Growing Up Brady And Johnson (Read 4,408 times)

[misfit]

So glad I had a chance to finally catch up on this fic! Loved Steve flashing back to 'play for kisses', that's one of my fave S&K scenes ever. Great job too with the scene of Steve confiding in Marcus. (I really wish they'd do more than name-drop the connection between Steve/Marcus on the show and show some S&K and Stephanie interaction with Marcus' daughters. Sigh).

Anyway, adorable scenes with Benjy and Kayla. Steve drawing the parallel between himself and Benjy/Jennie with not knowing about/being separated from his siblings... oof. Heartbreaking to read but love that it's made him more determined to find Jennie. As for Kayla being the one to call Steve out and his knowing he has to tell her the truth, I'm so here for it and can't wait for it. Looking forward to more!

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Steve will be honest with Kayla. Nice to see Jo.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 54

Kayla looked at her husband. Her expression was soft and loving. “Steve,” she said sweetly. “Your Mama is right. It’s Ellen’s case, isn’t it?”
Steve nodded. “Boy, baby, you do know me.”
“What has you so upset?” Kayla asked.
“I wasn’t working on a case last night,” Steve confessed. “I was trying to come to grips with having to work on Ellen’s case.”
“How were you doing that?” Kayla questioned.
“I went to play pool,and then I went to talk to Marcus,” Steve explained. “I meant what I said. Ellen’s case is weighing on me. I told you before baby, looking for a child is hard.”
“It brings up a lot of personal emotions for you,” Kayla said softly.
Steve nodded. He felt tears begin to prick at the back of his eyes. “The girl,” he said with a crack in his voice before he felt his voice trail off.
Kayla took Steve’s hand in her hand. “It’s okay,” she soothed. “You can talk to me. I want to listen. I want to talk.”
Steve looked at his wife. Her eyes were so loving. Steve felt his eyes glisten with tears. “Ellen,” he said in a choked voice. “I know her.”
Kayla looked slightly puzzled. “How?”
Steve went to open his mouth to speak, but a small sob escaped. Kayla got up from her chair,and walked over to Steve. She extended her hand,and Steve took it. She gently pulled him up from the kitchen table,and she led him into the living room. She walked to the couch, with Steve trailing beside her, still holding his wife’s hand. They sat on the couch, hands still clasped. Kayla began rubbing small circles into Steve’s palm.
He looked at her. Steve knew that he had to continue. “I knew Ellen when I lived in California,” Steve said. “She was a waitress at a bar that I would visit.”
“So your friends,” Kayla said.
Steve shook his head no. “Sweetness, I’m not sure if you’d call it that.”
“What would you call it then?” With that question posed, Kayla felt a pit in her stomach begin to form.
“I slept with her,” Steve said in a choked voice. “It was a one night stand.”
Kayla didn’t say anything for a long time. She didn’t know what to say. She felt like a deer in the headlights. She wasn’t naive. She knew that there had to be other women before her, before Steve had joined the Merchant Marines. She had to hear her husband out. That was the fair thing to do. “Okay,” she finally said. “I’m listening.”
“Ellen told me yesterday that she had found out that she was pregnant after our night together,” Steve continued. “She had given her daughter up because she was struggling to raise her. The girl’s name is Jennie. She wants me to find Jennie. Ellen wants me to tell her that Jennie is fine, so that she has closure.”
“What happened once she gave Jennie up?” Kayla was trying to put the pieces together.
“She moved to Salem,and she met Benjy’s father, Bart. They got married,and they had Benjy.”
“And we know the rest,” Kayla finished for him.
Steve nodded.
“You think Jennie is your child?” Kayla looked at Steve pointedly. She hated having to ask, but she had to.
“I don’t know, baby,” Steve said sadly. “I’m so sorry, Kayla.” Steve began to cry again. “What if the girl is mine. I didn’t know. I had no idea that Ellen was even pregnant when I left. I thought I’d never see her again. And now, I might,” Steve’s voice trailed off as he began to sob.
Kayla wrapped her arms around her husband,and held him tight. She felt sobs rack his body as he cried. She rubbed his back lightly as she held him. No words were spoken. All Kayla could do was hold him.

After about five minutes, Steve broke away from Kayla. He wiped the back of his hand over his eyes, wiping away the tears. Kayla got a tissue from the living room end table,and gently wiped her husband’s tear stained face. “You think Jennie might be your daughter?” Kayla finally spoke.
“The thought did cross my mind,” Steve said softly. “Ellen didn’t say that, but.”
Without finishing his thought, Steve retrieved Jennie’s picture from his jeans pocket. He handed the picture to Kayla. “This is Jennie. Ellen gave it to me yesterday,” Steve explained.
Kayla looked at the picture in her hands. Staring up at her was a cute baby girl with big blue eyes, and dirty blonde hair. The little girl’s hair was almost a sandy blonde. “She’s sweet,” Kayla said.
“Ellen told me that that picture was taken when Jennie was one,” Steve explained. “Right before Ellen gave her up.”
Kayla nodded. “She has beautiful blue eyes like you.”
“Her eyes are pretty,” Steve agreed. “Baby, I don’t know what to do.”
“Benjy has a sister,’ Kayla said in an even voice as she continued to look at Jennie’s picture. “Steve, you have to find her. You have to find Jennie for Ellen and Benjy. I know that he doesn’t know about her, but she is his family.”
“Yeah, I thought so too,” Steve said. “I’m glad you agree with me. What about Ellen?”
Kayla handed the picture back to Steve. “I don’t know,” Kayla said honestly. “I think you deserve to know if you are the father or not. Even if Jennie has been adopted, you deserve to know.”
“You really think so, Sweetness?”
Kayla took Steve’s hand in her hand. “Yes, I do. What happened with you and Ellen was a long time ago. I’m trying to understand that. But you need to see this case out.”
Steve nodded. “I love you Kayla.”
“I love you too. I’m glad you told me.”
Kayla wrapped Steve in a hug again as they both leaned into one another’s embrace. Steve felt relief wash over his body. Now that Kayla knew the truth, he just hoped that he could find Jennie.

[André DiMera]

I’m so glad Steve told Kayla everything, and that she was understanding!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 55

Kayla finished up at the clinic for the day. Her thoughts had been on Steve and their conversation from that morning when she wasn’t caring for patients. She was grateful to be done with work, so that she could get back home to Steve and Benjy. Before going home, Kayla decided to go visit her sister, Kim. Kayla drove to her sister’s house. She wanted to get someone else’s feedback about what was happening with her and Steve. Was she making the right decision with being so accepting of what Steve had told her that morning? Kayla had had that question on her mind as she worked throughout the day.

Kayla pulled her car into Kimberly’s driveway. She got up,and walked to the front porch. She rang the doorbell,and waited patiently. Within a few seconds the front door opened. Kayla smiled at her sister.
“Hey sis,” Kayla said easily.
“Hey you,” Kimberly greeted. “This is a surprise.”
Kimberly waved for Kayla to come in. Kayla entered her sister’s house. “I thought I’d come visit for a bit,” Kayla said.
Kimberly looked at her younger sister knowingly. “What’s going on? I figured you would be on your way home by now.”
Kayla smiled nervously. “What makes you think that something is going on?”
“Come on Kay,” Kimberly said. “This is me you’re talking to. You look conflicted. What’s wrong?”
“I am conflicted,” Kayla confessed. “But just slightly.”
Kimberly took Kayla into the kitchen. She got Kayla a glass of ice tea,and the women sat at the kitchen table. “Alright, honey, spill,” Kimberly said.

Kayla took a small sip of tea,and then began to talk. She told her sister about everything that was happening with Steve and the possibility of Steve having a daughter. Kayla told Kimberly about Ellen being Benjy’s mother,and the fact that Ellen was being abused by her husband, Benjy’s father. Kimberly listened attentively to her sister. Once Kayla was done explaining everything, Kimberly rubbed her sister’s hand gently.
“Oh honey,” Kimberly said. “This is a lot.”
Kayla nodded. “I know. Kimmy, I don’t know what to do. I told Steve that I understand, and that he needed to see the case out. And that if he found that Jennie,” Kayla’s voice trailed off.
Kayla sat in silence, staring down at her glass of tea.
“What about Jennie?” Kimberly asked gently.
“If she is Steve’s then he needs to know,” Kayla said. “And if she is his daughter,and she hasn’t been adopted,” Kayla’s voice trailed off yet again.
Kimberly looked at her sister with empathy and sympathy in her eyes. “Kay, that’s what your grappling with. It’s Jennie,and the fact that she might be Steve’s. Your having a hard time dealing with what has happened to her,and if she hasn’t been adopted. Aren’t you?”
Kayla nodded sadly. “Yes,” Kayla said softly. “Even if Jennie isn’t Steve’s, she is Benjy’s sister,and Steve and I are giving Benjy a home. They don’t even know about each other, but we know. Steve and I know. Ellen knows.”
“Yes,” Kimberly said. “And what do you want to do about that?”
“I don’t know,” Kayla said honestly.
“Kayla,” Kimberly said a bit firmly. “Yes, you do know. You know exactly what you want to do. You just need to say it.”
Kayla looked at her sister with a sad expression. “If I say it then it makes it real.”
“Say it,” Kimberly said firmly.
“I want to take Jennie,” Kayla said. “If she hasn’t been adopted, then I want to take her, so she and Benjy can be together at least.”
Kimberly grinned at her sister. “Thank you,” Kimberly said. “Feel better?”
“Not really,” Kayla replied.
“But at least you told me,” Kimberly said. “And now you need to tell Steve. Kayla, you love him. He needs to know your thoughts about Jennie and the entire situation.”
Kayla nodded. “yeah, I know you’re right. I’ll go home and talk to him.”
“Good girl,” Kimberly said in a sisterly tone.
The women got up from their chairs,and hugged.

Feeling better about things, Kayla left her sister’s house, and drove home. Once arriving home, Kayla walked into the house,and was greeted by Benjy.
Benjy hugged Kayla upon seeing her. He began to sign. “Kayla late,” Benjy signed.
“I’m sorry,” Kayla said. “I went to go visit Aunt Kim.”
Benjy nodded. “Uncle Shane,” Benjy signed. “Soccer.”
Kayla smiled. Benjy had taken quite well to Kimberly and Shane. Kimberly knew sign language,and she had begin signing with Benjy upon meeting him. Shane was learning to sign as best as he could from his wife,and he too had become quite fond of Benjy. He was trying to teach Benjy the finer points of playing soccer. Benjy was enjoying his time with Shane and Kimberly,and for that, that made Kayla happy.

Kayla walked into the kitchen with Benjy trailing behind her. She smiled upon seeing Steve, standing in front of the stove.
“Evening Sweetness,” Steve greeted.
“Sorry I’m late,” Kayla said.
“Kayla went to visit Kim,” Benjy signed to Steve.

Steve kissed Kayla on the cheek. He breathed into her ear. “We’ll talk later, baby.”

Kayla figured that Steve probably had something to tell her. She went upstairs,and quickly changed her clothes. She came back down into the kitchen,and helped Steve finish cooking dinner. The family of three then sat down to eat dinner. Once dinner was done, Kayla cleaned up the kitchen, while Steve helped Benjy with his homework. Once school work was done, Kayla got Benjy ready for bed. She and Steve tucked Benjy in for the night,and then went back downstairs. They sat on the couch.
Kayla looked at Steve. “So, what’s up? How was your day?”
Steve looked at Kayla. “It was okay. I learned some things today about Jennie.”
Kayla looked at her husband expectantly.

[André DiMera]

Glad Kayla talked to Kimberly! Can’t wait to hear what Steve found out!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 56

Kayla’s expression grew curious. “What things?”
Steve sighed heavily. “Oh baby,” he said. “From what I could learn today, Jennie is no longer living in California.”
“Where is she?” Kayla asked with curiosity.
“That’s the thing,” Steve said. “I have no idea. It’s like she disappeared. She was supposed to be adopted by a family in California, but the adoption fell through.”
“She wasn’t adopted?” Kayla asked.
Steve shook his head sadly. “I don’t think so, Sweetness.”
“If she wasn’t adopted, then where could she be? Why isn’t she still in California?”
“I don’t know, baby. I’m hoping to find that out. I have some calls into some people, so I’m hoping to get some answers tomorrow.”
Kayla looked at Steve. “Steve,” Kayla said.
“Yeah,” he replied.
“I’ve been thinking about Jennie today,and what you told me this morning,” her voice trailed off.
“What Sweetness? I know I hit you with a lot this morning. I’m sorry for that.”
“No,” Kayla said assuredly. She took Steve’s hand in her hand. She began to massage his hand gently. “It’s not bad. At least, I don’t think so.”
“What?”
Kayla stopped massaging her husband’s hand. She looked at Steve. “If your search uncovers that Jennie was never adopted,and you can actually locate her, then I want to take her.”
“What?” Steve looked at his wife in surprise. “Am I hearing you right?”
Kayla smiled slightly at Steve. “Yes,” she assured. “I would want us to adopt Jennie, especially if you do indeed find out that she is your daughter. If she is your child, then she should be with us. She should be with Benjy. They are siblings. I think Ellen would want that. Don’t you?”
Steve felt a lump form in his throat. He felt tears begin to prick at the back of his eyes. “Yeah, baby, I do,” Steve said in a choked voice. “I love you Kayla.”
“I love you too,” Kayla said. “I can’t be mad at you for having a past with Ellen. What happened between you two was a long time ago. A lot has happened since then.”
“You can say that again,” Steve agreed. “After all I wasn’t Patch back then.”
“Stop,” Kayla said. “You are Steve to me. You’re Steve to Benjy. He and I love you.”
Kayla gently lifted Steve’s patch from his eye,and kissed around his eye.
“I love you too,” Steve said as he gently kissed his wife back. “I don’t deserve you Kayla. Your goodness is just too much sometimes.”
“Shh,” Kayla replied. “You do so deserve me. And those kids deserve us.”
“I’ll keep looking,” Steve assured. “I’ll find Jennie somehow.”
“I know,” Kayla said as she kissed Steve again on the cheek.
Steve kissed her back. “Why don’t we go to bed,and I can continue to show you how much I love you. All that goodness and compassion of your’s has to come out someway tonight.”
Kayla giggled slightly as she wrapped her body around Steve’s. “Sounds good. Try not to worry about today.”
Steve lifted his wife up into his arms. “No worries tonight baby. I’m all your’s.”
Steve carried his wife up to their bedroom. He gently laid her down in bed, as he got into bed beside her. “Steve,” Kayla breathed into his ear. “Benjy.”
“Shh,” Steve soothed. He pressed his finger to his lips. He got up from the bed,and walked over to their bedroom door, gently shutting and locking the door behind him. He turned his attention back to his wife. Steve took off his shirt, discarding it on the floor,and got back in bed with his wife. He and Kayla began to passionately kiss,as they laid in one another’s arms. Just as they had promised to one another downstairs, all worries were forgotten for the rest of the night, as they melted into one another.

****
Jennie sat quietly in the dark of her group home’s living room. The only light that shown was from a small flashlight that she shown on her group project of the ear. She couldn’t sleep, feeling nervous at her presentation with Carrie the next day. She continuously read over her part of the presentation, trying her best to commit it to memory,and hoping that she would not wake anyone else in the house. Once she was finished memorizing as much as she thought her head could take, she put her project back into her backpack. She retrieved a notebook from her backpack,and opened it up. This was a fresh new notebook, given to her by Mrs. Parker, the school librarian. Jennie already knew what she would use this notebook for. She already had a “Mom Book”, and now she would call this new notebook her, “Dad Book”. Jennie would use these blank pages to pen letters to a man whom she has never known, much like her mother. Jennie began to write, hoping that sleep would find her.

[André DiMera]

So glad Kayla wants Steve to adopt Jennie if and when Steve finds her!

Hopefully Jennie and Carrie’s presentation goes well.

[krw627]

What are the chances that Steve's Jennie is Carrie's friend Jennie?

[misfit]

Oh man, so many good updates here! I could completely picture the Stayla conversation, you write their connection/bond so beautifully! And I'm always one for Kim and Kayla scenes. (Sidenote, I really, really wish they'd bring Shane/Kim back to Days. All the mentions to them with the ISA stuff lately made me miss the two of them so much!) Love that Kim was able to make Kayla say what she really wants in all of this, and then Kayla telling all to Steve. Also Jennie with her "mom" and "dad" notebooks both broke and warmed my heart. I love where you're taking this story and can't wait to see where it's heading next!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 57

Steve sorted through the information that he had found from that day’s search for Jennie. He had some promising new leads,and learned about the girl as he had talked to various social workers in California. Steve’s thoughts drifted to Ellen as he filed away his information to close for the day. She had never given him a contact number when she saw him last, just a promise that she would return in a few days. A few days had come and gone,and Ellen had yet to return. Steve had decided to talk to Kayla over the weekend to see if she could get any contact information about Ellen to him that the clinic might possibly have. Steve needed to talk to Ellen about what he had learned that day,and he needed to know once and for all if he was Jennie’s father.

Just as Steve was about to gather his things and close his office for the weekend, his office door opened. He looked to the door as Ellen entered Steve’s office. “Hey,” Steve greeted. “I was just thinking of you.”
Ellen smiled meekly as she closed the door behind her. “I’ve come to see if you’ve found Jennie.”
“I was hoping that you’d stop by,” Steve said. “I do have some information about Jennie. Why don’t you sit.”
Ellen took a seat in a chair across from Steve’s desk. “Have you found her? Is she happy?”
Ellen’s face looked so hopeful as she stared at Steve in anticipation. Steve’s heart went out to her at what he had to report to her. “Ellen, I’m sorry, I haven’t found her yet.”
“Oh,” Ellen said softly. Her gaze dropped to the floor.
“Hey,” Steve said trying to sound encouraging, “I said I haven’t found her yet, but I’m not done trying. I want to tell you what I have found.”
Ellen looked up. Her expression was hopeful. “What?”
Steve took a breath before speaking. “I took the information that you had given me,and I was able to find Jennie’s birth records and your documents of relinquishing her to the state of California. I also spoke to several social workers today from California’s Child Protective Services. They confirmed that unfortunately Jennie was not adopted.”
Ellen let out a choked cry. “My baby,” Ellen said in anguish. “This is all my fault. She’s in California then?”
“Not exactly,” Steve said evenly. “Um, one of the case workers told me that there were plans in place for Jennie to be adopted by a couple who lived out of state. A couple in Illinois were to adopt her. The process even got as far as Jennie being brought to Illinois, but the adoption fell through.”
“What happened?” Ellen asked sadly.
Steve sighed sadly. “The couple found out that they were pregnant,and they didn’t want Jennie.”
“So she was never adopted?” Ellen asked sadly.
“I’m afraid not,” Steve said. “She’s living in Illinois somewhere.”
“Where? Where is my girl?”
Ellen began to cry softly. Steve’s heart broke for her. This was one of the reasons why he hated taking cases like these. You could never guarantee a happy outcome. “I’m not sure,” Steve said. “I’m still working on that. She might be living in a group home, or she might be in a foster home. That’s what I’m trying to figure out as we speak. I’m trying to find her exact location.”
“Is it possible that she could be here in Salem?” Ellen asked hopefully.
Steve shook his head. “Anything is possible, Ellen. I gave you my word that I would find her,and I’m going to find her.”
“You’ve already done so much,” Ellen said. “You were able to tell me that Jennie hasn’t been adopted,and I at least know now that she’s most likely here in Illinois. That’s a lot more then what I had just a few weeks ago. Thank you Steve.”
Ellen reached into her purse and retrieved an envelope. She handed it to Steve. “Here. More money for your service so far.”
Steve nodded,and handed the envelope back to Ellen. “No. You keep it. You already paid me. I’m good for now.”
“But,” Ellen said.
“No,” Steve assured. “You don’t pay me again until I can tell you where Jennie is exactly. You can tell me something though.”
“Of course,” Ellen said as she put the money back in her purse. “What is it?”
Steve took a breath before speaking again. “Am I Jennie’s father?”
A single tear slipped from the corner of Ellen’s left eye. “Yes,” she said. Her voice was barely a whisper. “You are Jennie’s father. I am so sorry. I didn’t tell you.”
Steve felt a pit begin to form in his stomach. “Are you sure? Are you sure there wasn’t anyone else?”
“Steve,” Ellen said in mild frustration. “There was no one else. I was a virgin when we slept together. You were the only one, until I came to Salem and met Bart. You are Jennie’s father.”
Steve nodded in understanding. In that split second Steve became a father. He had a daughter. Ellen had confirmed it. He felt joy, grief,and anger all begin to bubble in his stomach. “If I would have known,” Steve said. “You should have told me. I could have helped you.”
“I’m sorry,” Ellen said. “I couldn’t find you. I couldn’t do it on my own.”
Steve sighed heavily. “I know baby,” Steve said softly. “I know. But she’s my girl too.”
“You deserve to be her father,” Ellen said. “I can’t be her mother, but maybe you could be her father.”
Steve couldn’t say a word. He was too overcome with emotion. He just stared at Ellen. Jennie was his daughter. Ellen had just confirmed it. And for whatever reason, Steve knew that Ellen was telling the truth. Steve made a promise to himself in that very moment that he would find his daughter,and when he did, Jennie would come to live with he and Kayla.

[André DiMera]

Glad Steve knows the truth now, and that he told Ellen what he found out.

[krw627]

Now I'm even more convinced the 2 Jennie's are the same person.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 58

Steve stared at Ellen long and hard. She shifted back in forth in her chair uncomfortably. “You could be her mother,” Steve finally said.
“No,” Ellen said softly. “I can’t leave Bart.”
“Ellen,” Steve said softly. “You deserve to be that girl’s mother. She was never adopted. I could help you get her back. Kayla and I could,” Steve’s voice broke away when he was interrupted by Ellen.
“No,” Ellen said a little louder. “I can’t be, but you could. Steve, you could be Jennie’s father. I want you to be.”
Steve felt tears prick at the back of his eyes. He couldn’t speak. He was overcome with emotion.
“I made my choice,” Ellen said sadly. “I made my choice for Jennie. But she could have a home with you and Nurse Kayla. You are. Already taking care of my Benjy. You could take care of Jennie too. They should be together. That’s what I want.”
Steve cleared his throat before speaking. “It doesn’t have to be this way, baby.”
Ellen smiled faintly. “Please don’t call me that I’m not your baby. I haven’t been that. I never really was. That night never should have happened. It was,” Ellen’s stopped speaking when Steve put his hand on her arm.
“Don’t say a mistake,” he said evenly. “Maybe we shouldn’t of slept together,and maybe I took advantage of you.”
Ellen looked at Steve. “No, you didn’t take advantage of me. I wanted it. You made me feel good that night, like I mattered.”
“Well then,” Steve continued. “That night was not a mistake, because Jennie was not a mistake.”
Ellen nodded in understanding. “Thank you,” she said softly. “But I do want you to take Jennie. You have that right to her. I can’t leave Bart. I’m not strong enough.”
“Not even for your children?” Steve asked. “Abuse isn’t your fault. My mother was in an abusive relationship for years. Her husband was a jerk to put it mildly.”
“I can’t,” Ellen said a little louder. “Please Steve. Stop. This is what I want. They are brother and sister. They deserve to be together. This is what I want. Please.”
Ellen looked at Steve with eyes full of desperation and pleading. “Okay,” Steve finally said. “When I find Jennie, Kayla and I will take her, but under one condition.”
Ellen looked hopeful. “What?”
Steve swallowed hard before speaking. “When I find Jennie, I’m getting a paternity test. I need to know for certain.”
Ellen sighed heavily. “Steve, I told you. You are Jennie’s father. You were the only one.”
“I know what you told me baby,” Steve said trying to stay calm. “But I need to know for sure. I don’t take this father gig lightly. And I will want to do right by this girl, like I’m doing for Benjamin. If you want me to take her, then that’s what will happen. Got it?”
Ellen nodded. “Yes,” Ellen said softly. “You are a good man Steve Johnson. Nurse Kayla is lucky to have you.”
“I’m lucky to have her,” Steve reasoned. “I’m telling her this tonight.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,’ Ellen replied. “This is the way things have to be. Besides Jennie doesn’t even remember me.”
“But Benjy does,’ Steve said. “He still loves you Ellen. You’re still his Mama.”
Ellen shook her head sadly. “He’ll forget me. With time, he won’t remember me. He has your wife now. She’s his Mama.”
A look of dread and fear then washed over Ellen’s face. She glanced around Steve’s office. “What time is it?”
Steve glanced at his watch. “It’s 4:45.”
Ellen jumped up from her chair. “Goodness, I didn’t realize how late it was. I need to get home. Bart will be home soon,and I don’t have dinner ready. He’ll be so angry.”
She got up quickly from her chair, as her purse tumbled to the ground. The contents of her purse spilled onto the floor. Steve got up from his desk,and helped her put everything back in her purse. “Hey baby,” Steve soothed. “It’s okay. Just calm down.”
“No,” Ellen said in a rushed voice, ‘I have to get home.Bart can’t know that I was here.”
Ellen got the last of her belongings into her purse. She closed it,and stood quickly from the floor. Steve stood next to her. “Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” Steve said. He then turned to Ellen,and hugged her. He rubbed her back comfortingly. “I’m going to find her,” Steve breathed softly into Ellen’s ear. “I’m going to find Jennie,and she’ll come to live with me and Kayla.”
Ellen broke away from Steve’s embrace. She smiled meekly at Steve. “Your daughter will come with you. That’s how it has to be.”
Without saying another word, Ellen rushed out of Steve’s office. Steve sighed heavily as Ellen slammed the door behind her. Steve watched Ellen leave from his office window. He then took Jennie’s baby picture from his jeans pocket. He stared down at the photo. “Papa’s going to find you baby girl. Papa’s going to find you,” he said as he put the picture back in his jeans pocket,and grabbed his keys. It was time to go home,and talk to Kayla.

[André DiMera]

Can’t wait for Steve to talk to Kayla!