italian sunshine and I eye her before Jay clears his throat next to me.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3IYDvtaxI
"You got it all man" I whisper not knowing what possesses me, he laughs and I smile.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ASYyWk6oW
"Oh I got it all" he jibes back laughing slightly as I shake my head and take a seat back down next to Evelyn.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVboCqhL1P
Henry and his blonde curls, dressed in his dungarees excitedly pulls paper off of the packages. Taylor assisting him as he enjoys himself. Seated on an expansive outdoor cushion as she leans back joking that she will never be able to get back up from it. The gifts Henry receives are rather extravagant and he hasn't even touched the ones from his immediate family. They range from designer baby clothes which he finds very amusing to tickets to adventure parks abroad. Taylor scoops up each gift and notes down the sender presumably to thank them. I begin to question whether he will enjoy the mini state of the art fully working grand piano that I brought him. One thing is for sure nobody else has purchased him anything like it, so at least it will be memorable.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt57UWWQVp
"This one's from Matthew darling" Taylor lets him know as he toddles over to me arms outstretched hugging me.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ln0LfUteJ
"Mattthueew" he smiles and I giggle hugging him back before encouraging him to pull open the large satin bows on the package.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0knEePRx1
"It's a..." Jay smiles standing behind Taylor as she assists Henry to open up his present.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhObkZLTdYx
"Yes!" Taylor smiles and looks up at me.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA47ynp98CL
"A grand piano" she smiles and I nod.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY0AwVqX41
"I just figured something different- he might enjoy it" I blush and he giggles hugging me.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtW76kWlcq
"It's beautiful thank you for buying him something creative" Taylor smiles at me as Jay claps me on the back.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1mMbEDTW
The grand piano is a sight when it's assembled, crimson red with white and ebony keys and a small stool for him to sit on. Henry climbs on top of the stool and tinkers away at the keys with a small smile over his angelic lips.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4wbYqyjRq
"Hey he's pretty good" Ross smiles as Henry gets carried away deserting his other presents and playing with the keys.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJoM54VAC8
Taylor rubs my back just once as she passes me watching him play with his new present and whispers a thank you before plating up some food and handing me it.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic8VOqkHQx
"Eat I suppose you haven't had proper meals in months" she smiles.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfKCEIruX0
"And you" she smirks looking up at Ross.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrbS0ARM4p
"Taylor the food is beautiful thank-you" Ross smiles as she goes to sit next to him, directly opposite me at the glass patio table.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXrdf4f4gg
"That's totally true too" I smile watching her briefly as she takes a seat, how she folds her legs under the table and the small blush to her cheeks.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKX8c2wZXF
"What have you been eating?" She teases me and I smile slightly imagining Charlotte's cooking, how we order food into the apartment and I end up ignoring her.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviHdeCpzZt
"Takeout" I sigh and she gasps as Ross admits to eating noodles daily.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr6zR4VGSg
"Guys nutrition-it's important" she smiles as I stand and collect plates and cutlery intent on loading the dishwasher. Jay thanks me for the loud musical birthday present before prizing Henry away from the piano and taking him inside to the kitchen.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIowG9JxKWA
"Bedtime you crazy one year old" Jay laughs as Henry giggles from the tickles. I had never pictured him to be a family man, yet watching him tickle his son and smile I cannot help but to be happy for him.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWIpI5CwO9
"Goodnight Henry" I smile watching him in Jay's arms. Jay's hair is a touch darker than Henry's, but their eyes are the same.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWSDYNs5Xa
"Matteuuw" Henry giggles eyeing me from his daddy's embrace.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQED9DZNrhV
"Made his and her day man, turning up" Jay says easily before handing me my godson. I eye him wondering where he is rivalry is, his opposition to me being good for Taylor. Standing under the large kitchen lights I let Henry play with my hair and snuggle into my chest as Jay finishes off the cleaning.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHvcKIs9Hq
"What!? I'm not a monster" he laughs looking at my shocked expression.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdslDd7n0Mo
"I ugh know how much she misses you and Ross, honestly, and I'm not jealous of that anymore. I have my family. They happen to love you too dude" he smirks and I laugh wondering what the catch is. Watching him wipe down the sides and load up a steriliser for bottles, I'm sure that he's prepping for baby number two.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdHbydUOus
"Jesus Matthew we were friends once is it unheard of for me to be nice to you" he laughs as Henry calls for his daddy and I hand him back after kissing his forehead.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic1ZMQVk2b
"Tato tots" Henry squeals as Jay eyes him mischievously.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SdFGefMXN
"If I feed you more potato tots Henry your mother will get cross at us for you eating so late when you should be sleeping" he laughs and I shake my head unbelieving at how good he is as a father.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB913ugpoeo
"Mama milk" Henry declares half sobbing suddenly from being told there will be no potatoes past eight pm.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8zwFDbwRS
"You're a big one year old now, no mama milk. Here" he smiles walking him over to the fridge.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYexG5I8bN
"Look don't tell your mama I'll even put cocoa powder in your milk" Jay laughs showing him a carton of milk and pouring some into a sippy cup.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzREmjS3ZYe
"One teaspoon" he smiles as Henry watches him with heavy eyes of wonder. Shaking the milk up he hands Henry the cup and he sips pleased. I watch as his heavy eyes close and open again staring at Jay pleased.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vaBZQKJhF
"Dadda" he whispers before his eyes shut and Jay whispers that he loves him.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB2uth2fpg
"I missed you a little" Jay quips eyeing me briefly and I scoff pushing my hair back and following him up the large staircase to place Henry to bed. The bedroom, full of soft animals and a light up projector that illuminates stars over the ceiling, is every young child's dream. Jay places him down and I smile watching him tuck his most precious treasure into bed, his son. Over all of the money and the cars, the fancy houses and the Rolex's, his son is his absolute life.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEXbiNfvhn
"Missed you too man" I whisper looking up at him poignantly. After all of these years, I missed who he was, the boy I once knew who was kind and who cared for his mother after her miscarriages. The boy before he turned cold and unfeeling. The person who was my childhood friend.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo51XiHCDiX
"Now come on let's go make sure Taylor hasn't given birth on the kitchen floor again" Jay laughs after a brief nod. His face utterly calm as we travel down the steps, a baby monitor in his hands.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jh31nfXXM
The hall opens up to the open plan kitchen and the first thing I notice is that the music has been turned down.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NGfO64Z8Q
"Okay okay you got this" I hear over the quietened music. Ross' voice as he reassures and calms down Taylor's crying. Jay doesn't think he doesn't even hesitate he bounds into the kitchen. I watch him run to her bare chested like the world stops for him when she is around. Taking in the scene ahead of me; Taylor propped up on Ross' lap as he holds onto her hands and she squeezes them tightly as she pushes. Rachel at her side and Chris quaking in his boots.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLwzTaCSPg
"Mon amour you love doing this to me" Jay laughs scooping his hair back and pulling his phone out of his jeans pocket.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxIKdwueoG
"Love you; why is it always the kitchen floor" she smiles as I giggle slightly.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKGy3Q7AFd
"Please you spend far too much time in the kitchen" Jay laughs as the phone call connects.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5uwfDpvIw
"Can you get me up to the pool Ross" she asks him as he strokes her hair back.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrdS72Ab0D
"Looks like they will share a birthday after all" she quips huffing before she pushes again. Chris’s eyes boggle as we proceed to take her up stairs and I begin to wonder just how ready he is to be somebodies father.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf2mg7B3yQ
"Here" Ross smiles eyeing me as I place my arms around her to steady her.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbyKQluIGZ
"Valeria" Jay says slowly down the cell phone.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnINmkZOQWx
"It's time" he smirks before placing the phone in his pocket and aiding us in transporting Taylor up to her private pool where she will once again bring life into the world.
ns3.147.2.160da2
