Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Natalie’s heart raced as the minutes ticked by. Zayn, just a few months away from turning four, was still so young, and even though he was with Emma, she couldn’t shake off the worry. She was on the verge of dialing Zayn’s number when she finally saw the duo ambling back towards her, their hands clasped together.
“Thank goodness! There you are. What kept you? I was about to call Zayn,” Natalie exclaimed as they approached.
“Mom, no need to fret. Zayn’s got this. We’re not going anywhere with strangers Emma reassured her.
Natalie observed her two babies. Emma and Zayn were full of life, rarely giving her any real headaches. Zayn, in particular, was often the one keeping an eye on his younger sister.
It seemed that without their father’s presence, Zayn had matured quickly, taking on the role of protector and guide that a big brother should. Natalie pondered whether this premature growth was truly beneficial for him.
“Alright, kids, Sherry said she can’t leave the car here. She’s moved it to the parking lot and is waiting for us there. Let’s head over, Natalie instructed.
“Okay, Mom! Let’s go! Emina’s hand waved with excitement. This was the kids‘ first big adventure outside of Yvengard, and they had been eagerly awaiting it. The world was their oyster, and every new experience was a pearl of joy.
At that moment, Shawn halted, his brow furrowing as he thought he detected a voice that sounded all too familiar.
“Hey, what’s with the pause?” Sabrina inquired, picking up on Shawn’s sudden change in demeanor.
Shawn shook his head, his gaze sharpening. For a fleeting moment, he could’ve sworn he heard Natalie’s voice. It sent at strange flutter through him, but when he spun around, there was nothing out of the ordinary.
Perhaps it was the sleepless night from skipping my sleep pills that’s playing tricks on me, he thought. “Nothing. Let’s keep moving,” he said.
Sabrina followed suit, and they continued toward the arrivals area.
Little did they know, their two families were on the verge of an unexpected encounter.
Natalie led Emma and Zayn to the parking lot, where they spotted Sherry’s car right away. Emma’s face lit up as soon as saw her godmother. “Sherry” she squealed, running over. I’ve missed you so much!”
Sherry opened her arms wide, pulling Emma into a big hug. “Missed you too, sweetheart!” she said, planting a kiss on Emma’s cheek. The little girl’s cute face was just too much to resist.
Zayn was happy to see Sherry, but he tried to play it cool. “Hi, Sherry,” he said, trying to act like a grown–up
she
“You’ve been taking care of your sister and mom on the road, right? You’re such a good boy, Sherry said, giving him a smile. Zayn’s ears turned a bit red from the compliment. “I’m the man of the house, so it’s my job.” Zayn replied.
Natalie looked at Sherry and said, “Thanks for coming, Sherry. was planning to do this trip by myself, but these two wouldn’t stay behind. I didn’t want them causing trouble at home without me. Courtney can’t watch them every second.”
Natalie wished she could’ve left the kids at home. She was worried about running into someone she knew in Janisburg. Her
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plan was to get her business done quickly and get the kids back home as soon as possible.
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“Nat, don’t be so formal. We’re on a break now, and it’ll be fun to how these guys a good time. Let’s get in the car, Sherry said. “Once we drop off our stuff. I’ll take you all out for some yummy food. And tomorrow, we’re going to the amusement park.”
“Yay!” Emma jumped up and down, her eyes wide with excitement at the mention of delicious food.
Sherry had rented a cozy apartment with a main bedroom and small study that had a little bed in it. She planned to let Natalie and the kids have the big room while she took the smaller one.
“Sherry, how about we take the little room? We can just lay out a sleeping mat on the floor, Natalie suggested, feeling a bit uncomfortable about taking the big room.
“Nonsense, Nat. We’re like family. It’s not a big deal where I sleep but I won’t have my little treasures sleep on the floor.” Sherry insisted with a warm smile.
Seeing Sherry’s determination. Natalie didn’t push the point further. “Alright then. I’ll go ahead and unpack our things first,”
she said.
Natalie was in the bedroom, going through their suitcase, while Sherry kept Emma and Zayn entertained in the living room. She had prepared some sliced oranges and placed them on the table for the kids to snack on. Zayn was deep into a game of chess with Sherry, with Emma on the side, watching them.
After losing five games in a row, Sherry was at her wit’s end. “Nal, are you about done in there? I’m starving. I can’t take another round with Zayn. It’s so embarrassing! I can’t believe I’m losing to a kindergartener
“It’s okay, Sherry, Zayn said, trying to console her. “No one ever beats me
“Yeah, don’t worry!” Emma chimed in. “Our lips are sealed.”
“Thanks, you two!” Sherry said, getting up quickly. Tm going to change, and then we’re going out for a real meal.” She made a mental note to herself never to play chess with Zayn again.
After four long years, Natalie’s return to Janisburg had her heart racing with a blend of anxiety and nostalgia, As she unpacked in the room, the past came flooding back to her.
The day she signed the divorce papers with Shawn, she’d packed her bags and hit the road to Yvengard.
She spent her first night in a hotel, and the next day, she found an old house up for rent. The landlord, an elderly lady named Courtney, had the place sitting empty, so the rent was dirt cheap. Natalie signed a five–year lease on the spot.
Courtney’s husband had passed away years back, and her daughter, Sherry Miller, had stayed in Janisburg after college for a job.
Sherry always came back to visit her mom during the holidays. On one of those visits, she stumbled upon some adorable baby clothes designs that Natalie had drawn up. She was smitten with them and got this great ideato start a business. Sherry figured Natalie could do the designs, and she’d handle the production and online sales.
Natalie didn’t have a lot of other skills, and with Sherry’s encouragement, she decided to take a chance on this new venture.
It turned out to be a surprise hit. Before they even got the clothes made, their first five designs sold out, pulling in over thirty thousand dollars. The business just skyrocketed from there, and Jife started looking up for Natalie. Sherry got so into it that she left her regular job to focus on their venture full–time
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They thought about making it official and setting up the company in Janisburg where there were more resources, but to keep a low profile for Natalie and to keep her kids safe, they put Sherry’s name on all the paperwork. Natalie would work on the designs from Yvengard, and Sherry would take care of the rest of the business end.
From the start, Courtney could see that Natalie was expecting and seemed to be by herself, but she didn’t dig into the reasons why Natalie had traveled so far in her condition. She had a feeling it was a difficult situation for Natalie, so she went that extra mile to take care of her, frequently showing up with socks and other items Natalie could use.
As Natalie’s pregnancy moved forward, especially with her carrying twins, her belly swelled up big, making it tough to get
around.
Money was a bit tight because their business was just starting to gain traction, and with Sherry working hard to secure orders, Natalie was resolved to keep going strong until it was time for the babies to make their appearance.
When the big day finally came, Courtney ensured that Natalie got to the hospital safely. Thankfully, the twins were born healthy, even if they were a bit on the lighter side. After a week in the hospital to ensure all was well; Natalie was ready to take her little ones home.
Noticing Natalie was on her own with the babies, Courtney wasted no time in offering her assistance. Handling two newborns was no small feat, so Sherry took a few months off to lend a hand.
The twins treated Courtney like their own grandma, and Sherry who was all about her career and hadn’t given much thought to love or marriage, took on the role of the twins godmother, showering them with affection as if they were her own children.
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