Chapter 90
Sophie didn't say a word and just looked over at Ryan.
Nick suddenly got it—this had to be Ryan's idea.
Only Ryan could come up with something as wild as a "daddy probation."
The whole probation thing was because Ryan wasn't totally convinced or satisfied.
"Ryan, why do I have to do this probation? What am I not doing right?" Nick asked, genuinely curious.
Ryan stayed quiet.
Nick had been great to the kids, but Ryan always felt like something was missing.
To him, even though Nick was as good-looking as Nathan, he just didn't have that certain something Nathan had.
Maybe it was just that little extra something.
"Okay, how long is this probation?" Nick pressed.
This question clearly stumped Sophie, and she looked at Ryan again.
Ryan thought for a moment and then slowly said, "Mommy."
"What do you mean?" Nick was puzzled.
Sophie jumped in to explain. "Ryan means it depends on Mommy. Once she approves of you, the probation is over."
Nick thought that made sense. "Alright, it's settled then. Let's go pick up your mom from the set, and after she's done filming, we'll have dinner together."
Ryan and Sophie cheered right away.
Just then, Sophie's kid's phone rang; it was Sarah calling.
"Sarah," Sophie answered sweetly.
"Sweetie, did your dad pick you up?" Sarah asked.
Sophie replied, "Yeah, we're going to see Mommy now."
"Don't come; your mom will be upset. She doesn't want you at her workplace," Sarah quickly stopped them.
"Why?" Sophie was confused.
"It's a long story. Let me talk to your dad," Sarah suggested.
Sophie handed the phone to Nick.
Nick, holding the tiny kid's phone, looked a bit awkward.
Sarah spoke, "Hi, I'm Demi's agent, Sarah."
"I know, go ahead," Nick responded briefly.
Sarah was secretly pleased that Nick knew who she was!
"The thing is, Demi doesn't want Ryan and Sophie to come to the set. She doesn't want people to know she has kids. There are often reporters around, and she doesn't want Ryan and Sophie to be photographed. Please understand," Sarah explained.
"I get it. Alright, I won't bring Ryan and Sophie over. I'll find a place for them, and I'll go by myself," Nick responded.
"Demi's scene might go late. You might save yourself a long wait," Sarah suggested.
Nick insisted, "It's okay, I can wait. I'll find a safe place for Ryan and Sophie first. That's it for now, I'll hang up."
After the call ended, Nick looked at Ryan and Sophie.
They had heard the conversation and, although a bit disappointed, they understood as they always did.
Nick suggested, "I need to find someone to take care of you, then I'll go pick up your mom and take you back to the Kennedy Manor. The nanny will look after you, okay?"
Both Ryan and Sophie shook their heads, indicating their refusal.
"What do you want then? The Kennedy Manor's nanny is very professional and will take good care of you," Nick tried again.
Still, the kids shook their heads.
"What should I do then? Leaving you in the car is not an option; it's too boring," Nick sighed, troubled.
Sophie looked at Ryan; at critical moments, Ryan had to make the decision.
"Nathan," Ryan said softly.
Sophie immediately explained, "Ryan says he wants to see Nathan and have Nathan take care of us."
Nick frowned. "Nathan runs a huge company and has countless meetings. He's super busy; how can he have time to take care of you?"
Ryan stayed expressionless and silent.
Sophie looked at Nick, then at Ryan, feeling torn and not knowing what to do.
"Ryan, you can't always get your way. Nathan's super busy; don't bother him," Nick tried to reason.
Ryan stayed stone-faced, his eyes cold and silent.
This silent protest left Nick feeling stuck, so he gave in. "Alright, I'll try calling Nathan, but he has to agree. I doubt he has time to take care of you."
Meanwhile, Nathan was at his desk, getting ready for a video conference with the Starhaven branch's exec team.
He glanced at the clock; three minutes left before the meeting.
Nathan put down his papers, threw on his suit jacket, and was about to head into the conference room.
Just then, his phone rang; it was Nick.
Nathan answered, straight to the point. "What's up?"
Nick explained, "I just picked up Ryan and Sophie from school, and they want to see you. I know you're busy."
Nathan cut him off, "Now?"
"Yeah, I wanted the nanny to watch them, but Ryan insists on coming to your office. He doesn't believe me. Can you talk to him directly?" Nick asked.
"Let him come," Nathan said and hung up.
Jack walked into the office and reminded Nathan, "Mr. Kennedy, the meeting's about to start. The execs are all waiting."
"You handle the meeting and send me the minutes," Nathan instructed.
"This is an executive report meeting; how can I replace you?" Jack looked worried.
Nathan waved him off. "I have an urgent matter."
Hearing that, Jack didn't argue and was about to leave.
"Get some snacks ready, especially sweets," Nathan added.
Jack was stunned. Was Nathan so hungry he'd skip the meeting?
But Nathan didn't even like sweets!
Before long, Ryan and Sophie arrived.
Sophie had clearly gotten chubbier since the last time they met. Her face was even more plump, like a soft marshmallow. She ran straight to Nathan. "Nathan, Nathan!"
Nathan quickly opened his arms to catch her, joking, "Have you gained some happy weight?"
Sophie shyly buried her head in Nathan's chest and retorted, "I'm not getting fat!"
Nathan held Sophie, his heart softening bit by bit.
In contrast, Ryan stayed calm, standing at a distance and watching Nathan. He didn't rush over like Sophie, but his eyes sparkled with joy.
To Ryan, Nathan was the only warm, reliable person in his world.
But to outsiders, Nathan was the most unapproachable person, surrounded by an air of distance.
Nathan gently beckoned, signaling Ryan to come over.
Ryan slowly moved to Nathan's side, and Nathan extended his arm, pulling Ryan into a hug, gently rubbing his forehead against Ryan's.
Ryan responded in kind, using his head to nuzzle Nathan's, completing their silent, mutual understanding.
Seeing this, Sophie thought it was fun and wanted to try it too, but because she and Nathan weren't in sync, her head bumped a bit painfully.
Sophie's attention was quickly drawn to the snacks. Her eyes lit up, and she cheered as she dove into the pile of treats.
Ryan, on the other hand, walked over to the bookshelf, hands behind his back, looking up at the high shelves.
Being too short, even if Ryan craned his neck to the limit, he couldn't reach the top shelves.
Seeing this, Nathan lifted Ryan onto his shoulders to give Ryan a better look at the books.
"There aren't many books here. The private library at home is a hundred times bigger. If you're willing to live at home, there will be more books waiting for you," Nathan patiently told Ryan.
Only when facing Ryan and Sophie did Nathan speak so much.
"Where is home?" The usually silent Ryan quickly responded.
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