Chapter 4

Nina wondered what it would be like to have a family. She has no experience of being loved and cherished. All she remembers was waking up in a hospital surrounded by people whom she doesn't remember. Then she was introduced to her aunt as her family. But Nina didn't know as a child, she would be better alone. Now, all she remembers being a family is full of abuse, beatings and tortures. Joshua saw her immersed in her own thoughts. "Come on butterfly, Let's go." He said to Nina carrying Inej naturally. When they came back, Daniel called his family to the Study. Nina was thrilled. Joshua gently led her to the study.

   After everyone's arrival, Daniel spoke. "Alex, as I said before, I am going to take Nina and Inej to my home tomorrow. They both will live there hereafter. I am sorry to say this Selena, I can't trust you with Nina's happiness anymore." When Daniel announced his decision, nobody opposed. Alex and Selena were filled with guilty. "Dad, I am going to adopt Inej legally as my daughter. She will be legally my elder daughter and my Heir. My baby girl will be with me hereafter." Joshua announced. Nina looked at him in shock. Alex and Selena looked at Joshua with gratefulness. Daniel and Alysa were proud of their son. Kenzie was excited to see Nina and Inej live with them. "Ok you can proceed Josh, we are with you." Daniel agreed with him.

   The funeral went without any problem. The relatives offered their condolences to the Helvar family. The Helvar family delivered their eulogy to Matthias and everyone gathered offered their prayers. Later lunch was arranged for the relatives at Alex's mansion. Lunch was served to the relatives and friends. Vanessa thought of approaching Nina when everybody is busy with the relatives. Joshua didn't give her a chance to be near Nina since she arrived here. When she was about to grab Nina, Daniel intervened her. "You need anything Mrs. Lopez? Nina is a bit tired. You can tell me if anything is bothering you." "Hello Mr. Helvar, Nice to meet you. My condolences for what happened to Matthias. My Nina will be devastated. May his soul rest in peace." Vanessa expressed her grief but Daniel could see that she was not being sincere. "Thank you for your kind words." Said Daniel. "Mr. Daniel, I want to speak to you about another thing. Now that Matthias is no more, I would like to know what will happen to Nina. I don't want my Nina to stay a widow at a young age. She has her life to live." Vanessa said. "You don’t have to worry about that Mrs. Lopez, Nina is the daughter in law of Helvar family, Inej's mother and she will remain the same. She became our daughter, the moment she married Matthias. So, we will take care of her hereafter. I will have to greet other friends. Please have your lunch." He said firmly and left. Vanessa was fuming that she was ignored and Martin calmed her.

   Alysa was worried about Nina not eating well. Selena and Alysa both made her sit and insisted that she should finish her plate. “Nina you should eat well dear. You have to take care of Inej too.” Selena insisted. Nina barely touched the food in the plate and tried to get away when Alysa and Selena was not aware. Joshua saw her trying to escape. “Butterfly, is the food not tasty?” Joshua asked tasting the food from Nina’s plate. He smiled. “Woah, this tastes good Nina, you should eat more. I and Inej will keep you company.” He said sitting next to Nina. “Baby girl, will Mumma always eat this little?” He asked Inej making her sit on the table. “Mm…I will eat all if Mumma feed me.” Inej said while keeping her pointing finger on her chin, trying to think. She was so adorable that Joshua chuckled looking at her actions and hugged her. “Aww my baby girl is so smart. See Nina you have heavy competition. You should complete everything in the plate.” Joshua and Inej encouraged her.

   Alysa checked whether Nina completed her food or not. Nina was nervous to see the people who cares about her. Usually, she will stay invisible everywhere from childhood so that she can avoid her aunt’s anger. So, these new feelings were all strange to her. In the evening, after all the relatives left, they got some time to breathe and rest. Inej didn’t leave Joshua and was playing with him all day long. Later in the night Nina went to feed Inej. “Baby come here, Mumma will feed you and then we will read your favourite story.” Nina tried to get Inej who is running away. “Mumma… catch me.” She giggled and ran. Nina tried to catch her but she ran to Joshua who was sitting down working on his laptop. She got over him leaving Nina baffled.

   Joshua catches Inej laughing. “Baby girl why are you troubling Mumma?” He asked caressing her hair and made her sit on his lap. “I want pudding.” Inej said showing her tummy, that she is hungry. “Oh, my baby is hungry? Then let’s go have dinner.” Joshua said closing his laptop. But Inej didn’t move, insisting that she won’t get down from Joshua. “Baby, you are a good girl, right? Come on let’s go and have dinner.” Nina tried to convince Inej. Inej shook her head as No. Joshua chuckled. “Nina, can you bring the plate here? I, will feed this little girl.” Joshua said tapping Inej’s nose lightly. Inej laughed cuddling with him.

   Nina nodded and brought Inej’s food. “I… I can feed her myself.” Nina said being awkward. “Ok you can feed her, no problem but let her sit on my lap butterfly.” Joshua said smiling. Nina nodded her head. “Baby if you finish this quickly, then Mumma will give you your favourite pudding. Okay?” Nina said smiling. Inej nodded her head fast in approval. Nina fed her a bit uncomfortably since Joshua was there. But Inej ate quickly without being naughty, like she usually runs everywhere while Nina fed her every time. Joshua distracted Inej and helped Nina to feed Inej quickly. Nina wiped Inej’s mouth and hands. “Baby its time to sleep.” Nina said after preparing her bath. Inej usually sleeps beside Nina in her room every day. So, Nina has brought Inej to her room.

   Joshua said he would like to help Nina and she didn’t refuse. Both of them bathed Inej together. Inej played with water splashing on Nina and Joshua. Nina saw how happy Inej was after Joshua’s arrival. She was shocked to see his effect on Inej. After the bath, both Nina and Joshua were almost soaked, all thanks to Inej. Nina helped her change into her PJ’s and laid her on bed. “Papa story.” Inej whined. Joshua chuckled and sat on the bed side near Inej caressing her head. He smiled and started to tell her a story. Nina didn’t know what to do so she also sat down on the other side of the bed looking at the dad-daughter duo.

   Slowly Inej drifted to sleep. Joshua looked at Nina and smiled. Nina was asleep while patting Inej. Joshua stood up and went near Nina and tucked her up in bed. He put Inej’s sleep sack on her covering her well and tried to leave but Inej held his fingers tight. “Papa don’t leave Inej. Inej will be a good girl.” Inej babbled in her sleep.

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