Steve left the hospital and considered going to Catherine's apartment to see how she was doing, but the phone rang and he had a complicated new case.
Catherine waited all day for him to call, but he only called at night.
"Hi, I thought you were forgetting about me," Catherine told Steve.
"Oh no! I had a very difficult and stressful case today. I even thought about stopping by your apartment but then I thought it was late and I didn't want to bother you."
"You could have come and I could give you back dinner, and I want you to know that you never bother me," Catherine replied.
"Thanks, Catherine. And how are you doing today?"
"I'm better, and I think after tomorrow I'll be back to work," Catherine told Steve.
"So it's will be Christmas Eve. What are you going to do after you leave the hospital?" Steve asked.
"I'm coming home. My sister won't be coming to spend Christmas with me. I wanted to see my nephew so badly, but my brother-in-law is happy to get me away from the boy."
"What a stupid guy," Steve said.
"Yes, I agree with you, Steve."
"I'm glad you're better. I'm going to sleep and early tomorrow resume the case," Steve told Catherine.
"Okay, Steve. Sleep well and be safe tomorrow. It was nice talking to you."
"Good evening, Catherine."
"Good night, Steve."
Catherine sighed after he finished the call. "Just hearing his voice makes me so happy!" she thought.
The next day Steve worked hard on the case and it was night when he left headquarters. He drove to the front of the building where Catherine lived and wondered if he was going up or not.
Catherine was sitting on the couch and reading the book Steve had given her when he rang the doorbell. "Is it him?" Catherine thought and smiled.
Steve was ready to ring the bell again when a very smiling Catherine opened the door.
"Hi," Steve told her.
"Hi," she answered enthusiastically.
"I'm sorry to come by this time, but I just wanted to know if you're ok," Steve told her.
"It's fine. Please come in," Catherine told him, and he entered.
She was smiling at him and he also smiled at her.
"What a beautiful smile, my God!" Steve thought and instinctively approached her, took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. He had been waiting for this moment for days.
When Steve let her go, he looked at her and waited for a smile or a slap in the face. But of course he got a huge smile. "Why did you take so long to kiss me?" She asked.
"Well, I can try to make up for lost time," Steve said and kissed her again.
"Can we get to know each other better, Catherine?"
"Yes, I'll love to know you better," she replied.
"So we are dating?" he asked.
"We can say yes," Catherine replied.
"So I want to know more about you and I think you need to know more about me," Steve told her.
"I agree, Steve. But can we talk later?" Catherine said and kissed him.
Steve smiled. "I think I'll have to arrest you because you committed a crime."
"Huh?" Catherine asked.
"You stole my heart, and keep my thoughts and emotions hostage," Steve told her.
"So I think I'll ask for a few million ransom: millions of kisses," Catherine replied.
Catherine's phone rang and she ignored it, but the calls continued.
"Sorry, Steve, I have to answer.
Steve released her. "All right, Catherine."
Catherine answered and listened carefully to all that was said to her. "Fine, I'll be there at 7 am sharp," she replied.
"What happened?" Steve asked.
"I'll have to have surgery tomorrow morning," Catherine replied. She was upset about having to interrupt her conversation with Steve.
"And you need to sleep early, don't you?" He said.
"Yes."
Steve touched her chin. "It's fine, I understand. I'll be right out."
"No, wait! Have dinner with me before you go," Catherine asked.
"Ok," Steve answered. He was glad to be with her for a while longer.
The next day Catherine went to work, had surgery in the morning, and then went to Danny's room.
"Hello, Mr. Williams," she said.
"Hello, Doctor! I'm happy to see you, but call me Danny."
"Okay. I'm also happy to give you some great news, Danny: You're going home today! You're going to spend Christmas with your family. Isn't that great?"
"Yes it's wonderful,"
Catherine discharged Danny, but when Steve arrived to pick him up, he couldn't see her because she had another emergency surgery to do.
"I told you that when I was discharged from the hospital you wouldn't see her anymore," Danny told Steve as they were in the car on their way to Danny's house, where his mother and sister were waiting for him.
"You're wrong, my friend. Me and her are dating," Steve replied.
Danny patted Steve's arm. "This is wonderful!"
"Danny! I'm driving!" Steve said when he almost lost control of the car.
"I'm very happy for you," Danny said.
"Thanks, Danny. I'm very happy too."
"Who would say a gunshot to my head would open the way to your happiness?" Danny told Steve.
"Oh! this correlation was terrible, Danny! Never think about getting shot again."
Steve drove Danny home and Rachel arrived shortly after with the kids.
"Well, I need to go now. Merry Christmas, Danny."
"Merry Christmas, Steve. May you have a great Christmas night," Danny replied.
Steve smiled and then wished Merry Christmas to Rachel, Charlie, Grace, and Danny's sister and mother.
It was already 11:30 pm when Catherine left the hospital. She was very tired after a long and delicate surgery.
"Cath!" Steve called her.
"Steve, it's almost midnight, what are you doing here?"
"I came to get my girlfriend at work," Steve said and kissed her gently.
"You should be celebrating Christmas with your family," she said.
"Well, my sister and niece didn't come to Hawaii as your sister and nephew didn't come either. And there's nobody else I want to be with. I just want to be with you this Christmas night."
Catherine put her hand on his cheek and stroked him. "I'm very lucky to have met you, Steve. I don't want to be with anyone but you this Christmas night either."
Steve kissed her hand that was on his cheek. "I'm lucky to have found you too."
Steve looked at her tired face. "How was the surgery?" he asked.
"It was tense, I almost lost him, and he's only thirteen," Catherine replied.
"But you did it, you didn't lose him" Steve said.
"I didn't lose him, thank God."
"Come here," Steve said, then scooped her up and carried her to the car across the street.
Steve drove her to her apartment and took several bags from the car.
"What is it, Steve?" Catherine asked.
"Our Christmas dinner."
Catherine took a long, relaxing shower while he set Christmas dinner on the table. She was amazed when she saw the table set. "It's beautiful, Steve. You even thought about the flowers."
"Glad you liked it," he smiled.
"You're the man of my dreams, you know that?" Catherine told him and hugged him with affectionately.
"Am I? Good. You're so much more than I dreamed. Merry Christmas, Cath."
"Merry Christmas, Steve."
PS: Thank you for reading. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!