When Happily Ever After Ends In Disaster
It has been 5 months since Warrick had been released from the hospital and moved in with Catherine. In that time Warrick and Lindsey had grown closer, Ecklie found out about their relationship and Catherine became dayshift supervisor, now working with Sofia, Sara joining them not long after. Ronnie also moved to dayshift with Sara. Grissom and Sara got married. Catherine was her maid of honour with Sofia, Ronnie and Lindsey as her bridesmaids, Lindsey was ecstatic. They got back from their honeymoon three months ago and could not be happier. Warrick and Catherine are loving every day they have together.
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"WARRICK! LINDSEY! I'M HOME!" Catherine yelled as she closed her front door and threw her keys on the table just inside.
"HELLO!" she placed her purse on the couch, "ANYONE HERE?" Catherine was beginning to worry now. 'Why is no-one answering me?' she thought to herself. 'Where the hell are they?' "WARRICK?" she tried again, "LINDSEY?"
"Hello sweetheart!" Lily called brightly as Catherine walked by the kitchen.
"AHHHH!" Catherine screamed jumping out her skin, she whirled around to face her mother, "MOTHER!" she yelled, hand on her chest, "You scared the shit out of me!"
"Catherine! Language!" Lily reprimanded her daughter; Catherine rolled her eyes at her mother like a teenager would.
"And don't you roll your eyes at me Catherine Marie Flynn!" Lily warned even though she had her back to Catherine.
Catherine stared at her wide eyed, mouth open, "How, do you do that?" she asked exasperated, "You weren't even looking at me! How can you tell? I….have no idea how you do it!" she admitted, shaking her head in confusion and slumping down on one a stool at the counter. Lily looked at her pointedly, eyebrows raised. "What?" Catherine asked raising her own.
"Yes you do and you don't even realise it honey!" Lily told her taking her hand. Catherine looked at her questioningly, "You do the same thing with Lindsey!" she informed her as if it was obvious.
"No I don't!" Catherine replied, shaking her head again, "Do I?" she asked eagerly, her head snapping up a coy smile spreading across her face.
"Yes you do!" came the irritated voice of a very annoyed Lindsey Willows, "You always know!" she replied exasperated mimicking her mothers' actions just minutes before. Catherine couldn't help but smile to herself at this statement and was content to let a welcomed sense of pride wash over her. Lindsey plopped down on the stool next to her mother at the counter and leaned into her. Catherine smiled down at Lindsey and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer, "Hi!" Catherine said smiling, giving Lindsey a squeeze.
"Hi!" Lindsey answered quietly. She sighed and leaned in closer.
"Where's Warrick?" Catherine asked then kissed her daughter on the head.
"Right here!" Warrick answered before Lindsey could. Catherine turned her head slightly and he placed a soft kiss on her lips. They pulled apart and he stared into her eyes, "Hey!" he said his voice low and husky.
Catherine smiled again, "Hi!" she answered contentedly. They gazed at each other a few moments longer before Warrick walked around her and kissed Lindsey on the head before taking the stool next to her.
"Hey kiddo!" he greeted grinning at her. Lindsey grinned back and pushed herself off of her mother and hugged him tightly. Warrick smiled and wrapped his strong arms around her. Lindsey etched closer to him and held on tighter.
Catherine smiled at the scene before her; the love of her life and the most important thing in her life together. Lily smiled and turned to continue cleaning.
"What's this for?" Warrick asked looking down at Lindsey. Lindsey didn't reply just shrugged her shoulders. Warrick looked up at Catherine who frowned at him.
"Linds?" he tried again. Her reply was so quiet that he missed it completely, Catherine and Lily too, "What was that?"
Lindsey sighed quietly before she replied louder, "I just wanted a hug from my…. dad." she repeated sheepishly.
Warrick froze in surprise and Catherine stared at her daughter in shock. Lily just smiled and winked at her grandaughter. Lindsey winked back then sat up, "Okay! I'm hungry!" she announced, "What's for dinner grandma?" she asked curiously.
Lily, seeing what her grandaughter was trying to do, answered, "We are having spaghetti and garlic bread my dear!" she smiled.
Warrick snapped out of it and a huge smile appeared on his face, his green eyes shinning with happiness and Catherine shook herself out of the shock, "Watcha mean we?" she asked Lily raising an eyebrow, Lily just smiled and Lindsey giggled before they both turned to Warrick.
"Because we…." Warrick answered indicating Catherine and himself, "Are going out for dinner my love!" he finished with a sly, yet slightly nervous grin.
Catherine smiled, "Really?" he nodded, "Well….I better go get ready huh?" he nodded again, "Okay!" Catherine rose from her stool, kissed Lindsey's head again, smiled at her mother and planted a lingering kiss to Warrick's cheek before heading up the stairs to get ready, giving her hips an extra sway for Warrick's benefit as she went.
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"CATHERINE!" Warrick yelled up the stairs, "HURRY UP! WE'RE GONNA BE LATE!"
"I'M COMING! I'M COMING!" Catherine yelled back down. She was putting the finishing touches to her make-up. Once she was finished, she looked herself over once more before heading for her bedroom door.
"OH!" Catherine cried as she bumped into a body on the way out, "Oh Lindsey, honey! You okay? I didn't see you!"
Lindsey laughed, "I'm fine mom!" she assured. Catherine smiled and stepped aside. Lindsey walked past and sat on the bed and started playing with her hands. Catherine sighed, checked her watch and then walked over to sit beside her daughter.
"So….?" Catherine began putting her purse down beside her, "What do you want to talk to me about?" she asked knowingly.
Lindsey looked at her, "How did you….?" she asked bewildered.
"I'm your mother!" Catherine answered, "I always know! So….?" she pushed knowing they were stretched for time already.
Lindsey sighed and looked at the floor, "Warrick." she answered bluntly.
Catherine looked confused, "What about him?" she asked frowning.
"Do you think he….minds that I called him….you know….dad earlier?" Lindsey asked quietly, looking down at her feet.
Catherine's frown disappeared and she smiled as she watched her daughter; Lindsey looked so worried and regretful. It was, in a way, quite funny, 'If only she knew!' Catherine thought to herself, 'Well she's about too!'
"Oh Lindsey!" Catherine said as she put her arm around Lindsey's shoulders and pulled her close, "Honey Warrick is over the moon!" Lindsey looked up at her disbelievingly, "He really is! He loves you so much sweetheart! And when we first started dating….he was so worried that you weren't gonna like the idea of him being around so much!" Catherine revealed to her with an amused look on her face.
Lindsey looked at her mother surprised, "Seriously?" she asked still not convinced.
Catherine nodded her head, "Yeah! And then when he moved in with us after getting out of hospital….he really freaked out!" she said chuckling at the memory, "He just wants you too love him Linds! He thinks of you as his daughter!"
Lindsey perked up, "Really?" she asked hopefully.
"Really!" Catherine assured giving her a tight hug, "Now, I really gotta go before your dad kills me!" Catherine smiled and winked at her daughter before giving her a kiss, "I love you!" and heading down stairs. Lindsey right behind her.
"Finally!" Warrick breathed a huge, exaggerated sigh of relief when he heard Catherine coming down the stairs with Lindsey, who laughed amused as her mother scoffed loudly.
"Oh shush you!" Catherine said dismissively waving her hand. Warrick turned around armed with a sarcastic remark which was instantly forgotten when he laid eyes on Catherine. She was wearing a low cut, black cocktail dress that stopped just above the knee with black stilettos and a clutch bag in hand. Her hair was in loose ringlets which fell freely around her face framing it perfectly and reached her shoulders. Her make-up was flawless as always and she was wearing the necklace that Warrick had gotten her for her birthday. A diamond heart with the inscription; 'Forever And For Always That's You And Me' on the back with; 'Love Warrick' at the end.
"Catherine…." Warrick began speechless, "Baby you look amazing!" he finished grinning, looking her up and down.
Catherine smiled back and walked over to him, "Well….you look very dashing yourself handsome!" she replied with an approving once over.
Warrick was wearing his most expensive suite with the cufflinks Catherine had bought him for Grissom and Sara's wedding. He was also wearing her favourite cologne which turned out to be his too.
"Thank you but next to you….I'm a man in rags beautiful!" Warrick replied before kissing her on the lips.
"Okay! Okay!" Lindsey said clapping her hands together, "Stop it please! You're grossing me out! Now get out of here!" she ordered as she ushered them to the front door, Lily following behind her. Warrick and Catherine laughed as Warrick grabbed their coats from the rack at the door.
"Okay we're going!" Catherine said, "Be good for grandma Linds!" she warned her daughter with a stern look.
"Always am mom!" Lindsey replied as she pushed them over the threshold.
Catherine laughed again, "HA! I love you baby girl!" she kissed her on the head.
"Love you too mom!" Lindsey said back and hugged her tightly.
"Bye mom!" Catherine said turning to her mother and kissing her on the cheek. Lily smiled and hugged her.
"I love you too kido!" Warrick said and kissed her on the cheek before turning and walking out the door after Catherine.
Lindsey looked nervous for a second before shaking herself then smiling widely and running out after him and wrapped her arms around him in a very tight embrace, "I love you dad!" she said happily.
"Have fun you two!" Lily called from the door, "I love you! Be safe!"
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Warrick and Catherine sat in a romantic restaurant bar directly across from each other at the table nearest the Jazz band that were playing that night. They had just finished their desserts and were sitting in silence listening to the band play.
"Thank you for this!" Catherine said to Warrick gratefully, gesturing around them and ending their comfortable and content silence.
Warrick smiled at her, "It was my pleasure! I think we needed it don't you?"
"Oh yeah! Work has been so crazy lately and with Gil and Sara's wedding everything was all….aahh!" she started laughing, "Not that I didn't enjoy being her maid of honour I mean I got to dress up, get ma hair done by a professional and then ya know there was the gifts for the bridesmaids, the bacholerette party before hand and the reception after, which both involved alcohol soooo….it wasn't bad at all!" she smirked.
"No it wasn't!" Warrick agreed. Their comfortable silence returned as the couple stared into one another's eyes. Catherine flicked her hair back over her shoulder and sipped her wine. Warrick just stared. He was mesmerised and couldn't stop the huge smile that spread across his face watching the woman he loved. Catherine looked up feeling his eyes on her, "Warrick?" she called pulling him back to reality, "You okay?"
"Yeah." Warrick answered, "Yeah I'm great!" he smiled at her again, "Really great!"
"Okay….what's going on? You're acting really weird. It's freakin' me out!" Catherine narrowed her eyes at him, trying to read him. She tried harder before deciding to leave it for now. She'd get it out of him back home.
"Well….this really has been a wonderful evening!" Catherine said sincerely deciding it best to change the subject.
"Oh no Ms Willows, this night is far from over!" Warrick corrected her smugly.
"Oh really!" she replied raising her eyebrows expectantly, "How exactly do you plan on ending it Mr Brown?" she asked intrigued by his secrecy.
Warrick just smiled and took her hand in his, "Like this." he answered sliding off his seat and moving infront of her. Catherine just stared at him suspiciously and waited for him to carry on.
"Here goes nothing" he mumbled as he got down on one knee and pulled out a black, velvet box from his suit pocket and opened it to reveal a gorgeous and most definitely very expensive diamond ring.
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"Catherine I….!" Warrick began growing even more nervous by the second.
"Oh my god 'Rick'" Catherine cut in bringing her right hand up to her mouth.
"Catherine….I love you so much it scares the hell out of me! I wanted to tell you for so long but I didn't know if you felt the same way so I just….I shook it off and buried it as best I could hoping the love would go away but it didn't! I even married someone else but the whole time i wished it was you...." he paused to look her in the eyes. Catherine stared at him. Her hand was still covering her mouth and by now most of the people sitting near them were watching the scene before them unfold.
"....after everything that happened with Lou Gedda, the stripper and the murder I decided that I had wasted too much time already and after almost losing my freedom I knew I had to tell you. That night….in the diner I finally realised that you felt the same way and most likely had done for as long as me. That night I decided that I would tell you the next day but then McKeen screwed everything up! I was convinced I was gonna die right then and there….in that alley and I was instantly filled with this overwhelming sense of regret….and then you came around the corner. I swear to you Catherine I think my heart literally stopped beating. I was terrified that something was gonna happen to you. That I would lose you forever and I couldn't bare it. I wasn't about to let that happen. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if you had died because of me and I certainly wasn't going to let Lindsey lose her mother. I made a choice when I took those bullets for you. I chose your life over mine….and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Because you are the most important thing in my life Catherine! You mean everything to me….you keep me sane Cath! Without you I don't know where I would be! I need you Catherine! I love you and I will continue to do so for the rest of my days because you're the one!" he concluded breathlessly.
Catherine was in complete and utter shock. She couldn't believe this was happening. It all felt so surreal. Warrick looked deep into her eyes and she could feel his love.
"I know this might seem sudden but I know for a fact that this is for life cause I'm never letting you go, not in this lifetime and not in the next....so I'm asking you Catherine Willows….will you make me the happiest man in Las Vegas Nevada and be my wife?" Warrick asked praying to god for the answer he desperately wanted.
Catherine was speechless. Did he just ask her to marry him?....he did! He really did. "Oh My God! I can't believe this!" Catherine muttered, "Are you....are you serious....I mean really serious....cause I don't...." she stuttered talking extremely fast.
"I'm serious! I love you Catherine Willows! Will you marry me?" he assured her asking again.
Catherine looked deep into his eyes, searching for any uncertainty or doubt but found none. Not even a flicker. He meant every word. "Um….okay!" she answered finally.
"Okay?" Warrick asked a huge smile on his face.
"Okay! I mean yes! Yes! Of course I'll marry you Warrick Brown!" Catherine confirmed smiling and he slipped the ring on her finger, "Oh my god!" she cried again before she leaped into his arms. He caught her and spun her around on the spot. Catherine couldn't stop the excited, teenage squeal that escaped her lips. The whole bar was clapping and cheering. Even the band had stopped playing. The couple came to a stop and Warrick placed Catherine on the ground but didn't let her go. He would never let go.
"So….this is why you were acting so weird before huh?" Catherine asked holding up her left hand and staring at the beautiful ring on her ring finger.
"Yes it is, are you glad?" Warrick replied and asked but before Catherine could answer the Saxophone player spoke up.
"Can I have everyone's attention please?" he asked the room, "Thank you. The boys and I would just like to congratulate the happy couple on their engagement!" the other costumers started clapping and cheering. Warrick and Catherine started laughing, "We would like to dedicate our next song to them as they have danced to almost all of our songs played tonight. I think they might be Jazz fans!" everyone laughed at that and the sax guy winked at Catherine, "Does the beautiful bride to be have a specific request?" he asked Catherine who blushed slightly. Warrick asked for his all time favourite Jazz song. The man nodded and turned to the rest of the players. A few moments later the music began and Warrick pulled Catherine close and they started swaying to the music.
"This is amazing!" Catherine stated feeling slightly overwhelmed at the nights events.
"Yeah it is!" Warrick agreed smiling gratefully at the band, "So….are you glad?" he asked again although he had a feeling that he knew the answer already.
"Definitely!" Catherine answered snaking her arms around his neck. Warrick's grip tightened around her waist as she laid her head on his chest.
"The rock is huge by the way!" Catherine stated as she admired her ring once again.
"Thought you might like it!" Warrick said smirking cockily.
"I do, well done!" she congratulated.
"Lily and Lindsey helped!" he admitted less cocky than before.
"I thought so" Catherine nodded with a chuckle.
"Yeah!" Warrick agreed also with a chuckle, "Thought it was safer that way!"
Catherine looked up at him happily and nodded, "I love you!" Catherine stated, her love for him shinning in her tear filled eyes.
"I love you too, Mrs Brown!" Warrick replied as he wiped a stray tear and then leaned down and kissed her passionately.
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After the song Warrick paid the bill, shook hands with the saxophone player and thanked him again. Catherine did the same and he kissed her hand, she smiled then took Warrick's outstretched arm and they headed out of the restaurant doors.
"I think this has gotta be one of the best nights of my life!" Catherine beamed as they slowly headed to their car that was parked at the corner on the other side of the road.
Warrick chuckled, "I think this is the best night of my life!" he told her with a loving smile.
"Well….Mr Brown." Catherine began with a flirty smile, "The night is far from over." she finished as they came to a stop in the middle of the deserted road. Catherine tip-toed up and whispered in Warrick's ear, "Just wait till we get home!" she teased with a smirk.
"I like the sound of that!" Warrick answered leaning down and kissing her again. After a few minutes of this Warrick pulled back, "We need to go home now!" he ordered smiling. Catherine giggled and allowed him to pull her along.
"Ah!" Catherine cried out as her foot got caught in a hole in the road and she let go of Warrick's hand, "Oh ow!"" she moaned and examined her shoe, "Aww crap! My heel broke!" she exclaimed with a groan and a shake of the head.
"What?" Warrick asked walking back onto the road, "Lemme see!" he bent down and lifted her foot gently. Her heel was definitely broken, "Yep. It's broken alright." Warrick confirmed waving her completely detached heel up in the air laughing loudly.
"Waarrickk!" Catherine whined, "It's not funny!" she told him with a slap on the arm.
"Ow!" Warrick joked standing up again, "And it is kinda funny." he corrected her.
Catherine glared at him in reply before she started laughing too, "No! But these were really expensive shoes!" she informed him seriously, "Stupid road!" she muttered glaring down at it in a huff. This caused Warrick to laugh harder and Catherine to slap his arm again harder this time, "You got the keys mister?" Catherine asked her fiancé, 'Hehe! He's my fiance now!' she smiled to herself.
Warrick's laughter ceased and he looked at her, "I don't have the keys babe!" he answered grinning. Catherine looked at him confused, "You do!" he explained to her smugly. Catherine stared at him like he had just said the craziest thing in the world. Warrick raised his eyebrows at her and nodded towards her bag.
Catherine looked down at it then started digging through it, "Oh!" she exclaimed pulling them out, "So I do!" and she jingled them in front of his face. The two of them were so distracted by each other that neither of them noticed the speeding car heading right for them. Warrick had his back to it and Catherine was too small to see by Warrick. It wasn't until the headlights flashed in her eyes that she realised what was coming straight at them. Catherine knew the car was too close and there was no way they were both gonna get out of it's path in time so she did what her heart was screaming at her to do and her head advising her not too.
"Warrick!" Catherine gasped staring up at him before grabbing his arms and pushing him to safety just in time for the car to come ramming into her.
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Warrick stopped laughing when Catherine said his name. He looked at her and saw the terror and panic in her eyes as she stared right into his. Next thing he knew she was gripping his arms and pushing him to the side. Warrick stumbled backwards but quickly found his footing looking up just in time to see Catherine turn her attention back to the road and the car right in front of her. Warrick leaped forward. "CATHERINE!" he screamed but it was too late the car hit Catherine with tremendous force. Her head smashed against the windscreen cracking it. She went right over the top, tumbling off the back and landed hard on the road. Her limp body rolled along the road before it finally came to a stop. Warrick froze, a look of horror on his face. His heart stopped dead and his blood ran cold. He couldn't breathe and his world was spinning yet not moving at all. He couldn't think straight. He couldn't move, he didn't want to in case….The last few minutes had gone in slow motion. Like he wasn't actually living it just watching and before Warrick realized exactly what was he was doing he could hear himself scream Catherine's name again as he ran as fast as he possibly could over to her, it seemed to take a lifetime as she was further away than she had been minutes before. Warrick barely register the screeching of car tyres, the honking of horns and the deafening sound only a head on car collision could be responsible for.
"Oh my god Catherine!" Warrick gasped as he reached her unmoving, lifeless body. She was lying on her right side with her left arm hanging over her back. Her dress was slightly torn and there were cuts, scraps and forming bruises all over her exposed skin. Her face was cut and full of glass, her left shoulder looked very out of place and her right leg was twisted at an unnatural and painful angle. Catherine's blonde hair was turning a dark shade of red as the blood seeped from the wounds to her head. "SOMEONE CALL 911!" Warrick yelled to the bystanders staring at the scene from behind him, "Catherine? Catherine babe, can you hear me?" Warrick asked frantically. Catherine didn't answer. She didn't even move, "Cath? Come on honey wake up!" Warrick ordered sternly, "Wake up right now Catherine! Catherine!" he tried desperately but it wasn't working. Catherine was unresponsive and barely breathing. She needed an ambulance and she needed one fast. Warrick couldn't believe this was happening. He didn't want to believe it and he definitely didn't want to see the love of his life like this. She had saved him without hesitation just like he had done for her. This was his fault and that was too much for him to bare. It was all too much so Warrick did the only thing he could to deal with it, he snapped into CSI mode and became instantly concerned about the other victims involved. He glanced around him searching for a familiar face and he found one, the saxophone player.
"HEY!" Warrick called over to him, "You're the sax player from the restaurant right?"
"Yeah! Names Leon!" he introduced himself. Warrick observed the guy who seemed very disturbed by the nights latest events and concerned too.
"Um….I have to go check on the other casualties could you?...." Warrick asked glancing down at Catherine. Leon followed his gaze and understood immediately.
"Yeah sure bro!" Leon replied, "I got her!" he assured moving towards Catherine.
Warrick smiled gratefully then kissed Catherine's head before moving off toward the first destroyed vehicle. This one happened to be the drivers. Warrick drew in a deep breath, his left hand clenched into a fist and his eyes filled with anger. He leaned in through the shattered window and felt for a pulse. There wasn't one. He was dead. Warrick didn't even bat an eyelid at this discovery as he felt nothing for the guy that had hit his fiancé with a car and moved quickly over to the second vehicle. He looked in the window and was shocked to find two terrified children staring back at him.
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Warrick wasn't prepared for this and it took him a few seconds to push past the rage rising within him and regain his composure. He looked at the two terrified children in front of him, silently deciding how best to handle it, 'Catherine would be so much better at this!' he thought painfully feeling the tears well and the anger return but once again he pushed it back down and focused on the task at hand.
"Hey there." Warrick said gently so not to frighten them more, "My names Warrick." he introduced himself, "What's yours?" he asked the older boy, "It's okay buddy you can trust me." Warrick smiled warmly.
The boy looked at him fearfully, "Jackson! I'm Jackson!" he answered shakily.
"Nice to meet you Jackson how old are you?" Warrick asked wanting to distract the two children from their injured parents in the front of the car.
"I'm six!" Jackson answered no longer frightened of Warrick, "This is my sister!" he indicated to the small girl curled up beside him. Warrick looked down at her and smiled, 'I want one of those one day!' Warrick realized as he stared at the two children before him, "What's your name sweetheart?" he asked his tone soft and gentle as the young girl was terrified.
The little girl snapped her eyes shut and hid further behind her brother shaking slightly. Warrick sighed and looked at her concerned, "It's okay sweetheart. I'm not gonna hurt you." he assured her, "I'm gonna get you out of here but I need to know your name first." he told her calmly with kind eyes, "I promise it's okay."
The little girl stared at him a few moments longer bofore she smiled sweetly up at Warrick, "Kaylee." she said quietly, "Mys names Kaylee ands I'm four!" she answered sweetly.
Warrick chuckled at the innocence in her voice then turned serious again, "Okay I need you two to do what I say okay?" he asked slowly and they nodded, "Alright. I want you both to get down on the floor and cover your heads okay?" again they nodded and then did what he told them. Warrick turned around and searched his surroundings and found a metal pole from a nearby building site. He picked it up and made sure the kids were still on the floor before he struck the window with the pole several times until the glass shattered inwards. Warrick heard the kids cry out in fright and winced. He threw the pole away and approached the car again, taking off his suite jacket and putting it over the jagged glass at the bottom rim of the window, "It's okay! It's okay! Come on." he instructed holding out his hands. Jackson helped his sister up and pushed her into Warrick's outstretched arms and he guided her out through the broken window. When she was out Warrick placed her on his right hip and helped Jackson climb out too. Once they were both safely out of the car he hoisted Jackson up onto his left hip and held them close. Kaylee clung to him tightly and buried her head in his neck while Jackson held on but stared sadly at the car his parents were in still.
Warrick noticed this and said, "Don't look over there buddy. The ambulance is on its way and they're gonna get your mommy and daddy out okay." Jackson nodded and also buried his head in Warrick's neck like his sister.
"Is dat lady okays?" Kaylee's scared and muffled voice asked him quietly, the concern shinning through even at her young age.
Warrick looked to where she was pointing and he had to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat as the little girl was pointing at Catherine. His Catherine, "No!" he answered her truthfully as he could tell she was smart and already knew that but just wanted confirmation. "No she's not okay! The bad man that hit your car hit her too!" he explained carefully, "But she's gonna be just fine! The doctors will make her better just like they'll make your mommy and daddy better!" Warrick finished kissing her forehead.
"I's hopes so!" Kaylee said quietly still staring at Catherine's body.
Warrick took a deep breath, "Me too sweetheart! Me too!" he said silent tears rolling down his cheeks as he also stared at Catherine's battered, broken and bruised body. He may not of been able to protect Catherine but he was gonna protect these children. They didn't have to know how cruel the world was. Not yet. They deserved to keep they're innocence. Their childhood wasn't going to end up like his....parentless.
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Warrick stayed by Catherine's side as the paramedics wheeled her through the corridors of Desert Palms Hospital, holding her hand in his like his life depended on it.
He stayed with her whispering, "Your gonna be okay Cath! Just hold on!" over and over again. When the paramedics arrived at the scene they rushed straight to Catherine, turned her over, put a brace around her neck and placed her onto a stretcher. Once they were inside the ambulance they hooked her up to heart, pulse ox and BP monitors. Started a saline drip into her right arm and intubated as she was no longer breathing at all and needed help. Fortunately the heart monitor showed that Catherine was fighting and that she was fighting hard, "That's my girl!" Warrick had said proudly as he brushed hair from her face. Now he was watching helplessly as they rushed her through those huge white doors and into the surgical bay, leaving him behind to take a seat on the chairs outside and he wondered, 'Is this how she felt when it was me?' Warrick sat in silence with his head in his hands as he tried to make sense of the what had just happened in his head and how their night had taken such a drastic turn for the worst so suddenly, without even a little warning. They were so happy, just engaged and now….now she was fighting for her life. Now he might lose her forever.
"Oh god!" Warrick cried suddenly lifting his head, "How am I gonna tell Lindsey?" he asked no-one as there was nobody around. Warrick sighed and stood up pulling out his cell phone and pressing 3; home. It rang and rang and rang until finally someone picked up, "Hello?" Lily's voice came down the other end, "Willows/Brown residence!" Warrick couldn't help but smile slightly at that until he remembered.
"Lily? It's Warrick!" he started but was cut off by his future mother-in-law, hopefully.
"Warrick!" Lily exclaimed her voice full of excitement, "Lindsey your father's on the phone!" he heard her shout over her shoulder and could hear the excited squeal of the 12 year old girl as she raced over to her grandmother, 'How the hell am I supposed to break this too them?' Warrick thought defeatedly, shaking his head.
"Lily!" he called loudly pulling her attention back to him, "You….need to come to the….hospital!" he told her with a heavy sigh.
"The hospital?" Lily questioned and he could hear the confusion in her voice.
"Yes the hospital!" Warrick confirmed, "There's been an uh….accident!"
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As soon as Lily Flynn heard the word hospital an overwhelming sense of dread crept over her, "The hospital?" she asked glancing quickly at her granddaughter whose huge smile vanished, her face now full of fear.
"Yes the hospital!" she heard Warrick confirm, "There's been an uh….accident!"
And that was it. As soon as Warrick said there had been an accident Lily's heart sank. She knew instantly by the tone of his voice that it was her little girl, her baby. She turned to face Lindsey before saying, "We're on our way!" and hanging up the phone.
"Grandma?" Lindsey asked fearfully, "What's going on? Why are we going to the hospital?" she asked panic rising in her chest, her voice shaky, "Grandma!" she exclaimed loudly.
Lily took a deep breath, "Lindsey sweetheart." she started slowly, "Something bad happened." Lindsey just stared at her, eyes full of tears, "There's been an accident sweetheart...." Lily continued swallowing her own tears, "....it's your mother."
Lindsey shook her head fiercely, "No!" Lily nodded and Lindsey gasped her eyes darting around her nervously, "Is….is she okay?" Lindsey chocked out through tears.
Lily's eyes saddened and she sighed, "We don't know yet. Come on let's go." Lily ordered gently ushering Lindsey to the door, "Your father's waiting for us. Come on...." and with that grandmother and granddaughter took off in the direction of the hospital.
As Lily raced through the hospital doors with Lindsey right behind her, heading towards the front desk when a voice from behind her stopped her in her tracks "LILY!"
Lily turned around hearing her name and saw Gil and Sara Grissom coming her way.
"Lily!" Sara said breathlessly, "Warrick called! Told us to come down here!" she continued frantically.
"What is going on?" Grissom asked looking Lily in the eyes demandingly.
Lily shook her head sadly, "I really don't know." she admitted, "Where is everyone?" she asked looking around.
"Nick and Sofia are on their way." Sara informed her, "Brass is still working and Warrick asked Nick to try and get a hold of Greg cause he couldn't get through." she explained.
"She's up in surgery." Grissom informed walking back over to them, "Warrick's up there now." he finished and turned on his heels heading for the elevator.
Lily and Sara just nodded neither of them had noticed that he had left. Lindsey trailed behind the three adults not saying a word the whole way.
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After making all the necessary phone calls Warrick sat back down again, his head falling into his hands once more. He couldn't keep the image of Catherine being struck by that car and her small scream on impact from flashing through his mind every five minutes. It was driving him crazy but then again so was the waiting.
DING! Warrick lifted his head at the sound of the elevator doors opening.
"Warrick?" he heard Lily ask her voice full of worry as she walked speedily over to him, Grissom, Sara and Lindsey beside her, "What happened? Is Catherine alright?"
Warrick didn't get the chance to answer as Lindsey came crashing into him, sobs racking her small body as she clung to him desperately.
"Hey! Hey kiddo." Warrick said gently wrapping his arms around her comfortingly.
Lindsey just gripped his shirt tighter crying harder than before. Warrick sighed and lifted Lindsey into his arms and sat down again, placing Lindsey on his lap.
"Ssshhh. Come on now. It's gonna be okay honey." Warrick soothed rubbing comforting circles on the poor girls back, "Don't cry. Your mom's gonna be just fine." Warrick continued this until he heard the sobs subside and her breathing even out again, "That's my girl." he said softly a sense of Déjà vu washing over him as he had said the exact same thing to her mother under an hour ago, "It's alright! I've got ya."
"What happened Rick?" Sara's concerned voice asked as she sat down next to him.
Warrick shook his head, "We had just left the restaurant." he answered quietly, "We were walking to the car when this Honda came out of nowhere and….hit her." he explained shivering at the memory. Sara racked a hand through her hair nervously.
"He was drunk!" Warrick seethed after a moment of silence. Grissom's head shot up.
"What?" Lily asked staring at him expectantly. Sara doing the same.
"You have gotta be kidden me!" Nick exclaimed angrily as he approached the group. Sofia's hand in his, Greg with them. Warrick looked up at his best friend and could tell Nick was just as pissed as he was. Sofia looked extremely worried and Greg looked anxious. Warrick looked away.
"You could tell by the way he was weaving." Warrick continued staring blankly ahead still holding onto Lindsey, "And if that's not bad enough….after he hit Catherine he crashed head on into another vehicle." Warrick told them, "There were children in it!"
At this statement Sofia, Sara and Lily gasped. Lily covering her mouth with her hand. Warrick felt Lindsey tense when he mentioned the car hitting Catherine and he held her closer to him as if to protect her.
"It all happened so fast." Warrick said shakily, "I tried to reach her but…." he trailed off knowing he didn't need to explain further. Everyone fell silent.
"How bad was she?" Sofia asked quietly lifting her gaze to meet Warrick's.
Warrick looked to the floor, "Bad!" he whispered. Sofia dropped her head and Lindsey whimpered softly in his arms, "But she was fighting!" Warrick told them proudly.
"Well of course she was!" Greg announced with an obvious tone, "It is Catherine we're talking about here. I mean seriously you guys come on....it's Catherine!" he exaggerated, attempting to lighten the mood and succeeding as everyone laughed.
"What do we do now?" Sara asked looking at everyone around her.
"The only thing we can do…." Grissom replied wisely, "We wait...." and that's exactly what they did for the next two hours. They waited and hoped to god that Catherine pulled through.
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Lindsey fell asleep around 1 o'clock and had stayed asleep ever since. It was now going on 2:30 am and everyone was exhausted, but no-one could sleep. No-one except Lindsey that is but it didn't look like she was sleeping peacefully.
"Alright!" Brass announced getting to his feet, "This is getting ridiculous!" he vented pacing back and forth, he had arrived an hour after Nick. "We have been waiting here for hours and we still don't know what the hell is going on!" he yelled frustrated.
"Jim shush!" Sara reprimanded, "You're gonna wake Lindsey!" she glanced at the sleeping girl in her fathers arms. Jim looked down and sighed feeling slightly guilty.
"I'm sure they'll let us know when they can." Lily said calmly, "When it's safe."
Seconds later the huge white doors too surgery flew open and a tall man in dark blue scrubs emerged. Grissom saw him first and was on his feet in an instant. Warrick shook Lindsey awake and stood up beside his "father".
"Family of Catherine Willows?" the surgeon asked politely.
"Yes!" Grissom answered sharply, "How is she?" he demanded forcefully.
"I'm Dr Sloan." he introduced himself shaking Grissom, Brass and Warrick's hands. "I worked on Miss Willows." Dr Sloan confirmed with a small smile at Lindsey who managed an even smaller one back.
"Is….is my daughter going to be alright?" Lily asked him shakily with pleading eyes.
The doctor sighed, "Miss Willows suffered serious injuries in the accident." he began looking Lily in the eye, "She was left with severe internal bleeding. Bruised and broken ribs one punctured her left lung which caused the breathing difficulties. She has also fractured her right leg in two places and dislocated her left shoulder."
Dr Sloan paused for a few seconds and watched the people before him as they processed that information, "The injury that has me most concerned are the blows to the head she received from the windscreen and the ground. They are severe and I'm very concerned that they could've caused some long term damage."
Lily sat down again slowly, Sara helping her sit. Lindsey shook her head fiercely from side to side, Sofia waked over to her, "Come here sweetie." she said gently pulling the terrified girl into her arms and wrapping them around her tightly.
"We have run some tests and are waiting on the results." Dr Sloan continued knowing how anxious they all were, "They will tell us what damage has been done….if there's any at all." he added quickly knowing that Catherine could be one of the lucky ones.
"Putting all that aside Miss Willows is a lucky woman and we are fairly confident that she will make a full recovery." the doctor smiled at them, "She will need intense physical therapy for her leg and some mild sessions for her shoulder over a course of about 6 weeks at the least but her ribs and other contusions will heal perfectly on their own." he finished.
"Thank you doctor." Grissom said gratefully shaking his hand again.
Dr Sloan shook his head, "Don't thank me....thank Catherine when she wakes. She did do all the hard work after all. She's one strong lady!" he smiled sincerely.
"When will that be exactly?" Sara asked still sitting with Lily, "When will she wake up I mean?"
"That depends on Catherine." Dr Sloan answered, "It could be a few hours or it could be a few days....you can never really tell with head injuries. Everyone is different."
"Where is she?" Warrick asked speaking for the fist time, "Can we see her please?"
"Of course." Dr Sloan answered, "Follow me...." and he turned around heading towards the recovery bay, "....she's right in there." he pointed to the door up ahead, "Room 217."
A cold shiver ran through Warrick as this was the same room number he was given after his attempted murder.
"Oh Mr Brown!" Dr Sloan called before Warrick could enter, "I think….this is yours." and he handed Warrick, Catherine's engagement ring, "We had to remove it for surgery. The nurses have her other belongings but I….wanted to make sure you got that back." he grinned at Warrick, "You must be one hell of a guy for her to fight that hard to come back to you....she must really love you!" and with that he turned to walk away, "Oh! I almost forgot….Congratulations by the way!" he smirked happily.
"Thanks man!" Warrick replied with a nod, "I mean it….thank you!" he said sincerely.
Dr Sloan simply smiled and continued down the corridor.
Warrick chuckled before heading into Catherine's room with the rest of the family. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of his beloved Catherine. She was hooked up to a few machines that were monitoring her heart rate and her BP. She was also still on a ventilator, Warrick assumed, until her lung was strong enough again. Catherine's leg was in a cast, propped up on pillows and her arm bandaged and in a sling. Her face was covered in cuts and bruises along with the rest of her body he imagined and her head was wrapped in bandages. She looked so small in that huge bed.
"Congratulations on what?" Greg's question pulled Warrick from his thoughts and he turned to the youngest of the team smiling broadly.
"On our engagement!" Warrick answered walking over to Catherine and sliding the ring back onto her ring finger then kissing her forehead, "We're getting married!" he informed them with a smile.
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It had been just over 12 hours, well into the next day, since Catherine had come out of surgery and she still hadn't woken up. No-one had been home for any longer than an hour just to shower and change. They were exhausted but not hungry and were sick of the hospital's horrid, sorry excuse for coffee. Lindsey and Lily had fallen asleep on the couch in Catherine's hospital room. Greg, Nick, Sara, Sophia and Brass had fallen asleep wherever they were seated around the room. The only two people still awake and who hadn't sleep were Warrick and Grissom. They were seated on either side of Catherine's bedside. Thankfully Catherine's condition had gotten much better in the past few hours than the doctors had expected. She was off the ventilator and now breathing completely on her own and the test results had shown no brain damage from the accident at all. Everything was looking good. All she had to do now was wake up. A knock on the door pulled Warrick and Grissom from their own thoughts and stirred the sleeping people around them. The door was pushed open slowly and Veronica 'Ronnie' Lake entered shyly, flask and bad in hand.
"Hey!" she said quietly with a small wave, "I just thought I would come by and see how she was." she told them studying their faces, "How all of you were holding up."
"Hi Ronnie!" Sara said moving over from her position on the other couch to make room for Ronnie to sit down, "We were wondering when you would stop by."
Ronnie laughed nervously and thanked Sara for the seat, "I um….wasn't sure you wanted me here ya know? I haven't been in the city or working with you all that long and you're all like this huge, slightly dysfunctional, big family." she explained glancing around the room but avoiding looking at the woman on the bed.
Lily picked up on this and smiled at her sympathetically, "I didn't want to impose on all of you right now...." Ronnie continued, "....especially not right now!" she smiled sweetly.
"Hey!" Nick spoke up, "You are part of the family! Cath would want you here!"
Ronnie smiled at him gratefully before clearing her throat, "I was gonna bring soup but I figured none of you would feel like eating very much, I know I don't, so I brought coffee instead." Ronnie informed them laughing slightly, "I used Greg's Blue Hawaiian from the lab so it should be good! But….then again I made it so….." Sara and Sofia laughed loudly at this knowing fine well how bad Ronnie's coffee was. The others joined in pleased with the change in atmosphere, "It's gotta be better than the crappy hospital coffee either way though. I mean come on….this place sucks!" Ronnie said seriously scrunching up her face for added affect. Lindsey burst out laughing at this, something she hadn't done for hours. Ronnie turned her attention to the young blonde and smiled broadly.
"Hey Linds!" she greeted, "Now I know for a fact that you don't drink coffee so I brought you lots of soda and sugar to keep you going!" she told her slyly glancing at the bag she brought with her that now sat at her feet, "And if you're really lucky there might, just, be some Cookie Dough ice-cream in here too!" Lindsey squealed happily, jumped off her seat, ran over and wrapped her arms tightly around Ronnie's neck.
"On my god! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Lindsey cried happily, "Mom loves Cookie Dough too!" she said quietly before releasing Ronnie from the embrace, taking the bag from her hand and racing back over to her own seat excitedly. Warrick laughed loudly at this smiling at how much Lindsey reminded him of Catherine when she got excited over something. Especially Cookie Dough ice-cream.
"But don't tell your mother!" Ronnie added sounding quite scared, "Because she will and I mean literally, kill me for feeding you that much sugar!" the whole grouped laughed at this, all knowing it was true. Catherine was gonna kill her....if she found out.
An hour had passed since Ronnie had arrived and she, Lindsey and Greg were playing cards in the corner. Brass was reading todays newspaper, Nick was talking to Lily and Sara and Sofia were whispering on the couch by the door. Warrick and Grissom were still sitting on either side of Catherine's bed. Warrick holding her hand in his and staring at her face intently. Grissom's gaze was shifting from Catherine to the screens of the bleeping monitors behind her. Warrick was sitting completely still until his head snapped up and he rose from his seat, 'Did she just squeeze my hand?' Warrick asked himself hope rising again in the pit of his stomach. All eyes were now on him but he was flicking between Catherine's still, peaceful face and her right hand, "Catherine?" he questioned quietly but got no reply, "Cath?" he asked again.
"Warrick what are you….?" Grissom began to ask but stopped when he saw Catherine's eyelids flutter slightly, "Catherine can you hear us?" he questioned too.
Warrick and Grissom looked at each other, "Catherine….!" Warrick called softly, "If you can hear me honey, squeeze my hand." he told her staring intently again. And squeeze his hand is exactly what she did. Warrick smiled widely, "Good baby now open your eyes." he ordered gently. Catherine's eyelids fluttered once more.
"Come on Catherine!" Grissom encouraged, "Open your eyes for us!"
Eyelids fluttered again and again until Warrick and Grissom were both staring into the confused and cloudy blue eyes of Catherine Willows.
"War….Warrick?" Catherine whispered hoarsely, "Gil?" she asked blinking furiously.
Warrick smiled and leaned down kissing her on the head, "Thank you for waking up."
Catherine looked at him in confusion, "Wh....what does he mean?" she asked Grissom who had his arm around Lindsey, "W....what happened?" she asked glancing at Lindsey.
"You don't remember?" Grissom asked looking towards Warrick. The doctor had told them to expect some memory loss but they thought she would remember something.
Catherine shook her head and winced, regretting it immediately, "No! Nothing!" she answered becoming very agitated and feeling very vulnerable, "What happened?"
"Tell us what you do remember Cath." Grissom told her frowning in concern.
Catherine closed her eyes in thought, "I um….I remember going out for dinner and…." she trailed off opening her eyes and looking down at her left hand, which was difficult as it was in a sling, "And you proposing...." she said to Warrick with a smile before it turned to a frown again, "....But after that it's only....pictures….flashes!"
"Of what Catherine?" Warrick asked squeezing her hand assuringly.
"Of….of you and um….a broken shoe?…." Catherine flashed him a confused look.
"I'll explain later." Warrick answered looking around the room at the equally confused expressions also showing slight amusement at that statement.
"Then a bright light." Catherine continued, "Kinda like headlights but after that….there's nothing! It's a complete blank Gil!" she finished looking towards her long time best friend, "I don't....I can't...." she stuttered and Grissom squeezed her hand tightly. Catherine closed her eyes and sighed before she opened them again and looked into the green eyes that she loved so much, "What happened to me Rick?" she asked turning to her fiancé, her voice quiet and fearful. Her eyes were beginning to well up in frustration.
Warrick closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed, "You were in an accident Catherine!" he told her calmly. She looked up at him quizzically, "You were hit by a car…." he stopped at the shocked look on her face, "....outside the restaurant!"
Catherine shook her head slowly in disbelief, "I….I don't remember that."
"Well you wouldn't….it was pretty bad Catherine." Warrick told her, "Scared the shit out of me." he said quietly his thumb rubbing circles on her hand.
Catherine looked at him sympathetically, "I'm sorry!" she whispered, "Did they get him?" she asked suddenly, directing his attention away from her apology.
"It wasn't a hit and run Catherine." Grissom answered her this time, "He was drunk!"
Catherine's head snapped round to face him, "And he's dead!" Grissom informed her.
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Catherine stared at him silently for a few minutes before averting her eyes from his gaze, looking down at her hands and taking a deep breath, "Oh!" she said calmly.
Warrick and Grissom traded concerned looks with each other, then Warrick with Lily.
Lindsey, who was becoming increasingly impatient, took this opportunity to run over to her mother, leap onto the bed beside her and carefully throw her arms around her.
Catherine gasped in surprise, her eyes growing wide but then smiled kissing her daughters head and wrapping her one good arm around her tightly, "Hi baby!"
"Hi!" came Lindsey's small, relieved reply, "I got tired of waiting for the stupid interrogation to end!" she pouted shooting Warrick and Grissom a glare each.
Catherine chuckled at her daughter's behavior and just pulled her closer not saying a word. They stayed that way for a few minutes before Catherine spoke up, "Was there anyone else injured in the uh…." she swallowed hard, anger rising, "…accident?"
"Some accident!" Greg muttered bitterly under his breath then looked up at Catherine who was staring back smiling, what looked to be, gratefully.
"Yes!" it was Nick who answered her, "A family of four. He crashed into them head on after he….um….hit you." he finished stoically, "Warrick saved the kids."
Catherine's eyes darted towards him at this revelation. Nick just nodded his head. Catherine turned to Warrick who looked slightly embarrassed, "You saved them?"
"Pulled them right out of the car." Lily told her with a hint of pride in her voice.
Catherine continued to stare at Warrick who smiled and said, "It was nothing really."
Catherine scoffed, "Warrick you pulled two children from a wrecked car!" she said shocked at his nonchalant attitude, "That is not nothing honey!" Warrick shrugged.
"Okay fine!" Catherine said mouthing 'later' to him, "If your not gonna tell me about it, then you can at least go get the doctor so that he can tell me when in the hell I'm getting out of this god forsaken place!" she ordered her future husband sternly but sweetly.
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"Alright Catherine!" Dr Sloan announced looking over the papers in his hands, "Looks like you are good to go." he smiled at her, "Warrick has filled out all of the necessary paperwork and you have your prescription information, including pain dosage?" he asked her and Catherine nodded smiling, "Okay then! Get the hell outta here!" he smirked pointing towards the door.
Catherine and Warrick chuckled as Catherine pushed herself off of the bed and grabbed her crutches, "If you say so doc!"
It had been 4 weeks since Catherine had woke up. The doctor had wanted her to stay in the hospital for the first few weeks of her physical therapy, just to make sure it was working and to stop her from doing too much too fast at home. Catherine's shoulder was completely healed and her leg was well on it's way, she also had half of the wedding planned out already, with the help of her mother, her two bridesmaids; Lindsey and Ronnie and of course her two maids of honor; Sara and Sofia. Warrick had chosen Nick to be his best man, Greg and Archie from the lab along with Hodges to be the Ushers and Brass had agreed to take Lily and say a little something in place of Catherine's father Sam Braun who had passed away the year before. Grissom had also agreed to make a speech as the father of the groom, which Catherine found very appropriate as Grissom had always been the missing father figure in Warrick's life. The only thing missing was someone to walk Catherine down the aisle. She hadn't talked about it much to anyone other than her mother. Catherine had told Lily that 'Sam was gone and there was no-one else she could think of that could possible take the place of the man that would give her away on her wedding day and that was something she would just have to accept. Whether she liked it or not.'
"Yeah we just gotta wait on the daughter!" Warrick said as he lifted Catherine's bag off the bed and flung it over his shoulder, "Takes after her mother so we could be here a while!" he chuckled loudly, "A very long while!" he smirked at Catherine smugly.
Catherine glared at him, "Oh whatever Mr smart ass!" she hissed glaring at him again.
Warrick just laughed and Catherine threw a pillow at him as a smaller version of Catherine came through the door, "Hi mom! Hey dad!" Lindsey said laughing at the two of them, "And hey Dr Sloan!" she grinned widely at him, "Thanks for fixing mom!"
Dr Sloan smiled broadly, "It was my pleasure Lindsey!" he replied, "Take care you lot!"
"We will thank you!" Catherine called back at him as Warrick walked over and shook the good doctors hand 'thank you'. Once he had left, Warrick turned and silently watched the two most important people in his life laugh amongst themselves. His beautiful baby girl and his amazing wife to be. In another three months he was gonna be the happiest man in Las Vegas Nevada. In three months time, Catherine Willows would become Mrs Warrick Brown and he couldn't be happier. She was the one.
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'Awww so sweet ain't it?! Well i hope you enjoyed this chapter of my story and i hope you will read the next one!'
Now like most writers i LOVE reviews and have been recieving a fair bit for this story but not as much as i would like so i will not update this story until i have at least 4 reviews!!!! So if you want another chapter soon then please get typing!!!!'
Love Rachel xo