"Nice to meet you too, Natalia" Toris greet back. However, Natalia's eyes fix on the smaller figure that cling on Toris. Suddenly, she could feel a warm feeling fill her heart. She did not expect the little boy whom she help before is her son. She finally found him without even recognize him.
There's a tense feeling form between them, making Alexis to struggle in his father embrace. "Oh, Miss Angel. Hello" Alexis greet Natalia as he turn around to face her.
"Miss Angel?"ask Toris.
"Because she look like an Angel and she's the one who treat my knee" Alexis explain as he remember back the last party he attend.
"Silly boy, I have a name and how was your knee?" Natalia sigh in annoyance but he still care for him anyway.
"Oh, it's getting better thanks to you miss..."
"Natalia. And how about yours, little one?" A smile unknowingly form on her face.
"Alexis Laurinaitis, but you can call me Alex" Alex grin. Proud that his mother gave his name before she decide to disappear. "Woah, Miss Natalia you look stunning as always. Isn't she Papa?" Alex turn to look at his father. Toris was a bit fluster when Alexis suddenly ask his opinion.
"Ah, y-yes. She is" shades of red decorate his cheek. Toris could not lay his eyes off from her as her appearance currently scream beautiful from every aspect. Then, a harsh wind suddenly came, making her ribbon to flew away with them.
"Ah" Natalia try to catch the ribbon before it went further, but the ribbon slip from her hand.
"Oh, stay here with Alex, will you?. I'll come back with your ribbon later." Toris hand Alexis to Natalia. Giving her some time to bond with their son, while he catch on her ribbon.
Natalia try to stop him, but the sudden feeling of a hand around her neck and a head rest on her shoulder stop her. She take a little glance of a sleeping Alexis. She try to resist the urge to caress and hug Alexis, but her mother's instinct took over her.
'His overall appearance took after his father but... if you take on a second glance..some of them from mine'. She slowly graze her long finger on Alexis's cheek. 'Wait until a few years pass, then he'll have a refined jaw'. Then, she comb his soft brown locks. 'Exactly like his. Although, those night image was still blur to me'. Lastly, she kiss Alexis's forehead the second time, after five years separated from him. 'So this what they meant by a mother's love for her child are infinite, no matter how far and how long they are apart.' Natalia heart clench as she realize that she have to be apart from Alexis once again when Toris back with her ribbon. She fix Alexis sleeping position so that he can sleep comfortably. Although the position make her leg cramp, she would not mind.
After Toris finally succeeds in catching back her ribbon, he immediately went back to find Natalia. However, the image of Natalia kissing Alexis's forehead make him stop in his track. His eyes widen as he realize. 'She loves him. No matter how many times she say she hates him... eventually she's still a mother. Alexis grow in her for nine months, and in those months Alexis become one with her.'
He slowly walk towards them. He did not want to interrupt the mother-son bonding time between Natalia and Alexis. As he come closer, he could hear Natalia humming a lullaby. The same lullaby he sang for Alexis before he went to sleep. Both Natalia and Toris favourite lullaby, they learnt the lullaby when they were younger.
"Nat" Toris break the silence, but deep inside he was nervous. "Say.. how about we get together?"
Natalia scowl at him. "Toris, I thought you already clear on what we discuss before this?"
"Screw that. Your brother or your boss... we can do this. We can do this in secret, like once a month or twice. I-I just can't do this alone.." he looks like he about to cry but he put his feeling aside and continue. "Alexis need his mother. He needs both of his parents in his life. Do you know how hurts it is when he look at other kids, especially their mother, longingly? Yet, he didn't complaint about it" Toris grip her hands and he lose to his feeling. Tears start to stream down his face.
While Natalia, she was speechless. She could not speak as she was stunt by his word.
'Where is your determination to stay away from them, once Alexis was born? How can I stay away from them, when they are the one who yearn for me?'
'Where is your 'for Alexis sake'? His well being comes first, then I could think another plan for his safety'
Suddenly, Natalia's thoughts was interrupt by Alexis stir in her arms. Once again, she was awe by the sight of him hugging her closer. However, as she about to give her answer-
"TORIS" Raivis shout. Making both of them flinch. Toris immediately wipe his tears and look at his brother. "R-Raivis, slow down your voice. Alex sleeping"
"B-but, M-Miss B-Belarus-"
"I'm the one who ask her to look after Alexis while I ran looking for her ribbon" Toris explain. "I guess we should head back now. It's getting late"
"O-oh, sure. Plus, A-Alexis already s-sleeping" Raivis nod in agreement
"Well, I shall excuse myself now. Oh, before that" Toris take out her ribbon from his jacket pocket and tie it on her hair. Then, he proceeds to take Alexis from her embrace. The close proximity give a chance for Toris to whisper to Natalia without the other two adult notice.
"I hope you can give your answer soon. My number is still available" Then, she slowly let him to take Alexis away from her.
Natalia watch them walking away from her until they disappear among the sea of human. Her face remain stoic from the moment she knew about Alexis until now. Slowly, she let herself drown in the feeling of sadness.
"Bela, there you are. I was worried when you went to the toilet too long." Ivan sigh in relief as he finally found his sister.
"Brother-sob-. What is this awful feeling I feel?. It-It's neither happy nor sad." She continue her sob in her brother embrace.
"Hush hush. Don't say anything. I guess you're on your period right?. It's okay. I'll buy you sweets later" Ivan slowly caress Natalia's light blond locks. "Come, we should head back now. It's getting late."
"Y-yeah" She wipe her tears with Ivan's scarf and both of them walk back home.