"OH MY GOD," Catherine squeals racing into the packed breakroom," Care to share with the class?"

"I just got 3 front row, floor tickets to the All Star Country concert in 1 week"

"No way," comes the sarcastic tone out of Gregs mouth," Nicky you wanna come?"

"Sorry Cath already going with my girlfriend"

"War?"

"I don't do country"

"Sara?"

"Sorry I have a date that night"

"Okay who else can I ask, Linds is already going with, and none of her friends listen to country........GIL"

"What?"

"Free ticket to the All Star Country concert, front row, me and Linds, you wanna come???"

"Catherine...."

"You already have that night off and unless you have a date you're coming"

"Fine"

"Yesssss," she jumps on him wrapping her legs around his waist," So I'll see you at 4 we can go get lunch and then go to the concert"

"Okay"

"Thank you," she kisses his cheek and gets down. Leaving the breakroom and Gil standing there she sways her hips," Guys what just happened?"

"You just agreed to a night of honky tonk with Catherine Willows"

"When Shania Twain comes on run"

"Oh god," he rubs his forehead and walks to his office.

**********************************************************

Catherine slips on a brown tshirt over a white long sleeve shirt. Her gold curls now resting on her shoulders she grabs her boots out of her closet and puts them on. Lindsey comes in sporting a Mr. Bubbles tshirt and jeans," You ready babe?"

"Yeah"

"Go grab the keys I'll meet you out at the car"

"Okay," Lindsey runs off and Catherine grabs her purse the tickets in it and she goes downstairs turning off all the lights. She hears Lindsey start the car and she smiles a wave of memories rushing over her. She goes out to the car and Lindsey's in the passenger seat moving her head and singing along to a song coming out of the stereo. Catherine opens the door and the loud music of Green Day's American Idiot greets her. She climbs into the car and turns the music down. Pulling out of the driveway she grabs her cell phone and hits her number 1 speed dial," Hello"

"Hey it's me we're on our way you almost ready??"

"I can't find a shirt"

"Oh my god Gil"

"Do you know where my brown polo is?"

"Why would I know that?"

"Well the last time I wore it we ended up at your house"

"Oh yeah......I have it in my closet somewhere"

"Okay do you know where my brown tshirt is?"

"Gil why would I know this?"

"Because the last time I was wearing it we had just gotten back from the gym"

"Try your drier if you haven't done any laundry since then my clothes should be in there too"

"Okay," she hears some rustling and then he comes back on," Found it and I want my polo back"

"No," she hangs up and pulls into his driveway. Lindsey looks at her," You want me to go get him?"

"No get in the back seat I'll go," she gets out of the car and goes up to the front door. Not even knocking Gil opens the door and she smiles looking at his bare chest," I hope your wearing that"

"Sorry," he pulls on the brown shirt and she looks him over. He's wearing tan khakis, a brown tshirt, his glasses and leather sandles," You look nice"

"Thanks. You look amazing," he grabs his keys and shuts the door behind him," Ready?"

"Yeah Linds is in the car, just a warning," they get in the car and Lindsey sqeezes Gil from the back seat," Hey Uncle Gil"

"Hey Linds how's school going?"

"Great," Catherine starts driving and Lindsey hands Gil a leather binder," I snapped these last week. What do you think," he opens it up and looks at the black and white photos of Vegas," These are amazing you're doing great Linds"

"You think so?"

"Yeah do you have any of your drawings," she hands him another leather binder and he opens it up," Amazing," he flips through the photos that range from a detailed bleeding rose or Catherine drinking coffee in the morning to a sleeping cat or a cartoon character on tv," You're doing great," he kisses her cheek," You're as amazing as your mother"

"Really?"

"Yeah," after a few more minutes they pull into the arena parking lot choosing a spot and Catherine turns off the car," Ready?"

"Yeah," Lindsey zips up the binders and puts them under the seat the three of them get out and Catherine locks the car. Gil wraps an arm around her waist and she smiles," I thought you were dreading tonight?"

"It's more bearable with you here," they go inside and the night starts.

**********************************************************

Everyone starts howling as all the performers of the night walk out on stage 10 in all. Kenny Chesney takes the microphone," Now I'm sure that you all have figured out Ms. Martina McBride isn't here with us tonight. I'm gonna choose one lucky lady out of the front row tonight and see how well she can belt out Martina's songs"

"Now me and all the guys have agreed," Toby Keith comes to stand next to him," That our lucky lady tonight is the blue eyed, strawberry blonde lady about mid row," Lindsey looks at Catherine wide eyed," You.....you got picked??"

"I guess so," she jumps the barracade and the security guards help her onto the stage. Gil looks at Lindsey," Can your mom sing," all she does is nod once looking back at the stage. Catherine is standing on the stage her thumbs in her belt loops," Somethin' tells me you aren't from Vegas originally"

"Montana until I was 17"

"Oooh a Montana girl. What's your name sweetheart?"

"Catherine. Catherine Willows"

"Well Catherine can you sing?"

"I don't think I can, but my daughter thinks I can"

"Okay what's the test song gonna be?"

"Why don't you guys choose I know all of them," she smiles winningly," Okay Toby, guys, gals what are you thinking?"

"Independence Day all the way"

"All right you heard 'em but can you do it?"

"Hell yeah," she takes the offered microphone and the band starts playing. Soon Catherine is belting out the song," Well she seemed alright by dawns early light, Though she looked a little worried and weak, She tried to pretend she wasn't drinkin' again, But daddy left the proof on her cheek, And I was only eight years old that summer, And I always seemed to be in the way, So I took myself down to the fair in town, On Independence Day.

"Well word gets around in a small, small town, They said he was a dangerous man, Mama was proud and she stood her ground, But she knew she was on the losin' end, Some folks whispered and some folks talked, But everybody looked the other way, And when time ran out there was no one about, On Independence Day.

"Let freedom ring, Let the white dove sing, Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning, Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong, Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay, It's Independence Day.

"Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July, By the time that the firemen come, They just put out the flames, and took down some names, And sent me to the county home, Now I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong, But maybe its the only way, Talk about your revolution, It's Independence Day.

"Let freedom ring, Let the white dove sing, Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning, Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong, Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay, It's Independence Day. Roll the stone away, It's Independence day," the music fades out and Catherine smiles," Holy hell she could give Martina a run for her money"

"What's that boys," Martina McBride walks on stage sporting blue jeans and a black tank top," Well howdy"

"I hear you can sing"

"Ask them I'm not the one whos qualified to answer that"

"Okay guys what do you think about Ms. Willows here?"

"Who ever said it was Ms. Willows?"

"She isn't wearing a ring"

"She can sing, hell she can sing just as well as you can"

"Okay how 'bout this....if you can do 3 of my songs I pay you $1000"

"Deal, what three?"

"Blessed, In My Daughters Eyes, and How Far"

"Okay....in that order?"

"Which ever one you want"

"Eyes, How Far, Blessed and I want my daughter up here.....and my best friend"

"Okay guys you heard them," soon Lindsey and Gil are on stage. He whispers in her ear and she grabs his hand whispering back and smiling. The band starts playing and Catherine holds Lindseys back to her as she starts singing," In my daughter's eyes I am a hero. I am strong and wise and I know no fear, but the truth is plain to see she was sent to rescue me. I see who I wanna be in my daughter's eyes.

"In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal. Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace. This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak. I find reason to believe. In my daughter's eyes

"And when she wraps her hand around my finger. Oh it puts a smile in my heart. Everything becomes a little clearer. I realize what life is all about. It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough, it's giving more when you feel like giving up. I've seen the light. It's in my daugter's eyes

"In my daughter's eyes I can see the future, a reflection of who I am and what will be. Though she'll grow and someday leave, maybe raise a family. When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me. For I'll be there in my daughter's eyes," she picks Lindsey up and leans her forehead against hers," I can see anything in your eyes because I love you more than anything"

"I love you too mom," she hugs Catherine and jumps down. Catherines gaze turns to Gil and he gulps," You and me need to have a little talk"

"We do?"

"Mmhm," she pushes him to sit in a chair and she sits on his lap. His arms relax around her waist and she smiles as the band starts playing once more," There's a boat, I could sail away. There's the sky, I could catch a plane. There's a train, there's the tracks. I could leave and I could choose to not come back. Oh never come back

"There you are, giving up the fight. Here I am begging you to try. Talk to me, let me in, but you just put your wall back up again. Oh when's it gonna end

"How far do I have to go to make you understand, I wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can't keep on giving, go on living with the way things are. So I'm gonna walk away, and it's up to you to say how far

"There's a chance I could change my mind, but I won't, not till you decide what you want, what you need. Do you even care if I stay or leave? Oh, what's it gonna be

"How far do I have to go to make you understand, I wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can't keep on giving, go on living with the way things are. So I'm gonna walk away, and it's up to you to say how far?

"Out of this chair, or just across the room. Halfway down the block or halfway to the moon

"How far do I have to go to make you understand. I wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can't keep on giving, go on living with the way things are. So I'm gonna walk away, and it's up to you to say. Yeah I'm gonna walk away, and it's up to you to say how far," they fade out and she looks at him," How far do I have to go for you to understand?"

"If you get up it's too far," he leans in claiming her lips slowly kissing her. She pulls back and smiles," Anything you'd like to say?"

"I love you Catherine Willows"

"I love you too Gil"

**********************************************************

Catherine, Gil, and Lindsey walk into her house around 12 that night," Linds why don't you go change and I'll make you a sandwhich"

"Okay," she walks off and Catherine turns to Gil," Thank you for coming tonight. It made Linds' night when I told her you were coming"

"I'm glad I came"

"You want some coffee?"

"Sure," he follows her into the kitchen and she starts making coffee. Lindsey comes back down about 10 minutes later and Catherine hands her a plate with a sandwhich on it," Thanks mom," Catherine strokes her blonde hair," Why don't you go up to your bedroom and just leave the plate on your bedside table I'll get it later"

"Okay," a yawn escapes her and she smiles a little," Night Uncle Gil"

"Night Linds," watching her walk upstairs for a second or two Catherine looks at Gil smiling slightly," I'd ask you to come upstairs with me, but Linds is home"

"I don't mind. I know we waisted so much time, but I want to do this right"

"My mom has Linds on Friday until Sunday she's taking her to Reno"

"Let me take you out to dinner. I want to wine and dine you"

"I won't disagree to that"

"Friday night, I'll pick you up around 4 we can go take a walk by the lake and then go to dinner. So how does dressy casual sound?"

"Great....Listen I have tomorrow night off. Linds only has half a day of school so we're going shopping you wanna come with?"

"Nah you guys deserve some time alone"

"Okay well give me a call when you get home after work tomorrow"

"Sure," he wraps his arms around her waist and she smiles," Stay tonight. I'm sure I can pull out an outfit of a brown polo and tan cargos if you don't mind wearing those to work"

"Not at all"

"I have a private bathroom in my room. There's a pair of pajama pants in the third drawer on the left side of my dresser that belong to you so go clean up and I'm gonna check on Linds"

"Cath...."

"Yeah"

"I don't ever wanna let you go," he leans down and kisses her. She pulls back and he smiles," I'll be in the bathroom"

"That's what they all say," she walks into Lindseys room and smiles at her daughters half hearted attempt to eat. She puts Lindsey under the covers kissing her forehead and grabbing the plate on her way out. She puts it in the kitchen and goes to her room. Gil is just walking out of the bathroom in pajama pants and his previous outfit on his arm," Go ahead and put it on the chair"

"Okay," she opens her underwear drawer and pulls out a tealish tank top with Thumper from Bambi on it. She also grabs a pair of shorts," I'll be out in a minute," she goes into the bathroom and changes. She comes back out and he's in her bed flipping through her latest Cosmo magazine," Put that down before you get dirty thoughts"

"I already have them," she pulls back the covers getting under them snuggling up close to him," Love you"

"Love you back," she turns off the lights and their breathing evens out.

**********************************************************

Opening the door after the doorbell goes off Catherine smiles at the man on the other side," Hi...come on in I've just gotta give my mom a call real quick and we can leave"

"Okay," he comes in and she smiles looking him over," Here this is for you," he hands her a blood red rose and she smells it. A soft look graces her eyes and a shy smile lingers on her lips," Thank you. I haven't gotten flowers or a flower, I guess, in a long time," she goes into the kitchen grabbing her cordless dialing Lindsey's cell phone," Hello"

"Hey it's me listen me and Gil are leaving now you tell your grandmother she calls me I'm going to murder her myself and I can cover it up"

"I already told her. So how's it going so far?"

"Really really great"

"Don't screw this up mom"

"I won't.....I can't," she smiles and smells the rose again," I'll call you tomorrow baby"

"Okay night mom"

"Night baby," she hangs up the phone and goes out into the living room again letting Gil finally look her over. She was wearing a BCBG Max Azria turquoise matte jersey ruched angled dress, turquoise stilettos, an aquamarine and diamond necklace, an aquamarine bracelet with diamonds, aquamarine teardrop earings, and her hair is down in curls around her shoulders," You look amazing, stunning, and very sexy"

"Thanks. I put my bag in your car last night so you ready to go?"

"Here you left this in my office a few days ago I didn't have the time to give it back," he hands her a ring box and she opens it sliding the ring on her right middle finger," Thanks I was wondering where it was," they leave the house and get in Gils truck," Where are we going?"

"It's a suprise," she smiles and leans her head against the window. He grabs her hand and entwines their fingers. She smiles," Love you"

"Love you back," looking at the lights of the Strip pass by her eyes twinkle in the Vegas nightlife. Pulling up to the Palms she looks at him," The Palms," the valet opens the door and Catherine steps out and smiles," Thank you"

"Don't scratch it," Gil walks around from the other side and hands him the keys," Come on," he grabs the ticket and wraps his arm around Catherines waist leading her inside," Where are we going Gil?"

"N9NE"

"Gil!"

"What?"

"It's too much"

"No it's not. We've known eachother for 20 years and I want to take you to some place fancy for our first date," he kisses her cheek," Come on," they walk into the lavish dining room and a smile lights up her face as they get seated," Your waiter will be with you in a moment"

"Thank you," Catherine picks up the wine list and flips through it," What were you thinking about to drink?"

"A merlot maybe"

"Okay"

"You are okay with a merlot?"

"That or a pinot noir"

"No we are not drinking pinot"

"Okay then a merlot works. What ever you want Cath," she smiles and a tall man about 20 comes over sporting the usual uniform," My name is Drew and I'll be serving you tonight can I get you a wine to start off with?"

"What merlot would you suggest?"

"I would suggest the Fonterutoli 2001 Siepi or the Antinori 2000 Guado al Tasso"

"The Fonterutoli please"

"Any appetizers?"

"Shrooms please," Catherine giggles and Gil looks at her," What?"

"Nothing"

"I'll be back in a moment with those"

"Thank you," he leaves and Catherine smiles," Tell me have you ever been willing to spend this much money on a first date?"

"Once"

"With who?"

"Jenna Mattews. She was my life line in college and the end of high school"

"What happened?"

"She moved to New York and we coulndn't maintain a long distance relationship. So we just drifted and never talked again"

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be I have you now. To sing to me and be my life line," she laughs and smiles serenly at him," Don't expect alot of that"

"I don't"

"What do we talk about....I mean we pretty much know everything about eachother"

"What was it like living in Montana growing up?"

"Quiet.....very quiet. It gave me a chance to think for once in my life and I didn't even do that"

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't think about leaving.....I did everything spur of the moment. The one thing I really thought hard about was that.....I wanted to get married and have kids. Be there for everything. A soccer mom I guess.....I wanted that family that you saw on tv. I thought I could have that. I have Linds and that's all that matters, just that she's safe and healthy"

"Yeah it is," she smiles at him and they start talking.

*********************************************************

"Gil tonight was great. I really had alot of fun at dinner and dancing"

"I'm glad," he smiles as his thumb strokes the back of her hand," I had a great time too"

"Do you wanna come in? Linds isn't home and I'm sure I could rig up some coffee"

"Sure that sounds great," they go inside and into the kitchen. Catherine plugs the radio in and turns it over to CD pressing play. Gil wraps his arms around her waist kissing her neck," Why don't we have the coffee in the morning we have other things to tend to?"

"Okay that sounds good," she moans as he draws her ear lobe into his mouth," God that feels good," Gil slams her against the wall with an urgency they share. They kick off their shoes, and Gil kicks off his socks which earns him points in Catherine's book, in a movement that drives her insane Gil pulls her up to him, to his height. Happening too quickly for Catherine she pushes away and smiles serenly," Hard, but just a bit slower," his hands drag her closer still, and she undoes his pants and rolls them and his boxers down his legs. She pulls him free of his jacket and tie and attempts to remove his shirt, but the buttons prove too difficult so she settles for undoing the top two and then gives in. Gils pants hang around his ankles as she wraps her legs around his waist and he rips the newly purchased underwear from her and they thrust together hard, moans and cries keeping them going. All thoughts are banished as digs her nails into the flesh of Gil's shoulders as she succumbs to the senstaion as they move against and into each other. Losing control, she bites down on the soft skin of his neck knowing it will leave a mark. A smile graces her lips as she chews on his lower lip a little. His bright blue eyes look into hers as her words come only in short bursts now. A few thrusts later she slams her head into the wall, crying out in pain and pleasure, as her orgasam rips through her body his joining her a few seconds later. They slide down to the floor and she kisses his neck to his lips," God that was amazing"

"Why don't we move to the bedroom and go for something a little slower?"

"That works for me," he lifts her up in his arms and takes her to the bedroom laying her on the bed. She takes her face in her hands," Promise me in the morning that we make all of this ours, we change everything on our wills, that we're not going to be alone anymore"

"I promise," he kisses her and wipes her tears off of her cheeks," Lindsey?"

"She's okay with it," they both get undressed and start slowing their movements down.

*********************************************************

"Okay I just need you to sign these papers where the x is and everything of your estate will be divided among your wife and daughter if something should happen to you, your living will will be transferred, and power of attorney will be transferred"

"Okay," he signs the papers and hands them back to the lawyer," Thank you James"

"No problem," he shakes Gils hand then Catherines," Congratulations"

"Thank you," they leave the office and then drive to Catherine's lawyer," Catherine how are you?"

"Good. I want to change somethings on my will, living will, and power of attorney"

"Okay," he pulls up the papers in a few minutes and lays them in front of Catherine," What would you like to change?"

"I want the estate to be divided among Gil and Lindsey, my living will to be transferred to Gil from my mom, and my power of attorney transferred to him from Lindsey"

"Okay anything else?"

"An airtight contract that if something happens to me before Lindsey turns 18 that Gil has sole custody of her even if he gets remarried"

"Okay I can have them pulled up in about 2 hours if you want to go do something then come back they'll be ready to sign"

"Okay thank you," they get up and go out to the truck she leans against her door running a hand through her hair. Gil stands infront of her and she looks up at him," I can't loose you Gil. I went through hell thinking that you were dead or dying during Desert Storm. And with everything that's going on I'm so scared that it's going to get worse and I'm gonna lose you to this war. That when I wake up one day you're gonna be gone and. I can't handle that"

"Cath I got an honorable discharge when I got home"

"That was then this is now. How do I know it's not going to get so bad that they're going to pull you back in," she wipes at her tears," Cath where did this come from?"

"I guess just doing all of this...changing our wills and all of that it....it just made me think about everything that we've gone through and......thinking about that just scared me. I don't know what I'd do if you had to leave again"

"I'm never leaving you baby," he pulls her into his arms and she holds him close," Can we go home? I wanna talk...but not here"

"Sure," they drive back to Catherines house and once they get inside she sits on the couch and pulls her knees to her chest. Gil sits infront of her and swipes her hair out of her face," Cath what's wrong?"

"I want a baby......2 maybe," she looks at him with tears in her eyes," I want a whole family and a home.........and to tell you a big part of it I just wanna have a baby with you," she slides her hand in to his and he squeezes it," That sounds good.....we can start work on that all american family you wanted," she smiles," Promise?"

"Yeah I promise," he holds her close as they lay down on the couch," I love you Gil," it comes out on a sigh and he smiles down at her," I love you too baby"

"Can we have a baby boy?"

"Sure honey. I'll talk to the guys later," she laughs and hits him playfully," I really want a baby boy"

"We'll try Cath that's all I can promise"

"That's all I need," she falls into sleep and he strokes her hair slowly," That's all I can promise"

*********************************************************

3 years later

*********************************************************

"Cath honey you in here?!?!?"

"In the shower," he goes into the master bathroom and Catherine pokes her head out from the curtian," Hey how was work?"

"Work," she smiles and keeps taking her shower. Gil goes down to the living room," Daddy," 3 year old triplet boys Carmine, Luca, and Nicholo run to Gil and hug him," Hey guys," he kneels down and kisses each of their foreheads," How was daycare?"

"We 'ingerpainted"

"You did?"

"Mmhm....and we play 'aseball wit 'Indsy"

"Did you win?"

"Mmhm 4 to 6 they creamed me," Lindsey hugs Gil and sits on the couch with a 2 year old sleeping Adrina in her arms," Did you do your homework?"

"It's on the table," she smiles at him," What?"

"Nothing I just never pictured you as a dad and you're great at it"

"Thanks," Adrina wakes up and looks at Gil," Daddy," he takes her out of Lindseys arms and she wraps her little arms around him," I wiss you daddy"

"I missed you to princess"

"Daddy we hungy"

"Didn't mommy make you lunch when you got home?"

"No"

"I was about to when little miss flu here threw up all over me"

"Didn't mean twoo mommy," her eyes fill with tears as Catherine walks down the stairs in a Cubs jersey and jeans holding their small 2 week old baby girl Camilla," I know baby," Catherine takes her from Gil after he takes Camilla and rubs her back," You want some food honey?"

"No tiwird"

"Hon you just woke up"

"I still tiwired"

"Okay. Why don't we go put your pjs on and then tuck you in with your butterfly?"

"Otay," Catherine takes her upstairs into her purple bedroom and lays her on the toddler bed while getting her favorite pjs, purple pants and a white tshirt. Changing her into them she pulls back the covers and lays her on the bed. She pulls the covers up and kisses her forehead," I'll come and check on you in a little bit"

"Otay," Catherine hugs her and kisses her forehead," Sweet dreams honey," closing the door partially Catherine goes back downstairs and the rest of the kids are eating in the kitchen and Gil's sitting in the recliner with Camilla in his arms. She sits on the arm of the chair and smiles at him," I guess you did talk to the guys"

"You remember that?"

"Yeah," he lets her take Camilla and sit in his spot while he sits on the arm as she nurses," You're an amazing woman Cath. Don't let anyone tell you different"

"I don't," she smiles and softly sings to Camilla.

--------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

FINISHED