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Aria seamlessly pulls Natalie into conversation, the two of them instant friends. As I listen to them interact, the picture of what could be—a life that Aria and I both share with Natalie —softens some of the harder edges of my apprehension. Maybe Nat could be the final piece that's missing from our lives. Maybe, just maybe, I could allow myself to embrace this potential domestic bliss without letting my fears overshadow it completely.
As we drive back, Aria excitedly recounts her adventures, from the backyard treasure hunt she and her friend devised, to the make-believe game that had them running around as characters from their favorite fairy tales. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and even the weight of my worries lightens a bit as I listen to her animated chatter, and the way Natalie matches her energy perfectly.
Drawn into the vivid world Aria is describing, Natalie encourages her, laughing and asking questions. "So, who found the treasure first?" she asks, glancing back at Aria with a smile.
"I did, but I shared it with her," Aria replies proudly.
"That’s very kind of you, Aria," Natalie responds, her tone warm and supportive.
My care for the two of them swells in my chest like a balloon, nearly cutting off my air. I want to be content, to enjoy this simple moment, but my surge of feeling carries with it an unwelcome anxiety, drawing my thoughts once again back to the matter of their safety.
Initially, I thought that letting Aria stay the night at a friend's house would be good for her, and for me. But now that I know the reality of our situation—that Mason really is behind the sabotage, that he's been here in town, that he's coming for me—I can't take risks like that anymore. If anything were to happen to Aria when she was outside of my protection, I could never forgive myself.
"Aria, I was thinking," I interject, catching her eye in the rearview mirror. "Maybe we should take a break from visiting our friends for a little while."
Her excitement falters, her brow furrowing slightly. "But why? I love sleepovers!"
Natalie turns to me, her expression serious but unreadable.
"I know you do, sweetheart," I reply gently, trying to soften the blow. "I’m having some problems at work, and I’d feel a lot better if you were at home with either me or a sitter for now."
Aria’s face falls, her disappointment shifting into worry. "Is something bad going to happen, Daddy?"
"No sweetie, nothing bad is going to happen to you. Daddy always keeps you safe,” I assure her, even though my heart clenches at the uncertainty. It’s better she doesn’t know the extent of the threat.
Natalie remains silent during this exchange, her brow furrowed slightly. I can sense her discomfort, but this is ultimately my decision. As Aria's father, I get to decide what's best for her, how to keep her safe. And I hope Natalie will be able to respect that despite her stubborn tendencies.
The rest of the drive home is quieter, with Aria mulling over my decision in subdued thought. Natalie tries to brighten the mood by switching topics, discussing a new book she thought Aria might like.
“Do you like to read?” Natalie asks, attempting to inject some enthusiasm back into the conversation.
Aria perks up a bit. “I’m not very good at reading yet, but I like it when Daddy reads to me!”
“Maybe I could let your daddy borrow it, then?” Nat suggests. “You can keep it for as long as you like.”
“Of course,” I answer, grateful for Natalie’s help in navigating this delicate conversation. “That sounds like a great idea.”
As we pull into my driveway, Natalie’s hand brushes mine briefly, a silent gesture of support that I feel deeply. Even without words, her presence is comforting, helping to balance the scale between caution and normalcy for Aria’s sake.
I almost wish I could keep Nat tucked safely away in my home with Aria, too.
CHAPTER 25
NATALIE
As we pull into Julian’s driveway, the atmosphere inside the car remains tense. Despite our efforts to keep the conversation light, Julian’s decision regarding Aria's sleepovers seems to have cast a slight pall over the morning.
When the car comes to a stop, I turn to Julian and place my hand on his. He relaxes slightly at my touch, and I offer a small smile.
I decide to wait in the car while Julian passes Aria off to her sitter, then we will head to work together. After he unbuckles her and pulls her from her seat, Aria's tiny face appears at my open window, her eyes wide and hopeful.
“Can I have a hug, Natalie?” Aria asks, her sweet nature touching my heart.
"Of course," I reply, smiling as I turn and stretch my arms towards her, Julian holding her up to reach me. She wraps her little arms around me with surprising strength, and I hug her back, basking in her kindness.
As I release her, I catch the look of quiet gratitude in Julian's eyes, mixed with the ever-present tension that seems to shadow him these days. I try to offer a reassuring smile, wanting to ease his burden, even if just for a moment. Then the two of them disappear inside, leaving me alone in the car.
Resting my hands on my stomach, I take a deep, steadying breath. I thought today I might find the moment to tell Julian that I'm pregnant, but that doesn't seem like a strong possibility considering that his stress level has now been cranked up to eleven. The last thing I want is to add to his stress, to become a burden myself.
