Only You

Chapter 11

"So, any big plans for tonight?"

Natalie stiffened, pausing for the briefest of seconds as she packed Owen's overnight bag. She almost felt like it was a test.

"Will and I are going out for dinner." She replied as coolly as she could. "Y'know, we haven't really had the chance to properly talk about this."

"Oh we don't have –"

"Yes." Natalie interrupted. "Yes we do – but only to make a few things clear. I will never, ever forget Jeff, we had an incredible 5 years together, he gave me my son, and I couldn't be more grateful. But he's gone Helen and I don't want to live the rest of my life alone, I don't want Owen to grow up and leave me with nothing other than my job to keep me sane and I don't want him growing up without a father figure in his life because he deserves one. So, trust me when I tell you that I did not bring Will into his life on a whim, I really believe that he and can make this work." She took a breath. "I want it to work but I also want you to know that Will is never going to replace Jeff, I'm never going to erase him from Owen's life – but I need you to accept that Will is, hopefully, going to be a big part of his life. I want you to be okay with that."

After several minutes of silence, Helen finally looked up. "I don't want Owen to grow up without a father either – and if you think that the best person to make you both happy is Will then I'll accept it. I will try my best with it but, it might," she inhaled deeply, "it might take need some time."

Natalie smiled. "Thank you Helen – for trying." She zipped closed the little rucksack on the table and smacked her hands onto the tabletop. "So, when are you bringing him back?"

Their first Owen-free date had been a resounding success. They'd had dinner at a fancy, and altogether too expensive, French restaurant over which they'd talked about the hospital, their friends at the hospital, journal articles they'd read, they'd discussed sport (mainly baseball and hockey) and even attempted to plan where they would go on their next childless date night, as the cab drove them back to Natalie's apartment.

"I've had a really good night, Nat." He's smiling and tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. And she's smiling back as they both edge towards each other, lips meeting for a slow, gentle kiss.

"Me too." Nat returns, grazing her nose against his, pressing closer, inviting him further in.

"We should definitely do this again - I know Erin would love to take Owen for us."

Us. It sent shivers down her spine.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead before moving to extricate himself from the tangle of limbs on her couch. He'd only intended to stay for a half hour, share a glass of wine with her before kissing her goodnight and retreating (respectfully) back to Jay's. But it was almost two hours later and they were still curled on the couch. "I should probably go."

Natalie froze momentarily. Four dates was still quite early - but they'd managed to navigate through both their complicated pasts, her mother in law and baby son. She knew him well enough to know that he was too much of a gentleman to make the first move so soon but given everything that had happened she didn't want to hold back.

So, as he made to leave, she pressed more firmly against him, sliding her arms around his neck and pushing him into the corner of the couch, pressing her mouth to his.

The distraction allowed her to get a knee on either side of him, straddling him. They broke apart, slightly breathless, lips swollen. Natalie's eyes were dark as she pressed her torso against his. "Stay."

Fuck. How did she manage to straddle him?

And then they were making out, deeper and with intent, and as she ground herself purposefully into him he knew that if she kept this up, his restraint would falter.