Chapter 826 Natalie, I Like Living with You Both
Clayton picked up Haven and effortlessly took off her coat with one hand.
He handled the child with such ease, it was hard to believe it was his first time.
Haven liked him too.
Without her coat, Haven's small body and big head made her look adorably snug in Clayton's arms, her little arms wrapped tightly around him.
Clayton kissed her on the forehead and looked up at Natalie, saying, "She's adorable."
Natalie sat up slightly and reached out to pat Haven's little bottom.
Haven kicked her legs, yawned, and then fell asleep with her tiny feet pressed against Clayton's stomach.
Clayton looked at Natalie, surprised. "She fell asleep just like that?"
Natalie nodded. "Yeah, she often knocks out in seconds!"
She carefully took Haven from Clayton, laid her on the bed, removed her shoes and socks, and covered her with a blanket.
Haven's face, slightly flushed from sleep, looked sweet and tender.
Clayton wrapped his arms around Natalie from behind.
His gaze remained on Haven, thinking that perhaps everything was meant to be.
In this life, he and Natalie would have just this one child.
But it seemed enough.
With Haven still asleep and Natalie in his arms, she felt a bit uneasy.
She turned to him and asked, "Shall we eat? I'm kinda hungry."
Clayton replied, "Sure."
He gently patted her and said softly, "You go freshen up. I'll tidy up outside. Haven threw stuff everywhere."
He chuckled as he spoke.
Families with young children were always like this, unless they had several nannies.
But in his free time, he preferred to take care of Haven himself. Seeing Haven reminded him of a young Natalie.
Clayton went out first.
While washing up, Natalie splashed cold water on her face and stared at herself in the mirror for a long time.
Her heart softened.
She thought she could never resist Clayton's tenderness.
Clayton prepared two meals, one for him and Natalie, and a separate kids' meal for Haven.
He also brought out a bottle of red wine.
Natalie savored the slightly sour and astringent taste, much like her feelings for Clayton.
When he asked how it tasted, she smiled lightly, "It's okay."
Clayton's gaze deepened.
He said something meaningful, "Okay is good enough."
Just then, his phone rang on the table. He glanced at it and gently turned it off.
Natalie guessed who was calling.
She sipped her wine quietly.
Clayton, worried she might be upset, said softly, "It's an unimportant client."
She knew he was lying to avoid spoiling the mood.
Natalie didn't expose him. Sometimes, it's better for adults to be a bit muddled in their feelings.
If she really dwelled on it, she and Clayton wouldn't last a day.
After dinner, Haven still hadn't woken up.
Clayton cleaned up while Natalie stayed with Haven, watching her delicate features under the lamp.
Outside, faint voices could be heard.
She guessed Gina had called again.
Clayton answered the call.
Natalie didn't listen closely. She just stayed quietly with Haven, waiting for her to wake up.
Around midnight, Haven finally woke up, warm from the covers but reluctant to get up. She clung to Natalie, wanting to chat.
Natalie lay down a bit more.
She looked into Haven's bright eyes and asked gently, "What do you want to talk about?"
Haven, with her small body, bravely crawled into her arms.
She looked up with big eyes and asked softly, "Can I call Mr. Percy 'Dad'? I think he is my dad."
Natalie gently stroked Haven's face.
She was about to answer when Clayton came in and picked Haven up.
He tidied her messy curls and kissed her cheek. "From now on, call me Dad Clayton."
Haven covered her eyes, shyly burying her face in his shoulder.
Clayton held her gently and looked back at Natalie with tender eyes.
This long-awaited happiness was something they had imagined countless times when they got married, and today it had finally come true.
Natalie leaned against the headboard.
She looked soft, but her heart wasn't as light as Clayton's.
During the Fireworks Festival holiday, Natalie and Haven stayed in the apartment.
Clayton spent the whole time with them.
During the day, they took Haven to the amusement park.
At night, after Haven fell asleep, they would watch a movie or two on the couch, sometimes sharing tender kisses and making love.
Gina's calls became rare.
Most of the time, Clayton didn't answer her calls.
Natalie thought he might have his reasons.
The night before the holiday ended, Natalie packed their things, preparing to take Haven back the next day.
Haven played in the living room.
In the bedroom, Natalie packed a large suitcase, mostly filled with Haven's things.
Just as she finished, she was embraced from behind.
Clayton held her gently, resting his chin on her shoulder, and whispered, "Don't go. Stay here, okay? Natalie, I love living with you both."
Natalie's throat tightened.
She wanted to stay too, she felt happy, but the world of three was too crowded.
She couldn't say something like waiting for Gina to pass away.
She thought for a moment, then turned to him and asked seriously, "Clayton, can you promise us a future? Can you promise to make Haven happy?"
Clayton gently touched her face, his voice hoarse, "Of course."
He told her, "Unless that day really comes, I won't go back. Natalie, I promise you."
Natalie also touched his face.
The night was gentle.
After a long time, she asked softly, "Can I trust you, Clayton?"
He pulled her into his arms... Clayton held her, feeling that Natalie was no longer a girl... She had grown into a mature woman, his wife.
He cupped her face and kissed her. "Let's have our wedding soon."
Natalie laughed, "What's the rush? I have so much work to do!"
She was smiling, but tears filled her eyes.
Clayton knew she felt wronged. He gently wiped away her tears, "Don't cry, Natalie. Don't cry."
But she couldn't hold back her tears.
That night, she and Haven didn't leave... When they went to bed, Haven slept between them, happily rolling around.
Clayton, worried she might disturb Natalie, pulled Haven into his arms and told her stories... That adorable Haven softened his heart.
Clayton couldn't help but kiss her again and again.
Whenever Haven got shy, she would cover her face. So cute!
After the Fireworks Festival holiday, Natalie got busy.
In the past, she went to the office two or three times a week, but recently she went every day...
Fortunately, with Clayton around, she could still find time to draw comics in the evenings, and life was manageable.
Early spring brought frequent rain.
One day, after finishing her work, Natalie left the building, but the driver was late.
She couldn't reach him on the phone.
Just as she was about to hail a cab, a black SUV slowly passed by, and a voice called out, "Grant, it's Ms. Devereux. Let's give her a ride!"
Natalie was taken aback.
She turned and saw Grant and his fiancée, Nancy, in the car.
Nancy smiled, "Ms. Devereux, get in. Let Grant take you home!"
Natalie felt it was inappropriate.
Even if she didn't consider her relationship with Grant, she had to think about Clayton's feelings...
And sitting in the car with them would be so uncomfortable!
She instinctively refused.
But the next moment, the car stopped, and Grant got out and opened the door.
He looked at her quietly, "Get in."
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