Chapter Text
Jacob doesn’t notice the tension that’s been created in the diner, he leans over and taps Nate on his shoulder
“ would you like to have dinner with me and my mummy ?” His question is so innocent and pure, he’s looking up at Nate with them blue eyes like Cassie’s that make his heart weak.
Nate clears his throat “ hm yes, I would love to. If that’s okay with your mummy ?” They both turn to look at her and she couldn’t say no, Nate looked so lost and Jacob looked happy to make a new friend.
“ yeah of course he can hunny.” She smiles down at Jacob. They all sit in the booth, Jacob is telling Nate about his aunties Lexi and uncle fez. Then he drops her in it.
“ then mummy got really hurt by daddy Chris and she was in the hospital, that’s why we have to come live with uncle fez and auntie Lexi. They got a dog but daddy Chris said we couldn’t have one.” He sticks his tongue out as he focuses on colouring inside the lines. Cassie can hear the pencil snap in nates hand, fuck. Luckily the waitress decides to bring all three of their dinners over before either of them can say anything.
“ so your daddy Chris, is he a meanie to your mummy a lot ? Is he ever mean to you ?” Nate questions little Jacob. Cassie could hear the dark undertones to the questions, she knows Nate wouldn’t do anything to Jacob and her despite what people think. Jacob looks at Nate likes he’s stupid.
“ as if mummy would ever let daddy Chris hurt me. She’s like a super hero, she never cries even when he gave her the special hugs that made her leg bleed.” Fuck Cassie can feel the tears forming in her eyes, she had no idea Jacob knew about that. Those nights when Chris would come from the pub demanding sex and when she refused he did it anyway. He always saying it’s his right as her husband.
Nate reaches over the table and touches her hand breaking her out of the trance, he gives her a weak smile with soft eyes.
“ how about I take you and your mummy out for ice cream tomorrow night ?”
Nates asking Jacob but he’s looking at Cassie the whole time.
The pure rage that filled Nate in this moment was like nothing he has ever felt in his life.
That night of graduation when Cassie disappeared Nate lost his shit he went to the Howard house demanding to know where she was and Lexi just gave him a sad look.
“ she needs time Nate. What was she meant to do ? Wait for you to decide if she was good enough for you ?” Lexi questions him.
“ I love her Lexi. “ his voice horsed and his vision becoming blurred with tears. He feels Lexi touch his shoulder.
“ she will be back just give her time Nate.”
Nate worked hard on himself to make him better, he knew he was still a piece of shit but now he knew he could give her everything and anything in the world. When he walked in the diner that day he wasn’t expecting to see her. He heard pencil drop in the floor and a little boy say “ oh oh mummy “
He turn to look and that’s when he saw her in all her glory looking beautiful as ever. His feet was moving before he could even process what was going on.
He looked at the little boy while he was picking up the pencils, he looked just like Nate just with Cassie’s eyes it was like nates dreams are hunting him.