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“I’m only incredible in your eyes, Laney. It’s so easy when it’s your love that’s my reward.”
“I love you with every breath I take, do you know that?”
“I do, because of your love, I’m able to breathe.” He kisses my hand again.
We ride quietly for the rest of the trip. I look in the back seat every once in a while hoping they would both fall asleep before we get there, but no such luck. At the turn off for Natalie’s drive, there are hundreds of brightly colored balloons on either side of the gates. The balloons continue up towards the house finally ending with a multicolored arch at the end of the rounded driveway. “Hey, Amanda, Addie, are you ready?” Nathan asks.
“Yes!” They yell in unison.
Natalie and Brad come walking out of the house to greet us. Brad picks the girls up swinging them around making them squeal in excitement. “Are you ready to see your party, ladies?” Natalie asks. They both nod their heads. “All right, let’s go through the house and out the back.”
Brad takes both the girls hands and accompanies them to the back. With his arm wrapped around my shoulders, Nathan and I follow behind. Natalie reaches for the large French doors leading to the backyard and throws them open. Once the girls take in what’s in front of them, they squeal out loud.
Amanda fist pumps a ‘yes’ while Addie just covers her mouth in wonderment. Natalie has transformed the backyard into a magical land with glittered fairies, butterflies, and dragonflies hung throughout the trees. Small foothills turn into acres of plush green grass. The pool is decorated as a mermaid’s play land with slides and fountains spouting colorful water.
To the side, there’s a pink and white tent housing pony rides. Stations where the kids can create their own art, stuff teddy bears, and their own wearable tutus have been set up. Opposite of the horses, there’s a large pirate ship complete with a slide and plank leading to a mountain of plastic balls. “Wow, Natalie, this looks amazing. How long did it take you to do all this?”
“I only made a couple of calls; Nathan did the backing and the party people did all the work.”
“It’s simply amazing.”
“Well, ladies, do you like it?”
“Oh my goodness, I love it,” Addie says.
“It’s the betht!” Amanda shouts. Asif on cue, both girls turn and wrap their arms around Nathan’s legs.
“Thank you, Nathan. Thank you so much.” Addie says first.
“Thank you, Nafan, it’s the motht perfect birfday ever.”
Nathan bends down taking both girls into his arms kissing them both on the head. “I’m glad you like it, babies. I’m glad I could do this for you.” Natalie, me, and even Brad watch the love these three have for each other. I look at Brad, and he gives me a small smile, he’s finally okay with his daughters loving another man.
The party’s in full swing. Stella and Troy are sitting under one of the gigantic trees talking to another couple who works for Whitmore Assets. Nathan invited all the employees who have children to the party.
The kids who are part of the foster system, which the girls have become close to, are here as well, running around having the time of their lives. I love knowing that if even for a little while, these kids are getting the chance to be normal. They’re not wondering if today is going to be the last day in their current foster home or other stressors that I can’t even imagine. Children from the girls’ pre-school are in attendance as well. Nathan even invited a few from their new kindergarten class as sort of a get to know each other before school starts. He truly amazes me.
They occupy themselves with swimming, climbing and stuffing their faces with food and candy. There's so many different types of candy available to the kids; I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them aren’t allowed to another one of the girls’ parties again. Talk about sugar overload. Most of the boys are living out their pirate dreams as they make other kids walk the plank, falling into a pit of multi-colored balls. Nathan has thought of everything. I was totally shocked when two lifeguards dressed as mermaids showed up to maintain the pool area.
“Hey.” Natalie comes over to sit with me.
“Hi. I’m telling you, Nat; everything is wonderful. It’s absolutely adorable. I can’t believe you came up with a tutu-making table. I think the girls have been there about six times already.”
“That's all my brother. He knows how much those girls love their fluff. He said to make it happen. I had to track down a lady who makes them to come here today and work that station.”
“Wow, he’s one of a kind. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found him.”
“This Nathan isn’t like the Nathan I grew up with. He has always showed his love towards me and my mother, of course. There was never any doubt in my mind that my brother loves me. And boy, did he love our mother. I’m not sure if he would have ever listened to anyone who had a negative thing to say about her. I often wonder if my father had just loved my mom, cared for her, and took care of her like a husband should, if my brother would have loved her a little less. I’ve always thought he tried to make up for what my father lacked. But as for anyone else in his life, he was always cold.”
“I’m not sure I could even picture him that way. Well, maybe it’s not that hard to picture since I’ve seen the anger when it comes to his father.”
“Yes, I don’t think that will ever change. There’s too much damage. There isn’t a piece of their relationship that’s fixable. I know my father will never change. Nathan’s hopes of having an actual productive father-son relationship set sail a long time ago.”
“He’s talked with me about never knowing he wanted to have the wife and the kids. He told me that he never thought he could because he didn't have a man to show him how. He didn’t think he could learn to do it on his own.”
“Well, I guess he can because he’s amazing with the girls, don’t you think?”
“He’s awesome with the girls. They love him to death already. As far as they’re concerned, Nathan walks on water.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“Do you think he will ever want to have a child of his own? A little Nate running around terrorizing the girls?”
“Possibly. Have you talked with him about it?”
“No, I haven’t. But between you and me, it’s no longer a possibility, but a fact.”
“Laney, are you pregnant?” Natalie’s eyes are bugging out of her head.
“Yes, but I haven’t told him yet. I’m not sure how to break the news to him.”
“Sweetie, it’s not about breaking the news. If I know my brother, he’s going to want to celebrate the news. You’ve changed him, Laney. I wholeheartedly believe your news will make him happier than he ever thought possible.”
