John laughed at Steven's excitement.
"Dad, I think my brother is a little crazy."
Steve laughed.
"No, John. He's just very happy."
After a few hours they arrived in Hawaii and went home.
Catherine got out of the cab with the kids while Steve picked up his suitcases and paid the taxi driver.
She looked at the house where she was very happy one day.
"It feels so good to be back". She thought.
Catherine opened the gate and entered the yard.
"John, take Steven to see what's behind the house." Catherine said, knowing that Steven would love the sea in the backyard.
"Come on brother!"John said, taking his hand.
Steven was very excited.
"John, it's the beach!"
"Yes it is." John said, indifferent, because he had been accustomed to that landscape since he was born.
"Let's go in the water, John." Steven asked.
"No, Steven. We can't go into the sea without Daddy."
"John's right, Steven. You can never go into the sea without me or your mother around." Steve said, coming after them.
Catherine entered the living room and looked around.
Steve brought the children in and noticed how she looked at the house.
"John, take Steven to meet your room." Steve said.
"Come, brother." John said, taking Steven's hand again.
"Go up the stairs carefully." Catherine said to the boys.
Steve watched John walk upstairs with Steven.
"I think John is taking this big brother thing seriously."
"I think yes" Catherine smiled. But it was a worried smile, or disappointed. Steve couldn't read her smile.
"What is it, Catherine? You were so happy and now you look disappointed. Did you repent?"
"No, Steve. It's not that. It's just that everything seems so different here. Surely she made the changes."
"Yes, it was her." Steve said.
"Suddenly, I felt like a usurper." Catherine said, her eyes watering.
"Don't talk nonsense, Catherine. She left home. And you can change what you want. If you want to change all the furniture in the house, I'll do it." Steve said, hugging her.
"I miss our couch." Catherine told him.
Steve laughed.
"No problems. It's in the garage. Tomorrow we will put him back here, in the living room."
"Yes, Steve. I want our couch back! And the bedroom?"
"The room didn't change much. But we'll buy everything new if you want."
"Ok." She said, kissing him.
"I'll take the suitcases to our bedroom."Steve said.
"It's all right. I'll see how the boys are." Catherine said, climbing the stairs.
John was showing Steven everything. Catherine stopped at the door and was watching them. She felt sorry for John. He practically had his life invaded by her and Steven and yet he seemed happy about it.
"I'll do anything to make him happy," Catherine thought.
After storing the suitcases, Steve called the children to play on the beach and Catherine accompanied them.
John didn't want to get in the water and Catherine called him to talk.
"Why don't you like going into the sea, John?"
"I'm afraid." John said.
"But why, dear?"
"Because I almost sank once." John replied, timid.
"And your father didn't see that?" Catherine asked.
"He was at work." John answered.
"And your mother? She didn't see?" Catherine asked, confused.
"She saw it, but it took her a while to help me. I drank lots of water."
"But why did she delay to help you? Was she talking on the phone? Was she talking to neighbors?"
"No. She was sitting, looking at me." John said, his head bowed.
Catherine visualized, in her mind, Marcy sitting in the chair, watching John drown and she asked himself why Marcy did nothing at first.
"Oh my gosh! Is that what I'm thinking? Was she angry at Steve for some reason and was going to use John to make him suffer? This woman is a psychopath." Catherine thought.
"No, it can't be. I don't believe that!" Catherine said, thinking aloud.
"Huh?" John asked.
"It's nothing, dear. I was just thinking out loud. Shall we enter the sea with me? I'll hold you and I will not let anything bad happen to you. Do you trust me?"
John thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Great. So let's go! You will have so much fun!" Catherine said, getting up and picking him up. She led him into the water, near Steve and Steven.
They were amused and little by little John was losing the fear, but Catherine didn't release it, as she promised him.
After playing in the sea, Steve took the children to shower and change clothes.
Then Catherine and Steve did the same and everyone went out to dinner.
They were having dinner when Lou and Renee arrived at the restaurant.
Steve saw them coming and stood to greet them.
"Lou, Renee." Steve said, smiling at them.
"I see you're back, man!" Lou said, hugging him.
"Yes." Steve said.
Renee hugged Catherine.
"Catherine, it's been a long time since we last met, and that was at Kono's wedding. I missed you."
"I missed you too, Renee. How nice to find a friend. Thanks."
"You're welcome. And who is this beautiful boy next to John?" Renee asked.
"It's Steven, our son. I only make beautiful children, Renee." Steve replied, smiling.
"Seriously? I didn't know you two had a child." Renee said.
Catherine was a little embarrassed.
"We actually have two more kids on the way, Renee." Steve said, smiling, not caring for Lou's reproachful look.
"Oh! Congratulations!" Renee said, smiling.
"Thanks." Catherine replied.
"Shall we have dinner, Renee?" Lou said, calling her.
"Let's go. Excuse! It was good to see you again, Catherine."
"I can say the same, Renee." Catherine said, smiling.
"See you tomorrow, Lou." Steve said, signaling that he would return to work the next day.
"It was good to see Renee." Catherine told Steve, after Lou and Renee had gone to their table.
Steve smiled at her.
After dinner they went home because the boys were tired and sleepy.
Steve put them on the bed.
"Are you sure the bed is not cramped for both?" Steve asked.
"No, Daddy!" Both responded.
"Ok. Good night my loves". Steve said, kissing their forehead.
"Good night, daddy." Steven and John responded.
Steve closed the door and went into the living room where Catherine was thoughtful.
"What is it, Cath? Still thinking about the couch? I can go get it now if you want."
"No, Steve. This is serious!" Catherine said.
"What is serious?" Steve asked.
Catherine told Steve all that John had told her about Marcy and the sea.
"Do you think she would do that?" Catherine asked.
"I think she thought of doing it, but she didn't dare go any further. And for me, just thinking is enough. To me, she's a monster!" Steve said, in disgust.