Part 24

Natalie stared down into her cup of coffee, deep in thought. It had been six hours since she had told John about the baby, and he had been in Shane's room ever since. She had gone to her room shortly afterwards, staying there all night and only venturing out for the cup of coffee she was now brooding over.

John made no noise entering the kitchen, but the way her shoulders tensed told him that she was all too aware of his presence.

The tension was thick as Natalie silently watched him pour a cup of coffee and sit down across from her. They sat in silence for a moment, and then John spoike.

"That had better be decaf," he said, gesturing toward her cup with a slight smile.

She smiled back weakly as she replied, "It is." And just as quickly as it had dissapated, the silence was back.

"I'm sorry."

It was once again John who had broken the silence, and Natalie felt hope flare in her stomach at his words. She forced herself not to show it as she asked carefully, "For what?"

He looked up, meeting her eyes. "For being an ass."

Natalie shook her head. "You weren't an ass. You were just confused and needed some time to think," she replied softly.

He acknowledged the truth of her statement with a nod and continued. "But I shouldn't have left you alone to deal with everything less than four hours after Shane..." He let his voice trail off at Natalie's wince, and he reached across the table to take her hand into his. He gave it a gentle squeeze as he went on.

"I won't lie and say that I'm not still angry that you didn't tell me... but mostly I'm just upset with myself for hurting you so much that you felt like you couldn't tell me."

Natalie shook her head. "John, I can't deny that you've hurt me but that wasn't why I didn't tell you."

"Then why, Natalie?" John's voice shook from his barely held back emotions as he looked up. "Why didn't you tell me? I think I understand why you didn't before these past two weeks, but why not then? I thought that we were starting to reconnect, that you trusted me again."

"I do trust you John! I never stopped," Natalie whispered, tears pouring down her cheeks. "I was afraid that you would be mad and upset and that it would ruin everything we were trying to rebuild."

John tightened his grip on her hand as he lifted it to his lips. "Natalie, I did a lot of thinking last night... I think that I can forgive you for this. At least, I know that I'm willing to try. But for right now, I think that we should focus solely on finding Shane. Then we can talk."

Natalie nodded. "I agree. Once we find Shane we'll clear the air."

One hour later, John left for the police station after promising to call Natalie immediately with any news.

There were guards posted around the house in case Jenkins should come back, but he still didn't feel right about leaving Natalie alone, yet at the same time he wanted to be hands-on in the search.

Natalie had assured him that she would be fine and that him being there with her would just make her worry more.

And so he had gone to join in the search, leaving Natalie at the house to try to find something to occupy herself with while she waited for news.

She had just begun to vacuum for the fourth time when she heard the phone ring. She quickly shut off the vacuum cleaner and ran the few feet to the phone. Taking a deep breath, Natalie answered. "Hello?"

"Natalie, my dear. It's been such a long time."

Natalie felt her heart stop. "Jenkins?" she gasped. "You bastard. Where the hell is my son?"

"He's right here with me, and you're going to be here soon too."

"Like hell I am," she spat.

"Well, it's either that or my son and I will be leaving the country."

She closed her eyes and swallowed hard as she thought quickly. Maybe she could call John—

"My men are right outside your front door. Are you going to allow them to escort you out or give up hope of ever finding our son?"

"I'm coming." Natalie hung up the phone and grabbed e pen. She scribbled a note for John, glancing over her shoulder as she signed her initial. Tossing the pen down, she took a deep breath and grabbed a scrunchie, pulling her hair up into a ponytail as she walked to the front door and opened it to reveal two tall, muscled men standing there.

"Take me to my son."

TO BE CONTINUED

NOTE: There is some disturbing content in the next couple of chapters... You can choose to try to read them wholly, try to read them and skip some stuff, or just skip them altogether and I will include a brief note with chapter 28 with the very basics of what happened. Whatever you prefer!