"Can we have something to eat now? I'm hungry and I think you are too," Steve told her.
"Yes, I'm really hungry. I ate almost nothing today," Catherine replied.
"Then sit down and I'll serve you," Steve said, and pulled the chair up to her sit.
Catherine sat down and smiled at him. "Thank you gentleman."
Catherine tasted the food and closed her eyes. "That's divine, Steve! Did you do it?"
"No, I asked a friend's mother to do it."
"Give Congratulations to her, and tell her that she cooks wonderfully well," Catherine said.
I'll tell her," Steve replied.
"Why did you decide to be a doctor?" Steve asked while they were having dinner.
Catherine began to tell about her life and Steve was listening intently. She talked for a long time and he didn't get tired of hearing her talk.
"I think I'm talking too much and I didn't let you talk," Catherine said.
"It's fine," he replied and took the bottle of wine. "More wine?"
"Yeah, I'm off tomorrow so no problem," Catherine replied.
"Great," Steve said.
"Tell me about your family," Catherine told Steve and his countenance changed.
"I don't want to ruin our Christmas Eve. Can we talk about this another day?" Steve asked.
"Fine. Any ex wives I should worry about?" Catherine asked.
"No. I never got married," he replied.
"It's true, Danny told me. I had forgotten," Catherine said and smiled.
"Danny?" Don't you call him Mr. Williams anymore? I think I'm jealous, "Steve told her.
"Don't be silly," Catherine replied.
"Danny likes to talk about my life, doesn't he?" Steve said.
"I don't think he does it because he wants to be gossip. I think he cares about you," Catherine replied.
"Yes, he cares about me, but sometimes he crosses the line."
"Well, I wouldn't mind having someone crossing the line for caring about me," Catherine said.
"I care about you," Steve said and put his hand over hers.
"Thanks, Steve. It's great to hear that," Catherine said.
Steve moved closer to her and kissed her. Then he looked into her eyes as he touched her hair. "You're beautiful, you know that?"
Catherine smiled and flushed a little. "You are handsome too."
They snuggled together on the couch and were kissing while watching a Christmas movie.
The next day Catherine woke up alone in bed. She got up and found Steve in the living room, lying on the couch.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning Steve. I don't remember going to my bed yesterday."
"You don't remember why you slept on the couch while we watched the movie. I picked you up and put you on your bed. I slept on your couch, hope you don't mind," Steve told her.
"Forgive me, Steve. You must think I'm the most boring person in the world," Catherine said and looked sad.
"Of course not, Cath. Why would I think that?"
"Because you were so kind to come to spend Christmas with me and I slept."
"No problem. I know it was a mixture of tiredness and wine. And even you sleeping, that was one of the best Christmases of my life," Steve said.
"You're lying," Catherine said and smiled.
Steve stood and hugged her. "No, I'm not. I was glad you were by my side even though you were asleep."
Catherine wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're so cute, you know that?"
"I know," he smiled.
Steve kissed her gently, slowly, and then the intensity of the kisses and the hug increased.
"Cath!" he whispered in her ear, driving her crazy.
Steve picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He led her into the bedroom and ... his phone rang. "Damn it! I don't believe it!" he said.
"I think you should answer it, right?" she said.
"I'm sorry, Catherine," he said and went into the living room to answer the phone.
Steve returned to the bedroom very embarrassed. "Catherine, I need to go. We have a case and the governor demands the team's participation in the investigation. I'm sorry, I thought I would have Christmas Day free."
"It's fine, Steve. I get it."
"Will you still want to see me after this?" he asked.
"Of course I do. Come back when you figure out the crime and arrest the bad guys," Catherine said and kissed him before he left.
Steve was worried. "What if she doesn't understand my work? What if she gets frustrated and doesn't want to continue our relationship?" He thought while driving to the crime scene.
Catherine seemed to have guessed his thoughts and sent him a message: "I loved every minute we spent together. I wait for you as long as it takes."
PS: Happy New Year to all!