You're Out, Daddy novel (Natasha and Kenneth)

Thalia walked over, climbed straight into bed, and spread her arms open, asking for a hug.

Kenneth, who was watching from the side, couldn't help frowning. He was about to say something when a glance from Natasha silenced him. At that moment, Spencer came following behind Thalia.

He let her lead the way just like a father watching over his child, allowing her to do whatever she wanted as long as it wasn't something dangerous.

Kenneth shot him a glance. "What's going on?"

Spencer approached, pursing his lips. "She's had too much to drink."

"I can tell she's had too much to drink. What I'm asking is, shouldn't you be looking after her?" asked Kenneth.

Spencer's gaze remained unwaveringly fixed on Thalia. After a prolonged silence, he spoke in a gentle tone. "Allow her to vent her emotions. She won't express these thoughts when she's sober. Suppressing them for too long could lead to complications."

Kenneth replied, "But considering Nat's current health condition, she isn't in a position to handle this."

"She just needs to let it out and have a good cry. Once she's done, she'll go back to sleep."

"Spencer..."

"If the two of you want to argue, do it outside!" Suddenly, Natasha spoke up.

Both men instantly fell silent.

As they stood aside, neither of them said another word.

Natasha was currently locked in a bear hug by Thalia. Despite her seemingly awkward and uncertain demeanor, she was still full of patience toward the other woman.

Seeing the two men still standing there motionlessly, she shifted her gaze back to them once more.

"I'm serious. Get out and leave us alone," said Natasha.

"She's had one too many. You won't be able to handle her alone!"

"Why would I need to handle anything? It's not like she's here to pick a fight with me," Natasha retorted.

Kenneth still wanted to say something, yet Natasha locked her gaze onto his and uttered firmly, "Kenneth, I'm not as fragile as you think I am. I can manage this. Have faith in me." Since she had put it that way, what else could Kenneth say?

In the end, he nodded. "All right. I'll be at the door. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay." Natasha nodded.

Kenneth turned and walked out of the room, but Spencer stayed where he was. Natasha glanced at him. "What's the matter? Don't you trust me?"

Spencer averted his gaze. "No. It's not like that."

"Then are you worried that I might do something to her?" Natasha arched an eyebrow in a teasing manner.

Spencer pressed his lips together. "I just want to warn you that she might not recognize you."

"Isn't this normal for people who are drunk?" Natasha asked.

Spencer didn't say much and only reminded her, "I'll be at the door, too, so call me if you need anything." With that, he wheeled around and exited the room too. After the door clicked shut, Natasha gazed at the other woman who was still hugging her and said softly, "How long are you planning on hugging me?"

"Nat, why are you so gentle? Aren't you mad at me?" questioned Thalia as she slowly sat up, her gaze fixed on Natasha.

Her gaze was unfocused at that moment, suggesting she indeed had one too many.

Natasha was somewhat amused, for she didn't expect Thalia to act this way when drunk. A playful smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. "Why should I be mad at you?" "Um..." Thalia paused, trying to find the words, but her thoughts were a bit jumbled. "Yeah, why should you be mad at me?" Following that, she appeared as though she remembered something and said, "It's Anthony who's mad at me, not you..." Upon hearing Anthony's name, Natasha was slightly taken aback "Anthony? Why is Anthony mad at you?" she asked. "He... just ignored me and walked away when he saw me!" said Thalia, a bitter and sorrowful look surfacing in her gaze. Noticing the look in Thalia's eyes, Natasha was momentarily at a loss for what to say.

Thalia leaned over toward Natasha. "Nat, why are you so nice to me? I don't deserve it at all. My mother passed away while giving birth to me, and my father despised me to the point of hitting and scolding me Later, I met Spencer, but he chose someone else over me... Nat, tell me, am I a horrible person? Is it my fate to be unloved in this lifetime?"

Maternal love exists in every woman's heart, especially Natasha's, for she was a mother of three. Though the three little ones had always been the ones taking care of her, she cared for them and loved them back just as much.

As such, she felt a pang of heartache when she saw Thalia's palm-sized face right in front of her, her eyes filled with grievance and confusion.

She spoke up. "Who says you're horrible? You're wonderful, Thalia. None of this is your fault. I believe that if your mother were still alive, she would definitely love you to the moon and back. I and three little ones love you too, and most importantly, Spencer does, too. He's just afraid to admit it!"

Facing Natasha, Thalia seemed like a piteous wounded puppy, yearning for love and comfort. "Is that true?"

Natasha nodded. "Of course!"

All of a sudden, Thalia broke into a smile. "Nat, you're the best!"

"You're the best, too."

"Nat, you are the second person in this world who has been kind to me. The first one was... Spencer. He saved me and pulled me out of my misery. You are the second one. You gave me the antidote and let me live..."

Natasha knew from the start that Thalia was still dwelling on that matter.

"Thalia, this is what you deserve!" said Natasha.

Thalia looked at Natasha in a daze, as if still trying to process the latter's words. Then, with tears falling from her bloodshot eyes. she reached out and embraced Natasha. "I've made up my mind. Starting today, you are mine. If anyone dares to bully you, they're bullying me. I will fight tooth and nail to protect you. As for the antidote, I will definitely get it back for you, no matter the cost."

Natasha wasn't quite used to such intimate contact with women and had been trying hard to adapt. As Thalia embraced her, her initial discomfort faded away, and she slowly came to terms with it, thinking that it might not be so bad after all.

Patting Thalia's back in consolation, she said, "All right. I know. Are you feeling sleepy now? Would you like to go to bed?"

"No. I want to be with you!" Thalia exclaimed, still hugging her tightly. "Nat, leave that man. He's not worthy of you. I'll take care of you from now on, and I promise I'll do a better job than he ever could!" declared Thalia.

Natasha couldn't help chortling out loud upon hearing that.

Looks like Thalia's "hatred" for Kenneth is always so blatantly obvious no matter the situation.

"What should we do about Spencer?" Natasha asked.

The mention of Spencer's name seemed to have rung a bell within Thalia, and she released Natasha. "Nat, can you please not blame Spencer?"

Natasha wore a puzzled expression. "Why would I blame him?"

"He requested the antidote from you because of me. His sentiments toward me might not be love, but rather duty and responsibility, but in the end, it was all for my sake. So, Natasha, can you please not blame him? His connections might span far and wide, but genuine friends are scarce for him. Please, don't let me be the cause of a rift between you two!"

Natasha looked puzzled. "Is that what he told you?"

Thalia obediently nodded her head.

Natasha finally understood why they ended up arguing.

The next moment, Thalia threw herself into Natasha's arms again. "Nat, I've thought things through. I'll formulate a plan and barge into Vermillion Base to snatch the antidote for you..."

Her voice gradually faded, until finally, she fell asleep in Natasha's arms.