"Anytime this year, lady!" The sarcastic voice snapped Catherine out of a daze to find the light green and those behind her impatiently leaning on their horns.

"Sorry!" she muttered as she turned left and continued down the street to the parking garage of her apartment. ‘Perfect end to a perfect day,' she thought with disgust.

It all started when Joe had called to say their court date had been moved to TODAY. That had toppled her plans to spend the day with Vincent and the children. She still ached with sadness when she thought about their tear-stained, disappointed faces as she told them she, had to go to work and couldn't bake cookies or help them finish their Valentine cards.

She felt an even deeper ache when she thought of the plans she had for Vincent when the children were asleep. That hot red nightie from Victoria's Secret would have driven Vincent right over the edge! But a rough day in court coupled with the hurry up and wait of rush hour traffic had her wound as tightly as an eight day watch and not feeling the least bit sexy. She just wanted to take a hot shower, read the kids a story and collapse into bed.

She decided to stop by the apartment to check the answering machine before going to the tunnels. She opened the door to the unmistakable sounds of childish laughter and the smell of cookies baking. Following the sound to the kitchen, she found Jacob and Katie, covered with flour and red sprinkles, standing in chairs beside the counter and cutting out cookies as fast as they could. But the sight of Vincent with an apron around his waist was more than she could bear.

First one giggle, then another escaped her until she leaned against the door laughing helplessly.

"Momma! Momma! squealed Jacob and Katie with delight.

They scrambled down and ran to her, clinging to her legs. Catherine knelt down and hugged them both, breathing deeply the scent of soap, sugar and their own smell.

"Guess what, Momma?" asked Jacob with excitement.

"What?" queried Catherine.

"Daddy helped us finish our Valentine cards and now we're baking cookies!" he said in a rush.

"Me helped, me helped!" chirped in Katie.

"I’ll bet you did, sweetheart," Catherine said with a tender smile.

"Perhaps Momrna would like to help too?" offered Vincent with a slight smile and a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"I'd love to help," she declared. She stood and brushed a kiss across Vincent’s lips. "I love the apron . . . it's you!" she whispered mischievously.

"Better an apron, than flour all over my clothes!" he replied with a smile and returned the soft kiss.

"Come on, Momma!" Jacob called impatiently.

"Coming!" she answered with renewed energy.

For the next hour they cut out, decorated, baked, and ate cookies. When they had eaten all the cookies they could hold, they cleaned up the kitchen. Jacob and Katie gave Catherine the Valentine cards they had made for her and she declared them the nicest she had ever received.

Soon the children were yawning. so Catherine gave them a bath then tucked them into the couch hideaway bed. Vincent came in to kiss them good night.

"Read them a story for me. I must bring in something from the balcony.

She gave him an exhausted puzzled look but began to read their- favorite Dr. Suess story. Halfway through THE CAT IN THE HAT, Catherine looked up to find both children deeply asleep; Jacob clutching his velveteen rabbit and Katie with her thumb in her mouth. She kissed them tenderly on the cheek and stood.

Stretching wearily, she could hear Vincent moving about in the bedroom. Her curiosity was piqued because he had closed the bedroom door.

"Vincent?" she called softly.

The bedroom doors opened and there stood Vincent, clad only in his pants. Behind him the bedroom was aglow with candles and the bed was covered with a profusion of white roses. Catherine could only stare in amazement.

"Vincent, it's beautiful,' she whispered as she gazed lovingly into his eyes.

Vincent lifted her hand and placed a tender kiss on the inside of her wrist.

"So are you" he replied in a deep voice. 'Go take a shower. Another surprise awaits you."

"Alright," she replied and brushed her fingers against his cheek.

She made her way to the bathroom where she found more candles and her box from Victoria’s Secret. She took a leisurely shower, using her favorite scented soap. She toweled herself dry then opened the box containing the negligee. She put it on and was pleased at the way it clung and moved, revealing more than it covered. After brushing her hair, she paused in the bathroom door.

Vincent's back was turned when she called softly, "Happy Valentine’s day, darling."

He turned and sucked in a deep breath as the blood surged in his loins. Catherine felt an answering warmth pool deep inside her as the flame of desire burned hotly in his blue eyes. With a lusty smile, she slowly moved to where he stood and took the glass of wine from his hand.

"Is this for me?" she asked softly.

"Ummm," was an he could answer.

"Where's my other surprise?" she asked coquettishly as she sipped her wine.

She gave a small shriek of surprise when she found herself lifted against his chest.

"I was going to read from Kalil Glibran, but I find I have more pressing matters to take care of," he answered as he crossed to the bed. He only paused long enough to place the wine glass down on the night table and push the roses off the bed. Then, gently, ha laid her on the bed and followed her.

"You really should pick those up, you know," she teased.

He lifted his head from the loving exploration of her neck to whisper, "Later!" Then he blew out the candles beside the bed.

"Much later," Catherine sighed as she gave herself up to the magic of loving Vincent.

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