I will always love you <3

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏

Natalie's POV:

"I'm all in, let's do it" I say with a big smile. 

"Ok, great" Crockett says, returning a big smile, "So, where do we start? Whose apartment will it be? Or do you want to look at a new one, possibly?" he asks. I'm a little surprised, since I thought my idea was given, for both him and me. "Uhm" my facial expression completely changes, "I thought it was obvious that- uh- that you would move in here" I say. Crockett's expression also dials down, and he scoffs "Well I thought that that was an option, not the only option, I mean, don't you think we should discuss it? At the very least?" he says. "I- Owen, why don't you go into your room, I need to talk to dad- uh I mean- Crockett" I say, not taking my eyes off of Crockett. Owen sighs and walks off, but stops for a second "Mommy I like him, but he's not my dad", "I know, baby that-" but before I can finish my sentence he slams his door. I sigh, rub my eyes and stand up, starting to clean the table. 

"I thought you wanted to talk to me?" Crockett asks annoyed. "I did," I say, "now I don't". "Really? Just because I couldn't read your mind?" he asks. "No, because I am fed up with me, with you, with the pregnancy! I'm exhausted! Don't you get that?!" I shout at him. 

Crockett's POV:

I go silent. As I look back up, Natalie is in tears, the first one rolling down her cheek. She sniffs and sets the plates down on the kitchen counter, and leans on it. She puts her head down, and after a few seconds I see a little pool of tears on the counter. Without saying anything, I get up from the table, and instead of walking to a different room or even out the door, I walk up to Natalie. I gently put my hand on her shoulder, and pull her in for a tight hug.

I hold Natalie close to me while she cries into my shoulder. "I'm so sorry" I whisper every now and then, followed by "I'll make it up to you, I promise". Once I say that, I feel her nod, and I stroke her hair to calm her down. After a couple of minutes, Natalie stops crying and exhales deeply, her head still on my shoulder. She looks up at me hesitantly and says "I-I need a minute" while forcing herself out of my arms. She walks into Owen's bedroom, and I end up alone in the living room.

I clean up the rest of the dinner, with a constant feeling of guilt. Just as I'm about to leave, I change my mind. I write Natalie a little 'goodnight' note, and add a section just for Owen. I leave it under Natalie's favourite mug, and make my way to the door, since I don't want to disturb Natalie or Owen.

The next day

Natalie and I have different shifts, which for me luckily means that she won't know what I'll prepare.

Ironically enough, I can't keep a secret, especially not around Natalie and I have no idea how I would express my feelings about last night.. So as soon as I see her walk in, I swerve and turn around a couple of nurses and doctors, one of them had to be Maggie of course. As soon as I 'secure' myself (I stepped into an empty treatment room and pulled the curtain close), Maggie opens the curtain, stands in the door opening and raises her eyebrow at me. "Is this hide and seek play some sort of flirting orrr?" she asks. I chuckle and drop my head "No, no it's not" I try and look around the corner to find Natalie, "I'll tell you, once you've closed that damn curtain" I say in a hushed voice, still on lookout. "Hm, let me decide, you know I could just go and get Ethan, or Will, perhaps?" she says sarcastically. Before I can think I say "Oh god please not Will" and immediately regret my decision. Maggie's expression changes "I thought you guys made up? Wasn't that the whole debacle of him punching you, and then Natalie slapping him?" she says and chuckles "oh, I feel like I'm in a kindergarden". I sigh "Yeah, yes we did, but, well things just aren't the best between me and him, never really have been I guess, and besides this doesn't concern him at all".

"So what is it, why you avoided Natalie as if she were that flesh-eating bacteria from a while ago?" Maggie says, and finally closes the curtain. I laugh at the reference and start telling her about tonight as well as last night.

A couple hours later

Natalie's POV:

My shift is almost over, only an hour or so left, so I walk over to Ethan. "Hey, would you mind if I go home a little early?" I ask, and yawn. "Well can you get someone to cover for you? Because recently we've been a little understaffed, so we need everyone we can get..." he says. I nod "I already arranged that, thats why I went to you in the first place, you know, to get the last ok" I say. "Oh well then of course, have at it" he says, and just as I am about to turn around, he stops me, "are you ok?" he asks and looks directly into my eyes.

I nod slowly "Yeah, just, it's been a lot, this last while, you know? I'm sure you feel the same thing" I say, and now he nods, "Yeah, I guess I do, I can imagine it's harder for you though. Enjoy your night, Nat, and hey if you ever need anything, a day off, just someone to talk to, you know I got you?" he says, and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Thanks, I'll keep it in mind" I say and smile.