Chapter 358 Waiting Up
By the time Samuel and Natalie returned from the police station where she got her ankle monitor removed and got changed, it was already three in the morning.
Gavin, who was still up, stood at the door to welcome both of them home.
Given that he was in his sixties, his eyes were bloodshot due to his inability to stay up late. The moment he saw Samuel and Natalie, he greeted, “Mr. Samuel, Ms. Nichols, you’re finally back!”
Natalie felt bad that they had caused Gavin to wait up. “Gavin, actually, you don’t have to-”
“You’re the one who should stop feeling guilty.” Gavin shook his head with a smile. “Considering my age, I can’t sleep whenever I’m worried. So, I really wasn’t waiting up for both of you on purpose. Now that you’re safe, I’ll be able to sleep till the afternoon.”
“Thank you, Gavin.”
“Don’t mention it. This is my duty as a servant.”
Once upon a time, Gavin had wanted Yara to marry Samuel. That way, Franklin and Sophia would have a complete family.
As time went by, his desire gradually changed after he saw how Franklin and Sophia loved and depended on Natalie.
Not only was Natalie gentle and forgiving, but she also treated the servants with respect.
Deep down, Gavin had already treated her as if she was the lady of the house.
“Ms. Nichols, are you hungry? Shall I order someone to prepare supper?” Gavin asked.
“It’s all right. I’m not hungry.”
Glancing at Gavin, Samuel asked deliberately, “Gavin, why are you only asking her? What about me?”
Gavin chuckled in response, “I was just about to ask you after asking Ms. Nichols.”
Curling his finger with a smile, Samuel scratched Natalie’s nose affectionately. “Look at how many people pamper you at home.”
Home?
Despite the simplicity of the word, it had become a place where Natalie felt she belonged.
After being ruthlessly hurt by the Nichols family six years ago, a home seemed unattainable to her. But now, it felt as if it had become a reality.
Gavin led them into the house.
“The children are still waiting for you in the living hall.”
“What?” Natalie knitted her brows and exclaimed, “Why aren’t they sleeping at this ungodly hour?”
“You will know soon enough.” Gavin sighed. “No matter how I persuaded them, my words fell on deaf ears. All of them insist on seeing you before going to bed.”
Speechless, Natalie walked to the living room.
Just as expected the four children all curled up on the sofa.
After all, they were only five and wouldn’t be able to stay up unless they slept a lot in the day.
Given that it was past three in the morning, the children were just as Gavin had described. All of them were desperately trying to keep their eyes open. Even though they were nodding away, none of them really fell asleep.
“Mommy! You’re back!” Clayton exclaimed in surprise.
“Mommy, are you all right? Xavian was equally anxious.
“You’re finally back! Do you know that you have given me a fright?” Franklin’s furrowed eyebrows gradually eased.
“Boohoo… Mommy, I have been worried about you.” Being the cute baby she was, Sophia’s adorable sobs warmed everyone’s heart.
The children jumped down from the sofa and surrounded Natalie.
With two on each side, they looked up at her with concerned expressions.
When she saw their reaction, Natalie couldn’t describe what she felt.
Huh!
Despite how Machiavellian the world was, Natalie felt as if all her problems disappeared the moment she saw the children. Instead, she was filled with the urge to dote on them.
“I’m fine.”
Kneeling down, Natalie put on a serious expression.
“I’m touched that you’re worried about me, but I’m also angry that all of you are not asleep despite it being so late.”
The moment they heard that Natalie was angry, the children grew nervous.
“I’ll let you lot off this time.” Natalie winked at them. “But don’t do it again.”
The children nodded in unison.
“Mmm-hmm.”
As the children were staying awake based on willpower alone, they quickly fell sound asleep once Natalie led them to their bedroom and tucked them in.
Natalie just couldn’t get enough of the sight of watching them sleeping.
Since Xavian and Clayton had been with her for a long time, she now seemed to prefer looking at Franklin and Sophia instead.
Both of them were beautiful and sensible at the same time.
Cupping her chin, Natalie couldn’t help but feel curious about how pretty and amazing their biological mother must be.
