The Lies We Tell

A/N Okay...here is the next chapter! I know you all have just been dying for it!

Chapter 10

As Catherine came back to consciousness, her ears picked up several things at once. A constant beeping sound, the rustling of crisp sheets, deep breathing, and short bursts of conversations farther away from her.

Her body felt heavy, and she became aware of pressure on her right hand. Flexing her hand slightly, she realized it was another hand holding hers. A much larger hand...

Opening her eyes with effort, Catherine realized she was in the hospital. She glanced to her right, and smiled slightly.

Vincent was asleep beside her in a chair. His hand held hers and his head was laying close to her hip. His face was turned toward hers, and she saw a large bandage covering most of his temple. His back was hunched over in the chair, and Catherine thought that he must be terribly uncomfortable like that. She squeezed his hand, and instantly, he squeezed back.

His eyes opened and he looked up at her. When he realized she was looking back at him, he sat upright quickly, and blinked a few times, almost not believing that he wasn't still dreaming. He ran his fingers through his hair, shaking it out.

"Catherine? You're awake," he whispered. "How are you feeling?" he asked. Catherine grimaced.

"Sore. My shoulder hurts, and my throat is dry."

He grinned widely, before standing up to push the call button. Catherine grabbed his arm to stop him. "Wait. I need to know what happened. Please?"

Vincent started to sit back down in the chair, but Catherine beckoned him to sit on the bed beside her. He scooted her over gently, before climbing in to lay beside her. His arm snaked around her shoulder, pulling her gently against him. He sighed.

"When I got back to the apartment, I could hear Ryan crying. I realized something was wrong then. I found him, but not you. I don't know why, but I realized that Alex had taken you. I won't go into details, but something she had said to me months ago made me realize that she had brought you to our house upstate. I took Ryan to your neighbor, Heather. I gave her plenty of money to get him what ever he would need. Thankfully, she didn't ask questions."

"I drove to the house and crept in through the back door. She had you down in the basement. I could hear the insanity in her voice when she was speaking to you. I never realized how jealous and insecure she was. I never knew just how much she resented you in my life. And, I never even thought she would go to those lengths to get you out of my life."

"Anyway, when you asked her for water, I waited behind the door. When she walked out, I got down there as fast as I could. You know that part."

"When she and I struggled over the gun, it went off and hit you in the shoulder. You were bleeding badly, and I couldn't even help you. In that moment, all I could do was...watch you slip away. The same time you lost consciousness, Alex got the upper hand for a split second, and the gun went off again. The bullet grazed by my temple. The doctor actually said if my head had been turned...uh...never mind that part."

"I finally knocked Alex out with the butt of the gun. I rushed over to you and realized you weren't breathing. I did CPR on you."

"Thank you..." Catherine breathed out. Vincent looked down, and took hold of her hand.

"I thought I had lost you," he said. He looked over at her.

"You didn't lose me. I'm right here," she said, a smile on her face. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"Anyway, I called 911, and while I waited, I tied up Alex, just in case she woke up. The cops and the ambulance got there at the same time. The cops took Alex, and I came here with you," he finished.

"How long have I been here?" Catherine asked.

"Four days. I haven't left your side the whole time."

"Max! He'll find out! He'll take my baby!" Catherine yelled. Vincent shushed her and pulled her close.

"Max isn't going to be a problem anymore. Seems that the Federal Government doesn't take to espionage very well. He is on his way to a Federal prison as we speak. He's not coming back out in his lifetime."

Catherine exhaled sharply. It was over. It was all over. But...

"What's going to happen to Alex now?"

"She is currently undergoing a psychological evaluation at the Police station. But, she isn't my problem anymore, so I could really care less at this point," Vincent said matter of factly.

"What do you mean?" Catherine said. Vincent smiled.

"Oh, yes. The Judge overseeing my divorce gave me a quick resolution when he heard what happened. Apparently, your wife trying to murder you and your child's mother is a quick and easy way to get a divorce. I am now free and clear of that psychotic bitch."

"You mean...you aren't married anymore?" Catherine asked, her eyes wide.

"Not to her, I'm not. However, I would like to change my status from "Single" to "Married" fairly soon."

It took a second for Catherine to catch on to his words. When she did, she gasped. "You mean..."

"I know these aren't the most ideal surroundings to do this in, but..." Vincent started. He moved off the bed, and produced a small black box. "I wanted to get down on one knee to do this, but then you wouldn't be able to see me." Catherine giggled. He opened the box and showed Catherine.

It was a beautiful 4 carat diamond, set in a gold band. He took it out of the box and hovered it over her ring finger. "Catherine Elizabeth Chandler, you are my best friend and the mother of my child. You are the only woman I have ever or will ever love. Would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Oh...yes! Oh my God...YES!" Catherine screeched. Vincent smiled and slipped the ring on her finger. She held up her hand. "When did you get this?"

"Last week. I was very...hopeful."

"I love you, Vincent," Catherine told him. He leaned down and kissed her gently.

"I love you too, Catherine. Always. Now, hurry up and get better. Our son needs his mommy, and I want to get you back home to stay. Hell, I'm half tempted to marry you right now! I don't think I can wait too long to make you my wife."

"What's stopping you, then?" Catherine said coyly. Vincent stared at her. He grinned widely, and pushed the call button.

When the nurse showed up a few moments later, Vincent told her, "She's awake. Call a preacher for us. We're getting married!"

A/N Next chapter is the epilogue. Did you like it? Review!