******* This is a SEQUEL to my story BROTHER'S IN ARMS - Kono is now married to Steve's former SEAL teammate, Tony Reddick and their firstborn child is due any day. Kono is still working, handling all the duties at 5-0 Headquarters and Tony is now the fourth field member of the 5-0 task force - You don't have to read BROTHER'S IN ARMS to follow this, but there will be references to the story throughout. It would also give you some background of Steve's and Tony's SEAL history and Kono and Tony's relationship - PLUS, I personally think it's a pretty good story ! Hope you enjoy ! ********
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Kono was insistant about working today wanting to finish up the paperwork on the drug ring that the team had raided yesterday. Tony had wanted her to stay home and off her feet.
As they entered Headquarters they were still chattering at each other.
"Tony I'm fine! There is no reason for me not to be at work today!"
"Other than the fact that Anthony Jr is going to arrive today!"
Steve jumped into the conversation, "WHOA, WHOA, is there something I need to know here?"
"No boss, everything is fine. Anthony here is under the impression our child may be born today"
The nervous SEAL looked at the expectant parents just as Danny came around the corner. Upon seeing Kono he stated, "Kono WHAT are you doing here?"
She rolled her eyes, "Oh God not you too!"
Tony shook his head in appreciation, "THANK YOU Danny. She won't listen to me"
Steve, the ever clueless male, held out his hands in a questioning gesture, "What Danny?"
The blonde detective chuckled at his partner, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Steve, look at her. What do you see?"
His eyes traveled up and down her body, "I see a pregnant, a VERY pregnant Kono"
"She doesn't look different to you?" He know looked totally baffled as Danny continued, "She's dropped more"
"What do you mean she's 'dropped' more?"
"Well not her, the baby. The baby's dropped more. See how much lower she's carrying the baby since yesterday? That means she's getting closer to delivery"
"Really? How do you know that?"
"Steven, are you serious? I have been through this before you know?"
"Oh yeah"
Danny laughed, "You're such a Neanderthal"
By now they were all grinning as Steve continued, "So Doctor Williams what is your suggestion?"
"She should be home, off her feet, being catered to and fed chocolate bon-bons"
Kono chuckled, "Oh my God! As if that will happen!"
Tony looked at her, "Hey come on! That's how I always treat you!"
"PLEASE!"
Steve spoke through his laughter, "That's what he tells us every day Kono. According to Tony you don't have to lift a finger at home"
Once they composed themselves, Steve said, "Seriously though, should you be here?"
"YES. I'm perfectly fine. I have not had any contractions and I'm not due for three more days. I want to get the paperwork caught up for you boss"
He turned to Tony, "This is between you two but Kono, I can certainly finish the paperwork later. It's not a problem"
Tony held her hands, "If you insist you're fine, alright. But you call me if anything changes. I don't want Junior being born here or in our car"
"I'll call you honey, I promise. But I have a question? What if Anthony is Antoinette?"
He embraced his wife, "Then I will thank God that I have been blessed with another angel" He kissed her softly and then the men all left to go meet Chin at a crime scene.
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Tony just had a gut feeling and it nagged him all morning, today was the day. He just knew that his first child was going to born today!
He didn't have to wait long. At a little before noon his phone rang, "Kono?"
"Don't you DARE say 'I told you so'!"
"It's time?"
"Yes, My water broke and I just just talked to the Doctor and he told me to come in soon"
"Okay, okay...I'll be right there. I love you Kono"
"I love you too sweetheart. Are you excited?"
"I can't wait. I'll be there in a few minutes"
"You can finish up there Tony. We have plenty of time. I'm only dilated to a three, we have a long way to go"
"Well, forgive me but I'll feel a lot better when I'm with you"
"I'll feel better then too. Drive safely"
"I'll be there soon"
The men were outside a home where a gang shooting had occurred several hours earlier.
Steve looked to Tony, "Is she okay?"
"Yeah, but it's time"
"Well what the hell are you still doing here young man, go! That's an order!"
As they all move towards Tony's car, Danny attempted to share his words of wisdom, "Okay Anthony, just remember to have her take deep, soothing breaths because I'm telling you she's going to call you some names you thought she never even knew. So honestly, you need to take the deep breaths too partner because until she's holding that little one she's going to hate you"
Steve gave Danny one of his 'looks', "What are you saying Danny?"
"You my dear friend have never had a child so I can for once say with 100% certainty that you know NOTHING about this topic! And stop giving me that look!"
"When Gracie was being born I swear if I had been wearing my sidearm I would not have gotten out of that room alive. Rachel would have done anything in her power to get her hands on that weapon and then you my dear friend would have missed out on all these wonderful years with me as your partner"
"You know what Danny, I would literally pay you to shut up right now" He then turned to Tony, embracing him "Go Anthony, send Kono our love and we'll get up there soon. Call us with updates okay?"
"Will do boss"
As Tony drove off, Steve turned to Danny "Really?"
Danny responded, "What's the matter with you? I was just giving our boy a little reality check because if he's anything like me he doesn't have a clue about what's ahead of him"
"Kono, angry? Saying she hates him? Come on..."
"Steve, have you EVER seen a woman give birth?"
"No but I've heard it's a beautiful experience"
Danny laughed, "Oh it is, it is. It's absolutely amazing to watch and I truly hope that someday you get to see your own child be born. But the pain leading up to it is hell brother, and I'm not talking about only for the Mother"
"It can't be that bad Danny or why would anyone have a second child?"
"Rachel and my sisters have all told me that the instant that baby was placed in their arms they forgot all about the pain"
Steve smirked, "You haven't seemed to have forgotten about it Danno"
"Rachel almost broke my hand buddy. She had super-human strength and she kept yelling that it was all my fault. Yeah, it was scary..."
Steve laughed as Chin added, "Boss we may need to worry about young Anthony. Kono doesn't need a gun to hurt someone"
"You guys are awful. Let's wrap it up here so we can get up to the hospital to be there...for BOTH of them"
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Malia joined the three men in the waiting room along with Kono's parents.
They waited...and they waited...
Tony came out to report periodically letting them know that Kono was holding up well much to everyone's relief.
Finally at a little after midnight Tony entered the room with a look of shock and amazement on his face.
"It's a boy...it's a boy!" He ran his hand through his hair adding, "Kono and the baby are both doing great...it's a boy!"
The group all exchanges hugs and high fives as they celebrated the arrival of 'baby boy Reddick'.
Danny asked, "So details Tony, come on brother!"
"He's beautiful..."
Danny interrupted immediately..."Tony, Tony...Gracie is beautiful. Your son is HANDSOME"
"Yes, Danny...he's very handsome. He has jet black hair and dark eyes. He weighs 7 pounds 10 ounces and he's 21 inches long. He's got all the right parts and an amazing set of lungs!"
Malia asked, "What's his name Tony?"
Tony smiled, "I'm going to let Kono share that with you all. She's ready to see you. The Nurses say you can all just stay for a few minutes because of how late it is"
They all excitedly followed Tony to Kono's room. She looked exhausted yet unbelievably happy as she held the bundled little boy to her chest.
As everyone circled around the bed and quietly offered their congratulations she turned the baby towards them.
His eyes were wide and bright and he had inherited much of his Mother's Hawaiian beauty. His tiny tongue darted in and out of his mouth causing everyone to chuckle as Kono announced, "Thank you for waiting all day for this little man's arrival, he has a wonderful family in all of you. I would like to introduce you to Steven Daniel Reddick"
Danny hollered "Alright, look at him!"
Steve looked at the baby, and then to Tony and Kono, "Really?"
They both smiled at him and Tony stepped away from the bed motioning to his mentor, "Come meet your namesake Steve"
Danny slapped his back as the SEAL moved next to Tony. The men embraced and Steve bent down to kiss Kono. "Are you ready to hold him boss?"
"I'd love to" Kono set her newborn son into the arms of the man she and he husband both adored.
He cradled the tiny infant in his massive arms, "Hey little man it's good to meet you. You've got wonderful parents Steven and you're going to have an amazing life" He looked at Kono, "You did great sweetheart, he's really something….wow"
Danny moved in, "Okay partner, it's my turn….his middle name is Daniel you know!"
Steve handed the baby off then again embraced Tony. "I don't know what to say to you two, I'm so honored"
"We love you Steve. Isn't this unbelievable?"
"Yeah it is Tony. I'm so happy for both of you. I love you too"
Once baby Steven had been placed into the arms of his loving Grandmother, the 5-0 team and Malia said their goodbyes and left for the night, hoping the Nurses would allow Kono's parents to remain for a while longer.
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The next three months were the happiest of Kono's life. Actually the last year had been amazing. She had met Tony because of his connections with Steve and they had been brought together at a time of crisis for all of them. The younger brother of Nick Taylor had come seeking revenge on Steve for Nick's death. Two fellow members of Steve's elite SEAL Team Three were killed along with a member of Wade Gutches SEAL team and Danny and Chin were both seriously injured. The guilt brought on by these events had nearly destroyed Steve. As horrible as that time had been for her, it brought Tony into her life and now as she spent her days tending to her little miracle, Kono Reddick had no idea of the dangers facing her new family as Justin Norris arrived on the Island of Oahu from San Diego.
****** Initial thoughts? Please let me know! – Much more to follow *******