Love Hurts

Chapter 12

- Christina's POV -

I woke up the next morning wrapped in Matt's arms. I sighed as I pushed myself up from the bed. I walked down stairs and found Rachel sitting at the kitchen counter, drinking some coffee.

"Morning." I yawned.

"Hey." She said, offering a half-smile.

"Where's mom?" I asked, taking a seat beside her.

"Sleeping."

"Right." I nodded.

"So," She said, stirring her coffee, "What happened with Matt?"

"Well, we talked and we're staying together. You know, just moving past everything that happened."

"I gotta say, Chrissy. . .I'm really disappointed in you." She sighed, as she stood up and began to walk away.

"Rach, wait." I said.

She stopped walking and turned around to face me, "After everything that happened with mom. With us. I mean, I was too young to even remember what happened, but you saw everything Christina. You saw what it did do her. You shouldn't let it happen to you."

"It's not happening to me! Matt is nothing like dad. And honestly, Rachel, I'm not going to sit here and listen to you tell me what to do with my life."

"Fine. I won't bother you anymore!" She said, stomping out the room.

"Fine!" I shouted, throwing her coffee mug in the sink, glass shattering everywhere.

I slumped down onto the floor and started to cry. What Rachel said overwhelmed me. All the memories of my early childhood came rushing back to me, and it's a lot to take in, especially all at once.

After about ten minutes of crying, I stood up and walked out the house, grabbing my car keys along the way. I drove myself to the recording studio where I sat and began to write notes.

"Christina?" I heard a voice ask, as I looked up.

"Yeah?"

"You're early." The person said. As they walked a little closer I noticed it was my producer, Dave.

"I just needed to get out the house a little quicker today." I sighed.

Dave raised an eyebrow as he looked me over, "Yeah, I can tell. You literally look like you just woke up."

"Oh, shut up." I laughed.

"Alright, you keep doing whatever it is that you're doing and just tell me when you're ready to start." He said, before walking out the room and shutting the door.

----

When I arrived home later that day the house was strangely quiet. I wandered up stairs to find Matt sitting in bed on his phone.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Your mom went out and Rachel took Max to the park."

I nodded as I walked over to bed and sat down next to him.

"You left early this morning." He said.

"I had a fight with Rachel so I just needed to get out."

"Are you ok now?" He asked, as he put his phone down and turned to me.

"Yeah." I nodded. "I'm fine."

"Good." He said, kissing me on the top of the head.

I smiled at Matt as I moved in to give him a kiss but stopped when our door burst open and Max came running into the room.

"Mommy!" He yelled, jumping on the bed and into my arms.

"Hey, baby." I said, hugging him tightly.

"Guess who me and Auntie Rachel brought home with us." He grinned.

"Who?" I asked, laughing at his over-the-top enthusiasm.

"Uncle Mikey!" He exclaimed.

My eyes widened as I had totally forgotten that Rachel was getting Mikey from the airport today.

I made no sound or movement as Max studied my face. He raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Aren't you excited?"

I quickly snapped out of it as I smiled at Max, "Of course I am. Now, let's go down stairs and give him a big hug." I said, getting off my bed and extending my hand to Max. He wrapped his small hand around mine immediately as we made our way towards the door.

I stopped about half way and turned back to Matt, "You coming?" I asked.

He shook his head, "I think I'm just going to stay here."

I rolled my eyes, "You can't hide up here forever, Matt."

He didn't say anything in reply so I just continued to walk out the room with Max. As we got to the bottom of the stairs I froze. Both Rachel and Mikey were standing there with their arms crossed and deadly serious expressions on their faces.

"Christina, it's time for a sibling intervention." Rachel said.

"I don't need an intervention." I said firmly.

"You do. Trust me." Rachel said.

I stayed silent for a moment before looking down at Max.

"Honey, you run up stairs and hang out with Matt." I smiled, as Max nodded and ran off.

"Let's talk." Rachel said, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the living room with Mikey close behind.