Lizzie froze, unsure what to do. Nathan's words had never left her mind, but they suddenly were front and center as she watched the little boy that she adored running full tilt toward her with his arms open wide.
She noticed movement behind Charlie and lifted her gaze to find Bella and Nathan watching the scene.
Bella smiled warmly and nodded, then turned her chair to continue into the kitchen as Nathan started down the hallway after Charlie.
Lizzie staggered back a bit as Charlie flung himself full force against her legs and wrapped his arms around them.
"Hi, Izzy! Hi!" he squealed, but she was too busy watching nervously as Nathan approached her to respond.
When he got close enough, Lizzie could see his expression, and was shocked. Where she expected to see contempt, she saw remorse
