A Piece of Heaven (Jolie One Shot)
Okay guys, I'm back!! Back to Jolie, back to OLTL, back to everything! LOL So here's my "I'm back" fic--hope you enjoy and please comment!!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Author's Note/Dedication: I posted a challenge on Livejournal for people to write me things and promised to write for them in return--Robin actually asked for makeup sex but somehow it turned into this. Hope you enjoy!
Rating: PG at the most
Title: A Piece of Heaven
"Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do, what you gonna do when they come for you..."
Natalie groaned as the sound of the music emanating from her cell phone woke her from one of the best dreams she'd had in a long time. Then recognition of the ring tone slammed into her, causing her to instantly awake. Her hands shook as she grabbed her phone from the bedside table and flipped it open. She stared at the name for a few seconds before she hit the button to answer.
"Hello?"
Silence. Then... "Natalie?"
Natalie knew that she would know that ragged whisper anywhere. "Yeah John, it's me," she whispered back.
"How... how are you?"
Biting back a laugh, Natalie forced her tone to remain civil as she replied, "How do you think I am?"
"Stupid question, huh?" John asked, a painful smile on his lips and in his voice. "Um... I just wanted to tell you that I caught him."
Natalie sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes. John had caught him... caught the man who had nearly raped her over a year ago. He had been dangerously close when John had decided to come home early and had saved her... again. But in the process of doing so the would-be rapist had been able to escape and John just couldn't let it go. And so he had left town seven months, two weeks and one day ago after giving Natalie a ring and promising that he would be back.
But he hadn't returned... he hadn't even called until tonight. And so Natalie had hidden the ring away in a drawer, unable to help sneaking peeks of it in the middle of the night when she was feeling all alone in the world.
"Natalie?"
"Where did you catch him?"
"Are you okay?"
"Just answer me John!"
Another long silence ensued. And then... "Jamaica."
A giggle escaped Natalie's lips and then she was unable to stop herself as she burst out into full-fledged hysterical laughter. She had been living in hell for the past year, not knowing if John was alive or dead and he was in Jamaica, half a world away? "What are you wearing?" she asked, gasping for breath as she laughed.
"Um... a black shirt, black pants and sunglasses?" he said slowly, listening to her break into fresh laughter. "Are you okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'm fine John," she snapped, her laughter evaporating as quickly as it had started. "So tell me, how are you going to take care of him? Because last time I checked, Jamaica was definitely out of your juristic."
"He's in custody now--he was found assaulting another woman."
"Are you coming home?"
"I'm on the next flight," he said softly. "I know I have no right to ask this, but can you please give me a chance to explain when I get there?"
"Yeah, I will. But you should know... I'm staying at Llanfair right now. I couldn't stay in that empty apartment anymore, not with all the memories of how happy we were. I'll see you when you get home, okay?" Without waiting for an answer Natalie closed her phone and fell backwards onto the bed, staring at the ceiling in shock. What was she going to do?
"Hey Lois, is Natalie here?" John asked nervously, standing on the front steps of Llanfair with his hands shoved in his pockets. It had three days since he had talked to Natalie and he hoped that she wouldn't mind his showing up unannounced--he wanted to catch her with her defenses down because he knew that he had a much better shot at explaining himself if he didn't give her a chance to work herself up.
"Yes she is," Lois replied, stepping aside and letting John enter. "Just one moment please." She closed the door and went upstairs to get Natalie, leaving John standing in the foyer rehearsing what he was going to say for the millionth time.
His speech flew out of his mind when he saw Natalie descending the stairs--the first thing he noticed was her fiery red hair, now several inches shorter than it had been the last time he had seen her. But what had shocked him enough to make him speechless was the sight of her protruding stomach--she looked to be at least eight months pregnant.
Natalie's heart stopped when she saw John waiting in the foyer and she unconsciously put a hand on her belly. The feel of the babies kicking immediately calmed her and taking a deep breath she continued down the stairs. "Hello John."
John found that he couldn't say a word so he let his eyes do the talking, glancing at her stomach and then at her. Natalie sighed as she finally reached him and smiled tentatively. "Yes, I'm pregnant."
"How long have you known?"
"A few months after you left--I chalked up my bathroom visits to your leaving and ignored all of the other signs. But your brother recognized them and made me come in for a test and we found out I was five months along--and having twins."
"Twins?"
Natalie nodded and smiled. "A boy and a girl. And I was so excited when I found out--my first thought was 'wait until I tell John'. But then I remembered." The smile slipped away and was replaced by shadows. "I'm nine months pregnant--you actually called on my due date, you know." She laughed softly.
"Why didn't you tell me then?"
"I don't know. Maybe because you left me to avoid committing to me too much? Don't even," she said fiercely when he opened his mouth to argue. "You can say that you wanted to get justice for me all you want but I know better. We were living together and I saw it. I know that you're a commitment-phobe but it's a bit much to run away to Jamaica to get away from it."
At a loss for words, John could only whisper, "I'm sorry."
Deflating a bit at the hurt on his face Natalie replied, "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you... I was just scared that it might make you stay away longer."
"Natalie--" Seeing the hurt and the fear in her crystal blue eyes as she waited for him to make a move John felt a comfortable knowledge settle into his chest. He had a family now and the thought didn't scare him nearly as much as it once had. He knew that he would never be able to explain this to Natalie in words, so he did it the only way he knew how--he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
"Wow," Natalie murmured when the kiss was over. "That was a pretty strong answer, McBain."
John looked into her eyes and smiled when he saw nothing but love and pure happiness shining back at him. "Yeah, and I meant it. I love you, Natalie."
"Ow! The babies are kicking--I think they're jealous." Natalie grinned, reaching out to grab his hand she placed it gently on her stomach and watched John's face light up. "Amazing isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is."
"Ow!" she cried out again, doubling over and looking up at John with a smile that was a mixture of pain and happiness. "Um, John?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine--but I'm thinking that these two are about ready to make their debut."
John's eyes widened. "What?"
"What a detective you are. I'm pretty sure I'm in labor--I've been cramping all day but not like this."
"You mean the babies are coming now?" he asked in disbelief.
Natalie sighed impatiently. "Yes, John they're on their way. So I should probably get to the hospital," she said, speaking slowly as if to a two year old.
"A hospital... that's right! Do you have like a hospital bag or something? Because in the movies they have bags."
"John! Snap out of it please. Yes, I have a bag and it's in the trunk of my car. Now how about we go get in the car and you drive me to the hospital?"
"Okay, let's go." He began to walk towards the library doors and Natalie groaned. "John, my car is in the front."
"Oh right." He turned around and walked towards the front door as Natalie followed, shaking her head and grinning at the thought of telling everyone how John McBain had reacted to her going into labor.
"Okay Miss Buchanan, one more push and your daughter will be out. Ready? One, two, three... and push!" Natalie pushed, squeezing John's right hand so hard that he knew it would never be the same.
"And there's your daughter!" the doctor exclaimed excitedly, doing his job quickly and smiling when the baby girl began to wail. Handing her off to a nurse he returned to his position. "Almost done, Natalie."
"You're doing great," John told her, kissing her quickly. "And you look absolutely beautiful."
"Oh shut up," she grumbled at him. "Next time you're having the kid." John and the doctor both laughed and got ready for the birth of baby number two.
"Are you ready to hold your daughter?" the nurse asked Natalie, smiling when Natalie nodded weakly. "Here you go." She placed the baby girl in Natalie's arms and smiled. "I'll be right back with your son."
"She's beautiful," Natalie whispered, staring into their daughter's blue eyes.
John could not take his eyes off of the beautiful bundle of joy. He really wanted to hold her but she looked so fragile. Natalie smiled when she saw that look in his eyes. "You know you won't break her if you hold her."
"Are you sure about that?" he tried to joke.
Natalie just smiled and looked at him until he finally relented. "Okay, but I haven't done this in years," he warned her, leaning over and gingerly taking the baby.
"Hey little one," John said softly, looking into his daughter's deep blue eyes and instantly falling in love. "I'm your daddy."
"Are you ready for your son?" the nurse asked with a smile as she walked back into the room carrying a small bundle of blankets in her arms. She smiled when Natalie nodded eagerly and gently placed the baby in her arms.
"You're just as beautiful as your sister, you know that buddy?" Natalie whispered as she gently stroked the baby's cheek with the back of her finger. "And just as handsome as your daddy," she added, smiling up at John.
"And you are just as beautiful as your mother," John told his daughter, grinning when her face scrunched up into a yawn. "She's also got your attention span."
"Hey! I just gave birth to two of your children so you'd better watch it."
"Okay, I surrender," John laughed. "Hey, so what are we going to name these two? Can't keep calling them 'little one' and 'buddy' forever."
"I don't know... I had a few names in mind but I was hoping you'd be back in time to help with the final selection. Maybe--" Natalie was interrupted by yawning loudly. "Sorry, I guess I'm more tired than I thought."
"That's okay. We can discuss names tomorrow," John said softly, smiling when she fell asleep almost instantly. Walking around the bed he laid their daughter down and whispered, "Hey cutie," as he took their son from her arms and placed him beside his sister. "I love you guys."
The next morning the nurse had come to get the twins for a few routine tests and John and Natalie were discussing names. "What were the few you had considered?"
"Well, I really like either Elizabeth or Summer for the girl," Natalie told him with a smile. "And for the boy I was thinking either Elijah or Seth."
"Seth and Summer? You've been watching The OC again haven't you?"
Natalie laughed and nodded. "Yeah, you caught me."
"I like the names... but I'm not I can choose."
"Maybe we should let them choose their own names," Natalie suggested as the nurse wheeled the babies back into the room. "What do you think?"
"That sounds good to me," John agreed after the nurse told them everything was fine and had gone again. "What do you think son?" he asked, picking him up. "Do you feel like an Elijah?" He laughed when the baby just stared up at him. "What about Seth?" The baby suddenly began to wave his fists around happily and John grinned over at Natalie. "I think we have a winner."
"Let me see Seth so you can ask our daughter," she said with a small laugh. John handed Seth to her and repeated the process with their baby girl--and she began to kick her feet around when John asked her if she felt like a Summer.
"Well, looks like they finally have names," John announced with a smile. "Want me to get the nurse and tell her?"
"Not yet," she replied. "Climb up here and lay with me for a little while?"
"Gladly," John said with a smile that Natalie returned as she moved over to make room for the rest of her family. She knew in that moment that no matter what life threw her way that as long as she had them she would always have a piece of heaven.
~FIN
Please review!
~Manda
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Author's Note/Dedication: I posted a challenge on Livejournal for people to write me things and promised to write for them in return--Robin actually asked for makeup sex but somehow it turned into this. Hope you enjoy!
Rating: PG at the most
Title: A Piece of Heaven
"Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do, what you gonna do when they come for you..."
Natalie groaned as the sound of the music emanating from her cell phone woke her from one of the best dreams she'd had in a long time. Then recognition of the ring tone slammed into her, causing her to instantly awake. Her hands shook as she grabbed her phone from the bedside table and flipped it open. She stared at the name for a few seconds before she hit the button to answer.
"Hello?"
Silence. Then... "Natalie?"
Natalie knew that she would know that ragged whisper anywhere. "Yeah John, it's me," she whispered back.
"How... how are you?"
Biting back a laugh, Natalie forced her tone to remain civil as she replied, "How do you think I am?"
"Stupid question, huh?" John asked, a painful smile on his lips and in his voice. "Um... I just wanted to tell you that I caught him."
Natalie sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes. John had caught him... caught the man who had nearly raped her over a year ago. He had been dangerously close when John had decided to come home early and had saved her... again. But in the process of doing so the would-be rapist had been able to escape and John just couldn't let it go. And so he had left town seven months, two weeks and one day ago after giving Natalie a ring and promising that he would be back.
But he hadn't returned... he hadn't even called until tonight. And so Natalie had hidden the ring away in a drawer, unable to help sneaking peeks of it in the middle of the night when she was feeling all alone in the world.
"Natalie?"
"Where did you catch him?"
"Are you okay?"
"Just answer me John!"
Another long silence ensued. And then... "Jamaica."
A giggle escaped Natalie's lips and then she was unable to stop herself as she burst out into full-fledged hysterical laughter. She had been living in hell for the past year, not knowing if John was alive or dead and he was in Jamaica, half a world away? "What are you wearing?" she asked, gasping for breath as she laughed.
"Um... a black shirt, black pants and sunglasses?" he said slowly, listening to her break into fresh laughter. "Are you okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'm fine John," she snapped, her laughter evaporating as quickly as it had started. "So tell me, how are you going to take care of him? Because last time I checked, Jamaica was definitely out of your juristic."
"He's in custody now--he was found assaulting another woman."
"Are you coming home?"
"I'm on the next flight," he said softly. "I know I have no right to ask this, but can you please give me a chance to explain when I get there?"
"Yeah, I will. But you should know... I'm staying at Llanfair right now. I couldn't stay in that empty apartment anymore, not with all the memories of how happy we were. I'll see you when you get home, okay?" Without waiting for an answer Natalie closed her phone and fell backwards onto the bed, staring at the ceiling in shock. What was she going to do?
"Hey Lois, is Natalie here?" John asked nervously, standing on the front steps of Llanfair with his hands shoved in his pockets. It had three days since he had talked to Natalie and he hoped that she wouldn't mind his showing up unannounced--he wanted to catch her with her defenses down because he knew that he had a much better shot at explaining himself if he didn't give her a chance to work herself up.
"Yes she is," Lois replied, stepping aside and letting John enter. "Just one moment please." She closed the door and went upstairs to get Natalie, leaving John standing in the foyer rehearsing what he was going to say for the millionth time.
His speech flew out of his mind when he saw Natalie descending the stairs--the first thing he noticed was her fiery red hair, now several inches shorter than it had been the last time he had seen her. But what had shocked him enough to make him speechless was the sight of her protruding stomach--she looked to be at least eight months pregnant.
Natalie's heart stopped when she saw John waiting in the foyer and she unconsciously put a hand on her belly. The feel of the babies kicking immediately calmed her and taking a deep breath she continued down the stairs. "Hello John."
John found that he couldn't say a word so he let his eyes do the talking, glancing at her stomach and then at her. Natalie sighed as she finally reached him and smiled tentatively. "Yes, I'm pregnant."
"How long have you known?"
"A few months after you left--I chalked up my bathroom visits to your leaving and ignored all of the other signs. But your brother recognized them and made me come in for a test and we found out I was five months along--and having twins."
"Twins?"
Natalie nodded and smiled. "A boy and a girl. And I was so excited when I found out--my first thought was 'wait until I tell John'. But then I remembered." The smile slipped away and was replaced by shadows. "I'm nine months pregnant--you actually called on my due date, you know." She laughed softly.
"Why didn't you tell me then?"
"I don't know. Maybe because you left me to avoid committing to me too much? Don't even," she said fiercely when he opened his mouth to argue. "You can say that you wanted to get justice for me all you want but I know better. We were living together and I saw it. I know that you're a commitment-phobe but it's a bit much to run away to Jamaica to get away from it."
At a loss for words, John could only whisper, "I'm sorry."
Deflating a bit at the hurt on his face Natalie replied, "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you... I was just scared that it might make you stay away longer."
"Natalie--" Seeing the hurt and the fear in her crystal blue eyes as she waited for him to make a move John felt a comfortable knowledge settle into his chest. He had a family now and the thought didn't scare him nearly as much as it once had. He knew that he would never be able to explain this to Natalie in words, so he did it the only way he knew how--he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
"Wow," Natalie murmured when the kiss was over. "That was a pretty strong answer, McBain."
John looked into her eyes and smiled when he saw nothing but love and pure happiness shining back at him. "Yeah, and I meant it. I love you, Natalie."
"Ow! The babies are kicking--I think they're jealous." Natalie grinned, reaching out to grab his hand she placed it gently on her stomach and watched John's face light up. "Amazing isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is."
"Ow!" she cried out again, doubling over and looking up at John with a smile that was a mixture of pain and happiness. "Um, John?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine--but I'm thinking that these two are about ready to make their debut."
John's eyes widened. "What?"
"What a detective you are. I'm pretty sure I'm in labor--I've been cramping all day but not like this."
"You mean the babies are coming now?" he asked in disbelief.
Natalie sighed impatiently. "Yes, John they're on their way. So I should probably get to the hospital," she said, speaking slowly as if to a two year old.
"A hospital... that's right! Do you have like a hospital bag or something? Because in the movies they have bags."
"John! Snap out of it please. Yes, I have a bag and it's in the trunk of my car. Now how about we go get in the car and you drive me to the hospital?"
"Okay, let's go." He began to walk towards the library doors and Natalie groaned. "John, my car is in the front."
"Oh right." He turned around and walked towards the front door as Natalie followed, shaking her head and grinning at the thought of telling everyone how John McBain had reacted to her going into labor.
"Okay Miss Buchanan, one more push and your daughter will be out. Ready? One, two, three... and push!" Natalie pushed, squeezing John's right hand so hard that he knew it would never be the same.
"And there's your daughter!" the doctor exclaimed excitedly, doing his job quickly and smiling when the baby girl began to wail. Handing her off to a nurse he returned to his position. "Almost done, Natalie."
"You're doing great," John told her, kissing her quickly. "And you look absolutely beautiful."
"Oh shut up," she grumbled at him. "Next time you're having the kid." John and the doctor both laughed and got ready for the birth of baby number two.
"Are you ready to hold your daughter?" the nurse asked Natalie, smiling when Natalie nodded weakly. "Here you go." She placed the baby girl in Natalie's arms and smiled. "I'll be right back with your son."
"She's beautiful," Natalie whispered, staring into their daughter's blue eyes.
John could not take his eyes off of the beautiful bundle of joy. He really wanted to hold her but she looked so fragile. Natalie smiled when she saw that look in his eyes. "You know you won't break her if you hold her."
"Are you sure about that?" he tried to joke.
Natalie just smiled and looked at him until he finally relented. "Okay, but I haven't done this in years," he warned her, leaning over and gingerly taking the baby.
"Hey little one," John said softly, looking into his daughter's deep blue eyes and instantly falling in love. "I'm your daddy."
"Are you ready for your son?" the nurse asked with a smile as she walked back into the room carrying a small bundle of blankets in her arms. She smiled when Natalie nodded eagerly and gently placed the baby in her arms.
"You're just as beautiful as your sister, you know that buddy?" Natalie whispered as she gently stroked the baby's cheek with the back of her finger. "And just as handsome as your daddy," she added, smiling up at John.
"And you are just as beautiful as your mother," John told his daughter, grinning when her face scrunched up into a yawn. "She's also got your attention span."
"Hey! I just gave birth to two of your children so you'd better watch it."
"Okay, I surrender," John laughed. "Hey, so what are we going to name these two? Can't keep calling them 'little one' and 'buddy' forever."
"I don't know... I had a few names in mind but I was hoping you'd be back in time to help with the final selection. Maybe--" Natalie was interrupted by yawning loudly. "Sorry, I guess I'm more tired than I thought."
"That's okay. We can discuss names tomorrow," John said softly, smiling when she fell asleep almost instantly. Walking around the bed he laid their daughter down and whispered, "Hey cutie," as he took their son from her arms and placed him beside his sister. "I love you guys."
The next morning the nurse had come to get the twins for a few routine tests and John and Natalie were discussing names. "What were the few you had considered?"
"Well, I really like either Elizabeth or Summer for the girl," Natalie told him with a smile. "And for the boy I was thinking either Elijah or Seth."
"Seth and Summer? You've been watching The OC again haven't you?"
Natalie laughed and nodded. "Yeah, you caught me."
"I like the names... but I'm not I can choose."
"Maybe we should let them choose their own names," Natalie suggested as the nurse wheeled the babies back into the room. "What do you think?"
"That sounds good to me," John agreed after the nurse told them everything was fine and had gone again. "What do you think son?" he asked, picking him up. "Do you feel like an Elijah?" He laughed when the baby just stared up at him. "What about Seth?" The baby suddenly began to wave his fists around happily and John grinned over at Natalie. "I think we have a winner."
"Let me see Seth so you can ask our daughter," she said with a small laugh. John handed Seth to her and repeated the process with their baby girl--and she began to kick her feet around when John asked her if she felt like a Summer.
"Well, looks like they finally have names," John announced with a smile. "Want me to get the nurse and tell her?"
"Not yet," she replied. "Climb up here and lay with me for a little while?"
"Gladly," John said with a smile that Natalie returned as she moved over to make room for the rest of her family. She knew in that moment that no matter what life threw her way that as long as she had them she would always have a piece of heaven.
~FIN
Please review!
~Manda