Chapter 21: The Start of Everything

THEO

Making up with Nadia was the beginning of everything.

We needed to take things slow, and we needed to make sure she won custody of Nate. Which was why we were sitting in the office of the biggest jackass in history.

He was rude and kept hitting on Nadia, but if Reece said he could help, then I was willing to put all that aside.

“Your mother is arguing that you kept Nathan from her,” the lawyer said.

“Correct, but that’s not true. She stopped coming around to see him,” Nadia replied.

“How did he end up with you?”

Nadia looked at me nervously before she answered the lawyer.

“A few years ago. My mother wasn’t answering the phone, and I was trying to check on Nathan, and finally, I showed up at the house. She wasn’t there, but Nathan was. He was sitting in old dirty clothes in the middle of the living room, crying.”

“Why didn’t you report your mother?”

“I didn’t want Nathan to be placed in foster care.”

“Can you take care of your brother?”

“She has been taking care of him for a while, so the answer is yes,” I snapped.

“I know these seem ridiculous, but these are questions you’re going to be asked in court. Does your mother have a lawyer?” the lawyer asked.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Nadia said.

“I’ll need her contact information. If she doesn’t have a lawyer, it may be easy to settle this outside of court.”

“How much do you charge?” Nadia was fidgeting with her hands, and I could tell that she was worried about paying him.

“It’s on the house. I owe Reece a favor and he’s cashing it in with this case,” he said.

“Really?”

“Yes. So, I’ll contact your mother and get things going. I’ll call you later in the week.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Carpenter.”

***

As soon as we were in the car, Nadia started crying.

“What can I do to help?” I asked.

“Stop being so helpful. Your family is taking care of me, and they don’t even know me.”

“Is that why you’re crying?” I asked.

“When I get overwhelmed, I cry; I can’t help it.”

“Don’t worry about it; let’s go back to your house. We both have some work we need to get done.”

“Are you still working for Bill?”

“I am, and I’m kind of behind on an article.”

“Are you going to be traveling a lot?”

“There will be some travel, but I’ll mostly be local. I need to settle down. Besides, I think it’ll be nice to have a place to call my own.”

“I don’t want you to resent me for not traveling. You love that part of your job.”

“The traveling is a perk, but what I love is writing, and traveling isn’t as important as you. I’m all in, Nadia.”

I meant it, I was all in for her. I wanted to be with her, and I hoped she could see that.

***

I spent a few hours sitting at Nadia’s kitchen table working on my article for Bill. The article was an opinion piece about finding yourself and what you are meant to do in life.

It was due last week, but I convinced him to give me a few more weeks. I told him this was a personal piece, and he wouldn’t regret it.

“Hey,” Nathan said as he sat next to me. “Are you going to be done working soon?”

“I just finished.”

“Good, because Nadia said she would not start dinner until you were done, and I’m starving.”

“How about we make dinner and let your sister relax?”

“I enjoy cooking, but I’m not very good at it.”

“I’ll teach you my famous pot pie casserole.”

“Is it really famous?”

“No, but it’s really good. Go tell your sister that dinner will be ready in an hour.”

A pot pie was a good way to use any leftover food, and it would keep Nadia from having to go back out tonight. Cooking with Nathan would give us some bonding time, and if I wanted a relationship with Nadia, it was important that her brother liked me.

“You cut and brown the chicken while I prep the other vegetables that we need.”

I watched Nathan carefully cut the chicken and place it into the pan. His moves were cautious and hesitant.

“Don’t worry about messing up. We have plenty of chicken if you end up burning it.”

“Okay. Do I need to add any salt or pepper?”

“Add some onion salt.”

I used to help my mother cook all the time; it was one of my favorite things to do with her. I tried to get Etta and Wren to cook with me after they passed, and they never did.

It was my first dinner with Nadia and Nathan, and it felt natural. The conversation and jokes came easily, and it was nice to have that connection with them.

“Thank you for dinner tonight. Nathan seemed to enjoy it,” Nadia said.

“I enjoyed his company; he’s a fun kid,” I replied.

“He’s the best. Nathan, along with Reece, convinced me to call you.”

“So, what you’re saying is I’m in debt to my brother-in-law and your brother?”

“Maybe.”

I leaned forward and kissed her on the lips, then pulled her to me.

“Do you need anything before I leave?” I asked.

“You don’t have to leave. You can stay, and I can promise you won’t be sleeping on the couch,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“Very much so. Today has been nice, and I don’t want it to end; I enjoy having you around,” she said.

“I enjoy having you around, too.”