A Week Later


Walking through the square had been surreal for her. Several people who knew her and knew what had happened to her had stopped to say their hellos and to welcome her back, while some others simply stared curiously as they continued on their way. Evangeline only felt a little uncomfortable by all the unwanted attention, but definitely wigged out when someone she was sure she had never met before addressed her in a familiar way. She knew that it was only due to her damaged brain that made her think she was two years in the past. Nora had informed her that she was planning a welcome home party for her, which she assured Evangeline would help her get reacclimated to the town and its people. Today she was meeting up with John for lunch. He had wanted to pick her up but she had wanted to drive herself since she was still licensed and her car was only in storage for the months she had been away. They were meeting up at Carlotta's diner and just as she was entering, Cristian was coming out. They stood inside the diner close to the door, both nervously eying the other but too scared to speak.

"Evangeline," Cristian finally spoke as a huge smile graced his lips. "Hey, how are you?" He asked as his eyes raked over her in a way that made her feel naked.

"Hello Cristian," She greeted back as she eyed him nervously. "I'm good thanks."

"That's good and you look good, really good," He stated as he leered a little and she frowned up some. "I was hoping we could meet up sometime to talk, you know, about us."

"Yeah, uhm … I don't think I'd feel comfortable with that, and as far as I'm concerned there is no us," Evangeline said as his face morphed to a disappointed frown. "I understand that you and I had some kind of relationship…"

"We loved each other, we were in love," Cristian clarified.

"I'm sorry, Cristian, but I don't remember that."

"But you could remember it, right?" He asked hopefully an she shook her head.

"No, according to my doctor I will likely never recover the memories that I've lost," Evangeline repeated the details that the specialist who she had seen just earlier that day had told her. "I should have no problem with making new memories, but everything I've lost from the last two years is lost forever," She looked down at the ground mournfully. "It's going to be hard to try to catch up on two years, all the people I've met and the world's events, but I'm up for the challenge."

"I'm sorry to hear that but you have so many people who will help you. I will help you and maybe we could start our relationship anew," He said with a hopeful smile that instantly fell when she shook her head.

"No, I don't want to rekindle a romantic relationship with you Cristian, I'm sorry," And she truly was sorry that he seemed to be hurt by her words. "I am sure you are a great guy and my sister Layla, she told me that I did fall in love with you, which she didn't think was possible after John and I ended our relationship. But I just don't recall any of that. In my mind I'm-"

"You're still in a relationship with John McBain," Cristian cut her off with a look of disdain on his face. "But you know that is not the reality, right? I mean, you're not really in a relationship with McBain, you're not his girlfriend anymore."

"Actually, that's not true," A male voice spoke just behind Cristian who had his back to the entrance and had not noticed that John McBain had just entered. Evangeline tilted her head to look around Cristian's broad frame which was blocking her view of the entrance. She smiled as she stepped around Cristian and stopped at John's side.

"Hi," She greeted John with the biggest, brightest smile.

"Hi," John greeted back as he placed his right arm around her shoulders and leaned down and captured her lips in a short, sweet kiss, and the move instantly angered Cristian, who was just about to intervene when a strong, firm hand grasped his arm. Cristian turned to see his older brother, Antonio, holding him back and shaking his head.

"No, hermanito," Antonio spoke lowly to Cristian, who let out a heavy sigh and nodded his understanding. "Welcome home, Evangeline," Antonio spoke out as the two lovers pulled apart. She turned to regard Antonio.

"Thank you, Antonio."

"So, how are you feeling?" He probed further as he kept a hold on his brother's arm as Cristian and John engaged in a stare down.

"Weird but happy," She answered honestly. "I mean, I am happy to be alive and awake, but I've lost two years of my life."

"Whoa, I'm sorry to hear that," Antonio frowned up at hearing this for the first time, but it cleared up some confusion about seeing her kissing McBain and giving Cristian the cold shoulder. "Is it temporary?"

"No, I won't get any of those memories back. A part of me has regrets about that, but for the most part I'm just grateful. So grateful that I've been given a second chance," She said this as she wrapped her left arm around John's back and smiled up at him. "And I plan on living life to the fullest and I'm going to try not to let my past fears or insecurities determine how I live my life like I used to do."

"Well, I'm happy you're awake and back with us," Antonio proclaimed.

"If you'll excuse us," John spoke again as he started to maneuver, him and Evangeline further into the diner. "I promised my girlfriend a lunch date," Antonio moved aside and tugged Cristian with him.

"That wasn't really necessary, I was handling it," Evangeline spoke out as they took a seat at their usual booth.

"What are you talking about?" John's brows frowned up while he smirked and reached for the menu, which he opened and glanced over even though he already knew exactly what he was getting. And Evangeline knew it too so she grasped the menu from his hands and placed it back in its rack. John sent her a smile and a chuckle as she smiled back at him.

"All that posturing, the air is filled with testosterone now," She teased him. "And was it my imagination or were you gloating a little bit there, McBain?"

"I really don't know what you're talking about," John said innocently as he sent her a toothy laugh. "I'm just happy to have you back in my life, that we've both been given a second chance," He said this as he reached across the table and grasped her hand. "I told you things will be different this time, and one of those things is openly expressing how crazy I am about you, and I really don't care who has a problem with it."

"I hope you feel the same way if it turns out that I'm pregnant," Evangeline tossed out casually what had been filling her mind for the past week. A week ago, when they had stood at her door saying their goodnights, John had told her to try not to worry about something that might be, and that they would sit down and talk about it later. Then the days went by where she found herself so busy trying to restart her life, mainly her law practice while John got bogged down with his current case. They had been able to see each other every day, but had not been able to find the time to really discuss their carefree day making love in his car, or the possibility that it may result in a baby. John shifted in his seat some and released her hand as he sat more upright. She suspected it would be a touchy subject for him, but she prayed if she were in fact pregnant it would not be a deal breaker on their newfound romance.

"Well, if you are pregnant and there is a tiny version of 'us' growing in your belly right now, I can tell you it would definitely increase my happiness and only make me love you more," He confessed with a smile and she smiled back at him as relief instantly washed over her. "I can't promise you I'd be very good at it. I honestly never thought I'd have kids, you know," She nodded her head to this because neither had she. She was too career focused and hadn't ever seen that changing. She liked her life with just her being responsible for herself. "But if there is a kid, I'll read all the books necessary and take all the classes I need to, to prepare and make sure I'm the best daddy possible to our child."

"You're pregnant? Boy, that didn't take long," A familiar voice spoke out and pull them from their private conversation and both John and Evangeline looked up to gaze at the red-head now standing at their table.

"And now my week is complete," Evangeline grumbled out and then plastered on a bright smile. She had been hoping not to run into Natalie Buchanan until she was steadier in this new world, she found herself in, but it seemed the fates had other ideas. "Hello, Natalie."

"So, you two are back together and you're pregnant?" Natalie asked as she quickly moved her glance from Evangeline over to John, while she folded her arms across her chest. At hearing Natalie's rather loud voice, Cristian took a couple of steps towards the table where John and Evangeline sat. He was stunned by what he had just heard.

"Actually-" Evangeline began to respond but John hurriedly cut her off.

"It's none of your business, Natalie," John said plainly as he scowled up at his ex. "But let me be perfectly clear about something," He spoke this as he stood from the booth and placed his hands on his hips as he looked at Natalie. "Evangeline and I are back together," He shot his eyes from Natalie over to Cristian, and then back on to Natalie. "We're happy and we're in love," That word pulled a sharp gasp from Natalie as she dropped her hands and fisted them at her sides. "And I am not going to let anyone interfere this time around. You and I work together and that will not be a problem for me as long as you keep it professional. The second you step out of that professional work relationship bubble I'm taking it to HR. And the result of that is one of us will have to go, and who do you think that's gonna be?" He asked and she gulped down the lump that had formed in her throat. Evangeline sat stunned as she watched with what she was sure had to be the goofiest smile on her face. "As to your question about if Evangeline is pregnant, we don't know yet, it's too early to tell, but I'm crossing my fingers that she is," He spoke those words while he smiled lovingly down at Evangeline. "C'mon, let's go back to my place and order some take-out," John offered as he held out his hand to Evangeline.

"Yes, sir," Evangeline replied as she hurriedly grasped his hand, scooted from the booth, and followed him out of the diner. Neither cared to see the two shocked and hurt filled faces that watched them as they left.


Sometime later


"The food's probably cold now," She signed out contently as she snuggled closer to the warm body next to her on the full-sized bed.

"Mhm-hm, but I wasn't really hungry anyway," Came the replied from the man lying beside her. "At least not for food," He added on as he smiled and curled the arm he had wrapped around her back and pulled her closer.

"I know, and I'm sorry, John," Evangeline replied as she leaned up on her elbow to get a better view of his face. "I know you wanted to make love, I do too, but we can't be careless this time. I just started taking my birth control pills today, and I can't rely on them to take effect for a couple of days."

"No, don't be sorry," John spoke this as he reached up and stroked her hair. "I should have been better prepared. It's not like we hadn't used condoms in the past. I've just not had a need for them for a while now, so, I don't have any on hand," He said honestly.

"Right, not since you and Natalie were together?" She countered as she bowed her head a bit and hoped he couldn't see the hurt and jealousy in her eyes, but he had, but knew there was nothing he could say to ease that for her.

"Yeah," Was all he could say.

"May I ask, what happened between you two?" She asked as she settled her head back down against his shoulder. She broached the question cautiously for she didn't know if it was a sore spot for him or not.

"It was a mistake," Was all John offered at first, then after a few seconds of silence he said more. "I was lonely and I thought maybe there was something to it, you know, Natalie and me being together, since everybody kept telling me there was. Regardless of how many times I said otherwise, despite what I felt. I thought maybe everyone was right, and so we started but I quickly realized it wasn't going to work between us. Hell, even Natalie could see it wasn't all she thought it would be. In fact, she was the one who broke things off not me," This stunned Evangeline but she remained silent. "But it was an amicable split and it was the best thing for both of us."

"I'm sorry, John."

"Don't be, I couldn't give Natalie what she wanted and she couldn't give me what I wanted. She wanted my whole heart and my unconditional love and devotion, but I had already given those things to you, and you were who I really wanted to be with. I'm just sorry I realized it too late."

"Well, not so late," She replied as she smiled truly touched by his words. "I'm here now."

"Yeah, but I keep thinking about what might have happened had I told you how I felt sooner and we had never broken up. You probably never would have been attacked and…" His words were silence as she sat up again and placed her left hand over his mouth.

"What happened to me was not your fault, John McBain," Evangeline said sternly as she scowled down at him. "You're not Superman and it is not your job to save everybody."

"I know but I just wish I could have saved you."

"But if you had saved me, I'd might still be with Cristian, so as far as I'm concerned it worked out for the best," She said with a sweet smile. "I'm here with you, and barring a possible unplanned pregnancy, I'm the happiest I can recall being in a long time," She declared.

"Barring a possible pregnancy," John repeated her words as he averted his eyes over to the box of Chinese food that she could see sitting on the coffee table in his living room area. "I'm sorry that worries you and that I put you in the predicament."

"No, that wasn't all on you. I was there too and we made love because I wanted it just as much as you did. As for being pregnant … I can admit it's not something I had ever imagined in my life right now or ever, but if I am pregnant, I will love our child with my entire heart and soul," Her words brought a smile to John's face and he know stared adoringly up at her.

"Me too," He declared and noticed her look of surprise.

"You would?"

"Of course, it's not what I ever pictured for myself either," He admitted. "But after losing you I thought about it a lot, you know, all the things that could have been. And on more than one occasion I fantasized about what 'our' children would have looked like, and oddly they all looked like you," He said with a chuckle and she giggled at his assessment.

"Even the boys?" She asked and he shook his head.

"No, because I never saw us having boys, only girls. Little gorgeous Evangeline clones running around."

"Okay, that sounds creepy as hell," Evangeline stated as she continued to giggle. "So, if I am pregnant, you'd be happy about it?"

"Yes, in fact, I'm already kind of excited about it. What I said to Natalie was the truth, I am hoping that you are."

"Well, I have the appointment with my OBGYN scheduled for next week, the doctor says that would be enough time for my body to have developed detectable levels of hCG," John shot her a confused looked at her words. "Basically, if we have conceived a child, it would be clearly detectable by next week," He nodded his understanding to this. "If you wanted to come-"

"I would, I do want to be there," He hastily replied as he sat up now on his elbow and turned to her face-to-face. "If you feel comfortable with me being there."

"Of course," She said with a smile and a nod. "It could be a life changing moment for us both, and I would greatly appreciate having a non-judgmental person there holding my hand."

"So, your sister and mom are still giving you a hard time about it, huh?"

"Just Layla. My mom is quite happy about the prospect of becoming a grandmother. I told her that she shouldn't get too invested because there's a possibility that I am not pregnant, to which she replied, 'If you aren't you and John are both young and virile, so you can always keep trying'."

"Wow, I never thought I'd live to see the day when Lisa was rooting for us as a couple," John replied genuinely stunned but also pleased to know it.

"Yeah, she's actually very happy about our reunion too. I asked her didn't she like Cristian and she told me that he never came to visit me in the facility I was in, but that you came up every week to visit me, like clockwork. She noticed your name in the sign-in book. She said that she never added you on the visitors list but learned that you'd pull your badge and say you were there on official police business."

"I didn't think that would actually work but I was desperate to see you and as you said Lisa never added me on the visitor's list. But I flashed my badge and the staff were welcoming and never questioned why I came to see you when you were in a coma and couldn't actually tell me anything."

"Thank you, John, for coming, for being there for me," Evangeline spoke this as she reached out and lovingly cupped his face and allowed the thumb of her left hand to stroke his right cheek.

"It was for selfish reasons, you were my solace more than I was yours," He confessed. "Being there with you, holding your hand and talking to you … even when I just sat there for hours in silence watching you, it was a great comfort to me."

"As I'm sure it was for me too," She responded with a wide smile. The moment was interrupted by John's cellphone. He reached over to the bedside table, grasped it, and then connected the call.

"McBain," He responded and then listened. "Yeah, yeah, I want to handle his booking myself, just hold him in lock up. I'm heading in now," He said this as he cast Evangeline apologetic eyes as he detangled from her and sat up on the bed with his legs over the side. "And thanks Rodriguez for letting me know," He then ended the call, stood from the bed and shoved the phone in his pants pocket. "Hey, I'm sorry but I have to get down to the station. They just brought in a guy we've been looking for, for months," As he said this Evangeline moved from the bed and followed him into the living room where he was pulling on his jacket. "He's the last member of the terrorist group who did the attack that put you in your coma," She gasped out in horror as she raised her right hand and clutched at her chest. "I need to go make sure everything is handled by the book. I don't want that motherfucker somehow getting off on some technicality because we didn't follow proper procedure. That's why I've personally done all of the booking every time we caught one of them. I plan to make sure they all pay for what they did to you."

"Thank you," Evangeline said softly as she watched him grab his wallet and keys.

"Hey, you know you can stick around, right? I mean, if you don't have somewhere you have to be. And once I book this guy, I'll take the rest of the day and we can hang out, watch a movie and enjoy our cold Chinese food," He said with a smile one she matched.

"I'd like that very much, but I did make plans to meet up with Nora in about an hour but I can come back by afterwards," She said and John nodded as he moved to the table by the door. He opened its single drawer, reached inside, and pulled out a key. He then moved to where Evangeline stood and held it out to her. She took the key in hand.

"In case I'm not back by the time you return, just let yourself in and make yourself at home," He said and she nodded with a smile and then swooped in and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "And you can just keep it … in case you ever wanted to stop by, you're always welcome here."

"All right, thank you, John," She replied coyly and with a nod he led them out the door.