Celebrating in More Ways Than One

Summary: Steve and Kayla take Max and Frankie out to celebrate their new home.

Rating: PG-13

Notes: This is another "what if" story. I also wondered what if Kayla had made that date with Chris for another night and had been available to go with Steve to dinner? How would that have changed their relationship?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this stuff. But man, if I did….

Chapter One

Steve got off the elevator and strolled to Kayla's door. He was just about to knock but hesitated, his confidence vanishing surprisingly fast. He turned away and looked down at the carnation he had brought. He had picked it up at the flower shop on the way over. The florist had told him it was a perfect flower to give to a woman as a friendly gesture. Now in the darkened foyer outside Kayla's loft it seemed silly. Pulling off the long stem he placed the flower in his shirt pocket hoping it didn't make him look down at his new outfit, Steve felt his throat go dry. He pulled out his harmonica and used it as a mirror to give his hair one last look. God, he was an ugly man, why did he even bother? Putting the harmonica away, he turned back to her door and knocked loudly. Frankie and Max were waiting for them and he didn't have time to be fooling around. He needed to get Kayla and get over to her parent's house so they could pick the boys up.

Hearing the knock at her door, Kayla checked the time, wondering who could it be. She wasn't expecting anyone. Tomorrow was her day off and after work she had came home, changed into something comfortable and lay on the couch to read a good book. She felt with the excitement of this week she deserved to have a relaxing night to stay in.

Opening the door, her mouth fell open at the sight of Steve Johnson standing before her. He was probably the last person she expected to see. Her surprise led her to exclaim, "Steve" and he waltzed past her as he took his name to be an invitation to come inside.

As he did so, he asked, "Well, what do you think?"

Knowing she should be upset with his gall, Kayla couldn't stop the smile that formed on her lips. She wasn't sure why but having Steve spontaneously show up at her loft was more pleasing to her than she could have guessed. She answered him, "What do I think about what?"

"That I got some new clothes," Steve answered, his back still to her. "You don't even notice when I dress up?"

Kayla had noticed his clothes as she couldn't remember ever seeing him in anything other than jeans. He looked good wearing a blue and black striped shirt with black slacks. He looked very good.

Kayla was trying to come up with an appropriate complement that wouldn't lead Steve into saying something inappropriate but he cut her off before she had a chance. "It's no big deal, Baby. You ready?"

Having no idea what Steve was talking about, Kayla asked, "Ready for what?"

Turning around, Steve faced her and said, "Ready for our date tonight."

Shutting the door, Kayla felt her heart hammering in her chest faster than she thought possible. Racking her memory she knew she hadn't agreed to go on a date with Steve but yet here he was in her living room and dressed up very nice asking if she was ready.

"Date? We don't have a date."

"You got a short memory, Baby. I mean this is the night we are supposed to take little Frankie and Max out to celebrate. Celebrate you getting them off the streets and moving into your parent's house. Doesn't that ring a bell?"

Kayla took a moment before she answered Steve. When she did she made sure to keep eye contact, "Yeah, it does. But we didn't make it for tonight. In fact I don't think we made it yet."

"Sure we did, Sweetness. You mean you didn't get my engraved invitation with the date and time and everything on it?"

"No," Kayla said, still keeping his gaze.

Steve turned away. He knew he was busted about not calling her first. He hadn't thought of her having plans or anything. Mentally kicking himself, he finally worked up the nerve to get a good look at her. Up until now he had been focusing on anything else in the room to keep his confidence level up because whether he admitted it or not, Kayla was too damn beautiful to be legal. Even now, only wearing a t-shirt and jeans, the image of her took his breath away. He couldn't tear his eyes away with how the jeans fit around her waist.

"Steve!" Kayla said.

Jerking his eye back up to hers, Steve smirked and said, "Come on, Baby. You got other plans?"

Kayla felt anger flush her face and part of her wanted to tell Steve to leave. She almost wished that her date with Chris was for tonight instead of the following night; it would serve him right for thinking she would be available. On the other hand, her irritation with Steve wasn't fair to Max and Frankie whom had too much abandonment in their lives.

"No, I don't have other plans, but it would have been nice to let me know before you came over here. I don't like it when people drop in unannounced."

Steve had a flash of being in her closet back in Cleveland and felt the guilt inside him stew. Truth be told, he had looked forward to this evening and he was afraid calling her up would give her the chance to say no. At least until he walked in he had the illusion she would want to go and calling ahead would spoil that.

"Kayla," he whispered, "they really want you there."

Kayla blinked at the shift in Steve's demeanor. Focusing on keeping her voice even, Kayla handed the book she had planned to read to Steve and told him she would be down in a few minutes after she changed.

Steve grinned as he watched Kayla head up the spiral staircase. He didn't really want her to change; she looked so adorable in that outfit. However, he knew Kayla well enough to know by now she didn't leave the house like that. He felt himself leap a little bit, relieved to see she was going with him after all. Looking down at the book, Kayla had handed him, Steve's eyebrow drew up at the title.

"Who knew Kayla Brady was a Stephen King fan?"