Half an hour later...
Steve woke Catherine and Lyla up for dinner. " I know you're supposed to be eating healthier food because of the baby, but there's not much in the fridge, we need to shop," Steve told Catherine.
"We can do it tomorrow," Catherine replied. She looked at Steve and Caroline and asked how the conversation had gone.
"It was all right. I hope she understood what she can and cannot do," Steve replied to Catherine.
"I get it," Caroline told them both.
Lyla ate very little and Steve thought it was abnormal. "That's it, daughter?"
"I'm not hungry, Daddy."
Catherine saw that Steve got worried and touched his hand. "It might just be an atypical day, Steve. If she keeps eating little we'll take her to the doctor."
"Okay, Cath," he was grateful to her for helping him so much with his family problems.
"Lyla, sleep in our room today. I miss you. I promise to read you three stories," Caroline told her sister.
"Will you read the kitten story?" Lyla asked.
"I've read the kitten story a couple hundred times, but that's okay. I will read the kitten story for you."
A few minutes later, Lyla and Caroline went to watch TV again. Caroline was missing her phone, but she was grateful that Catherine had eased Steve's anger. She was happy to have someone to share her problems with and, in a way, caring for her.
Steve and Catherine sat on the back porch and were enjoying the sea breeze that touched their faces gently. Steve put his hand on her belly and stroked it. "How's our baby?"
"I think it's okay. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday," she replied.
"I will try my best to go to the consultation with you. I know I have not given the attention you deserve, but I will try to improve. Forgive me."
Catherine put her hand over his hand that was still in her belly. "There is no reason for you to ask me for forgiveness. I know things aren't easy for you."
"Thanks for helping me with the girls," Steve told her.
"No need to thank me. I like the girls and I think they like me too. They are lacking in affection, Steve."
"I know it, Cath."
"I think Lyla and I are soul mates," Catherine smiled as she said that.
"I think so too. She liked you from the first second, but it happened to me too when we first met."
Catherine smiled at him before going into a delicate matter. "Did you call your son?" Catherine asked.
"No. If he doesn't want to live with me and his sisters, I don't have to call him. I'm tired of Don's unfounded insults and accusations."
"Don't do this, Steve. You and Don are repeating your story with your father. Don't let it perpetuate. Call him."
Steve kept quiet and Catherine knew how stubborn he could be. "Steve..."
"I'll think about it, Catherine."
Lyla went up to them to say good night and kissed Steve and Catherine's cheek. "Wait a minute, Lyla. Why did Catherine get three kisses and I only got two?"
"Do you see how jealous your father is? Give him another kiss, darling," Catherine said to the girl.
Caroline also went to say good night. "Good night, Carol," Catherine replied.
"Good night, daughter. Watch Lyla, please. If you think she's unwell, call me."
"All right, Dad."
Carol reached out to Lyla. "Come on, Lyla "
Lyla held Carol's hand and went to her room. Caroline told the stories to Lyla who fell asleep while Caroline was reading the fourth story. Catherine and Steve went to their room and enjoyed being alone and took the opportunity to date a little.
Steve woke up early the next day, swam, and then made breakfast before Rose arrived. Lyla was the first to wake up and kept her father company. "Catherine and Caroline are a little lazy today, don't you think?" Steve told the girl.
"I'll wake Carol, Daddy."
"All right, little girl."
Rose came to work and asked Steve if Don had returned home.
"No, he's not back yet, and I honestly don't know if he's coming back."
"I'm sorry, boss," Rose replied.
Catherine woke up feeling in a good mood and came down for breakfast with her family. After breakfast Steve went out with Caroline to look for a new school and Catherine went shopping with Lyla while Rose took care of the house.
Rose was sweeping the front porch when she saw Steve's ex-mother-in-law park the car in front of the house. Margaret got out of the car and walked towards the house. "Hello, Rose. How are you?"
"Hello. I'm good, Thanks. And about you?"
"I'm fine, Rose. But I'm worried. I've come to meet your new boss. Is she still sleeping?"
"No, she went to the supermarket with Lyla and Caroline went out with her father," Rose replied.
Margaret sat down in one of the chairs and told Rose to sit down too. Rose sat down and Margaret went straight to the point. " What do you think of her, Rose?"
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