Natalie slowly opened her eyes, rubbing the sleepies out. She looked around for a moment trying to get her bearings. It took her a while to realize that she was flying, she was still on the plane. Her eyes brightened when she saw Cristian dozing beside her. Her mom and Jessica were in the two seats across the aisle, Jess was listening to music, and her mom was reading THE SUN. Just then the captain came over the intercom and said that they would be landing in half an hour. Beside her Cristian stirred, slowly opening his eyes, as if he had been dreaming a dream that he never wanted to end, and he whispered,
"Hey beautiful."
"Hey, yourself." She said.
He turned over, and closed his eyes again.
Poor guy, she thought to herself, he probably hasn't slept soundly in years!
But she couldn't go back to sleep, not now. She was on her way home, with her family surrounding her, and the man she loved at her side. She couldn't wait to get back to good ole Llanview again. She surprised herself at how nervous she was about seeing everyone again. People, like Carlotta, Antonio, Keri, Al, and most of all Jen. She was excited however, about meeting the little boy whose life she had spared, the little boy she had sacrificed everything for. Nick Vega. She had to admit as she sat there staring out into the bleak light of dawn, that she didn't regret it at all. She didn't regret coming to Llanview, or leaving, she didn't regret falling in love with Cristian, and as she looked over at him sleeping peacefully, she knew that he was without a doubt the best thing that had ever happened to her. So, if she had no regrets then why did she have this sinking feeling inside, telling her that once they got back to Llanview she would have a long list of regrets and at the very top, would be coming back home in the first place?
Hours later Natalie was quietly walking through Llanfair, enjoying the sights and smells of home. Cristian had left about two hours ago, and her thoughts drifted back to their conversation. They had agreed that they would pretend that Cristian didn't know she was back, that her mother and sister convinced her to come home, and that for now until October 30, 2020 they would be what they had been from the start, just friends. At first she had felt a little jipped by that last stipulation, after all she came back to Llanview for him, but logic quickly replaced that frivolous dream and she agreed, after all... what about Nick? Natalie was anxious about seeing everyone again, especially the people who didn't like her back then, and who probably wouldn't like the fact that she came back either. People like Carlotta, Jen, and Lindsay. But, she had never been one to let fear stop her; she had always been more of an action kind of girl. After all she had nothing to fear but fear itself...right?
Across town Cristian walked into D-K Diner, feeling better then he had in years. And he had every reason too, after all the dream he had been dreaming for 10 years had finally come true, Natalie was back. Although, he did feel slightly guilty about lying to his mother, brother, and Jen about not knowing that she was back in town, he had to admit it was kind of fun. He saw his brother sitting on a stool at the bar, and his mother busy behind the counter. He took a deep breath and blocked pictures of Natalie from entering his mind; he had to pretend he didn't know she was back. He had to pretend he hadn't seen her in years. That should be easy he thought to himself, I'll just act the same way I do most mornings, then nothing will seem out of the ordinary. So he sighed and put on the face he had been wearing everyday for 10 years, the I- am-so-miserable face, the face that said I-have-lost-the-love-of-my-life -and-now-I-am-stuck-living-a-lie. The face that said it all.
Meanwhile, Antonio was sitting at the counter talking to his mother, neither had seen Cristian walk in. In this small town news travels fast, and both already knew that Natalie was back. Both were praying that Cristian didn't know. And both were trying to find a clever way around not telling him that she was back.
"So, Mami, do you think Cris knows?"
"I don't know, Antonio."
"This is going to make for one very sticky situation, Mami."
"If only that little tramp would have just stayed away forever! She was trouble for Cristian back then, and she will cause a whole tangle of problems now! Just think of the child!" Carlotta said through gritted teeth.
"If we just act normally, I'm sure he won't know a thing is wrong. Just act normally, Mami; let him find out from someone else."
"I'll try my best, Antonio, but sooner or later he has got to find out. Oh, look, here he is now." She smiled a big smile, like that of a guilty child when they have just done something wrong and are about to get caught.
"Act normal, Mami." Antonio whispered harshly.
"Hey, 'Tonio, hey, Mami." Cristian said, wearing his poor-me face.
"Hey, Cris."
"Hello, Cristian."
"How are things going, Cris?"
" Same ole, same ole."
"That bad?" Antonio questioned giving his mother a look that said he must not know, so don't say anything! Let him find out somewhere else!
"Just the usual." Cristian yawned for effect, he had seen the look Antonio had given Mami, and it could only mean one thing, they knew. Well, two could play that game.
"How was the art convention, Cristian?"
"Fine, great actually. It felt good to paint again." He answered with out missing a beat, that was the excuse he had given everyone who asked why he was traveling; no one could know where he had really been. No one.
"Really? What did you use as your muse?"
"Really. And you probably don't want to know the answer to your question. "
"It wasn't that little-"
"Enough, Mami, I don't have to sit here and listen to you tell me what to paint and what not to paint about." He stood to leave, silently patting himself on the back; he was good at this acting thing.
"Cristian, wait, don't leave." Carlotta pleaded.
He sat back down, grumpily
"Fine, but don't utter a syllable about Natalie." He warned.
"Fine."
"I'm glad you had a good time, Cris." Antonio said trying to smooth things over.
"So, what did I miss, anything new around town?" Cristian asked with a look of pure innocence on his face and a trace of mischief in his eye.
"No, nothing knew, everything is the same, you know the town didn't fall apart because you weren't here, Cristian." Carlotta answered a little too quickly.
"I was just wondering, Mami, that's all." He was waiting, hoping that his innocence would talk them into telling him she was back. At the thought of her his face lit up with a rare smile.
"You okay, Cris, you haven't smiled like that since... since...uh...Nick was born?" Antonio questioned.
Since Natalie was in town, you mean? Cristian thought to himself "I'm fine, perfectly fine thanks anyway Tonio."
"What made you smile like that, Cristian, whatever it was, let us know, we have been waiting for smiles like that one forever, and we want to do what ever we can to bring them back." Carlotta urged.
"Oh, it's nothing, Mami; just thinking about the dream I had about Natalie last night that's all." He said watching the looks his mother and brother exchanged. He smiled, because for the first time in 10 years he didn't have to keep wishing every minute of every day that his dream would come true, because it already had. But, what he didn't know was that it was about to turn into a nightmare.
Natalie pushed open the door to Break Bar and looked around. She had hoped that her old friend Seth still came here in the mornings. She needed to talk to him; maybe he could give her some advice on this situation. After all, he had always there for her when no one else was, and he and Cristian grew up together, so maybe he would know what to do. She scanned the room quickly, she had been wrong, he wasn't here, but her eyes froze in mid-scan when she saw Jennifer Vega sitting in the middle of the room, talking a little too flirtatiously with Al Holden. They were definitely not the people she wanted to start her welcome back tour with, but she knew she would have to face them at one point or another, it might as well be now. As she began walking over towards them, all the bad memories came flooding back and she lost her courage. She bowed her head so as not to be noticed, and headed for the bar to order herself a cup of coffee.
"Well, well, well, look who came crawling back into town after all these years." It was Jen.
Natalie slowly turned her head, to look at Jen. She stood there with a smug look of victory on her face.
"Hello, Jen, how have you been?"
"Cristian and I have been very well, we bought a house a few years ago, and of course you know about our son, Nick."
"Of course, did you get the flowers I sent?"
"What flowers?"
"Nothing ever mind."
"You know you have already lost him, right?"
"What are you talking about, Jen?"
"Cristian. We've been together for 10 years now, and we are very happy. We love being a family."
"Of course."
"Don't even try to worm your way into his heart, he never loved you anyway, he just felt sorry for you. He never loved you and he never will."
"Good to see you again too, Jen, thanks." Natalie turned and started to walk away.
"Wait." Jen said.
"What, now, Jen? I've got places to go and people to see."
"You stay away from my family, Natalie, I mean it, don't ruin this for us. Cristian is happy, very happy, so stay away."
"Whatever you say, Jen, as long as Cristian is happy, that is all that matters."
"Right. And he is happy."
"Good." She turned to Al who was still sitting where he and Jen had been talking, and for the first time she could ever remember he had his mouth shut.
"If you've got something to say, say it now Al."
"I don't have a word to say to you."
"Fine, now if you will both excuse me, I have things I need to take care of."
And with that she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving Jen standing there with a scowl on her face, and Al, still amazingly enough, perfectly silent. As she was walking to her car, she thought to herself, and so it begins, I knew I should never have come back, I knew I would regret this. She was right.
15 minutes later she pulled up to D-K Diner, she peaked inside through the window, she saw Cristian sitting there looking perfectly miserable. Just then Antonio came out and she was startled by his presence.
"Hello, Natalie, how have you been?" He said his voice cold and serious.
"I've survived, thanks. How about you?"
"I'm fine."
Silence.
"Listen, um...Antonio, I never should have given you that letter so long ago. I know I put you in a really awkward position. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it, you were upset."
"Thanks."
"Uh, Natalie..."
"Yes."
"Just don't hurt, Cris. Okay?"
"I would never dream of hurting Cristian in any way."
"Just don't break his heart, and don't make him choose between you and his family, because I think you both will lose in the long run."
"I would never make him choose. If he decided anything it would be on his own terms. Just like it always was, just like when we agreed that he should marry Jen."
"So, that's why your leaving bugged him so much." Antonio said finally putting the pieces together.
"Probably, because they day we said good-bye, I told him that I knew this was the right thing to do. I told him I was okay with it. And then I...I...I..."
"You left."
"Right."
"So Cris thought it was his fault?"
"He shouldn't have, I took all the blame in my letter."
"Yeah, but you know Cristian, he always wants to make things right, and he couldn't with you, so it just about killed him."
"I'm sorry I left, Antonio. That's all I can say, I'm sorry."
"I'm just sorry that it hurt Cris the way it did. He hasn't been the same since."
Silence.
"Antonio?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think he'll want to see me?"
"Oh, yeah. But, he would probably like it better if it was somewhere secluded. Somewhere where you guys could talk."
"Like the quarry?"
"Sure, I guess, you've been there?"
"We used to talk there all the time; it was like our own little hideaway."
"Well, then it would probably be perfect."
"Thanks."
"He usually goes to the quarry every morning before work. He will probably be leaving soon. You had better leave now, if you want to get there."
"Okay, thanks."
"You're welcome. Natalie."
"Yeah."
"You're the only one who can make Cris happy, and the only one who can break his heart, so don't screw it up, okay?
"I won't, Antonio, this time I promise I won't."
A half an hour later Natalie was sitting in the quarry, enjoying the silence, but wondering what was taking Cristian so long. She fingered his St. Christopher medal in her hands, her thoughts drifting back to the "good ole days." Back before Jen got pregnant, before they got married, before she left. The rustling of some foliage interrupted her thoughts. Cristian was coming.
"Cristian, is that you?"
"Nat, what are you doing here?" She stood and he walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. She felt so safe, and warm in those arms. When she was with him nothing could hurt her. And for the first time, she realized how good it was to be back. He let go, and took her hands, she smiled. "So do you still come here often?"
"Every morning, I come here and read your letter, and remember." They sat down just enjoying each others presence.
"So tell me, Cris, what have you done without me all these years? Give me an update."
"Okay, well...."
They sat there for the remainder of the morning, talking, catching up and laughing. She was amazed, at how it seemed like nothing had changed. He certainly hadn't, he was still the same guy fell in love with so long ago, she stilled loved everything about him, and he still gave her butterflies. She felt so comfortable with him, like she could tell him anything. After all these years, and all the temptations and obstacles, they were still in love, oh so in love.
Around noon, they parted ways. They agreed that the rules were still in place, and he kissed her hand and whispered, "I love you." Then he stood the look on his face conveying how much he wanted to stay how much he needed to stay how much he needed her. They had known from the start that this would be difficult, but they had done this before and they survived just like they would now.
Someone once said "what goes up must come down." They had every right to be on the uppity ups after all they were in love. Neither knew it was all going to come crashing down, it never even crossed their minds. But, just like everything else what goes up must come down, and they were about to fall...hard.
After Cristian left, Natalie continued to sit there reminiscing about the past. When suddenly she heard a voice from behind her.
"Hello, Natalie, welcome back." It was Al.
Natalie turned around,
"Al, what do you want? You told me you didn't want to talk to me at Break Bar, and to be perfectly honest that works for me, if I had my way I wouldn't talk to you either."
"Whatever."
"Now, could you please leave, Al?"
"No, first I have a few questions for you."
"I am not answering anything; just go away would you?"
"Not, until, you clear up a few things for me, Natalie."
"Fine, what is it?"
"So, Natalie, why exactly did you come back to Llanview anyway?"
"My mom and sister came to visit me, for my wedding and when it didn't happen they talked me into coming back here."
"Oh I see. So you were engaged?"
"Yes."
"And why didn't you get married, exactly?"
"None of your business."
"Oh, but you see it is my business, anything that goes on with the Vega family is my business. "
"Okay, but this has nothing to do with the Vega family. And, Al, I hate to break it to ya, but your not part of the Vega family."
"No, but I know Jen."
"Your point..."
"Never mind, you wouldn't understand. I have another question for you."
"Fine, but this had better be all."
"Since, you're back in Llanview, and obviously for good, what exactly is your agenda?"
"My agenda, I don't have an agenda, I came back here to be with my family."
"And Cristian, you came to get Cristian back too, didn't you?"
"No, I didn't come back here to get Cristian back." She sighed, this acting stuff was harder than it looked, "in fact, I just talked to him, and it seems like he is pretty much over me."
"Yeah right, that's not what Jen said."
"What?"
"Listen Natalie, I'm warning you, if you do anything to break up Jen's marriage to Cristian, then you'll be sorry you ever set foot in this town again."
"I'm not afraid of you, Al, and besides, what I do with my life is none of your business anyway."
"If it effects my son it-"
"Your what? Since when do you have a son?"
"I don't I...I...mean Nick, if it effects him in anyway-"
"Al, you're not related to Nick at all so why should you care?"
"I don't, well, I do and even though I am not legally part of that family, he is still like a...a....a nephew to me."
"Al, that is crazy, Cristian hates you, and Jen dislikes you too, so why on earth after all you put them through, would they let you be a part of their baby's life in any way?"
"I don't know, but I'm not the one we are talking about here-"
"You are now. Please, enlighten me. How in the world did you worm your way into the Vega family?"
"I didn't! Forget about it, okay! I made an error in speech, no body is politically correct!"
"Oh, I'm not giving up that easily, Al Holden, you're hiding something, I know it! Tell me what it is right now!"
"Why should I tell you anything?"
"I answered your questions, now you answer mine."
"Forget about it." He started to walk away, she sighed, and the brutal truth suddenly hit her hard and fast.
"Al, wait!"
"What now!"
She took a deep breath "Al, Nick is your son, isn't he?"
"What are you talking about?"
"He has to be your son, or else you wouldn't be so worried about my being back in town and ruining Cristian's marriage to Jen. I thought you would be happy I was back, you would try and talk me into one of your sick and twisted little schemes to get Jen back. He has to be your son, you wouldn't be this defensive if he wasn't. You wouldn't care this much."
It turned deathly quiet then, nothing moved, nothing stirred. The silence spoke for him. The silence said it all. Natalie felt like the air had been knocked out of her. She was having trouble grasping on to this reality ...it couldn't be true...it just couldn't. But, standing there in the silence, she knew it was true, she knew he wouldn't lie. The silence wouldn't lie. She tried to speak but, no words came out. Instead Al spoke,
"Yes, he's my son. No, Cristian doesn't know, he never has. He thinks that Nick is his son. It all happened so long ago Natalie....so long ago...." He stood there looking her straight in the eye and told her the whole story...he told her everything. They eventually sat down and he continued to spill his story, she never uttered a word. He never lost eye contact, with his eyes he urged her to believe him , if never again, to believe him now. And she did believe him, with all her heart, or at least what was left of it.
Four hours later, Natalie stumbled in to Llanfair in shock, complete and utter shock. Everything made sense now, everything. Part of her was angry at Jen, and she had every right to be. Jen had tricked Cristian into marrying her because of the baby. She and Cristian had given up everything for that child, everything, the prospect of a life together, happiness, a family and marriage of their own. They had made the ultimate sacrifice, they had let go of all their hopes and dreams, true, they had never let the love fade away, that was impossible. But, they had given it all up for nothing it seemed like. Nick wasn't even his son! Another part of her was angry at Cristian. After all, he had been married to Jen for all these years, he had watched Nick grow, and he never put the pieces together! That had to be almost impossible...didn't it? For the first time she found herself doubting him, doubting his love. She had never doubted him before, he had proven time and time again that he kept his word. But, what if he was playing her for a fool, what if this was all a game set up by him and Jen? What if he didn't love her anymore? She shuttered to think what would happen if that were true. But, of course...it couldn't be...not Cristian...he wouldn't do something like that...never. Right?
A few hours later Natalie lay in bed staring up at the ceiling, she couldn't sleep, too much to think about. She kept hearing Al's words over and over again. So Jen had known all along, Jen had profited from her broken heart, she felt so betrayed. When Al had told her about how Jen had sucked him in, and had manipulated him into the position he was in now, she had almost felt pity for him. Almost. But, he, after all, had gone along with Jen's plan. She glanced over at her digital clock, it was 11:15. She had to call Cristian, she couldn't think about this all night, she had to know the truth, now. But could she handle it?
She sat up and turned her table top lamp on. Then she reached for the phone, and carefully punched in the digits unsure of where this would lead, and unsure if she wanted to go there.
'Ring, Ring, Ring!'
"Hello." A sleepy voice answered, it was Cristian
"Hey, Cris, it's me." Natalie answered her voice shaking, she was on the verge of tears and she needed him.
"Natalie, are you okay?"
"No, not really. I really need to talk to you. It's important, Cristian."
"Can't it wait till morning?"
"No, at least, I can't wait till morning, it's urgent, Cristian. Please."
"Don't move. I'll be right over." then he whispered more softly, "I love you."
"I love you too. Be careful." She hung up the phone. Slipped on her fuzzy slippers and grabbed the St. Christopher medal off her dresser. Quietly she tip-toed downstairs, and turned on the light in the study. Just then she heard a soft knock at the door. She hurried to get it, not wanting to wake anyone. She opened the door, and noticed that it had started raining...hard. Cristian stood there dripping,
"Hey, Nat."
"Thanks for coming." she ushered him into the study, and closed the door.
They sat on the couch, and he said,
"What is it? What's wrong?"
Natalie took a deep breath, her brain told her this was the logical thing to do, but her heart had other ideas.
"Cristian, it's about Nick."
"What about him? I just left him asleep at home."
"Cristian, I ran into Al today-"
"Oh, no, what did he tell you?"
"Cristian, he told me...he told me...he told me that Nick is his son. Not-"
"What are you talking about, Natalie?" Cristian stood, she could hear the anger rising in his voice, he had never used that tone with her before. Never.
"Cristian, he told me the whole story, he told me that he is Nick's father."
"That's impossible! You believed him?"
"Crisitan, he was telling the truth, I know he was."
"How do you know? He has always tried to ruin Jen's relationship with me, maybe this was just another tactic, maybe-"
"Cristian, I believe him."
"How can you do this?"
"Do what?"
"How can you believe this guy, that snake-"
"Cristian, if you'll just let me explain,-"
"I don't want to hear an explanation from you, and I don't think you're telling the truth either."
"Cristian, I would never lie to you!"
"No, but Al would talk you into it. This is some plan you guys worked out, I know it!"
"Cristian, why are you being so paranoid?" The tears came then, she didn't bother to wipe them away, she knew it was no use to try and stop them . "Cristian, don't you believe me? Please believe me, Cristian, I love you, I never want to hurt you, don't you see, I just thought you should know." She was standing now staring at him, pleading with her eyes for him to believe her. But, his face showed only hate and anger. She still clutched the St. Christopher medal, her hand was so tightly wrapped around it, that she could feel it digging into her palms.
"Cristian-please believe me, don't you trust me?" her voice broke, the stabbing pain in her chest was back again. They stood there for a moment, silent, she knew it then, she knew it, it was over, she had ruined it all, she had ruined it all again.
"No, Natalie, I don't believe you, and I don't trust you either, you're not the same girl you were back then and I was foolish to think there was still something between us. I should never have stopped that wedding, I never should have convinced you to come home, we both would have been better off, at least you would get what you deserve, to live a lie, you sure are good at telling them."
His words were sharp and the cut like a dagger through her fragile heart.
"Cristian, please I'm begging you! I need you to believe me, I need you to trust me. I love you, Cristian." She ignored the desperation in her voice.
The tears were really coming down now, almost so she couldn't breathe.
"Cristian, I'm sorry, but please, you have to listen, please listen-"
He looked her in the eye then, and she stared right back. She didn't see the warmth and affection she had seen earlier that day, there was no sparkle in his chocolate eyes. They were cold, like ice, and filled with anger, and confusion. But, as she looked deeper she saw something familiar, there was a trace of love in his eyes. And she realized it then, it wasn't that he didn't believe her or he didn't trust her, he didn't want to believe it, he didn't want to accept it. He refused to. She could see the defiance in his eyes.
"Cristian, please, I love you so much-"
"And I thought I loved you, but I was wrong, how could I ever love someone like you." Those words stung the most, and she recoiled. He knew that was her secret inner fear, that she wouldn't be good enough for him, that he wouldn't love her. And it was a low blow.
"You don't mean that, Cris, you're just confused-"
"Oh, but I do mean it, Natalie. I do." And with that he turned and opened the door, she called after him,
"But, I love you! Please listen!" He looked back at her one last time, she was sobbing so hard her body was shaking and she was clutching her hands to her chest. He looked into her eyes, and he knew, he knew she would never lie to him, she would never betray him. His heart ached for her just then, and it was then he realized how much he really did love her, how beautiful she really was.
But, he pushed those thoughts out of his mind, and whispered
"Good-bye, Natalie." and with that he walked out into the pouring down rain. Letting it wash away the salty tears.
She sank to the couch, rocking back and forth and sobbing. She threw the St. Christopher medal across the room, angry at herself and all the pain she had caused. When she lifted the hand she had been clutching it so tightly with, to her face to wipe away the tears, she noticed something that took her breath away. There in the middle of her red, clammy hand was an imprint of St. Christopher himself.
Natalie woke up the next morning to two smiling faces leaning over her, it was her mom and Jessica.
"Good morning, darling."
"Mornin', Nat."
She moaned, and looked around her, she was still in the study, on the couch. She could hear her mother and sister mumbling something but, she didn't pay attention. Scenes of the night before came flooding back, and she closed her eyes tight, to get them to stop, and they did. In her mind she kept trying to remember what went on last night, she kept trying to remember what she said. But, she came up with nothing. Then softly at first she heard Cristian's voice, "Good-bye Natalie. Good-bye Natalie. Good-bye." then for the first time that morning she spoke,
"But he promised."
"Who promised what?" she heard her mother ask in a sensitive voice.
"He promised he would never say good-bye."
"Who, darling."
"He said good-bye." She rolled over away from her mother and sister's stares, she could tell they were saying something, but she felt to weak to listen to their conversation. All she could think about was the last thing Cristian had said before he left, "Good-bye Natalie. Good-bye Natalie. Good-bye Natalie." And all she could think about was how he had told her so long ago, that he would never say good-bye. Never. But, this time he had said good-bye, and this time she knew there would be no going back, because this time there was no promise of a reunion, or the promise of good memories. This time it was his turn to leave. This time there was nothing beautiful about it. This time it was simply good-bye.
The next time Natalie opened her eyes she had to squint, the sun was high in the sky. It must be around noon she thought to herself. Suddenly, she remembered what had happened the night before, and she couldn't help but let a few tears trickle down her cheek. She had lost him, she had really lost him. She got up and headed upstairs to her room, where she turned on some music and took a shower, letting the warm water wash away all the pain. She got dressed and looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn't as young as she used to be, and she had never been pretty, she paused and caught herself before she asked what would Cristian say? She knew what he would say, he would say she was worthless, a waste of time... she could go on and on. But, she stopped. She had no time for self pity, not now, right now she needed to get her life back together. She looked at her clock, it was 2:30, her stomach grumbled. The first step in putting her life back together, she decided, was to eat lunch!
Around 3:00 she went back upstairs and grabbed her purse, on her old desk she noticed a note that hadn't been there before. It was written in her mom's precise handwriting. She picked up the note and read,
Natalie,
I hope everything is okay, darling. Remember, I love you. If you need anything call, you have my numbers. I found this, this morning, in the study, I thought you might want it. I love you, darling.
Your Mother,
Victoria Davidson
Natalie looked down at what had been lying underneath the note, it was the St. Christopher medal. She threw the note down, and ran out of the room, and out the door of Llanfair, the tears coming down, in streams.
Later that day, she was driving home, letting her thoughts wonder. She had done too much serious thinking in the last couple of hours, about what to do now, and how to get things back in order. She had gone to Break Bar, and sat alone, sipping her tea. No one had mumbled a word to her, and that was just as well and good, because she wasn't in the mood for conversation anyway. Her thoughts were interupted, by the ringing of her cell phone. "Hello."
"Natalie. It's Antonio." his voice sounded so full of worry, that her ears immediately perked up.
"Antonio, what is it? What's wrong?"
"It's Cristian. He and Nick were in an accident today."
"What? Are they okay, is anyone hurt?"
"Well, yes. Nick suffered a loss of blood and needed a blood transfusion. And Cris...well Cris..."
"What is it, Antonio? Just spit it out!"
"Cristian was banged up pretty bad. He is really bruised up, and he had some internal bleeding, and a few broken ribs. He was having trouble breathing. He is out of surgery, but he hasn't woken up yet, and I think you should be here."
"Look, Antonio, I really appreciate you calling, but I can't come."
"Why not?"
"Because, Cristian and I got into an argument last night-"
"About what?"
"About Nick."
"What about him?"
"Well, you see... I talked to Al, and he told me, well, he told me that Nick was his son."
"I knew it." Antonio mumbled
"You knew?"
"It was just little things, here and there. It's not important, but today at the hospital when they wanted to give him a blood transfusion, we found out that his blood type doesn't match Cris's or Jen's. Cris told me this morning that he was filing for divorce-"
"Divorce?"
"Yeah, I figured it had to be serious, if he was taking action like that."
"Do you understand, Antonio, why I can't come?"
"No, to be honest, Natalie, I don't. I thought that of all people you would be the one who was by his side through everything, the good and the bad. That's what you do when you love someone. But, I guess I was wrong. Sorry I bothered you. Good-bye."
She hung up, she had been hearing that word too often lately. She sighed, Antonio was right. She wanted to be there, she really did...but after all he said, would he really want her there? He was filing for divorce...so that must mean that he thought about what she had said, and had finally accepted it. Maybe she should be there. The worst that could happen, was him telling her to leave. And she had always been a take action kind of girl; after all she had nothing to fear but fear itself. Right?
When she got to the hospital, she headed for the ER, figuring that was where he was first brought into; and asked the clerk at the desk where his room was.
"Excuse me, where is Cristian Vega's room?"
"Are you family?"
"Yes." She amazed herself at how easy it was to answer that question.
"Down the hall and to the right, then make another right."
"Thanks."
She hurried down the hall, when she rounded the corner, she saw Antonio, and Jen pacing.
"Antonio?"
"Natalie, you came!"
"What is she doing here?"
"I told her to come."
"You did what? Antonio, how could you do this?"
"Look, Jen, if this is going to be problem, I can leave."
"No, Natalie, I told you to come, so you're staying. Jen, if you have a problem with Natalie being here, then you leave."
"Fine." She huffed and walked away.
"Thanks, 'Tonio."
"No problem."
"Can I go see him?"
"Well, Mami is in there now, he hasn't woken up yet. But you can go see Nick."
"I...I...don't know if that is such a good idea."
"Come on, have you met him yet?"
"No."
"Well, now is as good a time as any."
"Okay." He pointed her to Nick's room, and she took a deep breath and opened the door.
There lay a small very pale boy who, if you squinted, looked almost exactly like a young Al Holden.
"May I help you?" But, he had a personality like Cris's.
"Hi, my name is Natalie Buchanan, you probably-"
"I know you."
"You do?"
"You're that girl."
She sat down in a chair beside his bed,
"What girl?"
"You're that girl, that left. You're the girl that loved Daddy."
"Yes." She blushed "Yes, I did love your Daddy a long time ago."
"Do you love him now?"
She answered without hesitating, "Nick, I will always love your Dad."
"Good. He tells me stories about you all the time."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Just a little weak, that's all. How is Dad doing?"
"Well...I haven't been to see him yet."
"Oh."
"He loves you a lot."
"It was a long time ago Nick."
"But, that's not what he says when he tells me the stories."
"Really?"
"Really."
Just then Antonio peaked his head in through the door.
"Hey, Nick. Natalie, Mami is done for now, Cris still hasn't woken up."
She stood and squeezed Nick's hand,
"Bye, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Miss Buchanan."
With that, she walked out of his room and across the hall. She paused a moment before going inside. It was amazing how a few simple words from a child can really make you think. She had told Nick the truth, she was still in love with Cristian. But, when he had answered by saying that Cristian still loved her, she had been caught off guard. That couldn't be true...not after last night. But, just then something occurred to her. The love in his eyes, she remembered seeing the faintest sparkle of love in his eyes. Maybe, when he left, maybe he said good-bye because he was afraid that she could be right. Maybe, he had said good-bye, because he didn't want to say something that would hurt her even more...he didn't want to hurt her anymore than he already had... and he knew he had. Maybe, he said good-bye, out of love. Maybe? She gently pushed open the door. She gasped when she saw him laying there, looking so helpless. It was her turn to be the strong one. He had always been the one to rescue her, and now it was her turn to save him. She amazed herself at how calm she was at that thought. And it occurred to her that she wanted to save him, she wanted to help him. She quietly walked over and sat down beside his bed. She took his hand. This hand had been the one to protect her, and it had been the one to pull her through those tough times so long ago. This was the hand that made all her wishes and dreams come true. This is the hand she wanted to hold for the rest of her life.
She couldn't think of anything to say to him, except for,
"Hello."
As if on cue, his eyes fluttered and they seemed to brighten was he saw her sitting there.
"Hello." he whispered back.
Hello. The best thing she could have possibly said was hello. And the best word he could have answered with was hello. Simply hello. Yes, they had a long road ahead of them, and yes there would be times of trouble, just with like every love. But, this one was special, this was one for this history books. This was a love shared that can never completely be described. It is a legendary love like this, one that overcomes all obstacles, that inspires us all, and makes us dream of our own perfect love stories. And to think, an extraordinary love like this, all began with a beautiful good-bye.