Carrying Stephanie, Steve followed Bo and Shawn Douglas into the Brady home. He still was not sure that asking Caroline to babysit again was a good idea. He knew she loved spending time with her grandchildren, but he'd definitely pushed his luck the last couple of days.

Standing in the entryway, he watched as Caroline greeted Bo and Shawn Douglas with a smile. Looking up, she smiled at Steve and said, "What are you standing over there for? Come on in for goodness sakes."

Steve smiled sheepishly and moved into the kitchen. Bo rolled his eyes and spoke to his mother.

"Steve's just nervous because he wants to see if you can watch Stephanie for a bit so we can go shoot some pool. He thinks you might be upset at him for asking."

Caroline gave Steve a knowing look, and he shrugged before saying, "I know you've watched Stephanie a lot in the last couple of days. I didn't want to push my luck, but your son here insisted."

Taking Stephanie from Steve, Caroline smiled at her granddaughter and then at Steve. "You know that I'm always happy to spend time with Stephanie and I would never be upset at you for asking." The smile faded from her face. "I only get upset when you don't return on time."

Steve shifted his weight and looked down at the ground. He knew he deserved that, but he also knew he could not really defend himself without stirring up more trouble. So he told Caroline the same thing he had told her that morning.

"I'm sorry about that. It just couldn't be helped." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Bo giving him a curious look.

"So you said earlier," Caroline replied. Then she smiled at him. "Luckily, you're one of my favorite sons-in law, so I'll forgive you."

"I'm pretty sure I'm your only son-in-law at the moment." Steve finished that with a wink.

"My point exactly," Caroline said, laughing.

"Thanks . . . I think." Steve laughed as well. Caroline had made her point. He was forgiven for what had happened the night before, but he had better not push his luck too far.

"Did somebody call a family gathering and not tell me?" Steve turned to see Kim standing in the doorway.

"Kimber," Bo called out. He walked over to his sister and gave her a hug and a kiss. "What are you doing here?"

"I just stopped by to pick up Jeannie." Kim smiled at her brother and Steve. "What are you two troublemakers up to?"

Bo and Steve shared a look. "Why does everybody think we're troublemakers?" Steve asked in his best innocent voice.

"I have no idea," Bo said. "We are two fine, upstanding gentlemen. Pillars of the community."

Kim looked at Bo and Steve in silence for a moment, then burst into laughter which was quickly joined by Caroline. Kim rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. You need to try that line on somebody who doesn't know you as well as we do."

"Fine," Bo replied in mock indignation. "To answer your question, Steve was just seeing if Ma could watch Stephanie for a little while so we could grab some food and maybe shoot some pool."

"Well that sounds more like it," Kim said, still teasing. She turned to Steve. "I guess Kayla is still out of town. When will she be back?"

"Tomorrow morning," Steve replied. "It can't be soon enough for me." He turned to Caroline. "So are you okay with watching Stephanie for a few hours?"

"You know that I would ordinarily love to watch her." Caroline smiled at the little girl in her arms. "But I have my church meeting tonight and Shawn has to take Max to his Boy Scouts meeting."

"Oh. . . ." Steve had not realized just how much he was looking forward to a few games of pool until that moment. "That's okay. Bo and I will just get together some other time."

"Why don't you just leave Stephanie with me?" Kim asked. "I'd be glad to watch her for a few hours."

Bo smiled at his sister. "Thanks, Kimber. That would be great."

Steve was silent for a moment. "Would . . . would you be watching her here or . . ." His voice trailed off.

"I'd take Stephanie and Jeannie to Shane's," Kim replied. "Andrew would love to see Stephanie and it would be good for him to have another playmate. He's been a little isolated at the house."

"Poor little dude," Steve said. He knew that it could not be easy for Andrew to understand what was going on. Yet, Steve could not seem to make himself say yes. As petty and unfair as it was, he did not want Shane near his daughter.

Kim gave Steve an understanding look. "Tonight would be a particularly good night to have Stephanie there since Shane won't be home until very late - if at all. Having Stephanie to play with would be a good distraction for Andrew."

Steve had a good idea why Shane might not be coming home, and he grinned at the news. "Oh well in that case, you keeping Stephanie is a great idea. I'm sure she'd love to play with Andrew as well."

"Great," Bo chimed in. "It sounds like we are all set. I've got to drop Shawn Douglas off at Mrs. H's and then I'll meet you at the Heart in-" Bo checked his watch. "-say about an hour?"

"Sounds good," Steve replied. "I need to run home and try to call Kayla again, so an hour is perfect."

"See you there." Bo kissed his mother and his sister and headed out the door with Shawn Douglas.

Steve walked over and kissed Stephanie. "You be good, little Sweetness. I'll see you in a few hours." Then he turned to Kim and asked, "Are you sure you are okay with this?"

"I'm fine," Kim replied. "You go have fun - and try to stay out of trouble."

Steve rolled his eye and laughed. "I'll do my best, but your little brother may have a different idea."

Kim smiled. "He usually does."

"Thanks again," Steve said as he headed for the door. "Everything's in the diaper bag. If you need anything, just call the Cheating Heart and I'll see you in a few hours."

"Have fun," Kim and Caroline called out as he walked out the door.

Fun. Grabbing a bite and shooting some pool with Bo did sound like fun, Steve thought. Maybe he could put the events of the previous day aside for a little while and just enjoy some fun with one of his best friends. Maybe a little fun was just what he needed.