Dear Meadows,

Chapter Two

Noveli

The last twenty minutes were pure torture. Theo was being fussy, from being in the car seat for three hours. He wanted to go out and run.

“We’re Here.” Kelly glanced in the rearview mirror at Theo as he tried to unbuckle himself. He can’t undo himself yet, but eventually, I am going to have to sit in the back with him.

Keely pulled up next to the call box in front of a large iron gate. A small guard house at the entrance. Driving down the long tree-lined driveway, we circled around a huge fountain parking in front of a large red brick Victorian mansion. Damn, I guess Marco wasn’t kidding when he said he had money. I remember feeling bad when he would buy me expensive gifts. It made me a little uncomfortable. Growing up, I was used to receiving hand me down and thrift store finds. But ever since Kelly, I haven’t needed to do that. She would show up with new clothes for me to try on and try to take me shopping, but I’d only ever buy the essentials, not wanting to owe anyone anything in the end. Paul had taught me that the hard way. Turning, I looked outside and listened to Theo pointing at the birds near the fountain.

“You ready?” Kelly said, squeezing my shoulder. This was all new territory for me. It honestly made me anxious. I was just waiting for someone to walk around the corner and pull the rug out from underneath me. But I knew that things were better. I had a home now with Kelly and Paul would be in prison states away. Theo and I didn’t have to worry about him anymore, not that he would remember him.

“This is crazy.” I said, nodding my head to the house. She chuckles, getting out of the van, and I follow her, opening the back seat to get Theo out.

“Yeah. Marco owns a huge tech company in Victoria.” She says, dragging bags from the back. We didn't bring much with us. We had shipped our belongings a couple of weeks ago so everything should be here already. Not that I had much, but Theo was a different story. Having a toddler around meant toys were hiding at every corner.

Standing with Theo on my hip, I rocked him back and forth to soothe him. It'd been a long day, and someone was ready for a nap. I looked at Keely and grabbed my duffle, connecting it to my suitcase. “I got it, Kelly. If you can just get Theo's diaper bag for me.” I assured her before rolling my bags to the front door.

“Here Miss, let me help you.” A woman said, opening the door for me. I flinched away, looking at her and the man behind her who was definitely not Marco. Looking over their clothes, I watched the woman reach for Theo and I pulled away.

“Please come in, Miss Meadows. Mrs. De La Cruz, we will bring in your bags. Mr. De La Cruz is in the office. He will be out shortly.” The man said. Pausing, I watched as they both smiled. They weren’t hostile or vulgar, but my instincts were up. They were strangers and I don’t do well with strangers in my house. Well, I guess it's not my house…

Slowly, I released the tension in my shoulders and walked inside. Several staff gathered our bags and started walking off to their assigned areas. The interior of the house was dark and moody. It was beautiful, something that transported us into a different time. Sucking in a breath, I walked over to what I assumed was the main living area that had a huge deer head mounted above the fireplace. The large navy sectional in the middle of the room.

A whistle caught my attention. I looked over to Kelly and saw her huge smile. This was new to her too. Kelly had a rough upbringing which was something that brought us closer over the two years she had taken Theo and I in. She’s someone I knew I could trust and has proven that with time. Following her, I walked to the other side and entered the dining area. A huge oak table that can seat eighteen people.

“Wow.” I whisper.

“Yeah, I know. I guess I should've expected this. With what he does for work,” Kelly mutters. Her blue eyes widened as she went through a butler's pantry and into the kitchen where staff were helping prepare a meal. Kelly quickly pushed back her chestnut brown hair out of her face, trying to look more presentable. I laugh softly as she grins down at me. I rock Theo once more, looking down at him who is now sleeping in my arms. Kissing his forehead, I moved with her.

“I am Thomas. The head butler, I manage the household and-” He pauses, looking next to him as the woman from before comes into view. “This is Sara. She is my second. She helps run all the staff and helps with planning any events you might need help with Mrs. De La Cruz,” Thomas says.

Kelly and I both looked at each other bewildered. Kelly smiles at me probably because I haven't been able to say anything about it.

“Please call me Kelly. This is Noveli and the little one here is Theo.” Kelly says, introducing us.

Thomas smiles and bows slightly.

“Please. You don’t need to do that. It makes me uncomfortable.” I admitted. Smiling over all the staff who were all smiling at us.

“Can you please give a rundown of this place so I can put Buddy down,” I said, rocking Theo in my arms. Gods, he's getting big. I felt like my arms wanted to fall off. A slight pang in my heart at that thought. He was getting older and soon he would start school.

“Yes, Miss-’ He pauses as I drill my eyes into him. He gulps before continuing. “Noveli, if you would follow me.” Kelly chuckles at Thomas's reaction to me.

“Easy with that mom glare.” Kelly whispers to me under her breath. I chuckled, following Thomas as he pointed to the other side of the living area where there was another entrance.

“That's one entrance to the library. The other is down here.” he says, going out the other archway and walking down the hall. Pointing to rooms as we go.

“This is the other one. On this side, we have the ballroom. And the media room as well as a bathroom.” I paused, looking into the Grande room with three chandeliers we were stopped in front of. Thomas chuckles at us and I can’t help but smile at the man. He's old enough to be someone's grandpa, sending a pang through my heart. Losing my grandparents in a car accident two years ago was a shock. Then being whisked away to Kelly’s in the middle of the night by child protective services. Not having any other family members alive but Theo. I nuzzle Theo and kiss his chubby cheek.

“On the other side. You will see two offices and the security room. As well as the conservatory,” he says before opening up the door in front of him.

“This is the indoor pool. There are also the shower rooms and restrooms,” he says, pointing to the right side.

“On the estate we have Lake access to the right and the woods to the left. We have a garden and an outdoor pool. The pool house is always open and stocked, but if you need anything just ask me or Sara.” He says, walking out of the indoor pool area. Walking out onto a deck area around the corner of the house where the woods are, we walked the length of the house where he pointed out to the right.

“We have several recreational areas. You will find the boys out there. If they aren't on their floor,” he says, walking into the house.

“This is the family area.” We went down the other hall as he pointed to three doors, telling us they were the offices he was talking about. And showed us the security room. We walked back into the kitchen where there was a breakfast nook and the whole side of the house was filled with floor to ceiling windows.

“This is usually where we eat breakfast in the morning on Sundays. Or we go out to the patio and look over the lake.” Sara says, opening the double doors where we walk back out to the patio and look over the private lake.

And at that moment, I could see Theo running around having a better life than I could have ever hoped for.