“Not talking about the champagne, Kat.”
It took her a minute to realize what he’d been referring to. She felt her eyes grow wide. “A baby?”
“Why not?” He shrugged a shoulder, his handsome face smiling up at hers. “I want to give you everything we’ve missed out on. Including children.”
“Matt,” she whispered his name. It was all she could manage to say.
“I’m not saying we have to start trying right away.” He took the champagne glass from her hand and set it on the table. Taking her hands in his, he held them as he spoke. “We’re both fairly young. Plus, with the new lab the military is building for you to run, I know you’re going to be busy with your work. But eventually, I want that with you, Kat. I want the life we always talked about having. Together.”
Kat was still in awe of the offer she’d received after Jason Ryker informed the powers that be, her serum had worked better than she’d hoped. In a week, they’d be breaking ground, right here in Dallas. Building a lab she would be in charge of.
One that would be solely dedicated to testing and creating new advances in vaccines and medications. All geared specifically for the American troops—both active, reserve, and veterans. It was a professional dream come true.
There was another dream she still hoped for. Desperately. And from what her strong, loving man had just said, it was within her reach, too.
Kat thought of the ring still tucked safely away in the lockbox at her bank. She’d never been able to part with it…now she understood why.
She’d tell him about it soon. Maybe even later tonight. Before that could happen, she needed to be confess something else.
“I want that, too, Matt.” She licked her lips.
“But?”
She hesitated to answer, but knew she had to be honest with him. Always.
“I’m scared.”
Matt frowned, his hands holding hers a bit tighter. “Of what?”
“Not being who you need me to be.”
His dark eyes softened. “Katherine…”
“I almost shot you, Matt. You know what it’s been like for me since we’ve come home.”
She still woke up several times a week with nightmares. Memories from that night, only twisted. In her dreams, the bullet she’d shot always hit Matt, killing him instantly.
“I know, baby. You see yourself killing me, but you didn’t. I’m right here.”
“I know you are, but with my memory…” She looked down at their joined hands. “I can’t seem to get it out of my head.”
“Is that all, or is there more?”
Kat stared back at the man who knew her better than anyone. “I can’t stop thinking about how my dad died because of me.”
The thought was always present, in the back of her mind. The only thing that helped ease that particular pain was the letter she’d received a few days ago from her dad’s attorney.
In it, her father had tried to explain his reasoning behind his actions all those years ago. Most importantly, he’d written a sincere and heart-felt apology.
Kat wished she’d been able to hear him say those words while he was still alive, but at least she knew he wasn’t as cold-hearted as he’d led her to believe.
“Your father’s death is not on you, Katherine.” Matt looked up at her pointedly.
“Yes, it is.”
“Wrong.” He shook his handsome head. “Your father was killed because Rajif Bukhrim wanted to use what your team created against the U.S. That, and because Sloane Anderson was an ignorant, entitled prick who thought the world and everyone in it owed him something he hadn’t earned.”
Unconvinced, Kat shook her head. “But I—”
