A/N: Well, a lot of you thought that things were going to snowball from here between Stella and Cato. And you're right! You guys are geniuses. Well, here's the next update for all of you darlings who reviewed. Oh and Cato doesn't technically work for his father like that, his father has his own business and Cato is like the heir of all of them so until his dad dies off, he's got to work for him, right?


Stella's eyes widened and she shook her head. "I can't do that." She said. "That would be too much for you. I have nothing to offer. I don't have enough mon-"

Cato interrupted. "Stella, I'm not asking you to pay me. You look after Zack so well and he loves you. I just want you to stay with him. Take care of him. I would never ask for you to pay me."

Stella gazed into Cato's eyes and nodded slowly, still unsure about moving in with them. Cato smiled. "I promise you won't regret your decision." He stood up and helped Stella up. She looked away as her eyes welled up again. Cato pulled her into his arms again as the tears began running down her cheeks again. He held her until her tears dried and she managed to give him a small smile. By then, it was almost time for dinner.


Stella moved in a day after the funeral into a spare room in between Cato's room and Zack's nursery. She was still sad and at times, Cato would have to hold her as she cried. But he never complained. He just silently hugged her and comforted her. It took her a week to return to her normal self and even then she had nightmares whenever she went to sleep. It was a Thursday night when Stella had her first nightmare. She was screaming and kicking in her bed when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Someone was shaking her gently. Stella's eyes shot open and she bolted up in bed as her eyes burned with tears and soft sobs racked her body. Cato was standing a few feet away with a concerned expression on his face. "Are-Are you okay?" He asked, smoothing her hair off of her forehead.

Stella nodded shakily. "I-I think so."

"What did you dream about?" Cato sat on the edge of the bed and continued to rub Stella's back. She shook her head, not willing to tell him about her haunting nightmares. Cato didn't press the matter and instead said, "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm right next door."

Stella nodded and they sat there silently. After a while, Cato stood up. "I should go now. You should try to get some sleep." He was just about to turn around when Stella grabbed his wrist. "Please stay with me." She whispered.

Cato smiled and nodded before he crept into bed with her. He wrapped the blanket securely around them and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. He laid his forehead against hers and closed his eyes just as she closed hers. Her nightmares stayed away for the rest of the night.


On Saturday, Clove volunteered to take Zack to a theme park nearby. Of course she had refused to let Stella and Cato go with them. "Don't want the adults ruining it." She muttered as she came to pick up Zack. A tall, well-built man was with her and he smiled at Stella.

"I'm Thresh." He said, extending a hand.

Stella beamed at him. "I'm Stella. You're Cato's friend, right?"

Thresh nodded before asking, "So, where is Cato, by the way?"

"At work." Stella answered as she kissed Zack one more time. Thresh nodded again before turning to Clove. "Wanna leave now?" He asked.

Clove shot him a glare and shrugged. "I don't know. I quite like standing at Cato's doorway. What about you?"

Thresh rolled his eyes before pushing Clove. "Let's get a move on." He mumbled and gave Stella another smile. "I'll come by again and then we can talk. Is that alright?"

"Oh yes. I'd love to hold a conversation with you." She replied and Thresh and Clove waved good-bye before walking towards Clove's black Corolla. They had a long debate over who should drive and who should hold Zack. In the end, Thresh took Zack and slipped into the passenger's seat while Clove took the wheel. And then they were gone.

Stella closed the door to the mansion and sighed. She was all alone. Taking a look around, she decided to get something to eat. She had just made herself a few egg salad sandwiches when the door opened. Stella looked at the clock, 2:47. It couldn't be Cato, could it? Before she could get up from the counter where she had seated herself, Cato walked into the room. He grinned at Stella. "Got the day off." He said and ran a relieved hand through his hair. "Thank God."

Cato sank into a chair and looked at Stella with an amused expression. "Sitting on the counter? What, did we run short of chairs?" He asked.

Stella smiled and shook her head. "No, I just like sitting on the counter. I used to sit there when I was young and watch my mother cook. And she would always have me taste the spice or salt in her dishes. She wouldn't set the table until I had tasted every dish."

Cato poured himself a glass of juice. "That sounds nice. Your mother sounds like an amazing woman."

"She was." Stella whispered as her eyes turned sad. "My father would tell her that everyday." A tear slipped down Stella's cheek. "He would twirl her around in the living room when an old track was playing and say, 'Lilly, I have yet to meet a more amazing woman than you.' And my mother would always laugh and say, 'And I have yet to meet a charmer like you, Stephan.' Everyday." Stella hiccuped and laughed softly, remembering her mother and her father dancing in the living room and stopping every now and then to twirl little Stella around too.

Cato smiled and wiped away Stella's tears before tilting her face up and gently pulling her off of the counter. "Well, Stella," He began. "I have yet to meet a more amazing girl like you."

Stella laughed. "And I have yet to meet a charmer like you, Cato." She replied, laughing again.

Cato pulled Stella into the living room and put on a slow song. He bowed before Stella. "May I have this dance, milady?"

Stella smiled and took his hand. "I would be delighted to share a dance with you." She answered.

Cato slid an arm around Stella's waist and held one of her hand in his. Stella placed her hand on his shoulder. They began to move with the music, dancing slowly and gracefully. It was as if the music was flowing over them in a wave as they clutched each other. The violin ended and Cato moved away slightly. Stella was about to comment on the music when Cato bent down. His lips met hers in a soft, chaste kiss, gentle at first and then a bit more and more desperate.