Not long after Ruediger and Lariette’s talk about Nathaniel, also about having children, the man drove out of Faulkner Investnt’s compound, hitting the major roads.
The sedan joined the other vehicles, speeding down the asphalt under the dazzling sumr sun.
Nathaniel’s destination was Elysian Heights instead of going back to Seacastle. He even left the office hours earlier than usual. The ti had just hit a quarter past two on the Friday afternoon.
His assistants were surprised once they saw their boss clocking out early. The man rarely did so before.
’I might get there in fifteen minutes.’
Nathaniel’s gaze drifted to the dashboard screen, glancing at the small clock above the navigation system. His heart thumped with excitent at the thought of going to Elysian Heights for the first ti.
Nathaniel went there to pick Elsie and Lorianne up. He planned to bring them to a ho center for so shopping, mainly intended for the little one’s new bedroom.
Darting his eyes to the rearview mirror, Nathaniel looked at the newly installed booster seat in the back. He picked one from a trusted brand in the color pink, Lorianne’s favorite color.
’I hope she’ll love it.’
Nathaniel held back from showing the child’s car seat to Lorianne. Only Elsie knew about it. She approved of his choice, saying it would be the perfect one for their daughter.
’Haha... Rudy will laugh at if he knew how nervous I am.’
Nathaniel felt his stomach twist into knots despite anticipating this ho shopping trip. He hoped that he wouldn’t make any stupid mistakes when going out with Elsie and Lorianne.
’Will she find what she likes at the ho center?’
Worries lingered in Nathaniel’s mind as he thought of the ho shopping trip. He almost couldn’t sleep last night for thinking about it.
Nathaniel planned to bring Elsie and Lorianne to Zenith Haus, one of the renowned ho centers in Avaloria City. The place had a wide selection of furniture and ho decorations, including having a custom service.
Only a few days had passed from the first ti Nathaniel t Lorianne but so many things had already happened. Everything made him hopeful for a happy life with the little one.
Nathaniel wished to be there for every single milestone Lorianne accomplished in her life, regardless of whether it was a major achievent or an insignificant one.
After all, he had missed so many things in the past five years.
Glancing out the window at the red light, an advertisent piqued Nathaniel’s interest. The billboard promoted a new literacy campaign organized by the national library, intended for children.
’Read. Grow. Imagine.’
A few children of different races gathered before a giant open book with magical illustrations erging between the pages.
’Lorrie likes reading. I should take her to the bookstore too.’
Nathaniel couldn’t help but recall the video calls he had with Lorianne recently.
As promised, Nathaniel video-called Lorianne in the morning and at night. He even did the sa during lunch hour despite not being able to talk much with her.
Lorianne showed Nathaniel her bedroom in Elysian Heights, also her collection of storybooks and toys. She also told him which ones she liked the most, thus giving him ideas about her preferences.
Nathaniel couldn’t wait for the renovations to be done completely, including passing the safety features. Elsie left everything to him after sharing more information about Lorianne’s likes and dislikes.
"She’ll surely be happy, Niel. It’ll be the greatest gift from her father, after all."
Elsie’s words during their previous call echoed again in Nathaniel’s mind. He was thrilled at the solid trust he perceived from her voice.
’I will do anything for our child, Elsie.’
Nathaniel repeated the vow in his heart. Smiling, he resud driving once the light changed to green.
The sleek sedan glided past the towering glass buildings and the trees that lined up the city’s pedestrian paths. The billboard of the literacy campaign was left far behind.
Soon, Nathaniel arrived at Elysian Heights. The guards allowed him in after checking his identification. Elsie had notified the property manager about him.
’This place is nice.’
The thought crossed Nathaniel’s mind as he slowly drove toward the main lobby. Elsie said she and Lorianne would wait for him there.
Nathaniel had run a thorough check on Elysian Heights. This apartnt catered to the upper class residents. The security, atmosphere and everything related to it were good enough.
Nathaniel hadn’t heard much about the Winslows from Elsie, but he believed they wouldn’t simply let her and Lorianne live in an unsafe residence. Especially when they could afford to give the best for the mother and daughter.
Stepping out of the car, Nathaniel typed sothing on his phone, wanting to ssage Elsie about his arrival. A familiar shout stopped him.
"Daddy!"
"...!"
Nathaniel looked up from the phone, eyes imdiately finding the source of the voice. He froze for a second once he saw Elsie and Lorianne walking out of the lobby.
The little one eagerly waved at him before charging forward. The hem of her skirt flew around her short legs.
"Daddy! I’m here!"
"Lorrie!"
Nathaniel bent down, scooping Lorianne up. The little one let out infectious giggles, overjoyed for eting her daddy again even though they had just talked over the phone this morning.
"Daddy, Mommy say we’re going shopping," Lorianne asked, her excitent palpable through her sparkly brown eyes, "Where are we going?"
Elsie had only told Lorianne that Nathaniel would take them shopping. She didn’t specify where or what kind of shopping they would do.
"It’s a surprise."
Nathaniel chuckled, pleased to see the joy on Lorianne’s face. Looking from the little one to Elsie, he greeted her with a smile. He just noticed sothing.
"You two wear matching dresses."
Elsie and Lorianne giggled at Nathaniel’s remark. The mother and daughter wore pastel yellow dresses with similar floral embroideries, only differing in lengths and sleeve styles.
"Lorrie picked this dress," Elsie ran a hand over her flowy skirt, "What do you think?"
Staring blankly at Elsie, Nathaniel murmured, "...beautiful. You’re as beautiful as always."
Elsie’s cheeks pinkened. She simply smiled at Nathaniel. A faint pink bubble enveloped them before Lorianne’s voice pulled them back to reality.
"Daddy, here is yellow," Lorianne reached for Nathaniel’s wrist, pointing at his cufflink, "Still matchy with and Mommy."
Nathaniel glanced at the cufflink. He smiled at helplessness, not pointing out its color was gold instead of yellow.
"Let’s go. Oh! Daddy has another surprise for Lorrie."
"Huh? What? What surprise?"
Carrying Lorianne on one arm, Nathaniel opened the car door, revealing the pink booster seat. Her sudden shriek earned laughter from him.
"Daddy! That’s so cute! For ?"
Lorianne patted Nathaniel’s back, her short legs wiggled as another layer of excitent overtook her little heart. Her reaction caused him to laugh louder.
"Yes, it’s for my dear Lorrie," Nathaniel replied between chuckles. He glanced at Elsie, "Your mommy said you’d love it. I’m glad."
"I love it so much! Daddy! Thank you!"
Lorianne threw herself back on Nathaniel, hugging her father’s neck with her short arms. The man smiled softly, returning the soft hug from his little daughter.
This mont was worth it.
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