Steve came home some time later and Catherine was still playing with Lyla. "Hey," he said on entering the house.
"Hey! Did you manage to do anything for Danny?" Catherine asked.
"He had to call the insurance company, so all I did was take him home."
"The kids are home," Catherine warned him.
Steve sat on the couch. "Great."
"Daddy, Grandma didn't send me a present," Lyla complained to Steve.
"No?"
"No," Lyla confirmed.
Catherine looked at him. "She's really upset about it. I already told her I can give her another present and she asked me for a new bikini."
"Daddy can give you another present too," Steve bent down and kissed his daughter's head. After a few minutes he got up and went to Caroline's room.
"Merry Christmas, daughter!"
Caroline got out of bed and hugged him. "Merry Christmas, Dad."
"I missed you yesterday," Steve told her.
"I also missed you and regretted going. My cousins are so different, Dad."
Steve sat on the bed to talk to her. "Different how?"
"Arrogant. They treated me like I was inferior to them."
Steve passed his arm around Caroline's shoulders. "You're no inferior to anyone, Carol. Don't let anyone make you feel that way."
"OK, Dad. I was upset with Grandpa because he saw them treating me badly and didn't say anything. If Mom was there they wouldn't do it." Caroline cried and Steve took pity on her.
"I know that, daughter. I'm sorry."
"Grandma didn't want to send the present that she and Grandpa bought for Lyla. She said she won't give it until Lyla goes there."
"Lyla got presents, she doesn't depend on them for gifts," Steve replied.
Caroline and Steve were silent for a few moments.
"What did Catherine give you as a present?" Steve asked.
"She gave me a dress," Caroline replied.
"Did you like it?"
"Yes, it's a very beautiful dress."
Steve then asked the main question, "Did you like her?"
"She seems like a nice person, but I didn't want her to take my mother's place."
Steve sighed. "No one will take your mother's place, Carol. Everything we live with your mother will be kept in our memory and in our heart. Catherine has come to take a new place in our family. Give her a chance, please."
"I'm gonna try, Dad."
"Okay. Thanks for trying." Steve kissed her forehead, got up and left the room. He went to Don's room and wished his son a Merry Christmas too.
"I haven't had a Merry Christmas since my mother died," he replied without getting out of bed. Steve wanted to hug him, but Don ignored his father.
"Well, I would bring your mother back to life if I could just to see you happy, but that's impossible. I did my best. If it's not enough for you, I'm sorry."
"When will your lover leave?"
"She's not my lover, Don. She's my love and you won't disrespect her." Steve left the room without leaving Don a chance to answer. He was tired of the way Don talked to him.
At lunchtime, Steve and Catherine were taking the food to the outside table. Lyla entered the kitchen and Caroline followed her.
"What are you doing, Cath?" Lyla asked.
"Let's have lunch outside today, honey. Isn't that nice?" Catherine replied.
"Do you want help?" Caroline asked Catherine. She had promised her father that she would try to get along with Catherine.
"Yes, can you take the dishes, please?" Catherine told her.
"Okay," Caroline took the dishes and took them to the table in the backyard.
"I want to help, too," Lyla said.
Catherine thought of what she could give Lyla to take away without the girl running the risk of getting hurt. She took a plastic mug and gave it to Lyla. "Can you take this mug?"
"Yes," Lyla took the mug and was happy to help.
"So cute," Catherine thought as she watched Lyla walk away. Catherine understood why Steve loved her so much even though he knew she wasn't his biological daughter.
Don only came down for lunch fifteen minutes later and Steve was angry. Catherine touched his arm when Don sat down at the table so he wouldn't say anything. Steve looked at her and understood in her eyes that he should avoid confrontation.
"Well, I want to take the opportunity that our family is gathered to tell a novelty..." Steve was talking when Catherine stepped on his foot. She realized that he was going to tell them about the baby and she thought that was not the best time.
"What news, Dad?" Caroline asked.
"I... I thought I could take a week off and take you guys on a trip. How about we go somewhere with snow?" Steve told his kids.
"Snow? You know I hate the cold," Don replied.
The way Don was talking to Steve was pissing Catherine off. "It's all wrong in this house," she thought.
"When do you intend to leave?" Don asked Catherine. Obviously, a question like that hurts, but she didn't let him figure it out.
"She won't leave, Don!" Lyla reacted to her brother's question and became nervous. Catherine realized that her little heart was beating abnormally and caressed the girl's arm. "Stay calm, dear."
Catherine looked at Don and spoke firmly, but softly. "I don't know. I want to spend as much time as possible with your father."
"He has no time for anyone but himself," Don replied to her.
"I know he's very busy and that's why we should enjoy every minute together. And that goes for you too. When we were dating and in the Navy, we spent very little time together, but we were happy in our own way."
"Why did it end?" Caroline asked.
"Well, it was your father who broke up with me and we took our separate ways. But I'm sure we never stopped loving each other."
"Are you saying that my father never loved my mother?" Don was rude to Catherine.
"No, I didn't say that. Your father and mother's relationship is not my concern, I wasn't around. I hadn't seen your father for 17 years until the day we met again and decided to give ourselves a second chance. Your father may have loved your mother and yet he may love me too. You will understand this the day you fall in love."
Lyla took a French fry off Don's plate and he took all his anger out on the girl. "Get that dirty hand off my plate!"
"Don't take that tone with her, Don!" Steve ordered.
"My hand is not dirty," Lyla said scared. She looked at Catherine with her eyes full of tears. "Cath, my hand is not dirty."
"I know, honey. You want some more fries? You don't have to take it from anyone else's plate, just ask and me or Dad will pick it up for you in the kitchen."
"I'll get it," Steve got up and went to the kitchen.
At that moment Catherine decided she was moving in with Steve. She looked at Lyla and stroked her head. "Steve and this child need help."
PS: Thank you who left your Review in the previous chapter. Thank you for the kind words. Some time ago someone said I shouldn't even write a sentence. If any of my stories make one person's day better, I already feel fully rewarded.
