"Where is she? What happened?" Matt asked worriedly, bursting through the door.

"She's asleep," Carlos shrugged. "Long story short, she was dehydrated and passed out. Fortunately, I found her and called Jack. He gave her an IV. She'll be fine."

"What is wrong with these people?" Matt murmured. "She's okay, though?"

Carlos nodded. "The idiot survives on like an ounce of water a day and it finally caught up to her. She spends so much time caring for others that she forgets to take care of herself...You know, she thinks that you hate her."

"What?!" Matt frowned. "Carlos, that's enough. You need to go."

He nodded. "Call me if she needs anything."

"Yeah," Matt said with a glance to the door. "Sure."

Carlos gave a small nod before departing.

—————

"Hi Amy," Logan smiled softly.

Amy gave a big grin, her eyes focus intently on the boy.

Logan touched her cheek gently.

"Logan, what you doing?" Lotte frowned.

"Nothing," Logan replied quickly. "Where D-Daddy go?"

"Home," Lotte shrugged.

"When he come back?"

"I don't know. I miss Mommy."

—————

"Hey. Mornin' sleepy head," Matt smiled softly.

"What time is it?" Catherine yawned.

"Three in the morning. The twins are with Josh."

Cath nodded. "Why are you still up?"

"Just thinkin'," Matt said with a thoughtful look.

"What about?"

"How far we've come."

Catherine nodded and sat up, leaning against the headboard of the bed. "I still remember our first date and how awkward you were," she chuckled.

"Awkward?!" Matt scoffed. "Me?"

"Yep," Catherine grinned, popping the p. "All you could say was 'wow' when I opened the door."

"Wow."

Cath kissed her husband's cheek. "I love you. Thank you for putting up with me. I know I'm so far from perfect, so far from what you deserve."

"Not true!" Matt exclaimed.

Catherine scoffed weakly. "Yeah, right."

"I love you, Cath. More than anything," Matt smiled.

"I love you too, Matt," Catherine grinned. "You're my world...Maybe once I'm better we can do something, just the two of us."

"Why wait?" Matt chuckled.

"Because it's Paris at three in the morning. There's nothing to do," Cath shrugged.

"Paris at three in the morning means there's everything to do. Come on, get dressed."

"Okay," Catherine chuckled. "Where are we going?"

"Just someplace."

Catherine laughed quietly and pulled on a pair of jeans and a fresh t-shirt. "Ready?"

"Ready," Matt grinned. "Follow me?"

"Alright," Catherine smiled, taking his hand.

—————

Mari stood on the balcony, overlooking the thousands of small lights below her. She quickly wiped a few tears off her cheeks and leaned on the railing.

"Hey," Josh said softly, "why are you still up?"

"God, Isaac," Mari laughed, "you scared the life out of me."

"Sorry," he chuckled. "You've been crying. What's wrong?"

Mari shook her head and laughed. "I'm- you- we're- this, all of this city, it's a part of my life. And it's perfect. It's so much more than I ever deserved."

"You deserve much more," Josh sighed, wrapping his arms around his wife's waist.

"She's so much like you. You know that?"

"Really? I see more of you in her."

"That's a outright lie, and you know it," Mari chuckled, "Josh, she's you. With every breath and every glance."

"God, I hope not," Josh laughed. "She's definitely got your eyes."

"Let's hope she doesn't see the world the way I do with them," Mari sighed. "The twins sleeping alright?"

Josh nodded. "Logan curled up next to Amy and it's really adorable. Though, I don't know how I feel about my daughter sleeping with a boy."

"Very funny," Mari scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Gosh, I feel like I never get to see you anymore."

"You tired?" Josh frowned.

"No," Mari sighed. "I just felt like I needed some air. Away from the doctor's appointments and bottle feedings."

Josh thought deeply for a few moments. "Go get your dress."

"What?" Mari laughed.

"Your dress from our honeymoon. Go grab it. I'll get my suit out of the closet and I'll call Carlos."

"Where are we going?"

"Just someplace."

—————

"Why am I here at four in the morning?" Carlos sighed.

"For love, Carlos," Josh grinned. "Love and the sanity of your two favorite people on earth. That, and I'll pay you a hundred bucks."

"Deal," Carlos nodded. "Have fun."

"Thanks. Um, if Amelia wakes up, just call and we'll be back fast."

"Don't worry, I can take care of her," Carlos shrugged. "Go have fun."

—————

Josh pulled into the parking lot and cracked a grin.

"What's with the look on your face?" Mari chuckled.

"I feel like myself."

"As oppose to who? Gerard Butler?"

"Nah," Josh chuckled. "Just...I feel like me...when we first met."

Mari kissed his cheek. "I love you."

Josh tossed the car keys in the air, catching them with ease before turning his head and giving a little yelp. "Hurry up," he laughed uncomfortably. "It's cold. Let's go inside."

"What's going on?" Mari questioned with suspicion.

"Nothing, Dear."

—————

Matt pulled into the small parking lot. "Alright. Here at last!"

"Where are we?" Catherine chuckled.

"Little tea place. Used to be a favorite of mine. Had a great dark corner to hide in."

"How is it open at this hour?"

"It's always open," Matt shrugged. "One of those secret nightlifes of town."

"I never knew about this place," Catherine smiled.

Matt gave a smile and glanced out the rearview mirror, his smile quickly dissipating. "Let's just sit in here for a moment, though. Drink in the starlight, eh?"

"What's wrong?" Catherine asked with suspicion.

"Nothing, Dear," Matt smiled softly, slipping out his cell phone. "What are you doing here?!" He texted Josh best he could without looking at his phone.

"What are we doing here? What are YOU doing here?" Josh texted back.

"Mel took me here sometimes! I was giving Cath a break. Where are the kids?!?"

"With Carlos."

"Well, Cath can't know you're here. This was supposed to be a spontaneous, romantic thing! And if you're here, it looks neither spontaneous nor romantic. Beside you up-dressed me."

"Well, I'm doing the same for Mari."

"But Josh, we have twice the kids."

"Fine. I'll figure something out."

"Really? You're the best." Matt turned to Cath and grinned. "Let's go."

"Okay," Catherine nodded with a small smile.

—————

Josh flashed a toothy smile at Mari. "This way. Back table's all for us."

"Thanks for doing this," Mari smiled softly.

"Thank you for saying yes," Josh laughed.

"Sometimes I wonder why you let me be in the same house at all."

"Because I love you, you idiot," Mari chuckled.

Josh quickly slipped his hand up to her cheek and gave her a kiss before awkwardly pulling away as a waiter came over.

"Right this way," the waiter chuckled.

"Thank you," Mari blushed.

"You're welcome," Josh mumbled as his voice cracked slightly.

"I love you," Mari whispered.

"I love you too," Josh said, slightly dazed.

The waiter showed them to the back room.

"I, uh-" Josh stammered, "I recommend the bread sticks. They're top notch."

Mari nodded. "That sounds wonderful."

Josh sat down and buried his face in his arms on the table, his back rising and falling in broken laughter.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh gosh, it's horrible," Josh moaned.

"What is it?" Mari sighed.

Josh looked up with teary eyes. "She's going to grow up someday, isn't she?"

"I believe that's how it works, yeah," Mari nodded.

"And some useless I.T. guy's going to come and sweep her off her feet and take her away from me forever."

"He'll have to go through me first," Mari smirked.

"I mean, maybe there's a chance she'll just stay small forever, right?"

"I don't think so," Mari chuckled.

—————

Matt looked nervously over Cath's shoulder. "Having a nice time?"

Catherine nodded. "Is something wrong?"

"No! Of course not!"

"Okay," Catherine chuckled.

"You hungry?"

"Yeah, actually. What do you usually get here?"

"A coffee and a scone and a huge book of poems."

"You like poetry?"

"Course I do. In moderation."

"I used to write a lot of poetry," Catherine nodded. "Not so much anymore, though."

"Why not?"

"I haven't much time."

"Well, we have time now."

Cath chuckled. "I can't just write poetry on cue. I have to be inspired."

"Aren't I inspiring?" Matt teased.

"Nah," Catherine teased back.

"Not one bit?"

"Maybe a little...I have a couple poems that you inspired."

"Really?" Matt said softly. "I'm honored."

"I'll have to show you," Cath smiled. "Matt?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"That's not possible," Catherine grinned. "I love you so much more than you could possibly comprehend."

"Why, thank you."

Catherine laughed. "So, are you going to work tomorrow?"

"I suppose so."

"Do you have to?" Cath whined.

"I guess not. I want to fire a few certain people, though."

"Like who?"

"Josh," Matt muttered, watching his friend peak through the curtain at him.

"Why?" Cath questioned with a furrowed brow.

"No reason."

Catherine gently put a hand on Matt's. "Tell me."

"He's been taking a lot of time off lately," Matt sighed.

"He's got a child with health problems. Matt, you can't fire him."

"I know, I know, but I at least have to talk about it," Matt frowned, his eyes still fixed on the next room over. "He has to work more. And I'm his boss, so I have to tell him."

Catherine nodded silently.

"Gosh," Matt moaned, "It's hard, though. I want to give that kid everything in the world."

"Hey," Cath said slowly, "so, I had a blood test the other day and um-"

Matt's eyes shot to her in horror. "What's wrong?!"

"Nothing," Catherine smiled softly. "I found out that we're having a girl."

Matt's jaw dropped ajar. "What?"

"We're going to have a girl," Catherine repeated.

Matt nearly tackled her glee. "That's amazing!"

"I was thinking maybe we could name her Elizabeth, after my mother."

"Yeah, yeah, of course," Matt nodded. "Anything."

"Doesn't Lizzy Rose Collins sound adorable?" Catherine smiled.

"Sounds like a dream come true," Matt stammered.

"Are you happy?"

"Happy doesn't say enough. I'm ecstatic, thrilled, terrified."

Catherine kissed Matt gently. "You are the best husband in the whole world."

—————

"Josh?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't want to be here do you?" Mari chuckled.

"Not particularly," Josh shrugged.

"Well, then," Mari sighed, grabbing her coat, "let's go."

"We can stay," Josh said softly. "I want you to have a good time."

"My good time is wherever you are, Isaac Taylor. Let's blow this pop stand," Mari laughed, nudging him gently.

"There's, um, a pub down the street," Josh shrugged with a little laugh.

"We can go wherever you want."

"Right," Josh said slowly. "Matt, move."

"Huh?"

"Hm?" Josh said raising an eyebrow. "I didn't say anything." He had quickly turned on and off his voice control to text to and sent the message to Matt. "Please move," Josh whimpered internally.

"And go where?" Matt texted back.

"The outer deck."

"And what do I say to my wife?"

"Maybe I should see how the kids are," Mari said worriedly.

"Carlos has everything under control," Josh nodded.

"I know, Isaac, but what if she's scared? Or hungry? Or sad?"

"Then Carlos would have called us. Don't worry about Amelia. Focus on having fun."

"I know," Mari whimpered. "I know."

"Would you like me to call Carlos?"

Mari bit her lip. "Yes, please."

Josh called Carlos, who assured that the children were alright. "Okay, thanks," the former nodded, hanging up. "They're fine."

"Was he sleeping?"

"No. Carlos was awake," Josh shrugged.

"Oh," Mari said timidly.

—————

"Do you want to read one of the poems you inspired?"

"Sure," Matt chuckled, his eye watching warily as Josh peeked out of the curtain and led Mari behind him.

Catherine pulled up a picture on her phone of the poem, written in flawless calligraphy and showed Matt.

"Wow," Matt smiled softly after reading the poem, "I'm flattered."

Catherine shrugged. "It's not even that good."

"It's a masterpiece to me," Matt laughed.

—————

"Is that Cath?" Mari asked, narrowing her eyes.

"No!" Josh stammered. "Keep walking."

"Okay," Mari chuckled.

—————

Cath glanced up over Matt's shoulder. "Is that Mari?"

"No," Matt said quickly.

Catherine shrugged and went back to flipping through pictures. She had a few old pictures of Matt that Mari had sent her from Mel's phone that she decided to set as her lock screen.

"Cath?" Mari said, pushing past her husband. "What are you doing here?"

"Matt brought me," Catherine chuckled. "How are the twins? Little terrors?"

"Exactly."

"They get that from Matt," Catherine nodded.

"Hey," Josh mumbled to Matt, wishing him harm with his eyes.

Matt nodded in reply.

"How'd you both know about this place?" Mari frowned.

"Well," Matt stammered. "I don't really wanna say."

"Mel?" Mari frowned.

"It was our first date," Matt mumbled.

Josh frowned. "No...it was our first date."

Matt looked up, his brow furrowed. "What?!"

"Mel took me here on our first date," Josh repeated.

"She said this was our place," Matt said slowly. "What are you even talking about?!"

"She said that this was our place," Josh said with a furrowed brow.

Mari stared at the two blankly.

"Did you guys get played?" Cath laughed.

"Looks like it," Mari laughed.

Catherine chuckled softly. "I did that once."

"I'll be right back," Mari said softly before slipping out the front door.

"Great. See, this is why I didn't want to talk to you," Josh mumbled tugging at his sleeves.

—————

Mari retrieved the small, black phone from her purse. She had stopped looking through the camera roll after Matt's accident video, but now something compelled her to look further.

Catherine came out after her. "What did you find?"

"W-what?" Mari stammered, quickly wiping away a few tears.

Catherine put an arm around her. "I know you're looking through her camera roll. What did you find?"

"I don't....don't want to watch it," Mari laughed, shaking her head sadly.

"Then don't," Catherine sighed. "Did you tell Josh that she was pregnant?"

"But it might have some answers. No...I didn't. But- but why Josh, Cath? Out all of the people in the world, we both found him."

"Who knows?" Catherine shrugged. "And I haven't told Matt either. It would devastate him."

"You haven't told me what?" Matt asked from the doorway.

"Nothing," Cath replied quickly.

Mari stumbled backward and walked briskly forward before Josh could come out. "Just suck it up and watch it," She scolded herself.

The small play button was next to the horrifying title.

Just In Case

"You haven't told me what?" Matt repeated.

"Forget it, Hon," Catherine shrugged.

"What?" Matt asked in concern. "Cath?"

"Why's she so upset about this?" Josh asked in puzzlement. "She knows Melody brought me places."

Catherine put a hand to Matt's cheek. "Don't worry about it, Baby. It's nothing important, but it would devastate you and I'm not going to do that to you. I love you too much."

"Devastating sounds kind of important," Matt said slowly.

"It's...it has to do with Mel," Cath said slowly.

The joy in Matt's eyes flickered and sparked out. They immediately looked drained of life and racked with grief.

"What about Mel?" Josh asked, looking up from his phone.

"You don't need to know," Catherine sighed. "Trust me."

"Why not?" Josh frowned, his eyes narrowing.

"Because it's sad. I cried, and I didn't even know her. Just trust me," Catherine nodded. "It's not something that either of you should know."

"Alright," Matt said slowly with frown.

Mari walked back, her eyes calm.

"What did you find out?" Catherine sighed.

"I think it's best if I just play it," Mari sighed.

"Hold on," Cath said slowly. "It doesn't have to do with you know what, does it?"

"No."

"Go on, then."

"Hello," Melody's soft voice said as she smiled. "My name is Melody Collins. I'm making this video in case an untimely accident causes me to relinquish my commission. I'm about to start a story. And maybe you'll decide how it ends."

Catherine gave Mari a questioning look.

Mari nodded for her to keep watching.

"I'm making this because I made a mistake. My mission here was to scout out and recruit talented young people into governmental programs. I succeeded the first time. But I made a mistake." Mel looked up at the camera and gave a sad little scoff. "I fell in love. That's all there is to it, I guess. I didn't want to, believe me. But he was there and-" She shook it off. "And I let him go. Because I had to, I guess. It seemed right. But Isaac, I-I never stopped loving you. Ever. Matt, I know that seems horrible and bad, but Isaac, you needed to know that. Matt...you started out just the same as him. Another recruit, just another day. But you became someone more. Someone worth giving it all up for."

Catherine wrapped her arms around her husband's waist.

"This is in case something goes wrong. In case it has gone wrong. I hope- I can only hope you find each other. Somehow. Matt...his name's Isaac Joshua Taylor. He lives somewhere in Paris. I-I don't know where."

"We found each other, Mel," Matt whispered with pain in his eyes.

"Please, I beg you, Matt. No matter what you're feeling, he's feeling twice as lost. Twice as broken. Find him. Don't let him get lost in the world. For God's sake, don't let him do anything stupid." She looked upwards with teary eyes. "Matt. Please. Make sure he's happy. I love you more than words can say. Bye."

Tears formed in Matt's eyes.

"Are you okay, Babe?" Catherine asked softly.

Matt grabbed Josh by the shoulders and pulled him into a hug.

Mari and Cath looked at each other silently and both shrugged.

Josh nearly tackled Mari from behind, trying not to let her see the sobs that were heaving his chest, though his eyes were dry.

Mari kissed his cheek. "I love you," she whispered.

Josh held tightly to her. "Don't let go. Please, oh god, don't let go."

"I won't. I promise."

Matt looked worriedly to Josh and then to Cath before he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"You alright?" Catherine sighed.

Matt nodded.

"Do you want to go home?"

Matt nodded again.

"Toss me the keys. I'll drive."

"Are you going to be okay?" Matt asked Josh slowly.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Josh nodded.

Author's Note: To read the poem Catherine wrote Matt, check out Always and Forever under my book Poems.