The Author's POV

'…I should probably take my leave.'

As Edward and Natasha stood by the door in silence, I took this moment to finally enter my house.

Didn't want to get in between the reunion of the two.

As I stepped into the house, my body unknowingly began to relax. It was the same old corridor, the same old smell, the familiar voices in the distance, everything was the same as it had been before.

A thin smile spread across my face as I took out my shoes and placed them on the shoe rack.

Afterward, my shoulders stiffened a bit, but I still gathered the courage to walk into the living room.

It was now or never.

...and, just as I managed to gather my courage, a familiar figure emerged from the kitchen and met my gaze.

"Did something happen to Natasha? It's taking her—"

Both of our feet came to a stop as we stared at each other. At that moment, silence enveloped the corridors of the house as neither one of us spoke.

'She looks the same as always...'

As she wore a nice blue apron, my mother looked exactly as she did half a year ago with her blonde hair falling to the right side of her shoulders that perfectly complimented her blue eyes.

Her deep blue eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to mine, scrutinized my body carefully as a variety of emotions flashed across them.

I could definitely feel hints of anger coming from her, but above all else, I could feel the relief in them as she looked at me.

Breaking the uncomfortable silence, I waved my hand in the air and smiled awkwardly.

"I..it's been a while mom. How have you been?"

"…"

As she stared at me, I was only met with deep silence.

After a while, wiping her hands on her apron, she subtly nodded her head.

"You're back…"

Her voice sounded rather monotonous. I inwardly groaned when I heard the tone of her voice.

With her head raised, she nudged me.

"…What happened to your hair? Did you dye it? A new style?"

"Ehm…"

I started to scratch the back of my head.

'How should I explain this…'

I definitely couldn't tell her that this was a result of my body suffering a trauma due to accessing a power that was far above mine…

"Circumstances happened…"

In the end that was all that I could mutter. Although I could've lied about my circumstances, I decided against it and just decided to be vague.

My mother was a living lie detector. There was no point in lying.

"…Okay."

In the same apathetic manner as before, she turned to the kitchen. Before entering the kitchen, I was able to hear her last words.

"Go and take a shower. Dinner will be ready in half an hour."

Staring at her disappearing back, I raised my armpits and smelled them.

"Ugh…"

My head recoiled back as I thought.

'I really do stink.'

"Haa..."

Letting out an exhausted sigh, I proceeded to head for my room. But just before I did so, I stopped by in the living room to greet my father and Nola.

After turning right in the living room, I noticed the two sitting together on the sofa.

As Nola scooted close to dad, she pointed at the screen of the tablet he was holding. Her eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Why did he jump the fence?"

it is quicker this

"But isn't that naughty?"

"Very naughty."

to their conversations, I couldn't

of you going to

that moment, both heads snapped in my direction, and we looked each other in the

she jumped out of the

"Broth—!"

something, the excitement on her face disappeared and

"Hmph."

her

"W…what?"

left me shocked as I felt something pierce my heart. Moving up

"Nola? Nola?"

"Hmph!"

I did, she would repeatedly turn her head

a piercing pain

hey, Nola, it's me. Your big brother. I know my hair has changed but

"Hmph."

this to

attempt to meet her gaze, my father's

leave her

"...Okay."

the end, worried that she might twist

the damage was already done as I gazed at my father in hopes

"This is on you."

he shook his

that your back, but you best listen to your mother. Go and

"…Alright."

For a brief moment of time, our eyes met, but she quickly

"Hmph!"

"Ah…"

loves

lowered my head, I headed to the bathroom to take a shower. Before that, I took a spare change of

Clank—

door behind me,

never doing this

***

years believing that his wife had died protecting

Fifteen years.

fifteen years was a frighteningly long time despite the increase

come to terms with his

But…

into Natasha's eyes, Edward finally realized that she

alive, and

the tears that were dripping down her cheeks, a smile soon formed on

same as the last time I've seen

She truly did…

clear eyes, and a look that would leave anyone speechless, she would be the

same as in

him, Edward was hit by a sudden wave of nostalgia as he couldn't help but think of

he still

those days would've never

what the future held for

best to stop whatever was going to happen. Alas, he knew

"Y..you too."

nodded her head, tears started streaming from her

"Yo..u also haven't changed."

"You think so?"

embarrassingly scratched

you were going to be here. If

eyes, Natasha's eyes

they are fine

taking a step forward, her hand trembled

to button this one

blushed. They just felt it was natural. It was

"Done."

took

"You look much better."

a couple of seconds, Edward realized they

her. Wiping

Amanda arrives, why don't I show you what your daughter has been up

as Amanda's name was mentioned, Edward's face changed and he

"…It's all my fault."

"It's alright."

with her hand, Natasha raised

to my room for a