Whisper Destiny

Chapter 9

 
  ~ 3rd Party POV ~
 
  After the New Year Eve's party last night, Noel Grayson have unsettled feeling inside her. She felt an urgent need for a heartfelt conversation with her daughter, Natasha.
 
  Noel had even told her husband, Emmette Grayson, to let her handle this matter on her own. She wanted Natasha to feel safe and comfortable confiding in her, and most importantly, she didn't want Natasha to feel as if her parents were trying to control her life. In reality, they just wanted what was best for her.
 
  That morning, Natasha didn't come down for breakfast. Only Chase joined them, and Noel sensed that Natasha had confided in him about the previous night. Chase's sympathetic gaze towards Noel and Emmette confirmed her suspicion.
 
  Noel asked Aliah, their housekeeper, to prepare something light and bring it to the pool garden. She knew Natasha loved spending time there. Even though her daughter often displayed a rebellious and wild exterior, Noel was aware that, deep down, Natasha cherished calmness and tranquility, just like her. It was just that since Catherine had come into their lives, Natasha had changed.
 
  As a mother, Noel had tried everything to make Natasha understand that her love for her hadn't diminished with Catherine's arrival. She constantly reassured Natasha, that her love had not just remained the same but had grown larger with each passing day. Noel would leave little notes of affection, prepare Natasha's favorite meals, and spend long evenings talking about anything Natasha wanted to share. Despite these efforts, Natasha's stubbornness had erected barriers between them.
 
  On the other hand, Catherine was the kindest person Noel had ever met. She never sought attention or extra love from Noel and Emmette, nor did she ask for anything special. Noel could sense that Catherine didn't want to disrupt the bond they had with Natasha. Catherine always encouraged Noel to give extra attention to Natasha, even when she was unwell. When Catherine went abroad for her studies, she never asked Emmette or Noel to visit her, understanding the importance of their time with Natasha.
 
  Catherine felt that whatever Noel and Emmette had given her since her parents' death was always enough. Noel was acutely aware of Catherine's trauma after the accident; she tried to block herself from receiving love and refused to form attachments with anyone. It saddened Noel deeply, because, Noel's love for Catherine was beyond words. Noel wanted to protect this girl and wished Catherine will find true love like her and Emmette.
 
  Noel tried hard to balance her love and attention between Natasha and Catherine, ensuring that neither felt neglected.
 
  But, Noel felt like whatever she has done, it was not enough and she had failed as a mother. Perhaps she hadn't been good enough for Natasha. So, she decided to listen to what was on Natasha's mind. If Natasha truly felt happy with this guy, Nicholas—if Noel remembered correctly—she would support her daughter and convince Emmette to do the same. As long as she knows he's gonna make her daughter happy.
 
  "Are you looking for me, Mom?" Natasha's voice gently brought Noel back to the present moment.
 
  "Come here," Noel called, patting the space beside her on the bench.
 
  "I've asked Aliah to prepare your favorite waffles," Noel said, her tone inviting and warm.
 
  Natasha's heart clenched at her mother's words. Despite everything, her mother still remembered her favourite. She kept her expression neutral, concealing the emotional turmoil within. She couldn't pinpoint when she began to distance herself from her parents, but she knew Catherine played a significant role in that change.
 
  Natasha sat down, the familiar scent of waffles wafting through the air. She couldn't deny her love for Aliah's waffles, and despite her resolve, she didn't refuse them.
 
  Noel watched Natasha eat, a tender smile playing on her lips. When had her little girl grown into such a beautiful young woman? Now, Natasha was even considering building a life with her lover. Noel had no objections to Natasha marrying young; after all, she had done the same with Emmette.
 
  Noel's thoughts drifted back to when she and Emmette met at university. Their relationship had its share of ups and downs, but their foundation was solid. They always believed in the power of communication. When Emmette's father passed away, they had no other family members. From then on, The Ortiz's, Camalia and James became an inseparable part of their lives. They became friends since the University and the bonds between the Ortiz and Grayson families grew stronger each day, making them both influential in the country.
 
  "What do you want to talk about?" Natasha's question pulled Noel from her reverie.
 
  Noel blinked, focusing on her daughter's face. For a moment, she saw the little girl who used to run to her with scraped knees and wide smiles. "I just wanted to spend some time with you, hear about your life," Noel said softly. "I miss our talks."
 
  Natasha hesitated, the waffles half-eaten on her plate. "It's just... things have changed so much," she murmured.
 
  Noel reached out, gently taking Natasha's hand. "Change is part of life, but some things remain constant. My love for you, for instance. It never wavers."
 
  Natasha looked down at their joined hands, her mother's touch a familiar comfort she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time. The walls she had built around her heart began to crack, just a little.
 
  "Now, tell me about Nicholas. I want to hear everything about him," Noel urged gently, her eyes sparkling with interest. She wanted Natasha to know she would always be her number one supporter, and always be there for her.
 
  At first, Natasha hesitated, her words caught in her throat. But the warmth radiating from Noel made her feel compelled to share. Slowly, she began to talk, her voice soft at first, then gaining confidence as she described Nicholas. She told her mother about his kindness, his sense of humor, and how he made her feel safe and cherished. She left out the wilder aspects of their relationship; some things were best kept private.
 
  Noel watched her daughter closely, noticing the way Natasha's eyes lit up when she spoke of Nicholas. There was love there, pure and unmistakable.
 
  "Your father and I would love to meet him," Noel said, her voice filled with sincere warmth. "Why don't you plan something for us to get together soon?"
 
  Natasha's face brightened at the idea. "I'd like that," she replied, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "I'll arrange something."
 
  For the rest of the morning, they continued to talk, their conversation flowing easily from one topic to the next. They reminisced about old memories and shared hopes for the future, the distance that had once existed between them gradually shrinking.
 
  In that quiet moment, surrounded by the warmth of shared memories and the promise of renewed connection, mother and daughter found a small, tender bridge back to each other. The bond they had always shared, though tested by time and circumstance, began to mend, stronger and more resilient than before.