AUTHOR'S NOTE This takes place in Daisy and Tom's new house that they begin building at the end of the film/book. And I don't think it's mentioned in the movie, but Jay Gatsby's real name is James Gatz.
DISCLAIMER Atticus is all my creation. Everyone else is of the estate of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Great American writer.
…
Atticus – "Father-like" English
The Buchanan mansion on Cape Cod was even grander than the one at East Egg had been. The walls were whiter, the stables more vast, and the dock wider. Nick Carraway was impressed.
It was summer again – the Fourth of July. Two years had passed since that summer he'd spent as Jay Gatsby's neighbor. The memories of his late friend still pained him and there were times when he didn't know why he was dredging them up again by visiting his cousin.
Nevertheless, he stood on the marble steps of Daisy's house and handed their butler his coat. "Thank you."
He bowed his head slightly. "You're most welcome, sir. I regret to inform you that Mr. Buchanan is out. Shall I ring for the lady of the house?"
"Yes, thank you." Nick was let alone in the magnificent foyer for a moment before Daisy appeared in a billowing white gown. She ran to him.
"Nick! My darling, I was so afraid that you wouldn't come!"
Nick reluctantly returned her welcome kiss. "You know that I couldn't refuse," he said, his voice a mix of softness and bitterness.
Daisy, feeling the harsh edge of his tone, glanced down at the floor ashamed. "Shall we sit down?" she asked when she looked back up.
"Sure."
Daisy led Nick into the bright morning room. The ocean lapped quietly at the beach outside the window. Sunlight illuminated a few, almost non-existent dust motes that floated lazily through the air. Nick sat stiffly on a lavender sofa. "Your new house is lovely."
"Thank you." Daisy smiled. "You must come with me one of these days to Boston. It's just as much fun as New York!"
Nick nodded his head. "Perhaps I will."
Daisy dropped her eyes and began fiddling with the fringe on a throw pillow. "Nick, I, I want to say I'm sorry. I know that what I did was awful and it kills me every night."
"You're alive, Daisy," Nick pointed out coldly. "Gatsby's not."
Tears glittered in Daisy's eyes. "I know."
She was interrupted by a governess carrying a toddler, followed by Pam Buchanan, Daisy's young daughter. The child was fussing and struggling to get away from the servant. "I'm sorry, ma'am. He won't stop crying!"
Daisy stood up and held out her arms. "Give him to me, Kathy." Kathy handed her the boy, curtseyed, and left with Pam. Daisy brought the boy over to the couch and rocked him. He quickly calmed down.
Nick watched in awe. "Daisy, can it be that you've actually become a mother?"
Daisy blushed. "This is my son, Atticus."
"He's beautiful, Daisy!"
"Thank you." Atticus giggled as Daisy tickled him. Some of the sadness left her eyes as she played with her son. She looked back up to Nick. "Would you like to hold him?"
Taken aback, Nick said, "Sure."
Gently, Daisy handed Atticus to Nick. The child looked up into Nick's eyes silently. "Hi," Nick said softly.
"He likes you," Daisy said with a smile.
"You think so?" Daisy nodded. Nick looked back down at Atticus. "I imagine that Tom's pleased to have as fine a son as this!"
The smile vanished from Daisy's face. Nick was confused to hear misery in her voice when she answered, "Yes, he is."
With an outburst of emotion, Daisy jumped up and paced around the room tearfully. "I can't do this anymore! I'm so afraid everyday that Tom will look at him and realize – " Her hand flew to her mouth and she sunk back down to the couch. She closed her eyes and cried. "Oh God, I can't believe this is happening!"
Nick watched her carefully, then looked back at the boy playing with his watch chain. "Oh God," he said. "Daisy, it can't be true!"
"It is." Daisy's crying had stopped and her voice was eerily calm. "I don't know what to do. What if Tom finds out?"
He sighed. "It's not like Gatsby can ever come back to tell him."
At Nick's words, Daisy's composure dissolved. He awkwardly stood up and carried Atticus over to join Daisy on the couch. "Look at your son, Daisy," he told her. "You love him. I can tell."
She took Atticus onto her lap. "I love him so much. He's all I have left of him." She looked up at Nick, tears glittering in her eyes. "I really loved him, Nick. I really, really did. I just couldn't show it after he died or Tom would have gone crazy! And when I realized that I was pregnant while we were in Europe, it was like I lost him all over again!"
Nick smoothed her hair. "I know. He loved you, too, more than anything else in the world."
Daisy smiled sadly and looked at her son again. "I named him Atticus James," she said proudly. "I don't think Tom even realized. Jay only told me his real name right before…"
"Atticus James Buchanan," Nick said fondly.
"Atticus James Gatsby," Daisy whispered, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "But that's our little secret, isn't it sweetheart?" she murmured in the boy's ear. He smiled up at his mother.
Nick put his hand on her arm. "Our little secret," he repeated with a smile. Looking at Atticus, he added, "Your little Gatsby."