Between Secrets and Seduction

Reunions and Promises

The rest of the call was a blur for Natasha. She had tried to argue with Matteo to stay in Italy after he reacted so horridly to the news. Matteo assured her that he was not staying in Italy and would be there as soon as possible with his son, Xavier. Natasha felt the the morning go by her too fast. She stared at the sign on the door ahead of her numbly before knocking on it. A man in a suit and tie opened it, ushering her in. "Natasha! Come in, come in! How are you? Care for a drink, my girl?" She shook her head slowly, "No, thank you." She said slowly. "I just want to get this over with, Mr. Lowe."

Mr. Lowe opens his office door, "Of course! I already have the prenuptial agreement on my desk. All assets and accounts have been temporarily frozen, as you asked." He pulled out a large chair for her to sit in and then went behind his desk. "There's a lot to do but we will move at your pace, OK?" She nodded as she picked up the packet on his desk. She reviewed the content silently, only half listening to Mr. Lowe. She jumped when the packet was gently pulled from her hands, "Mrs. Bartholomew, have you heard anything I just said?" She felt her face burn a little as she shook her head, "N-no, I'm sorry. Will you repeat it for me?"

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Forms had been signed and filed. Divorce papers would be at Daniel's door within days. She stepped back out of the door and shook hands with Mr. Lowe. "Thank you, Mrs. Bartholomew. I'll be in touch soon once Mr. Bartholomew responds to the divorce order." She nodded with a faint smile, "I'll speak to you soon then," she said before heading down the hall toward the elevator. One finger tapped the down arrow button. The brushed steel doors open slowly with a rumble and Natasha steps in. The doors close with another rumble and lurches a little as it begins the descent to the 1st floor.

Stepping out of the elevator doors, she heads through security to leave. She lifts her hand in a polite wave to the guard as she opens the large glass door. Cold air whips around her as soon as she steps outside onto the concrete steps. She pulled her jacket tighter around her and zipped up the front. She quickly double-clicks her key fob to unlock her car and slips in. The car soon roars to life, and she heads away from the court. The battle would be over soon, but the war was just beginning. Her next stop would be the international airport. Matteo had texted her about 20 minutes ago, informing her they would land soon.

Natasha leaves the city and speeds up the ramp to the interstate. 60 mph, 70mph, 80 mph! She let her car fly through traffic as she drove northwest to the airport. She had already offered to pick up Matteo and Xavier, and have them stay with her at the mountain home. She warned them to dress warmly as the American mountain ranges were much colder than the Italian ranges. Natasha was lost in thought as she cruised at high speed. She still had 30 minutes before she would make it to the airport. She had nearly missed the A.I. voice as it spoke to her. "Incoming call from Matty Boy. Would you like to answer the call?" She choked back a laugh when the robotic voice spoke the nickname she used for Matteo. "Accept the call!" She giggled behind her words.

The deep Italian voice rumbled through her car, "Natasha, where are you?" She chuckled, "Hello to you, too, Matteo." Always so serious, she thought to herself. "I ran late with the divorce lawyer, so I'm about half an hour away." He grunts a little, displeased. She felt herself smirking just a little at his annoyance. "Yes, Matty?" He groaned at the nickname, cursing her in Italian. "Stop that, Xavier can hear you!" He growled. Indeed, the young boy's laugh could be heard, along with his cherub-like Italian. He was asking about the nickname through precious giggles. Natasha couldn't help herself but laugh aloud at the exchange.

The call continued with a lighthearted tone. It distracted them all from the time it took Natasha to get to the airport. She hung up as she pulled up with her trunk popped open for their luggage. She turned off her car and got out. Her eyes lit up as she saw her sworn brother and the little one who must be his son. Her feet sped up and Matteo opened his arms to catch her in a bear hug. She groaned in relief as his powerful arms wrapped her up tightly. "I've missed you, Matteo!" She whispered as he set her back down. His crooked grin hadn't changed over the years and it made her smile. "And I have missed you, Natasha. Xavier, this is your auntie Tash." Xavier shyly peered out around his father's leg and waved up at Natasha.

She waves back at him and crouches down. She spoke fluid, naturalized Italian to the boy. "Hello, Xavier. It's nice to meet you finally! Would you like a snack for the ride?" He nodded eagerly despite his father's chuckle. Natasha gave him a baggie with home-made Italian cookies and the boy's eyes went wide. He hid them in his pocket with a glance around before offering his small hand to Natasha. "Pleasure doing business with you, Ma'am!" His grin was disarming and Natasha melted a little, laughing, as she shook his hand. "Alright guys, let's head out. Matteo, can you handle the luggage on your own alright?" The tall man smirked at her and, without an answer, he began to load the trunk. Natasha rolled her eyes but helped get Xavier settled into the backseat of her car.

Soon they were packed up and headed back down the interstate with the radio blaring and light conversation being held at times. After nearly an hour, they pull up to her residence and she parks. The valet catches her tossed keys. "Have Bruno and Lillian grab the luggage and take it up to their room soon, please." The valet nods briskly, relaying information over the group chat for the staff. Natasha turns to her guests and opens her arms, "Welcome to my humble abode!" she grins and then turns again to face the large house herself while dropping her arms. She opened the door and held it for the boys as they walked through. As Natasha was closing the door, she heard a soft beeping and a tiny voice squeaking out, "Mom, who are they?"