The next morning, Catherine woke up before Matt. She went to her kitchen and decided to call Mariah.

"Hey, Cath. How are you holding up?" Mari asked.

"I'm alright," Catherine sighed.

"I can tell you're upset about something. I can hear it in your voice. What is it?" Mariah persisted.

"It's...Matt," Cath admitted. "There's just so much I don't understand. Like, I asked him if he truly loved me and he said, 'I believe I could. I believe I will.' The thing is, he's told me he loves me before. Was he lying? Telling me what I want to hear? Oh, and then there's the fact that he's so closed off. He expects me to talk things out and be open, and then he clams up. He doesn't understand that it's hard for me to be so open with him. It's not in my nature to just spill everything out to people. I just...I want him to tell me stuff too."

"First off, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Everybody's different, Cath. Just give him time. He'll come around," Mari assured. "Was there anything else?"

"Just one thing...He and Mel tried having kids," Catherine said, biting her lip.

"Really? Does that bother you?"

"I don't know. It's definitely a bit weird. I mean, especially considering the fact that I've never...you know...I mean, I expected it. They were married, after all. It was just weird to hear it come from his mouth."

"Does he know?"

Catherine thought for a moment. "He knows Caleb and I didn't, but I don't know if he knows that I never have ever."

Mari sighed. "Well, I say that you forget the whole thing. It's not like you can change any of it, so I'd just let it go."

"I suppose you're right," Cath pondered. "Thanks, Mari."

"Anytime," she smiled. "I have to go. Jeremy's taking me out to brunch."

"Okay," Catherine laughed. "Bye."

"Any thoughts on the funeral?" Matt asked slowly from the doorway

"Oh, goodness," Catherine said quickly, clutching her chest. "Matt, you scared me."

"Sorry," he chuckled.

Catherine sighed, shaking her head. "It turns out that my father moved to Brooklyn after he left us. That's where they're holding the funeral. Anyway, I've decided that I'm not going."

"If that's your choice," Matt said with a hint of dismay.

Cath could tell he wasn't entirely pleased with her decision, but she didn't care. It was her decision to make, not his. She had plenty of valid reasons not to go, and he needed to respect that. "Are you hungry?" Catherine asked after a moment. "I could make you something and...not burn myself this time."

"No," Matt said softly with a brisk shrug, "not really."

Catherine smiled. "Matt, how long were you standing behind your door before I got off the phone?"

"Do you wanna go to the park again today?"

Catherine wrapped her arms around Matt's waist and looked straight into his eyes, repeating her question.

"Listen," he sighed, "if I appear closed, it's because I've been too often hurt by being open. If I don't say 'I love you' back every time, it's because we've haven't known each other for a very long time. I want this to last. You don't have to tell me everything if you don't feel comfortable. I'm still a stranger. Mariah told you I was married before I even remembered. If you want to leave, Cath, that's your own choice. I won't stop you. It would hurt me, kill me even, but your happiness comes first."

Catherine pulled Matt in close, holding him as tight as she possibly could. "I don't want to leave," she sighed. "Don't you see? It's that I'm afraid I'm going to lose you, that you'll leave me. It doesn't have anything to do with you personally, it's just that I've been hurt too. A lot, Matt. I have to force myself to be open with you so that I don't completely shut you out. Believe me, that's not what I want. I'm fine with the fact that you were married to Mel. Nobody's expecting you to say that you love me. And I am never going to leave you. I just don't know what I have to do to not lose you, because Matt, I will do anything. I will do anything to make you stay...I'm sorry that you heard me say all that to Mari. I just needed to get it off my chest so that I can move on. I love you. I promise that I won't leave you. You're my broken little Angel. How could I leave that?"

"I love you too, Cath," Matt sighed, "but I don't say it unless I mean it. And I'm not gonna lie. Love doesn't come quickly for me. It takes work and time."

Catherine put a hand to his cheek. "I understand."

"You gotta talk to me, Cath. If you feel uncomfortable or unsure, you gotta tell me so we can work it out."

"Alright," she sighed. "And to answer your question, I would love to go to the park."

The door bell rang and Cath moaned. "Right after I get the door."

She was halfway to the door when it opened and Alex came through. "No need," he smiled, waving a key in front of her face. "I found it."

"Alex," Catherine laughed. "I forgot I gave you a spare key. What brings you buy?"

"I need advice. I'm going to propose to Natalie," he said breathlessly.

"Alex, that's wonderful!" Cath exclaimed.

"What's your dream proposal? I need ideas."

"My dream proposal? Gosh...since I was thirteen, I've wanted the room I'm in to be filled with roses -thousands and thousands of roses- and then my guy will be in the center with the ring and I'll go up to him and he'll ask me to marry him," Catherine smiled. "But Natalie doesn't seem like she would like that."

"Yeah, that's not really Natalie," Alex chuckled.

"What about dinner and a walk through the park?"

"Perfect! Thanks, Cathy."

"Anytime, Alex. Do you need help with anything else?"

"Just one more thing. If Nat says yes, would you be my best woman?" Alex asked hopefully.

Catherine covered her mouth in surprise. "Are you serious? I'd love to! I'm so honored."

"Thank you," Alex sighed in relief. "I'll let you spend time with Matt now. I'll text you later to tell you what Nat says."

"Alright. Bye, Alex," Catherine said, giving him a hug.

"Bye, Cathy," he smiled, exiting her apartment.

Catherine was still in shock when she returned to the kitchen, where Matt was. "Who was it?" He asked.

"It was Alex. He wanted advice on how to propose to his girlfriend," she answered nonchalantly. "And he asked me to be the best woman in their wedding."

"That's sweet," Matt smiled, biting into an apple. "How long have they been dating?"

Catherine thought for a moment. "Seven months, I think."

"You accepted the position as best woman?"

"Yeah, of course. Alex has done a lot for me. The least I can do is be there for him on his big day," Cath smiled.

Matt gave a small pick at his fingernail. "And I suppose you would be needing a date?"

"Yeah. I'd ask Alex, but I don't think Natalie would take too kindly to that," Cath joked.

"I mean, I've been looking at...something," Matt stated hesitantly.

"How vague," Catherine laughed. "Please, tell me more."

"Well there's these new compression masks, look almost like ski masks...or I was looking at cosmetics."

"And?"

"And I could come with you."

"Really?" Catherine asked excitedly. "That would be amazing!" She gave him a quick kiss and asked, "Do you want to go to the park now?"

"Sure," he shrugged with a laugh.

"Alright. I'll go change." Catherine was back in five minutes. "We should get coffee on the way home. If you want, that is."

"Sure."

—————

Matt and Catherine walked around the deserted park for a few hours. Cath wrapped her arms around Matt's waist, pretending to be cold. "You know, we don't have any plans for later. What do you want to do? I was thinking we could get you a key to my apartment. After all, you are my boyfriend. You should have a way to get into my place without me having to open the door every time."

"It's a big step," Matt said sheepishly, "but if you're fine with it..."

"Yeah, of course," Catherine smiled. "But that won't take long. What should we do after? I know that Carlos wants to call me at some point. Maybe you could give me a singing lesson?"

"Of course," Matt grinned. "Your wish is my command."

"Perfect," Cath grinned. "So, you didn't tell me what your mother's name was. You said that you were named after your father, but what was your mother's name?"

"Marion," Matt replied with a sad smile.

"That's pretty," Catherine nodded, leaning her head on Matt's shoulder. "Do you want to head back to me apartment now, or would you rather get coffee?"

"Coffee," Matt whined.

"Alright," Catherine laughed.

The couple got their coffees and returned to Cath's apartment soon after.

"My gosh, it's cold outside," Catherine shivered once they stepped through her doorway. Carlos's name popped up on her phone and she answered the FaceTime call. "Hey Kitty Cat," Carlos smiled, calling her by an old nickname. "Listen, I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

Catherine sat on the couch next to Matt and thought for a moment. "Good news, I guess."

"I'll be seeing you tomorrow. I got a couple of my Italian buddies to help me pack, and it didn't take too long to get the job done. My stuff is being shipped out tonight and my plane takes off tomorrow morning," Carlos reported.

"And the bad news?" Catherine asked, lacing her fingers through Matt's.

"Remember you're father's wife -and technically, my aunt- Emily?"

"Yeah," Catherine said slowly.

"Well, I talked to her. Her daughters, Ashley and Scarlett, want to meet you. Emily does too," Carlos sighed.

"Out of the question. I can't afford a trip to Brooklyn, New York," Cath almost exclaimed.

"I told them. They want to fly out to Paris to meet you...and your fiancé too."

"Fiancé?"

"They're under the impression that Matt is your fiancé. Chris probably told them after the whole thing at your apartment."

"Probably," Catherine sighed.

"So, what are you going to do?" Carlos asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

"I'm not meeting them. There's no way," Cath said firmly.

"Cathy, normally I'd agree with you, but maybe it's best if you just meet them this once," Carlos sighed.

"No," Catherine said with a bit of anger.

"Matt, do you have an opinion here?" Carlos asked hopefully.

"Like she listens to me," Matt sighed despondently. "She should go, it's her moral obligation and the right thing to do. But, should she selfishly choose her own interests, I will love her to the moon and back just the same."

"Oh great. I love it when people talk about me like I'm not here," Catherine sighed. "Carlos, you don't understand. Just-"

"Cathy, look, I'm not making you meet them. I just think that you should meet them once. What's it going to hurt?"

"Me," Catherine replied simply.

Carlos sighed. "Cathy, you do realize that Matt has to go too, right?"

"That certainly changes things," Cath said as a grin spread across her lips. "Do you realize that you will owe me big time, right?"

"And why's that?"

"They're your family."

"You know I've only ever consider you and Lotte my real cousins," Carlos said defensively. "Listen, my little burn victim, you aren't going to your father's funeral. Don't you think the least you can do is meet his daughters? Besides, they are your half sisters."

Catherine sighed. "I'll think about it. I'm not making promises."

"That's all I ask of you," Carlos sang teasingly.

Catherine rolled her eyes. "I'll talk to you later."

Carlos hung up and Catherine moaned. "This is not happening." She thought about what Matt said just minutes before. "It's not selfish to decide against meeting them," she thought. "Besides, the whole thing is incredibly odd. They've never wanted to meet me before, so why now?"

Catherine sighed. "You really think I should meet them?"

"I'm not gonna say anything," Matt mumbled through clenched teeth

"You know you'll have to come with me, right?" Catherine smirked.

"Depends," Matt sighed hesitantly, "on if I can get some kind of disguise or something."

"I could just have them over here," Catherine said, not removing her loving gaze from her boyfriend. "I don't think you'll have to worry about a disguise if we aren't in public."

"You never know who's gonna show up at a funeral, Cath."

"I'm not going to the funeral. They are coming for dinner, I'll meet them, I'll pretend to be amiable, and they'll leave," Catherine said decidedly. "And that's that."

"Exactly, funeral means meeting up with new friends, new couples. You never know who gets dragged along."

"Oh, right. I totally knew that...You need to explain these things. I'm not cool," Catherine laughed.

"Really, though," Matt smiled, "I met Josh at Mel's funeral."

"Really? I didn't know that...I suppose I should call Ashley. Carlos just sent me her number."

"Up to you," Matt shrugged

Catherine dialed the number and impatiently tapped her fingers on her thigh.

"Hello," a young voice greeted.

"Hi. This is Catherine."

"Oh, Catherine! This is Ashley. I'm so glad you called. Carlos has told us so much about you. I assume Carlos has filled you in by now?" The cheery girl guessed.

"Yes, he has," Catherine replied, faking enthusiasm. "I would be delighted to host you girls for dinner at my flat."

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Ashley exclaimed. "Will your fiancé be able to make it? We would love to meet him as well."

"Yes, he'll be there. When should I expect you?"

"My mother just booked us a flight. We'll arrive in a few weeks."

"Perfect. I'll see you the night you fly in, then?"

"Yes, that would be great," Ashley said kindly.

"Alright then. I'll text you my address. See you soon," Catherine replied, hanging up before she could get an answer. "That was excruciating."

"She sounded nice."

"She was oddly peppy. I don't do peppy," Catherine said, making a face. "How did I let you talk me into this?"

"You're just a little black raincloud," Matt teased in a sing-song voice.

Catherine rolled her eyes. "You're fortunate I love you...Oh!" She exclaimed and hastily ran to her room. She quickly returned with a key to her apartment. "Here," she said, handing it to Matt. "Now you have a way to get in here."

Matt turned over the small key in the palm of his hand. "You really trust me this much?"

"Of course I do," Cath smiled. "You're my boyfriend and I love you...You're also the first boyfriend I've given a key to my apartment. Just thought you should know that."

"I'm honored," Matt smiled proudly.

"Matt, can I tell you something else?" Catherine asked, her eyes sparkling as she sat beside him.

"Anything." Matt chuckled.

Catherine turned to face him and grasped both of his hands. "You are truly unlike any guy I've ever dated. I told you I loved you after meeting you once. I've never done that before. Before you, the fastest it had taken me to tell someone I love them was after dating them for three months. Matt, what we have, it's different. It's real. You're the one for me. I know you are. That's why I'm so afraid that I'm going to lose you. I've just...I've never had anything like what I have with you. I love you, Matt. More than you could possibly comprehend," Catherine smiled shyly. She moved one hand to the left side of his face. "And nothing you say or do could change that."

Matt brushed away a few tears that had welled in his eyes. He turned away with embarrassment. "Then say," he sang brokenly in a hushed whimper, "you'll share with me one love, one lifetime."

Catherine turned his face back to hers as tears welled in her own eyes. She smiled at him lovingly as she pressed her forehead against his and closed her eyes. She brushed away a tear that rolled down Matt's cheek. "Don't cry, my Angel," she said softly. "I'm here. I promise, I'll never leave you."

"You can't promise that," Matt laughed, trying to supress his grief. "No one can stay forever. They all leave me, sooner or later." He gripped her shoulder tightly, the lines of torment of the last seven years etched into his face and soul. "I can't lose you," He rasped despondently.

That phrase, hearing those words, broke Catherine's heart. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "You won't lose me." She let a tear fall as she gripped Matt tighter. "Ever."

"For sure?"

"For sure," Catherine smiled. "I love you."

She took an unsteady breath and buried her face in the curve of his neck. "I'm not going to leave. You have my word," She promised, her voice muffled slightly.

"It's crazy," Matt laughed through a sniffle, "but I think I'm happier than I've ever been in the last seven years."

"I don't think I've ever been this happy," Catherine sighed, lifting her head and kissing Matt's cheek. "Matt, you're so special to me. I don't think you realize that. I love you so much."

The couple decided to watch a couple movies as they cuddled on the couch.

After a while, Catherine fell asleep and Matt carried her into her room, gently laying her on the bed and making sure she would be warm. He was about to walk away, when Cath grabbed his hand and opened her eyes slightly. "Please stay," she whispered.

"I don't think that would be wise," Matt chuckled.

Catherine sighed. She didn't seem at all amused by this. "Please," she whispered again.

"People will talk," Matt mumbled with an amused chuckle as he sat down at her side.

"Nobody has to know. It's not like anything's going to happen, so what's there to tell?" Catherine asked, trying to fight sleep from overtaking her. "Come on. I'll get cold without you."

"Fine," Matt gave in, "move over."

Catherine smiled and moved over as Matt slid under the covers beside her. "Thank you," she whispered as he gently wrapped his arm around her torso. "I love you," she mumbled, slowly closing her eyes.

"I love you too," Matt smiled softly.