Part 2: Letting Go
See Part 1 for disclaimers
Hey again, guys. In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm pretty much revising this entire story at the moment, so no updates until it's done being revised. But I only have one more chapter after this one, so hopefully I can figure out where Natalie's gonna go and get part 4 written fairly soon, thanks for all the sweet reviews and keep 'em coming please! Manda
One week later, Natalie, looking much more put together and calm knocked on Bo's office door. "Come on in," he called, so she walked in and closed the door behind her. "Hey, Natalie. What can I help you with?" She bit her lip, not knowing how to tell him her news. "I'm not going to be able to work here for very much longer, but I can stay until you find someone to fill my position." Bo looked at her, sensing that something was going on. "Well, we're going to miss you up here. Why are you leaving?" Her eyes were full of clarity as she looked him straight in the eye. "I'm leaving Llanview in a couple of months and I need some time to decide where I'm going."
Bo stood up and came around the desk to hug her. "When did you make this decision?" "Mom and I were talking last week and she told me I needed to look in my heart for a way to get over John. Well, my decision isn't just based on that. I mean, Llanview holds so many bad memories for me. I lost Cris here, and –well, I never really had John and yet I feel like I've lost him too." Bo nodded in silent understanding. "So I just need to go somewhere new, you know? Somewhere that can give me a fresh start." Bo held her out at an arm's length and studied her. She laughed nervously. "What?" "I was just wondering when you grew into such a levelheaded mature young woman and why I just now noticed it." She blushed.
"I'm not anywhere near wise, I'm just a survivor… sort of runs in the family you could say," she joked. The phone rang and she picked up the extension on Bo's desk. "Llanview PD." She listened for a moment. "Okay, please hold." She put the caller on hold and turned to Bo. "It's Hayes' attorney, he said it's important." She walked to the door as Bo walked to his desk to take the call. Just before the door shuts behind her, Bo says, "Thank you for everything you've done for this family Natalie." She smiled and let the door click shut.
Two months later, Natalie's replacement, Gracie Garfield, had been hired and trained by Natalie, who was at the station for her last day. "So, if you need anything you have my cell number." Gracie nodded and hugged her. "I'm going to miss you." Natalie returned the embrace and replied, "Oh, I'm always just a phone call away. You call me anytime you need or want to, okay?" Gracie nodded and pulled away as the phone rang. "Will do." "Okay, well I have to go do something and then I have to go, so I'll talk to you later."
Natalie took a deep breath and knocked on John's office door. "Come in." She walked in and shut the door behind her. "John." John looked at her, unable to believe that in less than twenty-four hours she would be out of Llanview—and out of his life—for good. "Natalie, how are you doing?" She moved closer to the desk, making sure it stayed between the two of them. "I'm dealing. I debated with myself whether I should come in here and tell you good-bye since you've made it perfectly clear you have no desire to have anything to do with me, but I knew I had to put closure on 'us,' however little an 'us' there might have been."
John stood up. "Natalie—" "Don't. I know you love Evangeline, and I wish you all the luck in the world with her. Don't screw her over like you did me, John. She won't give you as many chances as I did." She smiled weakly. "I just needed for you to know that I really loved you, McBain—and I still do," she finished quietly, turning to leave.
"Natalie, wait." She paused and said over her shoulder, not trusting herself to turn around, "It's too late for us, John. You missed your shot with me, and you're just gonna have to live with that for the rest of your life. I tried. I didn't let myself be afraid of getting involved with you, and I have no regrets. I know I'll be able to live with all the decisions I made regarding you and be proud of how I handled it. Can you say the same about me?" The stony silence answered her question better than any words could have, and she opened the door. "I didn't think so. Good-bye, John." She shut the door behind her and took a deep breath before squaring her shoulders and walking out of the Llanview Police Department for the last time.
TO BE CONTINUED
So, what did you think of the revision? Click 'review' and let me know! Manda