"Lost & Found" (Revised for Wattpad), by Gratiana Lovelace, (2014) (Completed)

Ch. 16 (PG-13, S): Jocelyn and Matthew Talk

Matthew:  “Jocelyn, Aunt Madge is very sorry now about how she over reacted about us.”

Jocelyn:  “Yes, she told me at the intermission when we ran into each other unexpectedly.  It was quite a coincidence that we would both be at the same performance of your play.”

The corners of Matthews mouth rise ever so slightly, beginning to curl into a endearing smile[(4) right], thinks Jocelyn.

Matthew:  “Haven’t you heard, Jocelyn?  There are no coincidences.”   

Jocelyn:  With a small smile, Jocelyn sighs.  “Yes.  I suppose that I shouldn’t have gone to your final performance today since I’m going home to the States after the New Year, but I wanted to get a glimpse of you one last time, Matthew.”

Jocelyn doesn’t want to presume that just because she and Matthew kissed, that they can build a life together.  Except, that is exactly Matthew’s viewpoint.

Matthew:  “Why are you leaving Jocelyn?  Now that we have found each other again, won’t you stay?”

Jocelyn wants to stay in England, and with Matthew, but she feels that her pregnancy might be too much responsibility too soon for him--even though he seems fully recovered.  So Jocelyn demures. 

Jocelyn:  “I would like to stay Matthew, but I have to go home because …”  Jocelyn stops herself.  How does she tell him that she is pregnant with his child?  But, it turns out, she does not have to.

Matthew:  “Jocelyn, I know that we only knew each other for five days and that we only shared our love with each other twice.  But, we started something beautiful together and I want us to be a couple, Jocelyn.”  Matthew sees the tears in Jocelyn’s eyes that mirror his own tears.  “Besides, won’t it be easier for you to stay in England if you have a partner, me, as you await your baby’s birth?  Our baby’s birth?”

Jocelyn:  Jocelyn gasps.  “Hhh!  But how did you …?”  Jocelyn looks at Matthew searching, longingly, and lovingly.

Matthew:  Enfolding her in his arms he says   “You forget, Jocelyn, that I had ...  I had a wife and child before.”  Matthew says with a wavering voice as he tears up thinking about the tragic death of his family over two years ago.  “I remember what it’s like to kiss and to hug a pregnant woman.  Please don't leave me.” 

Then, of course, Matthew kisses Jocelyn sweetly, then tenderly, then adoringly, then passionately.  And, Jocelyn responds to Matthew, sweetly, then tenderly, then adoringly, and then passionately.  They pull back from each other with a renewed hope about their futures, together.  Matthew tentatively places his hand upon Jocelyn’s pregnant stomach. And Jocelyn covers his hand with hers. 

At just starting her fifth month, Jocelyn is still not that far along to feel the baby move. But it won’t be long.  So for now,  Matthew lightly caresses Jocelyn’s tummy for the precious gift it carries--their child.  In a little while their meals arrive, but they are not hungry—they are too focused on each other and what the future will bring.

Matthew:  “Why don’t we put our food in to go boxes and take them back to my flat where we can talk more privately while we eat.”  He also thinks, where they can share their love with each other.  Jocelyn nods at him and so they leave to go to Matthew’s home.

***

After walking into Matthew’s flat and putting their food in the fridge for now--neither of them have an appetite--Matthew guides Jocelyn over to the couch in front of the fireplace and they sit down together.  The open floor plan and high ceilings give this two bedroom loft flat the feel of spaciousness.   While its painted burgundy brick walls and wood and leather furniture definitely have a masculine feel to them.  It is still only 6:00pm.