Passing Through

Part Fifty Six

A/N Sorry at the delay, hectic times. Almost at the end, and this part is really hard to get right. Hope you enjoy, MZx 

Chapter Fifty Six

The silence in the cafe without his presence was almost deafening, but Natasha's mind was buzzing so many things were competing for attention in her brain. Talking to Coop had been so painful, but knowing that he shared a similar past, and that he was so bloody normal. Something she'd never felt for years. Made her feel so optimistic, she'd started to doubt that she'd ever get over it, ever have a normal life. Hiding her secret, carrying that burden had been hard work, pretending that it hadn't happened, suppressing her grief, being unable to mourn her baby, and also the loss of the greatest job in the world, being a mother. Since Mia died she'd imagined that her chance at motherhood would forever be limited to those two weeks, years ago.

But having another child wouldn't be replacing Mia, that had always been her fear. But if Coop could get over his child being murdered, trust another woman enough to have another child, then she could too, couldn't she?

As she turned off the lights, her phone bleeped and she saw a message from Bo.

So they're here. And hungry. You want to meet us at our favourite Italian?

She would've said no, but she owed him this, she was going to be the perfect girlfriend, after all, he'd been there for her.

Cool. I'll call Marco and book a table. Give me ninety mins?

She smiled when she read his response.

I would pick you up, but I can barely get my parents into this minute car.

Despite him accepting all that things that he'd resented about his move to Britain, but he'd never get used to his little car. It was the bane of his life.

After a shower, and the biggest deliberation of her recent life – what to wear to meet you boyfriend's parents, she emerged into the evening wearing tight black trousers and a colourful tunic, and heels. Killer heels. Bo had told her that his mother was a model, and she was six foot tall. There was no way that she was going to be dwarfed by them all. But that didn't mean she was comfortable walking in them, and she had to take flats to drive.

The three were already at the table when she arrived. His father, tall, dark and handsome, his mother blonde, willowy and beautiful. It was almost devastating, how good the three looked sat there together. She paused for a moment, but she was well known in the restaurant, and Marco the owner was quick to rush over to her, which alerted Bo to her arrival. Standing he watched her appreciatively as she crossed the room, his eyes like a warm caress over her body. For a moment she could almost forget that his parents were there, especially when he pulled her close and kissed her far harder and longer than was probably appropriate in front of his parents. But her heart raced and she couldn't wipe the smile off her face, it felt like everything was so different.

Bo held her at arm's length for a moment, studying her, as though he realised that things were changed too.

Then squeezing her hands, he turned to the table, "Mom, Dad...this is Natasha."