Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 215

Chapter 215: Not Everyone Can Be a Dad
Lorianne ran toward the bed, happily pressing her tiny hands against the soft blankets with cute prints of bunnies and flowers.

“It’s so pretty!” Lorianne turned to Elsie, her whole face beaming, “Mommy, look! I have many new friends!”

Elsie chuckled when Lorianne pointed to the rows of adorable plushies lining one side of the bed. She glanced at Nathaniel, unable to deny how grateful she was for his effort.

“This room is really beautiful, Niel. And cozy,” Elsie said, the smile on her lips softening, “I know Lorrie will feel safe and comfortable here.”

They hadn’t really discussed Lorianne’s custody arrangements. For now, the little one would continue staying with Elsie while Nathaniel was allowed to meet her whenever he wanted.

Because Nathaniel would move into Elysian Heights once the renovations were done, he and Lorianne could meet more frequently. He also prepared a room solely for the little one in the new apartment.

“That’s what I hope for,” Nathaniel replied gently, his heart stirred by seeing the overjoyed Lorianne and the satisfied Elsie.

Lorianne plopped onto the plush carpet before the bed, giggling, “I love it so much!”

Soft laughter escaped Nathaniel’s lips. He kneeled beside Lorianne on the carpet, reaching for her little head. His palm gently caressed her.

“I’m glad that you love it. But there’s another surprise. The biggest one.”

“More?” Lorianne’s head tilted up, her round eyes sparkling with delight, “The biggest surprise? Daddy, what is it?”

“Hehe, come on. I’ll show you.”

Nathaniel stood and extended a hand toward Lorianne. She eagerly grasped his hand, her tiny fingers barely linking with two of his own. Elsie followed them as Nathaniel led them to the next door.

“This is your playroom.”

“W-wow!”

Once Nathaniel pushed the door open, Lorianne let out a loud squeal of delight.

This playroom was a dream for most children.

Soft foam mats in different shades of pink, yellow and purple covered the floor. A foam pit sat in one corner, filled with vibrant colored foam blocks. Against one wall, pastel blue shelves stood there, filled with toys, puzzles and stuffed animals.

“Come this way,” Nathaniel lowered his body, patting Lorianne’s back, “You’ll love it more there.”

A giggling Lorianne hurriedly followed Nathaniel, the echo of her footsteps being absorbed by the soft mat. They headed to another corner of the room, where…

Lorianne’s mouth hung open, unable to believe her eyes, “Oh! Oh! Daddy!”

Three intricately designed playhouses were built there, each crafted with exquisite detail. One was a cafe, one was a bookstore, and the other was a flower shop.

Nathaniel smirked at Lorianne’s reaction, “You like it?”

Lorianne didn’t even answer. She was already running toward the playhouses. Her soft blond locks bounced in the air, following her energetic movements.

Nathaniel and Elsie walked closer to Lorianne, seeing her stepping inside one of the playhouses. She poked her head out through a window, her face full of delight.

“This is a cafe, Mommy, Daddy! Look!”

Lorianne happily gestured at the miniature counter, a pretend coffee machine and the shelves lined with toy pastries.

“Seems like you can sit and have coffee here, my dear,” Elsie mused, gesturing at the cafe table and two chairs outside the playhouse, the sizes were perfect for children.

“Hehe, I gonna have milk chocolate with Mr. Bun-Bun!”

Lorianne rushed to the next playhouse, the book store one. Her hands flew to her chubby cheeks as she exclaimed, “I have a book store!”

Opening the door, Lorianne walked inside. Nathaniel and Elsie could see her through the open windows by each side of the playhouse.

The little book store had small wooden bookshelves, lined with children’s storybooks. A tiny checkout counter stood on one side. A small bench with cushions stood opposite it.

“Lorrie can sit there to read if she wants to,” Nathaniel told Elsie, “She likes reading, right? I hope we can nurture her reading hobby more.”

“I agree with that,” Elsie had no rejection. She knew how beneficial reading was to one person.

When Nathaniel and Elsie talked, Lorianne had already dashed out of the book store, running to the third playhouse. Her cry of joy echoed in the room.

“A flower shop!”

The flower shop playhouse had tiny potted plants, consisting of colorful faux flowers in tiny wooden crates. A small worktable for arranging bouquets stood in the middle of the playhouse.

“Hehe~ I will sell flowers to Daddy and Mommy!” Lorianne declared proudly.

Nathaniel crouched down, his lips quirking into a smile, “Where will you get all those flowers, my little florist?”

“Daddy’s flower garden!”

“Oh? You’re going to sell me flowers that you pick from my garden?”

“Yes! Hahaha!”

The lavender bed surrounding the villa fascinated Lorianne the moment she saw it. She couldn’t help but think of the flower fields she had visited with Elsie before.

Lorianne continued darting from one playhouse to the next before she ran toward the foam pit. Climbing the short stairwell, she jumped, her giggles bouncing off the walls of the playroom.

“This is the best place ever!”

Nathaniel laughed, amused as he watched Lorianne play in the foam pit, “You’ll get tired quickly if you play like that. Don’t you want some drinks and pastries first? You can play again later.”

“Want! I am hungry!”

Perking up from the mention of pastries and drinks, the gluttonous Lorianne hurriedly climbed out of the foam pit. Elsie laughed as she helped the little one out.

As the three of them left the playroom, heading back to the lounge, Elsie whispered to Nathaniel, “I know that I’ve said this, but… Niel, you’ve done so much for her. Thank you for everything.”

Nathaniel glanced at Elsie, their eyes locked into one another. Smiling, he said softly, “What’s there to thank me for? I’m her father, Elsie. I’m more than glad to do anything to make her happy.”

Elsie chuckled, her mind was more at ease. Raising her brows, she asked, “Have you ever heard of this saying? Everyone can be a father, but not a dad.”

Nathaniel blinked, not understanding what Elsie meant. The confused look on his face was so evident that her laughter became louder.

“Well, it’s something like this. While any man can biologically be a child’s father through conception, it takes a dedicated and actively involved father to be considered a ‘dad’.”

Nathaniel silently listened to Elsie, still wondering what the difference was between the two terms. Weren’t they meant to be the same?

“A father who’s active with his role in fatherhood, who provides love, care and support to his child, is a dad. Like how even an adoptive or stepfather can be a dad to the children who aren’t biologically theirs.”

Elsie paused, wondering if she had conveyed the explanation well. Laughing in helplessness, she stared at Nathaniel, who remained quiet.

“Anyway, that’s the saying. I hope I don’t make it more confusing to you.”

“Oh… it’s fine,” Nathaniel blinked, realizing he had been staring blankly at Elsie, “I think I get it now. Tho it’s puzzling at first.”

Elsie simply laughed, earning a smile from Nathaniel. Ahead of them, Lorianne ran on her short legs as if she had become one with this villa.