|
Disclaimer: I do not own Diagnosis Murder or any of the characters. They are owned by CBS and Viacom. I am not making any money just having fun. All Disclaimers Apply.
Author's note: This story picks up two years after one of my first stories: ? ? Another Chance at Love by ? ? ? ? ? ? Two years had gone by since the death of Ellen. Mark, Steve, Stephanie, Kathy, and James were still living together at the beach house. Although hard they had all adjusted. The kids at first didn’t like their father dating but then when Steve told them about the dream he had had they felt better. They knew how much their parents loved each other. ? Coming to terms with their father dating again wasn’t the only adjustment that the kids needed to make. At first whenever Steve had to go on a plane the kids would panic. Steve would have to call home immediately after his plane had landed to let his dad and kids know he had arrived safely. One time the plane he had been on had been delayed and when he did manage to call he found out the kids had worried so much they had refused to sleep until they could hear their dad’s voice. Steve knew then that he would have to stop flying so much. ? ----- ? Steve came home from work exhausted it had been a long day. His dad and girls now 9 years old and his son now 7 greeted him. Steve felt so good to be back home after the long day he had. He knew what he had to tell them wouldn’t be easy, but he knew there was no getting around it. ? “Dad, kids I need to go away to a conference for several days. I’ll be gone for at least a week.” ? “Steve do you have to?” ? “Yes, Dad I have to.” ? “But…Daddy why now? It’s been a long time since you’ve flown. “Uncle Jesse and Aunt Amanda even fly down here to visit so you don’t have to visit them.” ? “I know Kathy..and I can’t explain it…There’s just some reason why I feel compelled to go to this conference.” ? “Is your captain making you?” ? “No Dad. Everyone understands my situation. Believe me several officers volunteered to go in my place but for some reason I felt like I just had to.” ? “Where is the conference Daddy?” ? “Stephanie, Kathy, James, Dad the conference I’m going to is in Chicago Illinois.” ? “Illinois! Son you’re not used to the climate.” ? “I know Dad. Like I said I can’t explain but for some reason when I found out where the conference was being held I just knew that I had to go.” ? Mark takes Steve aside and asks him “Son I think there may be another reason why you feel compelled to go.” ? “What’s that Dad?” ? “Didn’t you and Ellen once tell me that she was given a job at the Chicago Outlook but turned it down after you proposed?” ? “Yes Dad..It didn’t occur to me. I was just told the conference was in Chicago and felt compelled to go…Maybe I just wanted to go to Chicago for Ellen. She never did go there.” ? “I’ll support you Steve. You know that I just wanted you to realize why you felt you needed to go.” ? “Thanks Dad.” ? ----- ? Steve had arrived in Chicago with no problems. He had immediately called home upon getting off the airplane. He knew now his children would be all right once they knew their dad was safe. ? Steve had packed warm clothes for the change in weather but being Californian-bred he was not used to the cold climate. ? Steve grabbed his suitcase from the baggage claim area at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport and rented a car so he wouldn’t have to rely on a cab. He also asked for directions to the hotel where the conference had been scheduled. ? It started to snow as Steve was driving. Steve found driving in the snow difficult but he was grateful that the rental car already had snow tires on. Slowly Steve made it to his hotel where all he had to do was take his suitcase out of the rental car walk up the stairs and check into his room. Then he would rest until it was time for the conference. ? As he was walking up the steps Steve slipped and fell. He had felt himself slip and had tried to catch his balance but had overcompensated and had fallen down. He landed on his left arm and heard a crack. Steve had had plenty of broken bones in his life and knew right away that his left arm was broken. ? Steve cringed in pain. One of the passersby offered to stay with Steve and called for an ambulance. Steve thanked the kind gentleman who had stayed with him until help had arrived. The ambulance came and the EMTs bandaged his arm and helped him into the ambulance. They also took his suitcase for him. It would be placed in the hospital safe where patients’ valuables were stored. ? Steve’s arm had been X-rayed and a cast had been put on. He had indeed broken it. Steve had been given medication to sleep and when he had awoken in his hospital room he realized that he had slept through the start of the conference. That didn’t bother Steve as much as realizing that his father had probably called the hotel and had found out that he hadn’t registered. Now, his father and quite possibly his children must be worried sick about him. He needed to call home but the telephone wasn’t in easy reach so he used the buzzer to ask for a nurse’s assistance. ? A pretty nurse in her late 30’s arrived and asked what he needed. Steve noticed right away how lovely she was she had long black hair and was of Japanese ancestry. He looked at her nametag it was “Maria” like in a famous musical. Steve didn’t care for musicals but he had been around his father often enough that he recognized the name. ? As Steve told Maria what he needed he couldn’t help but hope that she was single. Steve didn’t know why he had to look and see if she was wearing a wedding ring. When he noticed she was wearing one Steve was really disappointed but tried not to show it as he told her he needed to make a long distance phone call and that he was going to call collect. ? “Mrs.?” Steve sounded polite. Almost too polite. ? “My, my we are formal aren’t we Mr. Sloan?” Maria smiled at him. “It’s Miss Tanaka.” ? “I’m sorry if it came out wrong. I was hoping to be able to ask you out and then I noticed you’re married. Your husband is very lucky.” ? Maria frowned. “I’ve been widowed for almost a year Mr. Sloan. I just haven’t been able to take my ring off yet.” ? “Maria I’m very sorry. I understand really. I’m a widower myself. My wife’s been gone for two years now and my kids and I still miss her.” ? “Now I’m sorry Mr. Sloan. My daughter and I also miss my husband…Could you tell me if it gets any easier?” ? “I wish I could say it does. We just take one day at a time. But we have a lot of support. My father helps a lot. In fact we all live together.” ? “It must get crowded sometimes.” ? “Yes but it’s worth having everyone together.” ? “I’m sorry. We got distracted you needed help dialing home?” ? “Yes, my kids get scared every time I go on an airplane. My wife, their mother was killed in an airplane crash. My father has probably already called the hotel where I was supposed to be and has found out I haven’t registered yet.” ? “Of course. I’ll help you. Give me the number and I’ll ask the operator for assistance.” ? Steve gave Maria his phone number including the area code and the operator called Mark. Mark was more than willing to except the collect charges from Steve Sloan he had been afraid that something had happened to Steve when he had called the hotel and had been told that Steve had not checked in. He had tried to hide his fear from the children but he didn’t know how successful he was. It seemed his grandchildren were picking up on their dad’s ability to sense when something was troubling their grandpa. ? “Steve I’m so glad you called I’ve been concerned when I found out you hadn’t registered.” ? “I know Dad. That’s why I’m calling. I’m all right Dad but I did have a little accident.” ? “What?!” ? “It’s ok Dad. It was snowing as I came into Chicago. You know I’m not used to snow. Anyway I managed to drive to the hotel ok but as I was walking up the steps to the hotel I slipped and fell and landed on my left arm.. It’s broken Dad. But I’m all right.” ? “Are you sure Steve?” ? “Do you want to talk to my nurse? She’s right here.” ? “Maria do you mind? My father’s a doctor and overprotective Steve whispered. He’s not going to relax until he’s assured there’s nothing major wrong.” ? “I heard that Steve.” Mark lets him know he had heard his son whispering to his nurse. ? ?Maria smiled. “Dr. Sloan, Hello my name is Maria Tanaka. Your son is fine he just has a broken arm.” ? “Ok thanks Nurse could you give the phone back to my son?” ? Maria hands the phone back to Steve. “Steve what should I tell the kids?” ? “Tell them their father’s clumsy.” ? “They already know that son.” ? “Very funny Dad. Why tell the kids anything?” ? “Son when you come home with your arm in a cast they are going to know something happened.” ? Steve sighs. “You’re right Dad. Just tell them I fell and broke my arm but I’m ok.” ? “Ok son. Take care of yourself..and Steve?” ? “What Dad?” ? “Don’t hurt yourself anymore please?” ? “I’ll try not Dad. Bye.” ? “Bye son.” ? ----- ? A couple of days in the hospital and Steve was finally able to be released. Maria and he had become very close. She even offered to drive him to his hotel and made sure the bellboy took Steve’s suitcase to his room for him. ? Steve was so grateful that he asked her out. Maria didn’t know why she had accepted. Steve was the first man she had agreed to date since becoming a widow. ? They enjoyed each other’s company immensely. Soon they were discussing their children and their spouses they had lost. Maria felt sorry for Steve being a widower with 3 children. She knew it must be hard on him dealing with two daughters without a mother to help them. Steve was equally saddened upon learning that her husband “Kin” had been beaten and then left to die alone in the street. ? Steve didn’t want to hurt her feelings but he wondered why she could still stay here after what happened to her husband. She told him that she had never liked the cold weather but her husband had liked it here. That was until that night when he had been punched and slugged because of the color of his skin. Steve’s anger started to flare that Maria’s husband had been treated so unjustly. He asked her if they had found out who had done it. Steve thought his world was collapsing when Maria told him a couple of cops had been charged and convicted of her husband’s murder. ? Steve was at a lost for words he had been falling in love with Maria since the moment they met in the hospital. He felt meeting her was the reason he had felt compelled to come to Chicago. It reminded him the first time he had met Ellen. Steve and Ellen didn’t get along with each other. For some reason they would both infuriate the other but his dad had seen what those two could not see at first. Steve and Ellen loved each other despite their efforts to hide it. ? When Steve had been silent for too long Maria was apprehensive. Was it something she said? He had asked what had happened to her husband and she had felt the need to be honest with Steve. ? “Steve did I say something to upset you?” ? Steve snapped out of his trance long enough to realize that Maria had asked him a question. ? “What..Maria I’m sorry my mind was wandering to the past.” ? “Steve I asked you if I had said something to hurt you when I told you how my husband was killed.” ? “No…Maria…it’s….just…..I..don’t ….know….how…to..” ? Maria held Steve’s good arm and squeezed his hand. “That you’re a police officer?” She said gently. ? “Yes. Maria..Please don’t hate me. I really like you.” ? Maria looked him in the eyes. “Steve don’t blame yourself or your profession. I have nothing at all against police officers. And I certainly wouldn’t hold my husband’s murder against you.” ? Steve relaxed. ? “Thanks Maria. I was afraid that our relationship was ending before it began.” ? “No Steve not because you’re a police officer but there is a problem that we haven’t considered.” ? “What’s that?” ? “Steve you live in Los Angeles. I live in Chicago. That’s pretty far to travel for a date don’t you think?” ? Steve smiled. “You’re right Maria…have you considered moving to Los Angeles? After all you told me you don’t like the cold weather.” ? “Well that’s true I don’t but right now I don’t have a choice. You see when my husband was killed it upset my daughter so much that I was afraid that she may do something…and I’d lose her too. I stayed out of work for months dealing with her. Helping her over the death of her father. When I tried to get a transfer so we could move somewhere else no hospital would take me because I had been out of work for months. So I have to stay here if I want to be a nurse..and I do Steve.” ? Steve sighed. There had to be a way around this. ? “Maria I love living in Los Angeles. It’s been my home my whole life. But I don’t want to lose you either..” ? “What Steve?” ? “Maria I just thought of something. If you could find a hospital that would hire you. Would you move?” ? “Believe me Steve I would move so fast your head would spin. But I told you I tried.” ? “Maria I told you my father’s a doctor. Actually he’s semi-retired but he teaches at the hospital and entertains the kids and my father has a lot of clout if I ask him I’m sure he’ll use his influence to at least get you an interview.” ? “Steve are you sure he’d be willing to do this for me?” ? “For us yes. Maria my father loves me very much as I do him. I’m sure once he knows how important it is for me that you are able to work at Community General that he will do everything in his power to get you that interview.” ? “Thanks Steve. This means so much to me.” ? ----- ? Steve had arrived back home. He had taken a cab from the airport so his dad wouldn’t have to take all the kids and go through the hassle of security. ? Mark heard a car drive up and rushed out. He insisted on taking Steve’s luggage for him. And then scolded his son for not telling him his flight had arrived early. The kids had been playing at the neighbor’s house. When they came home and saw that their dad was home they all rushed for him. Mark had to remind his grandchildren to take it easy on their dad. ? Steve enjoyed being home. He loved being with his children and father. This was their home. He had had a great time in Chicago. He knew breaking his arm in order to meet Maria was one of the best things that had taken place in his life. ? After the kids had been put to bed Steve told his father he had something important to discuss. Like always Mark had figured out what that something was. ? “Let me guess Son. You are in love with this Maria Tanaka I heard on the phone when you were in the hospital.” ? “Dad how do you do it?” ? “Sorry Steve if I give away my secret how am I going to keep on top of things?” ? “Dad I’m in love with Maria, and I believe she loves me too. The only problem is the distance.” ? “Yes Steve I remember Ron and Amanda struggled with the same problem for years before she and CJ moved to Europe. Oh by the way, I almost forgot. Ron called while you were gone. Ron and Amanda’s baby daughter was born yesterday. They named her Rhonda.” ? “I’ll call her in a few days and congratulate her. She’s probably tired right now. Yes Steve she is. That’s why Ron called. Now getting back to yours and Maria’s predicament how can I help?” ? “Dad if she had a job here she’s more than willing to move to Los Angeles. She doesn’t like the cold weather and she doesn’t have any fond memories of Chicago. Her husband was killed and she had to stop working for a while in order to help her daughter.” ? “If I can set up an interview would that help?” ? “Yes Dad thanks..I haven’t felt like this about any woman..Not since Ellen.” ? “I know Steve. All I want is for my son to be happy. I’ll have a talk with the nursing supervisor and explain the situation and see about getting Maria an interview…but Steve have you done any thinking about where she and her daughter will live if they move here?” ? “..No I hadn’t thought that far. You’re right though. I better start looking at apartments that she and her daughter can move into.” ? Mark was able to get Maria the interview. It wasn’t too difficult he just pulled in some favors he had been saving over the course of years. ? Steve had figured that there was no sense getting Maria an apartment until they were sure she’d be hired at the hospital. He did find several apartments for her to choose from and he did find her a motel where she and her daughter would be staying while she had her interview. Steve would offer his home for her daughter to stay in while Maria was having her meeting. If Steve and Maria were going to get married which Steve was hoping would happen more and more each day then their children would also need to get to know each other and become friends. Steve wanted the kids to feel like they were one family. ? Maria had her interview and everyone was very impressed. She had been offered the job on the spot. When Steve heard the news he took her out to celebrate. He also took the opportunity to ask her a question that he had been thinking of for days. ? Maria had gladly accepted Steve’s proposal. She loved Steve unconditionally. It didn’t matter to her that Steve was a cop. Just like it had never bothered Ellen. ? Maria’s 10 year old daughter “Gina” was staying with Mark and the children while Steve and Maria went out. All the kids knew what was going on. Their parents were in love. At first Gina had a hard time adjusting to life in Los Angeles but she had found Mark, Stephanie, Kathy, and James were very friendly and she had no qualms becoming part of their family. The only trouble she saw was that Steve Sloan came with them. Gina liked Steve and she could tell her mother adored him but she couldn’t get over her future step father’s career. Police men had been responsible for the death of her father. ? ----- ? Several months had gone by Steve’s arm had been completely healed and finally it had been time for Steve and Maria’s wedding. Gina knew that she had to ask her mother now before it was too late. ? “Mom after Steve and you get married will I have to call Steve ‘Dad?’.” ? “Gina, Steve and I already talked about this with all of you kids. I’m going to adopt his kids and he’s going to adopt you.” ? “I don’t want him to adopt me!” Gina screams and runs and locks her bedroom door behind her. ? Maria calls Steve and asks him to come to her apartment. They have a crisis that needed to be solved before the wedding. ? When Steve came over he asked what was wrong. Maria told him that Gina didn’t want Steve to adopt her. Maria asked how his kids felt about it. Steve told her that at first his kids weren’t too thrilled about the idea but he and his dad explained that it didn’t change how much he loved their mother. He would always love Ellen. ? Steve and Maria wanted to show the kids how much they loved them by blending the two families together. They thought the best way to do this was adopting each other’s kids after the wedding. Stephanie, Kathy, and James loved Maria and Gina very much and decided that they wanted to have a mother again. James was hoping that when his father did marry again that she would have a son so he would have a brother. Maybe 3 or more sons that way the boys would outnumber the girls. Now, he was going to have another big sister. He did like Maria and Gina though. ? Steve talked to Maria and told her he loved her very much but he was not willing to force her daughter to love him. He would wait until Gina was ready before he adopted her. Maria hugged Steve and thanked him for understanding. ? Steve and Maria had a lovely wedding with all their children and of course Mark. Jesse and his family and Amanda and her family were also there. ? After the ceremony and everyone had congratulated the newlywed couple Jesse asked Steve if he could have a word with him. Steve and Jesse went to talk privately. It had been great to see Jesse again Steve thought. He had missed not being able to see his best friend as often as they once did but he understood Jesse’s reason for living in Hawaii to be with the woman he loved. ? Jesse said that he and his wife and daughter were vacationing for about a month. After they spent a few days in Los Angeles they were going to Illinois to see his family. Jesse offered his home in Hawaii for Steve and Maria to honeymoon in. Steve said he’d think about it. ? Jesse went over to Mark and visited with him for several minutes. Mark then went to talk to Steve. ? “Steve?” ? “Let me guess Dad. Jess asked you to convince me to ask Maria to honeymoon in Hawaii?” ? “Well…yeah.” Mark stuttered. ? “Dad I appreciate Jesse’s offer I really do I just can’t afford to fly Maria and I and all of our kids there.” ? “Steve. After all these years I’m surprised with you. How many newlyweds bring their children along?” ? “You and Maria go. I’ll pay for it if that’s what’s bothering you and the four kids can stay with me.” ? “You won’t mind having an extra one?” ? “No Steve. I love Gina just as much as you do…and Steve she loves you too.” ? “Ok Dad I’ll ask Maria if she wants to honeymoon in Hawaii. As for Gina I do love her just as much as my other kids. I do know she’s having a hard time adjusting to me being a cop. She’s worth waiting for Dad.” ? “I’m glad you understand Steve.” Mark hugged his son and let Steve talk to Maria. Maria loved the idea of honeymooning in Hawaii. ? With all that settled Steve found Amanda holding her baby daughter Rhonda and congratulations were once again made to each other. ? With the wedding over Steve, Mark, Maria, and the four kids went to the adoption agency. Gina was afraid to go but her mother once again told her that Steve wasn’t going to adopt her until she was ready. Maria adopted Stephanie, Kathy, and James and promised to love them just as much as she did Gina. ? Then the kids all stayed at the beach house while Steve and Maria stayed in a motel until the following morning where they would spend a week in Hawaii by themselves courtesy of Mark and Jesse. ? ----- ? A month later after their return home from Hawaii Steve and Maria found out that they were expecting their first child together. ? Maria liked living at the beach house and she just adored Mark. Almost as much as she did Steve, but she couldn’t help feeling cooped up in the house and with their first child coming she wanted to move out with causing the least amount of stress on everyone. ? She asked Steve to meet with her at the hospital cafeteria during her lunch break. Maria wanted to discuss it with Steve before they talked it over with Mark and the kids. Steve understood how she was feeling. He had gone through the same thing with Ellen. They had finally settled their differences when they were able to find a house nearby. Steve wasn’t sure they’d be lucky this time. ? Steve told her he was also worried about how they would be able to afford it. Steve didn’t want to keep asking his father for help all the time. Maria then told him that she had been given a large settlement from the city since her husband had been killed by police officers. Steve wanted to know why she didn’t tell him this before. She had to make sure Steve loved her. Steve held her hands and assured Maria that he loved her and Gina and it didn’t matter to him if she had money or not. ? ?Mark was disappointed that once again the house was going to feel so empty. His face lighted up when Steve and Maria explained that they wouldn’t be able to move for several months but that they had already found a new house. Just a couple of houses away. They could all visit each other whenever they wanted. ? Steve and Mark had kept up their father and son relationship over the years it had been good for both of them to be able to come to one another for support or just to talk and spend time together. Steve and Mark took some time out together that night after the kids had gone to bed. Steve had asked Maria first and it didn’t bother her that Steve and Mark wanted to spend some time with just the two of them. She only wished she was able to see her parents but they both lived in Japan. ? “You know Dad.” Steve said as they strolled around the beach at night. “When Ellen died I thought I’d never find anyone I could love just as much as her.” ? “I know Son. I felt the same way after your mother died..I never did find anybody.” ? “Well to tell you the truth Dad I would have probably had the same kind of reaction that Gina’s having and my mother wasn’t murdered... I’m just glad you dumped Madison. I hate to tell you this Dad but I never did care for her that much..especially…” ? “Especially what Steve. It’s ok you can be honest Steve.” ? “Dad it bothered me when she didn’t show up at BBQ Bob’s with the volunteers like she was supposed to that one year and I was stuck alone with all those people to feed.” ? “Son that’s one of the reasons I dumped her. When Jesse had told me what had happened it irritated me that she could be so thoughtless and leave my son without any help after it had been her idea in the first place.” ? “Steve I love Maria and Gina very much I want you to know that.” ? “I do Dad.” ? ----- ? Gina had had troubles adjusting to her new school and finally it was decided that she get extra help just in her reading and her math. She had fallen behind her other classmates because of everything she had had to deal with at a young age. ? She was in the school library with her special-ed teacher when Stephanie had walked by. Gina told her teacher that Stephanie was her sister. Her teacher told Gina that it was ok to pretend that her friend Stephanie was her sister but that she wasn’t really her sister. ? When Gina asked how come the teacher told her that they didn’t have the same name. This upset Gina so much that Steve was given a call at work. Steve asked for some time out and went to the school. He knew Maria wasn’t feeling very well with the new baby coming and so he decided to handle this himself. ? Steve asked what had happened and the teacher explained. Steve told the teacher that Gina was right Stephanie and Kathy were her sisters. The teacher then asked if that was so then why did she have a different last name. Steve didn’t want to start an argument but he was feeling like this teacher was asking questions that were none of her business. ? Steve tried to hold his temper in. “I love Gina just as much as I love Stephanie, Kathy, and my son James. It doesn’t matter to me that we don’t have the same last name and I don’t see why that should bother you either. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to take Gina home for the rest of the day and I’m going to talk this over with her mother but I tell you this right now. I want someone else helping my daughter. I want her transferred to another special-ed teacher. ? On the way home Gina had felt so impressed with what Steve had said. Gina had found it very easy to call Mark “Grandpa” but until then she had always called her step father “Steve”. Now she felt that he really did care for her and that it didn’t matter that Steve was a cop. He was a nice man and an even nicer father. Gina burst out “Thanks Dad. It means a lot to me that you would stand up for me.” ? Steve smiled. This had been the first time that his daughter Gina had called him “Dad”. ? “Gina I can’t tell you how much this means to me that you called me Dad. Thank you Gina. Those were the nicest words I have ever heard from you.” ? “Dad. I’m ready for you to adopt me.” ? “Gina your mother will be so happy. I’m sure this news will make her feel better.” ? Once again they had all met at the adoption agency only this time Steve adopted Gina Marie promising to love her just as much as Stephanie, Kathy and James. ? ----- ? Steve and Maria talked. They had decided that they wanted to know if their first baby would be a boy or a girl. The test showed that Steve and Maria’s first child would be a boy. They asked the kids if they wanted to know and they said yes. They had been visiting Mark at the time. James was so excited that he was going to get a baby brother that he ran all through Mark’s house shouting he was going to get a brother. Mark decided to join him and shouted that he was going to get another grandson. ? Steve and Maria asked Stephanie and Kathy if they would mind if Gina and them talked for a little while themselves. Steve had suggested a middle name for their son and Maria had felt that it was important that they ask Gina how she felt. Gina was delighted to learn that her baby brother’s middle name was going to be her father’s name “Kin”. ? Finally the day had come when Christopher Kin Sloan was born. Christopher’s hair was not as dark as his mother’s but his eyes were slanted. From his father he had received blue eyes and a cleft on his chin. There was no doubt that Christopher was Steve and Maria’s son. ? ----- ? Maria had stopped working as much at the hospital to take care of her growing family. Steve and Mark offered to help whenever Maria had felt the need to return to work. ? One day as Steve came home Maria had some news for him. Her parents whom she hadn’t seen in years would be coming to visit in about six months. Steve was delighted for her. However, an uneasiness came over him. Steve didn’t know how to speak Japanese. He didn’t want his wife or Gina to have to spend the whole time translating for him. ? Steve went over to his dad’s house and told him what was troubling him. Mark suggested that instead of worrying about it why didn’t Steve do something like enroll in a second language class. Mark told Steve that they could take the class together. Steve told his father that he didn’t know how he felt having his old man in his class with him. Mark gently slapped Steve and Steve smiled. What had seemed to Steve to be a difficult problem to solve had been so easy when his father had talked to him. ? Steve and Mark had kept their attending night classes once a week a secret. When Maria’s parents arrived for their visit she was all set to be the translator. She was impressed when Steve introduced himself in Japanese and saying he was pleased to meet them. Everyone had a great time. Mark had invited everyone to his house before Maria’s parents returned to Japan. ? ----- ? Steve and Maria strolled out to their rose garden together several days after her parents had left. They looked up at the night sky and held each other’s hands. After a few minutes the silence was broken. Steve looked at Maria and suggested to her that they start a new tradition between the two of them whenever possible they would go into their flower garden at night like they had done and spend a few moments looking up at the sky with their hands held together. Maria thought it was a wonderful idea. The silence continued until Kathy came out to the porch and shouted. Her little brother Christopher was crying. Steve kissed Maria and told her he’d be inside in a few minutes. ? Steve continued to look up. His mind wandered to that time two years ago when he had been told of Ellen’s death from an airplane accident. Back then as he had sat on a lounge chair on his father’s deck Steve had been afraid that he would never find a woman he could love as much as he had loved Ellen. ? Then Steve walked back inside his house. Steve had been given another chance at love. ? The End ? ?
? |