Hampton. 01/12/2012. 20:00.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHANIEL" His family shot, bringing him a cake, decorated with a candle showing the number '17' on it.
"Come on, make a wish sweetie." Mary said with a smile.
Thinking about something and looking at his family, Nathaniel knew what to wish for. Blowing the candle, his family started clapping, congratulating him for that amazing feat. Bringing him a few gifts and putting them on the table, Nathaniel could only sighed.
"Guys, I told you no gift. I already have everything I need and more."
"Like that would ever happen." Diane said with a mocking tone.
"Like she said." Mary supports her mother, Karine and Robert nodding too.
Seeing it was already a lost battle, Nathaniel moved on.
"By which one do you want me to start?" Nathaniel looked at the four wrap presents, all of different size and shape.
"That one." Mary said, putting in front of him the bigger of the four gift.
Curious, Nathaniel tore the paper and opened the rectangular case. Inside of it was another case with a form really distinct that he recognized in an instant.
"A violin?" Nathaniel asks, surprised.
"Open it!" His mother urge excitedly
Opening the richly adorned case, an even beautiful ancient looking violin came out of it. Nathaniel took it with precaution, admirating every curve on it until a signature attracted his stare and his mouth fell open.
"Mom! This is a Stradivarius violin! They are pieces of art! Where did you get it?" Nathaniel was astonished.
"I know people." She said, smugly.
"Still! Sometimes museums and conservatories lend one to a very prominent musician who can show the beauty of the instrument and I'm anything but that! It's almost criminal to give this to me! I don't even know how to play violin!" Nathaniel said, he was thinking about refusing the gift.
"That leads to my own gift." Karine interjected, putting a little box in front of him.
Putting the expensive violin on the table with care, Nathaniel opened the little box and was surprised to find a card in it. Write on it was a name and a date.
"Who is Melania Williams?"
"She's a violin player for the New York Philharmonics. I convince her to give you violin lessons three days a week until Christmas. I look at your schedule to make sure you are free at this time. It took almost five years but I made good on my promise." Karine said, smiling, her eyes glinting with tears.
She was referring to the day Nathaniel had jumped in front of the cars to save Jillian and her daughter. The two of them were going to find a violin for Nathaniel in order to start lessons in order to learn it. That made his heart so warm that he got to his feet and hugged his two mothers who were openly crying now. It was so good to be in the arms of his loved ones, especially after a gift so loaded with emotions.
"Okay just stop it or I will ruin my makeup too!" Diane shouted with emotion in her voice too. "Just open my gift so we can move on." She put a bag in front of him.
Disentangling from his mothers, Nathaniel opened the bag and was surprised to see what was inside.
"Sportswear?" He asked.
"Yes, since winter is coming, I made a tailor friend of mine make you jog and vest to run without getting cold. It's a special fabric that keeps your heat inside but still allows air movement to not sweat heavily."
Nathaniel could diserne that the fabric in question was looking really expensive and was also really soft to the touch.
"Thank you grandma, it's a very thoughtful gift, I love it." He thanked her, kissing her cheek.
"Okay my turn now." Robert said, putting a little box in front of him.
"Grandpa, you already gave me something." Nathaniel reminds him.
He had successfully found a good construction company for Nathaniel to help him move along his plan. Now one week after they had started the work, Nathaniel was happy. They were serious in their work and only used quality material to renovate the bomb shelter. His grandfather had chosen wisely.
"Just open the damn box." He sighed.
Doing just that, he was surprised to find a car key.
"You give me a car? A Lexus?" He recognized the logo on the key.
Nathaniel had successfully passed his driver licence last week rather easily which was not surprising. Even if Marc was not the best competent driver in the world by a long shot, he was still qualified enough to make the test easy to pass.
"Yes but before you say anything, let me tell you something. I know you hate showing your wealth or whatever so I choose a sedan model, elegant but still classic and not eye catching. I think you will like it. The car is in the underground parking of the Lyndon Tower if you were to need it."
"Thank you grandpa." Nathaniel smiled.
*****
New York, Lyndon penthouse. 08/12/2012. 15:00.
A week after his birthday, Nathaniel was home with his mothers and grandmothers, his grandfather on a trip to Europe. He was playing the violin as his grandmother wanted to see how he was after a week of practice and sincer her husband was not there, she was bored and Nathaniel was more than happy to keep her company.
"That was pretty good dear." Diane complimented kindly.
"I'm making too many mistakes, I'm not satisfied so far with what I do." Nathaniel grumbled unhappily.
"Sweetie you had 6 hours of lessons! 6! Stop putting yourself under so much pressure. I'm sure many people would curse you if they were to see how you improve with that little lesson. Your professor has that opinion too. She said that she never witnessed someone who could learn as fast as you so chill out!" Mary shouted.
"Alright alright." He said, putting the violin in the case after cleaning it meticulously.
Sitting on the couch beside his grandmother, he was talking to her until he heard the ringtone of his secure phone ringing. His expression locked down so abruptly that his family could not help but notice.
"What is going on dear?" Diane asks, worriedly.
"Trouble." Nathaniel said, picking the phone. There were only two people in this world who had that number and it was Amal and Lina and they knew very well that it was for emergencies only. Looking at the caller ID, the frown of Nathaniel deepened significantly. "Big trouble." He added before answering the call.
"Talk." Nathaniel said going to the point immediately.
"Robert has been taken." The voice of Amal said gravely.