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?"

is quicker

"But isn't that naughty?"

"Very naughty."

to their conversations, I couldn't help but

the two of you going to greet

my direction, and

jumped out of

"Broth—!"

sentence, as though she recalled something, the excitement on her face disappeared and she sat back on

"Hmph."

then turned her head and

"W…what?"

pierce my heart. Moving

"Nola? Nola?"

"Hmph!"

would repeatedly turn her head and avoid making

a piercing pain

it's me. Your big brother. I know my hair

"Hmph."

this to

circled around Nola in an attempt to meet her gaze, my

leave her

"...Okay."

she might twist her neck,

damage was already done as I gazed at my

"This is on you."

keen on helping me as he shook his head. Raising his head, he patted me on

you best listen to your mother.

"…Alright."

I turned to glance at Nola. For a brief moment of time,

"Hmph!"

"Ah…"

one loves

to the bathroom to take a shower. Before

Clank—

me, I

doing

***

lived over fifteen years believing that his wife

Fifteen years.

fifteen years was a frighteningly long time despite the increase

long come to terms

But…

eyes, Edward finally realized that

and

were dripping down her cheeks, a smile soon formed

the same as the last time I've seen

She truly did…

black hair, crystal clear eyes, and a look that would

the same as in

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

when he still had

thought that those days

known what the future held for

whatever was going to happen. Alas, he

"Y..you too."

tears started streaming from her

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

"You think so?"

clothes, Edward embarrassingly scratched

know that you were going to be here. If I did, I would've opted for better

the tears from her eyes, Natasha's eyes fell on his

they are fine

trembled as she reached

forgot to button

his top button, neither of them blushed. They just felt it was natural. It was as

"Done."

done, Natasha took a step

"You look much better."

of seconds, Edward realized they were

looked behind her. Wiping her eyes, she looked

why don't I show you what your daughter has

as Amanda's name was mentioned, Edward's

"…It's all my fault."

"It's alright."

cheek with her hand, Natasha raised her

my room for a