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Chapter 13

John woke up and he didn't feel her next to him. He sat up and looked around the room and he still didn't see her so he decided to get dressed and go down stairs to find her. He looked at the clock and it was five am, five am he thought this time tomorrow I'll be waking up alone in some dingy hotel. He walked over to her dresser to look in the mirror as he tucked in his shirt and he stared at himself. He really stared at himself as if trying to see inside, inside to his soul. When he thought about his soul all he could envision was Natalie, she gave him back his soul. He smiled as he thought about her and turned to see her at the door.

" How long have you been standing there?" he asked

" Few minutes" she said as she handed him a cup of coffee

"I couldn't sleep so, I figured I'd get a jump on my day. What...what time are you leaving today? " Nat asked not really wanting to think about it.

" I have to be on the road by two, do you have to work today? " john asked

" No, I called and left Kevin a voice mail at the office that I wouldn't be in"

"Good, I want to spend as much time with you and Lauren as I can before I have to go" John said as he saw she got tears in her eyes and he reached his hand over and pulled her into an embrace.

The day went faster then the three of them would have liked. John had left for a little time in the morning but wasn't gone very long. John spent as much time with Nat and Lauren as he could, just hanging around the house doing normal everyday things.

" I've gotta go" John said as he kneeled down in front of Lauren

" I know we've just started to get to know each other but I've really had fun spending time with you and when I get back as long as it's alright with you I'd like for us to spend a lot more time together. Take care of your mom for me and make sure she doesn't forget to read you your favorite stories before bed." John said as he saw Lauren look a little sad when she looked back at him. It gave him hope that maybe she could someday accept him as her dad.

" Bye, John" she said and she hugged him. The hug took him by surprise and almost made him lose his balance while he was still on his knees. A smile came across his face and he looked at Natalie while he continued to still hold Lauren in a hug. Lauren let go and John stood and walked over to Nat.

Nat promised herself she would be strong about him leaving today. She was so afraid that something was going to happen to him and he wouldn't be coming back to them, she shook her head clear of those thoughts as she saw him move closer to her and bring his hand to her cheek. They stared into each other's eyes for a few minutes before John spoke.

" I love you, I'll call when I can, I'm just not sure when it will be. Don't forget I always keep my promises" John said and he leaned in and kissed her tenderly.

" I love you too.." Nat said as a whisper barely able to get the words out of her mouth. John turned towards the door and then left. Nat went over to Lauren who looked a little affected by John's leaving and she stood behind her and put her hands down on her shoulders.

" He coming back mommy? " Lauren asked

" Yes, He's come back as soon as he can" Nat said as she kissed the top of Lauren's head.

It had been two weeks and still Natalie hadn't heard anything from John. It was now Feb and Valentine's Day wasn't far off. Natalie had so hoped he would be home for valentine's day but with the way things were going it just didn't seem like it was going to happen. It was late and Nat was putting Lauren to bed.

" What book should we read tonight?" Nat asked Lauren

" My fairy tale book" Lauren answered sitting up in her bed with the covers over her.

"Okey, dokey one fairy tale coming right up" Nat said as she reached for the book on Lauren's top shelf, she noticed a long pink ribbon hanging out of it like a book mark. She opened the book to see the ribbon was attached to something. She looked quick and she thought she was seeing things. So she took the ribbon out of the book and attached to it was the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen, there was also a child size locket attached to the ribbons with a letter.

" What's a matta Mommy? " Lauren asked as she saw Nat pause to read the letter. Natalie motioned that Lauren wait a minute while she read the letter.

Nat,

This ring was my grandmothers' and I know she would want you to have it. I know you said we would discuss it when I get back but I wanted to leave it with you as a promise that nothing is going to happen to me, I'll be back as soon as I can. Wear it if you want to or just keep it close to your heart and know when I get back, we'll make it real. Even if I have to ask your dad and get on one knee. I love you. Give Lauren the locket from me and don't forget to look inside it.

John

Natalie's eye's started swelling up with tears as she held the ring, it wasn't a big diamond but just perfect and it had a beautiful setting. Natalie just stared at it for a few more minutes till Lauren spoke.

" What is it? " Lauren asked as Nat looked at her and handed her the locket.

" It's a locket for you from John. Lets open it and see what's inside." Nat said as she placed the locket on the palm of Lauren's hand and she opened it. Natalie smiled when she saw a tiny picture of herself on one side and a tiny picture of John on the other.

Lauren took the locket and looked at the two pictures in it and didn't think anything of it, she tried to put it on her neck but was unable to when Natalie helped her with it.

" Are you sure you want to wear it to bed? " Natalie asked as she helped Lauren put it on.

" Yes" Lauren answered and Nat decided the chain was too short to hurt Lauren while she slept. She said good night to Lauren and went to leave when Lauren spoke.

" I like him, he nice" Lauren said

"He sure is babe, now get some sleep" Natalie replied as she turned off the light in Lauren's room and went down stairs to the kitchen. Natalie held the ring in her hand tightly as if being afraid it might disappear and she continued towards the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Natalie looked out the window next to the door and saw it was Carlotta; she let her in.

" I wanted to see Lauren, I didn't realize how late it was" Carlotta told Natalie as she entered the house.

" She's already in bed but she might still be awake if you'd like to go up and see her" Nat told Carlotta as Carlotta turned to the stairs and went up to see if she was still awake.

When Carlotta got to Lauren's room she noticed she was already asleep and she went in over by her on the bed and kissed her forehead when Carlotta saw the locket on Lauren's neck. Carlotta opened it gently trying not to wake Lauren and she saw the pictures in it. She closed the locket while sporting a stern look and headed down stairs to talk to Natalie.

Natalie was sitting on the couch with a cup of tea when Carlotta stormed down the stairs.

" Why is my granddaughter wearing a locket with John Mcbain in it? Is Mcbain back and are the two of you together?" Carlotta asked demanding answers

"Carlotta, I love you dearly but it really is none of your business" Natalie told her as she didn't like the tone in Carlotta's voice.

"Wait till my son hears about this, his daughter having a picture of that man, on her neck."

" Carlotta, I think you need to talk with Chris before you start getting upset with things you know nothing about." Natalie said as she showed her the door.

" That's just what I'll do then" Carlotta said and left the cottage