Chapter Eleven

"Is that man John our daddy?"

Her voice was so serious and grown-up that Michael had a take a second to remind himself she was only five. Busying himself with the plaster, he tried to remain passive.

"What makes you ask that?"

Eve shrugged the shoulder of her other arm. "Well, Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Clint are me and Syd's Grandma and Grandpa because they are mommy's mommy and daddy right? And Grandma Eve is Josh and Ryan's Grandma because she is your mommy. But Grandma Eve is also our Grandma. And you are our uncle just like Uncle Rex and Kevin are our uncles because they are mommy's brothers. So then if you are our uncle and John is your brother and Grandma Eve is his mommy, then he has to be our daddy right? Or do you have another brother?"

Completely shocked at Eve's observant logic, Michael just stood there for a second. He had just been put on the spot by a four year old.

Recovering he finished with the plaster. "I think this is something you need to ask your mommy."

Eve rolled her eyes. "Well, do you have another brother?"

"No. Okay, Evie-Bear you have to sit here for a few more minutes and let it dry. I am going to get your mommy." Michael practically ran from the room and told the first nurse he found to go keep an eye on her. Going over to the waiting room he found Natalie holding a sleeping Sydney, both of them surrounded by her family. Luckily, John was over talking to Bo.

"I need to talk to you." He said trying unsuccessfully not to appear frantic. But he mentally kicked himself as he saw the look of fear that came over her face.

"What? Is it Eve? Is she okay?" Natalie said as she gently handed a sleeping Sydney to Vicki.

"She's fine. I just need to talk to you."

After placing a soft kiss on Sydney's forehead, Natalie stood up and followed him to the nurse's station. "What is it? Are you sure everything's okay?"

Michael nodded. "The cast is on and will have to stay on for about 6 weeks. Other then that she's fine."

"Okay, then why do you need to talk to me?" Natalie looked worriedly at her mother who was still holding Sydney. "If Syd wakes up and I am gone she will freak out."

"Eve just asked if John was her father."

Natalie's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why would she ask something like that? Where would she get that idea? Did you say something? Did Cris?"

"Whoa, slow down." Michael said putting a comforting hand on Natalie's shoulder. He then proceeded to explain what Eve had said to him. Once he was finished he was surprised to find Natalie smiling, rather then looking panic stricken.

"She's really all John isn't she?" Natalie said softly. "I mean from the day she was born she always looked like him, but once Eve got older she started acting like him too. Would be quietly sitting and watching TV or make seem like she was occupied with something else, when really she would be watching you like a hawk. Observing every single movement you made, hearing every single word you spoke."

Michael found himself smiling too. "Yeah, she is. I see it in the way she protects Sydney. It's just like how John used to be with me."

Natalie sighed. "Michael what am I going to do?"

But Michael just shrugged, knowing he couldn't answer that question for her. "I don't know Nat. But you and I both know how Eve is; she's not going to just drop this."

"Thanks Michael, I'll figure out how to deal with this. Listen while we are here, I wanted to talk to you about how you were with John yesterday…"

A look of anger crossed on to his face. "What I am supposed to act like nothing happened? Supposed to just forget that he promised to be my best man then just took off? Supposed to forget that he's never met either of his nephews? That I have had to lie and tell them Uncle Johnny is very busy but he loves them very much? No, Natalie, I can't just forget that."

Natalie's face softened. "Michael he's still your brother…"

"Maybe in name…"

"No." Natalie's voice was determined. "You and John already wasted enough time being estranged you can't do this again. Please Michael, just think about it? Okay?" She finally stopped when Michael nodded.

"Thanks Michael. Can I go in and see Eve?"

"Go on in."

Natalie gently patted his shoulder and walked toward the room a smile on her face. But, her smile faded when she opened the door and heard Eve's speaking. "Uncle Rex, is John my daddy?"

Seeing his sister in the doorway, Rex shot her a grateful look. "I think that's a question for your mom." Going over he placed a quick kiss on her forehead and made a hasty exit. Knowing it was now or never, Natalie stepped into the room and forced a smile at her daughter.

"So, Uncle Mike says the cast is going to be on for a few weeks, think ya can handle that?"

Eve nodded. "Mommy, is John our daddy?"

Having known it was coming, Natalie had prepared herself as best she could. "Eve, listen you and Sydney have been through a lot these past few days. Can we talk about it tomorrow?

Eve scrunched up her face as if in deep thought. Finally she nodded. "Okay mommy, as long as you promise to answer because you never break your promises."

"I promise." Natalie said softly.

"Good. Can we go home now Mommy?"

Taking a hold of Eve's good hand, Natalie helped her daughter off the examining table. "Of course Sweetie, let's go home."