Reborn From Oblivion

Nathalie was in a bit of a fog for a while.

"What did you just say? Nathan has a kid?" she asked, caught between laughter and disbelief, thinking it had to be some kind of mix-up. "How old is the child?"

Lizzy replied, "About two or three."

Nathalie quickly did the math in her head and shook her head in disbelief. "That can't be right. Nathan's only twenty now. Three or four years ago, he was still underage. With his by-the-book personality, he'd never do something so outlandish." People do tend to cling to their first impressions, and Lizzy stuck to her guns. "But he told us himself, this little girl is his daughter."

Lizzy's firm stance made Nathalie hesitate.

"Seriously?"

Lizzy nodded. "Sis, I'm not pulling your leg. What he did was definitely not classy, but haven't you always said he's been good to you? Maybe cut him some slack this one time?" Nathalie's face clouded over.

Lizzy tried to soothe her, "Come on, think about it. He was just a kid himself back then. Consider it a youthful mistake and let it slide this once."

Nathalie wobbled to her feet, still struggling to wrap her head around it. "I can't believe he'd do something so ridiculous."

"If the kid's got a mom, and he was involved enough to have a child, he should step up. How can he just walk away? That's heartless."

Nathan, taking Dominick's advice, decided to lay it all out for Nathalie before introducing her to Minnie.

He left the little one in Dominick's capable hands for the moment and went to face Nathalie. But as he reached the door, he overheard her accusing him.

In a panic, he barged in, "Nathalie, let me explain."noveldrama

Nathalie shot Lizzy a look, "Give us a moment, I want to hear what he has to say."

Lizzy reluctantly left, looking back with every step.

Nathan rushed over, but as he reached for Nathalie's hand, she pulled it away sharply.

"Hold on, don't touch me yet. Answer my questions first."

Nathan nodded, "Alright, shoot."

"Is the child you brought back really your daughter?"

Nathan nodded firmly, "Nathalie, I want to be her dad."

Nathalie shivered, "But I, I don't want to be her mom."

Nathan pleaded, "Nathalie, don't decide so quickly. If you meet her, I'm sure you'll change your mind."

Nathalie was adamant, "I don't want to meet her. Nathan..."

She struggled to continue, "I've

thought about it, and we're just not right for each other. You're too laid-back about relationships, it

shows a lack of commitment net

traditional, I want someone to share my life with, someone to grow old with."

With that, Nathalie left in tears.

Nathan suddenly wrapped her in a hug from behind, "Nathalie. You've got it all wrong. I want the same kind of love you do, just us two, forever. Trust me, our views on love are aligned. Please, just meet the child. One look, and you'll see."

Nathalie looked unsure.

Eventually, she agreed to give Nathan a chance.

Together, they walked out of the room, down the stairs, and into the garden.

From a distance, she spotted a little bundle of joy sitting on a wooden chair, with Dominick and Ford keeping her entertained.

Nathan called out gently, "Minnie."

The little one turned her head.

Whether she saw Nathan or Nathalie

first, she

theauddenly lit up, leapt off the

chain and dashed toward them like the wind.