Kai looked at Catherine intently as she smiled at him. Steve approached her and said his name, and that was enough for Kai to crack a wide smile.
"Ah... it'smean you only smile at your godfather?" Catherine said to the baby.
Catherine handed Kai to Steve and he continued to make the baby smile.
"Congratulations, he's a cutie," Catherine said to Tani and Junior.
"Thank you, Catherine," Tani replied.
Catherine spent the morning with Steve at headquarters and then they went out to lunch together. After lunch she went home and Steve returned to headquarters.
Catherine arrived at Steve's house and decided to relax on the beach. She swam a little, exposed herself to the sun to get a tan, and then swam again. She was still in the sea when Steve arrived home. Danny had told him to go home and enjoy the rest of the day with Catherine.
"Are you having fun?" Steve asked her as he approached the edge of the sea.
"Come on!" She called out to him.
"I need to change, I'll put on some shorts," he replied and hurried into the house. A few minutes later he came back and swam to her and hugged her in the water.
"You're back early," Catherine told him as she put her arms around his neck.
"Danny said I could come enjoy the rest of the day with you."
"That was nice of him," Catherine replied.
Steve kissed her at length, enjoying every second of that kiss. He hugged her like it was the last hug and kissed her like it was the last kiss, He decided to love without dosage, without fear that she might leave him again someday. It was not an urgent, overwhelming kiss, but it was a kiss that conveyed care, love , companionship and security.
"Wow, sailor. I don't even know how long it's been since you've kissed me like that."
"I should kiss you like that every time," Steve replied.
Catherine smiled. "I think so too. And I also think we should make love right here, right now."
"What? Oh, no Cath! The neighbors on the right moved in a week ago and they have five kids. And one of them is looking at us right now."
"Oh, really?" Catherine looked back and saw a boy of about 10 years old.
"We can go in the house if you want," Steve told her.
"Not now. I want to enjoy the sea some more. When it's winter and I feel all that cold where I live, I really miss it here." No snow, no significant cold, no heaters... and speaking of heaters, my heater is broken again."
" Well, I have a suggestion. Throw away the heater and move in with me."
"Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it?" She replied and her countenance turned sad.
"Did I say something wrong?" Steve asked.
"No, you didn't say anything wrong. I just thought about Kevin. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize, but I just think you need to forget about it for a while, you can't live thinking about the other people's problems, Cath."
Catherine looked at him a little upset. He wasn't understanding her feelings about Kevin. She knew she wasn't responsible for the boy, but she cared a great deal about him and couldn't stop thinking that he would be disappointed not to find her waiting for him at the day care gate. And to her, the boy was not a problem.
They swam for a while longer and then got out of the sea and went home. Catherine went straight to the bathroom and Steve could tell that she was really upset with him. He followed her and went into the bathroom while she was in the tub. "Do you want to go out to dinner?" He asked.
"No, Steve. Can we order something to eat at home? I didn't do anything in the kitchen because I wanted to relax in the ocean for a while."
"That's okay, I'll order the food. Japanese food?"
"Yes. Is that restaurant that was my favorite still open?"
"Yes, I'll call there," Steve replied.
"Thanks, Steve."
Steve touched her lips lightly. "You're welcome."
Catherine came out of the bathroom, put on a robe, and sat on the bed to call Susan. "Hi, Susan," Catherine said when Susan accepted her call.
"Hi, Catherine," Susan replied in a neutral tone, neither aggressive nor gentle.
"How are you and how is Kevin?" Catherine asked.
"We're fine," Susan replied in a neutral tone again.
"Can I talk to him?" Catherine heard Kevin whimpering on the other side.
"He's asleep," Susan replied.
Catherine was silent for a few seconds because she knew it was a lie. "All right. Please tell him I called and that I will bring him a present when I come home."
"I will. Bye," Susan abruptly ended the call.
Catherine discreetly dried a tear before Steve returned. He returned shortly thereafter and took a shower as well, and then they both went downstairs and waited in the living room for the food delivery.
Steve turned on the TV and told her to choose the movie.
"You can choose, Steve."
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm sure."
Steve sat down next to her on the couch and hugged her. "Forgive me for complaining about your concern for Kevin. I have nothing against him , I just don't like seeing you sad."
"I know," she replied looking into his eyes.
'Come here,' Steve pulled her closer and she snuggled into him as he stroked her hair. "I love you, Cath."
PS: Thanks for the reviews on the previous chapter!