25 days later...
Catherine arrived at the diner for breakfast before going to the police station. She walked in and greeted everyone as usual.
"Hey, where's the cute guy?" Susan asked her.
"Good morning, Susan. He had to return home. His godson was born and he also needed to return to work "
"But what about you two?" Susan asked.
"Let's keep our relationship and try to make it work," Catherine replied.
"A relationship can't work that way, Catherine. It can't work with one so far from the other."
"We had a relationship like this for many years before we broke up, Susan."
"And it didn't work out, did it? Otherwise you'd be married and not trying again. I'll bring you your breakfast," Susan told her.
Catherine was saddened by what Susan had said. "It'll work, I know it will. I love him and I know he loves me too," she thought as she waited for breakfast and did not let doubt enter her heart.
Susan came back a few minutes later bringing her breakfast. "We have a new cook, hope you like the pancakes."
"Thank you, Susan. And how was Kevin's first day at daycare yesterday?"
"He walked into the nursery and didn't even look back. He was excited to see so many children," Susan replied.
"That's great." Catherine opened her purse and took a piece of paper. "Here's the receipt for the day care payment."
Susan took the paper and thanked Catherine for paying for Kevin's daycare.
"Like you, I want what's best for Kevin and the best for him isn't being locked in a small room in the back of the diner," Catherine replied.
"I know," Susan replied.
After breakfast Catherine went to work.
Steve had come home at dawn and slept a while before going to visit Tani and the baby. He had arrived very tired and felt an immense emptiness in his chest when he entered the living room. He had spent wonderful days with Catherine and had forgotten what it was like to feel so alone.
Catherine was at the police station when Steve called her. "Hi, Cath. I wanted to say I got home okay. "
"Hi, sailor. I'm glad you're safe and sound at home. I miss you so much already! It was awful to sleep tonight without you."
"I miss you too..."
"Catherine dried up a tear and asked him if he had ever met his godson. " No, I haven't been to see him yet. I'm going there soon."
"Don't forget to give my gift to the baby and tell Tani I said congratulations on the baby."
"I won't forget," Steve replied.
"Okay. Call me later?" Catherine asked him.
"I'm going to call. I love you," Steve said with a serene voice.
"I love you too. XO." Catherine called it off and saw the sheriff walk into the station.
"Dating on the phone at office hours, Rollins?"
"Good morning, Alice," Catherine ignored her provocation.
Two hours later, Steve arrived at Tani and Junior's house to meet the baby.
"Look who came to visit you, baby! Uncle Steve," Tani told the baby that was in her lap.
Steve smiled and approached Tani who was sitting on the couch. "I'm sorry I didn't get to visit you at the hospital, Tani."
"It's all right, Steve. Don't worry about it," Junior replied.
"Yes, the important thing is that you're here now to meet Kai Steven," Tani replied.
"Really?" Steve asked.
"Yes. If you hadn't given me a chance when I showed up at your door that day, I never would have met Tani. And I wouldn't have made peace with my parents either. It's a more than fair tribute," Junior told Steve.
Steve was thrilled and smiled. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."
"You mean a lot to us, boss," Tani told Steve.
Steve remembered he was still holding the package. "Here's my present and Catherine's present. It's in a package just because she helped me buy it, you know I don't know anything about babies."
"Thanks, Steve." Junior took the package and put it next to Tani so she could open it later.
"Thank you and thank Catherine for me," Tani told him.
"Okay," Steve answered and sat down.
Tani approached him and told him to hold the baby in his lap.
"No, Tani! He's too small, I'm afraid I don't know how to hold him, I'm afraid to hurt him."
"If you don't know, then it's time to learn," Tani put little Kai in the Steve's lap.
Steve held him and smiled as he looked at the baby's little face. "He looks like you, Tani."
"Lucky for him," Junior replied and Steve laughed.
A few hours later, Catherine received a phone call from Susan. She asked if Catherine could pick Kevin up from daycare at 5 pm.
"Sure, Susan. But why?" Catherine asked.
"I'll explain later, Catherine."
"But I need you to pick him up by 7:00," Catherine told her because this was her end of shift at the police station.
"Okay. Thank you," Susan answered and ended the call.
Catherine picked Kevin up from day care to take him to the police station, but her office hours ended without Susan coming back.
"Aunt Cath, I'm cold," Kevin told her and was curled up on the couch at the police station. Catherine picked up one of his coats and wrapped him up. " Is it better this way, honey?"
"Yes," the boy replied.
Catherine waited another half hour and Susan didn't show up to pick up Kevin. Catherine called her but she didn't answer the phone. " I wonder what happened?" she thought. An hour later she got tired of waiting and picked up Kevin and put him in the car. "You're sleeping at my house tonight. What do you think of that?"
"Yay!" Kevin smiled.
Some time later, Steve called her again. "Hi, Cath. I just wanted to say good night."
"And how was your visit to the baby?" she asked. During the days they spent together she realized that he was very excited about the arrival of Tani's baby. He wasn't a father, so he was looking forward to being a godfather.
"It was nice. His name is Kai Steven and he looks more like Tani. I have a photo with him, I'll send it to you later."
"It's a beautiful tribute," Catherine replied.
"Yes." Steve paused and then continued: "I miss you so much, Cath. I miss being in your arms right now, being in this warm bed with you."
"Well, it's snowing outside and there's someone sleeping in my bed," she replied.
"What? You can't be serious." Steve told her.
"I'll send you his picture."
She sent the photo and Steve saw Kevin sleeping under a comfortable duvet. "Well, I'm not jealous of this guy."