In the Bed
She walked into the house with a frown on her face and her shoulders slumped a little. It had just been a long night, and she needed to unwind. She smiled when she saw him sitting in the living room, waiting for her.
Warrick came over to Catherine and kissed her tenderly before hugging her.
"I need to unwind," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Warrick kissed her again and picked her up, making her giggle, and carried her to the bedroom.
After a lengthy kiss, the couple just laid side by side and neither spoke for a long while.
They weren't lovers yet, but they were slowly getting to that point, mostly trying to understand each other and add more substance to their relationship. They were friends first, after all, and it was important that they made the transition from friendship to dating before ever setting foot in the bedroom. But Warrick thought of something better after spending nights on each other's couches became extremely hard on their backs because of their need for closeness.
Now they were laying on her bed, sharing their innermost feeling with each other, and reaching an understanding about their future together.
"Rick," Catherine began. "When did you know for sure that you loved me?"
Warrick sighed and propped himself up on his elbow to face her.
"I'd have to say when you got attacked by that BE suspect," he said. "I had never felt more angry and on edge like that before, but it was you, so I took it personally. When you told me how scared you were, I realized I loved you because I knew anything could happen."
Catherine smiled and blushed.
"Actually, to be completely honest with you," Catherine began. "I've had several moments that I told myself that I loved you," she admitted. "I knew I loved you when you told me to go be with Lindsay on her birthday on that hit and run four years ago, I loved you when you watched Lindsay for me when that guy abducted me, I loved you when you helped me get over putting my mentor in jail, I loved you when all the other men that I've seen fell short…I loved you when you caught me…I love you."
They kissed passionately for a few moments then pulled away.
"Where do we go from here?" Warrick asked.
"We've talked enough about the future," Catherine sighed. "Let's just think about today, this very moment. We'll take things as they come because we'll get through them together."
"I agree," Warrick said. "I love you."
Catherine kissed him again before curling up next to each other and letting sleep take over.