Rejected: A love story-Chapter 80: The celebration

Nathan arrived home a little later than usual, the sky already shifting into warm gold as the sun began dipping. He stepped out of his car feeling the weight of an exhausting day settle on his shoulders—meetings, follow-ups with security, constant mental pressure to keep Fiona safe even when she wasn’t beside him. He rolled his neck once, trying to loosen the tension. But the moment he reached the front door, something felt... off.

He paused, hearing soft music. That wasn’t the quiet, echoing stillness the house usually had during this hour. This was... upbeat. Like something festive was going on. The door opened before he touched the handle.

"Welcome home, sir," the maid greeted him with an excited smile.

Nathan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why’s there music? Who’s playing that?"

The maid’s smile widened. "Your family, sir. They’re all at the backyard—celebrating."

"Celebrating what?" he asked, genuinely confused.

"It’s Miss Fiona’s idea," the maid said proudly. "And she’s with them, sir. Everyone is."

Nathan didn’t wait for a second explanation. He didn’t even remove his tie or loosen a button, h simply handed his briefcase to the maid.

"Take this."

"Yes, sir."

He was started walking down the hallway toward the backyard doors. The closer he got, the louder the sounds became—laughter, chatter, music, the soft clatter of plates. When he pushed the glass doors open, the scene hit him all at once.

The backyard had been transformed, string lights were wrapped around the pillars and railings, glowing in the early evening.

A long table had been set up—filled with food, drinks, snacks and a Bluetooth speaker played cheerful music.

His entire family was there. Leo ran across the grass with Caleb chasing after him, both laughing like two kids.

Anne and Gabriel sat on one side of the table, chatting and smiling.

Natasha stood beside them, actually laughing at something Gabriel said.

And Fiona was arranging plates on the table, her hair tied up loosely, a soft smile on her face like she hadn’t almost died days ago.

Nathan stood still for a second watching Fiona smiling, the tension inside him cracked a little at that.

Caleb noticed him first. "Oh, look who’s home!"

Leo spun quickly, his face brightening. "Daddy!!!"

Nathan bent as his son ran into him, hugging him tightly. For a moment, everything else disappeared.

Leo pulled back. "Daddy, hurry! We’re playing games! And Fiona said we all have to wait till you come back."

Nathan raised a brow, surprised and amused. "She did?"

"Yes!" Leo nodded so aggressively his curls bounced.

Fiona walked toward them then, wiping her hands on her shorts. The moment her eyes met Nathan’s, there was a softness there that immediately quieted something heavy inside him.

"Surprise," she said quietly.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You did all this?"

She nodded. "Everyone helped. I... I just wanted a little happiness around here."

Nathan swallowed the surge of emotion that rose. He wanted to pull her into a hug right there, but Leo tugged his hand suddenly.

"Daddy come! Come! We’re about to play the balloon race!"

"The what?" Nathan blinked.

Natasha joined them, shaking her head with a laugh. "It was Fiona’s idea too. And Leo insisted Caleb joins. The poor guy almost tripped twice."

Caleb raised his hands in defense. "Those balloons have a personal vendetta against me."

Fiona laughed. "They don’t. You just don’t know how to run while holding one between your knees."

Nathan stared at her for a moment, unable to help the small smile tugging his lips. She looked... free. Even if it was temporary. He let Leo drag him toward the game setup.

There were balloons scattered around, a bucket of water balloons and some regular balloons.

A line was drawn on the grass with chalk.

Caleb cleared his throat dramatically. "Okay, okay—now that the boss is here, we can start the tournament."

Anne shook her head. "Tournament? Caleb, this is a children’s game."

"Not today, ma’am," Caleb grinned. "Today, we fight for honor."

Leo gasped. "Honor?!"

"That’s right," Caleb whispered loudly. "Honor."

Nathan chuckled under his breath.

Game 1 — The Balloon Race

Everyone picked a balloon and Nathan crouched to Leo’s height. "Ready?"

Leo nodded, gripping his balloon proudly.

Caleb clapped once. "On your mark! Get set—GO!"

Leo started running immediately—balloon flying out from between his knees a second later.

"Leo, wait! The balloon—!" Natasha called out, almost laughing.

Leo looked down, horrified. "NOOOO! My balloon!"

Caleb laughed so hard he bent over.

Anne was cheering Leo on. "It’s okay, sweetheart! Try again!"

Nathan actually managed to finish the race without losing his balloon, earning cheers from Gabriel.

"Looks like he didn’t inherit Caleb’s clumsiness," Gabriel smirked.

"Not nice dad," Caleb muttered.

Fiona giggled. Natasha poked Caleb’s side. "I told you to hold it tighter. You don’t listen."

Caleb gave her a playful glare. "Next game I’m winning. Watch me."

They all gathered around the table after the race. Nathan finally got a closer look at the food spread.

There were sandwiches, grilled chicken, fruit platters, juice, wine, snacks—everything arranged beautifully.

He leaned closer to Fiona. "You did all this?"

She shrugged, a little shy suddenly. "I had help. Your mom supervised half of it."

Anne squeezed Fiona’s shoulder warmly. "She made everyone work. Including me."

Nathan’s chest tightened, in a good way.

Game 2 — Water Balloon Toss

Caleb rubbed his hands. "Now THIS is my moment."

Natasha rolled her eyes. "You said that last round."

"Yeah well this time I mean it."

Nathan and Fiona ended up paired together.

Caleb with Leo. Gabriel with Anne (who kept complaining he was tossing too hard).

When Nathan gently tossed the balloon to Fiona, she caught it but it splashed a little on her arm.

She gasped. "Nathan!"

"It’s supposed to get wet," he said, smiling.

"No—YOU splashed me."

"And?" he teased.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I’ll remember this."

Caleb screamed when Leo purposely popped the water balloon on him.

"LEO! WHY?!"

Leo ran away laughing, even Natasha was laughing at that, with her hand over her mouth.

The backyard was full of noise, joy, the type of warmth Nathan didn’t know he’d ever get in life and it was all because of Fiona.

##Later on

They settled around the table. Nathan sat beside Fiona, Leo beside him, Natasha across from them, Caleb to the side, Gabriel and Anne at the head of the table.

Caleb spoke first. "So Fiona, tell them what you said earlier."

Fiona blinked. "What did I say?"

Caleb grinned. "That Nathan runs like a grandpa."

Nathan stared at her. "Wow."

She nearly choked on her drink. "I did not say that!"

"Yes you did," Caleb said proudly.

Everyone laughed, even Leo.

Natasha smirked. "Honestly, I agree."

Nathan pointed at all of them. "You’re all traitors."

Leo raised his juice box. "To Daddy the Grandpa Runner!"

They toasted jokingly—laughing so hard they couldn’t breathe.

Anne wiped her eyes from laughing. "I haven’t heard this house so loud in a long time."

Gabriel nodded. "Feels good."

Nathan looked around..... his mother was smiling, his father actually laughing. Caleb was relaxed and Natasha... genuinely happy for once, even Leo was bouncing excitedly.

He reached under the table and lightly brushed his fingers against hers, she glanced at him, startled but warm.

He leaned closer, whispering, "Thank you for this."

Her eyes softened. "You deserve a little happiness too."

Nathan’s heart clenched.