Chapter Eight

*6 P.M that night*

After an eventful afternoon shower Catherine had made her needed phone calls and arranged for her things to be shipped to Steve's house. It should be pretty easy since she never could get herself to unpack the boxes. That place in L.A. never really did feel like home, but she needed to put distance between her and Steve. However, even with an ocean in between them they still were connected. Catherine lied on the couch that Sunday night as Steve attempted to make dinner again-this time he made sure none of it contained pineapple. As she waited for Steve to cook dinner, Catherine's mind was whirling with questions that she wanted to ask him. I need to make sure Steve doesn't feel that I've pushed my way back into his life-especially the way we ended our relationship five months ago.

"Steve, we need to talk," she hollered from the living room.

Steve was standing in front of the stove when he heard Catherine yell. His whole body tensed at the phrase "we need to talk." "We need to talk" is not a phrase I like to hear. What do we need to talk about? A lot I guess. But, women usually have something specific in mind when they want to "talk." Steve leisurely strolled into the living room prepared for the worst.

"Yes, Cath." Steve said as he entered the living room. He, then, sat next Catherine on the couch lifting her legs so they were positioned over his.

"Ummm, Steve, I need to make sure you are okay with us moving so fast. I know that, before, our relationship developed slowly, but fuck Steve, it took you 5 years to tell me that you loved me. I mean I wasn't any better…." Catherine trailed off. "Anyway, I know how hard it was to admit your feelings-believe me it was for me too. That was a big deal, and then I spring a baby on you. I have had almost 2 months to get used to this and you have only had 2 days. Steve?" Catherine looked over to Steve for some type of response.

She's right. I am scared out of my mind, but I am SEAL damn it! I have been in war zones, so I know I can handle a baby. They're harmless.

Steve grabbed Catherine's hand and placed it on his heart interlocking his fingers with hers. He took a deep breath and declared "Catherine Elizabeth Rollins, yes I know that I am not the most open person and I hold back my feelings, but you feel this," Steve softly pressed down on his chest, "my heart is yours and only yours, and there is no one that I would rather be taking this journey with. I'm glad we are doing this together." Catherine's eyes had filled up with tears-she had not expected that type of response from Steve. It took all of "this" for him to be open to me? I still have a feeling, though, that he isn't being a 100% honest. She removed her legs from Steve's lap and replaced that spot with her head. He soon began to slowly comb his fingers through Catherine's hair as she closed her eyes in enjoyment of this sensation.

"Steve, you don't know how much that means to me. I know we are both scared, but I think two Lieutenants who served in the Navy can handle a little baby." Hopefully.

"Damn straight, our kid is going to have the best parents." Even if they have no idea what they are doing.

"Yes, he will," Catherine grinned ear to ear. They lied like that for another fifteen minutes until Steve remembered that he had pizza in the oven. Catherine had fallen asleep from the soothing stroke of Steve's hand. Cath must be exhausted. Air travel is tiring and plus we haven't gotten a good night's sleep in a few days. He gently picked Catherine's head off of his lap and put a pillow underneath it. Steve paused for a minute before he went to check on the pizza. He couldn't believe how in love he was with this woman-just the sight of her chest rising and falling enamored him. Why did I ever let her walk out of my life? Steve leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Cath's forehead making sure not to wake her up. When he entered the kitchen he pulled the pizza out of the oven and the smell overwhelmed the house.

"Smells delicious, Steve." Steve glanced over toward the doorway at the sound of her voice. She was leaning against the frame still donning one of Steve's shirts.

"It's my famous ham, pineapple, and cheese pizza…of course minus the pineapple," Steve smirked in Catherine's direction.

"I'm glad you remembered because it would have been a shame to waste a pizza."

Steve chuckled.

"So, Sailor, is it time to eat? I'm starving!"

"I still need to make the salad while the pizza cools off."

"Can I help?"

"Sure, you are the best cook I know, next to me of course," Steve joked.

Catherine strutted toward Steve and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love being next to you," Catherine teased.

"Oh, don't start with me Rollins. We gotta eat!" Cath pressed her body against Steve's willing him to give in to her advances. When that didn't work she began to kiss Steve's scar which was visible underneath his white tank top. Steve's breathing slightly escalated at the feel of her touch. He was about to give in until he heard Catherine's stomach grumble. "Cath, I think our guy is hungry….and I know you are too."

"Alright," Catherine hung her head in defeat as she helped Steve toss the salad. By the time they were finished with dinner it was almost 8 o'clock. After an hour of cuddling on the couch, Steve and Catherine headed up to bed.

Steve wrapped his arms around his girl erasing any amount of space between them. Ugh, I don't want to go back to reality tomorrow. I never want to let her go.

Catherine then placed her delicate hands over his. Ugh, can we just stay like this forever? I don't ever want him to let me go. Almost in response to her thought, Steve tightened his hold on Cath.

"Night, Steve," Catherine whispered.

"Night, beautiful," Steve replied as he placed a kiss on her exposed neck. Steve and Catherine laid still in the darkness until sleep overcame them.