Nathan accepted the kiss to his cheek without outward reaction, but without inner warmth either. Knowing what he did about part of his past certainly hadn't fixed anything; ultimately, it had only served to make him feel less certain about everything to do with his mother. But at least they were being civil.
With Monty soundlessly laughing and squirming in Angela's lap – something Nathan felt certain had raised warning hairs on Heidi's neck even if she didn't understand why – Simon returned to the spot he had occupied before, for it was between the chair and where Nathan was once again sitting. Nathan didn't miss the careful look slanted in his direction before Simon moved close to also receive attention from his grandmother. Nathan was certain his eldest seemed to suspect far more than he had been told about the visiting policy they had enacted, as he couldn't help but note every time Simon looked to him when Angela was around, as though needing cues or trying to puzzle out the matter on his own. Rather than feel guilty that his son ever had to feel that way, it only fed his feelings toward Angela. The boys deserved a grandmother who didn't need to be watched to keep everyone – well, not happy, but at some level of livable compromise.
Eyeing the three, he went back to his study of the picture Monty had drawn.