After John had told Natalie about his past, his past with Caitlyn mostly, they had sat on the couch and simply held each other. Both realized that this had changed their relationship. It had made them something more then friends.
They watched old movies all day and just talked. They talked about Atlantic City and about their families. It felt to Natalie like she had known John her whole life. When she had told him about her irrational fear of red socks he hadn't laughed at her like everyone else. He had just smiled and said he hated brown ones. That he thought that they were bad luck.
They had played pool on his table that he had set up in his living room. Natalie had beat him of course. Laughing John had said he was going to practice more so that one day he would beat her. Both Natalie and John avoided all serious discussion after he had told her about Caitlyn. John didn't want to bring up bad memories about last night and Natalie didn't want to stir up painful memories for John. Both just enjoying spending the day together.
It was about 10pm and after their 4 game of pool when Rex called. He told them that Cris denied everything. Cris said that he was moving on with his live. That he wanted to just forget the past.
Rex smiled gleefully and happily told Natalie that Cris had signed the divorce papers. Rex believe he did it so no one would think he was guilty of trying to hurt Natalie.
"You should have seen his eyes when he signed the papers Natalie." Rex was saying. "He looked really angry. I know he was behind that attack in A.C. I just need time to prove it."
Natalie nodded even though she knew he couldn't see her. "I know you will Rex." She sighed, "I just can't believe he is the man I married. He has changed so much. The old Cris, My Cris wouldn't hurt a fly."
"I know Natalie. But people change. Just look at me and you. We grew up with nothing and now you are a Buchanan. I was always breaking the law and I hated cops but now I am working with them, for them. Its strange how life works out." Rex said, he had been thinking the same thing not log ago. If someone had told him 5 years ago that this was where he would be he would have labeled them crazy and had them committed.
"So how are you and John getting along?" Rex asked changing the subject. He knew John would take care of her. Rex had just met John but even he could tell there was something powerful between them. Rex knew if they weren't 'together' yet they would be very soon. A bon that powerful couldn't be ignored.
"We are getting along fine." Natalie said with a smile. "We spent the day watching old movies and talking about Atlantic City."
Rex rolled his eyes, Natty had really fallen for John. He could tell by the way she spoke about him. "So have you told him yet?"
"Told him what, Rex?" Natalie asked confused.
"That you love him of course!" Rex answered as if should be obvious.
"Rex! Of course not. I don't love him. I can't." Natalie said exasperated.
"Why not?" Rex asked.
"Why not what?" Natalie asked, again confused.
"You said you 'can't' love him. So I ask again Why can't you?" he said.
Natalie took a deep breath and tried to think of something to say. "Well for one I'm married."
"Not anymore, remember Cris signed the papers. Just think about this Natalie. John is a good guy. He isn't anything like Cris. He won't hit you or treat you badly. He has a job and he makes good money. And most importantly if he isn't in love with you yet he will be very soon." Rex said. He had spent the day talking to Michael McBain and had learned a great deal about John. He knew that John didn't love easily and that when he did it was the forever kind of love. He just hoped Natalie could push past the fear and take a chance on John and on love.
"I'm not ready for that Rex. I don't even know how I feel about John. He is a wonderful man but Cris was to. At first... And then he changed. How do I know that John won't change too. How do I know that he will be there for me loving me when I really need him. I don't have any of the answers and I am not even sure, at this point, that I want them." Natalie said softly, more confused then ever about her feelings.
She knew that something was happening between her and John but she didn't know what that was. Truth be told she didn't want it and was fighting it with all she had but it wouldn't go away. She knew that she and John would have to talk about it at some point, but not now, and not today. "Just keep trying to find something, Rex." Natalie said changing the subject upon seeing John come back into the room. He indicated that he wanted to speak to Rex and she handed him the phone.
While John talked to Rex Natalie left the room and went outside to look at the stars. She loved to look up at the stars and imaging that she was anywhere else. It had been her escape when she was young now she just admired the beauty of a clear star lit sky. It touched her in some way she couldn't define, made her feel like part of something bigger then herself.
When John finished talking to Rex he went looking for Natalie. Just being around her made him feel whole, made him feel complete. Smiling he looked out the door and saw her just sitting on the steps staring up at the stars with a look of contentment, belonging. He wondered what she was thinking about in that moment. He opened the door and joined her on the step.
"What are you looking at?" He asked as he tilted his head back and looked up at the sky with her.
Natalie sighed contently, "The stars. Aren't they so beautiful? I love looking at them. It's like they call to me."
Looking back at Natalie's upturned face John replied, "I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life."
Natalie looked at him as if sensing that they weren't talking about the stars anymore. Seeing him staring at him so intently she blushed. When John reached out a hand for her she took it. She let him lead her grass in front of the porch.
When they sat down John maneuvered them so that Natalie was sitting between his legs with her back to his chest. Leaning back against a rock John pulled Natalie against him and said to her, "There. Now we can see the stars together."
Natalie snuggled into Johns arms and put her arms on his holding him tight. She really liked the feel of his arms around her. Leaning back and looking up at the stars Natalie fell more at peace then she ever had before.