Mari & Ilna: What can I say? I'm enjoying this adventure every bit as much as I was on day one. Maybe more.

REAL Worlders-thanks for all the enthusiastic support. You guys are the best!

Learning by Example (1/1)

Steve glanced at his phone when it buzzed with the notice of an incoming text. He smiled when he saw the words from Catherine. 'It's safe to come home now'.

He'd taken Cammie out for a morning swim which had then expanded to include a morning run when the Father's Day breakfast Catherine and the kids were preparing was unexpectedly delayed by an egg cracking incident and a sprinkle spill.

"Let's go." He smiled at Cammie as they turned and headed towards home. "It's time to eat."

When they came through the door a few minutes later they were greeted with excited cheers of "Happy Father's Day!" from Catherine and DJ while Angie got confused at the last second and squealed "Happy Birt-day!"

"Happy Father's Day," DJ corrected her gently and with a smile.

The toddler threw her arms in the air. "Happy Fad-der's Day!"

"Oh wow!" Steve hugged both kids then kissed Catherine's cheek. "This looks amazing, guys. I had no idea I was getting a special breakfast this morning. Thank you!"

"It's Father's Day," DJ said. "You definitely get a special breakfast on Father's Day. But Mommy said you don't like breakfast in bed the same way she does so we're eating down here."

The kids beamed with pride while Steve and Catherine shared a knowing smile.

"We made omelets," DJ said as he pointed to the plates on the island.

"They look absolutely delicious!" Steve replied enthusiastically as he looked at the somewhat misshapen creations in the middle of each plate.

"I think I got all the shells out," Catherine said in a voice low enough that only Steve could hear her. "But be careful just in case."

"'Pinkles, Daddy!" Angie said. "Nummy!"

Steve picked her up and tickled her tummy. "Omelets with sprinkles just might be my new favorite breakfast."

Angie giggled. "I hungwy. Let's eat!"

As they ate they chattered excitedly about their plans to spend the day on the beach before meeting up with Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma Ang later at Kamekona's for dinner. Steve couldn't help but notice DJ seemed more nervous than usual. Not in a bad way, more in an excited way.

"Everything ok, buddy?" he asked as the young boy shoveled omelet into his mouth, seemingly determined to get done as soon as possible.

DJ nodded as he took a drink of milk. "Uh-huh."

The nervous energy continued as DJ carried the breakfast dishes to the sink while Catherine wiped off Angie's hands and face. When DJ returned to the table after the last dish was in the sink he couldn't wait any longer.

"Me and Angie made you a present!" he said excitedly.

"Pwesent!" Angie echoed. "It a supwise."

DJ stood next to Angie's chair, the two siblings wearing matching excited smiles.

Steve looked at Catherine who shrugged, making it clear she had not been involved in any way with this part of the present process.

"It's in my room. I'll be right back," DJ said before darting quickly out of the kitchen.

He returned a minute later carrying a package wrapped in colorful paper reading '#1 Dad'. "Me and Angie wrapped it ourselves," he said proudly as he took his place next to his sister. "Grandma gave us the paper and stuff, but we did the wrapping."

Steve smiled at the crinkled paper and excessive tape. "This looks great guys. Thanks."

"Open it," DJ said excitedly, his excess energy about to bubble over.

"Op-en it!" Angie agreed.

Steve tore the paper away and the minute he saw what was inside he was hit with a rush of emotion. He could barely speak as he placed the paper to the side and laid the gift on the table in front of him.

"Do you like it?" DJ asked anxiously as he and Angie clasped hands.

"Wike it, daddy?" Angie asked.

Steve looked at his children and through watery eyes reassured them both. "I love it." He held out his arms and both DJ and Angie rushed to his side. He hugged them both tightly then pulled them onto his lap.

"Did you see, Mommy?" DJ's eyes sparkled. "We made a Special Daddy book. Kinda like the Special Person book I got in class but it's all about Daddy."

Catherine swiped at a tear running down her cheek. "That's amazing."

"Let's read it," DJ bubbled.

As Steve turned the pages slowly, savoring each one, the children explained what he was seeing.

"That's us swimming," DJ said. He pointed to the careful printing under the picture. "'We like it when he teaches us to swim.' Grandma helped me with the spelling, but I wrote it all myself."

"You did a great job," Steve said around the lump in his throat.

"And Angie helped color every picture," DJ added proudly.

Steve beamed. "This is amazing."

He turned the page and Angie clapped her hands. "Bwocks!"

"That's us playing blocks," DJ said.

They spent the next hour going through each and every page, discussing the drawings and reliving memories of the activities that inspired them.

"Didn't you get Daddy a present too?" DJ asked Catherine when they were finished looking at the book.

"I did." Catherine patted the present sitting in the center of the table. "But it can wait for later. Nothing is gonna top what you guys got him."

"Grandpa is my daddy," Catherine explained to Angie as they sat at a table in front of Kamekona's shrimp truck with Joseph, Elizabeth, and Grandma Ang

"Noooo!" The toddler giggled. "Grandpa."

"He's your grandpa," Catherine explained patiently. "But he's my daddy."

Angie looked at Steve who smiled and nodded. She looked at Catherine and Joseph in turn and seemed to be considering the notion. Finally her face broke into a huge grin. "Nooooooo. Dat Grandpa."

Everyone at the table laughed.

"I don't think she's quite old enough to understand," DJ observed.

Catherine ruffled his hair. "I think you're right."

"So, have you decided which of my delectable offerings you're going to have in celebration of Father's Day?" Kamekona asked as he approached the table. "Each one is more delicious than the one before so you can't go wrong."

They ordered some appetizers for the table then placed their individual dinner orders.

"I don't know," Kamekona shook his head in an exaggerated way. "That's a lot of food. Does anyone want to help me cook?"

"Angie do!" she squealed as she scrambled to her feet on top of the bench and held her arms up.

"I was hoping you'd volunteer." Kamekona swept her up in his arms. "You're my favorite sous chef." He whispered in the happy little girl's ear. "Don't tell Esther."

"Kamekona?" DJ pulled some carefully folded bills from the pocket of his cargo shorts and held them out towards the large, burly man. "Is this enough to pay for my daddy's and grandpa's food?"

"You don't have to do that," Steve and Joseph said simultaneously.

"I've been doing extra chores for Grandma and Grandpa to earn the money," DJ explained. "You know how sometimes when we go out to eat and we see some people wearing their uniforms you and mommy pay for their lunch to thank them for their service?" he asked earnestly.

Steve nodded.

"Well sometimes Grandma and Grandpa do that too. And I know you're thanking them for serving our country but I just wanted …" DJ suddenly seemed unsure. "I just wanted to thank both of you for everything you do for me."

Steve wrapped his arms around his son and hugged him tightly. "Thank you."

"You're an amazing young man," Joseph said from across the table.

DJ re-extended his hand to Kamekona hopefully.

Kame pretended to study the amount of money then do mental math about what everyone had ordered.

DJ bit his lip. "Is it enough?"

"It is the exact right amount," Kamekona said.

"Good." DJ beamed. "Then I want to pay for daddy and grandpa."

"That's very nice of you," Steve said. "But just for the record, being your daddy is the best gift ever and it's all I'll ever need."

THE END

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