Logan

63. I Want You To Come Home

*Natalie's POV*

When I finally woke up from my long-awaited sleep, I told Frankie everything. I felt like I was getting better, someone touching me didn't make me feel in danger as much anymore. The armor that weighed me down was getting lighter, and I was happy about it. Seeing Kellan made me feel so much happier about everything. It had started with Canyon, and it was going to end with me being able to touch, and to be touched, without wanting to cry or curl into a ball and disappear.

That afternoon, I finally told the group everything. The shooting, Victoria, and the case against her. It inspired me to talk even more, so I called Bohannon.

"Detective Bohannon." His voice was firm, bold.

"This is Natalie Koughlin, I'm ready to talk about Victoria Lancaster, Detective Bohannon. I'm at the Lakeside Treatment Facility, and I'll put you on my list."

It only took him fourty-five minutes to reach me, and when he did we sat together.

"Alright, I'd like to ask you about the events of the Martinez Studio shooting."

I flinched when he mentioned AB's studio, but I held. I told him everything that happened, the way she entered the building, she shot at Logan, and then she shot me. I still remember Logan staggering to me. Heat built in my cheeks and my chest felt tight, but I took a few deep breaths.

"Miss Koughlin, are you alright? If we need to stop, we can." I took a sip of water from my water bottle and shook my head.

"I'll be fine, Detective. If I don't tell you now, you'll never know. I need her to stay behind bars, where she belongs."

When I was done with my testimony, he had three sheets of legal pad filled, and he put his notes away but then remained.

"I don't understand, you said you had everything from me."

"Yes, but I also see you're here with Canyon Carrigan? Are you able to provide any information on him?"

I was confused, "Canyon? He doesn't talk... ever. I hardly think I could get him to speak, sir."

He nodded, "Very well. I'll be in touch, Miss Koughlin. Good afternoon." When he left, I walked back to my room with a sense of purpose. I really felt as if I was getting better.

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*Canyon's POV*

"Canyon, your wife is here." Ari told me during lunch, and I felt the surprise from everyone before I could nod. When Ari walked away, all eyes were on me.

Aeron whispered, "Good luck," and went on eating his salad. Natalie just looked at me, but it was the look of betrayal in Frankie's eyes that pierced through me.

"You have a wife?" Her cold stare held onto me, and I wrote.

'Her name is Ophelia, but I call her Kat. We've barely been married for a year. I married her before the accident.' I was going to write more but she threw my notebook down and stormed off.

I looked up and Natalie and Aeron exchanged a look before she went after Frankie.

Aeron picked my notebook back up, and sighed. "Why didn't you tell us you were married?"

I shrugged, and then wrote, 'I didn't think you'd care. I didn't realize Frankie would get so mad. It was a short time before Aric died, and I came here. Well, ran away. I found this place in a google search, and knew I needed help, but I didn't want camera crews or publicity following me around.'

Aeron nodded, "I understand. Well, she's waiting for you." I nodded, and dumped my tray before following Ari into the room. There she was, but she was looking down. Kat's beautiful red hair, and that way she bit her lip on the side when she was deep in thought. Seeing her brought everything back, the way she tucked her hair behind her ears. She was squeezing her hands, I knew her arthritis was catching up to her, and her leg bounced up and down in anticipation. Kat looked up from her thoughts, and pulled me into her embrace. I felt the warmth of her touch, and the way her soap smelled, like mint.

"I looked for you, everywhere, Canyon. You ran off, without a single word as to where you'd gone. I tracked down your credit cards, and I found deliveries that came here. Why... why wouldn't you tell me?"

My hand raced against my notebook, 'I was scared. I was sad. I needed to get somewhere quickly, or... you'd have already buried me.'

She sniffled, "You already died with Aric." Before I could write back, she put her hand on my notebook. "I found out about you and him, you know? I knew before the accident, I heard him talking to you on the phone once. He said it was someone else, but I knew from looking at his caller ID. He was in love with you, and I know you had conflicting thoughts. It's okay to be confused about things. I've spent so much time wondering what I could've said, or what I could've done to keep you. But, I'm not interested in the same Canyon. He's gone. I'm here for you. The man you are after all this has happened. I understand, you're not ready to talk yet. I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with."

I wrote, 'What do you want?' My hands were shaking, but it was because I was so happy to see her again, after all this time.

"I want you to come home." She sniffled, "I miss you, Canyon. I miss the way you made pancakes every morning, I miss the sound of your instruments in the studio. I just... I miss you being there."

'I can't come yet. But I will.'

She nodded, and handed me a number. "Call me when you're ready to come home."

I gave her another note, 'I love you, Kat.'

She smiled, "I love you too."

Then she was gone.

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*Frankie's POV*

"I feel so fucking stupid," I slammed the water in the sink, splashing Natalie in the process.

"Wow, thanks." She wiped her face.

"Sorry, it's just... I thought he liked me."

"He's mute, Frankie."

"I know, but we spent so much time together, and I thought he was giving me signals."

"Frankie, I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you."

I rolled my eyes, "You're right, I know."

"Just think about when you do find someone, wouldn't you much prefer a real relationship and know that person likes you, than waiting for signals?"

I smiled, "You give such good advice. When did you get so full of wisdom?"

"I've had... experience in both." She chuckled, "so I kind of know what you're going through."

"I wish I could hug you right now." I smiled, but then it wilted. "But I know I can't."

An awkward silence passed, then she said, "I think... I think I'm ready. Give it a try."

I turned around and looked at her, "Since when are you offering up free hugs?"

She laughed, "I don't think it's free if I had to undergo therapy for it."

I waved her off, "Oh well. Here goes." I placed my arms around her, and held for a few seconds before pulling away. She didn't recoil or flinch, so it felt like progress. "Wow, five whole seconds."

Natalie smiled, "I'm getting there, and it's all thanks to having such good friends. Friends like you, Frankie."

I felt my face get hot, "Aww, no one's ever said that to me before."

"It's true."

I felt a few tears falling down my face, "You're my best friend too, Natalie. Never forget that."