Wife By Benefits

Prologue

The night was bleak; the sky gray and overcast. The phone call from the hospital has woken Nathaniel Carter from a sound slumber. His son Kenneth and daughter Olivia lay beside him on his king-size bed. His wife Natasha has been admitted to hospital over two weeks ago. She fell in a coma caused by a terrible car accident. Because of her critical condition, Natasha has been placed in the intensive care unit.

Matters, however, had quickly turned for the worst. Natasha's spine had been broken; six of her ribs pierced her lungs, cutting her airway, making her slip into coma faster. After two weeks of sitting by her bedside, Dr. Quentin sent him home, promising to immediately contact Nathaniel if there were any changes. Now he was proving true to his word.

"Mr. Carter, can you come to the hospital? It's urgent," Dr. Quentin said on the other line.

"Is there something wrong? Is my wife okay?" Nathaniel demanded, hearing the weary frustration in the physician's voice, which wasn't a good sign.

"It'd be best if you come to the hospital. I'll explain things better once you're here."

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The hard sound of a fist hitting a smooth surface echoed throughout the doctor's office.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Not like this.

An hour after arriving at the hospital, Nathaniel Carter's heart broke into tiny shreds at the news of his wife's death; not a sound escaped his lips. The powerful fist of pain, agony, disbelief viciously punched at him. Feeling weak and dizzy, he slumped into the molded plastic hospital chair.

"We did everything we could to save them both," Dr. Quentin murmured, his voice subdued with defeat.

It wasn't supposed to happen like this.

The knowledge of their unborn child in Natasha's womb added to Nathaniel's pain. Had he known she was pregnant he wouldn't have allowed her to leave. It was only six weeks, still a fetus.

Nathaniel glanced up at the man opposite him. "I'd like to be with my wife for a minute if I could. Just for a minute."

After a while, Dr. Quentin nodded and led the way down the calm, quiet hallway to Natasha's room. Nathaniel felt his heart pounding savagely, his head whirling, his legs almost giving way. He felt as though his world had crumbled on him as he walked cautiously towards the new cause of his nightmare.

"I'll be outside waiting," Dr. Quentin said through the quite hall, opening the door and stepped aside.

Stepping in the room, the first thing he noticed was that all the tubes had been disconnected. His wife's once glowing face still looked glowing, if not more. For a moment he thought they could have all been mistaken; she was only deep in her slumber.

If only she was.

He could still remember the first day he met her; beautiful face transcended nature itself. Memories of Florida were still vivid in his mind. The image will forever haunt him. That he was sure of. The baking, the knitting, the painting all went down the drain. The ray of sunshine hitting her blond hair, a free flowing beauty at the age of twenty. No woman had ever moved him the way Natasha Mullins did; his heart stopped, his breath cut short at the mere sight of her. At that moment he knew he would make her his forever by tying the knot with her.

Five years ago, the knowledge of a woman in his life seemed terrifying. But a moment spent with Natasha proved otherwise.

Within eight months of marriage, they were blessed with their first child Kenneth Carter. Nathaniel thought his heart would burst with pride. A son! One of his wishes just came true. Then came Olivia, another bundle of joy.

However their bliss was immediately cut short one fateful night. Natasha left to get the beverages for their daughter that she forgot, despite his disapproval. He received a heart-tearing call from an unknown man through his wife's phone saying her car had been hit by a drunk truck driver.

Nathaniel looked down at her and his heart felt heavy and empty. It was as if she'd taken his life with her. What would he do without her? How would he possibly face life without Natasha by his side? How would he cope with two kids?

"Natasha, why? Why must you leave? How am I supposed to take care of our kids? How?" Nathaniel shed tears out with a sob finally overtaking him.

**********

Chapter One

OLIVIA'S WEAK CRIES stirred Nathaniel from his light sleep. He blinked a couple of times and rubbed a hand down his weary face. The midnight feedings were the worst, especially those on Friday nights.

Life has fallen into a dismal pattern since Natasha's funeral. He'd never worked harder in his life than in the past two months. Keeping up with the kids and the house and his job left room for little else. The demands seemed endless.

Nathaniel's family had pitched in, helping in every way they could. Between his mother and sisters, he was making it. But the awareness of appearing like he was dependent on them made things uncomfortable for him.

Olivia screamed again through the monitor, and Nathaniel tossed aside the cover and sat on the edge of the king-size bed. Blindly, he searched with his feet for his slippers before he stood and slipped on his night robe, tying the knot around.

His daughter Olivia slept a room away from him to make his work easier. He reached for her, gently placing his infant daughter over his shoulder.

"Just a minute, sweetie," he said, walking in a circle around the room, searching for a diaper in one of the wardrobes.

All thanks to Samantha, Natasha's younger sister who came every day to help with the kids' laundry and meals. Her helping hands made things a little easier for Nathaniel. But the idea of her help didn't sit well with him and his beliefs.

He could still remember Samantha's reaction at the news of her sister's death. She left California for Arizona five years ago. At the news of her sister's death, Samantha moved back to California. Her rage for him increased at not receiving the news of her sister's accident. She still blamed him for not letting him see her breathing face for the last time before her death.

But her continuous help was sincerely appreciated. Not that Nathaniel would openly say so; that would only boost her ego.

Settling down with Olivia on the swing in his balcony, Nathaniel carefully placed the rubber nipple on her lips. The baby's tiny lips parted and sucked hungrily.

His hands brushed the soft blond wisps of hair from her sweet face. Her resemblance to Natasha haunted him every day.

He sat staring at nothing as he gently swung on the swing, not wanting to startle the little child as she sucked the contents of the bottle.

Once Olivia had finished the bottle, Nathaniel placed her over his shoulder and tenderly rubbed her back. Gently rocking back and forth, he closed his eyes. He'd rest just for a moment--he promised himself.

Just for a little moment.

SAMANTHA LET HERSELF into the quiet house that had once been a noisy, joyful one only to find her brother-in-law asleep on the swing, his arms gently cradling Olivia's little frame.

She hesitated, not wanting to disturb him in his sleep. He looked so tired in the past few months she'd been here. They both were.

Too tired to grieve, too tired to cry out.

Even after months of knowing of her sister's death, Samantha still had trouble accepting the permanence of the situation. The thought of no going back, no rectifying the mistake of leaving that particular night. Natasha's death left a deep hole of pain on everyone's heart.

Samantha never planned on staying behind and helping Nathaniel with the children in California. Her plan was that after the funeral, she would purchase the earliest flight back to Arizona, burning with anger at Nathaniel for his lack of information concerning her sister's deadly situation, but she was unable to.

The night before she was to leave, a dream stopped her from doing so. She never told anyone about it. That dream was her reason for staying.

The dream haunted Samantha for months. She'd kept her promise to Natasha and was doing everything she possibly could to help Nathaniel with the children, even if he didn't deserve it. But the gesture seemed too little.

To his credit, Nathaniel was holding up well. He was such a good father, once was a good husband too. But frankly, Samantha wondered just how much longer would he be able to continue under the strain. He'd been the strong one, reassuring her, reassuring his children, his parents, and everyone else. Strong and capable.

Samantha didn't know how he did it. But she was grateful. His confidence was the glue that held everything together. Not that she would tell him so; his pride was already larger than the whole house. It was better to keep it to herself to avoid it from getting any bigger.

"Mommy?" three-year-old Kenneth came out from the bedroom, sleepily rubbing his eyes as he placed his thumb in his mouth.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Samantha said, automatically lifting the warm cuddly body into her arms.

"I want my mommy," Kenneth's arms tightly gripped her as he buried his face in Samantha's neck.

"I know," her heart pinched at his words.

"When will she be home?"

"Your mommy's in heaven now, remember?"

Unexpected tears filled Samantha's eyes. "She won't....don't you remember what your daddy said?"

"But I want her."

"I do too." It was difficult to make Kenneth understand. She was having difficulty understanding it herself. And it didn't seem to be getting any easier.

If death had to steal a life, then it should have been her that the Grim Reaper had sought. Natasha had a responsibility, a husband and children.

Her sister had been gentle and sweet, full of energy and life. Everything about her screamed joy. Samantha was the complete opposite. She was a plain brunette with brown eyes, crooked nose and thin lips. Natasha was 5'9 inches in height; couldn't be compared with her 5'3.

Natasha was her only family after their parents abandoned them in an orphanage. They both swore to never search for them ever in their lives. Now Natasha's heartbroken children were Samantha's only family left.

"Are you hungry?" Samantha asked Kenneth, turning the conversation away from the painful subject of Natasha.

Kenneth's head was buried in her shoulder. He sniffed and nodded. "Can you make mommy's special banana pancake?"

"Ehm..." Samantha hesitated. She didn't have a clue on how to make such flavor. "Okay, but you have to tell me how."

"Sure," Kenneth brightened a little. "First you put the flour then banana, mix and fry."

"Ah..." once again Samantha hesitated. She was going to need more instructions than that. Natasha had an active imagination; she could make the lamest situation into a funny one.

Using both hands, Kenneth scooted up the kitchen chair, then curled up into a ball on the seat holding onto Mr. Dess, his teddy bear.

"Samantha you're here," Nathaniel stood in the kitchen doorway with Olivia still sleeping soundly in his arms.

"Aunty Samantha is making mommy's banana pancake recipe," Kenneth explained cheerfully.

"You are?" Nathaniel raised his left brow up in surprise.

"Yeah, I am but I need help on how to make it," she muttered under her breath.

"It's the same as making pancakes, only there is banana flour added to it. It's at the top of the cupboard behind you at your right," he spoke between

yawns as he pressed his hands to his mouth to suppress his loud yawn.

"Thank you."

"Why are you here?"

Samantha glanced at him briefly then began her task of making the pancake. "I came to help and at the same time to discuss an important matter with you."

Not liking where the conversation was heading, Nathaniel frowned before moving over to the refrigerator, taking a carton of milk and drinking it directly from the carton.

Samantha resisted the urge to scold him for his action. She resumed stirring the flour together with the ingredients needed for it.

"What could that be?"

"Once I'm done with cooking I'll tell you."

Dropping the topic for the meantime she made the pancake, serving it to Kenneth. Nathaniel seemed busy calming a fuzzy Olivia who had woken up from her sleep.

"I'll heat up her bottle," she offered to cut off his disapproval courtesy of his pride and independent ways.

Nathaniel looked haggard. She'd purposely dropped by early so he could have a portion of the day to himself. The guy was running himself ragged. They all were. But for Samantha, there was an escape. At the end of the day, she returned to her own apartment, free from the demands of the two small, needy children. A place of her own where she could find a few moments' peace and serenity. Nathaniel had no such deliverance.

After finishing their meal, Kenneth went back to his room, while Samantha took on the plates for washing leaving Nathaniel tucking the baby to bed.

Placing the plates in the sink, Samantha went down to the task of washing the dishes.

"You're ruining your social life," Nathaniel spoke behind her resting his back on the wall.

"I'm not. There isn't a social life to begin with," Samantha replied still washing the plates, with her focus half on it while the other was on Nathaniel.

"You should have gone out last night."

"I wasn't in the mood." She placed the dishes on the rack as she turned to stare at him.

"Samantha please don't. I already feel guilty knowing what this is doing to my parents," he said, his eyes holding hers captive. "Please don't sacrifice yourself for me too."

"It's not for you," she countered smoothly. "It's for Kenneth and Olivia. And it isn't a sacrifice. If the situation was reversed, Natasha wouldn't think twice about doing the same for me. It's what she expected."

Nathaniel closed his eyes and nodded, his face grim. "I don't feel good about this." Samantha knew it went against Nathaniel's pride to rely on his family or anyone else so heavily. He didn't have any choice, but he didn't like it. Not one bit.

"I have come up with a decision." At her comment, Nathaniel's eyes snapped open. "I've decided to move in with you and the kids."

Chapter Two

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

Samantha had fully expected an argument. Nathaniel was proud. Being forced to accept her help or anyone else's for that matter went against his independent nature and values. That he'd been forced to rely 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, choosing to ignore his question.

A sigh escaped 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 at his bickering.

"How so?"

"Kenneth can't sleep unless he has a scoop of ice cream. Olivia is already past 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 on. Samantha stretched her hands, taking the baby from the disorganized man.

Gently, she patted her little shoulders until she felt the baby relax with a sigh leaving her little lips.

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

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

Nathaniel shut his eyes pinching the bridge of his nose, frustration clearly present on his face. Samantha knew all the stress he was going through, all he needed was a helping hand. Now if only he would accept.

"Nathaniel let me help. I know how stressful all of this is for you. You haven't had time to go out with friends or even worse--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'll hire a babysitter."

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

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

Samantha once again cursed his independent rules and beliefs. This was why his family hardly helped out, with his constant 'no' reply.

Only Natasha knew a better way in making a man like Nathaniel understand the need of 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 gazed, studying the baby sleeping quietly in her arms.

Samantha shrugged. "About that, I left one of my trusted workers in charge while I'm on my six-month break. So you don't need to worry about things like that."

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

"What can I say? It comes with the head," she sighed, 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 Mr. Dess in his tight grip. "Daddy, daddy, come see! Miss Hathaway's bird has laid four eggs. He tugged on Nathaniel's hand, an excited twinkle in his eyes and face.

"I thought the last time you said they hatched." Nathaniel looked confused with the newfound information.

Samantha shook her head in disapproval, quietly mouthing to him 'no it was pregnant'. A surprised expression appeared on his face as she corrected his mistake.

"No silly dad, she was pregnant." He stomped 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 chuckled at the scene playing out right in front of her. It felt like a happy family-not that she considered herself part of it.

If only Natasha were here.

NATHANIEL TAPPED HIS fingers at the window frame standing beside his son who pointed and noted the differences between a pregnant bed and a laying birth bed to him.

Unconsciously he nodded his head listening to an unwanted lesson from a four-year 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 to place 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 knew about Samantha was her zeal to work hard and also her selflessness, always placing others' needs before her. Years of seeing her at the sidelines while she hid in the background showed it all.

If only Natasha had made it out alive, maybe then, it didn't have to turn out this way. He felt he was using her as others did.

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

He hoped so.

"Do you think Mrs. Hathaway will give me one of her baby birds 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.

Knowing his sixty-seven-year-old neighbor, she would never give anyone any of her precious gems. Everyone in the community knew there was nothing more special to Mary Hathaway than her birds.

"I shouldn't ask then?"

Nathaniel shook his head. "You shouldn't." He wrapped his arms around the boy as they watched the new mother cradle her eggs underneath her. "How do you feel about your Aunt Samantha moving in with us?"

Kenneth jumped and turned up his gaze to look at him, an excited light glittered in his sea-blue eyes-just like his mother's. "Aunt Samantha wants to stay here with us?"

Nathaniel chuckled at the four-year-old's sudden change of mood. "Yes, kiddo." He rumpled Kenneth's hair affectionately.

"Oh yes, I'd love her to stay and we'll 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. A trait he totally took from Natasha.

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

"Of course she is staying." But maybe not for too long.