Chapter Five- The Journey Begins
*Before I go any further let me just say that I have not been blessed with children yet, so my details are done with what little research I have time for and the pregnancies of family members and friends... so please bare with me... and as with all soap stories it might happen a little faster (or at least seem like it) because I have no concept of time ... thanks for being patient... and keep the reviews coming ~ serendipity
"John we need to talk...I am pregnant....no... John, guess what? You're gonna be a daddy? God, there has to be an easier way... John...ahhhh!" Natalie sat looking into her mirror. Every phrase she tried, every conversation she could imagine had crossed through her mind in the last twenty-four hours. But, nothing sounded right. Being straight-forward sounded too bland, too normal for the fantastic situation she was in.
There was just no easy way to tell him that she was pregnant. At least none that didn't make her feel the need for a quick getaway. She had stayed up almost all night last night going through every emotion- first came disbelief, then shear panic, and then just before she drifted to sleep with her hands covering the life that had just begun. A sense of peace and joy crept through her and at that moment she knew that having this child was the right thing to do beyond a shadow of a doubt. Whether John wanted to share this with her or not , she was going to love her baby, and never feel alone and empty ever again.
Sitting there reflecting the revelation she had made last night, Natalie was surprised that all the nervousness she had felt had suddenly disappeared. Looking down at her still flat abdomen she decided to have her first mother-child chat, "Hey little one! I don't know if you are boy or a girl. Whether or not you'll have my eyes or his, but I do know that you will have all the love in the world. I can't promise you that I am going to be a perfect mom... and that I won't make mistakes. But, I do promise with all my heart that even if your daddy isn't around that you will never lack for love in your life. I am going to start right now by doing everything in my power to make sure your daddy has a chance to get to know you and love you as I already do."
Natalie picked up the phone and dialed, "Hello! Oh... voice mail... John, hey this is Natalie. I was hoping you might get a chance to come by Rodi's and talk. I'll be there... talk to you later."
Sweeping her hair up into a ponytail she started to put on her make-up, it would be hours before she had to go to work, but she would go by and check on her mom.
Across town John sat at his desk. His thoughts were far from the work that was piled in front of him and a dull ache had taken up residence in his head. All he wanted to do was forget that Stephen Haver had ever existed, but at every turn something from that lunatic kept popping up. What he really wanted to do was talk to Natalie. She had been treating him like the plague ever since Kathryn's arrival. He had attempted to talk to her several times, but they just never seemed to catch a moment alone. What exactly he wanted to say to her he didn't know. He did know that he missed her. He missed her wise-cracks, her smile, the way she just knew she was always right, and most of all he just missed being around her period, but that didn't change anything as much as he wished it would.
Suddenly his phone beeped and brought him back to reality. It was his voicemail... when had he missed it? Playing back the message a smile crossed his face... She had called and she wanted to talk... nothing could stop him from making that appointment.
Her trip to Llanfair had defintiley cheered her up. Vicki was actually pleased that Natalie had defintiely decided to keep the baby and they laughed and talked about the many antics of the Buchanan children growing up. It was when Vicki took her hand and expressed her deep regret for missing Natalie's first step, first tooth, and so many other memories that they both shared a few tears. This baby would make up for so much that they had missed together. Though Vicki loved her grandchildren from Kevin, she had never been a part of their lives... of their birth, and being included meant so much to her. Natalie couldn't understand how Kevin and Kelly had brought a child into their lives, but not included Vicki in on any of it. Kelly hadn't even made an effort, except to say "hey, by the way I had a baby, come by the christening". If Todd hadn't put an article and picture in The Banner they might never have known the baby had arrived prematurely.
The only thing that really bothered her was the added stress and worry this might cause for Vicki. Natalie had freaked out when she had asked her mom about the test results because Vicki had found out that she had suffered a minor heart attack. At first, she had wanted to keep it from Natalie and Jess, but there was no way she could keep it a secret forever. They had decided that when Natalie got further along that she would stay at Llanfair to make sure both of them got the care that they needed, but until then it might better if Jess moved back temporarily, which Jess had suggested to Vicki earlier that morning, or until Natalie decided to make the baby's prescience known.
Wiping off the counter she smiled as John walked into the bar.
"Hey, I got your message." John had wanted to get here sooner, but everything seemed to be dragging suddenly. Geez... he never got sick... what in the hell was wrong with him? "Hey you. Are you ok? You don't look so hot!" Natalie felt concern as she took in John's flushed face. John was about to say something when Jess walked up the bar. "Hey guys! Antonio and I stopped on to grab something to eat!"
Natalie tried not to groan, how was a knocked-up girl supposed to drop a bombshell on a sick guy with her sister and her boyfriend hanging around.
"I just got here. Look, Natalie, I thought I could hang out for awhile, but I am starting to think it might not be a good idea , so can we take a rain check on that talk, I think I might be coming down with something... no big deal... I'll call you later. Jess, tell Antonio I'll see him later."
Jess looked from a clearly distracted Natalie to the retreating figure of John's back, "Did I interrupt something?"
"Nah, it was nothing. You want a coke or something?" Natalie's eyes followed John out the door.
"Hey! Can I get a beer?" Paul Kramer looked at Natalie and Jess and he saw dollar signs. Too bad the blonde was taken, but he would more than settle for the red-head. He would have to try and put on the charm if he was going to sink his hooks into her.
"Yea, hey Paul, Jess have you met Paul. He's Kelly's brother." Following around of introductions, Natalie got Paul a beer and tried to make some small talk. It seemed Paul was trying his hardest to flirt with her, and in other circumstances she might have flirted back, but he wasn't her type and she didn't think he was going to find her all too attractive when she was as big as whale.
Antonio ran into John at the door," Hey man, where you headed?"
"I think I am coming down with something... probably just tired... hey, you know that guy over there talking to Natalie? I don't recognize him"
"Not really. Why? Jealous?" Antonio tried to make it a joke, but he could tell he had hit a nerve.
"Jealous, why? Me and Natalie are just friends. There's something about that guy. I walked by him when he was walking in and I just got this weird vibe from him... no big deal." "Well, you go and get some rest... see you tomorrow, man!" Antonio didn't think twice, he made a straight bee line for his girl.
Antonio came up behind Jess and wrapped his arms around her and asked her about her day and about Vicki. Natalie decided that about then would be a great opportunity to take the trash out. Great! She thought, I get the courage to try and get John alone to talk and all hell breaks loose.
Throwing the trash in the dumpster, Natalie grimaced she wouldn't be able to do this much longer. Staying on her feet and carrying this stuff around couldn't be good for her and the baby. No telling what kind of germs a baby could get back here... yuck! Turning around she sighed and rolled her neck, she definitely needed those vitamins to kick in because she felt tired and it was only 6:30 in the evening.
Just then she noticed a body slumped on the ground, it wasn't moving. Walking over her heart leaped up into her throat, "John! Oh my God! John can you hear me?"
Running inside she screamed for Antonio to call an ambulance. It may have been a matter of seconds , but it seemed more like minute after minute went by before both of them stood standing over the unconcious man checking for vitals and waiting for the paramedics to get there.
*Before I go any further let me just say that I have not been blessed with children yet, so my details are done with what little research I have time for and the pregnancies of family members and friends... so please bare with me... and as with all soap stories it might happen a little faster (or at least seem like it) because I have no concept of time ... thanks for being patient... and keep the reviews coming ~ serendipity
"John we need to talk...I am pregnant....no... John, guess what? You're gonna be a daddy? God, there has to be an easier way... John...ahhhh!" Natalie sat looking into her mirror. Every phrase she tried, every conversation she could imagine had crossed through her mind in the last twenty-four hours. But, nothing sounded right. Being straight-forward sounded too bland, too normal for the fantastic situation she was in.
There was just no easy way to tell him that she was pregnant. At least none that didn't make her feel the need for a quick getaway. She had stayed up almost all night last night going through every emotion- first came disbelief, then shear panic, and then just before she drifted to sleep with her hands covering the life that had just begun. A sense of peace and joy crept through her and at that moment she knew that having this child was the right thing to do beyond a shadow of a doubt. Whether John wanted to share this with her or not , she was going to love her baby, and never feel alone and empty ever again.
Sitting there reflecting the revelation she had made last night, Natalie was surprised that all the nervousness she had felt had suddenly disappeared. Looking down at her still flat abdomen she decided to have her first mother-child chat, "Hey little one! I don't know if you are boy or a girl. Whether or not you'll have my eyes or his, but I do know that you will have all the love in the world. I can't promise you that I am going to be a perfect mom... and that I won't make mistakes. But, I do promise with all my heart that even if your daddy isn't around that you will never lack for love in your life. I am going to start right now by doing everything in my power to make sure your daddy has a chance to get to know you and love you as I already do."
Natalie picked up the phone and dialed, "Hello! Oh... voice mail... John, hey this is Natalie. I was hoping you might get a chance to come by Rodi's and talk. I'll be there... talk to you later."
Sweeping her hair up into a ponytail she started to put on her make-up, it would be hours before she had to go to work, but she would go by and check on her mom.
Across town John sat at his desk. His thoughts were far from the work that was piled in front of him and a dull ache had taken up residence in his head. All he wanted to do was forget that Stephen Haver had ever existed, but at every turn something from that lunatic kept popping up. What he really wanted to do was talk to Natalie. She had been treating him like the plague ever since Kathryn's arrival. He had attempted to talk to her several times, but they just never seemed to catch a moment alone. What exactly he wanted to say to her he didn't know. He did know that he missed her. He missed her wise-cracks, her smile, the way she just knew she was always right, and most of all he just missed being around her period, but that didn't change anything as much as he wished it would.
Suddenly his phone beeped and brought him back to reality. It was his voicemail... when had he missed it? Playing back the message a smile crossed his face... She had called and she wanted to talk... nothing could stop him from making that appointment.
Her trip to Llanfair had defintiley cheered her up. Vicki was actually pleased that Natalie had defintiely decided to keep the baby and they laughed and talked about the many antics of the Buchanan children growing up. It was when Vicki took her hand and expressed her deep regret for missing Natalie's first step, first tooth, and so many other memories that they both shared a few tears. This baby would make up for so much that they had missed together. Though Vicki loved her grandchildren from Kevin, she had never been a part of their lives... of their birth, and being included meant so much to her. Natalie couldn't understand how Kevin and Kelly had brought a child into their lives, but not included Vicki in on any of it. Kelly hadn't even made an effort, except to say "hey, by the way I had a baby, come by the christening". If Todd hadn't put an article and picture in The Banner they might never have known the baby had arrived prematurely.
The only thing that really bothered her was the added stress and worry this might cause for Vicki. Natalie had freaked out when she had asked her mom about the test results because Vicki had found out that she had suffered a minor heart attack. At first, she had wanted to keep it from Natalie and Jess, but there was no way she could keep it a secret forever. They had decided that when Natalie got further along that she would stay at Llanfair to make sure both of them got the care that they needed, but until then it might better if Jess moved back temporarily, which Jess had suggested to Vicki earlier that morning, or until Natalie decided to make the baby's prescience known.
Wiping off the counter she smiled as John walked into the bar.
"Hey, I got your message." John had wanted to get here sooner, but everything seemed to be dragging suddenly. Geez... he never got sick... what in the hell was wrong with him? "Hey you. Are you ok? You don't look so hot!" Natalie felt concern as she took in John's flushed face. John was about to say something when Jess walked up the bar. "Hey guys! Antonio and I stopped on to grab something to eat!"
Natalie tried not to groan, how was a knocked-up girl supposed to drop a bombshell on a sick guy with her sister and her boyfriend hanging around.
"I just got here. Look, Natalie, I thought I could hang out for awhile, but I am starting to think it might not be a good idea , so can we take a rain check on that talk, I think I might be coming down with something... no big deal... I'll call you later. Jess, tell Antonio I'll see him later."
Jess looked from a clearly distracted Natalie to the retreating figure of John's back, "Did I interrupt something?"
"Nah, it was nothing. You want a coke or something?" Natalie's eyes followed John out the door.
"Hey! Can I get a beer?" Paul Kramer looked at Natalie and Jess and he saw dollar signs. Too bad the blonde was taken, but he would more than settle for the red-head. He would have to try and put on the charm if he was going to sink his hooks into her.
"Yea, hey Paul, Jess have you met Paul. He's Kelly's brother." Following around of introductions, Natalie got Paul a beer and tried to make some small talk. It seemed Paul was trying his hardest to flirt with her, and in other circumstances she might have flirted back, but he wasn't her type and she didn't think he was going to find her all too attractive when she was as big as whale.
Antonio ran into John at the door," Hey man, where you headed?"
"I think I am coming down with something... probably just tired... hey, you know that guy over there talking to Natalie? I don't recognize him"
"Not really. Why? Jealous?" Antonio tried to make it a joke, but he could tell he had hit a nerve.
"Jealous, why? Me and Natalie are just friends. There's something about that guy. I walked by him when he was walking in and I just got this weird vibe from him... no big deal." "Well, you go and get some rest... see you tomorrow, man!" Antonio didn't think twice, he made a straight bee line for his girl.
Antonio came up behind Jess and wrapped his arms around her and asked her about her day and about Vicki. Natalie decided that about then would be a great opportunity to take the trash out. Great! She thought, I get the courage to try and get John alone to talk and all hell breaks loose.
Throwing the trash in the dumpster, Natalie grimaced she wouldn't be able to do this much longer. Staying on her feet and carrying this stuff around couldn't be good for her and the baby. No telling what kind of germs a baby could get back here... yuck! Turning around she sighed and rolled her neck, she definitely needed those vitamins to kick in because she felt tired and it was only 6:30 in the evening.
Just then she noticed a body slumped on the ground, it wasn't moving. Walking over her heart leaped up into her throat, "John! Oh my God! John can you hear me?"
Running inside she screamed for Antonio to call an ambulance. It may have been a matter of seconds , but it seemed more like minute after minute went by before both of them stood standing over the unconcious man checking for vitals and waiting for the paramedics to get there.