#ship cathrian

"Guess your shady business deals finally caught up with us, huh? Always expanding the family ‘fortune’ your way. Now look where that got us. You got a plan to get us out of here, or are you too busy counting dirty money in your head, Hodge?"

The older man shifted uncomfortably in his restrained state, his face betraying a mix of anger and regret.

"I was just trying to salvage our family's legacy after his death. Meanwhile, you were off playing Mr. Artist."

"And look where that 'salvage' got us, big bro? Tied up and at the mercy of some goons. Real stroke of genius."

Their harsh exchange was abruptly cut short as they heard the sound of footsteps approaching outside the warehouse. The brothers fell silent. The rusty door swung open, flooding the space with bright light. In the doorway stood two burly men, their clothes stained and old scars covering their skin. They looked dangerous. The kidnappers stepped forward, brandishing handguns. Both brothers tensed up, instinctively shifting closer to each other as the gravity of the situation set in. This isn't just about their personal issues anymore. It's life and death now. The taller goon strided towards them, his steps slow and menacing.

"Well, well, looks like we've got us a pair of siblings. The infamous Baker Brothers, huh?"

Brian clenched his jaw, eyes flicking between the masked men, his mind racing. Hodge was unnervingly still beside him, calculating.

"What do you want?", Brian spit out.

The goon just laughed, crouching to eye level.

"Oh, nothing much. Just a little... 'chat' about your family’s debts. And since Daddy’s not around... His baby boys get to pay up.", the man threatened them while he tapped the metal gun against his palm.

Hodge exhaled sharply, finally speaking, low and cold.

"Tell us who sent you. You're insane if you think I am going to hand over the family fortune."

The goons stepped closer, the barrel of his gun hovering inches from Brian's forehead.

"See, your father owed us. And debts like that... They don't just disappear."

"Let my younger brother go and name your price."

"Oh, we will. But first, let's see how loyal you both brothers really are."

The deafening BANG of the gunshot echoed.

"Brian!! Noooooo..."

But instead of flesh, the bullet was embedded in the concrete wall beside Brian’s head. A furious, guttural snarl tore through the warehouse as a blur of fur launched at the goon’s arm.

"Sam?!", Brian’s voice cracked in shock.

Brian's dog, Sam latched onto the gunman’s wrist. The animal's teeth sank deep and the kidnapper howled in pain, dropping his weapon. The second goon staggered back just as Sam whirled around. Hodge seized the moment and rammed his shoulder into the distracted second thug, sending him crashing into a stack of crates.

"Sam, hold!!!", his owner screamed as he frantically worked his roped hands toward a jagged piece of metal on the floor. Sam tore the ropes easily releasing both brothers. Amidst the chaos and violence, the sound of Dominic's familiar voice broke through the pandemonium.

"Hodge, Brian! This way!"

Turning, the brothers discovered Dominic, Hodge's employee holding open a side door, an escape route in the shadows.

"Let's go!" Dominic yelled motioning urgently.

Brian's eyes widen as he spots his girlfriend, Catherine in the doorway beside Dominic. Fear and relief mingled on her face.

"Kitten?!"

"What is she doing here?!", Hodge muttered who was also caught off-guard.

But there was no time to waste. Dominic beckoned them again, more urgently now.

"Come on, before more goons arrive!"

"Catherine shouldn't be..."

"Brian, I'm not about to stand on the sidelines while you two are in danger. We go together.", she argued with her boyfriend as her ice-blue eyes blazed with determination. And the boys knew there was no time for arguments now.

All four escaped with Sam trotting protectively beside them. As they burst outside into the night, Dominic's car was parked nearby, in the shadows. They sprinted toward it.

"In, in, in!", Dominic hissed as he hopped into the driver's seat. The rest scrambled into the vehicle. Brian and Hodge were in the back, Sam was wedged between them, while Catherine took the passenger's seat. Instantly, the doors of the car slammed, and Dominic floored it. Tires screeched as the car took off. Hodge glanced out the rear window, checking the street.

"Anyone followin’?"

"Not that I can see. For now."

There was silence except for racing breaths until Brian broke it, addressing his girlfriend.

"Kat, you shouldn't have come."

"You were in danger."

"I know that, but you could have been hurt. It was too dangerous. We could have handled this."

"Didn't look like that. Besides I was the one who figured out your disappearance first. And I wasn't going to just sit there, waiting and wondering."

"I know you were worried, but..."

"But what, Brian?"

"Great. The perfect time for a lover's spat.", Hodge commented and rolled his eyes.

Dominic cleared his throat awkwardly, keeping his blue eyes on the road but unable to resist interjecting.

"Uh... Maybe save the yelling for after we’re absolutely sure we’re not being tailed?"

Sam let out a soft whine and nudged Brian’s hand with his wet nose as if saying to relax and make peace. The dog owner exhaled sharply, fingers curling into Sam’s fur. When he spoke again to her, his voice was quieter, rougher with worry.

"Catherine, just promise me you won’t do that again."

"Only if you promise not to get kidnapped, Mister Brian Baker."

Hodge snorted at her answer. Never mess up with Catherine Hill, The Snow Queen. Even Dominic cracked a smile. The tension in the car eased a little as the city lights blurred past the windows. After a while, the group arrived at Hodge's secret storage warehouse, an unassumingly grimy industrial building on the outskirts of the city. Brian cast a glance at his brother as they filed out of the car.

"You have a place like this and never thought to tell me?"

"It's not exactly a vacation home. More like an emergency hideout."

"This is like the Batcave. If Batman was addicted to collecting old TV sets...", Dominic noticed and whistled at the Baker's collection.

Sam trotted ahead, sniffing around curiously.

"Guys, listen... Until we can't figure out who’s behind this and how deep the threat goes, Hodge and I will stay here. We can't risk your lives, either."

"Which means we start tracing our father’s old enemies. Someone with enough grudges and resources to come after us directly.", Hodge explained as he pulled out a burner phone from a hidden compartment.

Catherine crossed her arms, frowning. "Just hide indefinitely?"

Brian hesitated. Sam whined and nudged his hand again, as if sensing his conflict and then he answered. "No. We strategize first. Then we act."

"Agreed. But this time, we do it together, little brother."

"Great. More sibling bonding in a creepy warehouse. Not something I actually want to."

Then the younger brother, Brian caught his dog scratching his ear with a paw which made him smile. A momentary distraction from the tension. Hodge was already scrolling through the list on the burner phone, muttering something about too many enemies and too little time. Dominic glances around awkwardly before trying for humor.

"So... does this place have Wi-Fi, Hodge?"

"What part of 'emergency hideout' implied high-speed internet to you?"

"A man can dream."

"Okay, priorities first... Dominic, Sam and I make sure nobody follows us out of this hide-out. Then we figure out who wants you two dead."

"Agreed. But we also need to find out why now."

Sam, Brian's puppy, tired of the tension, plopped down with a dramatic thud and rolled onto his back, paws in the air demanding belly rubs.

"Be careful, boys.", she requested while rubbing the animal's fur.

Brian hugged Catherine tightly, taking a deep breath of her familiar scent.

"We will. I promise. No unnecessary risks."

Hodge watched them from a distance, arms crossed. Dominic clapped Brian's shoulder.

"We'll keep a low profile and check in soon. Be careful."

"Dom, take care of her."

"Of course. I won't let anything happen to her."

To calm his nerves, Catherine gave Brian a lingering hug and kissed him tenderly before speaking.

"You better come back to me, okay?"

"I will. I promise. Sam will look after you while I'm gone. Don't worry, we'll get through this, Kate."

They watched Catherine and Dominic disappear with the dog into the night. Brian exhaled sharply, turning back to his older brother.

"Alright, let’s dig into Dad’s old mess and figure out who wants us dead. The sooner we figure this out, the sooner our paths can divide again."

While the boys were hiding, Catherine was at Brian's home with his dog feeling much safer. Only until she found a mysterious letter attached at the front door which was saying:

It was indeed a spectacular sight for the woman, but only if she knew that this event wasn't really a Charity Event at all, but only a disguise to cover up the older Baker's shady and illegal business deals.

The young woman was dressed in a form-fitting dark blue dress that hugged her hourglass figure. The dress with a low cut neckline, revealing a hint of cleavage had a slit that went up to her thighs, highlighting her long, shapely legs. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her face was covered with makeup.

Hodge Baker, the businessman, was dressed in a tailored black suit. He stood near the bar, chatting with a group of other businessmen. A glass of whiskey in one hand.

As Catherine approached, his dark eyes flickered with surprise and recognition before a smirk spread across his lips. He excused himself from the group and turned toward her.

"Well, well... if it isn't my dear brother's lovely Catherine. What brings you to one of my events? Brian certainly didn't come with you... unless he's hiding somewhere?"

He took a slow sip of his whiskey, his gaze studying her with undisguised interest.

"Hodge, thanks for the invitation. I love supporting Charity Events", she thanked him, which surprised the man as he didn't remember inviting her.

"How noble of you. Though I doubt my brother shares your enthusiasm. He avoids my establishments like they're cursed", he answered her with humor while trying to figure out how she got invited to his illegal party. Then he remembered the night he was drunk in his office, daydreaming about her while making the guestlist of this occasion.

"What are you thinking?", she asked which pulled him away from his thoughts.

"Since you're here... Let's make sure you enjoy yourself properly. With or without my brother, you're my guest."

Hodge signaled to a server, who immediately approached with a fresh glass of champagne for her.

"Uhh... Thank you."

"After all, charity is all about... generosity."

The double meaning in his tone was unmistakable. Especially because this wasn't a charity event at all, but only a way to cover tonight's shady and illegal business deals. As Hodge passed her the glass of champagne, he lowered his voice, leaning in ever so slightly.

"You do know this isn't just a charity event, right?"

There was a glint in Hodge's eye, daring her to guess. The corners of his mouth twisted into a lopsided smirk, as if he were enjoying her ignorance. He took a small step closer, closing the distance by just a sliver while his gaze never left her.

The older Baker brother couldn't help but admire the way the dress accentuated her figure and how her hair framed her pretty face. The crush he harbored for her in secret was as strong as ever, maybe even more. If only she were his and not his brother's. What did she even see in Brian? His younger brother hated him already, he wanted to mend things with him, but if he ever found out that he harbored secret feelings for his girlfriend, he would never forgive him. Brian would hate him even more than before. Standing this close to her while she was unaware of his attraction. The businessman took another sip of whiskey, using it to keep himself from doing something reckless. Then again, he was a little drunk already.

"You look beautiful tonight," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft which surprised Catherine.

"Hodge, I..."

"Catherine!!"

Hodge's eyes narrowed when he heard Brian's voice behind him. His grip on the glass tightened briefly before he slowly turned his head to face his younger brother.

"Brother."

His tone was cool, betraying nothing of the jealousy and frustration brewing beneath the surface. He lifted the glass of whiskey to his mouth and took a long, measured sip. His deep gaze never left Brian.

"Brian, you came?", Catherine gasped.

Brian Baker walked over to them, his eyes briefly scanning Hodge. When he glanced at the glass of champagne in Catherine's hand, his expression wasn't entirely pleased.

"I came to keep an eye on things."

The younger Baker's tone was casual, but there was a warning. He stood slightly closer to Catherine, protective and almost possessive. Hodge noticed. While Catherine was too busy admiring her boyfriend's formal clothing style.

Brian was dressed in a sharp tailored suit. The material hugged his lean muscular frame in all the right places. The dark blue jacket, the white button-up shirt beneath it was crisp and wrinkle-free, showing his attention to detail. His chestnut-brown hair was combed back, revealing the sharp edge of his jaw. His expression was neutral, though his brown eyes never left Hodge, watching his every move. Then Catherine spoke again.

"I thought you wouldn't join.", she wondered.

Brian shifted his stance slightly, one hand slipping casually into his pocket as he kept his gaze steady on Hodge. His posture was relaxed, but there was an unmistakable tension in his shoulders.

"Plans change, my kitten. Especially when I hear my girlfriend's attending one of my brother's... events."

"Well, I'm glad you came. Let's have fun."

Brian relaxed a bit, the tension in his shoulders softening as he offered Catherine a slight smile. Despite his dislike for his brother's lifestyle, seeing her happy is what matters most to him.

"Of course. Anything for my girlfriend."

He glances at Hodge with a silent challenge, while resting his hand now on the small of her back.

Just then, one of the men Hodge was talking to earlier gestured for him, indicating that he was needed elsewhere. A barely contained scowl flickered across Hodge's face before he reigned in his annoyance. He downed the rest of his whiskey and set the glass on the bar.

"Duty calls. Have fun, little brother."

His gaze lingered a moment on Catherine, giving them both a brief nod before retreating to attend to whatever shady business was waiting.

Brian exhaled quietly, watched Hodge walk away before turning his full attention to his girlfriend.

"Now that we have the place to ourselves to enjoy... Even if I still doubt my brother would do some charity work. I just want you to be happy."

His hand still rested gently on her back, and he nodded toward the dance floor where couples swayed to the music.

"Kat, care to dance with me, or would you rather inspect the buffet first?"

His tone was playful now, eyes warm. The tension from before was entirely gone.

"Let's dance, Brian."

Brian led his beautiful girlfriend toward the dance floor, his hand still on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd. They found an open spot, and he turned to face her, one hand gently took hers, while the other rested on her waist.

He began to lead her in a slow dance, his movements smooth and graceful. The music washed over them, soft and elegant, adding an air of intimacy. As they moved in sync, he drew her a little closer, close enough to catch a hint of her perfume.

"You look stunning," he whispered, his voice huskier than before.

"You look handsome. Glad you came so I could see you in a suit."

Brian's lips curved in a faint smile, appreciating her compliment. He tightened his hold on her waist, drawing her even closer, their bodies now nearly pressed against each other.

His gaze drifted down to her dress, the way the fabric clung to her figure, emphasizing her curves. He wetted his lips, visibly fighting the urge to lean in and taste her. Instead, he focused on the music, leading her through the steps.

At home, Brian gently held the tiny white cat, wrapping it in a soft blue blanket to keep it warm. Sam watched his owner, Brian with curious eyes as the man held a new guest.

"Don’t worry, buddy," Brian whispered, scratching behind his ears. "You’re still my ride-or-die. But just try to be cool when Catherine meets her own pet here." 

The tiny cat sneezed adorably which made the man smile.

“She’s perfect! White as fresh snow under moonlight… Just like Catherine, the Snow Queen herself."

Sam sniffed the new arrival cautiously. The snow-white cat meowed softly, batting the dog's nose with its tiny paw, and he licked her in return. That soft sight made the owner's heart melt.

As the evening darkened, Brian Baker heard Catherine's car pull into the driveway. Minutes passed until she finally entered.

"Brian? I'm home!", his girlfriend called out as she entered their penthouse while kicking off her shoes. The door clicked shut behind her as she stepped into the dimly lit living room, her ice-blue eyes instantly scanning for him. The boyfriend stood near the couch with the tiny car peeking up from the crook of his arm. 

"Hey, Catherine... Someone’s been waiting to meet you, my Kitten. White as a winter queen. Thought she’d suit you… If you want her."

Catherine's face lit up like the sun, eyes wide. She rushed over and sank to her knees beside her boyfriend and the small creature in his arm.

"She's so beautiful, Brian."

Her voice was a hushed whisper as she reached a trembling hand to pet the animal's fur. It leaned into the touch, purring like a contented motorboat. Brian set the little fluffball on the floor and it immediately curled up in Catherine's lap, kneading the fabric of her jeans with her paws.

"Brian, you can't be serious?"

"Serious about which part exactly? That I knew this cat was a perfect addition, or that you look like some sort of… snow goddess right now, with her on your lap."

"Thanks, Brian. I love her!! You're the best."

The man grinned and ruffled his girlfriend's blonde hair before sitting next to her. His 3-year-old dog, Sam trotted over and flopped his head into Catherine's lap.

"Aww, Sam. My baby, I still love you. Don’t forget that. You're the one who brought Brian and me together."

Sam's tail wagged joyfully against the floor. It was indeed true that Brian's puppy, Sam assisted in reuniting Catherine and Brian again when Brian once temporarily lost his memory following a car accident.

The white car had curled up into a perfect little snowball in Catherine's lap, purring away softly. It was a wonderful sight. Catherine cradled their new pet while Sam looked up at the couple with adoring eyes. For Brian, there was no place on earth right now he'd rather be than right here.

"Y’know, Kat, I used to think Sam was the only living creature who could look at me like I’m actually worth something. But then you came along, and suddenly I’ve got a best friend dog who judges me daily and somehow still sticks around, and a cute girlfriend who hugged my best friend while holding a literal snow-fluff kitty. Weirdest miracle ever. Best one too."

"Our little family is growing, Brian. But why the gift?"

"No real reason. I just saw her and she reminded me of you. Beautiful, gentle, graceful, and just a little bit mischievous. Plus, what better gift for a girl like you than a mini version of yourself to adore, my Kitten?"

Catherine crashed her rosy lips on his. Brian's grin widened as it always did when Catherine kissed him. Sometimes he could barely believe someone so kind, so beautiful, so damn perfect, chose a mess like him. The man gently pulled her onto his lap, so she’s facing him with the cat still purring in her arms. He ran a hand through her blond hair, letting the silky strands slide through his fingers, and then rested his forehead against hers while Sam curled at our feet as a furry guardian, and the cat dozed in her arms.

"Look Kat, no grand reason for the cat. Just wanted to give my cute girlfriend something beautiful. To someone who made my world brighter."

"Thank you, Brian. You're the best. I love you."

"I love you too, my Kitten. Always."

The young couple sat there, wrapped in each other, with Sam and the new pet nearby. New pet? How will we name it?

"I will name the cat Elsa.", Catherine announced.

"Elsa, huh? Suits her. The Snow Queen herself."

The snow-white cat, which was now named Elsa, let out a little squeak, still dozing blissfully in Catherine's arms. The dog rested his head on his owner's knee. Brian scratched his fluffy ears as he smiled at his lover. And now the chaos was complete. Sam, the noble protector. Elsa, the delicate queen of fluff. And the lucky fools who got to love them both, Catherine Hill and Brian Baker.

He leaned in, kissed Catherine’s cheek and confirmed.

"Elsa it is."

Weeks have passed since Elsa joined the new family. Catherine and Brian were out for the night with friends, feeling ready and safer to leave Elsa and Sam for a few hours on their own devices. 

Elsa, the cat, was curled up in her cat bed, twitching in her sleep like she was chasing imaginary mice when suddenly she was rudely awakened by a wet, slobbery feeling on her face. Her eyes went wide with indignant annoyance, and her ears flattened against her head. It was the puppy that stood over her. It gave her another sloppy lick to the top of her head, as if this were a completely normal greeting between species. The white cat narrowed her eyes at Sam. She tried to bat him away with a paw, but the dog dodged easily, his tongue still lolling out with enthusiasm. He clearly thought she wanted to play with him.

“Ugh, you’re such a big baby! A pest! Can’t you leave me alone for...”

Elsa was cut off as Sam shoved his nose right into her face, trying to sniff her again.

"Sam, must you be so... wet? I just groomed my fur!"

"But you're family now! And family gets love-licks! Also, you smell like tuna. Did you steal my treat?"

"I do no such thing. I’m far too dignified for your greasy snacks. A queen must maintain her standards."

A few minutes later, Sam returned again to the cat and this time with a crumpled napkin in his mouth, his idea of a toy. He dropped it proudly at Elsa’s paws, sat back, and nudged it toward her with his nose.

 "You… want me to play with that? It’s dirty!"

"Come on, fluffy sister, chase it! Bite it! Roll in it!:

"Hey, Catherine. Let me help you with these suitcases, my kitten."

"Oh, you should. And there's more outside too. Many boxes for you to carry inside with your strong arms.", she giggled.

He laughed, amused by her request, and followed her outside to carry her things inside.

"You really know how to take advantage of a guy's good side, don't you?"

"You should help me since you're my boyfriend, Brian. Besides, I'll help you."

"Well, when you put it like that, I can't really say no can I?"

After hauling several of her belongings into the penthouse, he sank into the plush cushions of the sofa and took a deep breath. A wave of exhaustion washed over him. A scent of new beginnings filled the air.

"Well Kat, I must say this is quite the workout."

"Oh, we aren't finished yet. And don't forget the stuff lying in the hallway.", she reminded while carrying a box inside.

The man took a deep breath, stood up from the sofa, and confidently walked down the hallway to retrieve the remaining items.

Suddenly, Brian's dog, Sam, rushed away from the kitchen, running towards them and jumped on Catherine. The girl lost her balance and tumbled down the floor with Sam on top of her. Brian just laughed at the sight of his cute dog licking his girlfriend.

"Looks like Sam here just wanted to show his affection. He's happy to have me moving in with you, I guess."

"Of course, he would. Now he doesn't have to suffer you alone.", she joked and winked.

"I'm definitely that bad to be around!", the boyfriend chuckled.

He grabbed her hand, helped her up, and exchanged a soft kiss on her lips before letting go. As he was about to give her another kiss by leaning his mouth closer, Catherine placed a hand between them.

"Now who's gonna help me pick out all the fallen items when Sam jumped on me?"

Brian dramatically sighed, but also couldn't resist her cute look.

"Fine, fine. I'll help you pick up the rest of the stuff. But only because you're too beautiful to refuse."

"Thanks, babe. First work and later the kissing. I'll help you with the clean-up, so it'll get faster."

The young couple spent the next few hours unpacking boxes and putting away her things. Throughout the process, they chatted and laughed, enjoying each other's company.

"Sorry for owning too much stuff. I already threw away the things I don't use or need, but..."

He laughed heartily, trying to take a break from constantly lifting boxes.

"Don't apologize, I'm happy to have more of your things around. It feels more like home with you here, my kitten."

"But where do I put all these things?.

The young man analyzed his penthouse, trying to find a spot for everything.

"Well, we could start by putting some of these boxes in one of the guest rooms above and some in the storage. At least until we find a better solution."

"Okay."

Together, they picked up all the boxes one by one and moved them to Brian's suggested places, taking care to neatly arrange them. After both finished, he turned to her.

"Hey, is there any specific place you'd like to put your personal items? Maybe on the nightstand, or the closet?"

"Well, the essentials. My outfits, bags and shoes in your closet if that's alright."

He agreed, flattered by her suggestion to put her belongings in his closet.

"Sure. My closet doesn't have much space left right now because I can already imagine the high amount of clothes you might own, but for now we'll have to make this one do until we buy a new, bigger closet for both of us to share."

"Sure. Oh, ummm... I don't think you have a make-up table where I can put my cosmetics and accessories in, right?"

"No, but that can easily be fixed. I'll make sure to get one for you, so you can have a proper place to put your makeup and accessories. My girl has the right to look pretty afterall."

Then the couple continued tidying up and unpacking while the 3-year-old dog, Sam curiously followed them around, occasionally trying to steal a little bit of their attention.

"Brian, can I put my trophies on your bookshelf? If that's alright.", she shyly asked.

"Sure, go ahead and put your trophies in my bookshelf. I'll make sure to arrange them so they look neat. After all, I want to show off your achievements. Everyone needs to know that my girlfriend is a champion."

After spending another few hours unpacking, both sat down on the sofa, exhausted. The boyfriend put his arm around the blonde-haired woman and pulled her close.

"It looks like we've done quite a lot, huh?"

"And there's still more left to do. We'll do the rest tomorrow.", she tiredly spoke before her stomach began to growl

Brian let out a tired sigh, but still found the strength to tease her a bit.

"Hungry? You sure know how to keep a guy busy, don't you? It seems like somebody's hungry and I'm too tired to cook."

"Aren't you hungry, Brian?"

"A little. But don't worry, I won't let you starve. Not on your first day in our new home, my kitten. Any dinner preference you have?"

"No, just don't put too much effort. You look exhausted like me, babe."

He gave her a tired smile and nod in agreement.

"You're right, let's keep it simple tonight. How about we order in? Pizza, Chinese, or something else you're in the mood for?"

"Pizza. You know which one."

Brian playfully rolled his brown eyes but couldn't help but smile at her choice.

"Of course, the classic choice. I'll put in the order, you just relax and take a break."

Brian dialed the number for their local pizza place and ordered Pizza Margherita for her and Pizza with Thuna for him. After hanging up, the guy rejoined his girlfriend in the living room. He sat down next to her, wrapping his strong arms around her and pulling her close, resting his chin carefully on her head and enjoying the comfortable silence and each other's company.

A little while later, they heard Sam barking as he entered the living room and approached them. Catherine rubbed the dog's head after it licked her hand as a sign of affection, which made the owner and his lady laugh.

"He must be excited about having you here. Finally some female attention in this manly penthouse."

The lovers laughed as Sam jumped up on the sofa, trying to make space for himself between them.

"Woah, Sam!!", she couldn't stop but giggle and softly stroked the animal's fur.

"He's being quite selfish, isn't he? Wants to hog all your attention."

"Stealing me from you, Brian.", she giggled.

"Are you snatching my girlfriend away with being cute, Sammy? That's not cool, boy.", he joked.

"Don't be jealous, Sam is cute. How can a girl resist him? He has me charmed."

"I think you're cuter, my kitten."

The man took her hand, held it high as she spun around gracefully before they pulled closer as they laughed. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly. He couldn't express how he was with her, how happy she made him, and that she was now with her. Having Catherine and Sam under one roof just felt right.

As the days passed, Catherine and Brian slowly settled in together. The penthouse, their home, felt even more alive now that she was now with him. Even Sam felt happier than ever to have both of his favorite humans around. Brian took a moment to scan his surroundings, taking in the sight of everything being in its place. It looked a little different now, more lived-in and cozy, a clear sign of both of their presences.

Then he walked over to his girlfriend, putting his arms around her waist, standing behind her and resting his chin on her bare shoulder.

"Our home, my kitten. It's definitely finished. You did a good job, I have to admit."

"Don't give me all the credit. You too. You did more than I did and I really like your artistic input."

He held her tighter, nuzzling his face into her neck, inhaling the familiar scent that always drove him crazy, making him want her even more.

"The best part is having you here with me. Now, everything feels complete."

A few days after Catherine finally moved in, Brian decided to host a dinner party at their penthouse to celebrate a new start with her. Their friends arrived, bringing gifts and good wishes. The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter, and a sense that this was just the beginning of something wonderful. The night was filled with good food, great conversations, and an overall feeling of happiness and love.

"Hey, Tate, training next week, same time again?", Catherine asked her ice-skating partner.

"Definitely, Snow Queen. Same time, same spot. Looking forward to it."

Their best friend, Liz, appeared from behind, chuckled, and playfully ruffled Brian's hair, which made Catherine giggle.

"Hey! Liz, stop!!"

"Moving in with Catherine. You're full of surprises, Baker. Now I can keep an eye on you two and make sure you do not mess things up with Catherine."