If We Fall Again

Chapter 16

Elise greeted Noah with a warm smile as the little boy threw his arms around her in excitement. "Elise! I missed you so much!" he exclaimed, his voice full of joy as he pulled her into a tight hug. His energy was contagious, and Elise couldn't help but laugh.

"I missed you too, Noah," she said, ruffling his hair.

Noah quickly turned to Nate, who had just walked in from the kitchen. "Dad said dinner is ready! And guess what? It's going to be special!" he said with wide eyes, clearly excited.

Nate gave a small smile and nodded toward the dining area. "Yeah, it's all set. Let’s eat."

As they walked toward the dining room, Elise’s eyes widened. The table was far from the simple meal she had expected. A romantic setting with soft candlelight, white tablecloth, and perfectly arranged cutlery greeted her. The soft glow from the candles illuminated the room, casting a gentle, warm light over everything. The place was set for three, but it felt oddly intimate.

Elise felt a strange flutter in her chest as she noticed the care that went into the setup. She glanced at Nate, who caught her eye and gave her a small, almost shy smile. "Wow, this is beautiful," Elise remarked, looking around the table.

"Thanks. I... wanted to make it nice for Noah," Nate replied, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of something else, something Elise couldn’t quite place.

Noah, as usual, was full of energy, grabbing Elise’s hand and pulling her toward the table. "Come on, sit next to me!"

As they all sat down, Noah launched into a stream of stories, talking about his day, his friends, and school. His voice filled the space with joy, and it was impossible not to smile.

While Noah talked, Elise glanced over at Nate again. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and they exchanged a small, knowing smile. There was a comfort there, a familiarity they both recognized but were hesitant to acknowledge.

The meal was rich and indulgent—steak, perfectly cooked and served with roasted vegetables, alongside premium sides like truffle mashed potatoes and a decadent dessert waiting on the side. The food was delicious, but for Elise, the atmosphere felt heavier than the steak on her plate. She couldn’t shake the weight of unspoken words between her and Nate.

After dinner, Noah, ever full of energy, turned to Elise with hopeful eyes. "Can you read me a story before I go to bed, Elise? Please?"

Elise smiled warmly. "Of course, Noah. I’d love to."

As Noah ran off to get his favorite book, Elise and Nate exchanged another look. It was brief, but in that silence, it felt as though a thousand thoughts were being shared without a single word spoken.

Once Elise finished reading to Noah and tucked him in, she quietly left his room, only to find Nate waiting outside. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking a bit distant but focused.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked, his voice low, almost tentative.

Elise hesitated for a second but then nodded. "Sure."

They stepped outside into the cool night air. The tension was thick between them, and they both seemed on edge. They walked side by side.

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The night was calm, the soft rustle of leaves and the gentle hum of the wind filling the quiet space around them. Elise sat on the swing in Nate’s backyard, her fingers loosely gripping the worn ropes. Moonlight bathed the scene in a soft glow, casting shadows on the patches of grass beneath her feet. Nate stood behind her, his hands wrapped around the ropes as he gently pushed her back and forth, the swing creaking quietly with each motion.