Passing Through

Part Sixty

He had a few things he wanted to do, and it was only meant to be a brief stop. Nathan was meeting them, with Bo's car, and they were road-tripping to Chicago via Detroit. Ten days, before flying to California. The Holdings were waited excitedly, in particular Bo's sisters, who were all desperate to meet her. Only Astrid his oldest sister, had been to the UK on business, and they'd both gone to London to meet up with her briefly. Natasha had loved her and looked forward to more time with the whole clan. Once they left Boston, she had zero concerns, it was the time there that freaked her out.

Emerging into the warm Boston day, Bo led her across the arrivals hall to the unmistakable figure of Nathan, head and shoulders above everyone, bar Bo himself. After a bro hug, and a kiss to Natasha's cheek, he led them out to the short term parking, and a huge black SUV.

"This is your?" She asked Bo. When he didn't answer, she turned to see him almost purring over the vehicle.

"This baby?" He offered, a grin a mile wide, running a hand over the immaculate paintwork. "THIS is a car, Natasha, a real car."

She laughed, "that micro car you have really kills you."

He nodded, spreading out his arms as he leaned back against the SUV. "What is about you Brits and your little cars? That matchbox they gave me from the club isn't as big as the engine on this baby. Just wait until you see the cars I have at my parents."

Plural. She rolled her eyes, men and their motors.

They stayed at Nathan's central penthouse apartment that night, and he and his girlfriend ordered in a feast of food. They sat on the roof terrace talking and laughing, hearing all about the two men when they were rookies together.

Katie, his pregnant fiancée was the first to give up and head to bed, which wasn't bad, considering that both Natasha and Bo were jet-lagged.

But sleep eluded Natasha, again. They were going to the Bruins Stanley Cup game the next day, but after that, they were leaving for the mid west. She had the night to decide whether to make contact with her parents.

Even after breakfast the following morning, she still had no idea what to do. But attending game five of the Stanley Cup was an occasion like no other, all too soon she was swept up in the moment, buying a cap, a shirt and flag. Skipping into the arena holding Bo's hand so excitedly.

Bo was happy to see Natasha finally relax. He hated that she was so tense, he really wanted her to have fun, for this holiday to be everything to her, but her awful parents and their treatment of her, hung over her like the darkest cloud. He hoped that her seeing them again would be cathartic, offer some sort of closure.

Then the hockey started, and he got embroiled. He wasn't a specific fan of either team, but Nathan was playing and he knew a few others on his team. So he started to shout and cheer with the fans.

At the end of the second period, it was poised at three all. The atmosphere was electric, and he was back enjoying his life, his sport.

Natasha squeezed his hand, and he looked down at her, "I need the bathroom."

Nodding he stood, leading her down to the concourse, "I'll get us a couple of beers whilst you do your thing?"

Rolling her eyes, she scooted across the walkway to the ladies bathroom, and he watched her disappear inside before making for the beer stand.