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Evangeline Williamson & Cristian Vega
Evangeline and Cristian were standing in the aisle of the drug store around the corner from his loft. They both stared at the variety of pregnancy test. She glanced at him nervously then at the pregnancy test.
Cristian swallowed hard then reached for the first box in front of him. Clear Blue Easy stick. Evangeline watched as he read the instruction.
“This one turns the tip pink.” She glanced at him as he spoke then reached for the same brand that read digital test.
“Here’s the same brand, but it’s digital.” She informed as he placed the box he was holding back on the shelf.
“How about this one?” He asked picking up an EPT box. “It says…” He scanned the instruction. “Anytime of the day.”
Cristian stopped when he noticed she was reaching for the First Response box.
As early as the first day of a missed period, she read silently then glanced up at Cristian to find him reading another box. She sighed to herself then some information on the box jumped out at her.
“Ninety-nine percent accurate.” She spoke out loud before she realized it.
“Huh?” Cristian asked deep in his own thoughts. “What did you say?”
Evangeline studied him for a second and was glad his mood had changed. He was acting more like the man she loved…well, thought she loved. No. She corrected herself again. She did love Cristian she just wasn’t in love with him.
For some strange reason Evangeline’s mind went back to a conversation she overhead between Michael and Natalie.
Natalie had said. “I wouldn’t say it was so vague. John told me that he loved me.”
Michael reasoned. “No, he said that you were someone he loved.”
Natalie differed. “Same thing.”
Michael tried again. “No, it’s not. He loves me. He loves our Mom. He loves chocolate ice cream.”
Natalie argued. “No, no, no. Not like that. Last night, John told me he loved me, and he meant it.”
She also recalled confronting John, and he told her that day. “I’m not in love with Natalie.”
Evangeline had broken up with John because of Natalie’s perception of John’s words. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason, but it was the straw, which broke the camel’s back. She knew John for years had practiced burying his feelings for people, and she knew he had some buried for Natalie. The biggest problem she had with that was John could never tell her how deep those feelings went. Now, she understood his feelings for Natalie then because they are similar to the feelings she has for Cristian. John loved Natalie, but he wasn’t in love with her. John’s words echoed in her mind. “I’m not in love with Natalie.”
She forced her mind back to the present. She loved Cristian because of who he was and what he was to her. But, she wasn’t in love with him.
Evangeline stop! She chastised herself. It’s one thing to analyze your relationship but don’t compare it to the past or another relationship. She and John were over. He and Natalie were and are none of her business. She didn’t have a right to question John’s feelings for Natalie Buchanan.
She looked at Cristian and realized she had to deal with her realization. She didn’t have a clue to what she was going to do if she was pregnant, but she knew she had to figure it out and fast.
“Cristian,” Evangeline started knowing she didn’t want to know a percentage of whether or not she was pregnant. And, she had to be honest with herself. She didn’t want Cristian around to see her initiate reaction. With Layla’s big mouth, things have gotten out of control. She needed to get control of this situation. “I think we should wait.”
Cristian glared at her as she gently grabbed the box out of his hand.
“I don’t want to know ninety-nine percent that I may or may not be pregnant.” She noticed his body stiffened and continued. “Tomorrow morning I can call my doctor and set up an appointment.”
His body relaxed a little.
“Cristian…I need.” She stressed the last word. “To know one hundred percent if I…we are going to be parents.”
“And, if we are?” He challenged.
“Then our baby will be the luckiest kid in the world.” She smiled then kissed him gently on the lips. When she leaned back and looked into his eyes she frowned. He wasn’t smiling at her. “What’s wrong?” She questioned concern.
“I was just thinking about your answer.”
Evangeline tilted her head and studied him a little confused.
“Evangeline, a week or so ago, you would have said something like…” She watched as he looked around as though he was actually looking for the words. “Everything will be okay because I am in love with you or our love created something that will connect us for life.”
She opened then closed her mouth. When she started to speak again, her cell phone went off. She offered him an apologetic smile then fished her razor phone out of her purse and flipped it open.
“Evangeline Williamson.” She answered placing the pregnancy test she took from him back on the shelf. “Nora. Hi, what can I do for you?”
Evangeline was so thankful for her best friend calling right now. She really didn’t care what she was calling about. Cristian was right about how she would have replied to his question. For the past few months every time she could say I love you or I’m in love with you she did. She couldn’t understand how blind she was to this fact. She was so needing to hear the words from John…from anyone when Cristian said them…she couldn’t’ turn away. It was what she prayed for…right. She needed to hear the words. She wanted to hear the words. She couldn’t believe she allowed herself to be fooled into thinking she was in love because she needed to hear three little words. And this was the one time in her life; she wasn’t sure how she was going to talk her way out of her dilemma.
“Yes, I’m here, Nora.” She replied when her friend yelled her name in her ear.
Cristian observed as Evangeline turned into a complete professional and centered her attention on the phone call. He had to admit that was one of the things he loved about her. She was a compassionate and dedicated lawyer for all the clients she decided to defend. Even though he felt she took her dedication too far when she was defending Todd Manning, he knew she would have and will do it for any client. But, he was still uneasy about her actions with the Manning case. Both Evangeline and Todd swore they were just friends, but his gut was telling him Manning wanted more. Now, Todd and Blair were back together, and Evangeline was too busy to deal with Manning. And, that was all right with him.
“Now?” He heard her say in the phone then glanced at him over her shoulder. “Okay. I will be there. Give me thirty minutes.”
Evangeline closed her razor and turned to her lover. She fought the guilty feeling she felt because of deceiving him. Nora had actually hung up before she made her last statement, but Cristian was deep in thought. Evangeline saw an out so she took it. As she held the phone in her hand and bit her bottom lip, she looked at Cristian. She finally ran her hand through her long thick black hair and told him. “Nora needs my help.” She lied. “I mentioned a few days ago I have been helping her on a case, and we need to get together and go over some things. We have to do it tonight, because first things in the morning she has to meet with the client.”
Cristian shrugged his shoulders and focused on the floor.
“I’m sorry.” She placed her razor in her purse. When she looked back up, he was studying her. She offered him a loving smile then she cupped his face. She knew he didn’t know she was lying, but she still felt guilty for doing it. “Cristian Javier Vega, I do love you.”
Evangeline reasoned she wasn’t lying about her feelings. She did love him. He was a wonderful man in spite of his insecurities. He loved her the way she needed to be loved. He put her first every time and in every situation. He was the kind of man her mother would want her with…someone who would love her and support her dreams.
“If…” She stressed the word. “I am pregnant; you know I will keep the baby.” She was telling the truth. She wouldn’t abort any child even under the worst situation. “I was scared when Layla asked me earlier.”
“So…you are telling me, you will be happy about the pregnancy?” He inquired.
“I’m saying I will handle this in an Evangeline way.” She smiled as she caressed his cheek.
Cristian laughed. “Lawyerly like.” He teased and wrapped his arm around her small toned waist.
“You know. I don’t like when you call me lawyerly like.” She kissed his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You know me Cristian. I have to analyze things. I have to plan things in my life in order to be happy.”
“Well, you didn’t plan us.” He frowned and glared at her. “Are you happy about us?”
Evangeline pulled back and sighed. “Don’t do that Cristian.” She ran her left hand through her hair. He could tell she was trying to choose her words carefully. “Don’t second guess my feelings for you. Don’t second guess us.”
Cristian just stared at her as she turned to him and continued to explain.
“My parents raised me to plan my life, but I am wise enough to leave room and appreciate the unexpected…the surprises.”
“I’m a surprise?” He pulled her closer to him.
Evangeline smiled then circled her arms around his neck again. “You are a sexy loveable surprise.”
Cristian kissed her passionately briefly then hugged her tightly. “Evangeline, I love you so much and want a family with you.”
She willed her body not to stiffen but hugged him tighter instead.
“Cris, how about we continue this conversation at Rodi’s later?” She pulled back and pushed some hair behind her ear. “We can call it a semi-celebration.”
Her heart warmed when he smiled and said okay. Then, she recalled him being at the gym earlier with Antonio. She wanted to know if he told Antonio about the possibility of her being pregnant.
“So,” She repositioned her purse on her shoulder and tried to sound nonchalant when she asked. “Did you tell Antonio I might be pregnant?”
“No.” Cristian said flatly then put his hands in his jean pockets and looked at her. “You didn’t want anyone to know until we were sure…right?”
“Right.” Evangeline agreed knowing Cristian was lying, but she’ll deal with that later. “I need to get going.” She glanced at her watch. “Buy you a beer at Rodi’s in an hour?”
“Okay. See you then.”
“Okay.” Evangeline half smiled then walked off.
Natalie Buchanan & Rex Balsom
Rex ran up to the bar in Rodi’s and greeted Natalie. “Sorry I’m late. I have a situation with Adriana.”
Natalie glanced at Rex not caring about his personal life but forced herself to ask anyway. “Everything okay?”
“Well, she wants to move out of Dorian’s place.” He slide on a stool. “She doesn’t want to live with me, so she’s asking Layla as we speak if she wants to share a place. I’m trying to get her to stay with me, but she won’t.”
“Well, Rex.” Natalie supplied nursing a beer. “My experience with the Williamson girls is they always get their man.”
Rex frowned then noticed the glass of beer in her hand for the first time.
“Hey, Natty. How many of those have you had?” He pointed to the glass she just emptied in one gulp.
“Not enough.” Natalie placed the empty glass down on the bar and hit the top of the counter twice to order another one.
“What has McBain done now?” Rex asked knowingly.
Natalie rolled her eyes then cocked her head. She started to retort then realized John had done something. She sighed then grabbed the fresh drink the bartender had placed in front of her. Everyone was right about John McBain and how screwed up their relationship was…is.
“Let’s talk.” Rex demanded as he grabbed the glass from her. “And not drink.”
“You know. You, Cristian, Mom, Roxy, Michael, Evangeline, Layla…oh, the list goes on and on.” Natalie took a sip from her beer. “You all were right. Everybody told me I was wasting my time with John.”
She shook her head as she stared into the glass of brown liquid.
“I just can’t…Mom told me to let things play out…but did I listen?” She downed the rest of her beer again. “I thought I could take John away from Evangeline. I didn’t see them as a real couple.”
Rex was shocked when Natalie started crying. He watched as she stared at the empty glass with tears running down her cheeks.
“Rex, John is still in love with Evangeline.” She admitted then hit the counter again.
Rex signaled for the bartender not to bring her another beer. He turned to her and debated whether or not he should hug her.
“I thought John would come around. I thought if I wanted him bad enough and fought for him…”
When Natalie’s crying went into sobbing, Rex embraced her and glanced around the room. At the bar of Rodi’s was not really an ideal place for her to bare her soul. He gently guided her off the stool and over to a corner near the jukebox.
After a few minutes Natalie finally got herself under control. Rex had ordered her some black coffee.
“Here.” He gave her the coffee. “Now, tell me what happened.”
Rex listened as his sister recapped the happening of this morning. She glanced at him a few times and saw the genuine surprise in his expression. When she was finished, they sat in silence for a few minutes. He was the first to break the silent.
“Natty, you have to dump McBain.” Rex studied her. “You deserve way better than him.”
“You know Rex…” She took a sip from her coffee then offered with a cracked voice. “I finally…I finally…I agree.”
She wiped her right cheek again. “You know, Michael told me once that if I kept sticking my neck out that John was going to break my heart. I told him he was being ridiculous.”
Rex watched as she placed the cup of coffee on the table and stood. She glanced around Rodi’s and the place was empty except for two people at the bar.
“Michael told me John would never be able to give me what I need.” She glanced at the pool table and remembered the day it was delivered to Rodi’s. John had purchased it for her after Cristian was killed the first time. Well, when they thought he was killed. John didn’t want her to give up playing pool. He was so romantic and sweet. And, she knew he wanted her. Then, it was Caitlin who was in the way. John had begged her several times to be patient with him, but she told him she couldn’t. She started crying again because if she had hung in there with McBain, he would love her and not Evangeline. After all, he gave up Caitlin’s memories for her.
“Natalie…I’m sorry.” Rex whispered as he looked at her in love.
“Thanks.” Natalie offered her brother a weak smile, because she knew he was the type to say, “I told you so”. Instead, he decided to empathize with her. “I have lost my self respect with John. I need to get it back.”
“That sounds like something Vicki would say.” Rex mused as he played with her coffee cup.
“She did.” Natalie peered at him. “I went to her for advice right before we were plotting that stupid fake killing club attack…you remember. It was during the Woman of the Year award. We wanted John to come to my rescue.”
Rex studied Natalie as she sat back at the table. She seemed refreshed. One thing he had to admit about his sister, she was a survivor. She didn’t allow anything to keep her down for long…not even John McBain.
“I vaguely remember us plotting something.” Rex brushed off. “So, what are you going to do now?”
“I’m going…I’m going…” Natalie’s mind drifted to a statement Evangeline had made. Evangeline confessed that she believe John was holding onto an ideal rather than a person. “I’m going to end things with John.”
Rex just glared at his sister.
John McBain & Layla Williamson
“Evangeline is pregnant?” John repeated as he watched Layla slowly stand up.
“Excuse us Adriana.” Layla offered to her friend then grabbed her sister’s ex-boyfriend by the arm.
John was desperate for an answer, so he allowed Evangeline’s little sister to force him over in the corner.
“John, I swear if Evangeline finds out that I let it slip about her being pregnant I will kill you.”
John ignored Layla’s threat as he repeated his question for a third time.
“Will you lower your voice.”? Layla quipped as she glanced around the diner. If Carlotta over heard him, her sister would surely kill her. “For you to be involved with Natalie, you seem overly worried that my sis…of the situation you overheard.”
John glanced around to avoid eye contact with the younger Williamson. He finally supplied. “Evangeline is my friend.”
“John, please.” Layla smacked her lips and looked him up and down. She pointed her right finger at his chest. “Why don’t you admit the real reason you asked me three times? You’re still in love with my big sis.”
“Layla, I’m in a relationship.” John started to walk off knowing he didn’t have the energy to go over this script again. He had spent all morning arguing with Natalie over this. He didn’t want to argue with Layla Williamson.
“Go ahead and run John McBain, but you can’t hide from the truth.” Layla barked then added. “If Evangeline finds out you know, you have to deal with me.”
Layla crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at him when he slowly turned back around to look at her. She knew it was crazy to threaten a cop, but she would rather deal with the Llanview police department instead of her sister, Evangeline Ella Williamson.