Damage Repaired

Chapter 55

"Is it time to show Miss Ana our presents yet?" One of the kids asked, tugging on Nathaniel's pant leg.

"Yes, it is." He ruffled Cole's hair, then instructed them to grab their gifts and stand in line in front of me when I sat back down in my seat.

Naturally, they all fought over who would be first, mainly the boys, and because of that, he had them line up behind all of the girls instead. As much as Nathaniel didn't like being around people, he was amazing when it came to kids.

"Can we show her now, Mr. Nate?" Lizzy, who was first in line, asked, clutching a small canvas in her hand.

"Not yet," he pinched her chubby cheek, then turned to me. "After I dropped you off this morning, I snuck in and taught their art class and told them to paint their favorite memory of you, so that's what they're getting ready to show you." He looked back down at Lizzy and winked. "Now you can go."

Lizzy shoved her canvas in my hands and began explaining it. "This is us on the swing," she pointed to the two globs. "I remember I was so scared, but you held my hand and went on the swing with me, and now I'm not scared anymore," she beamed proudly.

"I remember," I whispered, giving her a hug. "It's beautiful, thank you."

Gracie was up next, and on her canvas, she had the two of us eating ice cream on a sizzling hot day, her words specifically. The more they showed me their artwork, the more emotional I got seeing their favorite memories of me that consisted of dancing with them, playing hopscotch, hula hooping, piggyback riding, you name it. It could've been the most normal thing in the world, but to them, it was everything. Each of their canvases were so unique, and although I loved what they painted, my favorite part was hearing them talk about their favorite memory. Seeing the smiles on their little faces as they recalled it, the excitement, the way they were so animated, especially when some of the boys were talking about the race car set I had gotten for them. It was the sweetest and most honorable thing ever, not only seeing but hearing the impact that I had on their lives already, and I would cherish this moment forever just the same as they cherished the moments I had with them. 

"Mr. Nate said we're going to get to hang them up in the lobby!" Tanner, the last one to show me his canvas, exclaimed excitedly. "Can we do it now?" He asked Nathaniel.

"Please?" Becca tugged on his shirt, and soon, all of the kids joined in, begging and pleading to hang their artwork up. 

"Okay, okay," Nathaniel chuckled and stood up, offering his hand for me to take. "Let's go."

The kids cheered and led the way out of the screening room, racing to the lobby to get started. I leaned into him as we followed slowly behind them. "Thank you for doing this," I whispered. "This is the best gift, the best party I could've ever asked for." 

"There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you," he murmured. "You deserve the world and so much more. This," he pointed at the children buzzing around the lobby, showing each other their canvases. "Is the least I could do."

With the help of the staff, we were able to hang up every last one of their artwork for everyone to see, and afterward, we headed to the food hall to eat because Nathaniel and Dylan had hired a chef for the night.

"Isn't this the best birthday ever?" Dylan grinned, taking a seat next to me after we got our food.

"Yes." It truly was. "How the hell did you guys manage to pull all of this off right under my nose?"

"Well, it was mainly his idea," Dylan nodded toward Nathaniel, who was across the room with Nonna and the kids, making sure they ate and behaved. "I'm definitely not his biggest fan but," he held a finger up. "I will admit he is the most thoughtful motherfucker on the planet."