ABC Owns Them

Chapter 14

"You don't know what you did wrong? Did you honestly think it was going to be so easy, just ask me and I should just forget? How did you get that ring so fast anyways, did Michael drop it off with the food?" she asked him bitterly

"Is that what this is about? You think Michael bought the ring, and I bet you think I only asked you because of Thomas too, am I right? Yes, I know you, I'm right, that's what you think" John told her as she got a stubborn look on her face.

"Natalie, I've had this ring since before I left Llanview, since before I was a jerk and left you, you can ask Michael if you don't believe me, I was going to ask you back then."

" You know what it doesn't matter, none of this matters, we had our shot and it's over, we can't be anything more than Thomas' parents, I don't think I can handle anything more than that" Natalie said softly as she continued to rock Thomas to sleep.

"Natalie," John said, as she shook her head no. John saw her stubbornness, the stubbornness that he knew all to well when he decided that he would have to make her see things differently in time, it would take time, as much as he had hoped she would just come to her senses tonight when she saw the ring he knew he wouldn't give up but that they just needed time to rebuild the trust.

"Can we at least try and be friends?" John asked her.

"I don't know John, you said we were never really friends once didn't you" Natalie told him throwing his words from so long ago back in his face.

"We can try Natalie, please can't we at least try, for Thomas' sake" John told her as he noticed Thomas was almost asleep in Natalie's arms. He stood up by her and he leaned down and kissed Thomas' forehead. He looked up into her eyes.

"Lets just try for him, alright?" John asked softly and he saw her eyes get teary, she nodded her head yes, John walked out of the room and left the carriage house.

As soon as Natalie heard the front door close she couldn't hold the tears in any longer, they started to flow, her tears started to run down her face and onto Thomas as she held her son close to her heart. Although he was asleep she continued to rock him as she cried silently for what seemed like hours.

John walked into the only available room at the angel square hotel, it was on the fifth floor, it was the room Natalie had stayed in for a few days before she moved in with him, he laid down on the bed already missing them, Natalie and Thomas, how? He asked himself, he had only known about his son for a little over a day, how did he miss not being with him already, and Natalie, well he had missed Natalie the second he left town seven months ago. he had really made a mess of things didn't he? He thought, it was going to take a lot of hard work and patience to try and win her back, try and get her to open up to him, to trust him again. He knew he could do, he had done it before. John thought a little bit more and then he looked at the time, it wasn't to late, he picked up his phone and called someone he knew could help him, someone who cared so very much about him and someone who was also fond of Natalie, and he knew she would love to know that she was a grandmother.

"Hey, Mom it's me" John told Eve on the phone

"Johnny is everything alright?" Eve asked concerned

"Yeah, I...I just wanted ...I have really good news, I have a son...Natalie and I have a son," John told Eve and Eve was quiet for a few minutes.

"Mom, Mom did you hear me?" John asked when he heard her silence

"I heard you Johnny and I know about Thomas"

"What?" John questioned

"Natalie's brought him to see me a few times, don't be mad son but we tried to get in touch with you to tell you but you never returned our messages."

"She brought him to see you, why?" John asked confused

"Because she knew it would be important to you, for me to know, he's beautiful John, just beautiful, does this mean things are patched up with the two of you?" Eve asked John and then she heard him hesitate before answering

"No, Natalie and I are far from patched up, as a matter of fact I think we may be in need of more repair than we have ever been" John answered sadly

"Well you do know that's no one's fault but your own right?" Eve told him

"Thanks mom, yes I do know that" John told her sarcastically

"Well what are you going to do about it?" Eve asked him

"I have to be patient, that's all I can be right now is be patient"

"cut the crap John, you need to figure out a way to get her to trust you again"

"Okay, how do I do that?" John asked

"I'm not sure, just be there for her Johnny, what ever she needs, help her with Thomas, you know, I know all to well what it's like to raise children alone, it's a lonely thing sometimes" Eve said reminding him of the loneliness she felt raising him and Michael

"Well the thing is she's far from lonely thanks to a certain DA" John again spoke with sarcasm

"Don't worry Johnny, she'll find her way back Home to you as you found yours back to her." Eve told John and then they spoke for a few more minutes and they said goodnight. John laid his head back down on the pillow to sleep, to sleep and dream of a life with Natalie and his son.

The next day came fast and it was Natalie day off, she took Thomas for a walk in the park when she decided it was around lunch time and she was hungry, they walked over to Rodi's for a burger. She waved hello to Mac as she and Thomas entered the place, Mac came over and talked with her for a few minutes, they were in the middle of talking when Mac saw John walk in.

"Hey John I didn't know you were back in town" Mac said to John as John walked over towards them at a back table.

"Yup, I'm back" John told him as he looked at Natalie and Thomas sitting at the table.

One of the waitresses came over to tell Mac he was needed in the back when he excused himself, he said goodbye to Nat and Thomas, then turned to John.

"Congratulations John, he's a cute kid" Mac told him as he walked away, john had a confused look on his face as he turned a chair backwards and straddled it.

"Does the whole town know I'm Thomas' father?" John asked Natalie

"Yes, why? Do you have a problem with that?" Natalie asked

"I'm just surprised that's all " John responded looking over to Thomas briefly and smiling at his happy face.

"John, everyone knew we were together, once I gave him your last name they didn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out, I figured it better to just tell them." Natalie told him as he looked away from Thomas and at her meeting her eye's.

"I see your point, hey are ya up for a game of pool?" John asked as he continued to look into her blue eyes.

"No, I don't think so and we have Thomas here, we couldn't just leave him alone now could we" Natalie told him as she saw John looking around the bar. John saw Marcie walk in the bar and he smiled, he put one finger up to Natalie and then he went over to Marcie. Marcie and John both walked over after a few minutes.

"Hey Marcie, what's going on John?" Natalie asked

"Well Marcie here said she would love to keep Thomas company while she waits for Michael. So see we can play a few games of pool." John answered in an optimist tone.

"I ... I don't think so John, I.. really" Natalie again tried to tell him no.

"Come on Nat, one game, what is it going to hurt? Please? I bet Thomas wants to see his old man beat your butt in pool." John told her smiling

"Alright your on but I doubt you'll win, you never win" Natalie replied wit ha cocky tone

"That's true but I've been practicing" he said as they walked over to the pool table to play a game, Marcie watched Thomas in his seat.

"You know I'm...I'm...sorry I.. I'm really sorry about putting pressure on you last night" John told her as she leaned in to take her shot.

"Lets just forget things and just think about what's best for Thomas, agreed?"

Natalie told him as she took her shot and sank one of her balls.

"Agreed," John said as he shook her hand that she extended out for him to shake.

One game quickly turned to three when Natalie kept checking over to Thomas who had fallen asleep, Michael had arrived to meet Marcie and they both just watched as Nat and John continued to play pool and have a great time.