Part 5

"What do you think of Las Vegas so far?" Gil asked Katie, as the three walked down the Strip munching a hot-dog each.

"It's certainly…different," Katie replied. "I like it a lot though."

"Did you know that they're looking for an intern at CSI?" Gil asked.

Catherine's eyes widened, as did Katie's.

"I'm thinking perhaps you should apply."

Katie and Catherine turned to look at him.

"Are you serious?" Katie asked. "I'd never get in. They need to at least have some idea about criminal investigation. I haven't even started college yet."

"About that…" Catherine said, getting her turn to talk. "I'm thinking that you might like to stay living with me and Lindsey. I mean, that is if you want to and like it."

Gil smiled. He definitely liked having his daughter much more accessible.

"Are you sure?" Katie asked.

Catherine smiled. "You're my daughter. That's all that's important."
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As Catherine's Denali pulled up at home, they noticed a Fed Ex guy about to knock on the door.

"Can I help you?" Catherine asked, getting out of the car.

"I'm looking for Kathryn Markham."

Katie's eyes widened as she looked at the several small boxes he was standing next to. "It's here already? Geez, I thought it would take another coupla weeks knowing the US Postal service."

"We pride ourselves on our service," the guy said with a monotone voice. "Sign here please."

Katie quickly signed and with Gil and Catherine's help took everything inside.

"Dare we ask?" Catherine said, glancing at the boxes.

Katie smiled. "Actually, they're for you." She opened one of the boxes and slid a videotape out. "I think they're all here." At the confused expressions on her parents faces, she explained. "My adoptive mother had an obsession with documenting every piece of my life on videotape. I thought you might like them."

Catherine held the tape in her hands, emotions flitting across her face. "This is, you?"

"For better or worse, yeah. I thought you guys might like them."

"Thanks," Catherine smiled broadly.

Katie shrugged. "Just make sure I'm not around when you're watching them. They're incredibly embarrassing."
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Katie had gone to bed, begging exhaustion, and Gil was helping Catherine clean up the kitchen.

"Do you think that maybe…we could watch those tapes?" Gil asked.

Catherine nodded. "Just what I wanted to do tonight. Want some hot chocolate?"

"Sounds great."

Gil realised how domestic they were together, as they worked comfortably to make some hot chocolate.

They went into the lounge and Catherine slid the first tape into the VCR.

Her heart flip-flopped as she saw the image of baby Katie on screen, dressed in baby rompers and staring at the camera.

"Come on, Katie, you can do it," came the voice from the other side of the camera.

Gil and Catherine watched, speechless, as the little girl rocked forward and stood up on her little legs. She took one unsteady step and then another, finally plopping down on her butt, looking very surprised.

"Clever girl!" came a woman's voice, and two arms swooped in to pick up Katie.

Gil was smiling with fatherly pride, and he turned to see Catherine's reaction. To his surprise, tears were streaming down her face.

"Cath?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. "Cath what is it?"

"That should have been us," she murmured. "When I found out I was pregnant, I thought I was doing the right thing. I was so scared, terrified that she would be addicted to coke and I knew I couldn't take care of her in the way she deserved. And now she's back here, calling us mom and dad, as if I didn't ruin her entire life."

"You made her life better, Catherine."

"No child should be taken from their parents. Not like that. Not because you're scared. Not because you're not sure." She stood up and took the tape from the VCR. Catherine turned to him. "I hesitated. Did I tell you that? They let me hold her, and when I saw her, when I saw us in her, I hesitated. I thought, am I doing the right thing? Perhaps she should be with me, because I was her mother." She sat on the sofa again. "And then I saw the nurse tapping her foot. I handed her over and she was gone."

Gil placed a hand on her cheek, and forced Catherine to look at him. "But she's not gone, Catherine. She's asleep in the other room, safe and sound. Yes, we missed out on some time, but she's our now." He smiled at her. "I think she's always been ours."

Catherine nodded. "You're right. I guess I just…"

"I know," he told her.

They stared at each other for a few moments, thoughts rushing through their minds.

"I should put another tape in," she murmured, standing up.

Gil nodded and stood up beside her. As she turned to pick up another tape, he placed a hand on her arm. "Cath…"

She turned around and faced him. "Gil…"

Their mouths crashed together in a moment of utter bliss, and Catherine pushed herself against him, her arms running up his chest to rest around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him, desperate for more contact.

They pulled apart, their bodies screaming for oxygen. They stared at each other, swollen mouths, mussed hair and aching for each other.

He smiled at her, his finger tracing her lips. "You're beautiful, Catherine."

"I want you," she murmured. She took a step closer to him. "I've wanted you for a very long time." Catherine smiled, her hand taking his and kissing it. "And I've loved you for just as long."

Gil's smile broadened and he cupped her face with his hands. "I love you, Catherine. Very, very much."

She walked into his embrace, and they held each other, relishing in this new stage of the relationship.

"I want to make love to you, Cath," he told her. "But only when you're ready."

She glanced at her watch then back up to him. "19 years, 2 months, 13 days. I think we've waited long enough."

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Part 6