Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
John was walking out of the apartment building at 345 Fuller Street when his cell phone went off. “John McBain.” He answered as he headed towards his car.
“Hey, Bro.” Michael greeted.
“Hey Michael. What can I do for you?” John unlocked his car door and climbed in as he listened to his brother.
“I checked the hospital’s computer, and Evangeline hasn’t been seen here since her stairway accident.”
“Yeah.” John sighed remembering how he didn’t visit her then when he found out about it. Truth be told, he was torn to pieces until Michael assured him she was going to pull through. He went back and forward with whether or not he should go visit her. When he found out Manning and Vega were both acting like jerks in the hospital, he figured she didn’t need his darkness to be added in the mix. He kept close tabs on her through his brother using the excuse that she was still his friend. He wasn’t sure whom he was trying to convince, but Evangeline has always been the best part of his life since she walked into it. “Okay thanks.”
There was silence for a minute then John decided to let Michael in on his plans. Well, one or two of them, anyway.
“Hey, Michael, what are you going to be doing this Saturday?” John asked nonchalantly.
“I don’t know. Marcie didn’t mention anything about us having plans.”
John choked back his laugh then said, “Well, maybe, I should call Marcie and see if you can help me move this weekend.”
“Funny. Very funny.” Michael said then realized what his brother just said. “Hey, you’re moving out of Angel Square Hotel.”
“Yeah, Mikey.” John confessed. “I gave Roxy my 30 days notice today. She told me it wouldn’t be necessary. She will be cool with me just paying for the time I stay.”
“Well, that was nice of her.” Michael’s voice revealed that he was surprised. “She must not know about you and Natalie.”
“No, I don’t think she does.” John started his car and drove off. “Knowing Natalie she ran straight to Landfair…But when Roxy does find out, I don’t want to have to arrest her for anything stupid.”
“Well, do you think Marcie and I should move out too?” The younger McBain sounded concerned.
“No, I don’t think Roxy is that crazy.” John pondered the thought for a second. “Besides, she has never treated you different when Natalie and I had problems before. I don’t think she will start now.”
“Okay. So, have you found a place?”
“Yeah, if you got a pen and paper, I can give you my new address now. I got a two bed room with two baths.” John informed.
“Two bedrooms. Hmm.” Michael teased. “Could one of those room be used for a nursery?”
“Bye Mikey.” John ended the call as he smiled inside and without giving his brother his new address. Michael hit it right on the money for the reason he got the two-bedroom apartment. He wasn’t sure when he was going to approach Evangeline, but he knew he was going to get her back. He told her once before he didn’t want to lose her, and he did. It was time he stop letting her down.
“Natalie?” Evangeline questioned as she walked up to Cristian’s loft and saw Natalie knocking on the door. Natalie spun around in surprise.
“Evangeline…I…I didn’t think…” Evangeline observed how nervous Princess Buchanan was. “I didn’t think you would be here. I needed to talk to Cris.”
“About?” Evangeline asked not caring if it was her business or not. She definitely knew something was up now. John was drowning himself in a bottle, and Natalie was running to the other man that used to be her hero. “What business can you have with Cristian?”
Natalie was stunned and wondered what was wrong with Evangeline. She has never known the uptight defensive attorney to be purposely rude. She continued to watch as Evangeline stepped around her and waited for an answer in front of the door.
“He’s not in.” Natalie offered avoiding the question.
“I know.” Evangeline fished in her purse. She pulled a set of keys out, opened the door, and turned to face her nemesis. “I have a key.”
Evangeline stared Natalie down knowing the lady got her meaning. When Evangeline was with John they had a small issue about John giving her a key to his place. Evangeline knew she was being bitchy, but she wanted Natalie to know that her relationship with Cristian Vega was nothing like the one she had with John. They were solid, and she had no doubts about it.
Evangeline decided even if she wasn’t in love with Cristian she wasn’t going to let this spoil rich Buchanan girl interfere with her relationship with him.
“You have a key?” Natalie regretted the words after they came out.
Evangeline smiled, glanced at the open door, then back at Natalie. “I have more than a key.” Her unspoken “I have Cristian” was louder than if she would have said it out loud.
Natalie watched as Evangeline crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“So, again, I ask what business do you have with Cristian?” She repeated her question in an impersonal tone.
“Chill Evangeline.” Natalie was offended by what Evangeline was implying. Contrary to what she was implying, Natalie didn’t want to break up every relationship the woman had with her exs. Okay, Natalie wanted to visit Cristian to see if he still had feelings left for her, but who is Evangeline Williamson to think the worst of her? Natalie sighed inside as she realized how much she hated this woman, and the fact John wanted her…and Cristian. “I’m with John, and we are extremely happy. I just came to see how Cristian is doing. I’m his friend.”
Evangeline’s eyes roamed up and down Natalie then she decided to have a little fun. She knew she was wrong, but she blamed it on her hormones and brushed them aside. And, as far as little Ms. Red saying everything was fine between her and John that was a joke. John intense glaze flashed into her mind, and she shook it off. There was definitely trouble in paradise.
“I’m sorry Natalie. I apology for being rude a few seconds ago. Of course you and Cristian are friends. Just like me and Nora.” Evangeline walked into the loft. “Come in. Cristian is training, so he won’t be here for a while. But, I’m here and I have a feeling I can answer your questions.”
Evangeline walked over to the couch and tossed her purse down. When she didn’t hear the front door shut, she turned and ran her hand through her hair. “It’s okay Natalie. Cris won’t mind. He told me su casa is mi casa. Would you like something to drink?”
“That’s great Evangeline, but I should go.” Natalie started to back away as she watched at how comfortable Evangeline was in Cristian’s home. Evangeline shocked her when she rushed over and pulled her in.
“Natalie, you can’t go just yet. You came here for something, and I want to make sure you leave with your answer.” Evangeline wanted to make it clear to Natalie that she wasn’t going to tolerate interference from her in this relationship. “I think we need to talk. Since Cristian and I hooked up we really haven’t been focusing on anyone but us.” Evangeline watched, as Natalie stood uncomfortable in the loft. “Are you sure you don’t want something to drink…. or eat…” Natalie watched as the other woman walked to the fridge. “We have Chinese left from last night or Thai from the night before”
Evangeline looked over her shoulder and saw the silent no nod. “Okay, then, how about we just jump into the talk.” She grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. “Cristian and I haven’t run into you since we became a couple. We have had so many people supporting us. Jessica, Antonio, Carlotta, John…almost the whole town has given us their blessing and wished us well. Everyone is so happy that we were able to move on since our hearts were shattered from the wrong matching… Isn’t it funny how you can miss out on the right thing when you have your eyes on the wrong prize?”
Natalie stared at her rival.
“Tell me Natalie.” Evangeline looked innocently at her. “Do we have your blessing?”
“Why do you need my blessing?” Natalie asked confused.
“I don’t.” Evangeline’s expression turned cold. “I just wanted to see if you will be woman enough to tell me the truth for once. I saw John at Rodi’s drowning himself in alcohol, so I know things aren’t F-I-N-E with you two. And, I assume you had an epiphany and decided you will cry on Cristian’s shoulder. And, see if he will say how McBain isn’t the right guy for you. Well, I’m here to tell you both of Cristian’s shoulders are taken.”
“For your information EVANGELINE, John and I are in love and we are fine.” Natalie barked not caring if it wasn’t the truth. She wasn’t going to let anyone get the better part of her.
“Natalie, if you and John are so much in love, why are you in my man’s house.” Evangeline squared her shoulders, smirked, and decided to go for the win. “And, unlike John I don’t have a doubt in my mind where Cristian’s heart and mind is. He’s in love with me; so don’t waste your time playing the helpless victim. Unlike John, I know one hundred percent that Cristian will pick me over you.” Evangeline saw something in Natalie’s eyes that made her continue. She chuckled then added. “But, then again, John did choice me too…didn’t he? It wasn’t until months after I broke up with him and you played the victim several times that he gave you the lead role.”
Natalie gasped. “You bitch!”
Evangeline glared as Natalie turned and stormed out. She felt a little bad when she saw the water forming in Natalie’s eyes before she turned. She chewed on her bottom lip and wondered if she had to be so cruel? If this is what pregnancy was going to be like for her, she felt sorry for the people around her. Then, she smiled knowing it would help her greatly in the courtroom.
She was startled when she heard her cell phone ringing. She walked over to the couch, grabbed her purse, and fished her phone out. She flipped open her razor and answered, “Evangeline Williamson…Hello Dr. Toussaint…Great…. An hour…. Okay…See you then…. Thank you.”
She closed her razor then opened it back up. She started dialing Cristian’s cell phone number then stopped when she remembered the home pregnancy test results. If Dr. Toussaint tells her she is not pregnant, Cristian will be crushed. And, if she’s not pregnant, what could be causing her cycle to stop. She closed the phone deciding she needed to do this alone. If she wasn’t pregnant and something else was wrong, she didn’t need nor won’t Cristian to play the hero for her. He jumped into that role when she was blind, and it didn’t sit well with her then.
John walked out of his office and froze when he saw Natalie and Bo standing across the room. They looked very serious. He wondered for a moment what was going on, and then he remembered if his plan was going to work he had to stay away from Natalie Buchanan.
He walked over to the file cabinet behind them and started looking for the file he needed. He glanced over at them and prayed Natalie wouldn’t cause a scene. She was hot tempered, but she wasn’t stupid. Bo had told them both that he didn’t want their relationship to interfere with the job.
“John, when you get a moment, I need to speak with you.” Bo said in a professional tone.
“Okay, Boss.” John walked over and waited for Natalie to say her goodbyes.
“Sorry Uncle Bo.” Natalie hugged her uncle. “I really appreciate all you have done. I love you.”
John noticed she glanced at him, turned, and left.
“What’s up Bo?” John followed the Police Commissioner into his office.
“Natalie, just turned in her notice effective immediately.” Bo studied John.
“Did she tell you why?” John questioned wearing his poker face.
“Only that she seriously wanted to pursue her forensic career and couldn’t do it here. She said she was offered an apprenticeship in Atlantic City.”
“Oh.” John nodded his head.
“She said it was an opportunity of a life time, and she couldn’t past it by without regret later.”
“Yea. I understand.” John studied his older friend and wondered what he really wanted from him. “I still have some connections there, so I will make sure she’s looked out there.”
“I get the feeling…that’s no longer your job.” Bo waited till John’s eyes met his. When they did, he got confirmation that his assumption was right. “Well, I’m surprised you two went this long. I think everyone knows where your heart is.”
John stood in front of his boss and ex-girlfriend’s uncle uncomfortable, but he didn’t break their gaze.
“I know you would never intentionally hurt my niece…but, you know Evangeline isn’t available now either.”
“Bo…” John jumped in not wanting to discuss his intention with Natalie’s uncle even if Bo was his friend.
“John, I know this can seem weird talking to me because I’m Natalie’s uncle.” John’s eyes gave Bo confirmation about how the Chief Detective was feeling. “But, you are my friend too. I can separate the two.”
They stood in silence for a few minutes.
“For the record, I knew once you solved your father’s murder…and but your demons to rest that it would only be a matter of time…you realized Evangeline was the woman you were in love with.”
“Bo, I didn’t mean…” John waved his right hand out as he tried to explain.
“I know. Natalie saw what she wanted to see.” Bo sat down at his desk. “Just because she’s my niece doesn’t mean she can’t be wrong. She wanted you.”
John gaze went to the floor.
“She didn’t want to see you weren’t the right man for her. Anyone looking from the outside could see you weren’t in love with her.” John glanced back up at Bo. “I know you cared, but you weren’t in love…and, I know you tried. But, we can’t control the heart.”
Both gentlemen were quite until they heard a knock on the door and Nora walked in.
“Bo, I hope I’m not interrupting, but I need to talk to you….It’s dealing with Matthew.”
Bo and John cleared their throats. Nora studied both of them and saw how uncomfortable they were. She watched as John said a hasty thank you and rushed out.
“I’m not pregnant?” Evangeline questioned Dr. Toussaint as the mid-age black woman looked over her medical report. “But, I haven’t had a cycle this month. And, I’m always regular.”
“Well, everything is fine according to the test I had ran, so let me ask you some questions to see if we can’t get to the bottom of this.” Dr. Toussaint answered in her Caribbean accent. “Have anything changed in your personal life?
“What do you want to know?” Evangeline watched as the doctor wrote in her folder.
“I know you have a very strenuous job, so do you have a case now that is causing more stress than normal?”
Evangeline shook her head no as she thought about all her open cases. There was nothing on her plate that would compare to the Manning case, and she knew Todd Manning’s case was definitely her most strenuous one.
“Okay. What about diet or exercise?” Dr. Toussaint glanced up then looked through the folder. “According to our record you have actually gain a few pounds, but if memory services me correctly, you seem a little smaller.”
“Well…” Evangeline frowned as she realized her clothes were fitting a little loser than normal. “I’m working out more.”
Dr. Toussaint closed the folder and focused on her patient. “Why? You have always been in wonderful health, and I can’t think of a single female that wouldn’t agree that you have a wonderful body. Why are you concerned about your figure now?”
“You have it wrong.” Evangeline laughed nervously as she realized her doctor’s train of thought. “I don’t have a problem with my looks. I happen to love my body and everything about me…not to sound conceited.”
Dr. Toussaint laughed at how her patient tried to sound humble and confident at the same time. “So, why are you working out more?”
“My boyfriend is a boxer, so I work out with him. Since I went back to work, my schedule has been hectic…and he’s training for a fight…” Evangeline tried to read the expression on the doctor’s face, but when she didn’t have any luck she continued. “I do my solitary running in the morning. If I get blocked on a case, I’ll go to the gym during my lunch and try to work it out. Then, I will train with him after work.”
“Wow!” Dr. Toussaint smiled. “You have a lot of energy. What kind of training do you do with him?”
Evangeline thought for a moment then answered. “We jump rope, run, weights…you know, typical boxing training.”
“So, you run with him and you run on your own every day?”
“For the most part.” Evangeline asked wondering why her doctor was so concerned about her fitness activities.
“Could you say this increase started about a month ago?”
Evangeline pondered the question for a moment then replied yes.
“Well, I think I know what is wrong with you. You have what we call Hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction…simpler athletic amenorrhea. I am sure if you have it checked out, you will find that your body fat level is too low. You need to stop working out alone or stop working out with your partner. Your body can’t handle both.”
Evangeline sat silently as she listened to the doctor and instruction on how to correct it. She was surprised when she heard herself ask the doctor if this would effect her having children in the future. She knew in her heart she wasn’t going to have children with Cristian, so she wondered whom she was planning on having kids with.
Dr. Toussaint gave Evangeline some pamphlets and instructions on how to get her body back to normal.