Saturday dawned in spectacular fashion. The rain that'd blown through in the night gone and the sky was clear and blue. Danny and Grace sat on the front porch waiting for Steve and Arianna. Danny had gotten permission from the pair to tell Grace the basics. Being a kid, she took the situation at face value. She'd been more concerned about the fact she only knew the ASL alphabet and that finger spelling would get old quickly. Danny assured her of Arianna's lip reading capabilities and promised to teach her what he could remember of signing.

Steve and Arianna pulled up as Danny was showing Grace his name sign and explaining that maybe Grace would get one of her own. Minor chaos ensued during introductions and discussions about where everyone would sit. Arianna insisted on sitting in back with Grace, muttering something about 'respecting one's elders, age before beauty and all that' as she climbed in watching the two men carefully. Grace and she broke into gales of laughter at the guys response when the words finally sunk in. "Hey!" Neither partner missed the fist bump between the two girls. All worries over whether they'd all get along vanished.

When it came time to pay for admission, Danny and Grace went first then stood back to watch the fireworks show as Steve argued with his daughter over who'd pay for what.

"Grace remember when you were studying unstoppable forces and immovable objects in science and you asked me what that would be like?" Danny questioned.

"Yeah," Grace replied.

Gesturing to the pair still at the admittance gate, Danny said, "That's what it looks like. Also mark this day down for history as you've witnessed a miracle as well." When Grace cocked her head in confusion, Danny elaborated, "Uncle Steve has his wallet and is paying for something." Grace gave in to the giggles she'd been trying to hold back.

"This conversation is not done, young lady," Steve barked at his daughter as the duo stomped over to join their party.

"Again, you keep telling yourself that," Arianna growled back.

Danny waved, then clapped his hands loudly. "Great, now I have three kids to escort through the zoo," he exclaimed. The twin guilty looks mollified him and the quartet started on their way.

It had been years since Arianna had been to a zoo, so she was as excited as Grace to see all the animals. The pair running ahead to the exhibits, pointing and laughing at the antics of the inhabitants, grabbing their dads' arms to guide the men (who were moving too slowly for the girls' liking) to see one thing or another. Arianna took the time at each habitation to show the other three the sign for the animal. Grace and she recorded the ones Arianna didn't know so they could look them up later. The group had made it three quarters of the way through the park when Danny called for a liquid break.

Danny took Grace and Steve's orders, Arianna declined, stating she was fine. Danny wanted to say something and Steve started to say something, but Danny's stopped him with a hand to his friends arm. He could read the look on the younger woman's face and knew a storm was brewing. For all his disregard of lines and boundaries, Danny knew both he and Steve needed to back off this time. With a small shake of his head he hoped he conveyed the message 'Let it go" to Steve.

Steve sighed as he watched Arianna sit quietly while the others finished up their drinks. He'd wisely listened to Danny and let the matter go, but he couldn't dismiss the feeling that there was more to the admissions argument and the water refusal. He was broken out of his musings by Grace's declaration.

"The reptile house is next," she informed them.

Arianna's face went from annoyed to frantic, bordering on terror in .2 seconds. "You guys go ahead, I'm going to sit this one out."

"You're not coming with us?" Grace asked, clearly disappointed. "You'll miss all the turtles, snakes and lizards. Oh and the Komodo Dragon."

"I know but I think I over did it with swimming last night and my muscles are tired," she replied, knowing it sounded weak.

Since he'd been studying her, Steve had seen her discomfort. He came to her rescue. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. We did push pretty hard and we still have a house to clean. Grace, why don't you and Danno go on and we'll sit out here."

"Oh, okay." Grace looked so sad it made Arianna's heart break.

"On second thought, I haven't been here in years. I should probably see it all," Arianna stated, standing up but grabbing on to Steve's hand.

"Yay! Come on! Let's go," Grace ordered.

Danny wisely took the lead with Grace, giving their companions some privacy.

"What are you afraid of?" Steve asked.

"Turtles," was the surprising specific reply. Stunned, Steve could only gape.

"I know it's stupid, but they terrify me," Arianna said defensively.

"No, it's not that. I expected you to evade answering is all. How bout this? I'm fairly familiar with the layout so I'll give you fair warning and you can close your eyes or turn. I'll even block what I can," Steve suggested

"Yeah, that should work," she said slowly.

"You don't have to do this. Grace will understand."

"No, I'll be okay. Just promise to do as you said," she replied sounding a bit more confident.

"Promise."

The plan worked fine up until near the end. The zoo had changed up the exhibit and before he could warn her, Arianna spun around at Grace's excited tugging, to be confronted with a giant Asian pond turtle. Only Steve's quick reflexes kept her from knocking over another couple and a small child as she instinctively backed up. He grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her, burying her face in his shoulder. She was stiff as a board and silently screaming into his shirt. Danny guided people around them and rubbed his hand up and down her back, hoping to add to the comfort Steve was giving.

As she began to relax, Steve gently guided her out of the reptile house, keeping her face firmly pressed into him while letting Danny and Grace break the path. Danny was obviously explaining and reassuring Grace, but Steve was too concerned with the girl in his arms to pay attention to what was being said. Danny led them to a secluded corner off the walkway. There was a low retaining wall and Steve coaxed Arianna into sitting down while he retained his firm hold on her. Grace slid next to her, pulling the older girl's hand free of Steve's shirt, wrapping it around her own. Grace began to finger spell into Arianna's palm. Whatever she was communicating, it was working. Arianna gradually relaxed against Steve and eventually pulled her head up to reveal a tear streaked face.

"Thank you, Grace," she whispered.

Knowing he'd probably never learn what Grace had told Arianna, Steve silently gave thanks for the little girl's empathy. "How about we get out of here, grab some lunch and then get to cleaning?" he suggested.

Everyone readily agreed. Danny deliberately started a debate over what to have for lunch to distract them all. It was decided Thai sounded the best and since Arianna didn't have any plates yet, they'd eat in before heading over to the house.

"This is my treat," Arianna insisted. "Don't worry. You're going to earn it this afternoon, so accept it and shut up." She glared at the two men, daring them to speak. Danny looked at Steve and Steve looked at Danny before returning their gaze to the defiant woman in front of them. Danny waved his hands in acquiescence and Steve crossed his arm over his chest and grunted.

"You know, I can't hear you right?" Arianna teased.

The half smile he gave her was all the answer she needed.

The restaurant wasn't particularly busy so they were quickly seated and their orders placed just as fast.

"Danno, I need to use the ladies room," Grace said.

"All right, monkey," he answered, moving to stand.

Arianna stopped him. "I need to as well, Danny. I'll go with her."

The men watched their daughters make their way to the hallway leading to the bathrooms, eyes filled with love and pride.

"You two are lucky to have such lovely dates," the waitress said as she placed their drinks on the table. "It's obvious you're proud of your daughters."

"We are and thank you for the compliment," Danny responded to the grandmotherly looking woman.

"Which one belongs to you?" she asked.

"The younger one is mine and the older one is his," Danny said pointing at Steve.

The waitress examined Steve. "You don't look old enough to have a daughter that age, young man."

Steve's ears turned red with the compliment. "Thank you, but she's definitely mine."

"Is nice to see blended families," she said.

"Uh, thanks," Steve uttered.

"I'll be back in a jiff with your meals," she informed them, patting Danny on the shoulder.

Steve couldn't help himself, "Danno?"

"Yes, Steven."

"Did she say what I think she said?"

"Yes, Steven, yes she did."

"These marriage jokes are getting a little old, don't you think?" Steve asked, somewhat.

"Who's married?" Grace asked as the two girls sat down.

"No one's married, monkey. The waitress made a mistake," Danny answered.

"OH! Like the check out lady at the grocery store when we went with Uncle Steve," Grace clarified for herself.

"I think I'm missing something," Arianna said looking to each man for an explanation.

Danny waved his arm towards his partner, "This is all yours, babe."

Arianna turned to Steve. "Married?"

"It's, uh, well it's," Steve stumbled over his words.

Grace tugged on Arianna's arm to get her attention. "Uncle Steve and Danno argue a lot. It's so much that people tend to think they're married."

"Oh. I get it. So what you're saying is that you and I have two dads," Arianna said.

"Yes," Grace agreed, bobbing her head. The sputtered protests of the two men were cut off with the arrival of their meal.

The waitress departed with a, "You young ladies take good care of those dads of yours."

"We will," they answered almost in unison before breaking into peals of laughter.

The conversation while they ate centered around all the things that needed to be done at the house. They divided up the labor. Danny and Steve would get the measurements for the boards to fix the stairs, determine what type of locks and deadbolts were needed and head for the local hardware store. When they completed those tasks, they'd look into seeing what it would take to get the car running. Grace and Arianna would start cleaning in the common areas, make lists of things that would need to be purchased and make piles of things to either throw out or donate.

Danny walked into the kitchen to let the girls know he and Steve were heading out to the store, when the scene before him made him do a double take and then pull out his phone to take pictures. Both girls had their hair tied up in high pony tails with neon green bandanas covering the tops of their heads. Their hands were encased in bright pink polka dotted rubber gloves. Grace was standing on the counter handing out dishes of various kinds while Arianna steadied her with one hand, taking the offerings with the other, setting the dishes behind her in the sink.

Not wanting to startle them, Danny backed out of the room to get Steve. By the time they got back to the kitchen, both girls had rags in their hands, scrubbing hard at the dust, Grace the top shelves, Arianna the bottom. Steve took pictures too, but because Steve's camera app made a duck sound, Grace caught him in the act.

"If you know what's good for you, those pictures will never see the light of day," Arianna warned him.

"These will never leave my phone," Steve promised with a smirk. "We're headed out."

"Okay. Let me get my purse," Arianna said pulling off her gloves.

"What do you need your purse for?" Steve asked, obviously confused.

"I need to get the money to pay for the materials."

"Don't worry about it. I'll get them and you can pay me back," Steve said.

Arianna didn't look convinced at his earnest tone. "Danny, you make sure you get the receipt."

"Hey, don't you get me into this little tug-of-war you two have going on," Danny declared, backing up.

Arianna stood with her hands on her hips, glaring until he acquiesced. "Fine, I'll make sure I get a copy of the receipt. She must get the paying her way from her mother, cause she sure doesn't get it from you," he said, pointing at Steve. Steve protested and continued to as they walked out of the house.

Arianna swiveled her eyes between the two men and then looked up at Grace. "Are they still arguing?"

"Yup."

"I see what you mean." They went back to their cleaning. The place wasn't that bad and Grace proved to be a big help. The pair had the kitchen, living room, both bathrooms and the master bedroom done by the time the men made it back from the hardware store. Tired, the ladies settled in to heckle the handymen.

Steve's phone chimed as they finished nailing in the step. It was Catherine. He stepped over to the shade tree to answer. Hey, sailor! Miss me?

Always

what r u doin?

A little house repair. (he didn't want to lie to her)

Sounds exciting. what's ur plans 4 rest of the day?

Gonna work on the car, then food, then bed

Zoo wear you out? U getting old?

Hardly.

Sleep well. C u 2morrow.

C u then.

"That was Catherine," Steve told them even though none of them had asked.

"Let's call it good for the day," Arianna said to fill the void Steve's remark had created.

"We still need to do your locks," Danny pointed out.

"I can change them out tomorrow if Steve will loan me some tools," she replied.

"It won't take long," Steve stated.

Realizing Steve really wanted to do this for her, she caved, "Fine, but after that we're done. It's been a long day and Grace and I smell like Pine Sol. I'm sure she wants a shower as badly as I do."

True to his word, it took the partners very little time to switch out the locks and deadbolts. Steve felt better knowing no one else had keys to his daughter's house. The look on his face when she handed him the spare set would always be engrained in her memory.

The route to drop off everyone went by Arianna's hotel first. Arianna had gotten the receipt from Danny and had the money ready in her hand as Steve walked her to the lobby.

"I'm not taking that," Steve announced.

"Yes, you are," she retorted.

"No, I'm not. I'm not taking your money," he bickered, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I don't take charity."

Steve looked like she'd slapped him. "It's not charity. I'm your father."

"What has that got to do with anything. I didn't come looking for you in order to take advantage of you."

"Take advantage of me. Why would you say that? I'm your father. I have twenty years to make up for."

"So it's guilt money?" Arianna stepped back from him in distaste.

"What?! No! I want to help is all," Steve claimed.

"You did help. You do help. I don't want anyone thinking..." Arianna voice trailed off.

"No one would think that with the way you argue with me," Steve told her, reaching for her arm. "How 'bout a compromise?" She regarded him with a wary expression.

"From this point on, I'll do the manual labor and you pay for the parts. I'll clear any expenditures through you first."

It was a long moment before she stuck her hand out to shake. "Deal."

"I'll call you about tomorrow. I'd like to check out the car before you try to drive it," Steve told her.

"Fine," she responded, not quite ready to let the anger go.

Danny and Grace had watched the entire confrontation from the safety of the pickup. "Danno."

"Umm."

"Do you think if I'd videoed that my science teacher would have given me extra credit?"

"More than likely. You probably gotten double points for showing spontaneous combustion is also possible."

The pair barely quelled their chuckles before Steve made it back to the car. Steve sulked and the other two snickered the rest of the way. Steve made his way to the lanai with a beer after he'd gotten home. He couldn't leave things so tense with Arianna, so he pulled out his phone.

Sorry.

Me too. came the reply

U still mad at your bull headed dad?

No. You still mad at your stubborn daughter?

No and you come by the stubborn honestly. Call u tomorrow?

Lol. Talk to u tomorrow. have a good night

U too.

Steve reflected on the day. Arianna's hard headed stance over the money and her reluctance to letting him help had him wondering if she really saw him as her father. Steve rubbed at the finger shaped bruises on his arm, remembering how tightly she'd clung to him, seeking comfort when she was scared. She hadn't leaned into Danny. Maybe she was getting there. It'd take time. Hell, he had to keep reminding himself. It'd only been not quite a week. They'd get there.