Part 21 (2/2)

*Matt, my husband had a vasectomy. The baby isn't his.'

Matt just stares at her, uncomprehending, until the expression on his face conveys that he understands what she is saying, or, rather, what she is saying by saying nothing at all.

Chapter Thirty-Two.

Grateful he didn't ask whether she was sure, Gabby steers the car up Post Road, checking in her rear-view mirror that Matt, in his rental car, is still behind her. She thought about offering him a ride, but she needed some time alone to think about what just happened, so, instead, she quietly suggested leading him back to her house to meet Henry.

She knows now that her mother was absolutely right in advising her to contact Matt. Gabby had been so afraid of having anything to do with him, with this man she had turned into a powerful demonic figure. In her mind he had become the wicked person solely responsible for breaking up her marriage; she was terrified that he would also destroy the new happiness she had found with the baby. She knew that she wouldn't be able to lose that, to have Henry taken from her.

As she drives she almost laughs with relief that her fears were so way out of proportion.

In all the possible scenarios, never had she imagined him to be so ... calm. He was, he said, *blown away', but not unhappily so. *A son,' he kept repeating. *A son!' He was boyishly bewildered, incredulous that he had managed to create another life.

And instinctively Gabby knew he wouldn't fight her for custody, or try to steal Henry. She had the strong feeling that Matt would play a part in Henry's life, but that it wouldn't be a bad thing.

Seeing Matt behind her, concentrating on following her, she has a sudden vision of Henry as a small boy, holding Matt's hand, splas.h.i.+ng in the water and learning to surf.

She is there, watching, as the matriarch. Perhaps his girlfriend will be there too, in the water with them, but she will not be threatened by Gabby. Gabby has no designs on Matt.

Seeing him today, without the rose-coloured gla.s.ses of obsession and intoxication she once wore whenever he was around, she is able to enjoy his youthful enthusiasm, his guileless charm.

Quite how they will figure this out, with her on the east coast, him on the west, remains to be seen, but Gabby is curiously content with his reaction, with the knowledge that he wants to be involved.

*You're back so soon!' Her mother's voice comes from the kitchen. *Henry's upstairs sleeping. How was it? How did he a'

*Mum! We're here. He, Matt, is here.' Gabby shoots Matt an apologetic grin as she leads him through to the kitchen.

*Oh!' Natasha stands up. *Gosh. You are tall. I'm Gabby's mother, Natasha de Roth. How do you do?' She extends a hand as Matt smiles awkwardly.

*It's nice to meet you, Mrs de Roth. Are you staying here for long?'

*Call me Natasha,' she says. *And you don't have to make small talk with me. Questions like that always make me think of the Queen. Do you know that at her garden parties she's reported to always ask people, ”Have you travelled far?” She asks the same thing over and over again. Can you imagine? I'd rather kill myself. I'd much rather ask someone what's their favourite car, or what would be their movie-star name.'

*Nineteen fifty-six Porsche Speedster. George Lazenby.'

*You can't have George Lazenby,' Natasha says, her eyes sparkling with delight. *It's taken.'

*I know. But you have to admit it's the perfect name. Most people my age have no idea that there ever was a George Lazenby, so I could easily steal it.'

*True. And a nineteen fifty-six Porsche Speedster sounds glamorous. And expensive.'

Matt grins. *It is. Both.'

*Okay, you two,' Gabby says. *We're going to go upstairs. How long has Henry been asleep?'

*Almost two hours. Go on up.'

Gabby motions for Matt to lead the way through the door, but her mother grabs her arm and pulls her back to whisper furiously in her ear, *He's adorable!'

Gabby just smiles and shakes her head, detaching herself, then she and Matt go upstairs.

*I'm so scared I'll drop him.' Matt has a look of terror on his face when Gabby offers him Henry.

*You'll be fine.' She shows him how to support the baby's head, then sits down next to him on the bed as they both gaze at their son.

*Wow!' Matt's voice is low and soft. *I think he looks like me. Don't you think he has my eyes?' Henry is staring up at his father. *I think he knows me. Hi, little dude. Do you know who I am? I'm your daddy.' He is filled with wonder, and Gabby has sudden memories of when Olivia was born.

Each of her children's births was awesome, but none quite so magical nor overwhelming as the first. The first time she held Olivia she couldn't tear her eyes from her, wanting to drink her in, unable to believe this mysterious, magnificent creature had grown inside her body, had been created by her.

Matt feels it too. The awe at the life he has created. When he finally turns his head to look at Gabby there are tears in his eyes, and a lump in his throat.

*He's amazing,' he whispers. *I can't believe it.'

*I know,' she says.

Just then the front door bangs open and, with shock, she hears the girls come in from school, their footsteps thumping on the stairs as they scramble up to see their brother.

Olivia is first, and she pulls up short, the smile wiped off her face as she stares at this strange man holding her baby brother. Alanna, coming up next, still smiles but is curious as to who this man is, this man cradling Henry in her mother's bedroom.

*Hi?' Olivia's greeting is a question.

Gabby immediately thinks of her mother saying absolute clarity is called for. No more lies; no more evasion.

*Hi, girls,' she says warily. *I'd like you to meet someone. This is Matt.' She takes a deep breath. *This is Henry's father.'

*Wow. Hi!' Alanna comes in and bends down to inspect her brother, completely unfazed by this information, but Olivia stays in the doorway, her eyes narrowing as she glares at Matt.

*Olivia?' Gabby prompts. *Please come in and say h.e.l.lo properly.'

But Olivia says nothing. She whirls round and stalks down the hallway, and the next thing to be heard is the slamming of her bedroom door.

Gabby is mortified. *I'm so sorry,' she says, turning to Matt. *I don't know why she was so rude.'

*Yes, you do,' Matt says, because as lunch progressed he learned the remainder of the story about her marriage breaking up due to the pregnancy. *It's understandable. She blames me.'

*I'll go and talk to her. Are you okay being here with the baby?'

His face lights up. *You don't mind leaving me with him?'

*Can you handle it?'

*If you can.' He looks nervous. *What do I do if he cries?'

<script>