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“We both know that’s not going to happen, princess. If a story’s out there, it’s out there.”
“But, it’s just not fair!” she says, her voice rising an octave. “I hate what this is going to do to Nate, to you.”
“Honestly, I think you have a lot more to worry about than both of us,” I point out.
She sighs, looking away.
“Go to sleep, Katerina. We’ll figure out our plans for world domination tomorrow,” I tell her.
She rolls her eyes but her lips twitch.
“Good night, Xander.”
“Night.”
I walk out of the room, climbing up the stairs. After checking up on Nate and ensuring he’s still asleep, I head over to my bedroom. It feels like every nerve and neuron in my body is fired up, running, my brain whirs as I try to figure out my next course of action.
I wasn’t lying when I told Katerina that she would probably have to deal with the worst of the news. Especially considering her family had no idea. Which is still insane to me. She and her sister are pretty close. Why would she not tell her?
Now I’m even more curious. I need to know why Nate’s birth had to be such a huge secret. I need to know what she’s hiding.
The frying pan sizzles as I prep it for breakfast. It’s simple, not too over the top. Just some eggs, toast and bacon. Nate comes bouncing down the stairs as soon as the smell of food fills the house. He takes his seat at the table, waiting for me to finish preparing our meal.
It takes a couple of minutes for Katerina to appear. She steps out of her room in a long t-shirt and loose shorts. My eyes trail down her legs for a second but then I’m distracted by the look of panic Nate shoots my way.
Ah. He didn’t know she stayed the night.
“Katerina needed somewhere to sleep last night, sport,” I explain. “I offered to let her stay here. Is that okay?”
She stands uncertainly at the threshold between the living room and the kitchen, her eyes fixed on Nate. My son looks down at the table and nods.
“Yes, it’s fine. Good morning, Katerina,” he says in a low voice.
Very slowly, she walks inside. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“I did.”
The air is slightly tense, awkward, which is to be expected. Last night after the long hug she gave him, it was pretty quiet. Neither of them seemed to know what to say and how to navigate the situation they’ve found themselves it. Quite frankly, I’m not sure how to help. They have to figure it out on their own.
Katerina needs to figure out how to have a relationship with her son.
“That’s nice,” she says softly.
Nate points at the chair opposite him, “You can sit there. Daddy sits at the head of the table.”
“Okay,” Katerina says, moving to take her assigned seat. Her expression suddenly turns lightens. “You know in my home, I usually sit at the head of the table.”
Nate’s eyes widen. “Really? Why? In my grandfather’s house, he sits at the head of the table. And here, dad does. You’re a girl though. Why do you get to sit there?”
I chuckle softly under my breath.
Katerina answers him earnestly. “That’s because I’m the head of my family. Girls can be in charge as well.”
Nate’s eyes widen further and I’m a little discomfited that the concept is so foreign to him. Katerina doesn’t seem to mind. She seems a little amused actually.
“Is it because there’s no boy that can sit at the head of the table?” he asks curiously.
“No. My dad is still alive. And I have an uncle and a male cousin who’s practically like my brother. All of them are well suited for the role but it was given to me, because I was just as capable, even more so.”
