"Daddy!"
Five-year-old Tilda ran into her father's open arms, warming his heart, evaporating the stress that filled his work day. Chin scooped her up and kissed her, memorizing every bit of this bright light in his life – her fresh-from-the-bath scent, the softness of her pajamas and her silky hair, her rosy cheeks and smile, her small fingers clutching him close, her little toes kicking him in her joy to see him. I am so blessed! he thought.
Today had been rough. They had busted up a drug ring they had been after for months in a bloody stand-off. Three dead, five wounded including Kono, who had taken a hit in the upper chest. The young Hawaiian would live, but it had been very close. Chin recalled the panicked look on his boss's face when large man went down.
The boss… Chin often worried about Steve. He admired and respected the man who had been his boss and good friend for years - his high personal standards, his dedication to his duty to serve and protect the people of the state. But Steve often worked around the clock and when he did go home, he went home to an empty apartment. Where was the balance in his life? He painted, he worked on his boat, he played handball, but police work by far overshadowed everything else and it was aging the man before his time. He had no family, no anchor, no one he would allow behind his professional mask except perhaps Danny Williams.
Danny…the kaikaina, the little brother of the team. Chin smiled as he thought of the early days when the very young detective had started with Five-O. Danny was full of life and humor, loved his work, brightened up the whole office and even seemed to have a positive effect on the stern boss. But as the years passed, the second-in-command had become more serious, more cynical. He still loved his work, but the realities of the job had hardened him. Danny was also single. He too, went home to an empty apartment. Sure, he dated a lot, but there was no committed relationship, no safe place to let down his guard, except perhaps with Steve.
Chin looked past his youngest child to his beloved wife. Talk about a blessing! How in the world did she manage to run this household on his meager salary and raise their eight children practically on her own, considering the long hours he worked? And what on earth would he do without her? Chin's life was balanced. He had the challenges and rewards and often the haunting sorrows of his career. He had the joys of his home: a strong, loyal and loving wife and their growing family.
That night, as he did every night, Chin thanked God for all the good that he had in his life. He prayed for healing for Kono and for some measure of happiness for Steve and Danny in their lives. Maybe someday, he hoped, his colleagues would also experience the blessings of having families of their own. He turned onto his side, his arms cradling the woman lying next to him.