When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel)

Chapter 2072

Nathaniel had always pictured a little girl with Cecilia's delicate features and luminous smile.

He sat beside her in the backseat, eyes shining at the notion, while their two sons -Jonathan and Elliot-joined him in staring at Cecilia as though she alone held the key to that dream.

A faint shiver rippled through Cecilia. She hugged her coat tighter, then shook her head. "No. I can't go through pregnancy again."

Childbirth had been agony, and she already had four lively children. Much as she yearned for a daughter, she refused to stake her body on another roll of destiny's dice.

Disappointment flickered across Elliot's face. His bright gaze dropped to the floor, shoulders sinking as he folded his tiny hopes away.

Nathaniel rested a calming hand on Elliot's shoulder. "Elliot, bringing a new life into this world is anything but easy, and raising a child is harder still. Your mother and I already have you, your brother, and the younger boys, and that's more than enough. If your mom ever chooses to have another baby, we'll welcome the idea. If she doesn't, none of us will pressure her. Understood?"

Elliot understood. He drew in a deep breath and nodded hard enough to make his hair bounce.

Then, he launched forward and wrapped both arms around Cecilia's elbow, clinging like ivy to a sun-warmed wall.

"Mommy, whenever you decide you're ready to give me a baby sister, you have to tell me first. I promise I'll look after her better than anyone."

Cecilia's laugh was soft and bright. "All right, sweetheart."

Their driver eased to the curb outside the sprawling mall. The family of four spilled onto the pavement, winter sunlight glinting off the SUV as doors thumped shut behind them.

soon as they stepped into the mall, they

they twins? How

could pass

trailed them like

so jealous of their looks.

Nathaniel Rainsworth from the news, isn't

stares multiplied, converging on them as though a spotlight

fished a sleek black mask from her handbag and pressed it

ones for the

and sons obeyed without a whisper, elastic bands

V-sign. "Mommy, do I look extra handsome with the mask?" Cecilia met his twinkling eyes and let

Eli and Jon are the two handsomest

ducked his head, pretending

gloved fingers, magnetized by that

they celebrities?"

in her ears. She was starting to regret having Nathaniel

shopped with Charlotte and the others, she attracted a few curious glances and the occasional request for her number nothing she couldn't handle. Today,

both instinctively recoiling from the steady stream of curious eyes that trailed them. Elliot, howeverglowed like a pocket-sized sun. He grinned and tossed friendly waves at every

one swift, almost effortless motion, Nathaniel stooped, swept Elliot off the ground, and cradled