BEING THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

chapter fourteen

Tiana finish putting the school things together but kept them in her room knowing she will be up in the morning to help with their school preparation, she went back to get them for bed and to say goodnight to Rosa and Sophia they were still together in the kitchen but Nate was gone, she wondered if he had gone, gone or he's just not where she's to see him, they said goodnight as they enter the living room Tiana look around to see if she saw him but didn't, she lead the children up to the room tuck them in, she sat with the bed time story book as she flip through to find a short one and read it,  at the end both children had fallen a sleep, Tiana smile as she kiss them, it seems to be a natural thing nation wide many children falls a sleep at the end of the story, she was sure the story wasn't boring, it wasn't even all that long and the Bible book of bed time stories we're the two children's favorite, she close the book resting it on the bed trunk turn out the lights then left for her room, she started to wonder of Nate's were about but soon his mother was calling out to him , she could hear him answer from what sounds like that door down the passage she believes leads outside, she didn't pause to hear what else was said she close the door behind her check to see if she has put together every thing for the children, she brush then climb into bed laying awake thinking, she couldn't help the thoughts of Aran for he must be looking for her and the children thinking and plotting what he'll do to Nate when he catch him, she thought of the girl Nate is seeing, about his wedding band about the two of them, for now there isn't them it's just him and her, for it didn't seem he was that interested in her now, it seems his only interest is in helping her, he seems caught up in a different dimension now doing his own thing, she miss him  and was getting lonely since their encounter on Friday he seems distance, she knew it has something to do with the phone call from her,
She lay in bed thinking uncertain why the tears started falling but they did and she let them,
Nathaniel walk back to the house from the patio after his night air, he noticed the house was quiet thought his mother was the only one who was still moving about before he walked out, before he exit the kitchen he had said his goodnight to Rihanna and Niccane, he didn't see Tiana but he figured she must be in her room, with the feeling he could hold her and they haven't communicated since her sour face and he could use her love, he felt inside his sweat pocket to feel he has two condoms and  instead of going down the hall from the living room to the room in which he stays on coming in through the kitchen he took the stairs and push the door to Tiana's room,
Tiana didn't hear the door she didn't notice she was no longer a lone until she felt the weight sink into the bed and the heat from Nate's body engolf around her, she felt numb and heated she try to wipe the tears she didn't want to have him seeing her crying,
"Are you sleeping?" He ask reaching over to click on the lights,
"Hey sexy woman" he said whispering in her ears, she didn't respond to him but he came to know she isn't sleeping,
"Tiana" he said kissing her shoulder thought he was chilling her and making her skin crawl with emotions she tries not to move or turn to face him much as she would love nothing more than to do so, to  take his lips between hers and suck it to taste it's sweet , he climb over to face her laying his head on her pillow, she could be feel his breathing on the back of her hands that remains over her face, he lift away one of her palm to look at her but she close her eyes,
"What's wrong this time, were you crying? ah!" He move the other hand holding tight to her wrist, " are you still upset about the phone call?" He ask kissing her playfully, Tiana tries to shift from him but he caught her lip between his teeth caressing it as he suck gentle on it, his leg came to wrap her hip pinning her to him, his palm clasp gentle behind her head, "it's just a phone call"
"It's not just a phone call" Tiana shrugged and shake from him,
"It is when it meant nothing to you, it's over between me and her, I love you" he whispered
"it had to mean more than nothing you took off right after getting it, you left most of the day and in the night you went away"
"I left not because of her call, and later on I didn't go out"
Tiana lay staring in his eyes,
Nathaniel smile "come on" he said kissing her, Tiana half pull  him, half push him, he kept his body close as he kiss her softly she tries not to  return  his kiss as his lips  played sweetly on her lips,  , "I hate to see you crying" he whispered between kisses as he roll her to her back and bring himself down on her, "don't you believe I love you, ah?, Mm mm! He moans his hands rub up her tights finding her intersection shift her underwear to play on her clitoris, Tiana moan and put a grip on his shoulder bringing him in for a much deeper kiss, she believes he knows exactly what he does to her it was so easy getting turn on by him, and the more they love the better she seems to can't get enough of his hands and lips, the way he makes her body Trimble, the way he keeps her up, Tiana was starting to love having him in bed when she woke in the early dawn, she open her eyes to find Nathaniel hovering over her smiling, she blink and rub her eyes, "is it morning?" She ask
"Yes good morning my sunshine"
Tiana grin, "what time"
"Time to love you more"
Tiana giggle, it would be useless trying to push him away, not when she wants him the same way he wants her,
Tiana went down on her back bringing Nathaniel on her it was getting close to school hours but they were still in the mode for love, still feeling the heat, as he love her she moan crying his name,
Rihanna let Niccane took a shower then she did it was almost time to get ready for school they were about to get dress when she went to get their things from their mother's room, she got to the door and could hear crying she lean closer wondering if it was her mother feeling sad, the door was close she peek in through the key hole and saw her mother with Nathaniel as they make love, she move away from the door, heading back to the bedroom,
"Where's mom?" Niccane asked,
Rihanna pulled him in the room closing the door, "she's still in her room maybe she'll come soon,
"Is she still sleeping?"
Rihanna shook her head,
"What tell me!!!"
"She's doing adult stuff with Nate"
"Ah!" Niccane grasp and cover his mouth, he was old enough to know what that means
They giggle after a while,
"Are we going to stay here with Nate for all times?"
"I don't know"
" I sure hope so I like him he's cool"
" Me too" Rihanna said and they giggle,
They both came to remember him defending their mother from their dad and letting them pack and took them here, they both were glad to be away from their dad glad their mother didn't have to cry because he beats her up most of the time they miss only their aunt clover and the children thought they get to meet at school but they could get them to come over at some time or they would go over,
Nathaniel grip Tiana at her waist squeeze into her flesh making it tickle as he kiss her shoulder,
"Leave me" she said walking away from him, he let her walk to the door before grabbing her back repeating the hold and the shoulder kisses,
"Are you done?" Tiana ask
"No but go on let the children get ready for school I'll be down stairs" he slap her butt, she rub it holding on to it as she walk away she hear him giggle but didn't turn she felt like this love scene happened sometimes before smiling to herself she went ahead to knock on the children's door,
They both look at each other and then to their mom, both giving a smile,
"Did you guys shower I was supposed to come wake you"
They look at each other again,
"Ok you're almost finished here get your clothes on, I'm sure Rosa got breakfast ready" she said turning to leave the room,
They both grin once she was out the room,
"do you think it's fun?" Niccane ask his sister as they make their way to the kitchen,
"What?" Rihanna asked
"Adult stuff that they do?"
"Maybe it seems they enjoy it, you and I just got to wait for us to be adult to know"
" I won't wait that long" Niccane said
"What for you won't wait?" Nathaniel ask coming up behind them they both giggle,  they both shook  their head leaving Nathaniel to wonder about their conversation, he haven't forgotten the talk he had with Rihanna the other day the morning she saw him at her home kissing her mom, he told her the truth he's here for her mother in anyway needed for he did love her,
The children brush after breakfast and came out to the porch they bid good bye to miss Rosa and to aunt Sophia then hug their mother, they went to the car, Nathaniel open it on the press of a button and both children climb in,
"Pretty I won't see you until later after picking up the children, and don't go getting any ideas" he said slapping her butt squeezing it,
Rihanna didn't miss what he did and the way her mother smile at him, she watch her watch him walk to the car get in and drove away before following the other two ladies back inside,
Rosa and Sophia wash some linens and Tiana clean the porch and the living room while she dust she kept admiring the picture of the woman like  the one Nate had back at her place while he was renting, she rub the duster over it but didn't take it down and was careful not to let it fall, there was something about the picture that got her gittary, she needed to  know about it something Nate just won't tell like he won't tell her about his marriage, how can she say she's comfortable in the relationship she didn't even know his last name, she has so much  to learn from him yet still he told her so little, she stare at the picture a bit more before moving, she find herself feeling active today than any other day since she came and did the dinning room as well,
"Come on dear have some cool lemonade" Sophia said stopping her activity, thought she was nearly finish, after lemonade and crackers with cheese they all went back to finish their work by Nathaniel and the children came in the living room and just when Nathaniel thought the children weren't looking he grabbed Tiana's butt and squeeze it, the two children roll their eyes at each other,
"I need my two helper" Rosa said as she came out,
"Later mom!" They both said running off,
Sophia was left standing in the living room with Tiana and Nathaniel, she look from one to the other as they avoid looking at each other,
"I should get myself clean before dinner" Sophia said before either Said anything she walk away leaving them, she was way up the stairs when they both face each other Sophia smile leaving them with out keeping a watch,
She didn't need eyes to see how in love her son is feeling please he was finally moving on,
"Clover, clover, clover" Aran called thought she heard him the first time she kept walking, "clover" he said running up to her, "you heard from my wife?"
He breathlessly asked
" I believe I have why?"
" She's my wife clover and the woman who give birth to my two children don't you think I want to know about my children?"
" They were in your house and neither did you care for them or their mother, and you think I care if you care now?"
" That mouth of yours it's the reason I've never liked you"
" I'm aware of that but I'm sure it was after you found out I hate you, and it grows stronger each time I look at your big ugly face, and yah, the good thing is you can't slap me"
"Don't worry to tell me I'll get her myself"
"good luck I'm sure you going to need more back up to get her from Nate, the wimp of men you hang out with or just no use just like you the only purpose you serve is to beat on woman"
She walk away leaving him,
" Fucking bitch, it's no wonder you and tiana are friends"
Clover didn't pay him any mind she just walk on, he was with his group of men when she walk by later this time he didn't look her way,
Aran wait in the park on Wednesday to see the children he knew they would came out a bit early today from the information he got he saw them came to the car park and walk up to them, Niccane saw him and draw behind his sister Rihanna felt him shaking from fear she too felt afraid for she didn't know if he would take them away, she knew he couldn't bring them both on the bike but what if he wasn't alone or in case he should grab Niccane and rode off with him,
"Daddy what are you doing at school?" Rihanna ask shakeingly
"I can't come to see you at school?" Aran ask, "Niccane come from behind your sister"
Niccane shook his head,
" Boy don't let me have to slap the skin off you" he shout, causing Niccane to cry, they both fear he would get violent,
"You're making the boy scare" Nathaniel said as he came out the car walk up to them,
" I can't talk to my children?"
"Not if you're going to frighten then, get in the car it's ok" Nathaniel told the kids he watch them move to the car before following behind them,
"Tell my wife I'm not done in court I'm fighting her for my children"
" Under what circumstances  you want to fight in court for the children?"
" Their mother is a bitch and a slut, she fuck a man younger than she is and that with my children around she's not fit to be a mother"
" Like you beat her and push the kids around is that a man fit to raise kids?"
" You should never get in the middle of me and my wife, I'm going to see you suffer"
"to what gate of my suffering you hold the key?" Nathaniel ask hissing, "I'm sure I'll see you in court when we finally get those divorce papers"
"She's not going to get nothing"
"I can guarantee you man she'll be in need of nothing" he walk away get in the car and drove away the two children watch their father until they couldn't see him anymore,
"You two alright?" Nathaniel ask
They both nod,
"Don't worry he won't hurt you I'm sure"
They both nod some how with Nate they feel secure and safe having the feeling he'll keep their father from hurting either them or their mother,
"Mom" they said running to hug Tiana she place her hand around them with a smile but the look on their faces told her something was wrong, "what happened?"
"Dad" Rihanna said
"Your father?!"
"he came to school looking for us shouting at us"
" I'm sorry" Tiana said,
"Don't be worried they're going to be fine if the kids doesn't want to see him they don't have to" Nathaniel said
"what happened?" Sophia ask coming out with Rosa,
"it's alright ma everything is fine" Nathaniel said, " it's the kids father he visited school and they got a little scared"
" Oh" Sophia said hugging the two children,
" So what do you plan and doing?" She ask
"Mom my plan to do what I want to, to do to that man is not something I want to share in front the kids"
"Christ son don't let your mind think that"
" It's a little too late ma I've already think it" Nathaniel said as he walk away she could hear him curse under his breath,
Tiana hug the children and they all went in together, they were all at the table when Nathaniel came back to the kitchen, he came and sat for dinner he remains silent through out it and tiana didn't need to question if he was still upset, like the night he got so angry when Aran beats her leaving her battered and bruised and she didn't pressed charges, she was afraid then as she's a little afraid now for she didn't know what he'll do next.
The children fall a sleep and tiana lay in the room later find herself drifting off too, she ended up staying the night in their room,
Just as she got up to walk to her room she saw Nate coming out her room, he walk by her squeeze her butt with nothing said she wondered if he had stayed the night or did he just came up, she would ask but he was already going down the stairs,
They met as they were going to the kitchen and the children get to see him grabbing her butt squeezing it with a smile,
They have breakfast he drove them to school then head in to Colorado springs he made a visit to his lawyer the one he and his wife shared, he then visit his home that was now being paint and stop at the in to see how things were there, he pick up the kids at school and before going back to his mother's place he stop to pick up somethings,
That bottle of tequila he been wanting from the other night he drank two small bottle of vodka to boost himself thinking of getting it on with Tiana tonight again,
The small store down the lane was only a walking distance remind Tiana of her place we're she had to walk the children to the bust stop each month, she step in the store and was greeted nicely, she bought her sanitary napkin and her pads, she was back in the house took a shower soon as she felt comfortable she went down to the kitchen, she walk in behind Nathaniel who turn and look at her overall her, she felt like he strip her from the looks of him he was horny makes her tingle but hurt for she  was having her menstrual, he held the same expression right through the time of dinner, he got up and from the cupboard he took a bottle of liquor and pour himself a entire fill glass, he was the only man who she knew drink hard liquor and still look and smell sexy, she could ravish him right now,
"I told you that thing is going to damage you" Sophia rebut
Nathaniel shrugged grab the bottle while walking out he ruffle Niccane's hair then left he was later found in the living room about to watch family time, he sat between  the two children and they watch it together, Tiana find herself watching him more than she was the movie, he was halfway through the bottle of tequila and she watch him becoming more and more mesmerized more handsome more heated,
She see the children off to bed after the story she sat with them,
"Mom do you think Mr Nate will keep us here?" Niccane ask
"I don't know honey"
"Do you think we should ask him?"
" No don't ask him, it's his mother's house I'm sure she isn't going to throw us out like that but maybe we can't stay for ever"
"but we like it here, we like miss Rosa and aunt Sophia" Rihanna said
"I know even I like them" Tiana said kissing their forehead, "well goodnight" she got up walk to the door,
"Mom I hope we get to stay with Mr Nate he's cool" Niccane said,
"yeah, I know" she walk out head to her room she use the bathroom then came back into the room at first she didn't notice the figure in front of her, grasp when she did, his shirt less body stood still in the middle of the bedroom the bottle of tequila in his hand a empty glass and his glass half he hand her the empty glass open the bottle about to pour,
"I can't drink this now" Tiana told him,
Nathaniel roll his eyes in wonder, "I know you don't have to drink to get in the mood but one glass won't kill you as my mom said"
"that's not it" Tiana said getting closer so she could put her arms around him, " I'm sorry Nate it's not a good time"
"What do you mean?"
"My, my menstrual"
"what the fuck!, You could do that still?"
Tiana grin rest her head on his chest,
"I'm sorry"
"don't be" he said kissing her fore head she could feel his emotions as it push out below his waist, "oh my, what shit!" He curse, Tiana hold him tighter he sigh, he lift her cheek and kiss her before pushing her away, point a finger, shook it at her then walk away, he close the door behind him from where she was standing Tiana could hear him breath harshly,
He was washing his car when she came down in the morning he left with the children after breakfast,
Tiana was in her room when he came back she heard the car, and Rosa speaking to him, once he came in the living room next thing she know he was in her room she came to face him, he hand her a bottle of vitamins she over look it read it, "thank you" she said
"Get better soon I'm not sure for how much longer I'll be able to wait" he kiss her then left the room,
Tiana smile,
She put the bottle in the cabinet over the bathroom sink hopefully she'll remember to take one before bed,
Later after dinner she help with the cleaning up of the kitchen, while Nathaniel and the children watch family time she took a walk with Rosa and Sophia down to the church meeting Sophia attend,  they held a service in the square, the child were already a sleep when they got back and the story book open by their feet on the story she was supposed to read tonight, she had the feeling Nate  must have read it, she smile to herself as she pick it up left it on the bed side table then went to her own room, she could hear Sophia talking to Nate as she climb in to bed she didn't bother to go down to look for him for he might not want to see her now,
Tiana came down in the morning to find him in the living room he seems enchanted by the picture on the wall she could tell he was looking at the blond, she was indeed pretty, she thought he wouldn't notice her and walk by he let her with out a word he came in the kitchen behind her they all sat together to have breakfast he then left with the children saying he'll be late,
Tiana hate him coming late but maybe he was trying to avoid her too.
Tiana was talking to clover on the phone and didn't see Nathaniel come to her door good thing she was bragging about him, she look up and saw him smile,
"I'll call you later" she said clover get the hint and said goodbye,
"Do you plan to stay indoors all days while you're here?"
"I took a walk when I'm up for it gone church with your mother, what else to do?"
"we're going shopping don't be the only one to get left here" he went in his pocket and took out some money hand it to her,
" Oh Nate I can't"
"what else will you do, are you going to wait for your husband to send you money, or are you going to look for a job?"
"I might do that"
"you said to me the other day you have no job experience"
"I don't"
"even strippers need experience" he said
Tiana smile,
"I hope you join us"
She nod and watch him walk out, she sigh,
They were getting ready when Tiana came down they got into Sophia family car a seven seater vehicle,
"Ah" Sophia said when she relax next to Niccane on the extreme back "I did told you son this vehicle would one day come in handy"
"It's not handy ma until you start really driving yourself around in it"
"I told you I hate driving"
"well I won't be around to shover you at all times"
"Rosa don't mind at all"
"if Rosa doesn't mind mom why am I not the one sitting pretty in Rosa's seat"
Rosa laugh, "that's because you look prettier from the driver's seat"
Tiana look at him and saw the smirk on his face, he was pretty, pretty in a handsome way,
"What you staring at?" He ask when he caught Tiana looking, she shook her head and turn out the window, they didn't meet each other eyes until they pulled up at the shopping mall,
Tiana saw the two girls at the door at the mall grinning and waving at Nate, she saw him smile and wave back, he took the trolley from the station and grab a bottle of tequila off a nearby shelf, Sophia shook her head, he smile, he walk slowly behind them while they pick off the shelf what they needed,
The children get to choose cereal of their liking and Sophia payed for them,
Tiana pick out a tooth brush for herself and two extras for the two children, she wasn't sure what to buy now that she wasn't home it seems miss Sophia and Rosa got it all covered, the children took one case of noodles and Nathaniel  pay for it, they finish cash and Nate push it out, they loaded the vehicle and drove back home,
They have a late lunch and Tiana volunteer to help with dinner, while she help dinner Sophia sat on the patio watching the children playing soccer,
"I'm going to go out for a while" Nathaniel said telling Tiana as he came in the kitchen,
"you have to go? Dinner is only a short time a way" Tiana whispered
Rosa listen as she chop the vegetables
"I'll be back before you know it Tiana, don't worry I'm not going to do anything"
"are you sure?"
Nathaniel didn't respond he turn and walk away,
"Nate" she call he stop at the door
"I said I'm coming shortly"
He walk out and Rosa look at her he heard her took a deep breath and smile,
"He won't be long probably just checking on some things"
"When he was home does he use to go out often?"
"I'm use to him visiting on short notice but no he doesn't live in this house"
"he doesn't?"
Rosa shook her head,
"so how long since you work for miss Sophia?"
" Ten years long"
" Ah that's why you too are so close"
"we're she's a good woman, so was her husband, Lord bless his soul"
Tiana smile,
"her son like private he was mostly a way and never stay for long in this house"
Tiana see now why he wanted to rent he did say he like it quiet it means he like it private but look at what she brought to his life a lot more than quiet or private, her children became his second shadow no wonder he wants to go a way often.