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Chapter 17

John and Natalie broke apart and was slightly embarrassed that almost her entire family caught them in a lip lock. John smiled at Natalie and told her he'd be back in a little while after her family had a chance to visit.

Natalie was finishing up her visit with her family when everyone was leaving and Kevin stayed behind.

"I'm glad you made it thru alright, do you need anything?" Kevin asked Nat, as he made sure the door to her room was closed.

" Thanks, Kevin, No I don't need anything right now." Nat replied but could see there was something on Kevin's mind.

"What is it Kev? " Nat asked

"Why didn't you tell me? I mean, I helped with all the Legal stuff with getting your divorce and with the custody agreement and you didn't say a word, didn't say a word about how ..what.. Chris became." Kevin asked his sister softly not wanting to upset her.

"Who told you? " Nat asked

"Bo said something that made me think, think about how desperate you were for my help with the divorce... with the custody agreement. I should have figured it out sooner, back then. I can't believe I didn't realize it, you've never asked for my help before that time. I'm sorry." Kevin said standing by Nat's bed looking at her.

"You have nothing to feel sorry about. Maybe If I would have told someone.. things.. things.. No, I don't wanna go down that road again. No regrets, no what if's, no if I did things different. I was almost killed last night and I'm thankful to be alive, I'm thankful for Lauren, and for John. I just don't want to talk about the past anymore, I just want to move on with my Life." Natalie said and she smiled at him.

" I.. I.. just feel bad th--" Kevin started to say when Nat knew what he was getting at.

" Kevin, You and I haven't always been the closest but when I asked for your help you didn't hesitate. I don't want you to beat yourself up about anything, alright?" Natalie said as she took his hand for a moment and gave him another smile. Kevin just smiled back and shook his head.

"Alright. I've got some paperwork that was sent to your office at BE. I think it's from your attorney. Would it be to much for me to ask what it's about and if you need any help with anything?" Kevin asked lightly knowing that Natalie might take offense to him wanting to know.

"I'm only asking because You know I'm trying to do this big brother thing with you and maybe this time I'll be able to get it right" Kevin said reassuring Nat that he wants the position of her big brother, he wants them to have that kind of relationship, that closeness.

" I'd really like to tell you Kevin but I'm not sure how John wants to handle this. I hope you understand but, there are a few more things that need to be worked out before we let everyone know the truth and well all I can say is the papers from the attorney are going to help. Soon, I'll be able to tell you soon, I promise." Nat said feeling bad that she couldn't tell him about John being Lauren's real dad.

"Alright Nat, however you need to play this, what ever it is" Kevin said sounding disappointed for which Nat picked up on.

'"Well, I may not be able to tell you about that but, I have something I can tell you and I really can't believe the family didn't pick up on it while we were visiting." Nat said as a slow smile ran across her face and she picked up her hand and showed him the ring on her finger.

"A huh? Now I know why Mcbain was on top of you when we walked in earlier. Do you think I have to give him a warning about hurting my little sister?" Kevin asked with a grin as he saw her ring and then looked at her.

"Funny, Kevin, real funny" Natalie said looking back at her brother feeling probably for the first time that he genuinely cared for hurt.

" All kidding aside Nat, If your happy, I'm happy and although Mcbain and I are different type people I don't think he'll ever hurt you" Kevin said as he and Nat heard her door open and they saw John peak his head in.

" I'm sorry, I thought everyone was gone and I have a surprise for you, not really sure it can wait because I don't want to get yelled at from Michael" John said still standing with only his head peaking in thru the door when they all heard it, Lauren's voice from the hall behind John.

"Dr. Mikey me here see mommy" Lauren said to Michael in the hall

"Crap! I'm busted " John said as he turned from the door and saw Michael's smiling face. John watched his stickler brother for a moment and realized he wasn't mad so John took Lauren by the hand and led her in to Nat's room. John leaned down to Lauren's ear and reminded her of what he told her in the car. That Nat was fine but sick and might not be able to hold her, and for her not to be scared of the machines in the room or for how Natalie looked. Then John walked passed Kevin who was moving away from Nat in the bed and John gently picked Lauren up and placed her on the empty space on the bed next to Natalie.

Natalie's eyes were tearing up. Her baby was here, her Lauren, John had known she needed to see her for herself to make sure she was really alright. Kevin saw the emotions on Nat's face with Lauren next to her and he excused himself and left. Michael was still in the hall amused by John trying to sneak Lauren into the Hospital. While Nat, John and Lauren stayed in Nat's room and visited for a few minutes.

After about a half hour rex showed up to take Lauren back home.

"I'll be home soon baby, alright? You be good for uncle Rex" Natalie told her as she kissed her forehead and Rex came over to the bed and picked Lauren up to take her home.

"Luv you, mommy" Lauren said as Rex carrier her out as Lauren looked back at Nat

" Mommy loves you too Lauren" Natalie said as she couldn't hold the tears in any more. All the tears that were building up inside her eye's, inside her body, they came rushing out. John saw them starting and he knew, knew how important it was for her to shed them, all of them. He moved closer to her and sat on the bed where their daughter had sat a few minutes ago and held her to the best of his ability till the tears stopped. Once he heard no more sobbing, felt no more wetness on his chest he pulled back for a minute to look at her. He tucked a piece of her hair that had fallen in front of her face behind her ear and caressed her face.

" Thank You" was all Natalie said as she leaned into him so he could continue to hold her some more.