Soulmate

Chapter 29

The days flew by, and the day when Catherine and Lizzie were to return to Los Angeles arrived. The boys would still be on tour for a couple more weeks before returning home.

"Why can't we stay longer????" Lizzie snorted as she lay on the bed.

"Because you have school, and I have to work. It is what it is." Catherine replied as she finished closing Lizzie's suitcase.

" What a bummer..." Lizzie snorted again "It's been a lot of fun, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, it's been really good, actually..." Catherine smiled as she stuffed a few things into her bag.

"I've really enjoyed spending so much time with Dad...I'm going to miss him so much." Lizzie said in a wistful tone.

"Me too." thought Catherine. Ever since that kiss they had given each other just a week ago.,they had both decided to listen to their hearts and had accepted reality: they liked each other, they loved each other. Catherine sat momentarily on the bed and placed her hand lovingly on her daughter's head "He's going to miss you too. But you'll see, by the time you notice, he'll be back."

Fifteen minutes later, they were both in the hotel lobby. As Catherine stood in front of the front desk to check out, Lizzie began tugging at the lace of her blouse.

"Mommy! Mommy! I almost forgot! I didn't say goodbye to AJ and the rest!" 

Catherine glanced at her watch "Well, it's still early. Maybe they're having breakfast at the buffet. Why don't you go look?" she smiled as she watched Lizzie run over there.

"What an energy...and it's only nine-thirty in the morning..." Catherine felt her heart beat just a little bit harder at the sound of his voice. She turned around and there was Kevin, his eyes slightly half-closed from lack of sleep.

"I thought you'd be sleeping..." Catherine stepped forward "You don't usually get up early.."

"I know... but I had to say goodbye to you girls." Kevin smiled, moving a little closer to her as well.

"Well, Lizzie just ran off. She was going to say goodbye to the guys. Again."

Kevin laughed softly "Yeah, I've seen her. Well, I'll have to go say goodbye to you in the meantime..."

He gently grabbed her forearms until he pulled her even closer to him and, after looking into her big blue eyes for a few seconds, kissed her. It was a brief, tender kiss. At first, Kevin had been worried that someone would notice them, recognize them, and make a mess of it with the press again. Luckily, everyone in the lobby at the time didn't even look at them. When they broke the kiss, Kevin noticed Catherine's slightly flushed cheeks and pretty smile.