Chapter 84

Chapter 84
Chapter84

The next day.

"Hold on, Mom, my hair is still messed up!" said Olivia, the eldest, as she smoothed her bangs in front of the small mirror in the waiting room of the registry office.

Elena smiled and fixed the collar of Delya's shirt, who was standing next to her. Nathan sat in the next chair, holding their youngest, Alva, who was looking curiously at the uniformed officer.

"Are you sure we don't need a party or invitations?" Nathan whispered softly.

"Sure. This is enough. I just want the day to go smoothly," Elena replied, looking at their children. "The important thing is that we're officially husband and wife."

Nathan nodded. "Okay. But after this, we’ll celebrate with them, okay? Whatever you want."

"How about some ice cream? But Daddy has to buy all the flavors," Delya said, her eyes narrowing playfully.

Nathan laughed. "Sure thing, kiddo. Daddy will buy a whole case if necessary."

A uniformed officer approached them. "Mrs. Elena and Mr. Nathan Drake Sebastian?"

"Yes," Elena and Nathan replied almost simultaneously.

"Please go to table two. The documents were checked this morning. It's just a matter of signatures and the official wedding photos."

Elena looked at Nathan; he nodded and took her hand. They walked to table two, greeted by the officer’s polite smile.

After a few signatures and a brief recitation of the legal vows, Elena and Nathan stood in front of the red backdrop to be photographed. Their children watched from behind, clapping their little hands.

"Look into the camera, sir, ma'am. One... two... three."

Click.

"Congratulations, Mr. Nathan and Mrs. Elena. This is your marriage license."

The clerk handed over two small red books.

Elena took them with both hands, slightly trembling. She couldn’t believe it. She turned to Nathan, who immediately smiled broadly and kissed her temple.

"Now we’re official. I am your husband."

"And you are the father of my four children," Elena replied quietly.

The children immediately ran over, hugging Nathan in turn.

"Hooray, Uncle Nathan is finally my Daddy!" Delya shouted, her face shining with happiness.

"Daddy has to take Ketty and me to school starting next week!" said Olivia.

"Yes!" said Nathan.

"So now we can call him Daddy?" asked Ketty.

Nathan squatted down in front of them all.

"You can call me whatever makes you feel comfortable. But I will always be there for you."

Alva squirmed in his arms, then suddenly said quietly, "Daddy, I prefer to call you Daddy..."

Elena covered her mouth. Her eyes began to tear up again.

"We have a Daddy now," Olivia said quietly as she looked at her two younger sisters and one younger brother.

Elena looked at Nathan. "They’re the reason why I’m confident in this decision. You are the reason why I dare to start all over again."

After the marriage books changed hands, Nathan and Elena stood in silence for a moment. It felt strange but comforting. It was as if all their hurts, fears, and doubts finally had an end.

"Where do we go now?" asked Elena as she wiped the corners of her moist eyes.

"We’ll go home first," Nathan replied. "Then find the closest place that sells ice cream before Alva gets cranky."

The children laughed. Olivia was holding Elena’s hand, while Delya walked ahead with Ketty.

Alva was still in Nathan’s arms, playing with the collar of his slightly oversized suit.

"Daddy, can I have two scoops of ice cream?" she asked with a grimace.

Nathan frowned as if deep in thought. "Three if you can say ‘the coolest Daddy in the world.’"

Alva laughed, then patted Nathan on the cheek. "The coolest Daddy in the world."

"Elena, did you hear that?" Nathan exclaimed proudly.

Elena chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, don’t get cocky yet. You still have to make dinner tonight."

Nathan shrugged. "For the sake of my legal wife and kids, I’ll do it."

They left the registry office with light steps.

\---

Meanwhile, elsewhere, at a private hospital in Manhattan...

Damian sat in the laboratory waiting room. His expensive suit looked as neat as ever, but there was an unconcealable tension in his jawline.

The door opened. A female doctor entered with an envelope in hand.

"The results are in, Mr. Damian Lancaster," she said, handing him the document.

Damian opened it slowly. His eyes darted to the bottom. The numbers were clearly displayed: Probability of paternity: 99.99%.

Damian let out a long breath.

"So it's true..." he muttered. His lips formed a faint but meaningful smile.

"How?" he asked Isabella.

"He’s my son." Damian looked at her. "Alva is my son, Isabella."

Isabella smiled sarcastically. "Good. Now it’s time for you to take what’s yours. Take Alva. While Elena is in the spotlight because of that scandalous past of hers."

Damian nodded slowly. His face was flat, but there was an ambition that couldn’t be hidden from his eyes.

"Contact a lawyer. I want this processed today."

Isabella took out her cellphone. "I have it ready. Jared will be at the office in two hours."

Damian closed the DNA results folder and stood up.

"Elena, custody of Alva must go to me!"

Damian looked at his reflection in the window—the image of a successful, established man, and now a father after losing David.

"I won’t take all three girls. I only want Alva."

"And you have all the proof you need," Isabella said as she stood up. "DNA, money, connections, and... the scandal Elena is currently facing."

Damian nodded. "But let’s not use dirty tricks just yet. Let’s do this through legal channels. Let Elena see for herself that she can’t fight the system I control."

\---

Back in Elena and Nathan’s little family car, their journey home was filled with children’s songs blaring from the speakers. Ketty and Delya sang softly while sharing earphones.

"Why do you seem to be thinking about something?" asked Nathan, giving Elena a quick glance.

"Calm down... It’s going to be okay."