DREAMS, II ✦ MARCO ASENSIO

CINCO

December 16th, 2018.

Marco waited patiently in his balcony as the phone rang in his hands, awaiting for Adelina's lawyer to pick up the phone and answer him. He brought the phone to his ear and sighed deeply when he heard her voice. "Hello," her thick accent rang in his ears, "Ana dos Santos' office,  Ana speaking. Who is this?"

"It's Marco," he responded. Marco heard her huff, he sighed. "I know you hate me and all, but this is serious, dos Santos. I need to meet you. Can you come over tonight?" He asked.

"Why?" Ana asked. "If this is about you wanting Adelina back, then forget it. You stay away from her, you understand? You ruined her life enough, Asensio. I don't need more trouble because of you, Marco. You've done enough."

"Look, Ana, this is serious. I'd rather not talk over the phone," Marco said. "Please?"

"Fine. Still at the same house?" She asked and he responded. "I'll be there in an hour. Goodbye."

Marco tossed the phone on the sofa and exited his balcony. He made his way downstairs to find Claudia with her mother in the kitchen. Marco smiled at them, "Hey. It's getting late, you should get some rest. Ana is coming in an hour and I could handle her alone, and I think the police is going to talk to Adelina tomorrow at the hospital again."

"I think Marco is right. You should go to bed, Claudia. You know Mattia is waking you up early tomorrow, so you better go to bed now," her mother said. Claudia nodded, she kissed her mother's cheek and smiled at Marco as she exited the kitchen.

Caterina had dinner with Marco and after a couple of minutes, she left him alone. Marco rushed to the front door when he heard a couple of knocks. He opened it and led Ana inside. Marco took her outside to his garden where they talked about everything.

He began by telling her everything that happened since Adelina met him again in Kiev, until that day where he has left her at the hospital. She was shocked, to say the least. Ana wasn't expecting any of the things he told her. When he was done talking, he gave her the number of the two officers who were investigating the case.

"It's all going to be alright, you just need to talk to the doctors and the officers," Marco said as they stood. "You don't need to worry, I took care of everything. Well, everything but the legal stuff..." Marco trailed off, scratching the back of his neck.

"I'll take care of it," Ana nodded. "And thanks... for calling me. You did the right thing."

Marco smiled at her and she shook his hand. He led her to the front door and she left the house, thanking Marco once more. Marco watched from the door to make sure she safely got into her car and drove away. When she did, he turned around and closed the door after him. Marco frowned when he turned and found Mattia at the bottom of the stairs with Rome beside her.

"What are you doing up, baby? It's late," Marco said as he came closer to her. He picked her up and rubbed Rome's back as they stood.

"I don't want to sleep anymore," Mattia yawned. Marco nodded and they went to the living room. When she found their Christmas tree at the corner of the room, she gasped. "It's here!" Mattia exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, princesa, I picked it out when you were with your nonna," he responded. He put Mattia down and Rome rushed beside her excitedly, he barked at the tree and Mattia let out a squeal.

"Do you want to decorate it?" Marco asked. She nodded excitedly and tugged on his shirt. Marco ran a hand through her hair and crouched down to her height. "Alright, but you have to stay here and make sure Rome doesn't go near the tree until I get the decorations from the closet, okay?"