Shoutouts: sz2000- Glad you liked the last chapter. Hope you like this one too. I didn't know that Jason David Frank ever said that, that's hillarious. Lots of people make the joke about him being a pink ranger next. I find it to be the most commonly used joke in fanfics. LOL And I still use it.

Shievi- Yes, they're getting married YAY! It's only natural that Kat is going to have doubts about her future with Jason and with Lilly. Hope she realizes soon that Jason isn't going to give up on her and he's there for her every step of the way. Hope you like this next chapter!

brankel1- I was laughing really hard when I thought of that scene. I could just picture Kat standing there as Jason stepped off the elevator. It would be really funny, good cover to go see Tanya LOL. Hope you like the next installment.

Ghostwriter- With everything this poor couple has been through, you'd think they'd be out of the storm by now right? Poor people! Hopefully Kat can overcome her sudden fears and doubts so that they can finally have the nice calm life they deserve.

gabs- Well welcome to the club! Glad to see that you got around to reviewing. This story is probably my favorite of all that I have posted so I'm glad to see that there are people out there enjoying it. Thanks for adding this story to your favs and alerts, that makes my day! Hope you enjoy what's coming next!

Chapter 35

"Shh! I see Jason's truck!" Trini exclaimed to the group of people hanging around in Jason's livingroom. Dr. Retta had agreed to release Kat from the hospital, so long as she took home oxygen for when she was short of breath and if she promised to follow all directions given to her. Jason had stated that he would make sure that Kat was taking care of herself and she would continue to see both Dr. Retta and Dr. Jeffery on a regular basis. Kat was irked at the loss of control, but remained silent knowing full well it was Jason's good word that was getting her release papers signed.

Jason climbed out of the truck first and quickly made his way around to the passenger side. He helped Kat down to the ground and held out his arm for her to take, which she did with a grin. Together they made their way to the front door.

"Surprise!" Every one shouted as the front door opened. Kat looked around the room at all her friends and family, excluding Rocky and Tanya.

"Oh, you guys are so awesome!" Kat cried as she began hugging everyone, one at a time.

"Let me see that thing!" Aisha squealed as she took hold of Kat's left hand. The women gathered around her staring at the ring on her finger.

"It's beautiful!" Anna exclaimed.

"Can we trade rings?" Katie, Kat's baby brother's wife, teased. Todd just rolled his eyes.

"Why would you trade rings? You got Sophia's mother's ring." Heather laughed.

"Well, you got Micheal's mother's ring." Katie retorted with a grin.

"Can't you ladies be happy with whatever your man gets you?" John asked with a chuckle.

"Never." Heather grinned at her husband.

"Jason has good taste." Kimberly commented. Silently she was wishing that a certain father of her son would buy her a ring too. Sometimes she swore that Zack had commitment issues, even Tommy had gotten over his own issues and proposed to Anna.

"Well he should." Linda laughed.

"You had to shop with him, didn't you?" Sophia chuckled. Linda shrugged, which only served to make the other women laugh. Sophia then enveloped her daughter into a giant hug. "I'm so happy for you darling. Welcome home."

"Thanks Mum." Kat replied as she returned the hug.

"Aye, Fred. 'Bout time you got your arse out of the damn hospital." Kevin laughed. Lilly sat on top of his shoulders, sporting a grin of her own.

"I would have been out sooner, but they don't exactly let people check out when they want." Kat laughed.

"Any ideas when you want to get married?" Trini asked.

"I haven't had time to think of any details." Kat shook her head.

"Can I be the flower girl?" Lilly asked.

"Of course Lilly." Kat smiled at the little girl. "I couldn't think of anyone better."

"Yes!" Lilly pumped her arms in the air as a huge grin spread on her face. "I want a pretty dress."

"Someone mark this on a calender, my daughter actually wants to wear a dress." Jason laughed. He moved up behind Kat and wrapped his arms around her waist, she rested back into his embrace.

"I like dresses Daddy." Lilly rolled her eyes. "It's just hard to do my martial arts or play football in them."

"She's got a point." Tommy shrugged.

"I see you managed to get away from the swatches." Jason laughed.

"Oh, he's not getting out of helping me that easily." Anna raised an eyebrow. "It's our wedding and he will help me."

"Seriously Anna, couldn't you just plan it and then ask me if I like what you decided?"

"Men." Anna rolled her eyes and turned away from her thick headed fiance.

"Amen!" Aisha exclaimed.

"You do realize your loving husband is only three feet away from you, right?" Billy remarked.

"Of course I do." Aisha grinned.

"Just making sure." Billy laughed.

"How's Kyle?" Kat asked Kimberly hoping to draw the attention off the men/women debate she knew was brewing.

"He's fantastic." Kimberly beamed. "I never thought that I could ever love one person so much."

"Awe, wittle Kimmie's got a soft spot." Aisha teased in a slightly annoying baby voice.

"Shut it." Kimberly scowled at her friend.

"Oh, now don't be all upset Kim. I know exactly how you feel." Aisha grinned.

"Don't we all?" Trini laughed.

"Back to the guest of honor for this shindig..." Aisha looked back at Kat snuggled against Jason's broad chest. "So can we assume that you're going to move back here now?"

"I think that is safe to assume." Kat laughed.

"Your father and I wanted to know if you planned to go back to work when you're allowed to." Sophia spoke up. Katherine could see the concern etched deep into her mother's blue eyes, and she closed her own sapphire eyes.

"I... I don't think so." Kat shook her head.

"No one can blame you for that Kat." Kimberly laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. Jason hugged her a little tighter and rested his chin on her shoulder, letting his cheek press against hers.

"I'll figure everything out later." Kat said after a few moments of silence.

"Mama!" Liam cried as he came running though the crowd suddenly. Aisha knelt down and picked up her ambling toddler.

"What's wrong Li?" Aisha soothed.

"Owie!" He cried as he pressed a hand to his head. "Ball."

"Oh, you poor baby." Aisha hugged her son close as she kissed the side of his head.

"Sorry Aisha." Mitch said quietly as he moved in front of her. "I didn't see him playing by the table when I threw the ball to Bobby. It smacked him pretty good."

"It's alright Mitch. Accidents happen." Aisha smiled at the shy boy.

"Go ahead and go play Mitch." Adam nodded toward his son. "Liam will be fine."

"Come on Kevin! Let's go play football." Lilly exclaimed as Mitch headed back through the patio doors.

"I'm game for that Lil." Kevin nodded as he slid Lilly off his shoulders to the ground. Lilly latched onto his hand and practically drug him out of the house.

"My, I think Lilly has a new best friend." Kat laughed.

"I wasn't kidding when I told you that." Jason replied.

"Kevin would make a good father." Sophia sighed.

"Someday Mum." Kat assured her. "He's enjoying his career too much right now."

"I think he's a lifer." Micheal laughed.

"Someday, he might just regret not starting a family." Todd shrugged. "But he's happy for now."

"That's all that matters." Katie added as she brushed a strand of copper hair behind her ear. Kat always thought that Katie was a pretty woman, with her soft round face, copper hair, and oddly colored eyes. They were a strange shade that, in the right light, appeared almost purple.

"Just when are you due Katie?" Aisha asked.

"Next month." Katie beamed. "Five weeks, to be exact."

"Will this be your parents first grandchild?" Heather asked. Heather, John's wife, was an Australian native; growing up just outside of Sydney. John and Heather had met through mutual friends shortly after John had returned to Australia, they'd been inseparable ever since. Heather stood fairly tall at 5'6. She wore her raven hair in a short bob, showing off her square face and strong jaw line. Her gray eyes reminded Katherine of a stormy sky, which ironically matched her personality. She was fiery and untamed, it came as no surprise why she had fallen for the outspoken, jokester of the Hillard clan.

"No, my sister Diane has two kids already." Katie shook her head. "But they're excited anyway."

"I bet, any parent is excited when their children start having babies." Linda grinned. "I was so excited when Jason told me about Lilly."

"She's the apple of her grandmother's eye." Jason added.

"How's the adoption going for you and John?" Kat asked Heather.

"Very well actually." Heather grinned. "We already have everything set and a mother-to-be has selected us for her child already. She's due in four months."

"That's exciting!" Kat beamed. "Any idea if it's a boy or girl?"

"It's a boy." John grinned. "John Jr."

"Oh, tell me you are not naming that poor child after him." Todd groaned.

"Not a chance." Heather glared at her husband.

"All this talk about babies reminded me about Tanya. Are we throwing a party for her and Marcus tomorrow when they come home?" Kimberly cut in.

"Of course! Any excuse to have a party!" Aisha grinned.

"Food's ready!" Zack called as he poked his head in through the patio doors. He's been outside grilling the hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone since he and Kimberly had arrived, even though John had offered to cook. Aisha, Trini, and Heather had made all the sides and salads before everyone else arrived at Jason's house.

"Finally!" John exclaimed. The room began to quickly clear, leaving only Kat, Jason, and Micheal. Jason caught Micheal's eye and realized that he was waiting to talk to Kat alone. Jason gave Kat a kiss on the cheek and then left to join the other's outside for some food.

"I'm happy right now, Kitty." Micheal said with a smile as he hugged his daughter. "I was so afraid that we were going to lose you."

"Oh, Daddy." Kat cried as she hugged her father for all she was worth. "I almost stopped fighting. I almost let go."

"I almost let you." Micheal admitted quietly.

"Looks like we both owe Jason." Kat gave him a sad smile.

"Yes, I suppose we do." He returned her sad smile. "That boy wouldn't let anyone give up on you, not even yourself it seems."

"I couldn't disappoint him." Kat laughed. "He told me that he asked you for permission to marry me. When was that?"

"Back in November, while I was here for Thanksgiving." Micheal gave his daughter a knowing smile.

"All the way back... He was going to..." Kat was dumbfounded. Jason had held onto that for a long time.

"He'll make an excellent husband for you Katherine." Micheal gave her hand a gentle pat. "He'll take care of you and he'll do whatever it takes to make you happy. Hold onto him sweetheart."

"Thank you Daddy."

"Your mother is tickled pink at the prospect of helping to plan your wedding." Micheal laughed. "She wants me to set up video conferencing on her computer so that she can talk to you often about details. Don't be surprised if she takes you out dress shopping before we return home."

"Figures." Kat laughed. "Come on, I'm hungry. I haven't had a barbequed burger in what seems like ages."

"I'm sure you're eager." Micheal nodded. Once outside, Kat found Jason already sitting on a lawn chair with a plate made up for her. She took the plate with a grin and sat next to Jason in a vacant chair. Seating was tight for the mass amount of people, leaving some to sit on the grass.

After dinner, the older kids started up a game of tag football, boys vs. girls. Or more precisely, Bobby and Mitch vs Lucy, Rosa, and Lilly. Bobby and Mitch were leading against the three girls after a while, until Lilly recruited Kevin. In retaliation, Bobby recruited Zack and Tommy. Lucy managed to take her father. Mitch attempted to persuade Billy to join, but settled for Kimberly, who placed Kyle in Jason's lap. Rosa decided that Liam needed to play too which brought Aisha onto the team as well. All players on the field were cautious of the small toddler following the energetic dark haired girl around the field. There were no doubts that Rosa was going to make an excellent older sister to Marcus.

The 'girls' team managed to take the lead after another ten minutes, but Bobby wasn't going to let any girl beat him. He quickly manged to get both Anna and Todd onto his team. Lilly, never to be outdone, batted her lashes at her grandfather, Terence, as she begged him to join her team. Her charms won her two team members at once, Terence and Micheal joined the team. At this point, no one was playing football anymore, it was now a game of who could recruit more to their team. Once recruited, players pretty much just stood around on their side of the large yard.

Mitch convinced his mother to join his team, while Lucy somehow managed to drag Billy to her side. Rosa brought John in for her team, but Bobby took Heather. Lilly brought over her grandmother, who in return managed to convince Sophia to join the game. Jason was the last usable player left on the sidelines considering the only other two were an injured Katherine and a very pregnant Katie.

Lilly came running over to her father to try and clam the last player for her team, but Bobby was quick to Jason's side as well. Jason looked over to two teams seeing that the girls definitely had the larger team of eleven, twelve if you counted Liam as a player, vs the boys with nine.

"Sorry Lilly-pad." Jason laughed as he stood from his chair. He gently sat the six month old infant on Kat's lap and started toward the boys' side. Kat happily bounced the baby boy on her lap as she cooed at him. Kyle's dark eyes lit up as he clapped his chubby hands together. Jason's mind was once again assaulted with the image of Katherine barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.

"No fair Daddy!" Lilly whined breaking into his daydream.

"You've got your new best friend on your team." Jason laughed.

"You've got more people too." Bobby retorted.

"He's right about that." Jason shrugged. Lilly rolled her eyes and quickly ran back over to her team and latched onto Kevin's hand as if proving a point to her father.

With as many players as they had, the actual game didn't last long. There were just too many bodies on the field to dodge. In the end, Bobby and Lilly came to the agreement that it was a tie and all players were released from the game.

Jason took his chair back next to Kat, who was still enjoying Kyle's joyful attitude. "He really likes you." He said. Kat looked up at him with a smile.

"This is a lot better than the first time I held him." She laughed. "He's so adorable."

"Thanks Kat!" Zack grinned as he appeared in front of her. "He gets his good looks from his Dad."

"Uh huh." Kat said sarcastically.

"It's true, just look at him and me." Zack grinned as he picked up his little boy, holding him right next to his face. "Aw, yuck! Baby needs a change! Kim!"

"Oh no! You got him already Zack-the-man. You're going to change his diaper!" Kimberly crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Diaper bag is sitting on the coffee table."

"Come on Kim, you're so much better at things like this than me..." Zack protested, but quickly shut up and headed inside as Kimberly began to narrow her eyes at him.

"I swear that man." Kimberly grumbled. She plopped into the open chair on the other side of Kat.

"Still the same issue?" Kat asked softly.

"He finds new ways to cause trouble everyday. I love him, I really do." Kim sighed. "I just wish I knew if he loved me just as much."

"Zack is crazy about you Kim." Jason interjected. Kat and Kim exchanged a look, they had almost forgotten he was sitting there too.

"I know he is, Jase." Kim replied. "No offense but this is kind of a girl talk."

"Ah, I see." Jason nodded slowly. "It's about him not getting you a ring, right?"

"How did you..." Kim's jaw dropped open. Kat cocked her head at her fiance, it was so odd to be able to call him that now, in surprise. She had no idea how Jason knew what was troubling Kimberly.

"You said it at the big barbeque back in August. I was standing in the doorway to Tanya's kitchen when you told her to, and I quote, 'Get out there and tell that man to marry my fat ass already'. Exact words too." Jason laughed.

"Well... hmm... I..." Kimberly stammered. Kat burst out laughing.

"You have an excellent memory Jase." She laughed.

"I just remember that phrase." Jason shrugged.

"I hate you." Kimberly rolled her eyes.

"You do not." Jason grinned.

"Just because you know what I'm upset over, doesn't mean that you can solve it. If you so much as breath a word to Zack I'll cut your manhood off. I want him to do this on his own with out someone telling him that it's what I want."

"I understand what you mean." Jason nodded. "Besides, I like my manhood and I'm pretty sure that Kat does too, so I won't be risking it."

"Good boy." Kimberly grinned.

"Who says I like it?" Kat raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you don't?" Jason matched her raised eyebrow. Kat smiled and playfully rolled her eyes.

\ "Men." She muttered under her breath. Jason chuckled and shook his head.

"Women." He muttered. Kat and Kim both shared a look before laughing together.

Kat and Jason's parents were the first to head out from the party. Followed shortly by Todd and Katie. Adam and Trini left with their three kids, and Rosa since she was staying with them while her parents were at the hospital. Aisha and Billy packed a sleeping Liam out to the car. Zack and Kimberly followed behind them since they were staying the Cranston house.

Tommy and Anna were once again staying at Jason's. It was a full house with Kevin, John, and Heather staying there was well, but no one complained or even minded.

Kat was settled into the oversized chair in the livingroom as Jason got Lilly ready for bed. Kevin, John, and Tommy were at the kitchen table playing a game of cards. Anna had retreated to her and Tommy's room after a nice hot shower.

Heather slowly sat down on the couch across from Kat, who smiled at her sister-in-law. "How are you doing Kat?"

"I'm doing good considering I'm not at the hospital anymore. I feel better being surrounded by everyone." Kat replied.

"I meant with what you called me about earlier." Heather raised an eyebrow. "Have you thought more about it?"

"Yeah." Kat nodded. "The thought of being Lilly's stepmother still worries me, but it's a challenge I'm looking forward to. She's a wonderful little girl and I feel honored that Jason trusts me enough to help raise her."

"I'm glad that I could help you." Heather nodded. "Although I'm surprised you called me with all your wonderful friends around."

"You're the one that's closest to my shoes right now since you'll be raising a child that's not technically yours." Kat shrugged.

"That's true, but Lilly is six almost seven. She knew her mother, and I'm taking a baby from day one. Very different situations." Heather commented.

"I know." Kat nodded. "Still, it helped to talk to you. It put my mind at ease. I appreciate it."

"Not a problem Kat. You know I'm here if you need to talk more, or about anything else." Heather smiled warmly.

"Thanks."

"Don't stay up too late." Heather said as she stood from the couch. She reached over and gave Kat a gentle pat on the knee before disappearing from the livingroom. Kat sat quietly as she looked around the room. Her eyes fell on the door, the place that her and Jason had first...

"I think about that night too." Jason said from behind her. Kat jumped a little, not expecting him to be standing there.

"Jason, don't do that." she scolded.

"Sorry, guess I didn't realize you were that deep in thought. I saw where you were looking and assumed what you were thinking about."

"Actually for once, you are very correct." Kat laughed. "So much has changed since that night."

"Everything changes Kat." Jason said calmly. He carefully helped Kat to stand before sitting himself in the chair and pulling her onto his lap. "I'm still sorry for what I said back in December."

"I can't blame you Jase." Kat sighed. "I should have spoken up sooner."

"It's not like it would have led us anywhere in the case." Jason shrugged. "You did what you thought you had to. I don't blame you."

"I'm just sorry that it had to be Liz who suffered, and Lilly because she lost her Mum."

"It's not your fault." Jason reassured her. They sat together in silence for a while, the only sounds around them were the men playing cards in the next room. "Hey, can you keep a secret?"

"Duh." Kat rolled her eyes. "What is it?"

"I mean, you really have to keep a secret." Jason gave her a serious look. "You can't tell anyone, especially any of the other women."

"I swear, I won't utter a word to anyone. Now tell me!"

"Kimberly is going to get her wish." He whispered in her ear. Kat squealed and quickly covered her mouth with her hands. "I knew that would make you happy." Jason grinned.

"When?"

"Soon, he told me last week about it." Jason explained. "He even got a hold of Kimberly's mother in France and asked for her mother's ring. He's known it was Kim's dream to have it."

"That's fantastic!"

"Yeah, so once he has the ring, he'll propose." Jason said. "It was so hard seeing Kim upset about it today knowing that her wish is coming true, but I promised I wouldn't say a word to anyone."

"You just told me." Kat playfully raised an eyebrow.

"And if you blow my cover, I'll make you pay." Jason grinned.

"No repeats, I swear." Kat nodded.

"Good. Come on Snowflake, it's getting late. We should turn in."

"I'd like that, I'm dog tired." Kat replied. Almost as if on cue, she let out a giant yawn.

"You can say that again." Jason joked as he too let out a massive yawn. Slowly the couple made their way up the stairs and into the master bedroom.

"I just realized, I don't have anything to wear." Kat groaned as she sat on the edge of the bed. She silently fiddled with the straps on her boot.

"Oh, Trini and Aisha went shopping for some clothes today. I figured I'd take you shopping as soon as you felt up to it, so you can pick out your own clothes." Jason shrugged. He opened the closet and took out three bags of clothes. "There's some pajamas in there too. Trini said they got you a few different things and they hope you don't mind their style choices."

"I have some of the most awesome and thoughtful friends." Kat grinned as she began searching through the bags. She quickly found a white tank top and a pair of light blue sweat pants and a package of underwear. "This is good enough."

Kat stood from the bed and set the bags on the floor. She grasped the hem of her t-shirt and pulled it over her head. Jason noticed the ugly pink scar on her back from where Tyler has first stabbed her. Kat caught her reflection in the mirror and slowly traced the multiple pink scars across her abdomen. A quiet sob escaped her lips as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Hey, it's okay Kat." Jason said softly. He moved across the room and took her into his arms.

"I look horrible." she sobbed.

"No, no you don't." Jason slowly began to rub her back. "We'll get that cream that helps scars to fade. Eventually you won't even notice them."

"Why did this happen to me Jase?" She whispered.

"I wish I had an answer for you Snowflake." Jason said softly. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. She bit on her bottom lip and tried to pull away from him, but Jason held her firmly. "Don't shove me away Kat, please."

"I'm not trying to." Kat replied. Her eyes fell on their reflection in the mirror once more and she traced the visible scars with her eyes. Jason, realizing what her problem was, let her go and walked over to the full length mirror. He quickly turned it around so it was facing the wall.

"I'm not going to let you bring yourself down Kat." He walked back toward her and put a finger under her chin to make her look up at him. "You're gorgeous, you always have been. A few scars won't change that. "

"It's my looks that drew him to me." Kat jerked her face out of Jason's hands. He let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. He was at such a loss as to how to help her. Everything he did seemed to be backfiring in his face, and he was slowly being pushed to his own breaking point.

"Look at me Kat." He pleaded, she slowly raised her gaze back to his. "I'm here for you Kat, for whatever you need from me. I won't force you to talk to me, I won't force you to face your nightmare, but I can see that you have to work through it. It's eating you alive. I got you out of the hospital, now it's your turn to do me a favor, please let someone help you deal with this. I don't care if it's me or Dr. Jeffery, or even calling up Tanya or Tommy. Talk to someone, please."

"I promise I'll try." Kat nodded after a few moments. Jason nodded and released her shoulders to allow her to finish dressing for bed. He stripped off his shirt and put on a pair of sweat pants before crawling in the bed. Kat stood at the side of the bed watching him for a minute as she took off the heavy boot, before climbing under the covers and snuggling into his side. Jason wrapped a protective arm around her and pulled her close to him. His senses were once again assaulted with the scent of cherry blossoms. He took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet smell. The very scent he'd associated with Katherine since she'd returned to California, back in August.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too." Kat replied, her voice quiet and her breathing already mostly even. Jason craned his neck enough to kiss the top of her head as she lay against his chest. His arm tightened around her waist protectively as he relaxed back into his pillow. At that moment with Kat in his arms and Lilly down the hall, there was nothing better in his life. He felt complete for the first time.