Chapter 197: The Future Shines as Bright as the Stars.
KATE
After lunch, we returned to the cottage. Nathan tried to convince me to take a bath with him when we arrived, but I was tired and ended up falling asleep.
It was late afternoon when I woke up. After taking a shower and putting on a short, light white dress, I went out in search of my husband. I didn't find any of the servants in the house, although I knew there was more than just someone to cook for us.
It took me a while to finally find Nathan. He was outside, sitting on the grass next to the lake, and seemed to be reading a book. The sun was about to set, creating a beautiful landscape on the horizon.
I approached slowly, feeling a flutter in my stomach, with no intention of distracting him. But he set the book aside as soon as he noticed my presence.
"Come," he said, reaching out his hand.
With his help, I sat on the grass between his legs, relaxing my back against his bare chest.
"I could live here," I reflected, marveling at everything around us.
"In France?"
"No, I meant it would be nice to spend the days in a place like this. Not that I don't like your penthouse."
"Our," he corrected me.
"Yes, our penthouse, with all those buildings and the city chaos around. But this... nature, being able to see the stars in the night sky... These people have no idea how lucky they are."
"Are you saying you would be happier living in a place like this?"
"Don't you?"
"Anywhere, as long as you're by my side."
"Wow... I guess I can say I'm even luckier than those people," I said, lifting my face to look into his eyes, enchanted by his words.
Leaning in, he kissed me gently.
"You are my world, and I'll do everything I can to make you happy," he said, making me feel like the luckiest and happiest woman in the entire world.
"I am happy because I have you."
"But it can get even better."
"What does that mean?" I asked, furrowing my brows.
"Let's leave that for later; for now, enjoy the view."
I nodded, relaxing against his chest. In silence, except for the sounds of nature around us, we watched the sunset slowly disappear from the horizon.
The idea of spending the rest of my days like this, with the man I loved, made me feel like I had conquered the whole world, as I once dreamed. That's because Nathan was my world.
As it began to darken, Nathan got up and headed towards the house after asking me to wait. What was he planning?
Minutes later, he returned, carrying a white sheet and some pillows.
"What do you intend to do with this?" I asked, laughing, as he approached.
"Do you mind having dinner out here?" he asked, standing in front of me.
"No. Are you planning a sort of picnic dinner?" I teased.
He shrugged, spreading the sheet on the grass by the lake.
"Wait here. I'll get something to drink, arrange some lights, and figure out a way to bring dinner."
"I think this is more like a romantic, starlit dinner," I teased him with a smile.
"As long as I can get you out of that dress, you can call it whatever you want."
I laughed, getting up.
"Too late, you had the most romantic idea ever," I teased, wrapping my arms around his neck. "And I loved it. Now, let me help you, and we'll get everything done faster." I stroked his chest before stepping away.
"It's not necessary."
"I'll take care of dinner, and you can handle the rest," I said, ignoring him and heading towards the house.
After arranging everything outside, we had dinner, sitting on the sheet on the grass, in a magical atmosphere, with stars shining in the vast night sky above us. And with the soft, sensual glow of the antique lanterns that Nathan had arranged and placed around us.
When we finished dinner, I lay on the sheet with my head on his lap while he had more wine. I just admired him for a long time.
"So... I never imagined you were so good with kids," I reflected, remembering what happened earlier.
"As I said, I have younger siblings." "Yes, I noticed there's a huge age difference between you and Ellie."
"Yes, she was the cutest and most dangerous thing," he smiled, seeming to reminisce. "But can I know why we're talking about this?" he asked, furrowing his brows.
I shrugged.
"You just... impressed me."
"Kate?" he insisted.
"What?"
"Don't tell me you're suddenly changing your mind about being a mother?"
"No. I just... We don't usually talk much about this. But... do you think you'll want to have children someday?"
"I don't know. Do you want to?"
"I don't know either. But I felt something different when I saw you with that little boy."
"Something different?" He narrowed his eyes.
"I can't explain. Maybe it was just an instinctive thing. You seemed so protective, and for some reason, it made you even more attractive."
"Did it turn you on?" he asked, trying to contain a smile.
"Don't laugh!"
Taking my head from his lap and placing it on the sheet, he moved to stand over me, his arms resting on either side of my head.
"So, did the idea of me becoming a daddy turned you on? He asked in a teasing tone, with a mischievous look. "Is that what you want? Huh? If it is, we can start trying now," he teased, pushing his hips between my legs.
"Idiot!" I pushed his chest, making him lie down next to me, while we laughed. We admired the sky until we finally stopped. It was simply breathtaking.
"It's beautiful," I said.
"It really is," he agreed, but when I turned my face to look at him, I caught him staring at me. That made me smile. "I want to make it clear that the proposition for sex wasn't a joke," he said, making me laugh again.
"No babies, then?" I teased.
"Yes, not for now." He fell silent for a few seconds. Then he turned to me, shifting his body to face me. I did the same, noticing his expression becoming serious.
"To be honest, I don't know if I'll ever want to have children. Would that make you leave me?" he asked, looking a bit apprehensive, with his head resting on one of his arms.
How could he think something like that? I reached out to caress his face.
"Never. In fact, I feel the same way."
He nodded, covering my hand with his.
"I'm glad to hear that. And I want you to know that you will always be my priority. I know most couples dream of having children and starting a family, but I know I don't need that. I just need you. I don't think I can be happier than I am now, and we're already a family. But if we change our minds in the future, we'll see how it goes."
I felt my eyes welling up. Every word touched me deeply.
"You make me completely happy, too, Mr. Ryan. And yes, if we change our minds, I know we'll do our best, together."
"Yes, we will."
"But, as I said before, there's always a risk, and with the amount of sex we have..." I teased.
"I take the risks. In fact, I'd like to take them here and now," he said, getting on top of me again.
"We're not having sex here."
"Alright. How about... we make love?" he whispered, looking deep into my eyes, sending shivers down my entire body.
Oh, my God...
"No, you can't do that. You're playing dirty!" I protested.
"You know I never play fair," he whispered, his lips almost touching mine.
"Nathan..."
"Do you remember what I said when we arrived in Paris? Well, I want to make love to you now, Mrs. Ryan," he said.
And just like the first time, and every time after that, I knew I couldn't resist.
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