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Chapter 18

John held Nat for a few more minutes when a nurse that needed to check Nat's blood pressure interrupted them. After a few minutes she was gone when Nat turned to John and smiled.

" Here " She said as she took the envelope that Kevin brought her from her attorney and handed it to John.

"What is it? " John asked as he started opening it

"It's your Valentine's present or I should say your belated Valentine's present," she said as she watched him start to read the papers.

"I.. I can't believe you did this, I mean I know we talked about it but why.. I mean how did you do this so fast? John asked shocked and Happy at the same time.

" I wanted to surprise you with them when you got back. I know how Important it is for Lauren to be yours legally so I pulled a few strings and got her birth certificate changed and then I had my attorney have her name legally changed." Natalie said with a smile matching John's.

She had his name now he thought, she was legally his daughter now, Chris had no ties to her, no more ties to his child and to his wife. Wife, he thought that must be my heart talking again cause my brain knows it isn't true yet but soon. He heard Nat clear her throat and he came out of his thoughts.

" I'm still not sure as to when we should tell her, I'm not sure when the best time will be" Natalie said as John took a seat next to her bed

"We can just play it by ear, it's enough for now to know Chris has no legal rights to her." John answered

Chris, Natalie thought, how did she feel towards him now. He had done some terrible things to her over the last few years but the worst was shooting her and almost taking her away from Lauren and John. She still felt like there were unsettled things between Chris and herself.

"I wanna see him," Natalie told John who had a confused look on his face

" What? See who? You don't mean Chris?" John said

" Yes, you know I mean Chris, It's important John, when I get out of here in a few days I need to see him."

"No! You're not going anywhere near him ever again." John said firmly

"Excuse Me! I'm sorry since when do you tell me what I can and can not do!" Natalie said getting irritated with John's attitude

" I don't want you anywhere near him Natalie, Not now, not ever! " John said and then he saw her face, she was getting really mad at him. He was about to say something else and he stopped himself before he made things worse. He thought about things.

Is she crazy, the man just shot her, he's been abusive in the past, he's lied to us about Lauren and she wants to just go see him, she wants me to allow it? John thought some more and realized he was being a jerk, he was trying to control things all because he was worried about her, worried about what she could feel when she saw him. He was brought out of his thoughts when Natalie waved her hand in front of his face.

" John, You know I make my ow---" Natalie tried to finish her sentence but John brought his lips to hers and kissed her.

" I'm sorry, I know I was being a Jerk, you should see him if you feel you need to, but you're not... I mean I would prefer it if you'd let me go with you." John said after he kissed her, he started to again tell her what to do and he stopped himself, he knew just because she agreed to marry him he wasn't her boss. They needed to be equals in their relationship, it was important to her, to him, to their future. It was time for a change for John Mcbain, or at least a change when it came to Natalie.

The next few days went by and john made arrangements with Bo so Nat would be able to talk to Chris. Chris was still being held at the station waiting for his trial to start.

" Hey Honey, how are you feeling? I can't believe they let you out of that hospital so soon? " Bo asked Nat as she and John walked into the station.

" I'm fine, just a little sore but I'm fine and I couldn't wait to get out of that place." Nat said as she went over to Bo and hugged him. She moved a little to fast to hug him and she let out a small gulp of pain.

" See, I knew this would be too much for you today, let's go home and see Lauren you can come back in a few days" John said as he heard her in pain and then he guided her to a chair to sit down.

"Honey, John's right, it can wait " Bo said watching Natalie closely

" Will the both of you just quit it already, I'm okay, I want to get this over with so I can finally move on with my life. " Nat said to the both of them and then she looked at John.

" With our lives, I need to do this" Nat said as John nodded his head and helped her up from her seat and guided her to Chris' cell. When they got to the cell Natalie stopped before going in.

"I want you to wait here for me, I need to do this alone, please understand" Nat asked John

" But Nat--"

" He can't hurt me, us, not ever again," Nat said interrupting John's objection and then John nodded and let her pass by him to the cells. Before she completely walked passed him he grabbed her wrist gently, Natalie turned and looked at him.

" I'll be right here if you need me, I Love you" John said and he gave her a quick kiss on the lips