Archive of Our Own

~*~*~

That I never knew the meaning of Christmas
‘Till you came into my life
I was lost in the dark
‘Till you opened my heart
Like an angel shining bright
I wished on a star
And girl here you are
Suddenly I realize
That I never knew the meaning of Christmas
‘Till I looked into your eyes

~*~*~*~

Chicago Hope Hospital was getting geared up for the holiday season. Its hallways, nurse’s stations, patient rooms and other various rooms and areas were cheerfully and festively decorated—decked out in a varied array of lights, ribbons and other holiday items. Yummy treats were laid out on tables in the lounges and nurses’ desks, and music played softly over the p.a. system—bringing some colour, peace, hope and happiness to a place that was often filled with sorrow.

Phillip Watters, Chicago Hope’s Chief of Staff and administrator, strode purposefully down the hallways of the hospital.

As an administrator, he was aware of all the goings on within his domain.   “Well, almost all.” Came the stray thought as he strode past the Intensive Care Nursery and saw a doctor he didn’t recognize bent over one of the bassinettes.

With a slight frown on his face, Phillip reversed his course and slipped quietly inside.  He stood back watching both the woman and her interaction with the day-old infant she was examining.

“There, there, that’s a good boy.” She crooned softly, her voice warm and rich with a British accent.

At the baby’s weak, snuffling cry, she added. “I know, little one, I’m sorry. I’ll make it all better… I promise.”

“Doctor Watters? Can I help you?” A nurse said quietly as she approached him.

“Who is that?”  He asked, eyes not leaving the woman in front of him.

“Oh, Doctor Catherine Howard, she’s a pediatric cardiologist, apparently one of the top in the county. Dr. Austin called her in to consult on the Matthews’ baby.”

“From Chicago?” he asked, curiously wondering about her, knowing that even in a city the size of Chicago, he would surely have run into this woman before if she lived and worked here.

“Ah, no, she’s from Virginia, I think, somewhere near Arlington.  Doctor Austin mentioned she flew in this morning for the consultation.”

“Hmm, thank you.” Phillip nodded, not really paying attention, more interested in the woman he was watching.  She was beautiful, and he knew from watching her interact with the Matthews’ infant that she was gentle, compassionate, and a damn good doctor.

“Phillip?” Kate Austin’s voice sounded quietly beside him.  “What are you doing?”

He turned to face the woman and replied.  “I could say the same thing to you.” And when she frowned, he added.  “I thought we discussed this and decided there was nothing more to be done for the Matthews’ infant.”

“No, you decided there was nothing to be done.  I disagreed.” Kate said firmly.  “Catherine can save that baby… in fact, she’s the only one who can. All you have to do…”

Kate’s voice trailed off when Catherine approached.  “Kate?”

“Catherine.” Austin smiled as she faced her.  “This is Phillip Watters, our Chief of Staff. Phillip, Doctor Catherine Howard”

“Doctor,” Catherine smiled and held out her hand

Phillip took her hand and gave her a small smile in return.  “Doctor.”

“Is there a problem?” Catherine asked, picking up on the tension between him and Kate.

“Why don’t we go down to my office?” Phillip suggested, motioning towards the door. At Kate’s accompanying glare, he added. “Please.”

Kate sighed and headed for the door. “Doctor Howard,” Phillip added, watching as the woman preceded him from the room before following.

Both women were waiting for him when he entered.  Closing the door behind him, Phillip crossed over to his desk and moved behind it before turning back to face both women.

That they’d been discussing him, or his decision, before he’d arrived, was clear. He slipped into his chair, and before he could say anything, Kate approached the desk and rested her palms on the top, glaring at him.  If she was trying to intimidate him, it wasn’t working.

“Phillip,” Kate started. “You’re condemning that baby to death if you don’t allow Catherine to operate.”

“Do you think I don’t know that, or that I don’t care?  I’m not unfeeling. I grieve for that baby, really I do.  But you have to understand my position here.  I don’t speak only for myself, the hospital, or the owners; as I understand it, this procedure is still experimental.  I…”

“If I may say something?”  Catherine said quietly.

“Of course.” Phillip nodded, turning his eyes to her.

“This procedure may still be experimental, but I’ve had a very high success rate.  I’ve performed this operation ten times, and I’ve only lost one child.”

“Ninety percent is good odds, but tell that to the parents of the child who didn’t survive.”

Phillip saw the anger flare in her very blue eyes, and he was surprised to find that he was intrigued by this woman, very intrigued.

“I gave the parents no guarantee and told them they’d called me in too late, that he was probably beyond hope, but they wanted me to proceed anyway. “ Catherine snapped.  “The procedure didn’t kill him!  His heart was already too frail to survive.”

“And what’s to say the same thing won’t happen with the Matthew’s baby?”

“You of all people should know that there are no guarantees in medicine.”

“And that’s the problem, the owners want a guarantee.” Phillip sighed.  “Look, this hospital is already on shaky ground with them; we are one heartbeat away from them selling us off to an HMO—and something like this could push them in that direction.”

“So, politics are more important than a little boy’s life!”  Catherine growled, “My God, I….”

Whatever else she said after that, Phillip didn’t hear; he was too busy being shocked.  Not only had she shattered all his previous misconceptions about the British - that they were calm, cool, always in control- but also of his own body’s reaction to the fury she was directing at him.  He was glad he was sitting down so that she didn’t notice that the fire and passion she aimed at him had aroused him beyond a capacity he thought possible.  He tried to keep his face neutral and not let on to what exactly was happening with him, but it wasn’t easy - it took all his willpower not to give in to what was happening.

His mind’s logical thought was that if she showed this much passion when angry, what kind of passion would she show when she was in his arms?  The unbidden image of them together, their sweat-laced bodies entwined together, her long legs wrapped around his waist as he thrust deeply into her willing body--- and he bit back the groan before it slipped from his lips.

He came to again, aware of the sound of her voice growling.  “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you? My god, you are such an unbelievable bastard!”   And with that, Catherine turned on her heel and crossed to the door, wrenching it open, she stormed out of the office.

Kate watched her friend leave before turning her eyes on him.

“God, Phillip, you can be such a prick sometimes!” she swore before following Catherine out of the office, slamming the door shut behind her.

Moments later, Kate stepped into the ladies' room to find Catherine bathing her face at the sink.  “Well done.” She said with a chuckle and leaned back against the door.

“Oh God, I can’t believe I…” Catherine began as she crossed over to a stack of hand towels and dried her face.  “I’ve never lost my temper like that before.  I don’t blame him if he ships me back on the first available flight.”

“Oh, he won’t.” Kate grinned.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I know Phillip… well, sort of anyway,” she added with a shrug.  “He won’t send you back, and I do think he’ll come around.”

“And why would he do that when I made a complete ass of myself?” Catherine sighed, hiding her face in her palms

“Because he likes you.” Kate grinned.  “He’s definitely interested, and that’s a very good thing.”

“You’re imagining things.” Catherine scoffed as she turned back to the mirror and began to fiddle with her hair.

“No, I’m not.” Kate smiled and met her friend’s gaze in the mirror.  “And, if I’m not mistaken, that interest isn’t just one-sided. You like him, too.”

“Don’t be absurd,” Catherine replied quickly, fussing with her hair again. “In case you’ve forgotten, I happen to be… it, it’s too soon.”  She finished lamely.

“Catherine,” Kate said quietly.  “It’s not too soon. It’s been two years since Tom passed, and it’s okay for you to start living again, to notice men again.”

“Kate….”

“All right, okay… I won’t say anymore.” She chuckled.  “But I reserve the right to tell you I told you so when you two finally do get together.”

“Bloody hell, Kate, don’t you ever give up?” Catherine replied with a nervous laugh.

“Nope, not when I’m right.”

“Hmm, I’m going to laugh my ass off when I make you eat those words.” Catherine countered with a grin.

“Go right ahead, because I’m right, and you know I am,” Kate responded smugly, and then she frowned a little.  “Although I may have to eat them, I said that Phillip will come around.  I do know some of what he’s going through… and the owners are threatening to sell us off to an HMO if we screw up again. I do hate to say this, but I can understand a little of where he’s coming from.”

“So we don’t screw up again.” Catherine put in.  “And what he doesn’t know about…”

“What are you thinking?”

“That we do the procedure very early in the morning, before he gets in. That way, it’s done, and if all goes well, there’s no problem, and if, God forbid, something does go wrong, he can honestly say he had no knowledge of it.”

“I like that.  That’s very sneaky.” Kate chuckled.  “All right then, I’ll take care of getting the OR and a team ready and waiting.  How about we start at six AM?  Phillip usually gets in around nine, so that will give us a couple of hours.”

“Good, I’ll see you at five then. “ Catherine smiled.

“All right. Now, would you like to go and grab a little dinner?” Kate offered.

“Actually, I think I’m going to look in on the Matthews’ baby one last time and then head back to my hotel and get some rest.”

“Okay, well then, I’ll see you in the morning.” Kate smiled, then slipped out of the bathroom.

~*~ 

Once back in her hotel room, Catherine called room service and ordered a light supper along with a bottle of white wine.  While she was waiting for her dinner to arrive, she made a quick call to check in with her nurse.

“I may be here until after the holidays. I’m not sure yet. It depends on how this little guy responds.”

“I’ve got it covered.” The woman replied.  “I’ll reschedule everything and take care of the house.”

“Thank you, Sal, you’re a jewel.” Catherine smiled.

“Yeah, yeah.” Sally chuckled.  “Call me if you need anything else.”

“I will.  Bye, Sal.” She smiled as she hung up the phone, then reached out for the radio that sat beside the phone.  She turned it on, searching through the stations until she found one playing Christmas music.

Her dinner arrived a few minutes later, and she ate it at the table in front of the balcony doors and watched the snow softly falling.

Pushing her half-eaten meal away, Catherine got up from the table and, after pouring herself another glass of wine, crossed to the bathroom.  She turned on the light and set her glass down on the counter before moving to the tub.  After inserting the plug, she turned on the water and, after adjusting the temperature to her liking, selected a bottle of scented bath oil from the small sampling provided by the hotel.   As the tub filled, she slipped out of her clothes, folding them neatly and laying them on the closed seat of the toilet.

Moving her wine glass to the edge of the tub, Catherine shut off the water, then stepped into the filled bathtub.  As she sank down into the hot, scented water, she breathed a pleased sigh.  Settling back, she closed her eyes and slowly sipped her wine, decompressing after a long, hectic day.

The heat from the bath, the cool wine and the soft Christmas music drifting in from the other room quickly lulled her into a dreamy half-sleep.

He appeared in the doorway, naked except for the white towel that was wrapped around his waist—it’s color a stark contrast to the deeply tanned hue of his skin.  Her eyes tracked up from the towel, following the arrow of dark hair on his belly, up his chest, to finally meet his dark gaze

Without a word, he crossed to the tub and slipped the wineglass from her hand, turning to set it on the counter beside the sink. Then, turning back to her, he sat on the edge of the tub and reached out to gently trail the back of his hand down her cheek.

Catherine closed her eyes with a sigh, relishing in his feather-light touch, feeling it with every fiber of her soul.  His fingers danced over her skin, down the curve of her neck to her shoulder and lower.  As his hand closed gently around her breast, she tilted her head back, and he leaned down to take her mouth with his own.  His tongue plunged deeply, and she released a low moan, shifting her body closer, her hands resting on his thighs, sliding slowly under the hem of his towel. As his fingers lightly toyed with her nipple, her hands shoved the towel off his hips

“Catherine…” he groaned as her fingers then closed around him.

“Phillip…” she breathed huskily.

Catherine came awake with a start, her body humming with arousal.  “Bloody hell.” She swore as she pressed a hand to her rapidly beating heart.  She closed her eyes, fighting down her conflicted feelings.  Guilt flared at the knowledge that it was another man now who she fantasized about… who filled her with such powerful feelings of want and need.

“Oh, Tom…” she breathed softly, trying to hold back her tears.  “I’m so sorry, love.”

Yanking the plug, she climbed from the tub and grabbed a towel from the bar, wrapping it turban style around her head. She then pulled her robe from the hook on the back of the door and slipped into it, tying the sash tightly around her waist. Then, sliding her feet into a pair of slippers, she stepped from the steam-filled bathroom.

Pulling her robe tight around her, she moved to unlock the glass door and slide it open, stepping out onto the snow-dusted balcony.  She shivered in the cold, crisp air as she moved to the railing and looked down onto the city.  It was alive with color and light, both street lights and scattered Christmas lights twinkled merrily.

Catherine lifted her gaze to the night sky and its blanket of glittering stars.  For some reason she couldn’t quite explain, looking up at the night sky had always made her feel closer to Tom… and it did now.

She smiled as she spoke softly.  “As much as I hate to admit it, love.  Kate is right. It is time for me to move on.  I know deep down that you wouldn’t want me to close myself off from the possibility of loving again.  I don’t know if there's anything with this man… but I have to give it a chance.  He’s made me feel things again… feelings that I thought I had buried with you, and I can’t be sorry about that.  I love you, Tom, and I always will.  Rest well, love.”  She finished, and with a new sense of freedom filling her, Catherine stepped back inside her hotel room and closed the door.

~~~

Catherine looked up at the clock on the operating room wall and saw that it was almost six-thirty, and Kate had yet to arrive.

“Well, I don’t think we can wait for Doctor Austin any longer.” She said quietly.  “Let’s start without her.”

The anesthesiologist nodded and began. A few moments later, he said. “He’s under Doctor.”

“Good, how are his vitals?”

“Holding steady.”

“Excellent.  Everything ready?” she questioned the nurse standing on the opposite side of the table.

“Ready when you need it.”

“Good, all right then… scalpel?” she asked, reaching out her hand for the instrument.  Just as the nurse lay it in her gloved palm, the door to the OR opened, and a gowned and masked doctor stepped in.  She knew immediately that it wasn’t Kate, and she realized mere seconds later that it was Phillip himself.

“I heard you could use an assist.” He said softly as he moved to the table and stood across from her.

“Won’t you get into trouble with the owners for this?” Catherine asked quietly, meeting his dark eyes over the edge of his mask.

“I’ll deal with them later.  I lay awake most of the night and realized you were right.  This little guy’s life is worth more than politics… and I realized that in being the owner’s mouthpiece and in carrying out their orders, I was becoming someone I didn’t like.  I was becoming a bureaucrat.  Something I swore I’d never be when I agreed to take this job.  So, I’m here to lend a hand if you’ll have me?”

“I’d be honored.”  Catherine smiled at him.  “Let’s get started then,” she added, waiting as the scrub nurse moved forward and helped him into a pair of gloves. Then, when he took a position on the opposite side of the table, she nodded and began the incision.

An hour later, Kate rushed into the anteroom of the OR theaters, cursing the flat tire that had caused her to be late. As she moved to the scrub sink, a nurse stepped into the room.

“Has Doctor Howard started yet?” she asked as she reached for a soap packet.

“Oh, yes, she and Dr. Watters are almost through the first stage.”

Kate stopped and turned to look at the nurse.  “Did I hear you right?  Doctor Watters is assisting?”

“That’s right.” She replied and continued on her way.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Kate chuckled as she set the unopened soap back into the basket.  “Way to go, Phillip.”

With another chuckle, Kate headed back out of the room and down to the observation room.

She entered the dimly lit room, surprised to find someone else in one of the chairs in the front row.

“Diane? What are you doing here?” Kate asked as she moved to sit beside her. “How did you find out about this?

“Oh, I didn’t.” Diane turned to smile at her.  “I just came in here to get a few moments' peace and decompress a little.  I didn’t expect to find a surgery going on.  And imagine my surprise to find Phillip assisting.”

“Yeah…  I was supposed to assist Catherine.”

“I take it you were going to do this on the sly, without Phillip’s knowledge.” Diane grinned

“That was the plan,” Kate replied.  “I wonder how he found out Catherine, and I were going to do this.”

“You gonna get in shit for this?”

“Given the fact that he’s in there assisting her… I don’t think so. I’d still like to know how he found out, though.”

“I think one of the nurses blabbed.  Or could it be that the Matthews are sitting out in the waiting room?  Doesn’t really matter, does it… the little guy is getting the surgery he needs.” Diane stated.

“Yeah,” Kate agreed.   They both fell into silence as their eyes turned to the operating theater below.  Almost absently, Kate reached out to the panel in front of her and switched on the intercom, letting them listen in to what was going on in the theater.

“How’s he doing?” Catherine asked the anesthesiologist, her eyes not lifting up from her task.

“Vitals holding strong.” He said quietly.

“Good boy,” Catherine whispered to the unconscious infant.  “Just hang on a little longer, little one… just a little while longer.”

Two hours later, Catherine and Phillip stepped out of the OR, exhausted but hopeful. Little Liam Matthews had done remarkably well.

“Well done, Doctor.” Phillip smiled, watching Catherine as she pulled off her mask.

“Thank you.  And thank you for the assist and for changing your mind.” She replied, pulling off her surgical cap and shaking out her short hair.

“You’re very welcome.”

“Well, I’m going to follow this little guy to the PICU and see him settled in. Then I’m going to speak with his parents.”

Philip nodded as he added his cap and mask to the waste basket.  “Can I buy you lunch?” he offered.

“Oh,” Catherine smiled.  “I’d love to, but I really should stay and see how he makes it through the next few hours… they are, as you know, crucial.”

“I know.  Very well then, can I take you out to dinner?”

“I’d like that.” She smiled.

“Can I pick you up at your hotel? Say around seven?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay.” Phillip smiled.  “I’ll see you then.” He added, and she returned his smile and nodded as he headed for the door.

 ~~~~

Kate strolled into the PICU a few minutes later and found Catherine leaning over Liam Matthews’ crib.

“Hey.” She said as she approached, and Catherine lifted her head.   “Sorry, I didn’t make it this morning.  Car trouble,” she added as she moved to stand on the other side of the crib.

“That’s all right.  We did just fine, didn’t we, Liam?” Catherine replied, brushing a gentle hand over the baby’s down-covered head.

“Yeah, I heard you had a surprise assist this morning.” Kate grinned.

“Doctor Watters did offer his help when you failed to show,” Catherine told her with a wry grin.

“So I heard.” Kate grinned back.  “How did it go?”

“Very well.  Liam came through it with flying colors.  Didn’t you, little man?” She smiled and gently stroked the back of his hand.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Kate muttered.

“Oh, you mean Doctor Watters.”

“Yes, I mean PHILLIP,” Kate replied, stressing his first name with a grin.

“He’s a very capable surgeon,” Catherine replied noncommittally.

“God, Catherine, getting a straight answer out of you today is like pulling teeth,” Kate growled playfully.  “What happened?”

“What makes you think anything happened?”

Kate snorted indelicately.

“Oh, all right.” Catherine sighed.  “I thanked him for his help and for changing his mind and…”

“And…”

“…and he invited me out to dinner.”

“Damn, he works fast.” Kate chuckled.  “Told you he likes you.”

“Maybe.”

“Definitely.  The question is, do you like him?

“Possibly.”

“Catherine!”

“Oh, all right. I do feel a small attraction…” she hedged.

“Just a small one?” Kate chuckled, and at Catherine’s glower, she held up her hands in surrender.   “Okay… okay… I won’t push…but did you at least accept his dinner invitation?”

“Yes… satisfied?”

“Not yet.”  Kate grinned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Catherine glowered

“Nothing.”

“Kate…” Catherine sighed.  “I know you mean well… but seriously, as much as I may be attracted to him, nothing really can come of this.  He lives here in Chicago, and I have a life in Virginia.”

“And what’s keeping you there…honestly…memories of Tom. His ghost?”

“No… not entirely.  I have friends… a practice… a house….responsibilities.”

“And none of those can’t be relocated if you want it badly enough.  Just something to think about.”

“It’s just dinner, Kate.”

Kate gave her a knowing grin.  “It’s only dinner if you want it to be, Catherine.”

“You’re impossible.  Don’t you ever give up?” Catherine chuckled as she made a notation in the baby’s chart and set it back on the end of the crib.

“We’ve been friends a long time, so you should know by now that I don’t. Not when I’m right and not where my friends are concerned.” 

“I can only promise to see what happens… that’s all.”

“That’s all I ask.” Kate grinned.

“Very well then… stop pestering me for a while.”  Catherine joked.  “I really need to go and speak with Liam’s parents and let them know how things went.”

“Want some company?”

“Don’t you have patients of your own to see?”

“Not right now.  I’m free for a couple of hours.”

“All right then, I’d be glad of the company,” Catherine added with a smile.  Before turning away from the crib, she called to the nurse who was leaning over another baby.

“Keep a close watch on his vitals and page me immediately if his condition changes.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

~*~

The two women approached the area where Liam’s parents were waiting for news.  Mr. Matthews saw them approach and gently shook his sleeping wife.

“Dr. Howard, Dr. Austin. How is my Liam?” Sara Matthews jumped up.

Catherine gave the woman a reassuring smile.  “He came through the surgery beautifully. There were no complications but remember that I told you we can’t be totally certain the surgery worked for twenty-four hours.”

“Yes.” Sara nodded tearfully.  “But he’s going to be okay… right… my baby is going to be okay?” she asked hopefully, tightly grasping her husband’s hand.

“I can’t promise anything until the twenty-four hours are over.  But right now things look good … he’s doing extremely well.”

“Thank you…”

“I’ll be staying close to him most of the day to monitor his progress.  Why don’t you both go and get some rest?”

“Can we see him first, please?”

“All right, but only for fifteen minutes.” Catherine agreed. “I’ll call up to the PICU and let the nurses know you are coming.”

“Thank you, Doctor Howard, Doctor Austin.”  Roger Matthews smiled

“You’re welcome. “

After the couple had left, Catherine crossed to a phone on the wall and called the Pediatric ICU.

“Well, besides keeping tabs on Liam, what are your plans for the rest of the day?” Kate queried.

“I think I’m going to grab a quick bite somewhere, and then I just realized I don’t have anything to wear tonight.  I wasn’t thinking of going out for dinner when I packed.”

“It sounds like a little shopping is in order.” Kate smiled. “I know the perfect shop.”

“Okay.” Catherine agreed.

~*~

Kate and Catherine grabbed a quick brunch at a café near the hospital, then Kate drove them to an upscale clothing boutique.

The two women perused the racks of dresses, searching through the wide array of styles and colours.

“How about this one?” Kate asked as she held up a bright red strapless cocktail dress.

“Hmm… not my style.” Catherine shook her head and turned back to the rack she was looking through.  She bypassed several more dresses until she reached the last one on the rack. She smiled.  It was perfect.  A simple, yet elegant black sheathe dress with cap sleeves and a square neckline.

“Find something?” Kate asked.

“I think so.” She replied and held it up for her friend to see.

“Not something I’d choose, but I think it’s perfect for you.” Kate grinned and then glanced down at her watch.  “Ah, crap, I have to get back to the hospital.”

“Go on, I’ll be fine.  I’ll finish up here, then take a cab back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” Catherine smiled.

“Okay.” Kate smiled and leaned in to give her a hug.  “If I don’t see you again before tonight… have a great time, and I want details in the morning.”

“Yeah, like that’s going to happen.” Catherine shot back as Kate headed for the door.

After Kate left, Catherine moved to the back of the store, where there was a selection of shoes.  She chose a pair of black heels to match her dress, then, as almost an afterthought, she headed over to the lingerie section.

She left the store a few minutes later with her purchases in hand and hailed a cab back to the hospital.

Catherine left her bags at the nurse’s station and went to check on Liam.

“How’s he doing?” she asked as she approached the crib, automatically checking the IV line.

“He’s doing well.  His vitals are holding steady. He had his pain med about a half hour ago, and since then, he’s been sleeping like an angel.” She smiled.

“Very good,” Catherine replied with a smile and stroked his tiny, curled fist. “I’m going to leave then and head back to my hotel.  I want to be paged immediately if there’s any change. No matter the time.”

“Yes, Doctor. I’ll make sure everyone knows.”

“Very well then,” Catherine said and took one last look at Liam before leaving the PICU.  After collecting her bags from the nurse’s station, she headed back to her hotel to get ready for the evening.

She took a long, hot shower, taking special care to wash her hair and use a scented body wash she had picked up specifically for that evening. After drying and fixing her hair, she applied her makeup and then moved into the other room to get dressed.

Opening one of the shopping bags, she pulled out the lingerie she’d bought on impulse. It was sexy and daring—a black satin-and-lace demi-cup bra, matching tap pant, garter belt, and stockings.  Before she lost her courage, changing her mind and opting for her more practical everyday underwear, Catherine pulled on the delicate undergarments.

She was downstairs waiting in the lobby when Phillip walked in at exactly seven o’clock.

“You look fabulous.” He said as he stopped in front of her, his eyes tracking her up and down, clearly liking what he saw.

“Thank you.” Catherine smiled.  “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Well, my car is just outside, and our reservations are for seven-thirty.  Shall we?” he asked, and after helping her slip on her coat, offered his arm.

Phillip led her out to the waiting car, opened the passenger-side door, helped her in, closed it, moved around the car, and slid behind the wheel.

“So, where are we going?” Catherine asked as he fastened his seatbelt and put the car into drive.

“Oh, that’s a secret.” Phillip grinned as he pulled out into traffic.

After valet-parking the car, Phillip led her into the Chicago Stock Exchange and up to the restaurant called “Everest” on the fortieth floor.

They checked their coats and then approached the maître d’. He greeted them as they neared.  “Good evening, Sir, Madam.”

“Good evening.  We have a reservation for seven-thirty, Doctor Watters.”

“Ah, yes, Doctor Watters, your table is ready. “The man smiled. “Right this way.”

He led them through the restaurant.  “A table by the windows as requested, is this one adequate?”

“It’s perfect, thank you.” Phillip smiled.

“Excellent.” The maître d smiled.  “Our special tonight is the Maine Lobster, and Emilio will be your waiter this evening.”

“Thank you,” Phillip said again, and the man nodded and left.   Once he had gone, Phillip held out one of the chairs for Catherine, and once she was seated, pushed it.

Catherine slipped off her wrap and draped it over the back of the chair, then hung her small evening bag from the back of the chair.  She picked up the menu lying beside the place setting and opened it up.

“Phillip?” Catherine gasped after looking at the prices on the menu. “This is too much.”

“No, it’s not.”  He replied as he opened his menu.

“Then at least let me pay my half.”

“Oh, you wound me.” He quipped playfully.  “My poor sainted mother would come back from the dead and give me one hell of a tongue lashing if I ever let a lady pay for her meal.” He finished with a wink.

When she gave an exasperated sigh, he chuckled.  “Catherine, it’s not too much and as far as I’m concerned, this is a date, and so I’m paying… okay?”

“All right.” She relented with a small smile.  “It’s been a while for me, and I’m a little rusty at this dating thing.”

“You’re forgiven.” He grinned.

“Good evening.” The waiter smiled as he approached. “My name is Emilio.  Can I get you something from the bar to start?”

Catherine looked across the table at Phillip and nodded, silently indicating that he order for both of them.

“Bring us a bottle of your best white wine.” He told Emilio

“Very well, sir.  I’ll be right back with that and to take your orders.”

Once they’d ordered their meals, Phillip took a sip of his wine and asked.

“So, where did you study medicine?”

“At Cambridge in England, and then I came here to the States for my specialty. I had every intention of returning to England once I’d completed my studies.  But I met my husband Tom, and he convinced me to stay.” She finished with a soft, reminiscent smile.

“How long has he been gone?”

“Two years.  Prostate cancer.”

“Ahh, that’s rough. I’m sorry.” Phillip said solicitously.

“It was at first,” she admitted.  “But I’m coming to terms with it and trying to move on.”

“That’s all you can do after a loss like that.  I lost my son last year.”

“I’m sorry.” She said quietly and reached across the table to lay her hand over his.

“Thank you. It was very difficult; a parent should never outlive their child.”  

Catherine squeezed his hand when she saw the haunted, pain-filled look that entered his eyes.

“Michael and I were estranged, and I’ll never forgive myself for letting that happen, for not being there for him, for him thinking he had no way out, no one he could go to…”

“He took his own life?” Catherine whispered.

“Yes…” Phillip whispered.  “I never got to tell him I loved him... no matter what.”

“He knew,” Catherine said softly, squeezing his hand again.

“Then why…?”

“I don’t know…”

The waiter arriving with their dinners put a stop to the conversation momentarily.

“Did you have any children?” Phillip asked as he began to eat.

“No. We tried for a while, and then we found out that Tom couldn’t have children.  We talked about all the other options and were leaning towards adoption.  We analyzed all the pros and cons, and I guess we just got too busy because suddenly it was too late.  We were older, and then Tom got sick. He went through one cycle of treatment and seemed to be responding well… even went into remission for a few years… and then at his check up three years ago we found out it had come back with a vengeance – spread and metastasized - they gave him six months, he lasted twelve.”

“I’m sorry.”

“As I said, I’m slowly coming to terms with it.  It’s a day-by-day thing.”

“Yes, it is.” Phillip agreed.  “And I’m sorry that our conversation ended up being so morbid… that’s the last thing I wanted.”

“It’s all right,” Catherine replied with a smile.  “I didn’t mind, really.”

~*~

“Dessert?” Phillip asked.

“Oh no, I couldn’t eat another bite,” Catherine replied with a smile as she pushed her plate away.

“Okay then, ready to call it a night or are you up for a little something more?” he asked with a smile.

“Sure.” She smiled back, “Where?”

“There’s this little jazz club that I go to sometimes.”

“I love jazz.”

“Good, it’s settled then.  I’ll go and take care of the check.” Phillip said as he got up and moved around the table to pull out her chair.

“All right.  I’ll go and get our coats and meet you at the door.”

~~~~~

They entered the dark club, Phillip greeting people he knew as he led her through the tables to one directly in front of the small stage.  On the stage, a band was setting up.

“Philip, this table is reserved,” Catherine stated, pointing to the small reserved sign in the center.

“I know; it’s reserved for me.” He grinned.  “Can I get you something from the bar?” he asked her as he pulled out a chair for her.

“Oh, no, nothing from the bar, thank you, but I would like some tea.”

“Ok, I’ll be right back.”

He returned a few minutes later, carrying a hot, steaming mug in each hand, tea for her and coffee for him.

“Mmm, thank you.” She said as he set the mug down in front of her.  

“You’re welcome.” Phillip smiled and took a long sip of his coffee.  “I’ll be back soon.” He said as he set his mug back down on the table.

“Back?  Where are you going?”

“Only up there.” He stated with a grin and pointed to the stage.

“There?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you?  I play guitar with the band here two nights a week.” He quipped, flashed her a wink and strode away.

“You…” She muttered with a low chuckle.

~*~

With his hand resting gently in the small of her back, Phillip led her into the lobby of her hotel.

“Can I show you to your room?”  He asked, and she nodded, moving with him to the elevator.

They rode in silence up to her floor, and when they got off, Catherine led the way down the corridor to her room.

“Well, this is me.” She said quietly and turned to face him.

“You know, there’s something I’ve been waiting to do all night.”

“What’s that?”

“This…” he replied before reaching out and slipping one hand through the open folds of her coat, curling his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him.  With his free hand, he cupped her cheek, then exerted gentle pressure, drawing her mouth to his and capturing her lips with his own.

The ferocity of his kiss momentarily startled her, but she quickly shook off her surprise as desire rose.  Her hands tightly clutched the lapels of his jacket as she leaned into his kiss, parting her lips to the insistent brush of his tongue.

Their kiss quickly grew impassioned, tongues battling for dominance in a seductive dance

They broke apart only when the need to breathe superseded all else.

“Phillip.” She breathed huskily, her lips still tingling from the erotic pressure of his.  She leaned her forehead against his.

Catherine reached into her coat pocket to draw out her room key, with every intention of handing it to him and inviting him into her room when her pager chirped urgently.

She pulled back with a quick apology and pulled the small device from her pocket, glancing down at the display.

“What is it?” Phillip asked with a concerned frown.

“It’s Liam Matthews, he’s gone into crisis.”

“I’ll drive you back to the hospital.” He offered, and she accepted with a quick nod.

~*~

“What happened?” Catherine asked the nurse as she rushed into the PICU, hastily tossing her coat and bag on a chair. 

“His vitals bottomed out.” The nurse explained as she handed Catherine a lab coat.

Catherine nodded as she slipped it on and rushed to the crib.  Phillip stood in the doorway watching her quietly as she worked to save little Liam’s life.   She worked on him nonstop for an hour.

“Come on, little one, don’t you give up now… not when you’ve come this far,” Catherine whispered softly as she worked.  Fifteen minutes later, she gave a tiny smile.  “That’s a good boy.”

“How’s he doing?” Phillip asked as he quietly approached.

“Better, I think the crisis has passed.” Catherine turned her head to give him a smile. “He’s a fighter this wee one.”

“Yes, he is.”  Phillip agreed.  “Can I see you back to your hotel?” he asked her, resting his hand on her back.

“I think I’ll stay awhile to make sure he doesn’t relapse. But thank you.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes…”

“All right.”

Just before he turned away, she gave him a soft smile.  “Phillip?”

“Yes.”

“I had a lovely time tonight.”

“So did I.”  He smiled back, and only the presence of the eagle-eyed nurses nearby prevented him from acting on his impulse to reach out and stroke her cheek.  “I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“Yes,” she nodded, watching as he gave her a smile and slipped from the room.  With a sigh, Catherine turned back to her patient.

~*~

Phillip entered the hospital earlier than usual the next morning. After a quick stop at his office to drop off his coat and briefcase and check his messages and appointments for the day, he left again.

He took the elevator up to the PICU, and as he stepped in, he saw that the lone occupant was a nurse bent over Liam’s crib.

 “How’s he doing this morning?”   He asked quietly as he walked up to her.

“Oh, good morning, Dr. Watters.  He’s doing much better, aren’t you, little bug?  Dr. Howard pulled him through a couple of rough patches last night, but he’s doing just fine now.”

 “Where is Dr. Howard?”   

“I’m not entirely sure. She left a couple of hours ago, saying something about grabbing a quick bite.”

“Thank you.” He said as he took one last look at the sleeping baby, smiled, and left the room.  Instinct led him down the hall to a small doctor’s lounge.  He entered the semi-dark room and smiled softly when he found Catherine curled up sound asleep on the tiny sofa.  She was still wearing her dress from the previous evening, but her heels lay haphazardly on the floor beside the coffee table, and a hospital blanket partially covered her.

He crossed silently to her and, with a soft smile, leaned down to tenderly brush back her hair.  She stirred at his light touch and opened her eyes.  “Mmm, Phillip.” She breathed as she instantly recognized him.

Phillip was unable to stop the shiver of desire that ran through him at the way she spoke his name, her voice husky from sleep.  “Good morning.” He swallowed.

“What time is it?” she asked as she sat up.

“A little after nine.” He replied as he took a seat on the edge of the coffee table.

“Lord, I never meant to sleep that long.  I have to go check on Liam.”

“I stopped by on my way in.  He’s doing just fine.”

“Thank God.  I thought I was going to lose him last night – and I just couldn’t let that happen… not after all we’d gone through to bring him this far.” She sighed and brushed a hand through her tousled hair.  “God, I must look like the Wreck of the Hesperus.”

“You look just fine to me.”

“Then you must be blind.” She joked as she stood about to move away.

“No,” Phillip said softly and reached out to grasp her wrist. He stood and pulled her close.  “Catherine, do you find it hard to believe that I could find you sexy like this?”

“Well, I…”

“Last night...” he began, trailing his thumb across her bottom lip.  “If you hadn’t received that page… would you have invited me into your room?”

“Yes,” she breathed softly, leaning into his caress.  When his finger made a return trek across her lips, she pulled it into her mouth. 

“God, woman! Are you trying to drive me crazy?” Phillip groaned. 

Catherine smiled, a slow, sensual smile, basking in this new sense of knowledge that she had this power over him.  This time, it was she who kissed him, with all the passion and newfound desire filling her, and she couldn’t stop her purr of satisfaction as he met the bold thrust of her tongue with his own.

Her hands skimmed down his back to grasp the firm, toned muscles of his ass, pulling him closer to her, and she moaned at the sensation of his erection pressing into her belly.

~*~

Kate left the PICU in search of Catherine and was heading for the elevators when, as an afterthought, she decided to check out the doctor’s lounge.  She turned around, retracing her steps and quietly pushed open the door.  What she saw inside made her stop with the door only partially open.

Catherine and Phillip were locked in a passionate embrace. They were oblivious to her presence, and she watched them for a second with a raised eyebrow and a pleased smirk on her face. 

Hoo boy, by the looks of things, Phillip was one hell of a damn good kisser.  Kate backed quietly out of the room, letting the door shut silently. She moved away from the doorway, and she was almost to the elevators before she raised her hands above her head and yelled, “Yes!”

~*~

“Wow...” Catherine breathed as she slowly pulled her lips from his.  “That certainly tops last night’s kiss.” She smiled playfully.

“You think?” he countered with a grin.

“Mmhmm, definitely.  Who would have thought that after our inauspicious first meeting, we’d end up like this? You know, that first day in your office.  I didn’t think you even liked me.  In fact, you seemed to be ignoring me.”

“Quite the opposite.” Phillip grinned and kissed her nose.  “I was trying not to embarrass myself.”

“Oh?” she queried with a raised brow.

“Seeing you all fired up and pissed off,” he breathed, leaning in closer as he remembered what he had felt that day, “made me hard.” He finished with a low growl.

“Oh.” She breathed, a fiery blush spreading across her cheeks. “Oh,” she whispered again, this time unable to stop the shiver that skimmed through her at the image his words brought.

“I wanted to take you right there on my desk.” He breathed, nuzzling her ear, skimming his lips down the curve of her cheek to her lips, where he kissed her fiercely.

As the kiss deepened and grew more passionate, Phillip’s free hand settled on her leg, instinctively pushing up the hem of her skirt.  He released a groan of pure sensual pleasure when his fingers encountered the elastic of her garter and the lacy top of her silky stocking.

“God, Catherine… “

“Phillip.” She breathed, gently pushing against his chest.  “We can’t… not here. Someone might walk in.”

“You’re right.” He breathed, pulling away slightly.  “It’s Christmas Eve, and I really have nothing pressing.  Nothing that can’t wait, so spend the day with me, please. This is the first Christmas in a very long time that I’ve actually had someone I wanted to spend it with.”

“Me too, and yes, I’d love to spend this Christmas Eve with you, but the whole day?” she added with a questioning raised brow.

“Yes. Little Liam is doing fine, and they will let you know if anything changes.  So, play hooky with me.” He grinned and kissed the tip of her nose.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Mmm, how about a sleigh ride through the park, maybe some ice skating?

“I haven’t been ice skating in years.”  She smiled

“Good…” he returned her smile.  “And tonight there’s a small Christmas party – nothing elaborate.”

“Sounds like fun.” She grinned playfully. 

“All right then. I’ll take you back to your hotel so you can change.  I’ll go home and do the same, and I’ll come back to get you.”

“Okay, I want to check on Liam again before we leave, though.”

Phillip nodded, watching as she gathered up her stuff, then moved to the door and held it open for her.

~*~

Catherine entered the PICU and spoke quietly with the nurses, checked on Liam, and informed them that she would be available at any time if anything changed with him.  Then just as she was leaving, she added.  “Since it’s Christmas Eve… if his parents want to stay and spend the night with him… let them.”

“Of course, Doctor.” The head nurse replied.  “Have a good day.”

“You too.”  She smiled and crossed back to Phillip, who was waiting for her at the door.

The nurse watched them leave, noting with a wry smile that his hand settled intimately at the small of her back as she preceded him out of the room.

“So what do you think?” her colleague said quietly as she came to stand beside her.

“About what?”

“Them?’ she replied, nodding to the departed couple.  “You think they’re… you know…” she finished with a raised brow.

“Don’t know – But I’ll bet you that she didn’t put on that little black dress last night for just any dinner.” The head nurse smiled as she walked away.

~*~

The party was in full swing when Catherine and Phillip entered the hospital gymnasium.  It was festively decorated; red and green streamers hung from the ceiling at ceiling level from one end of the room to the other.  The DJ was set up at one end underneath the raised basketball hoop.  In one corner, a twenty-foot Christmas tree was decorated brightly, and the multicolored lights twinkled merrily in the dim room.

Off to one side, a long refreshment table piled high with a plethora of Christmas goodies sat, and at the end of the table sat the bar.  Tables and chairs were scattered throughout the room. The tables were covered with white linen tablecloths, with a red runner down the center, and in the middle, a single red candle burned.  Also on each table was a basket filled with candy canes.

Mistletoe was positioned strategically throughout the room. 

Before they were even a few feet into the room, Kate was at their side.

“Oh, Catherine, I’m so glad you’re here.  You don’t mind if I borrow her for a few minutes, do you?  Great, thanks…” she said before Phillip even had a chance to say no. Linking her arm with Catherine’s, Kate led her away.

“Well, I guess I’ll just go and get myself a drink then,” Phillip muttered, heading toward where he saw Aaron and a couple of the other doctors standing.

“So,” Kate said as she led Catherine over to one of the tables.

“So, what?” Catherine countered with a smile as she took a seat, reaching into the basket in front of her for one of the candy canes.

“Oh, you know perfectly well what,” Kate replied as she sat beside her.

Catherine slowly began unwrapping the candy cane, not saying anything at first.  “There’s nothing to tell really.” She said as she slipped one end of the candy into her mouth.

“Oh, please.” Kate snorted indelicately, recalling the little tableau she’d seen that morning, as she too picked up a candy cane.

“We went out to dinner last night and had a lovely time, that’s all.”

“Where’d he take you?”

“A place called Everest.”

Kate whistled.  “That’s one of the most expensive places in Chicago. I’m impressed.”

“Afterwards, we went to this little jazz club.”

“And?”

“And nothing… He took me back to my hotel, and just when things were getting…interesting… my pager went off.  Little Liam went into crisis.  I was there all night pulling him through.  I fell asleep in the lounge.”  Catherine explained.

Kate smiled a little, not letting on that she knew about their kiss that morning because she knew it would embarrass her.  “And today?”

“Oh Kate, he was so sweet.” Catherine smiled softly.

“Sweet, I can’t see Phillip as sweet.” She joked lightly.

“It was.  He took me on a sleigh ride through the park, and we sipped hot chocolate. Then he took me ice skating.  I love ice skating, and I haven’t been in so many years – we had so much fun, laughing and kidding around like children.  Then we had a snowball fight.  It’s been such a long time since I’ve felt so carefree.” Catherine chuckled

“Told you.” Kate laughed.

“What?”

“Didn’t I tell you the first day you were here that he was interested in you?”

“Yes, yes, you did.”

“So, have you slept with him yet?” Kate questioned with a sly grin.

“KATE!”

“What?” the other woman chuckled.

“That is so none of your bloody business,” Catherine replied with a laugh.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

“You are incorrigible.”

“I do try.” Kate smiled.  “So, how about you?”

“How about me, what?”

“How do you feel about Phillip?” Kate wanted to know

“Kate.” Catherine began, shaking her head.

“Come on, Catherine…” Kate asked seriously.

“I think, oh… God, Kate, I think I might be in trouble.” Catherine sighed

“What do you mean?”

“I think I could fall in love with him.”

“But that’s a good thing.” Kate smiled. “Isn’t it?”

“You seem to forget that my home, my practice, my entire life is in Virginia.”

“Virginia is only a place, Catherine.  With your credentials, you could work anywhere.  Just think about it. Don’t let a little thing like geography stop you from finding happiness.”

~*~

Phillip crossed over to the table where Catherine and Kate still sat.

“Okay, Kate.” He said as she stopped behind Catherine’s chair, resting his hands on her shoulders.  “I think you’ve absconded with my date long enough. I’m taking her back.”

Catherine tilted her head back so that she could meet his gaze. “Dance with me.” He said softly, and she nodded.  He took her hand and gently pulled her out of the chair, leading her towards the center of the floor.

“Remember what I said. “ Kate called after them.

“What did she mean?” Phillip asked as he pulled Catherine into his arms and they began to move to the music's beat.

“It’s not important right now.” She replied quietly. “Just dance with me.”  She added and tucked her head into the curve of his neck. He brushed a light kiss to the top of her head and pulled her closer as they began to dance

Catherine closed her eyes, letting her other senses take over as Phillip led her through the steps of the dance.  The pressure of his hand at the small of her back felt like a fiery brand… his warmth seeping through her body and chasing along her nerve endings… setting her whole body tingling.  She breathed deeply, and his scent filled her—a heady blend of male musk and spicy aftershave that left her almost giddy.  

I was leaving footprints tainted by my past
On this winding road to you

I'd lost my faith in love
Tonight I believe again
My Heart was a broken place
Now I feel whole again
You bring me honesty
And that's worth believing in
and I believe
I believe again

Catherine lifted her head from his shoulder, looking deep into his dark eyes, losing herself in their deep, sensual depths.

“Well, those two look serious,” Diane commented as she dropped into the chair next to Kate.

“Oh, I hope so.”

Diane turned her head.  “Okay… fess up… you didn’t just get her out here to do the Matthews operation, did you?  You were hoping that she’d be interested in Phillip and vice versa.”

“Yes,” Kate replied honestly.  “I’ve known Catherine for a long time, and I know how devastated she was at losing Tom.  She deserves to be happy again, and so does Phillip.”

“How did you meet?”

“She was my thesis advisor in Med School.  She’s a legend in pediatric cardiology.  I so wanted to be like her.”  Kate smiled in reminiscence.  “The plus was we became really good friends.”

“Well, let’s just hope this little matchmaking of yours doesn’t blow up in your face.” Diane quipped pessimistically.

“I don’t think so. My love life may be shit right now – and for myself, I can’t pick a good man, but for my friends, I think I know a good match.”

“I really hope so, for their sakes and yours.”

When the song ended, they found themselves in the corner by the Christmas tree.

“Oh, look, mistletoe,” Phillip said and pointed above their heads

“You planned this, didn’t you?” Catherine asked with a light laugh.

“Maybe.” Phillip grinned. “But we can’t break with tradition, so kiss me, Doctor.”

“I’d love to, Doctor.” She replied and slipped her arms around his neck, one hand cupping the back of his head and drew his mouth to hers. The kiss she gave him was no innocent Christmas kiss… it was forceful, passionate.  Her tongue flickered against his lips, and he opened his mouth to receive it.

Phillip found the residual taste of peppermint on her lips, mingled with her own unique taste, to be intensely erotic, and he moaned as the kiss grew more passionate.

“Hey, is she giving him tongue?” Billy, Diane’s husband, quipped.

Diane released a disgusted snort and smacked him across the back of his head. Hard.

“Hey, that hurt.” He yelped and rubbed his head

“Good, it was meant to hurt.” Diane shot back, and Kate tried to smother her smile.  “You’re such a pig… I don’t know why I married you.”

“Wow, that was some Christmas kiss.” He breathed, resting his forehead against hers.

“And don’t you forget it.”

“Are you ready to get out of here?”

“Yes.”

“My place?”

“Yes.” She answered with her eyes, telling him everything he needed to know.

Phillip nodded and was prepared to lead her away when a voice came from directly behind him.

“Excuse me, Dr. Watters?”

Phillip turned and saw one of the ER residents on duty.   “Yes.”

“Sorry to disturb you.” She said and then leaned in to whisper in his ear.

He nodded, “Okay, head on back, I’ll take care of it.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Sorry,” he said to Catherine and left her side, striding over to the DJ.   “Stop the music, please.”  

When the man complied, Phillip picked up the microphone.  “Sorry to bust up the evening, folks, but we’ve got an emergency.  There was a huge accident on the freeway… multiple casualties.  No word on how many.  County Hospital is swamped, and so they’re routing them to us.  I need all hands on deck.  ETA fifteen minutes.  Jack, take a team up to the helipad to meet the life flight chopper.  ”

The room quickly cleared out as all the doctors and nurses headed for the ER.

Catherine met him halfway across the gym.  “Could you use my help?”

“Absolutely.” He replied and kissed her temple. 

“All right, I’ll change into some scrubs and meet you there.”

~*~

The ER was chaos.  The wounded just kept coming in a steady stream; there were stretchers everywhere, filled with patients in every conceivable condition, and the waiting room was filled with those with only minor injuries.

“There, see that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Catherine said softly to the little boy sitting on the exam table as she added the last stitch to his head wound.

“No,” he shook his head.  “Will I have a scar?”

“Maybe just a little one,” Catherine said as she sponged the blood away and applied a bandage.

“Cooool” he replied, “Jimmy Johnson’s gonna be soooo jealous.”

Catherine shook her head with amusement as she crossed over to the equipment cabinet and took down a jar filled to capacity with suckers.  “Here you go, sport.” She held out the candy jar.

“Can I take two?”

“Sure.”

He grabbed a red one, then a purple one, and looked up at her with a smile.  “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Do you know where my mom is?” he asked her quietly.

“Your mom is in the room next door.”

“Can I see her?”

“Okay, just give me a minute, all right.”

The little boy nodded, and Catherine walked to the room door and motioned a nurse over.

“Can you stay with him a moment? I want to check on the status of his mother.”

The nurse nodded and stepped into the room.  “I’ll be right back,” Catherine called back to him and then moved out of the room, crossing to the exam room next door.  She stopped in the doorway.

“Diane?” she called quietly, and the other doctor turned to look at her.  She left her patient’s side and came to her.

“How’s she doing?”

“She’s going to pull through.  It was touch-and-go for a while, though.  I was just about to have her moved upstairs.”

“Her son is next door and wants to see her.”

“She’s in and out of consciousness – but I don’t see a reason why he can’t go up with her - at least until his father gets here.”

“Is he on the way?”

“They were on the way to meet his plane when the accident occurred.  The police are bringing him… should be here within the hour.” Diane explained.

“Okay, thanks, Diane,” Catherine said and headed back to her patient.

“Is my mom okay?” he asked as she came back into the room.

“She’s going to be just fine,” Catherine explained quietly.  “But she has to stay in the hospital a few days to get better, okay.”

“Okay… is my dad here?”’

“Not yet, but he’s coming. Let’s go see your mom.”

Catherine took his hand and helped him down from the table, leading him to his mother.

Diane saw them in the doorway and leaned down to her patient.  “Someone is here to see you.”

“Matty…” the mother said softly, turning her head toward the doorway.

“Mommy,” Matt said and let go of Catherine’s hand, rushing to his mother’s side.  “Are you okay, mommy? I was so scared.  But I didn’t cry or nothing not even when Doctor Catherine put stitches in my head… see…  I got six of them.”

“That’s because you’re my big, brave boy, and I’m very proud of you.” She replied with a smile and stroked his cheek.

Catherine smiled.   “He’ll be all right here.” Diane smiled at her.  “Why don’t you take advantage and grab some coffee?”

“You look like you could use some, too.”

“Yah, I’ll get some in a bit,” Diane replied, and Catherine gave her a nod and a pat on the shoulder.

She crossed over to the small alcove behind the nurse’s station that held a coffee pot.  Catherine only took a few grateful sips when she heard her name being called.  She set the mug down on the counter and stepped out of the alcove.

“Here.” She said and stepped back into the fray.

Hours later, the last patient was seen, and the ER had calmed down.

“Well done, people,” Phillip said to everyone. “There is still lots of food left in the gym, so go on and have at it… You all deserve it.  For those of you still on duty—I hope the rest of your shifts are uneventful… and for those of you who are off, get out of here and be with your families.  Have a Merry Christmas.” He finished and crossed over to where Catherine stood with Kate.

“Kate, go and spend time with your daughter.” He smiled at her.

“Yes, Phillip.” She replied with a grin, leaned forward to kiss his cheek, then turned to her friend, and they shared a warm hug.

“Merry Christmas, Kate.”

“Merry Christmas.” She replied and then whispered.  “I want to hear every detail next time I see you.”

Catherine laughed.  “Maybe.”

“What was that about?” Phillip asked as he slipped an arm around Catherine’s waist.

“She wants details.” She replied, looking him in the eyes.

“Details or ‘details’?” he asked with a raised brow. 

“Hmm, definitely ‘details’.” Catherine chuckled.

“Ah, and are you going to tell her?”

“That depends.”

“Oh, what?”

“On whether or not there are any ‘details’ to elaborate on.” She quipped with a grin.

“Oh, I’m sure it’s a pretty safe bet that there will be.”

“Oh, really?  Sure, of yourself, aren’t you? Just for that arrogance, I should head back to my hotel, alone and leave you to your own devices.” She teased him.

“You wouldn’t dare.” He smirked

“Just try me… and besides, why wouldn’t I?” she challenged him with a low voice.

“Why wouldn’t you?” he countered, and when she nodded, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her ear.  “Because you want me as much as I want you.  Admit it.”

“I do….” she breathed

“Well then, what do you say we get out of here?’

“Yes.”

~*~

Phillip pulled the car into the garage and cut the ignition.  “Here we are.” He said as he opened his door and got out.  He grabbed her small overnight case from the back seat before coming around the car and opening the door for her.

The door from the garage led into the kitchen, and he flipped on the light as he entered.

“Can I get you anything?” he asked as he set her case down on the counter.

“No, nothing.  What I want most is a shower.” She replied as she closed the door behind her.

Phillip smiled softly.  “Right this way.” He said as he picked up her case once again and led her through the house to the master bedroom. He turned on the lights and set her case down on the king-sized bed before crossing to a closed door and opening it.

“Bathroom is here. There are clean towels on the bar.”

“Thank you.” She smiled as she came closer.

“Enjoy your shower.  I’ll put some coffee on.”

“All right.”

Catherine stepped into the bathroom and turned on the lights. After closing the door, she glanced around the large room.  The first thing she noticed was that the shower and tub were separate entities.  The large tub dominated one long wall, and the glass-front shower stall was directly in line with the door.

“God, I could fall in love with him for this bathroom alone.” She joked to herself as she moved over to the vanity and looked into the mirror above the sink.

Resting her hands on the counter, Catherine studied her reflection.  “Well, old girl, there’s no turning back now.” She said to herself.

While she had to admit to herself that she was eager at the prospect of their relationship turning physical – she knew she was ready for it – there was a very small part of her that was extremely nervous about it all.  It had been a long time since she had made love with a man.  While Tom had been ill, sex just hadn’t been top on her list of priorities - seeing him through all aspects of his illness had been, and all the usual insecurities and doubts flew to the front of her thoughts.

“You can do this.” She said, taking a deep breath and pushing back those doubts.  “You can.”

Before she could lose her nerve and change her mind, she crossed back to the door and opened it in a blatant invitation for Phillip to join her.

Catherine then stripped off her soiled scrubs and draped them over the closed toilet lid.  Her undergarments she folded neatly and lay on the edge of the vanity.  She moved to the shower stall and opened the glass door.  Stepping inside, she pulled the door closed and crossed to the taps.  She turned on the water and, after adjusting the temperature, moved under the spray.

~*~

 Phillip finished making the coffee and laid out mugs, cream, and sugar on a tray.  That done, he made his way back to the bedroom to see if Catherine had finished with her shower.  As he approached the bathroom, he saw that she had left the door open, and the sound of the running water told him she was still showering.

He knew he shouldn’t, he knew he should turn and head back out of the room and let her finish, but as though he were controlled by an outside force, he continued forward until he was standing in the open doorway.

And the sight before him stole the breath from his body and all rational thought from his brain.

‘Dios Mio’ was the only thought in his head as he looked at her.  The glass shower enclosure hid nothing from view as she stood under the spray.  The harsh overhead lights caused her wet skin to gleam and highlighted every curve.

His eyes followed the long, smooth curve of her back, over the twin firm globes of her rear and down the length of those long, sexy legs.  As his eyes made the return trek, she turned around, and at one glimpse of her exquisite form, he knew he was lost.

Before he was even aware of his actions, Phillip’s fingers loosened his tie, pulled it off and tossed it to the floor, and his shirt followed, then his shoes, socks, and trousers. He was halfway to the shower door when he pulled off his briefs and dropped them to the tile floor.

She seemed oblivious to his presence as he quietly opened the door and stepped into the shower.  Her head was tilted back into the spray, and her hands were pushing through her wet hair, the action causing her body to stretch taut.

Catherine had just been imagining Phillip joining her when she opened her eyes to find him directly in front of her.

She shivered at the heat in his eyes as he stood before her proudly naked and magnificently aroused.

No words were spoken as he closed the distance between them; her eyes said everything as he pulled her tight against him, trapping the heat of his erection between them. 

“Catherine.” He growled huskily as he backed her up until she was pressed against the tile wall of the shower. His lips swooped down to capture hers in a fierce kiss.  As their tongues tangled hungrily together, Phillip trailed his hand down her back, along her side and in between the close press of their bodies.  He dipped a questing finger, parting her folds and seeking out her clit.  His lips swallowed her gasp of pleasure at the electric contact.

Phillip kept up the sweet assault on her senses until he felt her trembling in his embrace.  With his hands spanning her waist, he gently lifted her up, and Catherine wrapped her long legs around his hips.  He pulled his mouth from hers, and their eyes met and held as he shifted and slid deeply into her. 

“Oh God,” Catherine breathed, her senses overwhelmed as he stretched and filled her, touching her in places she’d never been touched before.

“You okay?” he asked, his lips against her temple.

“Mmm, yes.” She replied after her body had adjusted to his size, and she pulled his mouth back to his, kissing him deeply as he began to move.

Steam swirled around them, floating and rising, bathing them in warm fog as their moans filled the quiet of the bathroom.  Catherine gasped as Phillips shifted, angling his thrusts to penetrate deeper each time.  Her head fell back against the wall behind her, and she cried out her pleasure as she climaxed, waves of ecstasy coursing through her body.  As she trembled with the ebbing force of her release, Catherine dropped her head forward, tucking it into the curve of Phillip’s neck and shoulder. She pressed her lips to his neck, tasting the saltiness of his damp skin.  She held on to him, pressing tiny kisses to the wet flesh of his shoulder as he continued to thrust into her, striving for his release.

She trailed her lips up to his ear, her teeth clamping gently down on his earlobe. “Come for me, love.” She whispered.

His body grew taut, and she sensed instinctively that he was close.  As she gently trailed her tongue along the ridge of his ear, she very subtly clamped her inner muscles around him.  It was enough.  Phillip’s hips bucked one last time, and he came with a hoarse cry.

Catherine hugged him tightly, holding him as the pleasure ebbed from his body.

“This is not how I wanted our first time to be.” He breathed into her ear, still holding her against the tile wall of the stall.

“It’s all right.  I wanted you to join me.” She answered as he helped her unwrap her legs and set her feet on the floor.

“That’s why you left the door open.”

“Yes. I was hoping you’d accept the invitation.”

“How could I not?” He smiled softly.  “But I certainly can do a better job next time.”

“I think you did just fine this time.” She smiled at him, and he chuckled.

 “I can do better, much better.” He promised as he took her hand and led her from the stall. 

Outside, he picked her up in his arms and carried her out to bed.

When she realized, he was going to lay her down on the bed, she protested.  “Phillip, no, we’re still wet, we’ll get the linens all soaked.”

“I don’t care.” He said as he dropped her gently onto the bed, then climbed in beside her and pulled her into his arms.

Looming over her, he looked down into her eyes, threading his fingers through her damp hair, and he whispered.  “God, you are so beautiful.”   He lowered his head, and Catherine released a soft moan when his tongue brushed against her lips, gently insisting for entrance.  She parted her lips, drawing his tongue inside to tangle with her own.  Their tongues battled for dominance, thrusting and stroking in an imitation of the joining they were striving for.

Phillip’s lips left hers to trail a hot path down her throat, and Catherine arched her neck with a pleasured sigh, granting him access as he moved lower.  His tongue darted out to trace the ridge of her collarbone before moving lower.

Catherine moaned, her fingers tangling in the soft fringe of his hair, pressing him close as his lips closed around one nipple.  He licked and sucked, worrying the tiny nub with his teeth and tongue until it was a hardened peak.  Moving to her other breast, he paid equal attention before continuing his trek.

Phillip anointed her torso with tiny, almost reverent kisses, his tongue darting out to trace the indentation of her navel, and he smiled at her soft, breathy gasp as he continued ever lower.

“Phillip.” She breathed as she parted her thighs, spreading her legs to open herself to him, and he lifted his head to give her a soft, tender smile before lowering his head again.

"God, you're so wet..." he growled huskily, smelling the scent of her arousal and seeing the moisture glistening on her lower lips. Her hips bucked the instant his tongue touched her aroused clit. He licked and suckled her - lapping up her juices as though he were a man dying of thirst. He quickly drove her to climax, and she cried out his name. Before the waves of pleasure had subsided, Phillip slipped his fingers deep inside, stroking her as his mouth returned to her clit. He continued, not stopping, driving her on to one orgasm after another… until she cried out, almost sobbing at the intense pleasure that wracked her body.

As the waves slowly ebbed, Phillip slid up the length of her body, his mouth melding with hers.

Catherine suddenly shifted, rolling until she had him pinned beneath her. She broke their kiss and flashed him a sensual grin.

“Your turn now," she purred, then began the selfsame sweet torture on his body.

She kissed him boldly, letting his tongue tangle with hers for a moment before breaking the kiss and trailing a path down his body. Phillip groaned when she gently bit his left nipple, quickly soothing the hurt with the soft brush of her tongue before repeating the action with his right. She continued moving gradually lower, anointing his torso with tiny, open-mouthed kisses.

When she reached his waist, she sat back, resting her hands flat on his chest, and she studied him for a moment. His body was lean and toned, not an inch of fat visible anywhere and as she continued her perusal, her fingers idly followed the hair that arrowed down from his chest to his flat belly. He watched her with hooded eyes, and the little she could see of them was a deep, dark brown that she now knew meant he was aroused. Her eyes left his to look lower, and she smiled seductively as her fingers stroked just above where his magnificent erection lay almost flat against his belly, bobbing gently in time with his heartbeats.

"Catherine..." he breathed, his voice rife with arousal and frustration. She smiled then slid up his body, pressing her lips to his ear.

"Mmm, tell me what you want, Phillip? Do you want me to make you come?" she purred, then her tongue darted out to tickle his ear.

"Oh God, you’re an evil woman.” He growled.

“MMM and don’t you forget it.” She countered as her tongue darted into his ear. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“OH, yes… oh god, please…" He moaned, shivering.

She smiled and slid back down his body. Exerting gentle pressure, she parted his legs and began trailing gentle kisses along the inside of his thigh.

Phillip released a sound that was half‑gasp, half‑moan and very nearly came then and there, as her lips brushed over his sac before gently pulling one of his balls into her mouth and swirling her tongue around it. She repeated the gesture with the other side, and Phillip knew he was lost.

"Ohgod… ohgod…" he moaned, arching his hips as she began to lick his member, starting from the base. She paused when she reached the tip, flashing him a wicked grin before closing her mouth around him. She licked and nibbled and sucked the head of his swollen penis, slowly drawing more of him into her mouth. She lowered her hand and began to gently massage his sac, alternating between rolling his balls between her fingers and gently tugging.

"Mmmm, ahhh oh god yeah..." Phillip moaned as her hand moved back up to close tightly around the base and began to pump and lick the head in earnest. Her tongue traced the slit, tasting the precome leaking from him, and he began to thrust slowly in time with her movements.

Phillip could feel the pleasure building, his balls heavy and tight as they filled in preparation for orgasm. "Ah, shit... Catherine… I'm gonna come..." he moaned.

But she seemed to ignore him, holding him down gently with her free arm, which was stretched across his belly as her hand pumped faster and her tongue flickered rapidly over the sensitive head.

“Aaaah… oooooohshiiiiiit…” he moaned one last time as his hips bucked and he came with tidal wave force. Catherine swallowed, draining every last drop, milking him dry, then licked softly to clean the remaining essence from his member.

Phillip watched her as she leaned back and groaned softly, then shot him a smile before licking his come from her fingers.

"Come here," he growled softly, and Catherine slid back up his body until she was stretched out at his side. Grasping her face between his hands, Phillip pulled her lips to his and kissed her fiercely, growling softly as he tasted the musky evidence of his release in her mouth.

The kiss continued; their tongues tangling hungrily as desire slowly rose again. Catherine slid her hand slowly down his chest, her fingers caressing softly as they moved lower, stopping to comb through the dark curls at the base of his penis. Her mouth swallowed his moan as he took her hand in his and guided her to his flaccid member. He closed both their hands around him, and he moved their hands together, setting the rhythm.

After a moment, his hand left hers, and he gently guided her leg until she draped it over his hip, giving him access to her most intimate place. She shuddered as his finger slid through her damp curls to connect with her clit.

When his member was again fully erect, hard and throbbing in her hand, and she was slick and wet, Catherine pulled her lips from his and moved until she was astride him.

She looked down into his eyes: they were dark and smoky, ‑ full of arousal and an emotion she wasn’t quite sure she wanted to put a name to just yet.  Their gazes locked and held as she guided him to her.

She released a low moan as she brushed the tip of his member against her aroused clit before guiding him inside her.

She took him deep within, and his hands gripped her waist in a firm, but gentle grasp as she began to move, rocking her hips, setting the pace.

Phillip's grip on her waist tightened slightly as he rolled until she was beneath him. She wrapped her legs around him, locking her ankles together, bracing herself as he began to thrust.

Catherine moaned, arching her hips to meet his thrusts, as they grew more frenetic and determined.

“Ah… ohgod…” she gasped as she felt herself approaching orgasm. She clutched him tighter, her fingernails scraping his back as she rode out the ebbing waves of pleasure.

Phillip's lips captured hers, their tongues tangling fiercely, and she swallowed his moan of pleasure as he thrust deeply one last time and emptied himself into her.

She accepted the full weight of his body as he collapsed onto her, then broke their kiss, brushing her lips against his temple.

"Catherine..." he breathed softly as he lifted his head and looked down into her blue eyes.

"Phillip," she echoed and gently caressed his cheek before pulling his lips back to hers.

They shared slow, languid kisses as they succumbed to the day's exhaustion.  She settled her head onto his chest, and his fingers rose to comb through her hair in a gentle caress.

“Mmm, I can’t tell you how good this feels.”

“What?  To make love?” He asked with a smile and drew her closer.

“That, yes.  But mostly, just to be held close… to be in a man’s arms again. It’s been so very long.”

“Since your husband got sick?”

“Yes…obviously sex was that last thing on my mind.”

“Of course.”

“But I won’t lie and say I didn’t miss it because I did. I just learned to live without it.” She admitted honestly.  When she tried to hide her yawn against his shoulder, he kissed her temple.

“Sleep now.” He murmured.  “I’ll be right here.”

“Promise.” She asked sleepily.

“I promise.” He whispered softly and felt her answering nod. 

The covers had been pushed off to the side, and he reached out to draw the comforter over them, tucking the sides in around her. 

Phillip held her tightly, listening as her breathing slowed and evened out; moments later, he knew she was asleep.

“I love you. God, how I love you.” He whispered, kissing her temple, before closing his eyes and joining her in dreams.

~*~

Catherine basked in the sensation of Phillip’s lips on her as he pressed gentle kisses down her back. He pushed the sheet down past her waist, his lips following, and when he reached her hip, he paused.  There, just at the point on her hip where the waist line met the buttock, was a tattoo… a tiny, delicate red rose adorned with a green bow, the tails of which wrapped around the stem.

“Well, well, who would’ve thought?” He chuckled.  “A tattoo?”

Catherine laughed.  “A holdover from my rebellious youth, love.  I was sixteen, and my best friend dared me – I dared her back, and so we both got one.  She was more adventurous than I and got something really elaborate—I settled for this.  When my Mum saw it, quite accidently mind you, she went through the roof.  Lord, she was pissed.” Catherine chuckled. 

“It suits you.” He said with a smile and kissed it.  Catherine shivered when he began tracing the outline with his tongue.

“Phillip…oh God, stop that tickles.” She giggled, moving her hand back to try to brush him away.

“OOH, she’s ticklish too.” He laughed as he rolled onto his back, pulling her with him until she was stretched full length on top of him.

“Yes, and if you tell anyone, I’ll have to kill you.” She teased back and dropped her head to press a kiss to his chest.

“My lips are sealed.”

“Good.” She smiled, then tucked her head into the curve of his neck and shoulder.  After a moment, she asked, “What time do you think it is?”

Phillip turned his head to glance at the clock on the far nightstand.  “Almost six AM.”

“Then it’s Christmas.  Merry Christmas, Phillip.” She said as she lifted her head to look into his eyes.

“Merry Christmas, Catherine.” He replied and pulled her lips to his for a gentle kiss.

When they parted, she smiled.  “I do have a gift for you.” She said as she moved out of his arms and climbed out of bed.

As she crossed to her overnight bag on the dresser, she was unaware that Phillip had gotten up and moved to his trousers, still on the bathroom floor.  He picked them up and pulled out the small gift-wrapped box from the pocket.

They met back at the bed.  Moving back on the bed, they sat cross-legged in the center facing each other.

“Merry Christmas,” Phillip said, taking the initiative to give Catherine her gift first.

She set her gift for him on the bed between them and took the one he held out to her.  She gave him a smile as she began to unwrap it.  As the colored paper parted, it revealed a small jeweller’s box.  Setting the crumpled paper on the bed beside her, she opened the lid of the box.

“Oh my God, Phillip.” She breathed at the gorgeous necklace that lay within. At the end of the chain was a diamond-studded triple heart. The two main overlapping hearts cradled a single small heart within their curves.

“You like it?”

“It’s gorgeous… but it’s too much…”

He laid silencing fingers against her lips.  “No, it’s not.” He whispered and took the box from her grasp.  He lifted the necklace from its nest and leaned forward to put it on her.  She bent her head forward to allow him, and when he’d closed the clasp, he kissed the top of her head.  “Done.” He said and sat back. She lifted her head, and he smiled.  “I knew that would be perfect.” He said softly, reaching out his hand to gently trail his fingers over the pendant lying against her warm flesh.  She grasped his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. 

“Thank you.” She whispered, tears in her eyes.

“You’re very welcome.” Phillip smiled and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

“My gift pales in comparison.” She commented as she picked up the gift and held it out to him.

“It will be special to me because it’s from you.” He said as he took the package from her and began to unwrap it.

He pulled the lid from the small box and found an ID bracelet inside.  It was silver in color, made from a metal he couldn’t at first identify and had four tiny diamonds adorning one edge of the ID plate.

“It’s titanium,” Catherine explained.  “And, uhm, there’s an inscription,” she added almost shyly.

Phillip met her gaze momentarily as he pulled the bracelet from the box and turned it over. There was the date and then his name.

“Da mi basia mille, love Catherine,” he read the rest out loud.

“The quote is Latin, from the Catullus poem, it means…”

“Give me a thousand kisses.” He said softly

“Yes.” She nodded.

He slipped the bracelet around his wrist and closed the clasp, then, reaching out, he pulled her to him, lying back with her against his chest.  Threading his fingers through her hair, he gave her a tender smile.  “I’ll never take it off.” He promised in a low, husky voice. He pulled her lips down to his for a tender kiss, one which quickly escalated as desire rose anew.

~*~

A warm, cheery fire burned in the fireplace as they sat on the floor in front of it, the low coffee table between them as they ate a very late lunch.

“God, I never realized how hungry I was,” Catherine said as she bit into her sandwich.

“Mmm, we worked up quite an appetite.” He countered with a grin

“That we did.” Catherine chuckled

“Though I am sorry I didn’t have the makings here for a proper Christmas dinner.” Phillip apologized.

“This is quite fine.  Although if you really are of a mind to have a Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings… Kate did invite me to her place.  Diane and Billy will be there, as well as a few others.”

“Do you really want to go?” he asked her honestly.

“Do you?”

“Honestly?  Not really.” Phillip told her.  “But if you really want to… then we will.”

“Phillip, I can’t think of a better way to spend my Christmas than here alone with you.” She smiled softly.

He returned her smile and reached across the table to tenderly squeeze her hand.

~*~

“Dessert?” Phillip asked when she had finished her sandwich.

“Do you have anything? Your larder seemed a little bare.” Catherine teased, recalling the near-empty state of his cupboards and fridge from when they’d made their sandwiches.

“Oh, I think I can find something.” He grinned as he got up from the floor.  “Wait right here.”

Catherine waited, listening to the noises he made as he opened and closed cabinets.  She giggled when she heard a thud and then a rapid string of swearing.

“Are you okay?” she laughed, calling out to him

“Yes, fine.  I banged my head on the damned cabinet.” He replied, and the image made Catherine laugh even more.

A few minutes later, she heard his “Ahh haah,” which signalled his success.  Moments later, Phillip appeared in the living room doorway.

“Voila!” he grinned as he held up a long handled barbeque fork and a large bag of marshmallows.

“Marshmallows?” Catherine laughed as he moved back and laid the items down onto the stone hearth.  After moving their wine glasses onto the hearth alongside the marshmallows, Phillip pushed the coffee table out of the way and then dropped back onto his cushion.

“Come on, admit it, when was the last time you had toasted marshmallows?” Phillip smiled as he tore open the package.

“Not since I was a girl.” Catherine laughed lightly and moved to sit beside him.

He gave her a grin as he speared the marshmallow onto the fork, then moved away the fireplace screen and held it over the flame.

Once the marshmallow was golden brown, Phillip pulled it from the fire.  After blowing on it a moment to take away some of the heat, he plucked it from the end of the fork and held it out to her.  When she leaned forward and opened her mouth, he popped the marshmallow inside.

“MMM,” she murmured as the warm gooey sweetness exploded on her tongue.

“Good?” he smiled as he reached out to brush a tiny bit of marshmallow off her bottom lip.

“Ooh, yes… I’d forgotten how good these tasted.” She laughed lightly.

Reaching out, she picked up the bag and took out another marshmallow.

Catherine toasted the confection and then held it out to him. “Your turn,” she said, and he opened his mouth.

They continued back and forth for a few minutes. 

“Oh, no more, please.” She said, holding up her hand.  “I’m full.”

“Oh, you’ve got room for one more,” Phillip said with a wink and held the last one out to her.

She relented with a smile and leaned forward.  He placed the marshmallow between her lips, and before she could swallow it, he too leaned forward to take the other end into his mouth, and they shared a sticky-sweet marshmallow kiss.

“Mmm,” Phillip murmured.  “That’s the best way to eat a marshmallow.”

“Definitely.” Catherine chuckled as she kissed him again.

“You know something?” Phillip said as he grasped the lapels of the shirt she wore - one of his.

“What’s that?” Catherine smiled as he pulled her to him.

“Nothing’s sexier than a woman wearing a man’s shirt.” He said huskily as he lay back on the rug, pulling her with him.

“Really?” she countered with a slow smile, fingers toying with the belt tie of his robe.

“Oh yes.” He replied as his hands skimmed down her back, cupping the firm muscles of her buttocks, pulling her closer to his growing arousal.

She lowered her head to brush a kiss across his lips - a kiss which quickly escalated, and they were both soon lost in sweet desire.

~*~

Hours later, Phillip awoke slowly.  Catherine was curled on her side next to him, still sound asleep.  He shifted to brush a kiss to her temple before throwing back the covers and climbing from the bed and tucking the covers back in closely around her.  He crossed to the bathroom and turned on the light, quickly checking back to see if his actions had disturbed his sleeping lover.  They hadn’t.  He partially closed the door and quickly used the facilities.  After washing his hands, Phillip returned to the bedroom.  Not really of a mind to go back to sleep, he picked his discarded robe from the floor and slipped it on, loosely tying the belt.  He walked over to a straight-backed chair in the corner beside the dresser, which gave him an excellent view of the woman in his bed.

With a soft smile, he sat, settling back into the soft cushion of the armless chair and watching her sleep.

~*~

Catherine awoke, unconsciously stretching out her hand to the place beside her.  When she found it empty and the sheets cold, she rolled onto her side and raised herself up on one elbow.

“Phillip?”

“Here, baby.” He called out softly, and she sat up, her eyes finding him in the dark.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just couldn’t sleep.” He answered softly.

Moving the covers aside, she got out of bed and came to him, stopping just inches from him.  Reaching out, he rested his hands on her shirt-covered hips, gently pulling her forward.  She straddled his thighs and settled onto his lap, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck.

“Anything I can do to help with this insomnia of yours?” she asked with a wry smile.

“Oh, I think there might be something.” He smiled back and tenderly kissed the tip of her nose.

“And what might that be?” she teased.

“You’re a smart woman, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He added as he bent his head forward to nuzzle her neck and then pressed tiny kisses down the bare, warm flesh exposed by the open neck of her shirt. His tongue darted out to trace the ridge of her collarbone before moving lower. When he reached the closed button, Phillip deftly popped it open, and as his lips caressed the curve of one breast, he freed the other buttons until the shirt gaped completely open and she was bared to his gaze.

When she would have pushed the shirt off her shoulders, he said, “No, leave it on. I like seeing you like this.”

As her lips descended to his, Catherine slid a hand down and freed the belt of his robe.

Phillip groaned into her mouth as her hand closed around him.  Her fingers brushed over the tip of his erection, finding it slick with his arousal

With a seductive smile, she released him, then, bracing her hands on his shoulders, she arched herself up. Phillip’s hands spanned her waist, holding her as she lowered herself and took him deep inside. Lifting her legs, Catherine wrapped them around the back of the chair, locking her ankles together, and she began to rock her hips.

With one hand pressing into the small of her back, unconsciously guiding her movements, Phillip bent his head, his lips closing around the nipple of one breast. 

As he teased her with lips and tongue, the rocking of her hips grew more frantic, and the sounds of her breathy moans in his ear nearly sent him over the edge.

After a moment, Phillip pulled his mouth from her breast and sought out her mouth.  He kissed her fiercely; tongues tangling together with a hunger that grew as their pleasure did.

Catherine reached her peak first, crying his name as her orgasm hit.  She dropped her head to the curve of his neck and shoulder, and the sweet clutch and pull of her inner muscles was enough to send Phillip over the edge with her. Her name as a hoarse cry on his lips as he came, his hips bucking spasmodically against hers

~*~

“Will you stay?” he asked softly as they lay spooned together on the bed. He tightened his hold, drawing her closer and pressing his lips to her temple.

“Oh God, Phillip, how I want to.” She whispered and tilted her head back so she could look into his eyes.  “You have to know how much I want to… but… I…” she couldn’t finish.

He nodded silently, and the hurt she saw in his eyes cut her heart to the core.

“I’m sorry…” she whispered as she dropped her head, grasping his hand tighter.

“Don’t be.” He replied and tucked one finger under her chin, tilting her head back. He kissed her softly.  “When do you have to leave?” he whispered against her lips

“Tomorrow.  I have to check on Liam one last time and then turn his care over to Kate, and then my plane leaves at one.”

“Then I guess we shouldn’t waste another moment.”  He replied, pulling her closer, and his kiss was forceful and demanding, and she responded eagerly - wanting nothing more than to spend these last hours in his arms, being loved by him.

~*~

Although she knew he’d fought hard against it, he was sleeping. This time, it was Catherine who sat in the dark watching him.  She was curled up in the same chair they had loved in hours earlier, her fingers absently playing with the necklace he’d given her.

Her emotions were conflicted.  The rational part of her knew she had to return to Virginia - to her work and her friends… but the other part of her… the part he’d awakened, wanted nothing more than to climb back into that bed, curl up next to him and stay there in his arms forever.

She knew that it would probably be less painful for them both if she left now, headed back to her hotel and was gone before he woke up. Less painful maybe, but Catherine knew that she couldn’t do that to him – she couldn’t leave him, as his son had, without a goodbye, without telling him … that she loved him.  And she did.  It wasn’t until that very moment that Catherine realized she did love him – deeply and completely.

“Oh God, what am I going to do?” she whispered, her heart breaking at the prospect of leaving him.

Without another thought, she rose from the chair and returned to the bed. She slipped in beside him, and he instinctively drew her into his arms.

Catherine buried her head into the curve of his neck and shoulder.  “I love you so much.” She whispered against his skin and then let the tears come.

It took all the strength of will that he possessed not to let on that he was awake, that he had been from the first moment she’d slipped from bed.  And it broke his heart to hear her quiet sobs, but it also filled him with a small touch of satisfaction, knowing that she was going to have as difficult a time leaving him as he was of letting her go.

Phillip knew that the old adage held true… that if you truly loved something, you had to set them free – to let them come back on their own.  So he would give her the time and space she needed to resolve her residual feelings and ties to her old life and to find the freedom to embrace a new life with him.

~*~

She was home.  Catherine thought as she stepped through the front door of her house and set her suitcase down on the floor.  As she shut the door, she closed her eyes for a moment and let the feeling wash over her… but instead of the warm, welcoming feeling she’d always had before, she felt only cold, lonely emptiness. She should be happy to be back home, to be back with all that was familiar to her – so why wasn’t she? Why did she feel as though she’d left part of herself back in Chicago?  A small voice inside her answered that she felt that way because she HAD left a part of herself behind.

Fighting back tears, she draped her coat over the end of the newel post, planning to hang it up later, then picked up her case and headed upstairs.

Catherine stepped into her bedroom and turned on the light.  She set the case down on the bed, then crossed to the nightstand and the answering machine.  The rapidly blinking red light told her she had messages waiting.

As the phone messages replayed, she moved to her dresser and pulled out a pair of lounging pajamas.  She changed into them, then crossed back to the bed to begin unpacking

“Hey, Cath, it's Marina.  Sally said you’re supposed to be home today.  Give me a call when you get in – We’d love to have you for dinner. Oh, and William wants you to stop by his office as soon as you get a free moment.  Take care.”

The first message segued into the next, and the next

“It’s Sally.  Welcome back… I cleared your schedule for the day so you have time to settle back in and relax.  I’ll stop by a little later.  Talk to you soon.”

Catherine unzipped the suitcase and flipped back the lid, and the first thing that caught her eye was the neatly folded man’s shirt directly on top.  Phillip’s shirt—the shirt she’d worn.  Her heart clenched as she picked it up and drew the soft cotton to her nose – her senses instantly filled with him, the residual scent of his cologne and the warm, slightly musky scent she knew was uniquely his, and her nose also detected the faint trace of her own perfume from when she’d worn the garment – the two scents blending together.

His voice suddenly filled the room. “Hello, baby… I guess you’re not in yet. Give me a call as soon as you get in, so I know you made it home all right.  I miss you and remember that I love you.”

The simple sound of his voice coming from the answering machine and his scent on the shirt shattered the careful control she had.  Catherine fell onto the bed, curling up with Phillip’s shirt clutched tightly in her hands and sobbed.

~*~

The sound of the doorbell came from very far away. With a groan, Catherine rolled over onto her back.   Hoping that if she ignored it, they would take the hint and go away.

Moments after the doorbell, a key turned in the lock and the door opened.

“Catherine.  Hey, you home yet… It’s Sally.” The woman called.

“Up here,” Catherine replied and got up from the bed, crossing to the bathroom.  She splashed cold water on her face and was just drying it when Sally appeared in the bedroom doorway.

“Hey,” Sally smiled.  “You didn’t return my call.” 

“Sorry, I fell asleep,” Catherine said, indicating the rumpled bed covers.

“So how was it?”  The other woman asked as she dropped into the overstuffed chair next to the tall cheval mirror.

“Fine,” Catherine replied, noncommittally, sitting down on the end of the bed. “The operation went perfectly – little Liam was doing beautifully by the time I left.”

“Good, good.” Sally smiled and then stopped, studying her friend for a long moment.

“Okay. What’s going on?  There’s something else, isn’t there?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because we’ve been friends a very long time – I think by now I know you well enough to know when you’re holding something back. So spill.”

.

“I… I met someone.” Catherine admitted softly.

“Really? Hey, that’s fabulous.  Who is he?” Sally asked with a big grin.

“The Administrator of the hospital – Phillip Watters.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“What happened?”

“We spent Christmas together.  It was the best Christmas I’d had in a very long time. He gave me this.” She said and gently touched the necklace she wore. “Oh Sally… I’ve never known a man like Phillip before, and he makes me feel wanted and beautiful and sexy… God, I haven’t felt sexy in so very long.”

“You love him.”

“Very much,” Catherine replied, fighting tears.

“Then what the hell are you here for?  Why aren’t you back in Chicago doing the horizontal mambo with him?”

Catherine gave a watery laugh.  “Because I have a house and a practice and a job here.”

“Well, we can fix that.” Sally laughed.  “If you really, truly want to be with this man… then you pack your bags and get on the first plane back.”

“Easier said than done.”

“No, it’s not.  You go.  I can take care of everything here.  You leave it to me.  I’ll sell the house and pack up the furniture.  You just tell me what you want to keep and what you want to sell, and I’ll handle it. You know that you’ve been wanting to ease out of the practice now for a long time.  So turn it over to your junior partners – tender your resignation to the hospital and get your ass back on a plane.”  Sally grinned.

“What about William …”

“If he’s a true friend, he’ll understand and want you to be happy.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“Because it is just that easy.”

“What would I do without you, Sally?”

“Oh, you’re never gonna find out because as soon as I take care of things here, I’m hopping a plane and following you.”

“Sally… I don’t expect you to…”

“Of course you don’t, but you know I have no family left, so there’s nothing keeping me here.  Besides, you’re gonna need a kick ass nurse in Chicago too, and I’m it.” Sally grinned.

Catherine laughed, leaned forward, and gave her a warm hug.  “You’re sure?”

“Oh, absolutely. Change is good, shakes things up a little. Just find me a nice little apartment close to where we’ll be working, and I’m all set.”

“I don’t even have a job there yet.” Catherine pointed out.

“Ah, you know Mr. Hot stuff hospital Administrator will hire you in a heartbeat soo…”

“Sally, you’re too much.” Catherine laughed.

“Yeah, I am.  Okay, well, I’m gonna go now and let you get things going, and I’m going to scram and get started with all the arrangements.

Once Sally had gone, Catherine smiled as she got up and crossed to the phone.  She returned Kate’s call first.

“How’s Liam doing?”

“Great, as you well know.” Kate chuckled.  “If he continues improving like this, I can send him home by New Year's.” 

“Good.”

“You didn’t just call to check up on Liam.  You want to know how Phillip’s doing, don’t you?”

“For one, yes… but I also called to tell you that I came to a decision today.”

“And what was that?”

“Well, I’m selling my house, giving up my practice and quitting my job at the hospital and hopping the first plane back.”

“It’s about time.” Kate chuckled.  “What did Phillip say to this?”

“I haven’t told him yet… “

“And why not?”

“For one, I’m a little afraid… I don’t want him to tell me not to come.”

“Oh, you and I both know that’s not going to happen.  He misses you… He loves you, and he’ll be very happy to see you.”

“I certainly hope so.”

“I know so,” Kate told her confidently.  “So, when do you plan to be back here?”

“Hopefully by New Year's, there is quite a bit to be taken care of here before I can leave… my nurse will stay until everything is finalized.”

“So, are you going to tell Phillip you are coming?” Kate wanted to know.

“Ah, no.”

“And why not? He’d be thrilled to know you are coming.”

“I know that – I just want it to be a surprise, that’s all,” Catherine told her with a smile.  “I want to see the look on his face when he opens his door to find me standing there.  So don’t tell him I’m coming.”

“I’ll try,” Kate promised with a grin.  “But it’s not going to be easy. You’d better hurry up and get your ass back here, because you haven’t even been gone a day, and he’s already grumpy as hell.  Nearly bit my head off today when I stuck my head in his office to ask him a simple question.”

“Oh, my poor love.”

“You know how totally hard it’s going to be not to tell him what you have planned.”

“I know, but you have to swear you won’t say a word… to anyone. If this gets out before I’m ready to tell Phillip myself.  I swear to God, Kate, I will personally kill you.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Good,” Catherine said, then added.  “I’ll call you just before I leave and let you know what time I’m getting in.”

“Do you need me to pick you up at the airport?”

“Probably, but I’ll let you know, and Kate, do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Keep an eye on Phillip for me.” She asked softly.

“I’ll do my best,” Kate promised.

~*~

 There were only a few things left for her to do. Catherine visited her bank to begin transferring all her funds and investments to a branch in Chicago.  After that, she stopped by her lawyer’s office to finalize the paperwork, transferring her interest in the practice to her partners.

The sale of her house and the distribution of her furniture and belongings were well underway.  She’d gone through it all, marking what she wanted to keep and take with her, what she wanted Sally to sell, and what she wanted donated.  With Sally in charge of all that, there was only one last obstacle and one small duty to take care of.

Catherine parked her car along the snow-covered drive of the cemetery.  After getting out of the car, she pulled out the bouquet of silk red roses and moved between the headstones to the one she sought.

She knelt on the snow-covered ground and laid the flowers down, reaching out to brush the snow from the headstone.

“Hello, darling.” She said softly.  “I’ve come here today to say goodbye – at least for a while.  I don’t know when I will get back, but I know you understand why.  I’ve met someone, Tom… but deep down I think you know that – I like to think that it was you who led me to Phillip.  He’s a good man, Tom, a kind man, and he fills the empty place you left in my heart. I love him, and he loves me, and I know we can be happy together.   I love you, Tom and I will always be grateful for the life you gave me.  Now I have the promise of another life – another chance at happiness, and I know you would want me to pursue this…” she finished softly.

Catherine pressed a kiss to her gloved fingertips and brushed them over his name.  “Goodbye, my love.” She whispered, then got up, brushing the snow from the legs of her slacks, and with one last look at the stone, she turned and headed back to the car.

~*~

Catherine knocked, and when given leave to enter, she pushed open the door and stepped into William’s inner office.

“Catherine.” He smiled as he rose from his desk and came around it to greet her.  They shared a warm hug, and then he said.  “Can I talk frankly?”  He asked as he motioned her into a chair.

“Of course.” She said as she sat, and he took the chair beside her.

“What’s this I hear – you’ve put your house on the market and have turned your practice over to your partners?”

“It’s true,” Catherine admitted.  “And now I’m here to take care of the final thing.” She pulled an envelope out of her purse and handed it to him.  “My resignation from the hospital.  I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a full two weeks' notice. “

“Have you lost your mind?”

“On the contrary, I’ve finally found myself again.” She told him quietly.  “I’ve met someone, William… someone who makes me feel whole and complete again. Someone who makes me feel loved and like a woman again. And I want to be with him.”

“Who is he? Someone you met on your trip to Chicago?”

“Yes.  He’s the hospital administrator there.” Catherine gave him a smile.

“You’re giving up your entire life here for a man you’ve known for less than a week.  How do you know it’s going to work out?”

“I don’t know that it’s going to work, but I know that if I don’t go, I will regret it forever.  I have to take this chance.  And I know I may have only met Phillip less than a week ago, but from the first time I saw him, I felt I’ve known him forever – like I’ve loved him forever.”

“What about Tom?”

“You were his friend for a lot longer than I was married to him.  Can you honestly say that he wouldn’t want this for me?”

“No, no, I can’t… because he would.  One of the last things he said to me was to make sure you were happy – even if you found that happiness with another man. Are you very sure about this?  Giving up your home….”

“Yes, I’m completely sure.  And I realized something, William – the definition of home has changed for me… I’ve changed.  My home is with Phillip – he’s where I belong.”

“All right then, I can’t argue with that. I guess all I can say is –Marina and I will miss you, and we wish you all the best.”

“Oh, thank you, William.” Catherine laughed and leaned forward to kiss his cheek and give him a warm hug. 

“You’re very welcome. “ William smiled back

“Will you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Visit Tom’s grave occasionally and leave flowers.  I’ve already said goodbye to him, but…”

“I will,” William promised and squeezed her hand. “Stop by and say goodbye to Marina before you leave.”

“She’s next on my list,” Catherine told him with a smile.

“Good,” William replied as they both rose and headed for the door.  He opened it for her.  “Be happy, Catherine and tell that man of yours if he ever hurts you, he’ll have to answer to me.”

She laughed and hugged him again.  “Thank you for everything.” She whispered, and then she was gone.

~*~

Kate knocked sharply on Phillip’s office door, and before he could allow her entry, she pushed open the door and stuck her head through.

“Hey, Phillip.” She called out.  “Are you coming to the New Year’s Party tonight – a bunch of us are heading over to the hotel now.”

 He hung up the phone and turned to face her, a frown creasing his brow.

“What’s the matter?” Kate asked before he had a chance to answer her first question.

“Have you heard from Catherine?” he asked her, a worried look on his face.  “I’ve been trying to call her all day.  There’s no answer at her home, and her cell is off.”

Kate bit her lip, trying very hard not to let the cat out of the bag – especially seeing how worried Phillip was.  “I’m sure she’s alright, Phillip.  She’s probably out with her friends William and Marina.”

“Maybe.” He replied, still worried.

“Why don’t you come to the party? “

“I’m not really in a party mood tonight, Kate,” Phillip told her quietly.

“Come on, it’ll be fun. You don’t have to stay long – and I’m quite sure Catherine will call you before the evening is out.”

“All right.” Phillip relented with a small smile.  “I’ll come to the party.”

“Good.  I’ll see you there then.  And if you welch out on me, I’m going to hunt you down.”

“I’ll be there,” Phillip promised

Kate gave him a smile and a nod, then turned and left the room.  She waited until she was in the parking garage and in her car before pulling out her phone. 

Catherine answered on the second ring.  “Hello?”

“It’s Kate.  Where are you?”

“Just getting ready to board my last plane, why?”

“Phillip’s been trying to call you all day… he’s starting to get worried.”

“I’ve had my phone off.”

“Yeah,” Kate nodded.  “You might want to give him a call before you board – I told him you were probably out with your friends William and Marina.”

“Okay, I will. Thanks, Kate.  Is everything else ready?”

“You bet.” Kate smiled.  “I’ve rented a room for you in the hotel where the party is being held.  I figured you both might want to get away.” She added with a chuckle.  “Now Diane is going to pick you up, since it would be too obvious to Phillip if I suddenly ducked out of the party.  Besides, I have to keep him occupied and try to keep him from leaving before you get there.”

“Kate, thanks for everything.”

“Oh, you’re very welcome.” Kate chuckled.  “It’ll be worth it just to see the look on Phillip’s face when you walk into that room.”

“See you in a couple of hours then.”

“Definitely.” Kate chuckled and hung up the phone.

Catherine checked her watch. Her flight would begin boarding in fifteen minutes, so she had time for a quick call to Phillip.  She opened her phone again and called him.

~*~

Phillip slipped behind the wheel of his car and slipped the key into the ignition.  He really didn’t want to go to the staff's New Year’s Eve party, but Kate was right – he should put in an appearance if only for a little while.  He was about to turn the engine over when his cell rang. 

“Doctor Watters.”

“Hello, love.” Catherine’s voice came over the tiny speaker.

“Catherine,” he smiled, relieved to know his worries were groundless.  “I’ve been trying to call you all day.”

“I’m sorry, love.” She replied.  “William and Marina dragged me out early this morning, and now I’m off to the hospital New Year's party.”  She told him… not a complete lie, since William and Marina had picked her up early that morning to drive her to the airport, and she was going to a hospital party – just not the one he was thinking of.

“Yeah, Kate’s making me go to ours.” He groused lightly

Catherine laughed.  “Well, go and have fun, darling, and I’ll call you at midnight. I’m also sending you a surprise.”

“Oh?” he asked, intrigued.

“You should have it by midnight,”  Catherine promised.

“Do I need to be at home to meet the messenger?” he asked

“No, Kate called the other day to say she was going to ‘persuade’ you to go to the party, so I had it sent to the Drake,” Catherine told him with a smile in her voice.

“Then I’ll look forward to it.”

“I’ll call you at midnight, and you can let me know how you like it…” Catherine told him.  Glancing up, she saw they were about to announce the pre-boarding for her flight.  “Look, darling, I have to go now. I’ll talk to you again in a few hours.  I love you.”

“I love you too, babe,” Phillip replied as she hung up.  Her call had lifted his bad mood, and suddenly going to a long, boring party alone didn’t seem that bad. With a new lightness to his spirits, he started the car and pulled out of the parking garage.

~*~

Kate looked down at her watch; it was twenty minutes to midnight.  If all had gone well, Catherine’s plane had landed an hour ago.  Phillip stood a few feet away, a glass of whiskey in his hand, chatting amicably with Aaron and Jack.  When she noticed his surreptitious glances at his own watch, she smiled. 

Kate turned toward the doorway and watched Diane breeze in.  A few seconds later, the younger woman was at her side.

“Well, how’d it go?” Kate asked in a quiet voice.

“Without a hitch.” Diane smiled.  “Catherine’s upstairs right now in the room you rented for her, changing clothes. Said she’d be down in a few minutes.”

“Great.” Kate smiled.  “Thanks for all your help, Diane.”

“Oh, you’re very welcome.” Diane smiled.  “Now I’m going to grab myself a glass of champagne, sidle up to my husband and wait for midnight.”

~*~

Catherine stopped outside the ballroom door and took a couple of deep breaths to calm the nervous fluttering in her stomach.  She smoothed down the material of her dress, took another deep breath and stepped through the door.

Kate was at her side a moment later, and they shared a warm hug.

“Welcome back.”

“Thank you.” Catherine smiled.  “And thank you for everything you’ve done.  I couldn’t have done any of this without you, Kate.”

“Me, I didn’t do anything.”

“Yes, you did… You gave me a push when I needed one.  If you hadn’t, I’d still be in Virginia feeling sorry for myself, and I would have missed out.  I don’t have the words to thank you.”

“There’s no need, just seeing the two of you happy is thanks enough,”  Kate replied, giving her friend a warm smile.  “Now, I think somebody is a little anxious. He’s been checking his watch every half hour like clockwork.”

“Poor baby,” Catherine said softly.  “I suppose I’d better put him out of his misery and give him his surprise then. Where is he?”

“Over there,” Kate replied, pointing across the room.

“Thank you,” Catherine said and gave her one last hug before stepping away.

~*~

Phillip stood with his back to the room, slowly sipping from his glass as he watched the softly falling snow outside the window.

He raised his glass to take another sip when a voice behind him stopped him

“Happy New Year, my Darling.”

The voice he knew, as well as he did his own, and it had the same reaction on him as it always did – he closed his eyes to the shiver of desire that skipped up his spine, and he momentarily held his breath – wanting with all his heart to believe that his ears were not deceiving him.

“If I turn around, will you still be here?”  He asked quietly, not quite believing his ears.

“Why don’t you turn around and find out?” Catherine replied softly.

Phillip set the nearly empty glass on the low table beside him and slowly turned.

“Catherine…” He breathed, his voice unsteady as he choked back the flood of emotion that washed over him at seeing her standing before him.

“Yes, love.” She whispered, fighting back her own tears.  “I’m here.”

In two steps, Phillip had closed the distance between them and pulled her tightly into his arms.  She wasn’t a dream, he thought as his arms closed around her, for the body he held close to his own was warm and real and oh so familiar.

“You’re here, you’re really here.” He murmured against her hair.

“Yes…”

“For how long?”

Leaning back, Catherine directly met his gaze.  “I sold my house, turned my practice over to my partners, and quit my job at the hospital… so I have no job, and no home… I guess I’m here for as long as you’ll have me.”

Phillip lifted his hand to cup her cheek. “Really?” he asked, hope shining in his eyes.

“Yes.” She nodded with a soft smile, leaning into his caress.

“You did all that for me?” he added, his voice tight with emotion.

“Yes, I did because I realized something the other day.  When I stepped through the front door of my house… for the first time, it felt so very cold and empty, and I knew that home isn’t a place-home, my home will always be with you.”

“Do you know how very much I love you?” he whispered.

“As much as I love you.” She whispered back

They were oblivious to all but each other as the DJ began the countdown to midnight.  Just as the clock struck twelve, he pulled her lips to his for a steamy kiss.

“Let’s go home.” Phillip breathed in her ear.

“MMM, I can do one better,” Catherine replied, kissing the warm curve of his neck.  “Kate rented me a room here.  So, follow me upstairs, Doctor.”

“I would follow you anywhere, Doctor.” He replied and took her hand. Squeezing it affectionately, he led her through the crowd to the door.

Only one pair of eyes followed them as they slipped quietly from the room.  Kate lifted her champagne glass in a silent toast.  “Be happy, my friends, be very happy.” She whispered, then turned back to the party.

~*~

Phillip’s fingers tangled in the silk of her hair, holding her firmly but gently to him, pulling the length of her slender body even more tightly against him; so tight that he could feel the wild beating of her heart against his own. He smiled, not surprised that its tempo matched perfectly with his own.

He looked down into her smoky blue eyes and tenderly traced each curve and hollow of her face with a gentle finger, and marveled, not for the first time, that she loved him as he was; with all his faults and all his scars. And he wondered yet again just what it was he had done to deserve her.

As though she could read his thoughts, or perhaps they were clearly written in his eyes, Catherine raised her hand until her palm cupped his cheek.

"I love you," she whispered softly and saw the smile that lit his eyes.

"I love you too," he whispered.

Slipping his hand around to cup the back of her head, Phillip drew her mouth to his. His lips brushed butterfly light over hers, and she moaned softly.  Her tongue darted out to brush his lips in a small plea for him to deepen the kiss. He obliged by parting his lips and slipping his tongue into her mouth to meet her own. The soft music playing on the radio wove a seductive web around them, and soon they were lost in it, aware of nothing else but each other.

~FIN~