The car atmosphere was tense the next morning. But during the ride, Eric reached over to grab one of her hands in his.“Everything will be ok.” Lifting her hand to his mouth then he kissed her palm, before laying her hand on his thigh.“There are some things we need to talk about and stuff I need to explain. I wished we had talked last night.”But she had locked him out. That was left unsaid. “I need to sort things out today, stay near the office, also keep your phone handy.” Holding her hand still on his thigh, only lifting his hand away to change gears. “Cat, I was really worried yesterday. I want nothing like that happening again.”Eric didn’t elaborate anymore as they arrived at the underground parking of Logan holdings inc. as Eric parked the car in his spot, he leaned over kissing her sweetly. It soon became heated after a few minutes. He pulled away.“I’m stopping now before security walk by and catches us. You know what gossip is like in an office building.” Eric said, breathin
Cat decided she couldn’t let it get to her and got to work. She still had all the CVs sitting on her desk she needed to go through, hoping to find just the right fit for Allison. One CV was from an employee currently working at Logan Holdings. She was young, only 19, but at present worked on the reception desk, on the ground floor. Cat lifted the phone, hoping Tilly would pick up when she dialled the reception number. “Logan Holdings, Tilly speaking. How may I direct your call?” “Tilly, this is Katherine from Allison Logan’s office. I just came across your CV. I was wondering if you could come and see me today? To talk about your interest in the role.” Then Cat thought “Tilly does your direct supervisor know you applied?” “That’s great, oh yes! Katherine, is it all right to call you Katherine or should I call you Mrs Logan now? Yes, my supervisor, Mrs Pearson, recommended I apply for the job.” Tilly said excitedly. Cat smiled “Katherine or Cat is fine, can you ask Mrs Pearson then
Voices woke her. She lay there trying to understand what was going on, the beat of machines and the smell of a hospital room... that’s right, she was in a hospital.Why? Cat tried to remember, then it came back to her. Claudia! The woman had acted completely crazy. As Cat’s memory started to return, her internal panic increased. Had she lost the babies? Please god no! Please, loss filled Cat at even the thought of her babies gone.She felt empty. She needed to open her eyes and ask someone before grief overwhelmed her. Cat just wasn’t sure if she was ready to hear it yet. She didn’t know if she could even voice the question.Bracing herself, Cat opened her eyes and looked around without moving her head. The pain she felt was unbelievable, knowing if she moved her head, it would only make it worse.Cat just looked around with her eyes, trying to make them focus. The room was dim, but light still peaked around the blinds, allowing some light into the room. No overhead lights. That was go
Cat had an awful night. Now she was more awake, everything hurt and because of the babies; they haven’t been able to give her anything to help with the pain. The hospital staff also told her the best thing was rest. Tell that to her aching body.By mid-morning, Cat had a parade of visitors. Jack and Dawn came first, arriving as Eric was leaving. He kissed her warmly, saying. “I’ll be back in the hour.”On his return, he set up his laptop in the corner so he could keep an eye on her. She was more awake now, but he was making sure she didn’t overtax herself.After Jack and Dawn left to go have lunch. Allison arrived with Jo. They spent an hour together. It must’ve cost Jo, but she said nothing about Claudia. Cat knew once Jo got her alone, Jo would expect her to tell her everything.Cat found out Tilly was filling in for her at the office, and Allison was very pleased. Cat smiled; glad Allison had someone helping her.Then Eric stepped out of the room to make a few calls. The police arri
Two days later, Cat had had enough. She wanted to go home. She didn’t enjoy being in the hospital, and even in a private room, the noise level wasn’t ideal for her rest, as the doctor had suggested.Eric looked up from his computer as she sighed. “Do you need something?”“Yes, I want to leave. I’m bored out of my mind and I’m sick of being stuck in this bed.” Even Cat could hear the whine in her voice. God, she sounded like a petulant child. She knew she was only here for her and the babies’ best interests. But day time television sucked. Until now, Cat had never realised how much. “I’m sick of TV and magazines. Even the smell of a hospital around me all the time is getting to me.” Cat pouted. Totally fed up with her current situation.Eric smirked at her.“Eric, it isn’t funny.” Cat expressed her displeasure by scowling at him as he laughed at her. She knew she wasn’t being fair. It demonstrated her discontent about being stuck here until Dr Mckay let her go home.Eric put his compute
Cat was so excited to go home she was almost bursting. Eric wouldn’t let her pack her own things up. So, she sat on the bed and watched him. He permitted her to dress herself with his assistance. He had brought in sweats for her to go home in. Easy to put on and remove. As she was slipping on her shoes, Eric made sure he had everything from the bathroom. He had only just placed her packed bag on the bed when the nurse came in with her release papers. Cat happily signed them.“Here is the paperwork for at home care. Should you have questions, call the hospital or book an appointment with your GP.” Cat grinned a thanks at the nurse, about to take the paperwork offered. But Eric beat her to it.“It’s like you don’t trust me.” Cat gave Eric a suspicious look.Eric denied nothing, just said. “When it comes to your health and that of the babies, I’m making it my responsibility until you are back on your feet.”The nurse laughed and left the room, only to return with a wheelchair.“I don’t ne
Cat sat the next day with her foster mum in the lounge, looking over the houses Eric had sent through. She fell in love with an oceanfront property. It had two major issues: extensive work required and costly for a place in dire need of so much work. It just seemed to her a little excessive.“It really is lovely.” Expressed Dawn.“Mum, I agree, but I’m not sure it would be ready to move in before the babies are born.” Cat worried. It was a shame it needed so much work.“I think you forget how wealthy your husband is. If the house fits both of your requirements. Eric could hire an army of people to get it fixed in time.”Cat nodded, biting her bottom lip. “But is it worth it?”“Why don’t you put the house on your list and look at it on Saturday? You might hate it when you actually see it.”Cat nodded again, but wasn’t so sure. Positive that when she saw it, she would love it. It wasn’t modern. The house dated back to the late 1800s, a beautiful brick home with chimneys in the formal lou
The next morning. They sat on the balcony that overlook the double bay area. Cat picked up her orange juice, looking at Eric as he read the morning paper. They had just enjoyed a leisurely Sunday breakfast. Dawn had taken herself off early to do some shopping before heading home to Cowra after lunch.It was time for the anticipated fight she knew she was going to have with Eric. Cat couldn’t put it off any longer. “I’m going back to work tomorrow.”Her statement made Eric’s head snap up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”“My doctor cleared me to go, Eric. So, unless you’re firing me, I’m going. I will not be stuck at home barefoot and pregnant. I must properly train Tilly for the role. It’s not like my job has any heavy lifting. I will not sit at home and do nothing. You have an option to get with the program.” Cat smiled at Eric before adding. “Or I’ll get your mother involved.” That was her trump card. Eric’s mother had worked until the last few weeks of her pregnancy.Eric angrily
Cat let out a soft giggle as Eric playfully pushed her down onto the bed, gently pulling off her camisole as he hovered over her. “You are so sexy. I love you more every day,” he whispered, his love for her evident in his voice.Cat groaned with desire as he slid her underwear down her legs, leaving her completely naked. They knew they only had an hour at most.With the assistance of their live-in nanny, Katie. Allison had taken their four-year-old twin boys, Jack and Michael, to the beach. Eric had insisted that Cat have a nanny to help with the boys, but only when she needed it. Katie’s room was conveniently located right next to the boys’ room. Cat adored being a mother, but twin boys could definitely be a handful.As Eric moved away from the bed to remove his shirt and pants, Cat stretched out on the bed, eagerly watching her stunning husband undress. A delicious warmth spread through her body, causing her skin to tingle with anticipation. He made it a point to tell her he loved he
They didn’t stick around for the police to arrive; it wasn’t as if they were fleeing the scene of a crime; the perpetrator was still there. Eric informed her that when the police wanted a statement, they could find them at the hospital and get statements after the babies had arrived. Claudia wasn’t going anywhere but a jail cell or another mental hospital.Getting Cat to the hospital was their top priority. She agreed with him, especially as another wave of pain hit her. Evan took the wheel so that Eric could sit in the back with Cat. She leaned into him, squeezing his hand each time the pain intensified. Cat noticed him wince a few times. It was a small comfort that he only felt a fraction of the pain she was going through.“Breathe,” Eric instructed, employing the breathing techniques they had learnt together. Cat stared at him for a moment, wondering if he was joking. How could she focus on her breathing when they were racing through traffic, desperately trying to reach the hospital
“How did you get in?” Cat asked as her mind raced. What was she going to do? Did she have time to wait for someone to save her, or did she need to save herself?“It was incredibly simple. After you left yesterday, did you even take a moment to check if anyone was trying to sneak under the garage roller door? I simply waited until you all drove away and swiftly ducked under the door.”“So you have been here since yesterday?” The sick feeling was back in her stomach, the thought of Claudia having free rein in the house last night and lying in wait for this morning. Picking the best time to come out of her hiding spot.“Yes, it was easy, like I said. I bought provisions with me, of course, and fresh water was available.” Claudia pointed to the tap on the kitchen island.Cat didn’t look towards where she was pointing, unable to take her eyes off the madwoman in front of her and the gun in her hand.“Unbelievable,” thought Cat. She couldn’t fathom how Claudia had managed to reach her so eas
After four weeks had passed, there was still no word from Eva. Everyone had collectively reached the conclusion that her sudden disappearance resulted from Eric and Alex’s conversation with Cat’s birth mother. It seemed that their discussion had the intended effect, causing Eva to flee the town.Cat was pleased because, even though she had nothing to be ashamed of, she still didn’t want to air her dirty laundry in public.It was bad enough with stories about Cat being Alex’s daughter, which she didn’t find so embarrassing, although there was a lot of speculation about how that came about. Who was Cat’s mother? It wouldn’t be long before they found out she had gone into foster care. Hopefully, the trail ended there and a new story would distract the media away from her life story.They have been coming out to the new house every weekend, since Cat had moved back in with Eric. Their purpose is to oversee the many changes being made to the place, as well as to meet with the painters and d
Later that night, Eric left the apartment to meet with Alex so both of them could deal with Eva. She didn’t ask to come and honestly didn’t want to.Eric said in parting. “Might be an idea to call Mum and Jo while I’m gone, so they don’t hate me so much.” Before kissing her on the mouth hungrily. Then he was gone. Cat thought about what he had said and realised maybe he was right and it would help her take her mind off her birth mother.Cat still hurt from the fact Eva wanted to make money off her in this disgraceful manner. But like the old saying went, you could pick your friends, but you can’t choose your family.For Cat, it just reinforced why she didn’t have Eva in her life to start with.Cat picked up the phone and called Dawn first. The first thing they talked about was the fact that Eric and she had sorted out their differences.Dawn was over the moon. Reminding Cat that marriage was about working on the relationship that just didn’t stop because you had a piece of paper. Cat f
When they pulled into the driveway of their new home. Cat saw that Alex’s car was already in the driveway. When they got out, Cat walked over to the car, seeing it was empty.Looking around, she couldn’t spot them. They might have headed around the house towards the beach. Eric took her hand in his as the guards fanned out. Evan walking closest to them. As they neared the house, Alex and Rebecca rounded the side of the house, heading back their way. When Rebecca and Cat saw each other, Cat let go of Eric's hand and Rebecca did the same with Alex. They walked faster to meet each other halfway. The women embraced as if they hadn’t seen each other in months.“I’m so happy for you.” Rebecca whispered in her ear. Just before the men reached them.Alex leaned in to kiss Cat on the cheek. They had found it harder to have a normal father daughter closeness. Cat knew it was new for them both and she would be uncomfortable if he swept her into his arms to hug and kiss her like Rebecca had done.
It was lunchtime before they left the bedroom. Her only motivation to get up had been the promise of seeing the progress on the house.Cat fixed them some sandwiches while Eric called the security team to let them know. They would leave in 30 minutes and to have the cars ready to go.Then he sat down beside her to enjoy the food she had prepared. Which wasn’t much. Just chicken and salad on rye. Cat got up to get the mayo out of the fridge, handing it to Eric. Before sitting down to her own sandwich.Eric offered the mayo to her. Cat shook her head, taking a bite. Thinking for a moment. “I want to invite Alex and Rebecca to the house if they are free.”Eric frowned at her. “Cat…”“Eric, before you say anything, remember, he is my father. If you have a problem with him, you need to sort it out. I want him and Rebecca in my life and the lives of our children. I think after I just came home with you last night, it would be good to clear the air and let them know I’m ok… we are ok.”Eric e
Eric’s hands moved up and down her back, causing warmth to spread through her body. She had missed this and him while she had been gone. Their quick coupling at the charity event hadn’t satiated her. it had been fun and exciting. Cat had never had sex like that before with so many people in the next room. She should be embarrassed that Evan had heard it all. But somehow she wasn’t. Did that make her an exhibitionist, or was she so comfortable with Evan she had thought so little about it after she had walked out and found him waiting?Pulling back so she could see Eric’s face. “You know Evan stood guard outside the Cleaner’s closet last night, don’t you? He heard everything.”Eric smirked. He didn’t seem to care about this bit of information. “So?”“It might not be a big deal to you, but I’m not used to having sex like that.”Eric shook his head. “Making love Cat. Having sex is not what we are about. Having sex is so casual. Almost meaningless.”Cat’s heart swelled at his words. She kne
Cat fixed her eyes on him, wondering what he had to tell her. But she knew he needed to hear her side of the tale first. “When Eva came to the office, she tried to blackmail me for money. She claimed that if I paid her, she would reveal my father’s name to me.” Cat couldn’t hide from the truth as she kept her gaze on his face.Eric frowned, expressing his disbelief. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” he said.Cat chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Honestly, my childhood was far from pleasant. I wanted to shield you from as much of it as possible. It’s a dark part of my past. You saw Eva, Eric. She looks like someone you’d find on a street corner. It’s embarrassing to have any connection with her. The day they removed me from her care, I was terrified, but the day they took me away from her was the best day of my life.”Cat’s confession hung heavy in the air as Eric processed her words. He had always known that Cat had a difficult past. He reached out and took her hand, offering