HEARTS DIVIDED: A Pot of Gold

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline stirs at the sound of wild laughter and squealing. She opens her eyes and listens then hears nothing. Last night she tossed in turn in the king size maple wood sleigh bed with the plump pillow top mattress. When Kevin became sick she slowly got used to sleep on the couch in his hospital room. Surprisingly when she stayed her during her pregnancy she slept fine. But now John under the same roof with her had her reacting in away that foreign to her and she was determined to fight it. Whatever it was.

Hearing her baby squeal laughing loudly again she smiles. So he's the culprit. She should have known the man in her life would be up raising the roof.

Looking across the room at the clock she sees it's a quarter to seven. Sounds like Carlotta had him up and eating already. Smelling the delicious aroma of bacon and eggs she sits up. Assuming that John would probably be up too. Reaching for her robe she slips it over her flimsy pink nightgown that Kevin loved. She still dressed for her dead husband even though she slept in the cold bed alone. Dropping down from her bed her feet hit the cool hard wood floor and she looks around for her slippers. Slipping them on she tightens her robe and walks out.

"Can you say Dad-deee? Come on say Dad-dee!"
"Dad-DEE!"
"Good boy!"
"DADDEEE!"

Evangeline stops frozen at the scene before her. The kitchen is a wreck and her son is sitting in his highchair with grape jelly all over his face and tray. John is cheering him on as KJ shouts out Daddy and then bursts into fits of laughter at the faces he's making. He called him Daddy? One day with the man and her baby is calling him daddy?

"What's going on?" she ask looking angrily at John
He looks up at her and smiles "Morning mommy!"
KJ grins "Mornen mommie!" he exclaimed waving his hand.

"Where's Carlotta?" she asked moving into the room still not believing this man made her son call him daddy. It hurt to see him bonding with her child so quickly.
"I let her go..."

Evangeline stopped and looked at him in shock. "You did what?"

John gave KJ his sippie cup and picks up his bowl from in front of him going back to the kitchen. "We don't need a nanny."

Evangeline feels her anger rising and tries to keep it under control "You don't make decisions like that! Who the hell are you to dismiss my staff!"

"Your staff? Exactly why would you need a staff for your two year old son? I mean I know as you said you have more money than god. But are you that lazy that you need to pay someone to do the simple task of waking your child?"

Evangeline breath stops at his accusations and she wants to smack him really bad. "You asss…"

KJ laughs and throws his cup and she realizes how what she was about to say. Going over to her son, she pulls back the tray and lets him out scooping him in her arms. Turning she glares at John who is looking at her amused. "Let me tell you something. Carlotta isn't just a nanny she's a family friend and she has been there for me and my son every step of the way. Don't you ever! Ever! Make an arbitrary decision about my child without consulting me! Are we clear?"

John looks at her and then KJ who is staring at him with his wide blue eyes and jelly stained face waiting on a answer too.

"Evangeline, are we not getting married?"
Evangeline frowns "What does that…"
"It has a lot to do with it. Look at me. Look hard. Do you think I'm a man that will sit back and take orders from you? I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings but we don't need a nanny. If she's just a family friend then cool. But no nanny!"

Evangeline glares at him feeling KJ's sticky fingers on her face. She wants to scream at him but can't think of a way to make him bend to her will.

John smiles at her. "Now do you want some eggs?"
KJ smiles "Eggs" he says clearly
Evangeline looks at him confused. He's slow to talk but say more words everyday. This was the first time she heard him say eggs. Holding him in front of her she kissed his sticky lips "Did momma's baby say eggs?"

KJ smiled and remained silent. Putting him back on her hip she rolled her eyes at John and turned to bathe and dress him.

John watched her walk away the tail her robe blowing lightly around her calves and her hair swaying. He got off on the wrong foot again but there are some things he just couldn't abide by. He was old fashion. It was her and his job to see after KJ not a nanny. No way in hell would he put up with that.

After cleaning the kitchen and table he heard the tapping of little feet running down the hall. Throwing the dishrag up on the sink he came out of the kitchen to see KJ fly by heading around the corner. Curious as to where he was headed he went after him almost running into Evangeline as she rounded the corner. Grabbing her by the waist to keep her from falling he enjoyed the brief contact. She blushed and moved from his grasp.

"Where did he go?" she said turning and running after him.
"What's going on?" he asked confused running behind her.

Evangeline enters the family room and spins around confused. "KJ come to mommy"
Watching her he looks around and don't see him. "Evangeline what's going on?"
"He hides. But this is his first time here so I don't want him to get stuck or hurt."
"Hides?" he said confused.
"Just help me find him." she says going around the sofas and checking cabinets.

John looks around and sees a door to another room cracked. Going to the door he hears his son giggling and sighs relieved that he knows where he is. Pulling the door open KJ squeals and burst into laughter as if he's being tickled. John picks him up. "You are really a little rascal aren't you?"

Evangeline walks over. "Mommy doesn't like it when you hide KJ" she says sternly.
John looks at her "Is this a routine with you two?"
Evangeline sighs walking away. "I don't know why he does it but for the past couple of months he wants to do this."

John follows her and sees him grab that damn pacifier that's pinned to him and pop it in his mouth. Some way he's going to get him to break this habit.

Evangeline turned and looked at John "Oh and for the record I called Carlotta and told her that she will be working part-time."

John narrowed his eyes on her and Evangeline shot him the same challenging look "She will work between the hours of 10am and 4pm. That's my compromise!"

John bites his bottom lip and looks her up and down. She's changed into a pair of hip hugger jeans and a melon colored tennis shirt that was short enough to allow her breast to lift the front and reveal her belly button. He wanted to befriend her, he had to get her to stop fighting him.

"Okay that's a compromise…"
"Glad you approve" she smirked going to the closet and opening it. John went to the sofa in the family room sitting down. KJ got down immediately and went to his mothers feet curious to see what she was doing. Evangeline grabbed a chest and pulled it out, using her free hand to push KJ away.

"You need help?"
"No" she wheezed dropping the chest.
"What is it?" he asked.
"His toys…" She said opening it and stepping away. KJ went straight inside pulling each piece out one by one. She went to the chair across from him and plopped down. John watched his son playing and then looked at Evangeline. "Thought you haven't been here with him?"

She nods watching him. "Carlotta brought them when she knew he was coming."
"Guess there is a need for nanny's" he says jokingly
Evangeline looks at him and frowns.
"Would you loosen up around me please?"

Evangeline blew out a breath of frustration. "Sorry John but you have to admit this awkward."

"Extremely awkward and just think tomorrow is our wedding day."
"Speaking of that" Evangeline said sitting up straight. "We need to clear the air about some things."
John looks at her and smirks "Yes clear some things up."

"Last night you said you wanted us to take your name"
"I did"
"Well, I mean…Kevin's a Buchanan and along with that name comes…."
"No!"
"John hear me out first."
"NO!"
Sighing she shoots him an angry look "Why are you doing this?"
"Kevin is not a Buchanan. You know that and he has a lot to be proud of being a McBain."
Evangeline narrows her eyes on him. "Like what?"
"Well he's half Irish and that in itself is a great thing"
Evangeline laughs "Really? Why is that?"
John smiles at her "We Irish men love and work hard. He comes from a great stock of heroes and warriors!"

Evangeline sees John eyes sparkle and she can't deny she finds him extremely attractive. Pushing those desirable thoughts away she smiles at him. "Like who?"
"Like who what?" John asked frowning.
"Who's a famous Irishman he's related too."

John laughs and looks over at his son. "KJ!" Kevin looks up holding his blocks and hammer sucking his pacifier wide eyed. "Have you ever heard of the famous Patty McBain?" KJ blinks and then goes back to playing.

Evangeline chuckles "Guess not"

"That's because he hasn't spent enough time with his dad. He will learn soon enough."
Evangeline continues to laugh "So what did Patty McBain do?"
"I thought you never asked." He said moving down the couch so he was closer to the chair she sat in.

"Patty lived in Limerick during the first World War. He was the only documented Irishmen to actually capture a leprechaun."

Evangeline rolls her eyes "Oh brother..."

"No, it's true. His village was very poor. They were potato farmers and could barely keep food on the table. Patty was determined to find away to help his community and he did just that"

"How so?" she asked enjoying his animation when he spoke. KJ stopped and was staring at him too.

"He fell asleep one day in a potato patch and terrible storm blew over his village. Patty awoke to a downpour like no other. Desperate for cover he found a large tree with a gaping whole chewed out of the center base. It was large enough to seat 3 grown men comfortably. Patty hid inside with his potato sack waiting on the rain to stop. Of course being Patty he fell asleep again. Then suddenly he awoke." John started moving his hands and telling the story attracting more of KJ's attention. He put down his blocks and came over and stood in front of him listening sucking that pacifier. Evangeline saw how captivated KJ was with the story and smiled.

"Well Patty heard the most beautiful music he ever heard." John whistled a low musical tune and KJ clapped his hands and bobbed his head like he always did when he heard music.

"Patty was so drawn by the jingling melody he carefully peeked out of that big old ugly tree….and guess what he saw" KJ looked at him waiting to hear. "A leprechaun KJ dragging his pot of gold. And oh KJ what a magnificent pot of gold this was. It not only sparkled and shine but spilling out of it was a rainbow that reached all the way up the heavens" he said pointing to sky, KJ and Evangeline both looked up to the ceiling.

"Well Patty was terrified. Leprechauns were mean trolls and very protective of their gold. He knew if he just followed the Leprechaun to wear he hid the gold the village would be rich beyond anyone's belief. And that's what Patty did. He hid in the trees and watched the Leprechaun go to a puddle that had formed on the ground. Using his wand the puddle opened up to a hole and the Leprechaun lowered the gold inside. He closed the hole with a little slit so that the rainbow could shoot up through the sky."

"Patty so excited stepped on a branch under his foot causing the leprechaun to turn around surprised. The troll squealed in anger "WHO GOES DERE! YOU TRYAN TO STEAL ME GOLD! COME OUT! COME OUT!"

KJ backed away frightened by Johns voice and John winked at him. "Well Patty came out of his hiding place. It is me sir, Patty. The leprechaun saw Patty and immediately wanted to eat him. Patty saw the leprechaun lick his lips and decided to fool him into giving up the gold. SIR, I CAME TO WARN YA. DEY WANT YA GOLD"

Evangeline was enjoying the story immensely and she knew KJ loved storytelling but to have his attention for this long was a near miracle. John had a way with her son that was all their own. She liked it.

"Well the leprechaun being the paranoid soul that he was became alarmed. ME GOLD! ME GOLD! DEY WANT ME GOLD! Patty nodded that's right they want your gold. You must hide from them now before they get here. If you get into my potato sack I can distract them from this area and then let you go. Well the leprechaun was a lot of things but smart wasn't one of them. He readily agreed to what Patty asked and climbed into the bag. Patty slipped off his wand from his belt loop as he helped him inside. Once the leprechaun was trapped Patty jumped up and down! He'd fooled him KJ he caught him so he had full access to the gold. And if you know Leprechauns they keep several stashes of gold. Being trapped in Patty's sack he had to confess to all his hiding spots."

John started clapping excitedly and so did KJ.

"So let me guess. Patty became a local celebrity and the village in Limerick became wealthy beyond belief…"

John looked at her and winked. "That's right! Now do you see why he has to take on the name McBain, it's nearly a household name in Ireland."

Evangeline smiled "I understand, of course he should be a McBain."
"He already is" John said looking at him. KJ went to him and climbed in his lap putting his head on his chest.
"So what was your other concern?" John asked rubbing his sons back.
Evangeline studied him holding her son and didn't know how to approach the subject of sex.

Then it came to her. "The honeymoon request."

John's eyes lit up "Yes….the honeymoon. Can't wait for that!"
Evangeline shook her head smiling. "Well I got another deal for you."
"Deal? I thought the marriage was the deal?"

"Nope…and I suggest you listen up if you want any hopes of getting your honeymoon…."

John looked at her intrigued. She was toying with him, trying to find away to sidestep the intimacy in their bargain. He wasn't sure he was going to hold her to it, but he sure would like too. "Okay what's the deal?"

"You ride Dora and jump one gate and I will let you in my bed."
"Dora?"
"Yes, she my prize mare…I'll introduce her to you today."
"You want me to ride a horse to sleep with you? That's the best you could come up with?"
Evangeline smirked. "Trust me John it will be a challenge."
"Hey animals love me!"
"They do?"
"They sure do….I'll ride the horse and move my stuff into the master suite tomorrow night"
"Tomorrow hunh? That means you will have less than a day to prepare."
"Hey just take me to her."
"So we got a deal?"
"What happens if I fail at jumping this gate?"
"If you fail you accept my friendship and that is all, we never bring up you in my bed again."

John smiles at her "I have an additional request."
"Okay…" she says suspiciously
"If I do this and I jump the gate you not only allow me into your bed. You remove that wedding ring and wear the one I have for you."
Evangeline smile dropped "What?"
John stares at her "We're getting married, what you think I didn't get you a ring?"

"I won't take off my ring!" she said defensively.

"Evangeline play fair. Tomorrow we start a family and I think family is very important to you. I need you to give me a fair shot. I am up for your challenge but I want all of you as the prize"

Evangeline shakes her head no as her eyes well with tears "I won't take off my ring, No!"
"Then we go back to our original deal and you allow me into your bed anyway."

Evangeline looks at him and shoots him an angry look. "Fine you win…oh and good luck you're going to need it!" she snaps getting up and walking out.

KJ sees his mother leave and raises his head pushing off of John's lap running after her whining. John sat back on the couch and sighed. He wanted her to let him in. He wanted to know her. If he made her feel like it was her choice he'd have a better chance. But a horse there was no way in hell he could ride a horse. He never even touched one before. Yuck! Getting up from couch he walked out of the family room to see why KJ ran after her crying. He saw her cutting up an apple for him.

"I think I am going out to the stables to meet this Dora"

Evangeline looked up "Okay" she said passing their son a piece of apple.

John watched her mother over KJ and he thought of the photo album. What happened to her at five that made her create that book? She looked up at the way he was staring and frowned.

"You're doing it again."
"What" he asked embarrassed that she caught him.
"Staring, you stare at me all the time. Why?"
John smiled "Can't believe you have to ask" he said turning and walking out.

Evangeline watched him leave. She didn't understand him. He was being nasty to her one minute and giving her adoring looks the next. She figured it was all about the conquest, he was playing her. Well Dora would even the score. KJ pulled on her pants leg with his hand stretched to her for more. His jaw was bulging with the whole slice of apple inside.

She smiled bent and stuck her finger inside his mouth and made him bite a piece. "Don't worry sweetie. Mommy is smarter than daddy. He won't be in my bed" she said trying to convince herself more than KJ.