A week later...
Steve came home and found Catherine arguing with someone on the phone.
"You are a scoundrel, an abominable being, and you will not approach her because I will not allow it," Catherine was practically shouting.
Catherine ended the call and tossed the phone on the couch. Steve had never seen her so angry.
"What happened, Cath?" Steve asked.
"That asshole, who calls himself Emilly's father, wants to approach her just because of the money she earned from winning the competition. I'm not going to allow him to approach her, I'm not going to allow him to steal her, Steve."
Steve hugged her. "Stay calm."
"He was never a father to her, he left home and abandoned her without looking back."
"Stay calm, we won't allow that. He's not going to take money from her, and we also won't let him hurt her heart. However, I think you should tell her," Steve told her.
"What was I thinking when I got involved with a man like that? I was crazy!" Catherine said.
"Where's Emilly?" Steve asked.
"Joshua took her for a walk, and they invited Kim to go too," Catherine replied.
"Let's talk to her about it tomorrow, okay?" Steve told Catherine.
Catherine just nodded.
Steve kissed her forehead and said he loved her before going to the bedroom to get some rest.
Steve went to the bedroom and Catherine went after him a few minutes later.
"Steve, are you feeling anything? You don't usually sleep at this hour."
"I'm just a little sad. Come here, lie here with me."
Catherine lay down next to him and he put his arm around her shoulder. "Today I was thinking about my dad, my mom, Joe, Freddie and so many other people who are gone and it depressed me."
"I understand, Steve. Life changes overnight and catches us unprepared, leaves us at a loss," Catherine replied as she stroked his chest with her fingers.
"But I'm grateful to God that I have you, I have Kim. I hope Kim doesn't despise me like John did."
Catherine knew that he was thinking about the dead but that it all came down to what John did to him. He had told her that he had gone to John's house and John didn't even invite him in.
"Kim loves you, you are her hero," Catherine answered.
Steve smiled. "When we got back together we didn't think we were going to have a baby, did we? And she came to brighten our lives, to fill this house with her joy. She is also very important to Emilly. I will not stand it if she despises me someday, Catherine." Steve cried when he said that.
"Kim is not going to do this to you."
"I want you to give me Emilly's father's name. I'm not going to let him get close to this house. I might even endure his presence here if it were for Emilly's sake, if he had regretted leaving her, if he wanted to create an affective bond with his daughter. But as it is not the case, I will not let him hurt Emilly. "
"What are you going to do?" Catherine asked.
"I will investigate his life, and I am sure I will find something wrong. I will threaten to arrest him if he dares to think about showing up at our house," Steve replied.
"Thank you. Just the thought of seeing him again makes me sick," Catherine said.
"It's our family, and I'm not going to let anyone hurt our family. And I even include Joshua in our family, it doesn't matter if the family is a blood family or heart family." Steve sighed. "I can't do anything if John doesn't want to be a part of our family anymore."
"Do you want me to go and try to talk to John?" Catherine asked him.
"No. I don't want you to go, please."
"Okay," she replied.
"Do you think the girls will still be away from home for long?" Steve asked.
"I don't know, I asked Joshua to bring them home before it gets dark," Catherine replied.
Steve looked at the clock on the wall. "So I think we have at least half an hour. How long has it been since we've been home alone?"
"I don't even remember how long ago," Catherine replied.
Steve got up and locked the door. "Then let's enjoy it."
"Are you feeling better already?" She asked.
"You always make me feel better. And today, since we are alone, I want my Catherine who can be "pretty loud".
"Yes!" She answered.
An hour later, Joshua took the girls home. Catherine and Steve came down when they heard their voice.
Kim ran to Steve. "Hi, Daddy! I went for a walk with Emilly and Joshua."
Steve picked her up. "And was the walk good, my love?"
"It was good, Daddy. I brought you and Mommy a candy."
"Great," Steve replied and kissed his daughter's cheek.
"Hey, Joshua," Steve greeted him.
"Hello, Mr. McGarrett," Joshua replied.
A few minutes later, Joshua said goodbye to Emilly, Catherine, Kim, and Steve, and left.
"Emilly, we want to talk to you," Steve told her.
"Did I do anything wrong, Dad?" Emilly asked.
"No, my dear. Let's sit at the table," Catherine replied.
They sat down and Catherine explained to Emilly that her biological father had called, and that he accused Catherine of stealing money from Emilly and that he wanted a part of the prize she had won. "I never used your money for anything, Emilly. It's all invested."
"I know that, mom. I totally trust you. Can he demand my money?" Emilly asked.
"Of course not, Emilly. You are no longer a child, and besides, you gave your mother a power of attorney to settle everything for you," Steve replied.
"I don't want to meet him, mom. After so many years all he wants is my money. He must think I have a lot of money and that's not true. Please don't make me meet him," Emilly asked Catherine.
"I would never force you to do that, daughter," Catherine replied.
Emilly held out her hand to Steve and he took her hand. "I only have one father and that father is you."
"Thank you, daughter," Steve replied to her.
Kim, who was still on Steve's lap, kissed him on the cheek. "I also only have one father."
At John's apartment ...
"John, I have something to tell you," Natalie said.
"And what is it?" John asked.
"I'm pregnant," Natalie told him.
John was surprised, but smiled. "That's a good thing, isn't it?"
"I don't want this child," she replied.