Starting Over: rewrite

Inheritance

"Why is him being gone really bothering you?"

"I saw more of my dad in the last year when he was with Lily than I have my entire life. When I was eight, there was a period I completely forgot what he looked like because of how long he was gone. Now my daughter will experience the same thing."

"But she will also have me." Nate says as he holds Palmer in his arms, and she is laughing as he kisses her tiny hands.

"You can be honest and tell me if this is too much."

"Nah, this is just right." Nate bounces Palmer up and down, making her laugh more.

"You've changed more diapers than the father has." I point out.

"Because I love you and Palmer. I'm in this for the long haul."

"That's a lot to ask of you, Nate."

"No, when you love someone, you are there for them no matter what." He declares, which causes me to smile back at him.

"I'm not asking you to take over being a father figure to Palmer, but I will settle for you being an amazing boyfriend." Palmer lets out some giggles.

"I think I can handle that." Nate leans in and gives me a sweet kiss.

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"She's going to be fine." Nate assures me.

"But this is her first day without me and..." He squeezes my hand.

"And she is in the very capable handles of Lily and CeCe. Palmer will be fine."

"I know she will, but...I miss her. I swear I hear her crying." I look around, which makes Nate laugh.

"Yeah, my mom told me that's separation anxiety for first-time mothers."

"Your mom told you that?" He nods his head.

"And it just means you have a strong bond with your baby, so it's a good thing."

"God, I know I will see her later today, but I miss her cute rosy cheeks and her smell. Have you smelled her?"

"Yes, Ella, I have smelled your baby, and she smell..."

"Like roses. The lotion Lily suggested I use on her just makes her smell amazing, and I miss it so much."

"You got this. One more semester of school, and then it's time for the real world." Nate tells me.

"Which terrifies me more."

"You're going to do amazing things. Travel, work, eat, and share all of it with Palmer and me."

"And you?"

"Yeah, I can take the summer to be with you and Palmer before I go to school in the fall."

"I couldn't ask that of you."

"But I want to do it. We'll be in Europe loving every second of it, and nothing says summer than Italy."

"You are right about that." The bell rings, telling us we need to get inside.

"I will see you at lunch." Nate kisses me as he rushes off to his side of the school. Being back in class excites me. I have always loved school and learning something new every day, and this is no different, but the absence of my daughter does make the day seem longer.

"Have you heard?" Blair asks me as we exit French.

"Yes, Jack tried to pay me a visit, but I told Vanya he was not allowed in the building."

"So you know he found Chuck."

"Chuck was never lost." I tell her. "Our family has so many hotels all over the world. He always had a place to go." I tell her.