LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 351: Love dad (a little)
Nate returned to the first room. Lara had soothed Jaden and was resting on the couch, reading some documents she might have postponed to the afternoon. She must have been busy with the pack, especially during an emergency, yet she didn't want to stop doing her job as Nate's secretary.
«Hey, Jaden,» Nate said, sitting next to him. «Do you want my help?»
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Jaden shook his head, assembling the puzzle in silence. His mommy had convinced him to stop crying, and she also said he was as smart as to redo it in no time!
«Then, do you want to talk?» Nate added, sitting there and observing the puzzle. It was almost done. Four pieces were missing in the middle, but Jaden was hurrying with the corner.
When he finished fixing what Scarlet broke, Jaden got up and strolled to Nate.
«Close your eyes!» he exclaimed.
Nate blinked, surprised.
His son stood on tiptoe, covering his eyes.
«I said, don't look!» he repeated, checking Nate had finally closed his eyes. Only then did he turn back to work on the last few pieces he had left.
It took him longer than usual, maybe because of the excitement. He was going to show his hard work to Nate, finally!
«Now, you can look!» Jaden said.
Nate observed the hard work with an amazed expression. He wasn't really surprised, though. He knew Jaden liked puzzles, and he saw him work on that particular one for days. What made him open his eyes wide and smile proudly was how Jaden decided to show him.
He was showing off! How cute was that? His son thought he was worthy - as a dad - of showing off his hard work and results.
«Come here,» Nate said, spreading his arms.
Jaden followed, hugging him just like he would with Lara. Even though Scarlet would be more affectionate more often, Jaden's hugs and kisses were always genuine. He didn't do it because of a hidden agenda but just because he felt like it.
«Do you like it, dad?» he asked, finding a comfortable position in Nate's arms.
«It's beautiful. And you did it all alone! You worked really hard, Jaden. Good job!»
The boy chuckled, clinging to Nate's shoulder. They moved to the sofa next to Lara, and she smiled at them.
«I'll go check on Scarlet,» she said. «You two should appraise this drawing I received today.»
She delivered a paper to Nate, and Jaden's face turned red with embarrassment.
«What is wrong?» he asked, poking at his son's hot face. He resembled Lara so much that Nate's heart melted. She would turn all red like that, even though not often enough.
«Nothing...» Jaden said, working on a way to snatch the paper from Nate without ruining it. It was the precious drawing he gave his mommy, after all!
«Oh, look at this! Lara! You drew her very well, Jaden. Did you do it alone?»
«Yes,» he moaned.
«And your letters are so firm now. You'll become a real writer soon... But what is this? There's something written small under Lara's name. Oh, how nice!»
Nate laughed, pecking his son's head. Jaden hid his face behind his hands and looked away, but he stayed in Nate's embrace.
«So, you do love me a little, don't you?» he said, rubbing Jaden's back and kissing his hair or cheek from time to time.
The two boys cuddled for a little more, oblivious to the two pairs of extra eyes. Lara and Scarlet were peeking from the door.
«Look at them,» Lara said, her lungs sighing content. Her son was being affectionate with someone other than her. It had happened already, actually, but it was always so good to look at.
Nate and Jaden loved each other, and one of them was adult enough to know the other wasn't so adept at showing it. But, once broken that wall of diffidence, Jaden knew how to be sweet.
Just like with Samantha, Lara remembered. Regarding Samantha... Where was she? Lara hoped she was all right - while caressing Scarlet's hair, distracted.
The little girl observed the show with a frown, unhappy to be left behind. She was nibbling on a cookie: it was the last, so she wanted it to endure longer. Hence, she took small, small bites.
She wanted to run to Nate and Jaden and find some space on the couch, but she felt it wasn't the right moment. She had already been scolded that day, so it was better to stay hidden in the kitchen and enjoy her mommy's pats.
«Mommy, I'm a little hungry,» she said, releasing her ears. «Is there anything else? Nate gave me two cookies, but they're over.»
«Two?» Lara murmured, amused. She had seen Scarlet eat three, meaning there were many cookies on that plate. Yet, her daughter's appetite had no end.
«Let's see... Mommy can cook you something. There's plenty of meat in the fridge. I'll make something fast, okay? Oh, shall we ask Nate and Jaden too? Maybe they want a snack too.»
«No, they seem all right,» she commented, walking back to the table. She sipped the milk while waiting for her mommy's delicious dishes. It had been a while since the last time she had observed her cooking.
«Mommy, do you still love me?»
«Yes, Scarlet, I do. I always will... Are you doubting me?» Lara replied while cutting some vegetables.
«No, I was just wandering.»
«It's wondering, Scarlet. Not wandering... That's when you walk around, but you're sitting now... Aren't you?»
«Oh, yes,» she murmured. «I just wanted to hear it,» she confessed. «No one says it as well as you do, mommy.»
«Not even Nate?»
«No. He's not that good. And he's playing with Jaden. He's cold with me...»
«Just because he left you here once? Oh, Scarlet... You spent quite some time talking with your father while Jaden was alone in front of a ruined puzzle!»
«He wasn't alone but with you.»
«And now, you are with me. Wait... You don't like me anymore?»
«No, mommy, no! I like you! I'm happy like this,» she exclaimed. «Jaden can have Nate.»
She didn't say it out loud, but her thoughts were transparent on her face. Jaden could have Nate. For the moment.