This takes place about four years after the prison riot and Natalie had told both Chris and John she doesn't want to have anything to do with either of them.

Chapter 1

Natalie was frantic with worry as she searched Angel Square Park for Lauren. Lauren was three a few months ago and this was her first time to Angel Square since she was a baby. Natalie continued to search the grounds of the park when she heard her scream. Nat ran towards the sound of her voice. Natalie ran towards Luna's statue and stopped short in her tracks. She blinked a few times to make sure her eye's weren't playing tricks on her, it was him. Lauren wasn't screaming anymore but now she was laughing, smiling and laughing.

Natalie watched as Lauren continued to laugh. She watched the interaction between the two and it reminded her of how he use to make her laugh all the time, laugh all the time with his dry sense of humor.

John stared at the little girl in front of him, she seem to be frightened and lost at first but calmed at the sound of his voice. The girl reminded him of someone, someone he once knew, someone he once loved, and someone he never got over loving. He shook his head clear of those memories of the love he didn't fight for, as he continued to stare at the cutest little girl he had ever seen, all most like he knew her, she had the most beautiful long strawberry blonde hair and a smile that reached from ear to ear when she laughed. John was brought out of his thoughts when she spoke.

" My name is Lauren Vega and I can't find my mommy" Lauren said as fear again started to sink in.

Natalie heard Lauren's voice turn back into fear and she walked forward from behind John. She walked passed John and over to Lauren.

" I'm right her honey, It's alright." Natalie said as she kneeled down and held her. Natalie turned away from Lauren while she was still holding her and looked at John.

John wasn't in shock for he had a strange feeling when he met the little girl. She was all Natalie but a younger version and then when she said her name, he knew. He knew she was Natalie's. He knew that after he left Llanview Natalie and Chris worked things out, he had been in touch with Michael back then. Michael had even told John that Nat and Chris also moved away from Llanview. John himself was gone from Llanview for, four years.

Natalie and John continued to stare at each other till finally Nat spoke.

" It's nice to see you again John. What brings you back to Llanview?" Natalie asked as she picked Lauren up in her arms and Lauren put her arms around Nat's neck and held on.

" Nice to see you too Nat. I'm back for a visit with Michael." John answered, as the awkwardness was too much to handle. Natalie was about to thank John for finding and calming Lauren when Lauren spoke.

" Mommy we have to go, daddy calls tonight, it's Friday, he calls every Friday at five. Is it five? "

"No, it's not five yet we have plenty of time, you won't miss his call." Nat reassured her little girl as John noticed the girl was overly worried about missing the phone call. John was curious, very curious.

" How is Chris? " John asked fishing for answers to his curiosity.

"He's fine, He..He... he's still in New York. " Nat answered not wanting to let John Mcbain back into her business. Not wanting to tell him too much, for it was none of his business and for some reason she always wanted to tell him everything. She would just look at him and she couldn't keep anything inside. But not anymore, she thought it had been over four years since she found out about him knowing about Chris in Statesville. It was over four years ago that he stepped aside and let Chris have her back, It was over four years since he just let her go, since he didn't fight for her, no fighting for her and no proclamation of love, she remembered., he didn't fight and I went where I wasn't second guessing Love. Chris's Love was never an issue.

" I really have to go John, Chris will be calling home to speak to Lauren and she gets very upset if she misses his call." Natalie said as she started to walk away still carrying Lauren.

" Bye, John have a nice visit with Michael. " Natalie said as she continued to walk away not waiting for a good bye from him.