3

He had definitely aged, his hair swooping down some over his forehead. Even through his wrinkles, I could still see the strapping man I once knew. But his eyes. Those eyes I was unfamiliar with. Even when they looked at me with surprise and awe. He was in a black jacket and pants. I would be lying if I said I didn't expect him to be in uniform.

"Licia." he replied breathlessly. I slowly smiled never thinking I would hear him say my name again.

"Hello, Ivan." I replied gently and he slowly took a step closer, maybe to look at me in the porch light's dim rays. He still towered over me. I was unsure of what to say or what to do. I didn't expect to see him here. He slowly looked at my shoulder and gently began to lean into me. I just watched as his forehead nuzzled slowly into my shoulder. His scent washed over me reminding me of the days of passion that was once between us. I let out a gentle exhale and closed my eyes as I leaned my head into his finally and raised my arms to wrap around his neck.

I felt his arms enclose around me and pull me into him. I could feel my eyes watering slowly, but I held back the tears as I felt his face pulling back to look at me. He was so close, and I didn't know what he would do next until I felt his lips gently press into mine. I felt like a young girl again. I responded immediately. I had missed his lips so very much.

I invited him inside and his eyes looked all around the place as he entered the middle of the room.

"Quite a step up from Colorado." he said, and I just stood in front of him for a moment looking down some. I hadn't thought of that day for quite some time.

"My sister… Apollo's wife, died in a car crash the day of your fight with Rocky." I replied. His eyes softened some as he tucked his hands in his pockets.

"That is why you were not there in the end." he said. I nodded.

"They left me this home." I replied. He nodded gently.

"I am sorry for your loss." he said and now crossed his arms and looked away. I could see the soft traces of bitterness in his eyes. "I can see why you broke things off. You needed to… focus on yourself." I tilted my head and shook it slowly.

"No. I didn't break anything off-"

"Lies." he snapped lowly giving me a glare. I inhaled some and gave a firm stare of my own.

"I am not lying." I replied.

"We made deal. We write to each other. I wrote you countless letters. You never replied." he said, his tone laced with so much hurt. I shook my head stepping closer to him but he took a step back now as if not wanting to hear it.

"Ivan… I never received any of your letters. And any letter I received were my own just returned to me.

"I don't want to hear any more of your lies." he said shaking his head.

"Do you believe after thirty years, I would truly not speak to you!" I snapped.

"YES!" he shouted. One of my body guards in a black suit approached from the hall way upon hearing the yelling.

"Ms. Creed, do I need to throw him out?" he asked. Ivan turned to him with a glare, his hands curling into fists.

"You can try." he threatened. But I stood between the two men.

"Enough! No, Roman. I am perfectly fine." I replied before glaring up at Ivan who was just staring down at the smaller man. My voice was softer now. "Come with me." I walked around him and back over to the stairs. He began to follow after me and when we were at the top, I moved in the direction of my room. I had to show him I wasn't lying. Once I reached the door of my room, I turned to look at Ivan to see him staring at a particular portrait. I already knew which one. I slowly walked over to him and looked at his emotional eyes. He stared at Alexander in his uniform as I was seated in a wine-red chair in a black dress. It was sleeves, it's bust heart shaped. Ivan just stood there taking in the portrait.

"You… got married?" he asked softly, and I looked at the picture and shook my head.

"No." I replied, and he looked down at me now with a look of deep surprise.

"He is…"

I slowly nodded.

"Yes. This is Alexander Ivan Creed. Your son." I replied and his chest puffed out with his sharp inhale. He slowly covered his mouth with his hand. Alexander had his jaw, his height and my eyes. His hair was straight and his skin smooth and caramel complexioned.

"He is a soldier?" he asked and I nodded.

"Yes. Like his father." I replied and took his hand. He looked at me, blue eyes watering as I led him slowly from his spot and to my room.

"Why did you not tell me?" he asked softly. I moved over to one of my dressers now and removed a large stack of unopened letters bound together by a rubber band. I moved back over to him and held up the stack.

"I sent these to you. In them are ultrasounds and pictures of your son and I." I replied. His eyes looked at my hands with pain as he slowly reached down and took them. He held the stack between his body and hugged them to him.

"You never got a single letter?" he asked. I shook my head.

"Not a single one." I replied. "Maybe your wife found them and mailed them back. If anything, I am happy she decided not to destroy them." He shook his head.

"I lost wife long ago. In my letters, I wrote that I lost everything: titles, home, respect. Even more I lost you and my son. And it is all because of Rocky." His saddened eyes now glossed over to anger and he turned and began to leave my room. I was worried now as I followed.

"Ivan-"

"I will make this right." he said. Even as an older man he was able to walk with great purpose. I followed him down the stairs.

"You plan to use your son against my nephew." I said and he paused at the bottom of the stairs and I just remained at the top. "That is not the way. Hatred will never be the way."

He didn't even face me as he quickly stormed out with my letters in hand.

A week later

Astrid's POV

I watched the rain fall from the living room. Since I would be here for a while, I figured I should start looking for places to take pictures. Maybe the building my brother will be fighting in. I checked my phone and saw there were no calls from him. I got dressed in some jeans and a sweater. I put my rain coat over me and grabbed my green bag which contained my extra umbrella and my camera. I slid on my rainboots, grabbed my giant umbrella from the corner and headed out. I exited the complex and put my hood on. The rain wasn't heavy but it was coming down fast. I merely walked up the street, just following the side walk. There was a construction site up ahead and I made sure not to walk in any restricted areas. But it did match the gloomy type of setting I was looking for.

I continued to walk until I was approaching a large set of apartments that went straight up. I saw someone sitting down on the side walk in front of me and I was familiar with the grey hoodie. It must be that guy who is always jogging around here. He was looking down with his hands atop of his head. He looked almost… defeated. I didn't plan to do anything about him as I past but he looked like he may need some type of motivation. I stopped in front of him but he didn't seem to notice me. So I merely moved my umbrella over his shaved head and the lack of rain over his head got his attention. He looked up at me. He had deep brown eyes and looked at me confused. I just stared at him and he just stared up at me. I inhaled finally and jiggled the umbrella at him.

"You run a lot around here. If you run in the rain and get sick, it'll be even harder to work out." I replied. He looked me over and I could tell he was mildly reserved. Maybe he didn't speak English. How rude of me to come to his country and not speak his language.

"Take it." I replied. Now he seemed stunned. Maybe because I could speak his language. He raised his hand and I could tell how he lifted it that there was pure muscle under his hoodie. His hand was large and before it could over my hand entirely, I removed my hand. I hurried and dug into my bag and pulled out my other umbrella and opened it. Once that was done I looked down at the man before shrugging.

"If you want to throw it away later you can." I replied. He just blinked and looked at me like a lost puppy almost. I looked around noticing I wasn't going to get much out of him. So I nodded. "Good bye." I merely turned and began to walk back toward my apartment.

"Thank you." I heard his deep, thick accent say in English. I turned and looked at him and smiled politely and nodded and continued on.