Chapter 65

Selene’s POV.

I went outside with Roman. I blew the bubbles for him and he started to chase it around. It was just adorable to see him running around after them. He’d always been that way, easily distracted by bubbles. At some point, Roman got tired of chasing the bubbles so we changed roles. He blew the bubbles and I did the running.

The alarm I set for the chicken went off and my watch reminded me of that. I ran inside and checked on the chicken. Roman helped me brush the chicken with some extra sauce then put them back in for another two to three minutes.

“It smells sooooo good, mama,” He grinned. Roman climbed onto the little stairs and took the plates from the counter to help me set the table.

“You’re being such a big help today,” I smiled at him. “Thank you,” I kissed his cheek. I turned the oven off after three minutes and right as I did so we heard a knock on the front door.

Roman joined me by the front door and we let Nathaniel in. He just handed me some flowers with a simple ‘hello’ and nothing else.

“Hey Roman, how are you?” He asked and picked him up.

“I’m good Daddy, I missed you,” Roman informed him and wrapped his arms around him. I watched as the two caught each other up- Well Nathaniel just told him work was good and Roman showed him his newly solved puzzle. It was one Nathaniel brought him from America, it was a picture of a building in New York City. It was much more complex than the one Roman is used to but the boy managed to finish it, surprising us to be fair.

We all settled down for dinner and began to eat it. It was just as delicious as I thought it would be. Roman loved it so much that he asked for a little bit more, not caring if he had to skip dessert which spoiler alert he did but I promised him he could have it the next morning. Nathaniel brought us cake for dessert so the two of us just enjoyed that whilst Roman was devouring a piece of chicken Nathaniel had to cut up for him. By the time he was finished Roman’s whole mouth was covered in orange sauce.

“I’ll give him a bath and get him ready for bed,” Nathaniel told me, I just stared at him for a moment. “If that’s ok with you,” He added.

“Yeah sure, could you stay behind after you’ve put him down though?” I requested as I gathered the plates. “I need to talk to you about something,” I mumbled.

“About?”

“I think you’re well aware Nathaniel, we’re both adults so let’s act accordingly,” I replied, narrowing my eyes on him for a moment. Then Roman ran to him and Nathaniel just nodded to me. He looked down at Roman and smiled instantly, picking up the little boy.

I scrubbed the dishes clean and stared out the window, where I could see Kai and Anya getting in the car and driving off. I finished washing the dishes and wiped off my hands against the towels. Soon, I could hear loud rumbling from the stairs. I looked over and saw Roman running over to me, as he always did whenever Nathaniel was the one to get him ready for bed.

Roman wore his T-rex onesie. His hair was dried properly, as I taught Nathaniel. Nathaniel added the kid's hair lotion and nearly swept the boy’s hair back like he’d do for himself. Roman smelled like a baby, which I loved so, so much. I was only just enjoying this while I still could. I knew once he’d start growing, he’d grow pretty fast. From what I heard from other moms, the toddler stage is the most challenging but the part you enjoy the most. I always wondered what he’d be like as a teen. Would he be moody? Would he still share everything with me? Would he keep to himself?

“Mamaaa,” Roman launched himself at me, wrapping his arms and legs around my legs. Thank god I had good balance. This guy had too much energy and often played rough.

“Yes, Romie?” I asked, leaning down to pick him up. I hugged him tightly and sniffed him subtly. He immediately swung his arms around me and leaned over to kiss my cheek. “I’m going to bed, mama,” Roman told me and started stroking my hair a little.

“Yeah, are you going to have sweet dreams?” I asked, swaying side to side with him in my arms. That always calmed him down. He’d place his head on my shoulder and one hand right above my left chest as if he was feeling my heartbeat.

“Always, mama,” He said quietly. I hugged him a little longer before letting him go. Nathaniel stood at the top of the stairs, his sleeves rolled up from having to shower Roman. He waited for Roman to join him upstairs, then helped him to bed, tucked him in, and read him a story. Roman had grown attached to this treatment from Nathaniel. It was good to see that no matter what, Nathaniel understood where he stood in Roman’s life and what was expected from him.

While Nathaniel was busy with Roman, I went up to my room and got ready for the night myself. It didn’t take long. I just freshened up then put on my usual shorts and an oversized shirt and headed straight downstairs. I started to prepare some tea for myself while I waited for Nathaniel to come down.

After a minute or two, I heard Nathaniel sneaking his way down the stairs and went to the living room, taking a seat on the couch as he waited for me to come talk to him. He didn’t even say anything. Rude.

I decided to jump straight into it.

“Nathaniel, is something wrong?” I asked and settled down on the couch next to him. I was surprised he had time to stay behind. These past four days he bolted out the door the moment he was done putting Roman to bed.

“Nope,” He said shortly and watched as I blew into my steaming tea.

“Why are you avoiding me?” I asked openly. I was usually one to beat around the bush, but not right now and not in this situation. I couldn’t afford to get hurt, so I took my chances to be straight to the point.

“I’m not avoiding you,” He lied and looked away from me.

“You’re being extremely short with me. You don’t even hug me anymore, not even a kiss on the cheek, nothing,” I informed him as I leaned over and put the teacup on the coaster so I could focus more on this conversation.

“Why don’t you go ask Australia’s favorite actor? Maybe he’s still at the park,” Nathaniel rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. I frowned before it hit me who he was talking about.

“Oh my god, is that what all of this is about?” My voice squeaked as I couldn’t believe it. “James?” I asked. I couldn’t believe it. James was the issue?

“Whatever his name may be,” He dismissed. I noticed he was clenching his jaw, his brows slightly furrowed, lips pursed a little too forward. He was jealous and a little angry. Cute.

“Oh god, Nathaniel Sullivan, are you jealous?” I laughed. How could I not? I never thought I’d be seeing this at all! Nathaniel? Jealous?

“No,” He denied, but the answer was so clearly yes!

“You are,” I laughed and shook my head. Thank god this was the problem and nothing else. This was fairly easy to solve.

“Let’s say I am. It seems I’d have every right to,” He turned back to me and waited for my response.

“No, you don’t because James isn’t what you may think he is to me,” I rolled my eyes. Of course, he’d think that way.

“And who is he to you exactly? Didn’t you mention he asked you out several times?” Nathaniel asked, arching his brow up. This is what I get for being honest with Nate.

“Yes, he did, but I made it clear that I was focusing on Roman right now and I don’t think he’s right for me. He moved around too much, and he understood. Instead, he became a great friend. His nephew is only a year older than Roman, and James had to look after him, hence why we spent some time together the last time,” I started to explain. It wasn’t even for that long. James and I had known each other for a short time.

“Playdates and normal dates?” Nathaniel asked, jealousy dripping from his tone. Green most definitely isn’t that man’s color.

“Just playdates. He was a busy man,” I rolled my eyes. And I was a busy woman too.

“I see. Are you still interested in him?” Nathaniel was stupid enough to ask, as if the answer wasn’t right in front of him.

“No, Nathaniel, I’m not. I’m interested in the father of my son who so clearly decided to act like an ass,” I shook my head at him. How thick-headed can one actually be? Can’t he see I like ‘him’?

“Selene, I’m sorry,” He apologized softly, realization hitting him finally.

“No, you made me believe that perhaps things were going too fast, or perhaps you didn’t want this at all,” I said truthfully. I didn’t like how he treated me after all.

“I want this. I want all of this,” He took my hands in his and pulled me closer to him. “All my dreams, you’re the woman making them come true, and you’re the only one who will keep going over the bar I set and believed to be unable to reach. I thought I’d have to settle for less, but that was until I met you. You made most of my dreams come true, and soon I’m sure you will make all of them come true. You and Roman,” He spoke sweetly and kissed the back of my hands.

“Nathaniel,” I smiled, not sure what to tell him now. I fucking loved him, even after the way he treated me these three days.

“I’m so sorry, Selene. Tell me how I can make it up to you,” He began to ask and pulled me much, much closer to him.

“Next time something like this happens, I want you to communicate with me so we can talk it out,” I asked him. It was all I needed, clear communication to avoid something like this ever happening again.

“Got it. It won’t happen again,” He was quick to promise and kissed my cheek. “Is that all? I can make a pretty good apology using just one body part of mine,” Nathaniel asked with a slight smirk on his face, one hand resting subtly on my knee.

“Oh yeah?” I raised a brow at him then looked down at the hand that kept sliding up my knee.

“Mhm, we can test it. If it isn’t up to your standard, we can go till we meet your standard,” He offered, already crawling over my body and hovering right above me.

“That I think, sounds like a great idea,” I smiled and watched as he leaned down and whispered, “Perfect.” Nathaniel then began to kiss me.

“Wait, I’m serious. You can’t let anything like this happen again,” I said, looking up into his eyes.

“You’re right. I won’t risk losing you ever again. Next time I’ll talk, no matter how scared I am,” Nathaniel confessed, and I smiled and nodded. My hands wrapped around him, and I pulled him toward me.