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John McBain & Natalie Vega

Natalie Vega stretched in the bed as she slowly woke up. She smiled when she felt John McBain's strong masculine arms pull her closer to him in his twin bed. Today was their first year anniversary for dating. She glanced at him and wondered if he would remember. Pushing his thick dark hair off his check, she knew her police lieutenant wouldn't remember. It wasn't his way, and she was okay with it. She knew John McBain loved her. And, now that they had finally solved his father's twenty-five year old cold case, she was more than confident he could open up and verbally express his feelings. Her patience will finally be paid off. She and McBain could be a family.

She started to slide out of the bed and smiled when his arms tighten around her waist. He pulled her closer to him and buried his face in her hair. She felt his breath on her neck when he spoke. Her body became paralyzed when she heard him whisper "Evangeline don't leave me." Tears formed in her eyes as she pushed away from him and jumped out of his bed. "What did you just say?" Natalie barked standing naked beside his bed. She watched as he jerked his head up and prompted himself on his left elbow. "Natalie, what's wrong?" He questioned forcing himself to wake up. "What did you just say to me?" She asked again wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Natalie, I didn't say anything." John sat up and looked down at the sheets covering him. He prayed he hadn't said anything in his sleep, but he knew he must have because Natalie was now bent out of shape. "I was sleep."

Natalie softened when he finally looked up at her with those bright beautiful blue eyes. She chuckled when she realized how silly she was acting. John McBain loved her. He was with her. And, when his eyes went up and down her body, she knew he wanted her right now physically. "I was sleep, Natalie." He tried again noticing her body relaxing. "I didn't say anything. Now, come back to bed."

"Of course you didn't, John." She stepped back over to the bed. He lifted the sheet up for her and watched her climb back into bed. "I am being silly. Nervous about today." "What is so special about today?" He questioned relieved he dodge that situation. He sighed a breath of silent relief. It was actually the one thing he liked about Natalie. She would let him off the hook when Evangeline would hold him to it. Evangeline would have persisted on analyzing the situation and wouldn't have dropped it until she got an answer. Natalie was definitely easier to please and maintain. He didn't have to think with her. He loved that with Evangeline. She made him think. She made him feel things he never thought he would again. She took him to a level that came very close to what he had with Caitlin.

"John." She cupped his face as she slide closer to him. "Today is our first year anniversary of dating." "Oh." He glanced around then looked back at her. "I guess we can open up a beer or two for that."

"I was hoping we could celebrate." She kissed him. "I don't expect you to get me a gift or anything, but maybe we can have dinner at the Palace instead of Capricorn or Rodi's to celebrate. Get dressed up."

"Yeah." He hesitated knowing the Palace's was Evangeline's favorite place. He really didn't care about the dressing up part, but he didn't want to run into Cristian and Evangeline today.

John closed his eyes and tried to force Evangeline Williamson out of his thoughts. He didn't know what was going on with him lately, but he couldn't stop thinking about her. Dreaming about her. It has been two months since she stopped by his office and informed him that she and Cristian Vega, Natalie's ex-husband was dating, and she was falling in love with him.

John didn't have a problem with Cristian Vega as a person, but the man was sleeping with the woman he loved. The woman he wants to share his life with. The woman he let get away because he wouldn't dissect himself for her. Now, all he wished and dreamed was for her to be in his arms telling him she loved him. For a second chance, so he could tell her he would do anything for her...even die.

Instead, he sees her around Llanview laughing and smiling at boxer and painter, Cristian Vega. He saw them at Rodi's, Capricorn, Ultra Violet, Angel Square Diner and every other damn place he goes. The only place he seemed to get a break is his place and the police station. It's almost as if she's haunting him. He didn't want to go to the Palace tonight or anywhere else. He just wanted to focus on the job. He wanted to be alone. He needed to be alone.

"Natalie, on second thought..." He pulled back and slide out of the bed on the opposite side. "I have this case I'm working on."

"Come on John. You haven't had a serious case since you solved your father's cold case." She grabbed the sheet and turned to him as he stood behind her butt naked. "Our anniversary is only one night. You can catch the bad guys tomorrow." "Natalie. The job comes first." He started for the bathroom.

"Besides, don't you have your forensics exam to study for?" "John, it's only one night." She challenged wondering why he switched gears on her so quickly. At first, he appeared fine with the commemoration. "Natalie, I can't" He closed the bathroom door behind him.

She frowned as she stared at the closed door and heard the water come on for the shower. Her thoughts drifted back to the words she tried to deny she heard. "Evangeline don't leave me."

She stood and pulled the sheet with her. She covered her body while she struggled to clear her mind of her boyfriend's word. John couldn't still be in love with Evangeline. She quickly corrected herself. He couldn't still feel guilty over hurting Evangeline. He never loved her since he couldn't say the words to her. He said them to me. She recalled his words when he saved her life in the park.

 He confessed he couldn't lose another person he loved. Evangeline couldn't handle his devotion of love to her, so she broke up with him. And, besides Evangeline was working on her other leftover, Cristian. She had seen the two together several times in several places, but she never felt a need to comment. She had John, and he was the one she loved. Her life with Cristian was over. "And John loves me." She spoke to herself out loud. "And, I will prove it."

Natalie walked over to John's dresser drawer and opened the top drawer. "Where did you put my shirts?" She searched his drawer feeling comfortable since she has been spending consecutive days over lately. She only had about a medium size suitcase worth of clothes at his apartment, but it was enough for her. She groaned when she didn't find one of her shirts in his drawers.

"That is what I get for letting a man unpack for me." She beamed convincing herself things will work out for them. She walked over to his closet for her suitcase. Not seeing it she glanced around the room and noticed the only other place he could have stored her suitcase was under the bed. She jacked up the sheet and headed over to the bed. Kneeling down, she heard the water go off in the shower. John was finished with his shower. She felt under the bed and grimaced when she didn't feel her suitcase. She raised her brow when her hand hit a melt box. She pulled it out and noticed it was a safe box.

When she lifted the lid, she was pleased that it opened. John didn't lock it, so it couldn't be anything important. She glanced over her shoulder then pulled out the contents in the box. She gasped when she realized what she was looking at. She pushed the photo aside and picked up the folded white napkin. She slowly opened it as her gut screamed at her to stop. She felt a powerful force from this old napkin and had to see why. When she opened it and read the words tears formed in her eyes. "What exactly are you doing?" John's voice was ice.


Evangeline Williamson & Cristian Vega

Layla Williamson walked into the kitchen in her pajama and saw her big sister, slamming down pans and banging cabinet doors. When Evangeline noticed her sister, she cut her eyes at her and continued her task. "Good morning, Cookie." Layla slide on top of one of the island stools and studied her big sister. "Don't call me that Layla" Evangeline snapped then walked over to the fridge and grabbed the milk and eggs. "I'm a grown woman, and I don't understand why the Williamson clan insists on still calling me my childish nickname."

Layla watched as Evangeline busied herself with grabbing a bowl and a spoon. She frowned knowing this wasn't like her high-class sister who was a successful lawyer. The only time Evangeline acted frustrated with the world was when something was out of her control. One thing for sure Evangeline Ella Williamson had to have complete control for her world to be right. Layla tilted her head and crossed her arms on the counter and wondered what could have her sister so bent out of shape.

Evangeline was on top of her game again in her law practice. Her relationship with painter turn boxer, Cristian Vega was wonderful. The man absolutely adored and couldn't resist the excitable older Williamson. The younger Williamson heard on more than one occasion how much. Ugh! Layla shook her head to forget the sound of Evangeline and Cristian making love. She never really knew how thin her sister's condo walls were until now.

"Okay, sis. What's wrong?" Layla tried not wanting to think about Cristian and her sister making love anymore. "Talk to me. You know you are going to tell me sooner or later. So, tell me sooner."

"Layla, the happening of my life is none of your business." Evangeline cracked three eggs in a glass bowl. "And, why should I bother to tell you for the whole world to know." "That big huh." Little Williamson asked sarcastically. She knew the "whole world" was a.k.a. for Lisa Anisa Williamson, their mother. Evangeline has stated on more than one occasion that is the only time Layla and her mother talk is when they are talking about the wrongs of her life.

Layla shrugged. It was better than her mother getting on her case about this and that. She loved her big sister, but it was something following in her footsteps as the younger sibling. Evangeline always wanted to please people, but Layla could careless what people thought. Evangeline turned and cut her eyes at her sibling.

Layla smirked then grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl as she watched her sister grab the milk carton and started to pour. "Damnit!" Evangeline snapped. "Do I have to do everything around here? Isn't it enough that I pay the rent, do the grocery shopping, pay every bill, clean and cook...the list goes on…Is it too much to ask for you guys not to drink the last of the milk?" "Wow! Sis." Layla slide off the stool, put the half eaten banana on the counter, and headed over to her big sister. "Calm down and tell me what is bothering you."

Layla's heart started pounding in her chest when she saw the tears running down her sister's cheek. "Oh, Vangie." She embraced her sibling. "Please tell me what's wrong. You're scaring me."

Evangeline could hear the emotion in her little sister's voice. She knew tears were staring to swell in her own eyes as well. That was Layla Williamson for you. Anytime, her big sister cried she was crying too. Whether they were tears of joy or pain. They had a strong bond. And, she loved it. "I'm late, Layla." She pushed away from her sister and combed her full long black hair with both of her hands. "I can't believe it. I can't believe this happened to me." "Okay." Layla started confused. "You're crying because you're late for an appointment." She paused knowing how extreme her sister could be.

"Maybe, we can get you there soon." Evangeline turned and fixed her eyes on her sister. She could be so dense some times.
"Layla, I'm two weeks late." She slowed her words hoping her sister would get her meaning now. She wiped her cheeks and giggled at the blank expression on her little sister's face. "Vange, I don't understand." Layla looked down at the floor as she processed her sister's words. "If you are two weeks late to an appointment, why would you care? I don't know why you stressing about being late to an appointment anyway...just reschedule... Now, if you were two weeks late with..." She chuckled at her far fetch thought before saying it.

"With your monthly "cousin", then you should be worry. But, we both know you wouldn't allow yourself to get caught by accident."
When she didn't hear a respond, Layla's head snapped up and her eyes almost popped out of their socket. "Evangeline, are you pregnant?" Layla was shocked. "You're pregnant?" Cristian walked into the kitchen. Both Evangeline and Layla jumped when they heard his voice. "Cris..." Evangeline started looking at her sister then at him.

"Evangeline, are you pregnant?" He repeated Layla's question, but he didn't give the eldest Williamson a chance to answer before he rushed over to her and hugged her. "I'll leave you two alone to talk."

Layla offered moving towards the door. "No." Cristian and Evangeline said in unison. Layla turned around and focused on her sister. She could hear in Cristian's voice that he was excited and wanted to share in the moment, but Evangeline tone told a different story. Her sister wanted a buffer. "Okay." Layla stepped back over to the island stool. She smiled inside as she read her sister. Ms. Cool and Collective was acting like a mouse in a trap right now.

Poor Cristian. He was completely clueless to Evangeline's feelings. And, she couldn't believe her sister was careless and got knocked up. Was Momma going to have a field day with this one. Layla beamed inside as she watched the two lovers. "We should celebrate." He started again as he hugged his girlfriend then cupped her face and kissed her. "I will call my mama and Antonio."

"No, Cristian!" Evangeline grabbed his arms to stop him from leaving. He frowned as he looked into her deep brown eyes. "I think....I feel...." Evangeline glanced over at Layla then sighed. "I should see a doctor first. I'm just late. I don't have actual proof yet." "But, you are never late." Layla submitted. "I mean. I've never known you to be late for anything. So, I know your body is the same way." "Thank you, Layla." Evangeline forced through clenched teeth. "Do you think there is a chance you might not be?" Cristian faced dropped and both Williamson girls felt sad for him. He welcomed the idea of being a father so freely and completely.

"I don't know Cristian." Evangeline moved over to the island and stood across from her sister. "I think...It will probably be wise... I need to take a test first... before we start telling everyone...Right?"
She looked at Layla and silently pleaded for her to jump in.
"Yeah, Cristian." Layla agreed. "We wouldn't want to disappoint Ms. Vega if it's a false alarm." "Two weeks...You think it could be a false alarm." He glanced at both sisters then shrugged his shoulders. "Okay. I will go to the store and pick up a pregnancy test."
"Cristian..."

Evangeline tried, but he hugged her from behind and whispered "I love you, Sweetheart." in Spanish to her. "You are going to be a wonderful Mama." He kissed the back of her head. "I'll go get a test, and we all will know soon." Layla laughed at Cristian when he walked over to her and hugged her. "I'm going to be a papa'" He beamed then winked at Evangeline. "I'll be right back." "Okay." Evangeline watched as he walked out of the room.

She couldn't believe this. She covered her forehead with her left hand and wondered what she was going to do. Evangeline didn't want a baby right now. She didn't want a baby with...Cristian. She sighed then finally realized her sister was talking to her. "Sis, spill!" Layla ordered. "You are acting like this is the end of the world. You have a man who loves you, and he is sure as hell happy about this pregnancy."

"I know, Layla. I know." Evangeline started pacing the kitchen floor. "Okay. Why do I feel like I skipped some chapters in a book?" "I just can't believe this has happened." Evangeline started talking, but she was really trying to process this new change in her life. "How did this happen?" "Vange, I was there when Mom gave you the talk." Layla teased knowing her sister was in her own world right now.

Evangeline wouldn't have peace until she felt like she had control over the situation. "I mean. John and I were more careless than this. There was more than one occasion we found ourselves with out protection." She looked down at her left hand and started counting using her fingers.

"There was that time in the elevator at the Palace, my office, on the roof of Angel Square Hotel....even our first time in Mary's basement." "Gross, Vange." Layla curled up her lip when her sister looked up at her. "I don't want to think about my uptight big sister being a freak." Evangeline laughed and blushed. "I think I have some catching up to do." Layla teased. She always assumed that Evangeline was freak, but she never thought it would be confirmed. "No. John just did something to me. He excited me." Evangeline smiled as her heart warmed at the memories of her ex-boyfriend, Lieutenant McBain. "Layla, I can't be pregnant. Not now. Not with Cristian's baby."

"Evangeline, you have to deal with this." Layla slide off the stool and walked over to her sister. "You and I both know you have a clock work cycle. You have no other explanation for being late, but you're pregnant." Evangeline face darkened. "Is having Cristian Vega's baby that depressing, Sis?" When Evangeline didn't answer, Layla asked a different uestion. "You have realized that you don't love Cristian, haven't you?" Evangeline didn't answer but lowered her eyes to stare at the island top.

It was hard enough when she came to the realization about her feelings. She didn't need her baby sister dissecting them either. She couldn't believe how blind she had been to her feelings. How could she allow herself to get into a situation where she was in love with and idea and not the man she was sharing her bed with? Cristian was wonderful and good to her.

She closed her eyes and recalled the words she told John McBain before. "I could find a man that was more in touch with his feelings. A man that didn't mind expressing how he felt. A man that wasn't afraid to tell me that he loves me. But that man wouldn't be you. Damnit. Damnit. John McBain. You're the only one that I want."

She was tripping. She didn't still love John McBain. He was with his precious Natalie Buchanan Vega. He had moved on. "Evangeline, I asked you a question." Layla persisted.

"Then again, I guess the more important question is. Are you going to keep this baby?" "I don't know." Evangeline sighed then looked up and was crushed when she saw Cristian standing behind Layla. She saw the pain and disappointment of his face. "Cristian." Layla turned and caught a glimpse of Cristian's form rushing out the door.

She glanced back at her sister who didn't move to chase after him. She got the answer to her first question. If Evangeline was in love with Cristian, she would have gone after him. For the first time Layla realized she didn't envy her sister's life. Evangeline Williamson was in a bad place. She was pregnant by a man she didn't love.










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