Danny gave them a wide smile. "Is it serious?"
"Yes, Danny. But coming home doesn't mean coming back to the task force. I'm sorry," Steve told him.
"But why, Steve?" Danny asked.
Steve pointed to Kevin and Deborah who were walking together a little further on under Catherine's gaze. "Because of them, because of Catherine. I don't want to live with the fear that someone will come after them because of my job. I just want to enjoy my family now. No problems, no exposing myself to danger, I just want peace and quiet."
"I understand, Steve. Well, just the fact that you're back on the island makes me happy enough."
"Thanks buddy," Steve smiled at Danny and pointed to the children who were walking hand in hand. "Aren't they cute?"
"Yeah," Danny smiled as well.
"Kevin is very protective and takes this big brother thing seriously," Steve said.
"Cool, but why did you guys decide to adopt the little girl?" Danny asked as they headed toward the airport exit.
"We wanted Kevin to have a sister or brother, and the moment we saw Debbie we decided that she would be our daughter. She is very attached to Catherine as well as Kevin,and they love their daddy too, of course." Steve smiled as he spoke of the children's love for him.
Danny put his hand on Steve's shoulder. "I am very happy for you."
"Thank you Danny."
"Let's wait for Daddy and Uncle Danny," Catherine said to the children and waited for Steve and Danny to approach.
"Daddy, I'm hungry." Kevin said to Steve.
"Are you hungry, son? We need to figure this out," Steve told the boy.
"What about you, Debbie? Are you hungry too?" Steve asked the girl.
"I am hungry, Daddy."
Steve and Danny put the family bags in the trunk while Catherine put the children in the car and then sat next to them. Steve and Danny also got into the car and Danny drove them to a restaurant before they went home.
An hour and a few minutes later Danny parked in front of Steve's house. "You guys should have let us know you were coming and we would have hired someone to clean the house."
"We'll manage, Danny. Don't worry, and thanks for picking us up at the airport. You're a good friend," Catherine touched his shoulder before getting out of the car and helping the kids down as well. "Say goodbye to Uncle Danny."
Debbie waved to Danny and Kevin replied. "Bye Uncle Danny!"
"Bye; See you soon," Danny replied to the children.
Catherine entered the house with the children while Steve took the bags out of the trunk of Danny's car.
"Once again I want to thank you for your help , Danny."
"No need to thank me for anything, Steve. That's what friends are for."
"Steve and Danny, you tricked me. The house is clean and there is a welcome banner and a snack prepared for us," Catherine said as they entered the house.
"Do you really think I would let my family come to a house full of dust?" Steve said to her.
"But I had nothing to do with it. I really didn't know that you were coming to the island," Danny replied.
Catherine looked at Steve with a questioning look. "Junior?"
"No, Cath. It was Janeth, she never disappoints. I asked her to do the cleaning, but the snacks were on her," Steve was referring to the person who had always cleaned the house since John's day.
"Then don't forget to thank her, please," Catherine told him.
"I'll do that right now," Steve pulled the phone from his pocket and called Janeth.
"Repay what she spent on the snacks as well," Catherine suggested to him.
"Okay," Steve replied to her and made the call to Janeth.
A few minutes later Danny left and Catherine saved the snack for later. Kevin lay down on the living room rug and opened his arms, and Debbie did the same as her brother. Catherine and Steve smiled when they saw them.
"Are you guys tired, my loves?" Catherine asked the children.
"I think they just liked the rug," Steve told her. "Who wants to go see the sea with me?"
"Me!" Kevin stood up and gave his father his hand.
"What about you, Debbie?" Steve asked and held out his hand to her. Debbie went with Steve and Kevin to the beach but Debbie didn't want to go near the water.
"Daddy, I want to stay with Mommy."
"Are you scared, honey?" Steve asked her.
Debbie just shook her head in the affirmative.
"Cath!" Steve called out to her.
Catherine appeared in the doorway and Debbie ran to her. Catherine opened her arms and took her in her lap.
"She's afraid of the water," Steve spoke loudly so Catherine could hear.
"She's never seen the sea, Steve." Catherine told him and kissed Debbie's cheek. "You needn't be afraid, dear. Tomorrow you'll go in the sea with me, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy."
I love you, you know?" Catherine kissed her cheek again.
"Let's go in, Daddy," Kevin pointed to the sea.
"Then we have to change clothes, buddy. Let's go!" Steve held his hand and they both ran towards the house.
Catherine smiled as the two of them rushed into the house. "This is the family I chose and that makes me happy," she thought.
PS: Thank you so much for your review in the previous chapter and for your support.