Chapter 29

They were all alerted by the contrasting waves of laughter echoing throughout the house. Emma appeared at the door in an attempt to close the door she thought was accidently left open, before she sat with everyone else in the living room, right outside the Library.

She paused at the painting crafted in her view, the smiling contours of her features twisting as her eyes connected with Blaze's. She looked around the room and saw Luke a bloody mess on the floor; she swallowed hard and tried not to panic.

"Harold." She called over her shoulder. "Take Max upstairs."

Harold did as he was told his wife's change in tone not going unnoticed; he altered everyone else and left with Max. Joanne, Jared and Matt walked over to Emma's side and reacted to the scene.

They all entered into the library, going directly to Blaze, Mary and Juliette. Joanne spoke first.

"What's happening here?" her entire features mimicking the horror etched into her usually kind features. She turned around to look at the body on the floor.

"He's alive, sadly." Blaze allowed and he looked at his family, his emotions concealed.

Matt walked closer and brought Mary away from Blaze, his touch as gentle as a feather. Facing them all, she tried to stop her crying, her head downcast as covered in shadows, he brought her face up with his hands and clenched his jaw in an attempt to calm himself.

They all saw the blood and the bruising that followed such an attack and they all gasped.

Matt backed away slowly trying to steady his breathing. "That son of a bitch." He claimed and spun around and purposely stalked off in the direction where Luke was re-gaining consciousness.

"No!" Mary half sobbed as she grabbed hold of Matt's arm. "Please don't." She begged. She knew if he did more to Luke, he might not make it and she couldn't live with allowing Matt to do such a crime.

Matt stopped his eyes closing involuntarily, before he turned his attention to Mary. He faced her and saw the tears she tried to conceal, her lips trembling in evidence. He wrapped her in his arms burying her face into his chest.

"Why didn't you tell me, Mary? Damn it!" His voice cracked with emotion.

"Why didn't say anything?" He whispered against her hair and felt her body shake with such violence that it tore at him, he held her closer, promising to never let her go ever again.

Juliette covered the steps between her and Blaze. She held onto his arm and felt his tension fall away. He caught her eye and she knew he was glad for her support. She couldn't imagine how he was feeling, Blaze who loved his family and his sisters endlessly must be feeling something that Juliette felt she wouldn't be able to match, even with the pain she felt for Mary. Blaze's pain would be of greater circumstance.

"So the wedding..." Jared began.

"Is off." Blaze was blunt, his features betraying nothing.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Jared drawled.

Buzz! They all averted their attention to the ringing door bell.

"That's for me." Blaze left the room and entered with a man around his own age, clad in a formal black suit, minus the tie. His badge and gun attached to his belt. They were speaking in hushed tones. The man looked up and greeted them all with a slight smile and Juliette saw that his eyes were undoubtedly kind.

He bent down at eye level to Luke who glared poisonously as he leaned against the wall, clutching his mid-section.

"How exactly did he become so battered?" The man questioned but Juliette swore she glimpsed a hint of amusement.

He returned his gaze to Blaze who just shrugged of the question. Didn't he know he was speaking to a man of the law? Shouldn't he be cooperative and respectful? Instead he was his usual authoritative self

"I am taking it that you are pressing charges?" The man asked and having received his answer he cuffed Luke and pulled him on his feet.

"You'll be a hit in prison kid." He mocked. He turned to Blaze, "I am sorry I had to meet you after so many years in such a situation brother."

Juliette straightened and Emma whispered in her ear, "That's Josh Lap; Blaze's best friend. He runs things down at the local station.

"Visit soon." Blaze countered.

"Well now that the wedding is not gonna happen I haven't a clue when I am to visit. I can't get away without a reason. It's been busy." He confided.

"About that." Matt interrupted; Mary left his arms a while ago and joined her parents. "Blaze, if you and your family have no objection I declare that the wedding shouldn't be cancelled. It would mean everything to me if you would accept me as part of your family from hence forth."

Blaze smiled. "You have my unfailing support." He answered.

Matt walked over to Mary, he took her hand in his, "Dearest Mary, I had lost hope of ever gaining your affection throughout my life, but now I feel as if I shouldn't waste any time in renewing the offer I made to you at your party. You told me then of your affection and I am relying on that one moment to guide me into hopeful acceptation. I have adored and cared for you for as long as I could remember and I hope that you will do me the honour of marrying me in two weeks. "

Mary's eyes clouded but not in fear or pain but in joy. She had refused him recently only because she was afraid of Luke of but now she could happily gain her truest desire. "I would be greatly honoured to become your wife." He voice cracked as Matt took her in his arms.

The room was silent, but it only reflected the joy they all felt. Like Blaze, everyone had hoped for Matt and Mary. Who better to keep her happy than someone who was basically already family to them all?

"Then it's settled. I shall see you in two weeks for the wedding. But before I go, would you mind telling me who she is?" Josh spoke to Blaze and used his eyes to highlight Juliette.

"I never saw her before." He stretched.

Blaze locked eyes with Juliette and his voice rang out in a clear, unquestionable response. "She's my girlfriend."

Josh's smile widened and he hit Blaze on the back. "You scoundrel! And you hadn't introduced me?"

Blaze introduced Josh to Juliette but the meeting was brief. He left them all in mixture of conflicting emotions.

Juliette and Blaze went up to their room. She saw Blaze go straight to their bed. He plopped down on the edge and raked his fingers through his hair; he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his legs, burying his face into the palm of his hands.

Juliette contemplated whether or not to give him his space but was determined that no one should be alone in such a situation, she walked cautiously over to him until she stood a few inches away.

"Do you need anything?" She asked and he looked up at her, he extended his arms and she walked into them. Blaze rested his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. He snuggled into the softness of her stomach. Juliette was caught by surprise at the intimacy of the action. She bit her lip and cradled his head against her.

"It's my fault. I should have known, should have acted before this happened." He spoke into her belly but his words were clear.

"Blaze." Juliette soothed. "There is no way you could have known beforehand, this is not your fault."

"But I should have protected her, I failed her Juliette." She could hear the hurt in his voice and feel the anger gripping him as he tightened his hold on her.

"You didn't fail her. I am sure she doesn't feel that way. She knows how much you care for her Blaze."

"Distract me." he blurted.