Page 20 of Unruly

Things Catherine would love.

Cross didn’t want to push those plans aside.

Her familiar green eyes pierced into his from across the table.

“I promise I’ll be home for that,” she said.

“But in between …?”

Catherine made face. “Hard to say.”

“I want you home for Christmas.”

She froze in place.

Cross’s words kept coming when he added, “No, actually, I want you home all of December, at least. Can’t we have a bit of time, Catty? Just you and me without weeks away or drop-offs and pick-ups at the airport? I want that.”

“I know I’m busy.”

“I am, too,” Cross admitted.

“I’ll work something out, okay?”

“Okay.”

That was all he needed.

All we wanted.

“Anything else?” Catherine asked with a quiet laugh as she picked up her glass of water to sip.

God.

He loved his wife. He adored this woman, and her beautiful soul. She was his first love, and he planned on having her forever as his last love, too. He wanted a million and one things with her, and that had never once changed.

Of course, there was more.

There would always be more.

“Are we going to talk kids soon?”

Catherine’s eyes widened, darted to him, and then she coughed on her drink of water. “I beg your pardon?”

“Kids. Babies. Crying, milk-drinking, exhausting little things. You and I having one. When?”

“Do you really think describing babies like that is a good way to convince me to have one?”

“I think you appreciate my honesty, babe.”

Catherine snorted, and set her glass to the table. “One of many things I appreciate about you, but it’s not particularly high on the list.”

“Don’t be cute and avoid my question.”

“Not avoiding.”

“Kind of,” Cross murmured. “Is that a no on even talking about it, then?”

“It’s not a no,” Catherine said quietly.