Michael walked into the hospital room to see his brother sitting there lost in thought. "Hey, Johnny."
"Oh, hey," he said casually. Michael knew instantly what Natalie had felt when John had woken up and not recognized her. He never thought about how much he, himself, had changed since coming to Llanview, or how much his relationship with John had until right then. The man was talking to him like he was nobody-because that's really what they were to each other back then. Nothing more than two people who shared DNA and childhood memories.
"I'm glad to see you are ok," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"Yeah-they told me they pulled me out of the water. And that it's 2014. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how this all happened," he said as he waved his hand in the air.
"That's understandable. As for how this happened, well you were doing what you always do-saving Natalie," he said with a smirk as he sat in a chair.
"Natalie?"
"Yeah-red hair, about this tall," he said as he held his hand up.
"Right-that must have been her that was here when I woke up."
Nodding, remembering the conversation she had with him and how she wasn't sure how to be around a John that knew nothing of their history, "It was-she called me afterwards. Has she been back?"
"No, I don't think so," he said, shaking his head before pausing. "Listen-I know we don't have a great relationship, Mike."
"Actually we do," he smiled, feeling his confidence grow. "It's taken time, and a lot of hard work. And if it weren't for my wife and Natalie I think we may have given up long ago. But our relationship is good-you'll see."
"My missing memories?"
"Should come back in time. I know it's a huge chunk of your life you are forgetting. But before long you'll remember Natalie. Liam. Everything. You still aren't patient while waiting, but there's no way to speed up this process," he said and noticed a look on John's face, "What is it?"
"Who is Liam?"
Michael smiled, and pulled out his phone to search for a picture that Natalie had sent him a few weeks ago, and handed the phone over, "Your son."
John couldn't help but give a slight smile at the little boy on the screen, "His mom is Natalie?"
"Yeah."
"Are we married?"
"Not for a lack of trying," laughed Michael, as he shook his head and felt the normal relationship with his brother begin to return. "You two have a unique relationship. You love each other, and you can bring out the best in each other, but you are both guilty of sabotaging everything over your own pride."
"I have a kid-how much else has changed?"
"In relationships-everything. But in terms of work-none. You still want justice to be served in every case. You push yourself to the brink at times-but mostly for the last ten years it's been Natalie who has kept you from going over the edge. She helped you move on from Caitlyn and she helped you solve dad's murder."
"I solved it? Really?"
"Yeah, really. I don't want to overwhelm you, ok? So let's take it all day by day."
"Sure-yeah," he said as his mind began racing on how much his life had changed and who was at the center of it all.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come stay with you tonight?" asked Jessica over the phone.
"No-we're fine. I just got Liam down."
"How is he doing?"
"He definitely has some trauma from watching Erin and myself being dragged away by strangers. He won't let me out of his sight. I figure at some point tonight he'll join me in the bed. I keep telling him it's ok now-I just wish-," she paused her thought, unsure what to say.
"Wish what?"
"That John could come tell him that everything is ok. That the bad man is going to be caught and he'll keep us safe."
"While we're on that subject-how safe are you two in that house by yourselves?"
"Bo has an officer staying outside tonight. And I'm not to go anywhere besides here, work, and Llanfair," she said as the doorbell went off. "That's the officer-I'll talk with you later, Jess."
"Call me if you need anything-I'm serious," she said and ended the call.
Natalie was surprised when she got to the door and saw John standing on the other side, "Hey-you ok?"
John shook his head as he came into the house and looked around. Seeing a photo on the bookshelf with him in it he went over and picked it up, a slight smile appearing on his face though he had no memories of the moment that led up to this picture being taken.
"That was Liam's baptism," she explained as she came over behind him, unsure of how to navigate these unknown waters for him.
"Why didn't you tell me who you were?" he said quietly as he placed the photo back.
"Who told you?"
"Michael," he said with a laugh. "I've never had a relationship with my brother-but apparently I do. And then he drops on me that I have a son."
"Your relationship has really grown a lot since you came to town. It'll come back to you, I promise," she said. "As for not telling you who I was when you woke up-I didn't want to alarm you. You were bringing up stuff that was so far in the past. And you didn't look at me like you usually do. I knew something was wrong then."
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I was just so confused-I guess I still am. Mike told me I moved on from Caitlyn and it was because of you."
Natalie gave a slight smile, "I'd like to think so. What did he tell you about our relationship?"
"He said we've been engaged before-and walked down the aisle, but never were officially married. I always used our mom's ring," he said with a slight smile.
"Yeah, you did. I love that ring," she said wistfully and watched as he came towards her.
"He said you saved me?"
Natalie smiled at the question, "Literally and figuratively, but yes. Why did you come here tonight, John?"
He shrugged, unsure of how to explain it, "When Michael was talking about you I felt this connection in his words. That there was a part of me that knew everything he said was true. I wanted to see if it was still there when we spoke in person."
"And?"
"I've never had relationships with people-everyone was expendable. To be used and tossed to the side. But I can feel something between us. Something strong. I wish I remembered everything we've been through."
"You will. Our relationship has never been perfect, John. I don't want you to think it has. There's been a lot of hurt-on both sides."
"But we always come back to each other?"
"Yeah-it seems that way."
Hearing noise on the stairs they turned to see Liam peeking around the wall and looking at them, "Hey-aren't you supposed to be in bed?" she said with a smile.
"Daddy!" he yelled and rushed towards John.
John leaned down as Liam ran to him and threw his arms around John's neck. John's arms instantly went around his small body and pulled him into a hug. It should have felt strange, but it didn't-it was like his body by instinct knew what to do, even if his brain didn't remember.
"Hey, buddy," he smiled and then pulled the boy back some. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was scared-what if that man comes back?"
"He won't-I won't let him get anywhere near you or your mom. You know that's my job, right? To protect people?" he paused, waiting for Liam to nod his head. "Well, that includes you two. So you don't need to be scared-I'm going to find him and put him away. I promise."
Looking up to Natalie he saw she'd turned her back to him and was trying to discreetly wipe her eyes. Looking back to his son he gave him a smile, "Why don't you go pick out another book for bedtime and I will read it to you? Then it's off to bed, ok?"
"Okay," he said as she went running up the stairs.
John stood back up and turned to Natalie, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah-I'm fine," she said as she turned back, looking upwards to blink back any last remnants of the emotions that she'd just experienced. "Thank you for what you said. Liam needed to hear that from his dad. I mean, I know you don't remember him-but-."
"He's still my son, Natalie. I can feel it-in here," he said as he rubbed his chest. "And I meant what I said-I'm going to keep you both safe. Memories or not. I promise."
"I know. Thank you," she smiled as they heard Liam come back down the steps and both settled onto the couch to read him another story.
As Natalie listened to John read and knew what he said was right. Because the base of John McBain was protecting others. And he would do that for Liam and for her-she just hoped the memories could return soon.