BEING THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

chapter fifteen

"why is dinner not serve?" Nathaniel ask as he came in the kitchen, Tiana look at him and gave a smile, she really wasn't expecting him back so quick,
"Sit, sit son, we're just about to eat, I didn't realize you went out"  Sophia said
"it was just a small runnings" he said
Tiana notice how he kept watch on her as she set the table, she wondered what was he thinking where was he what he had done in such short notice, she set his dish in front of him, she didn't miss the way he roll his eyes when she bend over and she figured her breast exposed,
He remains quiet right up until dinner ended, he was glued to the same spot in the living room facing the picture on the wall,
She wanted to ask him about it but instead she went by him she was up the stairs when she heard him with the children, then his mother came out and the four started a conversation Tiana didn't stop to hear,
Nathaniel and the children say out on the patio for sometime while Sophia and Rosa prepare for church,
Since Tiana said she would go with them tomorrow she let herself gather things for her and the children they didn't get to bring much because of the circumstances in which they leave, she can't go back to get her things from the house Aran would be glad to catch her and she won't drag Nathaniel back their, she plan to call clover to check on the house but remember she has the key and haven't gotten back the other from Nate, she didn't even know if he still has it, she didn't know if he pick up his things from there they haven't talk much of anything, she finish and came back down Rosa and Sophia we're both in the kitchen,
The children were in the hallway playing but tiana couldn't see Nate no where, the door down open and he came out leaving bit open she could see now it wasn't a door leading outside it was a bed room thinking it must be where he stays remembering the night he went there and she thought it was out side,
Rihanna and Niccane enter and the door closes  once again,
"Look Rihanna it's a hamster" Niccane said seeing the rat in the cage made from shaved pieces of sticks
"Wow" Rihanna said looking close "is it really an hamster?" She ask
"No it's a rat"
"A rat!?" They scream jumping back,
"It's harmless, why was it you were interested in the thing when you thought it to be a hamster"
"rats are scary Mr Nate" Niccane said
"not when you get to know them"
"where did you get him?" Rihanna ask
"back at your mom's house"
"oh, do you feed it, does it has a name?" Niccane ask
"I feed it, but I don't name it, for I  plan to let him go soon no name no strings"
The two children giggle,
"Isn't it past your bed time?" Nathaniel ask
"It's Saturday" Rihanna told him,
"I know but unless you go to bed I won't be able to"
"it's not like you're really sleepy" Niccane said
"I'm not, but some times I like to think and I can't do it with you two around, I'm not being rude or anything"
"no" they both said
"we can do this again tomorrow, or any other time"
They both hug him and smile at him then leave him to himself, he was glad they were two understanding kids they don't complain and he like that with them, a matter of fact he love it,
Soon as the door closes he started pacing the floor his mind as well as his emotions running wild,
"You guys ready for bed?" Rihanna ask when they came down the hallway to rest on her,
"might as well, Mr Nate wants to be alone" Rihanna said
"So why you look so sad?" Tiana ask
"Don't worry dear if he said he wants to be by himself he just want to" Sophia said coming to hear the children, "he's this kind of grumpy person who sometimes like being by himself it doesn't meant he's being mean" Sophia whispered,
Rihanna smile, it wasn't that either she or her brother were thinking that of him,
"come here child" Sophia hug her to her pull Niccane into her hug him too,
Tiana later tuck them in read them story and make sure they both falls a sleep,
She took a shower flip through her suitcase for something to wear to bed, she found clover sexy set she had sent her, and that too from Nate she thought of wearing one to bed but wasn't sure Nate would come since he knew that she was having her menstrual days ago he's probably believing it's still there he maybe won't come,
She knew he was staying down the hallway now and thought of going to see him but if he said he wants to be a lone he might just turn her out too, she got dress in it anyway in spite of thinking it might be use less,
Nathaniel wonder the room trying to keep up with the,  the thoughts he's been having, much as he took a shower earlier he grab another, he put on a clean sweat pants replacing his jeans, he had gone to his place today to change the clothes he had and got a fresh set, he came to realize he had exchange his bag too, when he push his hand inside the pocket in search of a few condoms, he hiss on realizing why he didn't found any he wasn't expecting Tiana to accommodate him anyway,
He toss the bag aside hissing once more he climbed into bed laying down playing with his wedding band and just thinking,
Tiana came to the living room and find that even Rosa had gone off to bed, the lights in the kitchen was the only lights on and she could see the lights from over the door of Nate's bedroom,
She look around twice before going down turn the nob to the door and it open, Nathaniel turn to see her easing from the bed Tiana held out her hand to pause him she walk to the bed, resting the same hand to his naked chest rubbing it over it, she heard him suck in air, she kiss between his breast down to his belly then back up kissing his neck, he moan, gripping her hair, "you can?" He ask
"I can" she answered coming up to kiss his lips, she undress and Nathaniel roll his eyes, seeing her sexy lingerie she remove her bra then wiggle out her panties, leaving nothing to guess about he grin looking her up and down, Tiana came across him helping off his sweat pants taking him into her palm  stroking him rubbing her finger tip over his hardness,
"Tiana I'm out of condoms but baby please I promise to withdraw when I'm about to orgasm" he pull her on him holding firm on her hips as he guide her down giving her no chance to object if wanted to,  their hips move slowly in a jointed motion as he was fully inside of her, his hands in full possession of her body as he touch, rub and squeeze on her caressingly, both moaning making delightful sounds,
His finger tip rub gentle over her firm nipple as he too caresses it with his teeth, Tiana felt the more he did that the more she became heated for him, a out bursting sweetness fill her inner circle,  her body tremble as they make love,
Sophia came in to the living room she noticed the light from the room in which her son stays was still on, she wasn't sure if he was in the door wasn't fully close and she was concerned to know if he was ok since he send the children away to be alone, the way it sounded it seems her son was engaged in something it was unlike her to peek but she couldn't help it he was with Tiana making out, she knew if she got caught there would be no explanation for being there she didn't have to go down that hall way now that it leads to no where else in the house,
Tiana's palm press on Nathaniel's neck her lips place on his lips kissing him deeply, Nathaniel held her pressed against him both of them hips turning,
"Oh fuck Tiana I'm about to orgasm, I swear pretty if you try to get up you'll ruin everything, please keep moving the same way you are, oh fuck, fuck" he said holding her firmer her bottom crushed into his grind, "Christ tiana you're so beautiful, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen"
"oh Nate I love you" Tiana cries gripping his shoulder tight Nate could feel when her wall muscles release and grip him telling that was it for her as well
He roll her to her back still inside of her she felt him vibrating for sometime before he relax inside of her he lay smoothing her hair, a grin on his face, "was that something or what" he giggle his body pinned her deeply into the soft mattress, her legs lifted high to wrap around his upper back,  as he caresses her lips, "you sure give good love for an"
"Old woman?" Tiana said
Nathaniel laugh, "I wasn't going to say it like that, " I would have used the term woman your age" Tiana giggle and snack him,
" Can't I tell the truth?"
"I think for a guy your age you do got style"
"oh yeah, why don't you repeat those words the same way you did earlier"
"I'm to say I love you"
"yeah those words a few seconds a go you scream it, whispered it now so I know you mean it"
Tiana giggle pull his hair took him closer, "I, love, you" she said pausing to kiss him between words,
Sophia could see from where she stand his face light up with emotions, she smile, she thought this is the happiest she'd seen her boy since his wife, feeling glad to know some one can give him another chance of happiness,she  move away from his door going to the kitchen leaving him, she held a smile and a memory of her son make out match as she climb the stairs heading to bed.
Tiana moan on feeling Nathaniel vibrating inside of her, he's been out for not more than ten minutes before he began to harden once more, his lips on her neck as he trail wet kisses allover it, her hand press in the nave of his back sinking her finger in his flesh, she move her hips and heard him suck air through his teeth cleaned like he did earlier, holding tight to her hips they did it again both laying wrapped up in each other's arms, he fell a sleep when she crawled out from next to him and went to her room,
She shower before going to bed,
She got up in the morning check on the children, then took a shower, she came out from there just as Nate walk through her door, he came and hug her to him pressing his chest to her back  inhaling her hair and pulling in her sent, "why do you have to always smell so good?" He ask kissing her neck rubbing down her thighs caressing her his finger tip on her cold flesh she turned her head to the side and he kiss her,
Rihanna push open the door and they both jump back, "Rihanna!" Tiana called out to her but she close the door and ran down the stairs,
"Oh my God" Tiana said, tears whelm up in her eyes,
"I'll talk with her" Nathaniel said
"She's going to be so angry"
"I'll talk with her" he repeat leaving the room, Tiana follow him down he went to the front porch to find Rihanna sitting there, he sat next to her, Tiana saw her look at him,
"I'm sorry you had to see that" he said
"See what? I didn't see anything" she said
"nothing?" Nathaniel ask he hug her to him, "just because I love your mom and we're both adults doesn't mean I don't want to respect you and your brother, I'm sorry, what can I do?"
"to make it up you can start by fixing bacons"
"with eggs?"
"yes"
"Ok, give me a hug"
Tiana smile thought her eyes pop open thinking how easy that was, she left the door and went back to the room,
Nathaniel was fixing breakfast as promised, Sophia walk in the kitchen to find him,
"Morning son!" She said
"Ma" Nathaniel answer he heard the emphasis in her voice and look at her she looks at him having a smirk, he didn't say anything but turn back to stir the bacons, he turn once again out of curiosity and saw that the his mother was standing in the same place, the  smirk still evident on her face
"What?" Nathaniel ask
"Nothing!" Sophia said
"What is it?"
"I just said nothing, didn't I?"
"Mom what is it?" He demanded to know
"It's just that I over heard you with  Tiana making out"
"mom!"
" It wasn't that I was ease dropping"
"then what were you doing ma!?"
" It sounds as though you were into it"
"oh ma I can't believe you heard all that, damn! " He smile "maybe it sounds as though I was into it because I was"
"she does make you feel different doesn't she? " Sophia ask
"you can tell?" He ask smiling at his mom
Sophia smile kiss his cheek
"anyway mom we're leaving on Friday"
"You're things finish at the house?"
"yes I was setting up a bedroom for the kids"
"oh ok, I think they are both great children"
"That is why you get to visit, only because of  them"
"I get to visit?" Sophia ask with a smile, Nathaniel nod and she laugh,
She turn on her heels got out the dishes and started setting the table,
Nathaniel went around her going to get everyone in for breakfast,
Rihanna grin when she discovered bacon and eggs on the table,
"Ohh! Special breakfast is it because it's Sunday?" Niccane grin,
Nathaniel ruffle his hair and pull out a chair for him, they all ate then clean up and went to church,
Tiana always notice Nathaniel sat to the back of the church when he used to visit her church in fort Collins but today he came to sit next to her and the children after finding a place to park, Sophia and Rosa sitting up a head of them when Sophia saw him she pointed out to Rosa and both of them smile,
Before the sermon the pastor acknowledge and welcome the visitors, "it's wonderful to see Mr  Archibald it's been such a long time,  "how are you Mr Archibald?" The lady ask,
"Doing well thank you" he said Sophia turn and smile at him, he say for the announcements after the benediction and stay to greet,
Pastor was talking to Nathaniel to themselves when a young woman walk by and Tiana could see the interesting way she smile and wave at him, she wasn't sure if he smile back when he wave for one of the deacon came over to talk with her, she keep on looking over his shoulder for Nate she later saw him with a man round his age, they were laughing and talking, when the deacon move away they came over just as they did the children came running up "this is a friend of my Neil Turelto , this is Tiana, her daughter Rihanna and Niccane her son"
"Hi" 
" Hi"
Both children said,
" Hey" Tiana said
Neil extend an arm and they shook, with a smile,
"We should get going" Sophia said telling the others, "Neil!" She said coming to realize her son  friend,
"Mrs Archibald" he said Sophia hug him "how are you son, how is the family?"
"They're all great"
"couldn't make it today?"
" Couldn't make it today" Neil said
Sophia nod, "it's good to see you Neil, please say hello to the family and kiss the girls, I hope to see them soon" she kiss his cheek took the children's hand and walk to the car,
Tiana and Nathaniel bid Neil good bye both walking to the car,
"So your name is Nathaniel, Nathaniel Archibald?"
"so you learn something new about me? Congratulations" he smile,
"so when will you tell me something I really should know about you?"
He side look her and smirk before walking a head of her, she climb in the vehicle next to him and saw him smile,
They where quiet on the drive back to the house, on getting home Nathaniel fix some cool lemonade with crackers and cheese, Nathaniel and the children stay out on the patio while Tiana get her children things  ready for school, Rosa and Sophia did the dishes, they later spend some time together in the living room before tiana hushed the children off to bed, Niccane went to the bathroom and tiana took a seat next to Rihanna rest her hand on her she lift her head just enough to look at her from the corner of her eyes,
"Honey about this morning"
"Did something happened?"
"what you walk in on with me and Nate, Rihanna you know things been really bad between your dad and i and Nate he, he comforts me"
Rihanna look up at her, "I told him already I didn't see anything"
"yes you told him but you know it's not true"
"well I did saw him leaving our house one morning"
Tiana grasp turning her to face him,
"we talk about it he said he's in love with you I believe him"
"You saw him and you talk to him?"
"talk to you mom?" Niccane ask shouting from the bathroom,
"Aren't you finish in there it's after your bed time"
"yeah I'm finish and shouldn't she brush too?"
"she'll brush"
"what were you talking about anyway?"
"something of grown ups"
"But Rihanna isn't a grown up" Niccane said
"yeah right you notice" she said taking her son in her arms "go brush" she told Rihanna who got up going off to the bathroom, she read them story then see them to sleep, she could use some hot chocolate she noticed the lights were out on the down stairs except for kitchen light that never went out,  Sophia room light was off too  she went down to fix herself that cup of hot chocolate she set the kettle on to heat and get her cup and spoon she was reaching up to take the chocolate jar off the top shelf she didn't hear when he came in but she felt him lean on her while he reach for the chocolate jar place it in front of her on the counter, the way he push up on her she feel him more ways than one the kitchen became heated like fire was set to it, he move away and see turn he then came back with a cup of his own, she fix two steaming cups of chocolate tea handing one to him, he lean against the table and she rest on the counter, it feels to her she's been past this day already, they stare at each other for the entire time they drank tea, Tiana took the cup from him wash both in the sink she face him once more he was standing in the same way,
"You want to fuck?" He ask
Tiana hang her head cover her mouth with a smile,
"I'm sor" he was saying till she place her finger on his lips nodding, he giggle lift her to his hips head to his room they love like this before but it felt better sweeter they felt closer like two people meant to be she held him tight with her legs wrap around him the sweetness was too real,
Tiana breathing ease she turn to face him, he smile,  "what?" He ask
"You never told me that my daughter saw you leaving the house"
"she told you?"
"we finally talk about this morning"
"she wants you to be happy, she wants me to be that man who makes you happy"
"you make me happy but can you maintain that happiness?"
"You keep screwing me  the way you are and I'll maintain anything, fuck!" He said feeling himself he turn to his side and kiss her "I love you"
"I love you"
Tiana got up in the morning early hopefully she'll make it to her room before anyone is up, as she took the stairs up she saw Sophia coming down,
"Ah morning" she said
"Mi-ss Sop-hia..." Tiana said stutter and trailing off on her words,
"You're up early, or it's sleep walking I presume"
Tiana didn't answer Sophia smile tuck her arm and continue down, Tiana widened her eyes roll it with a sigh, she walk up going into her room she close it it was almost a hour before the children to be up to get ready for school, after her shower she lay down catching some rest while thinking back on those moments she just passed,
Nathaniel run his palm through his hair as he soap it his smile huge as he think back on the hour pass he was unable to believe him being this deeply in love he was since Alex this was is very closes to love and the strongest Tiana and himself can build a life he didn't need a second opinion on that, he dress and came to the living room the picture of his wife on the wall seems to look back at him, he stood to stare back at it looking at his mind,  and share his thoughts, he was now madly in love with this woman just as he was with his wife he didn't have room to love Alex more he's definitely in love with Tiana that way, he wants to promise her a hand to hold through the thin and thick times, Tiana came half way on the stairs saw him and pause he came to fell her presence and before turning to look at her he walk to the outside,
He was later found by the car waiting for the children, He leave saying he'll be out for the day,
Tiana was in the living room looking up on the pictures,
"Oh I see you like that wall" Sophia said coming next to her, Tiana smile
"it was the only one my son keep"
"Of his dad?"
"His wife"
Tiana look at Sophia then to the picture thinking how right she was she saw him with the picture back at her place they actually hang on the wall just like they were now, "why this one?"
"She died in the army, i guess it was the bitter memories he wanted, "she was pregnant" Tiana eyes widened as she look at Sophia,
"He eat himself up thinking if he had known, she died on the battery field"
"oh!" Tiana said and her body shiver feeling greave,
"he did love her you know after she died I guess he push himself too hard to get over her death it's why he quit the army"
"Nate a solider!?"
" A military Sixteen  years  he was only eighteen when he joined"
Tiana thought it was only in books and movies a person enters the army so young, she really didn't know anything about him, she came to remember the two chains she saw, at least she thought she saw she knew now they were really chains from the military she figured now one belong to his wife from what his mother said, 
Tiana can imagine his devastation it's no wonder he never talk about it,
"Let's get some juice aren't you thirsty?" Sophia ask
Tiana mouth felt dry but not from thirst it was the emotions that took her over she felt sorry for Nate wishing she could comfort him right now tell him how sorry she is, she nod to Sophia and Sophia leads the way to the kitchen, "Rosa could you fix lemonade?" She ask
"Mam I fix lemonade I thought maybe you would rather it on the patio" Rosa told her,
" Now that's a great idea" Sophia said she went to the patio with Tiana and Rosa later join them much as the two ladies talk a lot and laugh a moung themselves, Tiana couldn't do much she was still thinking about what she learn earlier, she remembered the way Nate smile when she finally learned his name in church the day before, "so you learn something new about me? Congratulations" he said this was like his whole story a devastated one,
Nathaniel came in the kitchen behind the children
"Good evening" they both said
Rosa turn grin at them pinch Niccane's cheek and touch Rihanna's
"How was school?" Sophia ask as they came and  hug her,
"Ok" they both answer
"School was ok, oh yeah" Tiana said
They went to their mom who hug and kiss them,
"You got home work?" She  ask
"Yes" Niccane said turning to look at Rihanna to see if the answer is the same,
"Yes I have a few questions to answer"
"Ok" Tiana said looking over the children to look at Nate, he smile at her widen his eyes then left the kitchen, when Tiana went to bring juice for the children he was with them on the front porch she would have offered him something but he was already drinking tequila, tiana wonder if it was for that reason why he drink if he kept drinking his sorrows away, she turned to see him looking at her but stop once he discovered she noticed him looking, she check the children's work then went back inside she help Rosa to finish dinner they have dinner and the children later ran off with Nate to watch family time,
Tiana remains in the kitchen with Rosa and Sophia until the children were ready to go to bed,
Nathaniel look up when Tiana came in the living room, looking her over his eyes were on her when the children hug him to say goodnight, they went to the kitchen to say goodnight to Rosa and Sophia, Nathaniel kept watching Tiana from ythe corner of  his eyes when the children came back from the kitchen he then watch  her walk away going up the stairs, Tiana was up stairs when she saw him got up and head down to the hallway where his room is,
Tiana wrapped the two children up kiss them both, she sat at their feet to read them a bed time story, Niccane started yarning by she was to begin and before finish he was a sleep, Rihanna fall a sleep when the story was finish and she hug her mom, Tiana went to her room took a shower before going down to see Nate, he was laying on his back gazing up in the stealing, Tiana walk in the almost dark  room and he lift his head to look at the shadow, for a minute he saw someone different from Tiana someone more looking like his wife he sprang to his feet and turn the lights on, for a good ten minutes he face her as he stood staring her down,
"Nate" Tiana called reaching out to touch him, on seeing the reaction, "you ok?" She ask
"Nathaniel shook his head to come back to reality, he nod to indicate he was ok,
Tiana wondered who he saw when she walk in then she remembered that picture of the woman they have the same hair and figure, it makes her think it was what had happened, she was becoming concerned that maybe what they have now is base up on the fact that she looks like the woman who was his wife, she took her face in his palm kiss him softly, he smirk from his eyes, "I'm sorry" he said
"Don't be" she whispered, she ease in cuffing is cheek in order to kiss him once more a deep breath  taking kiss as he took her  to the bed.