BEHIND THEIR MIEN

CHAPTER 26- NATALIE

Nathan is devastated and that would be an understatement. I am not even sure what he is feeling or thinking. He's just numb. I have never been a mother or felt father’s love, so I don't know much about parental love. I never even got to experience it, but if parental love existed it would be Nathan. Just knowing about the existence of his child broke him, I could only imagine how much further it would break him if he actually gets to know what happens in those undergrounds. But I also know he would fiercely protect his little girl and give her all the love in the world.

"Nathan... talk to me" I say to him softly as I sit beside him, taking his hand which he firmly holds.

"What do I even say?" his voice cracks.

"Whatever is on your mind. Don't drown in those thought... they never do anything good"

He looks at me with such broken eyes it built rage within me to destroy each and every person who did this to him. But I stayed calm on the outside. I need to be there for him.

" I have a daughter Natalie, A daughter! I always wished for sisters and daughters and I got that in Bella but she was snatched away. And now I have my own daughter, my blood, mine! And I didn't even know about her! I lived my life in luxury, safety and comfort while god knows how she must have lived all these years all alone .Terrified and hurt. I don't even care about how much of a failure I am right now.... she is somewhere dark and alone! how am I supposed to even breathe! Why do I feel so much pain? I haven't even seen her yet!" he cries in my arm as I rub my palm over his back .. cradling his head.

"It's because you are a great dad... and she will be lucky to have you in her life Nate! Look at me. You have a lifetime to make it up to her, she is your daughter right? Get her back and keep her so safe that nothing in this world could ever hurt her again. And when it's her own demons that hurt her, be her father and stay with her, give her your warmth... the warmth and love she must have never felt. We can't do anything about the past ... but build her a home she'd feel safe in. The pain you are feeling for your little girl is the first sign that you are going to be a great father. I don't know if it might help but she got your blond hair. She looks so much like Arora but she got your Blond ..not her brunettes." I smile a little at him at the end to which he calms down.

" You think she'd want anything to do with me?" he asks with his utmost insecurities.

"I don't know that yet. But if you show her your love... I can't fathom a single daughter who wouldn't want to be a daddy's little princess.

You can go on daddy-daughter dates, read her to bed, she is at the age where she can cook... you guys can cook or bake together, you can play some sports together, drop her to her school everyday, have a jamming session in the car together, you can go and buy her dresses... I heard the shopping experience is one of the most serene and chaotic one... you'd love every dress she tries on but would think about your wallet... in your case you can spoil her. Dance with her to Disney songs, or maybe be lenient when she has a crush or gets a boyfriend!" I say chuckling at the last part as the mood lightens in the room

"No! No boyfriend for my daughter. No dating whatsoever. I haven't even had her yet .. not losing to some prick" He says frowning and I laugh lightly.

" Yeah ..we will see about that. Don't come complaining to me when she hides stuff from you and by stuff I mean boys" I say him slapping his arm.

He scowls " yeah... still a big No! Dad, uncle Jamie and Mason would be on my side... no one will allow her to date... first and only girl in our bloodline. I will be boasting about it to dad and uncle Jamie that I made a girl in my first try" he jokes as a small smile appears on his face as he says the running joke in the family circle that no can ever birth girls but soon the smile is replaced by remorse.