Steve was walking towards Brooke knowing there would be problems. He came over and hugged her around the waist. "Brooke, I didn't know."
"We are not going to talk out here, Steve," she replied and they went into the house.
"I know you're upset, but it happened before us," Steve told her.
"It didn't happen before us. We decided not to have children and now I have this nasty surprise."
Steve didn't like hearing that, but he didn't show it. "We both didn't have a serious relationship when I traveled, Brooke. And don't talk about the girl like that, she's not unpleasant."
Brooke just closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"And, like it or not, she is here on the island now. I will not shirk my responsibility to my daughter," Steve went on.
"Why did the girl just show up now? Is it money that her mother wants?" Brooke was a little nervous.
"I don't think that's it. Catherine has always been self-sufficient and successful in her professional life. The girl just wanted to meet me."
Brooke took the purse from the couch and told Steve that she was going to school. "I have to teach a class in 20 minutes. We'll talk later."
"I forgot to take a selfie with my dad," Cecilia told Catherine as they were in the car on the way to the hotel.
"There will be other opportunities, dear. What did you think of your father?" Catherine asked her daughter.
"I liked him, mom," Cecilia replied.
Steve was on the porch waiting for Danny when he received a message from Cecilia. It was a photo of the girl making a face and a caption saying "Hi, Dad".
Danny parked the car and saw Steve making a face with the phone in his hand. "What is he doing?" Danny wondered.
Cecília was smiling as she looked at the phone screen and Catherine had stopped the car at the traffic light. "What's so funny, daughter?"
"My dad." Cecilia showed Steve's picture to Catherine. Catherine smiled too. "Some things never change, Cecilia."
Danny honked his horn and Steve went to meet him. Steve sat in the passenger seat and Danny thought this was strange.
"What's wrong with you?" Danny asked referring to the fact that he didn't want to drive.
"I have a daughter," Steve replied calmly knowing that the answer would have an impact on Danny.
"What?" Danny asked abruptly.
"You heard me right. I have a daughter. She showed up on my porch today."
"Her mother abandon her on your porch like Mary did with Joan when she wanted to play a joke with you?" Danny asked.
Steve smiled. "No, Danny. She's eleven years old."
"Eleven years ..." Danny stopped to think like he was doing math in his mind. "Catherine?"
"Yes. The girl's name is Cecilia," Steve looked out thoughtfully.
"Wow! What will Brooke think of that?" Danny asked as if he was thinking.
"She already knows and didn't like to know. I predict problems in my life, Danny. Cecilia knocked on my door and called me dad, said she wanted to meet me. She is a very sweet girl."
"And about Catherine?"
Steve sighed before answering. "She was waiting in the car."
"Well, I didn't want to be in your shoes," Danny said to Steve.
Steve showed Danny the photo of Cecilia making a face.
"She's cute. She's a mix of you and Catherine. She looks like a nice girl."
"Yes, I still don't know anything about her, but I am happy despite the problems that are hanging over my thoughts. I am angry with Catherine for omitting my daughter from me and I am upset with Brooke for rejecting my daughter immediately, not giving Cecilia any chance. "
"But you can't blame Brooke, Steve. It must be a shock for any woman to find out that her husband has a child outside of marriage."
"I know. I don't want to talk about it now, Danny. Come on, the Governor is waiting for us."
"Okay. I'm happy to drive my car today. I think I already like Cecilia. She has already arrived in our lives causing a miracle."
Steve laughed at Danny's comment. "Our lives? The daughter is mine, Danny."
"And the car is mine," Danny replied and started the car.
PS: Thank you very much for the comments in the previous chapters. Your recognition makes me happy.