Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

NATHANIEL'S EYES snap open at the realization of his words. The world seems to be spinning as an uncomfortable silence filled the room.

Clearing his throat Nathaniel sat up. "I'm sorry Sam. I-I just-"

Samantha shook her head ."It's nothing. I understand." She said in a small voice trying to conceal her hurt.

"No" He shifted sitting at the edge of the couch linking his fingers together with a disheartened expression on his face trying to show his regrets. "I didn't mean to. I-It kind of slipped off my lips."

"And like I said I totally understand." Nothing waiting for more discussion she left him there at the living room heading towards the kitchen to probably rinse the mugs and head to bed.

Nathaniel cursed under his breath repeatedly feeling the urge to knock something off. He felt like a fool, playing with both their emotions.

His blunt mouth just reminded both of them of what they both lost. A special gem that can never be brought back to their lives again.

Standing up from the couch Nathaniel step towards the fireside, rubbing his palm on the stubbles.

A sigh escapes his lips-feeling dreadfully tired.

Nathaniel knows nowhere, to begin with. It felt like those times when he and Natasha drinks discussing the day's event and about the kids.

The familiar atmosphere gave him a sense of relief, but the instant the words left his lips-Nathaniel wished nothing more than to take it all back.

The hurt written on her face made it harder than he ever wished for Samantha to ever pass through. She's always been the well-reserved type, selfless, sacrificing herself for others.

Nathaniel groans hunching down, picking a wood tossing it into the fire then straightened upholding the top edge the concrete wall leaning his head between his outstretched arms.

The quite night keep Nathaniel thinking more, with the while household sleeping.

Each time Nathaniel tries forgetting and moving on from his wife's death-he finds himself right back to square one. Her death still hurt him mentally and physically.

Thou Samantha moving into the house was still helpful-she just doesn't cover all the needs. A little was made.

He made up is thought that night, it was about time for him to break off from his heartbroken shell.

Starting from tomorrow Nathaniel was going to be making ways in other to forget Natasha.

Natasha was a beautiful part of his life that he will never forget-but she was his past. The kids are now his future, they both look up to him and he shouldn't be here brooding in the darkness of something that can never be rectified.

That faithfully night can never be changed, Natasha wouldn't have been stopped from stepping out that night-she was so stubborn just like Samantha.

Nathaniel couldn't help but compare both sisters. Natasha had been blond while Samantha's chestnut brunette, a personality different in every sense. Natasha one hand was a jovial high spirited type while Samantha was the quite strict type. Natasha's eyes were sapphire blue while Samantha's were a plain brown.

Nathaniel shook his head-he had no idea why he was comparing both sisters. He certainly must be missing his sanity.

Collecting his composure Nathaniel trudge to the warm comfort of his room. I hope for a better tomorrow.

THE METAL sound of the spatula meeting a pan echo in the kitchen as Samantha serves Kenneth his favorite banana pancake, placing a glass of milk by the side of his meal.

An immediate gentlemanly 'thank' was murmured as he devours the meal hungrily-so not like a gentleman.

Samantha chuckle returning to place the frying pan back on the off stove. Kenneth never seizes to keep her day going.

At the struck of six in the morning, he came knocking her door for breakfast, immediately she sent him brushing his teeth going to check on awoken Olivia who showed a toothless grin instantly at the sight of Samantha.

'She could get used to the warm welcome' Samantha thought to herself.

A footstep running down the stairs captured Samantha's attention as she lifted her gaze to a good dress Nathaniel wearing a navy-blue suit and shirt, freshly bath scent reached her nostrils making her inside up I'm an unfamiliar feeling.

Immediately she averted her gaze Nathaniel who kept fumbling with him cufflinks while holding his briefcase to gently patting a good feed Olivia who burps in satisfaction.

"Good morning guys." He greeted with his deep voice, smiling softly at the sight of them.

Samantha murmured a morning while Kenneth only grins in reply before focusing back on his pancake.

Nathaniel dropped the briefcase on the island before helping himself with a coffee, sipping in contentment with a plate of pancake.

"Humm! This is a nice pancake you make today. Thanks, Sam." He said in appreciation.

Samantha nodded. "You resuming work today?" She asked thou knowing the answer to that already.

Nathaniel paused on his meal gazing at her with guilt. "I'm sorry for not informing you of my decision."

Samantha snort. "It nothing I'm not your wife that you need to discuss such plans with me."

Nathaniel dropped the fork on the plate. "Even thou, I owe you that much to have told you of my plans." He countered. "I myself have no idea I would but the decision came to me last night. I thought perhaps it was time to move on from the past. I'm sorry."

She smiled at his word. "You seem to be sorry a lot lately." She teased, something she has never done in her whole life-Nathaniel keeps bringing new things in her-even thou she has no idea what.

He has a lope side smile shrugging his shoulder. "What can I say but I'm guilty as charged."

A burst of short laughter escapes her lips as she shook her head at his silliness, still gently patting on a calm Olivia while she glances briefly at Kenneth who never took note of what was happening in his surrounding.

Nathaniel returned back to his meal finishing it in six-goal. "I hope you don't mind but after work, my brothers and I will be heading to a basketball court so I'll likely be late for dinner." He stood up picking his briefcase.

Samantha could still remember Nathaniel's brothers, Dylan and James; A very handsome man she must say, both tall and might-likely from the Carter gene. Dylan's current relationship status was married with a son, while James still single -even as the second son of Anna and Kendrick, while Nathaniel was the eldest.

She could still recollect Nathaniel having two sisters, Selena and Rhoda who are both married to

lovely men, blessed with children.

Samantha's heart clench at the thought of never having a family such as this. Her past relationships have always been a failure-due to her antisocial lifestyle.

"It's about time you start stepping out from your mourning shell. You deserve better than that."

Nathaniel smile gratefully. "I'll be heading off." He kissed Kenneth's head striding around the island to the same to Olivia before head out of the house.

Samantha on the other hand stood stiff like a stature taking him Nathaniel's action as her whole body became hot and tingling unfamiliarly with a redden cheek.

He had kissed her at the cheek without hesitation.

Unconsciously Samantha held onto her cheek.

'What does that mean?'