Saudade

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Scarlett's POV

"Georgia, honey, you're going to be spending some nights at the barn, in preparation of the show coming up," I tell Georgia during dinner.

"Really? So I can spend the night in Archie's stall? I can have a sleep over with him!" she squeals.

I laugh heartily.

"No, no, you'll be staying with your trainer, but you get to see Archie everyday."

She pouts for a second, before perking up. "I get to see him everyday!"

I nod, "Yes, everyday. Now after dinner we are going to pack up some of your stuff and you'll spend the night there, tonight."

Georgia squeals again, and throws down her fork onto her plate. "I'm going to start packing now!"

She bolts from the table before I have a chance to protest. I laugh to myself as I grab her plate and mine, and take them to the sink.

Humming a peaceful melody, I scrub the dishes clean and place them in the dishwasher. Drying my hands, I take my apron off and head towards Georgia's room.

Upon entering her room, it looks as if Hurricane Georgia ripped through there.

"Georgia," I call out, "where are you?"

"In here, mommy!" a muffled voice calls from the closet.

Slowly, I walk over to the closet, "Georgia, what are you doing deep in your closet?"

She looks at me with her big, innocent, blue eyes. "I'm looking for stuff to take to the barn."

I shake my head and laugh at her. Coaxing her out of the closet, I tell her, "Come on, I'll help you."

An hour later, she had her bag packed and her pillow, while I had secretly packed another bag of her stuff to give to Matt.

"You play for a bit while I finish some stuff up, then we will go," I say, kissing her forehead.

She nods her head furiously and starts playing with her Breyer horses.

I walk to my room. Quickly, I pack another bag full of my clothes and purses and some other items.

While Georgia continues to play with her horses, I pack our bags in the car and then usher her to the car.

Now, I know for sure that Georgia will be safe.

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Matt's POV

I wait impatiently for them. I couldn't wait to see my daughter.

My daughter.

That is something I'll never get old of saying.

I really couldn't believe it. She is mine. I have a daughter, and now she will be safe from that evil man. I will never let anyone lay a hand on my baby girl.

The minutes tick by slowly. My head fills up with 'what if's'. I hope Nate didn't find out about our plan. I don't know what I would do if he found out and hurt them both.

The sound of rocks crunching under the weight of tires jolts me out of my 'what if's'. I bolt from my seat and run out the door to greet them.

"Matt!" Georgia squeals and runs up to me, engulfing me in a hug. Instantly I drop to my knees and hug her back tightly.

Once she releases, me she rushes over to Archie's paddock. My laughter is joined by Scarlett's.

"She sure does love that pony," Scarlett shakes her head, walking towards me.

"Once we become a real family, I'll tell her that the pony is her," I say, wrapping my arms around her petite waist and kissing her forehead.

"She's going to love that," Scarlett laughs.

I kiss her again, then go to the back of her car and grab the bags in the back. She takes Georgia's and I grab the other two.

We leave Georgia outside for now, and place the bags up in their respective rooms.

I follow Scarlett out, back to her car. She turns around to face me and I place my head on hers. "I wish you didn't have to leave."

She gives me a small, sad smile. "I wish I didn't have to leave either," she whispers.

We continue to stare at each other, until I lean down a bit more and place a tender kiss to her lips.

Sparks flew, again.

After all these years, we never lost our spark.

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Scarlett's POV

After saying goodbye to Georgia and Matt, I head back to my house. My head is swimming with thoughts and plans for the future. Everything is falling into place.

All too soon, I am pulling up into my drive way.

I should have know. I should have seen it.

But I didn't.

I didn't know. I didn't see it.

I am too caught up in my own mind to notice it.

Walking in, all the lights are off.

That's odd, I know I kept some on when I left.

Even then, I should have suspected something.

Before I could turn the lights on, one turns on in the hallway, where a looming figure stood.

My breathing stops and I freeze.

Nate appears out of the hallway. My breathing resumes. "Goodness, Nate, you scared the living daylights out of me." I raps out.

"Where were you and where the fuck is Georgia," venom dripped from his voice.

I gulp. What do I do now?

"I said, where the fuck were you and where the fuck is Georgia at?" a malice smile creeping onto his lips.