Eternally-Sequel to Unconditional(Nate Maloley)

Chapter 4

"Mommy where's daddy?" Annica asked me. I didn't know how to answer her. He's been "out" for three days now and not return yet. "He'll be home soon baby." I smiled. "You said that yesterday" Aiden said coming in. "Did i?" I said, knowing he was right. "Can we call him?" Aiden insisted. "I guess we could" I said grabbing my phone. I dialed his number. No answer. "Right to voicemail. I decided to FaceTime him. No answer. "Uncle Sammy" annica said. I called Sam. "Hey!" He answered. "Um hey" I said. "What's wrong?" He asked. "You wouldn't know where Nate could be?" I asked. "I don't...isn't he home?" I got up, leaving the kids on the bed and stepping outside. "Obviously he's not Samuel! I can't keep telling my kids daddy will be home soon! It's been three days..." I sighed rubbing my hand through my already messy hair. "I'll see what I can do okay? Were you guys arguing at all?" I shook my head, "No" I sighed. "Just help. Please" I said. "I will. I promise" he said hanging up. I tried calling Nate some more. On the fourth, he picked up. "What?" He answered. "Wow so nice to hear from you too" I said. "I'm sorry" he said. "Yeah, okay. So Nate, tell me, why have you been gone for what, three days now? I can't keep fucking telling our kids that daddy will be home tonight. Especially since Aiden is old enough to realize I've been saying it for a couple days!" I cried. "I-I'll be home soon" he said. "HOW SOON!" I yelled. "Soon" he mumbled. "Okay Nate. How's "eternally" working for ya cuz it's sounding pretty odd to me" I said hanging up. "Kids lets go. We're going out with Uncle G, Uncle JJ and Uncle Sammy" I said. "Wha bout daddy?" Annica said rubbing her sleepy eyes. I shrugged, "Maybe he'll be there too I don't know. Now let's go." I said pushing their backs lightly out of the house, immediately texting Sammy to meet us with the Jacks at IHOP. He responded "ok hope everything ok xx" I smiled and drove 10 minutes to IHOP. When we arrived, Aiden got out, "Aiden careful! Look for cars babe" I said grabbing Annica. Aiden grabbed my hand and we walked in, seeing the boys waiting. "Hey guys" I smiled. They smiled and stood up, hugging us all. My phone rang as Jack hugged me. "I'll answer this outside. Go ahead with them kids. I'll be back" I smiled, handing Annica to Sammy. "Hello?" I answered as I walked outside. "Are you with the boys?" He asked. "Nate?" I mumbled. "Are you?" He asked. "Yes. Why?" I said. "I'm coming. Where are you?" He asked. "I- uh were at IHOP" I said. "I'll be there in five" he said. I sighed and walked back into the waiting area. "Ma'am your friends are right there" the lady said. "I'm waiting for my husband before I go. Thank you though" I smiled. She nodded. "Mama mama mama!" Annica said. "Hi little one" I giggled as she ran up to me. "Is daddy here?" She asked, climbing into my lap. "He's on his way little one" I smiled. A few minutes later, the door opened. I looked up seeing Nate. "Hey lil mama" he sighed, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his chest and running his hand through my hair. "I'm sorry" he mumbled repeatedly. "We'll talk later. Cmon" I said. "Hey babygirl" he said picking up Annica. We walked to the table and Sam gave me a confused look. I shrugged it off and sat down in the middle of Nate and Aiden while Annica sat in a high chair next to Sammy. "So uh, how are you guys?" Gilinsky asked. "Great" Nate smiled. I looked at him. "Great? Is that why you haven't been home? Cause we're "great"?" I said. "Ana you don't understand-" he started. "I don't understand what? You've been out with another girl?" I stated. "Ana! Don't be saying false statements around our friends and our kids! I was NOT out with another girl. I had to go to the hospital....my dads mom, wasn't doing good and sh-she didn't make it. I know I should've told you but I couldn't bring myself to talk to anyone. I'm sorry" he said. My eyes watered, "I-I'm sorry Nate. I had no idea..." I sighed. The boys all said sorrys. "What happened daddy?" Aiden asked. "Your grandpa passed away baby. You never knew him though" he sighed. Aiden nodded.

Once we ate, we all left and went home. I drove Nate, the kids and I home in a peaceful quiet. "Nate I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you bring it up" I said as we pulled up. "No, it's fine. I would've had to tell you either way. I'd rather get it out now than have to do it later" he smiled, getting out and getting Annica out too. We walked into the house and I sighed in relief. "You okay?" He said rubbing my back. I nodded, "let's get them in the bath and ready for bed" I smirked, patting Nates butt. He smiled and nodded. "Annica, baby lets go take a bath!" I said. "Okay mama!" She said. "Aiden you too" Nate said. "You can go in the spare bathroom. I'll meet you up there" he said. "Okayyyyyy" Aiden yawned.

"Thank god they went to bed without a fight" I said laying in bed. "I know. I've had a rough few days. Help me out here" he said kissing me lightly. "Kisses make me feel better" he smirked. I giggled, moving over to his lap, leaning down to kiss him. Which, in turn, turns into a make out session. My fingers found their way to his loose curls on the back of his neck. "I love you" he mumbled against my lips. I smiled, "Still got it in ya babygirl" he smirked pulling my face away from his. "Got what? Being able to make out with you?" I laughed. He nodded. I giggled and kissed him again, laying next to him. "How did I ever get so lucky?" I asked cuddling up to him. "You? Talk about me! I'm the lucky one. I have the BEST wife ever, who blessed me with two beautiful children. It doesn't get any better than that." He smirked. "I'm going to sleep you goofball. Goodnight baby" I smiled.

I woke up the next morning to Nate out cold still. "Daddy wakey up!" Annica said pushing Nates shoulder. I laughed at her attempt, "Annica baby come here" I said. She tugged on Nates hand. He groaned, "Annica I know that is you" he smiled with his eyes shut. While Annica was giggling he reached over and picked her up unexpectedly. She laughed nonstop. "Why aren't you still asleep bug?" I smiled, tickling her stomach. "I don't know mama" she smiled latching on to me. "Where's your brother?" Nate asked. "Playing with his toys" she smiled. "Are you hungry?" I asked. She nodded. "Go get your brother and I'll come down and make breakfast" I said. She nodded and let me put her on the floor. I rolled out of bed to go make breakfast. "You coming too?" I asked Nate. He nodded, "In a bit" he smiled at me.

I still want to know how I got so lucky. I never imagined my life to turn out this way after the first 17 years of my life were the worst.