HEARTS DIVIDED: We're McBains Now!

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline moaned and turned over. She opened her eyes slowly focusing on the room and gasped in shock. Lifting from her head from the pillow she looked at the magenta colored velvet ring case lying on the pillow next to her.

Sitting up in bed she stared at it. She looked over to her bedroom door and it was still closed as she had left it last night. Listening to the baby monitor she heard the light snore of her baby. The clock on her dresser said it was six in the morning and she was surprised he was still sleep.

Slowly she reached for the box and held it in her hand. Running her finger across the velvety smooth covering she smiled slightly. So he came in her room in the dead of night and laid this next to her. He was a man of many surprises. Raising her other hand to her face she looked at her wedding ring. She was marrying another man today, was it really unreasonable for him to expect her to remove her dead husbands ring. Sighing she flipped open the ring box.

Inside lay a 2ct square cut diamond with single diamond brackets on either side. It was very beautiful.

But what did this mean?

This ring was some form of a commitment and could she really make that to a man she'd hated when she first met and only known personally for two days. Closing the box she leaned back against the headboard. What had she gotten herself into? She remembered Jessie's words. How on earth could she bring another man into her husband's home? Let alone into his bed.

Last night he won the bet. She laughed softly to herself at the idea that he saddled mounted and rode Dora. She had to admit she was being mean by wagering that he ride her mare. Dora under normal circumstances wouldn't let him within 10 feet. But these weren't normal circumstances were they?

Hearing KJ cry she turned and looked at the monitor. He was definitely overdue to wake up.

Before she could move she heard John's voice.
"Morning man…"

"Aweee…what's wrong? Somebody cranky this morning?"

KJ continued to whine and then stopped. Evangeline assumed by the abruptness he put his pacifier in his mouth.

"About this pacifier, we need to talk" John voice crackled through the baby monitor.

Evangeline folded her arms and listened.
"Do you know what happens to little boys that suck on these things?"

Silence

"They grow a third nose" he said tickling him. Evangeline heard KJ giggle and then grow quiet which means he still had his binky. She listened to John try another approach. "Can daddy taste it?"

Silence

"Come on KJ give daddy a taste."

Evangeline heard John laugh then make sucking noise "Wow that taste good. Can I have it?" Evangeline wondered what KJ did to that response but didn't have to wait long to find out.

"Okay KJ you win for now. But someway somehow Daddy is going to get that pacifier from you. Now let's peak at mommy and see if she got the present from daddy."

Evangeline looked at the ring box in her lap and contemplated what she should do. Looking at her hand she fingered her wedding ring. She had no idea if she could pull this off. Hearing a soft knock on the door she smiled. "Come in.."

John pushed the door open and walked in with their son in his arms. KJ smiled at her immediately sucking his pacifier. "Looks like you didn't win that battle in there."

"I got close he let me suck it briefly"

Evangeline frowned. "Okay…"
John looked at the ring box in her lap. "Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful John really."
"But?"
"I didn't say a but"
"Your face says but, Evangeline"
"John…"
"Evangeline, I'm living in the man's house. Everything around us reminds you of your life with him. In order for you to move into the world of the living you are going to have to take baby steps. That ring is the first one."

Evangeline looked at him and then at KJ who was staring his black curls wild around his head. She sucked in her breath and grabbed her ring. Twisting it several times on her finger her stomach grew numb with pain and regret. Pulling slowly she slid it off her finger.

John watched her and smiled. Opening her hand she looked at the ring and her eyes welled up with tears. It was the last thing tangible she had from him. Kissing it she blinked away the tears that threatened to spill.

"You okay?"

She looked up at John and nodded smiling weakly. Opening the velvet box she popped out the diamond ring and put Kevin ring in it place. Closing the box she opened the side drawer and dropped the ring inside. Sighing deeply she slid his ring onto her finger. John turned to KJ.

"Look at what mommy did. Why don't you give me that pacifier and you go over and give her a big kiss." KJ looked at him for a moment then spit his pacifier out. John lowered him and he ran over to the bed. Evangeline reached down and pulled him up on the bed with her. He crawled into her lap hugging and kissing her.

John clapped "Now lets all get dressed we have to be at the courthouse first thing."
Evangeline laughed lightly "Okay…."

Courthouse

Walking out of the justice of the peace. John held KJ as Evangeline spoke with her attorney. Hearing his cell ring he walked away from them and opened it.
"McBain"
"So you married her?"
"Attorney Hughes?"
"Yes, remember me…the person fighting for you to get your son. Why the hell would you marry her!"
"Look..."
"No you look! Do you understand how this could blow up in your face? She could wake tomorrow annul it, go into court and say you were after her money!"

John looked over at Evangeline smiling and talking to her attorney. She wasn't that type of woman. He'd had a glimpse of who she was and that wasn't it. KJ pulling at the phone made him snap out of it. Switching him over to the other side he held the phone with his jaw and shoulder "I don't need your services. I know what I'm doing".

"Well just don't say I didn't warn you. And when she tosses you out like I know she will be warned that my fee will be doubled!" he said hanging up angrily.

John closed the phone and slipped it in his pocket. His son wearing a dark suit like his on stared at him confused. "Don't worry that mean man is just jealous of our family" he said kissing his son on the jaw. KJ laid his head sleepily on his shoulder. Evangeline walked over and smiled.
"Well it's official we are McBain's. Garrett will start the process to have KJ's name legally changed immediately." She said rubbing her sons back who had already closed his eyes.

"You ready?" John asked
"Sure am"
Walking out of the courtroom Evangeline looked down at her hand and felt a mixture of feelings, one of them being that she was alive again. It still hurt that Kevin was no longer with her, but she was happy with the changes in her life. Something about this felt right.

The Palace

David answered his door to see Jessica standing there. "What do you want?" he asked frowning.
"Can I come in?"
David stepped aside. "It's not LaBlueLai, but sure come in."
Jessica walked in and saw the room in shambles. "You ever heard of room service. They do clean these type of messes you know."
"What do you want?" he asked glaring at her.
"Information."
David frowned. "Information. What kind of Information?"
"I need to know about Kelly Cramer and her connection to your brother."
David smirked "Really? And why would I tell you that?"

Jessica walked around the room going over to the chair. She picked up the paper and tossed I to the table "Because soon you will be out of money and since Dorian is not an option I could prove to be quite resourceful"

David smiled "Make yourself comfortable. I'll tell you everything"

Lakewood

John walked into KJ's room and laid him down on his toddler bed. Running his hands through his curls he smiled and resisted the urge again to remove the pacifier.

"You know he will let go of it when he's ready. Don't force him to grow up so fast"
John turned around and saw Evangeline watching him. "I'm not trying too"
She smiled at him. "Yes you are and I understand that. He's your son you want him tough and rough. But he's still my baby so give us a little time to adjust to a man in the family"

He softened and smiled at her. "You know when he pronounced us man and wife I didn't get a kiss."

Evangeline stood next to him smiling and said nothing.
He touched her hand and looked at his ring on it. Bringing it to his lips he kissed it gently.

"John, I appreciate what you are doing I really do." she said removing her hand from his.
"Is Carlotta here?"
Evangeline frowned. "I guess why do you ask?"
Well I think we can open that wine that we had earlier and go out to the stables and celebrate."

Evangeline frowned. "The stables?"
"Van, its neutral territory isn't it? I mean did you and Kevin christen it?"
She rolled her eyes "God no! Of course not."
"Then good. It's my wedding day and I want champagne glasses a blanket and you in the stables. So change out of this sexy black suit you have on and meet me there. I will change as well."

Evangeline's studied his face. "Well okay let me find Carlotta first."
"And Van, I didn't take offense to you wearing black to our wedding but can you put on something more cheerful, please?"
Evangeline laughed shaking her head walked out of the room.

John watched her leave. He was making progress but damn it was moving slow. It was this damn place, these memories that haunted every room. He would have to get them out of here, maybe away from Llanview. Mom asked that they come visit as soon as possible and he thought a road trip would do them some good.

Walking out of his son's room he went to change.

The Palace

Jessica sat in the chair looking at David in disbelief. "I don't believe you"

"It's true. Spencer and Kelly were hot and heavy. She was newly married and desperate to cover up the fact that she was carrying his baby. So Spencer concocted the whole the insemination thing for John's benefit."

"But why would he do that?"
"To make Kelly happy and because Dorian threatened to expose his clinic and the things he'd done that would have stripped him of his license."
"Did he impregnate my sister with John's sperm on purpose?"
David smirked "Yep he hated John for taking Kelly from him. He did it for fun."
"Will you testify in a custody hearing to this?"
"No"
"David…"
"Look the deal was I told you the information on Kelly and Spencer and you give my half of a mil. That's it Jessica"
"But I have no proof!"
David got up and went to the drawer pulling out a pad and pen. "Here is a lady to call. She worked for Spencer and I think she has something you could use" he said passing her the paper then pulling back before she reached it. "But be careful where you dig you may uncover some skeletons that should be left buried."

Jessica frowned "What does that mean?"
"It means my little blonde hair vixen, The Buchanan's aren't exactly victims in this…especially your dearly departed brother."
Jessica jumped up "How dare you!"
David shook his head. "Like I said be careful"
Jessica snatched the paper.

"Can I have my check now please? My skin is dry I need a facial and complete day spa!"
Sighing she reached in her purse and retrieved her checkbook and wrote him a check. "David you better be on the up and up!"
David smirked "You have no idea…"

Lakewood

Evangeline walked into the stables. "John?"
"Up here"
She looked up and saw that he had climbed the ladder to the hay loft up top. Did he really think she would go up there? "What are you doing?"
He peered down at her. "Come up and see."

Looking over at Dora huffing at her she was reminded of the bet he won. She was relieved last night he wasn't hurt but she didn't want to get into a intimate setting with him. After the reaction she got from his near kiss she didn't trust herself.

Slowly she climbed the ladder and once reaching the loft she saw him toward the back with a blanket and picnic basket. She smiled slightly and came over bracing her hands on the prickly hay as she pulled herself up.

"What's all this?"
"Our first official meal as husband and wife"
"Really?" she said walking over.

John worked the cork out of the wine bottle and poured her glass. She went and sat down on the opposite side of the blanket. Evangeline open the top of the basket and saw the cheese, fruit and crackers. "How did you do this?" she said surprised.
"I prepared this last night when you were asleep" he said laughing.

She accepted the wine offered to her. Drinking the smooth bitter chardonnay she looked at him over her wine glass. He drank his and looked at her. Once she swallowed enough to steady her nerves she lowered the glass onto the lumpy blanket and looked around the hay loft.

"Do you know I've never been up here."
"Thank god!"
She looked at him smiling. "What?"
John pulled out the fruit and cheese. "I can't compete with a ghost."
"Why are you competing john? What is this need with you that we make this intimate?"
"Family I told you."
"Are you looking for me and KJ to replace Kelly and your unborn son?"
John froze and looked at her. "Of course not!" he snapped.
"You sure? Because it would be natural if you did."
"I said NO" he said passing her the small chinaware with the arrangement of food he prepared.

She took the plate and didn't drop her stare. "Okay"

"John poured more wine and sat back against a cube of hay. He looked at her in her jeans and button down top still able to see all the curves she had even sitting down. "Can I ask you some personal questions about yourself?"

Evangeline drank her wine and felt her insides warm up making her feel fuzzy and warm, it's why she didn't want to drink. She couldn't hold her liquor. But her nerves and the trauma of all the sudden changes in her life made her swallow quickly. "Yes"

"Your mother, your natural mother is she alive?"

Evangeline felt as if he slapped her. It took several minutes for her to recover "No" she finally was able to stammer.
"What happened to her?"
"Why?"
John sat up looking into her face "Because I'm looking for some intimacy with you, and I want to start here. You said you would try Evangeline. You took off that ring and you're here. Now try. What happened to your mother?"

Nervously reaching for the bottle she poured more wine. Filling her glass John watched the slight tremble of her hand as she lowered the bottle and then drank more wine than she should.

"She was bipolar among some other things. It was just me and her and I was taking care of her during her fits of depression since I was three. I was taking care of myself since I was there. No one knew the things I endured with her, but when I started kindergarten a teacher took special interest."

"On my mothers up days, my hair was combed I was fed, bathed and dressed like a princess. But on her down days she could be quite cruel and I would come to school filthy and hungry and bruised."

"Soon there were visits from administrators to our home and my mother panicked. She kept me from school altogether. That was a bad move. They came in one day when it was a good day John. We were playing connect four and I remember she had made me a grilled cheese. She was laughing and telling knock knock jokes. And we were a family. To be loved and adored by my mom was such treasured moments for me at the age of five and those bastards ruined it!"

John looked at the anger on her face and the way she squeezed the stem of her wine glass and became fearful she'd snap it and hurt herself.

"Then there was a knock at the door. A strange woman and police officer pushed their way in. My mother begged them she pleaded with them to leave but they refused. Then she fought them and so did I. Me and my mommy put up a fight like they had never seen. But in the end I was snatched away. Several months in a foster care center, which felt like a prison to a five year old, she came to visit me. She bought my coloring pens, paper and photo album. She sat me down and gave me our picture and told me to draw a picture for every special day we spend apart until she could take me home. That way we would be together. She told me that she had to go and get some help so she could get me back. She promised me….."

Evangeline burst into tears and John put down his glass and went to her side. Pulling her into his arms he kissed her forehead and stroked her back. "Baby I'm so sorry"

Keeping her eyes closed she tried to regain control. The wine was making her fuzzy and light headed. "I couldn't let you do to KJ what was done to me. I couldn't let my baby have an image of being pulled out of my arms. When that judge gave you visitation and threatened to remove him it came flooding back."

John lifted her "Is that why you blacked out?"
"I think so"
"My god Van I am so sorry. I didn't know."
She looked in face and saw his heart. "It's okay. I'm glad I told you."

He stared into her face, his hand around her waist holding her close. Her shirt had raised some and his fingers touched her flesh. Her lips pouty and full made him want to run his tongue against them.

She started to move out of his arms and he took advantage of the maneuver pulling her to him and kissing her. She quickly put her hand to his chest to push away but parted her lips anyway. He rolled his tongue into her mouth and tasted the wine on her breath. Slowly she stopped struggling and closed her eyes to the kiss. His hands on her were strong and so was his hold. It gave her a warm feeling of protection that helped with the memory of abandonment. He lowered her slowly onto the hay sliding his hand under her shirt. His kiss so forceful and needy she didn't have time to think that she shouldn't give in.

His hand now on her lacy bra clawed at the material causing her breast to pop through exposed. Twirling her nipple between his fingers she gasped under him.

He wanted her so bad. Her nipples felt like gumdrops in his hands and he was desperate to suck and lick them. Yet her kiss was so tantalizing and she tasted so good he couldn't stop kissing her. Sliding his hand down her tight stomach he reached the rim of her jeans. Still kissing him back her hand went to his to stop him weakly.

Turning her head forcing his tongue from her mouth she panted "John, no I can't"

Sliding is tongue into her ear he panted as well. "You can, just relax"
Closing her eyes she felt him undoing the button on her jeans. "John, please…I'm not ready"
He started kissing her neck. "Yes you are, relax Evangeline…don't over think it…let me in baby."

Slowly he slid down the zipper of her pants. Evangeline opened her eyes and saw the wooden paneled ceiling of the barn. Her body was on fire under his touch and she tried to get stronger. But the feeling of his hand sliding into her panties made her weaker. She hadn't had sex since Kevin went in the hospital for his last surgery. Kevin. She tried to call on her love for him to push John away and as she began to grow stronger she felt his finger touch her most intimate spot. The eroticism of his touch made her eyes roll and she arched her back parting her legs wider for him to access.

John stopped his kisses and looked into her face as two of his fingers glided inside of her. Her lips parted and she moaned. He saw her beauty and passion on her face as pushed his fingers in and out of her. Her hair fanned out behind her and her skin glowing he wanted to make love to her long and slow. She was breathing hard and he used his thumb to massage her clitoris as he drove his fingers in her again. "You are so beautiful. God I knew it but it still amazes me."

She opened her eyes but her lids remained lowered heavily by what was happening. "Let me go" she whimpered responding to his exploration of her. He smiled "I can't baby, it's to late."

Lowering his face to her collar bone he kissed it and slid his hand out of her panties wet with her love. Taking his finger he ran it across her lips. Evangeline trembled beneath him she was paralyzed. Then he stopped and looked at her again. "Can I see your body?"

She looked at him and said nothing. He undid her top button and then the next. Soon he had her shirt open and was marveling at her round breast still sitting up in spite of her reclined position. He undid the snap in the front of her bra and her breast bounced free. He looked at her honey colored skin with the milk chocolate contrast of her perfectly round and erect nipples. Looking back at her he smiled. "Let me taste you"

She closed her eyes and waited. She was terrified of giving her self to him and even more terrified of not doing it. Taking her nipple in his mouth he sucked as if he was baby. She winced at the pain and pleasure of his assault. Shakingly she raised her hand to his head and grabbed his hair. Her heart beat so hard and so fast she thought she would die. She was certain she wouldn't survive the flood of emotions running through her. It was too much. Hearing seeing Kevin and their life together but feeling and experiencing John and the life he wanted with her drove her to the brink of madness.

Finally unable to take it anymore and driven by her irrational fear of loosing control and betraying her husband she pushed him off her. "Stop!" she shouted pushing him away.

John pulled back and looked at her disappointed. She closed her blouse and backed away shaking her head wildly. "I'm sorry…please I just can't!"

John closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. He rubbed his face and tried to force the memory of having her briefly from his head. "Evangeline…"

"No" she said and went for the ladder. He watched her flee her breast now exposed by her open shirt and bra. She climbed quickly down and out of his view. Sitting back on the hay he shook his head. "Damn!"