Logan

179. You're My Best Friend

*Natalie's POV*

I tell Phe all the details about Jack, show her pictures I had on my phone, Jack and I had taken a couple at the bar. I know she has plenty to say by the way she looks at me.

"How old is he?" she asks.

"I'd say late 40s, early 50s," I say. Her mouth is wide open.

"Nat, I-" she puts her hands up, "No, you know what? You're a grown woman, you can do whatever, but-"

"There it is, just say it." I scoff.

Ophelia is quiet for a minute, "Just, be careful."

"I told you, it's finished. This was just some fluke thing."

Ophelia just nods, "Okay. But, just remember, you have Desmond to think about. He's available, he has no restrictions, meaning he can hold your hand in the street, kiss you in public places without you worrying about if someone saw you." She sighs, "Natalie, that boy loves you." I see the way she smiles, "It's a beautiful thing to be truly loved. Take it from someone who's never felt that."

Ophelia's words are true and honest, even when they sting and humble me. I still flash to a couple weeks ago when Canyon kissed me, knowing Ophelia was in the house, I still feel awful.

"I'm sorry, Phe."

"Can you believe, Canyon said I could have the house?" She takes a bite of ice cream, "It's under my name for fucks sake. I said I was selling it and he wasn't even bothered, he's already got an apartment and it's like... those years never mattered. I was a second choice, his 'maybe' option."

I grip her hand, "I'm sorry Canyon did what he did that night, he sucks. I hate that he broke our friendship that way."

Ophelia shakes her head, "Don't feel bad, Canyon does Canyon. Which is why I'm so Team Desmond." She takes another bite of ice cream. "Now Frankie and Micah are engaged, it's just you and me."

"So where are you living now?" I ask.

"Well thanks to my brother's royalties, my parents inheritance, and whatever I got from the house, I managed to find a listing. Close to the grocery store, the gas station, even the little library we have here. I won't have to walk or drive very far. It's a two bedroom house, technically three because of the basement, but it was half the asking price. It needs a little bit of work which I can afford, so I just put down an offer and they took it. One thing I can't stand, the kitchen has built in storage, and there's about 500 cabinets all the way up the wall."

"Sounds beautiful, really," I say, "When do you move in?"

"About a week, so when I go home, I'm going to start packing."

"I can help if you want," I say.

Ophelia waves, "Actually, I talked to your dad about accessible movers and he offered up to garrison a moving team from the A-shift. They get paid and I get my things moved."

"Which team?"

"The 112? I think, it's that girl you hate that has to move my stuff." She laughs.

"For the record, I don't hate Elena, she just has bad manners." I scoff. I drink the entire glass of wine and repour another glass, "I hope it goes well though, moving somewhere different can be cathartic."

"Oh!" Ophelia finishes her ice cream, "I can also add my name to the delivery service for the grocery store." I smile, it makes me happy to see her happy about something. Ophelia wore that smile like a shield, but now she actually looks happy. "No more going out on pain days for me, they'll actually deliver my groceries!" She says excitedly.

We laugh and she takes another bite of ice cream, "Okay, so we talked about boys, what about your dad?"

I sigh, "I mean we've talked a little, but I haven't said nearly as much as I want. He's still healing and I don't want to make things more stressful for him."

"What about the party your parents are planning, is that still happening?"

"it's still happening, I talked to my- well, Craig on the phone and all he said was 'we can talk more when I come down' and that was it. He doesn't really like texting, so we haven't spoken much. I don't think he knows who my real father is, Ophelia."

Ophelia choked on her wine, "Wait, so you mean your mom lied to him for 25 years too?"

I nod, "Yeah, sounds like my mom."

"God what a bitch," she turns toward me, "Sorry, but holy shit. Are you going to invite Tom to the party?"

I nod, "Of course, he's my dad. I honestly don't even know what's going to happen when he sees my mom."

"Ooh, were they lovers?" She asks.

I take a long sip of wine, and swallow, "Okay, one-that's gross, and two-yes. They met up when she moved back from California with d-Craig, My uncle Robbie had a party and things got complicated, I guess. They hooked up and then I showed up as two pink lines on a pregnancy test."

"And she kept you from him the whole time?"

I nod, "Yeah, I mean she did what she always did and threatened to run away and take us with her. She even did it with Craig, I know he had to call the cops a couple times. I know she filed restraining orders on him, I found them in his paperwork."

Ophelia looks confused, "So when Craig and Thomas see each other, will that be their first time meeting?"

I shake my head, "No, Ember told me they were at my third birthday party. It was a Barbie pool party. He knew Thomas as 'Robert's friend' and nothing more." I sigh, "Honestly Phe, I'm nervous. What if something happens? What if he doesn't come?"

Ophelia puts her hand on mine, "Natalie, you're putting two men who were lied to by the same woman for 25 years in the same room, there's bound to be some drama."

I think for a moment, inviting Thomas would feel like a dead giveaway to who the real father is, but if Craig only knew him as Robbie's friend, wouldn't that mean he would still think that? I wonder. "Maybe I'll invite Jack or Saul, just in case something goes down. Maybe it'll deter them from anything physical."

Ophelia just laughs, "Nat- you need to be real. It's going to get physical, and a FBI agent standing around isn't going to stop them. Emotions are going to be running high, but it's going to be okay. We're all here for you. Come on, that can't be all you're worried about?" She looks into my eyes.

"Okay," I breathe, "I'm worried about who might be replacing my father. Micah, Briar, they're all competent. But I heard from Clemons that it might be someone else, they're bringing someone in. There will be a lot of new people coming in this season, so I was going to host a party. To get a feel for everyone in the station. That way Ripley can still meet everyone, and it's less formal. Robbie used to host parties here when I was little, I always remember a lot of people in the house."

Ophelia squeezes my hand, "You really miss him, don't you?"

I nod, "I saw Ember today, and he just looks so much like him, the curly hair, the way he smiles, and he looked at me, and it just took my breath away," I choke out, stifling a sob, "I wish he could see all of this, I wish he knew we found each other. At the same time, I'm so angry, I was lied to by everyone. I'm so tired of it." I sniffle.

We sat in silence and I took a breath, "Thank you, Ophelia, for being here for me."

"Of course, sweetie, you're my best friend."