Danny and Judith were impatient outside the courtroom.
"They're taking so long," Danny told Judith.
"Yeah, and Ben is already getting hungry. Hold him please? I'll see if Catherine brought him something to eat," Judith said and handed Ben to Danny.
Judith opened the bag and found Ben's bottle.
"Here's his bottle." Judith handed Danny the bottle and he gave the milk to Ben.
Ben slept on Danny's lap while Danny walked down the hallway.
"You have a way with children, Mr. Williams," Judith said.
"I had two kids," Danny replied.
"Well, I have almost forty kids," Judith replied.
Catherine and Steve left the courtroom and Judith and Danny looked at them expectantly.
"Talk soon, Steve!" Danny asked.
"Ben is ours!" Steve said with a mixture of joy and relief.
Judith hugged Catherine. "Congratulations dear."
"Thank you, Judith," Catherine replied.
Steve took Ben from Danny's lap and kissed the boy's forehead. "Love you, son."
Catherine saw Julie leaving the courtroom with her husband. She had a defeated countenance and Catherine felt sorry for her.
Catherine walked over to Julie and Patrick and asked to speak with her.
"What do you want? Mock my defeat?" Julie asked.
"No. I really understand your desire to be a mother. Ben has a father, he has family, but there are many children who want and need a mother. You can adopt a child and if you want to do that I can to help you." Catherine offered Julie her business card. "Find me in my office and I will help you."
Julie took Catherine's business card but said nothing.
"Have a nice day," Catherine said and went back to Steve.
"What did you say to her, Cath?" Steve asked.
"We'll talk about this later. Now how about we invite Judith and Danny to lunch with us? Let's celebrate!"
"Fine. I'll pay for lunch," Steve said.
"Did I hear well?" Danny asked.
"Yeah, you heard that well," Steve replied.
"Is it the proximity of Christmas? Did the Christmas mood make you move in your pocket?" Danny asked wryly.
"By the way, you are summoned to make a donation to buy Christmas presents for the kids of the Judith's orphanage," Steve told Danny.
"I knew this lunch wouldn't be that free," Danny grumbled.
Catherine and Judith smiled at Danny as he gestured and argued with Steve.
A few days later...
"Cath, the truck is already loaded with presents," Steve shouted to hurry her along.
"I had to change Ben's diaper," she said hurrying out of the house.
"Let's go now or we're going to get to the orphanage just next Christmas," Steve told her.
"You look beautiful in this Santa Claus outfit," Catherine told Steve.
Ben reached out for Steve to catch him. Steve caught him and Ben soon wanted to pull his big fake white beard.
"No, Ben!" Steve told the boy.
Catherine took Ben back and they went to the orphanage.
The children screamed with joy when they saw Santa Claus Steve arriving with lots of presents.
"Help me put presents around the tree," Steve told the children.
The children helped him and soon the tree was full of presents.
"Aunt Cath, do you have a present for all of us?" Andrew, one of the boys, asked.
"Yes, honey. We have not forgotten anyone," Catherine replied.
"Now sit near the tree and let's take a picture," Judith told the children.
The children sat down and Judith prepared to take the picture.
"Wait! What about Ben?" the kids shouted.
One of the bigger girls took Ben and sat with him to take part in the photo.
"Look, Steve, Ben is smiling at the camera like he already knows what a picture is," Catherine said.
"Well, I think he knows, you take pictures of him every day," Steve told her.
Catherine smiled. "Truth."
Judith and the girls who helped prepare the Christmas dinner did everything so lovingly and the supper table was beautiful.
"Judith, we want music. Let's dance!" Catherine said and the children were excited.
"Let's Dance?" Catherine asked Steve.
"Not now, Cath. I'd rather sit and watch you dance. Okay?"
"Fine, honey. I have an alternate pair," she said and pointed to Ben who was already moving his body.
Steve kissed her quickly. "So go. I'm not jealous of that handsome, smiling, conquering boy."
Catherine smiled and took Ben to dance.
Steve was looking at her and thinking how happy she was. She dedicated herself to that orphanage so much and it was as if those children were family. She knew each one by name and knew each one's history, and the children reciprocated her affection.
"Cath is really a very special person," Steve thought.
Some time later, Judith interrupted the music and the children protested. Catherine joined Steve on the couch and Ben also protested.
"Countdown, kids!" Judith said.
Five, four, three, two, one: "Merry Christmas!"
Catherine looked at Steve and Ben. "Merry Christmas, loves of my life."
"Merry Christmas, my life, my rare gem," Steve told Catherine.
Ben looked at them both and smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Mommy," that's what Ben means," Steve told Catherine.
PS: Thanks for reading. May you have a great Christmas!