Chapter Chapter Three
UNEDITED
Months pass after Auden's death. Things between Sabrina and Nathan were a little better, although Sabrina and Nathan still haven't been intimate with each other.
Vivian was now staying with them, and to Sabrina's surprise, it was actually not so bad. She was nice once you weren't her enemy. She tried to make conversation all the time, which was great seeing as how Sabrina needed her mind not to wander. Vivian even encouraged Sabrina to try to have another child, she would tell her how much she was looking forward to seeing Nathan's children. It was bittersweet, her child would have the love of two grandmothers but, she felt a little more pressure to become pregnant. With all of the complications, she had that the last thing she needed.
They were sitting on the dining room table. Vivian scanned through photo albums, she looked so happy remembering good times. She told some stories, Sabrina, about her days as a new mom and how it was so fulfilling it was watching her children grow.
"One of my proudest moments." Vivian points to a picture of Nathan's kindergarten graduation.
Sabrina squints her eyes looking at the picture carefully. He never smiled, in all the pictures she's seen of him, he never smiled. Maybe a few of the baby ones. She suddenly began to wonder if Auden would have been the same way. She smiles and shakes her head slightly. He wouldn't. She would have shown him so much love that he would smile too much.
"You know, after I had Clarissa, I had a miscarriage." Viviana interrupts her thoughts.
"Really?"
"Yes, I was distraught, I became depressed,
and wasn't sure I wanted to try again, but if I didn't, I wouldn't have Nathan or Baylee." I still think about my child. As time passed it becomes easier to live with the memory.
She bows her head and looks at the picture again. Suddenly she couldn't wait to meet her future child. The future son she envisioned with Nathan's jawline and thick head of hair.
"I'm really happy you're here." She smiles at Vivian.
She is strong and she will get through this. She has a great husband and with help, she will one day have kids. She knew it was going to take time to get passed Auden's death, and the accident but maybe she could get to a place where she feels like herself.
"Would you like some tea?" Vivian asks.
She nods. "Sure..."
Later that night when Nathan arrived home from work, she had already taken a shower and slipped into bed. It was late, after 10 pm before he did the same. Instead of turning her back towards him, she lays her head on his chest surprising him. "Everything is going to be okay right?" She murmurs.
"Yes." He confirms and kisses her head. "I promise."
She vowed silently to not let her struggles overcome her.
Nathan hits the lamp to turn off the lights. They cuddled up together in the light of the full moon.
Feeling more like herself and missing her husband Sabrina slowly shifts herself until she was kneeling above him. She leans down and with the tip of her tongue licks his bottom lip.
He shuttered. It was a move she discovered that got him hot every single time she used it. As a matter of fact, anytime she used her tongue it undid him.
He grabs on to her hair and positions directly in front of his face. "You know what you're starting Sabrina?"
"I know." She smiles.
"Hmm.." His eyes darken in pleasure as he takes her lips. He grabs onto her hips and lays her on her back. He always had to take control. He never let her be in control for long.
He continues to punish her lips and then moves lower to sensually make love to her body. Kisses her neck, shoulders, and chest all equally. "I have missed you so much." He whispers as he runs his hand up her silk nightgown. He rubs his rough palm up her soft smooth thighs and grips her butt. "I've missed this." He grazes his teeth on her shoulder.
"I've missed you too Nathan." She kisses his neck with just as much passion.
He sits up quickly and rips off her nightgown. He gazes down at her so intently that it killed Sabrina with anticipation.
She could see the lust building in his eyes as he watched her like an animal in heat.
"Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you are? Especially when you're looking at me like that."
She reaches out and touches his jaw. "I want you."
"I know." He turns his head and kisses her hand, then keeping his eye contact with her, he swiftly pulls off her lacy black underwear.
"You wore these on purpose didn't you?"
"No." With a huge smirk on her face, she shakes her head.
"Liar." He growls and takes her mouth.
The next morning, they choose to stay in bed intertwined in each other's arms. Nathan was supposed to be at work already. He hit the snooze button three times before he picked up his phone and let his staff know to cancel his plans for the day.
It was two hours since then and they still haven't moved. It was only when a knock came from their door that they decided maybe it was time to get dressed.
Nathan opens the door to find his mother standing in front.
"Nathan." She says in surprise.
"Yes, mother."
"I thought you were at work."
"I'm home today. Is something wrong? He raises an eyebrow.
"No, well, you're cousin Judd is downstairs."
"What for?" Nathan jaw tightens.
Who's Judd? Sabrina questions herself. She thought she knew all of Nathan's cousins.
"He." Vivian begins to say something.
"Because if he needs money, he can just get out now." Nathan cuts her off.
"He wants a job." She inserts quickly. "He's turned over a new leaf and wants to start a new life."
"No." He answers flatly.
"He's your cousin."
"That's is not an acceptable enough reason for me."
"He just needs a job." Vivian keeps begging.
"That's not my problem."
"Nathan." Sabrina lays her gentle touch on his arm. "Maybe you should at least think about it."
"I don't need to think about it." He replies.
"At least talk to him." Vivian pleads.
"Fine." He storms out of the room. "It won't matter anyway." He throws over his shoulder.
Sabrina was about to follow him until Vivian grabs her forearm stopping her in her tracks.
"Sabrina, Judd is a good guy who has a past. He needs help. He's my family and I want to help him. Please talk some sense into Nathan."
"I don't think I can. He looks like he's made up his mind." She kindly removed her arm from Vivian's grasp. "His past?"
"He gambled himself into a lot of debt,
Created many enemies, been arrested a few times But, he's changed now. He wants to pay off his debt and make a new life for himself. But no one will hire him because of his record." "Sabrina!" Nathan yells from downstairs.
Without hesitation, she runs down the stairs meeting Nathan at the bottom.
"I don't care what she said you hear me?" He glares at her seriously. He knew his mother all too well.
"Okay." She nods obediently.
Waiting in the living room was a tall, muscular, dark-haired, man looking to be in his mid-20s. He was wearing dark blue jeans, a faded grey t-shirt, combat boots, and a denim jacket. He had brown eyes and a goatee.
Judd stands up and puts his hand out. "Long time."
Nathan doesn't extend his hand.
"Let's just get this over with. What do you want?"
"He needs a job." Vivian States from behind.
"I was asking him." Her son doesn't glance her way. Nathan's temper was a lot calmer nowadays but Sabrina was noticing veins beginning to protrude out of his neck as he glared at his cousin. She knew there was a history between them. "I need a job." He repeats what Vivian said with a smirk on his face.
"You still think everything is funny don't you Judd?" He grinds his teeth.
"Come on Nathan, I'm just playing around. This isn't easy for me you know, asking for help."
"I didn't hear you asking."
"Nathan please." Vivian pleads.
"No."
"You must be Sabrina." Judd puts his hand out to her. "Judd, Nathan's least favorite cousin." He adds with a smile and a wink.
Sabrina smiles gently at his kindness. She knew he was family and wanted to be polite.
She extends her arm out only for it to be grabbed by her husband.
"Leave!" He commands.
Judd bows his head before looking a Vivian. He gives her a thanks anyway look and heads for the front door.
"Don't invite anyone to my house without permission," Nathan orders his mother sternly once the door shuts behind Judd.
Her eyes drop to the ground. She doesn't speak another word. She nods her head slightly and goes to her room. "You." He glares at Sabrina seriously. He studied her like he was contemplating whether or not to say something. "What?" She persists.
He shakes his head. "Nothing. Let's get some breakfast."
Later, in the late hours of the night, Sabrina woke still laying on Nathan's chest. She fell asleep during a show they always watched together. The tv and lights were off, and the clock on the cable box said 12:51. She could feel Nathan gently rubbing her arm.
"Want to talk about it?" She whispers.
"Did I wake you?" He stops moving his hand.
She sits up on the bed and folds her legs. "Tell me what's on your mind."
Nathan takes a deep breath but didn't speak for longer than a moment. "Come back here." He orders her pulling her back into his arms.
"Talk to me." She pleads softly after a few more silent moments.
He lets out a breath again. "What do you want me to say, Sabrina? He betrayed me."
"What did he do?"
"He lied to me." He states like it was the end of discussion.
"I know it's hard for you to talk about things but sometimes it just helps you feel better to talk about it. I'm your wife, what you say to me stays between us. You know you can talk to me right?"
He hugs her, pressing her onto to himself. "I know."
"Then talk to me."
He takes a deep breath again. "He impressed me, brought me a proposal for a men's watch line. It wasn't something I would normally invest in but he was my cousin and his proposal had a lot of work put into it. I didn't hesitate to invest 150.000 dollars.
"What happened?"
"Months later he came back to me asking for more money for inventory. "I gave him another 75.000. I later found out that he was gambling it all away."
"Then what happened?"
"Then, he showed up here asking for a job."
"Wow." Sabrina couldn't think of anything else to say. It was exactly how she felt. It was so like Nathan to just drop someone off his little island of people he keeps close.
"He sent me a text I haven't responded to."
"What did it say?"
"That he was sorry, and desperate. He needed the money."
"You don't think he really is sorry?"
"I don't care if he is."
"I think you do. Otherwise, you wouldn't be thinking about this at 1:00 in the morning."
"Let's sleep then."
"I agree, we should sleep." She snuggles closer to him and closes her eyes.
"Sabrina?" He breaths after a minute.
"Hmm." She hums almost in a state of slumber.
"Tell me what you think?"
She takes a second. "I think, that he didn't ask you for money"
He plants a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, love."
Present
They didn't wake until the next morning. She wished she was already sleeping, She wished she told him not to believe everyone is capable of good. Don't underestimate anyone, not even his blood. She will never make that mistake again.
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