Chapter 2
One of the things John loves most about Evangeline is that she is an excellent cook. Since Tristen was born Evangeline decided to take fewer cases so that she would be home every night to cook her boys dinner. At first, John attempted to avoid eating healthy, and Evangeline did not try to force him either. When Tris started eating solid food John finally caved in to set a good example for his son.
"Yummy! My favorite dinner, chicken and rice," exclaimed Tris.
John, Tris, and Evangeline shared their normal dinner conversation. Tris dominated the conversation with nonstop questions. Tris was very inquisitive, and if he had a question he was never afraid to ask for an answer.
"Mommy, do I have to eat the carrots," Tris said with a whine.
"Yes, carrots are good and good for you," Evangeline replied.
"But I don't like them. Can't I have something else," he complained.
"Eat your carrots, Tristen," John said.
Tris respected John and Evangeline, but he knew when John told him to do something he'd better do it.
"Okay," he said as he put a spoonful in his mouth. "Daddy."
"Chew and swallow first."
He nodded to reply. When he was finished chewing and swallowing, he asked, "Daddy, why aren't you and mommy married?"
John didn't reply. He looked to Evangeline for an answer and she appeared to be just as unsure as he was.
"Sweetie," Evangeline started. Before she could finish her sentence, the doorbell rang and Tris jumped from his seat and ran to the front door. John and Evangeline looked at each other before getting up to go to the door. Tris was standing by the door waiting for his mom or dad to answer it. John looked through the peep hole and opened the door.
"Uncle Mikey," Tris shrieked as he latched on to his leg.
"Hey Tristen, how's it going buddy?"
"Good, where's Marcie, Uncle Mikey, I want to show her the glove daddy got me for tee ball."
John read the expression on his face and knew the answer. He looked at Evangeline who could tell what both of them were thinking.
"Hey Tris, honey, how about you help me clear the table. After that I'll give you a bath, and maybe Uncle Michael will read you a bedtime story and you can show him your glove then."
"Okay," Tris grabbed his mother's hand as they walked to the kitchen.
"Alright Michael, spill what's going on between you and Marcie," John motioned for Michael to sit with him on the sofa."
"I don't know. It's like, no matter how hard we try we just can't seem to get this right. We're both always so busy; me with the hospital and her with that creep Hayes."
"I know it sounds easier than it is, you two just have to make time for each other. Evangeline and I were both so involved in our careers before. When I started falling*.falling in love with her I knew I would do anything it took to make sure that she knew I would always be available to her, no matter what. As soon as she realized that, she decided to do the same for me. We were able to commit on a whole new level and now look where that's gotten us. And take it from me, this Hayes guy, don't let him get under your skin. Marcie is eventually going to see his true colors. When she does, you will be there to support her and let her know that you will not, I repeat, not try to control her life, but instead, you will be there for moral support."
"You think I'm trying to control her life?"
"Did you hear on that, or the whole thing that I said? I don't think you're trying to control her life, but Marcie is a big girl she can handle this Hayes guy, she needs you to tell her that she can. The sooner you do that the sooner she will realize how big of a jerk this guy is."
"You think so?"
"I know so. When Evangeline and I first got together, she was so concerned about my relationship with Natalie that it almost ruined ours. I felt like she didn't trust me and no matter what I did and said she didn't think I was capable of handling the situation on my own."
"I think that's a different situation though. I know Marcie doesn't have feelings for this Hayes guy. I just don't want him ruining her life."
"Just listen, ok," Jon said trying to explain. "I have to admit. At some point I did have feelings for Natalie. But when I started seeing Evangeline those feelings didn't just die, they kind of lingered. Natalie kept getting herself into these situations and I wanted to be there to help her out. At first Evangeline was okay with it, but it started happening more often and she got upset."
"Who wouldn't be, John. Do you know what you put her through?"
"Yes*I do. The more she pushed and insisted that I had feelings for Natalie, the more I wanted to show her that I could be there for Natalie, just as a friend."
"Oh yeah, cause that worked great for you Johnny."
"What's with the sarcasm Mike,. I'm trying to help you out. If you would just listen for like, five minutes maybe this will help you out a little."
"I'm hearing what you're saying bro, but our situations are different. You and Evangeline worked things out. I don't know if Marcie and I can."
John felt bad for his brother. He remembered when he and Evangeline were separated. He couldn't eat or sleep. Everything was wrong until she was back in his arms, where she belonged. John knew it was hard for Michael to express his feelings too, that's why he wanted to help him. When John couldn't think of anything to say, he went to the kitchen and retrieved a couple of beers. Speechless, the brothers sat and drank their beers.
"Look," John says with a heavy sigh, "she walked away."
"What?"
"That's what it took, she left. She told me how she felt about everything and then she left. I finally realized what I was doing; how she felt when I left her to go help Natalie. I knew that Natalie and I could be friends and that I could help her, but not like I was doing*not by hurting Evangeline. I showed her that she was the most important person on my life, and in doing that I found the solution to our problem."
"Which was?"
"Distance between me and Natalie. I let her think that I could drop everything to help her whenever she needed me. Unfortunately, she turned to me for every single thing no matter how large or small. When I started showing Natalie that I was not going to come every single time that she thought she needed me, she started becoming more independent and Evangeline and I were finally able to move forward. You see. I know it's going to be tough, but you guys just need some distance. When she comes back to you you'll know*that you're the one she wants to be with."
"What if she doesn't, come back I mean."
"Uncle Mikey, Uncle Mikey! Will you read me a story now," Tris shouted as he ran into the living room and jumped onto Michael's lap.
"Tris, what have I told you about running in the house?"
"Sorry mommy."
"Well what story do you want me to read you?"
Tris couldn't decide so instead he led his uncle to his bedroom to pick a book from his bookshelf.
"So how did your talk with Michael go?"
"Complicated."
"Is everything alright there?"
"They just hit a rough patch that's all. I'm just worried that he's given up all hope for them."
"I hope they can work it out; they're such a cute couple."
"Hmm," he said with a smirk, "come sit by me." Evangeline sit on the sofa next to John and puts her head on his shoulder, "You know, I'm glad that we were able to work through our problems."
"So am I."
Another great ting about their marriage was the fact that they were able to just sit in silence, and still be so connected to each other. Evangeline had practically dozed off when Michael returned to their living room about fifteen minutes later.
"He's asleep already," asked John.
"Yeah, I guess he was pretty tired."
"I'll just go up and check on him then," Evangeline said as she got up to leave the room. Before she left she touched Michael on the arm and said, "I know you and Marcie will work things our." She kissed him on the cheek and left the room.
"Well if things don't work out between Marcie and me, maybe I could give it a try with Evangeline."
"Not even in our dreams. You want to stay for a while."
"No thanks, Johnny, by the look of things you might want to spend some quality time with Evangeline."
"She'll understand."
"For once you should take my advice. Go make sure your son is all tucked in bed, and then tuck Evangeline in," he said with a wink.
"I'll do that, goodnight Mike."
