Shattered - Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Alina's POV.
We were on a way to pickup Leo after heading home to setup some things for Ollie, he had his own area in the house and we decided to put a bed in Leo's room because we knew he'd like it. We spend most of our time playing with Ollie and just relaxing in our house. The staff was dismissed since me and Nathan wanted some alone time together, together we watched a movie together. One of the Transformers movies since he took me to a drive-in movie theatre to watch it on our first date, smart move because it gave us a starting topic to discuss then new subjects would come to us when speaking.
That was our first date. After the movie had concluded, we still were having a great time in each other's company. So he took me on a drive to this beautiful secluded area he only knew about to watch the sunset together. It only took us a few hours to click, both of us were so invested in our conversation.
Ollie cuddled with me the whole movie until he fell asleep right beside me, when the movie finished, me and Nathan went upstairs to have some intimate time. He made love to me multiple times, making time fly by fast while we were occupied with our own activity. A good day where we spend every moment together to reconnect personally, with conversations about how we are going to move forward. We've spoken about new renovations we could do to the house, well what I was thinking about to make it feel more like home.
I was thinking of taking family pictures to have professional portraits to put on our very empty walls. Not entirely empty, it's empty meaning no full picture with all three of us.
The back lounging area is going to have new comfy chairs and a new rope porch swing that was Nathan's idea. He thought it would look nice with the wood of the deck. "Hey, can I ask you something..?" This seems like the perfect timing to ask Nathan about Leo's birthday invitation, because we spent the whole day together. We were both in a good mood.
"Sure, just don't tell me you want fries." He smirks.
I swat his arm playfully, "I wasn't going to ask that."
"That's the exact same phrase you say when you try and cover up that you were going to ask it." He laughs.
"This time I am serious, I wasn't." He didn't seem to believe me. "Fine, believe whatever you want." I roll my eyes at him.
"Okay Mrs. Peterson, then what do you want to ask?" He turns his head to look at me at the red light.
"Leo has this birthday, I was wondering if you wanted to come along with me? It's at this lake house. Parents are able to attend and I think it would be fun!" The most enthusiastic voice came out unexpectedly, probably to make him exhilarate about a good time at a lake house. However, the magnified belief of it being amusing might not be enough for him to be alright with it.
"He has a birthday party? Wow, our son is popular I see. That would be amazing! He would have so much fun, I remembered the birthday's I attended when I was young. All of them were the best..." the words never left mouth, a lump of guilt had filled in the back of the throat. He would get upset if he knew that it was Luc and his wife's daughter's birthday.
"I have something to tell you." I tell him imperturbably getting nervous suddenly. I started to play with my wedding ring, spinning the circular band around my finger while trying to muster up the courage to inform him.
From the school to where we were, it was already the halfway point which still gave me an enormous amount of time to tell him.
Nathan glances at me quickly, "what is it?" He chuckles, "I haven't seen you this nervous since you accidentally scratched my car after that car wash." Oh, the memories he remembers that I would like to forget.
That time I borrowed his car to drive myself to my exam, he asked me to get his car wash which I did. Right after getting the car clean to look brand new, Catherine and me met up to shop at a mall. When we came out to the parking lot when done, there was another another car parked so closely to my car. There were two concrete pillars that restricted the cars movement, when turning to early the side had came into contact with the pillar scratching it in the process.
I dreaded going home that night, I even prepared a five minute apology speech. It was the most effort that was used to create a whole plan, how it was going to be dealt with and how to fit in the repairs in my schedule. He was so understanding and caring that Nathan sent it into a local shop himself. I offered to pay for the repairs countless of times throughout that week, he said that it didn't cost him much and wasn't a big deal. On the inside I was freaking out because it was also his brand new car.
I point my index at him, "that was because I was scared out of my mind that you would be mad about that. It was going to cost a lot just to repair the bumper and the side." My hands were moving around as a habit when talking.
"You looked so upset that night, I still don't understand that." He laughs remembering how that day played out.
"It's because it was your new car!" I defend.
"I'm just happy that you had respect for me and apologized."
"Anyways, about Leo's party..." letting out a sigh, "it's for Amelia's birthday."
"What?" He says loudly, looking back to check on Ollie, he raised his head looking towards the direction where Nathan was sitting.
We were going to surprise Leo with the new addition to our family. "I know you're not too hap—"
"Of course I'm not happy about this, do we have to send him there?" The jolly Nathan was replaced with the angry grudge holding one.
"Nathan, just think about this please." I hold his hand with both of my hands pleading. "Leo should have the fun that I've never experienced as a kid. You even said that you had a good time, all we would be doing is watch over our little guy at the lake house and we could avoid Luc." Maybe he would be more satisfied with it if we didn't have to stay close to them, "even though they are the hosts." I mutter.
"I don't want to have a heart-to-heart with Luc, he's an asshole and doesn't deserve me respect."
"It's just for a few hours, Luc has apologized but I still don't forgive him either. Don't you think we can set aside our differences to allow our child, a normal kid, to enjoy the full experience of a birthday party?" Amelia was one of his close friends from the sound of it. "They are close to each other and I'm pretty sure the little girl would be upset if he didn't attend."
He sighs, "why can't little girls just get over it." Nathan mumbles, yet I still heard it clear.
"Nathan!" I smacked him on the chest lightly, "don't say that."
"Calm down Mrs. Peterson, it's a joke." He chortled.
"So what do you say? Will you let Leo have a good time?" I pout leaning towards him.
He spares a quick glance and sighs, "I guess I could loosen up for a few hours."
"Yes!" I cheered as joy overwhelmed me, at least he wasn't in a bad mood about this.
Probably with him in a good mood things slide easier then when he isn't having it. The way that all tension had subsided from between us, the leisure that could be occupied by pleasurable group activities including all three was thrilling. Instead of arguing incessantly about tiring reoccurring subjects that are starting to wear on the both of us.
We pulled into the schools parking lot just like yesterday, we were excited to reveal the surprise to him and we both were sure that's he'd be ecstatic that he would have a new friend around the house. Ollie would be a great companion, there could be multiple ways to show him responsibility with our new dog. For starters, teaching him about the basics of taking care of Ollie and a small chore he could do.
Filling his water bowl everyday could get him used to managing his time playing and doing a small task. It was nice that he would offer to help with the dishes whenever I was tired from work or something, when he is young right now it looks more amusing. In the future it wasn't as glorious as when you do it at a young age.
Getting out of the car the sun grazed my skin with warmth as we waited patiently outside for the remaining time until he came out. Ollie surprisingly was acting very well, he wasn't biting on his leash like my old friend's puppy had. Our new addition to the family had done there business then came and sat patiently beside me watching the children like us. The way he was behaving himself was incredible, the obedience, loyalty and protectiveness Ollie was showing already was shocking.
Ding!
Nathan's phone buzzed, he took it out to see who the notification had came from. When his finger typed away on what I assume was the key board it was probably just a friend. "Hey Alina, Catherine and Vincent were wondering if we could go out to the fancy restaurant on Chilston street tonight instead."
"Yeah we can, I haven't started dinner yet." Whenever we came to plans it was always spontaneous, last minute always changed our schedules most of the time.
"Great, Vincent is making reservations." He smiles.
"What about Ollie?" I ask regarding the concerns of our dog. Would the restaurants allow him in?
"Don't worry, the place will let us bring him in. You have Nathan Peterson, no need to worry." He smirks with a little hint of arrogance.
"Your such a looser," I shake my head giggling.
The bell finally rang grabbing mine and Nathan's attention. "I'll get him, you could wait right here." He ambled slowly to the front of the doors waiting for Leo to come out just like the other parents around.
Two days in a row where Nathan picked Leo up with me, our little boy been sleeping well at night since yesterday when his dad carried out his promise.
The children started filing out the door while the teachers stood outside making sure all the parents were here to pick up their child. I spotted Leo walking out with his friends Amelia, Kyle and Johnathan. Before paying attention to the adults around he was speaking to Amelia and she gave him a little toy figurine that he probably brought for her. It was kind of cute seeing them together.
When Nathan caught his eyes a few seconds after his little conversation he had the biggest sweetest smile plastered on his face, his voice came out so loud that even I could hear it from where I was standing. "Daddy!"
I smiled not being able to contain the warmth that spreader throughout my body from the sight, finally Leo was happy. They started walking back over to the car, when Leo saw me I waved to him smiling and he immediately ran to give me a hug. Ollie started jumping on Leo while waving his tail back and fourth. "Mommy this is our doggy?"
"This is our doggy," I recite to him as his smiling.
"What's his name?" He asks excitedly, as Ollie licked his face already taking a liking to him.
"Ollie." I tell him.
"Ollie?" Leo says in a questioning tone for some reason, "Ollie." He says more affirmatively the second time.
Leo hugged Ollie as he got a bunch of licks on his face, "come on Leo, we're going to go home get dressed and then we're going to dinner with auntie Catherine and uncle Vincent."
"Who's auntie Catherine?" He asks.
"The donut lady from daddy's work," I remind him.
"Oh yeah," he laughs, "I remember now."
"How did you forget?" Nathan leads him to the car ruffling his hair then putting him in the car seat while Ollie jumped in following without any trouble. Leo shrugs back at him with no answer to give.
We got home not too long ago, I already dressed up Leo so he could continue playing with Ollie downstairs. He kept laughing non-stop, it was so loud that every time he would laugh I could hear it from upstairs. Nathan already finished getting ready and went downstairs to watch Leo as I got ready myself. Wearing a casual summer floral print spaghetti strap dress, pairing it with some black heels that weren't too extravagant.
The sound of Leo's footsteps were coming towards the room with the sound of Ollie trailing behind him. "Mommy, daddy wants to know if you're almost done."
I finish applying my mascara quickly then tidy up the few makeup products scattered on the clean marble counter. "Yep, I just finished."
"You look pretty mommy," my son compliments me himself.
"Thank you baby," I bend down to kiss him as I grab my purse. "You having fun with Ollie?" I ask as I go to mine and Nathan's closet to find a thin cardigan to keep me warm.
"Yes I am! Daddy said we could train him!"
"That's great," I tell him, "let's go downstairs before your dad starts asking where the both of us went."
"Okay!" He says then runs down the halls to the stairs with Ollie following.
While descending the stairs Nathan waited patiently at the end of the stairs patiently for me, "there's my beautiful lady." He smiles.
"Daddy mommy's not yours, mommy's mine." Leo defends and runs over to me protectively and hugs my legs.
"You have Ollie now," Nathan tries to negotiate but our son was not having it.
"I get both." Leo sticks his tongue out to his dad.
"Fine, fine, fine." Nathan doesn't complain knowing they both get me equally.
"Let's go before we're late again." Trying to put an end to what will become a never ending dispute between the man a I love and my child that I love equally. They both had my heart.
We were sitting in the car with Leo and Ollie in the back sitting calmly. Leo had him lying beside him as his head rested on his lap, it was the cutest sight ever. Taking my phone to take a picture of them both as memories then turning back around in my seat to set it as my background. How cute was that? Aw... sending it to my dad to see how Leo was doing.
The car ride came to an end, we were just entered the elegant restaurant going to the tell the waitress about our reservation. When she came to attend to us, she kindly led us to the secluded room with a table where Catherine and Vincent were waiting. "Hey guys!" Vincent greets us getting up to pat Nathan on the back, Leo got a little shy and hid behind my legs.
"Leo, what are you doing?" I ask him trying to get him to come out from his hiding. "It's just auntie Catherine and uncle Vincent."
My attempts to reveal our little boy was futile, somehow he just clung to me like glue and he was so shy that his grip on my legs was so tight.
Catherine pats the chair beside her, "come sit here Alina." I go to take my seat while prying Leo off my legs to sit beside me and play with Ollie. He held onto Ollie's leash the whole time we've been here and our puppy was pouncing on him. It seemed like he was trying to make Leo feel better with all of his kisses.
"How are you?" I ask her once settled, Nathan and Vincent already started talking about there own things.
"I'm good, how are you?" She asks back.
"Actually great," we looked at the menu for a few minutes then the waitress comes back asking for our food and drink orders which makes everyone out a pause in their conversation. We tell her the food order and then we decided to move onto drinks.
The guys ordered an alcoholic drink that wasn't too harsh so they would be able to drive home, "mommy, can I have orange juice?" Leo pulls me down to whisper in my ear.
I nod to him yes, "can I have an orange juice and one sparkling juice?" The waitress takes down our orders.
"Can you make that two please?" Catherine interrupts, the waitress finishes writing it down then leaves.
"No wine?" I arch my eyebrow at her surprised because whenever we went out to eat Catherine would drink wine with me while I got the sparkling juice.
"Actually that's what I've been wanting to tell you guys," she looks at Vincent from across the table and holds his hand as if giving a signal or something. She smiles, "I'm pregnant and wanted to celebrate tonight..."
"Oh my! I'm so happy for you!" I take her in a tight hug.
"Congratulations man," Nathan says to Vincent, "and you too Catherine, it's about time."
"That's crazy!" I tell her, "how far along are you?"
"I've actually been waiting for the three months mark just incase we miscarried, this baby is healthy." Catherine smiles with a tear escaping the corner of her eye and she touches her stomach.
"Auntie Catherine has a baby? Where?" Leo chimes in sounding alert.
"Right here," Catherine points to her stomach showing the tiny bump to Leo.
"You ate him?" Leo's eyes go wide.
Haha... we've never had that talk with him since he's too you, this is going to be interesting to watch.
"No Leo, the baby is growing in there." She tries to explain to him without going to into detail.
"Mommy? Do you have a baby in there?" He pokes my stomach.
"Nope," I shake my head, "there isn't gonna be one for awhile." No more kids were in my plans so far, the birth control methods were in my schedules instead to prevent a pregnancy that we weren't ready for. Until our living style was stable, I am not bringing another human being in it and secretly I was terrified. The scars from my last pregnancy reminded me of all the complications that I had experienced with just Leo. "How about you show uncle Vincent your new puppy!" I decide to let him occupy himself with the guys.
Me and Catherine had a nice long conversation about our plans, she wants me to help her prepare even though my experience was completely different. Vincent and me chat a little bit reconnecting as friends just like before, Leo even started to feel more comfortable with his aunt and uncle. Most of the time he just spoke to Ollie like he was one of his friends. I was so excited for Vincent and Catherine! There baby was going to be so cute, I'll be getting a little niece or nephew to spoil whenever we hangout.
Our night was coming to an end since it was getting late, tomorrow was my doctor's appointment followed along with Nathan's planned picnic. The doctor's appointment was in the morning then picnic lunch with the family and the next day was Aviana's event that I was looking forward to attend. She has came so far.
When driving home Leo had already fallen asleep in the backseat, way pass his bed time and he was exhausted.
As we drove through the gates of our property, the automatic lights were already illuminated. We were all tired from today and ready to go to sleep.
I went to grab Leo out of his car seat and carry him inside while Nathan took care of Ollie, when Nathan opened the front door we entered it to be welcomed by the darkness of the house.
Nathan moved to turn the lights on, after the front was illumine I took in my surroundings.
"What happened?" I ask him.