Natalie and Will became instant best friends after their lunch that day. Natalie loved having Will around- over the last few weeks he had really been there for her in her time of need. When she told him about Jeff and her struggles Will made it his mission to be there for her when she needed a friend. He checked in on her, brought her dinners and red box movies, he got her mind on other things instead of letting her be alone and bask in sorrow.
In a strange way their friendship was helping Will grieve the loss of his mother as well- just being around Natalie was enough comfort to keep him sane. She was soft spoken, easy to be around and so genuine that he could be himself with her, he wasn't afraid to show emotion and occasionally break down with her when they both just needed to grieve their recent losses.
Will was used to being around a lot of different women- but there was something different with Nat- he cared what she thought of him, he valued her time, her opinions, her input when they were treating patients together. He truly was starting to think of her as one of the most important people in his life, he would do anything for her.
They enjoyed their nights out with the rest of the docs and nurses they worked with- far too often it lead to Will leaving with a random woman that temporarily caught his eye and Nat loved to give Will hell about his playboy ways and roast him about it catching up with him someday. She always rolled her eyes and laughed when the girls would approach and proposition him, he always gave her the "don't even say it" look when he would catch her staring.
"Hey Nat! Will! What are you guys up to later?" Ethan asked as he approached them in the Drs lounge as Will and Natalie were going over some scans from a patient they were treating
W- "I'm actually about to leave to meet up with my brother Jay and some of his coworkers at Molly's, why what's up?"
E- " I was actually coming to invite you guys for some drinks and pool- I think Maggie, April and a few others are heading to Molly's as well"
W- "Sounds good I guess I will see you guys there"
N- "I'm actually going to sit this one out- I've been feeling nauseous all day and think I could use some rest, I've been exhausted all week and haven't been sleeping much"
W- "you want some company? I don't mind staying in tonight- plus I want to make sure you're ok"
N-"No you go and have a good time- a night out might do you some good- I'm just going to go home and shower then try to sleep- you won't be missing anything at my place"
E- "Alright- well Nat I hope you get to feeling better and Will I'll meet you there in about an hour"
Will glared over at Natalie
W-"why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?"
N- "because it's probably nothing, I'm sure the lack of sleep is just catching up to me, I'll be fine after getting a good nights rest"
W- "Alright- well promise to call me if you need anything?"
N- "Promise. Now go, have fun"
W- "If you say so"
Nat shook her head and grinned and she started to make her way out of the lounge
W-"Hey- Natalie wait up- it's pretty late at least let me walk you to your car"
She tilted her head to one side and smirked
N-"..after you Dr. Halstead"
**1:30am as everyone in the group has left Molly's except Will and Jay**
Jay-"dude Will you've been talking about this Natalie girl all night, y'all hang out like every day after work- I think you might have a crush on this chick"
W-"Jay we are just friends- she literally just lost her husband not even 2 months ago, seriously she's just easy to be around"
Jay-" If you say so man...I've just never heard you talk about a girl constantly before"
W-" yea, well she's a good friend, anyway I'll catch you later I'm gonna go talk to that girl over there"
Jay-"Wasting your time- and still not convinced you don't like Natalie" jay yelled as Will made his way to a woman at the other end of the bar.
Jay signals to Hermann to close his tab and he makes his way out of the bar and home to his girlfriend Erin
**later that night**
Will is woken at 4am by the sound of his phone ringing- he rolls over and feels the warmth of the woman he managed to bring home earlier that evening, he reaches for his phone and sees its Natalie. He quickly slides to answer and tip toes into his living room trying not to wake the nameless woman next to him.
W-"Hey Nat it's 4 in the morning is everything ok?"
N- clearly sobbing-"Will....can I come over"
He looks back towards his bedroom knowing what Natalie would think if he were to say yes and she sees there is a woman in his bed
W-" Of course Nat, you don't have to ask, the doors unlocked"
N-"Thank you"
They hang up and will contemplates waking his companion and asking her to leave- for some reason he's panicking about what Nat is going to say to him, what she's going to think, she knows he does this kind of thing but this time he's scared it's going to bother her. He decides to let the woman sleep and he will explain to Natalie later- clearly something is bothering her and his focus is aimed towards making her feel better.
20 minutes later Will is in the kitchen making coffee for him and Natalie when he hears his door open, he looks up and sees Natalie standing in his doorway with tears rolling down her beautiful face. She runs across the room and embraces him as she breaks down into a harsh sob. Will wraps his arms around his friend
W-"Natalie, what is wrong? Are you still feeling bad?"
N-"Will...what the hell am I supposed to do? I can't even...I don't...Will...."
W-"Nat...what is going on..?"
N-"Will I'm pregnant"
W-"You're what?!"
N-"I'm pregnant...I decided to take a test since I haven't been feeling well and I'm a few days late...I thought I was just exhausted and stressed but...I started throwing up and feeling really strange and...I don't know how I'm going to do this alone.."
W-"Hey, you're not alone...I'm right here"
The pair hugged for what seemed like an hour. Will just held Natalie as she cried knowing that nothing he said would be of comfort to her right now...then in the midst of the chaos his bedroom door opened and out walked a half dressed woman looking for Will...
N-"Oh god Will- you should have told me, I am so sorry to ruin your night"
W-"Natalie you didn't ruin anything...Go sit down I'll be right there"
A few minutes later Will escorted the woman out of his apartment and he made his way to Natalie on the couch where he let her lay her head on his chest until she fell asleep.
