"So it looked like you and Penny were getting along just fine."

Katie walked with Steve toward his car, the couple leaving the park, where they'd just spent part of the afternoon. "We were. I had a nice time. Isn't it strange though?"

Steve got in the driver's side of the Ford, as Katie joined him in the front seat. "Isn't what strange?"

"The fact that Sodapop and Penny have been dating for over five years and aren't planning to get married. That seems unusual to me."

"Yeah, well, there's a lot more to it, even besides the fact that Penny was off at college for four years. I think the two of them are usually prone to wanting different things, and that makes it really difficult to plan the future."

"That makes sense. They both do seem happy anyway."

Steve started the car, shifting it into reverse. "That's because they love each other, even though it's kind of complicated."

"They must be able to do long distance and still feel connected. I don't know if I could do that."

Steve drove out of the parking lot, headed in the direction of his old house. "Yeah. I'm not sure if I could either, but I guess it comes down to making whatever situation life created for you work, even if it's not what you expected."

"Hi, Katie. I'm Nicholas. It's great to finally meet you."

Katie shook the hand Nicholas held out to her, his face startling her for a moment. "Oh my gosh! Steve looks so much like you. It's quite the family resemblance."

Nicholas couldn't resist the opportunity to tease his son. "Why, yes, Steve gets his handsomeness straight from me. I'm so flattered you noticed."

Steve felt himself blush a little, as he gestured to Audrey. "Katie, this is my stepmom, Audrey. She's been wanting to meet you too."

Katie shook Audrey's hand as well. "Pleasure to meet you both. I think Steve's been really eager for me to get to know everyone who's important to him."

Audrey spoke up next, as the handshake ended, her arm then going around Nicholas' waist. "So, Katie, are you from Tulsa? Steve says you met at school."

"We did, but I'm actually from Sand Springs, so I grew up very close to here. My parents are in Kansas now though. South Haven, to be more exact."

Nicholas momentarily imagined Steve being even a couple of hours away from him, hating just the thought of it. "And you're studying counseling too, right?"

"Yes. I'm planning to work with kids after I graduate. I'm hoping to counsel primarily older elementary-age children. I feel like a lot happens at that age nowadays. Not just trauma, but issues surrounding parents, peers, and identity. I know from experience too that it can be difficult to fully open up to a mom or dad, so I'd truly love to be someone kids can trust, as well as a professional, who understands the deeper problems that might be present."

Steve felt himself nearly swoon at Katie's confident mission and goals, even as the irony of what she'd said about age struck him. "Yeah. I really like hearing her talk about this. I could never word it like her, but I feel basically the same way. I'd just rather work with high school kids or adults."

Katie linked her arm with Steve's. "Which is why we make the perfect pair. We have everything that matters in common."

Steve returned Katie's bright smile with one of his own, finding himself settling into the idea of finally having a romantic relationship that was destined to become long-term.

Nicholas watched Steve's face, yet again unable to resist teasing his son. "It sounds like you two love birds do have a lot in common. Katie, I want you to know Steve learned all he knows about romance from me."

Steve blushed, as he also chuckled. "Uh huh, sure, Dad. Keep talking yourself up, old man, and I'll show you something else I know."

"What would that be, Son?"

Steve pressed his lips to Katie's, making the kiss long and deep in a way that almost made him forget where he was. He then pulled away, leaving the woman he was falling for nearly breathless. "That. Which I'm pretty sure is something you could never teach me."

"Aunt Penny! You're here!"

Penny accepted Emily's hug, as the little girl's arms went around her. "Yes, I am. I'm all done with grown-up school too. I'm so happy to see you."

Emily smiled wide, as she pulled away, her blond hair that was the same shade as Penny's tied up in two braids. "I know! Uncle Soda told me. He said he went to see you there. I think he was excited about it."

"Me too." Penny reached out and touched one of Emily's braids, as she swallowed back the tears that came each and every time she saw her birth daughter. "I'm always excited to see him."

"So am I! Uncle Soda is the best. He even plays Candyland with me, and we color too."

"I know. He's told me all about the things he does with you."

"Are you going to stay here now?"

"Um, maybe. I haven't decided for sure yet. Are you good for your mommy and daddy?"

"Yeah! I listen, even when I don't want to cause I don't want time-out. Or a spanking. I haven't had one before, but Daddy says I would have to if I ever did anything I'm really not supposed to."

"I see."

"And I bet spankings hurt a lot, so I sure don't want one from Mommy or Daddy."

"I'm sure you have nothing to worry about."

Emily's eyes suddenly lit up, as her mind moved to a new subject. "Did Uncle Soda tell you I got a cat?"

"He did. Your kitty's name is Macaroni, right?"

"Yep. Mac for short."

"You must take great care of him."

"I do! He's sleeping on my bed. Want to come meet him?"

"Sure." Penny followed an excited Emily to her bedroom, the walls closing in around her heart, as she realized the unfortunate, but self-preserving, decision she would soon have to actually make.

"I hope I didn't go too far with the teasing, Dad."

Nicholas stood on with Steve on the front porch, seeing the reflection on his son's face, as he recalled the earlier moments. "You didn't. Besides, I walked right into it, didn't I?"

Steve drew closer to Nicholas, gratitude overwhelming him, even after so many years of a healthy father-son relationship.

Nicholas brought his arm around Steve, whose head was now on his chest. "I like her, Son. You have every bit of my support in dating Katie."

"Would you tell me if you didn't like her?"

"Yes. Because, if I didn't, there'd be a good reason. But, as it stands, I do like her. I can tell you're happy too. You wouldn't have brought her here to meet us if you weren't."

"Yeah. It's pretty huge for me to bring a woman around to meet everyone in my life. It's not something I do for nothing or with just anyone."

"No. Because that's how much you value the people who love you and have always loved you. Introducing us isn't something you take lightly, so that tells me how much you like Katie. I really hope it works out for you two, Son. After all you've been through to get to this place in your life, a great, healthy relationship is exactly what you deserve."

"I'll see you in class tomorrow, Steve. I had a good time meeting everyone today."

Steve took Katie's hand, as the couple stood near the door to her apartment. "My dad and I didn't scare you off then, huh?"

Katie leaned close to Steve, her lips kissing his cheek. "No. Not at all. I liked seeing how close the two of you are. You really got a lot in that department, didn't you?"

"Yeah. I did. I'm going to talk to Samuel this week, and see when he's free too, all right?"

"You're so keen on me meeting them all. I can't get over how sweet that is." Katie wound her arms around Steve's waist, looking first at him, then at her apartment door. "You could come in, you know. Spend the night, so we can go a little further. We seem pretty committed already if you ask me."

Steve felt a longing stir within him, even though he knew the best answer for the time being. "I, um, maybe we're getting there. But I'm going to head home."

"You want to see Sodapop."

"Well, yeah, of course. But I'm not ready to go further either. I'll see you in the morning."

Katie tilted her head to the side, as she studied Steve, her hands on each of his hips. "Okay. I'm looking forward to classes being done after this week, so we have more time together. You don't have to worry about scaring me off, Steve. I like you so much, and I'm not going anywhere. I go after what I want, and I never give up." She then moved to whisper right in his ear, letting her breath and scent linger. "Never."