The sailor was going to make a very long trip. He was on a very large ship.
Was it really, really big, Daddy? Steven asked.
Yes son. It was very, very big.
It was like in the movies, Steven. John said.
That's right, John. It was like in the movies. Steve said.
So he went to travel on that ship. And when the ship was at sea he met a very, very pretty girl.
Did he like her, Daddy? Steven asked.
Stop asking, Steven. Let Daddy talk. John said.
Steve smiled.
If you guys fight, I'll not tell the story any more. Steve said to the boys.
We're not fighting, Dad. John said.
I just wanted to know. Steven said.
It's okay to ask, Steven. No problems. And yes, he liked her. Steve said.
He liked her a lot. She was very nice too and had a very beautiful smile. Then he introduced himself to her and the two became friends. But every day that passed he liked her more.
Catherine was lying on the couch in the living room, but she was listening to everything Steve was saying.
And what happened, Daddy? Steven asked again.
They were friends for a long, long time because the sailor was afraid to tell her that he wanted to date her.
Because? Steven asked again.
John took his hand to his forehead.
Oh my God! John said, making Steve and Catherine laugh.
What is it, John? You're the big brother, you need to be patient with Steven.
But he asks a lot of questions, Daddy!
May I continue? Steve asked.
You Can, Daddy. John said.
Then one day the sailor went to war and was injured by very bad men. He was saved by a great friend, who was almost a father. This friend made the sailor promise to call the beautiful girl for a date.
What's a date, Daddy? Steven asked.
When you want to date someone, you invite the person to date you. You can invite the person to go to the movies, to go to the restaurant. The sailor invited the pretty girl to go to a dance.
Steve realized they were both getting sleepy and put them to bed.
Count more, Daddy. John asked.
The sailor and the pretty girl had dated for many years and one day they got married. They had children and lived happily ever after.
Steve paused.
So, did you like the story? Steve asked.
Yes Daddy. It was cool. Steven said.
I liked it too, Daddy. But what was their name? John asked.
Steve stopped to think. He would make John sad if he said his name and Catherine's. That would make him feel excluded from the family.
You can call them any way you want, son. But I can tell you the name of the great friend, almost father. His name was Joe.
Cool, Daddy. John said turning to the other side and falling asleep.
Steve kissed John and Steven's forehead.
Good night, daddy. I love you. Steven said hugging Steve.
Good night son. I love you too. Now close your eyes and fall asleep.
Steve turned off the bedroom light and closed the door.
Catherine smiled at him.
What was this? She asked.
A children's version of our story. Steve replied, sitting on the couch and putting her legs in his lap.
I was thrilled when you mentioned Joe. Catherine said.
I think he'd be proud of me now. I'm going to marry you and we're going to have a big family. It was all he wanted for us. And I'll be eternally grateful to him for bringing you into my life. Steve said, nostalgic.
Yes, he would be proud of you. Catherine said, sitting down.
Cath, I want to thank you once again for treating John so well.
There's nothing to be thanked for, Steve. How is your relationship with him? Catherine asked.
I can say that my relationship with him improved 70%. Steve said.
That's very good, Steve.
A few days ago he told me that his mother didn't like him any more. He also thought I wouldn't like him any more because of Steven. He has very low self-esteem, the psychologist had already told me that.
Poor John. But we're going to increase his self-esteem. Catherine said.
He liked you. Steve said to Catherine.
How nice! I don't want him to see me as a bad stepmother.
You would never be a bad stepmother. Your heart is very good.
Thank you, sailor.
Steve kissed her.
You know that I love when you call me a sailor.
Yes I know. She said, smiling.
Steve got up, took her in his lap and led her into the bedroom.
The next day, Steven and John woke up early and entered Catherine and Steve's room with two bugles and woke them up.
Catherine woke up frightened, with heart beating strong.
Steven! John! Don't do it! Catherine is pregnant, she can't be scared like that!
Steve said, annoyed at the boys.
The boys were startled by their father's reaction and wept.
Sorry, Daddy. We were just joking. Steven said.
John only cried and said nothing.
Hey, come here! Catherine called them.
I'll be fine. No need to cry, just don't do it anymore. She said, hugging and kissing them both.
Sorry. John said.
It's all right. Are you guys hungry? I bet I do. Let's go to the kitchen. Catherine said, getting up.
Catherine made breakfast and watched the boys eating.
Aren't you going to have breakfast? Steve asked.
No, Steve. I'm a little nauseous and not hungry. They were so surprised by your reaction that they didn't even pay attention when you told them that I was pregnant. Talk to them later, they're sad. Catherine said.
I'm going to talk to them, but they really pissed me off.
They're just kids, Steve.
Okay, Cath. When are we going home? Steve asked.
I need to go to the agency tomorrow. I need to sign some papers and then we can go.
And your furniture? Steve asked.
I rent the furnished apartment. Nothing here is mine. Just my clothes and Steven's clothes, his toys and his photo albums.
So can I buy the tickets for Tuesday? Steve asked.
Yes. I'm going to start packing today. Catherine said, smiling.
OK.
Catherine went back to the bedroom and started taking clothes out of the closet.
Steve went to the kitchen and sat down next to the boys.
I want ask apologize for fighting with you guys. I shouldn't have yelled at you two. Can you guys forgive Daddy?
Yes. Both responded at the same time.
Thank you. Come here and give me a hug.
The boys hugged him and Steve sat them on his lap.
The day after tomorrow we go home. Steve told them.
Are you leaving, Daddy? Steven asked, already with tears in his eyes.
I'm going, son. But you go with me, and so does Mom. Let's live together. And you two will win two brothers, or two sisters, or a brother and sister, we still don't know. Is not that great?
Girls don't like to play ball, Daddy. Steven said.
It's true. They like to play doll. John said.
If they're girls, they'll play dolls and you two play ball. It's solved! Steve said, not wanting to prolong the subject.
But what about my Mommy, Daddy? John asked.
We have to have a serious talk about her, John.
Catherine came into the kitchen at that moment and shook her head, saying no to Steve.
Catherine, take Steven into the bedroom, I need to talk to John.
Steve ...
Do what I'm asking you, please. Steve told her.
Come on, son. Catherine said, taking Steven by the hand and leading him into the bedroom.
Some time later Catherine heard John cry. He was very resentful.
Steve entered the bedroom and Steven left to see John.
What did you tell him, Steve? Catherine asked.
The truth.
Which truth? Catherine asked.
I told him that she abandoned him because of another man.
Steve, it's a very hard truth for a 4-year-old. For a child, the pain of abandonment is like the pain of death. Catherine said, upset.
Catherine, you're going to take his mother's place in that house. If I did not tell him the truth, he would hate you. How would we all live together in this situation? It was very difficult for me, but I had to tell him the truth.
Catherine went into the living room and saw the two brothers hugged and John was crying with his head resting on Steven's shoulder.
Catherine sat down on the couch and pulled John affectionately.
Come here, dear!
Catherine sat him on her lap and hugged him.
Do you want to talk to me? She asked.
He shook his head, saying no. Then she just hugged him.
I'm never going to see Mommy again? John asked Catherine after a while.
Of course yes, my love. She'll miss you because she loves you. But while she's not coming and see you, I'll take care of you like you're my son.