After dinner was over, Michael followed her upstairs to put Liam to bed.
"Uncle Mike, are you going to read to me tonight?"
"Yeah, buddy, I'll read to you tonight. But your mom has something important she wants to tell you"
"What is it, Momma?"
"Well, Liam, remember when I said we were coming here to see Uncle Mike and Aunt Marcie?" she asked and he nodded, "And you wanted to know why I was so sad?"
"Please don't say we're leaving already, I know thinking about Daddy-"
"Ssh, sweetie, we're not leaving. I told you, Uncle Mike is one of my best friends, remember?" she paused and he nodded, "Well, Uncle Mike works in a really good hospital, and well, sweetie, I'm sick and I need to go see some special doctors"
"Are you going to be okay?"
"The doctors think so, but they can't promise"
"Do you have any questions I can answer, Liam?"
"Why does Momma have to go to the hospital for being sick? She used to just stay in bed when she was sick"
"She got something that needs a doctor this time. She can't just sleep this away"
"Why not?"
"it will get worse if she doesn't get it fixed"
"What's getting fixed?"
"Your mom's going to get a surgery. And then she'll stay in the hospital for a little while to get some extra help in getting better" he said, "You can stay here or with Grandma while your Mom's in the hospital"
"But I can see her?"
"Yeah, you'll be able to see her"
"Does Daddy know?"
Michael and Natalie looked at each other, and Natalie went to answer, but Michael beat her to it.
"He doesn't yet, but we're trying our best to make sure he does" Michael said, "I've known your dad my whole life, and I know if we're able to tell him, he's going to do whatever he can to get here"
Liam just nodded. Just like John, they each thought.
"Do you have any more questions?"
"Are you going to be okay?"
"I'm going to do my best. But Liam, I might look a little different trying to get better, okay?"
"I don't care what you look like, as long as you get better"
"I think your mom probably wanted to hear that a lot" he said, "But I think its probably time to get you to bed"
"You said you'd read to me"
"I hear you like stories about your dad, would you like one of them?"
Liam nodded.
"Well, you know I have a whole lot more that your mom doesn't have"
"Nuh-uh"
"Would you like to hear about the time he and I got lost trying to get home from the beach?"
Liam nodded.
"Well, I'll leave you boys to it" Natalie said and leaned over to kiss Liam good night.
"How'd that go?" Eve asked, stepping into the guest room Michael and Marcie had set aside for Natalie.
"Good, I think" she said, "He doesn't seem so scared"
"Well, he probably thinks you're wonder woman"
Natalie laughed a little at that, "One day. One day and everything changes"
"not everything" Eve said, "You know that"
"I made such a good choice in coming here" Natalie said, leaning on Eve's shoulder.
"While I'm glad you did, you would have had just as much support at home"
"Not the same" she said.
"I know its not the support you want-"
"Well, if he would just answer his phone-"
"He cares Natalie, I know he does"
"I hope so" she said.
Then, Michael came in to her room.
"Liam's down" he said.
"thank you. I couldn't have done that without you"
"How are you doing?"
"The same" she said.
"Natalie?" Marcie asked, coming in.
"Well, the gang's all here" Eve said.
"Yeah, Marcie?"
"How'd Liam take it?"
"Good, I think. Michael did most of the heavy lifting"
"I called John. I left a voicemail" she said, "Sorry. Guess you're not the only one he won't pick up for"
"Thanks. I'm sure you gave him a piece of your mind"
"That red head gene runs through you, Marcie" Eve said, "Can we do anything else for you, Natalie?"
"You've already done so much"
"Get some sleep, sweetie" Eve said, kissing her forehead and then they all left her alone.
She hated being alone. It gave her thoughts free reign over her head and her fear ran rampant. Before she could think about it too much, she picked up her phone. Five rings later, she was leaving another voicemail.
"Hey John, its me" she started, not really sure how she was going to continue, "I know now I'm not the only one you won't pick up for. That helps, I guess" she paused, "Why don't you know I need you here?" she said, tears pricking in her eyes, "I was going to be strong, I wasn't going to tell you how much it sucks that you're not here. Damn it, John, I have been through hell because you left me, I have never felt so alone. The least you could do is get here to help our son through this. If you're listening to this, I hope you think real hard about what you're doing because you're still a father and your son might need you real soon" she hadn't realized how loud she was getting and was silent for a minute, "And I needed you a long time ago"
She hung up and promptly disintegrated into tears.