Page 236 of His Sunshine Baby

“Mommy, Daddy and I watched Disney movies yesterday! It was very, very funny, and I even know the song a bit!”

Elena caresses her cheek, without answering me. She looks so conflicted, but I need her to agree. I’m desperate to patch things up between us, no matter how long it takes. And her coming back to that place where we have so many memories would be a huge step in that direction… She eventually sighs.

“Fine, but… just to talk, Nathaniel.”

“Of course,” I nod, relieved. “I promise, you’re more than welcome to stay at my place, but I won’t hold you back if you want to go to Nora’s.”

I grab her bag before she can change her mind, and we leave the hospital. Estelle happily walks between us, telling Elena all about her new room and the movies she watched at my place. I’m kind of glad she’s helping me out a lot without knowing.

Elena sits next to me in the passenger seat, but we don’t exchange one word; she silently stares at Silver City while I chat and entertain our daughter. Did she miss our city…?

We finally park in front of my residence and go upstairs. Does it bring back memories for her? Harry recognizes her and greets Estelle, professional as usual. The elevator ride is quick, and I let her step into my flat first… She glances around, but it probably hasn’t changed that much since the last time she came here, except for our daughter’s stuff… Should I have made some more family-friendly changes? No, that would be too much. Estelle runs to get her latest drawing.

“Look, Mommy! Daddy and I, we picked some really nice pencils! I did this yesterday!”

“It’s very pretty, honey.”

“Baby,” I ask her. “Can you be a good girl and watch another Disney movie? Mommy and I need to talk a bit.”

“Okay, Daddy! I remember how to pick a movie!”

She runs to grab the remote and climbs onto the couch, ready to watch. Meanwhile, Elena sighs, and I put her bag on the kitchen counter to leave her the choice of where she wants to settle, and I go to the fridge.

“Do you want something to drink?”

“I’m fine.”

I pour a cup of water, nervous as hell. I got her to come here, now what? This is what I’ve been hoping for, but she’s keeping her defenses up. Music from Estelle’s movie fills the room, not exactly ideal. I head to the balcony, and thankfully, Elena follows. I take a seat, hoping she’ll do the same.

“… You stopped smoking?” she asks, surprised.

“Yeah, about two years ago. I stopped a lot of things.”

If she knew the wreck I was after she left… I hit rock bottom before I managed to climb back up. First, I started drinking a lot. Isaac and my brothers tried to help me as much as they could, but… I was a wreck. I put myself in danger so many times, Damian lost his shit. It’s probably around that time I had my car accident… It took time, but I got better. A lot better. Damian thinks I went to the other end of the extreme, turning into a work and fitness junkie, but at least I don’t put myself in danger anymore… And now that Elena and Estelle are here, I couldn’t be more grateful. They both have no idea, but they’re my best reason to live.

“Alright. I guess we need to discuss some things about our daughter.”

“Elena…”

“Nathaniel, no.”

She stops me with a determined expression, and I’m forced to shut up.

“We will only discuss Estelle. Because she’s your daughter and if you have questions, I’m ready to answer them. Nothing else.”

“Elena, it’s not just Estelle I want to talk over with you. I know I really owe you an apology.”

“Nathaniel, I–”

“No, listen.”

I put my hand on hers. I’m the one who needs her to listen to me. I see she’s mad, she’s upset at me and rightfully so, but I need to speak up, at least once. I owe her that apology.

“Elena, I’m so, so sorry for not believing you back then. No matter the numbers, the tests, the hospital. I should have… I regretted it so many times, I swear. Even before I knew Estelle was really my baby, I wanted to bring you back and apologize. I didn’t even care who her father was, I just wanted you back. Youhave no idea… how many times Damian and Liam kept me from doing some really, really stupid things. I was a fucking idiot, Elena. Because I was blinded by the idea you could have been with someone else. I died of jealousy. I just couldn’t swallow it. When the results came back, I felt like you were betraying me a second time, and I lost it. I swear I never, ever meant for you to leave Silver City. I had no idea you would go somewhere I couldn’t reach you.”

“Nate, I didn’t just leave because of you. So many things happened back then. I had no choice. Yes, you were part of the problem, but… it wasn’t just about you.”

It wasn’t just because of me? Then what… I try to remember the situation back then, what else could have pushed her to leave not just me but the city…?

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