Reborn From Oblivion

Lincoln had a feeling there was some kind of connection between Morris and Jules, but he would've never guessed just how close that connection really was.

Nathalie took a moment before she dropped the bombshell: "If Dad saw Nathan without his sunglasses, he'd see the resemblance right away. Nathan is actually Mr. Jules' son."

Lincoln stumbled back, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. "How is that possible? Jules always seemed like the type who wasn't into romance. The only person he ever showed interest in was Kelly, and that didn't even pan out..."

As Lincoln spoke, a light bulb went off in his head. "Wait, Nathan's last name is Smith?"

Nathalie nodded.

"Morris!"

Lincoln was floored. "Are you telling me... he's Jules and Kelly's kid? Wow, so they really did have a secret thing going on?"

Lincoln was overwhelmed by the revelation. "If they had a child together, why did they end up going their separate ways? And why did Kelly take such a tragic path?"

Nathalie shook her head sadly. "We might never know the answer to that, and I'm not sure even Nathan knows."

Lincoln's frustration bubbled over. "I've got to have a word with that old scoundrel Jules and figure out what happened between him and Kelly back in the day. Why did he let her down?"

He stormed off but stopped himself, muttering, "No, I can't just charge in. If Nathan wants to keep this under wraps, I can't be the one to spill the beans."

Nathalie added, "I just can't wrap my head around why Nathan would want to keep his identity a secret from Jules."

Lincoln understood the weight Morris carried. Time was running short for him, and he didn't want to burden those left behind with heartache.

A little later, Lincoln wandered out of the kitchen to find Jules sitting alone at the dining table, deep in thought. Lincoln's curiosity was piqued.

"Where's Nathan?"

"He probably doesn't like me much and didn't want to hang around any longer. He's gone," Jules replied.

Lincoln was taken aback and sat across from Jules, his expression suddenly serious.

"Jules, I've got to say, Nathan's an amazing kid. You'd have a hard time finding another like him. Why not make him your godson?"

Jules was at a loss for words. "Since when did you become so nosy, Lincoln?"

Lincoln snorted. "You're a lifelong bachelor; having a godson could bring you some joy."

Jules finally got serious. "Lincoln, it's not that I don't want Nathan as my godson. I really respect a kid who holds loyalty and integrity in such high regard. But I have my reasons."

"What reasons? If you can't give me a good reason, then it's just an excuse."

Jules gazed off into the distance.

"It's not an excuse. When I was younger, promised the girl I loved that I'd only love her, only be with her, only have kids with her, and only raise her kids. If I broke that promise, she'd come back to haunt me."

"Who's that possessive?" Lincoln suddenly looked astonished. "That sounds

exactly like something Kelly would say. Jules, are you and Kelly..."

Under Lincoln's wide-eyed stare, Jules nodded heavily.

Lincoln was completely baffled. "Why?"noveldrama

"If you and Kelly were in love, why didn't you stay together? Why, Jules? You've loved Kelly forever, and if she didn't love you back, I'd get why you split. But she did care, and you were practically a couple. Why let her marry someone else and end up in such despair?"