One year later...

Catherine was sitting in one of the chairs while Ben played with his beach bucket in the sand.

Ben wanted to draw her attention to what he was doing. "Mommy!"

"Hi honey! This is beautiful!" Catherine told him and smiled.

Someone called Ben and Catherine got up from her chair to receive the visitors.

"Look who arrived, Ben! Aunt Julie and your cousins," Catherine told Ben.

Ben got up and ran to them. Julie picked him up and kissed him. "Every time I come here you look more handsome, my love."

"Hello, julie," Catherine said.

Julie set Ben down and he joined Ian and Ivye.

Julie hugged her. "Hello, Catherine."

"Say hi to Aunt Cath," Julie told the children.

"Hi, Aunt Cath," the kids said.

"Hello, my loves. Do you know what Aunt Cath did for you to eat? The chocolate cake you love."

The children smiled and Catherine and Julie sat down to watch the children play.

"Catherine, I don't think I'll ever get tired of thanking you for helping me realize my dream. Patrick and I are so glad we met Ian and Ivye. Thanks again," Julie told Catherine.

"Stop it, Julie. No need to thank me each time we meet," Catherine said.

"Patrick and I are considering adopting one more child," Julie told Catherine.

"That's wonderful, Julie. And where is Patrick? I thought he would come with you," Catherine told her.

"And he came. He and Steve are talking on the front porch," Julie said.

Catherine looked at the children and smiled. "Isn't it wonderful that Ben gets along so well with Ian and Ivye?" Catherine told Julie.

"Yes," Julie replied and was a little sad. "I'm so sorry my mom doesn't accept Ben."

"It's her choice. Steve never forbade her to see Ben," Catherine replied.

"I know, Catherine. And I also want to thank you for taking care of my nephew so well."

"I love Ben, Julie. And you don't have to thank me for that."

Catherine wondered if she should tell Julie that she had won in court the right to have her name as mother on Ben's certificate, along with Brenda's name. She thought and decided to tell.

"Well, you're his mother now, right? I'm glad my sister's name is still there," Julie replied.

"She'll always be his mother, Julie, and that won't change," Catherine replied.

Some time later Steve and Partick joined them.

"Cath, someone is hungry and I can't help her with that," Steve said and handed Amy to Catherine.

Steve caught Ben and Patrick caught Ian and Ivye and both got into the water.

"She looks so beautiful, Catherine! Is she a month old?" Julie asked.

"Yes," Catherine replied and smiled as she looked at her daughter's face.

"Is Ben jealous?" Julie asked.

"No, Ben loves his sister."

"That's good," Julie replied.

In the late afternoon the visitors left, and Steve, Catherine, Ben, and Amy accompanied them to the gate. Ben cried when the cousins left.

Steve picked him up and Ben laid his head on Steve's shoulder. "They'll be back another day, son," Steve told Ben.

"Don't cry, honey," Catherine told Ben and kissed his forehead.

Steve looked at Amy, who was on Catherine's lap. "You have to grow up soon to play with your brother, my princess."

At night Steve put Ben to bed and Amy in the crib. "Good night, Daddy loves you both so much," Steve said softly before leaving and closing the door.

Catherine was lying in bed and talking to Judith on the phone. Steve lay beside her and hugged her.

Catherine could no longer talk after Steve kissed the back of her neck. "Bye Judith. I'll talk to you tomorrow," she said and ended the call.

"Hey, what do you want, huh?" Catherine told him.

"Just a little attention. I have to share you with so many people," Steve replied.

"Aww, I'm so sorry if you're feeling needy for attention. That was never my intention, sailor."

"I know. Your heart is so big, there's endless love in you, but every once in a while I want my wife just for me."

Catherine kissed him on the cheek. "And what else do you want?"

"I want to sleep right next to you, I want to kiss you and smell you until ... the next time the baby wakes up," Steve said and Catherine smiled.

"I love you all my life," she said and kissed him.

End.

Thank you for reading!