Chapter 13

Arriving at the hotel, Steve got out of the Camaro and went straight to the hotel room where Catherine was. He had no idea how she would react, but he had to tell her and putting it off was not an option.

So Steve used his key card and entered the room. He found Catherine in the sleeping area, where she was packing the few things they had taken with them to Coronado into a bag.

"Hey, Cath."

"Hey, I wasn't expecting you so soon. I thought you were helping Helen get the place back in order. Don't tell me you left her alone with the mess."

"Well, I... no, I did help her... it's just..."

Now concern was written all over Catherine's face and she stepped closer to Steve.

"What's wrong? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine...it's just that, well, while I was cleaning up, I came across a letter from Liana that was addressed to me. In it she wrote that... that she left because she realized that she was pregnant by me."

"So Helen is..."

"Yeah, and we never really talked about kids, and now all of a sudden we have a fifteen year old daughter to take care of...I really don't know how this is going to work out."

"Hey, we'll figure it out, don't worry. She's a great girl and honestly, I already had a hunch that she was your daughter, so I'm already resigned to the idea."

"It's really not a problem for you?"

"Well, it might be a little strange and it will take some time to get used to, but it's not a problem for me. After all, it was my decision to marry you and I knew what a crazy thing I was getting into."

Now they smiled at each other and the tension was gone.

"Well, that's good then, because I've suggested to Helen that we spend some time on Maui to get to know each other better, and you're coming with us."

"No, definitely not."

"Cath, you're her stepmother and you should get to know her better too."

"True, but she just lost her mother and found out who her father is today. That's not something to take lightly and I don't want to give the impression that I'm replacing Liana and forcing myself on her."

"Okay, have it your way. I don't want to push either of you into anything."

"Well, now that that's settled, I think we should finish packing quickly and head back to Helen."

"I couldn't agree more, because I don't know how long it's safe to leave her alone."

"Is that the father talking out of you now?"

"Maybe a little, but what can I say, she's my daughter and she's got my stubborness. Who knows what else she got from me."

"Yeah, I hope she didn't inherit the danger magnet, Neanderthal, control freak part."

"Where did you get those phrases?"

"Oh, well, Danny might have mentioned those words once."

The two finally packed their things, left the hotel and drove to Helen. She had already packed her things and immediately got into the car with Steve and Catherine.

Then they drove to the air base where they met Danny, Nick and Ben.

Ben walked over to Steve and shook his hand.

"Thank you for your efforts, Steve. I'm glad this crime was solved and I don't think it would have happened without you."

"I'm always happy to help. But really, you have Helen to thank. She got us out of Hawaii to investigate here in the first place."

So Ben turned to Helen and shook her hand as well.

"You did the right thing, Helen. I'm sure your mother would be very proud of you."

"Thank you."

Then Ben said goodbye and drove away.

Helen and Catherine went to talk to Nick while Steve pulled Danny aside.

"Danno, I need to tell you something."

Danny was already grinning broadly.

"What, what are you grinning about now?"

"Let me guess, Helen is your daughter!"

"What, how did you get that?"

"Steve, how long have we known each other? A blind man with a cane could see that! She's got your stubborness, wears cargo pants, and is a lot like you, and not just in personality. Have you ever looked in a mirror?"

Astonished, Steve turned and looked at the girl who was having a conversation with Nick, the pilot. Her blue eyes were shining and he could feel her enthusiasm all the way over here. And he sensed something else that he had simply ignored until now. She had already captured his heart when she just stood there in the HQ.

Danny patted him on the shoulder and went to join the others. Slowly, Steve followed, still surprised that Catherine and Danny had figured out what he needed a letter for much sooner. His hand rested on the breast pocket of his shirt where he had placed the letter. Very faintly he noticed Liana's perfume again, but this time it did not make him sad, but it wove a bond between the past and the future.

When he reached the others, he gave Helen an unasked-for short hug, which earned him a sullen look from her. When Danny saw this, his grin grew even wider and he winked at Steve, who just rolled his eyes and continued on his way to the plane.

Now they were all in the Cessna on their way to Hawaii. Steve, Nick and Helen sat in the cockpit again, as Helen still found flying very interesting and Steve let her steer in between.

After six hours they finally landed on Oahu. They all said goodbye to Nick and thanked him for his support. Then they drove home.

Helen fidgeted nervously in the backseat. It was then that she realized she would soon have a new home. But did she want it? She didn't want to leave Coronado. She had all her friends there, her godmother, and her home. What was she going to do with a man she didn't even know? And in a strange house? Her expression darkened. When they arrived at Steve and Catherine's house, Helen got out of the car and looked around. It already looked quite cozy. Steve came up beside her, "Do you like it?"

"Hmm."

Examining, Steve looked at her. "Is everything okay?"

Then it bubbled out of her.

"I don't want to leave Coronado, Steve. It's where all my friends are, my home. What am I going to do here? I don't know anyone here." Tears gathered in her eyes and she fought to hold them back.

"Come with me." Steve left the luggage he had just taken from the car and walked Helen past the house to the back of the garden. He sat down on one of the lawn chairs and looked at Helen, inviting her to do the same. Reluctantly, she sat down in the other chair.

"Look, Helen. I'm not going to force myself into your life if you don't want me to. I just want to get to know you and fly with you to Maui where we can get to know each other without distractions.

If we get back and you tell me you don't want me in your life, I'll accept that. You'll go back to Coronado to your godmother, and she'll take care of you. But if you say I can be a part of your life, then there is a room waiting for you here at the house, a new school in Honolulu with lots of new friends. Either way, you already have a place in my heart and you will never lose it. I am here for you. Okay?"

Helen just nodded. Then she stood up.

"Are you coming? I want to see the room."

Steve grinned, got up and put his arm around her shoulders. Together they entered the house. Catherine had already carried their bags in, and a faint aroma of coffee wafted toward them from the kitchen. Steve climbed the stairs and made his way to the guest room. He opened the door and let Helen in first. Curious, she looked around and then went to the window. The sun was already low, bathing everything in a warm orange. Helen could see across the water to the horizon. Quietly, Steve retreated.