Retribution

“You’re not suppose to make mistakes in the eyes of the public it’s not the same thing about not making mistakes. That’s what I’m here for and other people close to you. You use us to bounce ideas and we’ll help you make the right one.” She explained with a smile resting her head against his shoulder as they walked. “I love saying that I love you. I hope that’s not weird.” And she would never grow tired of hearing it.

“I hope so. I’m going to need plenty of help in my first few years. Like I’ve told you all the time, you are so important. More than you could ever know.” As she laid her head against his shoulder, all Nate could ever do was look down and smile. The way he smiled at her was the way he hoped she wanted to be smiled at all her life. To him, she was so flawless, so beautifully imperfect and he loved her. Not like he had ever loved anyone before. This love he felt for her was pure and unforgettable. He depended upon it. “If it’s weird then I’m weird too. I love hearing you say that you love me. I live for it.”

“Well I am a Mother, I think I need to know these things.” She teased just enjoying seeing Ollie in Nate’s arms. “Sometimes he’ll cry about it but if you try later he’ll be fine with it. It’s just learning.” And she was all for furthering Ollie’s development. Not that it was really furthering it because it was something they should do in general. “Alright then. You carry him I’ll get his pram.” She stated moving to open the door to push the pram out and hold it out for her son and Nate.

“You could just wing it but I think that might be a bad idea,” he teased back, smiling at her then at Ollie as he gripped tight onto his pinky. “Aw, that’s horrible. I don’t want to see the little one cry. Poor thing.” He looked so peaceful at the moment. It was hard to think that he could be crying once they were outside. Nate couldn’t stop staring down at the little boy. Even as they got outside. He was something special. There was no doubt in his mind.

“It’s to help him to strengthen his neck. You just put him on his tummy if he can handle it and he does pretty well with it. He even turns his head ide to side.” WHich she was very proud of. “You don’t mind carrying him?” She asked moving the pram toward the doors.

“Huh. You know a lot more about babies than I ever could. Not that I’m surprised, but good for you and Ollie.” He was quite proud about how grownup she was about all this. She was already a great mother. “Not in the slightest. I love this little boy,” He said with a laugh, smiling down at him.

“Because you don’t let the opinions of others influence you? Shouldn’t that be a good quality of a King to have the strength to do what you know is right?” She asked looking up at him with a raised eyebrow. “I love you and I’m always going to be here to help.”

“It doesn’t help when their King doesn’t know what is right and what is wrong... I’m human and I make mistakes but a King can’t make any mistakes. He’s not supposed to be human. He’s supposed to divine.” Nate quoted all he knew from training to Marie because he trusted her completely. Not only as his girlfriend but as a sort of advisor. “I love you too and I appreciate that.”

“I’m glad you’re dedicated to it. I couldn’t imagine him not having such a wonderful Uncle here. Did you want to join us for tummy time? I was going to take him outside for a little bit? I’m sure it would be better with Uncle Nate there.”

“Tummy time? What’s tummy time?” He asked with a small chuckle. Knowing Ella it was probably something very cutesy and creative. “Sure. I would love to join you.”

“I love that about you though. I admire it about you.” He was always so calm and collected and she wished she could do that as well. “I could see why, they have very strong personalities in a way. like easy to admire.” She mused. “If it helps though I think you’re amazing.”

“I think it might be why some people are unsure if I can run the kingdom,” He trailed, frowning a little but not enough to notice too much. “They’re both proper and improper. I admire them too. Very much so.” It was whether they believed he could rule that always affected him the most. “Thank you. I helps a lot.”

“Fine be the cool uncle. And call him kiddo.” She mused shaking her head at her best friend. “He does know that every moment of the day. But he definitely loves his Uncle Nate already because you make him feel special.” 

“See? Everyone needs a supportive and cool uncle. I am dedicated to that position.” He shot a smile her way before letting Ollie hold onto his pinkie. “I’m glad I can make him feel special. That’s important to me. I promise.”

Pulling her door close she raised an eyebrow at him telling him silently to lead them wherever they needed to go. “I don’t always know who myself is. I’m still figuring that out. There’s part of me that doesn’t want people to hate me or look down on me. I don’t know if that sounds weird as a fear though.”

Nate guided them in the direction of the front doors of the palace, keeping a tight hold of her as they walked. In response, he simply shrugged. That wasn’t how he lived his life but that didn’t mean he didn’t understand where she was coming from. “That’s not a weird fear. It’s very normal. I just don’t mind myself. The only opinions I ever cared to hear was my parents. What they thought of me means the world. It’s gospel.”

“You do realize he’s only a month and saying ‘Come here, kiddo’ doesn’t do much?” She questioned with a raised eyebrow. Handing over her son as he looked up at Nate the teasing turning into a little smile.

“Hey, that much enthusiasm doesn’t happen often. Let me be the cool uncle,” He defended, making a face at her before holding Ollie in his arms, cradling him gracefully. “He’s a special little boy. He has to know that all the time.”