Lyla and Caroline were delighted to watch from the hotel the fireworks announcing the arrival of the new year.

"Wow!" Lyla exclaimed.

"Happy New Year, Sister," Caroline hugged Lyla. She also hugged Steve. "Happy New Year, Dad." Steve kissed her forehead. " Happy New Year, Daughter. Thank you for being here with us. I love you."

Caroline was reluctant to hug Catherine, but Catherine opened her arms to her. "Happy New Year, Carol." Caroline then embraced her. " Happy New Year, Catherine."

Steve and Catherine hugged Lyla at the same time. "Happy New Year, Honey," Catherine said to her. " Happy New Year, baby," Steve said and kissed the girl's forehead. Lyla kissed Catherine and kissed her father. "Happy New Year," she repeated.

Steve and Catherine hugged and Steve whispered in her ear so Caroline wouldn't be upset. "Happy New Year, love of my life."

"Happy New Year, sailor."

After the fireworks ended, Steve thought it was a good time to tell about the baby. " Carol, Lyla, Catherine and I have some news to tell you."

"We're going to win a brother or sister," Carol said.

"But how do you know?" Catherine asked.

"I heard you throwing up a lot two days ago," Carol replied.

"Yes, I was feeling really bad two days ago," Catherine told her.

"Well, that's it. Catherine's pregnant and we're having a baby at home in a few months," Steve told them.

The girls were silent. "What do you think of that?" Steve asked.

"Nice," Caroline replied.

"What about you, daughter?" Steve asked Lyla.

"What?" Lyla asked.

"What do you think about getting a little brother or a little sister to play with you?"

Lyla looked around. "Where is she?"

"It's in Cath's belly," Steve replied and smiled. "He or she hasn't been born yet, dear "

Lyla touched Catherine's belly and approached . "Hi," she said and then pressed her ear to Catherine's stomach.

"The baby heard you but he or she can't answer you yet, Lyla," Catherine said the girl.

"Why?" Lyla asked.

"Why the baby is still too small," Steve replied.

"Shall we eat now? Our New Year's dinner looks delicious," Catherine told them.

"Come on, I'm starving," Carol replied.

"Me too," Catherine replied.

Three hours later, Catherine went to check on Lyla who was already asleep. Caroline saw that Steve had also slept and called Catherine.

"Do you need anything, Carol?" Catherine asked.

"Can we talk on the balcony?" Caroline asked.

"Of course," Catherine replied, and they both sat on the chairs on the balcony.

Catherine looked at her and waited for her to start talking.

"I need your help, Catherine. Don is blackmailing me because of something that happened."

"What happened?" Catherine asked.

Caroline gave the phone to Catherine. Catherine looked at a video where Caroline kissed a boy and various comments from other teenagers mocking her. "Explain this to me, Caroline."

"I liked this boy and it was my first kiss, Catherine. But he bet the students in my class that he would get to kiss me. Now they're all laughing at me and Don says he'll show it to my Dad if I continue to treat you well. I can't stand it," Caroline cried a lot.

Catherine gave a break to Caroline while she was thinking. "Did anything else happen besides that kiss?"

"No, Catherine. I swear, it was my first kiss. I don't want to go back to that school anymore."

Catherine sighed. "Carol, you know I can't keep this from your father, but I'm gonna try to smooth things over. You need to cancel social media, we'll change your phone number and we'll enroll you in another school."

"Thank you," Caroline replied.

"And you need to help yourself too. You're only 13, it's not time to date yet. You're not mature enough for this and neither is this boy. You need to study and think about your future."

"I won't talk to him anymore, Catherine."

Catherine hugged her. "I'm sorry that your first kiss was a bad experience, honey."

"Thank you, Catherine."

"I know you'd rather be telling your mother all this, but thank you for trusting me. I don't know if I'm going to act on it like she would, but I'm going to do my best."

"I really miss my mom."

"I know how it is. My mother passed away many years ago and I still miss her very much. When you are missing your mother and feel like crying, cry. It helps to calm your heart."

Carol looked her in the eye. "Thank you. I know you're not as bad as Don thinks you are."

"No, I'm not bad. I am only one person who has loved his father for many, many years, but I never approached him when he was married and never wished his marriage to end."

"Why?" Carol asked.

"Because I love your father and when we love someone we want them to be happy," Catherine replied and dried some tears discreetly. " Now go to sleep, I'll talk to your father when we get home."

"Okay," Caroline got up and went to her bed.

Catherine stood on the balcony for a while and remembered when her mother said, "I'm sure you and Steve will get married someday!"

"Is that day near, Mom?" Catherine said almost in a whisper.

PS: Thank you for the reviews and the words of encouragement in the previous chapter. Have a good week!