Chapter 4 Wife By Benefits

Chapter Three

NATHANAEL JACKED UP at the banging sound coming from the hallway. He groaned, already having an idea of what the noise could be.

Getting off the bed, he stretched and let out a long yawn. An ache ran through his whole body due to the events which occurred last night.

Kenneth unusually threw a tantrum. Nathaniel's disapproval concerning the kid's growing appetite for nightly snacks brought a whole new level of annoyance, as Kenneth refused to lie in bed.

Ultimately, Nathaniel gave up. He gave in to the little boy's demands before he lost what remained of his sanity.

Whirling his eyes towards the clock on the stand by the bedside, Nathaniel's eyes widened at the time-9:15 AM!

Cursing repeatedly, he put on his shirt. It was not surprising why the noise still kept on. But what's surprising was Kenneth hasn't knocked down his door and Olivia hasn't cried his ear off.

Stepping out of his room, Nathaniel followed where the noise came from. His restlessness died down at the sight that welcomed him as he looked through the door left ajar, three doors away from his room.

Samantha sat on the floor, her legs crossed underneath her. She was holding an album which Kenneth concentrated on with eyes narrowed. 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 pretty mouth, drool dripping from it.

The room was 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 in relief. "How long have you been here?" Nathaniel asked leaning on the door jamb. All of a sudden, he felt his finger twitch, wanting to tug on the stray wisp of hair that escaped her messy buns.

Why?

Nathaniel had 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 brows rose. "And you didn't bother waking me up?"

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

Her contagious smile got to him. "Thanks Samantha. I don't how much more to thank you," he appreciated which she waved off.

"Sam."

"Huh?"

"I'd prefer you call me Sam."

"Okay Sam," he replied. "Since we're on a short name basis, call me Nathan."

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

"You got me," he joked. His stomach at that moment chose to rumble in reply.

Samantha giggled, her brown eyes twinkling in amusement. "I left some omelet and bread for you on the dining table," she said bending down to lift up a box to the bed.

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

PUTTING AWAY A pile of folded clothes into the closet, Samantha smiled at the little child whose entire attention was on the album which held memories of Natasha.

Natasha.

The thought of her still hurt and pierced Samantha's heart hard. Time would heal all painfully vivid memories. Her only hope was to be of little help to Natasha's broken family. Today was the start for such promises.

When she came in this morning, Samantha didn't expect a full welcome but silence wasn't what she had expected. Samantha picked up a few of her items from her childhood home and brought them up in a vacant room. Then she immediately prepared breakfast, rushed to get the awoken children bathed and dressed, and their stomachs properly filled.

Finally done with her tasks, Samantha sighed joining Kenneth on the queen-size bed. She rumpled his blond hair so much like 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 his fingers pointed at, Samantha smiled at the memories behind the image. Right there was Natasha in a Wonder Woman costume with her fists on her waist, appearing all macho. Samantha could still remember taking the photo.

Natasha has been dared to portray herself as a super heroine at Disney World-which she woefully failed at. Instead of being helpful, she was a disaster as evidenced by the marshmallow right on her chin.

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

Why Natasha? Why not me instead?

Tears ran down her cheeks which she immediately wiped before the child beside her noticed.

"Your mom was a day hero," Samantha said, kissing Kenneth's forehead lovingly. "Wow," Kenneth's small eyes widened in amazement. "A superhero?" She nodded seeing the proud smile he had on his face.

"Yes, a hero just like you," she began tickling him, filling the whole room with laughter.

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

Later that night after dinner was over and the children had been tucked in their beds, Nathaniel and Samantha sat at the fireside sipping coffee.

The room was quiet and peaceful, giving both adults a sense of relaxation they both sought for since that eventful day.

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

"Like I said, it's nothing," she countered, holding onto the mug between her hands.

"For once just accept an appreciation."

She stared at him for a while. "You're welcome," she replied smiling softly back at him. "Do you miss her?" Samantha almost cringed at her bluntness.

"Yeah, I do," he said, dropping his now empty mug on the round glass table, settling for warmth in the cold spring. Hopefully soon the sunny summer weather would come. Resting his head with both eyes closed, a relaxed sigh escaped his lips.

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

After a while and already feeling the night getting to her, she stood up picking both empty mugs. "Goodnight Nathaniel," she whispered moving away towards the kitchen.

"Goodnight Natasha."

Samantha stiffened; feeling like a whole bucket of cold of water was dropped on her.

Natasha?