A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 84

Alena

| had spent the next couple of hours freshening up. As | took a full body shower in the bathroom, Matteo had

helped packed my bags, a few clothes | had bought online during my stay here for the past few weeks because

my old clothes were a bit too small. By the t| was finished, it was almost thirty-minutes before midnight.

Luca and Angelo had been waiting downstairs, in the living room as they had a few drinks. Mama made sure they

were feeling comfortable and being treated as guests instead of enemies. | only knew what they were doing

through Matteo.

| was fully clothed in a pair of sweatshirt and sweatpants. It was comfortable enough to keepwarm until |

reached hlater. Besides, it belonged to Matteo and | never complained whenever | wore his clothes

especially when they always smelt like him. "I've packed everything. Do you mind double check incase |

missed?" Matteo asked, pointing at the duffel bag on the bed.

| made my way towards the bag before checking but | stopped as soon as | saw a gift box in the middle. As |

slowly reached out to grab it, my lips began to curve up into a smile and I turned to look at my husband, who

had a smirk plastered on his face.

"What's this?" | raised an eyebrow, playfully asking.

"I don't know. Who put it there?"

"Mm, letcheck."

| opened the box and my eyes widened at the sparkling white gold jewellery. My fingers touched the necklace,

eyeing the beautiful material. As | stayed still at my spot with the box in my hand, Matteo cto stand beside

me.

"It's really beautiful," | muttered under my breath.

"Lethelp you to put it on," he replied before he slowly grabbed the box.

We both walked towards the mirror and he helpedto put on the necklace. | continued to stare at my husband

as he stood behind me, a smile plastered on his face-he was looking atin awe, somehow loving the jewellery

he had chosen forand how beautiful it looked around my neck.

| played with the locket with my hand before | turned to face him.

"When did you buy this for me?"

"A few days ago. | saw it and it remindedof you,"

| smiled; my cheeks heating up. "I love it. | really love it."

"I know you'd love it. It suits you well," he added.

As my smile began to spread wider, | wrapped my arms around his neck before pulling him in for a hug. We

didn't leave any space between us as we remained in each other's arms. | was snuggled close, | could inhale his

scent as he wrapped his arms around my waist. We could spend hours hugging each other and we could never

get bored.

"Thank you, Matteo." | whispered in his ear.

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08:13 Tue, Nov 5

Chapter 84

"Anything for you, baby."

I leaned back to look at his face again, seeing him still smiling at me.

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We leaned forward as we kissed each other's lips, feeling the softness of them. The kiss was short and deep,

enough to show how much we appreciated one another. Other than always hugging, we were crazy when it came

to physical touches. We loved it whenever we could feel our skin.

Once | had double checked everything, Matteo had helpedto carry the duffel bag downstairs. | followed

behind him closely until we reached the hallway, where | found Luca and Angelo laying on the sofa as they

watched ssort of comedy show. They were laughing as they ate snacks.

It wasn't out of the ordinary forto see Luca behaving that way but for Angelo, it was slightly odd. He wasn't

the kind of person who would casually smile. He was quiet and reserved, | never expected him to laugh at

comedy shows. "That's just insane," Luca said.

"Can't believe it."

It was a conversation between them and | knew it was best to not eavesdrop.

Matteo turned to look atwhen he realised | had stopped walking. As soon as he saw what had caught my

attention, he began to chuckle. "You seem surprised. What's wrong?"

Ishook my head, "Nothing. I just never saw Angelo like that,"

"He's not always like that. It's a rare occurrence."

Then, he walked into the living room before he placed the duffel bag on the sofa. Both Luca and Angelo were

startled, causing them to stand up. Once they saw my figure by the doorway, they tried to make themselves

presentable; when | said they, mostly it was just Angelo.

probably had caught him off guard.

"Can you please bring this and wait in the car?" Matteo asked.

"Sure, let's go."

"We'll be there in a sec,"

Luca raised an eyebrow, "Alena's coming with us? Have you settled the problem with Mikhail?"

Matteo nodded, "Yeah. I'll tell you all about it later,"

They continued to have a conversation in Italian and | knew it was my tto see Mama. Even if | stayed

throughout their conversation, | didn't understand a word they were saying. So, | walked down the hallway and

straight into the kitchen.

Mama was sitting on the stool near the kitchen island with a drink in her hand. She was eyeing the half empty

bottle of wine before she took a sip of her drink-Mama wasn't a fond of alcohol. She only drank whenever she felt

like it which was rare. Unless something was bothering her.

"Mama," | called out.

She looked up atbefore smiling, "Have a seat, honey."

| walked towards her, sitting beside her.

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Chapter 84

"Matteo worked it out with Papa."

"I know. I'm happy for you,"

"You can always cvisit again."

"Of course, sweetheart. You can always cvisit me, too."

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| grabbed both of her hands, "I actually enjoyed staying here with you. It remindedof the good old days we

had before | went to medical school. Madefeel like a little girl again,"

"l also enjoyed having you here, Alena. All of my girls are grown up, it's what | miss the most."

""You seem a bit sad,"

She shook her head, "No, honey. | just feel overwhelmed."

"Is Ana coming hsoon?"

"She's really busy with studies. She should chsoon though,"

| pulled Mamma into a hug before | whispered in her ear, "I love you so much, Mama. Thank you for always being

there forwhenever | needed you the most. I'm going to miss you when | get home."

Once | pulled away, | saw her teary eyes and it made my eyes water, too.

"Honey... you'll always have me. Always."

Mama and | were always close. Despite having the phase where | didn't feel like | needed my mother growing up,

it was all hormones. Throughout my teenage years, | always needed my mother even though sof my friends

complained about how much they hated their mothers" guts.

| had my moments when | felt annoyed but | never hated her. | never said it out loud to her face and broke her

heart. Then those raging teenage hormones were gone and | grew to understand how much | needed her in my

life especially as an adult woman.

Mama had helpedto understand myself better. She guidedon how to beca woman and she was

really open-minded about things which madeappreciate her more. We talked about uncomfortable topics

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about sex and so on, | never felt ashamed to ask her anything.

"Callevery day. Video call me."

"Screw video calls, I'll be at your house every morning."

"Ma... please, not every morning."

We both laughed as we continued to hug each other, loving the way she madefeel warm. Despite having a

husband and enjoying his hugs, | preferred my mother's hug over anyone else. She was the number one!

We talked for the next few minutes until Matteo entered the kitchen.

"Ready whenever you are," he said.

| hugged Mama one last tbefore | walked with Matteo down the hallway. We were heading towards the car

parked out front but Papa's office had caught my attention. The door was slightly ajar and | knew Papa was inside

with Alexei, probably discussing a few things. It didn't feel nice to leave without saying goodbye.

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Chapter 84

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So, | turned to look at Matteo who had been eyeing me. He slowly let go of my hand before he caressed the side

of my face and gesturing forto follow my heart-it was as if he knew what was in my mind.

"I'll wait in the car," he said before he kissed my forehead.

I nodded and he began to walk out, leavingstanding on my own.

| knocked a couple of times on the door before | pushed the door open, seeing Papa and Alexei were talking in

Russian. Once they sawby the door, they stopped talking.

Both of them continued to look at me, not expecting to seehere.

"| just cto see you before | leave," | said to Papa.

"I'll be outside." Alexei stood up before he made his way towards the door.

As he was about to leave, | managed to grab onto his forearm. Both of his eyes looked down atand | knew

we needed closure as well-we had a great relationship as siblings and we didn't have to spend the rest of our

lives hating each other. "Thanks, Alyosha."

It had been awhile since | called him by that name.

"You're thanking me?"

"For being a stupid brother but | know you care,"

He scoffed, "See you around."

Once he left, it was just Papa and I.

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