"Nate!" Kate calls entering their room.
Nate was sitting on the bed, staring at the wall. Still angry.
"Nate, I'm sorry" Kate apologized, taking a few strides to him. Nate was not responding, he wasn't even looking at her and it hurt.
"I'm sorry Nate, I didn't mean to hurt you" Kate pressed on, hoping her brother would respond but he didn't regardless of how much she tried.
"I promise I won't do it again, I will never cheat again," Kate said, she was already crying.
She couldn't bear her brother staying mad at her, it was hurting her.
"Why did you do it?" Nate spoke up after a long try.
"I wanted to be the first to hug Mama, I didn't mean to, I swear " Kate explains.
"You should have told me, you know I would've let you win," Nate turns to her.
The apologetic and innocent look on her face was enough to soften Nate's heart.
"You are my sister Kate, my baby sister. It's my right to protect you and make sure you don't lack anything. I would have gladly lost to you"Nate said as though he is a grown-up man able to handle things on his own.
"I'm sorry" Kate could only cry, feeling bad." I promise to tell you next time, whatever I want"
With that, Nate couldn't help but pull her in for a hug. His tiny hands circle around his sister comforting her.
"You are my sister, grandma said I should be mad at you," Nate said and wiped away her tears.
The two climb downstairs after their all-so-make-up time.
This time, Nate allowed Kate to take the lead as Kate came flying into Smiles's arms.
Smiles takes Nate into a hug after Kate, she was indeed a proud mother to the two beautiful angels.
Kate caught sight of Derrick on the opposite sofa, "who is he, mommy?" She asked Derrick to direct her question.
"Kate, Nate… this handsome-looking man here is yours" Before Smiles could finish her introductory statement, Nate cut her off
"I don't want a dad!" Nate's tone was firm and decisive. The way he glared at Derrick, it was as though he would extinguish him from existence.
Smiles and Derrick are stunned at his sudden declaration, Smiles meets with Derrick's gaze, before he turns to the little boy.
"Ok, so Nate, I don't want us to start on the wrong foot. I will be clear here, I am not your daddy" Derrick explains, he was already feeling chills at the young man's intense stare.
Nate turns to smile, and she nods in response. Only then did he believe.
"Who is he then?" Nate asked.
"He is your uncle Derrick, my brother, grandma's son." She explains.
Kate frowns, "but grandma has never made mention of him," she said. Kate always spends time with Fiona and she gets to know lots of things from her.
Smiles chuckles, "That's because you guys are too small for grandma to be discussing anything with " She explains.
Nate tilted his head to the side, "So if he is our uncle how come he's never visited until now?" Asked Nate. He was very wise and smart.
"That's 'cause he doesn't live here," Smiles explains.
The children were yet to begin with their interrogation.
"Where is he then?" Nate pressed on.
"New York" Derrick took it upon himself to answer their every question.
Nate turns to him, "What do you do for a living?" He asked, not minding what he was saying.
"I work, just like your mom I'm a company owner" Derrick explains.
"Are all the people in New York as handsome as you?" Kate asked, she was now sitting beside Derrick staring at him in the face.
Derrick chuckles seeing how cute she looks, "Yes they are, but not as beautiful as you" he pinches her cheek. The little girl giggles.
Nate didn't move, he stayed beside his mom watching him from afar.
Smiles excuse herself to get some snacks for them leaving Derrick with the children.
"Have you ever met him?" Nate asked, not completing his words.
Derrick didn't know who he was referring to, "how?" He asked.
Kate chuckles, "dumb… he's talking about Daddy," she says laughing.
Derrick couldn't believe these tiny figures were actually playing smart over him. "Yes, we are friends," he said innocently.
Kate shakes her head in pity. Nate didn't bother saying anything, he walked to his PlayStation and started playing with his toys.
Derrick didn't know what he did wrong. Kate elbows him, and he turns to her.
"You shouldn't have said that," she whispers.
Derrick frowns, "what? Why?" He asked, confused.
" Are you dumb or what? Can't you see, he doesn't like when they talk about Daddy and you just made it worse by saying he is your friend " Kate explains.
Only then did Derrick understand," but he asked" he didn't understand why he reacted that way.
"yes he asked but you shouldn't have made mention of you being friends with him," Kate said and left.
Maybe it will take a while to understand these kids, but he was happy and willing to go through the stress of making them love him.
Smiles walk back with a tray of juice and crackers for the kids." Kate, Nate, snacks are ready and your juice too" she calls.
Not long after, she walks out with wine for Derrick.
" Have you guys got to know each other? " Smiles asked, staring at the men in the room.
Nate didn't bother responding, he drank his juice as if the question wasn't meant for him.
"not quite, but I guess we will with time," Derrick said, eyes on the little boy.
He's so much like his father, plant and carefree. Only cares about those he loves and the rest can go to hell.
"He's a whole lot of job" Derrick whispers, Smiles chuckles.
She knew it would be easier for him to get Kate's love and attention as compared to Nate. He is strict, composed, and loving but not to all.