Chapter 25: Asking for a Blessing

THEO

Nadia seemed to be doing better since I forced her to talk to me. She seemed more open, and I could tell she was working hard to let go of the insecurity of being left.

Since everything was going well, I felt like it was time for me to chat with Nathan over lunch.

***

“What’s the deal?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve never taken me anywhere without Nadia, so what are you planning?”

“You’re a very observant person, Nathan,” I said.

I pulled the ring out of my pocket and showed it to Nathan. “I want to marry your sister, but I want your blessing first.”

He sat there for a few seconds before he looked at me. “So, you love her?”

“More than she can comprehend.”

“And you’ll take care of her?”

“I promise.”

“Then I approve. I like you, Theo, and I can tell my sister is happier because of you.”

Nathan was mature for his age, and he understood things about people that an eleven-year-old shouldn’t.

***

“How was lunch with Nathan?” Nadia asked me.

“It went well. He’s a cool person, and you’re doing a good job raising him.”

Nadia laid her head on my shoulder. “Sometimes I feel like I’m going to screw up his life.”

“He’s doing well. He’s smart, and he does well despite his health issues.”

“You’re a kick-ass mom.”

“I am kind of like mom.”

“You are a mom, and you’re raising a kid. He may not be biologically yours, but you are, in every sense of the word, a mother.”

It was taking all I had not to tell Nadia I wanted to marry her. I wanted to say to her I had the ring and everything, but I knew it had to wait—the proposal had to be perfect.

I also knew that if it was too soon, she would internally freak out and sabotage the relationship. I might be the one that liked to travel, but she had complicated commitment issues, and I needed to be cognizant of them as we moved forward.

“Is everything okay?” Nadia asked.

“Everything is good,” I said. I kissed her head and pulled her closer to me on the couch.

“You’re quiet tonight, so I was just checking on you.”

“Well, have you given any thought about moving in with me? We practically live together now.”

“I know, but you staying here is different. I don’t feel like I gave up a part of my security.”

“I’m serious about us. I can add your name to the house. Would that make you feel better?”

“That’s too much to ask.”

“Well, you have a few more months left in your lease, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then temporarily move in with me. If you don’t like it, then you can renew your lease. I’ll even help you pay for the rent if you give this a chance.”

She was silent for a few seconds before nodding her head. “Okay, but we’ll have to drive Nathan to and from school. Your house is in a different school district, and I don’t want him to switch.”

“That’s fine; I will gladly take him to and from school if that’s what it takes for you guys to move in with me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I’m not sure what’s worse—your need to apologize or your lack of trust in people.”

Nadia’s face turned pink. I knew I’d said the wrong thing.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I was joking.”

“I know I’m difficult, but I’m trying,” she responded.

“I know that, and I appreciate that, and I’m willing to work with you in that as long as you keep taking steps forward.”

Nadia adjusted herself so she could kiss me. “Thank you,” she whispered.

I was about to pull her in for another kiss before Nathan interrupted.

“Gross, please don’t do that in front of me.”

Nadia and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Pretty soon you’ll want to kiss a girl you like,” I teased.

Nathan’s face turned red, just like his sister’s did. I couldn’t help but laugh.

***

Nadia took the trial part of living together seriously. She packed a suitcase with only the necessities, and it kind of offended me, but I knew I had to pick my battles.

“This room and bathroom are all mine?”

“It is, and the basement is a game room.”

“I am never leaving!” Nathan yelled as he ran downstairs.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that. He doesn’t need all this.”

“Don’t worry about it. These were things I wanted too. It made it easier to buy them for myself knowing others would play the games as well.”

She let out a sigh. “It’s okay. It’s not the end of the world.”

“I just wanted to be with you and to make things easier for you. I didn’t mean to overwhelm you or overstep,” I told her.

“I know, and I’m telling my brain to get used to it.”