Chapter 16 #2
The Archers are a remarkable family—there’s no doubt about it. And their love for each other runs so deep, it’s impossible to miss. No matter what, it’s always all hands on deck—not out of need, but out of want.
A premature pregnancy, like Audrey had been telling me. A knee replacement surgery that took Richard years to overcome. The fire that cost Natalia her hair-dressing studio.
They were always there for each other.
“Would you like to have children of your own someday?” Audrey’s question snaps me out of my thoughts.
I always thought I knew my answer. No. All because of one incident that turned my world upside down. But if I had the right person by my side and was surrounded by as much love as they were…Fuck, I’d want a family. And I’d want it so damn bad.
I nod in response with a weak smile, just in time for Natalia to come rushing out the patio doors with a brown leather book in hand.
“I have to say. This one has so many gems.”
Audrey and I chuckle as Nate’s shoulders slump in defeat.
“This is not going to end well for me.” He sighs.
“It’s necessary. Your future wife needs to realize how totally un-cute and screwed your babies are,” his sister teases with a wink.
And as much as I’d like to agree with her for the sake of teasing Nate, it would be the furthest thing from the truth. Maybe he wasn’t the cutest baby—though an inkling tells me otherwise—but he definitely makes up for it as a man.
There’s no time for me to respond when Natalia plants herself down next to me and sets the baby picture book on my lap.
From the cover alone, I can tell this is going to be the highlight of my week—baby Nate sits in front of a supersized tub of Nutella and is covered in chocolate from head to toe.
Audrey slaps her knee in amusement. “Holy—” she tries to catch her breath. “My brother was a fat ass, and to this day, nothing has changed.”
“I am not a fat ass. I have a fat ass. Please properly differentiate between the two,” Nate murmurs.
I hit the side of his arm in disbelief, and I’m met with the playful roll of his eyes. It’s a fissure in his exterior, a slight tug of his lips that turns into a full-blown smile, and I can’t help but revel in the sight.
“I’d like to come to your defense, but I’m afraid Audrey’s right.”
“Do not lie to me.” Nate’s mouth drops in disbelief.
“Why would I be lying?” I play up my cluelessness.
Nate’s face dips down till he’s hovering above my ear, and goose bumps jolt up my arm. His proximity is addictive. His warmth sends my heart into overdrive. But it’s the way he drawls, “Don’t act like I haven’t seen you stare, baby,” that sends heat rushing to my cheeks.
I reach for the picture book, using it as a personal shield to hide my blush when laughter echoes all around me—Nate included.
It’s his first happy emotion of the night.
Thankfully, I’m no longer the centre of attention when Anya falls face-first into her mother’s lap, legs kicking out excitedly. “Can we pretty, pretty please go—”
“Anya, look up!” Richard calls from his spot beyond the pool.
A deep, continuous roar echoes through the air, and the girl shoots up faster than I can blink. She runs to her grandpa and stops to watch a large plane zip above them—it’s red and green lights flickering in the dark sky.
“That was so cool!” Her fists pump in the air before turning toward us with puppy dog eyes. “Can we pretty, pretty please go airplane watching?”
The food from earlier churns at the question, no longer sitting well with me. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes to gather myself when another rumble of engines surges.
It’s like I’ve been sent back nine years in time.
“Is that something you guys are up for?” Audrey asks, glancing from Nate to me. “There’s a nearby airport we love to go to. It’s sort of a tradition around here.”
“I don’t mind,” Nate answers, looking over to me.
I want to go. I want to make up for the events that brought us here in the first place. But I’m not sure if I can without breaking into thousands of jagged pieces.
I nibble on my lip nervously, and it isn’t until a large hand lands on mine that I realize I’ve been fidgeting this whole time.
My gaze drops to where Nate’s skin meets mine, and a shiver rakes through my spine at the touch.
It’s meant to calm me down, and while it does shift my mind away from the incident, I now find myself consumed with something else entirely.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to go. It’s getting late, anyway. We should be heading back home,” he says softly.
“Nonsense,” Natalia protests. “It’s way too dark for you to make the drive back to the city. Stay the night and leave tomorrow.”
Audrey’s brows perk up. “Now, that’s what I call a great idea. We could also swing by the Audrey Archer Atelier before you head off? We have so many stunning bridal looks you could try on—maybe even find the one?”
Nate stiffens beside me at the mention of picking out wedding dresses, while I’m internally freaking out at the implication of spending the night.
It’s been a long day for us both, and I speak on our behalf when I say that the only thing that will fix it is to sleep in our own beds.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Nate answers.
Audrey’s lips part in disappointment while Natalia’s shoulders slump in defeat. Something about their reactions elicits a sense of guilt in me.
His family went out of their way to accommodate us tonight. Richard spent an hour barbecuing. Audrey is offering me one of her dresses for my nonexistent wedding. Natalia regarded me as if I were already her daughter-in-law.
They treated me like one of their own despite the cheating allegations that brought us here. And if Nate and I can’t inconvenience ourselves for one night to please them, I think we’d be the bad guys in this situation.
Before I know it, I’m speaking from the heart.
“We would love to spend the night! And visiting the Atelier sounds like so much fun!”
Nate’s head snaps in my direction, his gaze boring into me. “I don’t know if that’s a great id—”
“It’s decided, you’re staying the night, and we’ll go to the atelier tomorrow.” Audrey stands, cheering. “Have you taken down the Playboy posters from your wall, Nate?” she singsongs, looking down at her big brother defiantly.
I muffle a cough while Nate’s hand lands on my leg.
“There never were any Playboy posters!” he defends. “They’re cars and planes. You know this!”
“Tomayto, tomahto.” Audrey waves a hand dismissively. ”They both have a way of turning you on, one way or another.”
I burst out laughing, my shoulders shaking in a way they never have before. No part of me can contain myself, and Nate makes his disapproval known by squeezing my thigh tightly.
Warmth spreads through me at the pressure, shooting straight to my core. Though I try my best to ignore it, it’s hard when Audrey’s eyes flick mischievously between us.
“I’ll help Mom with cleanup, and Nate, I’ll give you a head start on taking down your spank bank,” she says before turning to me. “Vivienne, could you watch Anya for a little bit while we all help?”
I nod with a smile. “Of course.”
Nate grunts, gets to his feet, and chases his sister. They seem to be heavily arguing, but before I can catch a whiff of what they’re talking about, Anya comes charging toward me, landing on my lap.
“I have a secret to tell you,” she whispers, not so quietly, shuffling herself up onto the lounge chair.
I bend down to her level, squirming as her hands move the hair around my ear.
“Uncle Nate told me never to say this, but…” She giggles lightly, sneaking a look at her uncle mid-argument with her mom. “He said you’re way prettier and smarter than Belle could ever be.”
Butterflies hit me out of nowhere, and my lips part from being taken aback. I glance up to the too attractive, green-eyed man who’s scowling at his sister while she beams widely.
A moment passes before he turns, catching my gaze. His eyes search mine for an answer as to why I agreed to this before we’re interrupted by his mother.
“Nate. Vivienne. Your room is ready,” Natalia yells from the kitchen door.
My heart rate picks up at the underlying meaning of her words.
Your room.
Couples usually slept in the same bed, and in the eyes of Nate’s family, we were a real couple.