Daylight

11.- infact, I love you.

Matilda hurried downstairs, she was going to help Susannah set up the last of Belly's birthday dinner. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Conrad standing , closing the front door, his head lowered as he rubbed his forehead, looking distressed.

"Con?" Matilda questioned, smiling confusedly. He looked up at her, and she could tell he felt like shit.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked, looking worried aswell as confused, as she pulled him into a hug. 

Conrad placed his arms carefully round her waist, feeling relaxed as he rested his head on her shoulder. " I wasn't on time to help Cleveland." he told her, sighing.

"Oh Con" Matilda breathed out, rubbing his back, " I'm so sorry " she told him, releasing her arms from around him, placing them on his shoulders, " if he asks you, you tell him I made you late okay? "

Conrad shook his head, " it's not your fault, it's mine, really it'll be fine, I just hope he isn't pissed. " he mustered up a chuckle,

Matilda smiled, shaking her head dismissively, " he won't be, he thinks the world of you Conrad, plus, you already helped him today, it's not like you didn't help him at all today, I'm sure he remembered some of you told him today." She tried to reassure him.

Conrad looked her in the eyes for a moment, blinking, " thanks " he smiled a little.  at such an innocent mistake, Conrad Fished felt like he was being eaten up, he felt like he was constantly letting everybody down, his mom, Jere, Matilda, Laurel, and now Cleveland.

" stop being so hard on yourself, Fisher. " Matilda told him, almost as if she had read his mind, tapping his chest with a smile. Conrad's cheeks warmed, as he smiled at her more this time, " thanks, really." he said, just above a whisper.

Matilda leant up, placing a kiss on his cheek. " I'm gonna go help your mom. "

Conrad nodded, " I'll come through in a sec, and I'll help. " flashing her his smile, usually reserved for her only.

"Okay" she smiled gently, softly removing her hands from his chest, walking through to the kitchen.

———

Laurel walked into the kitchen with her bowl ,

" I thought we were doing something small? " she asked, raising a brow at the giant lobster sat on the counter.

Susannah shrugged, smiling, " it's Bellys sweet 16! "

Matilda spoke up, from the cupboard where she was getting ingredients out for Susannah, " plus, it's Suze, Laurel, nothings small in her world. It's go big or go home. " she chuckled.

The two women smiled, " you're not wrong. " Laurel nodded, as Susannah raise her hands in defence.

Matilda passed Susannah her ingredients, leaning on the counter momentarily. " thanks hon. " Susannah replied gratefully.

" hey, is Connie done shucking the corn?" Susannah questioned, referring to Conrad sat outside sorting the corn. Laurel went on her tip toes, peering out at Conrad , " mm, not yet. " she informed her, " hey, don't you think it's weird Conrad forgot Belly's birthday?" Laurel asked, sighing.

Matilda jumped to his defence, " I really doubt it was intentional, he's been going through a lot recently."

Susannah nodded in agreement, " she's right, he's been shut down like this since April. "

" because of exams, and college applications? " Laurel questioned, not looking convinced.

Matilda looked thoughtful for a moment, " yes, but no. I don't think it's the only reason, you know, it seems there's something else off, but hey, you know what Connie's like." she chuckled sadly.