BEING THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

chapter thirteenth

It's been nearly a week since Tiana left and Aran was devastated, he had no idea where's  she could be found now, he wonder if clover had heard anything from her he thought he had seen her in town just the day before, she went by him and didn't ask him anything she didn't even greet him, he knew how close they were she and Tiana were friends he was sure she call her, he knew if he find her it won't be pretty she let that little boy disrespect him, that too in front of so many people, he was hurt and disappointed, he was unable to believe that Timmy and the others would let him a lone beat them, he wish he wasn't so distracted for he would have kill him, he thought of the children and school, "who's going to school them" he thought a loud he sat in the living room with a six pack of beer the television on but he didn't care to watch it, his mind was on so much, he later decided to go on the road he haven't really check in to work since Monday he was still hurting from his neck and shoulder he still can't believe he fought with the guy and let him humiliated him look at the size of that guy, Aran believe it is a disgrace on all off them, telling himself that dick is going to fucking gets what's coming for him,
Sophia got together with Tiana and Rosa to repaint the patio, Nathaniel haven't returned from dropping the children and tiana wondered for him normally he came back already since he dropped them both morning now,
"I don't believe my son will come to join us so let's get the show on the road" Sophia said
Tiana agree but she was looking out for Nathaniel who didn't come until they were halfway into the paint job,
"Ah yeaa!" Nathaniel said as he step on the patio "looking good to say it's done by three old ladies" he grin and Tiana giggle then slap him on the upper arm,  
"Sorry I didn't mean to offend you" he said dragging his hand playfully across her cheek,
Sophia watch him play with the woman and marvel for he was looking so relax nothing she had seen in nearly seven years, ,
She watch them standing together the look on his face was something of a man in love,
"Mine if I give a hand?" Nathaniel said taking the brush from Tiana she was still standing in front of him when he dip the brush inside the paint and came up with it dripping and it caught in her hair, "whoops!" Nate said and his eyes widened as he cover his lips with his fingers,
"Hey watch it!" Tiana said moving away from in front of him, he look at her and smile, Tiana move back and let him paint, he turn and she was still close he rub his hand across the brush and wipe it across her fore head, she wipe it off with her finger and wipe it on his arm,
Sophia watch them play along, smiling to herself,
The painting was almost done as Nathaniel did the finishing, by he was done tiana has more paint on her than on the wall it's self,
"I think I should make some sandwiches, and how a bout some lemonade?" Sophia said looking at tiana who was full of paint, "you probably are to clean up before lunch" she said with a smile,  "Oh Rosa  will you help me in the kitchen please?"
"Yes mam" Rosa said
"Make mine a cheese" Nathaniel said turning to apply paint to Tiana's neck,
"Stop it!" She said pushing him away and taking the empty paint  bucket to drain on him,
"Now look at that now you both need a shower" Sophia said
Tiana went off leaving them there she make her way to the room to take a shower and to clean her hair
While Sophia and Rosa fix the sandwiches Nathaniel quickly clean up the patio then he too went inside he has a nother two hour to pick up the kids and he was to get the  paint off his skin, on entering the house he could hear his mother I'm the kitchen with Rosa he went down the hallway to his room from there he could hear Tiana stumbling von the upstairs in the room above him, he turn back to the living room he Could still hear his mother with Rosa in the kitchen as he climb the stairs,
He push open the door to Tiana's room and entered the bath room Tiana was standing naked in the middle of the floor she face him as he came him she was still covered in paint so it was clear she haven't showered yet, he got closer and she step in his arms
He backed her to the shower and turn the shower head on as the water beats down on them they made heated love Tiana was missing him a whole lot it took a short while for her love to come she held him with longings he smile at her kiss her forehead then held her close.
They got through another round and he help her to wash the paint from her hair, Tiana pour the shower gel in the palm of her hand and rub it about Nathaniel's back around to his belly going down to curve her palm over his hard tarff he moan and rest back on her his back came against her chest and he felt her nipples pinching him as the became firm in his back,
"Mm" Nathaniel said as he turn around to face her, "mm!"  he said once more, leaning in he kiss her, smile at her then  kiss her once again,
Nathaniel wrapped the towel around him and make his way down to his room he was there when he heard his mother came in the living room,
"Tiana dear" Sophia call as she came to the living room,
"I'm coming" Tiana call
"What happened ma?" Nathaniel ask as he came from his room down the hallway,
Sophia look at him all clean and fresh and with a flush but  look of happiness on his face having the feeling he was with Tiana and that was what kept them both so long,  she smile at him, "I was wondering if you and Tiana won't have lunch" she said she look up and saw Tiana coming down, she could see the same flush look on her face like that on her son's
"Lunch is ready, it's been for over a hour" Sophia said
"I'm sorry  I took so long take more time to wash the paint out my hair" Tiana said,
" Never mind dear I'm glad it's gone"
Tiana smile, as she and Nathaniel share eye contact she saw him smile walking away in front of his mother,
They have lunch together and Sophia kept watch at her son and Tiana,
"Duty calls" Nathaniel said as he got up, "I'm going to get the kids, need anything on the way home?" He ask
"no I'm thinking to go out shopping tomorrow" Sophia said
"ok then fine with me" Nathaniel said giving one last look Tiana's way then left,
Aran was in town when he saw a little girl from his neighborhood who went to his daughter school, he stop her to inquire if she know his  daughter the girl who was in the same class with Rihanna told him she leave Rihanna at school she was having practice, Aran thought if he get to see the children he will get to Tiana he have a lesson to teach them, Tiana and that meddling man of hers, he knew by the time practice got over he will catch up with her, he wonder where in town they were staying now if they are still in school, he didn't told the guys he just hop on his bike,
"Rihanna forgot to tell Nathaniel of practice she has forgotten it was Friday on Fridays they have practice both herself and her brother because Nathaniel didn't know he had to wait when he got  to school,
He was leaning on his car waiting,
Aran thought he saw him when he park his bike and got off it was when he turn he saw it was really him, he recall the fight the other day and didn't want to have it out with him now he was going to get back at him but not today, he look to see if his wife was around too but up until the children came out he was a lone,  they got into a dark blue Mercedes and drove off, Aran watch the car drove out of sight before riding back, he was devastated more now for he learn that, that boy was the one escorting them to school he just want to put his hand on Tiana, and show show her, show her who he really his they don't know who they're messing with, both of them won't see it coming,.
Nathaniel got back with the children and Tiana went out to meet them she hug them both
"How was school today, you are late this afternoon what happened?"
"Practice"
"Practice"
" Practice"
Nathaniel, Niccane and Rihanna said all at the same time,
"It's Friday" Tiana remind herself forgetten too it was,  else she would never let  Nate leave so soon cutting short on their love,
"It's Friday so you two won't have to worry about hussling off to bed tonight right" Sophia said " Sophia will serve dinner now go clean up"
" Ok" they both said hugging their mother, they ran off and Tiana went off behind them leaving Nate with Sophia,
Nathaniel watch her as she went off admiring her fine look,
"She's a nice woman" Sophia said
Nathaniel look at him pretending he didn't quite hear her words,
"She is a nice woman" he said once more, "don't you think?"
"What you want me to say ma?" He ask
"what you haven't noticed?"
"Barely "
"Don't tell me you feel nothing for her I see you look at her you didn't just help her from her husband because you felt it was something you had to do"
"she's a couple years older mother will you accept a older woman for your son?"
" Not if my son is just a teenager"
Nathaniel look at his mother shook his head then walk off towards the house,
"it's not that obvious anyway and if she makes you happy why not"
Nathaniel kept walking he was out his mother sigh when he smile, he wash up and came to the kitchen Tiana and the children were already seated at the table they have dinner, Rosa later serve them pecan pie for dessert it was their first taste of pecan pie and love it the second serving got them extra full, they were excuse to go get   clean up ,
After tiana too had excuse herself to get freshen up Nathaniel  remain in the kitchen to give his mother and Rosa a hand with the dishes, he got through with it and leave the two ladies he got to the living room check the time it was already seven forty almost time for family times, he often catch it when he could it was a series he like it was always good times with family times the children came right as it was about to start
"Look Rihanna it's family times" Niccane said dropping next to Nathaniel,
" Oh yeah!" Rihanna said sitting on the next side of Nathaniel,
"Ah yeah you're so welcome to join me" he tease the two children look at him and grin, he rub Niccane 's hair and they grin at each other,
After family times they get to watch a movie name the final run, it was a movie base on a train that was a computerize passenger train it went into difficulty and it was left to  man who struggle hard to save over two hundred people, the movie wasn't yet over when Nathaniel got up without saying anything he ruffle the two kids head then  he head down the hallway Tiana watch him until he was down and disappeared through a door that closes quickly after he went through, since she wasn't family with the house that much she thought it leads out until the movie was through and the children were off to bed she didn't see him come back, she was there when Rosa came to say goodnight and went down the other side of the living room, , Tiana sat a bit longer until both herself and Sophia got up both ready to go off to bed the same time, tiana look down the hallway again but the door to that side Nathaniel went was tightly close, she went to bed missing him a lot although they had a mighty sweet encounter  today she could've use his cuddle,
Nathaniel lay down on his back looking up in the sealing thinking of Tiana and the kids of her husband his wife, his life if he's ready to move on or not he loves Tiana the only difference was the age she's six years older than she's is if you don't know you won't be able to tell anyway he remembers his mother saying if she makes you happy why not, she did make him happy it's the happiest he's been since his wife died Tiana gave him the best love it's still hard to believe she has two kids he remember the firmness of her titties nipple and could actually feel the tightness between her tights as it grips in to him it was such a pleasure loving her, not a moment spend in her arms were dull, he could feel himself getting hard as the thoughts of Tiana fill his mind and memories overflow, Nathaniel roll on his belly and curse sighing deeply, he lay wide awake for over another hour before he could sleep and wake bup feeling sticky as if he had a wet dream he took a shower and went out for fresh air, Tiana thought she heard one of the guy call his name when she turn in bed she got up and went to the window, he was there her body crawl emotionally on seeing, the sound of screaming children make her turn from Nate to look she saw her two children running towards Nate as if racing to see who get to him first he saw them coming as if he knew what was on their mind and started moving away from then, they start back Chase and they giggle together, Nate finally stop and Niccane got him first,
"So not fair" Rihanna complain on getting next to him she saw him hug her with a smile one she returns, Tiana left the window and start off to the bathroom she shower quickly got dressed then went out back to find them, by now they were caught in a game of tag you're it, Nathaniel ran after the two kids who ran away from him he ran and caught Tiana around the waist and they both fell down Niccane look at Rihanna them to them their mother struggling to get free they loss attention of the two children and got caught in their own involvement,
"Let's go" Rihanna said hugging Niccane at the shoulder,
" Yeah why not" Niccane said they both walk away they look back and they were still on the ground raffling,
"Breakfast is ready" Sophia said as they walk into the house, "where are my son and your mom?"
Rihanna point towards the back door Sophia lean back wards to look but from there she couldn't see outside,
"Come on you two can join me for breakfast, Rosa cook up some  lovely treats"
" Lovely treats?" Niccane question
"pancakes with maple syrup and strawberries with whip cream and cereal,
"Chocolate?" Rihanna asked"
" Chocolate of course, how could you tell!" She said sounding excited,
"Kool" they  said and ran off a head of Sophia who went to the dinner to peek out the back window
Tiana and Nate lift their head to find Niccane and Rihanna gone they both smile at each other, Nathaniel head brought down to kiss her Tiana meet him half way and the kiss they share was sweet and thirst quenching,
Sophia roll her eyes with a smile she can't remember seeing her son in intimacy before he never love openly though he wasn't doing so now she's the one spying, he got up and pull her off the ground and started walking to the house, Sophia hurry back to the kitchen for she knew if her son got there and found she's not there he'll come to know she was out spying, she took her seat a little a head of them as he leads the way in a head of her, the two children look at her, then at Nathaniel who smile at them as he came and sat between them both,
He was almost finished with his breakfast when from his pocket his phone rang, he ease out to answer on hearing who was on the phone he cringe look at the numbers to study them then put the phone back at his ears, "what you want?" He question the person on the other line Tiana had a feeling it was that girl the same girl he was seeing and kept her ears open,
"To talk ah!" He said as he got up to go back outside, for fifteen minutes he was out back talking until he came back he sat to finish his breakfast before getting up once more, "I'm going out ma I'll be a while" he said he ruffle Niccane's hair before walking out, " see you guys in a short while, and tomorrow we're heading to the beach"
" To the beach!?" Rihanna ask
" Mm - mh" he said " excited aren't we?" He ask he left closing the door behind him and soon the truck was gone,
Sophia knew once he got in the truck on a Saturday when he's home he got work so she has the feeling he was heading to his house in Colorado springs,
Tiana and the children clean up while Rosa prepare for dinner since it was lamb ribs soup so it was given a head start to a early tenderizing,
Tiana wait what seems like forever for Nate to come back she kept hearing footsteps and kept looking over her shoulder,
Once again jealously kicks in as she think of Nathaniel going off to meet some other woman, she got nervous and worried and excuse herself to go off and call clover, clover mentioned that she saw Aran the other day,
Tiana knew he must be out rage now with her gone and the children it wasn't as if he needed them, she's with Nate now even though she's not sure for he ran out after that one phone call it's been some long hours now and he wasn't back, she didn't discuss her discomfort with clover thought they could talk about anything,
"I saw that girl who almost got you and Nate kill" clover said
" You did?"
" Chasing Timmy like a loyal puppy, mm - mh, so how's Nate?"
"He went out" Tiana said sounding formal,
"where did he go?" Clover ask
"he just said later"
"And  you're sounding like that because of?, Come on if he was into someone he wouldn't dragged you off to his place"
Tiana was silent for a while
"I think he lives you"
"I don't think he want anyone to know"
"What make you say it like that?"
" We don't talk out of the ordinary in his mother's present"
"Maybe he had nothing to say"
Tiana heard the car and her heart jump " he's here I'll call you later"
" Inform me" clover said and they hang up.
"Tiana came down just as her chill ran out to greet Nate he catch Niccane throwing him over his shoulder as he hug Rihanna to his side she smile and her hand came  around him,
"Did you guys miss me?" Nathaniel tease
Rihanna stop in front of him, she fold her arms looking up on him with a frown, "should we miss you? For I didn't miss you at all, if he did I sure didn't"
Tiana move further swear she was about to get rude,
"Ah did you say you didn't miss me?"
"I did not, miss you at all"
"So she didn't miss me" he said to Niccane setting him to his feet Rihanna saw him did that and knew he was going to chase her and started running towards the house he caught her before she made it to the porch and have her hanging upside down his shoulder while tickling her, Rihanna laugh and laugh
Rosa and Sophia came to the front porch and saw them,
"What's going on?" Sophia bothered
"She said she didn't miss me ma" he said
Sophia smile, "Well  you can't hang her like that and have her laughing so hard you'll gave her a Fitz,
Nathaniel flip her over on set her to the ground, she lean on him while she tried to catch her breathing, Nathaniel lean in and kiss her forehead, "you're such a sweet girl Rih" he said,
"you are" Sophia said cuffing Rihanna's cheeks, " she is a sweet girl" Sophia turn to Tiana who smirk but her focus went to Nate's face and for a while she watch him wondering what he done all these hours he was away,
"Tomorrow we're going to the beach" Rihanna said
They were sitting now at dinner
"Ah about the beach trip tomorrow, there's been a slight little change in plan, we can't go to the beach again"
" Ooh!" Rihanna said, "but we'll go some other time right"
"Maybe in the summer" Nathaniel said
"Alright" she said
Nathaniel watch her expression but what he was looking to see didn't come she seems so understanding he was falling in love with this little girl he love them both like if they were hid own he believes they were pretty amazing kids,
Tiana kept her eyes on him, he watched her from the corner of his eyes he finished dinner and get up,
"Going out again?" Sophia ask
"Well I could use a drink, I probably just go out to get one"
"There's cool lemonade in the refrigerator"
"how about a shot of tequila?" He said
"I have been telling you that thing is no good for you" Sophia warn,
" What you need is some good fruit juice in your system"
"my system is fine ma"
" When was the last time you see a doctor?"
"yesterday" he answered
"And what's the name of the doctor?"
" I have to tell you that too?"
"Don't tell me but remember this" she said pointing out her finger and waving it around, " A healthy body leads to longer life"
"Ma I'm fine thrust me" he said he turn and walk out the kitchen with Tiana watching him, she heard him went out the front door for one of the guy who work there call to him, she heard  the truck starting and when she didn't hear it anymore she thought he left, Tiana felt jealous all over again,
After cleaning up was over and tiana help two tired exhausted children in to bed she came back to say goodnight to Rosa and Sophia, when Nathaniel came back from the outside the house was silent even the lights were out, thinking maybe he should go out after all but instead he just went to bed too,
Tiana lay awake tears running down her cheek as she thought life through she was first happy with Aran then things changes now she's here with Nate but when she was supposed to be feeling better she's feeling sad and heartbroken, not even knowing why, Tiana finally made her way out of bed and took a shower she thought she heard the children moving around she got dress and went to their room they both got out of bed once she got there, after the use of the bathroom they went down together they could hear talking on the outside, Rosa was with Sophia and Nathaniel,
"What happen guys?" Nathaniel asked, "we did have a beach trip plan didn't we"
" You said we wouldn't be going" Rihanna said
" And disappoint you kids? Neva!,  Go get ready, bring your towels ok"
"Yes!" They  said and both ran off to the house,
" I'll serve breakfast" Rosa said
"I'll be right back" Sophia said they too disappeared behind the two children inside the house Tiana and Nate were a lone she turn to look at him and find him looking at her,
He  walk up  to where she was  and  stand facing her,
"Hey" He said
Tiana look up at him looked him over for some time, then lower her gaze,
"So madam you sure you don't want to join us at the beach?"
Tiana shook her head,
"why if it's about the face it's coming around"
Tiana saw that but it wasn't up to her perfection yet people look at her face first and she hate going out with bruises, he lift her cheek to look at them and saw the pulp eyes,
"What happened?" He asked,
"What you asking?"
" You look sad as though you were  crying, what happened?'
"Nothing" Tiana answer
"Tiana we're not here so you can be sad the only people here are Rosa and my mother, neither are getting in your way so you have no reason to to be crying"
" She call you didn't she?"
"Cecilia?"
Tiana look at him for an answer she didn't get for his phone rang and to his answer it was her again, he look at her and saw the tear whelmed up in her eyes before he kill the call to go to her the children came out,
"Ready!" They exclaimed
They hug their mom "see you later mom"
"Have fun" Tiana told them they were in the truck when she turn for inside, "Tiana" he called but she didn't look back she went into the house with out acknowledging him, "oh shit!"Nathaniel  curse under his breath only to caught Rihanna watching, he walk to the truck Rihanna look at him and he didn't have to ask if she noticed the tension between himself and her mom, Niccane was sitting in the middle of them so neither of them speak on it,
They noticed they were on a different road heading to the beach, they kept watching out the window, "we're in Utha and this is the grand junction, welcome" Nathaniel told them
Both of them grin as they look out on the beautiful water not many people were there and Niccane decided to beat his sister to the water
"Don't go to the deep" Nathaniel warn him,   he pull Rihanna over to stop her from running off,
"Everything ok?" He ask
"Yes why are asking?"
"I just want to know, and let you know it wasn't a fight between your mom and I I know you saw her walking away from me a little upset"
"what happened?"
"it's only a little misunderstanding"
"alright" Rihanna said nodding her head, Nathaniel let her ran off seeing how anxious she was for already her brother started having fun splashing and jumping, he later join them getting into some of the action,
Sophia went to church and Tiana help Rosa with the dinner preparation,
Nathaniel came back with the kids right about the time Sophia came from church, tiana came out to greet them they ran to hug her then ran to the house,
"How was church?" Tiana ask Sophia she came up and rest a hand on him, "It was good my dear, maybe you and the kids can join me next week"
"sure mam I will love to" Tiana said with a smile
"It smells as though dinner is ready I'll go freshen up" Sophia said leaving her, Tiana turn to look at Nathaniel who came up on the porch instead of speaking to her he went by and went inside, by he shower and came out dinner was being put on the table and they were all seated,
He took his seat next to Niccane who reach up a hand to block his eyes, then he and his sister giggle,
Sophia smile as she look around the table, "this is good ah Rosa I finally get my son to spend some time with me" she said
"ma" Nathaniel said
Rosa smile
"But it's the truth"
"It's not entirely I took you out on mother's day, and before that we went out"
" I won't say no but I mean like you staying a week"
"And we all know the reason for that" Nathaniel said
Sophia nod "well thanks to the reason I appreciate you all being here"
Nathaniel look up and he and Tiana lock eye contact for a short while,
"So was the beach good to you two at all?" Sophia ask
" It was fun" Niccane said
" It was great" Rihanna answer,
"I'm glad you had a good time" Sophia said getting up as she was finish with dinner, Tiana too excuse herself as she was off to put the children things together for school, and to get rid of those wet things from the beach.