Between the Sword and the Wall

- Honey can I talk to you before you go to sleep?
- Sure mom – Andrew was ready in his bed, he had a long day so by now he was very tired.
- Did you have fun in the tour?
- Yes a lot, I really liked it
- And did you like the actors you met?
- Yes, Mr Benedict and Mr Martin were very nice
- So you liked Mr Benedict huh?
- Yeah… it was very cool to meet someone that looks like you, it’s like I could see myself in 30 years
- Oh honey you’ll be much better than him
- Really? You really think so? – His eyes sparkled when he heard that.
- Of course you’ll. Just promise me one thing, no matter how successful you are you’ll always care about the people that surround you, that is greatness
- I promise mom. Do you like Mr Benedict?
- I barely talked to him
- You seemed very mad at him this morning
- Don’t worry about what happened today. What did you guys talk about?
- A lot of things, I know he’s 37 and has no kids and he so much older than you! My middle name is the same as his name but you don’t like the name, he told me acted since he was a little boy and he also like motorcycles!
- Cool, it seems you guys had a great talk – She faked her enthusiasm but inside she was worried – Okay time to sleep, kiss kiss, goodnight honey
- Goodnight mom. Oh wait!
- Yes?
- Are you going to consider the offer? I really would like to do it, I promise I’ll do all my homework if you let me act
- I’ll think about it, and remember that everything I do for you, it’s for your best – Alaina left his room and went to hers, she took Mark’s card and put it front for her, she thought for hours until she finally fell asleep. She did the same thing for days.
- Hey babe! What is this miracle that you finally found a time to see me? – Matt kissed Alaina and took his hand to keep walking.
- Yeah I know I’m sorry, I’ve been very busy, next week I’ll have more time I promise – She leaned her head in his shoulder so he couldn’t see her worried face.
- Sounds good. Did Andy like his gift?
- Oh yes he enjoyed a lot, he says thank you by the way
- Don’t bother sweetheart, it’s okay if he doesn’t like me
- No, he really said that
Matt turned in front of her and looked straight at her with a sweet smile – You don’t need to force a relationship between us, he’ll never see me as a father and it’s fine
- He doesn’t need a father, that’s why he’s so distant
- Every kid needs a father, and Jared is doing a great job replacing him
- Yeah he has been really supportive
Alaina had a nice walk through the park with Matt, he make her fell save and distracted her from her problems but at the same time she felt bad that she couldn’t tell anything to him, just like Andrew, Matthew knew very little about the kid’s father. She was afraid about telling him, even he was a great guy his taboo was his jealousy, even when he tried to control it he was definitely not going to be happy that the father of Andrew is no more that one of the sexiest actors of England. When Alaina arrived home she realized it has been a week since Mark gave her the card, her time was over and she had to reply a definite answer. She slowly picked the phone and dialled the number.
- Mark Gatiss speaking, with how I have the pleasure? – Alaina stood in silence for a couple seconds; she made herself of courage and calm to sound confident.
- Hi it’s Alaina Collins, we have a pendent conversation
- Yes we do – Mark sounded very happy after hearing her voice – We would like to make this more formal, could you meet with us tomorrow at Massimo restaurant at 9 pm?
- That’s a nice restaurant
- I consider it good for the occasion
- Okay, see you tomorrow Mr Gatiss
- Have a goodnight Miss Collins
That night she barely slept, she tried to think about it the less she could but she constantly heard the voice of his son chatting with Benedict. Is there a way she could get out of this riddle? Why he had to appear 8 years later? Now that her life was good, but when she had trouble the first years, there was no sign of Benedict. Alaina woke up tired, wishing this whole nightmare ended soon, she felt the whole day pass but she wasn’t really there until it was 9 pm and was outside the Massimo Restaurant.
- I came here with Mark Gatiss, is there any reservation on his name
- Let me check – The receptionist looked on the large list – Yes Miss Alaina Collins?
- That’s me
- Please join me - She guided her to the table Mark and Steve were already talking and drinking a glass of wine.
- Miss Collins – Mark greeted her with enthusiasm – What a pleasure to see you again, this Steve Moffat, also producer and writer of the Sherlock
- The pleasure is mine gentlemen
- Nice to meet you Miss Collins, please have a seat
- We are just waiting for our last guest and… Oh! Here he is
- Last guest? – She turned around confused – You got be kidding me