Catherine and Matt had just finished an episode of Gilmore Girls when the former asked, "Can we have a serious conversation?"

Matt quickly shut the TV off. "Hm?

"Do you want children?"

Matt felt his heart skip a beat. "Why are you thinking about that, Hon?"

"Why are you avoiding the answer?"

"Because you caught me off guard," Matt said softly. "I mean, we talked about this before. I just never really thought about it, not seriously."

"You don't have to answer right away," Catherine shrugged. "I mean, having children is a serious decision. I'm not saying that we have to decide this right now, but I would just like to consider it."

"No, it's important." Matt nodded, "and it needs to be discussed. Frankly, Catherine, I'd be scared out of my mind. I can't see taking care of anyone until my name is cleared."

Catherine nodded. "I can understand that."

Matt had shallow tears in his eyes. "Cath, you gotta believe me when I say that there is nothing I want more in the universe than the life I had before, to have a family with you, a real life."

Catherine cuddled into his side. "I love you so much. I hope your name is cleared soon."

"I love you, Cath." Inwardly, he was dying. A year was too long. Six months was too long. Heck, one more day and he might lose his mind.

But then again, it wasn't enough. Wasn't enough until he was exonerated from the dark cloud that plagued his life and his face.

After a moment, Catherine asked, "Do you want to see how big my scar is? Or will it freak you out?"

"No," Matt laughed sadly, "I'm far more afraid of my reflection."

Cath kissed him gently. "I don't see why. You're hotter than Gerard Butler, after all," she smiled.

"To you. To the rest of the world, I'm a corpse, only half rotted and half alive. Not even alive, considering the circumstances."

"Exactly. I think you're wonderful. Who cares what anyone else thinks?" Catherine laughed. "So, you do want to see it?"

"You've never let me see it fully before," Matt nodded. "You've got me curious now."

Cath stood up and bit her lip slightly as she slowly lifted up her shirt.

The scar was worse than Matt thought. It went from her ribs to just below her hip, and stretched from the right side of her back to the middle of her abdomen.

"You're gorgeous," Matt said softly.

"Maybe to you," she shrugged, tracing the edge of the scar with her finger. "Kids at my school just used it as another excuse to bully me."

"Does it hurt to touch?" Matt asked in concern.

"Not if you're careful...You seem concerned."

"If you were," he awkwardly gestured to her stomach, "would it hurt?"

"If I was what? Pregnant?" Catherine laughed.

"Well, I wasn't gonna say it abruptly. That'd be weird," Matt mumbled.

Catherine chuckled as she sat down. "With proper care, it'd be fine."

Matt moaned and buried his face in his hands. "I feel like dying just thinking about it."

"Thinking about what? Me being pregnant?"

"Yes."

Cath rubbed his back gently. "Baby, why?" She laughed softly.

"It freaks me out," Matt sighed. "There's so many things that could go wrong. I could lose you. Or it."

"Sometimes the risk is worth it," Cath said softly.

"Would you wanna wait first?" Matt asked slowly, bringing an arm over his one bent knee. "Have some time alone as a couple?"

"I'm happy with whatever you want," Catherine smiled, kissing his cheek.

"I just want you to be happy," he said firmly, "not matter how I feel. It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does," Catherine sighed with a smile. "Your happiness means the world to me. If you want to wait, then we'll wait. There's no need to rush into anything."

"I honestly don't know what I want," Matt chuckled. "Life is hard."

"Well then," Catherine said, interlocking her fingers with his, "I guess we'll have to figure it out together."

"Grow as we go, eh?" Matt said softly kissing the back of her hand.

"Exactly," Catherine beamed. "It's getting late. We should go to bed."

Matt sighed. "If I go to bed right now, I'll get five hours?"

"Or you could sleep longer," Catherine shrugged.

"I'll have to go check on Josh."

"Mari's with him. Let her take care of him."

"He'll be trying to get up. He won't listen to her. Besides, I have questions."

"I'll miss you," Catherine pouted.

"You can come, if you want," Matt laughed.

Cath gave a cheesy grin. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he teased, peppering her with kisses.

Catherine crawled into bed and Matt slipped in beside her, wrapping an arm around her torso and pulling her in tightly.

"I love you," Catherine whispered, kissing him goodnight. She slowly faded into a deep sleep as a small smile graced her lips.

—————

Cath awoke to hear Matt pulling on a fresh t-shirt. "Babe, come back to bed," she yawned.

"I have to go check on Josh," he said softly, bending over the kiss her forehead. "Are you coming with me?"

Catherine nodded slowly, her eyes still closed. "Don't use your hand," she reminded.

Matt smiled and shook his head. She wasn't even fully awake and she was worrying about his welfare.

She slowly opened her eyes. "Good morning," she smiled.

"Good morning," Matt chuckled.

Cath sat up and yawned. "I need coffee," she moaned.

"I already brewed you some."

"I have the best boyfriend."

"I also broke two plates and a mug," Matt frowned with a laugh, "but don't worry about it."

"I do that on a daily basis," Catherine shrugged. "Remind me that I have something to tell you later."

"Will do. Watch out for glass," he nodded, kissing her cheek.

"Alright," she laughed. Cath got out of bed and went into the kitchen to grab coffee. "So, why are we going to check on Josh exactly?"

"Because," Matt said blatantly, "despite everything that's happened, he's my friend. He's been there for me, completely sacrificing anything of his own, and I owe it to him to do the same."

Catherine shrugged. Before she could respond, she received a call from Carlos. "Hey Carlos. What's up?"

"Did you hear the news?"

"What news?"

"There's going to be a special guest at the first performance of the next run through," Carlos reported with a smile that Cath couldn't see.

"Who?" She asked eagerly.

"Who's your favorite person in the whole wide world?"

"Matt,"  Catherine grinned.

"I meant other than your boyfriend," Carlos sighed.

"Wait. You don't mean..."

"Yes I do," Carlos grinned.

Catherine squealed. "I'm so excited!"

"I figured you would be," Carlos laughed. "Alright, I've gotta go if I'm going to cover your shift at Alex's."

"Okay. Thank you." Catherine immediately hung up and went back to drinking her coffee.

"Did you want cream?" Matt asked drowsily.

"I drink it black," Catherine replied, still smiling.

"Evil human," Matt said with a shudder.

Catherine laughed. "What do you have against black coffee?"

"It's bitter. Just like me after an argument."

"It's an acquired taste," Cath shrugged.

"Dark, twisted, evil person," Matt smirked, pulling her in close.

She smiled and kissed him gently. "Do you want to leave now?"

"Why not?"

Catherine and Matt made their way to the Garnier. When they arrived at Matt's, Mari was curled up in the couch.

"You go check on Josh. I'm going to wake up Mari," Catherine whispered.

Matt went into Josh's bedroom. "Hey," he laughed, gently shaking his friend awake. "Get up, ya lazy oaf."

"What do you want?" Josh mumbled drowsily.

"Happiness, world peace, a cupcake, a lot of things," Matt smirked. "Come on, I'm making you eat something."

"Where's Mari?"

Matt shrugged. "I don't know. Probably got sick of your ugly face," he teased, though he knew that the girl was in the next room.

Josh rolled his eyes. "Haha. Very funny," he said sarcastically.

—————

Catherine whacked Mari with a pillow. "Get up."

Mari rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head. "No."

Catherine pulled the blankets off of her friend. "Josh is shirtless," she lied, stifling a laugh.

"Don't make me gag," Mari groaned, rolling over again.

Catherine dragged her friend off of the couch. "I will make you get up."

"Ugh, my back," Mari moaned. "I haven't slept on something that hard since Chicago."

"Exactly. Why would you want to keep sleeping on that pathetic excuse for a couch?" Catherine laughed.

"To avoid life," Mari sighed.

"Did you hear who's coming to the first performance of the next run through?"

"The queen?"

"Better," Catherine grinned. "Gerard Butler."

Mari's jaw dropped. "No way," she said excitedly. "We get to perform for one of the hottest guys ever?"

Catherine nodded. "I know," she squealed.

"Matt's gonna be raving," Mari smirked. "Course, if it was Ramin, he might be more concerned, but still...in your case-"

Catherine rolled her eyes. "You and that Ramin. I swear, you have an obsession."

"He's married, though, so I'm not at risk. But come on, Cath, his name sounds like Ramen Noodles! What's not lovable about a puppy dog who has a name that sounds like noodles?!"

Catherine shook her head with a laugh. "I'm just hoping Gerry asks me out on a date," she joked.

"Like I said," Mari laughed, "I don't think Matt's going to be ecstatic."

"Probably not," Cath shrugged.

There was a moment of silence.

"Cath," Mari said softly, her voice barley above a whisper, "why do you think he changed his name?"

"Josh? I don't know."

"I mean, Matt is framed for murder and he still goes by Matt. Why is Isaac down here with him? What could he possibly have to hide?"

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "He's Isaac now, I see."

"Really, Cath," Mari sighed, "be serious."

"Sorry," she giggled. "I'm sure he has a good reason."

"Could you-" Mari looked around nervously. "I don't wanna pry. He might think I won't like him anymore if he tells me, but- but I think I should know if he was ever was like a serial killer or something.

"I can talk to him. If you want, that is."

"I think Matt might know," Mari said with a sigh. "He doesn't seem the type to just let anyone live down here."

"Oh, believe me, I can coax it out of Matt," Catherine smirked.

"You gross me out with your love stuff," Mari teased, wrinkling her nose. "But this time I appreciate it. Thanks."

"No problem," Catherine laughed.