BEING THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

chapter sixteen

Tiana lay snuggle up next to Nathaniel her hand rest on his chest as she rub his cheek, the night was silent most they could hear was each other's breathing, she lift her head to look at him, she clear her throat and he look at her,
"Why didn't you tell me about your wife?"
He look at her,
"I knew you had to be married but you never talk about it, why Nate is it because of how she died, with child?"
Nathaniel spring up into a sitting position, look at Tiana then got out of bed, " you been talking to my mom!?" He snapped
"It wasn't like that"
"Stop it tiana!" Nathaniel said holding up a sharp hand, "you had to go running to my mom asking her questions right"
"I didn't asked"
"Oh so she just thought she should share my life story with you"
"Nate it's not like that"
"leave my mother to go off  talking my business behind my back"
"But Nate if your mother told me that I don't think it's something to be angry over"
"why shouldn't I be angry you couldn't wait to go asking ah bout something right what else did she tell you?, So you got everything clear now so you get to go ahead and gave me your love out of pity and concern, to be honest I don't care for your pity, or your concern, yes she died and yes I blame myself for I think I should have keep her safe, and I couldn't she's dead because I didn't do what I should as a husband!" He said turning to go to the door,
"Nate" Tiana called after him but he left closing the door, Tiana sigh she frustratingly ran her fingers through her hair, she got up and dress walking around the room looking she got close to the dresser to see the small cage he has the rat in she can't believe he still has it, the bunch of keys to the house she owns back in fort Collins next to the cage, Tiana reach out to take it up causing the mouse to squeal, she step back from it  backing into Nathaniel who came back through the door, he caught her by the upper shoulder Tiana turn facing him, "you're still here, what snooping around to see what else you get to learn about me?" Nathaniel ask walking around her to go sit on the bed, he figured since his mother told Tiana about his wife it's good she told her he was apart of the military, the nerves of his mother to go off talking his business, he should have expected this to happen for once she started getting close,
"Nate I know you're upset, but if I get to know something about you wether it's good or bad it doesn't matter isn't knowing you apart of what we have?"
"what's that ah?" He ask
Tiana held her hand up then turn to wards the door
"you should pack your stuff up to leave tomorrow"
Tiana would like to know if he was throwing her back to her husband or just kicking her out with out caring, she didn't hesitate to walk out and took the stairs to her room, with tears she pack up all her stuff as when she just came, she climb into bed spending the rest of night restless, she took a shower in the morning then went to wake the children to get ready for school she didn't mention to them that Nate told her that they'll leave today, she act as though nothing had happened she didn't want them to be worried, for they both are hoping to stay with him she quietly watch them dress,
"You just had to go squealing to Tiana about Alex didn't you ma!?" Nathaniel ask when he came out to find his mother in the back yard,
Sophia turn to look at him, her mouth open but she wasn't sure what to say"
"say something, try to deny it"
"I just saw her looking at the pictures and since you and her are talking now"
"what I wouldn't have a problem with you telling her my business" he hissed furiously at her, "we're leaving today"
"Today?"
"Yes ma, today, thanks for letting us stay here" he turn and walk away leaving Sophia starting after him, she sigh and shook her head getting back to clipping her rose buds,
"Breakfast is ready mam" Rosa call out to her from the window,
"I'll be there" Sophia call back getting out the rose bed she went inside to clean up before joining the others at the table, she noticed her son wasn't there figured he avoid coming to sit with them, from the way Tiana remains quiet she didn't have to ask if they have it out about it not that Tiana was a  person who talk much  but it wasn't like her to be so silent, the children finish breakfast and clean up, Nathaniel was by the car when Tiana walk out with them she hug them kissing them both,
"Later mom" they both said getting into the car through the door Nathaniel held open for them,
Tiana went up to the children's room and fix things in the room, as she pack the children's stuffs together, she changes the spreads  then did some laundry, she was drying the things when Sophia came to the laundry room, Tiana face her with a smile Sophia rest a hand on her upper arm, "my son said you're leaving today"
Tiana nod, "what I said to him upset him"
"I know he was angry at me too" Sophia said smiling "don't worry it might take him sometime but he'll come around" Sophia hug Tiana
"thank you for giving us the chance to be came comfortable in your house"
"it was not a problem, the number is there you can call up at anytime"
Tiana nod with a smile, she was left alone to finish up she later fix the living room,
Tiana call up clover to tell her that she and the children would be leaving Nate's mother's house she wasn't sure to where but if she didn't come back to fort Collins she'll call her soon, like herself clover hope she didn't have to move back she did have the house but it was right there where her husband is and Lord knows what he'll do if he catches them,
They said their goodbye and she went to  sat on the patio with Rosa and Sophia to talk Rosa beg Tiana to visit some times and call, like Sophia Rosa knew they would be going to Nathaniel's place in Colorado springs, but Tiana had no idea where they were going to now,
Since they would be leaving Rosa was hoping to get dinner ready but when Nathaniel got back with the children he wasn't sparing anytime, "get your bags" he said to the children while he took his stuff from the room., it seems as if he had informed them that they would be leaving for neither children ask any question, they went to get the bags that they came to notice was already pack,   he help them to put them inside his Chevy truck because the car wouldn't hold much he will come back and get it another time, Rosa and Sophia came out to bid them goodbye saying they'll talk the children were in the truck when Tiana came out dragging her suitcase putting it in the back,
She said goodbye to Sophia and Rosa then get in the truck next to Nathaniel,
"Rosa" Nathaniel said in saying goodbye,
"Son" Sophia called
"Mom I'll call you" he said avoid looking at his mother, he drove out the drive way, Tiana and the children wave as Rosa and Sophia wave at them,
They drove for some time having a very quiet ride to their destination, Nathaniel later pull to a stop in front of a big house something much fancier than his mother's place, some where  close to the beach, from the house they could see the beach  facing the house but only it wasn't as close to them as it look to be, "so guys this is it, well come home" he said
"Ho, ho - me!?" The two children asked looking at each other, then to her mom, they all got out the truck and the two children ran to the porch looking around the place, "close to the beach?" Rihanna ask looking across,
"It's not this close looking at it from here but closer from how it is at my mother's"
"can we walk there?" Niccane ask
"if you have forty five minutes of energy to spare" Nathaniel smile
Seeing their faces "one day we might be able to go sailing"
"you have a boat?" Rihanna ask
Nathaniel shrugged but didn't answer,
Like Sophia's patio the outside was paint in lime green and purple, around the doors and windows were the gold stripe Tiana wonder if it was the patio that get him this idea to paint the house in that colour for it look freshly painted, Tiana look around to see two vehicles parked on the pavement facing the house one a red Mercedes classes  car similar to the one back at his mother's place, a navy blue BMW SUV 2017, with a extra parking space left, the lawn nicely shaven with a garden fill with roses pink, purple blue, yellow and green it was Tiana's first time seeing a green rose thinking it to be rare, she noticed the swing made from metal stand and chain and leather they were side by side, it look to be recently put in place too, next to the swing was a hard marble top table with the same made seat going half way around the table to each side neither meeting, to shade it was a flower brush cut in the shape of a shelter, Tiana thought it to be cute, she wonder if there was a pool somewhere around, since the house was this gorgeous,
"you are home" a voice of a woman said  tiana turn and saw a older lady coming out the house,
"Maria oh yes I'm home,  how are things?" Nathaniel ask
"All is good Mr Archibald the rooms are ready" she said smiling over on Tiana and the children, Tiana figure she must be his helper,
"Thanks Maria do me a favor and fix something to eat the children are hungry"
The woman nod smile at them once more before going back inside,
"you should get settled unpack clean up and come for dinner, I'll show you your room"
"Are we actually going to live here?" Rihanna ask
"Mm mm" he  nod, then took Niccane's and Rihanna's heavier suitcase leading the way in the house,
"The two children widened their eyes at each other giving a thumps up then run behind him dragging  their rest of stuff,
Tiana took up her things looking around another time before she too follow up behind, they enter a huge living room with marble tiles   floor and the walls were paint in  just the same colour as the outside, the furnitures fully golden and lime green carpet in between with heavy wodden center pieces, the walls were decorated with, fancy painting and family portrait the same set of pictures from Sophia was display on the wall as well, she move closer on seeing the pictures of Nate in his navy suit he was by himself on one, another with him and his wife, one with Sophia himself and Rosa, another with them with his father,
Nathaniel took the children to show them their room, both been put in separate room right next to each other, having a center door that open in both rooms neither have to come into the hallway to go into each other's room, while they got settled he came back from there going back down stairs for he noticed Tiana didn't came up, Tiana heard footsteps turning to face the heavy  wooden staircase that has the  the shape of the letter s, she saw Nate looking at her, she turn back to the picture, then turn to take  up her suitcase Nathaniel took it from her taking back the stairs this time Tiana follow him up, they entered the Master bed room and he leave her there going back outside closing the door behind him,  since it seems they were going to be for sometime Tiana search for place to put her things, she was about to open the closet when Nathaniel walk back in the room carrying his bags, he open a empty drawer on the chest of drawers fold his things then place them there on finishing the  empty bags he put in the wall robe, it open and tiana saw men garments inside, he empty his pocket put the bunch of keys in her palm, "thanks for accommodating me" he said then left the room once again,
Tiana unpack then went looking for the children she haven't seen them since they enter the house, she was on the stairs when she heard their voices screaming excitingly it didn't sound as though it was anywhere inside the house, on opening up the front door she discovered it wasn't this way,
"Looking for Mr Archibald with the children ma'am?" The lady asked
" Yes I am do you know where I can find them?"
" They are this way, come please"
Tiana was lead through the kitchen to the outside where a huge pool and jacuzzi were they both were jumping off into the water splashing with loud exciting screams,
"Mom!" Niccane called once he came aware of his mother's present,
"Mom this is so cool aren't you going to join us?" Rihanna ask
"Maybe next time" Tiana chuckle Nathaniel turn to look at her,
"Mr Archibald" Maria call coming out.
"Yes Maria"
"I'm sorry but I came to let you know dinner is ready"
"ok we'll be there" he told her, she walk away and Nathaniel turn to the children, "Haven't you two heard dinner is ready, I'm sure you both must be hungry"
They nod, getting out the pool, "we'll go change" Niccane said
" When can we call aunt Sophia and miss Rosa?" Rihanna ask
"Anytime you like girl but I'll advise you do so after dinner ok"
"yes sir" she said standing straight with salute, Tiana didn't miss his grin as he watch them run off,
They sat for dinner soon as the children change and came to the kitchen, they marvel at the awesome amount of food put on the table, they eat to their desire and drank to their delighted they later stuff in dessert while watching family time, while they watch Tiana climb the stairs to the bedroom where she call Sophia to tell her they were settled, saying hi to Rosa as well, she hang up and call clover to tell her she had settled saying that they will talk  again,  family time was over when she came down so she took them off to  bed, Tiana learn the settings of the children's bedroom in which they were ok with they were loving it excited about it, Tiana smile after looking around the two children decorated bedrooms one in blue the other girly pink she hug them both kissing their fore head, "climb in" she told Niccane lifting the covers he climbed in and she wrap him up Rihanna sit on her mother's lap holding the story book while Tiana reads,
The door knock making them turn, "you two settled?" Nathaniel ask,
"Yes we are" both children said,
"Good, goodnight see you tomorrow at school hours" he turn to walk away but both children got up to hug him, he smile ruffle Niccane's hair, kiss Rihanna's cheeks then left for the room further down the hallway,
Niccane climb back in bed pulling up his blanket, Tiana finish the story, he fell asleep and Tiana cross over to Rihanna's room tucked her in kiss her goodnight then leave her,
Tiana went down the hallway push the door to the bed room she'll be staying in, the one she seems to be sharing with Nate, or May be not for she went in and he wasn't there, she think to
grab a shower get clean then climb into bed she got to the bathroom strip herself to her underwear on pulling back the shower door she pounced up on Nathaniel inside the shower she didn't hear the shower or could she see him from outside,
"I'm sorry" she said closing back the shower door, she found a towel and wrapped in it, he came out for her to get in he was shaving in the mirror once Tiana fifteen minutes in the shower was over, he watch him for a while before going back to the bedroom, she was dressing for bed when he came  climbed in bed laying on his belly, Tiana too climb in laying to one side on her side watching him, this reminded her of sharing bed with her husband the space between them, she knew Nate isn't anyone like Aran for he's been real kind especially to the children, Tiana just wish he haven't mentioned to him that what his mother had told her the only time she saw him so upset was with Aran, she pray they'll resolve the matter soon he and his mom, he was gone in the morning when she got up, before waking the children she took a shower she woke them together ready while she went to the kitchen already Maria was fixing breakfast, a breakfast made from Hamlet and sugar rolls the children have fresh milk from the farm brought to the house by a man near by, Maria explain, neither of them ever had milk fresh from the cow before,
"Mr Archibald love it this way" Maria said
"What is it that I love?" Nathaniel ask walking in the kitchen heading to the refrigerator to get a glass of mile,
"I was just telling the kids how much you love your fresh cow's milk" Maria said the children smile
Tiana look at him he was sweating all over she noticed his iPod and his running shoes indicate he had gone jogging,
"Breakfast Mr Archibald?" Maria asked,
"No Maria thank you" he face the  kids, "give me some time and I'll be ready to drop you to school" their mouth was full so they both nod,he went off leaving them to finish breakfast, by they brush their teeth and came back he was ready, when he left tiana took the chance to walk around, nothing apart from bedrooms and bathrooms were  on the upstairs, six bedrooms with their own  bathroom except for the rooms the children stay in that has one to share, going through  the downstairs she discovered two more bedrooms that were guess rooms, they too has bathroom to themselves, a study fully carpet in brown set up with computer and books pack on shelves from study guides to dictionary of all languages, of all edition, encyclopedias from the letter a to z the globe set a side on a marble piece to a corner of the room, a huge display of the map on one side of the wall, Tiana notice a few countries mark with a pin, she didn't miss Vietnam as well as Mexico Gulfport, she saw too mark there Iraq and Afghanistan Tiana rarely hear of Afghanistan she wasn't sure where that was looking closely it was under Asia thinking maybe that's where you find it she wasn't good on reading the map anyway she would get lost in the middle of nowhere if she's to travel by map, a center piece was inside with bean bags for seat and a lamp standing in the middle of the table,  the single large brown  leather  sofa push up against the wall with a lamp standing over it  a painting of the   statue  of liberty hang on the wall hovering over it was a huge moose head, she left there and find herself in a nearby room with a set of sofa coffee table like the furnitures in the living room they too were gold only smaller the same lime green carpet in between the paintings hang from the wall were light coloured flowers four of two different sets a marble table with tea sets the dinning room was on the other side through the dinning room the kitchen and both the kitchen and dining room has door leading to the pool, the wash room was down the passage next to the store room and another door leading out, Tiana went out walking around she found the patio to the side and decided to sit a while, she heard the car came but since she and Nate wasn't on speaking terms she didn't went around, she remains seated,
Nathaniel look in the bedroom  and didn't find Tiana he went to ask Maria in the kitchen, he was today she's out for air, she wasn't by the pool when he went out back, he came back inside and went into the bar he move away the drapes saw her  through the glass sitting on the patio her cheek in her palm staring blink less a head, he didn't go out he remains seated in the bar have himself a drink and think for awhile,
Tiana later came in going to the kitchen for water since Maria wasn't inside she help herself to a sandwich making it with left over slices of turkey with tomato,  lettuce, cucumber, pouch cheese and mustard pickles she mix a long jug of ice tea and have a glass she was at the table when Nathaniel walk in the liquor glass in his hand almost empty,
He came to notice that she was sitting there from the door of the breakfront she sat drinking from the glass watching him unaware he could see her, he took a salad bowl from the breakfront close it, set the bowl on the counter next to the stove center in the middle of the kitchen it was made to go around and he went around it to the refrigerator to take out vegetables and salad dressing, she watch him fix it he wash the vegetables chop them in to  pieces then add the sauce he puts a little pickle before he took up the bowl and leave the kitchen, Tiana turn to watch him leave the door swing behind him before she turn around she sigh frustratingly she never want them to be angry at each other things were going so well wondering why she opens her mouth, she made him very upset, with her with his mom, she had said to her that she shouldn't worry that  he'll come around but she wish she didn't have to be waiting on him to come around,  while she is waiting she's becoming worried, frustrated and stressful,
Tiana notice the time on the clock hanging from the kitchen wall it was saying two twenty  school was likely to get over at three if it's not a day that the children will  practice, they normally do so on Fridays but when a game is coming up they do it more often, it was game season now so maybe they won't come in early today,she got up to go out when Nathaniel walk in and see walk into him, bumping into his chest and his hand came across her back to balance her her, see brace her arm to his chest feeling it vibrates beneath her palm they make eye contact staring into each other's eyes holding each other's gazes for a short time he let her go moving around her to the breakfront to put in the salad dish, she was still in the kitchen when he turn to leave walking out leaving her,
Tiana follow up with him taking the stairs behind him they got to the room and she lay on the bed watching him ruffling through his closet took out a clean shirt he puts it on then leave the room, she didn't move obviously she slept for she got up later to find the children over her grinning, "you two" she said rubbing her eyes as she sat up
"Why you so tired mom?" Niccane ask
"No I probably just falls a sleep for fifteen minutes"
"No mom fifteen hours maybe you were sleeping when we got home at four fifteen Mr Nate said wasn't to wake you up then, now he says we are to it's dinner time" Rihanna told her
Tiana look from one child to the next child both grinning,
"What time is it?" She ask
"Six ten mom" Niccane said showing her the clock she might not notice was there, she came to lay down at some minutes to three, she took a deep breath and relax, "how was your day?" She ask
"It was ok" Niccane said
"yes mom it was now can we have dinner" Rihanna said
" Alright I'll be there" she said easing both of them away  playfully pushing them by the cheek, she got up went to the bathroom fresh up before going with then,
Nathaniel was already at the table when they came to sit they held hand and pray before eating, Nathaniel and Tiana remains quiet while the children talk up a storm,
Tiana kept looking from them to him he finally opened his mouth to speak, "isn't the game next Friday?" He asked
"Yes" Niccane answer
"your coach said you'll practice up until Wednesday starting tomorrow" Tiana look at him she was wondering,
"yes"  Rihanna said "and we plan to give a good game"
"I'm sure if you two got  the  game right half as good as you both talk it's a hell of a good game you play now if you two could stop talking it's hard to eat with so much talking" he said and Tiana saw his smile that two off the children,  they stay quiet up until they finish eating Niccane ease back on his chair Nathaniel ruffle his hair with a smile he got up from the table to serve dessert jello with whip cream, after dessert they watch family time together, Tiana went up to the room for a few minutes Nathaniel was talking to them,
"I didn't mean any harm when I ask you to remain quiet at dinner" he said they both look up at him, as they had forgotten about that, "It's just that  there's  time when I just need that peace and quiet when I'm thinking and when I'm eating, I worked in the army for some years"
"you're a solider!?" Niccane ask
"was a solider, I already retired, it's just that I have  seen many things happen in the army things that devastated you at times, the guns, and the grenade launcher,  bombs and everything people screaming it was horrible it makes me nervous sometimes hearing loud talking or screaming I feel more time I'm going to explode myself"
"we're going to be more quiet" Niccane said
" You are both good kids I want to  adjust get use to having you kids here, it's not hard I love you both my wife died in the army"
"you got married?" Rihanna ask
Nathaniel nod "we wanted children we try after getting married for sometime but nothing happened on the morning before she leave for work she, she said she had me something special I guess she was going to, to tell me she was pregnant but she got killed"
Tiana felt tears in her eyes she saw him lean over with his palm over his face,
"I get to learn she was pregnant from the autopsy done on her, I think  about what it would be like with my own kids I saw the love your mother gave you both gets me jealous of not having kids of my own, and I love having you around but some times when you get noisy it's like I can hear that baby the one I was to father screaming from the depths of it's mother's belly from the grave it's self" he said
sighing with a frustrating hiss rubbing his head,
The two children sat looking at him with a worried look on their faces, "hey it's getting late you two should head off to bed now, don't you have school in the morning?" He ask
They nod getting up to hug him Tiana came down the stairs to where they sat facing the entertainment center, he bid them goodnight climbing the stairs with them going to his room after seeing the children off she went to the room he was in bed it seems he took the shower quickly to avoid their collegian in the bathroom she shower then lay next to him both with their back to each other, Tiana woke in the night to find him wrapped around him hand and leg his body tightly pressed up against her she could feel his hardness poking her with a good feeling, she shift in his arm turning to face him only to find him wide awake he rolled back to the other side of the bed turning his back, he was still until he got up at five fifteen dressing up in sweats and tracking shoes they were at breakfast when he came in only now he wasn't sweating but freshly showered and clean he sat for breakfast this morning then he took the children to school, he came back shortly after dropping them and he was in the house most of the days Tiana stay on the patio to avoid running into him for he didn't went to pick up the children until later down in the evening he came back around five thirty for practice over at four fifteen running for a hour after school, she was leaving the room when he came in she went down to meet the children who fill her in about school and practice, it seems to Tiana she for got about home work it's been two days here and she haven't asked about homework, "did you get homework?" He softly ask, "I'm sorry I get a little distracted I felt I haven't given enough time since I got here"
"we didn't get homework if we had we would say and mom you don't need to worry you're doing your best" Rihanna said hugging her, she smile rub her cheek kissing her son,
They could take a swim since there was no homework when dinner was serve they have it and watch family time together with Nathaniel
"Have you ever miss any episode?" Rihanna ask once she believes it was safe to do it,
"a few on TV but I always down load it, have you?"
"Yeah when Dad get so upset and punish us for nothing" Niccane said
"oh I understand" he said
"Have you ever been punish when you were like our age?" Rihanna ask
"I haven't been punish at all I've been a good kid all my life to both my parents and I show respect and I try to do the right thing pleasing to God I hope it was my best.
"Did you ever fight?"
"When I was your age, hell no it's like other boys were scared I wasn't sure if was the killer look that I wore on my face for I've been a bit scout since I was ten" he smile
"did you always want to be a solider?"
"Rihanna, it's bed time" Tiana said Nathaniel look at her ten back to the children, "yes I wanted to serve my country but I didn't wanted to be a police officer I wanted to be challenged, but oh yeah it's bed time we'll see each other again tomorrow ok"
Both children nod getting up they hug him then went with their mother she tuck them in let them fall asleep before going to her room see didn't see Nate neither was he in the bathroom she thought he probably still down stairs see leaves the lights on went to bed, she woke up to find the lights still  on but he was  in bed next to her, Tiana turn to see him on his back is face to her they lay looking at each other, Tiana pop up on her elbow looking in his face his body heat warmth the bed his sweet sent fill the air, and his sexiness temping her to kiss him but instead she roll back over and went to sleep.
Aran cross the street to where clover stand with her children, clover took the children and walk away to ignore him,
"Clover wait up" Aran call out,
"What for I don't think I'm interested in talkingto you"
"I only want to ask about my children"
"I don't know about your children, stop bothering me, 
"That boy toy of my wife trying to stop me from my children but I'll find out what I need to know and I'll deal with it"
"do what you have to" clover said turning away she and the children got in the car leaving Aran standing there,
"Happy father's day" both Rihanna and Niccane told Nathaniel handing him a gift
He smile for it was unexpectedly "for me?"
"Who else you're more a father than our real father, he provided for us but you provided for us and show us love and if being silent for a few minutes to keep your love we're willing to do that" Rihanna said Niccane nod
Nathaniel giggle hugging  them both "I, I'm thankful,  " today we'll visit your grandpa we visited on father's day every year since he died, my mom and Rosa will be there"
"great I'll pick the flowers" Rihanna said,
"I'll help" Niccane told her,
Tiana was left in the living room with him he left her there going off to their bed room, Tiana  went to call clover to say father's day to her husband they have a conversation.  before he hand the phone to clover who talk for some time Tiana told her that they would go visit Nate's father's grave and they would talk later,
Nathaniel got to the room to open the gift from the children another was on the bed it guess it to be from Tiana he open it before eight to see what she got it, he smile on seeing the key ring a bottle opener and a sheet of paper with lips printing on it, he got a watch from the children something he didn't wear often but he slip it on his wrist feeling happy  and thankful,
"They visited his father's grave lay flowers and pray Tiana was surprised to see other people visiting the grave of their father's, laying flowers  there, they leave from there and spend a little time in the park have dinner out then they bid goodbye to Sophia and Rosa Tiana notice how silent he kept once they were together but he was talking now, their last stop was for ice cream buying a whole big jar of strawberry fruit basket, and a mix jar of gummy bears, the children went off to bed soon as they settle in, Tiana was starting to get worried of being alone with him there were too much science but during the night no matter what he's always found holding her.