"You know that I'll be there for you, I'll help take care of the baby," John said a bit miffed that she would suggest otherwise.
"Yes John I fully expect you to do the right thing, to take care of your responsibility, but that doesn't mean you want this," Evangeline stated and John clenched his jaws, and bit back the reply that was at the tip of his tongue, which was he wasn't sure he was ready for fatherhood, that he was afraid he wouldn't make a good father. His silence spoke volumes to Evangeline. "Look John I don't want you to be a part of this if you really truly don't want to be, in this, I just can't wait around for you as I have been."
"Come on Evangeline, what are you talking about, waiting around for me. I'm here right here, and this is where I've been."
"No, not all the time John, not 100% in your mind, body, and soul, not completely and that's ok. I knew that from the start and I was willing to wait because I felt you were worth waiting for, but I can't do that anymore. This baby is now the most important thing to me, he or she has to come first."
"Regardless of what you may think of me Evangeline you must know that I won't simply walk away if that's what you're asking me to do?" He said this as he took a couple of steps closer to where she stood. "I won't lie and say I'm overjoyed, I never thought I'd be a father, never really wanted to be, and I think you knew this before…"
"Before, before what I went and got myself knocked up?" Evangeline asked as she bunched her brows in disgust and anger.
"That's not what I going to say," John defended as he placed his hands on his hips and shook his head at the woman before him. "Look I'm just trying to be honest here, what would you prefer me to lie about how I feel?" Evangeline softened a bit.
"No," she said quietly as she closed her eyes a moment and then opened them again and stared down at the floor. She quickly closed her eyes again and sighed deeply when John's cell began to ring again. "You better get that it's obvious that whoever it is isn't going to give up," Hesitantly John reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his cell phone, and answered it.
"McBain," John said and then turned away and walked off a bit as the other person spoke, and Evangeline knew instantly who it was. "I can't talk right now."
"What does your damsel in distress want now?" Evangeline asked loudly hoping the person on the other end could hear her. John turned back to face her.
"Look I just can't talk about it right now," And with that, he hung up the phone and stood silently staring at Evangeline, who seemed to glare back at him.
"Well, what are you waiting for, go do your hero thing, you're so good at it."
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Make this into a Jolie thing," John said repeating the name Michael had used when talking about him and Natalie.
"A what?" Evangeline asked with a look of confusion on her face.
"It's something Mikey said, he called me and…"
"You and Natalie, Jolie, I get it. Yeah, that's cute." Evangeline said sarcastically with a chuckle.
"Natalie has nothing to do with this," John said and Evangeline nodded her head.
"True, this is the first time in our entire relationship when Natalie isn't actually involved," They both got quiet for a few seconds before John spoke again.
"So uhm you've seen a doctor already and uhm everything's ok?" John asked genuinely concerned.
"Not my doctor, I've set up an appointment with her for tomorrow, but yes everything's fine."
"What time?" John asked as he took a step closer to her.
"Why?" Evangeline asked.
"I'd like to go with you if that's ok with you," John answered as he took another step closer. "Is that ok?" He asked as he now stood before her reaching out his hand and stroking her silky tresses.
"Do you really want to go?" She asked as she looked deeply into his eyes.
"Yeah, I really do. Look I can't promise you that I'll be any good at this but I want to be a part of it, a part of everything."
"I want that too," Evangeline replied as she leaned her face against John's hand, which was now cupping her face.
"So when is your appointment?" John asked again.
"10 a.m."
"Ok," John said with a small smile, which Evangeline matched. Their moment ended at the sound of Evangeline's stomach, which grumbled loudly.
"Sorry," She said slightly embarrassed. "Haven't eaten today."
"Why the hell not, you should be eating, and definitely now that you're eating for two, come on let's go," John said not giving her a chance to protest and he grasped her hand and moved them to the door.
"Where are we going?" Evangeline asked as she allowed herself to be led.
"Anywhere you want."
"Well, I am craving some of Carlotta's apple pie," Evangeline said as she closed and locked her front door.
"You're already having cravings?" John asked with a chuckled. "You're not gonna ask for sardines on the side are you, 'cause I don't think I could watch you eat that," He joked and she twisted her face in disgust.
"God no, that's disgusting."
"I thought you pregnant women had those kinds of weird cravings," John said as he again grasped her hand and led them down the corridor to the elevators. "And then there's the vomiting all the time," At these words, Evangeline stared at him with fear in her eyes and John had to bite back a laugh at the fright-filled expression on her face.
A little Later
"Mmmm," Evangeline sighed as she let her eyes close in ecstasy. John just sat watching her with a smile on his face. "And see no sardines, just a side of vanilla ice cream. Want some, it's so good," She asked as she held out a spoonful for him.
"No you eat it, in fact, you should eat more than just apple pie and ice cream. How about a cheeseburger?"
"Mmmmm, yes and fries and a strawberry shake," Evangeline said with a wide smile and John stood to go place the order. "Oh and some of those jalapenos poppers."
"Ok,"
"Thank you," John nodded and then moved to the counter.
"Hello John," Carlotta greeted.
"Hello, Ms. Vega. Can I get a cheeseburger with everything, some fries, and a strawberry shake? Oh and some jalapenos poppers, what exactly are those anyway?"
"The jalapenos poppers? Oh their jalapenos peppers stuff with cheese, and then battered and fried, they're very good. Is that going to be all?"
"Yeah thanks, and could I get it to go?" John asked and Carlotta nodded and then moved off to get this order started. John turned to lean on the counter and stare at Evangeline, who was happily scarfing down her pie and ice cream, completely oblivious to anything else. He let his eyes drift to her stomach and tried to imagine it bulging, filled with their child. The image brought a smile to his face, and suddenly the idea of being a father didn't seem so frightening.
