Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

"ARE YOU by any chance intoxicated?" Nathaniel quacks his brow up at her sudden suggestion.

Samantha had fully expected an argument. Nathaniel was proud. Begin forced to accept her help, or anyone's for that matter went against his independent nature and value... That he'd been forced to relay on her and his parents in the past few months was difficult enough.

"I've given the matter a good deal of thought," Samantha responded being ignorant of the question a while ago.

A sigh escapes Nathaniel's lips in total frustration. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't accept or agree with your suggestion." He said flashing a brief sad smile.

"The children aren't adjusting well and you know it." Samantha openly implied, already frustrated with his bickering.

"How so?"

"Kenneth, for example, can't sleep unless he has a scoop of ice cream, or Olivia for example, she has passed the age of waking up at the middle of the night for a late meal, I could only guess you're still feeding her late at night." She counted pointing out his fault.

Olivia fussed on Nathaniel's shoulder trying to find a perfect position to place her head. Samantha stretched her hands taking the baby from the disorganized man.

Gently she pats on her little shoulders till she felt the baby relax with a sigh leaving her little lips.

"Are you by any chance insinuating I don't know how to raise my kids?" Nathaniel's said angrily narrowing his eyes as he bites on his lower lip.

"You've got it all wrong Nate. I was only saying you need to start changing their past schedule to a new present one."

Nathaniel shut his eyes pinching the bridge of his nose, the vivid view of frustration present on his face. Samantha knew all the stress he was undergoing through, all he just need is a helping hand-now if only he would comply.

"Nathaniel let me help. I know how stressful all this is for you. You haven't had time to go out with friends or even the worst-work. Your leave is about to end what then would you do?" She sat down on the high stool right in the center of the kitchen around the aluminum island while gently cradling little Olivia.

"I'd hire a babysitter."

Not at all surprised with his reply, Samantha shook her head in disagreement. "Really? You'll prefer a stranger to look over your kids than I?"

"Yes, I would for your social life's sake." He pressed on arrogantly.

Samantha once again curses his independent rule and believes. This was why his family hardly help out, with his constant 'no' bent reply.

Only Natasha knew the better way in making a man like Nathaniel understand the need of once bending a little in life. If only she were here.

"There isn't a social life Nathaniel."

"What about your bakery? How do you plan on keeping it open?" He followed suit sitting opposite her as he gazes studying the baby sleeping quietly in her arms.

Samantha shrug. "About that, I've kept one of my trusted workers in charge till my six months break. So you don't need to worry about things like that."

Nathaniel raised his eyebrow. "You've had it all planned out haven't you?"

"What can I say-it comes with the head." She sighs smiling softly at him "So what do you say?"

Nathaniel chuckled nodding his head. "Do I have a choice?"

In a flash, Kenneth ran down the stairs holding onto Mr dress in his tight grip. "Daddy, daddy come to see Miss Hathaway bird has laid four eggs." He tung on Nathaniel's hand an excited twinkle in his eyes and face.

"I thought the last time you said it has hatched." Nathaniel confused with the newfound information.

Samantha shook her head in disapproval quietly mouthing to him 'no it was pregnant' an astonishing expression appeared on his face as she recollected his mistake.

"No silly dad she was pregnant." He stomps his feet pouting in disappointment. "Come on let me show you the eggs." He dragged his father up the stairs. "Don't forget this time around."

Samantha chuckle at the scene played right in front of her. Felt like a happy family-not that she considers herself part of it.

If only Natasha were here.

NATHANIEL taps his fingers at the window frame standing by the side of his son who pointed and noted the difference to him between a pregnant bed and a laying birth bird.

Unconsciously he nods his head listening to an unwanted lesson from a four years old child who kept on talking feeling excited and proud of his discovery and knowledge.

Nathaniel's head played on what occurred in the past minutes. Was it selfish of him placing his needs before Samantha's?

Guilt filled his whole body at the thought of her abandoning everything she had in Arizona just to be with the kids and him.

One thing Nathaniel knows about Samantha was her zeal to work hard and also her selfless art of placing others' needs before her. Years of knowing her at the sideline while she hides in the background viewed it all.

If only Natasha had made it out alive maybe then it won't have to turn out this way. He felt he was using her-as other does with her.

Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. Nathaniel couldn't tell but his only hope was that it all turns out well for both of their sakes.

He hopes so.

"Do you think Mrs. Hathaway will give me one of her baby bird to raise?" Kenneth's little voice asked as he held his Teddy bear close to his chest.

"And why would you want that? No one should take a baby away from its mother. It's a very bad thing to do." Nathaniel cautioned the little kid whose happy mood immediately turned sour.

Nathaniel knowing the sixty-seven years old neighbor-she would never give to anyone any of her precious gem. Everyone in the community knows there was nothing more special to Mary Hathaway than her birds.

"I shouldn't ask then?"

Nathaniel shook his head. "You shouldn't." He wraps his arms around the boy as they watch the newly made mother cradle her eggs underneath her. "How do you feel about your aunt Samantha moving in with us?"

Kenneth jumps upturn his gaze to look at his an exciting light glitter in his sea-blue eyes-just like his mother's. "Aunt Samantha wants to stay here with us?"

Nathaniel chuckle at the sudden change of mood the four years old display. "Yes, kiddo." He rumpled Kenneth's hair affectionately.

"Oh yes, I'd love her to stay and will keep on making her wonderful cookies." Kenneth gushes out happily. "Please let her stay." He jumped up and down his father's arms.

Kenneth was known to be too smart for his age and Nathaniel could openly testify to that. An act he totally took from Natasha.

Natasha's smart mouth and jovial mood infectious to everyone in the community. It's no surprise Kenneth took that part from her. A prayer Nathaniel was prayed for-but now he wasn't so sure. The appearance of the little child keeps hunting him bringing and unwelcome ache to his heart another reminder of what he lost.

"Of course she is staying." Maybe not for too long.