Cat pulls at a string that's dangling from the cloth napkin, winding it around her finger.

"Cat?"

"Look, I know no one will agree, but Liam is not a bad guy. Not really. He's stupid sometimes, self-absorbed most times, but if he wants to be part of this baby's life, I'm not going to push him away. This baby is his, too, you know?"

My fear wants so badly to turn into anger and it's taking everything in my will to keep from expressing it. Instead, I calmly stated, "You want to be a family. I get that. I won't get in your way."

I picked up my untouched food, got up from the table, scooped it back into the take-out container, and stuck it in the refrigerator. I turned back around to find Cat standing there staring at me.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" she questioned, her brows furrowed, her hands firmly placed on her hips. Unless I've miss read something here, she's now mad at me. Perfect.

"I mean what I said Cat. You, Liam, the baby are a family. Mom, Dad, kid... I get it. I won't stand in your way."

"You won't stand in my way?" she repeats with her head cocked and her eyes squinting at me like I'm making no sense. Jesus, must I spell it out for her?

Annoyed, I throw my own question at her. "What do you want from me?"

Cat threw her hands up in the air and shook her head. "What do I want from you? What do I want from you?" When I stood there staring at her waiting for a response she chose to continue. "I want you to stop throwing me... US away! That's what I want from you!"

I'm looking at her like she has six heads because I have no idea how the hell she got THAT from what I said.

"Augh!" she exclaimed as her hands slapped down hard against the sides of her legs making a loud smack noise. "You make me crazy! How do you not get this?!"

"Get what?!" I said raising my own voice a little because I'm getting tired of being yelled at.

"Not get that I want you! YOU Alex Bragin. You are part of that family I'm talking about."

I blinked slowly a few times trying to process what she's telling me. She can't be serious. "You want me, Liam, you and the baby to be a family?"

"YES!" she admitted with a tone of relief that I've finally got it. Only, I so don't.

"That's not going to happen."

Her smile faded. "What? Why ever not?"

"Cat I love you and I don't know if this is just wishful thinking on your part because I can't believe you'd be that naïve. There is no way in hell; Liam is ever going to be okay with me being a father to that baby. A baby he now claims is his. What chance do I have of convincing this kid that I love them when their Dad is going to consistently poison their mind against me?"

"You're unbelievable. Both of you are! Do you know that is exactly what Liam had said to me about you? That you both fear the exact same thing?!"

She surprised me with that one. Not that I can't see his point, only that up until this moment I didn't think there was a chance of Liam ever returning into the picture. So the thought of plotting against him hadn't even entered my mind.

"If he's serious about wanting to be this kid's Dad, Cat... how is that supposed to work? I know how much he hates me. I know he wants you back. How do I deal, day to day wondering, worrying that one day he's going to steal you both away from me? How do I know he won't be successful at building a great relationship with this kid and they both don't gang up on you to leave me?"

"WOW!" Cat's shook her head like she's looking at a train wreck and doesn't know where to begin to sort out the mess.

I closed my eyes and run my fingers through my hair. I am so freakin' tired. I walked away from her and sat on the sofa, leaning my head back, keeping my eyes closed because they hurt to keep them open, closed feels so much better.

I heard her move and then felt her settle beside me.

"Alex? Alex look at me?"

I turned my head and looked at her. Her expression was grave. "I don't own a crystal ball. Okay? I don't know what the future holds for all of us. What I do know is that I love you. I want to be with you. I want to marry you. I don't love Liam... not in that way, not anymore. He understands that."

"Does he?" I asked extremely doubtful. "Cause I really don't think he does? I think he will do anything to get you back because... well ... the guy hates to lose. And to lose you to someone like me. Someone he believes is not worthy of you because I'm nowhere near his caliber... come on, Cat... he may have changed but not that much. Not that soon. There's just no way," I told her.

Cat lets out a long slow sigh. "Would it be so wrong if I said I want to try? That I want to try and build a family with you and Liam and the baby? That I don't want this kid to miss out on their real Dad nor do I want them to miss out on having you for a father. Am I asking too much?"

Cat looks so dejected with her shoulders slumped forward and her head hanging low. Her entire form is admitting defeat even though her words are asking for hope.

I turned away from her and let out my own sigh. Can I do it? Can I really give her what she wants? I really didn't know. I turned my head back and looked at her. Who am I kidding? I'd give her the moon if it were mine to give and she really had her heart set on it.

"Okay."

Her head lifts and her eyes plead with me not to toy with her emotions. "Okay?"

"I don't know how I'm going to do it. So please don't ask me how but I'll try. I'll do my best. I won't trash Liam from this point forward unless he gives me a reason, but please Cat if it turns out that I'm right. Please, don't hold it against me."

Cat pressed her lips into a smile. She looked at me like I'm some sort of mythical unicorn or something just as unbelievable. Cat threw her arms around me, "Thank you! Thank you so much, Alex!"

My arms wrapped around her and I just held on. God, I hope I'm wrong for her sake. I really do.

Cat pulled away from me a little so I can see her face. "Do you want to go out for dessert?"

"Dessert? You haven't finished your dinner yet."

"Neither have you but if you have to go back home soon. I feel like indulging."

I laughed. "Okay. Where to?"

She stood up and held out her hand. "Come on. I'll take you."

I took her hand knowing I would let her lead me anywhere. Maybe that's crazy but so long as she's going with me I don't care where we end up, but first, we had to pack up the rest of dinner. Soon though we are on our way to the ice cream shop near campus. I got a milkshake and Cat ordered a hot fudge sundae. We sat at one of the little café tables outside since the weather was nice tonight.

I felt Cat's eyes on me. "Alex?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think you'll trust me enough someday to tell me about your dad?"

My straw paused at my lips and my eyes bugged out of my head. I put the cup down knowing I needed to address this. "Cat, it's not about trust. I totally trust you. It's just right now everything feels so... raw."

"I guess I can understand that. It's hard to relate because I've never lost anyone close to me. I mean I had a grandfather pass away when I was in high school but he and my grandmother lived in another state most of my life. I rarely got to see them. I knew I should be sad but ... you, however, lost your dad..." Cat's voice trails off and I can tell she's trying to imagine putting herself in my shoes as her eyes suddenly glazed over with tears.

I smiled at her and took her hand in mine. "Cat, I honestly wasn't that close to my Dad either. Don't get me wrong, I loved my father. I just don't feel the normal attachment to him. I expected never to see him again because of what happened with Aidan and now I'm sleeping in my old room though it's been made over. I'm talking to my Mom but it feels so strained. I've stepped back into my home but I feel like I've stepped back into someone else's life, you know?"

"I can only imagine how awkward it all must feel but I've never had that kind of relationship with my family. Even as hard as my Dad was on us sometimes we never doubted he loved us... well, I didn't." Then Cat's face lit up with an idea. "That's it?!"

"What's it?!"

"You should totally talk to my brother. Dillion would completely understand. Not just the estranged from your father part but he uh..."

"What?"

Cat bit her bottom lip worrying but then nodded her head definitively making her mind up about something. She leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper so I have to lean in too in order to hear her.

"He's been to jail."

I just stared at her a second or two before it dawned on me she's expecting me to be surprised by this information. I'm not surprised since I already know, but she doesn't know that I know, so I pretend to be shocked.

I widened my eyes and said, "Really?!"

"Yeah, it was for a DUI. He's been in AA and doing great now but back then... he was a hot mess."

"Huh?" I said leaning back, as my brain started to tick off all the minor ways I've not been truthful with Cat lately. I know Dillion went to jail, I even know why, which she doesn't ... I wasn't honest with her entirely about Tina today either... the list keeps growing and I find it disturbing.

"So you see he'd totally understand what you mean about stepping back into your life and feeling like you don't fit in anymore. He might be able to help or at least comprehend what you're talking about since he's experienced it."

I had to admit, she could be right. Dillion might be able to give me some insight on how to handle things. "Do you think he'd care if I'd call him?"

"No! Not at all!" Cat held out her hand for I guessed my phone. So I handed it to her. She quickly saved her brother's number in my contacts and handed it back to me.

"Thank you."

Cat positively glowed now that she'd figured out a way to help me. "You're welcome." She took a spoonful of her ice cream and some of the chocolate fudge dripped down her chin. She reached up to wipe it away but I stopped her.

I pulled her chair closer to mine. I kissed her chin taking the trail the chocolate ran until I reached her lips. Cat giggled and I loved it. "You know what's good for me?" I asked against her lips as I kissed her.

"What?" Cat asked and I can feel her smiling against my lips.

"You. Just spending this little bit of time with you has done so much for me and my mental state, Cat."

Cat grinned but then her look turned serious. "I could come by this weekend? To your house... if..." she shrugged, "you want me too?"

I can't believe she expected me to reject her. "Sure."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it would be good to have you there. I'm not sure when everything will be arranged but I'll keep you posted. Okay?"

"Yeah. Perfect."

"Good."

I paid for our ice cream and she took me back to William's. We go back up to the apartment because I wanted to give her the food to take home. She admitted to me that her plan was to stay at the sorority house because she doesn't like the idea of being alone in the apartment.

"I'm kinda glad you have Olivia to keep an eye on you, too," I admitted. "Truth is I would have been worried about you staying there by yourself."

"Well. I'm sure both William and Olivia would be checking up on me... a lot, but yeah I feel better being around people right now. Will the landlord hold the place do you think?"

"I'm paid up for a while so I don't see why not?"

I give her the bag with the left overs and she looks so sad.

"What's a matter?"

"I don't want you to go," she pouts.

"I know. If it makes you feel any better I don't want to go."

"I know."

I pulled her into my embrace and just held on to her for a little while. She let out a mournful sigh.

"It's not that bad, right?" I tried to reassure her. "The weekend will be here before we know it."

"Right!" Cat immediately perked up thinking of when we would see one another again.

I brushed my fingers against her cheek and her gaze locked onto mine. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too." She pulled the necklace I bought her for her birthday from under her shirt and I noticed what she was looking for. I smiled and reached behind her to help her unlatch it as she held up her hair. I took what I needed and put the necklace back into place. I dipped to one knee and Cat smiled as I slid the engagement ring back on her finger.

I reached out and kissed her belly. "Take good care of her okay, Peanut? I'll see you both soon."
Cat laughed.

"What?"

"The baby. It moved when you talked. I so wish you could feel what I feel," Cat said. "This kid goes crazy whenever you're around."

I stand up but don't take my hands away. "I can't wait for that day, either. Until then I guess I'll just have to settle for her mom going crazy whenever I'm around," I teased, with a wink, pulling her closer to me.

Cat blushed. "You're not going to be disappointed if this baby is a boy are you?"

Obviously, she is referring to the fact that I kept calling the baby, her. "Only if you don't name him after Liam," I taunt, although partially serious.

Cat smirked at me. "I don't know..."

I rolled my eyes at the thought. "Don't you think one, Liam is enough for this world?"

Cat doesn't answer me. Instead, she stood there with one eyebrow raised and a mocking tilt to her lips.

"Okay. You're right. I promised... no trashing, Liam," I conceded, realizing why she was giving me that look. "It may take me a little while to work it out but I will try my best. For you, Cat."

"I know you will," Cat got on her tippy toes and her arms wound around my neck. I pulled her in close still and nuzzled her cheek.

"I don't want to let you go," I whispered in her ear and she shivered in my embrace. I laughed. I kissed her earlobe and she shivered again. I trailed kisses down her neck and she smacked my shoulder when I caused an onslaught of tremors to course down her spine.

I can't help but laugh. She grabbed my cheeks in her palms and kissed me, slow and sweet. Taking her time. I closed my eyes and let her have her way. My hands lazily drifted over her body. I love her body. My thumbs grazed over her breasts and she sucked in her breath through her teeth.

"Do you have to go home tonight?" she whispered against my lips.

"Unfortunately. We can't stay here because William has to come home sometime and you're not allowed men at the sorority house."

Cat sighed. "This sucks."

"I know but it's only temporary."

"What about our apartment?" Cat offered.

She's killing me. I looked at my phone for the time. It's getting late. I should head home. It takes over an hour to get there. William has to get up early for class tomorrow, if he was going to take me home now would be the best time but one look at Cat's face and the thought of spending the night in her arms overrode all reason.

"Okay. I'll call William."

Cat squealed with glee.