Landing in London
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From Chapter 6 -
"What was I supposed to do then? Be with you and not tell you about him?"
Natalie turned away. She put a hand to her chest to ease the pressure. Her breath was short, tears were pricking her eyes.
"Don't you understand? I couldn't have you. But god, I wanted you Natalie. I wanted you so much it killed me. Even without Cristian."
John put a hand on Natalie's hair and leaned closer.
"Because I want you more than I wanted my...Caitlin. I feel more for you than I ever felt for her." John ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I was responsible for her death, too, Natalie. Haver killed her because of me."
"John." Natalie turned her head and tried to put her hand on his arm. John moved back, out of her reach.
"I caused all of this. Cristian's death. Caitlin's death. And it gave me you. Everything I ever wanted and nothing I ever deserved to have."John's voice was full of pain and longing. "The guilt crushed me. Until that night. I took that night."
Natalie watched him, waited. Her blue eyes wide and wet. She knew there was nothing she could say to end this battle going on inside of John that hadn't been said before. That she didn't blame him. That Caitlin would want him to be happy.
"I'm tired of feeling guilty, Natalie. I just want to be with you. I just want to love you and our son. I just want."
Still, Natalie stood waiting.
"That's it Natalie. I just want you."
Now, the tears fell from Natalie's blue eyes. Matching the ones falling from John's.
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Chapter 7
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Then
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"You're going to have to go back sometime." Joey Buchanan looked down at his sister who was sitting on the couch, her feet petulantly resting on the priceless mahogany table that served as a coffee table in the sitting room.
"No, I don't." Natalie didn't look up from her seemingly detailed study of her wool socks.
"You can't run forever." Joey sat down and put his hand over hers to still its restless pulling at her sweater.
"Moving is not running. I love London. I love England. This would be a really great place to raise my child."
"Three thousand miles from its father? Do you really want that for your child?"
"No." Natalie moved her hand to cup her swelling stomach.
"You're going to have to deal with John McBain and all the unfinished business you have between you. Preferably, before the baby is born."
Natalie sighed and put her head on her brother's ever present and sturdy shoulder.
"He loves you, Natalie. I don't know McBain very well, but I know that he loves you."
"He lied to me. He let Cristian die in prison. If it weren't for this baby I'd never see him again. I'd have Uncle Bo run him out of town."
"And I wouldn't let you, for your own sake. But now you have the baby to consider and you need to go home. Miguel is not a good substitute."
"You've never liked him, why?" Natalie pulled back and looked at her brother curiously.
"I don't think he's honest about his motives. He's hiding something."
"Maybe you're right. I guess it didn't matter. I just needed something to distract me."
"And now it's time to go home. I'll come with you."
"No, it's okay. I need to do this alone. But I expect you there when your nephew is born."
"It's a deal."
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Now
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"Natalie, it looks like you've been following doctor's orders. Your pressure is still a bit high, but on the low side of the scale. And you've gained an appropriate amount of weight."
"Appropriate," Natalie grumbled before turning to glare at John for laughing.
The doctor didn't bother to bite back her smile at the easy interplay between her patient and her partner. It was so markedly different from the unease between them a couple of months ago.
"Just keep doing what you've been doing. It won't be too long now."
"Easy for you to say. I'm not due for, what, another month?"
"About. But the baby is already at a safe size for delivery. So there are no worries should you go into early labor at this point."
"She'll behave," John promised.
"He's kept me under lock and key ever since the diner fire, even though the Ramirez organization is supposedly out of commission."
John reached a hand out between their chairs. Despite her complaining, Natalie slid her into his firm grasp.
"My gut tells me it's not quite over."
"And since I trust your instincts I'll behave. Not like I can exactly sneak out anywhere being the size of a beached whale."
John laughed and squeezed her hand.
"Thank you, Doc. We'll see you next week. Come on, Fudgie." John stood up and pulled Natalie from her sitting position.
"Mmmm, a Carvel cake sounds good!"
John laughed and pressed a kiss to her waiting forehead.
The contented pair walked out of the doctor's office into the lovely Spring day. Neither noticed the two cars sitting on either end of the street, their occupants watching. And waiting.
End…for now