Her expression softened. "Thanks. I have no intention of jumping into anything right now. I happen to like my life and thanks to you, my life is fulfilled."
Dean studied her face and realized that she looked happier than he had ever seen her.
"Keep it that way. Shall we?"
*****
"They look good together," she murmured later that night after he had made love to her for what seemed like hours. She wassprawled on top of him, one shapely thigh thrown over his, her heart still racing.
"I warned her not to jump into anything too quickly."
Lifting her head, she frowned at him. "She's an adult."
"Precisely," he said mildly, eyes amused. "Which means she should be able to make her own choice and not have you running interference."
She pouted, causing him to brush his lips on hers.
"I just want her to be happy. Like we are."
He wrapped his arms around her. "I don't think that's at all possible."
"Why not?" she asked with a frown.
"Because," he began thoughtfully, his eyes darkening. "We are an anomaly. For some unknown reason, we were thrown together and the match is something I can hardly explain. I haveseen it before, of course, with some members of my club, but experiencing it is far different." He touched her cheek gently.
"My parents, grandparents never loved each other. For some reason, I got lucky. I don't deserve it, but I've been gifted with a woman who's the most wonderful person in the world. I cannot expect my sister to have that too."
Catherine stared at him and for several minutes she could not speak. So thick was the lump that had lodged inside her throat.
"Dean," she whispered, tears gathering. "I love you so much."
"I think I love you more, darling," he whispered as he gathered her close.
*****
The euphoric feeling of being pregnant was brought to an abrupt halt when she reached the end of her first trimester and had alarm and fear arrowing inside her.
She started spotting. She woke up suddenly that Sunday morning and felt the wetness between her thighs. Her scream had her husband rising in panic.
He had called Eric immediately and the doctor had made haste coming over.
"It's easier for me to come to you," Eric said.
Now he was here and the anxiety was escalating as he made his examination. Catherine had always been a woman of faith, but it was wearing thin the longer the examination went on. She clung to Dean's hand, fingers digging into his palm.
"What the hell is going on, Eric?" Dean demanded, unable to bear the look on his wife's face any longer.
"Spotting is perfectly normal during the first trimester." Eric snapped off his surgical gloves with a smile. "The fetus' heartbeat is strong."
"So there's nothing to worry about?" Catherine held her breath, her fingers making grooves in Dean's flesh.
"I want you to take a week off from work and just rest. I want to make certain everything is as it should be. I want you to stay in bed," Eric told her.
"I'll make sure she does."
"Are you sure there's nothing to worry about?" Catherine asked anxiously.
"Would I lie to you?" Eric chided gently. "I made a promise to both of you that we're going to see this through." He patted her arm. "And I happen to be the best in my field. Trust me."