*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter. They were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much.

JOHN: 2 WEEKS LATER:

I just got off of a red eye flight from Europe landing in Middletown, PA at the Harrisburg International Airport it has been two weeks since Ashley told me the truth. I would have been back in Hershey two weeks ago but business called and I had obligations. Now my obligation is to spend time with my daughter and hopefully be able to get Natalie back. I hope that it's not too late. I really want her back. I was stupid; very stupid. I check into customs and pick up my luggage before renting a car to drive to Natalie's. I really hope Max isn't there that's the last thing I want. I hope she's not upset that I'm coming but I would like to see my daughter. I am driving down the road listening to soft rock music. I don't usually listen to this but I'm in the mood to listen to it. I drive past the familiar scenes and before I know it I arrive at Natalie's house early in the morning. It's at least 7 in the morning by the time I arrive. I only see Natalie's car in the driveway and breathe a sigh of relief before getting out of my car.

I walk up to the front door and ring the doorbell. I stand there waiting for at least 5 minutes before Natalie opens the door wearing a white tank top and a pair of shorts. I look her over and that's when I see it; a small little bump. She looks shocked to see me. "John," she says immediately covering her stomach, "what are you doing here?"

"I came to see Angelina," I say, "and you're pregnant." This is what a REAL pregnancy looks like.

"You should have called, John. Max is going to be home soon," she says.

"Do you think I'm scared of Max? Because I'm not. I'm here to see my daughter. And I want to talk to you," I say.

"Come in," she says.

"So when did you become pregnant?" I ask as we walk to the kitchen.

"A while ago," she says, "it was an accident."

"Accidents happen a lot don't they?"

"I guess," she says. "So what do you want to talk to me about?"

"I want to ask about your pregnancy right now first. Is it mine?" I ask.

She is silent for a minute before she says, "no it's Max's baby. I'm sorry."

"Oh," I say. "I just thought.."

"No it's Max's baby."

"Are you sure?"

"100%," she says. "So what do you have to talk to me about?" She is trying to avoid the pregnancy topic. I don't know if I should believe her or not. I would like for the baby to be mine but if it's Max's baby what can I do; absolutely nothing. I'll get the scoop from Angelina later.

"Well, I wanted to see if you were still marrying Max?" I ask.

"Yes, John, I am. We're getting married in about a month. I haven't changed my mind."

"Why?"

"Because I love him, John."

"But I love you," I say.

"I don't think that matters now does it. You're with Ashley and you two are having a baby."

"No, Natalie, we're not. She was lying. I left her. We're getting a divorce. I want to be with you," I say. I'm taking chances it's always worth the risk. The worst she could do is say no. "I love you, Natalie. Honestly I don't think I will ever be able to stop. You have no idea how much I want and need to be with you."

I can see the tears in her eyes forming so I'm hoping she is going to say okay and get rid of Max but I am wrong as she says, "John, I can't," as she chokes on her words. "I'm marrying Max. We're having a baby. I can't leave him."

"Natalie, you can. You deserve better. Please give me another chance. I want to be with you. The biggest mistake was trying to stay with Ashley. I should have been here and then Max wouldn't' be in the picture."

"He's not a bad guy, John, he's changed," she says, "now that we're having a baby."

"But Angelina doesn't like him," I say. "She is scared of him."

"John, she's 7 I can't let her make my decisions for me. Max is not allowed alone with her."

"It doesn't matter, Natalie, she doesn't like him."

"Because she wants you and me to be together," she says. "She liked him before."

"Before he kicked your ass in front of her. She is a good judge of character maybe you should listen to her. I don't think Max is the right guy for you. You deserve so much better."

"If I deserve so much better why am I an afterthought?" She asks.

"What do you mean an afterthought? You have never been an afterthought to me," I say.

"I was when you thought Ashley was pregnant. I was no longer good enough for you. John I wanted to be with you but you chose to be with Ashley."

"But she's out of the picture now. I was trying to do the right thing, Nat," I say. I really was trying to do the right thing. I thought the right thing was being with my wife but really my heart was with Natalie it has been with Natalie since 8 years earlier. She has held my heart and she will ALWAYS hold my heart.

"It's too late," she says. "John, it's too late. I already have my dress and our wedding is planned out. I'm sorry."

"Natalie, please don't make the mistake by marrying this guy. It's not a good idea."

"John, you can't talk me out of it," she says. "I'm marrying Max and that's all there is to it." I could hear the seriousness in her voice she was not budging. I can't.

Later that day Angelina and I are out eating dinner and spending time together. "So Angelina," I say as we are eating. "Your mom is pregnant how do you feel about that?"

"I'm excited. I can't wait to have a baby sister or a baby brother," she says. "I am really hoping for a baby brother."

"Well, I hope you get your baby brother. How long has your mom been pregnant?" I ask. I don't know if she will know but it's worth a shot.

"I don't know. She found out when we were at the beach," she says.

"The beach?"

"Yes," she says.

"That was what 2-3 months ago?"

"2 months ago but she is having a baby in January," says Angelina. "January 15th is what she said." January 15th that would mean the baby was made late April early May times Natalie and I were together. I think that baby is mine so I don't know why she would lie about it.

"Does she ever talk about the daddy?" I ask.

"Max is the daddy is what she said," she says as she looks at me, "but you want to know what I know?"

"Of course," I say with a smile. "I want to know."

"I know it's your baby. I heard her talking to my Uncle Jay about it when we were at the beach," she says.

"So that's my baby?"

"I guess," she says. "But you can't tell her you know because then Max will know and he will get upset and will hurt my mommy again."

"I won't say anything," I say. I won't say anything yet but if Natalie thinks I'm going to go through life watching another man raise my child she is mistaken. I want to be there for her with this baby. I just have to get Max out of the picture if it were easy it wouldn't be a problem but this guy is like herpes he just can't stay away.

"Thank-you," she says.

"So what do you think about Max and your mom getting married?"

"I don't want them to. I don't like Max, Daddy. He's mean. He's really mean. He yells a lot."

"Has he hit you or your mom?" I ask. I have to be concerned about my girls' safety.

"No just yells right now," she says, "but he scares me. I really don't want them to get married."

"Neither do I," I say. "So we need to come up with a way to stop this wedding."

"Now you're talking," she says with a smile. I can think of ONE good reason to stop that wedding… the baby is MINE!

*A/N: So what did you think? Please Review and thank-you for reading.