Nate showed the garden to Lara, including the small bunch of trees where he and Samantha used to play as children. They walked hand in hand, lost in their world and exchanging memories of their childhoods.
Lara used to play in the garden with her brother when she was a child, and she remembered those days with a bitter smile. It looked like they would be together for the rest of their lives, yet her brother didn't call her back in years. Her mother baked biscuits for them, and it all looked like they were a happy family. It seemed like she loved them.
In the end, her love didn't prevent her from throwing her daughter out of home, to send her away, to force her to provide for herself and her babies.
«I had a happy childhood,» she said. «I'd like for my kids to have one as well.»
«They are having a good childhood, Lara. They are happy with you, and we will do our part to make them grow up well. My family and I are your family.»
«I'm not worried, Nate. I see your mother accepts the twins, and your cousin is their aunt now. I know they will be happy now.»
«We can be family for you as well.»
«I'm an adult,» she reminded him. «I can do fine on my own. It's important for the kids...»
«Oh, Lara... You... How can you be so cruel to me? Are my help and my presence such a burden to you? You reject my offers without thinking twice, saying you don't need me.»
«I don't want to bother.»
«It's fine if you bother! We won't complain, I promise. And we won't change our mind about you... Oh, I will not, at least.»
«It's so hard after years living alone. Have some patience with me, will you? One day, I will trust you with my whole heart, Nate. It's too soon now, though. And you need some time to decide as well.»
«What are you afraid of?»
«Nate, your mother is so nice and all! I really am happy that she accepted the kids.»
«But?»
«I am a poor girl without any background who appeared out of nowhere. If I were her, I wouldn't trust my motives. What if I was after your wealth and power? What if I'm aiming at your social position and using my kids for that?»
«What if you're doing all of that?» he rebuked.
Oh, he would be glad if power or position were enough to court her. It would have been easier, but, at the same time, it wouldn't have been the same.
Somehow, he liked everything about Lara. Even the difficulty of convincing her to accept him.
«I am an adult; no one can tell me what to do and who to date, not even my mother. If you're as good as to deceive me, then you do deserve to reach your goals, Lara. Also, I wouldn't let my mother bully you, I promise.»
He raised his chin, showing the determination in his eyes and expression. It was all a facade. Not that he wouldn't protect her; simply, he knew his mother liked Lara already. He had told her about the pups and that they were mates. It had been enough for Melanie Woods to welcome her future daughter-in-law with open arms.
«You would protect me?» Lara repeated, blinking a couple of times before moving her eyes on Nate.
She couldn't fight that stubborn attraction, so she leaned forward and sunk in his arms. His embrace made her sigh in peace, and she forgot about her doubts for a long, long moment.
She couldn't know about the two pairs of eyes attentively observing from the windows, but she wouldn't have changed her idea just because of that. The attraction she felt was weird and not fully natural, but she had decided to give it a try and see whether it could turn into something durable. She wouldn't have allowed her cubs' worries to ruin her relationship with Nate. After all, they were parents to the twins. They would have eventually understood and accepted.
«I will protect you, Lara. From anything. I will give you everything you ask, and I will be the best father for our kids,» Nate whispered, caressing her hair and discreetly inhaling her sweet scent. «You won't regret trusting me, I promise.»
«Okay,» she sighed.
«Okay?»
«Yes. Let's try trusting each other.»
«Are you sure?» he murmured, taken back. Yet, he didn't let go of their hug just to look at her face. If she was lying, he would believe.
«I'm not sure. But it's not fair to keep bothering you with my worries. I should decide already, right?»
«Oh, no. You can take your time, really. We're not in any haste here. I'm ready to wait for as long as it takes, and I won't hurry you.»
«When you say something like this, I wish to hurry even more,» she chuckled. «Is it a plan of yours?»
«Oh, no.»
He bit his lower lip, suppressing the need to defend himself. There were so many odd plans she missed, yet she could see a hidden agenda where there wasn't any. What did he do wrong that time?
«I'm joking,» she replied, splitting from him and searching for his hand. «Would you like to show me around some more?»
«Yes!» He nodded, happy like a dog.
«Also, maybe... We can try taking a step forward now.»
«Yes?»
«I don't know how yet. We can spend the weekends together, living under a single roof. Or you can take both the kids with you sometimes...»
«I'd prefer to spend time as a family, Lara. All four of us.»
«You mean, you, the kids, and me?»
«Yes. All four of us.»
«Oh, that's also a nice idea.»
«When the kids don't find it strange anymore, we can go live together. Or we can come here; there's a lot of space.»
«Are you sure your mother won't mind the chaos?»
«No, she'll love it.»
«I have to believe you,» Lara sighed, smiling happily.
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