Return of Price's Serena!

The morning rays touched my face alerting me of the another day. I straightened my body for a while gawking at the ceiling but then as realization dawned on me that this was the first morning In these two years when I was alone on my bed. As I felt that loneliness caging me, small hands wrapped themselves around me.

Nathaniel!!

My mind reminded me of my companion now and as I turned to look down at his petite frame hugging me on my side, I felt my heart clenching in pain. My hands raised on their own to caress the little boy's head as a feeling of belongingness surrounded me. A connection that was gone was resurfacing. I don't know why I felt so much connected to him but I was glad that he was here near me, in my time of agony otherwise I was sure last evening, that alcohol will only become my friend now but now that I have someone to take care of, I think I can last a little while without it.

"Hey little bud. Good morning". I greeted him as he lazily opened his eyes, rubbing them. A chuckle escaped my lips as I found him so cute in that moment.

He took a while to get adjusted to the daylight in the room, then giving me a shy smile he wished in a soft voice, "Good morning, Dad!"

I kissed his forehead lightly liking the feeling of being his parent. Though not biologically but it's the upbringing that matters and from today onwards, he is going to be mine. Officially and legally my son.

"Okay bud, let's get dressed then we will go out and get you admitted in school." I suggested getting up. Nathan got up along with me but his eyes were staring at me in confusion.

"But I don't have clothes?" I mentally slapped my forehead for being so irrational. How did I forgot that I have to get him clothes.

Realizing my folly, I gave him an apologetic look and offered, "Okay so how about we first go to Dad's restaurant to have a cool breakfast. Then we will go for shopping and then for your admission. You do want to go to school right?"

He nodded his head enthusiastically as the idea of school wasn't unknown to him.

"Alright come!" Taking hold of his small hand, I showed him the way to the washroom like last night. It was so new for me to be familiar with a kid and handling their responsibility but it all felt so nice. I wish she was here with me. I was sure she would have made an amazing mother but little did I know that, she considered me nothing more than a baggage full of depression.

Was I really a depressed soul who tormented her??

The answer was trying to find it's way in my mind but before I can understand Nathan's excited squeal brought me out of my trance.

"Cheeseeeeeeee!" He was giving his reflection a Colgate smile. I realized that he loved watching himself in the mirror just like Serena's one of habits.

I never understood why she used to stare at herself making wierd faces in the mirror but soon I understood that she loved to keep her childishness alive in her somewhere. I liked that fact about her because not many people can become a child after growing up. Most of us forget what it is to be a kid because we dissolve ourselves in the worldly facades thus, finding someone like a small child like Serena was certainly a breath of fresh air for me. Or certainly my new breathing system!

"Nathan don't wet yourself. We still need to go out". I warned him while shaving my one day stubbles. He was busy brushing his teeth but still playing with the water as I had made him sit on the counter near the water faucet.

He giggled but obliged making me smile. Once he was done I helped him out, and after switching on the TV for him for the meanwhile, I went to take my shower.

Once I stepped out of the washroom, with a towel wrapped around my waist, I saw Nathan jumping on the couch on which he was sitting.

"Dad, see!!" Giggling he jumped for me and I panicked getting paranoid that he might hurt himself. I don't know why I felt so afraid but my feet automatically ran in his direction.

He halted his activity as he saw me approaching him with worry. As I was about to take him in my arms, he suddenly stepped back from me shocking me.

"No please."

"Don't hit me".

"I won't touch your things".

"Nathan what's wrong baby? Come here!" I tried to take him in my arms but he kept on moving back. By now tears were flowing out of his eyes as if he was reliving something drastic.

"Nathan, I won't hit you bud. Come here!" He now stood in the corner of the room sobbing lowly making my heart constrict in pain. Confused with his sudden behavior I took slow steps towards him and thankfully, he wasn't going away from me.

I can't handle another person leaving me especially not this little guy. In such a short span, I have come to care for him as my own and i don't think if I lose him after trying to find my peace in him, I will be able to survive.

A man can sustain a burn once, twice but if he is forced to bare it thrice, then it's the end for him.

Reaching him, I kneeled down to his level and he suddenly hugged me once again taking me by surprise.

"What happened buddy?" I finally inquired once I was sure he was no longer crying. I kept on caressing his back, soothing his pain which he might be feeling in his heart. Parting from me he looked down. Tears were still flowing down on his cheeks and my own eyes brimmed with tears.

"One day I touched a.... big man's car and he hit me. I fell.... down on road and got hurt". He revealed once again his eyes filling with tears. He lifted up his torn jeans a little and showed me the bruise on his knee which was still blue due to swelling.

Not able to control myself, I pulled him in my arms and consoled him, "No one will hurt you anymore buddy. You are Nathaniel Daniel Price now and this house and everything here is yours so don't be afraid. I am here to protect you always".

He clinged onto my body and I understood now that he felt that I might hurt him because he jumped on the couch. But little did he knew that I don't value these materialistic things anymore. I only want a true companion to share this grief with me and to help me to pass one night.

Pulling apart, I wiped off his tears and he kissed my cheeks making my heart swell in pride in the same way I felt when Serena used to kiss me.

Remembering that my kiddo might be hungry since he didn't eat much last night, I hurried up to get dressed in my work clothes which consisted of a formal grey suit.

Making Nathan wear his shoes, I carried him downstairs to the parking lot and he was jumping excitedly in my arms. I never knew carrying a kid can be so heart warming.

Throughout the drive to the Price Inns Nathan was playing with the soft toy tiger kept in the car on the back seat and I couldn't be more happier than this. Atleast, someone was happy from me if not her.

"Ok baby, get down and go stand beside that door." I instructed him pointing towards the restaurant's main door. Giving me his big smile he did as per my wish and I made my way towards the back to the parking lot since the front parking lot. Since it was Times square and it was always busy so I wasn't really surprised that even in morning at 10 am, the parking lot was full.

It took me a while to get the parking done due to the rush on the street but as soon as I came to the front to meet Nathan, the sight which I saw made me clench my fist in anger. I can feel myself sweating with fear at what my eyes were seeing currently.

But before I can let my anxiety cloud my mind, I marched towards the scene and yelled gaining the attention of the occupants.

''What the hell do you want now Serena Waldorf??"'