growing strong

date arrived in bayview: July 31st, 2014

area(s) lived in: Downtown, Green Acres

relationship history & status: Natalie fell hard and fast early on in her time in Bayview, and that crashed and burned within a year (with one great joy.) Not long after, she connected with an old friend who reaffirmed her belief in love, even if their relationship didn’t last. It was only in recent years when she and Taylor both got their heads out of the sand and started dating each other.

Family: with her husband she welcomed Mercer, her son. A few years later, a surrogate agreed to carry Rosemary for her.

career 10 years ago: actress on screen and stage, some voice work as well and just starting producing! Also, owner of vin rouge, the local wine bar.

THE NOW:

date left bayview: Never left

past residence: n/a

current residence: The Kitsch-Dormer estate, built after their marriage

relationship status: After dating for a few years, Natalie let Taylor marry her. She thought she wouldn’t get married again, but the right person came along and, well...

Family: Her two kids, Mercer and Rosemary, are now teenagers, raising hell and living up to what they promised. She’s also active in the life of her stepdaughter. Taylor and Natalie also welcomed a son, Wyatt, in 2024.

current career: Still acting, but also producing and directing more than ever. Still slinging wine to the locals.

FUN STUFF:

favorite location in bayview: The Cove

favorite food spot in bayview: The Scuttling Crab

favorite drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic!) spot in bayview: Vin Rouge (that’s fully allowed)

favorite event or party: The Getaway opening- always the most fun weekend of the year and the drinks were impeccable.

best memory in bayview: Zach falling into the water is pretty high up there. She’ll also always fondly remember getting her friends to dance on tables with her after a few glasses of red wine at vin rouge or other locations. And that one keg stand.

favorite project involved in: Grease, for the chance to work with so many good friends

favorite sport played: volleyball

favorite trip taken: the ski trip with Delta where they almost burned down the building-iconic.

You know what, that’s fair – you deserve to be her favorite, considering how fast Mercer latched onto me, so I’ll allow it. I don’t want to break your heart completely, after all. Just make sure that Taylor doesn’t swoop in and take the spot from you or anything, that could be bad. It… might be. But come on, I’m American, did you honestly expect anything less?

You’re allowing yourself to be flattered too easily, but I suspect that’s just how you are. No, no. He’s not capable of doing something malicious like that to me, because he loves me, obviously. Zachary, I’ve known you for a very long time and I’ve learned in that time exactly what I can and cannot expect from the likes of you.

And you know what? It’s alright, I’ll work through all of their emotions with the thought in mind that if I had a mermaid for a mother, I would be horribly jealous, too, and it’s okay. Although, you know, we are having that whole weekend at the pool thing going on starting tomorrow, so I guess it’s a good thing the kids can’t be there. Since I will be hanging out in the next best thing to potato sacks. Swimwear.

I’m sure you’ll be a good mermaid and mother to them, with understanding their safety and your own unique mermaid life. How did you manage the pool thing without the mermaid thing, though? I hope you didn’t scandalize anyone too much, at least, because you look very cute in the swimwear. I think I saw you out and about and you looked pretty leggy.

Who is Rosemary’s favorite, come to think of it…? Besides, there’s still some time for me to work my way into that position, don’t worry, I’ve got this. He’s pretty up there as far as that goes, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way, so that’s alright. Our state animal back home is a white tailed deer, so maybe that’s not a bad choice. You don’t even get a state animal, since you didn’t have a state. Hedgehog.

Rosemary’s favorite is me, thanks. Someone gets to be her favorite and it’s absolutely me. Well, yeah, there’s time, but you have very fierce competition with me in the running, so there. You act like it’s some great flaw that I don’t have a state, or that England isn’t a country rife with symbolism. Is this a slight at my home country, Zachary?

That’s all that I could ever ask for! After all, I do want to still be touring when I’m old and gray, at least as much as I can, anyway. Right, you just don’t want to let him know that we know about his soft side, or else he’ll suddenly try to hide it form us or whatever. Oh god, yeah. I took the world’s longest shower when we got back, I can tell you that right now!

Don’t all legends keep touring until they can’t anymore? So you’re no exception to that. No, no. Because the moment people know, it’s hidden forever. It doesn’t matter how much you think while you’re in the woods “no, I’m not dirty at all” when you get back to civilization, you feel like you’re coated in dirt.

Someone has to be that person, and what’s stopping me from stepping up and doing the job, right? That does sound like a pretty good way for him to live his life, honestly. It’s a long, hard lesson to learn. I’m glad to hear it! And now you get to spend this weekend at the Getaway, which is the total opposite and ten times better, I would say. If you don’t want to sleep on rocks, I mean.

No one, and no one would dare. People kinda respect you for that kind of attitude, at least I think so. Some of the most important lessons in life are those that are long and hard. Oh, that was a much better way to spend my weekend. There wasn’t even a single rock that inconvenienced me. Not even once.

That’s why we don’t have a pool, actually. Just those little blow-up ones, because chances are, they’re not going to run into problems in those, but an actual pool…? I couldn’t even jump in to save them! So we’re better off. But someday when they’re older, they’ll know the true extent of their powers and why I had to keep it hidden. Of course! We should have a potato sack party, in fact. Close enough!

You could, but you’d have to have someone else there to hand them off to and you’d be left to flop around as a mermaid and watch in the distance. But I think you’ll be fine without a pool for now, because eventually they’ll be bigger. They’ll get it, but maybe be a bit jealous. Damn, but I don’t really know where you get a potato sack in this day and age.

No, if my kids are jealous of him, I’ll remind them that aunt Natalie loves them very much and promised to get them whatever their little hearts could ever desire, don’t worry, I’ve got you. He has, it’s true. Kid’s given me the kind of commitment that a person could only ever really dream of, I couldn’t ask for much more. I’m… not really sure what kind of animal that makes me. What animals are from Ohio, specifically? Also what animal are you?

That’s not fair, you have twice as many kids as I do! And I didn’t even get Rosemary involved in this, you’re not her favorite, after all. No one else in your life has loved you for as long as Mercer has, right? He’s your biggest fan, and rarely fickle. Ohio animals? Probably something stupid like a beaver or something. I’m an elegant little hedgehog.

If only it were that easy! Then I wouldn’t have to sometimes be on vocal rest or take breaks now and then, so if you could give me that energy… I would appreciate it big time! No, definitely not, you’re basically dating the roughest of the rough, so you have that to compete with, for sure! But you know, helps to have that around, right? Did you guys have a good time?

I’ll just be at all of your shows cheering you on and you’ll just keep going and sing all night concerts every night until you’re old and gray. I mean, he likes to think he’s that rough. We know he’s got a soft side deep down. We did, but I’m always glad to get back to civilization and showers.

But you have to agree with me that if anyone in this town was able to harness the power of immortality and stick around forever – especially just to annoy the shite out of others – it would be me. That’s all that I am saying. It is, it’s what he needs and deserves in his life to get by, so what more could be really ask for? But I bet that you guys had a nice time. And you probably didn’t have to get your hands dirty once!

I think you’re far too determined to be the last man standing, yeah. But at what cost? Probably at the very least your sanity. He doesn’t need any more than some poop to scoop and some love every now and then. No, no. My hands stayed clean and I stayed well fed and happy, so that’s successful camping to me.

Honestly, it’s a struggle. I have to be especially careful around the kids, since I don’t want them to get jealous of the fact that their mum is a mermaid and they don’t have the same special powers. See, that’s why I love having you as a friend. You never hesitate to tell me that I look sexy even as a sack of potatoes. It’s true – but you’re not drinking out here in the woods, right?

That totally makes sense, they’d be so jealous and it would make it harder to watch them or discipline them if they’re running around a pool or something. Maybe you can tell them they can have powers when they’re a bit older. Well yeah, because I’m only friends with people who look sexy in potato sacks. No, no. Only tea in the thermos and water.

I’ve already accepted my fate when it comes to Christmas. Pretty sure I’ve been on the naughty list for a good while. Probably doesn’t help that I eat all of his cookies, too. Thank you, I’ll be your best student, too. Makes you feel like they’re kind of your kids. Least that’s what I feel whenever I’m around my sisters. You think so? It’ll keep the kids entertained to chase them. Please do. I can’t wait to see what message you leave behind. 

So you’ve just thought you were on the naughty list instead of needing to be responsible for your own gifts? That’s very sad of you. Well, once you eat the cookies, you’re taking on the responsibility of being Santa for the kids and everyone else. That’s exactly how it is. I’m not really a parent per se but I did raise them and I influenced them. It’s going to also be to tell you to do things for me, and to make and bring me the tea.

That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it! But I would love to stop by sometime during the week if you’re not too busy. Joe’s going to start touring soon so I’ll need my wine to keep me company when I don’t go to the show. I know you would never do me dirty when it comes to chocolates so I’ll trust anything that you recommend. 

I’m never too busy for you, Soph. Other people? Absolutely, but never you. Oh damn, you’ll definitely need to stock up, and it’s nice that you don’t have to worry about accommodating his tastes as well, so you can just have what you like. Well, don’t give me that much credit, because I don’t want to let you down.

I’m not implying anything! All I’m saying is that I want to see what this wish list is going to look like before I start making any kind of promises to anyone, that’s all. Damn it, you can’t go ahead and use the favorite thing on me, that’s absolutely cheating and you know that! But, at the same time… I am pretty proud of the title. Oh, is that what we’re calling him now, is a Canadian moose? But I figured, at least you have a good wilderness guide.

I’ll just tell him to go right to you with his wish list, he’ll understand that you’re just making sure you have everything written down. And if your own kids are jealous of him? Oh well. But you are, and you have to deal with that, because he’s always adored you, no matter what. It’s a pretty good title. Well, he’s moose like, I think. We can all be an animal based on where we come from, and then use those skills.

I might be a little breathless by the end of it, but I’m going to do my best to be sure not to let you down! I want you to feel like I’m doing my best, after all. Incredibly! And we don’t need that, right? We already have tough enough lives that we have to deal with. Are you out here in the woods with everyone?

I assumed you sort of just opened your mouth and sang and there was no issue there. You always do your best, without even trying. You are your best. Yeah, we don’t need anythign rougher in our lives. Do you know who I’m dating? I can’t not be out in the woods, even on weekends we’re not camping.

It’s the way that I want to go out, otherwise I’m just not going to go out. And yes, before you ask, I am refusing to ever die unless I get honored afterwards. That doesn’t sound like a bad deal. For them, I mean. For Taylor, it’s pretty rank, the poor guy. But that’s alright, I bet that deep down, he lives it. And hey, it’s beneficial to have a country boy with you on this camping adventure, aye?

The implication here that you’re going to live forever is rather powerful. I just...I have my doubts that even you are going to be able to live forever. Besides, you’re honored now so that’s fine. Yeah, that’s right, but he still gets love and care despite that so that’s what really matters. And that I don’t shovel shit. Yeah, of course. I wouldn’t do it this rough without him.

I’ve been meaning to stop by your shop these last few days. Between cleaning and taking care of the little one, I realized that the wine is mostly gone. And mama needs a little bit of wine to get her through a rough day so I figured I’d head to Vin Rouge sometime next week. Are you mostly there or could I schedule a time to visit my favorite person?

@dormernatali​

Yeah, yeah. Too busy being a mum to stop by? Hard to believe. You know, I’m happy to arrange a time where I’ll be there to show you the best stuff, I have some really good chocolates in right now, if you want the full indulged mama experience.