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Chapter 3
John looked at Natalie's back as she carried one boy off and the other groggily walked holding her hand. He shook his head. Still the same Natalie he always loved. Still loved. She was still stubborn as hell. He thought as he decided not to let her get away with it. She may have to do everything alone without help in Philly but here in Llanview... he was here... her family too. She wouldn't be doing things alone while she was here. Maybe not alone ever again.
John caught up to her by the front door of the Restaurant as she was waiting for the valet to get her car. He didn't ask nor did he hesitate and he picked Ethan up in his arms and started to hold the very sleepy boy.
Natalie felt Ethan's hand be pulled out of hers. She turned quickly and saw John putting him on his shoulder. The boy seemed to be almost completely asleep as he leaned his head on John's strong shoulder.
John saw the look Natalie gave him. She was bit annoyed but he didn't hear rough words come from her mouth. Nothing at first actually and then he heard her toned down words.
"I don't need help John" she said a bit low cause of the sleeping children and they both heard the valet drive up with her car.
John started walking Ethan over to the passenger side that didn't have a car seat on it. He opened the door with his hand and looked at her as he placed the boy in the seat.
"I know you don't... but I'm here and I'm helping anyways," He told her as he buckled the boy in.
Natalie heard his words and saw him putting her son in her car. She stood frozen for a few minutes and then walked over to the other side of the car. She opened the door behind hers and put Evan in his car seat and then was about to get into her car door when she turned to him slightly.
"Thank You" she said as she got in the car and started to drive off.
John smiled as he heard her Thank you and then paid the Valet an extra twenty to get his car fast.
Within fifteen minutes John arrived at the Angel square hotel. He was unable to catch up to her with his car after she left but he had a feeling she was heading here for the night. He pulled into a parking spot just in time to see her trying so desperately to get both boys out of the car without waking them. He laughed when it looked like she was going to try and carry them both at once. He got out of his car and went over by her.
Natalie heard someone approach and she softly lowered her boys back down in the car. She brought her knee up as she felt his hand on her back. She turned quickly ready to knee him in the groin when she glanced at him midstream and was able to stop herself.
"Whoa!" John said loudly as he saw she was about to knee him in his jewels.
Natalie saw John and She shook her head. She caught her breath too. " Sorry... forgot I'm in Llanview not Philly" She said and he smirked a bit at what a close call that was. Natalie smiled too and then she proceeded to get one of the boys out of the car. She threw Evan on her shoulder and then moved out of the way so John could pick up Ethan.
John saw her move out of the way as if making room for him to help. He was a bit confused by it. He stood for a few minutes almost in shock as he heard her words.
"You gonna help or what?" She said a bit sarcastically and she smirked. He wasted no time leaning in the car door and pulling the still sleeping boy into his arms so he could carry him upstairs for her.
They came upon Natalie's room and She grabbed the key from her pocket. She opened the room and they walked into the room.
Natalie went over to the one bed in the back room off the small living area. She put Evan down in the middle of the queen size bed and she motioned for John to do the same with Ethan. John did and he noticed she started to take off his shoes. So he did the same with Evan. Then he stood back as she pulled the covers over them. He watched her lean down and kiss their small forehead.
"Sleep well " She told them and she turned to see him staring at her. She walked passed him as their eye's locked for a few minutes and she walked over to the couch in the other room
"Thank you" She said as she took a seat on the couch. She pulled a pillow to her body and held it tight to her. John heard her words and he sat down next to her on the couch. It felt comfortable he thought as he watched her start to fidget with her pillow. He thought about whether he should just leave or not. He decided to stay just a bit longer.
"You do everything by yourself in Philly don't you?" He asked her wanting to know a bit about her life there. How her life was and how she was coping taking care of two small boys all alone.
Natalie heard his question and she looked him in the eye. She stared into his eyes. He stared back.
"Mostly" She said softly and paused for a second." Nicks Dad helped for a little while till he moved away... But I manage... things are fine... Good actually" She told him and he didn't quite believe her.
"Why didn't you come back to Llanview? I mean... after... after he..." John said not wanting to get into things too much not wanting to upset her.
"My Home... My life was in Philly... Is in Philly... I own a Bar there now...did you know that?" She told him and then asked. She was starting to change the subject. She wanted to so desperately. She didn't want to discuss her dead Husband with him. Nick... she didn't want to discuss her life with Nick or his death.
John heard her start to change the subject and he understood why. So he didn't push her. He heard her say she owned a bar and he smiled.
"Do you have any pool tables at your bar?" He said smirking and she smirked back.
"Of course I do... Two to be exact." She said and the conversation was now light. It was starting to feel good. Feel like she was speaking with her friend again. Her best friend again.
"So what's it like? Your bar that is? Whats it called?" He asked her and she smiled. She was so proud of her bar.
"Red's... and its a lot like Rodi's just a bit more updated in looks. I love it. I bought it after Nick... was killed" She said and she could've killed herself for bringing the conversation full circle.
"So you aren't' working Forensics in Philly anymore than?"
"No, haven't since Ethan was born." She told him and he looked at her face. She seemed to be getting tired. She looked exhausted. He probably should've just got up and left then and there but he needed to know a bit more. Wanted to know a bit more.
"Why a bar? Why not go back to Forensics work?" He asked curious. She looked at him and then to the bed in the other room.
"For my boys" She said as she looked back into his eyes. " Forensics work would have me working all sorts of crazy hours. I bought the bar so I could make my own schedule and even bring them with me if I have too. There's a small apartment above the bar. If I have to close up or go in late we stay up there." She told him and he almost looked sadden by thinking of her boys sleeping in a room above a noisy bar.
"Natalie" he went to say something to the fact but she knew exactly what he was going to say and stopped him.
"I know what you're thinking John but its fine. Yes I know growing up in bars was sort of how I grew up but I never had a mother who cared about me and the boys... the room is sound proof. I have a sitter or Nick's dad use to stay with them till I closed up. " She said and took a break. He again was going to open up his mouth.
"And... That rarely happens anymore. I have a great set of managers," She said and then she yawned.
They stood silent for a few minutes. He stayed studying her eye's for a minute when he heard her speak.
"Your mom tells me that you finally moved out of this place and bought a condo or something," She said and John smiled. He couldn't help it. She must have asked his mom about him.
"Yeah, I did. A small condo not far from here." He told her and she looked at him serious like.
"And how's that girl you mom said you were getting serious with?" Natalie asked and John for the life of him couldn't even remember her name for a minute there. He was silent.
"We're not together any longer. It wasn't that serious" John told her trying to get away from this subject that made things awkward for them. Uncomfortable even.
"That's to bad cause any girl that can get you to take time off of work for a vacation must have meant something" She said and she felt a pang of something... jealously maybe? She thought.
John saw her face change some" No... It was nothing... Not serious and I couldn't give her what she wanted" He told her and they seem to be getting a bit closer on the couch. Not even realizing it they seem to be almost touching. John could feel her breath on his body almost and it was starting to drive him a bit crazy at the moment.
"What was it you couldn't give her?" Natalie asked and he moved even closer. He almost touched his lips to hers but he stopped frozen in front of them.
"Love... I couldn't love her." He said and he closed his eyes. He brushed his lips across hers gently but never actually kissed them.
Natalie's eyes were closed also. She heard his words and knew they had something to do with her. She felt his lips pass by hers and she had to hold a smile back, hold it inside. Then she heard Ethan talking in his sleep. She opened her eyes quickly. So did John as he felt her warmth leave her spot on the couch.
Natalie walked over to Ethan to find him starting to get up out of bed. He was still sleeping but starting to sleep walk.
'Is he sleeping or awake?" John asked and Natalie mouthed sleeping. John watched as she guided him back into the bed and the boy laid back down. Natalie looked up to John after she made sure Ethan was sleeping quietly again.
"It's late... you better go" She told him and started walking him to the door. He nodded in agreement and walked with her.
Just before he left thru the open door he turned to her. " How long are you in town for?" He asked and he also wondered why she was staying here instead of Llanfair with her family.
"No longer than a week but maybe sooner if I'm needed at the bar" She told him and he smiled. A week... he had a whole week.
"Thanks for all the help... deep down inside... inside the part of me that isn't very stubborn," she said and she laughed, " that part of me really appreciated it," she said and he laughed. He was about to walk out the door when he stopped and looked back at her.
"I'd like it if we could catch up on things... Like a friendly dinner or something... With the boys... I'd like to get to know them better" John told her and she smiled at how sweet he was but she knew better than to get her boys attached to any man. Especially John Mcbain. Especially since they were only going to be in town for a week.
"I don't think so John... I have a lot of family to visit while we're here' She said making an excuse and he knew it. She even knew he'd know it.
"That's ridiculous Natalie... just a dinner or a lunch the four of us as friends. It won't hurt anything. So Lunch or dinner... you pick," he told her not letting her get out of it.
"An early dinner? My boys are use to eating around 5. I like to keep them on schedule as much as possible" She told him and he smiled. " 5 it is... I'll pick you up here... all three of you" He told her and she was Leary but she smiled anyways.
Natalie nodded her head and was closing the door behind him when he turned and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Natalie froze as she looked at him. As they stared into each other's eyes. Finally after a few minutes John waved good-bye gently with his hand and he left.