p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;""Mare, over here!" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Steve!"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;"Steve had been spending the last day getting everything ready for Mary's visit. He still hadn't told her about Danny and him, he knew she wasn't a homophobe or anything like that but he was still scared. This is the first serious relationship he's been in with a guy and he's not sure how she'll take it. Well, fingers crossed./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""I missed you," she said, while giving him a hug. She pulled back after a few moments and punched him in the arm./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Oww! What was that for?" Steve exclaimed, rubbing his arm with a confused look on his face./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""For not mentioning that you have a daughter till a month later. What the hell, bro? I know we don't talk as often as we should but I thought that something as big as this you would've told me about sooner," Mary replied, disappointment seeping into her words. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""I know I messed up, Mare, I'm sorry. It's just works been super busy lately and then I was totally thrown off guard by this whole having a daughter thing, and to top it off I found out her mom, who I was good friends with past away, and there's this prick who's trying to take my own daughter away from me, and -"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Steve, breathe. I'm sorry, I didn't know there was so much going on. I really wish you would've called me though, I could've helped. But, I'm here now. For however long you need me, okay?" She looked at him with concern and sympathy. "I love you and I'm always here for you. Now how aiut you take me home and tell me about what's been going on lately, yeah?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Yeah. Thanks Mare. I love you too," he said, giving her another tight hug. It would be nice to have her home for a while./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;"H/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;"5/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;"0/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""- and I found out she had been saying a lot of really horrible things to Madison because Danny told me so I told her off and haven't seen or spoken to her since. I still can't believe she would say those things. I've known Cath for so long you know, it was a bit of a shock. Either way, we broke up and I've been doing a lot better." Steve was driving them home and figured it was time he told Mary what happened with Catherine. He was thinking about abstaining from it, but since Catherine is the real reason him and Danny got together, he figured it'd be a good way to bring it up. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Shit, Steve, that's really messed up. Poor girl's been through so much already for her age. But, no offense or anything, but I'm glad you and Catherine broke up. I never really liked her, she gave off this bitch vibe. But is there anyone else I should know about?" Mary asked./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Well, actually -" Steve started, but was interrupted by the car bluetooth ringing, showing it was Danny. "I can call him back later," reaching over to decline the call./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""No, it's fine! Answer it," she said, as she pressed the answer button. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Hey Danny, what's up?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Hey babe, I was just wondering if I should still bring Grace over later for dinner. I know Mary's coming and I know you wanted to tell her about our new relationship so I wasn't sure." Well shit. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""New relationship," Mary blurted. "Wait, does that mean..you guys finally...oh my god! Are you guys finally dating?!" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Oh shit, sorry Steve. I didn't know she was in the car," Danny said at the same time that Steve said, "Finally? What do you mean finally?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Well, it was super obvious you guys are in love. I told Kono about last year. Surprised it took you this long to figure out your guys' feeling for each other," she added with a laugh. Silence followed. Steve kept opening and closing his mouth, unsure of what exactly to say. Danny was completely silent on the line, also./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Oh don't be so surprised bro, I'm your sister. I can tell a lot about you. And I'm really happy for you guys. You guys are perfect for each other." She smiled at her brother. She was truly happy for him. He went through so muc shit throughout his life and it was time he settled down and began thinking about himself. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Thanks Mary. That means a lot," Danny replied, on the other end of the line. "Well, I'll see you guys tonight then I'm presuming?"/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Yeah, see you tonight Danno. Love you."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Love you too." Steve smiled as he hung up the phone. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Seriously Steve, I'm really happy for you. I know Dad would be too." /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Thanks Mare. But, now that that's over, ready to meet your niece?" Steve asked shyly./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Hell yeah! I'm gonna be a great aunt." /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;"H/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;"5/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;"0/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Mads! Can you come down here please?" Suffice to say that Steve was nervous. He really wanted Madison and Mary to get along and despite Mary's rebellios tendencies, he knew she would be a good influence on Madison. Madison need a good female figure too and he was sure Mary would be perfect. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;"He saw Madison come down the stairs. She smiled shyly at Mary. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Mads, this is your Aunt Mary."/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Hi, it's nice to meet you," Madison greeted, sticking out of her hand./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Oh screw that, gimme a hug!" pulling Madison into a firm hug. "It's nice to meet you too, Madison. Your dad's told me a lot about you," Mary said, pulling back from the hug. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""I'm just going to go put your bags away, Mare." Steve really wanted to give them some time alone to get to know each other. After setting her bags down in his old childhood room, he could hear laughter coming from downstairs. Yeah, they were going to get along just fine./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;"H/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;"5/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545;"0/p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Uncle Steve!" Grace jumped onto him, clinging to him, like a monkey. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Gracie! How you doin' munchkin?" She looked adorable in her pigtails and dress. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Good. Where's Madison?" Of course she immediately wanted to see Mads. They got along so well, something he was very grateful for. Madison was really great around Grace and acted like a good role model. He could tell she loved her like a little sister./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Is that Graceface I heard?" Madison called out, walking onto the lanai./p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Maddie!" Grace ran and hugged Madison with a huge smile. Wow, he really loved those girls. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Hey baby." Danny came up to Steve, planting a kiss on his lips. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;""Hey to you too," Steve replied, giving Danny another kiss. He could kiss this man for hours without getting bored. He was totally whipped. He and Danny turned to look at the girls, playing in the sand, trying to build a sandcastle. /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;" /p
p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: #454545; min-height: 20.3px;"He had an amazing boyfriend, his sister was staying for a while, and his daughter and his boyfriend's daughter got along well and were beyond perfect. He looked down at Danny and saw the peaceful smile gracing his features. Yeah, a guy could defintely get used to this. /p