One month later...

Steve came home with Danny, at lunch time, to pick up some documents he had forgotten in the morning. They entered the house and Kim was watching TV, sitting on the floor, and she was hugging Eddie.

"Hi, my sweetie," Steve told her.

"Hi, Daddy!"

"Hey, Kim. That way you're going to choke Eddie," Danny said to Kim.

Kim stroked Eddie's head. "Eddie is old, Uncle Danno, and he needs a lot of affection. It was Mommy who spoke," Kim told Danny.

"Your mom is right, but don't squeeze his neck so hard," Danny replied.

"I'm sorry, Eddie," Kim said to the dog.

Catherine left the kitchen when she heard Steve and Danny's voice. "Hey, you didn't tell me you were coming to lunch at home today."

"We didn't come for lunch, Cath," Steve told her.

"We didn't come for lunch, but it smells really good. What is lunch?" Danny asked Catherine.

Catherine smiled. "It's nothing special, Danny, but you're welcome if you want to have lunch with us."

"Thank you, Catherine. I'm going to wash my hands."

Steve smiled and approached her and kissed her lightly.

"You look better today, happier," Catherine told him.

"Well, I haven't had a fight with John for three days, I think things are looking up between him and me," Steve replied and hugged her affectionately.

Catherine hugged him, too. "I hope you two don't fight anymore."

"Me too," Steve replied.

Catherine kissed him. "Go wash your hands and I'll serve lunch."

Steve washed his hands and went back to lunch. "Where's Emilly?" He asked when he saw only four plates on the table.

"Joshua is going to take her out for lunch after training and then they are going to walk around the island. They are completing a month of dating," Catherine said and smiled.

"Steve told me that he is a good guy."

"Yes, Danny, Joshua has shown himself to be a wonderful person and my daughter is very happy. And I am happy when she is happy," Catherine replied.

"This is good," Danny replied.

After lunch, Steve and Danny went back to work and Catherine was playing with Kim. John came home and ran up the stairs without even talking to her.

Catherine went to his room and knocked on the door. "John, did something happen?"

"No, Catherine. It's okay."

"Shouldn't you be at work?" Catherine asked again.

John opened the door and Catherine saw two suitcases on the bed. "What is it, John?"

"I rented a house for me, Catherine. I'm going to live alone."

"But why, John?"

John did not answer and continued to pack his clothes. Clothes that she always carefully arranged in his closet.

Catherine was upset and went back to playing with Kim in the living room. Some time later, John came down the stairs with his bags and Catherine didn't believe what she was seeing. "Are you leaving without saying goodbye to your father? How can you do this to him, John?"

"I'll talk to him later, Catherine."

"Five years ago you asked your dad to let you move in with him and now you're going to hurt him like that? He doesn't deserve it, John, he's a good father!"

"John, don't go away. Daddy will be sad," Kim asked with tears in her eyes.

"Bye," John replied and left.

"Mommy, John left because he doesn't like me."

"This is not true, my love, it isn't your fault. John left because he wanted to," Catherine told Kim.

"He said I'm boring," Kim replied.

Catherine had thought that Kim hadn't heard what John had said about her a month ago.

Catherine picked her up. "Oh, you aren't boring, sweetheart. You are mommy's baby. "

Joshua took Emilly home and they got home before Steve.

"Bye, Em. See you tomorrow," he said and kissed her.

"Bye, Josh. I had a great time today, and thanks for the gift."

"You're welcome my love."

"Bye, Catherine," Joshua waved at her.

"Bye, Joshua. See you tomorrow," Catherine replied.

Emilly approached Catherine and showed the necklace around her neck. "Mom, look what Joshua gave me."

"It's beautiful, daughter. Did he like the gift you gave him?" Catherine asked.

"Yes, he said he loved it," Emilly replied.

"Great, daughter," Catherine replied and Emilly realized there was something wrong.

"What happened, mom?" Emilly asked.

"John left, Emilly. Your sister has already cried and thinks John left because he doesn't like her. And I don't know how to tell Steve that."

"And where did he go?" Emilly asked.

"I don't know. He didn't even leave the address."

"My dad will be very sad about this." Emilly still worried about John even though he had been despising her lately.

"For sure, daughter. Talk to your sister later and get the idea out of her mind that she is guilty," Catherine asked.

"I'm going to do this now, mom."

Emilly came into the house and Kim ran to her when he saw her and clung to her. "Emilly, John is gone."

"I know, Kim. Come and talk to me a bit," Emilly said and sat on the couch with Kim.

Catherine was on the porch when Steve arrived.

"Hey, what are you doing out here alone?" Steve asked her and smiled.

"Waiting for you, love."

PS: Laura and Cath, I will write the post-final story yes, soon.