ECHOES OF LOVE

chapter 5

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Chapter 5: Family Reunion

As we arrived at the restaurant, I couldn't help but feel nervous. This would be the first time Elle would meet Nathan's wife and son, and I wasn't sure how it would go. Nathan had assured me that they were excited to meet us, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

As we entered the restaurant, Nathan was already there, waiting for us. He greeted us with a warm smile, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Nathan led us to their table, where his wife, Leia, and their son, James, were sitting. They both stood up as we approached, and I could see the curiosity in their eyes as they looked at Elle.

"Camilla, this is my wife, Leia, and our son, James," Nathan said, introducing us. "Leia, James, this is Camilla and her daughter, Elle."

Leia smiled warmly at us. "It's so nice to finally meet you both," she said, her voice friendly. "Nathan has told me so much about you."

I smiled back, feeling a bit more at ease. "It's nice to meet you too, Leia," I replied. "And you too, James."

James, who was about the same age as Elle, looked at her with wide eyes. "Hi," he said shyly, waving at her.

Elle smiled back, her shyness fading. "Hi, James," she replied, waving back.

As we sat down, I couldn't help but feel grateful. Despite everything that had happened, here we were, sitting down to dinner with Nathan, Leia, and James, like a real family.

As we settled into our seats, the conversation flowed easily. Nathan and Leia were gracious hosts, and they made Elle feel right at home.

"So, Camilla, Nathan has told me a bit about your time in Australia," Leia said, smiling warmly. "It sounds like it was quite an adventure."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief that Leia was so welcoming. "Yes, it was an amazing experience," I replied. "I learned so much and met so many wonderful people."

Nathan chimed in, "And now you're back, and we get to catch up and get to know each other better. It's like things have come full circle."

Leia nodded, her eyes sparkling with interest. "And Elle, how do you like living here so far?" she asked, turning her attention to my daughter.

Elle, who had been shy at first, now seemed more relaxed. "I like it," she said, her voice soft but confident. "I like the playgrounds and the parks."

Leia smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. "Well, I'm sure you and James will have lots of fun together. Maybe we can plan a playdate for you two sometime."

Elle's eyes lit up at the idea, and she nodded eagerly. "That sounds like fun!"

As the evening went on, we talked about everything from our favorite foods to our plans for the future.

Leia's eyes sparkled with an idea. "Camilla, would you like to join us for a work gala next week?" she asked, her tone inviting.

I was taken aback by the invitation trying to mask my surprise. "I'd love to," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "Thank you for inviting me."

Leia smiled, her enthusiasm contagious. "Great! It's a formal event, so make sure to dress to impress. It'll be a fun night, I promise."

Nathan chimed in, a twinkle in his eye. "And who knows, you might even run into some old acquaintances."

I couldn't help but wonder if Nathan was referring to Adrian. The thought made me uneasy, but I pushed it aside, determined to enjoy the evening. This gala could be the perfect opportunity to start fresh, to show everyone that I was more than just Adrian's ex-girlfriend.

The dinner came to an end. As we said our goodbyes, I thanked Nathan and Leia for their hospitality. They had made me feel welcome, despite the awkwardness of the situation. I hugged them both, promising to keep in touch and to meet up again soon. As we arrived home, I tucked Elle into bed, her eyes already drooping with sleep. I kissed her forehead, whispering a soft "goodnight" before leaving her room.

As I settled into bed, ready to drift off to sleep after the long evening, my phone buzzed with a message. I picked it up, expecting it to be a message from Ayla or a reminder from Leia about something. Instead, it was a message from Adrian.

"Camilla, you need to be at work early tomorrow. We have a lot of work to get done." the message read.

I just rolled my eyes and liked the message I swear this man just likes to get on my nerves I mumbled to myself With a sigh, I set my phone aside and closed my eyes, hoping that whatever awaited me at work the next day wouldn't be too unpleasant.