John is in his office with a deep faraway look in his eyes. He was deep in thought as he was leaning back in his chair, away from his desk. He is spinning the football Evangeline gave him, between his hands. He is repeating Evangeline’s words over and over in his head. “I appreciate your honesty” what did that mean? What did I say, I guess I wasn’t clear.

John thought about how nervous he was waiting for Evangeline to arrive, he wasn’t having second thoughts, but he was anxious. Bullets flying all around him he could take, but matters of the heart scared him stupid. Maybe she sensed my nervousness and didn’t understand what I was trying to say. Why didn’t I just say I’m in love with you, instead of all that other stuff. I’m such an idiot.

John is so deep in thought that he didn’t hear the knock at his office door. There is another knock. John didn’t answer so Michael opened the door peaked around calling out to John. John didn’t answer so he sat in one of the chairs in front of John’s desk. John is still turning the football over and over.

Michael greeted John again, but John didn’t hear him. Michael then started tapping on John’s desk with his knuckles. John finally heard the sound and turned his head quickly toward the sound.

“Michael” he said somber. How long have you been here?

“What’s up John? I see it on your face, in your eyes, what’s going on?”

“I-don’t-want-to-talk-about-it.” John said sternly, and looked down into his lap.

Michael said ok, ok; and then asked John, “How’s E I haven’t seen her in a while. Are you guys alright”?

As soon as John heard the term of endearment Michael has for Evangeline, without looking at Michael John started to tell him the whole story.

“I called Evangeline and asked her to meet me in Angel Square. I told her, I hadn’t been completely honest about my feelings for her. The next thing I know she said to me “I appreciate your honesty.” Stood up and walked away. “I asked her where she was going, but she kept walking, she didn’t look back. She got in her car and drove away. She didn’t understand what I was saying to her. She left before I could make myself clear. I got a call from the station; a hostage situation, so I couldn’t follow her.

“John, what are you saying?”

John didn’t answer Michael’s question he kept speaking because he had to unburden himself. “I knew I had to tell Evangeline the truth, because she deserves the truth.” I am ready to make a commitment forever with the woman I’m in love with.”

“I don’t understand John. Are you in love with Evangeline?”

John looked at Michael. “When I thought Natalie had died, it actually made me realize that I am in love with Evangeline. I thanked God it wasn’t her; not that I wanted Natalie dead either. I realized what would I do without Evangeline? There is not a moment in the day when she is not in my thoughts. I miss here when she’s not around. We are so connected; I don’t know when it happened. She is my heart. She’s my air. I can’t breathe with out her Michael. I can’t breathe.

“You need to tell E.”

“I’ve tried, but she hasn’t returned any of my calls. I tried seeing her at her office, her apartment building, court. I was told she was not available for me. She is avoiding me. I can’t blame her; she should have left my sorry ass a long time ago, she’s to good for me. What could she possibly want with me a local cop going no where? Michael she’s going to change the world for the better, maybe I’m one of her charity cases. I over heard her mother tell her, “Maybe your attracted to John because he’s like your father, because he kept things to himself too.” Her family certainly made it clear that I was not good enough for Evangeline.

“John I think you know Evangeline well enough to know she would never try working out issues with her father with you. When she looks at you, she is so proud of you. She’s in love with you man. She is definitely rubbing off on you, now you’re over analyzing.”

John smiled. He didn’t have much to smile about lately.

Michael became serious and leaned forward in his seat when he asked John, “You need to set Natalie straight she hasn’t given up on you. John you need to let her know that you are in love with Evangeline, and that Evangeline comes first from now on.”

John said, “I will. Natalie knows something is wrong between me and Evangeline. She keeps asking how things are between Evangeline and me. She's always in my office; and bringing me food or gifts. I’m going to handle this situation with Natalie now. It ends today.”

Before John could ask Natalie to come to his office he received a call on his cell phone.

“McBain, hey Antonio”

“John, it’s Evangeline.”

“What happened? ” John asked worried and afraid.

“She was questioning me while I was on the witness stand and she just passed out. We called an ambulance and she is on her way to the hospital. She was conscious when she left.”

“Thanks Antonio, I’m leaving now. Michael I gotta go, Evangeline was taken to Hospital.”

“John, what happened? I’m coming with you.”

“Come on; I’ll tell you on the way.” John practically running out of his office heads to Bo’s office with Michael close behind.

“Bo I need to leave. Something’s happened to Evangeline she is on her way to the hospital.”

“Sure John, let me know if I can do anything.”

“Sure boss and thanks.”

After John left Natalie got up and bounced into to Bo’s office, “Uncle Bo, what’s going on? Did I hear John say something happened to Evangeline?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know anything. John will call me when he has news.” Then he asked Natalie to close his door on her way out.

Natalie walked away, with her head tilted and a glint in her giant blue eyes, thinking Yes!, I wonder how long she will be out of my way?

John filled Michael in on their way to the hospital. As soon as they arrived John asked Michael to see what he could find out. Michael came back and said, “She’s in exam room 4. The doctor on duty is waiting on a consult with a specialist.”

“Michael why does she need a specialist? What kind of specialist?”

“I really don’t know John. I’ll see what else I can find out.”

John is pacing the waiting room ready to explode. He can’t lose her. He is ready to go search for Evangeline when, he saw Michael coming towards him. He does not like the look on Michael’s face. His heart starts to pound in his chest, his knees want to buckle, but he won’t allow it. He is trying to push the words of his worst fear out of his mind. He prays no, no you can’t have her too, not Evangeline.

“Michael what’s wrong? What kind of specialist?”

“Johnny you need to talk with Evangeline.”

“What? Just tell me. Is she going to… he couldn’t say it.”

“No, no, it’s not that kind of specialist.”

“I want to see her now, take me to her Michael.” Michael doesn’t argue, but against his better judgment he takes John to see Evangeline.

“John here’s your chance. Go to her tell her you’re in love with her but, if she doesn’t want to see you, promise me you won’t fight with her and leave.”

John has no intentions of promising to leave. He’s in love with her and he needs time to convince her.

John walked in saw a machine and monitor with spiking lines on the screen. Evangeline is lying on her side with her back to the door. John walked to the side of the bed she was facing.

“Evangeline” he called to her. She opened her eyes and reached her hand out to him. He took her hand kissed it and kneeled at her bedside looking into her big beautiful brown eyes. He stroked her hair. “What’s wrong? Please tell me, I can’t lose you again. Please baby, just tell me; we can get through this together.”

One of Evangeline’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you just call me baby?”

John didn’t deny it. “Yes I did.”

Evangeline’s eyes filled with tears at hearing the word endearing word. The word baby is fitting right now she said, she took the hand stroking her hair ready place it on her belly; she looked him in the eyes, she opened her mouth to speak, but Danielle came in with an Ultrasound machine.

“Evangeline we want to make sure the baby is alright. The fact that you’re not spotting or cramping is a very positive sign, and we can a get a measurement on the baby since you missed your appointment. Hey John!”

John looked at Evangeline for understanding, he stood up walking toward the windows with the heel of his hand on one of his eyes and stammered baby, what baby?”

Evangeline says, “Congratulations daddy.”

Then John started stammering “Daddy, daddy.” I’m going to be a daddy… a father?”

Danielle looks at her friend as mouths “Sorry”. Evangeline mouths back “It’s ok.”

“Do you two need a moment alone?” Danielle asked.

“No, it’s ok, I want the Ultra Sound now, so we can make sure everything is ok.”

Danielle asked Evangeline to lie on her back. Danielle removed the fetal monitor from Evangeline’s belly, then put a special Ultra Sound gel on Evangeline’s belly, “This will be a little cold.” Then she uses the ultrasound wand to spread the gel all over her swollen belly. That’s when John noticed her belly. His child is growing in the woman he love’s. A protectiveness and pride came over him and he is in love with his child already.

John walked back to Evangeline’s bedside. Standing at the head of the hospital bed stroking Evangeline’s hair and kissing her lightly on her forehead. They’re holding hands. As Danielle started the Ultrasound Evangeline winced in pain. John and Danielle looked at her. “Are you in pain?” Danielle asked.

Evangeline said, “Yes, John is trying to break my hand. He’s squeezing it to tight.” John's eyebrows shot up as understanding dawned on him, and then he said. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m a little nervous.” Then he released his grip and kissed the same hand he was squeezing.

“It’s fine. I’m nervous too.” Evangeline said.

Danielle is shaking her head smiling at her friends. She is happy to see how in love they are. Danielle proceeds with Ultra Sound.

“Guys if you will look here, I will point out what’s on the monitor. Here is the spinal column, the hands, the feet, the head, and the heart. Hold on guys.” Danielle turns the monitor from their view. She sweeps the Ultra Sound wand over Evangeline’s belly pressing in deeper. She’s doing this while looking at the monitor.

Evangeline and John look at her concerned. John asked, “What’s wrong Danielle?” Evangeline couldn’t speak, now she's squeezing John’s hand tight looking at Danielle waiting for an answer.

Evangeline is getting upset. “John! Oh God, please.” John is trying to soothe her. He is leaning over her, stroking her cheek, kissing her forehead. “It’s going to be ok.” John shuts his eyes, in silent prayer.