Everything You Never Had

Dinnertime

About an hour later, dinners almost ready. Andrew has put his cooking skills to the test after coming home with all the kids. They all seemed exited when Cate told them they'd have some company during dinner. After Noah and you have cleared out the living room and put all the equipment back in the car, Cate joined you on the couch for a chat.

The three of you talked about casual life. Most of the conversation revolved around adoption, since Noah's an adopted child. After spending his first two years of his life in Nigeria, the rest of his life is spend with a loving family here, in England. His parents are absolute angels. Along with Noah, they've adopted two more children. Cate has some interesting questions and sayings about the topic, since she and Andrew adopted Edith.

"There's a lot of children out there that don't have the good fortune of our biological children." She tells.

You talk some more until you hear Andrews voice from the kitchen. "Dinners ready!"

The kids seem to hear it too from upstairs, because in a few seconds you hear many footsteps quickly coming down the stairs. After a minute, you sit at the dinner table along with everyone else.

"I present to you" Andrew proudly begins, which makes you figure it's mostly Cate who does the cooking. "salmon, potatoes and green beans."

"It looks delicious!" You tell him.

After everyone has food on their plate, you all begin to enjoy dinner. Noah and you answer all the questions you get thrown at you. The whole family seems interested in what you both have to say.

"Stop staring honey, it's rude." You look up from your plate and see that it's Cate who speaks to Edith. Glancing at the little girl you see that in fact, she was staring at you. Edith quickly darts her face the other way.

During the chatting you can see in the corner of your eye that Edith's eyes are focused on you again. "Edith." Cate says more firmly.

This time, the girl doesn't take her eyes of you. "I'm sorry mommy, she's just so pretty."

Everyone at the dinner table begins to laugh and you see it's Edith who seems embarrassed. "Why, thank you." You speak out towards the her, putting on your warmest smile. "I think you're absolutely beautiful yourself."

Edith shyly looks away at the comment. Your eyes cross the table and meet those of Cate, who gives you a heartily smile.

"So Y/N," It's Andrew who begins to speak after a few bites. "what got you into photography?"

The asked question about your one true passion makes you glow. "Well, at first it started with a fascination of being able to capture anything you feel is important to remember." You scan your eyes across the table, and see that everyone is focused on what you have to say.

You continue. "One photograph is powerful enough to not only remind you of an event or detail, but it can bring you right back to the feelings of those captured moments."

Everyone lingers at the words that escape your mouth. "And since the start of my career, it has given me so much more. The places I've seen, experiences I've had, connections I've made." Your eyes shift towards Cate.

"I encourage everyone to get into photography, really. It'll make you see and capture things you otherwise wouldn't pay attention to."

The table goes silent for a moment, until it's Dashiell who begins to speak. "Can I get a camera?" His eyes switch between parents.

"Yeah, me too." Roman adds.

"And me!" Ignatius demands.

Andrew, Cate, Noah and you share a laugh. "I guess we can make an improvement from our pocket-camera." Andrew says.

Cate nods. "Very well."

The kids show their gratitude with a thank you.

Seeing the family banter off of one another makes you smile. Growing up as an only child, you've only had your parents to turn to. Unfortunately, they've never supported your ambitions. According to them, photography apparently 'wasn't a real career' to pursue. Growing older, it became clear you didn't share their visions and values and you often clashed with them. As soon as you turned 18, you began to seach for a place of your own. Being self-relient is something you've been tought at an early age. To early for anyone, really. You just longed for the love that any child deserves from their parents. You can't help but feel jealous sometimes at Naoh, for having his loving family.

"Tell you what," You begin to say. "I was planning on taking some more pictures outside after dinner. Anyone cares to join?"

"Yes!" The kids say in harmony.

You can't help but chuckle. "Great."
__________

After dinner, you and Noah offer to help clear the table.

"You go outside and show our kids some proper photography." Cate suggests.

You, Noah and the kids put on your coats and head outside. With two camera devices in hand, you hand one over to Noah. Once outside, you turn towards the kids. "Alright, tell me a pretty spot."

"Oh I know one!" Roman says. "The climbing tree!"

The others seem to know what he means, because they all enthousiastically respond.

"Sounds great!" You tell them. "Lead the way."

You and Noah have a hard time keeping up with the kids, because they all take it for a run. Whilst trying to catch up with them, you look around. You're absolutely amazed by the beauty of their enourmous property. Astonishing greenery all around. After some time, you reach a gorgeous tree you can only imagine being the tree they were suggesting. The tree trunk is a few meters wide and it reaches up highly in the sky. Surrounded with many different sized branches, it's perfectly climbable.

"Wow." You astoundingly say, looking the tree up and down. "I'm impressed."

You grab your camera and shoot a shot. The scenery captures beautifully on camera. "Alright." You lift the camera strap over your head. "Who wants to start?"

"I do!" They all say in union.

The next half hour is spend with all the kids taking pictures and having so much fun. Noah's great with the kids, coming from a fun loving family himself. You also seem to make your way pretty well to their playfull hearts.

"Now," You begin. "are any of you going to climb the tree, or are we just boringly taking pictures?"

And that's all you need to say for them to sprint towards the tree. Noah and you enjoyingly watch the kids climb the tree. The boys are quick to climb, and Edith sits safely on one of the bottom branches. During all this action, you manage to snap some incredible shots of the siblings, all having a hoot.
__________

After saying your goodbyes to Andrew and the kids, Cate walks you out, while Noah grabs the car. You and the blonde woman stand behind the closed door.

"The kids seemed to have a great time." She tells you. "And so did I."

She begin to show her gratitude by giving you a warm hug. "Thank you." She says, with her head resting on your shoulder.

You both stand there, entangeled for what seems like hours, when it's you who's the first one to pull back. Your hands are still grabbing onto her waist. "It was lovely working with you today." You sincerely tell her. "I'm looking forward to the rest."

"Me too."

Your eyes linger towards each other like magnets. Stillness is shared for seconds long. The both of you are startled when the sound of a carhonk breaks the silence. Geez, thanks Noah.

"I'll see you thursday Cate."

"Gladly."

And just like that, the first workday is a wrap. It couldn't have gone any better.

Y/N

This chapter make you hungry? I certainly got something to eat after writing this one. Comments and feedback are still very welcome!