Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

NATHANAEL jack up at the banging sound coming from the hallway. He groans already having an idea of what the nuisance could be.

Stretching off the bed, hands above his head, letting out a long yawn. An ache ran through his whole body-due to the event which had occurred last night.

Kenneth unusually threw out a tantrum, but Nathaniel's disapproval concerning the kid's growing appetite for a nightly snack-brought a whole new act of annoyance, as Kenneth refused to lay in bed.

Unfortunately, Nathaniel gave up complying with the little boy's demand-at the rate of almost losing the remaining sanity he'd left.

Whirl his eyes towards the clock on the stand by the bedside, Nathaniel's eyes widen at the time-9:15 am!

Curse repeatedly while pulling on his shirt. It was not surprising why the noise still kept on-but what's more surprising was Kenneth for one hadn't knocked down his room door and Olivia hadn't cried off his ear.

Stepping out from his room Nathaniel followers where the noise came from-his restless demeanor calm at the sight right opposite him as he looked through the ajar door-not three doors away from his room.

Samantha sat on the floor legs crossed underneath her holding onto an album which Kenneth

placed his while concentration on-with narrow eyes. On her arms lay an also busy Olivia who tugged on the necklace around Samantha's neck seeing if she could possibly place it in her small petty mouth which had a dripping drool in it.

The room completely littered with boxes from all corners of the large room.

"I see you've already begun moving in," Nathaniel said pushing the door wider.

Samantha flinched a bit at the sudden intrusion. "Oh, you're awake." She said sigh in relief.

"How long have you been here?" Nathaniel asked leaning on the door jam. At the sudden twitch in his finger-wanting to thug on the stray wisp of hair that escapes her messy buns.

Why?

Nathaniel has no idea.

"I'd say-" She paused giving an engrossed Kenneth the album while standing up holding Olivia in her cradled arms. "-Two hours ago."

His brow raised. "And you didn't bother to wake me up?"

She shrugs nonchalantly. "You looked like you needed it. Why bother when I could do it?" She said smiling softly, passing over Olivia to him.

Her contagious smile got to him. "Thank Samantha. I don't how much to thank you." He appreciated which she waved off.

"Sam."

"Huh?"

"I'd prefer you to call me Sam."

"Okay Sam," He replied. "Since we're at the short name bases-call me Nathan."

Samantha chuckled. "You're bad at short naming. I'll instead call you Nate."

"You've got me." He joked, his stomach at that moment chooses to rumble in reply.

Samantha giggles her brown eyes twinkling in amusement. "I left some omelet and slice of bread for you on the dinning." She said bending down lifting up a box to the bed.

Smiling sheepishly Nathaniel ran down the stairs, hoping to jump in the mouth-watering food.

PICKING UP a pile of folded clothes into the hand closest. Samantha smiled at the little child whose entire attention was placed into the album which held memories of Natasha.

Natasha.

The thought of her still hurt and pierce Samantha's heart hard. Time will heal all painful vivid memories. Her only hope is to be of little help to Natasha's broken family. Today is a start for such promises.

Earlier this morning she had come in expecting a full welcome but a silence one wasn't what she had expected. Upon her arrival Samantha packing up a few of her items from her childhood house up in a vacant room-she immediately prepared a breakfast, rushed got the awoken children bathed and dressed, with their stomach properly filled.

Finally, through with her task, Samantha sigh joining Kenneth on the queen-sized bed. She rumpled his blond hair reciprocal to Natasha's-he was an adorable sight indeed.

"When was this?" He asked awed by the image laying at his view.

Trailing her eyes towards where are fingers pointed at Samantha smiled at the memories behind the image. Right there reviewed Natasha in a Wonder-woman costume with two of her fisted hands on her waist-appearing Macho. Samantha could remember taking the photo.

Natasha had been dared to portrayal herself to a superheroine at a Disney World-which by the way she fail woefully at. Rather helpful she was disastrous evidence by the marshmallow right on her chin proudly.

She had always been the light of all darkness, laughter to all sadness a something Samantha could never be.

Why Natasha? Why not she rather?

Tears run down her cheek which she had immediately wipe avoiding the child by her side noticing.

"Your mom was a day hero," Samantha said kissing Kenneth's forehead lovingly.

"Wow," Kenneth small eyes widen in amazement. "A superhero?" She nods seeing the proud smile he had on his face.

"Yes. A hero just like you." She began tickling him making the whole room filled with laughter.

For once Samantha knew joy just by bringing a smile on a face.

Later that night once dinner had been eating and the children had been tucked in bed, Nathaniel and Samantha sat at the fireside sipping coffee.

The room quiet and peaceful giving both adults a sense of relaxation they both sought out for since an eventful day.

"Thanks, Sam," Nathaniel's raspy voice broke the silence, glancing at her briefly. "For been here. It means a lot."

"Like I said its nothing." She countered holding unto the mug between her hands.

"For once just accept an appreciation."

She stared at him for a while. "You're welcome." She replayed back smiling softly directly to him.

"Do you miss her?" Samantha almost cringes at her blunt.

"Yeah, I do." He said dropping his now empty mug on round glass table settle for warmth in the cold spring-hopefully soon the sunny summer weather will come. Resting his head with both eyes closed, a relaxed sigh escape his lips.

Samantha awkwardly taps on the rim of the mug but grew accustomed to the comfortable silence.

After awhile already feeling the night getting to her, she stood up picking up both empty mugs.

"Goodnight Nathaniel." She whispered moving away towards the kitchen.

"Goodnight Natasha."

Samantha stiffens-feeling like a whole cold bucket of water was dropped on her.

Natasha?