Balancing the breakfast tray on his knee, Steve opened the door to their bedroom and saw that Kayla was still asleep in bed. He set her breakfast down by the bedside table and leaned down to give her a kiss. She stirred slowly then opened her eyes at him. Her lips quickly formed into a big smile as she reached out her hand at him. He knew she wanted him to join her back in bed and he grinned at her attempts to pull him under the covers.

"No you don't, Baby. I've just spent the past half hour making you breakfast." Kayla turns and notices that heavily laden tray of food by the bed and opens her eyes wider at it. "Now get out from under there and start eating."

A single stem yellow rose fills a small vase as large plate full of food hold center stage. Her husband made her eggs and sausage, potatoes with some green peppers, and four slices of French toast. Next to it is a bowl of fresh fruit, a mixture of strawberries, blueberries and cut up melon pieces. A tall glass of orange stands to one side along with a banana nut muffin, wrapped in a napkin.

Kayla looks back at Steve, incredulous that this was supposed to be for her. "You expect me to eat all this?"

"You're eating for two aren't you?"

"Yes two, not five." She laughed back at him.

He looked back down and saw what she meant. He grinned apologetically at her and like a small boy, shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. "I guess I did over do it a little."

"There's more than enough for two here... so come on." She scooted over and patted the space next to her. "Join me for breakfast."

Steve took the offered space next to her as Kayla picked up a fork and started with the eggs. Steve used the knife instead and jabbed at one of the sausages and took a big bite. Together they ate their way through the large breakfast with Steve consuming more it if than Kayla. She fed him several of the strawberries with her fingers as he tried to lick the berry juice off. Laughing at him, she wiped her hands with the napkin and pushed the empty tray down the foot of the bed.

Bounding down the other side, she went to use the bathroom as Steve played with the rose he brought her. He leaned back on the bed and rested his had on her pillow. They both had to work that day, but he was feeling a big urge to call in sick and just stay home. The more he thought about it the more unlikely he would be able to get away with the plan. He had only been back at the station a few days and he looked the picture of health. Roman wouldn't believe he was ill, no matter how good an actor he was.

When Steve thought of his brother-in-law, he realized that he planned to talk to him today about lessening his hours. He needed to get that out of the way first before he; Bo and John could proceed further with their little company. Roman had been pretty understanding lately, especially after learning of Kayla's pregnancy. Steve had started to think what would happen if the company took and he was left to choose on whether to stay with the police force or leave for good. It wasn't something he had thought that far ahead. He still liked being a cop; he just didn't like the long hours that came with the job.

Listening to the sound of the shower being turned on, Steve turned his head towards the bathroom and casually watched there. He started thinking of all the things he wanted to do to make Kayla's life easier within the coming months. There was so much he wanted to do, especially with getting the baby's room ready. His baby girl was supposed to be home soon and he knew she would jump in, at a moment's notice to help him. Maybe he could enlist Abby's help as well, he thought.

When Kayla opened the door and emerged from the bathroom, she wore a simple cotton robe. Her hair was still damp, as she walked across the room drying it with a towel. Steve lingered on the bed watching her as she looked through the closet for something to wear that day. Picking out a skirt and blouse, she turned to place them on the bed beside the breakfast tray. She eyed him curiously as he had yet to make a move to get up.

"Thought you had to go in early today?" She asked him as he shrugged his shoulders at her again.

"I still have a few minutes."

She turned and sat down at her vanity and started to add a little gel to her still damp hair, rubbing it all over. "What time do you get off today? We need to do a little shopping afterwards."

"Around four I think."

"That sounds good. I'll be off by three thirty so I can meet you at the station." When she began styling her hair, she looked back in the mirror and caught Steve watching her. She gave him a big smile as she went to apply her make-up next.

"Didn't Stephanie say she would be home soon?" Steve had finally gotten up and took the tray in his hands.

"In a couple of days. She mentioned calling today with her flight schedule."

"Hmmm?" He answered her. "You know... " He came by and sat on the edge of the bed, the tray placed over his lap. "I thought we might have Abby come over and help with the baby's room too. I mean since you and I would be working a lot this week and next. What d'ya think? Good idea?"

"That's fine with me. Are you sure Abby would have the time? Doesn't she have a full schedule of classes this term?"

"I'll have to call her and check... but I'm sure she'll love to help." He stood up again and brought the tray with him to the door, intending to return it to the kitchen. When he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped and turned back around and came back at Kayla's side. He placed the tray down on the bed again and picking up the rose brought it over to his wife. He took her face in his hand and gave her a quick kiss then placed the rose between her lips. She smiled up at him, the flower dangling from her mouth.

"Thrank Creuw!"

"You're welcome, Baby." He picked up the tray again and head out the door. He called out to her one more time before disappearing completely from view. "I love you! Miss me!"

Taking the rose from her mouth, she dropped in with the other flowers in the vase on her vanity table. "We will!" She yelled back at him as she looked back in the mirror to apply her lipstick. The sun finally came through the windows that morning and streaked across the room to just behind where Kayla sat. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but smile at the happy face there. It wasn't her imagination, she thought. She had the biggest, happiest smile she ever saw.

**********

When Stephanie called Kayla at work, she was only able to talk for a few minutes, but it was enough to let her mother know she would be home in two days.

"Max said he�d pick me up again. I emailed him and he said it wouldn't be a problem."

"Okay!" Kayla told her. "So long as it's not out of his way."

"I've also got some news about my races, but I want to wait until I come home to tell you."

"It's not bad news... I hope."

"No, nothing like that." Stephanie laughs a little then. "It's good news for me and I hope for both of you too." She adds. "So expect me home by Thursday, late afternoon."

"We'll be waiting."

"Okay, gotta go. I love you mom!"

"Bye Baby!"

For the rest of the day, Kayla made the general rounds to all her patients. No one new had been admitted and no emergencies to her floor so it had been a relatively non-stressful day. She left precisely at three-thirty and arrived fifteen minutes later at the police station. Roman had been downstairs when Kayla arrived and greeted his sister with a hug and kiss. The other officers looked over at their direction as he walked with her back to the squad room. So many of the men envied Detective Johnson. Seeing his beautiful wife sent many heads turning as she walked passed them, clearly ignorant of their stares, her eyes searching only for her husband

"There he is sis." Roman told her as he opened the door and she spotted Steve at his desk. Two new rookies stood by and were taking some orders from him when he saw her. His face instantly lit up and he stood as she walked over to him. Bo yelled out to her as well, but stayed put as another call was transferred to him. Kayla stopped to give him a quick hug as he continued talking on the phone.

The new officers just stood silent as Kayla came up to Steve's side. They recognized her from the picture Steve kept on his desk, but in person, she was more beautiful.

"Sweetness, this is Officers Tyler and Bellum. Gentlemen, my wife."

"Please to meet you ma'am." The younger of the two spoke first, and Kayla smiled back at Bellum. He looked to be in his early twenties and reminded her a little of Stephanie. His red hair and blues eyes were the same coloring as hers Tyler barely croaked out a simple hello and stood tongue tied at her. Steve saw the younger man's astonished face and loudly cleared his throat. Tyler looked guiltily back at him and stammered some apologies before taking his leave.

"Tyler!" Steve had called back to him. "Forgotten something?" In Steve's hand were the reports he was supposed to work on. Blushing profusely, his face turning red, he came rushing back and grabbed at the folders. He looked at Kayla again, the rushed out the door after his partners retreating figure.

"What's wrong with him?" Kayla asked. "He seems awfully jumpy to be a police officer.

Steve just smiled at her since she seemed unaware of her affect on the men there. "Just the nervous type I guess."

"Stephanie called a few hours ago." She told him.

"How's my baby girl?"

"Still the same. She's arriving Thursday and staying around two weeks."

"Really?" He looked surprised at her. "What happened to her races?"

"As far as I know she still has three left... but she did mention some good news about them."

"Good news? Like she'd quitting and coming back home?" Steve acted so hopeful that it just made her laugh. Stephanie would sooner give up eating than racing.

"No. I doubt it, but she sounded really happy when I spoke to her. She said she wanted to tell us in person."

"Well� if it's about racing, I can wait... unless." The thought of a man in his daughter's life suddenly came to Steve and he frowned. Did she meet someone over there, he thought to himself. "No, she wouldn't do that to her papa." He said aloud.

"Wouldn't do what? What are you mumbling about?"

"Oh nothing, Sweetness."

Checking her watch she mentioned hitting the stores again as he shut down his computer and grabbed for his jacket. "Ready to go."

"Yup. Let me just give these to Roman and we can get out of here." He held several files in his hand and went over to Roman's office. Kayla stopped by Bo's desk and picked up the new picture of Ciara that he added. The baby's fat chubby cheeks came out puffier in the picture. Kayla smiled adoring at the newest picture of her niece as Bo stood and commented on the beauty of his girl.

"She's going to break hearts that one." Bo came around and took the picture from his sister. "I'm going to have to beat them off with sticks."

Smiling back at him, Kayla just shakes her head and gives him a gentle hug. "Poor Bo!"

"Course if you have another girl, then it will be Steve and me against those young guys." The thought made him chuckle harder. He could almost imagine the poor dudes that would be sent away after he or Steve got a hold of them.

"Sorry Bo. But this one's a boy."

"You know for certain then, I've got money riding on this sis."

"I'd say so. You shouldn't have made the bet."

"Yeah, well your husband tricked me. I should have known not to trust him."

**********

They stopped at the grocery store first and loaded up on more food. Kayla begins to wonder if Steve was planning a party of some sort with the large amount of food he was placing in the cart. She widened her eyes at the quantity of milk and dairy products he got. "It's good for the baby." Steve tells her as he gets the gallon of milk.

"You do realize you'll the baby's not the only one eating all that food."

"I know, I know... but it's better to get this healthy stuff in you now. I want my son to be big and strong."

"If he eats all that, he'll be too big for me to carry!" Kayla pushes the cart away before her husband could load more things in it. On the way out, they pass by a baby store and decide to look in for a few minutes. Steve takes their groceries and places them in the car as Kayla takes a quick look around. She spots a little baby, leather jacket and takes it down from the hanger for a closer look. When Steve comes up behind her, she shows it to him and he grins at the outfit.

"Now that's definitely something to consider getting, Baby!" Steve plays with the collar lifting it up and checks at the buttons in front.

"You're seriously considering buying that?" Kayla found it cute, but not really practical. "He'll need something more like baby jammies for the first year Steve."

"I know� but can you just imagine the two of us in our jackets. No women will be able to resist the Johnson men."

"Well this little man..." She tells him, patting her tummy. "... Will have to wait a long while before he gets involved with any woman."

"Oh I don't know, Sweetness. I can just see the little dude being trailed by the girls in the school yard a few years from now."

"Oh no you don�t!" She told him, taking the jacket from his hands. Kayla places it back on the rack and pulls him out the door. "You're not turning my son into a ladies man before he's even born."

"What? I thought you liked them made that way. That is why you fell for me, isn't Baby?" He gives her one of his famous looks and adds a slight wink to complete the picture. Kayla holds the smile in, but Steve sees a bit of it leaking out.

"I don't think they make them like you anymore. I'm pretty sure I got the last model off the assembly line." They had reached the car by then as Steve unlocked the passenger side. They stood outside a moment longer as Kayla reached for her husband and brought his face down to her. "I've got the classic model already. Let's let the baby wow them a different way." Placing a kiss on his lips, he deepens it as Kayla leans into his embrace.

"Well, if he gets your looks and brains..." He kisses her once on each cheek then another on her lips. "... And my way with words..." At that Kayla snorts back at him as Steve pretends to look offended, but ends up laughing with her. "... Then the little dude will corner the market with the ladies."

"Can we let him be a baby for a while first before we set him lose on the female population?"

Steve scrunches his face and pretends to think about her question before nodding back at her. "Okay. We'll give him a few years to get ready. But I tell you, don't blame me when hearts get broken all over town. The boy's got his papa's genes. It's a win-win situation all around."

**********

When Steve placed the plate in front of her, Kayla had to smile since it was a normal size portion. Gone was the gargantuan helpings he tried to push on her that morning. He poured himself a glass of wine and handed her a glass of milk instead. Kayla looked at the glass and back at her husband, a half amused look on her face.

"Don't I get any?"

"It's not good for the baby, Sweetness." Steve started eating but Kayla just pushed at her chicken and eyed his wine glass.

"How about just half a glass?"

"No. Now eat your dinner."

Scowling slightly back, she worked on her dinner, but kept a close tab on his glass, hoping to catch a sip when he wasn't looking.

"I talked to Roman today." He broke apart some bread and buttered it, placing the piece back down. "He's okay with the schedule change... so I'll only be working three days a week starting next month."

"You really want to do this then?''

"Yeah... yeah I do." Shaking his head a little he puts his fork down as he tells her of the plans he, Bo and John had worked out. "I never thought I'd start up a company, but... well there's a lot of things I thought I'd never do. Bo's already looking for a space we can rent and John's getting some office equipment. I'm actually excited about the whole thing."

"You used to be excited about police work too."

"I'm not off it, but lately... I'm feeling restless. I don't know, maybe I'm not getting my hands dirty enough behind the desk. Most of the time, I'm just sitting there."

You know, I still remember when Bo and Hope had their own private investigation company. That's when we were on the trail of Andrew's kidnapping."

"I remember that too. I was one of the suspects then." He eyed her carefully as he spoke and she saw the smallest trace of pain just drift across his features.

Swallowing, uncomfortably, she shook his head at him, but Steve just sighed back "No, you weren't... it was that doctor I worked for..."

"Baby... I got put in jail remember... "

Kayla hung her head at his remark, but Steve quickly reached his hand over. When she looked up at him, he was smiling at her. "Come on baby... smile. That was a long time ago. We were different people then."

"But it doesn't change the facts that you were wrongfully accused."

"Well... considering I was such a bum... "

"You were never that!" Kayla suddenly yelled out to him. Steve was startled by her outburst. He saw how upset she had become and leaned over to give her a quick hug.

"All right, Sweetness. Don't get upset over something that happened a long time ago." He tried to placate her, calm her down. The last thing Kayla needed was to be stressed out over his checkered past.

"I just wish you would stop putting yourself down like that." She looked so indignant at him, angry and upset.

"I guess... old ghosts die hard." Steve took a deep breath and reached over to place his hand on hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I can't deny who I was then... but I know... who I am now."

Kayla slowly shook at her head at him while leaning over. "You're one person Steve... just one. You believe that, don't you?"

"Only if I was someone... like you."

"Crazy man." She started shaking her head at him again. "You have no idea how alike we are."

"That's only because you like finding the good in people."

"And I found it... in you."

"I can't deny you found something in me..." Steve told her, giving Kayla a wink. "But you were so determined and insistent... cute as hell too."

"You were cuter." She smiled at him.

"Yeah... well... there's no comparison there." He joked. "But the fact is... I did do things I was ashamed of and regret."

"We all have done things we've regretted, Steve."

"Not to the same degree as me, Baby."

"So... you're hands have gotten dirtier than mine."

"I would say they were filthy!"

"Filthy! Dirty! It all washes off in the end... and what's beneath... has always been the same. Always"

"You're still trying to make me your knight in shining armor... even after all this years."

"I bound and determined... remember?"

Sighing, he had to chuckle at her attempt. His wife always rooted for him and he had to admit, it made him feel more special than any compliment others have given. "Why can't I win against you?"

She looked upward and teased him about his question. "Don't know? But you should really stop, unless you like to lose."

"Oh... I don't mind losing to you."

"You don't?"

"No..." He told her before placing a kiss on her lips. "I actually... kinda like it."

Looking baffled at him, Kayla sits back in her seat. "Somehow I get the feeling we're talking about arguments anymore."

"Trust your feelings, Baby. We're not!"

**********

"Are you feeling tired, Sweetness?"

Kayla looks at him confused and puts down the newspaper. "Tired? From what... reading?"

"Just tired in general."

Kayla gives him a wide-eyed look and shakes her head. "I'm fine. If I rest anymore, I'll be asleep."

"Well we can go to bed if you want too." Steve stands up from the table and shuts down his laptop. He walks over to Kayla as she sits up from the sofa. The paper she was just reading gets folded and placed on the coffee table. Looking over at the clock, she notices the time.

"It's only a few minutes passed nine."

"I know... but don't pregnant women need extra sleep or something."

"You like we need a lot of food?"

"You know what I mean."

Laughing at him, Kayla pulls at his hand as Steve kneels down on the floor next to her. "I'm just teasing. I'm not sleepy yet."

"Well... what about this little one?" Rubbing his hand across Kayla tummy, Steve bends down and places his ear against it, listening for his son to answer him back. Kayla smiles down at his head. Placing a kiss on her fingers, she puts her hand down on his hair to leave her kiss there. Steve's eye widens as he pretends to talk to the little dude and interprets what he has told him.

"Uh huh! Okay! We can do that! Sure... I'll let your mommy know."

"Let me know what?'

"He wants a big teddy bear of course. Something to cuddle up against when he's sleeping."

Smiling at his silliness, Kayla goes along with him. It was so wonderful to see Steve's face light up like that when he talked about his son. Kayla remembered how excited and happy he was when Stephanie was born. She was her papa's girl the moment she was conceived.

"Did he want anything else?"

"Hmmm? No. He said he's already got everything worth having. He has a beautiful older sister... a brave and loving papa, lots of cousins to play with when he's older... and..."

"And?" Kayla asks as he leans towards her and places a kiss on her lips.

Grinning from ear to ear, Steve smiles back as Kayla places her hand on his cheek and pulls his face up for another kiss. "The most wonderful, beautiful, loving mama in the world."

"He said all that, did he?"

"Of course! Would I lie to you about that?" He gives her a mocked look of hurt while hiding a smile. Just then Steve moved his hand from her tummy as he looked up at her in surprise.

Kayla saw the change in his face and asked what was wrong. "What's the matter?"

"I felt him kick."

"What?"

"Just now, I felt a kick at my fingers."

"Steve... you couldn't have. I didn't feel anything."

"Well something struck at me... just right here." He placed his hand back, just at the side and rubbed his hand across.

"You must have imagined it. I would have felt it too."

"But I..." The more he thought about it, the more certain he was that the baby kicked at him. But why couldn't Kayla feel it, he thought. "Maybe you're right. My hand probably had a spasm of something."

"I bet you're the one who's tired. Come on. Mr. Johnson." She told him as she rose pulling him up with her. "Time for beddie bye."

"Are you turning in too? I won't be able to sleep unless you're next to me."

"I guess an early night isn't too bad. Let's go."

**********

"Oh I don't know... maybe she will soon."

**********

Taking a bite from her loaded cheeseburger, Stephanie looked over at her parents as they sat across from her in the booth. Her face had the funniest expression that bordered on part bliss and part anguish. Considering the amount of food she was currently consuming, it wouldn�t be a big surprise to know she would suffer a pretty nasty stomach by mid afternoon. But for now, she indulged herself with the large basket of French fries along side the dripping concoction of beef, cheese, bread and assorted condiments otherwise known at Eddie�s as, the Works.

Wiping the ketchup from her lips and chin, Stephanie placed her burger back on the plate and took a large drink from her glass of water. "This is one thing I missed so much. They just don�t know how to make cheeseburgers in Germany."

"Don�t they eat fries with mayo there?" Her father asked her.

Steve ordered the same meal as his daughter while Kayla was regulated to eating the healthy lunch for two. Not that she would have gone as overboard, but seeing Steve and Stephanie gorge themselves made her look down on her simple dish of half a salad and half a sandwich in disappointment. The more she watched them eat, the more unappetizing her own meal grew.

"Not in Germany, dad� but I did try it at one place. It�s not bad."

Shaking his head at the gruesome thought, Steve picked up a good old fashioned French fry and held it up to prove a point. "I�ll settle for these tried and true babies instead." Putting the whole piece in his mouth he chewed and swallowed, chasing it down with a drink of beer.

"So anyway�" Tossing her hair back over her shoulders, Stephanie lets them in on the current news on the circuits. "� I�ve been picked up by the team, but just for the season. The races go all the way up to mid November which works out perfectly� cause I�ll be back home when my little brother is born." So far, at least half a suitcase of assorted clothes, toys and gifts were brought over and were currently waiting to be opened and put away in the nursery.

"What do you mean, for the season sweetie? Does that mean you�ll be back here to stay for good, by the end of the year?" Kayla wasn�t that thrilled to hear she was going to be gone practically the rest of the year too. She had been hoping that Stephanie would help out a little in the coming months.

"That I won�t know until November. I�m just a rookie, mom. It would have been a surprise if they signed me up right off. But that�s okay. This seems to be the standard practice over there. Elliot says all rookies go through it."

At the mention of Portia�s son, Steve�s attention turned from the meals he was enjoying tremendously to his daughter�s lit up face and sparkling eyes as she talked more about her new friend. Kayla could sense the immediate change in Steve�s demeanor, but Stephanie seemed oblivious to it. Her daughter continued to mention all the helpful hints that Elliot gave about the in�s and out�s of the European circuit.

"I was pretty discouraged at first� when they only signed me up for one season, but Elliot said he had to wait almost three years before he became a team member."

By the time Stephanie ran out of steam and had to pause for a drink, Steve already pushed the rest of his lunch away and was waiting for an opportunity to ask his daughter about the friends she made abroad. Kayla touched his arm and gave him a gentle squeeze as he turned back to look her. There was a silent plea in her eyes to stay calm and collected, as he smiled back in understanding.

"I�ll behave." He quickly whispered to her. Turning then to his daughter, he suddenly asked about Benjy and whether they got to see each other at all.

"Actually no� he wasn�t able to see any of the four races. He did email me a few times� but he�s really been busy. He said he�d try to visit maybe next month."

"That too bad." Kayla told her.

"Yes� it is." Steve added. "So� you must have made a lot of friends over there. Probably going out all the time...?"

"Hardly dad! I had to be at the race track by seven most mornings."

"But you did go out, I mean I can�t believe you�d spend your days off at the track or garage." Steve nudged a little since his girl seemed to be hedging around his questions.

"Most of the other drivers hung out with their girl friends or wives� but Elliot did take me for a drive in the country one day. We also went to some open-air country markets. That�s where I was able to get a lot of baby things."

Steve�s eye began to bulge. He didn�t have to look. He could feel it grow larger and larger. For the last few minutes, Steve knew he must have counted Elliot Lansing�s name mentioned three times now. He felt Kayla�s eyes on him, but he wasn�t going to look at her. She always had this calming effect, especially whenever he began to feel out of sorts. But right now, Steve�s was particularly enjoying the discomfort that young Lansing�s name was bringing to him. It was something to fuel his emotions, which were currently on a topsy turvy roller because of his daughter.

Kayla felt a need to intercede then. With each mention of Elliot Lansing, she saw his eye raise just a fraction higher and his lips thin out to a longer flat line. "Looks like the two of you really hit it off."

"Were a lot alike� I think� And not just because of the racing part� we really got along pretty well."

"You two aren�t� dating�?" She had left the questioned open ended for now. Kayla was also beginning to suspect Stephanie�s feelings may have shifted in the last few weeks. Her daughter regarded her thoughtfully for a moment before replying.

"I wouldn�t call it dating� we hung out together� as friends, good friends." She added.

"How good a friend would he be, baby?" Steve had leaned slightly forward and looked over his daughters face. Her expression didn�t seem to change much when he asked. Unlike Kayla, Steve didn�t have the benefit of knowing his daughter all the years she was growing up. If she was hiding her feelings, he doubt he spot it if Kayla couldn�t.

"He�s been a great friend. All the help his given me, the racing advice� most experienced racers wouldn�t give the newbies the time of day. Elliot�s not like them."

"So now he�s a great friend." Steve muttered while turning to his wife. "Did you hear the Sweetness� our daughter�s great friends with him."

"Steve?" She spoke, cautioning him.

"Oh it�s okay, baby!" He replied. "Our girl�s got a friend, a great friend in fact� that must be so� nice."

"Dad? What are you acting funny about all this?"

"Funny?" Turning to Kayla, he gives her a mock look of surprise. "Do I seem funny to you?"

Shaking her head at him, she looks at the two of them and gives a huge sigh. "And it started out to be such a nice day too."

"Dad, I already said we�re just friends."

"No you didn�t. You said great friends."

"Same difference!" She retorted back

"Not in my book."

"Elliot�s a great guy. I don�t see why you don�t like him."

Steve countered back and frowned. "Who says I don�t?"

"Well� you haven�t exactly put out the welcome sign for him."

"Your father just needs to get to know him a little more."

"No I don�t. I know him enough now." He watched as the women rolled their eyes at him and smirk back. "He�s just� smug! You�ve noticed that, haven�t you Sweetness?"

"I don�t know him that well yet."

Stephanie thought about him and didn�t see it. "He�s just confident. Makes people look up to him."

"They do that because he�s over six feet four."

"Steve!"

"He is a tall man, baby."

Kayla shook her head once more and reached for her glass of water. When their waitress came back asking if they wanted dessert, Stephanie immediately opted for some chocolate cake. Kayla offered to share some with her. Steve complained he was already full and ordered coffee instead.

When Kayla brought up the baby things Stephanie had gotten, Steve felt calmer knowing they would be talking about something pleasant. As the cake was brought to their table, Stephanie placed it between Kayla and herself as she started to dig in. She saw her father also eyeing the cake, but he made no attempt to sneak in a taste.

"I love the little two pieces with all the racing cars. Just where did you get those, Doll?"

"Well Elliot knew of this little shop at in Cologne, not far from the cathedral. That was the day we went for a drive in the country and he mentioned knowing the owner so he took me there."

Steve gritted his teeth as the name re-entered the conversation again. What was that, six times now within the last half hour? How could they possibly go from talking about the baby to that man. Women! He thought to himself.