#chloenath

Eight in the morning, and Chloe is still sleeping. Her father has a meeting at ten. If she wants to talk to him before, then she needs to get up soon. If it weren’t for the promise Chloe made to Nathaniel, the not a morning person that is Chloe would still be in bed dead asleep.

“Stupid artist wannabe, making me get up this frickin early,” she grumbles getting out of bed. “I doubt mother would even care that I’m pregnant.”

Chloe gets dress, take the curlers out of her hair, and brushes it. Then she ties her hair back into a high ponytail like always. Next is makeup and then meet with daddy. Checking the time it’s now nine.

The mayor is in his office getting ready for his meeting when he hears a knock on the door. Looking at his watch. It’s five after nine. “Come in!”

Chloe opens the door, surprising her father. Chloe never knocks, but today she did. Now Mayor Beourise is confused. “Chloe, dear, what brings you here? Do you want to sit in during the meeting like you used when you were younger?”  

“Do you know when mom will be back in Paris?”

Andre checks his schedule. “It seems not for another seven months.”

Chloe knows that won’t work. She’s already three months in, and seven months from now the baby would already be born. It looks like the phone is the only way to tell her. “Thank you, daddy. Let’s have dinner tomorrow night. I’m going to bring a friend,” she smiles.

“How does eight sound?” Still looking at his schedule.

“That sounds fine to me,” Chloe leaves the room and calls Nathaniel.

Nathaniel is an early riser. He likes to be up before the sun or with the sun. More time to work on projects, homework, or just plan study. Right now at 9:30 am he already had breakfast and is working on some commission. One of the ways he helps show off his talent. When the phone goes off.

Hoping it’s Chloe with some good news about her mother, the energetic artist nearly falls out of his chair as he grabs his phone. “Hello, Chloe!” You can hear the excitement in his voice.

“It looks like the only way to tell my mother is over the phone. She is not going to be in Paris until after the baby is born,” Chloe sighs.

Nathaniel himself is also feeling a little down by this. He wants to share the news with Chloe’s parents as soon as possible, in person. If by phone the only way, then that’s the way it has to be.

“We’re having dinner with daddy tomorrow night at eight. We’ll tell him then,” Chloe yawns.

“What about your mother?”

Chloe ends the call. Nathaniel starts at his phone for a minute, wondering if he should call her back. Good thing his day is clear of work tomorrow. Nathaniel calls Chloe.

“What?” Chloe yawns again.

The tired blonde was hoping she could go back to bed. “Sorry to bother you. Do you want me to meet you at the hotel for dinner?”

“We are going to have dinner at the restaurant in the hotel,” Chloe sounds mad.

Nathaniel being the way he is, always caring about others is a concern, “Is everything alright?”

“You care about me now because I’m carrying your child?” Chloe sounds mad and hurt.

“Chloe I would be worried about you right now no matter what. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, just tired. I’m not a morning pers….”

The sound of coughing and odd gross sounds means morning sickness is saying hello to poor Chloe. Nathaniel just puts his phone down until he hears Chloe complaining, “Stupid fucking pregnancy. I’m going to kill the man that did this to me.”

Chloe sees her phone on the floor. She remembers Nathaniel was on the other line. Picking up the phone, she hears, “If that’s the case, I feel bad for the man.”

Now embarrassed, Chloe starts to blush. “You heard that. You know I didn’t mean it.”

Nathaniel laughs, “I know. Everything is fine?”

“Yeah, all is fine. Thanks for asking,” Chloe ends the call.

Chloe tosses her phone away from her. It lands safely on the carpet floor. Not that she cares, if need be daddy can buy her another phone. Now it comes to her, Chloe has to think of what to say to her father. What if he gets mad and cuts her off? How will I raise the baby? If he cuts me off, then I’ll have to get a job.

The thought of getting a job scares Chloe. She never had to work a day in her life. She never did her own homework. Not thinking about her future, she not even going to University. “What kind of an example will I be to my child?”  

A crying Chloe never left her room that day. At night around seven, she gets a call. Chloe now a bit over her freak out this morning answers the call. “Hello,” her voice is raspy due to her dry throat.

“Chloe, you sound ill. Are you alright?” Nathaniel sounds worried.

“Why are you calling me again?” Chloe whines then she heads to the bathroom to get a glass of water. “First answer my question, please.”

Chloe takes a sip of water, ignoring Nathaniel. “Why are you calling me again?” Chloe repeats.

When nothing was said, Chloe finally gives in. “I’m fine. My mouth was dry cause of all the crying I’ve been doing.”

Then she slaps her hand over her mouth. ‘Why did I say that?’ Chloe is hoping Nathaniel wouldn’t freak out. What she got instead was something she wasn’t expecting. Nothing, she heard nothing from Nathaniel, she was about to say something when there was a knock on her door. Keeping her phone near her ear in case he still there, Chloe doesn’t even get up just yells, “It’s open!”

A certain redhead burst into the room, rushing right to Chloe, and kneeling beside her. “Chloe, what’s wrong? Why were you crying?” Nathaniel is out of breath and looking scared.

“Why are you here?” Chloe stands up.

Nathaniel stands up with her and moves closer. “Why don’t you like answering my questions?”

Chloe sighs, “I was crying because I was freaking about telling my father about the baby. I mean what if he won’t love me any more or kick me out?”

Chloe starts to cry again, as Nathaniel pulls her into a hug. He starts rubbing the back of her head. “Don’t worry, your father won’t stop loving you or kick you out. He might not like the thought of you being pregnant without a husband. I’m sure your father will help you out as much as he can.”

Chole was about to hug him in return but pushes him away instead. “You are your need to get close to me got us into this,” she roars.

Nathaniel only sighs. He was about to say something but decides not to. He starts to head towards the door. Chloe grabs his arm, “Why are you leaving?”

“I’m not going to stand here while you blame me for everything,” Nathaniel doesn’t look at her, but he does stop walking.

“You did get me pregnant,” Chloe defends herself and tighten her grip on Nathaniel’s arm.

“That is true. I should never have done that with you while you were drunk, and I’m sorry. You still shouldn’t blame me for everything that happened. We share responsibility,” Nathaniel turns, showing Chloe his glare.

That made her release his arm and took a few steps back. No one has ever disagreed or stood up to her. Back in college, he would hide in the corner when Chloe would yell at him. She tries to talk, but only mumbling comes out. Taking a seat on the chair, Chloe uses when she’s getting a pedicure.

“I….I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s all your fault,” Chloe whispers as she brings her legs up and wrapping her arms around them while placing her head onto her knees. “I just don’t know who to blame.”

Nathaniel releases his glare and sits down next to Chloe. He wraps his arms around her once again. “You don’t need to blame anyone. No one is at fault here. Unless you think being pregnant is a problem.”

“I never thought of having kids. Mostly because I never thought anyone would want to have kids with me. I don’t think me being pregnant is an issue. I just wish I got pregnant in a more normal way,” Chloe leans closer to Nathaniel.

“To be honest, this could count as a normal way for those that aren’t married. I do understand what you’re saying. I do agree. I always dreamed of getting married and having kids. Life is never a sure thing, always changing, always giving you surprises. Sometimes good, but not in a way you want.”

Chloe wipes away her tears. “When did you get so smart?”

Nathaniel laughs and kisses the top of her head. “I always have been smart. You just never noticed.”

Chloe also laughs then she stops and pushes him away again. “Why did you kiss me?”

Nathaniel shock by what he did stands up. “Sorry. It felt right for some reason. You seem fine, so I’m going home now,” he rushes out the door like someone trying to steal his car. Chloe goes and closes the door, Nathaniel left open when he exited. She knows Nathaniel wanted to ask her something when he called. Calling him now may not be the best thing to do; instead, she just sends him a text.

Nathaniel was running down the stairs. Forgetting there was an elevator. After running down three flights of stairs, he stops the leaves the stairway and takes the elevator the rest of the way down. While waiting the shocked man tries to clear his head. “Why did I kiss her?” He mumbled whisper.

He sighs when the elevator doors open. Stepping inside he’s glad no one is inside. “I did enjoy holding her in my arms,” Nathaniel smiles.

Then he shakes his head so hard he felt a little dizzy. “I think there is something wrong with me.  No, I just want Chloe to be happy because she’s carrying my child, that’s all,” he told himself but didn’t believe it.

He never saw Chloe as anything other than a self-centered bully. Until today seeing her cry like that hugging her knees, he felt something. It wasn’t guilt, maybe sympathy. That has to be it. Again Nathaniel doesn’t believe it. He will admit Chloe did overreach it’s not like he kissed her lips. Nathaniel sighs as the elevator doors open. He reaches the lobby and leaves.

Both Chloe and Nathaniel keep thinking about the kiss. Chloe will never tell anyone that she liked it. Nathaniel also liked it, and it was driving him crazy. Why did he do it? What was that feeling? “Wait a minute I never asked her that one thing,” Nathaniel realized as he was brushing his teeth.

With quick spit and rinse, he dashes towards his phone. He noticed a texted from Chloe. Scared, he stares at his phone like it’s going to attack soon. He opens the texted.

Chloe: I know you wanted to ask me something. Since you ran off like a dog with its tail between its legs. Text or call me when you want to talk.

Nathaniel thinks for a minute. First, he changed Chloe’s info on his phone then respond to the texted.

While laying in bed trying to sleep, Chloe is staring at the ceiling with the lights on. Her phone pings and she checks the time. Ten at night. She goes back to looking at the ceiling, then she jumps up. “It might be Nathaniel,” she cheers. “It better be he’s the reason I’m unable to sleep.”

Soulless: I just wanted to know if I should wear a suit for dinner with your father.

Chloe changes Nathaniel’s name on her phone. It was stupid to have him named soulless on her phone. It’s not like he’s ginger just a redhead. Then she returned his text. Princess: Cancel all your plans tomorrow. I’ll be over at nine in the morning. Have breakfast ready. No coffee for me, bring milk.

Nathaniel sighs then he texted her back.

Tomato: I have class. Princess: Skip.

Nathaniel thinks he only has one class and it’s a writing class he took as an elective. Missing one day couldn’t hurt. Besides, he can always ask Nino what he missed. He does need to pick up his paycheck.

Tomato: There is something I have to do before five. Princess: I’ll find a way to work in it. I want pancakes for breakfast. Tomato: With syrup, I’m guessing. Princess: Maple. Tomato: Fine. Princess: Thank you.      

Nathaniel blinks and rereads the message. “She did say it.” Nathaniel sends a text to Nino.

Artistdude: I won’t be able to make it to class tomorrow. Can you tell me what I missed and all that? DJD: NP dude. Are you okay? Artistdude: I’m fine just unable to make it. DJD: Kay.

Nathaniel sets a new time for his morning alarm. Then makes sure he has everything ’that’s needed for breakfast with Chloe. Since she doesn’t want coffee, it doesn’t really matter that he’s running low right now. Just adds it to the list and heads into the shower. Nathaniel wakes up at eight instead of his usual nine.

Five to eight Nathaniel wakes up. He turns off his alarm, gets dressed, makes his bed, then gets started on breakfast. First, he sets the table, that took about twenty minutes because he keeps rearranging the chairs. At first, they were next to each other. Then he moved one on the other side of the table, so they are across from each other.

Then he moved, so they are next to each other but not on the same side. One that never moved is still on the side towards the living room while the other one is slight to the left of the circle table. Then he moved the chair to the right side, back across and left it there. He still has to finish setting the table and make breakfast.

With the table finally set, he starts to make some pancakes. Not sure how much to make, he only makes about two each. If need be, he can always make more. Once the pancakes were done, he places two on a plate and a jug of maple syrup in the middle of the table where both can reach. A glass of milk for Chloe while Nathaniel makes himself some coffee.

He heard his doorbell when he was putting the milk away. Dashing towards the door, Nathaniel almost trips over some boxes. Unlocking the door, Nathaniel takes a step back as Chloe opens the door. She’s wearing sunglasses and a big hat like her mother. “Good morning, Chloe,” Nathaniel says as he closes the door.

Chloe looks around his place. She never got a good view when she was last at Nathaniel’s apartment. The smell of food leads her to the kitchen. All the way there she keeps going, “Hmmm.”

Once she sees the table all set up, she smiles as the yummy smells make her mouth water. Nathaniel pulls a chair out for her as Chloe takes her seat. Nathaniel sits across from Chloe. After one bite, Chloe notices these pancakes are nothing like the ones she used to have. For one thing, the syrup tasted cheap, the pancakes have something inside them. Something that made the pancakes tasted better. Before she knew it, she ate all on her plate.

Nathaniel was impressed by the way she ate. He sees her being too kind that would take forever to eat. Then again Nathaniel never thought princess of Paris would eat typical food like pancakes. That’s why he put some blueberries in with the batter. At first, Nathaniel thought against it, but it seems Chloe loved/liked it.

“Those were good. I never had pancakes like that before,” Chloe said after wiping off her mouth.

“You never had blueberry pancakes before?” Nathaniel was shocked by that.

He always thought Chloe ate nothing but fine fancy foods like pancakes with fruits in them. With breakfast done, Nathaniel clears the table while Chloe shows herself around his tiny apartment. Looking at it without being drunk or in a hurry to get out, Chloe is glad Nathaniel is going to move in with her. “Why are you here, Chloe?” Nathaniel finally asked.

“Do you have a suit?” Chloe asked, trying to remember which door leads to the bedroom and not the bathroom. She has no need to enter that room at the moment.

“I only have one,” Nathaniel answered.