As Nathan Gallagher tried to balance his bosun responsibilities and his fatherhood responsibilities during Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11, he ran into a wall after developing a cold during Episode 6 that forced him to stay on board M/Y Akira One during his off night, rather than spend time with Gael Cameron and their son Kayden.
How to Watch
“She’s my best friend. So, to not be able to be there hurts,” he tearfully confessed to producers during Below Deck Med’s July 13 episode.
As Nathan confided in chief stew Aesha Scott about his decision to not risk getting Kayden sick, he pointed out it was a “hard situation” for both he and Gael. “No matter how much support you’ve got, it must be so f—king hard sitting at home with a baby all the time,” Aesha commented of Gael’s situation.
Gael said as much when she spoke on the phone to Nathan, after Nathan told her, “I’m sorry you feel like you’re there by yourself.”
“I’m just trying to get through this,” Gael responded through tears. “It’s just so much.” She later added, “I have so much anxiety.”
Although Nathan reassured Gael they’d be “in it together again” once he felt better, he admitted to producers that it felt like a hollow promise. “I’m not helping Gael as much as I would like while I’m on board the boat,” he confessed. “So to see her struggling now, it makes me sad.”
Where Gael Cameron and her son are living while Nathan Gallagher is on Below Deck Med charters
Although Gael calls Sydney, Australia home, she and Kayden joined Nathan for the charter season in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
“We have found a place seven minutes away from the marina,” Nathan shared during Below Deck Med’s June 8 premiere. “I want to see them whenever I can.”
The rental property includes an open concept kitchen and living room, complete with a white couch. “Oh, we’re going to get so much vomit on that couch, aren’t we?” Gael joked to Kayden as they took a tour. Their home also includes an outdoor space with a seating area and table for open air dining.
“I don’t know how I’m going to leave,” Nathan admitted at the time.
RELATED: Watch Captain Sandy Yawn Meet Nathan Gallagher & Gael Cameron’s Baby (VIDEO)
He confided in Captain Sandy Yawn how much it pained him to leave Gael and Kayden behind on dry land. “This is like our first time apart now. It was emotional,” he revealed.
How Nathan Gallagher and Gael Cameron celebrated Kayden’s first birthday
Although they faced challenges during the charter season, Nathan and Gael later celebrated a huge milestone for Kayden on June 25: his first birthday. They enjoyed the day with Kayden at a play place, as Gael captured video of Nathan going down a slide with his son in his lap.
“Happy birthday to the most beautiful blessing God has given to the both of us,” Nathan wrote over the video, that he posted in his Instagram stories. “The love we share for you is out of this world.”
RELATED: Gael Cameron Shares Adorable Updates on Her and Nathan Gallagher’s Son (PHOTOS)
Gael also celebrated Kayden’s birthday on her social media, and posted a series of videos on her Instagram story setting up balloons, signs and presents for Kayden.
“Happy first birthday to my little man,” she wrote over the video, as Kayden looked at his balloons and sat atop a ride on toy tractor. “You changed my world and now I get to share mine with you.”
ICYMI, Nathan emotionally reflected on his career at sea as well as his home country of Ireland.
