Chapter 871 What Other Men Have, I Must Have Too!
Clayton drove, taking Natalie and Haven back to The Devereux Mansion.
Haven had missed Natalie a lot. She hugged her tightly for a long time before letting go, then opened her little backpack to show Natalie, telling her who gave her this and who gave her that.
She looked so happy!
Natalie noticed a small handmade wooden castle inside. It was clear that Grant had made it with Haven. She gently picked it up to examine it.
Haven leaned against her arm, her eyes sparkling. "Daddy made it for me!"
She added, "I love it! I'm going to put it by my bed and put a princess inside."
Natalie smiled. "You are the princess!"
Haven beamed with joy.
After playing for a while, she turned to Clayton in the front seat. "I want a whole set of castles. Can you make it for me?"
Clayton had been feeling quite jealous just moments ago!
But now, being asked by Haven, he was secretly pleased, though he tried to act indifferent. "You only think of me when you want toys, huh?"
Haven was actually very smart!
When the car stopped at a red light, she leaned forward and hugged Clayton from behind, giving him a big kiss and calling him "Daddy!"
Clayton's eyes welled up. "I thought you only cared about your Dad Grant!"
Haven, being young, spoke plainly. "As long as Mommy cares about you, it's fine!"
Clayton turned to Natalie. "Who taught her that?"
Natalie hadn't taught her, and it wasn't in her genes to be so sly. She seriously told Clayton, "I think she learned it from being around you."
Clayton laughed.
He was in a good mood and decided to stop at a restaurant to get fried chicken for Haven, shamelessly trying to win her over.
Haven was, of course, delighted.
Natalie objected. "Clayton, you can't just take her for fried chicken whenever you're happy! It's not good for her."
Clayton, holding Haven, looked down at her and said, "The last time we had it was New Year's. Once or twice a month is fine! I'll take her running afterward, she won't become chubby!"
He then teased Natalie, "She won't be chubbier than you were as a kid!"
Natalie was caught off guard because she had been a chubby child.
Clayton had seen the photos.
The restaurant was quite busy, mostly with families of three.
Clayton and Natalie, with Haven, chose a table by the window.
Clayton let Haven order for herself. She couldn't read, but the pictures on the menu helped her make her choices.
Seeing her so happy, Natalie couldn't help but pat her little head.
Clayton suddenly spoke. "Natalie, in the past few months, even though you've allowed me to be around, we haven't really taken Haven out for meals like this. She sees other kids with their parents and must feel envious, even if she doesn't show it."
Natalie's eyes grew moist.
Clayton reached out and gently held her hand. "It's my fault! Natalie, let's make it a habit to take her out more often, okay? And Chance too!"
If they were going to be together, they needed to be good parents.
Their kids deserved what other kids had!
Natalie couldn't refuse.
She loved her children dearly, but their past made it hard for her to ask Clayton to do such things.
Even after all this time, she couldn't fully let go of her guard, couldn't act spoiled or demand the love she deserved.
Clearly, Clayton had noticed this.
He was pursuing her again, teaching her how to be loved, showing her she could trust him completely, rely on him, and let him do everything for her.
He was willing!
Haven overheard their conversation and smiled secretly.
She ordered herself a fried chicken meal.
For Clayton, she ordered red wine, steak, and a plate of vegetables.
Natalie got a pork chop meal.
Clayton praised her for being smart.
Natalie looked at him. "If you drink wine, how will you drive back?"
Clayton handed her the car keys without hesitation. "You drive. I'll sit in the back with Haven! I haven't seen our daughter in days, I miss her too!"
Natalie didn't respond.
Under the restaurant lights, Clayton looked at her and spoke softly. "Other men drink, and their wives drive them home! Natalie, I want what other men have too!"
Natalie had never known he could be so persistent!
Back home, he even bargained with her, wanting to sleep together to "build their relationship."
While they were outside, Andrew, standing by the car, cleared his throat. "What are you two talking about? And sending the kids away! Clayton, come play a game of chess with me!"
Clayton fell silent.
After a moment, he respectfully said, "Yes, Dad."
Natalie also got out of the car, accompanying Andrew back to the main house. They walked ahead, with Clayton following behind.
Andrew asked her, "Have you decided to be together?"
Natalie linked her arm with his. "Yes," she added, "Living together, not getting married."
Andrew didn't object, smiling. "Modern relationships, that's good! Keep him on his toes! Men can be foolish sometimes, no need to get angry or talk about divorce all the time... just treat him like a worker, a money-making machine, and make him please you!"
Natalie smiled lightly. "Dad, is this your experience talking?"
Andrew wouldn't admit it. "Your mom was crazy about me! She'd never let me be just a worker!"
He cared about his reputation, but deep down, he loved Chloe dearly.
He was very happy to have married Chloe.
With two children, his later years were filled with happiness.
Natalie put the kids to bed early.
In the middle of the night, Clayton sneaked into her room.
Chance was sleeping in a small bed, and Haven was in Natalie's arms, sleeping soundly, clutching a small stuffed toy.
Clayton leaned down and kissed her.
Haven, though a few years old, still had that baby scent, so adorable.
Clayton lay down, pulled the blanket over them, and held Natalie's hand. He knew she wasn't asleep.
Haven snuggled closer to him.
Kids always liked to cuddle with warm things, and Clayton, with his regular workouts, was very warm.
He held Haven, feeling his heart swell with love.
Even though he had a son, Haven held a special place in his heart... she was once little "Haven Percy", and besides love, he felt a deep sense of guilt.
Natalie watched him quietly.
Clayton spoke softly. "Your dad is still sharp! At this hour, he wanted to play two more games of chess! In the end, Mom had to come down and call him away! He really didn't want me to get a good night's sleep or hold you and the kids!"
Natalie smiled softly, her voice low. "You can't even keep up with my dad, and you dare to complain!"
Clayton's hand mischievously touched her.
He gazed into her eyes, humming softly. "Want to test that, Natalie?"
Natalie, afraid he might be serious, whispered, "Don't wake the kids!"
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