Chapter 69

Selene’s POV.

Breakfast was delicious. Nothing too fancy, some eggs, toast, sausages, and cut-up fruit. Still, I loved every bit of it. When the time came, we went to meet up with my friends. It had been awkward at first with Nathaniel, but Kiran invited him to stay, trying to accept him.

It took a few minutes, but everyone warmed up to Nathaniel, and Nathaniel warmed up to them. Roman had a blast seeing these people again and was spoiled rotten with their love. This meetup was utterly perfect, and we got to talk about so many things.

Kiran had ordered some snacks and such, but the person was unable to make the delivery. Nathaniel had offered to go with Roman, and Roman jumped at the offer immediately. This left me alone with my friends.

The 21 questions came—but they were all about Nathaniel, and I didn’t mind answering my friends truthfully. Nathaniel was a great guy now, and I was sure they could tell judging by my answers.

“So, you’re back, for good?” Mila asked, hopeful.

“No, we’re just here on vacation and for Roman to finally meet his grandparents,” I explained and watched as they all sighed dramatically.

“Oh my god, it’s already happening?” Kiran gasped.

“Kiran, it’s been months already since Nathaniel met his son. It’s only fair his parents get to meet the only grandchild,” Everett reminded him and nudged him.

“Exactly,” I added. Everett always caught on faster.

“Are you nervous? They seem like great people,” Kiran said truthfully.

“Yeah, I’m a bit nervous. I learned how much family means to them, and I kept one away from them, and now Nathaniel is also making arrangements to stay often in Australia. I know his parents miss him, and I just don’t know,” I admitted and watched as my friends just nodded along, paying attention and making me feel heard.

“I’m sure it will all be ok. You had your reasons, and in the end, you were only being careful,” Kiran patted my back.

“He’s really great though. This Nathaniel is not the asshole boss we all know,” I laughed.

“I’m glad you and Roman have him,” Everett said sincerely, and the rest of my friends agreed and nodded along.

“So James…”

“James is a friend and would never be Roman’s father or the man I love,” I admitted.

“Awwww, guys, Selene is in love,” Everett began to tease, and the others jumped on board immediately.

I changed the subject to their lives, curious to know more even when we chatted weekly, I know there must be things I missed out on. I listened attentively, and at some point, Roman and Nathaniel returned, and we continued to have a great time together.

“So I think we better get going,” I said as I got up and hugged them all.

“It was nice meeting all of you,” Nathaniel smiled at them then picked up Roman and helped him with his bag full of new stuff from his aunt and uncles.

“Mhm, We should host that barbecue this weekend I think?” Kiran wondered, referring to one barbecue we had planned for so long already. Kiran was kind enough to include Nathaniel, I could tell he felt quite welcome.

“Works perfect for us,” I smiled.

“Thank you for the invitation,” Nathaniel smiled and helped me with Roman.

We got back home, and the first thing Roman did was fall asleep face-first on the mattress. I laughed and turned to Nathaniel, he smiled.

“Thank you for today,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist and holding him closer to me.

“You deserve the world, baby,” he kissed my forehead and hugged me closely.

“I think I’m ready for tomorrow,” I confessed.

The day was here, brunch with Nathaniel’s parents. Roman was buckled in the backseat, Nathaniel’s hand rested on my thigh, and there was quite a big smile on his face. I looked out of the window. I had mentally prepared myself for all of this. This would be worth it, Nathaniel's parents seemed like good people and they deserved to know Roman and more than anything, Roman was supposed to have as many people in his life as possible without me withholding him from all of that.

The mansion was stunning, with nice greenery on the front lawn just as Nathaniel had promised. The property was well taken care of; I was amazed by the beauty, and even Roman whispered a soft ‘woah’. Though I do wonder what it was like growing up as an only child in such a big house.

“The mansion is enormous,” I admitted.

“I know. It was fun hosting parties behind my parents’ back. Family events were fun mostly because of the hide-and-seek games with cousins,” Nathaniel laughed, the way he spoke made it clear that he hadn’t been joking about it.

“Oh, so you weren’t 100% alone,” I said, relieved. I might have to start thinking of giving our son siblings or Kai finally giving him cousins.

“Hm, not so often,” Nathaniel said as he put the car in park. “Come on then,” he tapped my thigh.

We all got out and stood at the door. Roman stood between the two of us, holding onto our hands with his tiny ones. The front door opened, and the couple in front of me was so clearly Nathaniel’s parents. He obviously looked a lot like them, but it was his father that surprised me a little. In real life, the resemblances are so uncanny it was almost scary even. I wonder if that's how similar Roman will grow to look like his dad. The baby photos we compared already so much of Nathaniel.

Jennifer had pretty brown eyes that looked surprised right now; she was dressed elegantly yet comfortably. Her husband, Jonathan, was just an older version of Nathaniel. The difference was the shade of blonde hair, the tip of the nose, the wrinkles, and the haircut. I could see in front of me what an aged Nathaniel would look like.

Jonathan rested his hand firmly on her back and held his wife close to him. Their height difference wasn’t that much, and I could already tell Roman was set to grow past me.

Roman suddenly got all shy and hid behind my legs now. Nathaniel cleared his throat and placed his hand on my lower back.

“Mom, Dad, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Nathaniel stepped aside, exposing me completely.

“Oh my god, it’s her, isn’t it?” His mother chirped, “Your girlfriend?”

“About time!” His father smiled and also came through the door, stepping out to shake my hand.

“Because you two would go over the top and also force us to come over the very day we landed,” Nathaniel rolled his eyes.

“You must be the lady who made my son move all across the globe,” His mother looked at me as if she was inspecting me.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, I’m Selene Tempest,” I proudly introduced myself despite my heart racing in my chest.

“Oh wow, she’s so pretty,” His mother pulled me in for a hug.

“Tempest? From Tempest Inc?” Jonathan asked, a bit surprised and a bit amazed.

“Yes, she is,” Nathaniel said proudly, looking at me with admiration.

“Incredible,” Jonathan approved and gave his wife a nod of approval.

“Thank you,” I smiled, then Roman tugged on my pants for attention. Poor guy, he was so shy and still hiding behind me.

“Come here, buddy,” Nathaniel reached down to pick Roman up. He kissed his cheek as he ran his fingers through his hair then held him so his grandparents could see him. This was it, this was him meeting his parents.

“That’s your son Nathaniel mentioned,” Jennifer said with a slight frown on her face as she looked at Roman.

“This is Roman Tempest,” I introduced him. Roman just smiled at them then hid his face in his father’s neck. “Uhm, he’s a little shy,” I added and rubbed his back.

“How old are you, buddy?” Jennifer wondered.

“I’m almost five,” Roman answered so quietly.

“Wow, five?!” Jonathan asked enthusiastically. Jennifer, however, has been staring like she saw a ghost.

“Jonathan, I think that’s, that’s your-” Jennifer stuttered, trying to come to a conclusion. “How long have you two known each other?” She then turned to Nathaniel.

“We met six to seven years ago… She worked at Richie’s company when I took over,” Nathaniel explained.

“That’s your son, isn’t he, Nathaniel?” Jennifer asked, her eyes focused on her son. I turned to Nathaniel with a frown. Did he not tell his parents? He assured me he told them. I would never come and drop the information like this without any information given beforehand.

“Jen, don’t be silly–” Jonathan said when Nathaniel spoke up.

“Yes Mom, this is my son,” he confirmed, rubbing Roman’s back. “I thought I told you on the phone,” Nathaniel stated with a frown. Great, so we’re all confused here.

“We thought you meant stepson, we weren’t aware you had a biological son for five years already,” Jennifer replied.

“Excuse me? You’re a father? I’m a grandfather?” Jonathan frowned.

“Well, I’d also like you to meet our son, Roman,” Nathaniel said awkwardly, trying to avoid the glares of his parents.

They let us into the house, and I knew that we had to speak in private first so I took Roman to the other side of the living room and got him comfortable in a chair.

“Romie, do you mind watching something on the phone for a moment, baby?” I could tell this conversation would take a bit and probably shouldn’t be held in front of Roman.

“Okay mama,” Roman took my phone and snuggled into his seat.

“Here you go, we’ll be right back,” I ruffled his hair.

“You have a five-year-old son and you’re telling me this just now?” Jennifer asked sternly, glaring at her son. Of course, I now felt bad for how things turned out.