Catherine was silent as she watched and waited for Caroline's reaction. Sam was pacing the room and finally stopped, sitting down beside his wife and signing at her furiously. Catherine had learnt enough sign language to know that he wasn't entirely impressed with the idea.
Caroline carefully placed a hand on one of her husbands and squeezed it slightly. She smiled wanly at him. "I know," she murmured.
Catherine watched the emotions flit between the couple and it reminded her of her relationship with Gil. They didn't have to hear each other to communicate…their relationship went much deeper than that.
"All I have to do is look and point?"
Catherine nodded. "Just look at him. Maybe you'll remember something."
Sam had been watching them for a few moments and then, angry, stood up and stalked from the room. Caroline's eyes closed and she sighed before opening them again.
"He didn't seem to take that very well," Catherine said, sinking down into a chair opposite her friend.
"I'm sorry. He just…it's almost as if he took what happened harder than I did." Caroline's eyes lifted to meet Catherine's. "And it's not just the baby."
Catherine nodded. "I'm sorry that I upset him. I really want to catch him."
"Me too. It's just…" She sighed again and rubbed her forehead. "This couldn't have happened at a worse time."
Catherine frowned slightly. "How so?"
Caroline smiled slightly. "I'm pregnant."
"Really?" Catherine asked, a smile taking over her face.
Caroline nodded. "About three months. I…I just told Sam today so he's probably a little conflicted right now. As I am."
Catherine took one of her hands and squeezed it. "I promise I will do anything I can to help."
"I know. Tell me when you want me down there."
"Are you sure?"
Caroline nodded. "I can't move on until he's put away. And I know Sam can't either. And if I'm going to have another baby…I have to do this."
Catherine smiled.
"I promise we'll be there with you all the way."
*******************************************************************
"Pregnant?" Gil said, arching an eyebrow.
Catherine nodded. "Three months. She's still going to come in and see him though. Sam's not happy about it."
"I never expected he would be," Gil replied. He beckoned her around to him and swiftly pulled her into his lap. "What's bothering you?"
"You can always tell, can't you?" she smirked and kissed him gently. She sobered again took his hand, laying her palm against his and smiling at how small her hand seemed in his big one. "When I watched them today, Sam and Caroline, it reminded me of us. How we don't need to talk or hear to communicate."
He nodded and looked down at their joined hands. "It's called love, Catherine."
She hugged him. "I know." She squeezed his hand. "Gil, we've known each other for a long time, right?"
"Mhm," he replied, nuzzling her neck.
"And we love each other."
"Very much."
"And we live together."
He looked up at
her. "Yes."
She arched an eyebrow. "How do you know what you're saying yes to?"
"We don't need words to communicate, Catherine. Remember?"
"Then why haven't you asked me?"
He let his hands
rest around her waist. "I didn't want to rush you. After what's
happened in
your life…I didn't want you to be pressured."
She took one of his hands and placed it over her heart. "That's all that matters, Gil. In there."
Gil smiled and kissed her. "Marry me."
"Yes," she replied, hugging him close to her. "Yes."
************************************************************************
"I'm sorry," Caroline murmured.
"For what?" Sam asked, looking up from where he was leaning in his head on her stomach.
"About everything."
He moved up to lie beside her.
"It wasn't your fault. I just don't want you to get hurt again."
"I have to put this to rest. For all of us."
********************************************************************
"Married?" Lindsey said, looking between Gil and Catherine.
Gil nodded. "Is that okay?"
Lindsey smiled. "Sure. Just the same rules as before. No mushy stuff in public."
Catherine grinned. "Are you sure you're okay with this, Linds? Gil and I don't want to rush you into anything."
Lindsey rolled her eyes. "Mum, you've been making googly eyes at each other ever since I was old enough to notice. It's enough time already!"
********************************************************************
Thomas Mantle leaned back in the chair, chewing on some gum. Catherine stared back at him, hatred consuming her and yet her resolve fighting to stay professional.
"So, Mr Mantle, any questions?" Brass asked, after Catherine laid some of the evidence for him.
Thomas shrugged. "Whatever you reckon."
"Do the names Jessica Shaw, Miranda Green or Caroline Farrell mean anything to you?"
Thomas shrugged again. "Should they?"
Catherine looked at Brass. "Don't worry. He won't know who they are. Because names and lives don't matter to our friend, Tommy here." She stood up. "Only pain and suffering and getting what he wants does." She leaned over him. "Right Tommy?"
Thomas Mantle leered at her, running his eyes up and down her body.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Mr Mantle. I'm not pregnant," Catherine growled at him.
"Catherine," Brass warned.
A knock came on the door and Warrick peeked in. "She's here."
Catherine stood up straight again and went out the door.
"Hey," she smiled, seeing Caroline waiting there. "How are you feeling?"
Caroline shrugged. "Is there a particular emotion that fits this moment in time?"
"True," Catherine nodded. "He's in there."
Caroline moved over to the one-way glass and peered in. Thomas Mantle was sitting there, chewing manically on his gum. He was rolling his eyes at Jim Brass. Caroline's eyes closed momentarily, trying to remember back.
"How much longer do I have to be here?" Thomas Mantle drawled.
Caroline froze. She knew that voice. She remembered the way it taunted her.
"It's him," she said.
Catherine came and stood beside her. "Are you sure?"
"I remember that voice. The way it taunted me. It's him."
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Part 8