Disclaimer: See Part One

Part Two

Chapter Nineteen

Susan looked at her ex-employer and smiled at her, once again she was attempting to put Elena in the chair to enable the child to eat properly, as usual Catherine was losing the battle. It was in its own way, rather funny, except the sheer concentration on Catherine's face made laughing a mute point.

"You need help again Catherine?" Susan smiled genuinely at the tall woman, the frustration evident on her face and a comment like that wasn't exactly going to help.

"No!" Was the forceful reply.

Susan sat down at the table in the kitchen and waited for the coffee percolator to do its business. She silently watched as Catherine tried in vein to settle Elena in the high chair and accept the harness. "Why not just ask her to settle down Catherine, in a firm tone."

Catherine looked up at Susan and her grim face told its own story. Taking hold of the baby Catherine looked into her green eyes with her ice blue ones, their glances locking, it was hard to tell who was going to win this particular battle of wills, the adult in all honesty should but.....

Jace chose that moment to enter the room her eyes went over her daughter and partner, who matched each other in a particular distinctive eye to eye contact that was like waiting for a battle to commence. Jace saw Susan, who had a whimsical look on her face as she collected her coffee, smiling at her and then went back to her observation of the two protagonists.

"Okay, which of my favourite ladies needs my help the most?" Jace smiled, as she walked further into the room and confidently over to the high chair. Her green eyes caught the ice blue in her own and Jace smiled the lines around her eyes crinkled.

Catherine was sure she'd never seen anything so comforting in her life. "Elena does." Catherine muttered and watched as Jace spoke quietly to the child and easily locked her daughter in place just as Susan had done a few days before. It was definitely not a skill she was going to acquire soon, of that she was sure.

"Hi Darling, has Catherine been too nice to you again huh?" Her daughter chuckled at the jovial voice her mother used the notes obviously a tune she could understand and decipher.

"Too nice, that's a good one Jace. Elena just hates me putting her in the harness that I know for sure." Catherine continued in a melancholy voice.

"Elena knows that she receives her meals from this chair Catherine

However, she also knows that if someone is tentative about that, then she might get away from the chair and sit on a soft lap." Jace pointed out quietly.

Catherine looked at Jace; her face was enough for Jace to know that it wasn't a concept she understood. "Are you calling me soft with this child?"

"Yes!" Jace responded equally as softly her gentle gaze passed first to her baby who was happily munching on a milk biscuit and then her partner, who looked upset.

"Well in that case, perhaps, I should leave her to you in the future." Catherine said her voice highly charged with sarcasm.

"Oh no....no way will I allow you to do that Catherine. We have a partnership here and I believe she's your daughter too?" Jace smiled at her partner and saw the uncertainty and annoyance embedded in her eyes.

Catherine considered, that and shrugged her shoulders grasped a mug of tea and walked out of the kitchen door to the porch her steps heavy on the decking.

"Was it something I said?" Jace smiled at Susan, who looked at her speculatively.

"You're not worried?" Susan asked, having assumed that Jace would immediately want to soothe the ruffled feathers after any altercation between the two of them. Catherine never looked the likely candidate to take that stance; she would probably convince herself it was a weakness.

"Worried? Yes, but not for the reason you think Susan." Jace considered the question and sat next to the older woman and drank from the coffee cup on the table.

"So, which reason would it be?" Susan asked her interest piqued at the comment from the blonde.

"Catherine will be back she dare not do otherwise Susan. Her pride is hurt that's all. I just can't seem to get her to be strong with Elena. She lets the baby have her own way all the time." Jace sighed heavily thinking about the future consequences if the situation carried on.

"Catherine says she can't hurt her by being firm. I think it's something to do with her eyes and yours." Susan smiled and poured herself another cup of coffee; Jace had taken hers unconsciously as she sat at the table.

"Oh, that old excuse! Catherine will have to learn that Elena isn't going to change eye colour in the near future and hopefully never. So the sooner she comes to terms with that, the better. There are times when Catherine is more a child than Elena, but it is kind of endearing however frustrated I get with her." Jace looked once again deep into the coffee cup her face showing her exasperation at the situation.

"You heard her story Jace. Perhaps, she can't come to terms with that part of her life and until she does, then you're going to come across this more and more." Susan said, her quiet logic finally piercing Jace's meandering thoughts.

"Would you please take care of Elena for a little while Susan? I have a wayward partner to try and convince there's life after being firm with our daughter." Jace gave Susan a wry smile and moved towards the kitchen door.

Jace walked slowly over to Catherine, who was leaning against the railing of the porch her face turned towards the stables and the mug of tea hanging loosely in her hands.

Catherine turned as she heard the soft footfall. For once she hadn't been one hundred percent sure it was Jace; her face had a pensive expression, which immediately cleared to one of veiled interest in why Jace was coming towards her. "Finished your breakfast already?"

Jace inclined her head as she neared Catherine and leaned against the railing inches from the taunt lean body she loved. "No, without you I kind of lose interest in food."

"Is that an alien in the body of Jace Bardley?" Catherine laughed at the words.

Jace chuckled at the comment. "No, but it could be arranged if you don't stop beating yourself about the head and at least try and be firm with our daughter." The bantering tone held a serious note.

"I can take the hits on the head Jace." Catherine responded, but never looked at her directly.

"Well, you might, but I can't, and I'm not prepared to keep administering the bandages every time this situation occurs." Jace said her tone taking on a rare harsh resonance.

Catherine turned her head towards Jace and saw the determination in her face, which forcefully applied the words spoken. "What do you want from me?" Catherine's voice held her distress at the situation.

"Catherine, I don't want anything from you, but our daughter does!" Jace tried to explain, her voice weary. Why wasn't it obvious to Catherine?

"Exactly what would that be?" Catherine stared intently at the green eyes that held a hurt expression.

"She needs you to be strong, not just for her Catherine, but with her! Elena needs to understand discipline in her life and the sooner you start the earlier she learns and the easier it is all round." Jace plainly stated the problem.

"I can't!" Catherine's voice broke on the words.

Jace placed a hand on the arm that trembled at her touch. "You can! Of all the people I've known in my life, you are the person that can. She needs that from you Catherine, and I need you to find it in yourself to accomplish it as well!"

Catherine shook her head and then it hung as if she was ashamed of herself. "It's hard to do what you ask Jace, she looks so like you and I can't hurt her, it would be like hurting you!" Catherine whispered, hoping her words were carried away in the slight breeze, this was hopeless and she felt so inadequate.

The silence between them became intolerable, Jace refused to comment further, Catherine had to find the solution or at least accept that she had a problem here.

"I'm a bloody fool would you say?" Catherine finally smiled weakly, her hand taking the smaller one in a firm hold.

"Yes, but you're ours Catherine, and we don't want to change that; we just want you to be yourself and all that means. If you of all people can't get an eight month old to hold still while you harness her in a chair, now who can? Would be interesting for that image to be released to the press wouldn't it? Could you imagine the headline?" Jace grinned at the sober features and saw them lighten at her banter.

Catherine looked into the smiling green orbs and fell in love all over again. Her heart beat racing at the blonde, beautiful woman that had agreed once again to hold her hand as she fought against this tide of insecurity that threatened to overwhelm her and for the simplest of things too. "I think you can be assured, the newspapers will not have access to this story Jace, can I ask one thing?"

"Certainly darling, go ahead." Jace pulled the larger hand towards her and cradled it close to her chest.

"Will you show me how?" Catherine asked the question tentatively and her eyes held a shy-questioning look.

"I will show you anything." Jace whispered and placed the hand to her mouth and kissed the palm. This aspect of Catherine, which Jace was seeing was the vulnerable side of the woman that Catherine, kept hidden deep inside. This was the side that Catherine entrusted to Jace; it was very powerful, and if used without love behind every action and word it would destroy the woman before her. This was to Jace an awesome responsibility, but one she shouldered without hesitation.

"I like the sound of that, come on lets go and have breakfast or more than one Bardley is going to be upset today." Catherine smiled and pulled her Californian into a warm embrace, and the kiss they shared was one of understanding and trust.

"Yep, wondered when you would notice the rumble in the tummy." Jace chuckled as they went towards the door to the kitchen.

"Hell, and I thought we were due a storm." Catherine narrowly avoided the punch to the solar plexus and placed a friendly arm around her shoulders, no it was going to be a wonderful day and dry too!

~ ~ ~

Lisa was asleep and Jake was giving Catherine the rolling eye expression, as they both managed to stop the chuckle that would possibly wake the small redhead tucked up in bed.

"Lisa's not going to hear any more of the story tonight Jake. Guess we'd better try again tomorrow, what do you say?" Catherine ruffled the boy's dark hair and smiled at him.

"Okay, I'll go to bed. Granddad said he would come and watch me play football in town tomorrow Catherine." Jake gave her a look that was pleading with her about something she couldn't quite grasp.

"Good idea. Does he know all the rules now?" Catherine pulled herself out of the chair and bent over to kiss Lisa's cheek and whispered good night. Jake clambered gently off the edge of the bed where he'd been sitting listening to the story and nodded his head as they headed out of the door left slightly ajar as they left the room.

They both walked over to his room and went inside, he looked longingly at the new computer and Catherine had to smile at his adoring look at the machine. "Okay, you can play on the machine for an hour, no more, got me?" Catherine said and switched on the infernal machine. She'd caught him playing games early into the morning three days in a row now. So, she'd banned him this morning when he looked like he hadn't slept.

Jake swung round and hugged her, "Thanks Catherine, you're great!" The boy enthused.

Catherine smiled down at the dark head, he was getting taller that was for sure. She could concede it for the moment it wasn't school until next week, then it would be a ban late in the evening. "Well, what else did you need, I saw the look in Lisa's bedroom?"

Jake looked at her sheepishly and then gave her a shy grin. "Will you come too, to the match that is, you've not been in ages and I just wanted..........well you know!" The boy finished off lamely.

Catherine looked at him closely he rarely asked anything of either herself or Jace. Lisa was another entity altogether, she found it easy to ask for them to go places with her, but Jake, no, it was rare. "What time do you need to be there?"

"Oh, I was going to catch the bus early, the game starts at nine in the morning." He answered in anticipation.

"What's early?" Catherine persisted with her line of questioning.

Jake looked up at her his hazel eyes shining. "I need to be there by eight to practice and warm up and have the team talk that kind of thing."

"Tell you what, I'll get one of the ranch hands to drive us in and while you're having the team talk and the rest, your Granddad and I will have breakfast in town and then come and see the match. Does that sound good to you?" Catherine watched his eyes go round and his expression was wonderful to see. It was funny how simple it was to make a child happy.

"Catherine, please don't ask John Cruisal will you? I think he likes you, and Jace wouldn't be happy." The boy pointed out to her quietly, as she gave him a startled glance and nodded her head at his words her face turning a light pink at the child's observation.

"You be ready by seven thirty and I'll tell your Granddad. Do as I say about the computer, okay?" Catherine went towards the door and turned back to him, "Goodnight Jake."

"Good night Catherine and see you in the morning." Jake gave her a wide grin and then sat on his swivel chair and concentrated on the machine.

Catherine shook her head and smiled and went out of his room and towards the stairs. 'That boy was one smart child and she would certainly take notice of his quiet words of wisdom, from the mouth of babes they say.'

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty

Jace watched as Catherine walked quietly back into the room, and although she wasn't looking directly at her partner Jace knew those ice blue eyes had immediately tracked her in the room. 'Love you too Catherine.' Jace smiled and was surprised to find her mother looking at her in enquiry. "Sorry mother did you say something?"

Alison Bardley shook her head at her elder daughter and began the conversation again.

Catherine headed towards Jason Bardley, who was having what appeared to be an in-depth conversation with James Thompson, Alison Thornton and his younger daughter. Lucy looked at Catherine in veiled dislike at her interruption. Catherine chose to ignore Jace's sister for the time being anyway. "Sorry for interrupting."

"No, no, please join the conversation Catherine your views would be enlightening I'm sure." Jason smiled at the tall hovering woman, she seemed out of place, even though it was her own home.

Catherine inclined her head and her left eyebrow in question at the subject. "We were discussing gay marriages." James supplied for her.

A surprised look came over Catherine's features. "Well, yes I'm sure that's an interesting topic and one I obviously do have an opinion on, but I'm afraid I have to make some calls to New York and they can't wait, another time perhaps."

Lucy snorted at the remark and Catherine was pretty sure she heard her say chicken! "No problem as you say another time." Jason gave her a smile and hurled a disgusted look at his younger child.

"Jason, Jake tells me you're going to watch him play football, well I have agreed to take him into town early and watch the game also. Could you be ready by seven thirty in the morning?" Catherine smiled at Jace's father. This time he saw that it went to her eyes too, and what a difference that made.

"Sure, you want me to drive?" Jason said and watched her face.

She hadn't thought of that possibility. "Fine, I was going to ask a ranch hand but, that's an even better solution." Catherine looked at him and her eyes emitted her thanks. "I may not be back, so I'll say goodnight." She walked away towards Jace.

"Thank god, good riddance is all I can say." Lucy snapped and all eyes went towards her.

"I think that's completely out of order Lucy. Why are you so antagonistic towards her?" Jason asked his daughter; to the best of his knowledge Catherine had offered an apology for her stance of a few days earlier.

"Oh, Dad, she takes you all in. She's overbearing, that's all she knows, and she does it so well; talk about easy pickings!" Lucy said her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, I guess you're one guest that won't be at your sisters ceremony to Catherine in the New Year then?" James gave her a smile, and then returned the conversation back to the original subject.

Lucy looked at them and her face held a scowl, then moved away from the group and decided maybe some fresh air might not be a bad idea, for you never know whom you might meet.

Catherine gently perched herself on the arm of Jace's chair and placed an arm around her shoulders and bent down to kiss her cheek. "So, you've told the story, Lisa's asleep and you probably went back on your decision with Jake and he's playing with the computer?" Jace tilted her head back to look into the smouldering ice blue eyes above her. Alison chose that moment to excuse herself for a few minutes, leaving the two of them alone.

Catherine never released the lock of blue on green as she gave Jace a slow smile. "How well you know me Bardley." Her chuckle gave Jace all the information she needed. Her partner was in a reasonably happy mood; she'd seen her go over to the corner and Lucy's scowl at her arrival.

Jace returned the locked glance and gave a slow smile of her own. "Well, it has been almost a year and eventually, I was going to learn something."

Catherine wanted to find the words, but she couldn't. The ones she really wanted to say to this woman, maybe she never could say them. "Not as much as I've learned from you Jace." Catherine admitted huskily.

"I better finish this conversation then for you, you need to go and make some calls and might not be back." Jace watched the surprise cross Catherine's face.

"How did you know that?" Catherine rasped out. What was it; did she have it written on her forehead?

Jace laughed at her and the others in the room turned and smiled. "Easy, Constance is back in the office from the Christmas holidays and you're dying to know what gossip she has for you."

"Gossip? Jace I don't do gossip. That is for people with little to occupy them." Catherine spluttered.

"Yeah, I know and what do you chairperson's of the board do all day when you have everyone else working for you, huh? You gossip Catherine, it's common knowledge." Jace kept her expression serious she loved this part of her partner's nature she would be so...so frustrated at the accusation.

"I do not!" Catherine said her voice agitated.

Jace laughed at the red staining Catherine's cheeks. "Got you going on that one Catherine, you have to admit?"

Catherine growled and Jace gave her a sexy smile in return. "There are times when you can seriously wonder why you love someone you know."

Jace pulled her tongue out a little her face taking on an impish expression. "That so, do I need to worry?"

Catherine looked at the devilment in Jace's eyes and her grin and knew that she was once again lost in her love for the small blonde at her side. "No, you need never worry on that score; but, you're right about one thing, I need to make the calls, I'll catch up with you later in bed, okay?"

Jace smiled at the last comment. "Count on it!"

Catherine moved away from the chair and towards the door leading to the hall and surprised the other people in the room by her over the shoulder remark to Jace. "Love you Bardley, and it won't be counting you will have to do in bed later, that's a promise."

Jace turned scarlet at Catherine's choice of words and as the door closed behind her, the room burst out laughing much to the embarrassment of a particular blonde. 'I can't believe she said that!'

~ ~ ~

"Constance have you decided yet who is going to be the replacements for you in New York and the African office?" Catherine had been discussing various projects and possible new ventures with her president of operations for over two hours.

"I was kind of struggling to be honest, we haven't anyone in the ranks that immediately give rise to the potential skills we require." Constance was annoyed that she hadn't been able to find anyone. Even spent numerous hours at home pouring over personal records, she still hadn't turned anyone up.

"I find that hard to believe Constance. You're telling me that we have over three hundred senior executives in operations around the world, and we can't find two that meet our requirements; come on Constance, pull the other leg please!" Catherine was annoyed with her President, this was stupid hadn't the woman checked all the files for god's sake.

Constance ran a hand around her neck in frustration; this conversation was not pleasant she'd heard the rising voice of the owner, and a small piece of her wanted to tell Ms Devonshire to go to hell! "I've checked all the files of over five hundred executives. And no! I don't think at the moment we do have anyone." Standing her ground on this issue was important to Constance. If Catherine made the choices, then she might as well give up the position.

Catherine's voice mellowed at the words. "Waverly how many hours did you pour over the records? Have you managed to keep your private life in tact?"

Constance realised her boss was trying to lighten the conversation and she smiled at her end of the line, Catherine was hard but she wasn't dense. "About three days solid; think we had Christmas dinner together and Clare went home to her mother for someone to have a decent conversation with, as mine was full of no, no, he won't do, she won't do......if you see my point."

"Did Clare come back?" Catherine had been mildly interested in this new relationship that had taken off under tragic circumstances between her president and the woman's PA.

"Yeah, she did, I think her mother talked her to death. So, she really appreciated the quiet in the apartment when she did returned." Constance chuckled as she recalled Clare's face when she'd returned home the next evening.

"I hope she wanted to come back for more than the quiet." Catherine noticed the door to the study open and James Thompson looked at her tentatively, Catherine waved him inside.

"I hope so too! Although, she has banned the laptop in the bedroom." Constance once again smiled as she remembered that conversation it had been rather interesting, especially the final outcome. No, the laptop definitely didn't stray into the bedroom.

"Oh! Now, why would that be, I wonder?" Catherine laughed and gave James a speculative look; his back was turned towards the bookcases on the far side of the room.

"Would Jace allow it I wonder?" Constance decided that as Catherine seemed to be in a bantering mood she would reciprocate.

"Laptop no, but we have an eight month old baby, who is far more intense than any computer, I can vouch for that. Elena is now residing in her sister's room for the holidays. Then she gets her own room, which sounds, like heaven to me, but I digressed here. What are we going to do about the replacements Constance?" Catherine smiled as she thought about her daughter and the recent move of the child to another room. It had been time, as she had occasionally awakened at the most inopportune moments.

"We may need to do external recruiting, 'Russell's' are pretty good in this particular market place." Constance wasn't asking permission to contact a recruitment agency, but Catherine might have ideas on a more proficient agency.

"How about you have one last ditch attempt to get a couple of names out of the computer and we can discuss it on my next visit in three weeks, okay?" It irked Catherine to go outside she much preferred to promote within the company, it made for a good employee relationship and she needed that these days.

"No problem, when you're in town would you explain to Clare why I will be spending the New Year celebrations pouring over the computer?" Constance said, her voice held a plea that Catherine wasn't too sure she didn't mean.

"I will do better than that, I'll take her out to dinner while you pour over the computer. I need to make it up to her for the disaster with Danni." Catherine knew that the woman had suffered unnecessarily with the bitch Danni making a play for Constance. Catherine felt guilty over that particular problem, she did really instigate it in a rather obscure way.

"Ah Danni, ever hear from her, she didn't by any chance send you a Christmas card?" Constance asked her boss, they both knew the potential damage Danni had very nearly caused in both of their relationships.

"Bloody hell Constance, if she had, Jace would have been stringing me from the nearest hanging tree." Catherine said with feeling, although she wasn't too sure that it wasn't something Jace might threaten if the situation had arisen.

"I know the feeling well and a hanging tree has less distance to fall than an apartment block thirty stories up." Constance knew exactly what Clare would have threatened.

"I need to go, I have a young man here who looks like he wants to have my undivided attention. Isn't that right Mr Thompson?"  Catherine looked at the man who turned and gave her one of his face splitting grins.

"Oh! Yeah, James is there, give him my regards and Happy New Year to you and the family Catherine I'll hear from you soon."  Constance said sincerely.

Catherine agreed the sentiments and severed the connection between them. "Take a seat James, I've been kind of waiting to have a chat alone with you since you've arrived."

"Thanks and I was too, Jace said it was probably a good time now, if it's not, I can see you another day." James looked at her in quiet attention.

"As usual Jace is right; you know something, when I lost Grace to Colin, I thought I was going to get the privacy part of my life back as Grace always read me like a book, but you know Jace is worse, it is quite disconcerting." Catherine smiled at him and watched a dark shadow cross his face at a memory that the words had evoked. It was very painful to recall some of them.

"Yeah, I know what you mean, Paul had a habit of doing that." James said his voice shook as the memory came to face him full force.

Catherine looked down at her desk, she had never been that well versed in the sympathy stakes. "Paul was a very good man, I miss him."

James looked up at her and although his eyes held tears his smile diluted the sadness. "He thought you were pretty wonderful also, you know?"

Catherine shrugged her shoulders. "I owed Paul far more than money could ever repay. He and I had a history that touched the bad parts of my life, but he also helped me achieve the happiest part in my life too."

"Jace?" James smiled as he saw the light appear in the ice blue eyes, which had shadowed at James's memories of his partner.

"Yes, I know he wanted to bring her to me when I was recuperating after the accident, but he chose to accept my wishes on the subject rather than what he wanted to do in his heart. I also know he watched out for her those months I couldn't, for that he will always have my thanks. Not that it helps when he's not here to share the good times also, but, I wanted you to know that, it was and is important that you know that this is your family now, if you chose to take up the offer."

James looked at the usually sober featured woman and watched the sincere emotions cross over her face. In her own way she had loved Paul. "I had a similar conversation with Jace, I thought this was her idea about the family, but it isn't is it, it's yours?"

Catherine gave him a speculative stare. "Does that surprise you?"

"Before I came here, oh, sure it would have. Now? No, I can see the importance you put on family and even if it isn't a blood relation, you don't appear to care about that. It's all one to you isn't it, you're just a family?" James watched her consider his remarks and she gave him the largest grin he had ever seen her give in the week they had been on the property.

"If I waited for a blood relation to have a family atmosphere, I'm afraid that I'd be dead before that happened. Family is how you make it work, be it by blood or by the simple acceptance of a person in your life. I'm blessed with several people in my life who are family in ways, that even a blood relationship would be hard pressed to forge a stronger link in my life." Catherine tried to explain, she wasn't sure she had, but it was a difficult one to put into words. She would just rather feel the bonds of the family than talk about it.

James smiled and he held out his hand to her. "I'd be honoured to be part of Jace's and your family Catherine."

Catherine gave him a dazzling smile that he was sure made the lights in the room dim in comparison. "Welcome to our family James Thompson." Holding his hand in a strong grip that she hoped conveyed her strength of purpose in the offer.

"You know James, I was thinking you have the background, how would you like to consider taking over at UCP?" Catherine started a conversation she had wanted with this man for months. After all, he was family now. Why not keep it in the family.

~ ~ ~

Catherine looked up at the clock on the far wall and shook her head at the time. Jace would kill her, or metaphorically speaking she would; it was two in the morning and she was getting up early to go to the football match. Bringing her arms over her head to shift her shoulders and ease the ache in her left side, she really did need to have it checked out again, her eyes closed at the pain the stretching invoked in her body.

The door to the study opened quietly and Jace saw her partner stretch in what looked like a move right out of a jungle movie and you could see the smooth feline curves ripple in the dim light of the desk lamp, beautiful, quite simply beautiful. Walking in, she realised that Catherine must be tired; she had not even heard her approach. "You ready for bed yet Warriorson?"

Catherine shot up out of her chair in surprise and came face to face with a petite blonde in a long baggy nightshirt that clearly belonged to Catherine. Not that she ever used the garment, but on Jace the shirt would always bring back memories of the day Catherine fell in love with the blonde for the first time. "I'm sorry Jace, I needed to get some things cleared up before the New Year."

"I'm disappointed in you Catherine." Jace pouted at her and came around the desk and motioned for her tall partner to sit and she placed herself on her lap and put her arms around her neck looking directly into her ice blue incredibly sexy eyes.

"You are, why?" Catherine frowned and was captivated by the finger that stroked the lines on her forehead that the frown caused. And felt the blood rise as the finger trailed a slow path down her left cheek to her neck and down to her collarbone finally resting at the valley between her breasts.

Jace felt the heartbeat of her lover increase when she finally came to a halt at Catherine's breasts. "Well, after embarrassing me with your retreating comment and not coming up with the goods, what's a girl to think."

Catherine felt the finger tracing the top of her left breast and she knew that it wouldn't be long before she did come up with the goods and in the study too! "We could always go to bed and I'll make good on any promises I made Jace, count on it."

"Oh, I will count on it Catherine, but not tonight I believe you're going to be up early and I can see you're tired." Jace was loath to stop her seduction of Catherine, but her partner looked tired and although this was in part payback for Catherine's earlier comment, it did have it's down side for her too, mores the pity!

Catherine placed her hand over the finger that was held seductively at her breast, "I'm not that tired."

"Ah, but you would be and no way am I going to explain that to my father and our son when you can't get up in the morning, nope not me definitely not. When you marry me that's something else again." Jace teased her and watched the smouldering look be replaced by one of deep affection.

"Marry you? Have you a date in mind?" Catherine placed the wayward finger to her lips and smiled as she heard Jace's in drawn breath.

"I was....that is I.....tomorrow?" Jace said breathlessly.

Catherine laughed and pulled Jace closer to her and they looked deep into each other's eyes. "Tomorrow and the next day and the next and everyday beyond but......"

Jace saw the ice blue eyes take on a sensual look and she returned it with one of her own. "When?" her voice husky with unfulfilled passion.

"Tomorrow, New Years Eve when I'm back from the game, you and I will find a nice warm and cosy place that we can talk and not be disturbed and we will make plans. How does that sound to you?" Catherine saw the crinkle at the side of Jace's eyes and she tenderly kissed her on each side.

"Well, I know just the place for that particular venue that contains all the attributes you require. In fact it calls my name now so come on Warriorson, lets get your butt to bed." Jace placed her lips on her lover's forehead and smiled into the warm skin that intoxicated her with its perfume.

"I confirm the venue for our discussion Ms. Bardley, I could think of no better place than the one you offer me.' Catherine turned her head to look into Jace's face a sudden thought occurred to her that would be appropriate for the here and now, "Jace, we have an alarm clock don't we?" Catherine pierced the blonde with a look that seemed to search her soul for the answer.

"Yeah, we have." Jace chuckled at the suggestion; if nothing else you could always guarantee that Catherine would look at every available opportunity. Jace tugged on Catherine's hand and pulled her out of the chair towards the door. Dad might just have to rib her about a wake up call that was all, because she was sure it was going to be ringing for sometime!

"Then let us go up and set it, shall we?" Catherine teased, tenderly stroking a lock of hair away from Jace's face, then rubbing the silken golden strands of hair between her fingers while she caressed her with her eyes. With this she wrapped her strong arms about her and held her tightly against her, so that her breasts were flattened by expansion of her own chest filled with desire.

The peaks suddenly stiffened, tingling so, Jace sucked in a hungering breath. The sensation spiralled outward from both sensitive peaks filling her entire body with a spreading sexual heat that make her grow very moist. Her eyes flashed, turning a sparkling green with arousal, she huskily whispered, "Upstairs! Now Catherine!" Both swiftly ascended the steps to their bedroom and quickly closed the door behind them.

Jace wrapped both hands around Catherine's head and drew her head down to kiss her all over again, this kiss hotter, harder, fiercer, somehow, than the kisses of a few minutes earlier had been-and charged with such a sensual intensity, Jace felt it everywhere again, from the delightful tingle it left on her lips to the silvery heat of the very pit of her senses.

When the tip of Catherine's tongue probed the margins of her lips, Jace parted them straightway, allowing her lover to boldly invade her mouth, claiming it, conquering it, possessing it, her victory eliciting a breathless, drawn-out sob that Jace heard, but thought uttered by another. Weakly, she leaned against Catherine, unable to stand unaided, her knees had grown so feeble; supported by Catherine's body now, as she has so many time, until, as if from afar off, she heard a low, urgent voice growl, "I want you Jace."

"Not anymore than I want and need you darling," and kissed her hungrily on the mouth, as they fell urgently to the bed.

Catherine covered her body with kisses, beginning with her throat, her earlobes, her breasts, and on down, showering kisses over her flat belly and her thighs. "I love you Jace," a deep voice declared.

"And I you Catherine," she murmured with feeling, her bare limbs tightening their hold on her raven-haired lover. Her eyes were shinning with love and desire and with a provocation, as she showered Catherine's face with kisses that landed indiscriminately on her cheeks, her eyelids, her nose and brow.

Long after they had cried their rapture to the rafters, they still clung closely together, breathing each other's ragged breaths, matching each others thundering heartbeats, until finally both slowed, as the invigorating stillness of spent passion claim them both in a contented sleep.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-one

Jace watched as the aircraft flew higher taking away her family and friends that now pulled away over the horizon. Wiping a tear away Jace turned towards her three children and Faith. It was always difficult to say goodbye. Especially when there was such a distance between them, several thousand miles in fact. At least there was one consolation, in three weeks time they would be going to New York. Jace thought it might be a good idea, if she and the children spent the final week of the two-week visit in California with her parents. Catherine had looked at the childishly expectant expression on Jace's face and swallowed down her initial negative reaction to the request and merely pulled her into a warm embrace and said "anything for you".

"Hey, how about we go into town and have lunch at 'Sharkie's', my treat?" Jace smiled at her laughing brood. Even Faith gave her a wide grin of approval at the idea and the choice of venue. The place itself looked quite sparsely decorated and indeed it was in some of the alcoves. However, the food was superb, having the best fish dishes in town. They all loved fish, even Elena. It was a good choice.

"Yeah, that's cool Jace. Will Catherine be back to eat with us too?" Lisa said and skipped around the fenced area for people who were just visiting the airport and placed her small hand in Jace's right one.

Jace gave Lisa an affectionate glance and clasped the smaller hand in hers gently. Jake looked towards them as he pushed Elena in her stroller as they all walked towards the car park area and the Landrover that Faith had driven down. John Cruisal had driven the other vehicle, as they had needed to carry everyone to the airport. He had left for the ranch as soon as he had dropped the passengers at the airport and removed their luggage for the airport personnel to handle. That had annoyed Lucy, but she had at least managed to persuade Jace to allow Cruisal to be the driver. However, even that had taken a temper tantrum and lots of tears. Fortunately, Catherine wasn't around, so at least, they didn't have to convince her.

"Darling, Catherine had to go to Christchurch to see her doctor, she told you yesterday remember? So, she can't have lunch, but she'll be home tonight and she called this morning to say that she would try and be back before you went to bed." Jace smiled at the children and her own anxiety and fears over her partners fresh health concerns were effectively dissipated for a little while.

It hadn't taken a rocket scientist to realise that Catherine was struggling with her shirt as she dressed hurriedly to meet up with Jason and Jake. "You okay?" Jace had asked her, a knot of concern slowly tightening in her chest as she saw the flash of pain over her partner's face.

"Yes, of course. Whatever gave you idea something is wrong?" Catherine gave a smile that for anyone else would give the distinct impression that nothing was amiss and it was a figment of the imagination.

"You forget partner, I live with you. I saw you wince in pain, and if you lie to me, well there's no knowing what might happen to you. So let's share this new brave front that has come over you, please Catherine?" Jace looked at Catherine from her position leaning on her side watching the expressions flitting across her face. "Don't even think about it Catherine."

"Would I lie to you?" Catherine gave her a downcast look and gingerly sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Unfortunately in this circumstance, I do believe you would." Jace gave her a wry smile.

"Okay, okay Bardley, I was going to tell you sometime soon anyway! I've been having a few shooting pains in the left shoulder. It is quite painful at times and stops the movement a little, no big deal." Catherine locked her ice blue gaze on the green slightly misty eyes of the woman who had come to mean the essence of life in such a short space of time to her.

Jace shot up from the bed and placed her hands around Catherine's still featured face and shook her head. "Catherine when did it start? Why didn't you say something sooner? Are you mad to keep it a secret?" Jace could have continued indefinitely, but she saw the sadness appear in those very expressive eyes locked on hers.

"Jace, I know what you're saying, but listen please. I just wanted to spend the holidays with my family and not go for a prodding session at the hospital. Can you understand that?" Catherine asked her softly.

Jace saw the hesitation in Catherine's face, "Yes, I can understand that; so what are you going to do about it now?"

Catherine rested her forehead on her partners and as their breath mingled she replied quietly. "I sent e-mail to the surgeon in Christchurch. I hope to have a reply when I get back later today. What would you say about we finish this discussion along with the more important one later. Is that alright with you Jace?"

Jace gave her a rueful smile and nodded her head. "Will you be okay, out there today? I mean do you need to maybe cover up more than that old shirt you have?"

Catherine laughed softly, "Jace if you hadn't noticed it's warm out there and I think this old shirt brings back some good memories, wouldn't you say?"

Jace recalled the number of times she'd 'helped' Catherine remove it, so it sure did, her face tinted slightly as she chuckled. "Yes, your right, sorry to worry so much."

Catherine pulled Jace into a warm embrace her hold gentle and loving, "Never, ever, stop worrying Jace. Where ever would I be without you in my life to pick up my pieces?"

Jace smiled up at her and heard the soft footfalls of two people on the stairs. "I guess that's your cue to take a hike, huh?"

"Yes, I guess it is; I love you Jace Bardley, always and forever." Catherine kissed her gently and released her embrace and moved away from the bed.

"Forever Catherine." Jace repeated as she followed Catherine's tall form out of the room and then gave a heavy sigh.

The doctor had agreed to see her immediately after New Years Day. She would need to stay overnight for tests. So, she had taken the train out early the day before having politely made excuses that she had a check up that she couldn't re-arrange because of her business schedule. Most had been sympathetic except one, and Lucy had smirked 'I told you so' that Catherine put everything on hold for business, even her own family. Normally Frank would have picked her up with the helicopter, but she needed him to fly the others to Auckland today and therefore the train was the only option other than a chauffeur.

Jace had sorely wanted to be with her, however; they still had visitors, which had stopped her from being with Catherine for the tests. Catherine refused to allow them both to abandon their family and friends as this holiday visit came to an end.

Catherine had seemed unconcerned when she'd called that morning to confirm she would be home around dinner. Catherine was not known for long conversations with anyone, they were few and far between.

Settling them down in an alcove nearest the garden, which had a small play area for children and even ones as young as Elena wouldn't be in any danger.

"Can we go play until the food arrives Jace?" Lisa asked hopefully.

Jace looked at the expectant face of the child and grinned, "sure why not, what would you like to eat?"

"I would like a swordfish Jace." The child answered her selection always amused them because she asked the same question everytime she sat down to eat it, 'where was the sword'? Never failed to amuse them all. Especially Catherine, who had one day been in a particularly wacky mood and selected a sword from the cocktail drinks sticks and asked the waiter to put it on the fish just as it was presented to the child. That had effectively stopped Lisa in her tracks for all of a minute. Then she had commented on the fact that it was plastic and bright green. You couldn't please some people Catherine had remarked and hugged the child to her as they all laughed at the situation.

"I'll take Elena Jace, so may I have the tiger prawns with lots of fries?" Jake gave her a dashing smile.

She laughed at his selection. "Yes, go ahead, but Jake, she's going to want you to push her high on that swing. Remember she wriggles around like a fish herself and she might slip, okay?"

"No problemo Jace. Come on Elena, let's go play." Jake took hold of his sister's hands and they walked slowly towards the playground area, in full sight of the watching adults.

"Jake adores Elena." Faith pointed out and smiled her eyes gentle as she watched them outside.

"Yes, who could figure it really? You would have thought Lisa might be more taken with her, but no, our Jake is definitely smitten; mind you I think it's wonderful." Jace gave her children a fond glance and then went back to her perusal of the menu.

"Yeah, it is and you wouldn't think they all had different parents looking at them together." Faith watched the blonde opposite her in a thoughtful regard.

Jace looked up and caught the glance from Faith. "You trying to make a point tactfully or would you just like to get to the point directly?"

Faith smiled at the younger woman, she had never seen her lose her temper, raise her voice or be anything other than supportive, compassionate and loving around her family and friends and even strangers. "Will the powers that be allow you to adopt them?"

Jace gave Faith a long even look and her green eyes darkened at the question. It was one she had asked numerous times of her partner, who had tried and failed to convince her that things were progressing well in that direction. "Catherine is convinced they will; she's engaged the best lawyers, but they haven't managed to achieve the approval of the government department that sanctions the adoption papers. I hope in the future we can, but certain circumstances are not in our favour right now!"

Faith looked at the blonde and she saw the tears welling up that indicated her discomfort with the subject and her own inadequacy over the situation. "Does it matter in the end, you have given them a super home and a loving family atmosphere. What more could you hope to gain by a piece of paper?"

"Faith, you say the nicest things, but Catherine worries that the authorities might deem her unfit or us both unfit and remove them from our care." Jace explained quietly.

"Because you're living together?" Faith hadn't particularly liked this element of the relationship between the two women when she had first arrived at Destiny. But, her daughter had swiftly pointed out it wasn't her business and she needed to adopt a more open mind. Well, she'd certainly attained that attribute especially after the kidnapping and her views on life had taken a rapid turn about.  If the love these two women shared could be bottled, they would make a fortune and Faith wouldn't mind a small bottle of her own just to see her through the next twenty years or so.

"That's the classic question and I guess under normal circumstances and in other countries sure that would be the reason, but not here. Catherine's background and her conviction for drugs unfortunately is the key factor. She is still only seen as a temporary resident and that puts a hold to any adoption for the time being."

"Will she attain a full residency again?" Faith asked. She had wondered about that particular problem, but her knowledge of what was right and wrong in the political field wasn't that clear.

"We all hope so, but......" Jace didn't finish her eyes taking another look at the menu.

"Catherine's not going to get it back is she?" Faith asked the woman gently.

Jace looked up and the tears that had been threatening now fell slowly down her cheeks. "I don't think she will, and it is so unfair Faith. She loves this country and it will break her heart when they pass her over again."

Faith smiled weakly at the young woman who was little more than a child herself and who had taken on not only the responsibility of three children, but also the dubious and yet unfailing accountability for her partner's spirit and life. "I hope my country takes a closer look behind the scenes before it makes that decision Jace, for all of you."

"Thanks Faith. Come on, enough of this, let's order the food, I'm starving." The blonde chuckled.

Faith laughed along with this effervescent woman. She was totally endearing and it wasn't surprising the tall dark partner Jace shared her life with never let her out of her sight when they were together. Faith sometimes wondered if Catherine didn't have eyes in the back of her head when it came to watching over Jace. At least it was the look of love that always shone out of those often-cold ice blue eyes when they alighted on the blonde; that would always be enough to convince anyone of Catherine's intent with regards to Jace's well being.

~ ~ ~

"Why didn't you speak sooner of this Mrs. Warriorson?" Charles Forsythe, her consultant surgeon asked in his brittle, best
professional voice.

Catherine raised her eyebrows at the words and gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I was busy, it didn't appear to be much of a problem at first."

"That at first would be?" He asked as he looked down at the test results, his face giving away nothing.

"Perhaps a month ago maybe two, wasn't counting, it wasn't important." Catherine spoke in a monosyllabic tone.

Charles Forsythe gave a long piercing glance out of his own, cold grey eyes and tugged on his short goatee beard. "You do not consider your health important Mrs. Warriorson, would that be the general consensus at home from your family too?"

Catherine looked down at her hands that were folded in her lap; okay so she was trying to cover up, and it wasn't working with this man. "No! My family would be upset if there was a major problem."

"I'm pleased to hear that at least. So, would you care to retract your previous statement and relate to me again when you first noticed the pain?" The doctor looked at her averted profile; sometimes you had to wonder at the stupidity of intelligent people when it came down to health issues.

Catherine looked back at him and gave him a wry look. "Six months ago, I was abroad at the time something seemed to snap is probably the only way to describe it. I didn't think much of it at the time. Other things came up and it kind of lost any real significance."

"Thank you for at least finally being truthful. Yes, you have a problem. No, it will not cause you permanent disability. Although, leaving it any longer, we may not have been so fortunate. None the less, we need to perform an operation as soon as possible to correct the problem and I would judge a couple of months of physio and you should be back to strength again." The doctor explained in a fast controlled voice.

Catherine swallowed hard. Hell, she had to go to New York soon and then the ceremony, Jesus why did things like this happen to her. "What would you say, if I postponed the surgery for three months?"

Charles Forsythe laughed at the remark. "I would ask you to leave and find yourself another surgeon. Plus, you would lose the use of the left shoulder in that time, however, it is your choice."

Catherine placed a hand under her chin and stroked it in concentration. "I actually thought you might say that, so when did you propose?"

"If I had the choice I would say tomorrow, but I don't for one minute think you're going to let me have that option? So I suggest three days time. That will give you the opportunity to clear up a few matters at home." The doctor saw her flinch at the time scale.  He smiled at the expression.

"That's kind of cutting it short, how long will the surgery take or should I say how long will I be in the hospital?" Catherine asked him maybe she could salvage her plans with Jace, maybe!

"Looking at your file and how well you heal, I would say a week maximum, but then you will need the physio work. I can obviously suggest someone to help you with that as before, perhaps Ms O'Neil would take up the post again. I heard that you and she were quite friendly at one point."

Catherine glared at the doctor, pity he was bloody good at this type of surgery or she would have gone to either the States or England to have the operation after that comment, it was tempting.

"Actually, Ms. O'Neil and I parted less than friends shall we say. I will arrange that part of the recuperation myself, obviously under guidance." Catherine answered and challenged him to refute that prospect.

"Perhaps that will be as well; you will of course not be in a position to do any strenuous exercise for a couple of months." The doctor saw her raise her eyebrow at the remark and he smiled.

"I'm sure your.....family will understand." Charles Forsythe gave her a knowing smile, he knew about the rumours and found it quite amusing how people had continued to speculate months after the original stories had emerged.

Catherine refused to answer that one and stood up from her seat opposite him. "Okay, I'll be back in three days. E-mail me the details and time you want me here. I might need an adjoining room, I assume that isn't a problem?"

Charles smiled at her. She was someone that you hated to have as a patient, but she had the one powerful asset all hospitals loved, money!

"No problem at all, let me know. I will see you in three days Mrs Warriorson, goodbye until then."

"Yes, three days doctor and thank you," her words spoken quietly and with little warmth.

Catherine walked out of the hospital minutes later and made her way towards the centre of town. It was a wonderful day for a walk and she needed to think, this was putting all her plans in jeopardy. Mind you, she couldn't blame the bloody surgeon. He was only doing his job and she'd been the foolish one here. If she had only acted on the pain earlier, it would be over and done with, and things wouldn't be interfering with her life again. Her fault as usual, perhaps one day she just might use some of that intelligence she possessed and make a good call in her own personal life for once. Jace might just forgive her, but she was definitely going to be mad.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-two

Jace had been mad, that was an understatement and now sitting on the porch watching a beautiful sky that had the light hues of blue, pink and Catherine was sure she discerned purple within its' depths. Having a beautiful sky to look out onto without Jace to share it was hard, and it cut Catherine in more places than she cared to admit to herself, never mind anyone else.

Elena was finally sleeping fitfully, her teeth causing the baby to be fractious and upset her tears never far away. It made Catherine smile a lot like her mother, but for different reasons. Jace had left the screaming baby in what she called Catherine's 'capable hands' and gave her an exasperated look and went to assure the two older children had gone to bed. Making sure that Jake wasn't on the computer and Lisa didn't have her head stuck in the giant doll's house she adored. It was after all, school in the morning.  Catherine had been to tired to complete the story she was telling them, at least Jace had generously allowed her that reprieve.

To complete Jace's annoyance with her partner, she had informed Catherine that she needed to talk to Faith and the sooner the better! Leaving the statement as blank as that, giving Catherine no possible indication of why?

Faith chose that moment to arrive on the porch and she held two enormous mugs and Catherine turned to her in question. "Where did those come from?"

"I bought them today in town, I have watched you drink gallons of tea from that mug of yours, but it's usually not enough. So, I thought one a little larger might be of more help." The older woman smiled at the dark pensive looking figure sitting in one of the wicker chairs and she placed the steaming mugs of tea on the small table between two chairs and casually sat in the vacant one.

"That was very thoughtful Faith, I appreciate the gesture and I do kind of enjoy my tea." She gave Grace's mother a rueful look and snatched up the mug placed next to her and drank from it, relishing the taste and settled herself back in the chair.

Faith had been talking to Judy when a rather volatile conversation had taken place with the owner of the property and her partner within ten minutes of Catherine coming home. Although, now they knew that Catherine was going back into the hospital and it had been her own fault. Or, Jace had muttered words to that effect angrily as she stomped off to see the elder children. Both Judy and herself had been somewhat surprised at Jace and the altercation that had taken place. To say it was unusual would be putting it mildly. Now looking at the averted profile of the tall raven-haired woman, she could see Catherine was clearly upset and looked somewhat ashen as well.

"Yes, I noticed. I bought four of them just in case of breakage's and if Jace finally gets a mug she can call her own, perhaps she wont keep inadvertently drinking other's coffee placed on the table." Faith chuckled at her comment. The blonde had a habit that was just so unconscious it was hard not to laugh everytime she 'stole' someone's coffee. Perhaps, Grace had a trick that she hadn't yet informed Judy about that little practice.

Catherine turned to the older woman and smiled. "Yes, Jace doesn't realise it you know, and it is kind of amusing, but I'm glad I don't drink coffee in a morning or we would be fighting I would hazard."

"Yes." A simple word that conveyed more than its simplicity.

Catherine looked directly into Faith's brown eyes, which reminded her of Grace. Catherine brought the mug of tea up for another drink and held in her hand in a cradling action and moved her glance to the baby and watched the even breathing of the child and noted the pink cheeks that the teething was causing the child. "Elena looked worn out this evening." Catherine remarked absently, her mind running over Jace's anger and finding it difficult to come up with a suitable response. She had lied to her partner; that was the immovable object that Jace was particularly upset about, but Catherine had unconsciously made the decision months ago.  It was a mistake!

"Yeah, she had a great time playing at 'Sharkies' over lunch. Jake makes sure she enjoys herself to the full and then she woke from a short nap screaming. Jace hasn't had any peace all afternoon, the child was inconsolable for hours--it happens." Faith said watching the guarded expression change to one of understanding.

"Yes, Elena can scream the house down if she isn't happy, that's for sure. I obviously wasn't aware of the situation when I came home and Jace never mentioned it." Catherine said softly. It did put a few pieces of the puzzle in the picture with Jace's unusual attitude to her earlier.

"No, well Jace probably thought you had enough on your mind and it looks like she was right. She told us you have to have more surgery?" Faith tentatively asked.

Catherine expelled a deep breath and it blew the hair that had fallen over her forehead up in the hair for a second. "Yes, unfortunately so, it simply has not come at the time I would want but.........I have to rethink some plans that's all."

Faith gave the younger woman a concerned glance; it surprised her. She had never felt anything other than grudging respect for Catherine Warriorson. She always seemed in control and remote to everyone except her immediate family and her daughter Grace.

"Is it a dangerous operation?"

Catherine smiled and rose out of the chair and went over to lean against the railing of the porch her hands clutching the tea mug.

"No, well, not really, but all surgery as an element of risk regardless of what it is even the simplest of procedures. I have an excellent surgeon. And I will be home within the week; as always it is the recuperation that takes the time."

"Yeah, that is the truth." Faith watched the back of the woman she was definitely tense and Faith knew there was only one person who could change that.

"Jace wanted me to talk to you Faith. Unfortunately she failed to allow me the pleasure of knowing exactly why?" Catherine spoke in a measured voice.

"Ah, well, today I told Jace I was leaving at the weekend to go home." Faith informed her and watched the tall woman spin round and deposit the remains of her tea on the decking in her haste.

"Why?" Catherine asked she hadn't expected this at all.

"I feel I have outstayed my welcome Catherine. You have been kind enough to allow me to stay on the property for over eight months. It's time to go home and pick up my old life." Faith explained she was in truth surprised at the reaction from the tall woman she looked upset!

"I.....is it something we've done or haven't done? Or.....I guess I never thought about you going back home." Catherine answered lamely; she didn't know what to say. Of course Faith would want to go home. She had only come to help Grace and then there was the wedding; they as a family would mean nothing to Faith, even if the woman had taken over as a surrogate grandparent to the kids--all of them.

"No! No, nothing you or Jace have done. I thought that perhaps you would like to have the house to yourselves and just have the family around. It can't be much fun having strangers in the house all the time." Faith had tears in her eyes as she spoke. In all honesty leaving this place was the furthest thing from her mind. It had become a sanctuary for her since her husband's death and she was actually getting to know her daughter, she loved them all, particularly the baby who had captured her heart from day one. Judy and she had become friends and she would miss her trips into town for the line dancing they indulged in twice a week. She thought that Judy might miss the friendship as much as she would. Jace who had become a third daughter to her, they had often talked as a mother-daughter does and something Faith had rarely experienced with her independent daughters. This woman before her was the only enigma and one she hadn't been able to fathom at all and that made the decision possible, what did this woman think of her in her home?

"Stranger? Faith do you believe that you're a stranger in my home?" Catherine was flabbergasted. She knew that Faith had a few issues with her and Jace's relationship in the early months, so they'd tried to respect that, and eventually believed it hadn't seemed to be a problem, or according to Grace it hadn't. Then again, when did Grace know much about her own mother?

Faith saw the puzzled expression cross over Catherine's face. She could understand why Jace watched her partner's profile with a dreamy expression; she was a very beautiful woman and her features created their own image for anyone looking closely. "Don't you?" Faith passed the ball back into Catherine's court.

"Actually no! I perhaps haven't taken the time that I obviously should to acknowledge your place in my household Faith; you're my children's grandmother. I think Jace would be devastated if you left her also. She enjoys your quiet support, being so many thousands of miles from her own mother; it helps in more ways than you know." Catherine tried to explain her voice uncertain.

"Would you want me to stay? Where would I live?" Faith asked her quietly. She was overcome with Catherine's view of her in the family's life.

"I would want you to stay if that's what you want Faith. It comes down to what you want to do? Is there something wrong with the room you have?" Catherine was perplexed; Faith had actually the largest guestroom in the house, the only other rooms larger were the apartment space for the housekeeper.

"The room is beautiful Catherine. My daughter is obviously talented in that area."

Catherine smiled at that comment acknowledging that Grace had decided on the decoration of the house.

"I would like to stay Catherine, I love the family and I need it in my life." The woman admitted and drank the last of her tea out of the enormous mug.

Catherine laughed, "Not sure if you can cope with the prospect of teenagers in the near future, but we could sure use the help and experience you have Faith. I for one have a very hard time understanding the children at times, especially Elena."

"Elena, why she's a softy Catherine. You need to be firm that's all!" Faith smiled at the baby fast asleep in the travel crib. She never saw the expression of self-disgust that passed over Catherine's face at the innocent comment.

"Yes, it's very strange, but everyone says that." Turning away from the railing she gave Faith the first ever all encompassing smile that made the stoic features shine like a beacon in the dark recesses of the night.

"I'll go and see Judy and book our trip into town next week then, perhaps you would inform Jace for me?" Faith saw the indecisive look cross the face.

"Yes, I will and my home is your home Faith; for however long you wish to make it so. I'm glad you decided to stay." Catherine walked towards the kitchen doorway her mug hanging loosely in her hands.

"Before you go in to talk to Judy, would you please keep an eye on Elena for a short time, I have a friend to appease."

"The invitation sounds pretty good to me Catherine, thanks. Sure go ahead to Jace. I will see to Elena." Faith stood up herself and watched the woman enter the house, now that was unexpected, that woman had more facets to her character than a three-dimensional puzzle. Faith gently picked up the travel crib and went into the kitchen area herself.

~ ~ ~

Jace had decided to go into their bedroom and think about Catherine. Sometimes being in the same room with her had a way of shredding her resolve and she needed to resolve this attitude that Catherine persisted with about keeping secrets. She had accused her partner of deceit and that hadn't been the case. It was purely an oversight at first from Catherine, then a notion she had in her head that it was a way of protecting Jace.

Catherine was so complex Jace wondered if she needed a degree in C. X. Devonshire Warriorson studies, wouldn't that be
interesting!

Throwing herself unceremoniously on the bed, Jace allowed a tear to track down her cheek at the frustration of her partner. 'You don't know how you hurt me Catherine with this solitary plane you still reach for when there is pain in your life. I'm here for Zeus's sake. I'll always been here for you! I need you to understand that, we can't go forward until you do, we can't go anywhere at all!' her tears flowed all the more at her dejected thoughts.

Now there was the added problem of Catherine going into the hospital with Faith leaving at the same time. Jace wouldn't be in a position to go with Catherine again! The children needed to have someone they viewed as family at home and Grace wasn't here; now, Faith would be gone too. Jace couldn't leave the children to Judy that would be so unfair on the woman who was becoming more and more invaluable to them in the household and as a friend too. If they weren't lucky in some situations at least they appeared to choose the right friend's around them.

Catherine walked silently into the room and saw her partner crying sprawled out on the bed. Her back turned away from the door so Jace hadn't seen or heard her enter. It very nearly made Catherine turn and run from the anguish she was causing the woman she loved, nearly but not quite. If she had to face the wrath of Jace Bardley, she would do so and there was never a better time.

Clearing her voice Catherine spoke tenderly to the blonde. "I talked to Faith."

Jace heard the voice, she gulped back more tears and scrubbed her face with her right hand and then turned her tear stained face to Catherine.

"What did she say?"

"She wanted to go home. I never realised I hadn't said the words Jace, I apologise for that oversight on my part and.......if it hurt you in any way." Catherine realised her obtuse attitude might well have caused her partner pain.

Jace raised her red rimmed swollen green eyes to Catherine's ice blue ones that held sincere apology in them. "Is she still going home?"

"No, no she agreed to stay," the words quietly spoken.

"Was that because of the surgery and then she's leaving again or you just bullied her into staying a while longer." Jace knew she was being unfair, but today she couldn't help it. Her nerves were shredded and Catherine was taking the brunt of the force of her negative emotions.

Catherine sat down at the edge of the bed and flinched inwardly as Jace moved a little further away from her, that was a first!

"No! Faith doesn't want to leave Jace. She is family. Why should she?" Catherine's own voice was ragged, did Jace think that she wanted to get rid of Faith from the property.

"You think she's family?" Jace saw the pained expression on Catherine's face and knew she was responsible.

"Yes, she's the children's grandmother. What kind of person do you take me for that I would want to see her leave?" Catherine retorted irately.

Jace moved closer to Catherine, they were within inches of each other as touching was a normal pre-requisite with them. But, today it was different for them both. There was something wrong with their relationship and if they didn't face it and destroy the problem for good, they couldn't move on. "I'm pleased you think like that and I'm glad Faith has decided not to leave us." Jace eventually responded, her eyes looked down at the bedclothes and she traced the pattern with her fingertips.

"I don't want you to leave me either Jace?" Catherine said. It was so softly spoken that Jace wasn't sure she'd heard the words, they sounded so unsure and filled with fear.

Jace looked up and not only had she heard the fear, but Catherine's face was white and her eyes looked haunted and shocked. It would be so easy to put her hand up to the face she loved and wipe away the doubt. Not this time, they had to work it out, passion and sex wasn't going to do that for them, it might help the process, but not solve the issues.

"I don't want to leave you either Catherine, but are you going to give me choices or are you going to continue in bearing your pain alone. We are supposed to be partners Catherine. If you can't share the bad times what type of person does that make me? I want it all Catherine, the hurt, pain, shadows, disappointments and loneliness that you experience. Why not let me in Catherine?"

"I only want the best for you Jace, the dreams and happiness that I can help you achieve. What is the point in us both experiencing the dark?" Catherine said, her voice searing Jace in its intensity.

"You think that life should be only happiness? For god's sake Catherine, that isn't life! That's living a mockery of life without some of the pain and bitterness that we experience. How ever can we learn to appreciate the good things that happen to us? Are you telling me that if you had the power you would let me and our children only feel good and you take all our pain?" Jace's heart bleed as she spoke the woman had this idealistic world that she wanted to transplant them in, but that wouldn't work! For any of them and particularly her, life was cruel and the only way she knew how to deal with the cruelties was by the lessons of life and that included the bad too!

"Yes, I would. I would take the pain for you all if I could." Catherine stood up and walked over to the window. Her eyes looked at the still relatively light sky it was beautiful, but she didn't see that at this moment, she saw nothing at all, everything was changing.

"If I told you I wanted to take your pain Catherine what then?" Jace watched the tall back stiffen at the comment.

"I would say you were a fool, but a brave fool that I love." Catherine said quietly her eyes starring unseeingly out of the window.

Jace move off the bed and silently padded towards the window. "Will you allow this fool to come inside that wall you've been building again, but this time please give me the key to the secret entrance."

Catherine turned startled eyes to her smaller companion. "I.....I....it's hard to allow Jace as much as I love you. I can't see you hurt, it would break my heart, don't you know that?"

Jace took the step that brought her head to her taller partners shoulder. "Yes, it might break your heart, but would you prefer that to never having the chance to share all our experiences, the good and bad Catherine. We can restore the broken heart together if it happens!"

Catherine lifted her hand and brought it to fleetingly touch the smooth side of Jace's cheek, it felt so good to touch her. Catherine missed Jace in ways that could never be explained and why should they ever be it was after all her soul that was weeping at the loss. "I will never keep things from you again Jace, I promise you!" Catherine spoke her voice broke at the words as the first tears wove their way down her cheeks.

Jace reached up and smoothed the tears away and she gave her partner a smile filled with compassion and love. "I know Catherine, until the next time, and then what do we do? Can you keep this promise Catherine? Because I'm not sure if the next time I can let it go so easily?"

Catherine bent her head and kissed Jace's forehead tenderly, "I will Jace, whatever you need from me, ask me. Will you trust in me again?"

Jace once again was consumed with the plea from this woman who could make her forget by a word or a touch and together it was a potent mixture. "I've always trusted in you, but you have to reciprocate Catherine, will you trust in me?"

"Yes, Jace, with all my secrets." Catherine had hesitated and Jace began to feel as if she sat on the abyss and at any moment she would fall into its' dark depths and yet, with those words hadn't she done just that!

"Good, there will only ever be one thing that you need to remember Catherine, I love you and I will never hurt you. However, sometimes what one perceives as hurt is in fact a learning curve that without it they can't move on, and we need to move on Catherine." Jace spoke with warmth, but her eyes were deadly serious and Catherine wasn't too sure that she had picked up the message being conveyed.

Catherine placed her arms around the blonde's shoulders and looked deep into the green depths. They held for her the only home she wanted, the only sanctuary she would ever crave, the only love that would make her feel whole. "Will you move on with me Jace, you and I together? I need you in my life."

"Darling, you have just given me the key to your secret entrance. I couldn't live without you in my life. So, come on let's go and see what our youngest daughter is up to, shall we?" Jace placed a light kiss on Catherine's lips. Now wasn't the time for the passion that could and would flare if they wanted. Now was a time to reflect on the words they had spoken to each other, both the good and bad, they would work it through together.

Catherine knew that Jace was still emotionally upset at the events of the day in total, not just her part in it. She herself wasn't too sure if she had the stamina to go another round with her partner or anyone else for that matter.

"I need a shower Jace and I'll be down presently."

Jace pulled away from Catherine's arms and gazed up into her quiet sombre features. "Sure, how about I have Judy prepare you a light meal I suspect you haven't eaten much today by the pallor of your skin."

Catherine pushed back a lock of hair that had fallen over her eyes; she really needed to get her hair cut. "Yes, I could murder an omelette. Will you join me?" It was a strangely tentative enquiry and it made Jace look closely at her partner.

"When have you know me refuse an invitation like that, especially when the person asking is very beautiful, enticingly sensual and the sexiest thing on two legs that has ever come into my life." Jace walked away laughing towards the door.

"Jace! For god's sake you're walking away from me?" Catherine couldn't believe the woman would say the words and not at least kiss her.

"Oh, yeah, Catherine. You need a shower and......we can discuss this later." She opened the door and left without a backward glance.

The blonde could be so infuriating and yet paybacks could be so......so very appealing. Catherine walked into the bathroom, her heart easier if not totally at ease.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-three

Jace turned her head away from her view over the drive and watched her sleep. The doctor was entirely confident that the surgery had been a success. If Catherine followed the physiotherapy programmes that had been mapped out for her, it should never cause her a problem again. Well her partner was definitely going to keep that part of the recuperation process in line. Jace had been given the instructions on how to help her partner without the need for a professional except for twice a week at the local hospital. For Jace, it was a two-fold benefit taking on the role; she could ensure that Catherine did indeed follow the course programme and together they would achieve the goals set. Then, there was the part of Jace that had become jealous as soon as anyone mentioned physiotherapy within a mile of her. She remembered the havoc that had been created the last time Catherine had to use 'professional' help. Jace was going to ensure that Catherine enjoyed their sessions in every way possible!

Turning back to the view over the drive it was relatively quiet; the horses had all been released for exercise in the adjoining fields.  Even Tralargon was munching happily in the paddock, sharing it in equanimity with Rosie, Jake's small mare and Diamond, Lisa's precious little pony. It was looking over at it a very strange mixture and it made you smile when you looked at them all together. It reminded her of the riders of each of the animals, they were all different, and yet they fit together as if nature had intended them to! Jace wondered if Elena would join the happy trio at some stage, probably as she doubted her daughter would want to be left out of any activity if the others were involved. Chuckling Jace couldn't imagine which animal Catherine or Colin would chose for their very active child, whatever it was it would surely need to have fastenings to secure the child on the back, mind you she might end up a bare back rider, anything was possible.

"Would you care to share what you find so funny outside the window?" Catherine spoke quietly, her voice still held the remnants of sleep.

"Hey, didn't realise you were awake. How do you feel?" Jace smiled brightly and walked away from the window and sat carefully on the edge of the bed, her position ensuring that she didn't disturb Catherine's position in the bed.

"Only just have woken, do I get a kiss?" Catherine smiled at Jace; strapped up on her left hand side to prevent any sudden movements of her shoulder had severely decreased her mobility. She was in a certain amount of pain only taking the painkillers at night to ease her into sleep.

Jace smiled and duly complied, "There's something to be said for you being all trussed up like a turkey Catherine," chuckling at the image that comment produced.

Catherine raised her left eyebrow. "A turkey? Really Jace, I probably look like lots of things but a turkey surely not?" The comment did make her smile though.

"How do you feel Catherine?" Jace placed a gentle hand on the side of her face and watched in satisfaction as the action caused her partner to lean into it.

"Must be getting old if I need to sleep half the day, huh?" Catherine gave Jace a disconsolate look.

Jace grinned at her and placed her right hand in both of hers and gently caressed it. "Catherine, you've been home exactly two days and already you want to climb Fox Glacier, please at least accept that you might need a little extra rest, before you know it you will be climbing the glacier."

Catherine looked down at the gentle ministrations her partner was applying. It was very soothing to her. Besides, it helped to keep her frustrations at bay. It brought it home to her more and more what a fool she'd been in those months of her accident for not allowing Jace to re-enter her life.

"Will that be part of the therapy climbing Fox?"

Jace looked at the scars on her left profile. They were so faint now; it was only at close quarters that you could actually see them.  They didn't detract from her beauty but to the people who didn't love Catherine that would be another facet that gave her the big bad image that constantly surrounded her. "Catherine you know I hate heights, that's why I wont let you get me on a horse, far too high off the ground for me. Incidentally you asked why I was chuckling earlier right?"

"Yes." Catherine smiled as she heard the subtle shift in conversation away from Jace's aversion to riding.

"I was kind of wondering what type of animal you or Colin would chose to teach our daughter to ride, let's face it, the three of you have fairly different tastes at the moment." Jace smiled and put Catherine's right hand to her lips and kissed the palm tenderly.

"Type of animal? A pony probably like Lisa, but I would leave that choice to Colin, he's the best judge." Catherine explained placidly.

"What if she decided not to learn to ride, you know like her mother?" Jace watched the concentrated look pass over her partner's face as the thought was digested.

"I respect that just as I respect her mother's choice on the matter. Although I still haven't lost hope that one day we might have that ride out on the hills together." Catherine answered seriously her smile flashed her understanding of her partners aversion to the pursuit.

"Is that one of your dreams Catherine?" Jace asked. They had never really discussed what dreams Catherine had; it had always been focused on what she wanted, if they ever vaguely closed in on the subject it always changed immediately by Catherine herself.

Looking at her younger partner, she was tempted to ignore the question, as she'd done in the past but not now, Catherine fervently hoped she'd learnt her lesson in deception. "Well, I have always wanted to see you on a black stallion as tall and proud as Tralargon but tamed at your gentle hands riding like the wind beside me." Catherine gave Jace a shy glance it was a pipe dream, but what a wonderful one to her anyway.

Jace inwardly winced at the softly spoken words and her heart wanted to accomplish the dream but her head defied her in a big way. "Sometimes dreams can come true Catherine."

Catherine retrieved her right hand and stroked a finger down the blonde's cheek. "Yes, I know. While we have dreams, we have hope Jace, that can be as much part of the dream as eventually achieving the reality."

"There are times Warriorson when you make me want to cry. Please continue to hope Catherine." Jace whispered into her ear.

"Of course I will. If I can't get one green-eyed beauty to ride with me, I have a second chance with Elena. There is always hope Jace, always!"

Jace swallowed the lump that came at the back of her throat and she stood up and looked down at the reclining figure in the bed. "The children will be home soon from school, about ready to get out of bed and face them?"

"Oh! Yes, you forget I have a very beautiful aide who makes getting out of bed as pleasurable almost as getting into it." Catherine smirked as pink tinged the cheeks of her partner.

"You are bad Catherine, but I love you and always will." Jace smiled and went over to the bathroom to run a shallow bath, Catherine wasn't wrong in her comment though, not wrong at all!

~ ~ ~

"Jace, she's sleeping." Lisa whispered in what could be possibly described as a whisper when in fact it was more like a normal tone.

Jace looked over at Catherine, she was sitting in the large high backed chair with a pillow supporting her shoulder and had her eyes closed to the events happening in the room, in repose she looked peaceful and content. "Could be Lisa." her tender smile hovered as she watched the woman in quiet observation.

"Does she hurt like the last time Jace? I don't want her to hurt like that. She cried you know, at night." The child said solemnly and went over to sit on Jace's knee. Together they watched the older woman sleep.

Jace gave Lisa a concerned glance and then transferred it to her partner, who didn't look in pain at the moment anyway. "Why do you say she cried Lisa, who told you that?" If anything Catherine would have gone out of her way to make sure the children never saw her suffer in any way.

"Jake used to be upset at school and Grace asked him one day why when the school called her." Lisa informed her quietly as she snuggled into Jace's neck in comfort.

"What has Jake to do with this?" Jake was currently playing on the patio area with Elena the boy was trying to teach her to walk unaided.

"He heard her cry at night Jace. He wanted to help but he was scared. She used to get mad at Grace all the time when she was hurt before. It upset him. Catherine wont get mad at you will she Jace?" Lisa placed a warm wet kiss on Jace's cheek in sympathy.

Jace clutched the child to her in comfort. "What? That big tamed tiger over there?" Jace pointed to her sleeping partner, her heart aching at the images she had in her mind with this little revelation.

"Big tiger's have sharp nails Jace. I saw it in a book at school." the child pointed out innocently.

"Well, Lisa, we'd better insist Catherine cut her nails way short then, huh?" Jace smiled into the blue innocent eyes of the redheaded child. This child was so adorable.

They both looked at the slumbering form feet away from them, each with their own thoughts. 'Wonder if Grace ever told you about Jake Catherine. I doubt it knowing Grace; she would have shouldered your pain as well as his. You got lucky my darling with her, real lucky.' Jace eventually released the child and asked her to go and find Judy; Catherine would probably love some tea when she woke. Lisa gladly rushed out of the room to her task. She loved being helpful even if they ended up picking up most of the pieces of smashed china the child seemed to have a habit of dropping.

Jace moved over to Catherine's chair and sat on the edge of the arm, pushing a stray lock of raven hair away from her forehead as she watched the woman sleep.

"My nails are short." A soft whisper shocked Jace. She nearly fell off the arm of the chair and had to support herself quickly.

"Hey, careful Jace can't have you breaking an arm. What would we do then?" Catherine smiled at the surprise on the face of her partner.

"What....I mean how much....Catherine exactly how much of the conversation did you hear?" Jace spluttered as she carefully peered at the expressions appearing on her partner's face.

Catherine hesitated and then smiled. "Well this large member of the cat family isn't going to use her sharp nails on anyone in this household that's certain."

Jace didn't realise that she held a breath and gradually she expelled it and turned Catherine's slightly averted profile towards her.  "Oh I'll never ever let you have sharp nails Catherine, wouldn't exactly help our relationship would it?"

Catherine smirked at the remark, talk about double meanings! "Fine with me, never could type a decent message with long nails anyway."

Jace wanted to explain about Jake and Catherine's apparent loss of control and the child's distress; but would it serve any purpose other than embarrass Catherine as well as Jake.

"Lisa has ventured out to get tea for you. I thought maybe we could have a story hour from the children for a change. What do you think?"

Catherine had seen all the expressions cross Jace's face, sure she'd heard it all and her partner had seen fit to forget a crucial part of the conversation and keep her in ignorance. 'Jace there comes a time when there is no reason, none whatsoever to inflict un-necessary pain on the ones we love, I hope you remember this situation if I ever happen to forget my promise to you. Our life together depends on it.'

"Are you sure we will get tea, if our little klutz is in charge?" Her grin and eyes attesting to her teasing of their eldest daughter.

"Hey, you promised to help her out on that particular problem, not me remember?" Jace smiled back and kissed the full lips close to her own. She kind of liked this feeling of power and possession she had over Catherine in this condition, it wouldn't last long, so she was going to make sure she used it to the full.

"It's been busy around here recently but..." the patio door was pushed open and in rushed Jake a giggling child held aloft in his arms, the boy was certainly tall, he didn't even look eleven anymore.

"She did it! She did it Jace!" The boy proclaimed breathlessly.

Jace laughed at the boy's face. It held such exhilaration and achievement and he kissed the baby and she giggled even more. "Show us Jake." Jace answered him and watched as he placed Elena on the floor and gently disengaged his hands and rushed around the wobbling baby to stand a foot or two away from her and gently coaxed her forward.

Elena eyed him and her green eyes lit up with laughter as she continued to giggle. Both her parents looked on as the boy continued his patient coaxing of the baby. Then she stepped forward on wobbly legs and Jace was tempted to move from her position to support the child, but was held steadfast by a strong hand that clutched hers gently. The boy whooped with joy as she finally took the three steps forward on her own and then toppled into him. Just at that moment the door to the lounge opened and Lisa walked in with one of the enormous mugs that Faith had purchased.

Lisa wasn't sure what the noise was about, but her attention to her task shaken she failed to notice the small plastic brick that was on the floor and she stepped onto it and lost her balance momentarily. Unfortunately, that was all that was needed for the child to drop the mug and see it shatter in several pieces as the beige liquid ran into the carpet. The child looked up expecting to be chastised for her accident. "I'm sorry Jace, really I am. It was an accident!" The child exclaimed loudly and tears threatened to fall and did fall when she saw that Catherine was starring at her, as well as the stain the liquid was making.

Jace walked over to the child and pulled her into a hug, "Don't worry darling, Jake's excitement obviously distracted you. I'll go and see if I can clear up the stain and find another mug for Catherine."

"Will Catherine be mad at me Jace?" Lisa whispered her eyes peeking a look at Catherine from behind Jace's comforting hug.

"No Lisa, she's one big pussy cat that is very, very timid, now go over and see what Jake and Elena can do." Jace pushed the child forward and watched her tentatively go closer to Catherine.

Catherine watched Lisa approach her the child was rarely afraid of anything. "Lisa, Faith bought four of those mugs just to see how long they would last, now we know huh, not very long at all."

Lisa smiled at her tall guardian, "You're not mad at me Catherine? I've made an awful mess on the floor, I'm really sorry."

"Well, between you and I, I was going to have renovations started on the house soon. So what if we have to replace another floor covering, Aunt Grace is going to be busy, that's all." Catherine chuckled as she watched the uncertainty disappear and a grin appeared. "Come on Jake show Lisa and me again how Elena can walk." Catherine held out her right hand to Lisa, who perched herself up on the arm of the chair and she clasped hold of the offered hand.

"I won't hurt you will I Catherine, holding your hand?" The child asked fearfully.

"Lisa that's what hands are for, when they can have someone they love hold them, no way will it hurt me and Lisa, no more tears okay, if you don't I wont. How is that for a deal?" Catherine looked deep into the blue eyes that went to hers in trust.

Lisa smiled and nodded her head. "Yeah Catherine you don't cry and I wont, I promise." the child held the hand tighter as they watched Jake and Elena with their party trick.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-four

Judy looked at the silent and still profile of her employer as she sat on the porch watching Jace and the children at the paddock area. Rio, her old guide dog was at her feet and she absently stroked his ears. Jace was holding Elena on the railing and for once the child was remaining relatively still and her laughing indicated like nothing else could that she was enjoying the spectacle of Jake and Lisa ride around the area, showing off no doubt.

It had been three weeks since Catherine had the surgery to correct her problem left shoulder and she was due to leave next week for New York and a much shorter business trip than they had planned. Grace was due back at the weekend and that would help because Jace had decided that the children should remain in school and not go with them as they were only planning to be away for a week at the most.

"I've brought you tea Catherine." Judy said in a voice that brought her the woman's attention but didn't startle her.

Catherine moved her gaze towards the housekeeper and smiled her thanks as Judy put the large mug on the wicker table close to her. Although everything was progressing well after the surgery it was clear that mobility was far from normal as the woman shifted in the chair and quickly took up the welcome beverage in her right hand.

"Thanks, I was watching the children. It would appear that they all enjoy horses." She continued her stroking of Rio's ears that seemed happy to let his tall mistress continue the ministration.

"Jace doesn't I assume she's never ridden on the property since I've been here anyway?" Judy asked with genuine interest, the couple seemed to share most things except this love of horses.

"Oh! No, Jace doesn't like horses or rather she can tolerate them at a distance as she's doing at the moment but........if the animal comes within a foot of her she's like a nervous filly herself, very amusing." Catherine smiled as she recalled Jace's reaction to being inches away from Tralargon one morning early in their renewed relationship. The blonde had become very nervous and eventually managed to find a decent distance between her and the horse and feel comfortable.

"Well it looks like all the children haven't that fear, which is perhaps fortunate as the property is primarily noted for its horse stock.  Even the baby looks happy enough, she's laughing at them all."

Judy smiled as she looked over at the family either outside the paddock or in.

"Yes, it is now. It wasn't originally; the previous owners had sheep, I think. Some of the fields had fruit trees it was rather run down when we took over. Now it is one of the largest properties on the island. We're proud of that distinction and its taken hard work by lots of people to accomplish it, especially Colin, and would you believe Grace? She's not a horse person either, cars are her speciality." Catherine laughed as she recalled her friend's passion for fast vehicles.

"What's Jace's passion......other than you of course?" Judy wasn't sure which one of them blushed first at her words.

"Yes, well Jace writes poetry and very well, mind you I guess....I would say that." Catherine smiled briefly and turned her gaze back to her partner who was now walking slowly back towards the house with the baby tottering along with her. Elena was greatly improved on her legs, but not yet ready to torment them with running off on her own. However, that was sure to come!

"Has she had any published?" Judy wasn't exactly surprised, but the woman had kept that a secret.

"Funny, I'm not sure and that's ironic especially with the business I run external of the property." Catherine concentrated her gaze on Jace and watched as the blonde acknowledged the gaze and smiled back at her, waved one hand and held onto their daughter with the other. Catherine waved her right hand and then reclaimed her tea.

"Looks like coffee wouldn't be refused, I'll go and make a fresh pot." Judy turned back to the kitchen leaving the tall woman to her own thoughts.

Catherine watched as Elena, who was not only getting steadier on her feet, she was sure the baby was getting fat too! Not that it would matter to her if the child remained fat for the rest of her life. She would still love her and with the amount she ate it would take some exercise to keep the weight down on the child.

Jace bounced her daughter up the stairs, which brought a fit of giggles from the child that had both of her parents laughing along with the child. "Come on Elena, Catherine wants a kiss before I put you down for a nap, unless Catherine wants a nap too?" Jace grinned at the expression that crossed Catherine's face.

"I'll have the kiss, but refrain from the nap thanks." Catherine told her quietly.

"Spoilsport and I thought I might get a chance to tuck you both into bed." Jace smiled impishly at her partner.

"Will you be joining me if I do?" Catherine countered.

Jace gave her a look that told its own story 'if only', "you always forget the children Catherine."

"Actually I don't, but we always have family and friends who love to take over, what's a girl to think?" Catherine smiled and winked her eye at the blonde who shook her head at the comment.

"Well, I think that I will take our terror to bed and see you shortly." Jace brought the baby closer and Catherine leaned over and kissed the child on the cheek and one tiny chubby hand grasped, pulling her hair.

"Jesus, Jace get the child under control!" Catherine said her eyes smarting at the lock the child had on her hair.

Jace disengaged Elena's hand from the tangle of hair and bent close to her partner. "Oh did baby hurt you darling?" Jace pouted as she teased the surprised woman.

"Not as bad as I'm going to hurt you if you don't remove that smart look off your face." Catherine said childishly.

"Ah, temper, temper Catherine." Moving slightly away, she deposited a kiss on top of the raven hair and went on her way with the baby.

Catherine looked at the retreating backs and shook her head. The kid had a grip that was another thing they had to look out for now. Think I'd better get my haircut short and disappoint the little terror. Then again Jace would be really mad at that, as she loved to run her fingers through the dark tresses. Perhaps we won't get it cut, can't give Jace any excuse for not touching me, no way! Catherine smirked inwardly and then glanced back at the two elder children and smiled tenderly at their happy profiles.

~ ~ ~

Catherine was seated on the edge of the bed, she watched as Jace finished up in the bathroom and turned towards her, there was no denying the young woman in front of her was far more beautiful than the first time Catherine had seen her naked. Jace had been eager, unsure and passionate, today she was tender, confident and simply magnificent!

"Going to share that smirk with me Catherine?" Jace asked her smiling as she closed in on the gap between the bathroom and the bed.

Catherine continued to look directly at the body that moved towards her in what could only be described as mesmerised sensuality. "No I want to keep it all to myself."

Jace finally came to a halt at the foot of the bed and tipped her head from side to side as she considered the answer. "You have to be joking when was the last time you could stop yourself explaining in very erotic words and actions exactly why you smirk when you look at me naked?" If Catherine wanted to play, well she was certainly game.

"Jace, really!" Catherine mildly chastised her, then chuckled at the words.

"Catherine, what's the score? Or do I have to tickle you to find out, huh?" Jace laughed at the sudden look of horror that passed over her partner's features.

"Now Jace surely you wouldn't do that to a sick woman?" Catherine pointed out practically and moved further onto the bed, her own body glowing with the moonlight that shone on the bed.

"Sick woman my ass! I know what you can do and what I can do to you. Kind of difficult to refute that Catherine, when I'm your part time physio." Jace laughed at the look she received from her partner.

"Okay, I want to talk to you about something Jace, before you make good on any threats." Catherine said seriously, but Jace noticed the gleam in her eyes, which meant the woman, was up to something.

"Go ahead. Do you mind if I sit next to you while we talk?" Jace didn't wait for the answer she knew what it would be and quickly deposited herself astride of the tall woman who gave her an ecstatic smile at the action.

"Next to me huh?" Catherine pointed out cheerfully, more like sit on top of would be appropriate.

"Picky, picky Catherine, come on, get on with the talk. I have other things that I want your mouth to do other than talk to me." Jace informed her and kissed her at the base of her throat to indicate her impatience at the delay in the upcoming necking action.

Catherine's pulse almost set a record as it tried in vain to settle after the words and onslaught by her partner. Her own body might not be in a condition to reciprocate all actions, but she sure knew how to reciprocate that particular practice. "When was the last time you wrote anything, I mean your poetry or short stories?"

Jace looked at her puzzled, what the Hades was Catherine up to; here they were both nude, well almost. Catherine only had a thin cotton shirt covering her at the moment and she wanted to talk about her writing? There were times when the knocks on the head Catherine had sustained in the last year or so must have something to do with her erratic change of subjects or was she loosing her touch? "Am I perhaps talking to the same Catherine Warriorson who takes great delight in taking me to bed at the slightest opportunity and ravishing me until I scream her name in pleasure? Or have I lost touch with reality here?" Jace smiled and bent closer to her partner and placed a hand on her chest to test if Catherine still had a beating heart. Yeah, she did and it was going at a tremendous rate too! So, no lost touch here then.

Catherine laughed out loud at that comment and then glanced sheepishly at her partner. " I thought I'd ask as it came to me all of a sudden and you know what happens if you forget that type of thing it keeps you up all night thinking about what it could have been." Catherine said her voice controlled which was a damn sight more than the rest of her body that was giving up the fight.

"Tell you a secret Catherine, you tell me if it keeps you up all night and I'll join you. But, I can assure you I will keep you occupied with far more interesting things that you will remember rather than forget, how does that sound?" Jace gave Catherine a smirk of her own.

Catherine put her right hand around Jace's face and stroked the lines around her eyes tenderly. "Wouldn't want you to lose any beauty sleep Jace." The words spoken softly made Jace shiver as she saw the need in the ice blue eyes below her.

"So, you still find me beautiful, I was beginning to wonder?" Jace smiled and her eyes gazed longingly into the ice blue ones.

Catherine locked their gazes and she pulled Jace down towards her and kissed the lips that beckoned her. "You are beautiful, alluring, exquisite, ravishing and intoxicating and I could go on all night about what I see when I look at you but...."

Jace held her breath who was the poet here she asked herself, "But?"

"When was the last time you wrote a story or poem?" Jace tumbled out of Catherine's hold as she laughed softly.

"You never ever give up do you?" The younger woman chuckled as she eventually composed herself and turned to look at her partner with happiness sparkling in her eyes.

"On you no! I love you far too much to ever give up on anything that's important to you." Catherine replied her voice although holding merriment had the element of seriousness about it.

"I wrote a poem yesterday, but we have never had the time alone to really go over it together as we usually do. What is so important about it anyway?" Jace was intrigued and watched Catherine as she carefully chose words to answer Jace.

"I see. I've never asked you this before Jace, but have you ever been published?" Catherine saw the look of surprise cross her face that kind of answered that one.

"No, never submitted anything." Jace answered truthfully.

"Why not? You had contacts with some of the most prestigious publishing houses in LA, but you never sent any in, even for an opinion?" Catherine had at first been surprised at Jace's hobby. Then she admired the young woman's talent, as the poems were rather good. It was perhaps selfish of Catherine but she wanted the poems to be theirs and no one else's. Now with Judy asking the publishing question, she wanted to help Jace achieve that if it was a dream of hers. She certainly had the resources to make that dream come true.

Jace lay back on the bed next to Catherine and thought about what she said. "Yes, at first I thought about it. Then work took over my life and I didn't write for ages, years really. There wasn't the inspiration you see that I knew I needed to write a piece that to me would be good enough for myself not just a publisher, can you understand that?"

Catherine turned to face Jace and gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes, I understand the need for inspiration Jace. So, if you're now writing, what was your inspiration?"

"Catherine has anyone ever called into question your intelligence even for a moment?" Jace watched as Catherine frowned and she shook her head.

"Well, my love I'm afraid that's going to happen about now. Don't you know yet that you're my inspiration! From the first day I met you and will be until the day I die! Everything I write is because of you or about you. If I didn't have you, there would never be another word written by my hands." Jace said the words quietly but her voice held a conviction that brought tears to Catherine's eyes.

"So, if I offered you a contract from Xianthos for all your works what would you say?" Catherine asked her voice shaking at the words Jace had just imparted to her.

"I'd say sorry....someone already has that contract." Jace replied mysteriously.

"I'm sorry, Jace I thought you said...who?" Catherine asked puzzled and her frown showed heavily on her face.

Jace laughed and rolled over to gently straddle her partner once again, their thighs tingling at the touch. "That contract belongs to Catherine Warriorson and always will. It can't be broken."

Catherine looked up at Jace; her expression held a humbled look that Jace thought would set off her own tears. "I didn't....I don't know what....."

"No, I know you don't Darling, and that's the true gift. You never asked for it and it's freely given from me to you with love. What else is there to say about it? Although, I'm kinda hoping that this answered your question?" Jace gave her a dazzling smile.

Catherine was speechless and her eyes conveyed that to Jace. "Great just what I asked earlier. I can sure think of better ways of engaging your mouth than in talking Catherine, how about we start right now with this." Jace placed her lips on Catherine's in a kiss that sent shivers down both their bodies at its intensity.

"Yes, I could certainly...." Jace kissed her again this time the pace became more frenzied.

"Enough Catherine! I'm in charge and tonight you can keep quiet, or at least....do I really need to draw a picture for you?" Jace gave another smirk and was immediately crushed onto Catherine's right hand side.

"No pictures, but by all means use your hands to illustrate, I will be as mute as possible." With that Catherine brought her lips down the side of Jace's neck and continued the trail to the base of her throat, feasting on the beating pulse under her touch, wonder if this was how a vampire felt with its prey?

Jace managed a small groan before her mouth decided to go on an adventure of its own and Catherine's breasts looked the nearest port of call, seconds later hearing Catherine groan, she knew that she'd called that one right. This was going to be fun, and very satisfying! Wonder if Catherine could keep quiet at the height of passion? That was a mystery just waiting to be solved and tonight... they would most definitely solve it.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-five

"So what are you planning to do?" Grace asked her friend as they happily watched the children from the porch. It was a wonderful sunny day, and the sky was a pale blue similar to Lisa's eye colour, with no clouds at all on the horizon and both women were exceptionally happy.

Catherine shaded her eyes at the sun's rays, which partially blocked her view of Jake swinging Elena high off the ground. Maybe the kid was going to be a pilot when she grew up because she certainly loved to be in the air.

"Haven't thought about it?" Catherine shrugged her shoulders and reached over the tabletop to retrieve her sunglasses.

Grace gave her a startled look and couldn't help the smile that crossed her face, ëNo way!' "Come on tell me that this is Catherine Warriorson; the Catherine Warriorson, who is so hopelessly in love with Jace Bardley, that she would pull rabbits out of a black hat for the woman?" Grace watched the flicker of amusement flash in the ice blue eyes before the dark lenses shielded them.

"Rabbits out of black hats Grace! Whatever will you come up with next?" Catherine smiled at her friend and then continued her observation of the children a tender smile played around her lips as she saw Lisa spin her cycle close up to Jake and Elena and was chastised accordingly by Jake who had to wipe the dust from his legs.

"I know you Catherine, you're up to something for sure." Grace persisted and was caught gently by the arm and eyes she couldn't see but she felt that power nonetheless gazed into her brown ones.

"Fine, believe what you want but fairs fair Grace. What have you planned?" Catherine retorted and watched fascinated as her friend turned red. "That good huh?" Catherine chuckled and released her arm and propped her arm on the table and rested her chin on the raised arm and continued to look at her friend and wait for the answer.

"Well, it's like this Catherine, we've been married for almost two months and I booked us a room in this splendid hotel in Christchurch. More of a guesthouse really, traditional furnishings going back to the eighteenth century and the most gorgeous four-poster bed that you could imagine! Thought it might be romantic, what do you think?" Grace didn't really care for the opinion, but as they were discussing the subject.

Catherine laughed out loud and Grace looked at her astonished at the outburst she thought it was a good idea. "What? What's so funny for god's sake?" Grace spluttered out.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing Grace. Trust me on that one! I think it's a wonderful idea really I do and quite romantic. Didn't know you had it in you. Colin does know you plan to go away for the weekend I assume?" Catherine spoke softly this time she knew that Grace was annoyed with her for laughing. But she hadn't thought of Grace as romantic in anyway, it seemed so out of character, strange what love does to you.

"Well, I told him that I needed to go to Christchurch on trust buisness and did he want to come with me?" Grace smiled at her friend but the smile didn't reach her eyes as she waited for more sarcasm from Catherine.

"I wasn't aware the trust fund paid for romantic weekends away. Shame on you Grace. I thought I could rely on you to put the funds to good work. Reverend joining you by any chance?" Catherine laughed loudly at the final thought and watched with her eyes mirth filled at the angry and completely vexed expression on Grace's face as she scrapped back her chair and stood over Catherine who was still laughing happily.

"I can't believe you said that Catherine. Hell, I'd never do a thing like that and you know it. What do you take me for and to mention the Reverend also. What kind of warped mind do you have anyway?" Grace angrily replied her brown eyes flashing that same anger.

Catherine chuckled a little more, and then stood up herself and they looked at each other. Taking off her sunglasses Grace saw the teasing in the ice blue eyes of her friend.

"There are times when I hate you Catherine!" Grace finally conceded her friends play-acting on the subject.

"Only times Grace? And there I was thinking it might be all the time. Come here give me a hug and go and talk to that handsome devil you call a husband who is I'm sure waiting patiently for you at the stables as it is lunchtime." Catherine teased her some more, and this time Grace just laughed softly herself.

"How did you know that?" Grace supplied the required hug asking as she headed for the steps of the porch.

"Grace, I know exactly what happens on this ranch. Surely you haven't forgotten that? You haven't been away from me that long have you?" Catherine smirked and the devilish glint returned to her eyes.

"Well, I surely hope you haven't got cameras in the bedrooms too!" laughing and running down the steps and making her way towards the stables and her husband talking to the children on her way there.

ëHell, of an idea Grace. Why haven't I thought of that?' Catherine shook her head at the devious thought for the fun of it, smiling as she replaced her sunglasses, leaning on the railings of the porch contemplating the conversation she had just had with Grace.

~ ~ ~

Faith smiled at the blonde head that was looking through her ëCatherine Chocolate' cupboard. "She's done it again Faith. She has filled the cupboard up once more. How does she do that without me knowing?" Jace smiled ruefully as she wondered where her partner stashed away the goodies before filling up the cupboard in the kitchen.

Faith gave her a smile; this small woman was the ideal daughter. Everything you could want, and she was compassionate, kind, loving, warm and didn't appear to have a devious bone in her body. Not only that she simply cared about people and that would be any people Faith suspected. Her own daughters as much as she loved them didn't need her. At least that was how she perceived it anyway, too independent! Since the death of her husband, Faith had wanted to be needed and this wonderful American had immediately when they met, allowed a friendship to blossom and literally brought her into the family nest.

She was now the proud surrogate grandmother to three marvellous children. A little unruly on the discipline side at times, well Lisa anyway and Elena was adorable and it was evident she was going to end up as precocious as her elder sister, if she wasn't already. Jake on the other hand was both courteous and kind. He was quiet, though at times far to quiet. But, he obviously loved the girls, especially the little one who he had taken to immediately after she had been brought back from the hospital. He was also very courageous of heart and that reminded her of Jace's partner, Catherine Warriorson, or Devonshire, or whatever you wanted to call her. Had she not been told differently she would have placed her month's pension on Jake being Catherine's biological son and not a child from a special needs programme?

"Shall I show you what else Catherine has been up to?" Faith opened the cupboard next to Jace's and her eyes popped out at the sight before her.

The cupboard had been neatly partitioned into three sections. All were brimming with goodies of every description, with a neat label having been placed on each shelf to indicate whose goodies they were.

ëJake's Energy Store' as it was called to Jace's amusement was full of his favourite chocolate bars, ëSnicker's and Mars'. It also contained the thick chunky ëCadbury's' bars that he loved to munch on over a soccer match on TV.

Looking at the next partition called ëLisa's Treasure Trove'. Her partner had a sense of humour however strange at times. Inside were packets of fruit gums, chocolate buttons and small candy pellets that she often saw Lisa feeding to her dolls and soft toy's. Although, at the end of the day nothing was to be seen of them, so one assumed the child ate them also, at some stage.

Then to Jace's complete surprise she looked up at Faith and gave her a rueful grin the next shelf was called ëFaith's Continental Obsession'. "Oh, no Faith, she's got you pegged too?"

The older woman grinned this time and it reminded Jace of her friend who was talking to Catherine on the porch. Several small boxes in beautiful wrappings tied with differing coloured ribbons were neatly stacked on the shelf awaiting consumption.

"There is one missing you know?" Faith advised the younger woman with a smile.

Jace looked at her quizzically and shook her head, which was missing?

"Catherine hasn't provided a shelf for Elena yet?"

Jace chuckled, of course her youngest daughter might feel left out but at the moment, she shared the same cupboard as her mother.

"I think my daughter takes after Catherine, Faith. Because she only eats milk biscuits and she throws chocolate ones back at us. I have never seen her eat any chocolate sweets at all. Now, if we talk about bread and savoury snack items and the odd pastry.....well that's another matter all together. I'm not sure how, but she and Catherine have similar tastes. As you know, Catherine will rarely eat chocolate." Smiling at the memory of the faces Catherine pulled when Jace indulged in eating several chocolates while watching a movie on the sofa together. ëGuess Elena will have her own shelf full of biscuits and things when she's older if I know Catherine'.

"Have you ever come across a woman like this Faith? She is so...don't know how to explain it.  I think I'm going out to see her......anyway its time to get the children in for lunch. Are you going into town to meet Judy or are you staying for lunch?" Jace asked the older woman.

"I said I'd meet Judy. She was arranging some travel plans for her visit home next week. I think she wants some advice on clothes too. But why she wants an old woman's views is beyond me." Faith laughed self-consciously and walked towards the hall.

"She trusts your judgement Faith. You are her friend, that's good enough don't you think?" Jace watched Faith slowly open the door.

"Yes, that's a good sufficient reason, see you later Jace." Faith smiled and left the blonde in the centre of the kitchen.

Jace watched Grace rush towards the stables for her rendezvous with her husband. Jace gave a gentle smile at her pace. She was so pleased that everything had worked out for Grace and Colin and in three weeks time she was going to get that holiday she dreamed of with a certain tall raven-haired owner of the property and the keeper of her heart.

~ ~ ~

 "Grace wouldn't take us to Christchurch with her Catherine. And I asked nicely like you showed me." Lisa said quietly, as she sat opposite the woman. They were alone for a few moments as Jace had taken Elena to the crib in the lounge for her nap and Jake had decided to practice some soccer techniques on the lawn outside the patio.

"Well, she has only just been married darling. Sometimes people who are newly weds want some time alone, that's all." Catherine said and smiled at the child, motioning her to come closer and sit on her lap.

Lisa needed no second bidding and launched herself at the tall woman who laughed at the action. "When you get married will you want time alone too?" Lisa asked her and frowned slightly at her own question.

"Yes, Lisa, I will want time alone also. Which is why Jace and I are going away together for a month as we told you when we talked about the ceremony." Catherine explained and smiled at the redhead lying on her shoulder.

"But.....but does that mean when you get back you will keep going away without us? Grace and Colin have been away on holiday too!" The child asked, her face anxious at the thought that they might no longer be wanted.

"Lisa, No! Never, will we go away on a long holiday without you. I promise. Maybe from time to time we might have the odd weekend away, but only if you approve, okay?" Catherine had been disturbed at the association the child made with her comment and kissed the top of head.

"Cool Catherine, I like that idea and it's okay. We will let you and Jace go without us sometimes. Will you bring us back presents when you go without us though, so we can pretend we went with you?" Lisa smiled into the shirtfront her face was turned into.

"Absolutely Princess, every time." Catherine chuckled and as she stood up from the chair. She held the thin child in her arms and swung her about a couple of times, making her laugh.

"Hey you two cut it out, or one, if not both of you will be sick." Jace smiled as she came into the kitchen.

"Jace, we wont be sick will we Catherine? We do this all the time, don't we?" The child laughingly protested and was gently put back down and momentarily rocked at the action, finally creating her equilibrium.

"Not a chance of that Princess. Anytime you need a pilot you just call on me okay?" Catherine ruffled the child's hair as she headed out to her cycle, were Catherine was sure one day they were going to hear screams, when she did finally tumble from the machine with the speeds she went.

"You're worse than the children, do you know that?" Jace smiled at Catherine, her green eyes full of warmth at the natural affinity that Catherine had developed with the children. For some strange reason Lisa always without fail went to her partner when she was upset or worried. Any other time Jace was the confidant, which fortunately was most of the time.

"Me? How can you say that Jace? Now, have I been sick? Have I ever not gone to bed when you asked?' Catherine smirked at the words and saw Jace raise her eyebrows. "Have I ever fallen off my bike? Have I ever......" she trailed off has her lips were captured by the blonde who was giggling at her explanation.

"Your incorrigible! Sometimes I wonder how you manage to keep all those executives of yours frightened of your shadow. They obviously haven't ever seen the woman behind the name have they?" Jace giggled some more and was pulled unceremoniously onto Catherine's lap as she sat down in the chair she had previously vacated.

Catherine growled and pinched the earlobe of her favourite blonde with her teeth before replying. "You want my executives to see this side of me? Jace, however would I run a corporation if all I did all day was swing beautiful women in my arms in my office? Mind you that is a rather tempting thought." Catherine smiled into the evocative smelling neck within reach of her lips and decided to sample the delights exposed to her.

"No! If I so much as hear that you have been swinging any beautiful women in your arms in the office, I will personally see that you have a punishment to fit the crime." Jace was feeling decidedly giddy at the attention of those lips she loved on the delicate skin at her throat.

Catherine's chuckle rumbled as her lips glided up Jace's throat in a sensual exploration that defeated all coherencies from her partner. "Now, what sort of punishment would you deduce would fit that crime my love?"

"I....Catherine we.....I, who the Hades cares!" Jace captured the dark head and pulled it to her so that they locked lips in a ferociously passionate kiss they both breathed heavily for several seconds after it ended.

"How would you like to see my etchings Jace Bardley?" Catherine wolfishly smiled and placed another fleeting kiss on the blonde lips as she easily lifted her precious cargo much as she'd done with Lisa earlier. But this time she didn't swing the woman in her arms, she walked to the door, pushed it open and proceeded up the stairs.

Jace, with green eyes smouldering with desire didn't need to reply. Her arms securely wrapped around the neck of her partner, she tenderly with mounting passion kissed the collarbone exposed to her from the open shirt and gave her answer in actions opposed to words.

Moments later in the bedroom, their aflame passion blazed hotter than the summer sun. Their hot-blooded lovemaking on fire with intense sensual and explosive lusty pleasure caused eruption upon eruption, until finally, temporarily satisfied, and with smoulding remnants of gratifying orgasms to both their delight, they lay in each other's arms smiling and pleased, then drifted happily into a peaceful sleep.

~ ~ ~

Catherine drummed her fingers on the desk in the study and became irritated that the call she'd made earlier hadn't been returned. They had said it might be an hour and it was only a half-hour since she'd made the call. Today! It had to be today, and at precisely the time she had stipulated, no earlier or later, but exactly on time.

Catherine walked over to the bookcase on the left of her desk and removed a slim volume of poetry from the shelf and smiled it was book of poems dedicated to love, how appropriate! Turning over several pages she came across one and smiled at the words.

ëLove Be It Good Or Bad'

Random love is not for me, it will never set you free.

Freedom with no love at all, is never what it's meant to be.

Hit and miss love is very rare, you may never get a spare.

Accidental love can bring you pain, let it be and try again.

Sporadic love is not for me, I want it all or not at all.

Faithful love is the best; it makes you feel you've hit the crest.

Devoted love can never lie, its there to keep your tears dry.

Loyal love is life itself, I want to feel that for myself.

Constant love will never let you down, especially when you're ten feet off the ground.

Unwavering love is what you get from me and that will be around unquestioningly.

Remember nothing matters in this world except the love I have for you and will until the day that dawns that I can never hold you close.

Not sure what to make of the poem, Catherine shook her head and placed the slim volume on her desk and tapped her fingers once more on the desk, then the phone rang and she picked it up.

"Yes, Warriorson speaking." Catherine responded to the question at the other end of the line.

"We can arrange the sequence of events as you requested, but unfortunately, there will be an extra charge. I'm sorry about that, but policy you know." The man at the end of the line said apologetically.

"No problem with that. Money is not the issue here. But are you giving me a guarantee here, because I'll accept nothing else." Catherine stated. She couldn't help the grin that appeared on her face at the acceptance of her proposal by the man.

"Yes, cast iron guarantee Mrs Warriorson, you can have my job if it isn't," the man said confidently.

"Pleased to hear it, because that's what's going to happen if you fail. Thanks, send me the bill." Catherine finished her call and slammed her hand down on the desk in triumph.

Jace chose that moment to enter the room having heard the resounding thud on a desk, as she was about to go up the stairs to check on Lisa in the bath. "Anything I should be careful of in here?" Jace smiled as she saw the beaming expression on her partners face, nope, no problem in here.

"No! Far from it lover, I just had a good phone call that's all and what are you about to do now may I ask?" Catherine moved around her desk and pulled the blonde into her arms in a warm comfortable embrace.

"Just checking on Lisa, you know how she is. I think everyone gets a bath when she does including ëBlackie' and he's getting to look a little bedraggled of late." Jace laughed at the numerous dolls that shared Lisa's bath, but at least the child loved the chore. She was a real pampered one for sure.

"How about I do that and you go and sit with Faith, Jake and Elena, it will do you good. I noticed that you were kind of looking tired of late and I want you to be very fit my darling when we have our holiday. What do you say?" Catherine smiled directly into the green eyes with her ice blue ones filled with love and tender concern.

Jace eyed her suspiciously, "you want to get rid of me Catherine?" her eyes smiling happily into Catherine's. With all the preparations for the commitment ceremony and the party not to mention the guests and making sure everything was okay with the children when they went away, Catherine wasn't far short of the mark when she said she needed a rest; they both did!

"Never, but humour an old woman okay." Catherine winked at her and kissed her slowly drawing out the kiss, as she held Jace's lower lip between hers, she could feel the increasing tempo of her partner's heart at the sensual contact.

Once free, Jace gave a sign of pure happiness and shook her head. "You will never ever be an old woman, you're much to vital. I love you and please, I don't want the bathroom floor covered in water when you two have finished okay?" Jace touched the grey hair at the side of Catherine's hair. She placed a gentle kiss on either side of her face as she left the study and went towards the rest of the family in the lounge.

"Okay boss, anything you say boss and Jace?' Catherine stopped the blonde, who was grinning at the parting words in her tracks as she made her way out of the door. ëI love you too." Grinning she switched of the table lamp on the desk and went towards the door and into the hall. Her next destination--one pampered and incredibly beautiful red headed daughter who was about to experience the luxury of flying out of the bath in record time.

~ ~ ~

It was close to midnight and everyone except Catherine and Jace were in bed. Catherine had persuaded her partner to watch a really old soppy movie, ëRandom Harvest' with Greer Garson and Ronald Coleman. Jace had been sceptical at first saying that she was tired, but had been convinced that the rewards would far out match anything she had known previously if she watched the movie with Catherine.

Jace wasn't sure if it was the words or the pleading expression or the arms that wrapped around her in a warm cocoon that had convinced her. But, she stayed and miracle of all miracles she had watched the old black and white movie and even cried in parts and turned her face into Catherine's shoulder at the end her tears cursing down her cheeks.

"Jace it was a happy ending, why are you crying?" Catherine chuckled although truth be known, she had a lump in her throat too.

"Oh, Catherine it was so close to them losing everything and yet what a beautiful ending." Jace said indistinctly held close to her partner's chest.

Catherine looked down at the blonde head resting on her chest and she momentarily gave into a sad thought and then it cleared quickly and she bent down and kissed the silky blonde hair that always smelt of herbs to her, very fresh.

"Tell you what darling it happens in real life too, look at us?"

Jace moved her head up quickly and looked at her partner, she hadn't expected that at all. Green eyes captured the ice blues above her and she saw the clear devoted love she knew that this woman held for her and tears started anew.

"Yes, my love, it certainly did, and that was far too close for comfort. In the future can we keep if for the movies?" Jace lifted her head slightly and kissed the lips that gave a rueful smile.

"With you totally on that one lover, absolutely, keep it in the movies." Catherine returned the tender kiss and her ears pricked up at the sound of a vehicle outside the house. "We have visitors Jace." Catherine released her captive and looked at the time it was one minute to midnight, excellent timing. She might even give the company a bonus!

Jace looked at her astonished and walked towards the patio window of the lounge and looked out. "Catherine who the Hades wants to visit at midnight? How did they get through the security more to the point"?

"How about you take my hand and come and see for yourself." Catherine smiled at the anxious profile, as Jace sounded worried at the perceived possible threat.

"What? What do you mean Catherine? Do you know who these people are?" Jace asked confounded at the intrusion, but taking the proffered hand nonetheless.

"Hope so, or we need to sack our security guard who is responsible for the property tonight." Catherine chuckled softly as she led Jace out towards the main door. As they reached it, she stopped prior to opening the door.

"Close your eyes Jace, this is for you. Please trust me." Catherine whispered into her ear and watched the look of surprise cross her face.

"I trust you with my life Catherine, a surprise huh?" Jace gave her a wry smile and duly closed her eyes as Catherine opened the door and led her carefully outside onto the porch.

"Give me a second darling and I'll be back." Catherine said as she released Jace's hand she had been holding gently, and walked towards the man who gave her a package, then swiftly departed to the second vehicle that was waiting for him. Having watched the vehicle turn and head out towards the drive gates, she grinned and turned back to her waiting partner. Jace was giving a good impression, even if a false one of patience, as she listened for Catherine to return to her. Catherine smiled tenderly at the blonde who had her head cocked to one side listening intently, ëthat's my Jace, never miss a thing even if you can't see it.'

Running up the steps of the porch she placed her hands around the face of her lover and kissed the lips that waited with a gentleness that made Jace gasp, but which offered Catherine further temptation as she explored her mouth to her satisfaction. "You can open your eyes now."

Jace did so with eager anticipation and she blinked several times her eyes getting accustomed to the meagre light of the porch. She looked directly at her lover and smiled. "You're a very beautiful sight my love."

Catherine laughed and shook her head and pointed to the drive.

Jace gasped and clung onto Catherine's arm as she saw the brand new Range Rover executive model completely covered with a green bow the same colour as her eyes. The vehicle was complete with personal number plates ëJace 1' and in a metallic blue that reminded Jace of Catherine's eyes when they glowed with passion. "Catherine.....why?" Jace whispered, her mind not really understanding the gesture and at this time of night.

"Happy Valentines Jace. I love you." Catherine said simply and watched the tears well up in her eyes and she smiled at the certain action of her partner, as you could almost set a clock by her.

"Catherine you're wonderful!" Jace exclaimed and jumped up and clasped her arms around the happy taller woman, who hugged her as they exchanged a kiss so filled with the love they felt for each other, it was hard to release their lips for the mundane task of talking.

"Thanks." Catherine said bashfully and then handed Jace a small package in the shape of a heart and wrapped in bright red paper and covered with a silk ribbon two shades at least darker than the wrapping.

"What's this?" Jace asked astonished. There was more?

"Open it." Catherine said. Her smile seemed to be permanently fixed at the moment, which was so rare.

Jace so wanted to capture the scene on film, but it was impossible; yet she knew that it was a moment she was capturing forever in her memory.

Jace looked at Catherine's face and she saw the indulgent look she was being given by her lover. Opening the package carefully she was completely taken by the small heart shaped velvet box. As she opened the clasp, a choked sob filled her throat as she saw a golden key and a heart held on a gold chain inside. When Jace removed them from the box, she was shocked at the weight. They were solid gold and as she placed the key inside the heart it opened and she herself and Catherine on one side with the children on the other. "It's incredible Catherine it's .....!" Jace started to cry in earnest as she held the solid gold heart and key to her own heart.

Catherine knew that this was Jace....the woman who became emotional at the most incredible times, but who held her heart and the children's. Just as portrayed in the object in her hand and only she had the key that released the true meaning of love to their world; she held their hearts within hers. "I love you darling that's enough, more than enough for me."

Jace eventually released her strangle hold on Catherine. She gave her a watery smile as she contemplated the vehicle and the gold heart and key she had been given. "What do I say to you Catherine? I have nothing to offer you like this; I never will!" She whispered softly, her voice caught at the emotion she felt.

Catherine placed a hand under her chin and she looked seriously into the green eyes she would worship to the end of her days. "Offer me Jace? Can you imagine just for a second please? What happiness you have given me. What you have created in my life so that our children can also reap the rewards of our love? I want nothing more than you Jace. You are priceless and irreplaceable. I love you!" Catherine this time succumbed to her own tears as she tried to explain the emotion she felt.

Jace stroked away the trail of her partner's tears and gave her a watery smile. Then pulled her dark head towards hers and their foreheads touched in loving appreciation of each other. "I'll never be in a position to explain the feelings I have for you adequately Catherine. Know this......every waking hour and even the ones asleep, I will find ways of telling you how I feel. I love you too!"

Catherine blinked back the tears. She held her precious blonde Californian in her arms and defied anyone to break them apart. As she held the smaller woman tight, she heard words that made her smile.

"You, me and bed Catherine; what do you say? I think I have a way of showing you how much I love you." Jace tugged at the arm around her and she saw the passion flare in the eyes above her.

"You and me that's all I need lover, the bed is...." Catherine swept Jace up in her arms and went through the main door and kissing her lover as she went through it.....other words were irrelevant.

As they entered their bedroom Jace was finally released from the searing kiss and she whispered softly into Catherine's ear.

The bed was covered with red silk heart shaped cushions and a bottle of champagne was waiting in a bucket at the side of the bed, perhaps a little warm now but what the Hades! This was a night of love and although, Jace might never have the money to buy things as Catherine could, she knew that sometimes, the feelings are equal in stature without the need for vast monetary wealth. To her, it was all in the giving, and anyone in love could give his or her heart. It was something that was freely given, and worth more than all the money in the world if the right person received it. She knew she certainly had that right person beside her, always and forever.

"Happy Valentines!" Jace whispered happily into Catherine's ear and was rewarded with a smile that would have melted the Fox glacier that night.

Catherine set her gently down upon the bed and stretched out beside her.  Cradling her head in the crook of her elbow, she hungrily claimed her mouth again and again, tasting her sweetness, deepening the kiss until Jace made helpless little whimpering sounds in her throat. The sinking stab of her tongue sent tiny shock waves through both of them.  Never in her wildest dream had she imagined a kiss could be this way. Even though they had kissed passionately many times, before, this was different. I was deeper, more out of pure love than desire. They both felt the impact everywhereóin their lips, their breasts, their loins. It was if she was releasing her with her tongue.  Uttering a hoarse cry, Jace opened wider to her, wanting more, returning the slow, sensual strokes with her own.

"God, how I want you, Jace," she rasped huskily as she broke away slightly. "I cannot help myself. I desire you too much to wait any longer," she moaned, as she dropped a kiss upon the waiting lips.

"I crave you so, Catherine, please make love to me." Reaching up, she tugged her dark head down to hers. Burrowing her fingers in her thick, glossy hair, she shyly brushed her lips over her open mouth and murmured, "Now, darling!"

Catherine's expression unfathomable, she gave a slight nod.  Her half closed eyes were the ice blue of a deep sky as she reached for the ties of the wrapper Jace had worn while watching the movie with her earlier. The pale green folds of the garment fell away, baring every inch of her creamy loveliness from her chin to her toes.

The breath caught in her throat as she looked down at the keeper of her heart.  Neither a scar nor a blemish marred her ivory skin, from the high, full curves of her coral-covered breasts to her creamy-white thighs. "Sweet Christ," she breathed, wanting Jace more than she had ever wanted her before.

"My love?" She asked huskily, searching her face.  "Why are you staring at me that way Catherine? Do you not like what you see?"

"Like what I see? Jace, do you know how beautiful you are to me? You are beyond words to me darling. Each time I see you, feel you close to me, my heart becomes so full of the wonderment of these feelings and emotions we share, I can barely stand it. I have such a deep longing for you always, which can only be temporarily quenched."  Leaning down she dropped a soft kiss upon her right breast. Her heart leaped beneath her lips before her hand gently covered its fullness as if for the first time.

A shiver of delight ran through Jace at the brush of her lips.  Glancing down, she grew weak at the sight of her dark head lodged against the creamy pallor of her bosom. She shivered again as the raven rose of her lips covered her body with burning sweltering kisses. Drawing Catherine's hair unto her hands, she eagerly caressed her thick, dark strands.  Her hand drifting almost dreamily though her hair, she completely responded to the maelstrom of emotions swirling through her.

She marvelled at the way her body was responding beneath her hot, damp mouth and caressing tongue. Jace moaned, thrilled to the exciting pulse that throbbed and flutter in her loins as her desire reached almost uncontrollable proportions as Catherine caressed the silky skin of her inner thighs, and traced ever-widening circles upon her sleek, flat mid section until her fingertips brushed lower. She felt breathless and dizzy, perhaps even a little fiery with her needs of her raven-haired lover.

She moaned softly with longing.  Her breathing quickened.  Beside herself, she tossed her head on the feather pillows, her fingers burrowing deeper into her black hair, her grip tightening as her passion mounted.  She wondered. When? Now? How much longer? Soon? Never? Oh, whenóOh, God?

The uncertainty of it all grew almost unbearable.  Doubt fanned her desire to fever pitch until she was whispering Catherine's name over and over like a chant or a magic spell, willing her on lustfully!  She sensed release was lovingly close. "Oh, Catherine, I cannot stand it any longer," she whimpered.

"A moment more darling.  You shall have what you crave very soon, I promise you," she whispered stroking the willingness of the young woman below her.  She was damp and ready for deeper loving, and this knowledge spurred her passion.  Her light, unfaltering caresses drove them both to waves of eruptions and over into a stream of unfathomable release and finally.....satisfaction. ëFor awhile' that is.....

They devoted the rest of the early morning to showing each other how much love they had stored up for this wonderful day dedicated to celebrating love.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-Six

Catherine looked out onto the rush-hour traffic and the multitude of people, which from her vantage point thirty stories up looked like scuttling mice. Her smile came and went as she turned at the knock on her door, half expecting Constance, but was intrigued when Clare Fallon walked in tentatively.

"What can I do for you Clare?" Catherine smiled at the young woman, who had changed very little from her first sight of her, in what must now be two years.

"Constance is going to be late. She had an early breakfast appointment with Steven Collins, who is taking over as the head of new talent. The meeting unfortunately, is running slightly longer than expected." Clare spoke quietly and watched as Catherine returned to her chair.

"No problem Clare. Plus, the needs of the business come first. And as I've been duly informed by my partner, I only come to the office to gossip." Catherine chuckled as she recalled that comment Jace made at Christmas.

"Is there anything I can do for you Ms Devonshire?" Clare smiled briefly at the statement, but didn't think it was wise to comment on the situation. Ms Devonshire could still be volatile and you didn't need to have that possibility looming on your horizon.

"Tea would be welcome Clare, that is if Rita is in the office?" Catherine enjoyed the tea that Rita could brew, as she had learned the art from her English mother.

"Rita was transferred to Sales when you went back home.  Will you require her services again?" Clare had disagreed with Constance when she'd decided to send Rita back to the executive level citing a waste of resources as the reason, but she was in charge now.

Catherine pondered that question, "I'll discuss it with Constance, but I'd appreciate the tea if you can find me a decent brew."

Clare smiled and nodded and left the woman alone in the room.

Catherine removed a piece of paper from her jacket pocket. Reading the dog-eared sheet, her smile became tender as she thought not only of the words but the person who had written them. Laying her head on the back of the chair, she closed her eyes as she recalled the first time she'd been given the paper.

~ ~ ~

"Ms Devonshire are you ready for your tea yet?" Dave, the steward on her personal flight asked. He noticed that she had paused in her tapping on her laptop computer as she stood briefly to stretch, he suspected, aching muscles.

"Thanks Dave that would be ideal.  I could use a break." Catherine gave him a genuine smile of thanks and her eyes flashed around the aircraft cabin. Her smile changed to tenderness as it dropped to the sleeping form of Jace. The small woman could sleep anywhere and in any position, Catherine was sure of it!

"Ms Bardley is still sleeping. Guess she was tired, but we have another four hours to LA so I suppose it's as good a pastime as any." Dave smiled as he looked over at the small blonde who had an arm tucked under her head. He placed a blanket over her body, which was settled remarkably comfortably looking over three seats.

"Yes, Jace can pretty much sleep anywhere.  I suppose three seats and her size would help the situation." Catherine answered softy as her gaze clung unashamedly on her partner who looked so peaceful in slumber.

"Do you think she will want anything or.....?" Dave asked before he left to make the tea.

"No! Leave her Dave. I'd say she would be the better for the rest. We still have another four-hour flight when we reach LA.  New York beckons, and I'm afraid I'm already cutting the visit short." Catherine replied.

Dave was amazed at how forthcoming his employer had become. In the eight years he had been working for her privately, she rarely talked but now.....well he guessed that someone not so far away from them had been very influential in that respect.

"Yes, we were expecting you to stay for at least two weeks, must be pretty important if you need to be back." Dave shrugged and went towards the gallery not hearing the quietly spoken reply to his comment.

"Oh! Yes, the best, the very best.  I'm getting married." Catherine smiled wryly at her sentimentality and continued to watch her blonde saviour.

Within minutes Dave was back bearing a large mug of tea and some plain whole-wheat biscuits. He knew that Ms Bardley enjoyed the chocolate ones, but his employer was definitely the plain type. It amused him when they travelled with the children on board because Ms Bardley would try in vein to get Ms Devonshire to indulge, even using the children to tempt her. Fortunately, she had an ally in the baby, who only seemed to like milk biscuits and that always brought some nice gentle bantering from the couple.

As he placed the mug and biscuits next to her, he also offered her an envelope and inclined his head in the direction of Jace. "Ms Bardley said, when you finally had tea to let you have this. She said you would understand." Dave saw the quizzical expression and released his hold on the envelope as she fingered it, fascinated at what Jace had left for her. Dave smiled and said he would be forward with the pilots if she needed him.  He left the cabin area as Catherine smiling her understanding and nodded her approval.

Catherine looked over at Jace and smiled again. Then slit open the envelope and out tumbled two sheets of paper, one was a note from Jace the other looked like a poem. Catherine smiled slowly as she realised this was probably the poem they had discussed a few days before.

Catherine,

You really shouldn't work so hard but I knew that at some stage you would give in to that insatiable need for tea! I thought you might like a little light reading as you drink and relax, Sorry, it's a little dog eared. Guess who got hold of it before we left? Yeah, the terror herself!

I love you,
Jace

Catherine chuckled as she pictured Jace trying to retrieve her masterpiece from their daughter as she put the note on the table. Picked up her mug of tea, she began reading Jace's newest composition. In light of their recent conversation over her writing, it was now even more special to Catherine.

MOMENTS

Moments are all we have, some are happy some are sad.
All the moments spent with you create wondrous feelings that remain strong.

Watching our life within an hourglass, moments that reveal our past.
Wonderful times that we have shared are moments infinitely precious we preserve.

Tears that are sometimes shed leave glimpses of moments yet unsaid.
Moments we produce with love are multiplied a thousand fold to behold.

Are you willing to place within my hands the moments that are left for us to live?
When memories fade, our bodies fail; remember all the moments that we have made.

Moments that we share will forever bind our hearts as nothing else before.
The love that beats within us both creates the final moments of our soul.

In the beginning we are alone, yet the moment that we met bound us body and soul.
The only thing that will ever hold true is the moment that says I love you.

Catherine wiped away a tear as she read the poem for the third time. As she finished the tea, she moved out of her seat and went across to the sleeping form of her partner and sat opposite Jace; watching her breath evenly in peaceful repose. "I love you Jace Bardley and you and I will create so many wonderful moments. That my dear Jace, I do promise you!" Catherine said softly, and once again glanced down at the paper held protectively in her hands.

"I love you too, Catherine Warriorson. I'm going to hold you to that particular promise." Jace said sleepily. She had been about to wake when she heard the soft footfalls of her partner come closer. She was now sure glad that she had kept her eyes closed those few seconds more. That was some promise her partner had agreed to, and had touched her heart deeply!

Catherine looked at her a wry smile crossed her face, "You always know just the right time to wake up and catch me unawares my love." Bending forward to push the blonde lock of hair that had strayed over her forehead.

"I know, just a gift I have darling. And I love it when you blush also." Jace smiled and captured the hand that had moved gently against her hair and put the fingers to her lips.

"I wasn't blushing Jace; but, I love the poem and I adore you!" Catherine said breathlessly, as she found her heartbeat racing at the gentle kisses she was being given.

"Glad you like it, it's all yours. As I said before, you have the contract to all my work. You are my inspiration darling." Jace tugged Catherine towards her and she fell into the younger woman and rested easily on top of the smaller form as they looked into each other's eyes.

"You know something Catherine? I've often wondered what all the hype was about when they talk about the mile high club." Jace smiled and kissed the astonished older woman before she had time to answer.

"Jace.....you can't seriously be thinking, what I think, you're thinking?" Catherine finally sputtered out; she loved this woman and loved every second of making love with her but......

"You chicken Catherine?" Jace bantered and teased Catherine's mouth apart with her tongue and lost herself in the passionate exploration of her lover's sensual mouth.

Catherine finally moved an inch away from those exciting lips and smiled at her with devious intent. "Absolutely not! Now, if you want mile high, you get mile high. But, I'm not going to be responsible for the looks you get from Dave when he hears you scream." Catherine placed her lips on Jace's beginning her own sexually charged exploration. Not just Jace's lips, but her face, neck, shoulders and as she reached the hollow between her breasts, Catherine received her answer in no uncertain terms.

"Let him hear me scream Catherine. Oh, please let him hear me scream." Jace lost herself in finding a part of the body that was exposed to her touch as they slid into a very creative sensual trip around each other's bodies. The shrieking was not the prerogative of one person alone that day,  the cries of pleasure were shared by both of them.

~ ~ ~

Catherine smirked as she thought about the expression on a certain steward's face when they had finally called him to bring in fresh beverages. Jace had the countenance of someone that had been without doubt ravished, but in a completely wonderful and dreamy way. Catherine had tried, but failed to wipe the satisfied grin off her face when the man entered the cabin. At no time did Dave mention anything. His expression as he looked at them both was enough for Catherine to chuckle softly when he'd left the cabin. Jace had merely smiled at her and snuggled down on her right shoulder and closed her eyes to experience the memories of the previous hour.

Clare chose that instant to knock and re-enter with a large mug of tea and the aroma was definitely enticing. "Ah, so you found someone who could make tea Clare?"

Clare gave her a smile and placed the tea tray down. Not only did it hold a mug of tea, but also a large teapot was sitting in the middle along with a milk and sugar bowl. ëThe English really did strange things to tea.' Clare thought, as she saw the happy look cross briefly over Ms Devonshire's face at the sight before her.

"I hijacked Rita for a few minutes. She said you should enjoy this."

"The lady needs a raise Clare, no strike that, you both need a raise." Catherine smiled at the tinge of colour that crossed the woman's face at the comment.

"Thanks, do you need anything else?" Clare asked quietly before she headed for the door.

"I'm taking it for granted that we haven't any security problems these days?" Catherine asked her perfunctorily and placed milk in the mug of tea that she poured. Catherine knew there was one of the beauties of having a long flight, the ability to check on the information that was often wearisome in a normal day. She had tediously checked all the logs of the entire operation for the last two months.

"We have had the odd skirmish, but that's common to all businesses. I'm not aware of anything out of the ordinary. However, you would have to check with security and Constance for any great detail." Clare informed her with confidence.

"Excellent. Well, I won't keep you Clare, and thank you for the tea." As Clare made her way to the door Catherine remembered a promise she'd made.

"Clare are you busy this evening?"

Clare turned around in surprise. "Not exactly, Constance is busy with the personal records at the moment. So we usually have a quite night in." The younger woman's expression resigned at her current personal predicament.

"I thought as much. So, well, would you like to have dinner this evening with Jace and I? I know Jace will welcome the company. She knows very few people here in New York and I think I owe you a decent meal and some conversation. I am responsible for Constance's preoccupation of late." Catherine replied her left eyebrow hitting her forehead in anticipation of an answer.

Clare was perplexed. It was okay having the odd private conversation with Ms Devonshire, but to actually go out to dinner with her!

"I'm not sure, well Constance might want some help and .....I really.....well."

Catherine lifted her hand and looked at the woman sternly. "Okay, I'm ordering you to dinner with us this evening. We will pick you up at your apartment block at seven. If Constance is lucky, we will bring her back a take out. Any problems with that?"

Clare wasn't sure what to make of this. She would need to talk to Constance and not wanting to enrage the woman who looked at her with a stoic expression; she nodded her head and went out the door.

Catherine smiled briefly at the woman's timidity with her as she picked up the mug of tea and drank thirstily from it. Oh! Now, it might turn out to be a wonderful day!

~ ~ ~

"You could have called!" Jace looked at Catherine who sat at the edge of the bed looking sheepishly at her.

They had about thirty minutes to shower and dress before the car was due to pick them up for their dinner engagement.

Catherine had arrived at the apartment only ten minutes before. Not having explained what plans she had or when she was due home, Jace had opted for a take out and told Stephanie to go home for the evening. Now she looked at the downcast face of her partner, who had as usual, forgotten everything but work.

"I'm sorry I was catching up with things and it got late and well you know how it is?" Catherine pleaded her ice blue eyes full of apology.

"No! No, I don't know how it is. But, one things for sure, I'm going to teach you a lesson in how to treat a lady you want to enjoy the company of as a dinner guest." Jace turned her back and stifled a giggle at the disturbed look that crossed Catherine's face at her comment.

"You are?" Catherine squeaked out.

"Yep, sure am, and it starts now! I'm going to take the shower first and take as long as I want. You can either go cool your heals someplace while I get dressed, or use another bathroom." Jace knew that Catherine would hate that suggestion. The shower she might just deal with, but the pleasure Catherine received from watching her partner dress would sorely irritate her.

"Oh, come on Jace that's unfair you know I....." Jace turned to her using her best-disinterested look.

"You what Catherine?" Jace wanted to laugh at the endearing pout that came over her partner at the loss of a treat. She was so like the children it was incredible.

"Nothing. I guess you're right as usual." Catherine said slowly her disappointment clear in her tone. Moving off the bed she went towards the wardrobe and selected a black slim line simply cut dress and matching underwear, her actions slow and sorry looking to the onlooker.

Jace sighed as she saw the positively childish reaction to her words and had to laugh. This brought up Catherine's head as she looked at the blonde in enquiry.

"Come here Catherine."

That request was something Catherine wasn't going to ignore. She closed the gap between them to only an inch apart. Her eyes taking on a definite warm haze. You could almost see the tail wagging behind her in hopeful anticipation.

"I'm sorry Jace."

Jace reached up and placed her hands around Catherine's face and tilted her head down so that she could touch her lips on her partners in a gentle kiss of forgiveness.

"I know. That is one of the reasons about you that I love Catherine. Believe it or not, you really don't always act like the adult you are do you? There are positively times the child inside pops out just to irritate the Hades out of me I suspect. Still, you're mine and I have a suggestion to our immediate problem."

Catherine knew that Jace had forgiven her. The kiss alone told her that without the words. However, Catherine did not like the comparison. Jace's compassion had saved her again.

"I love you!"

"Yes, I know. Let us share the shower but.....we can't play okay?" Jace smiled at the expression of disappointment that crossed Catherine's face.

"Not even a little?" Catherine whimpered pleadingly, her voice low and far too enticing for Jace not to respond.

Placing her arms around her partner, she smiled as Catherine's lips descended and they moved slowly towards the bathroom together.

"Okay, maybe a little. Just remember it was your idea going out to dinner." Jace's voice husky with passion.

"Yes, I remember. We might just be a little late, Clare will understand." Catherine captured the sweet lips of her lover as they entered the shower together.

~ ~ ~

Clare was nervous about the dinner. It wasn't everyday a member of the Corporation received a personal invitation to dine with the recluse Catherine Devonshire and her secretive partner Jace Bardley. Her tension increased as the time drew near, as she had paced around the apartment for over an hour waiting. The wait hadn't helped her nerves settle at the prospect of the dinner. Clare had heard rumours about Ms Jace Bardley, but no one at Xianthos in New York had ever seen the woman who shared the very private life of the owner. All that was said was you didn't upset the woman or the wrath of Devonshire was even more ferocious than if you had tried to murder the woman herself. Or, so they said! Clare had always been taught to have an open mind about things and Constance had been pleased at the dinner invitation that Clare had been offered.

True to form Catherine Devonshire had kept her promise to Constance. Constance had been intrigued at the opportunity that Clare was going to have on being the first employee outside of the late Paul Strong to have that privilege.

~ ~ ~

Looking down at her watch Clare was surprised to find that it was now ten p.m. and they had only just finished the meal and she had promised Constance a take out, it was getting late to eat.

"You have somewhere else you'd rather be?" Catherine quirked her eyebrow at the young woman, who had been a very pleasant dinner companion when Jace had eventually found subjects that the other woman enjoyed. Jace could always be relied upon to make the most timid person in her company at ease. That certainly was what had happened in the last couple of hours.

"No! You see, I promised Constance food. When she is working, she forgets everything. I was just trying to gauge the time." Clare answered and smiled apologetically at the two opposite her.

Jace laughed loudly at the comment and winked at Catherine who looked at her in silent feigned menace.

"You know Clare, I can certainly appreciate that comment. Would you believe, I myself have had first hand experience of just that recently." Jace patted the warm thigh of her partner under the table and was rewarded when Catherine's larger hand enclosed hers and held onto it, playing with her fingers under the table.

Clare glanced at them and saw the warmth and love that flowed out of Jace Bardley towards her employer. Clearly showing without a doubt, she had captured the heart of Catherine Devonshire. It was easy to see that the relaxed stance that Catherine had emitted during the meal proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the feeling was mutual.

"Yes, these executive types want to rule the world I think. They believe the only way is by working every single waking hour." Clare smiled, although, her voice had a touch of annoyance to it.

Catherine heard the intonation and looked down at her wineglass and with her free hand played with the stem of the glass as she considered the remark.

"Some of us already know we rule the world Clare. We have taken a different way to reach it that's all." Jace answered and turned her gaze towards the restaurant window her thoughts obviously miles away if her expression was anything to go by.

Catherine and Clare both looked at each other in surprise at the remark and Catherine turned to face the averted profile of her partner.

"Are you going to enlighten us Jace? Or, do we have to guess? You know how irritated I get at that particular game."

Jace shook her head briefly and smiled slowly at Catherine and saw the softening of her often-expressionless face as she saw the faint lines appear around her eyes and the eyes sparkle with warmth. Jace touched a fingertip to the lines on Catherine's left-hand cheek as she gently traced the texture and then proceeded to gradually trace her fingertip across the scars still in evidence.

"We have company Jace." Catherine whispered into her ear and saw the embarrassed pink flood her cheeks.

"I was thinking about loving someone so much, that the feeling is like ruling the world; or at least that is how it feels to me." Jace finished off starry-eyed.

Clare looked at the dreamy blonde and smiled at her in understanding. "Yes, I agree with you Jace, just have to convince our partners that's all."

Catherine looked at the two younger women and exhaled, "Romantics!"

Jace chuckled and gave Clare a conspiratorial glance. "Yes, I think you're right Clare. So, how about we ask for a meal from here. Have it boxed for Constance and we all go and find out if she wants to join us for coffee?' Jace saw the eyebrow rise at the mention of coffee. "Okay, you can have tea!" Jace looked at her partner and grinned. She was just so predictable in something's.

"Jace this is a prestigious restaurant. They don't do box meals or carry outs here!" Catherine tried to point out to the blonde at her side.

Jace gave Catherine a determined look and stood up from her seat, "Give me a minute". With that she shot off in the direction of the Maitre De. Catherine shook her head and motioned for their waiter and the bill.

~ ~ ~

Constance was delving into the wonderful meal that had been given to her as Clare made the coffee and the tea. "Catherine, they let you have a meal in a box? How on earth did you manage that, the place is above that or so I thought?"

Catherine sitting on the sofa with Jace at her side leaned forward as she spoke. "Actually, it wasn't me. The whole episode has quite put a new light on the term take out; Jace here is responsible."

Jace shuffled uncomfortably on the sofa as Catherine tried to explain how the blonde had argued for over five minutes with the Maitre De then the Manager before whispering something into his ear and within a short space of timeóhell, they had a meal in a box.

"Must admit, I've never seen anything like it in my life. The manager even walked out to the car with the box as well. He even thanked her to add to the mystery!"

Constance looked at the petite blonde, who to be honest, had been a surprise to her. Clare had walked into the apartment with her boss and her partner. The woman had not look the type to hold the darker woman or at first sight, that would be the impression. Yet, first impressions could be deceptive as the blonde certainly had the tall raven-haired woman totally captivated. Everywhere the blonde was, Catherine Devonshire's eyes went. The look she gave the woman was certainly nothing short of obsessive possession.

"So, what did you say to make that clown Fredricho for him to break one of his cardinal rules? I'm amazed and impressed." Constance smiled at the smaller woman, who was looking gratefully at the coffee placed in front of her.

Catherine shrugged her shoulders as Clare leaned against the kitchen door and turned interested eyes to Jace, who hadn't as yet, seen fit to tell them that piece of the puzzle.

"Oh, nothing much really." Jace finally answered and felt three pairs of eyes on her as she sipped her coffee.

"Jace you can do better than that. We really want to know. Constance is a frequent visitor of the place, takes all our major business clients there, isn't that right Constance?" Catherine smiled at her partner, who was embarrassed at the regard from the three of them.

"Yeah, that's right. You need to have a gold card before he will even let you in the door. AND that, is before you tip him to get a good table." Constance replied seriously. She didn't like the man, but it was a common practice in the excellent restaurants and this was one of the top three in town, if not the top.

Catherine watched fascinated as Jace looked down at the coffee cup held in her hand and a faint tinge of pink crossed her cheeks as she considered her return comment.

"What about it Jace? Are you going to spill the beans or do we just put it down to the Bardley charm?"

Jace looked up into her partner's face that held a devilish glint in the eye. "I never realised there was such a thing as the Bardley charm?" Jace answered honestly and heard the happy sound of laughter ring out from Catherine.

Catherine looked at the other two in the apartment and they both smiled at her. "Would you say Ms Bardley here has charm Clare? Constance?"

Clare moved further into the room and patted Jace on the shoulder. "Oh, sure she does, if she can make men go done like ninepins. She certainly did that tonight with the manager of the restaurant."

Constance looked at the blonde and winked at her embarrassment. "Well, I don't know about the men, but from what I've seen, she certainly can charm a certain employer of mine around her little finger. I think that's a major feat. One I wish she would give me lessons in."

Jace smiled at her gratefully as Catherine had to be patted on the back to stop from choking on her tea at the last comment.

"Do you want to continue working long hours Constance?" Catherine said her tone half-serious.

Jace placed a hand on Catherine's shoulder, "Time to go darling, you three need to go to bed. You all have work tomorrow. Whereas, I can stay here all night debating this, as I have the luxury of staying in bed should I choose to do so."

Catherine turned her head and saw the sultry smile cross her partner's lips. She was tempted to erase that smile with her lips, but it really wasn't the place; home sounded really good about now. "Yes, Jace is right. It is almost one a.m. Thanks for the company and the drinks Clare. Perhaps soon we can all go out, assuming our intrepid workaholic here can find some decent replacements."

Constance shook her head at the banter over her lack of perceived ability to find the correct personnel.

"Thanks for the dinner I enjoyed it and it was a pleasure to finally meet the woman behind the myth, Jace." Clare said sincerely.

Jace looked at Catherine when Clare's statement finally permeated her brain.

"Later Jace." Catherine whispered into her ear as they exited the apartment and said their goodnights. Catherine's car was waiting at the curb to take them to home.

~ ~ ~

Jace had her eyes shut as Catherine exited the bathroom; or at least, one eye for the other was watching the sleek provocative tall body move towards the bed. Catherine swiftly and with little disturbance to Jace in the bed lay next to her; it was amazing how she did that considering her body size. "You've forgotten something." Jace mumbled and was rewarded by a wide grin, Catherine had obviously thought she was asleep.

"Ah, of course the light." Catherine leaned over and switched off the bedside lamp and then stretched her body sensuously, causing Jace to catch her breath.

"Well, I was talking more about you holding me, but I think I might just do this instead." Jace chuckled as she saw the look of stunned happiness on Catherine's face as Jace moved her smaller body over to cover the tall frame of her partner.

"Anytime!" Catherine grinned and pressed her lips to Jace's throat and heard the growl that told Catherine her partner was far from tired.

"Catherine don't you think that people like me can rule the world even if we are romantics?" Jace asked her as she felt her heart beat race at the tender touch of Catherine's lips on her skin.

Catherine stopped her personal attention to Jace's body and gently lifted up the blonde head, then pulled her easily up her taller frame so that they were face to face. "Jace you have ruled my world from the first day I met you. I think that if you want to rule the rest of the world then my darling nothing will stop you." Smiling directly into the green eyes she adored.

"So, you really don't scoff at romantics then?" Jace asked her and placed a gentle kiss on the full lips close to hers.

"If I did Jace I'd have to berate myself also. Because sure as hell, I can think of nothing so wonderful as the romance I have for you in my heart and soul. You place a sense of magic in my life that the greatest magicians and illusionists in the world can't match. But then again, you are no illusion and I'm certainly no magician. All I want is you in my life, all of my life." Catherine responded her own lips making willing prisoners of her lover's.

"Catherine if you rule my world, I'll be happy to limit myself to ruling yours." Jace said breathlessly as the kisses they shared threatened to swamp them with an insatiable desire to fulfil the mounting need within their bodies.

"As ruler of your kingdom your majesty, what is your greatest desire?" Catherine gave one of her devilish grins that usually meant nothing but.....good for Jace.

"You are Catherine, so please I'm more than willing to surrender to your royal decrees and I mean all of them!" Jace started slowly trail of kisses down Catherine's throat and moved down in a very fluid motion to test out what it meant to be the willing captive of her heart.

"I love you Jace and keep doing what your doing and this particular ruler will never leave your bed!" Catherine rasped out as she saw the blonde head reach her breasts, damn right on that one.

"Never fear darling you won't even get the chance, ever!" Jace purred.  She decided that they had talked enough. Now was the time for action. And she knew all about action, as she torched a trail of kisses round and around Catherine's breasts to the dark rose nipples, favouring each with yet another sensual flicker of her tongue.

Catherine felt so light-hearted, so weightlessóso extraordinarily helpless to deny her even a solitary kiss, a single caress! In truth, if she were not holding her, caressing her, she imagined she would have floated up, up, and drifted away, like a soap bubble borne on the breeze. Slowly Jace strengthen her kisses with tenderer nibbling causing a heartfelt moan to escape the raven-haired woman's lips. Her body was incredibly sensitive to her slightest touch. She wanted Jace to touch her more intimately, yet at the same time, even her lightest caress was an exquisite torture, a pleasure beyond her enduring. In truth, she seemed quiet unable to stop smiling.

"Hmmmm, that feels wonderful," she huskily whispered. Wiggling with ease and pleasure, she could feel moist, velvety lips muzzling the bends of her knees, then nibbling gently up her inner thigh and burrowing deeper into the softness of the excitement stirring from deep within her. Catherine surrendered to this powerful impulse, and allowed the sensation to gush through her body in wave after wave of pleasure. Finally pulling her lover into a full embrace, and several deep devouring kisses, she conferred upon Jace some exploits and similar actions of her own. The execution of these activities continued until finally content, they happily lay entwined in each other's arms as the sun raised its first beams of morning light.

~ ~ ~

Constance paced the office space of her PA, Catherine was later than normal and she needed to see her. The information wasn't pleasant, but the news would be she thought anyway.

"Do you want me to get coffee Constance?" Clare asked for the third time in the last half-hour. They had received a call early this morning before they left for work and Constance had been on edge ever since she had heard the news. Not that Clare had been given any details, but it had certainly hyped up her lover and how!

"NO! For the last time, I don't need coffee. I just need our very late Chairwoman to present herself in the building, THAT"S ALL!" Constance shouted out in a harsh tone and went back into her own office to pace in there.

"I see!" Clare whispered to the now empty space that had held seconds ago a pacing tiger and an angry one at that! Clare looked over at the timepiece on the wall and noted that it was ten-thirty.  Ms Devonshire usually arrived in the office at eight in the morning if she was in town. Maybe there was a problem?

Ten minutes later the elevator stopped on the floor and out walked a very upset Chairwoman Of The Board. By the sound of her erratic pace she was very, very upset. Rounding on the young woman as soon as she saw her Catherine shouted at her. "Get me Ms Waverly and the head of security in my office NOW!" Catherine turned on her heals and unlocked her office and slammed the door loudly.

If Clare wasn't mistaken the whole building shook at that one.

Constance heard the raised voice and re-entered Clare's office space, "What was that about?"

"Ms Devonshire is here and she's very upset. She wants you and the head of security in her office. NOW, I think was the term." Clare told her politely and watched the scowl she had had all morning disappear and be replaced by a puzzled look. ëIt's going to be one of those days.' Clare thought as she saw the retreating back of Constance headed for Ms Devonshire office, and then she turned and looked at Clare.

"Hold the call to security until I find out what's wrong. If I'm not out of here in ten minutes get Alex Gregory up here pronto." Constance knocked briefly on the door and went inside.

Clare gave the closed door a thoughtful look and picked up her internal phone and making a discreet call to Rita. Her services in the tea-making department might be the only thing that would calm down Ms Devonshire and one to reception. Having made the call to reception, she quickly diverted her calls to another PA and went down to the lobby.

It was easy to make out the blonde; two security men and none of them looked happy were flanking her. Although, Jace Bardley looked the more relaxed of the three of them. Clare walked over to them as she smiled at Connie, her friend on reception and smiled broadly as she entered the fray.

"Hi, Ms Bardley have we a problem?" Clare asked easily, smiling as Jace smiled back at her and came forward to shake her hand in welcome.

"Not really a possible, over-reaction I think. Although, between you and I, the person over-reacting is Catherine." Jace said quietly to Clare alone. Smiling as she recalled her partner's reaction to the security people not allowing Jace to follow Catherine into the building without all the adequate screening they had been trained to carry out in the building.

Catherine had nearly blown a fuse at the refused entry. She had said she would personally vouch for her visitor and did they know who she was! That had Jace smiling and she even chuckled much to Catherine's annoyance when one of them said he didn't care if she was the Queen of England, her friend would still have to go through all the screening. Catherine had given Jace one last disgusted look, especially as she was still chuckling and walked over to the elevator and stormed inside it, her face like thunder.

"So it's a security problem I assume identity etc.?" Clare said quietly to one of the security personnel.

"Yes! We're only doing our job Ms Fallon. We would be out on our ears if we didn't follow the precise instructions given by our superiors," one of them said formally.

"Sure, I know that Ken. Shall we start the procedure, the sooner we do, and the sooner we can solve the problem.

Jace smiled at Clare, "At last, someone thinking positively."

By the time the security check had been carried out both men realised that perhaps there might be some repercussions. They did not relish that possibility at all. Handing over a grade ëA' security pass to the small blonde, they apologised for the delay and left her to Ms Fallon.

"I think that we can now join the debate going on upstairs, what do you think?" Clare laughed softly and headed for the last bank of elevators with a chuckling blonde at her side.

"Yep, Catherine is now incredibly upset and only a decent cup of tea is going to calm that situation." Jace shook her head at the thought.

"I have that under control, I know how that works." Clare laughed and they entered the elevator for the top floor.

Within a couple of minutes they were outside the door and heard raised voices and both women looked at each other and smiled. Clare knocked and opened the door at the bark that bid her enter.

"WHAT!" Catherine said her face filled with fury, her eyes flashing fire.

"You have a visitor Ms Devonshire." Clare answered and watched the look of annoyance pass over her face.

"Don't talk rubbish girl, I have no appointments. Tell them to go to hell!" Catherine responded sharply, not giving a damn about anything, but the fact that Jace was stuck in the lobby alone, and the bloody security wouldn't let her in.

The door opened further as Jace popped her blonde head around the door. "I take offence to that remark Catherine." Jace replied annoyed with her partner and her voice held a quiet aggression of her own.

Catherine turned white as she realised what she'd said and whom she had actually made the remark. "I never meant..... Jace..... what I was trying to say was.....oh bloody hell!" Catherine sat down heavily in her chair.

Jace nodded at the other two in the room and they left. As Clare passed her Jace whispered to send in the tea as soon as it got here. Clare nodded her understanding.

Constance looked at the closed door and the turned to Clare. "How did you do that?"

Clare grinned. "Easy, have you ever known her to get that angry and with reception as well?"

"To be honest, I don't know her that well. So, I wouldn't know. How do you?" Constance asked intrigued.

A slight shadow passed over Clare's face before she answered. "Celeste used to tell us snippets about her. Not anything that you could call juicy gossip, just about her personality. She always said Ms Devonshire never let anything rattle her. Even in some of the more volatile meetings she had mastered the accomplishment of being expressionless. I think we both have seen that Constance. So, I figured it had to be something that was more important to her than losing face here in her company. The only thing I could think of was...." Clare saw the dawning recognition on Constance's face.

"Jace Bardley." Constance said and clapped Clare on the back.

"Yes, exactly. It made sense to me. So, I checked it out and now it's not a problem." Clare laughed and saw Rita poke her head around her office space with a laden tray of tea.

"Take it in Rita. I'm sure you will be the only employee today that might bring a ghost of a smile to her face." Constance gave Rita a rueful look and went towards her office door.

"Clare have you thought of trying out for one of the VP postings?"

Clare smiled wryly at her lover, "Will it mean leaving New York?"

Constance glanced her way and gave her a long thoughtful look. "Possibly, but the benefits package would be greatly enhanced and the pays substantially much better than you have now."

"Guess it would mean long hours as well. If you want to rule the world." Clare said softly and smiled at her friend's searching look at the words.

"Long hours yes, it is part of the workload. But rule the world?" Constance asked her in query.

Clare went across to be within inches of her lover and gave her a smile. "Thanks, but no thanks I have a much more pleasurable and exciting way of ruling the world. I think I might have my work cut out for me in convincing someone else of that. However, I'm going to do it, that is a promise Constance."

Constance didn't understand Clare. One minute she was solving the biggest business problem of the day. The next she talked in riddles. Just as well, she loved the woman, or they could be in real trouble. "Okay, I'm sure later you can explain that to me, but let's get on with the rest of the day shall we?"

"It will be my pleasure to enlighten you Ms Waverly. Did you tell Ms Devonshire what was bugging you earlier?" Clare asked innocently and saw Constance's face drop, obviously not.

"Shit, I'm going to have to go face her again." Constance exclaimed exasperated.

"Take my advice, have a coffee, read over some important files, and then go see her. By then, hopefully, Ms Bardley will have used her charm on our leader and all will be well." Clare said confidently.

"If it's not, what then?" Constance sighed as she said the words. There was no guarantee that Jace Bardley would calm her down, not with her last tirade.

"Do you fancy the rest of the day off?" Clare smiled and winked at her.

"Go do some work Clare, and I.....Iëll have coffee too." Constance had wanted to say something else. Oh well, it would have to be in her head. ëI love you Clare.' Smiling for the first time today she went inside and started on her in basket.

~ ~ ~

Jace walked further into the room and went over to the window and looked out over the bustling street below it was quite a scene, Catherine might not gossip but I bet she spent time just watching the world go by.

Catherine had her head down as Jace walked into the office and went over to the window without a further word, had she over reacted, maybe!

A knock on the door preceded any further conversation between the two of them as Rita walked in confidently with her laden tray, her smile removing some of the tension from the office. "Thought you might like tea?" Rita said cheerfully and looked towards the strange petite blonde who had her back to them at the window.

"Thanks, Rita. What would I do here without you making sure I had some decent tea?" Catherine replied. She liked this jovial capable woman in some ways, it reminded her of Grace's easy attitude.

"No problem. I brought a jug of coffee also.  Your visitor might not care for tea. Or I could come back with something else?" Rita wasn't stupid, she could feel the negative vibrations in the room and that was unusual.

"Jace, coffee fine with you?" Catherine asked tentatively and waited with baited breath for the answer, her eyes on the back of her partner watching for any movement.

Jace smiled at the unsure posture being taken by Catherine especially in her business stronghold. It didn't do to let other people have an advantage over Catherine. Turning swiftly to face both women Jace smiled sweetly at them and winked at Catherine bringing a pink tinge to the white face. Rita had noticed the interaction and couldn't wait to talk to Clare about this. She was the only one though; it didn't do to gossip about the owner. Besides that, she kind of liked Ms Devonshire.

"Yes, Catherine I think coffee sounds quite pleasant about now. So, you must be ëthe' Rita?" Jace smiled at the other woman and held out her hand in acknowledgement.

"Well, I'm not sure about that, but if you mean the ëtea' Rita than sure I'd answer to that." Rita laughed self-consciously at the friendly blonde.

Catherine decided she'd been remiss to a degree anyway. "Rita Tuscany I'd like to introduce you to Jace Bardley, a close friend."

Jace raised her own eyebrows at that description. It was laughable, but probably quite factual if you thought about it.

"You're Ms Bardley?" Rita said in awe, her smile almost covering her face.

"Yes." Jace answered and looked at the silent question in her eyes.

"I'm really sorry, but we've heard so much about you, it's such a surprise really. Do you need me for anything else Ms Devonshire?" Rita sounded less than coherent to Catherine as she went towards the door.

"No, thanks for the tea Rita. I'll see you later." Catherine answered and was amused by the puzzled expression on her partner's face. Rita left the room with a brief goodbye and went to see Clare. They really needed to talk!

Catherine rose from her seat and was pushed back gently by a hand on her shoulder, "I'll pour tea, and you can tell me what all the hysterics were about earlier when I get my coffee, deal?" Jace said quietly.

Catherine looked down at her polished desk and then gave Jace what looked like a puppy dog expression out of her ice blue eyes. "Sure anything for you."

"Yep, it certainly better be. By the way, the next time you tell someone to go to hell make sure you are not heard okay?" Jace looked at the sudden clouding in her eyes. Jace couldn't help herself she leant down and placed a tender kiss on those lips that had only hours earlier brought her to a pinnacle of delight she'd never experienced before. Now, all she could think of, was that her love for Catherine was only getting stronger and deeper with each passing breath she took.

"I'm sorry but, I.....didn't like leaving you there." Catherine replied softly.

"I know my love, but look at it this way--your security works!" Jace smiled at her and their foreheads touched in a comforting warm connection.

"Yes, it does. I love you Jace!" Catherine moved a fraction so that her lips could capture her partners and reaffirm their closeness and love.

"I love you too. That is never going to change. Come on Catherine, you owe me, why do people call me a myth here?" Jace asked her intrigued at the title.

Catherine smiled and looked deep into the green orbs she loved to distraction. "You tell me how you got Fredricho to do a boxed meal and I'll tell you why you're a myth here."

Jace laughed as she poured the steaming tea and then her coffee. Her smile captivated Catherine, who was happy to just watch Jace in whatever she did, as it was enough, to just have her close!

It was as Jace wrote about, ëmoments' that was all this life was about; the moments they shared together!

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-seven

"She's dead?" Jace whispered into the room, which appeared to echo at the sound she made. Constance had broken the bombshell an hour after Catherine had calmed down and escorted Jace on a shortened version tour of the building.

Constance looked at them both. Jace appeared to be genuinely shocked. And Catherine, well what did you say about Catherine; she looked like someone had told her that her lottery ticket had come up. With a fiendish smile that played across her features, her ice blue eyes creating the satanic image, as they remained remote but interested. This was the Catherine Devonshire that the legends had been made from. Right now Constance wasn't sure if Jace had ever seen Catherine in quite this mood before.

"Bloody good riddance!" Catherine finally said, her eyes suddenly on fire, her hate clearly the dominant feature.

"Catherine you can't say that!" Jace turned away from her stance at the large window overlooking the street below and saw the unusual expression on both her face and in her eyes. This wasn't the Catherine she loved. This was a stranger.

"Just did Jace, and don't tell me you will lose any sleep at her death, because I sure as hell won't." Catherine snared the blonde with a cold look unable to remove the pleasure she felt at the news Constance had given them.

Jace shuddered at Catherine's whole demeanour.  It was wrong, so very wrong, no life however good or bad should be treated with such disrespect.

"No, I won't lose any sleep over the death, but you appear happy at the news. Why is that Catherine?" Jace asked her sitting next to Constance on the sofa in the room opposite Catherine's desk.

"Because, now I know there is no longer a threat, its over.  I can begin to believe that you and our children are safe." Catherine informed her and smiled at the bubble of happiness that created within her.

Jace shook her head, "What are you talking about Catherine? When was Hudson ever a threat to the children or me?" Her voice trembled at the dark menace that faced her. It certainly wasn't the woman she loved in her present condition. This was a cold heartless woman with no element of warmth surrounding her at all. If Jace was honest she was as cold as Hudson had been and quite possibly worse. There was not a shred of compassion within Catherine at the news.

Catherine gave her a piercing glance and locked her ice blue gaze on the green watery one.

"Jace the woman tried to bring me down with her scandal. She propositioned you and scared you so much that you had to marry someone you didn't love!' Catherine spat out the last part of the sentence and shut her eyes momentarily at that vision, for that alone the bitch was better dead! "I think she was behind the kidnapping and the shootings in the building here, but I can't prove it. The bitch covered her tracks like no one I've come across before." Her partner explained in a voice that matched her expression-- cold and heartless.

Jace couldn't understand the situation.   Hudson had been true to her cold image she'd scandalised or attempted to, Catherine's own image.  Catherine had paid the price in many ways and unfortunately still did. True Jace had made a bad decision by marrying Peter and that was primarily through Hudson's threats, but she didn't see Hudson as a cold bloodied murderer who would have set up that kidnapping event at home, no way!

"I think you're wrong Catherine." Jace said softly and watched as Catherine slowly stood up and came across to the sofa and looked down at the two figures seated there.

"What do you think Constance, you've had all the reports of the surveillance we've been carrying out on Hudson since her supposed retirement from her previous activities." Catherine spoke quietly, but her voice held an edgy menace.

Constance cleared her throat as she thought about the most prudent approach to this particular problem.

"Obviously I had no prior knowledge of Ms Hudson. I have monitored the woman's activities in the past seven months and she has kept a low profile. Recently, she did leave the country and visit several places in Europe and the Mediterranean. Our operatives were reasonably successful in providing a dossier of the places she visited. Nothing of note, except for one place, the Greek Island of Xianspiros." Constance looked at the closed expression of her employer, waiting for her to perhaps say something about the destination.  Catherine only inclined her head for her to continue. "We know several of the people she contacted, but not all of them. Ms Hudson was very discreet and very resourceful if the need arose. She did eventually realise that someone was interested in her movements. Her main contacts were with a family called Spiros, a mother and son. We couldn't find out much about them, but they appear quite powerful on the Island, only one other family is perceived to be more so. From the Island, Hudson had travelled back to Hawaii, where she's been living with a German Producer, or at least in his home. They were both killed in a freak boating accident yesterday according to our operatives." Constance finished her summary of Hudson and sat back with a heavy sigh.

Jace had watched Catherine's expression change several times as Constance spoke, "Why do you think she would hurt us Catherine?" It was a plea from the heart. Jace didn't understand any of this so-called vendetta scenario that she was being asked to take on Catherine's word. Nothing Constance had said indicated that Hudson was working towards hurting the family or had previously done so.

Catherine went towards the window and looked out her body very erect and still, she looked like a statue and emitted nothing but a cold ambience. "The Spiros family has a personal dislike shall we say of my family name, and all the people who bear that name. I believe that as her first ploy didn't work with Katia Schmidt, she was trying to convince them that now was a good time to continue the rift between our families. It is simple and makes perfect sense to a mad woman."

Jace looked at Constance, her puzzled expression bringing a wry smile to Constance and she stood up and shook her head. "Do you need any more information Catherine, I'm sorry to have put a dampener on your day, it hasn't exactly been that good so far."

Catherine laughed, it sounded hollow in the room. She turned and with an evil glint in her eye she shook her head at her world president. "On the contrary Constance you've made me a very happy woman, but I want the operatives to ensure it is Hudson. No mistakes, you get my meaning?"

Constance looked at her and nodded, "No mistakes Catherine." The woman inclined her head to Jace and left them alone. The only sound between her was the breathing pattern of each woman.

Jace looked at Catherine and saw her return the gaze, it had softened slightly and Jace was sure a weight that Catherine had been wearing in secret was suddenly tumbling from her shoulders to disintegrate at her feet. "I'm glad she's dead Jace. I can't help that, for I sincerely believe she wanted us dead and our children also, if she had the opportunity." Catherine's eyes remained remote, but her face had softened and her smile held more warmth.

"I.....I wouldn't wish anyone dead Catherine and nor should you!" Jace replied as her head hung down in disappointment at her partner's attitude.

"Perhaps not Jace, but I never said that I could forgive Hudson for what she did in the past. Or what I believe she's tried to do that I can't prove. If I had found any possible connection to her and the shootings and your kidnap, I would have killed her myself." Catherine stated simply.

"No! No! No! Catherine, that I won't allow, do you hear me?" Jace shouted and moved swiftly from her seated position on the sofa to put her hands around her partner's waist and look into her eyes.

The ice blue gave way with little resistance to the green plea of her partners.

"I would do anything Jace don't you know that? I'm very capable of committing murder if necessary to keep you and our children safe." Catherine laid her chin on top of the blonde head and whispered hoarsely into her hair.

Jace felt the tears slowly trail down her cheeks at the admission. She knew in her heart that Catherine could and would protect them, but the price. The price would be too much for either of them to contemplate! "You know that's not going to happen right?"

Catherine lifted her head and gently lifted up the tearstained face of her partner. "I hope not, but never forget the darkness that I can home in on if I feel that anyone threatens my family, but particularly you! I won't live without you Jace. Not now, not ever!"  Her words seared the blonde held close to her body.

Jace put her hands up to the profile she loved, and she really did love this woman. At the end of the day Jace felt a sense of relief herself at Hudson's demise. It shut the final door in her mind to a period in her life that she never wanted to be reminded of, it was over! "If what you believe is true Catherine, it's all over and we can stop looking over our shoulder and concentrate on living those precious moments that life is allowing us together. No more talk of murder, revenge or vendetta's, okay?"

Catherine's heartbeat stepped up a pace at the words. She sorely wanted to agree with every word Jace said, and for now, she would! Looking deep into the green eyes, which had a misty glaze with her tears, Catherine tenderly stroked away the remnants of those tears as she gently kissed each eyelid and pressed her lips to the side of her face and held her close breathing in her perfume.

"Okay Darling. Do you know how much I love you?"

Jace returned the gaze she was being subjected too. This time the ice blue eyes held all the warmth, love and sensual regard she had come to expect from Catherine. Nothing else was acceptable to Jace and that was her role in all this Catherine would learn to have more compassion for others, it just might take a little time that was all!

"About as much as I love you, maybe!" Smiling into the caress on her face.

"Well, we could have a competition as to who can prove that little debate. What do you say?" Catherine said her voice a low growl it's pitch sending a spark to the pit of Jace's stomach.

"What's the prize?" Jace asked and nibbled at Catherine's lower lip to show her partner that if it was a game she was more than ready to participate.

"Got me their love. Although, I'm sure between us we can come up with something interesting." Catherine tangled her lips with the petite blondes and lost all thought of anything, except the woman she held in her arms.

"How would you like to marry me a week, on Saturday?" Jace smiled as she heard the indrawn breath and an answering smile that travelled between their barely touching lips.

"A week Saturday sounds like a date to me. How would you like to spend a month on a quiet Island I know to seal our vows?" Catherine stole a brief kiss as she heard a slow exhale of breath from Jace, who was gradually moulding her body closer and closer into Catherine's broader and taller frame.

"Oh, yeah! You, white sands and me. One of my dreams." Jace murmured and felt the heart beat next to hers race, as she was pulled into an embrace neither of them wanted to have a release from.

Catherine bent her head and traced her lips over Jace's neck and nipped at her collarbone. "You know that you're going to become even more of a legend now you do realise Jace." Catherine replied, her mind now completely engrossed in the enticing body under hands and lips.

"Why's that?" Jace questioned, her own voice practically incoherent as she felt her body's reaction to Catherine's touch.

Picking up the small woman in her arms with a protest from Jace about her shoulder, which was duly silenced by a searing kiss, Jace was gently lowered onto the sofa and for a few seconds she wasn't even aware of Catherine leaving her to lock the door to her office. The sudden feeling of the taller woman resting on top of her and continuing her assault on her neck and throat made Jace forget everything even the whispered answer from Catherine. "I've never made love to anyone in my office before and never will again unless it's you in my arms."

Catherine had cause to remember the situation well. It brought it home to her how much she could lose, but had no control over that part of her that would always protect those she loved. Yet, if Jace were there, she would turn the tide in their favour. Catherine was hoping that would always be the case. Especially now, here they were twenty-four hours away from their commitment to one another in the eyes of their family and friends. It was the only thing she wanted to do. Nothing was more important than this ceremony. It made everything clear to her, everything that was important. Everything she wanted in her life was a petite blonde Californian called Jace Bardley!

Glancing around the study, she pushed the plans of the house renovation ideas into a drawer that would come after the holiday. Although, she supposed if she did put a copy of the plans in her luggage, the two of them might have time to look over the proposed renovations and discuss the changes. Shaking her head she smirked, not a chance! Walking towards the door she left the room, Jace would be home with the family and friends that were coming from the States very soon. She'd better check on the Elena who appeared to be sinking her new teeth into everything she possibly could even people, which didn't exactly go down well! Smiling happily, she walked towards the kitchen and the promise of tea.

~ ~ ~

Jason Bardley watched the tall raven-haired woman walk towards the house from the stables. He had watched her ride in on that marvellous mare of hers. The kids had informed him the beautiful animal was called Tralargon. He himself hadn't ever been a fan of horses or horse riding in anyway. He suspected his elder daughter was much the same. She certainly never joined the rest of the family when they went off on their frequent rides in the early evening, which was quite the spectacle. Now, they were shortly going to have to call this woman what exactly? He wasn't sure if it was daughter-in-law or something. His education in this realm hadn't quiet gone that far. Nevertheless, he was happy to have her as part of the fold, even if there was some animosity between her and Lucy. At least this evening, he wasn't helping her to bed, not like the last wedding they had come to on the ranch.  That had been quiet an eye opener; one he wouldn't forget in a hurry.  Funny, they had never got around to discussing that particular situation.  It would be quiet a conversation he suspected.

"Ah I wondered where she was." Grace laughed as she watched the confident easy gait of her friend get ever closer to the house.

"Yes, she's definitely on her way." Jason said and watched the woman and wondered why he was getting warm, as it had cooled considerably this afternoon.

"Are you ready to give your daughter away again Jason?" Grace smiled and came to lean against the railing next to him as they watched Catherine talk to a ranch hand that had stopped her on the drive.

"Again?" Jason asked the woman and watched the brown eyes smile into his.

"Yeah, she married Adamson didn't she? You were there I think Jace mentioned?" Grace chuckled at the man's expression. He looked affronted at the suggestion and she wondered if it was the fact that he was there or that he really wished he hadn't been.

"Well, that doesn't count. She never loved the guy, so I loaned her to him." Jason finally replied and Grace actually thought he meant it.

"So, do you consider this one for keeps?" Grace was amused at how an innocent question was going quite out of the boundaries she expected.

"Well, my dear Mrs Montgomery, I somehow think it would be impossible for me to even ask if she wanted to come back never mind see it happen." Jason laughed and shook his head at the thought, the tall woman walking up to them would probably kill him if he suggested it!

Grace laughed loudly and was pierced by an ice blue quizzical gaze that was striding towards them purposefully. Grace ignored her friends glance and looked directly at Jason, "you're right Jace wouldn't leave her again. That is something I know for definite."

"Who wouldn't leave whom?" Catherine heard the tail end of the conversation and pulling off her black gloves as she looked at them both for the answer.

Jason cleared his throat nervously. He had already had a sensitive chat on this porch that had gone perilously wrong the last time he was here. Grace seeing the nervous man chuckled and turned to her friend and tapped her on the back. "You!"

"Me what exactly?" Catherine asked. She hoped Grace wasn't causing any mischief that wasn't good. Catherine had promised Jace that today she would be on her best behaviour; even contribute to the conversations instead of doing the disappearing act on them.

"You wouldn't leave Jace." Grace smiled at the look of surprise on Catherine's face.

"Of course not Grace! What the hell are you trying to say here?" Catherine said her voice held a touch of anger.

"Nothing Catherine. Please don't get so upset. You do over react you know especially when Jace's name is mentioned. Anyone would think you loved the woman." Grace starred at her with a face completely devoid of expression.

Jason watched fascinated as these two women interacted. They literally set sparks off each other, and at times it looked like they were about to burn the other. Suddenly as now, they dissolved into laughter and Catherine was placing a friendly arm around her friend's shoulders and whispered something to her that he couldn't hear.

"Be right back." Grace said with a grin and Catherine turned to Jace's father and looked at him with a warm gaze.

"How are you Jason, everything under control in my household?" Catherine had talked briefly to the man on his arrival, but she had wanted to take Tralargon out before dinner, as she wouldn't be riding her again for a month. Although, she was looking forward to being alone with Jace for that time, she would miss her daily rides with the mare.

Jason smiled at her and returned her warm regard with one of his own.

"Yes Alison and Faith are debating about the children when you're away. However, they wanted to discuss it with you and Jace before they did anything concrete about it." Jason watched the normally still featured woman break into a smile.

"I wonder if I can guess, Alison wants the children to travel to LA for a couple of weeks and Faith isn't sure yet, right?" Catherine chuckled as she saw him stare in surprise.

"Well. Yes. How did you know?" He asked and then watched as Grace came forward with two bottles and three glasses on a tray. Oh, god no! Jace would kill them!

"One of the many skills I have Jason is interpreting people's needs. Especially when it's my family. I know that both Jake and Lisa have been badgering Jace for a visit and Faith almost promised them when we left that she might agree to that. So it is easy really." Catherine clapped him on the back as she saw Grace placing the tray on the small wicker table.

"Come on Jason, we are all going to toast the health of one Jace Bardley and a happy future for us all. What do you say?"

Jason looked at Grace as she opened a bottle of white wine. Then he noticed the other bottle. It was one of the most prestigious malt whiskeys in the world. In fact, he had never tasted that one before and he loved the odd drop from time to time.

"Jace will kill us, I kind of promised to keep an eye on you two to head off this situation."

Grace laughed and sat down in the chair with her back to the kitchen. "That's okay. I've given Catherine the chair to the kitchen door so if we have trouble she gets the first sight of it. I know one person who simply cannot say no to those ice blues of hers, if you understand me Jason?"

Jason looked at the two of them and smiled. Hell it would only be the odd drink and it was his eldest daughter's health and future they were toasting. It shouldn't be a problem! "Okay, just one and then we go find the others."

Catherine smirked behind the raised gloves as she threw them onto the table and sat down on a chair that Grace had pulled up. ëOne indeed.' "I'm fine with that, what about you Grace?" Catherine turned to her friend and they both had laughter brimming from their eyes.

"Yeah suit me fine." Grace poured two glasses of wine and passed the bottle of whiskey over to Jason who looked longingly at it and then poured a small measure and was shocked when Catherine moved quickly and tipped the bottle from underneath and poured in a rather generous amount.

"Hey Dad, you can't be stingy on your daughter's health now can you?"

Catherine and Grace laughed and eventually Jason did also, as he savoured the first taste of a splendid single malt whisky.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-eight

Jace watched her mother cuddle Elena and whisper something to her granddaughter. Bringing tears to her eyes and a little sadness as well, as she realised that her parents wouldn't perhaps see their first grandchild grow up. Or at least, very little of the baby's growing up period, especially now when the baby grew so fast.

"She's growing don't you think Mom?" Jace wiped an errant tear away and smiled at her mother and placed her hand forward for her daughter to grasp the fingers.

Alison Bardley looked over the top of the baby's dark hair, which was now becoming quite thick and silky to the touch. It had been spiky the last time they were here two months ago. Her green gaze similar to both her daughter's and her granddaughters saw the tears and the faint trace of sadness. "Yes, she is darling. She is looking like a certain daughter I raised all those years ago."

Jace laughed self-consciously, "Mom it wasn't that long ago!"

"Yeah, well time passes by Jace. We have to catch all those memories and hold them in our heart and mind for as long as we live. What is bothering you darling?" Alison had been amazed at how open her elder daughter had been to her on the last visit. Jace had even taken to chatting with her about things that when she was home in LA she would have discussed with her father. Something, or should she say someone, had changed all that!

Jace decided that prevarication was hopeless with her mother. She had found that out at the last visit. "I was thinking about how much you will miss of Elena growing up. She is growing so fast, it seems so unfair!"

Alison smiled at her daughter in tender concern; her elder daughter had always been the one, who would take on the mangy dog in the street, or the cat that was about to be drowned for no reason, or the homeless person who needed shelter for the night. The homeless had been the most difficult phase in the household, but they had finally managed to get Jace to agree to give up some of her free time to the hostel rather than bring them home. It had been a wonderful trait Jace, as had only been thirteen. Her elder daughter suffered for others and that was the hardest lesson that Jace had to learn in this often-cruel world they lived in. She hoped that the woman that Jace had agreed to share her life with would take some of the blows on behalf of her daughter. It wasn't a weakness it was an admirable trait. Yet, so easy to be taken for granted and ultimately could bring about disillusionment.

"Darling you can send us video and Catherine visit's the States again now. So perhaps, you can drop by with the family when you come over each time? Let's face it Jace, many grandparents never see the children grow. It is only the odd phone call, but I know you will be different.  I'm sure Catherine will support your choices, she loves you."

Jace smiled one of her warm sparkling smiles that lit up her face and eyes and caught everyone in its glowing aftermath.

"Yes Mom, I know she does. I know that if she can provide it she will, that's one thing I have no doubts in this world about. So, have you and Faith finally agreed which weeks she and the children are travelling to LA?"

"How did you know?" Alison was suspicious. Had Jason mentioned it? No he hadn't seen Jace much today. In fact, he had been missing the best part of two hours now.

"Let's put it this way, my partner has superb deduction techniques and she shares those thoughts with me." Jace smiled and stroked the sleepy face of her daughter who was very nearly asleep on Alison's shoulder.

"Elena is ready for bed Mom."

"Jace you go find your father. I'll put her in the crib and catch up with you. I have not seen him for over two hours." Alison peeked at the baby in her arms and smiled for she looked like her daughter. There was definitely no mistaking whose child she was.

"Okay. See you shortly. He is probably talking to Catherine or Grace in the kitchen." Jace left the lounge and headed for the kitchen.

Walking inside she saw Judy and Faith laughing and could hear loud laughter and very loud voices from the porch area. Jace shut her eyes and considered going to her room. It could not be happening again surely!

"Hi! Anything I should know about here?"

Judy and Faith looked at her and both burst out laughing.

"Sorry Jace, but you really have a great father. He has the most incredible jokes which he churns out continuously." Judy was laughing obviously at something that had been said.

"My father does?" Jace inquired, her throat going dry. ëI'm going to kill her if Catherine's coaxed my father to be in the same state she was with Grace last time.'

"Oh! Yes Jace. He, Grace and Catherine were having a quiet drink, then James, Susan and Colin joined them and it became quite the family gathering.

Jace decided that the only thing for her to do was to go and see what was happening for herself. There before her eyes were all the culprits. Not only Lisa sitting on Catherine's knee as Jake was leaning against the railing next to Colin, but also all of them had a drink of some description in their hands. Catherine saw Jace approach and whispered something into Lisa's ear as she moved giggling over to sit on Grace's knee.

"Jace just the person, where's your mother?" Catherine asked her voice appeared to be louder than normal. It was a sure sign. Yep! She had definitely been drinking again.

"Mom's on her way, have I missed much?" Jace looked at them all and felt quite left out of the occasion. They looked happy and relaxed. Here she was, uptight about a wonderful situation, while their family and friends were all enjoying themselves.

Catherine moved forward so that they faced each other inches apart. "Missed? No, you would have been embarrassed darling. We toasted your health several times in fact, but I missed you lover." Catherine spoke the last words the loudest and that made Jace blush as everyone else laughed at the endearment.

"Thanks Catherine!" Jace scowled through tight lips. No way in Hades was she going to let her partner ever drink again. This was getting to be a habit. Even if Catherine looked cute and very sexy with those misty looking ice blue chips she called eyes.

Alison Bardley chose that moment to enter the fray along with Faith and Judy. Each laden with trays of sandwiches and assorted snacks; Lisa was the first into the food along with a smiling Jake.

"Mom, look at them?" Jace gestured to her mother as she passed by her shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm looking, and I'm also going to join them. What about you?" Alison looked at her daughter and winked.

Jace raised her eyebrows and couldn't keep the comical look of concern from crossing her face. "I have children to think of! Not like a certain partner of mine who seems to disregard that point occasionally."

Catherine smiled at the jibe and placed her hands on Jace's shoulders and pulled the blonde closer so that she could whisper in her ear. "I'll go get our youngest daughter, because I want her to join in this moment Jace, even if she will never remember it. Be right back." Kissing the lips of her partner briefly she left the room surprisingly very agile.

Jace was motioned forward and she shook her head, "Give me a minute."

She didn't hear the comments that Grace decided to share as she went through the door towards the lounge and her partner. "That's the last we will see of those two until dinner folks. So, I suggest we refill our glasses. Who can provide us with another toast other than Jace's health?

"How about Sex?" Jason Bardley answer back. He had certainly had more than the odd drop of the single malt whisky as his eye's dilated slightly and a red streak was noticeable across his cheeks.

"Jason really, whatever do you mean?" Alison asked her husband as she took the chair opposite him that had been vacated by Catherine.

"Sex Al! You remember that small practice that produced the kids, and I tell you in this place there's........" Alison leaned over and put her hand over the words that were tumbling out of her husbands rather lose lips at the moment.

"Not in front of the children Jason!" Alison told him sternly and watched as his face hung down clearly embarrassed at his near slip.

Grace watched the few words passed between the older couple and smiled wickedly. So that is where Jace gets that attitude--from her mother!

Taking pity on the older man Colin moved over from the railing and placed his hands on Grace's shoulders, "How about we toast love in whatever form it takes." His face held a look of love for the woman under his hands and she returned the gaze with equal measure as she smiled at him with grateful thanks.

"Uncle Colin can I toast love too?" Lisa asked, not really understanding some of the strange conversations going on. Especially from their grandfather, but the adults laughed, so she did also, some of the time.

Grace hugged the small girl close to her and Colin bent his head and kissed the top of her red hair. "Lisa you surely can. It is the very best toast to make in your life. Believe me." He shifted his posture slightly and kissed Grace shyly on the lips and raised his head and then his glass to disguise his embarrassment.

"To Love." Was the chorus and they all laughed and began a round of conversations that had the children snatching some snacks from the nearest plate and heading towards the stables, chatting amiably about the horses.

Watching in fascination Jace arrived in the room within a minute of her partner and saw her tall figure drop down on one knee next to the crib and speak to the sleeping child.

"Your mother thinks I'm drunk little one, but I'm not. Might have her Dad and a few of the others drunk, but they are enjoying themselves. I want to go into tomorrow with a clear head and show your Mother that every word spoken I mean from the bottom of my heart. She deserves no less Elena!"

"I think you deserve exactly the same Catherine." Jace solemnly echoed from her position at the doorway. Moving inside, she closed the door behind her and went towards the woman who was now sitting in embarrassed shock on the floor.

"I guess you followed me. I wasn't expecting that." Catherine glanced her way ruefully and stroked her chin in absent concentration of the event.

Jace knelt down opposite her with their faces level. She saw the smile that played around Catherine's lips and the lines around her eyes that indicated to Jace she was happy.

"I will follow you to the ends of the earth Catherine, that is a promise.  However, when it comes to the possibility of you being drunk and walking around with our daughter alone, you can count on it." Jace stated with a mock frown teasing her friend.

Catherine chuckled and put out a hand to slowly caress the face so close to hers. "I hope you always will Jace. For I will gladly follow you wherever you go." Bringing her head closer to the blonde one and kissing the lips that she knew would always be a temptation she could never resist.

Jace released her lips a fraction so that she could speak, "We will have to go back Catherine. They are expecting us." Her lips then locked back on to her partners--it was just--so right!

Catherine finally looked up and into the glazed green eyes of the woman she loved, and laughed softly. "No, actually they're not, at least not now. Especially, if my friend Grace is true to form in her usual tactless self after she has consumed a couple of glasses of wine. I told her I was going to have some time alone with you before dinner. I think this counts as that time."

Jace looked at her with eyes full of astonishment. "You planned all this? I'm impressed and dinner isn't for at least another two hours."

Catherine's eyes smouldered as they looked into Jace's and she felt that her heart would burst at the love she had for this woman held in her arms. "Well, that was phase one, phase two needs for one Californian who shares my soul to take me and our daughter to bed for a ërest', how does that sound?" Catherine saw the sultry look in those expressive eyes and knew she'd made some good choices here today.

Jace moved quickly and stood up and held out her hand to the taller woman and heaved her off the floor. Placing her arms around her shoulders and pulling Catherine's head down this time the kiss explored both their mouths and their tongues danced to a tune only they could hear that pulsed rapidly between the two bodies. "Can we rest after I've produce a rather exciting sound effect from you?"

Catherine placed her chin on the blonde head, "And which sound effect would that be Ms Bardley? You care to enlighten me?"

Jace looked up and the sexual current that passed between them was electric. "How about I show you with your help what it sounds like first, and then you follow my lead?"

Catherine gave in to her insatiable lust for those lips and kissed Jace breathless. "Let's go lover. I'm a fast learner." Catherine picked up the crib and all three went up the stairs. In the distance they could hear the happy laughter of their family and friends. But, for the next two hour all that could be heard from upstairs were reverberation after reverberation, first from Catherine and the Jace of "Again," and "oh, yes," until the swiftly generated pleasures were finally succumbed and both women lay drained.  Well, for the time being at least.

~ ~ ~

Catherine looked over the paddock area and its inky blackness in the dead of night, as her dreams or should she say nightmares once again woke her at the ridiculous hour of three a.m. She had padded out of bed, pulled on a sheer silk nightgown and looked out over the property that she loved. In all the countries Catherine had lived or visited in her thirty-seven, well almost thirty-eight years, this was the place she knew in her heart was her true home other than Jace. Her next birthday would be the last week of their holiday together. Just the two of them, which would be different from the last one, that amused her as she thought back to her last birthday.

"Jace she's coming, she's coming Jace!" Lisa shouted excitedly jumping up and down on the decking of the porch. Jake was leaning with a bored expression on his face, but his eye's if you looked closely were as excited as Lisa's verbal outburst.

Jace peeked out of the open doorway of the kitchen and smiled as she saw Catherine alight from the Landrover and speak to Colin. He had been unable to collect her from the local airport, after her trip to Australia after a plea from Paul Strong that things needed her brand of attention. At that time Jace had almost, but finally managed to hold her temper at the news because knowing their luck Catherine would be away for her birthday. And away for the surprise party they had planned for her. Catherine being Catherine had managed to solve the problem late the evening prior to her birthday and with some smooth talk by Jace had agreed to travel overnight to be home today. Jace was sure the significance had passed her by, but not for the rest of them. This would be the first time Jace herself had been in Catherine's life to celebrate the event. In her present state anything she could do to return some happiness to Catherine for all the wonderful caring the tall woman had showered her with in her final months of pregnancy, then she would do it!

Catherine hooked her left hand through the handle of Rio's harness and walked confidently with the dog towards the house and her family! Although she was tired it was a wonderful feeling of being home and having a family that persuaded Catherine to travel through the night even though she'd not finished her meetings until midnight.  Even if Jace hadn't talked her round she would have probably done the same anywhere.

 She didn't want to lose any more time without Jace by her side. Now with the baby due only days away she wanted to be here even more so. Smiling secretly to herself at her foolish romantic thoughts, she shook her head and reflected what a lonely woman she had been for all those years. And it wasn't just her reclusive state here on Destiny; it was all her adult life. Until the confident, petite, blonde, Californian had miraculously entered her life that stormy day. She quite loved the sound of a good storm now! Rio slowed down as they approached the porch steps and he negotiated them with familiar ease and knew that his tall mistress would do the same.

"Catherine you're home?" Lisa enthused and ran forward to hug the woman around the legs in a tight hold that defied the child's small frame.

"That I am princess. Have you been good while I've been gone?" Catherine bent her head and placed a warm kiss on top of the red hair that she couldn't see these days, but her memories of the child were perfectly intact.

"Can I take Rio to play until you get washed up for....."? Jake took that moment to poke her in the back gently and give her an older brother-warning look.

Catherine tilted her head in question something was going on. She just wasn't sure as to what.

"Lisa washed up for what exactly?"

"Lunch Catherine, can I take Rio please?" The child pleaded and waited for Catherine to say yes, never had she ever said no to the request.

"Sure he will like that, but Lisa he needs a drink and he's been very good. So, one of those special treats you're always feeding him when my backs turned would be a wonderful surprise for him, okay?"

Lisa squealed at the words. "How did you know that? Did Jake tell you?" Lisa starred accusingly at her ëbrother', who shrugged his shoulders.

Catherine tilted the child's head up so that she faced the child, couldn't see her, but that wasn't the point. "Princess when have you ever been able to keep a secret from me? I have eyes in the back of my head didn't you know that?" Catherine teased the child and bent down to kiss her cheek. "Go take care of Rio, he could do with a run around after the flight." Catherine turned the child around and passed her the harness, which held the dog securely.

"Have you really got eyes in the back of your head? I often wondered......" Lisa said as she headed for the open kitchen door.

"Lisa go!" Catherine said with a chuckle. That child could be encouraged to end any conversation no matter the topic.

Catherine tilted her head towards the other person on the porch she knew that it was Jake. He was never far away when she arrived home after a trip. "How's the football practice going Jake?"

Jake smiled and went closer to the tall woman he had grown to care about. The feeling for her was growing stronger daily.  But, especially when she'd arrived home hurt all those months ago. "Great Catherine. I think I'm going to be the left hand striker this year in the team.  I'm scoring lots of goals in the friendly matches." The boy announced proudly.

"Excellent! We will have a professional player on our hands yet." Catherine smiled at the boy and held out her arms. The boy rushed into them and hugged her. His head gently touched her shoulder. The boy certainly was getting taller. Catherine thought that he might actually be as tall as Jace. She would have to ask her friend about his height.

"Glad to have you back Catherine. We miss you when you're gone." The boy whispered into her broad shoulder, his words uncertain.

"I'm glad to be back Jake and I miss you all too!" Catherine placed a light kiss on his head knowing that it embarrassed the boy any major sign of affection.

"I'd better go and make sure Lisa doesn't kill Rio with kindness.  We will see you at lunch Catherine." The boy pulled gently out of the loose embrace and had his hair ruffled as he went.

For Catherine the subtle aroma of perfume was enough for her to know that Jace was close. Not having heard any footsteps on the decking, she wasn't sure if it was her imagination of the lingering essence or something she just really wanted in her heart.

"This may sound foolish, but do I get a hug from my favourite Californian?"

Jace laughed softly and walked towards her tall raven-haired friend and put her arms around Catherine's waist as best she could. Her pregnancy did have the effect of keeping a certain distance between their bodies. "Now why would that sound foolish Catherine?" Jace reached up and placed a brief kiss of welcome on the full lips that gave a wry smile.

"It could have been someone else or no one at all. That would look as if I'm talking to myself, or even worse, making a pass at another party." Catherine decided that the brief kiss she'd experienced wasn't enough and she placed her own lips on the blondes in a much more satisfying exploration.

Coming up for air Jace looked at the smiling face and the ice blue eyes that darted around but didn't particularly focus. "Mmmm, I suppose. But how many Californians have you allowed to live here and who use the same perfume and are as big as a house? You just had to know it was me, right?"

Catherine placed her chin on the blonde head and grinned. "Yes, I just had to know it was you!" her voice soft and warm to Jace's starved ears and Catherine had only been gone four days!

"Let me look at you?" Jace moved her head gently to gaze into her friend's face, which moved slowly from side to side as Jace made her appraisal.

Catherine never did have much patience. "Do you like what you see?" Her voice teased her friend as she grinned happily at her.

"Oh, yeah! I like what I see, but as usual you need to be fed and watered. I'm sure you don't eat when you go away on business. I really must talk to Paul about that." Jace laughed and tenderly stroked the battled scarred left-hand side of her face.

"I eat. As for Paul, he eats for the starving I think, a little like another person I know." Catherine bantered back and felt the gentle slap on her arm at the remark.

"I have the perfect excuse darling. I'm eating for two." Jace said smugly and placed her arm through her friend's as they went towards the main entrance.

"Are you sure it's only two Jace?" Catherine dipped her head and placed a precarious kiss on the side of her cheek. It was always difficult to judge the distance between them as they walked, but she usually found her mark however haphazard.

"Come on let's go inside." Jace swiftly pulled the woman along and they headed for what Catherine assumed would be the bedroom. Then she was steered towards the lounge and as Jace opened the door and pushed Catherine forward before her, the sounds of celebration crackers and small whistles and a chorus of ëHAPPY BIRTHDAY' echoed around the room in greeting as Lisa, Jake, Grace and Colin all shouted together.

Catherine had been shocked at the surprise. Her heart shot into her mouth, as she was welcomed back home in such a wonderful way. This was surely what coming home really was all about.

Catherine felt the small hands encircle her waist as she stood at the window. "How about coming back to bed and I'll chase away the nightmare. What do you say?" Jace whispered into her back her voice still sleepy clearly indicating that she had just woken up.

"How do you know it was a nightmare? It could have been a good dream?" Catherine asked her smile creasing her face at the comfort her partner wanted to give.

"Ah! Well, when you have a good dream, you kind of want to hold me tighter and you do have rather wandering hands, a little like an octopus, did you know that?" Jace smiled and kissed Catherine's back through the fabric of the robe she wore.

"I never heard you complain." Catherine quirked her eyebrow and turned to draw the woman closer and where she could see her face.

"Hades, I'd never complain about that Catherine, not in a million years. When you leave our bed I know that's different. I want to help darling. If you want to share them with me?" Jace looked at the ice blues that were illuminated in the light of the moon.

Catherine placed her hands around the face she craved every minute of the day. Sometimes she didn't think she would survive the power this woman had over her, but dying wasn't an option, not for a long time she hoped. "I love you and I want to share them with you, but could we share them another time? I think I'd like for you to explain to me in detail exactly what happens when this octopus comes to visit. Think that is okay with you tonight?" Her voice cut in softly pleading for Jace's understanding.

Jace chuckled at her partner. "Whatever you say, I'm going to be here for you and that's all you need to know."

"Yes. I know Jace, I know." Catherine placed a searing kiss on the blonde's lips and moved with her in her arms towards the bed.

"I love you Catherine Warriorson with everything that I have." Jace whispered as she was lowered to the bed.

"I love you too Jace, now what shall I do with my hands?" Catherine teased her mouth open and started a devoted exploration inside.

Jace merely moved the hands over her body in answer to that question and allowed them whatever access they chose and they certainly knew where she wanted the hands to travel, and travel they did.

She brought one to her shoulder in the dark, squeezing it convincingly.  The grip was like iron before she moved in one smooth flow, coming up, turning her, fazing her onto her back with a kiss that told her she was done with preliminaries. Her mouth was wide, and her kiss hungry.  Her tongue touched hers, and then moved in a circle upon her lips.  She felt the soft silken skin of her inner lips beneath her tongue, and deep in her body a pulsing made her lower parts feel ready to burst from need.  Her tongue washed her teeth, explored the warm crevice between them and her upper lip. The turn of her waist was her undoing as she found it, then moved her hands upward to slake its emptiness and fill her palm with her breast while her other cupped the back of her head.

She rested her lips against the side of her nose as she pleaded hoarsely, "Jace, I have waited long enough."

It was heavenly being touched by her, fully, intimately.  The hand now gentle in its insistence, provoking a yearning in Jace's breast to be bared to that large palm.  "Wait, wait," she moaned, just this. For tonight, just this joy of knowing your touch and tingling to it and tasting the sweetness of my body yearning for more is enough.

"Oh, Jace, you are all woman.  You are so warm." Gently, she fondled her breasts, carried away by touching them at least, feeling her nipples hard and aroused. "No more waiting, Jace. I want you now." Her hand slid down her ribs and kneaded her hip while she covered her mouth with hers.

Jace wanted her so badly, all thoughts of playing her any longer fled, for as she played her, she played herself, and it had become torturous.  She grabbed her hair and murmured, "oh, yes, now Catherine". She heard a sharp, indrawn breath before she relaxed with an audible groan.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Twenty-nine

Jace couldn't help it the dreamy expression she had developed when they had exchanged their vows in the town's civil marriages office had firmly rooted. Now thirty-six hours after the event she was still bemused, excited, awed and simply too overcome by emotion to capture the words in her heart, never mind express them!

If someone had told her she could be this happy without bursting, she would have laughed at him or her, but she was. It bubbled away in her. She was devoted to its cause and never more so now she really could claim that cause as hers, for Catherine Xianthos Devonshire Warriorson had without doubt made her the happiest woman in the world.

The greatest shock that morning was when she thought that they would just say a few words in the garden area of the house with their family and close friends in attendance. Oh! No, that wasn't how it worked when Catherine was in control, no way!

Catherine had awakened them early and with her usual characteristic appealing ways persuaded her to dress and meet her downstairs in an hour. Catherine had quickly left the room in a robe, and left her with a puzzled expression. Didn't she need to dress too?

When she'd reached the bottom of the stairs the house was quiet, way too quiet for nine thirty in the morning. Except her father walked in all resplendent in a dark morning suit towards her as she hit the final step. He smiled at the expression on his daughters face.

"Dad what's going on?"

"I thought you knew Jace? Didn't you invite us to your wedding?" Jason asked innocently.

"Yes, of course I did Daddy. But....where is everyone else?" Jace asked her face unsure of what was required of her next.

"Waiting for you darling. All you have to do now, is take my arm and away we go." Jason smiled at his daughter and realised the Catherine had indeed kept this a secret. He hoped Jace appreciated the gesture.

Jace hugged her arms around her own waist as she relived those moments. It had been strange walking through the peaceful hall and out onto the empty porch and finally to the waiting Jaguar that was chauffeured by someone she'd never seen before.

They had then driven into town and the car eventually slowed down to a halt outside the civil office. Her father had gently asked her to step out of the car, and she did. But, by now, her legs were shaking and her hands quivered as she smoothed down the beautiful russet silk plain dress she wore. It covered her like a second skin and accentuated all her curves to the greatest degree. Holding onto her father's arm, she glided into the building.

Catherine had been holding her breath. No matter what Grace said, or Susan tried to do to head off the case of nerves she had, it was simply no use. Maybe she should have told Jace. But, she wanted Jace to experience the feeling of being a bride again even if it wasn't quite the circumstances that every girl expected. Then she exhaled her breath as she saw the vision of loveliness that floated into her peripheral sight. Jace was spectacular and the shy smile she had as she walked through the door sent Catherine's heart hammering a tempo she wasn't likely to ever forget.

"You going to faint on me Catherine?" Grace asked at her elbow and realised that Grace had taken her arm and was steadying her in front of the clerk's desk.

Catherine shook her head and looked at Grace, her face stunned. "Jace looks beautiful Grace." The words a whisper for her friends ear alone.

"She sure does; always knew you had taste Catherine. Or is it that Jace does?" Grace teased her nervous friend, when Catherine was in full organisational mode she was second to none. When she lost the plot, well, anything could happen.

"Do you think she looks pissed Grace?" Catherine asked her friend not daring to look behind as Jace approached them.

Grace chuckled silently and patted her friend's shoulder.

"No, this time it was a secret Jace will be more than happy to forgive you for. I wish you both the best of everything, I love you Catherine! Now don't go fluffing those lines okay?" Grace winked at Jace as she moved away and Jace stopped next to Catherine who looked ravishing in a sapphire suit, immaculately cut as it gave the impression of regal elegance. To Jace that was certainly what Catherine was to her.

The day had gone from exciting to simply wonderful. Not only had the family and friends she knew been invited to the wedding, but also several of the more prominent citizens of the town and one of Jace's favourite people the Reverend Stott and his wife. These day's Jace spent two afternoons a week working with Clarence Stott on various projects for the poorer area's of the town and she was quite a welcome to the many neighbourhoods they visited.

The wedding lunch they had was beautifully catered and as she and Catherine cut the wedding cake the cheers that greeted the event nearly deafened them both. Eventually they had said goodbye to the family and an especially tearful goodbye to the children as they left for the personal flight to catch their main flight to the Seychelles, arriving here only an hour before. Catherine being true to her character had disappeared to ensure that everything she'd asked for had been taken care of, and that they wouldn't need anyone for at least a week.

Jace looked out at the rolling surf as darkness slowly made its way across the glowing colourful skies and the stars shone down creating twinkling lights in the dark blue of the ocean, gently lapping of the waves creating background sounds for the picturesque scene that she committed to memory. Large hands that she would have know even if it had been pitch black settled around her waist and she received a slow sensual kiss to the side of her neck as Catherine returned to her. "Mmm I could get used to that." Jace smiled her face lit up by the moonlight that came in through the large patio window.

"Is that so, could you get used to anything else my love." Catherine smiled into Jace's neck. Jace purred as she felt those same lips dip onto the slope of her shoulders as the shirt she wore was being gently displaced by a very determined chin action.

"If you provide it Catherine, I'll try everything." Jace heard the catch in her own voice as she experienced the knowledgeable attention from the full lips she knew was creating havoc in her body.

"Well, we have four weeks in which to test that particular theory out. Believe me Jace, I'm a good test pilot." Catherine growled into her neck as she disengaged her lips and turned the blonde in her arms so that they face each other, her face smug and happy.

Jace laughed softly at the look Catherine had the expression of someone being left inside a candy shop for the day. "So, what does that make me?"

Catherine gave her an erotic glance out of her ice blue eyes and smiled rakishly into the sensual green eyes that sparkled with fire.

"My co-pilot, as you have become in my life Jace, forever."

Jace kissed Catherine's jaw and chuckled, "Why didn't you tell me?" It was the first opportunity they had to talk about the wedding or rather the civil ceremony.

Catherine never looked away from the locked gaze of her partner's and brought her hands up to stroke with a feather light touch the lines created on her face by the smile she had seen as they exchanged those vows and which had never disappeared in the hours preceding. ëI put that smile there, it's for me!' Catherine had to shake her head mentally as she considered the trouble and ultimate media coverage her decision would produce, but it was all worth it when she saw the smile for the first time. The rest of the world could go to hell for all she cared. This was the most important person in her life. The only one that really mattered! "I wanted it to be a surprise. I guess I'm guilty of holding back on you again Jace" Catherine looked at her waiting for who knew what.

Jace shook her head at the woman before her and she placed her smaller hands around Catherine's face and tenderly pulled it closer to hers. "Guilty, yes, I guess you are. Oh, Catherine, do you know what it meant to me that you were prepared to not only commit yourself to me in the sight of our family and friends, but to the whole world? I know the media will plague you again. I didn't want that. All I really need is you!" Jace placed a gentle kiss on Catherine's slightly open mouth and relished the feel of the mouth opening like a flower beneath her gentle pressure.

Catherine gradually laid her forehead on Jace's so that their eyes were inches away. "I knew that darling, and I love you for the concern. But Jace, I wanted to marry you and when I said marriage, I meant exactly that! Fortunately, the authorities let me have the license and nothing short of death was going to stop me Jace. I need you also. But, I want it all, and no one is going to come between us again. I promise you, you're mine!" Catherine's voice raised a pitch as she said the most emotional words that Jace had ever heard from her partner.

Jace nodded her head at the words and her gentle smile gave the blonde an aura that took Catherine's breath away in its intensity. "I've always known you were mine Catherine. You and I are destined to be together forever. Whatever prevails, we will be! You can be assured of that my love."

Catherine slowly traced her tongue across the soft inviting lips that beckoned her and they opened to her touch. With a beat pounding in both their bodies Catherine picked up the smaller woman and walked confidently across the sparsely furnished room that overlooked their private cove to the master bedroom. Kicking open the door, but never releasing Jace's lips as she strode into the room and laid the woman on the four poster bed that dwarfed the room and covered her body with her own. Nothing short of an atomic bomb going off was going to get their attentions away from each other this night. Fortunately for the atomic bomb it never went off.

A partnership more powerful was being forged that night-- it was called love between souls destined to be entwined forever!

~ ~ ~

It was a strange feeling waking up alone with Catherine. When Jace really thought about it, the only time they hadn't spent the night without another person between them was that first night they shared together in her apartment. Since then, their daughter had been a very real obstruction, be it in the womb or in her crib since then only recently they had moved Elena into Lisa's room. Even the occasional afternoon naps they all shared together. It was kind of amusing in a perverse sort of way.

Looking at Catherine who had relaxed every barrier she had to allow her inside her life. Now miracle of all miracles, they were married! Glancing at the simple gold band that adorned her hand, which was the exact twin on Catherine's hand, she placed it to her lips and kissed the ring.

Watching the older woman sleep was a rare occurrence. Catherine was normally up at the crack of dawn and riding Tralargon until breakfast. Jace had a tender expression on her face as her eyes scanned the faint scars that covered the left side not only of the face, but pretty much all of Catherine's upper body, it was a tragedy and yet it really wasn't! Catherine had saved lives that day.

Although she herself might not be whole again, she had made it possible for two other lives to be so. Not only that, Jace had found out on her last visit to New York that Catherine had re-housed the small family and had personally funded an education program for the widowed young mother. Who upon completion of her training had been given a well-paid post at Xianthos headquarters in Rio. Not to mention the help she was giving to educate the boy, who was now in one of the best schools in the city. It was typical of the caring nature her partner saw fit to keep hidden in the darkest recesses most of the time. But when she chose to let it out of the corner, she held it in the effect produced marvellous situations and opportunities.

Carefully stroking a finger over the most prominent scar that was left on Catherine's body from her original injuries, it went from the left shoulder to the hip. Although she'd talked about having skin grafts to remove the feature, it would have meant further pain and for what? Jace didn't love the woman for her body, although she did love Catherine's body. It was the soul within that called to Jace. Her external beauty albeit it certainly was very stunning, was not the governing factor in her love for her partner. Catherine had so many facets to her nature it was difficult to guess how many, and if she had actually seen them all, she doubted it!

Jace moved down the body to place a tender kiss on the jagged edge of the scar close to Catherine's navel and she smiled at the silky texture she encountered. It made her own body grow warm at the possibilities that the body beneath her provided each day. Jace shuddered un-consciously and was surprised by a low rumble from the top of the bed.

"Something you find down there that upsets you love?" Catherine asked her and peered at the laughing green eyes with sleep filled ice blue ones.

"Never! I was kinda thinking about possibilities this body you promised me might hold in certain positions?" Jace replied giggling into the exposed skin, causing Catherine to inhale quickly at the sensation that caused, nothing short of turning her on immediately.

"Is that so? Would you care to elaborate about the positions?" Catherine grinned mischief glowing from her eyes.

"Now Catherine, are you sure you've had enough sleep? You were tired and for once I woke before you." Jace laughed and moved up Catherine's body leisurely kissing as much of her upper body as she possibly could finally reaching a rather flushed and panting partner who growled as Jace kissed her good morning.

"Good morning Darling."

Catherine reached around Jace and planted her firmly on her chest so that their faces came at the same level. "Good morning Jace. If this is the start of how you plan to wake me every morning, I'm going to be dead before my next birthday." Catherine breathed out and smiled warmly into the green eyes that smouldered with passion.

"Maybe, after your next birthday, although I like having you around. So, we can come to some agreement that keeps you alive and I can always change the passion into pampering to your every need." Jace replied succinctly a wide grin on her face.

"Sounds interesting! But can I have the passion and the pampering? Hey, I'm a big girl Jace. How about a swim before breakfast?" Catherine watched the differing emotions flash across Jace's face as she considered the question.

"A swim sounds good, but I was hoping to have breakfast in bed with you today. You alone and in this four poster bed and no one to disturb us sounds remarkably like heaven to me. And now you mention it Catherine, are you putting on weight?" Jace chuckled as she saw the brief flash of chagrin cross her face before Jace was scooped up into a hug that nearly crushed her in its exuberance.

"I might be, and if I am, well I guess you could always show me some exercises that would help. What do you say?" Catherine nipped the tender skin on Jace's neck and saw with satisfaction the red stain appear.

"Catherine you will not make your mark on me like that. We discussed this before!" Jace spluttered as she felt the sharp teeth take another bite ëgod it made her stomach somersault in reaction and it was a very positive sexual reaction as well!'

"Let you into secret Jace; there's no one but us. And you taste wonderful. How are you going to stop me?" Catherine laughed into her neck and tried again, only this time Jace flipped over and landed with a thud on the floor her naked form sprawled on the polished wooden surface.

"Catherine you mentioned a swim sounds good to me." Jace picked herself up off the floor just as Catherine shot out of the bed and pulled her firmly into a warm embrace.

"I promise not to give into my baser vampire instincts Jace, if you would join me back in bed. I think your earlier suggestion far outweighs mine by a long way." Catherine kissed the surprised pout of her partner and lifted her in her arms and settled her gently back on the bed. "Did you hurt yourself when you fell out the bed?" Catherine asked concerned, but she chuckled as she saw Jace momentarily place her hand on her rear.

Jace saw the predatory look she was being given and shook her head in response.

"Not really. My pride shall we say."

Catherine leaned into her and covered her body with her taller frame.

"Do you want me to administer first aid? I've had lessons." Catherine snared Jace in a look from those ice blue eyes that made her feel seriously warm on every area of her body.

"This I have to see." Jace challenged her with an impish smile.

Catherine caught the challenge in Jace's tone and gave her a smirk and proceeded to put her larger hands around her partner and as she closed in on the spot in question a moan was heard that indicated that there was definitely more pleasure experienced than pain in her actions.

"When and where did you get lessons Catherine?" Jace finally managed to ask her body writhing in pleasure at the concentrated activity her body was experiencing!

Catherine placed feather light kisses over Jace's face and just before she captured the blonde's lips she answered. "The day I met you and my broken heart began to mend," nothing else was said for sometime and breakfast came and went as did lunch......and dinner, well dinner was another thing altogether!

~ ~ ~

Chapter Thirty

Catherine sat precariously on the edge of the old canoe that had been beached on the edge of her private cove. She'd never seen it before, but there again her last visit had been over eight years ago with several friends from her old way of life. It had been a whirl of drunken parties, some had taken drugs, but not in the house and nowhere near Catherine. She had banned the practice in her sight anyway.

Now she saw everything and she could be forgiven for that after spending over a year in almost total blindness, but it wasn't that at all! No it was the small blonde that was treading water at the edge of the beach about a quarter mile away. Jace had to know everything and ask questions about everything she saw and didn't understand. At first it had amused her and then she felt the excitement generated from her partner and it became fun to join in the speculation about the variety of objects that Jace came across.

Her bubbly attitude had even attracted some of the locals to stop and talk to the animated blonde as she went over to the market every morning for fresh fruit and vegetables. Her face was often wreathed in smiles as the young fishermen brought their catch to the market and she bargained with the best of them. Catherine would find a seat in the shade of a small café and drink orange juice as she watched Jace undertake her task with relish. Always managing to come back with the largest and often hideous looking fish that was on offer. Her usual retort would be that she felt sorry for it.  Catherine would smile indulgently as she carried the packages back to the beach house. Jace would happily chatter away as they walked back in easy companionship.

Moving away from the canoe Catherine walked quickly towards Jace's position at the edge of the lapping water. She was wearing shorts over her one-piece bathing suit in a deep crimson, and had indulged in a jog on the beach for half an hour as Jace showered. Now the object of her desire was firmly in view. She wanted to desperately touch the younger woman.

Jace heard her approach before she placed those wonderfully inventive hands around her waist on the sarong she wore that she'd bartered for in the market the day before. It was a multi coloured creation and very useful after a shower.

"You tried to sneak up on me again, didn't you darling?" Jace turned from her musings over the clear blue sea and fell into even bluer eyes.

"Ah, am I losing my edge or was it the sneakers giving me away on the sand?" Catherine smiled as she placed a delicate kiss on Jace's sunburned shoulders that the sarong exposed to her touch.

Jace tried to concentrate on the sand beneath their feet rather than the sensations Catherine's touch was causing. "Sand my love. I don't see you losing your edge any time soon," came the breathless response.

This was their final week on the island. To say it had passed in a haze of glorious passion and intimate knowledge, bringing the fulfilment of all the dreams that Jace had ever had of their holiday together was stating the obvious, but it was all true. They had spent so much of their previous time together working through guilt, pain, sadness, tragedy, interference and the problems associated with children. They had actually spent so little time just getting to know each other. They had both realised that however much they had professed love for the other, they hadn't really known a great deal about the person behind the passion. Now having scratched the surface, it was becoming an insatiable need for them both to continue the process, which they did at every opportunity.

"Glad to hear that, I was wondering if you might enjoy an evening on the town tonight as we go home in a couple of days. And we haven't left the beach house at all?" Catherine smiled into the bronzed features Jace looked well there was no doubt the time spent here had been good to them both.

"No." Jace answered and watched the astonished look pass over Catherine's face.

"No? You have something else planned?" Catherine asked her surprised at the quick negative response.

"No!" Jace once again responded.

Shaking her head Catherine looked at her quizzically, "I see, so you don't want to go to town and you have nothing planned. Exactly why then wouldn't you appreciate a visit to town?"

Jace chuckled and raised her arms and placed them around Catherine's very tanned neck. She was almost as brown as the native islanders.

"I want to spend all my hours in the evening making love to you and with you under the stars, palm trees, on the sand or in the water. I want it to be you and me Catherine.  I'm not sharing you with anything until the very last moment!"

Catherine captured the lips of her sun kissed blonde and replied with action rather than words, what those words meant to her and how she considered them far superior to anything she'd even thought of. Eventually, hearing Jace's stomach rumble for breakfast, Catherine released her hold and held out her hand and a smaller one immediately grasped it. Catherine placed her other arm over Jace's shoulders as they strolled slowly towards the beach house and the breakfast of various fruit and breads. As they walked Jace would stoop down and pick up the large shells that adorned the white sands. And at every opportunity, they shared a kiss.

Moving within a couple of hundred yards of the house Jace pushed her fingers of her free hand over the grey hairs in Catherine's hair and smiled.

"You find my grey hair fascinating Jace, why?" Catherine asked her. They stopped at the edge of the water as its gentle waves crashing over their bare feet.

"I....I can't explain it but it makes you look so very dignified and knowing how you came by them...well, I love to touch it. That and the fact you have a white streak appearing down the middle of those beautiful raven locks from the sun." Jace finished off mischievously and laughed at the look she received from her partner.

"You do know that paybacks are a bitch Jace?" Catherine smiled evilly and with deliberate slowness turned to the laughing woman at her side.

"Oh, come on darling. It was a joke. Honestly, would I lie to you?" Jace couldn't stop laughing Catherine looked at her with such a serious expression it was so funny. Jace moved away slightly. Unfortunately not fast enough as Catherine snaked a hand at the topknot of her sarong and pulled at it. The fabric gave way and as Jace moved to escape her fate. The sarong stayed behind in Catherine's hand as she smirked at the naked blonde who was laughing, but looking embarrassed at her lack of attire paddling in the surf getting her feet wet.

"Happy now." Catherine apprised the body of her partner, which was tanned all over and showed no evidence of her having kept any clothes on in the sun.

"Hades! That is so like you Catherine. If you had said you wanted to see me naked, you only needed to ask." Jace smiled and went forward with her hand out to collect her garment never leaving the shallow seabed.

Catherine shook her head and put the piece of fabric around her waist and tied it in a knot and beckoned Jace towards her.

"I'm only coming closer if you promise not to do anything rash."

Catherine gave a snigger and throwing her sneakers to the sand that had been hung around her neck as they walked. She closed the gap between them and the water lapped over her ankles. Jace knew that her partner was up to no good and moved further into the sea and was greeted with a wave that came past her waist cooling her overheated body at the sight of her advancing friend.

"I promise only that you will get your hair wet if you go any further into the water," was her answer.

Jace laughed and went a little further in the water and saw Catherine remove the sarong and her shorts in a fluid movement as she moved closer.

"Oh, come on Catherine. I'm serious now. Please? Let us go eat breakfast and I'll never mention your hair again." Jace loved the feeling of power that Catherine exuded when she wanted something. She wanted something now that was for sure.

"When I'm done with my payback, you may have breakfast." Her voice a low growl that made Jace fall back further into the water and this time the wave crashed with little force over her head and she spluttered as she surfaced from the water, only Catherine wasn't to be seen.

"Catherine? Catherine where are you?" Jace shouted and was surprised when hands grasped her around the waist and pushed her up into the air. The dark head of her partner appeared and was smiling happily at her catch and what a catch!

"I'm here, and I have you, so what are you going to do now?" Catherine gave her a smile that melted all notion of breakfast. No this was far too exciting a pastime to waste a second on food.

"Whatever you want." Jace answered and was held close to Catherine's dripping chest as she moved forward towards the shore, eventually reaching it and placing Jace down on the sands as she knelt down next to her.

"I want you, all of you." Catherine spoke quietly her eyes glowing with unleashed passion.

Jace wasn't exactly in control of her senses either as she placed her hands on the straps of the crimson bathing suit that Catherine wore and pushed them down as her lips trailed over her breasts.

"You most certainly have me." Catherine finally managed to voice as she felt the garment she wore slip down her thighs with the help of her partner's hands. As Catherine kicked what was now a restriction away, she felt those same hands dive into places on her body that gladly welcomed not only the exposure, but also the attention to detail her lover always delivered with such expertise. ëHell of way to get to the breakfast table,' were Catherine's final thoughts before she succumbed to the passion building in her body?

~ ~ ~

The slight breeze was pleasantly warm and as Catherine looked out over the patio area of the beach house to where Jace was leaning over the balcony towards the gently crashing waves sending up the white surf. The evening was their final one before they had to leave this romantic place. For that was what it had come to mean to Catherine in the four weeks they had taken residency here. All other memories of her time here were shredded within minutes of walking into the house with Jace. Catherine had been surprised at Jace's choice of destination for their holiday but......Catherine hadn't been able to resist the blonde's rather unique negotiation techniques, but she hadn't wanted to either. So, that was what seduction techniques were all about. Pity she had wasted some of hers on business alone. There again, perhaps not, the only person she would ever again want to seduce, the only one who would have access to her personal space was the woman who didn't even need to do that! She walked into her life and that was it. She was all over.....down for the count.....she had never got up from that ëpunch' given by very innocent and expressive green eyes.

"You going to join me Catherine or just watch my..... back for the rest of the evening?" Jace chuckled as another thought had crossed her mind and she was probably right also knowing Catherine's appreciation of that part of her anatomy.

"Yes.......yes I'm right with you, just thinking." Catherine supplied and strolled over to Jace's position at the balcony and put an arm across her shoulders.

"Do I want to know what you were thinking?" Jace turned her head and saw the right-side profile of her partner and smiled at the peaceful look that was firmly placed there.

"Hey, for once I wasn't in the gutter Bardl....." Catherine stopped and her eyebrows drew together in consternation.

Jace heard the hesitation in her name, or was it her name now? Hadn't seemed to be an important point for discussion between them. In all honesty, it still wasn't. However, Catherine looked perplexed at the problem so it was perhaps worth a brief discussion.

"Penny for your thoughts? And yes, I want to know, so don't beat about the bush."

Catherine turned towards Jace and gave her an anxious look out of the ice blue eyes that sparkled with the moonlight shining into Catherine's face. The moon gave her eyes the effect of having splinters of ice moving around the blue. It was a totally unreal sight and yet remarkably real! "I.....we that is.....well, we got married and I was wondering what surname you wanted to adopt?" Catherine finally muttered quietly embarrassed at her thoughts, ëdid it really matter? Yes, for some strange reason it did. She hoped that Jace wanted to adopt one of her names. As dominant as that sounded, she really wanted that!'

Jace smiled at the look of anxious anticipation of her answer on Catherine's face, ëshe really thinks this is important, I wonder why?' "I was thinking of keeping my own name, is it important?"

Catherine sighed heavily not realising she had done so she shook her head. "No! No that's fine, Bardley it is then." Catherine turned to face the sea to hide her disappointment at the words.

Jace watched the profile of her lover with tenderness. "Ever thought of asking me to chose one of your many surnames if it's important to you?" Jace asked softly and saw the start of surprise on Catherine's face and chuckled. She placed her arm through hers on the balcony edge and clasped the large hand nearest to her as she threaded the fingers through hers.

Catherine smiled sheepishly and squeezed the hand that held hers gently and turned to look into those incredible green eyes. "Yes, I was hoping that you might chose one of mine. But of course, you could ask me to chose yours I guess."

Jace laughed softly at the totally fake offer that her partner had responded with. "If I asked you to change your name to Bardley would you?" Jace watched the expression on Catherine's face. It was okay offering, but quite another when you're asked the direct question.

Catherine shook her head. "You know I'm a fraud Jace don't you?"

Jace pulled the dark head forward and stole a kiss from those full lips and her smile warmed Catherine as she winked at her.

"Yep, not a chance in Hades that the rather wonderful, arrogant, Catherine Xianthos Devonshire Warriorson was going to give up that name? Did you think I was born yesterday?"

"I'm exceptionally pleased that you weren't born yesterday Jace, or I'd be watching this beautiful sunset all on my own here." Catherine gave her a bright smile and pulled the blonde head onto her shoulder so that they could watched the spectacular colours mix into the horizon and stun them with its beauty. ëJace was right she was arrogant, but it didn't stop Jace loving her, thank god!'

Several minutes later Jace looked up into Catherine's silently watching eye's and she knew that certainly for the last couple of minutes she had been the object of those eyes and not the brilliant sunset that streaked across the skies.

"Can I be greedy?"

Catherine looked at her quizzically her left eyebrow shooting towards her forehead.

"Pardon? I'm sorry Jace, have I missed a question here?"

Jace laughed quietly and placed her hands around the face of the woman who she would cherish forever. "Can I have them all as I have all of you?"

Catherine kept their gazes locked and her heart beat rapidly as it finally dawned on her what Jace was saying. Her grin was sufficient for Jace to know that her answer had a positive effect on her partner. "Jace Xianthos Devonshire Warriorson, you have it all lover. Just as you have and will always have my body and soul forever darling. That kind of sounds pretty good to me Jace. What do you think?"

"I think that the only thing that sounds good to me right now is you shouting my name in ecstasy as we make love. So, what do you think about that?" Jace gave her a sultry glance and tugged at the hand closest to her as she led her taller partner towards the open sliding glass door of their bedroom. The filmy curtains billowing out a welcome as the small breeze picked them up from the side of the window.

Catherine had a bemused look on her face as she was pulled onto the bed by her much shorter lover and she whispered into Jace's ear. "You want the full name or....." Catherine said nothing further as lips captured hers and she lost all track of the irrelevant conversation. She had better things to do with her lips and tongue and that was never going to be irrelevant ever!

The two of them curled their bodies together, changed non-stop kissing, tasting, trying to get enough, unable to.  They gave each part of themselves freely, letting their senses expand beneath the joy. And when they hovered near their pinnacle, they righted again shivering with anticipation, both calling out the others name over and over again, but neither uttered the full names, but brief utterance.

Once again they found the remembered magnificence from their first time, the grace in the blending of their bodies as they made love, the litheness of movements they flowed into a rhythm of mutual ebb. They passed the bounds of language, creating a new one of their own, built of love soundsówordless murmurs, racked breathing, throbbing silences, pleasured moans.  When their strength and eruptions brought them to the limits of fulfilment, they spoke the all-encompassing language; the deep shudders and groans, the strangled responses.  Then together they collapsed, spent, and in sated silence, with only the sounds of the ocean waves pounding the shore sharing their harmony.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Thirty-one

"You had a great time then?" Grace quietly quizzed Catherine as they sat at the kitchen table alone in the room. It was rare they ever had the kitchen to themselves, not like in the old days.

"Well, I wouldn't tell you if I'd had a lousy time Grace. That's a certainty!" Catherine smiled sweetly at her friend and picked up her steaming tea in one of the smaller mugs. It appeared that in their absence Lisa had managed to break the other three enormous ones.  Faith would bring replacements that day after her visit to town with Jace and the children.

"So, you did?" Grace continued her questioning.

"Grace did I ask you this question when you came back from your honeymoon?" Catherine replied and sipped cautiously on the hot beige liquid.

"Yes, you did. And if I recall I never answered the question either." Grace laughed and caught the laughter from her friend's eyes opposite her.

"Fairs fair then. When you going to start a family?" Catherine changed the subject.

"Hey, that's as bad as asking how the honeymoon went." Grace spluttered into her coffee that she held in her hands.

"Okay! Don't answer it. But in nine months we will all know the answer to it anyway." Catherine said smugly.

"You are so.....so, oh, I don't know, but you irritate me at times Catherine. Do you know that?" Grace said her tone sullen.

"Hey Grace, I was only joking. Come on, it was an innocent question really; I know you and Colin want children. You have been married nearly four months, so it was a natural question honestly." Catherine raised quizzical eyes to her friend at her apparent upset over the subject. ëWonder if they have a problem.'

Grace looked deep into her coffee mug and then looked back at her friend and gave her an apologetic glance.

"Sorry I over-reacted, it's a sore point that's all."

Catherine's whole stance changed from teasing to concern. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Grace gave her a watery smile, "No, it will work out I'm sure," her voice betraying her uncertainty.

Catherine nodded her head at Grace's need for privacy. "If.....well if he, that is, I won't let anyone hurt you Grace." Catherine said finally. Her friend's happiness was as important in her life as that of Jace and the children's.

Grace pulled her head up from her deliberations inside her coffee mug and looked at her and noticed the strain on the features in front of her. "Catherine, Colin isn't the problem! The man is besotted for god's sake. He wouldn't hurt me, wouldn't know how!"

"Are you....do you regret getting married?" Catherine had to ask. Was that the problem?

Grace chuckled and her face cleared back to how Catherine normally pictured her friend. "Regret marriage? No way in hell. That man is the best thing that ever happened to me, barring you of course, but that's different. I'm going into the hospital for a day next week for tests, just to put the record straight. My accident might have some rebound affects in this area. I did kind of hurt my body badly at one time."

Catherine looked at her friend with compassion. Hadn't they both done that! "I see, do you..... that is will Colin be going with you?"

Grace shook her head, "I haven't told him Catherine. I wanted to find out. Then I'll find the right time to explain the situation, if there is a situation. It might just be an over reaction." Her voice sounded childishly pathetic to Catherine.

"Would you like company?" Catherine looked into the brown eyes of her friends with a strong ice blue gaze.

"Are you offering? Or are you going to suggest to me to ask my mother to go with me?" Grace dropped her gaze.

Catherine chose that moment to head round the table and crouch down next to Grace and lift up her chin with one hand. Slowly she traced the few tears that Grace had been unable to prevent. "I'd be happy to go with you if you want my company Grace, just say and you have it?"

Grace saw the sincere expression on her face and thought again how much this woman had changed. She was so much the better for it. "Catherine I appreciate the gesture, but I really don't want this to be public knowledge. How would you explain going into town all day with me?"

Catherine continued to hold the brown eyes with her ice blue ones. "How about you let me worry about that. Do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes." Grace breathed out and she laughed shakily at Catherine.

"Excellent! What day?" Catherine asked matter of factly. She was pretty sure that Grace was relieved that someone was going to accompany her. She owed Grace. This did little to repay the debt, nothing ever would.

The sound of a car drawing up the drive brought both their attentions to the present.

"Wednesday." Grace supplied and moved away from Catherine quickly, which cause Catherine to look at her in surprise.

"Okay, that's a date." Catherine said as the door to the kitchen opened and in burst Lisa shouting at the top of her voice that they we're home. Jake followed behind her his arms full of packages, Catherine rushed over to divest him of them and place them on the kitchen table. Rio, who had been happily snoozing in his basket in the corner of the kitchen, quickly dived out onto the porch before the small mistress could chase him around. He wasn't in the mood yet! It was far too early. Faith walked in with Elena holding onto her hand and wobbling along, but with a very determined expression on her face.

"Hey little one, come here and give Mama a kiss." Catherine smiled at the baby. Was she even a baby now? Moving forward she knelt down next to her daughter and was immediately grasped around the neck by the small chubby hands. Catherine laughed and placed a gentle kiss on the child's head.

Jace walked into the kitchen at that moment and looked at her partner with mock agitation her arms also full of packages.

"Really Catherine there are some of us who need help not kisses." She winked at her partner. The resulting smile she got was astonishing.

Catherine picked up her youngest child and stood up to her six feet and towered over Jace. Her smile giving of messages only her partner would understand, or so she hoped. "How about I give you a hand too?" Her tone obviously implying a double meaning to her partner.

Jace smiled back and placed the heaviest parcel in Catherine's free hand just to bring her back to reality. They were no longer alone these days. Each of them at some stage in the day needed the reminder, as it could get embarrassing.

"Thanks I'll take it."

Catherine groaned under the package that Jace gave her. She looked at the two older children watching them and lifted her eyebrows in a mocking hurt expression.

Jake smiled at her with that smile that one day was going to break hearts. He was so very shy, yet his understanding of people and situations defied his tender age. He was one smart boy. She really needed to talk to Jace and Jake about his further education.

Lisa was jumping about like a monkey on a string that you bought at the fair.  She winked at Catherine and her packages. Just as Elena started to nibble ferociously at Catherine's neck, much to Catherine's immediate shock, her eyes going to her partners who decided to ignore her plight for the moment anyway.

"Anyone seen Elena's teething ring?" Catherine asked desperately.

All eyes in the room looked at Catherine, especially when they heard the tone in her voice. Then the laughter started, and eventually Grace walked over and removed the package first and laid it on the table. Then lifted Elena out of Catherine's arms and into her own. This time she placed a teething ring in her hands, which the child duly put in her mouth and chewed on.

"Thanks Grace."

"No problem. I'll go put her in the playpen in the lounge. You kids want to come with me?" Grace asked and went towards the internal door leading to the hall.

"Yeah, but where's Rio?" Lisa asked and looked around the room.

Grace smiled as she recalled the dog secretly going onto the porch. "He's probably gone with Colin in the fields to check on the horses. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"Okay, you coming too Jake?" Lisa asked her brother and followed closely behind Grace.

"Sure, Grace can we watch your holiday video again. I want to see Europe again?" The boy asked and was rewarded with a winning smile from Grace as they left the room.

"Well, I'm tired after all that shopping. Think I'll go and have a rest before dinner. See you both later." Faith said and left the two of them alone.

Catherine was rubbing her neck where the baby had sunk her few teeth into the skin.

"Catherine did you enjoy that experience?" Jace asked her innocently.

Catherine looked at her partner who was inches from her and had moved her own hand away to run fingertips over the supposed injury.

"Well she does have sharp teeth--the few she has."

"Mmmm.....so you didn't like the experience?" Jace smiled up into the ice blue gaze that had taken on a sultry look.

"Let's put it this way, when the little one imprints her teeth into my neck, no she hurts! But if her mother, who has the most erotic bite I've ever come across does the same thing, then I'm as high as a kite." Catherine said huskily and pulled the blonde into her arms and gave her a kiss that enhanced the words.

Jace chuckled and smiled as the mouth of her lover descended again to plunder with soft kisses her lips.

"We really need to curb this attention to detail Catherine. We are the talk of the household." Jace whispered as the lips stole away the possibility of any more words she wanted to say.

Eventually surfacing they both looked into each other s eyes and smiled. "Yeah! Well, I've been the talk of many situations and this one I'm happy to acknowledge." Catherine whispered into Jace's ear and pulled her closer for a genuine warm enticing hug.

"You always did know the right thing to say to a girl! Are you sure you're not having lesson's?" Jace asked her eyes brimming with laughter.

"Not a chance of that, my wife wouldn't allow it!" Catherine said and watched the smile that creased her partners face increase at the words.

"That's the first time you've said that?" Jace looked at her seriously, their glances locking in place.

Catherine didn't know what to say. Hadn't she acknowledged the connection? Did it matter? No not to her, but it obviously did to her ëwife'. Christ! It sounded strange even to say it silently, but it was real! Jace Xianthos Devonshire Warriorson her wife. Yes! She could cope with that situation!

"Is it? Well you are and you're going to stay that way for the rest of our lives, so Darling, you better get used to hearing it."

Jace laughed and placed fleeting kisses on her cheek and then her eyelids and eventually back to her lips.

"Right on that one Catherine, hope you can live with the same?"

Catherine refused to be without the touch of those lips on hers and merely nodded her head and relaxed into the sensation of being kissed by her wife, all other things were secondary.

~ ~ ~

Judy was having her day off and that evening. It was also the line dancing night for her and Faith. So Catherine, Jace and the children had a quiet dinner together early and settled into the lounge to watch TV. Then have the notorious story hour or that's what Jace had entitled it. Especially when Catherine threw in her own stories. It was wonderful, but devious, because she never acknowledged the fact even to Jace.

Jace looked over her domain. Her eyes drifted towards Catherine who had Lisa in her lap and Jake at her feet. She was pushing the crib with her hand to soothe Elena. Now she could call it home. Previously she had been part of the family, but not! At any time Catherine could have become tired of her, and that would be that, the end of the dreams. Yet, life had been good to her and granted her one dream that she had never shared verbally with Catherine. It made her laugh inwardly at the thought. ëI loved you Catherine from the first moment I saw you. You looked so remote; something inside called you to me. I wanted to respond. Yet, I knew that I had to leave you and I did. Little did I know that leaving you would bring us both so much anguish and despite all that you! Not me! Had the strength to believe that we could make it together. I hated you Catherine for all of ten minutes. The ten minutes that changed my life forever and yours as well! We can't regret things in our life can we? For would we then have the experiences that make the loving extra special because we breached the barriers that life puts up against us! I refuse to believe because we are women that this is a breach that only we have to endure. I do think it happens in every relationship. You Catherine, have taught me one thing-you love, regardless of adversity, you just love! I love you also. One day, I hope I achieve the same generosity of heart that you have found. For my love, you really are the face that launches that ship; the voice that soothes all our woes the heart that brings peace. I love you regardless of the hurt we have been through or may go through. You are worth every effort. You are simply what life is all about.' Jace smiled at her thoughts. The young woman couldn't help the single tear that decided to track down her right cheek.

"Sam was the only sheep left that had any idea where the rest of the flock had gone. Would the farmer even know he was there? After all, he was the runt of the litter. Who ever listened to the runt of the litter? Sam was about to open his mouth to bahhhh or certainly bring attention to himself, when the webbed foot of the brown, muddy looking duck placed itself securely over his mouth.

"Shshshsut upth Sam." The duck said, Jace watched as Catherine made the exaggerated animal noises and the two children laughed at her antics.

"I'mmmm not shutingggg up Beakyyyyy. We need to find the rest of the flockkkkkk." Sam spluttered under the webbed obstruction.

"You thththink thththat thththe farmer is going to listen to you? You're the runt!" Beaky said in his quavering voice.

Jace started to laugh and couldn't stop herself.  Catherine's impressions were very comic and yet coming from the woman who was a veritable devil in her business life, it was so very amusing the contrasts.

"You find something funny Jace?" Catherine asked her mind still on the story she was trying to relate to the children.

Jace put a hand to her mouth and stifled any more laughter and looked at her partner with a mirth filled gaze, her chuckles still moving her shoulders.

"Jace, Catherine is really good at the voices." Lisa told her and looked at one of her guardians with an interested stare.

"I know she is Darling. It's just.....oh never mind. I'll take Elena to bed as you finish up." Jace stood up and made her way over to Catherine and the children her face still wreathed in laughter.

As Jace reached down to pick up the crib Catherine whispered into her ear, "I love you, and watch out for webbed feet later." Her smile nonchalant as she sat with Lisa snuggled up to her shoulder.

Jace gave her a smile and winked at her causing Catherine to grin.

"Look forward to that water treat presently," and went on her way out of the room with baby in hand.

~ ~ ~

"You promised me webbed feet darling. Where are they?" Jace asked as Catherine sat at the edge of the bed after ensuring that the children were asleep and before making her way to the bathroom to change out of her clothes and shower.

"You really want wet, webbed, fishy, disgusting smelling....." Catherine was stopped as lips placed themselves on hers.

"No, but it was an interesting thought." Jace replied, as laughter surfacing as she came up for air.

Catherine smiled seductively at her partner. "Do you know what I find interesting?" Jace looked at the woman fully clothed on the edge of the bed. Tracing her fingers down the back of the shirt she wore and marvelled at the movement her touch caused in her partner.

"No, care to explain to me?" Jace whispered as her lips sort the exposed skin that the top shirt buttons exhibited to her view.

"You." Catherine answered simply.

"Me?" Jace looked deep into the ice blue eyes that were turned towards her.

"Yes, you." Catherine answered equally as simply, both smiling indulgently at the other.

"You know something Catherine? You should write down all these stories you create. You could make a fortune." Jace said sincerely, they were really quite good.

"I already have a fortune." Catherine answered and gave Jace a searching look as she said the words.

"Oh, I know you're worth millions, or at least I think you are," Jace looked at Catherine and saw the wry smile at the words, probably billions knowing Catherine.

"But this is different Catherine. This would be something no one left to you, as your father left Xianthos. This would be all of your own making." Jace looked at the shocked expression come over her partner.

Putting her hands to the scarred face, she smiled at the troubled countenance. "I'm sorry Catherine, I didn't realise that I spoke out of turn."

"No! No Jace, you spoke the truth. I've never had the opportunity of doing something for myself. Maybe one day I might just do that. But Lover, all I really want to achieve by my own merits if you will grant me that, is with you?" Catherine never let her eyes leave the green ones that had entranced her earlier.

"Whatever you want Darling you can have, you know that." Jace whispered as her lips sucked on the smooth neck of her partner.

"All I want is to make you happy. Give you all the love that I posses, and that you return my love today, tomorrow and all the rest of our days." Catherine said softly, her voice earnest in its request.

Jace couldn't help the tears that fell as she replied. "You do make me happy Catherine. You certainly have my love and more. Besides, one day soon, you will be so sure about it Catherine, you will never ever need to ask again. As the sun shines every day so will this love I have for you. I plan on showing you that every day we are together, for the remainder of our lives and then some."

Catherine traced the wet lines down Jace's cheeks as the tears still flowed and she smiled weakly. "One day my love you will know exactly how much you mean to me in my life. Let me tell you this woe betide anyone who tries to come between us; it's never going to happen."

"So, Cathththrine how much are you really worth?" Jace couldn't help teasing her partner with a mimic of her earlier animal imitation and burst out with quiet chuckles at her astonished face.

Catherine grasped Jace around the waist and pulled her onto her larger body so she covered as much of Catherine as possible, were their bodies met so the tingle started in every place that touched. It was such an incredible feeling. "You want to know how much I'm worth? Shame on you Darling! I never thought you would be the kind of woman who married someone older for their money?" Catherine raised her left eyebrow in mock seriousness.

The chuckles from Jace increased at Catherine's comment. Jace placed her hands around the beloved face of her partner and she kissed the full lips until Catherine moaned in erotic anticipation. "So, you are worth a fortune. Someone told me that you were poor and I only married you because I loved you. You mean we're rich too?" Jace's voice carried on the melodrama.

Catherine this time laughed loudly and Jace stifled the sound with another kiss. "I was poor until I met this woman with the most compassionate green eyes in the world. She taught me that love was worth a fortune, and I married her for her wealth. Although, I have to admit to having a little stashed away for a rainy day." Catherine looked deep into those green eyes she spoke of and lost all sense of time and space. It really was un-nerving in a glorious way in which this small woman could do that with a glance!

Jace decided that further words between them could wait. The need to touch, feel and experience the love far outweighed the need to talk. That would come later much, much later. She moved her hands with expert experience over the clothes that Catherine still wore, but not for long!

Catherine was helpless clay in her hands, softened by her endearments, then moulded to her will; bent and shaped into the wanton creature she scarcely recognized as herself. She succumbed to her seduction, melting at the touch of Jace's lips, sighing over her every caress. She truly desired her. She clenched her teeth, muttering a groan as her body responded in predictably eager fashion, trembling and quivering to Jace's rosy female charms and movement.  Her body tightened, the muscles of her belly contracting like the coils of a watch spring, while her swollen nipples strained against the tender nibbles of the soft warm mouth gentle stroking, nipping with determination, the same as a moth flutters about a candle flame. Tonight, Jace touched the flame.  Tonight, they would let its heat consume them both! And they did.

~ ~ ~

Chapter Thirty-two

Jace looked over at the children mowing the grass at the edge of the clearing at Cutters Ridge. They had decided to have a family picnic. The children needed to do their monthly visit, then mow the grass in this area, as they had previously promised Catherine they would.

Her partner was riding Tralargon and taking the time to visit some of the small holders on her land. It was something she didn't do frequently. But Jace had the impression that her tall friend actually enjoyed going over the farmer's problems and trying to provide a solution. Colin had gone with her. He was the person that had the day-to-day control over the Destiny Ranch holdings. Catherine had effectively made him the Director of Operations. Jace had the distinct impression she was up to something in that area, but so far had been unable to find out exactly what.

Grace had been away from the ranch for two weeks. She had indicated that it was something to do with the trust fund and her presence was required in Auckland. Jace had a suspicion that it was a ruse to cover something else up. But once again, she had been unable to find out. It really was kind of frustrating at times.

Colin had appeared to be of the same mind as Jace after a short conversation one morning in the kitchen. Although he said it was probably just that he was missing his wife. Yeah, well, after six months marriage Colin would feel a little strange to be on his own again. Just as she did herself, when and if Catherine decided to wander around the world on her own.

Although, Jace realized that was being unfair on her partner, because in the three months since they had married, she had only travelled to New York twice. One of those times Jace had accompanied her with the children and Judy.

That had been quite a different trip in the sense that for once Jace had met some of the residents of the building that Henry had introduced her to. There was Daphne Allen, she was all of eighty-five, but had a keen mind and wicked sense of humour that Jace found totally appealing.

Then Henry had introduced Scott Schwartz. He was a very handsome man with black wavy hair and the most amazing eyes she had ever seen outside of Catherine's. They were a steel blue that with a look you had to go back for more it was quite amusing. Scott was the owner of local gym and had offered to show her the premises one day. Jace had thanked him, but left the invitation open until Catherine could take the time to go with her. She somehow thought that Catherine would get upset if she went on her own or even with Judy.

Doctor Thea Rosnova was a fascinating person with her Russian background and her obvious affection for children. They both would look at the woman with a smile  who was as tall if not taller than Catherine and had long flowing chestnut hair that glowed. She was a psychiatrist at one of the local prestigious hospitals.

There had been a couple of people that Jace was introduced to, but that she found it difficult to stop her temper from flaring once they knew who she was, or rather who her partner was. The news of their marriage had not been welcome by everyone in the apartment block. There were those who considered that the value of the building would depreciate once it got out that ëthose' type of people lived here.

John Merrick had been particularly obnoxious. He had even insulted her in front of the children. Jake had been ready to fight for her and that had enabled her to shoulder the comments and ignore him. Merrick was a large man who owned a car lot and his only claim to fame in the building was his numerous women that he brought home. Not that any stayed that long. Jace hoped it was by their choice rather than his!

Diana Lassiter was the other person Jace wished she'd never met. For all the people she'd come across in her life, this woman certainly loved herself. She talked incessantly about her money, her plastic surgery, and the number of divorces she had currently gone through, and she was only thirty-two. Daddy was wealthy and his only child was certainly making use of it in any way possible.

Fortunately, Catherine was ignorant of the neighbours. Although some were very nice, she could imagine Catherine's comments and actions to the ones that weren't. Especially Merrick. So it was better she was left in ignorance.

Now, she waited for the children to finish up. Even Elena was helping from her play walker. It was an ideal way of helping her to move about and be relatively safe. Inside the house she was a demon with it as the wheels had hit pretty much every piece of furniture at some stage. Catherine had once said she was glad she wasn't totally blind anymore or she would have been in trouble with their youngest child. Even Rio stayed clear of the female attached to wheels, who also shrieked at anything and anyone in a louder voice than Lisa did.

Jace had been considering talking to Catherine about an idea that had been rolling around in her mind for months now. But it had never been the right time or place. Elena was going to be a year old next week.  Jace thought that the time had now come. And it was something she wanted very much. Idly playing with a stalk of grass as she considered her idea, a tiny smile played on her lips as she considered the consequences, and what Catherine would think. But Catherine always came round to her ideas, she had never said no yet!

The sound of hooves beating across the ground brought Jace out of her revere. She turned to see the tall raven-haired woman coming towards them on her grey mare. It brought back another memory of three years ago when that same figure crossing over the exact same spot as she neared the clearing with those ice blue eyes flashing as she saw exactly what she wanted from her distance.

The mare was pulled around to gallop over the small stream that cut off this private area from normal view. Then jump the thicket so that the mare landed with ease on Jace's side of the grass. The horse was reigned in and the tall rider dismounted with elegance. Jace couldn't help herself. She just starred at the rider as the tall woman patted the mane of the horse and tethered her to a nearby tree close to the stream, which had plenty of grass to feed upon if she needed. Then the body turned to her and a slow seductive smile played over her face as she moved gracefully forward to within inches of Jace sitting on the blanket in the weak autumn sun's rays.

"Was that exhibition to impress me?" Jace smiled up at her friend who looked even taller from her position on the blanket.

"Did it?" was the laconic reply Catherine's face impassive.

Jace starred at her and glanced around at the children who were still engrossed in their task. "If you come down to my level, I might enlighten you."

Catherine gave her a slow suggestive smile that set Jace's heart racing. "Is that an invitation that one shouldn't refuse?"

Jace smiled provocatively at her, but felt disinclined to answer and kept their gazes locked. Catherine removed the black gloves she wore and threw them on the blanket next to the picnic basket. Never leaving Jace's locked gaze, she slowly knelt down next to her and placed a hand under Jace's chin so that they were inches apart.

"When was the last time you invited anyone to sit next to you and enlighten them?" Catherine's words came out softly in a low growl.

Jace wasn't immune to the sexual charges that were going off in her body, for Catherine was so good at this.....play-acting. It became very interesting when they were alone. "The last time, well.....a lady never tells her secrets. Didn't anyone warn you about that?" chuckling at the look she received at that prevarication.

"Did I impress you?" Catherine decided to ask her original question again. This time she moved closer so their faces were a fraction of an inch apart. Their breathing mingling as they spoke.

"Yes!" Jace breathed out the word and Catherine closed the gap quickly and tasted the passion that was alive in Jace's eyes as they settled back to share a very sensual kiss.

"Darling we have the children, remember?" Jace finally broke away a little and watched the disappointment flood Catherine's eyes as she registered the comment.

"Any chance we can give them away to the nearest gypsy camp?" Catherine said slowly.

Just for a second Jace wasn't sure she meant it until she saw the laughter in her face.

"Guess not huh?"

"You guessed right Catherine. I thought you loved them!" Jace bantered back her smile to Catherine's senses eminently kissable.

"I do love them! Any chance of them getting lost in a cave safely for an hour. Then they can come back for the picnic?" Catherine laughed at the aggrieved look on her partner's face. "I never meant it Jace honestly!" Catherine retorted and watched as the smile returned and she did decide to kiss it this time. They collapsed onto the blanket Catherine's arms firmly entwined around Jace's back.

"You are so bad Catherine. It is just as well that we all love you, or you might be the one we send to the gypsies." Jace replied, and watched as the eyes she loved filled with laughter at the very thought.

"They would probably pay you to take me back I would warrant." Catherine said and for several minutes enjoyed the closeness of her partner. Eventually turning her gaze to the children who looked like they were finished and heading back towards them. Elena fortunately slowing them down or it could get quite embarrassing. Especially as her hands were running up and down Jace's back under her shirt. Although, her hands had not always been on her back and neither had Jace's. That would have been even more embarrassing, especially if Lisa had asked one of her rather innocent questions.

Jace was allowed up as Catherine whispered that the children were coming. She gave the tall woman a look of mock exasperation, as she straightened her clothes, but Catherine was re-buttoning her own blouse as well!

Lisa was the first one to come over seeing the horse tethered. She sat down heavily next to them and began relating to Catherine what they had been up to in the last hour. Catherine just smiled and to Jace it was one of her satisfied ëI love you smiles' that she supplied when she was happy.

Jake having removed Elena from the walker was coming forward and his eyes smiled at them. He looked hungrily towards the picnic basket. "Yes, we will be having the picnic now Jake. I take the hint." Jace laughed as she saw the merriment in the children's eyes at the remark.

Rio decided to join them. The food word had been used. He was going to see what his small mistress gave him, not to mention what the tall one would give now that he noticed her presence as he lay patiently waiting under the tree.

Elena chose that moment to start chewing something. When all eyes turned to her, Catherine looked down at the baby and drew a breath. "Bloody hell! She has my favourite gloves!" Catherine tried in vane to take back her precious gloves and the baby protested. When the sound of tearing fabric broke the silence, the watching others not participating in the tug of war looked elsewhere.

"Elena!" Catherine said her voice angry with the baby.

Elena looked at her with those green eyes that reminded Catherine of her mother and..... "Okay! You better have the other one too. I hope they make you sick." Catherine said childishly.

Jace chose that moment to intervene. Catherine was definitely doing this all wrong. "You said you wanted me to help you in this right?" Jace whispered into her ear, reminding Catherine of her insistence for help in chastising the baby. Catherine nodded and watched as Jace retrieved the gloves from her daughter and chastised her and watched as the baby shed tears, but did not protest otherwise and sat watching her mother waiting for a smile.

"You see easy that way.  She is waiting now because she knows she's done wrong. That is how you do it Catherine." Jace whispered to her again not wanting to embarrass the woman in front of the other two children who were busily opening up the wicker basket that held all the goodies for the picnic.

Catherine shook her head at the quietly waiting child and made a fatal mistake by looking into her watery eyes. She couldn't resist it she picked up her daughter and hugged her to her chest and soothed her. Jace knew that her partner was just a push over. It even caused her to laugh at what this picture would do to the precious Devonshire business image.

As the children tucked into various snacks and treats within the confines of the basket, Catherine pulled her tall frame to lean her back against the small wall. Gently motioning for Jace to move between her legs so that her back was against Catherine's chest, they manoeuvred the now sleeping Elena into Jace's lap in comfortable peace in the quiet beautiful surroundings.

Lisa decided it was time to feed Rio and ambled off to his position under a tree close to were Tralargon was tethered.

Jake snatched several apples and with a grin walked nonchalantly over to the mare to let her have a treat also.

"You know I've been thinking." Jace said dreamily her eyes drifting over the two older children and then to her sleeping daughter in her lap.

"You have? What will it cost me to find out exactly what you are thinking?" Catherine's breath fanning Jace's neck as she bent and placed a tender kiss on the blondes head.

"Cost you Catherine? Now would I be so mercenary?" Jace smiled and felt the bubble of happiness that often came over her these days as it burst inside her and left behind a tingling in her blood.

"Yes! But I'm more than willing to pay the price." Catherine kissed the exposed neck under Jace's hair. It was so soft to the touch and made her smile as she felt the shiver go down her partners back at the caress.

Jace turned slightly and stole a kiss of her own on the surprised lips of her partner who laughed as Jace snuggled back into her embrace. "I'm glad you said that because I was thinking.....;"

The day was slowly drawing in as the family packed up the remains of the picnic. Catherine helped Jace stow away the items and the children into the vehicle. She had brought Rio, who took up residence in the back with the girls. Jake went towards the passenger side at the front and jumped inside. Jace turned towards her partner who was bemusedly looking at her chewed and mangled black gloves.

"You mad at me?" Jace asked her softly as they moved into middle ground between the mare and the vehicle.

Catherine gave her a look and she shook her head, "Shocked maybe, but not mad. How could I be?" Her voice strained as the thoughts rushed through her mind on the idea that Jace had broached with her a little earlier.

"So, you will give me the chance to convince you?" Jace asked her tentatively.

Catherine smiled; it started off as a slim line and eventually beamed as she considered the possibilities of that remark. "Will I enjoy the plans you have to convince me?"

Jace reached up and touched the smooth lines on Catherine's face and her green eyes relayed all that Catherine needed. "Yes, you will Darling. I personally guarantee it." Pulling the dark head closer to hers gently, she placed a kiss so light on Catherine's lips that she wasn't certain it happened. Jace was so good at that!

"Then you have your chance. I guess you better go before the children start arguing." Catherine glanced towards the peering faces of the two older children.

"You know what Lisa's going to say when I get inside anyway ëwhy didn't you just kiss her straight away?' the usual." Jace smiled. This time the kiss she gave Catherine was nothing short of earth shattering or that's how Catherine felt when she was released.

Catherine looked at the passionate green eyes and smiled into them. "Keep that thought Jace for later. I need convincing remember. Take care my love on the journey home." Catherine turned towards the mare and with ease jumped on her back and moved away from the tree ready to jump the thicket and head home across the fields.

Jace watched the fluid movements from her spot were Catherine had left her and couldn't stop the shallow breathing that sight caused in her. Catherine waved and vaulted over the thicket within a short space of time she was a speck in the distance. Lisa brought down the window and shouted ëwhen was she going to take them home?'

"I'm coming." Jace answered absently and headed for the vehicle and the drive home.

Catherine looked over her shoulder and saw the vehicle begin its decent down the hill towards the tarmac road surface, waiting as her partner safely negotiated the steep decline and hit the road and was moving away at a safe speed.

"They are safely down Tralargon. It's time we went home too." Catherine smiled as she motioned the mare forward slowly her mind full of the conversation she'd had with Jace earlier.

Jace had literally knocked the wind out of her sails. Her partner had said the one thing she wasn't expecting, another child! Only not one from the community programme as Jake and Lisa were, but she wanted them to have another Elena! Shaking her head, she let the mare have free reins as she pondered all the possibilities. The only one that came to mind was that she would need convincing it was a good idea. If there was something Catherine had found out about Jace in the last sixteen months, it was her ability to convince people they could do anything, absolutely anything!

"A new baby. Oh well, worse things happen at sea, or so they say." Catherine was like the wind as she saw the ranch appear in the distance and she smiled and headed home to her family and the keeper of her soul. They had achieved so much together now, and so many dreams had been fulfilled, but there would always be another day and another dream to strive for and together they would capture those dreams and make them real!

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