"Mum, how is everything? Is she ok?"

"Genevieve," Christina sighed through the phone. "It's been nearly four weeks since I told you about the accident, and you've rung every day since. It's not like I don't like talking to you, but everything is fine. You've got to stop worrying."

"Yeah, I know, but..."

"Genevieve!" Her mother interrupted, voice tinged with a stern edge, "Everything is fine. Jillie is fine, the car is totaled but I already told you she wasn't seriously hurt. The other driver is fine. The baby is fine. You know all this – I told you yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. If you're that concerned, why don't you come down? I'm sure Jillie would love to see you"

Genevieve sighed, cupping the phone with her shoulder as she rubbed her temples. "I know you've told me. You just never know with these things. There could be internal bleeding, or..."

"She went to the doctor for another checkup yesterday, and the baby is fine," Christina interrupted. "Does that settle your mind?"

Genevieve nodded to herself, "It does ma. Thanks."

"So why don't you come down and visit, even if it's just for the weekend. We'd all love to see you, especially your dad. Jillie and Brad have been asking about you too!" Christina asked, hope filling her voice.

Genevieve blew her nose and lay back onto the couch. "I'm sorry ma, I can't. With Christmas around the corner, we're swamped at work, plus I'm putting in more hours at the actual home with the kids – you know how hard it gets this time of year for some of them."

She heard her mother inhale as though about to start lecturing her, when she continued, "I'm also really under the weather. A bunch of the kids at the home have the flu, and I think I'm coming down with a cold. I don't really want to expose Jillie to anything nasty, especially if she can't take medication right now."

She could tell her mother wasn't accepting this, but to her relief, she heard her say, "Ok darling. Take care of yourself ok? Lots of fluids." Christina paused for a moment, "Would you like me to come up for a few days honey? I could visit, make sure everything is ok?"

"No mum, I'm fine. Honestly." She sniffled and sneezed a few times. "If it gets worse, I'll take some sick days, and just chill on the couch with some Gilmore Girls. Does that work for you?"

"Well, I know I'm not going to change your mind, so I guess that will have to do. I just wish you would visit us a little more."

Genevieve sighed again, and wheezed out a cough. "I know mum. I'll try visiting over Christmas. But it just doesn't feel right to be selfish like that. So many of these kids have no one else, ma."

"Honey, there is only so much you can do before you wear yourself out. Look at you now - you sound like you can barely get out of bed. Are you really helping the kids this way?"

"Look mum, I'm tired and I need to rest up for work tomorrow. I'll call you soon."

"But Gen..."

"Bye mum," Genevieve interrupted abruptly, before hanging up the phone, tossing it onto the coffee table and pulling the blanket tighter around her.

---

It had been close to four weeks since that day Genevieve had rushed out of the shop, and Matt had felt that she was finally beginning to get comfortable here. Not just around him, but also around Mark, and more importantly, the shop. Once she had begun to warm up, he found her to be quite good company. Three or so times a week she would bring them all coffee, and after the first week, had begun to hang around for a chat. She would sit at the table with him and Mark, and the three of them would have discussions on whatever had happened during their day, current events, random thoughts and general pleasant conversations; occasionally if she was in a good mood, Karen would join in the discussions.

Matt even thought that Mark enjoyed her company. Sometimes he'd bring her into his workshop to show her a new design he was working on, and that always caused a flicker of jealousy to run through Matt. Although he was certain there was no interest on either of their ends, Matt still felt, very minutely of course, a small claim over her. There was nothing between them though. He already knew her opinions on dating and love, and that was fine with him. That didn't mean he couldn't enjoy her company. She was a breath of fresh air around this place that it had sorely needed for a long time, or at least Mark had hinted so a few times.

He was in his studio pulling out inkpots for his next client when Mark strolled up and casually leaned in the doorway, "What did you do to Genevieve?"

Matt spun around, eyebrow raised. "Say what?"

Mark folded his arms and frowned at Matt, "She was doing coffee runs three times a week, sometimes more. And she always stopped and got the good doughnuts. She hasn't been around all week. Did you go ape on her again man?" He asked with a pout.

Matt couldn't help but laugh at his friend's face, but as he thought about it, he frowned. Monday he had definitely noticed she wasn't there, Wednesday he thought she was probably just swamped at work, but he knew she had definitely said she always finished early on Fridays. "I'm not sure. I didn't do anything."

Mark raised an eyebrow at him.

"I swear. You were here the whole time. I didn't say anything wrong!" Matt paused, "I think."

Mark frowned as he straightened up, "You better not have. I liked having her around her. She made your sorry ass more enjoyable to be around, that's for sure."

---

It was well after seven o'clock when Matt waved off Karen and locked the door. As he rounded the shop to head up the staircase to his apartment – he'd been meaning to install a staircase inside for so long, he'd just never had the chance to – he stopped. He looked up to his empty apartment, then back at the street. He knew nothing was waiting for him at home, so he thought he might drop in at Genevieve's; just for a little visit, to see how see how she was doing. After all, that's what friends did.

As he walked towards the apartment building, the warm sunset illuminated his shadow as he walked down the street. He had always wondered what it would be like to have a glittering, icy Christmas, surrounded by a fireplace and a family... But then again, he had forgotten what it was like to have a family. Sure, he had Mark, and his parents were great, he had a littering of friends around, and somewhere he had Nick. Nicky...

He shook his head, trying to erase that thought from his mind. He never thought about Nicky, because it just reminded him how truly empty his world was.

But he wasn't alone - he had Mark. He thanked God every day for Mark. He also had Genevieve - well he felt like he did. He had grown so used to her presence in the short time she had been around, that he had been really surprised that he'd missed it. It was as though he'd had important thing to remember, but he just couldn't put his finger on the thought - it was unpleasant and uncomfortable that it was gone.

As he was about to head up the steps to the door, he paused. What if the reason she hadn't been around was that she'd met someone? That she'd just been around to fill up her empty hours until something better came along?

Matt shook his head as he pushed open the door, reassuring himself of what he already knew. Genevieve was a lost soul who didn't trust the idea of closeness and reliance on another, and she had already mentioned that it was a big step warming up to him.

Cautiously, he knocked on the door he thought was hers, and waited. He waited for a good minute or so before deciding she wasn't home. As he was about to turn away, the door opened, and there stood Genevieve wrapped in a blanket, hair in a messy bun, and as pale as a cloudy sky.

"Mattie?" She croaked, in a raspy voice. "What are you doing here?"

Matt's eyes were wide, looking at the sickly form in front of him. "Mark and I were worried when you didn't show this week. I thought I'd check on you" he paused, then gently pushed his way in and led her in. "Let's get you back to bed."

She gave a small smile, but broke out a wheezy cough, leading him to a burrow she had formed on her couch. "I've been helping out with the kids at the home - living in a shared house is great until someone gets sick. All of a sudden there are 30 kids with the flu, and wouldn't you know it," she paused, coughing again, "I had to get it too. Of course I'd get sick right before Christmas."

She lay down on the couch, and looked at him where he had remained standing. She gave him a weak smile and said, "It's awfully kind of you to check on me, but I'm ok. You should go. I don't want you to get sick."

He didn't say anything, but assessed the living room. Whilst she was propped up on what looked like a mountain of pillows under a solid amount of blankets, she had piles of tissues strewn around, a near empty water bottle, and an empty plate beside her. He frowned, "When was the last time you ate?"

She coughed again and cleared her throat, "I'm not too hungry. Just sleepy."

He looked around for a moment, before asking, do you mind if I tidy up a little for you?"

She shook her head, but before she could speak, he grinned at her. "If I'm not here, I'll be doing nothing at home. The least you could do as a friend is let me chill here."

She rolled her eyes with a slight smile as she lay back into her pillows. He bustled around, straightening things, discarding trash, and all around tiding - one thing that being in his own for so long had taught him was that a messy house unfortunately wasn't going to clean itself.

He looked over towards Genevieve and noticed her eyes closed and her deep breathing, so he headed into the kitchen. He returned to the living room a few moments later with a sandwich and a big glass of water, and set the on the table.

Matt hesitated for a moment, before sitting on the edge of the couch, and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, "Gen?"

She opened her eyes sleepily, "Mattie? What are you still doing here?"

He held up the glass of water, "You need to drink, honey. You'll feel much better once we get some fluids into you."

She shook her head at first, but then thirstily gulped down the water as he held the glass to her lips. She sighed and settled back into her pillows, "Thanks"

He smiled at her, and she coughed again, before looking up at him, "Thank you. For coming to check on me, I mean. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime," he paused, holding his hand to her forehead to feel her temperature. He frowned, "You're a little hot, honey. You wanna put some food in there to get the engine fired up?"

She shook her head, but took his hand and squeezed it. As soft as it was, she felt clammy and still warm, causing him to frown again. She didn't notice though. She threaded her fingers through his and traced the outline of the apple on his hand. "You're amazing, you know that?" she asked, voice slightly less raspy than before.

Matt shook his head, but didn't retract his hand. Giving her a smile, he admitted, "Anyone would have done it."

This time, it was Genevieve that shook her head, "No they wouldn't have." She paused, looking down at his hands again, "I don't know why you've been so good to me."

---

Thanks to everyone who has been reading, commenting and favouriting the story! I really appreciate all of you, and I love hearing your feedback :)

What do you think of my cover? It was made the amazing @Crazy_Stalker, and it's pretty much what I had imagined a young Matt to look like! Speaking of looks, would you be interested in possibly seeing a cast list of what I imagine the character's are looking like in my head?

Lastly, I've posted a synopsis of a new series idea I've had, called the Tennessee Boys. Go check it out and tell me what you think of the idea!

Love you all,

G xx