Chapter 70

Selene’s POV.

“Well- I only found out a few months ago myself,” Nathaniel said awkwardly, so of course, now all the attention shifted onto me. “And I did tell you before I came.”

“What do you mean a few months ago? Oh my god, did you know he was the father?” His mother gasped, probably assuming the worst already.

“Why did you leave when you were pregnant?” His father wondered.

“I left because there was nothing more here for me after I quit, and I didn’t know I was pregnant when I left the country,” I explained. The memories of years ago flood my mind.

“And you didn’t think to tell him he would become a father?” Jennifer’s tone was sharp.

“We had a falling out before she left, and we even took a test before she left and it showed negative, but when she took another there, it proved the opposite,” Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at her, they seemed to communicate with their eyes and left Jon and me a little clueless.

“Back to Jen’s question, you never told him?” Jonathan spoke in a much calmer tone.

“As mentioned, we had a falling out, and well, we were sort of still strangers, so I did it on my own until we came across each other at the expo in Melbourne, and since then, we had been building up our friendship and relationship till the point I felt comfortable to let the two meet,” I started to explain as much as I could and as quick as I could.

“So he missed five whole years?” Jennifer pouted and looked over at Roman, who stared at the telephone screen. It wouldn’t take long before he’d get bored though.

“I’m here now, that’s what’s important and what matters the most,” Nathaniel cleared his throat and took my hand in his then led the way in. “We can’t change the past, but we still have the chance to give Roman the best future,” He said, standing up for me.

So the story began. I told them everything about Roman, starting from birth. I had many, many photos to share with them. I showed them all, starting from when he was just a day old, all red and scrunched up. Being a first-time mom, I pretty much documented every little thing of his, Anya, who usually looked after him, did just the same thing. Almost all his firsts were caught on camera, and I was glad I got to share that with Jonathan and Jennifer. Nathaniel’s parents loved each and every photo/video and constantly asked about them.

“Who is that man?” Jennifer finally asked, referring to Kai in a photo with him and Roman at the park.

“Oh, that’s my brother, Kai,” I answered, and she just nodded along.

“He plays a huge role in his life, doesn’t he?” Jonathan asked.

“Yes, Kai and my sister-in-law, Anya, play a huge role in my and Roman’s life,” I said truthfully and told them just how much those two helped out. It made my life as a single mother far easier to manage.

“I’m glad you had some help then,” Jennifer commented.

“Why did you end up leaving though?” Jonathan asked, and Jennifer nudged him, then glared at him. I suppose it was only fair he’d ask, right?

“Well, I quit my job after some drama at work, and my brother reached out to me about helping me if I moved abroad. I hadn’t lived within the same city with him for a while, and I guess at that moment I wanted to be near my family, so I moved. We had plans for our own business, which was when I found out I was pregnant, but we were already so far into our planning, and Nate and I didn’t end things on good terms,” I explained truthfully.

They seemed to understand, and Nathaniel was listening in, probably ready to jump to my defense.

“Do you mind if we spend some time with him?” Jonathan asked.

“Go ahead,” I smiled.

Jennifer and Jonathan walked over to Roman. Roman looked over at me first, and I joined them.

“These are your grandparents, baby,” I explained as I took back my phone. Roman tilted his head a bit as he looked at them. “Those are Daddy’s parents,” I then explained.

“Grandma? Grandpa?” He asked. He was told about them before we came here, and he had grasped the concept completely. I hoped that meant he’d accept these people in his life.

“Hey darling, it’s so good to meet you,” Jennifer smiled warmly.

“I’m Roman,” He introduced himself proudly. I smiled and slowly slipped away. The three started talking more and more, and I noticed Roman was loving every second of it.

I didn’t realize it at first, but 45 minutes had passed, and they were still talking and laughing.

“Wow, just like that, I’m chopped liver,” Nathaniel mumbled, watching as his son stole his parents away. Roman had them both fixed on him, soaking up every little thing about Roman right now. Roman took a liking to them immediately because he was laughing and smiling with them.

“Happens when you have a child, trust me,” I laughed. I could remember how the attention shifted to Roman the day he was born, and no, I didn’t mind at all. He deserved all the love and attention. It was the purest, most cute thing ever.

My heart felt full watching Roman with his grandparents.

“So, would you like a tour of the house where I spent most of my childhood?” Nathaniel took my hand in his, somehow it seemed like saying no wouldn’t be an option. “It’s not like we’ll be needed soon.”

“How many girls did you bring over?” I wondered, staring at the family photos as we walked. Each of them was clearly themed, the outfits were all coordinated, and overall just adorable. I could take some inspiration there.

“Hm, two, but only one made it to the bedroom,” He answered with a smirk on his face and gently pulled me towards him, resting his hands on my hips.

“Fun,” I rolled my eyes hard, even when I tried not to.

“You’re the one I’m talking about, no need to become so jealous,” He leaned over and kissed my cheek then my lips.

“I’m not,” I was quick to say and pulled away from him to explore further before this man would explore my mouth with his tongue. He started to show me around. The house was stunning, every room was decorated to match.

Nathaniel then led the way to the kitchen. The big black tiles were spotless and shining, I could almost make out my reflection. Only the kitchen island was white marble, but everything else was dark and luxurious looking.

“This is the damn big kitchen, mom barely used it until I left the house,” Nathaniel let go of my hand and walked over to the fridge.

“Because I retired when you left the house,” His mother surprised us as she came through the side door, Roman was being carried by his grandfather.

“Right, right,” He rolled his eyes playfully and got himself a bottle of water.

“Now, Roman and I will use the kitchen to make some snacks, right buddy?” Jennifer walked over to Roman and cupped his cheek.

“Mhm! Daddy makes the best mudpies!” Roman informed her happily which made us laugh.

“Don’t be silly, Nate never enters the kitchen to boil water much less to bake,” Jennifer laughed it off then realized Roman was being serious.

“Well…” Nathaniel shrugged as he looked at his mother.

“You bake now?” She asked, surprised. I then realized that Nathaniel was never one to be found working in the kitchen. It was my no-spoiling rule that forced him to get creative with his gifts hence the homemade food and snacks. Nathaniel always gave it his all to be in our boy’s life.

“I do make some dessert sometimes, but that’s only because she banned me from spoiling him so how else should I?” Nathaniel pouted as he looked at me.

“You really are the best thing that happened to him,” Jennifer smiled at me and I could feel my cheeks getting hotter.

“Thank you, Ma’am, need any help?” I offered.

“Your son will do just fine,” Jennifer smiled then shooed Nate away from the kitchen space.

“What’s that about no spoiling him? Does that also count for his grandparents?” Jonathan asked, the look on his face was exactly like Roman’s when he didn’t want a ‘no’ as an answer.

Fuck, I’m screwed. I can’t exactly tell grandparents that they can’t spoil their grandchild, can I?

“I mean—" I tried to fight it. I could already tell I’d lose here. I looked over at Roman, he was already being loved so much by his grandmother—I’d lose this battle no matter what, and judging by the smirk on Nathaniel’s face, he knew that too.

“He’s our only grandchild, and we’re his only grandparents, come on,” Jonathan pointed out and kissed Roman’s cheek before putting him down so he could go help Jen.

“I mean—I guess—I don’t mind,” I stuttered, unable to say no.

“Perfect, we wouldn’t have taken no as an answer,” Jonathan laughed, but something told me that he wasn’t joking at all. Nathaniel came up behind me and carefully placed his hand on my hip as he held me close.

“Thank you for letting them have this,” He whispered in my ear, and I just looked up at him and smiled.

“So, where are your bags? You will be staying the night here, right?” Jennifer asked, busy rummaging through the fridge.